Page 248 - Family History

Internet Information and Links

Moving on was no new experience for the Gortonists. Each of them had been cast
out of Massachusetts and most of them from other Rhode Island settlements.
Gorton himself had been cast out of Boston, Plymouth, Aquidneck, and Newport
before seeking refuge in Providence. By 1642, an English historian commented,
"Gorton might almost be said to have graduated as a disturber of peace in every
colony in New England." All of the settlers of Providence were outcasts from
Massachusetts. Of all those who were banished because they dared to express
opinions in conflict with the ruling hierarchy, Roger Williams is the most famous

and Samuel Gorton is the most notorious. Samuel Gorton had the power to
inspire fear, loathing, and wrath among his enemies.

Samuel and his followers purchased land from the Great Chief Miantonomo. This
tract of land was to become known as the Shawomet Purchase. Other names on
the deed, dated January 12, 1642, were: William Hutchinson, John Wickes,
Sampson Shotten, and Robert Potter. In April, 1642, Samuel was elected Deputy
Governor of the Land. They became friends with the Indians and Gorton and his
older brother, Thomas, became adept in the Indian tongues. Even after the group

became the owners of the land, there were problems. The Massachusetts
Magistrates kept sending Gorton letters stating that the land was still under the
rule of Boston. The magistrates even charged Samuel with blasphemy and burned
the family home. They arrested and jailed him. His wife and children went to stay
with friends and several Indian families. Samuel eventually cleared his name and
was released from jail. However, he was told to leave Shawomet. He left, all right!

Samuel decided to rid himself of the yolk of the Massachusetts Magistrates once
and for all. He headed to England, but had to detour through the New York area,
since he was still a wanted man in Massachusetts. He left his family for three
years and sailed to England and presented his written manuscript, "Simplicities

Defense Against a Seven Headed Policy," London, 1649 (a copy of this is in the
U.S. Library of Congress).

With the help of his friend, the Earl of Warwick, Gorton obtained hearings from
Parliament since King Charles I had left power. Finally, Samuel was granted a royal
charter with the help of the Earl of Warwick. Once he had the charter, he also got
an order of safe passage and conduct given to him from the Earl. Upon sailing
back into the Boston Harbor, he showed the magistrates the grant and they were
very angry because they had to give Samuel safe passage back to Rhode Island.

248