edward wanton & michael wanton
Edward Wanton was born in 1631 and came from London to Boston before 1658. Between 1659 and 1660, as an officer of the King's Guard, he assisted at the execution of Quakers and soon became deeply sensible of the cruelty, injustice and impolicy of these measures and was greatly moved by the firmness with which they met death, and won by their addresses before their executions saying, "Alas! Mother, we have been murdering the Lord's people." He took off his sword, with a solemn vow never to wear it again. From this time, he conversed at every opportunity with the Friends, and soon resolved to become a teacher of their faith.
In 1661, he purchased a farm of 80 acres in Scituate on the North River a little below Till’s or Dwelley’s creek and here conducted the business of shipbuilding. As a teacher he was quite successful and soon gathered a large congregation, including many followers from prominent Scituate families. In 1678, Quakers became so numerous as to necessitate the building of a meetinghouse. A small piece of land was purchased that year from Henry Ewell and a house erected. This meetinghouse was referred to as the house of Michael Wanton. Michael had succeeded his father, Edward, as the leader of the Friends and also attained a certain prominence in industry. Michael Wanton was a partner with the Barkers in Pembroke's iron furnace built in 1702.
In 1661, he purchased a farm of 80 acres in Scituate on the North River a little below Till’s or Dwelley’s creek and here conducted the business of shipbuilding. As a teacher he was quite successful and soon gathered a large congregation, including many followers from prominent Scituate families. In 1678, Quakers became so numerous as to necessitate the building of a meetinghouse. A small piece of land was purchased that year from Henry Ewell and a house erected. This meetinghouse was referred to as the house of Michael Wanton. Michael had succeeded his father, Edward, as the leader of the Friends and also attained a certain prominence in industry. Michael Wanton was a partner with the Barkers in Pembroke's iron furnace built in 1702.
