Quakers--Persecutions--New York (State)

The petition of John Townsend and Richard Bridnell (continued).

The petition of John Townsend and Nicholas [i.e. Richard] Bridnell (or Brudenell) to Peter Stuyvesant asking him to remove the soldiers quartered in the homes of the residents of Rustdorp (now Jamaica) who had refused to swear to report Quaker activity.

Shortly after his release from the dungeon at New Amsterdam, Henry Townsend moved to Oyster Bay, putting himself out of the jurisdiction of the Dutch--this is likely an error caused by confusion between the new style dating used by the Dutch and the old style used by the English; Townsend probably moved to Oyster Bay in the fall of 1661; his brother John continued to reside in Rustdorp (now Jamaica) where he was forced to quarter soldiers in his home as punishment for his refusal to swear to report Quaker activity.

Notes on the persecution of Quaker Michal Spicer, mother of Samuel Spicer, who was fined 15 Flanders pounds, and Henry Townsend who was held in the dungeon at New Amsterdam for almost two months until his fine was paid.

Having received the report of Richard Everett and Nathaniel Denton, Peter Stuyvesant ordered that those who refused to swear to report Quaker activity must quarter soldiers in their homes and that John Townsend was to be banished.

The oath of the inhabitants of Rustdorp (now Jamaica) (continued).

The report of Richard Everett and Nathaniel Denton (continued) and the oath to report on any Quaker activity signed by the inhabitants of Rustdorp (now Jamaica).

The report of Richard Everett and Nathaniel Denton, magistrates of Rustdorp (now Jamaica), to Peter Stuyvesant regarding John Townsend and several other inhabitants who had refused to swear to report on any Quaker activity in the town.

Peter Stuyvesant's letter to the inhabitants of Rustdorp (continued).

Peter Stuyvesant's letter to the inhabitants of Rustdorp (now Jamaica) regarding the prohibition of private religious meetings and appointing Richard Everett, Nathaniel Denton, and Andrew Messenger as new magistrates for the town.

The case against John Townsend (continued) and Peter Stuyvesant's judgement banishing Townsend on pain of corporal punishment.

Samuel Spicer 's statement, Peter Stuyvesant's judgement fining Spicer 12 Flanders pounds, and the case against John Townsend.

The case against Samuel Spicer (continued).

Notes on the persecution of Henry Townsend (continued) and Nicasius de Sille's case against Samuel Spicer.

Notes on the persecution of Henry Townsend; with a clipping affixed to page relating to the persecution of Townsend and others who aided Quakers taken from an early 19th century article by Samuel Smith (1720-1776) quoting Joseph Besse's Collection of the sufferings of the people called Quakers.

Peter Stuyvesant's judgement against Henry Townsend (continued).

Peter Stuyvesant's judgement against Henry Townsend (continued).

Henry Townsend's statement and Peter Stuyvesant's judgement fining Townsend 25 Flanders pounds and threatening banishment if Townsend continues holding Quaker meetings.

The case against Henry Townsend (continued).

The case against Henry Townsend (continued).

Nicasius de Sille's case against Henry Townsend for hosting Quaker meetings in his home and promoting them to his neighbors.

The charges against Henry Townsend and Samuel Spicer (continued).

The investigation of Samuel Drisius, Resolved Waldron, and Nicholas Bayard of Quakers in Jamaica (continued) and the charges against Henry Townsend and Samuel Spicer by Nicasius de Sille.

The investigation of Samuel Drisius, Resolved Waldron, and Nicholas Bayard of Quakers in Jamaica (continued) with a list of people present at a Quaker meeting held in the house of Henry Townsend.

The investigation of Samuel Drisius, Resolved Waldron, and Nicholas Bayard of Quakers in Jamaica (continued) and the arrest of Samuel Spicer.

The investigation of Samuel Drisius, Resolved Waldron, and Nicholas Bayard of Quakers in Jamaica (continued).

In January 1661, Peter Stuyvesant sent Rev. Samuel Drisius, Resolved Waldron, and Nicholas Bayard to Jamaica to investigate reports of Quaker meetings. This resulted in the arrests of Henry Townsend, Samuel Spicer, and others.

In December 1658, Henry Townsend hosted a Quaker meeting in his home which was attended by his brother John and John's wife, Elizabeth; Peter Stuyvesant was informed resulting in a new cycle of persecution.

Record of three suspected Quakers turned away from entering New Netherland (continued).

Note on Henry Townsend's acquaintance with merchants from Barbados speculating that it was due to many Quakers traveling to New England via the West Indies; with a September 30, 1658 record of three suspected Quakers who were turned away from entering New Netherland.