Thomas Hooker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Hooker
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Hooker's Company reach the Connecticut, publishers: Estes & Lauriat, 1879
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| Born | July 5, 1586 Marefield or Birstall, Leicestershire
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| Died | July 7, 1647 (aged 61) |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Congregational minister |
| Known for | Helped found the Connecticut Colony and write one of the first written constitutions along with a bill of rights. |
| Spouse(s) | Susanna (possibly née Garbrand) Hooker (2nd wife) The name of his first wife is not known |
| Children | 6 |
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Thomas Hooker (born July 5, 1586 – died July 7, 1647) was an important English leader and a minister. He helped create the Connecticut Colony. He moved there after disagreeing with other leaders in Massachusetts. People knew him as a great speaker. He also believed that all Christian men should be able to vote.
Today, many call Thomas Hooker "the Father of Connecticut". He was a very important person in the early days of colonial New England. He was one of the best preachers of his time. He also wrote many books about Christian topics. He was the first minister in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was also one of the first people to settle and found both the city of Hartford and the state of Connecticut. Many people say he inspired the "Fundamental Orders of Connecticut". Some even call this the world's first written democratic constitution. It set up a government where people chose their leaders.
Contents
Thomas Hooker's Early Life and Education
Thomas Hooker was probably born in Leicestershire, England. This was either in "Marfield" (which could be Marefield or Markfield) or Birstall. He went to Dixie Grammar School in Market Bosworth.
In March 1604, he started college at Queens' College, Cambridge. Later, he moved to Emmanuel College. He earned his first degree in 1608. Then, he got his Master's degree in 1611. In 1609, he was chosen for a special scholarship at Emmanuel.
Becoming a Minister and Moving to America
In 1620, Hooker became a minister at St George's Church in Surrey, England. He became known as an excellent speaker. He also cared deeply for his church members. Around 1626, Hooker started preaching at St. Mary's church in Chelmsford. This church is now Chelmsford Cathedral.
However, in 1629, a powerful church leader named Archbishop William Laud stopped many preachers like Hooker. So, Hooker moved to Little Baddow. There, he ran a school. But his support for Puritan ideas caused problems. He was called to a special court. Instead of going, Hooker left England. He went to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
After a secret trip back to England to sort out his things, he sailed to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He traveled on a ship called the Griffin.
Founding New Settlements in New England
Hooker arrived in Boston and settled in Newtown. This town was later renamed Cambridge. He became the pastor of the first church there. His church members called it "The Church of Christ at Cambridge." His group became known as "Mr. Hooker's Company."
For a while, he lived in Watertown, Massachusetts. But he felt the towns were too close together. The government of Massachusetts allowed people to start new communities. Hooker's group was one of the first to leave.
In Massachusetts, only "freemen" could vote. These were men who had been officially accepted into their church. They had to answer many questions about their religious beliefs. Hooker did not agree with this rule. He believed more people should be able to vote. This put him in conflict with another important pastor, John Cotton.
Because of these disagreements, Hooker and another minister, Samuel Stone, led a group of about 100 people. In 1636, they founded a new settlement called Hartford. They named it after Stone's hometown in England, Hertford. This led to the creation of the Connecticut Colony.
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Thomas Hooker became more involved in politics in Connecticut. In May 1638, leaders from the towns of Wethersfield, Windsor, and Hartford met. They wanted to write a constitution to set up a government for their new colony.
Hooker gave the opening sermon at the First Church of Hartford on May 31. He famously declared that "the foundation of authority is laid in the free consent of the people." This meant that the government's power comes from the people's agreement.
On January 14, 1639, the people from these three towns approved the "Fundamental Orders of Connecticut." A historian named John Fiske called this "the first written constitution known to history that created a government." He also said it marked the start of American democracy. Many believe Thomas Hooker deserves to be called the father of this democracy.
Near Chelmsford Cathedral in England, where Hooker once preached, there is a special sign. It says: "Thomas Hooker, 1586–1647, Curate at St. Mary's Church and Chelmsford Town Lecturer 1626–29. Founder of the State of Connecticut, Father of American Democracy."
Death and Lasting Impact
Thomas Hooker died on July 7, 1647, at age 61. He passed away during a widespread sickness. No one knows exactly where he is buried. However, people believe he rests in Hartford's Ancient Burying Ground. There is a plaque on the back of the First Church in his honor.
Because there was no known picture of him, a statue of him was made in 1938. This statue stands in front of Hartford's Old State House. The artist, Frances Laughlin Wadsworth, used pictures of his family members to create his likeness.
Hartford has a fun way of remembering its origins. Every October, people in Hartford dress up in funny costumes. They celebrate "Hooker Day" with a parade. You can even find T-shirts that say, "Hartford was founded by a Hooker!"
Thomas Hooker's Important Ideas
Thomas Hooker strongly believed that more people should be able to vote. He thought this should include all Puritan church members. This belief led him and his followers to start the Connecticut Colony.
He also believed that a government must listen to its people. He said that those who choose leaders also have the power to limit what those leaders can do. This happens through "the privilege of election," which belongs to the people. Thomas Hooker also wanted more religious freedom for all Christian groups.
Hooker supported the idea of church meetings called synods. He attended a meeting of ministers in Boston to defend their church style, called Congregationalism. Later, Hooker wrote a book called A Survey of the Summed of Church-Discipline. In it, he defended Congregationalism and applied its ideas to politics and government.
Thomas Hooker's Family and Descendants
Thomas Hooker came to the colonies with his second wife, Suzanne. We do not know anything about his first wife.
His son, Samuel, was likely born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard College in 1653. Samuel became a minister in Farmington, Connecticut. Many of his family members lived there for generations.
His daughter, Mary, married Rev. Roger Newton. He was a founder and the first minister of Farmington, Connecticut. Later, he became a minister in Milford, Connecticut.
John Hooker, Thomas's grandson, became the Speaker of the Connecticut Assembly. He also served as a judge. James Hooker, John's brother, also became an important political figure in Connecticut. He married the daughter of William Leete and settled in Guilford, Connecticut. James Hooker was the first probate judge. He later became the speaker of the Connecticut colonial assembly.
Thomas Hooker's granddaughter, Mary Hooker, married Rev. James Pierpont. Their daughter, Sarah Pierpont, married Rev. Jonathan Edwards.
Many famous people are descendants of Thomas Hooker. These include William Howard Taft, who became a U.S. President, and J.P. Morgan, a famous banker.
Images for kids
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Thomas Hooker's signature
See also
In Spanish: Thomas Hooker para niños
