History Matters series – Puritan, Entrepreneur…Heretic?

David M. Powers will speak about William Pynchon, the founder of Springfield, MA. Two things stand out about Pynchon’s life: he enjoyed uniquely positive relationships with Native peoples.

And he wrote the first book “Banned in Boston,” and publicly burned in the market place, where the Old State House is today.

Powers has written the first book-length study of William Pynchon, entitled Damnable Heresy: William Pynchon, the Indians, and the First Book Banned (and Burned) in Boston. It traces the stages of his momentous life: from origins in England, transatlantic crossing in 1630 to Roxbury, trek to Springfield (which he founded), his forced return to England in 1652, to his end ten years later. And, along the way, misunderstandings between races and hostilities between cultures. Anxiety from living in a time of war in one’s own land. Being accused of profiteering when food was scarce.

Unruly residents in a remote frontier community. Charges of speaking the unspeakable and publishing the unprintable.

David is a native of Springfield. He is a graduate of Carleton College and Harvard Divinity School. Since retirement from ministry in the United Church of Christ he has focused particularly on researching and writing on early New England history. He lives on Cape Cod.