(The daughter of Peter and Alice Wright of Long Island) [Kelverstone Wrights]
On the 4th of August following they were brought into court, at Boston, before the governor(a)
and magistrates and tried. The examinations of the parties accused are given by the faithful
historian in true dramatic style. They are too long for insertion here. What relates to Lydia
Wright is detailed as follows:
So they cried:
Then followed the examinations of the other two girls; and they were all carried back to prison,
and about an hour afterward brought again into the court, when, the governor being present, the
clerk read their sentence as follows:
"Lydia Wright and Mary Miles, you are to be tied to the cart's-tail also. Barbara Bowers you are
to be tied also."
"So they were carried to prison again, this being the 7th day of the week, and on the 5th day
following the sentence was executed." The historian adds, "During the examination of these
women they appeared altogether unconcerned as to themselves, being fully resigned to
whatsoever sufferings might be their portion; steadfastly maintaining their full assurance of a
divine call to the service they went upon, and a perfect peace and serenity of mind in yielding
obedience thereunto. In all which they seem to have really exercised the faith and patience of the
saints and people of God."
Immediately after this disgraceful scene, the two martyr-friends, Margaret and Lydia, shook the
dust of Boston streets from their feet, and travelled back to Sandwich. They went thence to
Rhode Island, that little State in the "corner" of New-England, where the Quaker was looked
upon with more toleration, where there was no persecution for conscience' sake, and where
Religious Freedom found a safe retreat.
Here lived at this time William Coddington. In former years he had been a magistrate in Boston,
and was Treasurer of the Colony. He was subsequently for several successive years, Governor of
Rhode Island.
He was now an old man, seventy-five years of age. In a letter written by him at this time, to his
friend Judge Fretwell, in Barbadoes, he briefly relates the particulars of the arrest and trial of these
parties, and of the execution of the sentence against them; uttering his denunciations of these
persecutions, declaring in his homely but forcible phrase, that the magistrates of Boston "stink of
the Blood of the Innocent!"
It may not be thought out of place to cite here his enlightened opinion of these horrid practices of
his Massachusetts neighbors, contained in a letter written by him two years before, while he was
Governor of Rhode Island, to John Leverett, then Governor of Massachusetts. "It is the shame"
(writes he) "and reproach of New England, that those that were persecuted in England, and bore
their testimony there against bishops and ceremonies, should in New England put to death four of
the servants of the ever-living God, (a) banish upon pain of death, cut off ears, fine, whip, and
imprison for keeping their conscience pure to God."
The Governor of Massachusetts had charged him with having "declined from his former
profession and practices," but the good old Governor sets himself right by declaring:
"Our profession in England which thou mentionest, about fifty years ago, was far before your
in the Massachusetts. We persecuted not, but stood together for the public good. I was one of
those many Lincolnshire gentlemen, so called, that denied the Royal Loan and suffered for it in
King Charles the 1st's days, and bishops and ceremonies were denied by us, and all evils. . .
Assure thyself I am supported by that Power, that I shall never dishonor my grey head to come
to you, for I am the servant of the Lord, that worship him in spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and
have no confidence in your fleshly worship . . . I am old, in the 72d year, and thou not young, I
suppose, near 60. I have known thee from thy childhood, and thou me, many years. I do desire
that thou and all that ever knew me, were as I am. Thou mightest lose by it in some respects,
but thy gain in the enjoyment of the power and presence of the Lord would be one hundred fold in
this life, and in the world to come, eternal glory."
Such was the liberal and large-hearted spirit of the brave old Governor, who, in these perilous
times, dared to offer shelter to our suffering friends.
Lydia Wright soon returned to her island home, and continued a faithful preacher and teacher
among the people; but her heart seems to have yearned after her friends in Barbadoes, who were
there still suffering from the intolerance of their English rulers. From the following certificate,
given her by the Quarterly Meeting held at Flushing, in November, 1682, it is inferred she passed
the winter of that year in the West Indies.
At our Quarterly men and women's meeting at Flushing, on Lo. Island, this 30th of y(e) 10th mo.,
1682.
If she made this intended visit, she must have returned early in the following spring, for, on the
17th day of the 1st month (March), 1683-4, she was married in the meeting-house at Oyster Bay
to Isaac Horner, whose name, it will be seen, heads the list of signers of the above certificate. Her
sister Mary was already married to Samuel Andrews, one of the architects of the meeting-house.
On the 26th of March, 1685, there was born to Lydia and her husband, at Oyster Bay, a daughter,
whom they named "Deliverance," and in the month of October following the two sisters and their
husbands sold out their possessions in Oyster Bay and migrated to New Jersey.
Please place in the Subject Line: WEBPAGE-HISTORY 
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