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Story
December 17, 1839
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Historical sketch of strict 'blue laws' from the New Haven colony two hundred years ago, enforcing religious orthodoxy, banning Quakers and heretics, prohibiting various Sunday activities, courtship rules, and fining luxuries like fancy clothing.
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Full Text
CONNECTICUT BLUE LAWS.
The following sketch of some of the laws
made by the colony of New Haven, two hundred
years ago, and denominated blue laws
by the neighboring colonies, will give an idea
of the spirit which pervades the whole.
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;
whoever gives a vote to such a person,
shall pay a fine of £1: for a second offence he
shall be disfranchised.
No Quaker or dissenter from the established
worship of this Dominion shall be allowed to
give a vote for the election of magistrate, or
any office.
No food or lodging shall be afforded to a
Quaker, Adamite, or other Heretic.
A debtor in prison, Swearing he has an estate,
shall be let out, and sold, to make satisfaction.
Whoever brings cards or dice into this Dominion,
shall pay a fine of £5.
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 shall read common prayer, keep
Christmas or Saint's day, make minced pies,
dance, play cards, or play on any instrument
of music, except the drum, trumpet, and jews'
harp.
No man shall court a maid in person, or by
letter without first obtaining consent of her parents—£5 penalty for the first offence—£10
for the second—and for the third, imprisonment
during the pleasure of the Court.
If any person turns Quaker, he shall be
banished, and not suffered to return but upon
pain of death.
No one shall run on Sunday, 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 Sunday.
No woman shall kiss her child on Sunday or
fasting day.
No one shall buy or sell lands without permission of the Selectmen.
No minister shall keep a school.
Whoever wears cloth trimmed with gold,
silver, or bone lace, above two shillings by
the yard, shall be presented by the grand jury,
and the selectmen shall tax the offender
at $300 estate.
The following sketch of some of the laws
made by the colony of New Haven, two hundred
years ago, and denominated blue laws
by the neighboring colonies, will give an idea
of the spirit which pervades the whole.
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;
whoever gives a vote to such a person,
shall pay a fine of £1: for a second offence he
shall be disfranchised.
No Quaker or dissenter from the established
worship of this Dominion shall be allowed to
give a vote for the election of magistrate, or
any office.
No food or lodging shall be afforded to a
Quaker, Adamite, or other Heretic.
A debtor in prison, Swearing he has an estate,
shall be let out, and sold, to make satisfaction.
Whoever brings cards or dice into this Dominion,
shall pay a fine of £5.
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 shall read common prayer, keep
Christmas or Saint's day, make minced pies,
dance, play cards, or play on any instrument
of music, except the drum, trumpet, and jews'
harp.
No man shall court a maid in person, or by
letter without first obtaining consent of her parents—£5 penalty for the first offence—£10
for the second—and for the third, imprisonment
during the pleasure of the Court.
If any person turns Quaker, he shall be
banished, and not suffered to return but upon
pain of death.
No one shall run on Sunday, 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 Sunday.
No woman shall kiss her child on Sunday or
fasting day.
No one shall buy or sell lands without permission of the Selectmen.
No minister shall keep a school.
Whoever wears cloth trimmed with gold,
silver, or bone lace, above two shillings by
the yard, shall be presented by the grand jury,
and the selectmen shall tax the offender
at $300 estate.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Blue Laws
New Haven Colony
Puritan Regulations
Religious Conformity
Sunday Prohibitions
Quaker Banishment
Where did it happen?
Colony Of New Haven
Story Details
Location
Colony Of New Haven
Event Date
Two Hundred Years Ago
Story Details
Sketch of blue laws enforcing religious conversion for voting and office-holding, banning Quakers and heretics, prohibiting games, music, Sunday activities, unregulated courtship, land sales, and luxurious clothing, with fines, banishment, and death penalties.