Reverend Samuel Parris
Bree & Caleb
Background, Anyone?
• Invited to Salem in 1688 by
John Putnam.
• When Putnam invited him he
was a marginally successful
planter and merchant in
Barbados.
• A year later after
negotiations over benefits
Parris accepted the job as
Village minister.
• He moved to Salem with his
wife, Elizabeth, six-year-old
daughter Betty, niece Abagail
Williams and his slave Tituba.
Doctor! Doctor!
• In January of 1962, Parris’ daughter
and niece grew ill.
• William Griggs, village doctor,
diagnosed it as bewitchment.
Let’s Foreshadow a Bit
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Griggs’ diagnoses set in motion a purging
force.
He started the force that got 19 men and
women hanged. (One man crushed too.)
Several died in prison.
Anyone who didn’t get killed was scarred
and changed forever.
Prisons were filled by upwards of 150
women from surrounding villages.
What Can Be Said About the Reverend?
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Notorious personality, if you don’t believe me, the dude hanged his own daughter.
Proves that giving full religious power to self-centered, deceptive individuals is bad.
Held great antipathy toward his opponents in Salem.
Whether or not Parris was somewhat responsible after beginning to preach about the work
of the Devil in the world is up to discussion.