Why does Thomas Putnum believe whitchcraft is involved?

Thomas Putnam wants to believe that witchcraft is involved. His wife feels that witches are involved with the death of eight of her nine kids. This might bring Mr. Putnam some comfort that it's not his wife's fault, or God forbid his, I think more than that Putnam is greedy for land. If he can get people accused for witchcraft, he can pick up their land for cheap. Putnam, for example, goes after the land of Giles Corey. Once convicted these people relinquished title to their land. Yes, Putnam is a real weasel!