1656 - July 1 - 1st Quakers (Mary Fisher and Ann Austin) arrive in Boston (arrested)

In 1656, two Quaker women, Mary Fisher and Ann Austin, arrived in Boston, marking the first known presence of Quakers in the city. Their arrival was met with hostility from the Puritan authorities who viewed Quaker beliefs as heretical and a threat to their established religious order. Fisher and Austin were immediately arrested upon arrival.

The Puritan authorities' response to the Quaker presence was severe. Quakers faced persecution and were often subjected to harsh punishments, including imprisonment, whipping, and banishment. Despite the persecution, Quakers continued to spread their beliefs, leading to further clashes with the authorities.