Lot 178
Mather, Cotton (1663-1728), Puritan minister from New England, author and pamphleteer; renowned for his involvement in the Salem Witch trials. Autograph Letter Signed "Co. Mather", 1½ pages, 4 x 6, Boston, April 24, 1719. To The Reverend Mr Samuel Danforth, Minister of Ye Gospel. Letter reads in pertinent part:
"An Honourable Friend, has demanded it of me, that I give you some report of what Mr. Boyd said unto us, concerning that unhappy young man, in whom that precise of Bristol & yr Neighbourhood, is disturbed.
He confessedly said unto us, that he had no personal knowledge of this McSparron: But that it was Reposted and Resolved in Zeeland, that his coming from the shed was to avoid a propension for a Fornication. And that, if his Testimonials appear as coming from any proselytary shore, they are doubtless a Forgery.
You can best judge, when weight there is to be laid on this representation; refuse, ye claudecant way of the young man's coming aboard, lend a very suspicious aspect upon it.
R[ea]d it how it will, ye evidence you have to convict him of a notorious falsehood in the confession he'd publickly made at Bristol, and enough to discover & determine such a leprosy upon him, as disqualifies him from the services of the sanctuary."
Strongly penned with some minor ink blotting. Detached address leaf in Mather's hand with remnants of wax seal at upper right. Average soiling and wear, Fine.
Estimate 7,500 - 10,000
A SCARCE AND FINE EXAMPLE OF WRITING BY AN INFLUENTIAL RELIGIOUS FIGURE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS.
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| Realized $6,500 |
