Persecution

Letter from William Bradford to James Madison (about religious freedom in Pennsylvania)

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

William Bradford March 4, 1774 Bradford’s college classmate, James Madison, has informed Bradford that persecution is rampant in Virginia. Bradford respond that liberty seems to be thriving in Pennsylvania. I am sorry to hear that Persecution has got so much footing among you. The discription you give of your Country makes me more in love with mine. Indeed I have ever looked on America as the land of freedom when compared with the rest of the world, but compared with…

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Letter from James Madison to William Bradford, April 1, 1774

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison April 1, 1774 After graduating from Princeton (then called the College of New Jersey) James Madison returned to Virginia to find a wave of persecution. He writes here to his college friend, William Bradford, about efforts to protect religious minorities. Our Assembly is to meet the first of May When It is expected something will be done in behalf of the Dissenters: Petitions I hear are already forming among the Persecuted Baptists and I fancy it is in…

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Letter from James Madison to William Bradford, January 24, 1774

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison January 24, 1774 Madison contrasts the persecution he’s witnessing at home in Virginia with the freedom he saw in Philadelphia, home of his Princeton classmate, William Bradford. The persecution of the Baptists in Northern Virginia apparently influenced Madison greatly, want again to breathe your free Air. I expect it will mend my Constitution & confirm my principles. I have indeed as good an Atmosphere at home as the Climate will allow: but have nothing to brag of as…

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Autobiography of James Madison

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison 1831 Madison sketched a thin autobiography in response to a request from a would-be biographer. He writes in third person. He is over 80 years old at this point, and it’s noteworthy that he devotes significant space in this 12-page treatise to his work on religious freedom. At the age of 12 years, he was placed by his father under the tuition of Donald Robertson, from Scotland, aman of extensive learning, and a distinguished Teacher,in the Countyof King…

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A Memoir of the Life and Times of Isaac Backus

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

Isaac Backus January 1, 1858 Isaac Backus was one of the most important Baptist leaders of the revolutionary era. He argued fervently against persecution of Baptists and in favor of separation of chuch and state. Here he describes how he was dispatched to visit the members of the Continental Congress to plead against the religious establishment in Massachusetts. Adams resisted his pleas. Oct. 14th. In the evening there met at Carpenters’ Hall, Thomas Gushing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert…

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