Freeman’s Oath
Reproduced from “The Book of General Lawes and Libertyes concerning the Inhabitants of the Massachusetts”-–1648
By the courtesy of Henry Edwards Huntington
In 1643, the Colonies of Massachusetts-Bay, New Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven, concluded a Confederacy by which they entered into a solemn compact to afford each other mutual advice and assistance on all necessary occasions, whether offensive, defensive, or prudential. Among the reasons assigned for this Union were the dependent condition of the colonists; the vicinity of the French and Dutch, who were inclined to make encroachments; the warlike attitude of the neighboring Indians; the commencement of civil war in England, and impracticability of aid from thence in any emergency; and the sacred ties of religion which already bound them. The Province of Maine was not included because it was subject to rulers of Episcopal tenets, and was infrequently an asylum for excommunicants. This Union lasted for forty years without any general Oath of Allegiance being required from the inhabitants of the several Colonies.
Oath of Fidelitie
I (A B) being by Gods providence an Inhabitant within the Jurisdiction of this Common-wealth, doe freely and sincerely acknowledge my selfe to be subject to the Government thereof. And doe heer swear by the great and dreadful name of the Everliving God, that I will be true and faithfull to the same, and will accordingly yeild assistance therunto, with my person and estate, as in equitie I am bound: and will also truly indeavour to maintein and preseve all the Liberties & Priviledges thereof, submitting my self unto the wholsom Laws made, & established by the same. And farther, that I will not plot or practice any evil against it, or consent to any that shall so doe: but will timely discover and reveal the same to lawfull Authoritie now heer established, for the speedy preventing thereof. So help me God in our Lord Jesus Christ. [1646.] From Code of 1648.
Oath of Fidelitie
I [A. B.] being by Gods providence an inhabitant within the Jurisdiction of the Commonwealth, do freely and sincerely acknowledge my selfe to be subject to the Government thereof. And do here Swear by the great and dreadful name of the everliving God, that I will be true & faithfull to the same, and will accordingly yeild assistance thereunto, with my person and estate, as in equity I am bound: And will also truely endeavour to Maintain and preserve all the Liberties & Priviledges thereof submitting my self unto the wholesom Laws made, and established by the same.
And farther that I will not plot or practice any evill against it, or consent to any that shall so do: but will timely discover and reveal the same to lawfull Authority now here established, for the speedy preventing thereof. So help me God in our Lord Jesus Christ. [1646.] From Code of 1660.
To the end the body of the freemen may be preserved of honest and good men, It is Ordered, That henceforth no man shall be admitted to the freedome of this Common-wealth, but such as are members of some of the Churches, within the limits of this Iurisdiction; And whereas many members of Churches to exempt themselves from Publick Service, will not come in to be made freemen, It is Ordered, That no members of Churches within this Iurisidiction, shall be exempt from any publick service, they shall be chosen to, by the Inhabitants of the severall Townes, as Constables, Iurors, Select men, surveiors of the High-wayes. And if any such person shall refuse to serve in, or to take upon him any such Office, being legally chosen therunto, he shall pay for every such refusall, such fine, as the Town shall impose not exceeding Twenty shillings for one Offence. [1647.]
Any non freemen, who have taken or shall take the Oath of fidelity to this government could be jury men and vote in certain matters, after he had attained the age of 24 years. [1647.]