Page 249 - Family History

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The charter also said that the Massachusetts government had to help Samuel set
up his government. Never were they allowed to again interfere with Samuel
Gorton.

Once charter government was established in Warwick, Gorton was satisfied and
we hear no more of him making trouble. He was continuously honored by fellow
citizens. Also, the town of Warwick was formed, and named after the Earl of
Warwick. Records show that in March 1664, Samuel was still active and appointed
Administrator of John Smith's will. Happily, he lived to see religious freedom
secured to the colony in its Constitution.

In 1649, Samuel Gorton was elected general assistant to the Governor, and in
1651, was elected the first President over the two towns Warwick and

Providence, called the Providence Plantations. Mr. Gorton was from this date the
first citizen of Warwick, and his name stands at the head of the Warwick
Commissioners for several succeeding years. He was elected a Deputy Governor
in 1664, 1665, 1666, and 1670.

The Massachusetts Magistrates had often denounced Gorton as an anarchist, a
blasphemer and rogue. This was not the real Gorton. Gorton's moral character
was of the highest caliber and though he differed from the Orthodox Puritans he
was never a blasphemer. He was an independent thinker and a true champion of

liberty. He was a graduate of Pembroke College and Cambridge and was a
minister of the Gospel. Throughout his life he was a close friend and devoted
admirer of Governor John Winthrop.

The Gortonists beliefs have been described as a type of Christian
Transcendentalism. The group believed Jesus Christ was divine, but they did not
believe in the Trinity. They didn't think preachers should be paid, felt women
were equal to men, were totally against slavery, and thought each individual had
a right to read and study the scriptures for himself. Gorton staunchly believed
that people should pay the Indians for their lands. Gorton's political creed may be
stated briefly: true liberty can be found only within the framework of the law,

which protects the civil right of the individual and the minority from the passing
whim of the majority. He believed that government should be limited to civil
affairs.

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