The Society of Jesus and “Jesuit” Rings in New England and its Borderlands

Join archaeologists Laura Masur and Andrew Beaupre for a fascinating online presentation about The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and their influence in Colonial America. The Jesuits were a Roman Catholic order of priests and brothers that operated global missions beginning in the sixteenth century. They were influential in the histories of New France and Maryland, but had little influence in southern New England. This talk explores Jesuit interactions with Indigenous communities in light of Colonial politics, as well as archaeological sites and artifacts associated with Jesuits in the northeast.  A Jesuit trade ring was uncovered at John and Priscilla Aldens' 17th-century homesite in Duxbury. Laura Masur is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Catholic University, specializing in the historical archaeology of the Mid-Atlantic region. Andrew Beaupré is the Curator of Archaeological Collections Maine State Museum.