August 17, 1635: Richard Mather arrives in Boston. He began the "Mather Dynasty" in New England Puritanism that also included his son, Cotton, and grandson, Increase (see issue 41: American Puritans).
August 17, 1761: William Carey, who would become a tremendously influential and effective Baptist missionary to India, is born in Northamptonshire, England (see issue 36: William Carey).