Thomas Hooker Quotes
In matters which concern the common good, a general council chosen by all, to transact business which concern all, I conceive most suitable to rule and most safe for relief of the whole
Hooker had been a citizen of the Massachusetts Bay Colony when a disagreement broke out that would have profound implications for America. Governor Winthrop wanted to limit the right of voting to members in good standing of the Puritan Church. Hooker, although a Puritan minister himself, dissented and insisted that suffrage be for all regardless of religious affiliation. In June of 1636, Hooker and his entire congregation, driving their cattle and carting their belongings, left Massachusetts and set out for the Connecticut Valley, founding Hartford and a new colony.
Thomas Hooker, 1586–1647, Puritan Minister & Founder of the Hartford Connecticut Colony, Creator of the “Fundamental Orders of Connecticut”, the world’s first written constitution., Disagreement with Governor Winthrop over separation of church and state in suffrage
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The colony created out of a political dispute with the Massachusetts Bay Colony, was created when in June of 1636, Hooker and his entire congregation, driving their cattle and carting their belongings, left Massachusetts and set out for the Connecticut Valley, founding Hartford and a new colony. The following year the constitution was written and ratified. It was in many ways similar to the Massachusetts legal system except that it was written and could not easily be changed. However, there were two important historical innovations. First, while Massachusetts had limited voting rights to members in good standing of the Puritan Church, The Fundamental Orders provided for separation of church and state and allowed others (males only) to vote as well. See {624151}. The other innovation was that this appears to be the first introduction of term limits in America. It limited the Governor to a single term, unlike Massachusetts where Governor Winthrop was a fixture.
the power a ruler or a ruling class
- Born: July 5, 1586
- Died: July 7, 1647
- Nationality: English
- Profession: Congregationalist Minister
Thomas Hooker was a prominent English colonial leader, who founded the Colony of Connecticut after dissenting with Puritan leaders in Massachusetts. He was known as an outstanding speaker and an advocate of universal Christian suffrage.
