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Story
May 29, 1811
The Rhode Island Republican
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
Historical extract from Kendall's Travels listing severe Blue Laws of pre-incorporation New-Haven colony, including rules on supreme power, religious conformity, sabbath restrictions, social behaviors, and harsh punishments for violations.
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MISCELLANY
NEW-HAVEN BLUE LAWS.
Previous to the incorporation the colony of New-Haven, with the colonies of Saybrook and Milford, the following laws were made by the people. Though the subjoined contains but a small part of them, they will serve as a specimen of the severity and bigotry of our puritanical forefathers
Extract from Kendall's Travels through the Northern parts of the U. States.
The governor and magistrates convened in general assembly, are the supreme power under God of this independent dominion.
Conspiracy against this dominion shall be punished with death.
Whoever says there is a power and jurisdiction above and over this dominion, shall suffer death and loss of property.
Whoever attempts to change or overturn this dominion shall suffer death.
The judges shall determine controversies without a jury.
No one shall be a freeman, or give a vote, unless he be converted, and a member in full communion of one of the churches allowed in this dominion.
No man shall hold any office who is not sound in the faith, and faithful to this dominion; and whoever gives a vote to such a person, shall pay a fine of one pound. For a second offence he shall be disfranchised.
Each freeman shall swear by the blessed God to bear true allegiance to this dominion, and that Jesus is the only king.
No Quaker or dissenter from the established worship of this dominion, shall be allowed to give a vote for the election of magistrates, or any officer.
No food or lodging shall be afforded to a Quaker, Adamite, or other heretick.
If any person turns Quaker, he shall be banished, and not suffered to return, but upon pain of death.
No priest shall abide in the dominion: he shall be banished, and suffer death on his return. Priests may be seized by any one without a warrant.
No one to cross a river, but with an authorized ferryman.
No one shall run on the sabbath day, or walk in his garden or elsewhere, except reverently to and from meeting.
No one shall travel, cook victuals, make beds, sweep house, cut hair, or shave, on the sabbath day.
No woman shall kiss her child on the sabbath or fasting day.
The sabbath shall begin at sunset on Saturday.
To pick an ear of corn growing in a neighbour's garden, shall be deemed theft.
A person accused of trespass in the night shall be adjudged guilty, unless he clear himself by his oath.
When it appears that an accused has confederates, and he refuses to discover them, he may be racked.
No one shall buy or sell lands without permission of the selectmen.
Whoever publishes a lie to the prejudice of his neighbour, shall sit in the stocks, or be whipped fifteen stripes.
No minister shall keep a school.
Men-stealers shall suffer death.
Whoever sets a fire in the woods, and it burns a house, shall suffer death; and persons suspected of this crime shall be imprisoned without benefit of bail.
Whoever brings cards or dice into this dominion shall pay a fine of 5 pounds,
No one shall read common prayers, keep Christmas or saint days, make minced pies, dance, play cards, or play on any instrument of musick, except the drum, trumpet and Jewsharp.
A debtor in prison, swearing he has no estate, shall be let out, and sold to make satisfaction.
No gospel minister shall join people in marriage; the magistrates only shall join in marriage, as they may do it with less scandal to Christ's church.
When parents refuse their children convenient marriages, the magistrates shall determine the point.
The selectmen, on finding children ignorant, may take them away from their parents. and put them into better hands, at the expense of their parents.
Fornication shall be punished by compelling marriage, or as the court may direct.
Adultery shall be punished with death
A man that strikes his wife shall pay a fine of 10 pounds; a woman that strikes her husband shall be punished as the court directs.
A wife shall be deemed good evidence against her husband.
No man shall court a maid in person, or by letter, without first obtaining consent of her parents; 5 pounds penalty for the first offence; 10 pounds for the second; and for the third, imprisonment during the pleasure of the court.
A drunkard shall have a master appointed by the selectmen, who are to debar him in liberty of buying and selling.
Whoever wears clothes trimmed with gold, silver, or bone lace, above two shillings by the yard, shall be presented by the grand jurors, and the selectmen shall tax the offender at 300 pounds estate.
Married persons must live together, or be imprisoned.
Every male shall have his hair cut round according to a cap.
NEW-HAVEN BLUE LAWS.
