CONTENTS.

PART I.
A VINDICATION.
CHAPTER I.
Errors of historians regarding the Rogerenes. James Rogers 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[19-36]
CHAPTER II.
Rev. Mr. Saltonstall. His charge of blasphemy against John 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[37-50]
CHAPTER III.
Truth and falsehood. Toleration not the word. The most 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[51-60]
CHAPTER IV.
Quotation from Peter Pratt’s calumnious work and quotations 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[61-72]
CHAPTER V.
“Nine and twenty knives.” Rev. Gurdon Saltonstall, author of 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[73-80]
CHAPTER VI.
Strictures on a Discourse delivered by Rev. Thomas P. Field 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[81-97]
CHAPTER VII.
Further comments on the Half-Century Sermon of Rev. Mr. 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”[98-120]
PART II.
THE GREAT LEADERSHIP.
1637-1721.
CHAPTER I. (1637-1675.)
James Rogers the Connecticut planter. Soldier in the Pequot 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[121-137]
CHAPTER II. (1675-1683.)
James Rogers and his wife and daughter are baptized by immersion and become members of the church of which John Rogers is pastor. General Court grants the petition for divorce. Authorities deal with the Rogerses for non-attendance upon the services of the Congregational Church and for “servile labor” on the first day of the week. John Rogers baptizes his brother’s wife by immersion, in the Cove near the Main Street. He is imprisoned for the same. The Rogerene church shows independence of that at Newport. Severe persecution of the Rogerenes. Their first countermove. James Rogers and his sons and daughter are imprisoned[138-155]
CHAPTER III. (1684-1691.)
John Rogers, Jr., continued in custody of the Griswolds, on account of the “hettridoxy” of his father. Rogerenes fined and imprisoned for “servile labor” on the first day of the week. To be punished “at discretion of the judges.” Second Rogerene countermove. Rogerenes imprisoned and whipped. John Rogers and James, Jr., fined for baptizing by immersion. Rogerenes “declined to Quakerism.” Return of the daughter of John Rogers to her father. Death of James Rogers, Sr. His will. Error of Miss Caulkins regarding “contention” among the children. Widow executes deed of trust. Marriage of daughter of John Rogers at her father’s house; John Rogers, Jr., a wedding guest. Rev. Gurdon Saltonstall succeeds Rev. Simon Bradstreet. Samuel Rogers. Religious status of Rogers family in 1690. John Rogers sends a wig to the Congregational contribution for Mr. Saltonstall. His apology for the same[156-169]
CHAPTER IV. (1691-1694.)
Impaired condition of the widow of James Rogers, and difficulties arising from this cause. John Rogers imprisoned for entertaining Quakers at his house. John Rogers continues to secure converts from the Congregational Church and to attract the attention of certain prominent citizens. The sole case of disagreement on the part of any child of James Rogers regarding division of the estate; Joseph finds that boundaries, drawn by the men appointed by the court to make division of the estate, give a house and lands which have been considered his own to his brother Jonathan. Plot of Gurdon Saltonstall to secure John Rogers in prison at a distance from New London. Unexpected countermove by John Rogers. His sister Bathsheba in the stocks. His imprisonment in New London jail. He hangs a Proclamation out at his prison window. Sent to Hartford jail, pending trial for “blasphemy”[170-182]
CHAPTER V. (1694-1698.)
John Rogers tried at Hartford on charge of blasphemy. Placed on the gallows with a rope about his neck. Returned to Hartford prison for refusal to give bonds for “good behavior.” Burning of the New London meeting-house; attempt to secure conviction of Bathsheba Smith and John Rogers, Jr., for complicity in same. John Rogers, Jr., and William Wright charged with assisting a prisoner to escape from Hartford prison. William Wright imprisoned at Hartford. Merciless and mysterious scourging of John Rogers in Hartford prison. Remonstrance of dissenters at New London. Death of Joseph Rogers. John Rogers, Jr., complained of before the General Court, for publishing and circulating “a book counted heretical” “up and down the colony.” John Rogers released from Hartford prison after an imprisonment of nearly four years. He protests against an unjust decision of the Superior Court, in regard to William Wright, and is fined for Contempt. Death of Jonathan Rogers. Rev. Gordon Saltonstall recovers £600 from John Rogers on a trivial pretext. Death of widow of James Rogers[183-194]
CHAPTER VI. (1698-1705.)
John Rogers returns to his Mamacock farm. Life at Mamacock. Mary Ransford. Her attachment to John Rogers and willingness to become his wife in a manner differing from that of his first marriage, which marriage he considers never to have been rightfully annulled. Opposition of his son to the match. The marriage is consummated. John Rogers, Jr., marries and brings his bride to Mamacock. Displeasure of Mary. Disagreement between her stepson and herself. Mary fined for the birth of her first child. Her husband appeals and the fine is remitted. John Rogers, Jr., and his stepmother before the court. Affidavit of John Rogers, equally condemning and excusing either party. Attempt of John Rogers to shield his second child from brand of illegitimacy. His wife’s lack of courage to second his endeavors. Her imprisonment and escape to Block Island. Romantic scene between John Rogers and his first wife. Visit of John Rogers to Samuel Bownas, while the latter is imprisoned on Long Island. John Rogers gives up the Seventh Day Sabbath, being convinced, by study of the New Testament, that the Jewish Sabbath was done away with by the new dispensation[195-211]
CHAPTER VII. (1707-1711.)
