Notes on Rev. Francis Doughty
After getting into trouble with Bishop Laud in England, Francis came to the Massechusetts colony in 1638, where he became pastor in Taunton, MA. Falling out of favor with Puritan leaders, he moved for a short time to RI and in 1642 to the New
Netherlands colony of Mespat in modern Brooklyn. Driven out by Indians in 1643 he went to Manhatten and later back as pastor to Mespat and Flushing. By 1656 he had migrated to Accomack Co., Virginia where he remarried, revitalized the church,
and presided over some witchcraft trials. By 1665 he had moved to Sittingbourn and Farnham parishes in Old Rappahannock Co, VA. Eventually he left everything to his wife and departed VA to parts unknown.
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