Israel Stoughton (c. 1603 – 1644) was an early English colonist in Massachusetts and a colonial commander in the Pequot War.

The book offended some members of the General Court, which barred Stoughton from holding any colony offices for three years.

Stoughton later petitioned that the book be ‘forthwith burnt, as being weak and offensive.’ Despite this reversal, the General Court maintained their ban until 1636.

Appointed commander of the Massachusetts Colony militia, Stoughton reportedly employed brutal tactics against the Pequots.

[3] He also had African American slaves or servants, including the well-known, Dorcas ye blackmore, who joined the First Parish Church of Dorchester in 1641, and evangelized Native American servants and eventually attempted to gained her freedom with the help of the local church congregation.