Isaac was born in the village of Yantic, Norwich Settlement (New London), Connecticut Colony.
Isaac "would come to experience personal salvation in Christ at age 18 years old, while plowing alone in his home fields on August 24, 1741." He recorded the event in his diary. He converted and attended a Separatist Congregationalist church for five years. In 1746 he decided to become a preacher and in 1748 he was ordained. In 1751 he became a Baptist when he became the pastor of the Middleborough Baptist Church (today, North Congregational Church). He left his position with this church and on January 16, 1756, he formed the "Baptist Church of Christ in Middleborough, Bridgewater and Raynham."
As a minister, he came to see the amount of control that the state church held over the non-state religious groups. He advocated for the freedom of consciousness and the separation of Church and State. In 1773, he published a sermon that "An Appeal to the Public for Religious Liberty, Against the Oppressions of the Present Day." and in 1774, he instructed the delegates to the First Congress on the importance of religious freedom.
In 1788, Isaac served as a delegate from Middleborough to the Massachusetts convention that ratified the Constitution.
Isaac "would come to experience personal salvation in Christ at age 18 years old, while plowing alone in his home fields on August 24, 1741." He recorded the event in his diary. He converted and attended a Separatist Congregationalist church for five years. In 1746 he decided to become a preacher and in 1748 he was ordained. In 1751 he became a Baptist when he became the pastor of the Middleborough Baptist Church (today, North Congregational Church). He left his position with this church and on January 16, 1756, he formed the "Baptist Church of Christ in Middleborough, Bridgewater and Raynham."
As a minister, he came to see the amount of control that the state church held over the non-state religious groups. He advocated for the freedom of consciousness and the separation of Church and State. In 1773, he published a sermon that "An Appeal to the Public for Religious Liberty, Against the Oppressions of the Present Day." and in 1774, he instructed the delegates to the First Congress on the importance of religious freedom.
In 1788, Isaac served as a delegate from Middleborough to the Massachusetts convention that ratified the Constitution.
Isaac was born in the village of Yantic, Norwich Settlement (New London), Connecticut Colony.
Isaac "would come to experience personal salvation in Christ at age 18 years old, while plowing alone in his home fields on August 24, 1741." He recorded the event in his diary. He converted and attended a Separatist Congregationalist church for five years. In 1746 he decided to become a preacher and in 1748 he was ordained. In 1751 he became a Baptist when he became the pastor of the Middleborough Baptist Church (today, North Congregational Church). He left his position with this church and on January 16, 1756, he formed the "Baptist Church of Christ in Middleborough, Bridgewater and Raynham."
As a minister, he came to see the amount of control that the state church held over the non-state religious groups. He advocated for the freedom of consciousness and the separation of Church and State. In 1773, he published a sermon that "An Appeal to the Public for Religious Liberty, Against the Oppressions of the Present Day." and in 1774, he instructed the delegates to the First Congress on the importance of religious freedom.
In 1788, Isaac served as a delegate from Middleborough to the Massachusetts convention that ratified the Constitution.
Isaac "would come to experience personal salvation in Christ at age 18 years old, while plowing alone in his home fields on August 24, 1741." He recorded the event in his diary. He converted and attended a Separatist Congregationalist church for five years. In 1746 he decided to become a preacher and in 1748 he was ordained. In 1751 he became a Baptist when he became the pastor of the Middleborough Baptist Church (today, North Congregational Church). He left his position with this church and on January 16, 1756, he formed the "Baptist Church of Christ in Middleborough, Bridgewater and Raynham."
As a minister, he came to see the amount of control that the state church held over the non-state religious groups. He advocated for the freedom of consciousness and the separation of Church and State. In 1773, he published a sermon that "An Appeal to the Public for Religious Liberty, Against the Oppressions of the Present Day." and in 1774, he instructed the delegates to the First Congress on the importance of religious freedom.
In 1788, Isaac served as a delegate from Middleborough to the Massachusetts convention that ratified the Constitution.
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ELDER ISAAC BACKUS A.M.
A pioneer Champion of religious liberty & the earliest Baptist historian in America, born 1724, died 1806 in the 59th year of his Ministry in this Precinct, Erected by a grateful people, A.D. 1893
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