From The Gazetteer of the State of New Hampshire (in three parts), 
compiled from the best authorities, by Eliphalet Merrill and the Late 
Phinehas Merrill, Esq.,
Printed by C. Norris & Co. , Exeter, NH, ©1817, pg 55-56
Part I - General View- History

1656 - In this year, began, what is generally and properly termed, the persecution of the 
Quakers.  A fine of ten pounds was inflicted on any person, who harboured a Quaker.  In 
October of this year, eleven of the sect, received sentence of banishment; and the master 
of the ship, which brought them from England, was required to bind himself with sureties 
to the amount of 500 l. to carry them all out of the country.  (See Hutch. Vol. .I p.97)  
Mr. Hutchinson observes, that "he could not find what law they had for this."
	In this month also, an act passed imposing a fine of 100 l. upon any master of a 
vessel, who should bring a Quaker into the colony, and that if a Quaker should arrive, he 
should be immediately sent to the house of correction, receive twenty stripes, and be 
confined to hard labour until he could be transported.  At the next session, an act passed, 
by which all persons were liable to a fine of forty shillings for harbouring a Quaker one 
hour.  After the first conviction under this act, the offender, if a man, was to lose one ear, 
and upon the third conviction, the other; if a woman, she was for each offense to be 
whipped, and upon the fourth conviction, the offender, whether man or woman was to 
have the tongue bored through with a hot iron.  In May, 1658, a penalty was inflicted 
upon every person, who should attend a Quaker meeting.  Under this act, a child only 
eleven years old, by the name of Patience Scott, was tried and imprisoned.  The 
imprisonment of such a child was as strange as any further severity would have been 
horrible.

Submitted by T.C. Parziale 5/30/00
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