Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Document ID |
2018.1.02-01 |
Title |
Letter from John Swinton in Newgate Prison |
Date |
1660, August |
Scope & Content |
Sir John Swinton, former Cromwellian soldier and statesman, writes from prison following his arrest for treason. He warns fellow Quakers of the perils they face after the May 1660 Restoration of the Stuart monarchy and Church of England, and describes the Apocalyptic visions that he is experiencing while incarcerated. |
Owner/Collector or Creator |
Bowne, John (1627-1695) |
Other Owner or Creator |
Swinton, John (1621-1679) |
Transcription |
Click for transcription. |
PDF Copy |
Click for PDF. |
People in this document |
Bowne, John (1627-1695) Swinton, John |
Search Terms |
17th century Colonial documents Correspondence London, England New Netherland period Prison Quakers Religion Religious persecution Scotland and Scottish people |
Collection |
Bowne Family Papers of Flushing, Long Island |
Notes |
1. Sir John, 23rd Laird of Swinton (c.1621 - 1679), was a Scottish military and political leader who allied himself with Oliver Cromwell during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and became his right-hand man in Scotland during the Commonwealth period (1649-1660). He also served as a member of the English Parliament. He became a Quaker in 1657. In July 1660, following the Restoration of the Stuart monarchy, Swinton was arrested for treason. He likely wrote this letter while awaiting trial in Newgate Prison; he was later sentenced to imprisonment in Edinburgh Castle and spent his life after release as an itinerant preacher. 2. This document appears to be a copy made from an original circulating in the Quaker community. The date of the copy is unknown. |
Credit line |
Digitization of this document was made possible by the generosity of the Leon Levy Foundation and the New York Preservation Archive Project (NYPAP). |