Pre-Colonial

Diary of William Bradford at Plymouth Plantation

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

William Bradford 1630 Of Plymouth Plantation CHAPTER I It is well known unto the godly and judicious, how ever since the first breaking out of the light of the gospel in our honorable nation of England, (which was the first of nations whom the Lord adorned therewith after the gross darkness of popery which had covered and overspread the Christian world), what wars and oppositions ever since, Satan hath raised, maintained and continued against the Saints, from time to…

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The First Charter of Virginia, 1606

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

Virginia May 10, 1606 The colony is established with a firm invocation of Almighty God and a commitment to propagating the Christian religion to the “Infidels and Savages.” JAMES, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. WHEREAS our loving and well-disposed Subjects, Sir Thorn as Gales, and Sir George Somers, Knights, Richard Hackluit, Clerk, Prebendary of Westminster, and Edward-Maria Wingfield, Thomas Hanharm and Ralegh Gilbert, Esqrs. William Parker, and George…

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Charter of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, 1663

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

Rhode Island July 15, 1663 Under the leadership of Roger Williams, Rhode Island moved toward religious freedom before the other colonies. CHARLES THE SECOND, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., to all to whome these presents shall come, greeting: Whereas wee have been informed, by the humble petition of our trustie and well beloved subject, John Clarke, on the behalf of Benjamine Arnold, William Brenton, William Codington, Nicholas Easton,…

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Pennsylvania’s Charter of Libertie, 1682

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

Pennsylvania April 25, 1682 To ALL PEOPLE to whom these presents shall come WHEREAS King Charles the second by his Letters, Patents under the Great Seal of England for the Considerations therein mentioned hath been graciously pleased to give and grant unto me William Penn (By the name of William Penn Esq’r son and heir of Sr. William Penn deceased) and to my heirs and assigns forever ALL that tract of land or province called PENNSILVANIA in America with divers…

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Charter for the Province of Pennsylvania, 1681

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

Pennsylvania 1681 [Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland Defender of the Faith &c To our Right Trusty and Welbeloved Chancellor Heneage Lord Finch our Chancellor of England greeting Wee will and comand you that under our Great Seale of England remaining in your Custody you cause our Letters to be made Forth patents in form following] CHARLES the Second, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland,…

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Charter of the Colony of New Plymouth Granted to William Bradford and His Associates : 1629

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

New Plymouth 1629 To all to whom these presents shall come greetinge: Whereas our late sovereigns lord king James for the advancement of a collonie and plantacon in the cuntry called or knowne by the name of New Englande in America, by his highnes letters patients under the greate scale of Englande bearingedate att Westminster the third day of November in the eighteenth yeare of his highnes raigne of England, &c. did give graunte and confirms unto the right honoble…

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Mayflower Compact, 1620

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Mayflower Passengers 1620 IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence…

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The Body of Liberties of the Massachusets Collonie in New England

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Masschusetts 1641 Excerpts of the early Puritan laws related to religion The free fruition of such liberties Immunities and priveledges as humanitie, Civilitie, and Christianitie call for as due to every man in his place and proportion without impeachment and Infringement hath ever bene and ever will be the tranquillitie and Stabilitie of Churches and Commonwealths. And the deniall or deprivall thereof, the disturbance if not the ruine of both.We hould it therefore our dutie and safetie whilst we…

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Trial of Anne Hutchinson

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Massachusetts Court 1637 Anne Hutchinson was a reputable Boston matron who began holding meetings after church to discuss the day’s sermons or the Bible. It was deemed a direct assault on the official church. Theologically, she believed that the Puritans emphasized good works too much and put insufficient emphasis on grace. She was brought before the general court, where her accusers were also her judges. She declared that the local clergy lacked inspiration from God, and asked what laws she’d…

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The Charter of Massachusetts Bay, 1691

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Massachusetts Bay 1691 WILLIAM & MARY by the grace of God King and Queene of England Scotland France and Ireland Defenders of the Faith &c To all to whome these presents shall come Greeting Whereas his late Majesty King James the First Our Royall Predecessor by his Letters Patents vnder the Greate Seale of England bearing date at Westminster the Third Day of November in the Eighteenth yeare of his Reigne did Give and Grant vnto the Councill established at…

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