Ambrose Martin
Encyclopedia
Ambrose Martin was one of the first settlers of the early colonial town of Concord, Massachusetts
. While living there, he was fined 10 pounds, a large sum for the time, for speaking out against the Puritan
church covenant
, stating that it was "a stinking carrion and a human invention," thus being part of one of the first recorded instances of the censure of free speech in colonial America
, a freedom that later became a pillar of the United States Constitution
. Martin had been unable to pay the fine in cash, so authorities seized a cow from his property and sold it for 20 pounds. The difference of 10 pounds was due to Martin, but he refused to accept it, maintaining he be repaid either the entire sum of the fine or nothing at all.
Years later, when Martin and his family became financially distressed, a petition was drafted and delivered to Governor John Endecott
in 1643 to return to Martin the amount of his fine. The petition was written by Reverend Peter Bulkley
, and signed by Reverend John Jones and thirteen heads of families: Richard Griffin, Simon Willard
, Robert Merriam, Thomas Wheeler, George Wheeler, Robert Fletcher, Luke Potter, Joseph Wheeler, Thomas Foxe, William Busse, Henry Farwell, James Hosmer, and John Graves.
On April 5, 1644, Endecott answered the petition, stating that the whole sum of 20 pounds would not be returned, however Martin was still entitled to the difference of 10 pounds, which he never claimed.
Concord, Massachusetts
Concord is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 17,668. Although a small town, Concord is noted for its leading roles in American history and literature.-History:...
. While living there, he was fined 10 pounds, a large sum for the time, for speaking out against the Puritan
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
church covenant
Church covenant
The church covenant is a declaration, which some churches draw up and call their members to sign, in which their duties as church members towards God and their fellow believers are outlined...
, stating that it was "a stinking carrion and a human invention," thus being part of one of the first recorded instances of the censure of free speech in colonial America
Freedom of speech in the United States
Freedom of speech in the United States is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and by many state constitutions and state and federal laws, with the exception of obscenity, defamation, incitement to riot, and fighting words, as well as harassment, privileged...
, a freedom that later became a pillar of the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
. Martin had been unable to pay the fine in cash, so authorities seized a cow from his property and sold it for 20 pounds. The difference of 10 pounds was due to Martin, but he refused to accept it, maintaining he be repaid either the entire sum of the fine or nothing at all.
Years later, when Martin and his family became financially distressed, a petition was drafted and delivered to Governor John Endecott
John Endecott
John Endecott was an English colonial magistrate, soldier and the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. During all of his years in the colony but one, he held some form of civil, judicial, or military high office...
in 1643 to return to Martin the amount of his fine. The petition was written by Reverend Peter Bulkley
Peter Bulkley
Peter Bulkley or Bulkeley was an influential early Puritan preacher who left England for greater religious freedom in the American colony of Massachusetts...
, and signed by Reverend John Jones and thirteen heads of families: Richard Griffin, Simon Willard
Simon Willard (First generation)
Simon Willard was born at Horsmonden, County Kent, England, in 1605; he was baptized in this same town on April 7, 1605. He died at an age of 71 years on April 24, 1676, in Charlestown, Massachusetts. He moved from England to Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1634. At the time he was a Major in...
, Robert Merriam, Thomas Wheeler, George Wheeler, Robert Fletcher, Luke Potter, Joseph Wheeler, Thomas Foxe, William Busse, Henry Farwell, James Hosmer, and John Graves.
On April 5, 1644, Endecott answered the petition, stating that the whole sum of 20 pounds would not be returned, however Martin was still entitled to the difference of 10 pounds, which he never claimed.