The Parris Household
Samuel Parris had come to Salem Village, three years prior to the witch-hunt. With him was his wife Elizabeth who was often ill. The younger portion of the Parris family included his daughter Elizabeth Parris, who was often referred to as Betty. Of the Parris children there was also another younger daughter, age five, and a son, age ten. Also include in the Parris household was Parris' niece, Abigail Williams, who may have been an orphan. Paris was also in possession of a Caribbean Indian slave couple, Tituba and John Indian.
Power From the Pulpit
While preaching hell and damnation, Parris also beleaguered his "parishioners to award him his due." Parris' due, in his eyes, included their unquestioning love and respect. He also wanted free firewood and pay he was owed. His own self-importance, and that of his position as the minister of Salem Village, is shown in his demand for gold candlesticks for the altar.
His sermons were filled with his "bottomless depths of envy, insecurity, and greed." He believed the ministry was equal to nobility and expressed this view openly. He abhorred anyone who used the ministry for profit while, at the same time, constantly harped on the price of items in his pursuit to draw sympathy to, in his opinion, his meager existence. His existence was, however, far from meager as a home was provided for him and his family, as well as other material necessities. His constant demand for the salary due him was a genuine complaint.
While often alienating his parishioners towards him he appears to have been obsessed with how others saw him. He was also obsessed with seeing evil everywhere around him, a constant subject of his sermons.
The Reverend Samuel Parris: The Pious Puritan Preacher of Salem Village, continues with, Samuel Parris Points First Finger: Tituba and Mary Sibley Blasted from the Pulpit.
Recommended Reading:
A Witch Cake Baked in Salem Village: Urine Was the Telling Ingredient.
The Devil Walked Among Them: Puritans, Witches, and Demons in Salem.
October, the Bewitching Month: Devils, Demons, Witches and Salem! Oh My!
