Footnote # 1

Eleazer Mather argued against a compromise position, the "Half-Way Covenant," which allowed partial church membership—not including participation in the Lord's Supper—to those who accepted the faith and behaved properly. Solomon Stoddard took the liberal position further, arguing that since communion was a means of spiritual renewal, full church membership should be available to all who professed their faith.

Susan Reed Stifler, "The Center of Puritan Controversy" in The Northampton Book (Northampton, MA: City of Northampton, 1954), pp. 11-14.

Footnote # 2

John Williams, The Redeemed Captive Returning to Zion (Northampton, MA: Hopkins, Bridgman and Company, 1853), p. 15.

Footnote # 3

The Deerfield Town Book, January 6, 1686 town meeting.

Footnote # 4

John Williams, The Redeemed Captive Returning to Zion (Northampton, MA: Hopkins, Bridgman and Company, 1853), p. 17.

Further Reading

Melvoin, Richard. New England Outpost: War and Society in Colonial Deerfield. New York: W. W. Norton, 1989.

Sheldon, George. A History of Deerfield, Massachusetts. Deerfield, MA: Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, 1895.

Tercentenary History Committee. The Northampton Book. Northampton, Massachusetts: City of Northampton, 1954.

Ulrich, Laurel Thatcher. Good Wives. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1982.

Williams, John. The Redeemed Captive Returning to Zion. Deerfield, MA: Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, 1706.