67 



ty to prevent it. And our Pastor tho' otherwise inclinetl, yet 

 as unwilling to leave so many of his flock, as testify so strong 

 affections towards him. So earnestly requesting the constant 

 helps of your prayers, and as much otherwise as you can, we 

 rest, worthy and much esteemed sirs, your needy brethren. 



Samuel Parris, Pastor, 

 in the name of the church and other christian neighbors. 

 To the Rev. Mr. Increase Mather and ^ 

 Mr. Cotton Mather, jun., Boston. ^ 



It does not appear that there were any more efforts made by the 

 Boston Elders, to bring about a reconciliation ; and it seems that 

 there was always a majority of the parish in favor of Mr. Parris, 

 remaining Avith them ; and there appears to have been a very 

 general mistake, with many authors, in regard to his dismission 

 from his people, they, supposing that he Avas hastily driven 

 away 'from the Village. Whereas he continued and maintained 

 himself through a ministerial quarrel of five years, until he saw 

 fit to discontinue it, when he informed his church of his inten- 

 tions. 



There were three distinct matters of dispute between Parris 

 and his people at Salem Village. The first arose previous to 

 the breaking out of the witchcraft delusion, in consequence of 

 the neglect of his Parish to furnish him with the stipulated 

 supply of 30 cords of wood per annum. The second dispute 

 •with the four dissenting brethren of the church, arose in conse- 

 quence of the course pursued by Parris in regard to witchcraft. 

 The third, was in consequence of his claiming the parsonage 

 and lands, under a vote of the inhabitants of the Village, and 

 their refusing to pay him his arrears due him, on his old lists 

 of rates. These three disputes, caused a long and continued 

 quarrel, which at last attracted the people far and near — was a 

 grave matter for learned councils, was brought before the Coun- 

 ty Courts, and was a subject for petition before the great and 

 General Court at Boston. After it was understood that Parris 

 was to leave the people at the Village, and that he claimed the 

 parsonage, a fierce quarrel arose between him and the inhabi- 

 tants, which was carried before the Court at Ipswich. 



The matter, without being settled, was taken from the Courts, 

 and given to Wait Winthrop, Elisha Cook, and Samuel Sewall, 

 Esqrs., and they decided "that Mr. Parris should have some of 

 his arrears paid him, also a sum of money for his repairs of the 

 ministerial house, and be dismissed from Salem Village." 



It was during his greatest difficulties with his people, that he 

 lost his wife, by death. This occurred on the 14th of July-j 

 1696. She was buried in the Wadsworth burial ground, in 



