Heresy and Violence of the Governor’s Wife

Anne Eaton harbored doubts about the Puritan tradition of infant baptism. She read a book on the topic and discreetly shared it with other women, without disclosing her thoughts to her husband or church leaders. Later, Anne began to leave church services during baptism ceremonies or occasionally skipped church altogether. When asked about her odd behavior, Anne boldly said she had questions about Puritan teachings.

Pastor John Davenport responded with sermons advocating for infant baptism, yet Anne remained unconvinced. She even contradicted Davenport while he was preaching. When the pastor and church leaders held private discussions with her at home, she defiantly sat in stony silence. 

Doctrinal issues were set aside when more severe charges emerged. Reports surfaced of Anne's violent and scandalous behavior, with repeated violations of four of the Ten Commandments. The Pastor publicly listed seventeen charges, supported by multiple witnesses who claimed Anne had assaulted both servants and family members, resorting to striking, pinching, pulling, and grabbing them. She gave one person a black eye and another a bloody nose. Anne vehemently accused them of lying, stealing, immorality, and even cursing her beer. On one occasion, she slapped her mother-in-law at the kitchen table right before her husband.

There were growing suspicions that Pastor Davenport was too lenient with Anne because her husband, Theophilus Eaton, was not only the colony's governor, but also Davenport's lifelong friend. Therefore, on May 20, 1645, the church finally voted, and Anne Eaton, wife of New Haven's governor, was excommunicated. 

*****

“Moreover, if thy brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast won thy brother. But if he hear thee not, take yet with thee one or two, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be confirmed. And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the Church: and if he refuse to hear the Church also, let him be unto thee as an heathen man, and a Publican."

(Matthew 18:15-17; 1599 Geneva Bible)

Pastor John Davenport of New Haven, CT

The Wreck of the Cursed Little James

In 1623, the ship Little James set off from England with more supplies and immigrants for Plymouth Colony. Immediately the young Captain Altham faced challenges. After a one-week delay in the fog, the food supplies began spoiling. The crew blamed passenger John Jenney for neglecting the provisions, as he was busy with his pregnant wife who later gave birth on the voyage. 

The crew was further angered when the captain refused to plunder a nearby French vessel. After a slow, grueling voyage, the Little James finally arrived in Plymouth on August 5, 1623. The agitated crew protested their contract and refused to cooperate with their superiors, so Plymouth's Governor Bradford promised their pay to maintain peace. 

Come springtime, while the Little James was on a fishing assignment, the crew mutinied, forcing the captain off the ship to retrieve food supplies. On April 10, 1624, as Captain Altham returned with provisions, a furious storm slammed the ship against the rocks. The shipmaster John Bridges drowned, two crewmembers were killed, and all cargo was lost.

After costly repairs, the Little James was returned to England to recoup financial losses. Three years later, just south of England, the James was captured by pirates. The cargo was stolen and the shipmaster and crew were sold into slavery. Nothing is heard of the Little James after that. 

Looking back on the misfortune of the James, William Bradford wrote, "I fear the Adventurers did over-pride themselves in her, for she had ill success."

*****

“Why dost thou show me iniquity, and cause me to behold sorrow? for spoiling, and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.”

(Habakkuk 1:3; 1599 Geneva Bible)

The Plymouth and Wampanoag Treaty

After European plagues decimated the population of the Wampanoags, Chief Massasoit was eager for an alliance that would help regain their prominence with neighboring tribes, especially the powerful Narragansetts. As for the Pilgrims, they longed to secure peace and security as soon as possible for the place that would be their home. On April 1, 1621, Massasoit and Governor Bradford signed a treaty.  

The Wampanoags would do no harm to the Plymouth colonists, and if such a thing happened the offender would be delivered to Plymouth leaders for punishment. 

If a colonist or Wampanoag stole something from the other party, the item would be returned. 

The Wampanoags and colonists would defend each other against unjust attacks by other groups. 

Massasoit would inform neighboring tribes of the treaty to help encourage peace with the colonists. 

When the Wampanoags and colonists visited each other, they would leave their weapons behind. 

Finally, the Pilgrims promised that England's King James would consider Massasoit a friend and ally. 

