Religious Persecution - Case Against Thomas Brewer

One of the Leiden Separatists who came to American on the Mayflower, William Brewster, got into serious trouble in Leiden for publishing religious literature on the Pilgrim Press which he operated in his home.

Although he was initially arrested with his financial partner, Thomas Brewer, the sheriff in Leiden released Brewster who then went into hiding in Leiderdorp, a nearby village. He escaped further legal troubles by sailing to America on the Mayflower, in 1620.

Brewer was not so fortunate. Dutch authorities cooperated with British authorities - and Brewer went to an English prison where he spent fourteen years for his religious beliefs.

This entire event was a major issue, causing the Pilgrims' pastor - Rev. John Robinson - to decide that he and his congregation should relocate to America.

Robinson, however, was not among the Leiden Separatists who made the first crossing. Determined to come later, he died in 1625, before he could join his congregants in America.

The image above is a picture of Leiden's official registry regarding the case against Brewer.