Wise, John (1652-1725), was a Congregational minister of colonial Massachusetts. He vigorously opposed actions by both church and government that he believed would deprive colonists of their rights and privileges.
In 1687, Wise led a protest against what he felt was an unfair tax levied by Sir Edmund Andros, the English colonial governor. In the early 1700’s, Wise opposed an attempt by some Massachusetts clergymen, led by Increase and Cotton Mather, to organize themselves into associations. These associations would have taken over many functions previously controlled by individual churches. Wise argued that the associations would reduce the ability of local church members to direct their own affairs. His opposition led to the plan’s defeat.
Wise was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts. From 1680 until his death on April 8, 1725, he served as minister of a Congregational church in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