This treaty may be at the center of what Americans call the “first Thanksgiving” – the harvest feast held at Plymouth colony with their Wampanoag neighbors. One of the Pilgrims’ activities during the feast was target shooting with their muskets. Soon after the loud musket cracks echoed over the land, Massasoit arrived with ninety men. Learning that there was no attack against the colony, he sent out a hunting party that quickly returned with five deer to add to the three-day feast. 

*****

“If it be possible, as much as in you is, have peace with all men.”

(Romans 12:18; 1599 Geneva Bible)

Dismissed by the Church: The Defiance of Richard Clifton

Richard Clifton (Clyfton) was a troublemaking minister during the late 1500s and early 1600s. He faced multiple disciplinary meetings for his noncompliance with church customs like announcing church holy days, making the sign of the cross during baptisms, or wearing a traditional white clergy robe. The Church of England dismissed him from his duties on March 15, 1605, when he would not pledge submission to new church laws. 

Finding kinship with Separatists in northern Nottinghamshire, Clifton joined the unauthorized church in Scrooby. There he became a crucial early mentor to William Brewster, William Bradford, and Pastor John Robinson who became the Pilgrims’ most cherished spiritual shepherd.  

After many Scrooby Separatists fled to Holland to escape English persecution, Clifton followed them to Amsterdam in 1608. He emerged as a prominent writer championing Separatist views and rebuking the English church. However, soon his views softened. Renouncing his earlier dogmatic positions, he began criticizing his former religious partners. 

The conflicts between Separatist churches in Amsterdam prompted John Robinson’s flock to move to Leyden. Clifton passed away in Amsterdam in 1616, four years before many among his former church left Holland for rugged New England.  

Despite Clifton’s surprising religious reversal, William Bradford remembered his former mentor fondly, describing him as a “fatherly old man” with a “great white beard, and it was a pity that such a reverend old man should be forced to leave his country, and at that age go into exile. But it was his lot, and he bore it patiently.”

*****

“We are afflicted on every side, yet are we not in distress: we are in doubt, but yet we despair not. We are persecuted, but not forsaken: cast down, but we perish not.”

(2 Corinthians 4:8-9; 1599 Geneva Bible)

A Shepherd Rests in Holland

Captivated by the Puritan spirit at Cambridge University, John Robinson's convictions strengthened under the mentorship of the bold Separatist leader, Richard Clifton. And when Clifton went to Holland, Robinson and his flock soon followed. 

Away from King James' religious constraints and the unyielding Anglican church, Robinson's theology matured at Leiden University while faithfully leading a passionate community of English Separatists. His care for his congregation, theological depth, and heartfelt devotion earned him their love and admiration.

When rumors of war with Spain arose, Robinson was at the center of their plans to flee to the American continent. There they could plant a colony of like-minded Separatists, a community that championed holiness, faithfulness, and morality. As plans unfolded, they faced the harsh reality that not everyone could go. Robinson would stay with the remainder of the church and join his dear friends later in New England. This never happened. 

Nearly five years later, in late February, Robinson fell seriously ill but found the strength to preach one last time. One week later, on March 1, 1625, the fifty-year-old pastor died in Leiden, leaving a brokenhearted congregation. 

The Pilgrims of Plymouth, still anticipating Robinson's arrival, were devastated when they learned of his death. Governor William Bradford noted that Robinson's "adversaries had been long and continually plotting how they might hinder his coming here, but the Lord had appointed him a better place." A public plaque marks the site of Robinson's home in the city of Leiden, where he is now buried. 

*****

“Now we beseech you brethren, that ye acknowledge them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you. That ye have them in singular love for their work’s sake.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1599 Geneva Bible)

A Puritan's Love on Valentine's Day

John Winthrop (future leader of Massachusetts Bay Colony) worked long stretches in London as his wife remained in Suffolk, and their letters are ideals of Puritan romance. (Those letters are freely available on GoogleBooks by clicking this link.) The following letter from John Winthrop to Margaret is surprising in its reference to Valentine’s Day given Puritan's usual disregard of Catholic or "pagan" traditions. Perhaps Shakespeare's romantic tales, popular in Winthrop’s day, may have influenced him. Winthrop departed for America soon after this letter, while Margaret would join him a year later. 

[NOTE: I’ve carefully modernized this letter for clarity, but you can see the original text just below. DWW]

My sweet wife, 

Since I have a suitable messenger to bring you this letter, and I’ve such deep feelings of affection for you, I take this time to write, though I hope to be with you soon. 

