THE PORTSMOUTH COMPACT

The Portsmouth Compact was agreed to by 23 men on March 7,1638 prior to leaving Boston for their new Plantation.  The goal was to establish a Colony, based on Christian principles, independent of every other colony.

The primary author is believed to be John Clarke.

The 7th Day of the First Month, 1638

We whose names are underwritten do hereby solemnly in the presence of Jehovah incorporate ourselves into a Bodie Politick and as He shall help, will submit our persons, lives and estates unto our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and to all those perfect and most absolute laws of His given in His Holy Word of truth, to be guided and judged thereby.

Signers: William Coddington, John Clarke, William Hutchinson, Jr., John Coggeshall, William Aspinwall, Samuel Wilbore, John Porter, John Sanford, Edward Hutchinson, Jr. Esq., Thomas Savage, William Dyre, William Freeborne, Phillip Shearman, John Walker, Richard Carder, William Baulston, Edward Hutchinson, Sr., Henry Bull, Randall Holden, Thomas Clarke, John Johnson, William Hall and John Brightman, Esq