Execution of Mary Dyer - Timeline Event
Time Period
06-01-1660
Description
Mary Dyer (1611-1660) emigrated with her husband to the Massachusetts Bay Colony from England in 1635. She was a Puritan and a friend of Anne Hutchinson, but after Hutchison was banished from the colony, Mary Dyer sojourned for a decade in Rhode Island.
In 1651, the Dyers returned to England, where Mary converted to the Quaker persuasion. She later decided to return to Massachusetts, but the governor, John Endecott, had enacted a law forbidding Quakers from settling in the colony, punishable by death. Even after the colonial authorities had tortured and hung several other Quakers, Dyer defied Endecott, telling him to his face that the law was "unrighteous." Dyer was hung beneath an elm tree on the Boston Common on June 1, 1660.
Dyer's execution sparked widespread dissatisfaction in both Massachusetts and England. In 1661, the king overruled the colonial authorities by banning the execution of Quakers.
In 1651, the Dyers returned to England, where Mary converted to the Quaker persuasion. She later decided to return to Massachusetts, but the governor, John Endecott, had enacted a law forbidding Quakers from settling in the colony, punishable by death. Even after the colonial authorities had tortured and hung several other Quakers, Dyer defied Endecott, telling him to his face that the law was "unrighteous." Dyer was hung beneath an elm tree on the Boston Common on June 1, 1660.
Dyer's execution sparked widespread dissatisfaction in both Massachusetts and England. In 1661, the king overruled the colonial authorities by banning the execution of Quakers.
Interactive Timeline(s)
Browse Related Timeline Entries
Religious Groups
Timeline Entries for the same religious group: European Free-Church Family (Brethren, Mennonites, Quaker, Amish)European Free-Church Family (Brethren, Mennonites, Quaker, Amish): Other ARDA Links
European Free-Church Family (Brethren, Mennonites, Quaker, Amish): Religious Family Tree
Timeline Entries for the same religious group: Congregationalists (UCC)
Congregationalists (UCC): Other ARDA Links
Congregationalists (UCC): Religious Family Tree
Biographies
Hutchinson, AnneWinthrop, John
Related Dictionary Terms
Religious Persecution, ViolentPhotographs
Mary Dyer
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Mary_dyer_being_led.jpg
Web Source(s)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_DyerWikipedia has an exceptionally fine overview of Dyer's life and execution.
Web Page Contributor
Paul MatzkoAffiliated with: Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D. in History
