Rev. Stephen Bachelder - What do you think of him?

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Permalink Reply by Katrina Haney on July 11, 2009 at 9:36pm

I would like to add that I think Steven Batchelder is my favorite ancestor. He always stood by his convictions even when it caused him grief. And the concepts he fought for were ones I very much believe in, such as freedom of choice. He fought for the concept as a puritan, when they were trying to worship as they wanted, and then he still fought for it against the puritans when they turned around and tried to force their own beliefs and ways on others. There are over 50 million Americans who can be proud to have him in their blood line.

Permalink Reply by Lora Silsbee on July 12, 2009 at 11:43am

Rev. Stephen Batchelder was certainly a remarkable man in many ways. I am, or was, somewhat familiar with early Massachusetts Puritan history and beliefs. In some ways he was perhaps too independent a man to fit in with the other ministers there. It's been a few years since I studied hisi particular history so my memory may be wrong in this--I seem to recall that he was the only minister to vote against exiling Anne Hutchinson and her family from the Massachusetts Bay Colony area. If this is so, then Rev. Batchelder was ahead of his time in his tolerance for people of differing religious views.

Permalink Reply by Katrina Haney on July 15, 2009 at 8:31pm

Yes he was, and he was definitely ahead of his time. His beliefs were more in line with what eventually became the founding principles of this country.

Permalink Reply by Sharon Gillis on July 14, 2009 at 10:41am

Has anyone read the book: Goody Wing, an American Foremother by Beverly Smith Vorpahl?
It is about the life of Stephen Bachelder's daughter
It's been a while since I read it, but I do remember that it was a very interesting read. I'll have to re-read it and perhaps comment more, later on.

Permalink Reply by Katrina Haney on July 15, 2009 at 8:31pm

No I have not heard of that one. I will definitely have to add it to my reading list. Thank you for sharing that.

Permalink Reply by Kathy Dauzet on July 26, 2009 at 9:02pm

I read the book "Goody Wing, an American Foremother" by Beverly Smith Vorpahl
It's very good and there's a lot in there about Rev Stephen Bachelder and his children.