Danbury Baptists

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists, January 1, 1802

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

Thomas Jefferson January 1, 1802 The Danbury Baptist Association was founded in 1790 as a coalition of about 26 churches in the Connecticut Valley. Connecticut had established Congregationalism as its official state religion. It was as a persecuted religious minority that they wrote to President Jefferson asking for his help in overthrowing the establishment. Jefferson’s response was not some throwaway courtesy note but the product of careful deliberation involving several of his top advisors. We know this with some certainty…

Letter from Danbury Baptists to Thomas Jefferson, October 7, 1801

May 23, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Danbury Baptists October 7, 1801 This is the letter that prompted Jefferson’s famous letter declaring there to be a wall separating church and state. Sir, — Among the many millions in America and Europe who rejoice in your Election to office; we embrace the first opportunity which we have enjoyd in our collective capacity, since your Inauguration, to express our great satisfaction, in your appointment to the chief Majestracy in the United States; And though our mode of expression may…