At the Second Continental Congress on September 13th, 1776, Mary Ludwig Hays' husband William signed one of the most consequential documents in human history, The Articles of Confederation. It would stand as America's constitution for the ensuing nine years after being signed by all thirteen colonies to ratify.
Article XVIII reads as follows: _The legislative, executive, and judiciary powers of each colony and state shall be limited to matters respecting its internal civil police._ There were no words for religious freedom; this was only addressed once by George Washington in New York City Hall 139 years later in April 30th, 1855 when he said during his First Inaugural as the First President, _Religious liberty was established before my day_.