The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution for Cause of Conscience Discussed; and Mr. Cotton’s Letter Examined and Answered

The fact that English Separatist Roger Williams fell in love with his upper-class benefactor's niece and was brutally refused may have hastened his decision to emigrate - with a new wife - to Massachusetts in 1629. Massachusetts Puritans found Williams' views too democratic and his religion too unorthodox, however, and he was banished from the colony in 1639. Consequently, after negotiating a grant with the Narragansett Indians, Williams founded Rhode Island. Williams was unique both in his belief in religious tolerance (Sephardic Jews and Quakers were welcomed into the new colony), and in his fair dealings with the Indians, with whom he conversed (in their own language), but never attempted to convert. Writings include The Bloudy Tenent Yet More Bloudy (1653), among others.