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Updated: May 29, 2025
Mary Dyar, and the men Robinson, Stephenson and Leddra were executed for no greater crime than obtruding their unwelcome opinions, and outraging the propriety of the community.
"William Leddra being thus dispatch'd, it was resolved to make an end also of Wenlock Christison. Who empowered you to make that law? To which one of the board answered, 'We have a patent, and are the patentees; judge whether we have not power to make laws. Hereupon Wenlock asked again, 'How, have you power to make laws repugnant to the laws of England? 'No, said the governor.
In November, 1660, William Leddra returned from banishment. The case was clear enough, but he was kept in prison four months and every effort was made to induce him to promise to leave the colony, but in vain. In the following March he too was put to death. A few days before the execution, as Leddra was being questioned in court, a memorable scene occurred.
Marmaduke Stevenson, William Robinson, Mary Dyer, and William Leddra were hanged, several were mutilated or branded, two at least are known to have died from starvation and whipping, and it is probable that others were killed whose fate cannot be traced.
On the day Leddra suffered, Christison was brought before Endicott, and commanded to renounce his religion; but he answered: "Nay, I shall not change my religion, nor seek to save my life; ... but if I lose my life for Christ's sake and the preaching of the gospel, I shall save it." They then sent him back to prison to await his doom.
I saw William Robinson, Marmaduke Stevenson, Mary Dyer, and William Leddra, pass through the streets of Boston, pinioned, and with halters about their necks, on the way to execution; yet rejoicing that they were found worthy to suffer, even unto death, for their fidelity to Christ; sustained through those last bitter moments by an approving conscience and the favor of God.
Any want of deference to a clergyman is sure to be given a prominent place in the annals of Massachusetts; and, accordingly, the breaking of bottles in church, which happened twice in twenty-one years, is never omitted. The next turbulent Quaker is mentioned in this way by Dr. And he did not go, but was with Leddra when he died upon the tree.
John Norton actively exerted himself to secure more stringent legislation; procured petition to that effect to be presented to court. 1658, 19 Oct. Enacted that undomiciled Quakers returning from banishment should be hanged. Under this act the following persons were hanged: 1659, 27 Oct. Robinson and Stevenson hanged. 1660, 1 June. Mary Dyer hanged. 1660-1661, 14 Mar. William Leddra hanged.
The next summer, Leddra, who was afterwards hanged, and William Brend went to Salem, and several persons were seized for meeting with them, among whom were the Southwicks.
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