much more mundane account of his death is that he died in his home in Manningtree "of a consumption", probably tuberculosis, according to John Stearne in 1647. The precise location of Hopkins' grave is unknown although his burial is recorded on the Manningtree parish register. There is also speculation that Hopkins went into hiding with the help of sympathizers. One apocryphal tale is that he fled to New England where some suggest he had a hand in the Salem witch trials.Hopkins in a period of just fourteen months is thought to have facilitated in the deaths of between 200 and 400 people. Matthew Hopkins, the Witchfinder-General of Essex certainly led an auspicious career. He went from destitution to prosperity in a remarkably short time. In a very sick sense Hopkins was a pure capitalist, but in a very real sense Hopkins was a fanatical zealot who made a profit by promoting fear and hatred, and through the suffering of others...
