Jonathan Mayhew

Date of Birth: October 8, 1720

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: July 9, 1766

Biography

Jonathan Mayhew was a prominent American clergyman known for his outspoken views on religious and political liberty. Born on October 8, 1720, in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, Mayhew became an influential figure in the years leading up to the American Revolution. He was educated at Harvard University, where he graduated in 1744. Mayhew is best remembered for his fiery sermons and writings that criticized British colonial policies and advocated for the rights of the American colonies. His most famous sermon, “A Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers,” delivered in 1750, was a direct challenge to the prevailing doctrine of the divine right of kings. This sermon is often credited with laying the ideological groundwork for the American Revolution. Mayhew served as the pastor of the West Church in Boston from 1747 until his death. He was a prolific writer and a key figure in the development of American Unitarianism. He passed away on July 9, 1766, but his legacy lived on through his contributions to American religious and political thought.

5 Interesting Facts about Jonathan Mayhew

1. Jonathan Mayhew was a fifth-generation descendant of Thomas Mayhew, who was one of the original settlers of Martha’s Vineyard.

2. He was a strong opponent of the Stamp Act of 1765, which he viewed as an unjust tax imposed by the British Parliament on the American colonies.

3. Mayhew’s writings and sermons were influential in shaping public opinion in favor of independence from Britain.

4. He was a proponent of rational Christianity and often criticized the orthodox Calvinist views of his time.

5. Mayhew’s ideas were influential in the development of the principle of separation of church and state in the United States.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jonathan Mayhew

1. “No civil rulers are to be obeyed when they enjoin things that are inconsistent with the commands of God.”

2. “The king is as much bound by his oath not to infringe the legal rights of the people, as the people are bound to yield subjection to him.”

3. “The preservation of liberty and virtue is dependent on an educated and informed populace.”

4. “Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God.”

5. “It is the duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons, to worship the Supreme Being, the great creator and preserver of the universe.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There are no recorded details of Jonathan Mayhew’s net worth, as he lived in a time when such records were not commonly maintained or emphasized, especially for clergymen.

Children

Jonathan Mayhew had several children, though specific details about their lives and accomplishments are less well-documented. His family continued to be involved in religious and public life, maintaining the legacy of their father’s influential ideas and commitments.