Oaths of Allegiance in Colonial New England

by Charles Evans

Both the Elders and the People were required to take certain prescribed oaths, as follows:

The Elders or Rulers Oath

You shall sweare by the great and dreadfull Name of the high God maker & Gov^r of heaven and earth, and by the Lord Jesus Christ y^e Prince of the Kings and Rulers of the earth that in his name and feare you will Rule and Governe this people according to the righteous will of God’s Ministeringe Justice and Judgm^t upon the workers of iniquity and Ministering due incurreagm^t and Countenance to well doers protecting of people so farre as in you by the helpe of God lyeth from forren Annoyance and inward disturbance that they may live a quiett and peacable life in all godlyness and honesty. Soe God bee helpful and gratious to you and yo^rs in Christ Jesus.

The Oath of the People

Wee doe here sweare by the Great and dreadful name of y^e high God, maker and Gouern^r of Heaven & earth and by the Lord Jesus X y^e King & Savio^r of his people that in his name & fear we will submitt o^r selves to be ruld & gouerned by, according to y^e will & Word of God and such holsome Laws & ordinances as shall be derived theire from by O^r honr^d Rulers and y^e Lawfull assistance with the consent of y^e people and y^t wee will be ready to assist them by the helpe of God in the administration of Justice and p^rservacon of peace with o^r bodys and goods and best endeavo^rs according to God, so God protect & saue us and O^rs in Christ Jesus. [1640.]

The Combination of the People of Dover to Establish a Form of Government

Whereas sundry Mischiefes and inconveniences have befaln us, and more and greater may in regard of want of Civill Government, his Gratious Matie haveing hitherto settled no Order for us to our knowledge:

Wee whose names are underwritten being inhabitants upon the River Piscataquack have voluntarily agreed to combine our selves into a Body Politique that wee may the more comfortably enjoy the benefit of his Maties Lawes. And do hereby actually ingage our Selves to Submit to his Royal Maties Lawes together with all such Orders as shalbee concluded by a Major part of the Freemen of our Society, in case they bee not repugnant to the Lawes of England and administered in the behalfe of his Majesty.

And this wee have mutually promised and concluded to do and so to continue till his Excellent Matie shall give other Order concerning us.

In Witness wee have hereto Set our hands the two & twentieth day of October in the sixteenth yeare of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles by the grace of God King of Great Brittain, France & Ireland Defender of the Faith &c. Annoq Domi, 1640. [John Follett, and forty-one others.]