Important People of the Puritan Era (1560-1750)
Roger Williams
Roger Williams was born around 1603 in London, England. As a boy, Williams was educated at the Charterhouse Academy and later at Pembroke College, Cambridge. While at Cambridge, Williams made a conversion to Puritanism. In 1631, Williams moved to New England. During his fifty years in New England, Williams was a strong advocate of religious toleration and the separation of church and state. Williams is most famous for the founding of Rhode Island, as well as being the author of many writings defending his religious beliefs, and attacking Quakerism. Williams is also credited with founding the first Baptist Church in America. Williams, during his life, became one of the most well-known Puritan writers in New England. His most famous works include A Key into the Language of America, Christenings Make Not Christians, and The Correspondence of Roger Williams.
Roger Williams was born around 1603 in London, England. As a boy, Williams was educated at the Charterhouse Academy and later at Pembroke College, Cambridge. While at Cambridge, Williams made a conversion to Puritanism. In 1631, Williams moved to New England. During his fifty years in New England, Williams was a strong advocate of religious toleration and the separation of church and state. Williams is most famous for the founding of Rhode Island, as well as being the author of many writings defending his religious beliefs, and attacking Quakerism. Williams is also credited with founding the first Baptist Church in America. Williams, during his life, became one of the most well-known Puritan writers in New England. His most famous works include A Key into the Language of America, Christenings Make Not Christians, and The Correspondence of Roger Williams.
Edward Taylor
Edward Taylor was born in Leicestershire, England, in 1642. He was educated throughout his youth, and later became a school teacher. When Taylor lost his teaching position in 1668, he left England for America. During his trans-Atlantic journey and first few years in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Taylor kept records and writings in his Diary, which is now a published work. While in America, Taylor attended Harvard College to study divinity. In 1671, he graduated and moved on to become a minister. For the next sixty years, Taylor worked as a Puritan minister. He began to write poetry and became one of the most famous Puritan writers of the time. His poetry expressed his very pious beliefs, his emphasis on self-examination, and his view that individuals should have strong personal relations with God. Taylor was a very active writer, but he wished to keep his writings to himself. When he died, Taylor left specific instructions that none of his works should ever be published. For two hundred years his writings remained unknown, but in 1937, Thomas Johnson discovered a seven-thousand page anthology of Taylor’s works in the library at Yale University. Of his many poems, Taylor is most famous for Preparatory Meditations, Huswifery, and Ebb and Flow.
Edward Taylor was born in Leicestershire, England, in 1642. He was educated throughout his youth, and later became a school teacher. When Taylor lost his teaching position in 1668, he left England for America. During his trans-Atlantic journey and first few years in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Taylor kept records and writings in his Diary, which is now a published work. While in America, Taylor attended Harvard College to study divinity. In 1671, he graduated and moved on to become a minister. For the next sixty years, Taylor worked as a Puritan minister. He began to write poetry and became one of the most famous Puritan writers of the time. His poetry expressed his very pious beliefs, his emphasis on self-examination, and his view that individuals should have strong personal relations with God. Taylor was a very active writer, but he wished to keep his writings to himself. When he died, Taylor left specific instructions that none of his works should ever be published. For two hundred years his writings remained unknown, but in 1937, Thomas Johnson discovered a seven-thousand page anthology of Taylor’s works in the library at Yale University. Of his many poems, Taylor is most famous for Preparatory Meditations, Huswifery, and Ebb and Flow.
John Cotton
John Cotton was born in Derby, Derbyshire, England, in 1584. From 1593 to 1597, Cotton attended grammar school, and at age 13, he enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he earned his first degree in 1603. He was awarded a scholarship at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, for his extensive knowledge of Hebrew. During his time at Cambridge, Cotton served as a tutor, a lecturer, a dean, and a catechist. At the age of twenty-seven, Cotton was selected to be a preacher at St. Botolph’s Church in Boston, Lincolnshire. He remained a preacher there until 1632, when he was summoned to the Court of High Commission by William Laud, the Bishop of London. Cotton knew that he would be tried for heresy, so he went into hiding. In 1633, Cotton left for Boston, Massachusetts, where he received a job as teacher of the First Church of Boston. He would remain at that position until his death in 1652. Throughout his time in New England, Cotton became a very popular Puritan writer. Some of his works include The Bay Psalm Book (1640), The Keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven (1644), and God’s Promise to His Plantation (1630). Cotton also came in contact with many other Puritan writers in New England such as Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams.
John Cotton was born in Derby, Derbyshire, England, in 1584. From 1593 to 1597, Cotton attended grammar school, and at age 13, he enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he earned his first degree in 1603. He was awarded a scholarship at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, for his extensive knowledge of Hebrew. During his time at Cambridge, Cotton served as a tutor, a lecturer, a dean, and a catechist. At the age of twenty-seven, Cotton was selected to be a preacher at St. Botolph’s Church in Boston, Lincolnshire. He remained a preacher there until 1632, when he was summoned to the Court of High Commission by William Laud, the Bishop of London. Cotton knew that he would be tried for heresy, so he went into hiding. In 1633, Cotton left for Boston, Massachusetts, where he received a job as teacher of the First Church of Boston. He would remain at that position until his death in 1652. Throughout his time in New England, Cotton became a very popular Puritan writer. Some of his works include The Bay Psalm Book (1640), The Keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven (1644), and God’s Promise to His Plantation (1630). Cotton also came in contact with many other Puritan writers in New England such as Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams.
Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards was born in East Windsor, Connecticut, on October 5, 1703. He began studying at Yale University in September of 1716. He graduated four years later, in 1720, as valedictorian of his class. As a child, Edwards could not accept the Calvinist view that God held supreme authority; he objected to church doctrine until 1721, when he suddenly realized that God truly was all powerful. After his realization, Edwards embraced his faith. He was ordained a minister in Northampton, Massachusetts, and throughout his time there, he became known for instilling fear and guilt into his followers. Edwards became a major figure in the First Great Awakening of the mid-1700’s. In 1750, Edwards was dismissed from his position as minister because of a disagreement about the practice of open communion. After his dismissal, Edwards moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where he began missionary work with a group of Housatonic Indians. During his time in Stockbridge, Edwards was able to focus more on his writing. In 1754, he finished his most well-known work, The Freedom of the Will. In early 1758, Edwards was elected president of the College of New Jersey, which would later become Princeton University. He only served as president for a few months because he died on March 22, 1758, due to a fever after an experimental inoculation for smallpox.
Jonathan Edwards was born in East Windsor, Connecticut, on October 5, 1703. He began studying at Yale University in September of 1716. He graduated four years later, in 1720, as valedictorian of his class. As a child, Edwards could not accept the Calvinist view that God held supreme authority; he objected to church doctrine until 1721, when he suddenly realized that God truly was all powerful. After his realization, Edwards embraced his faith. He was ordained a minister in Northampton, Massachusetts, and throughout his time there, he became known for instilling fear and guilt into his followers. Edwards became a major figure in the First Great Awakening of the mid-1700’s. In 1750, Edwards was dismissed from his position as minister because of a disagreement about the practice of open communion. After his dismissal, Edwards moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts, where he began missionary work with a group of Housatonic Indians. During his time in Stockbridge, Edwards was able to focus more on his writing. In 1754, he finished his most well-known work, The Freedom of the Will. In early 1758, Edwards was elected president of the College of New Jersey, which would later become Princeton University. He only served as president for a few months because he died on March 22, 1758, due to a fever after an experimental inoculation for smallpox.
William Bradford
William Bradford was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1590. Starting at
an early age, Bradford did not conform to normal religious ideologies and instead separated religion from everyday life. At the age of seventeen, Bradford
joined the Separatist Church of Scrooby, and in 1609, he moved with the congregation to the Netherlands. Bradford lived there for the next eleven years as a religious dissenter. In 1621, Bradford left the Netherlands and moved to what would later become Plymouth, Massachusetts. He was one of the main leaders who helped write and sign the Mayflower Compact. From 1622 to 1656, Bradford served as the governor of the Plymouth Colony. During his time as Governor, he served as Chief Magistrate, he presided over the General Court, and in 1936, he helped draft the colony’s first formal constitution. Bradford was also a writer; he is most famous for his two-volume work, Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647, which he began around 1630. Bradford’s writing became one of the most important documents of early settlements in New England, because it was one of the few pieces of literature of the time period that separated religious and secular things.
William Bradford was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1590. Starting at
an early age, Bradford did not conform to normal religious ideologies and instead separated religion from everyday life. At the age of seventeen, Bradford
joined the Separatist Church of Scrooby, and in 1609, he moved with the congregation to the Netherlands. Bradford lived there for the next eleven years as a religious dissenter. In 1621, Bradford left the Netherlands and moved to what would later become Plymouth, Massachusetts. He was one of the main leaders who helped write and sign the Mayflower Compact. From 1622 to 1656, Bradford served as the governor of the Plymouth Colony. During his time as Governor, he served as Chief Magistrate, he presided over the General Court, and in 1936, he helped draft the colony’s first formal constitution. Bradford was also a writer; he is most famous for his two-volume work, Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647, which he began around 1630. Bradford’s writing became one of the most important documents of early settlements in New England, because it was one of the few pieces of literature of the time period that separated religious and secular things.
Anne Bradstreet
Anne Bradstreet was born Anne Dudley in Northampton, England in 1612. She grew up in a wealthy family and was well-educated in literature and several foreign languages. At the age of sixteen, she married Simon Bradstreet, and along with her parents in 1630, she moved to America as part of the Winthrop Fleet of Puritan emigrants. Bradstreet and her family moved around for a few years before settling in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1632. Bradstreet’s family played a large role in the founding of Harvard College in 1636. In the early 1640’s, the family moved once again to Andover, Massachusetts where Anne Bradstreet would live out the rest of her life. Beginning at an early age, Anne Bradstreet developed a passion for writing. She became a very well-known Puritan writer, and was the first resident from an American colony to have writings published. She is most famous for her writings: A Dialogues Between Old England and New, A Letter to Her Husband, and Contemplations.
Anne Bradstreet was born Anne Dudley in Northampton, England in 1612. She grew up in a wealthy family and was well-educated in literature and several foreign languages. At the age of sixteen, she married Simon Bradstreet, and along with her parents in 1630, she moved to America as part of the Winthrop Fleet of Puritan emigrants. Bradstreet and her family moved around for a few years before settling in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1632. Bradstreet’s family played a large role in the founding of Harvard College in 1636. In the early 1640’s, the family moved once again to Andover, Massachusetts where Anne Bradstreet would live out the rest of her life. Beginning at an early age, Anne Bradstreet developed a passion for writing. She became a very well-known Puritan writer, and was the first resident from an American colony to have writings published. She is most famous for her writings: A Dialogues Between Old England and New, A Letter to Her Husband, and Contemplations.
William Penn
William Penn was born on October 14, 1644, in London, England. He was raised and educated in law and theology. He enrolled in Christ Church College in 1660, but was expelled for speaking out against the Church of England. His father then sent him to France where he continued to study theology at the Protestant Academy in Saumur. In the 1660s, Penn was introduced to a group of Quakers who converted him to their faith. Following his conversion, Penn began to write about his new beliefs. Two of his most well-known writings of the time are The Sandy Foundation Shaken and No Cross, No Crown. Penn became a very active figure in the Quaker Community, being jailed several times for his illegal religious activities. In 1675, Penn was asked to travel to the American colony of West New Jersey to settle a Quaker dispute. While in America, he was chosen to found the colony of Pennsylvania; he received the charter in 1681, and moved to the colony in 1682. Penn continued to write; he wrote an account of his first few years in Pennsylvania and titled it: Letter to the Free Society of Traders. In 1684, Penn moved back to England as a man of varying wealth. He returned to Pennsylvania once more between 1699 until 1701 to create a new constitution, before living the remainder of his life in Berkshire, England.
William Penn was born on October 14, 1644, in London, England. He was raised and educated in law and theology. He enrolled in Christ Church College in 1660, but was expelled for speaking out against the Church of England. His father then sent him to France where he continued to study theology at the Protestant Academy in Saumur. In the 1660s, Penn was introduced to a group of Quakers who converted him to their faith. Following his conversion, Penn began to write about his new beliefs. Two of his most well-known writings of the time are The Sandy Foundation Shaken and No Cross, No Crown. Penn became a very active figure in the Quaker Community, being jailed several times for his illegal religious activities. In 1675, Penn was asked to travel to the American colony of West New Jersey to settle a Quaker dispute. While in America, he was chosen to found the colony of Pennsylvania; he received the charter in 1681, and moved to the colony in 1682. Penn continued to write; he wrote an account of his first few years in Pennsylvania and titled it: Letter to the Free Society of Traders. In 1684, Penn moved back to England as a man of varying wealth. He returned to Pennsylvania once more between 1699 until 1701 to create a new constitution, before living the remainder of his life in Berkshire, England.
Anne Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson was born in Alford, Lincolnshire, England, in 1591. She was raised by her father, who taught her theology, and her mother, who taught her how to use natural medicines. In 1612, Hutchinson married William Hutchinson. They began traveling to St. Botolph’s to listen to the well-known Puritan preaching of John Cotton. When Cotton migrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1633, the Anne and William Hutchinson followed. In 1636, Anne Hutchinson and John Cotton found themselves in the middle of a religious and political contest. Hutchinson believed redemption was God’s gift to his chosen people, and redemption could not be earned by human effort. Hutchinson’s radical Puritan meetings drew attention from the General Court, and because of her outspoken beliefs, she and her supporters were banished and excommunicated from Massachusetts. Anne and William Hutchinson then moved to Aquidneck, Narragansett Bay, until 1642, when her husband died. After that, Hutchinson moved to New York where she later died in 1643.
Anne Hutchinson was born in Alford, Lincolnshire, England, in 1591. She was raised by her father, who taught her theology, and her mother, who taught her how to use natural medicines. In 1612, Hutchinson married William Hutchinson. They began traveling to St. Botolph’s to listen to the well-known Puritan preaching of John Cotton. When Cotton migrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1633, the Anne and William Hutchinson followed. In 1636, Anne Hutchinson and John Cotton found themselves in the middle of a religious and political contest. Hutchinson believed redemption was God’s gift to his chosen people, and redemption could not be earned by human effort. Hutchinson’s radical Puritan meetings drew attention from the General Court, and because of her outspoken beliefs, she and her supporters were banished and excommunicated from Massachusetts. Anne and William Hutchinson then moved to Aquidneck, Narragansett Bay, until 1642, when her husband died. After that, Hutchinson moved to New York where she later died in 1643.