How Free Speech in Colonial Connecticut could be a Problem
Ann Lloyd (b. bef 1600, d.1659), after the death of her first husband, Thomas Yale, in 1619, wed Theophilus Eaton sometime in the 1620's. Together, they came to the New World in 1637; Theophilus founded the town of New Haven that same year and was elected governor of New Haven Colony in 1640. He held the office until his death in 1658. Being governor, the Eatons held the largest and finest house, built in the shape of an E, in the entire colony. Theophilus' estate was valued at over 1500 pounds, although he had almost twice as much at the time of his emigration.
Having money and an enormous house (19 fireplaces make a lot of soot) wasn't much of a help to Ann, who, what with her husband's brother, her mother-in-law, her husband's children from his first marriage, her three children from her marriage to Thomas, and the servants, had a household of some 30 people to run smoothly. Theophilus' mother, Theophilus' daughter Mary, and Theophilus' brother Samuel were stalwartly and solidly against Ann, and criticized her every move. Theophilus naturally took the cases of his own flesh and blood over Ann, whom he ignored most of the rest of the time; he confided in his closest friend, the Reverend Davenport. Ann, perhaps looking for a way to express her displeasure, stopped coming to the communion services and it became known that Ann was a Baptist and a heretic. Being that she was, after all, the governor's wife, Davenport turned a somewhat blind eye to her behavior, until old Mrs. Eaton, or Mary Eaton, or the both together, came to Davenport with claims that Ann was lawless, sinful, and spreading malicious lies about Mary. Davenport decided to start paying a few visits to the friendless Ann, and quoted the Bible at her often, until Ann, probably just tired of his ridiculous sanctimony, started to argue with him. My guess is that she shot a few holes in his statements and Davenport was chagrinned at being bettered by a woman - but whatever the reason, Davenport brought Ann before the church court with 17 charges, enforced by Scripture, against her - such as the heinous crime of criticizing a minister.
Three women of Ann's acquaintance were overheard discussing the case by two servants, who reported to Davenport that the trio had said he had been too harsh on Ann and had criticized his sermons; these three women were likewise brought to trial and probably fined for their actions. Ann Eaton's punishment was excommunication - she was no longer allowed to enter the Church, her seat, accorded her for her status and position in the town, was taken away, and her name was removed from the Church lists. The only thing that saved her from complete banishment from the colony was the status of her husband, just about the only way being married to Theophilus ever helped her. After the death of Theophilus, she was at last allowed to leave the misery of New Haven Colony; she returned to England with her son David's son, Elihu Yale, then 11 years old. Elihu would return to New Haven Colony later in life and found Yale College.
Ann Lloyd Yale Eaton is my 11th great-grandmother, through my mother's father's side.
Most of the information on this page is condensed from Sarah Day Woodward's "Early New Haven," in which she devotes an entire chapter to Ann Lloyd Yale Eaton.