Dyer, Mary

Dyer, Mary one of the martyrs among New England Friends, was born in Rhode Island. During a visit to England she joined the Friends, and was recognized as a minister in that denomination. Returning to America she began to preach in Boston, from which place she was expelled in 1657, and subsequently in 1658, from New Haven. In visiting four Friends imprisoned in Boston she was thrown into jail, in 1659, but was soon discharged, and returned to her home. Soon, however, she came again to Boston, was arrested, cast into prison, tried, and condemned to death a second time. At the gallows she was reprieved. In March 1660, she once more visited Boston, was arrested, tried, condemned, and hanged April 1 following. See History of Friends in America, volume 1, chapter 11. (J.C.S.)