Some History of Puritans, Salem, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and The House of the Seven Gables

Puritans were a group of Protestants in England that date back in the 16th century. During that time, England was ruled by Elizabeth I and she strongly supported the Church of England movement. Puritans had different views from Queen Elizabeth I and they wanted to reform the Church of England so that it became more Puritan.  However, this reformation didn't happened completely and the Puritans decided to take there religion to somewhere else, and that somewhere else is New England.

The idea of witchcraft in Salem was introduced in 1692. Betty Paris was found sick and the idea of witchcraft rose quickly. The first accusations were made by the Putnams. The Putnams took their complaint to Judge John Hathorne. Judge John Hathorne examined the "witches" and there formed a growing crowd of spectators.

Nathaniel Hawthorne changed his last name to distinguish himself from his relative: Judge John Hathorne. He probably changed his name because he didn't feel proud that his ancestor was a judge that condemned many people for witchcraft. At one point, his uncle bought the House of the Seven Gables and remodeled it. During Hawthorne's youth, he often went to the House and was told of its history by his cousin, Susannah Ingersoll.

The House of the Seven Gables is the oldest mansion In North American that is still in existence today. It was remodeled by its owners many times throughout its years. During a period of time, the House only had three gables remaining. In 1908, the House was again purchased, but this time by Caroline O. Emmerton who restored it to it's early days and changed it into a museum. To make the House more interesting, she changed it so that it matched Nathaniel Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables.