University of Groningen
American History: Documents: Maryland Toleration Act 1649
The text of a 1649 colonial act concerning religion in Maryland. Describes punishment of any who reject Christian teaching.
Library of Congress
Loc: Religion and the Founding of the American Republic
A wonderful, comprehensive site from the Library of Congress that examines all facets of the religious origins of America.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Joseph Bellamy House: The Great Awakening in New England
This site describes the influence of the Reverend Joseph Bellamy and religion in 18th century colonial life. This lesson plan has excellent information, an inquiry question, historical context, maps, readings, images, and activities.
Princeton University
Princeton Companion: The Founding of Princeton
This page from the Princeton University Press discusses how the founding of Princeton and other colleges of its time was a direct result of the Great Awakening.
Other
Bible Bulletin Board: Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God: Modernized
A modernized version of Jonathan Edwards' sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". Only archaic 18th century terminology has been updated.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg: Religion and Revolution
This essay discusses colonists who questioned the "Anglican establishment." It then explains how religion was used to convince colonists to support the war.
Other
University of Delaware: A History: Francis Alison's Academy
The opening of Alison's "Free School" was an event of importance both for the school's impact in its time and for its eventual development into a much larger and more comprehensive institution. The school was founded in 1736 by Francis...
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Archiving Early America: Franklin and the Presbyterians
A detailed essay describing an incident having to do with the sermons of Samuel Hemphill within the Philadelphia Presbyterian Church in 1734. Benjamin Franklin supported Hemphill.
Other
The Great Awakening
Tells about what caused the Great Awakening, who was involved, and what the effects of it were. Learn a great deal about the Great Awakening at this comprehensive website devoted to this historic religious movement.