Often with tragic results, Puritans who had come to the New World seeking religious freedom denied this freedom to others, particularly the Quakers. Puritans sought and enforced uniformity of religious thought. Expressing beliefs not consistent with Puritanism resulted in banishment from the colony, fines, branding, and execution for those who were refractory. In Massachusetts, four people were hanged between 1659 and 1661 for returning to the colony after being expelled and continuing to preach their beliefs. (A statue of Mary Dyer, one of those hung for her beliefs, is pictured.)
Several of our ancestors were victims of this persecution and some of these are profiled below.
John Crossman (1588-1688) was our 10th great grandfather. He was born in England about 1588 and came to New England about 1636; he was first in Dedham, but later settled in Taunton. He was a widower when he came to New England with his son Robert. John was a Quaker and in 1651 he was sentenced in Court for blasphemy with a punishment of whipping, branding, and banishment. He went to Rhode Island where he died at age 100. His son Robert stayed in Taunton.
1651: Oct. 14 Whereas the Court & jury did not agree in Crossmans case, who is now a prisoner for blasphemy, & so, it necessarylie cominge to this Court to be determined, the Court, on a full hearing of the case, uppon the evidence given in, doe order and determine as follows, vizt: that the sd Crossman be severely whipt in open market place, & imediately after to be burnt in his forehead with the letter: B: & also to be banished for ever out of or jurisdiction.
Samuel Dean (1630-1707) was our 8th great grandfather. Samuel Dean settled in Lancaster, Massachusetts, signed the town covenant in 1653, but then relocated to Long Island before 18 February 1656. He was a Quaker, active since 1672. Quaker meetings were held at his Jamaica house in 1687. On a 9 January 1661 list of persons that have joined in a meeting of the quaecker, named George Wilson in the house of Henry Townsen were 11 people: Henry Townsen, Sam Spicer (of Gravesend), Goedie Tilton (of Gravesend), Sam Andries, Ritchard Harcker, Samuel Deen & his wife, John Townson & his wife, Rutchard Brittnell, and Richard Chasmoor. Henry Townsend and Sam Spicer were taken prisoners, charged with lodging Quakers, and invited others to come and hear the Quaker preach [in both Rustdorp (Jamaica) and Gravesend]. Henry Townsend was fined 25 pounds Flemish; Sam Spicer 12 pounds. John Tilton of Gravesend and John Townsend of Jamaica, were banished. Richard Chasmore (who is also one of our ancestors) signed (by mark) on 11 Feb 1661, a pledge to inform and assist authorities of the presence of Quakers in the town of Rustdorp. Those who would not subscribe: John Townsend, Richarde Harkar, Samuell Deine, Samuell Andrewse, Benjamin Hubbarde, Nathaniell Cole.
Edward Harnett, Sr. (1598-?) was our 9th great grandfather. Edward and his wife Sysley probably left England for the New World in search of religious freedom. However, they did not find any. They settled in Salem where Quakers were persona non grata. The Harnetts were persecuted for attending Quaker meetings and harboring Quakers. On June 29, 1658, among those persons punished for attending a Quaker meeting at Nicholas Phelpls' were Edward Harnett and wife. Some were indicted, Edward Harnett and wife Priscilla (Sysley was called Priscilla or Cecily in some records) are fined. They left the area shortly after. They sold their house, barn, and land February 20, 1657/58 and disappeared. (Taken from "The History of Salem Mass" by Sidney Pearley, 1924). They moved to Rhode Island or Long Island. His son, who left around the same time, shows up later in Long Island Records.
William Kinge (1595-1649) was our 10th great grandfather. He was a member of the First church at Salem, but in 1637 joined the Antinomians and came under the ban of the Salem authorities. He was requested to sever his connection with the new church or have his arms (guns) taken away from him. He remained with the new faith and gave up his gun to Lieutenant Danforth. Later he was banished for a time for sheltering the persecuted Quakers. One of his children, Katherine, married a staunch Quaker, John Swezey. William, Jr. was persecuted by his community for supporting Quakers. William Hallock disinherited one of his boys for marrying one of the Quaker daughters of Katherine and converting to the Friends.
Nicholas Upsall (1596-1666) was our 10th great grandfather. Although Nicholas was a Puritan, he fell out with them after coming to Massachusetts. He became interested in the Quakers, and for that he suffered terribly. He was fined and imprisoned, and then banished to Sandwich. He then traveled to Rhode Island where he stayed for three years. He returned to Boston but was imprisoned for two years. He was then put under a form of house arrest at the home of John Capen provided the said Upshall do not corrupt any with his pernicious opinions, or admit Quakers or other heretical persons to have communion with him or recourse to him.
Source:
Library of Congress. (n.d.). Religion and the founding of the American republic: Persecution in America. Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel01-2.html