Puritan Rule
Life in New England, by mid-seventeenth century, was a nearly perfectly ordered Puritan Paradise. But two facts of nature are, and were, certain: "Nothing last forever," and "Everything is subject to change." A third possible situation to be considered is: "For every action there is a reaction."
The Puritan life in young America's New England dictated that there was a time for work and a time for prayer. There was a time for happiness as well as a time for tears. A good son learned and went into whatever occupation occupied his father. A good girl, usually, stayed a good girl until she was wed. After that, she was her husband's possession and stayed a good girl, submitting unto him in all ways. A commoner respected his betters and all attended church-it was the law that governed all English citizens in America. And the law was not to be disputed.
But the law was disputed. The outcome of this dispute was named Rhode Island.
Rhode Island
The situation that brought about the settlement of Rhode Island was the discontent of some dissenting souls who felt that the ways and strict rules of the 'saints,' as the Puritans were referred to, were far too strict, leaving no margin for any compromise what so ever. It was a case of live by Puritan ways and laws or else.
Roger Williams Takes a Stand
The first to speak out against Puritan tyranny was one Roger Williams.
Williams, who came to Boston in 1631, was a minister, "visionary" and a fur trader. Shortly after arriving in Boston he took the pulpit in a church in Salem, Massachusetts, a town that in another sixty years would feel the sharp sting of Puritan power.
Colonial America series continues with:
Previous: America Takes Toddling Steps .
Source:
Carson, Clarence B. A Basic History of the United States, volume 1: The Colonial Experience, 1607-1774. American Textbook Committee, Wadley, Alabama, 1987.
