Page "Cotton Mather" Paragraph 16

Cotton Mather's relationship with his well-known father, Increase Mather, is thought by some to have been a strained and difficult one.

Increase Mather was a pastor of the Old North Church and led an accomplished life that Cotton was determined to live up to.

Despite Cotton Mather's efforts, he never became quite as well known and successful in politics as his father.

He did surpass his father's talents as a writer, writing over 400 books.

One of the most public displays of their strained relationship appeared during the Salem Witch Trials.

Despite the fact that Increase Mather did not support the trials, Cotton Mather documented them ( Hovey 531-2 ).