Christopher Holder - Return To Massachusetts

Return To Massachusetts

Holder was determined to return to New England and went to George Fox, one of the leaders of the Friends, for help in securing passage on another ship. Holder and Copeland returned to Massachusetts together.

Holder preached to people, and many responded favorably. In the town of Sandwich, several people adopted Quaker beliefs and practices. A small band of Friends had already been meeting for a few months when Holder arrived, under the ministry of Nicholas Upsall, a new Friend in exile from Boston. After Holder and Copeland were jailed for their activities in Sandwich, the Friends began meeting secretly in a place called "Christopher’s Hollow" in Holder’s honor. The hollow is still known by that name.

Holder and Copeland preached in several towns, always reaching some people. Holder went to Salem Congregational Church, where Governor Endicott worshiped. His men seized Holder and a physical struggle started; Samuel Shattuck, another church member, rescued Holder. They became friends and he was imprisoned with Holder and Copeland. Shattuck was released on bond. The two visitors were given thirty lashes and released after several months in prison.

Holder’s hosts, Lawrence and Cassandra Burnell Southwick, were jailed for associating with him. A church member, Southwick was soon released. His wife Cassandra Southwick was held for a few weeks and fined for holding a paper written by the Friends..

On April 16, 1658 Holder and Copeland returned to Sandwich, where they were arrested by men sent by Endicott. They were given 33 lashes as punishment and to discourage their preaching. On June 3, the two Friends went to Boston, where they were immediately arrested. Holder’s right ear was cut off to punish what the Puritans described as his heretical preaching. Katherine Scott, the sister of Anne Hutchinson and future mother-in-law of Holder, protested. She was jailed for two months and given 10 lashes.

In June 1659, William Robinson and Marmaduke Stephenson felt called to emigrate to Massachusetts, although a new law there imposed the death penalty on Friends. Mary Patience Scott accompanied them and another friend, Nicholas Davis. When they arrived, they were imprisoned immediately. Mary Dyer returned to protest their treatment and was also jailed. She was released after her husband wrote to Endicott.

On September 12 of that year, all of the Quakers were released from prison and banished, under pain of death. Robinson and Stephenson stayed and continued to preach. When they and Holder were jailed again, Mary Dyer, Hope Clifton, and Mary Scott visited and pleaded with officials for their release. Dyer was jailed for having spoken to Holder in his cell.