The Blue Laws of Connecticut

By Rev. Jack Barr


On occasion you may hear mention of the “Blue Laws of Connecticut,” but what were they? From my old family history we found the following laws were enacted and executed by Mr. William Phelps and his associates.

• It was a capitol offence to worship any other than the True God. • It was a capital offence to practice adultery. • It was a capital offence to commit the crime against nature. • It was a capital offence to commit rape. • It was a capital offence to blaspheme. • It was a capital offence exercise witchcraft. • It was a capital offence to steal men or women. or for stealing children, ‘unless brought up in unchristian neglect’. • It was a capital offence to curse your parents. • It was a capital offence to smite (hit) your parents. • It was a capital offence to be stubborn or rebellious toward your parents. • • Lying in those days was deemed a peculiarly heinous (outrageous) offence.

In 1641. the General Court stigmatized it as a fowl and gross sin, --- - and Mr. Webster of Hartford and Mr. Phelps of Windsor are requested to consult with the elders of both churches, to prepare instructions against the next Court, for the punish¬ment of the sin of lying

In the code of 1650, all persons above the age of 14 years found guilty of lying, are made punishable by fines, stocks. or stripes --- - and punished by parents in presence of officers.

• Open contempt for God’s holy word or ministers was rigorously dealt with. The 1 St offence with reproof, and bonds for good behavior. The 2nd offence, 5£ fine, and standing in the pillory on a lecture day, bearing on the breast a paper duly labelled in capital letters, ‘An open and obstinate (stubborn) contemner (Scornful — has Contempt) of God’s Holy Word.’ • Absence from church was visited by a fine of five shillings. • Forgery was punished by three days in the pillory, payment of double damage to the injured party, and disqualification as a witness or juryman. • Fornication was punished by tine, whipping, or the prohibition to marry. • For censure (criticizing) of the General Court, punishment of the stocks and the whipping post. • In a case of bastardy (illegitimacy) tried in the colony in 1639, the Court ordered as follows,
John Edwards, Aaron Stark, and John Williams were censured for unclean practices as follows; John Edwards and John Williams to stand upon pillory from the ringing of the first bell to the end of the lecture --- - then to be whipped at the cart’s tail, and to be whipped in a like manner in Windsor in eight days following. Aaron Starks, to stand upon the pillory and be whipped as Williams and to have the letter R burnt upon his cheek, and in regard to the wrong done to Mary Holt, to pay her parents 10£ and in defect of such to the commonweaIth; and it is the will of’ the Court that Mr. Ludlow and Mr. Phelps see some punishment inflicted upon the girl for concealing it so long. Branding was a form of’ punishment not uncommon.
• Burglarly and highway robbery was blazoned (burned into the flesh) with the letter B — A. A 2nd offence was punished by a second branding, and a severe whipping.
Sept 1644, James Hallett for his theft, is adjudged to restore four fold for what shall be proved before Captain Mason, and Mr. Wolcott, and to be branded in the hand the next training day at Windsor.

What changes there has been in the laws, costumes, characters and worship since that time. Now evil doing and speaking, are rampant, and infidelity boldly presents itself all over the land. It is as warned of in Isaiah 5:20 and 2 Timothy 3:1 -5.

Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

2 Timothy 3: 1-5
1. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedi¬ent to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent (means Lewd, Lustful), fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God,
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof from such turn away.

Isaiah warns of a punishment and 2 Timothy warns that that those who do what Isaiah says will do it in the last days, just before Jesus comes back. I believe that we are seeing those days now. Are you ready for Jesus to come back? Or are you one who calls good bad and bad good.

It is not too late yet to accept Jesus Christ and stand for good.

Rev. Jack Barr