continued from part 1. "Furthermore, shortly before the excommunication of Mrs. Hutchinson, Mr. Dyer had been one of those who signed a protest to the Elders who had condemned the Rev. Mr. Wheelright for unorthodox preachings, and, as a result, Mr. Dyer was disfranchised and lost his civil rights. Thus it is apparent why the Dyers joined the Hutchinson party in 1638 and came to Providence and later went to Aquidneck where they were among the founders of Newport. At this point it might be well to refer to a matter that may appear ridiculous to us in this enlightened day and age, but which had profound significance in the destiny of Mary Dyer. It was shortly before she left Boston with the Hutchinson party of exiles that Mary Dyer was forced to deny an ugly rumor spread in the community by her enemies. These viper-tounged busy-bodies circulated the story that she had given birth to a monstrosity which, they declared, was a sign of Divine retribution for her faith in, and adherence to, Anne Hutchinson. That stories of this sort could have been started or repeated in those days indicates that ignorance, stupidity and downright viciousness much have accounted for much of the tragedy and trouble in the first days of Colonies. As inhabitants of Aquidneck, or the Island of Rhode Island, the Dyers were well received. William was made Clerk of Rhode Island in 1638, and two years later Secretary of Portsmouth and Newport, and he held the latter office for seven years. In the course of his life he held many prominent offices of public trust, including that of Attorney-General. With his family he lived the normal life of a well-respected townsman with executive abilities above the average. Several years later he accompanied Roger Williams to England, together with John Clarke, where the group sought to obtain a change in the charter previously granted to William Coddington. Mary Dyer accompanied her husband to England and remained there for five years, becoming a Quaker before she returned." continued in part 3.