"In 1650 Samuel Dudley accepted Exeter's invitation to be its minister. He was a vigorous and able man who soon made himself popular in the town. His importance to the town went beyond his ministry. He was the son of Governor Thomas Dudley of Massachusetts and the son-in-law of John Winthrop, thereby giving Exeter some influence where it counted. He also contributed to the town's economy with his sawmills and other business activities and to its population with his numerous progeny." [History of Exeter]

"About the middle of the last century there were a few Quakers in Exeter, who held meetings for a time in a barn whihc stood on the southerly side of what is not Front street, just opposite the head of th Centre street.  Among them were Samuel and J dudly, gransons, it is presummed of the Rev. Samuel Dudley.  The Rev. Daniel Rogers's diary for the year 1753 shows that on the twenty-fifth of January, " the Quakers, Samuel Dudley, etc., came into our meeting and spoke;" that on March 7, "the Friends were carried to court this week," and on March 10, "Lord's day, John Dudley spake after the first singing, A. M.
    The Friends who were carried to court were undoubtedly Elizbeth, wife of Joseph Norris, and Joanna, wife of James Norris.  The records of the Court of General Sessions show that at the March term, 1753, these two women were indected for a breach of the peace and violarion of the act for the better observace of the Lord's day.  It is probable that their offence was the disturbance of the Sunday service in on the meeting-houses.  They were arraigned, and pleaded not guilty.  When inquired of whether they would be tried by the court or the jury they resolutely refused to answer, probably having little expectaion of an acquitall by either. "  [Bell. page 200]