But in the progress of settlement, Salem village also became entitled to a church of its own; and it had one regularly established at the date of our story, with the Reverend Samuel Parris as presiding elder or minister.
There had been many bickerings and disputes before a minister could be found acceptable to all in Salem village.

And the present minister was by no means a universal favorite.

The principal point of contention on his part was the parsonage and its adjacent two acres of ground.

Master Parris claimed that the church had voted him a free gift of these; while his opponents not only denied that it had been done, but that it lawfully could be done.

This latter view was undoubtedly correct; for the parsonage land was a gift to the church, for the perpetual use of its pastor, whosoever he might be.