Hannah Adams

An Abridgment of the History of New-england (Historiography) Hannah Adams

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1806. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... viz. the bigotry and intolerance of the new settlers. This gave rise to the plantations of Providence and Rhode Island, an account of which will be given in the subsequent chapter. CHAP. IV. The intolerant principles of the Massachusetts colonyBanishment of Mr. Roger Williams, and his settlement at Providence--The Antinomian dissentions in Massachusetts, and the settlement at Rhode Island--Plantations of Exeter, Hampton, and Warwick--The inhabitants of Narraganset-Bat/ obtain a patent from tht Crown of Englandi 1631. TlIE inhabitants of New-England, who abandoned their native country, and encountered a variety of hardships to avoid persecution, soon discovered a determined resolution to enforce uniformity in religious worship, among all those who inhabited their territories. Hence, as early as the second general court, after the arrival of the governor and company, they resolved that none should be admitted to the freedom of the body politic, but such as were church members. They soon after concluded, that none but such should .share in the administration of civil government, or have a voice in any election. A few years after, they so far forgot their own sufferings, as to persecute those who refused to accede to their religious sentiments. Mr. Roger Williams, a puritan clergyman, arrived this year from England at Salem, where he was immediately chosen assistant to Mr. Shelton. The magistrates opposed his settlement, because he refused to join with the church at Boston, unless they would make a public declaration of their repentance for maintaining communion with the church of England while in their native country,. This occasioned Mr. Williams's removal to Plymouth, where he was elected assistant to Mr. Smith, in which office he continued between two and three ...