Colonial Pastors In Public Affairs

Throughout the 1600s, Christian leaders had significant positive influence on civil and governmental advances, helping secure both civil and religious liberty. For example:

. 1619: the Rev. William Wickham served in Virginia’s original General Assembly. 

. 1620: Elder William Brewster applied the teachings of Pilgrim Pastor John Robinson to create Plymouth Colony’s Mayflower Compact.

. 1636: the Rev. Roger Williams and Rev. John Clarke founded the colony of Rhode Island.

. 1639: the Rev. Thomas Hooker and the Rev. John Davenport founded the colony of Connecticut, and Hooker helped produce the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut— the first constitution written in America.

. 1641: the Rev. Nathaniel Ward wrote the Massachusetts Body of Liberties — which included the first bill of rights of America.

. 1681: Quaker minister William Penn founded Pennsylvania and wrote its Frame of Government.

. 1692: the Rev. John Wise and the Rev. Increase Mather helped establish due process rights in the judicial system.

Content Sourced from The American Story, The Beginnings by Dave Barton & Tim Barton