What triggered the Great Migration from England to America in the 1630’s and 1640’s?
There were many reasons for the Great Migration, and they were not all “puritanical”. As soon as King Charles I was coronated, people put more serious thought into taking their chances on crossing the dangerous North Atlantic Ocean. Contrary to popular belief, the masses were not all getting on wooden ships to establish settlements where they could be Puritans or create societies in which they could force the same beliefs onto others. In fact, most were fleeing from a tyrant monarch who was, once again re-writing religious doctrine to suit himself as other monarchs have done in the past, and he was preparing to force his own religious doctrine onto all his subjects. The stench of a bloody rebellion and tyrannical crackdown was already in the air.
Jonathan Fairbanks, who is possibly a cousin to Postmaster Richard Fairbanks, sailed with his wife Grace and six children to Boston on board the Griffon in 1633, along with non-conformist Rev. John Cotton. The family later moved up the Charles River and inland to Dedham in 1636. Jonathan was known as not being in the good graces of the governor for religious non-conformity, for many years. Winthrop was upset that Jonathan refused to profess his religious beliefs in public, keeping his beliefs to himself, to his God, and to his family in the privacy of their home. The family home in Dedham was built in 1636 and is the oldest wooden frame house in America that is still standing. As the family grew they built additions onto the house during the 17th century, but the original house with its’ original beams are still intact. I think Jonathan waited until Charles I no longer ruled and then, finally, one day he professed his religious beliefs in public. The governor was delighted and made an official statement to establish a record of his delight in historical documents that have been preserved in Boston.
So, take it from a direct ancestor of Jonathan and Grace Fairbanks, the idea that all early settlers came to America in order to establish a Christian religion and every American must conform to specific personal religious beliefs is completely hogwash. Many were FLEEING the imposition of particular religious dogma which was going to be forced upon them by the King of England.
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