We've Come a Long Way, Baby!

The following is a transcript from the primitive judicial code, which existed in the state of Connecticut, during the time of the first settlement, and their immediate descendants, commonly called the "Blue Laws of Connecticut."

1. No one shall be a freeman, or give a vote, unless he be converted, or a member in full communion of one of the churches allowed in this dominion.

2. No one shall hold any office who is not sound in the faith, and faithful to this dominion; and whoever gives a vote to such person shall pay a fine of one pound. For the second offense he shall be disfranchised.

3. No Quaker, or dissenter from the established worship of this dominion, shall be allowed to give a vote for the election of magistrates or any officer.

4. No food or lodging shall be afforded to a Quaker, Adamite, or other heretic.

5. If any person turns Quaker, he shall be banished, and not suffered to return on pain of death.

6. No priest [Roman] shall abide in this dominion. He shall be banished, and suffer death on his return. Priests may be seized by any one, without a warrant.

7. No one shall cross a river but with an authorized ferryman.

8. No one shall run on a Sabbath day, or walk in his garden, or elsewhere, except reverently to and from church.

9. No one shall travel, cook victuals, make beds, sweep houses, cut hair or shave on the Sabbath.

10. No woman shall kiss her child on Sabbath or fasting days. No one shall buy or sell lands without a permission of the selectmen.

11. A drunkard shall have a master appointed by the selectmen, who is to debar him the privilege of buying or selling.

12. No minister shall keep a school.

13. A debtor in prison, swearing he has no estate, shall be let out and sold to make satisfaction.

14. Whoever sets fire to the woods, and burns a house, shall suffer death; and persons suspected of the crime shall be imprisoned without the benefit of bail.

15. No one shall read common prayer, keep Christmas or saint's day, make minced pies, dance, play cards, or play on any instrument of music, except the drum, the trumpet, and the jewsharp.

16. Every male shall have his hair cut round according to a cap.