The Lord our God has often brought us together in comfort when we have long been apart, and if it is good for us, he will yet do so. When I was in Ireland, he brought us together again. When I was sick here in London, he restored us together again. How many dangers, even brushes with death, have you experienced, yet the Lord has given me the joy of still having you?

If he was not watching over us, death and misery would not only be waiting for us just overseas but at every step in every journey. And isn’t he the God there at America as well as at home? Aren’t his power and plans the same in New England as they’ve been in Old England? If our lives please him, he can command deliverance and safety in all places and can make the stones and beasts, even raging seas and our very enemies, to be upon our side. But, if we sin against him, he can raise up evil against us out of our own bellies, houses, or estates. 

My good wife, trust in the Lord who has been faithful to you. He will be better to you than any husband and will bring your husband back again with even more blessing. 

But now I must close, with all the warm greetings I have given this awaiting messenger to send so that he will be all the more glad to help. 

I kiss you, my sweet wife, and bless you and our family, and now I rest. 

   Ever yours,
John Winthrop
February 14, 1629

You must be my valentine, for no one has challenged me.*

* This is likely a touch of humor – John is playfully grateful that no one has taken Margaret away from him (i.e., “challenged” him). 

___________________________

Here is John Winthrop's Valentine letter in his original wording and spelling: 

My sweet wife,

The opportunitye of so fitt a messinger, and my deepe engagement of Affection to thee, makes me write at this tyme, though I hope to followe soone after. The Lorde our God hath ofte brought vs togither with comfort, when we haue been longe absent, and if it be good for vs, he will doe so still: when I was in Irelande he brought vs togither againe: when I was sicke heer at London, he restored vs togither againe: how many dangers neer death hast thou been in thy selfe and yet the Lorde hath granted me to inioye thee still: if he did not watch ouer vs, we need not goe ouer sea to seeke death or miserye, we should meet it at euery steppe, in euerye iournye: and is not he a God abroad as well as at home? is not his power and prouidence the same in N E that it hath been in old E if our wayes please him he can commande deliuerance and safetye in all places, and can make the stones of the feild, and the beastes yea, the raginge seas and our verye enemies, to be in league with vs. but if we sinn against him, he can rayse vp euill against vs out of our owne bowells, howses, estates etc. my good wife, trust in the Lorde, whom thou hast found faithfull, he wilbe better to thee then any husband: and will restore thee thy husband with aduantage: but I must ende: with all our salutations with which I haue laden this bearer, that he may be the more kindly wellcome: So I kisse my sweet wife and blesse thee and all ours, and rest.”

Thine ever, 
Jo. Winthrop
February 14, 1629. 

Thou must be my valentine, for none hath challenged me.

*****

“So ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies: he that loveth his wife, loveth himself.”

(Ephesians 5:28; 1599 Geneva Bible)

Winthrop family home (Suffolk, England)

The Litigious Life of John Barnes

John Barnes, an English emigrant to Plymouth colony, was no stranger to controversy. Court records reveal a man prone to conflict, crudeness, and inebriation. On February 2, 1657, tensions flared when Barnes accused Edward Holman of luring his young servant away from work duties to go on leisure boat trips to Duxbury. The court fined Holman and promised to double the fine if it happened again. 

The two had a history of conflict. Years earlier both Holman and Barnes were fined for drunkenness on a Sunday, and Barnes, a wealthy businessman, was even sentenced to sit in the stocks. Another time Barnes was ordered to pay Holman compensation for a wrongful land deal. 

Mr. Barnes’ drinking problem continued to be an issue, leading to multiple court appearances, warnings, and even threats to punish both the establishments that served him and the people who drank with him. His "frequent and abominable drunkenness" led to a revocation of his Plymouth citizenship.

Plymouth records show that Barnes was later in court for land disputes, trespassing, harassing his neighbor's children, striking both a neighbor's son and his horse, and was yet again fined for drunkenness.  

The last mention of John Barnes in the Plymouth court records was in 1672 when a jury was called to determine his cause of death. Apparently, the sixty-year-old man was petting his bull when it turned and gored him in the leg with its horn. The wound was "both broad and deep," and he died thirty-two hours later. 

*****

“As the coal maketh burning coals, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.”

(Proverbs 26:21; 1599 Geneva Bible)