Puritans?? Was Cotton Mather a Puritan?

Question

if not other then Jonathon Edwards, who else is a famous puritan preacher---oh writing essay for American Lit.

Thanks

Answer 1

Yes, Mather was a Puritan. John Robinson was the Puritan preacher of the group that sailed aboard the Mayflower, though Robinson himself did not go. Three of his sons did go to Massachusetts, and I myself claim John Robinson as an ancestor as do several thousand others. He and Robert Browne are considered the founders of the Congregational Church (the "official" Puritan church organization).

The Puritan movement was quite large in England throughout the 17th century and continued as a force in America (particularly New England, of course) well into the 18th century. Thereafter, Purtianism went into decline and the various churches began to break apart. Many became Unitarians in the 19th century. Anyway, there are literally thousands of preachers and theologians that were Puritans. Even a "famous" list would probably be upwards of 100 individuals. Richard Baxter and Richard Sibbes and William Brewster are three individuals who might be interesting to look into.

The conflicts between Puritans, Anglicans, and Presbyterians are quite complex and are at the forefront of the English Civil War, the Commonwealth that came out of that, and the Restoration after that.  

Answer 2

Chuck Norris.