Dorothy Hazzard
Dorothy Hazzard formerly Dorothy Kelly ( – 14 March (latest date), 1674) was an English Baptist leader in Bristol. She was a leading defender of the city when it came under attack by the Royalists.
Dorothy Hazzard | |
|---|---|
 1882 illustration of Widow Kelly barackading the Frome Gate Against Prince Ruppert at the Siege of Bristol in 1643 | |
| Born | unknown |
| Died | 14 March (latest date), 1674 |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Baptist preacher |
| Spouse | Anthony Kelly |
Life
Hazzard's original name and her place and date of birth are unknown. She came to notice when she and her husband Anthony started a religious group in Bristol. They had a grocer's shop in the High Street. She was preaching and was called a "he-goat" for doing so. They were derided not only for having women as preachers but also for the women in their congregation. On one occasion their house was damaged by a crowd who objected to a "Conventicle of Puritans".[1]
By 1640 her first husband was dead but she kept the shop open. In that year she married Matthew Hazzard who was the recently appointed vicar of St Ewin's, Bristol. Dorothy would allow pregnant women to reside at the parsonage when they should have been at church and they also gave homes to families en route to America.[1]
She gave evidence when Colonel Nathaniel Fiennes was charged with cowardice for surrendering Bristol to the Royalists. She gave evidence that she had placed her goods here and Fiennes had surrendered. She and 200 women were said have been ready to stop bullets to defend the Frome gate using woolsacks.[2] Fiennes was found guilty at St Albans by the council of war in December of having surrendered Bristol improperly, and sentenced to death. He was, however, pardoned.[3]
Hazzard died in Bristol at the latest date of 14 March 1674 when her recent death was recorded.[1]
References
- "Hazzard [other married name Kelly], Dorothy (d. 1674), Baptist leader". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/72736. Retrieved 2023-03-07. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- Nicholls, J. F.; Taylor, John (1882). Bristol Past And Present. Bristol Radical History Group.
- Salmon 1730, p. 794.
Source
- Salmon, Thomas (1730). "Chapter XL. The Trial of Colonel Nathanael Fiennes before a Council of War at St. Albans, for cowardly surrendring the City and Castle of Bristol, the 14th of December 1643. 19 Car. I. Taken out of the Account given thereof by Mr, Prynn and Mr. Walker.". In Emlyn, Sollom (ed.). A complete collection of state-trials, and proceedings for high-treason, and other crimes and misdemeanours: from the reign of King Richard II. to the end of the reign of King George I. With two alphabetical tables to the whole. Vol. 1 (2 ed.). J. Walthoe senior. p. 745–794.