My Family Tree

REFN: chart 2612
A major player. Signer of the Cambridge Agreement in 1629. Hearrived in
Massachusetts on the "Arabella" with the Winthrop Fleet in 1630. That same year
he was one of the founding members of the Church at Rocksbrough (Roxbury). In
1636, he removed from Roxbury. William Pynchon was the strong-willed and
independent founder of Agawam, later Springfield, Massachusetts. He ran his town
pretty much as he pleased, had good relations with the Indians, and was heavily
involved in the fur trade. Was an Assistant 1630-36, 1642-50, and Treasurer of
the Colony 1632-33.
In 1650 he published "The Meritorious Price", a dialogue about the doctrine of
justification, which got him into difficulties. The book was condemned as full
of errors and heresies by the General Court of Massachusetts, which ordered it
to be burnt. The Court appointed a Mr. Newton of Ipswich to write an answer to
the sentiments advanced by Col. Pynchon that would further signify official
disapprobation. The Colonel was also relieved of his offices. No doubt this was
the cause of his quitting Springfield and Massachusetts altogether in September
1652. He sailed back to England to live out the last ten years of his life.