Page 65 - Foy

oath was a common practice for Virginians who were, for the most part, Protestants

or people who were unconcerned with religious principles.

Calvert refused to enter into such an oath and left the colony of Virginia. In
establishing Maryland’s charter he wished to avoid the religious climate he had
encountered in Virginia. He envisioned Maryland as a haven for men like himself
who wanted a life without the intolerance found in other colonies.

Maryland’s charter was very vague regarding the religious issue. The charter
provided that Maryland should be a Christian colony, but nothing specific concerning
the means of accomplishing that end was mentioned. In this way Maryland
recognized religious freedom without sanctioning any specific denomination. While
there were almost constant conflicts among Catholics, Quakers, and other Protestant
groups, no one group was the “official” religion. In 1691 England sent a royal
governor to the province whiich began a period of British control which lasted some
twenty-five years. During those years the Anglican Church gained some official
standing and was supported by local taxes which caused great concern among those
who did not agree with the Anglican religion.

Such was the life for those who lived in Maryland in the 1700s. Was it different in
other colonies ? Allegedly THOMAS FOY was going to find out. He sold his land

in Maryland and moved to North Carolina, according to the popular theory.

Ch. 5 Pg. 9