Study Notes on the Puritan Experiment and Early New England History

THE PURITAN EXPERIMENT

Introduction to the Puritan Experiment

The Puritan Experiment refers to the efforts of the Puritans to establish a sixth Reformed Protestant community in the New World, centered in New England. The ideological basis of the Puritan Experiment is reflected in its various components such as the Great Migration, specific Native American tribes, and pivotal controversies and leaders.

Great Migration

The Great Migration, which took place primarily from 1620 to 1640, was a mass movement of Puritans from England to North America. This migration was fueled by a desire for religious freedom and escape from persecution.

Native American Tribes in New England

  • Wampanoags: One of the major tribes present in the region, known for interactions with the early settlers.

  • Massasoit: The leader of the Wampanoag tribe during the time of the Pilgrims.

  • Squanto: A Native American interpreter and guide who played a crucial role in helping the Pilgrims survive their early years in Massachusetts.

  • Pequots: Involved in significant conflicts with the English settlers, particularly during the Pequot War.

Pequot War (1636-37)

The Pequot War was a conflict between the Pequot tribe and an alliance of English settlers from the Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and Saybrook colonies, along with their Native American allies. The war resulted from escalating tensions and competition for control of trade and territory. The war concluded with a decisive victory for the colonists and their allies in the Pequot village massacre of Mystic.

The New England Way

The New England Way refers to the Puritan's distinctive approach to church governance and community order. It emphasized:

  • Predestination: The belief that God has already determined those who will be saved and damned.

  • Visible Saints: Only individuals recognized as having received God's saving grace were permitted to become church members, partake in communion, baptize children, and engage in political life.

  • Testimonial Requirement: Prospective church members were required to provide a testimonial that demonstrated their experience of God's saving grace.

Roger Williams

  • Roger Williams (1603-1683): A key figure who founded Rhode Island. He was a separatist and an early advocate for the separation of church and state, questioning the legitimacy of land titles claimed by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Williams's views on freedom of conscience and religious tolerance were foundational for the colony he established, which became a refuge for dissenters.

Antinomian Controversy (1636-38)

The Antinomian Controversy was a significant theological conflict in the Massachusetts Bay Colony involving:

  • Anne Hutchinson (1591-1643): A dissenter who challenged the orthodox Puritan view by advocating for a personal interpretation of spirituality and denouncing strict adherence to rules as a means of salvation.

  • John Cotton (1585-1652): A leading minister in the colony whose teachings became central to the controversy. He initially supported Hutchinson but later opposed her.

  • John Wilson: Another minister who was at odds with Hutchinson's views and aligned with the more conservative members of the community, further inflaming the controversy.

New Haven Colony (1638-1665)

  • John Davenport (1597-1670): An influential figure in the establishment of New Haven Colony, which pursued a stricter form of Puritanism.

  • Earthly Governance: New Haven Colony diverged from Massachusetts by enforcing a governance tied directly to the community’s religious tenets.