The Voyage of the Henry and Francis (1685)

In September 1685, the ship Henry and Francis departed Leith, Scotland, bound for Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Chartered by George Scot of Pitlochie and captained by Richard Hutton, the vessel carried 125 souls—many of them Scottish Covenanters banished for refusing to swear allegiance to King James II. These passengers, ranging from principled dissenters to prisoners and paying settlers, endured a harrowing fourteen-week voyage marked by storms, sickness, and death.

The ship, a 350-ton barque armed with twenty great guns, was part of a broader effort to populate East Jersey with skilled laborers and religious exiles. Tragically, nearly a quarter of those aboard perished en route—including Scot himself and members of his family. Yet those who survived laid the foundation for Presbyterian communities in colonial America, carrying with them a legacy of faith, resistance, and resilience.

Among the passengers were Peter Russell and Thomas Russell.

Notable Figures Aboard

🛡️ Rev. Archibald Riddell
A prominent Covenanter minister imprisoned for his faith.
He was banished for refusing to conform to the Church of England and sailed with his wife aboard the Henry and Francis.
After surviving the voyage, he became a key figure in establishing Presbyterianism in colonial New Jersey.

⚓ George Scot of Pitlochie
The organizer of the voyage, though he tragically died en route.
He had secured land grants in East Jersey and sought to populate the colony with skilled, principled Scots.
His book The Model of Government helped promote Scottish emigration to America.

🕊️ John Renwick
A well-known Covenanter preacher and martyr.
Though listed among the passengers, some sources suggest he may not have actually sailed—he was executed in Edinburgh in 1688.
His inclusion reflects the broader network of dissenters tied to the voyage.