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THE
ROGERENES
SOME HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED ANNALS BELONGING TO THE COLONIAL
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT
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PART I.
A VINDICATION, BY JOHN R. BOLLES
PART II.
HISTORY OF THE ROGERENES
BY
ANNA B. WILLIAMS
APPENDIX OF ROGERENE WRITINGS
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PRINTED FOR THE SUBSCRIBERS
=Stanhope Press=
F. H. GILSON COMPANY
BOSTON U.S.A.
COPYRIGHT, 1904, BY ANNA B. WILLIAMS
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
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_ALL RIGHTS RESERVED_
PUBLISHED JULY, 1904
CONTENTS.
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PART I.
A VINDICATION.
CHAPTER I.
Errors of historians regarding the Rogerenes. James Rogers 19-36
and his family. Rogerenes first people in Connecticut to
denounce taxation without representation. Fines of the
Rogerenes. Their interruption of meetings not without
reasonable cause. John Roger’s contribution of a wig to
the New London ministry and his apology for the same.
Progressive character of the Rogerene movement. Heroism of
the Rogerenes under fines. Suit of Governor Saltonstall
against John Rogers. Its illegal character. Rev. Mr.
McEwen’s attacks on the Rogerenes. Sufferings of the
Rogerenes. Quotations from John Rogers and John Bolles
regarding persecutions. Scourging of Rogerenes, 1725, for
travelling to one of their own meetings on Sunday
CHAPTER II.
Rev. Mr. Saltonstall. His charge of blasphemy against John 37-50
Rogers. Statements of John Rogers, 2d, regarding this
charge and the punishments inflicted upon John Rogers on
account of it. John Rogers fined regularly once a month
without regard to his innocence or guilt. His nearly four
year’s imprisonment at Hartford immediately followed by
Mr. Saltonstall’s suit for defamation, by which a
subservient jury awarded Mr. Saltonstall the enormous sum
of £600 for damages. No admission of fault from the
ecclesiastical side. The case for the Rogerenes. John
Roger’s own account of his imprisonment upon charge of
“blasphemy.” Mr. McEwen avers that the Rogerenes
persecuted the Congregationalists and makes no mention of
the persecutions of the Rogerenes at the hands of the
Congregationalists, which called forth the efforts in
their own defense. Appropriate lines from Mother Goose.
Mr. Byles apparently as much displeased with the
Congregationalists as with the Rogerenes
CHAPTER III.
Truth and falsehood. Toleration not the word. The most 51-60
calumniated person in the world. “Blessed are ye when men
shall persecute and revile you.” John Rogers and his
followers would seem entitled to this blessing.
Inexcusable misstatements made by Mr. McEwen. Cause of the
divorce of John Rogers and Elizabeth Griswold as stated by
their son, John Rogers, 2d. A shining exception to the
erroneous statements of historians in general, on this
subject, shown in a quotation from Saulisbury Family
Histories. Singularly absurd statement by Rev. Mr.
Saltonstall quoted by Mr. McEwen. Similar statement by
Peter Pratt. Reply of John Rogers, 2d, to the same, giving
some account of his father’s sufferings on account of his
religion. Quotations from Trumbull indicating some of the
fines imposed upon the Rogerenes on account of their
religious persuasion. Mr. Saltonstall “a great man”
according to Bible text as well as by statements of
historians
CHAPTER IV.
Quotation from Peter Pratt’s calumnious work and quotations 61-72
from Reply of John Rogers, 2d, to same, giving account of
the forced separation of John Rogers from his first wife,
his marriage to Mary Ransford and his forced separation
from her. Verses by Peter Pratt. Verses by John Rogers,
2d, in reply to the same. Tribute of Peter Pratt to the
character of his half brother, John Rogers, 2d. Tribute to
same by Miss Caulkins
CHAPTER V.
“Nine and twenty knives.” Rev. Gurdon Saltonstall, author of 73-80
a plot for the purpose of incarcerating John Rogers for
life. John Roger’s account of this plot and the barbarous
punishments inflicted upon him in consequence. The purpose
to send him to Hartford prison as a lunatic. His escape to
Long Island. Copy of “Hue and Cry” sent after him. Crime
of charging sane persons with insanity for malign purpose
CHAPTER VI.
Strictures on a Discourse delivered by Rev. Thomas P. Field 81-97
of “The First Church of Christ” of New London, 1870.
Quotations from the work of John Bolles, entitled “True
Liberty of Conscience is in Bondage to no Flesh.” Account
of John Bolles by his biographer. The unceasing efforts of
the Rogerenes, from first to last, in the cause of
religious liberty must, of necessity, have aided that
cause in Connecticut. Deacon John Bolles, of Hartford,
grandson of John Bolles and brother of Rev. David Bolles.
Tribute to Deacon John Bolles by Dr. Turnbull, in 1856.
Judge David Bolles, son of Rev. David Bolles and author of
“The Baptist Petition.” The Bolleses Bonapartes in the
contest for religious liberty. Frederick D. Bolles, first
editor of the _Hartford Times_, established in 1817. The
subject of religious freedom its main topic. Quotations
concerning this paper, its editor Frederick D. Bolles, and
the associate editor, John M. Niles
CHAPTER VII.
Further comments on the Half-Century Sermon of Rev. Mr. 98-120
McEwen. Posterity of the Rogerenes. Mention of prominent
citizens of New London of Rogerene descent. Lawyers,
ministers, and physicians of this descent. Non-employment
of physicians by the Rogerenes. Anecdote concerning Joshua
Bolles of Bolles Hill. Mention of professors, wealthy
merchants, brokers, artists, editors, authors, and
teachers of Rogerene descent. Tribute to the memory of the
author’s sister, Delight Rogers Bolles. The “First Church
of Christ” removed to a new location called at the time
“Bolles Hill.” The Petrified Fern.—An obituary notice of
John Rogers Bolles, author of “A Vindication of the
Rogerenes”
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PART II.
THE GREAT LEADERSHIP.
1637-1721.
CHAPTER I. (1637-1675.)
James Rogers the Connecticut planter. Soldier in the Pequot 121-137
war, from Saybrook. At Stratford, at Milford, at New
London. Is the principal business man of New London. His
children; their marriages. Conversion of his son John and
connection with Seventh-Day Baptist Church of Newport.
Consternation and opposition of Matthew Griswold and
family. Wife of John Rogers persuaded by her relatives to
return to Blackhall. John and his brothers are baptized by
immersion and join the Newport church. John Rogers founds
a church in New London, under that at Newport. Griswold
Petition for divorce. Arrest of John Rogers on accusation
by the Griswolds. His examination and acquittal at
Hartford