Ferdinando Adams (fl. 1636-1637) was a shoemaker and churchwarden in Ipswich who was excommunicated from the Anglican Church in 1636.[1] Clement Corbet, Chancellor of Diocese of Norwich complained to Matthew Wren, Bishop of Norwich (5 December 1635 - 24 April 1638) that “There be too many Adames in that towne, both Ecclesiasticks and Laickes”. Adams emigrated with his wife Ann to New England, settling in Dedham, Massachusetts.[1] Adams settled in Dedham in 1637.[2]
Excommunication
editFerdinando Adams fulfilled the role of churchwarden - a lay official of the parish – at St Mary le Tower, Ipswich at a time when William Laud, as newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury initiated the Laudian reforms in the organisation of church space - for which the churchwarden was responsible.[3] These reforms were contentious amongst puritans, for many of whom Ipswich was their home.[4] Samuel Ward had been Ipswich Town Preacher - the most highly paid official of Ipswich Corporation since 1605.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b Hardman Moore, Susan (2013). Abandoning America: life-stories from early New England. Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK ; Rochester, NY, USA: Boydell Press. ISBN 978-1-84383-8173.
- ^ Bond of Ferdinando Adams
- ^ Reeks, John (2018). ""The churchwardens have not used to meddle with anie seate": seating plans and parochial resistance to Laudianism in 1630s Somerset". Seventeenth Century. 33 (2): 161–181. doi:10.1080/0268117X.2017.1301830. hdl:1983/47499ebe-784c-4c48-8bd3-0ec9f5daa683. ISSN 0268-117X.
- ^ Jones, David L. (2015). The Ipswich Witch : Mary Lackland and the Suffolk Witch Hunts. Woodbridge: The History Press Ltd.
- ^ Blatchly, John. The Town Library of Ipswich. Woodbridge: Boydell Press. ISBN 0851155170.