Previous to the incorporation the colony of New-Haven, with the colonies of Saybrook and Milford, the following laws were made by the people. Though the subjoined contains but a small part of them, they will serve as a specimen of the severity and bigotry of our puritanical forefathers
Extract from Kendall's Travels through the Northern parts of the U. States.
The governor and magistrates convened in general assembly, are the supreme power under God of this independent dominion.
Conspiracy against this dominion shall be punished with death.
Whoever says there is a power and jurisdiction above and over this dominion, shall suffer death and loss of property.
Whoever attempts to change or overturn this dominion shall suffer death.
The judges shall determine controversies without a jury.
No one shall be a freeman, or give a vote, unless he be converted, and a member in full communion of one of the churches allowed in this dominion.
No man shall hold any office who is not sound in the faith, and faithful to this dominion; and whoever gives a vote to such a person, shall pay a fine of one pound. For a second offence he shall be disfranchised.
Each freeman shall swear by the blessed God to bear true allegiance to this dominion, and that Jesus is the only king.
No Quaker or dissenter from the established worship of this dominion, shall be allowed to give a vote for the election of magistrates, or any officer.
No food or lodging shall be afforded to a Quaker, Adamite, or other heretick.
If any person turns Quaker, he shall be banished, and not suffered to return, but upon pain of death.
No priest shall abide in the dominion: he shall be banished, and suffer death on his return. Priests may be seized by any one without a warrant.
No one to cross a river, but with an authorized ferryman.
No one shall run on the sabbath day, or walk in his garden or elsewhere, except reverently to and from meeting.
No one shall travel, cook victuals, make beds, sweep house, cut hair, or shave, on the sabbath day.
No woman shall kiss her child on the sabbath or fasting day.
The sabbath shall begin at sunset on Saturday.
To pick an ear of corn growing in a neighbour's garden, shall be deemed theft.
A person accused of trespass in the night shall be adjudged guilty, unless he clear himself by his oath.
When it appears that an accused has confederates, and he refuses to discover them, he may be racked.
No one shall buy or sell lands without permission of the selectmen.
Whoever publishes a lie to the prejudice of his neighbour, shall sit in the stocks, or be whipped fifteen stripes.
No minister shall keep a school.
Men-stealers shall suffer death.
Whoever sets a fire in the woods, and it burns a house, shall suffer death; and persons suspected of this crime shall be imprisoned without benefit of bail.
Whoever brings cards or dice into this dominion shall pay a fine of 5 pounds,
No one shall read common prayers, keep Christmas or saint days, make minced pies, dance, play cards, or play on any instrument of musick, except the drum, trumpet and Jewsharp.
A debtor in prison, swearing he has no estate, shall be let out, and sold to make satisfaction.
No gospel minister shall join people in marriage; the magistrates only shall join in marriage, as they may do it with less scandal to Christ's church.
When parents refuse their children convenient marriages, the magistrates shall determine the point.
The selectmen, on finding children ignorant, may take them away from their parents. and put them into better hands, at the expense of their parents.
Fornication shall be punished by compelling marriage, or as the court may direct.
Adultery shall be punished with death
A man that strikes his wife shall pay a fine of 10 pounds; a woman that strikes her husband shall be punished as the court directs.
A wife shall be deemed good evidence against her husband.
No man shall court a maid in person, or by letter, without first obtaining consent of her parents; 5 pounds penalty for the first offence; 10 pounds for the second; and for the third, imprisonment during the pleasure of the court.
A drunkard shall have a master appointed by the selectmen, who are to debar him in liberty of buying and selling.
Whoever wears clothes trimmed with gold, silver, or bone lace, above two shillings by the yard, shall be presented by the grand jurors, and the selectmen shall tax the offender at 300 pounds estate.
Married persons must live together, or be imprisoned.
Every male shall have his hair cut round according to a cap.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Social Manners
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Blue Laws
Puritan Laws
New Haven
Colonial Regulations
Sabbath Rules
Religious Persecution
Social Norms
Where did it happen?
New Haven Colony
Story Details
Location
New Haven Colony
Event Date
Previous To The Incorporation The Colony Of New Haven
Story Details
A selection of strict laws made by the people of New-Haven, Saybrook, and Milford before incorporation, illustrating Puritan severity in governance, religion, sabbath observance, social conduct, and punishments.