What Role Did Samuel Parris Play In The Salem Witch Trials

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Many townspeople in Salem would agree that Reverend Samuel Parris had a role in the
Salem witch trials. Arthur Miller chose to model Parris off of a man named George Burroughs.
George was born in Suffolk, England in 1652. He became a Puritan minister after graduating
from Harvard. According to OUPblog, George “was considered the ringleader of the largest
witch hunt in American history” (Baker).
George Burroughs became the Minister of Salem around the year 1680. He and his wife
moved there after being attacked by Indians in their previous town of Casco, Maine. He then had
10 children with his wife. Not soon after they moved to Salem, his wife passed away, leaving a
financial burden on Burroughs. He borrowed money from the townspeople because

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