Papers belonging to the New England Puritan Mather family.

The Mathers were a prominent New England Puritan family. Richard Mather (1596-1669), immigrated to New England in 1635, having been suspended for non-conformity; he served as a pastor in Dorchester until his death. One of his sons was Increase Mather (1639-1723), the first Massachusetts- born president of Harvard College and the father of Cotton Mather (1663-1728), pastor of the Second Church of Boston. Increase and Cotton Mather, known primarily for their role in the Salem witch trials, played an important role in Massachusetts colonial administration and were prolific and highly influential preachers and theologians.

2.40 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

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