TITLE: Letter of John Swinton from Newgate Prison
DOCUMENT ID: BFP 2018.1.02-01
DATE: Circa 6th month [August] 1660
DESCRIPTION & NOTES
Sir John Swinton, former Cromwellian soldier and statesman, writes from Newgate Prison following his arrest for treason. He warns fellow Quakers of the perils they face after the May 1660 Restoration of the Stuart monarchy and the Church of England, and describes the Apocalyptic visions he is experiencing while incarcerated.
Notes:
Sir John, 23rd Laird of Swinton (c.1621 - 1679), was a Scottish military and political leader who allied himself with Oliver Cromwell during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and became his right-hand man in Scotland during the Commonwealth period (1649-1660), while also serving in the English Parliament. He became a Quaker in 1657. In July 1660, following the Restoration of the Stuart monarchy, Swinton was arrested for treason. He likely wrote this letter while awaiting trial in London’s infamous Newgate Prison; he was later sent to the Edinburgh Tolbooth and finally sentenced to imprisonment in Edinburgh Castle. He spent his life after release as an itinerant preacher, frequently getting re-arrested for his non-conformist preaching. Bowne may have met him in England during his exile. It seems likely that this copy of the letter was made for distribution by Swinton’s fellow Quakers “on the outside”; possibly Bowne personally had it made to inspire him during his time in England.