John Bolles leaves the Congregational Church to join the Rogerenes. His courageous stand. Mr. Saltonstall elected governor. Peter Pratt a Rogerene. Dilemma of John Rogers as executor. Captain James and son James to the rescue. Joan Jackson. Her husband and John Rogers accused of stealing her from Samuel Beebe at Plumb Island. Trial and unjust verdict, by which a freed slave is given over with her children to perpetual servitude. John Rogers condemns this court sentence and is imprisoned for refusing to give bonds for “good behavior” until his appearance for trial before the Superior Court. His Petition ignored. Heavily fined by Governor Saltonstall as judge of the Superior Court, and again imprisoned for refusing to give bonds for good behavior. Seizure of land of John, Jr., for a fine of his father[212-226]
CHAPTER VIII. (1711-1714.)
Authorities pretend to fear that John Rogers may escape from New London prison. He is placed in irons. Conveyed to the solitary and unfinished “inner prison.” At death’s door. Rescued by the midnight outcry of his son. Death of his sister Bathsheba. His release. Settlement of remainder of the James Rogers estate. Effort to illegally arrest and imprison John Rogers for “attempt to baptize” a person, which purpose failing, Governor Saltonstall issues a warrant for his arrest on charge of insanity. Imprisoned on this charge and window of prison darkened by a plank. Protest in behalf of John Rogers by an English lieutenant. Mob in favor of prisoner tear the plank from the prison window. Evening examination of John Rogers by Governor Saltonstall in regard to his mental condition. Plot to secure dark and solitary imprisonment of John Rogers in Hartford jail. John Rogers informed of the plot. Escapes by night to Long Island. “Hue and Cry” sent after him. John Rogers, Jr., fined for his outcry in the night. John Rogers is favored by the governor of New York. Returns to New London and attempts to secure trial of the judges who conducted the unfair trial by which Joan Jackson was consigned to slavery. Is non-suited by influential enemies. Death of Samuel Rogers. Death of Captain James Rogers. Marriage of John Rogers to Sarah Cole[227-241]
CHAPTER IX. (1716-1720.)
Rogerenes aroused by attempts at more strict enforcement of the ecclesiastical laws. A countermove. Specious public promise of Governor Saltonstall. Arrest of Sarah, wife of John Bolles, for “breach of sabbath.” She rebukes the judge for his unjust verdict. Her long imprisonment. Court scene relating to the imprisonment of Sarah Bolles. John Rogers declares the indictment in this trial to be a false charge and has the sympathy of the jury. Sarah Bolles loses her child in prison and lies at the point of death. She is rescued from the prison, by a party of friends and sympathizers, and carried home on a bed. Countermove by John Waterhouse. His trial and imprisonment. Disappearance of the doors of New London prison. John Waterhouse under suspicion. Parentage and character of John Waterhouse. John Bolles examined on charge of complicity in the carrying off of the doors[242-254]
CHAPTER X. (1721.)
John Waterhouse arrested and imprisoned for baptizing Joseph Bolles. Countermove by John Bolles and wife. Seizure of Rogerene property for rebuilding Congregational meeting-house. Rogerenes hold noon meeting in Congregational church. Governor Saltonstall absent. Noon meeting repeated. Governor Saltonstall present. Rogerenes attacked by a church party mob. Leaders imprisoned. John Bolles maltreated. John Waterhouse whipped for baptizing Joseph Bolles. Smallpox epidemic in Boston. John Rogers goes to Boston to aid the sufferers, having, ever since his conversion, made a practice of visiting the sick, and especially those afflicted with this malady. His return home. He is prostrated with the disease. Action of Governor and Council at New Haven. Mamacock quarantined. Death of John Rogers. Fidelity of his followers. Succeeding leadership of the Rogerene Society[255-267]
CHAPTER XI. (1721-1757.)
Years of Truce.
Death of Mr. Saltonstall. The half-way covenant under his ministry. Rogerenes scourged, in 1725, by Norwich authorities, for travelling on Sunday. John Bolle’s “Application to the General Court,” 1728. Governor Saltonstall’s pew stove down, 1734. Rogerene baptisms. Groton Rogerenes migrate to New Jersey. They found Waretown. Ephrata Pilgrims visit the Rogerenes at New London, 1744. Tightening of ecclesiastical reins. Slight countermove, 1735. Conciliatory character of Mr. Adams. Location of Rogerenes. Their general character. Their intermarriages with other denominations. General toleration towards the Rogerenes in this period. Death of John Rogers, 2d. Rogerene burying ground. Sons of John Rogers, 2d. Sons of John Bolles. Death of Mr. Adams, 1753. John Bolle’s message to the General Court at Boston, 1754. A Rogerene warning, 1754. Congregational Church await a new minister[268-283]
CHAPTER XII. (1764-1766.)
The Grand Countermove.
Mather Byles installed in Congregational Church, 1757. His character. His “sweetest enjoyment.” His efforts to reclaim the Rogerenes by sermons on the sanctity of the Sabbath and the sin of desecrating that “holy day.” Rogerene leadership at this date. “Discourse” published by Mr. Byles, 1759, entitled “The Christian Sabbath.” Reply to same by Joseph Bolles. Virulent measures against the Rogerenes revived by the church party, under the influence of Mr. Byles. Death of Ebenezer Bolles, 1762. His character. Faith in Divine healing. Preparations for a great countermove. Rogerene procession from Quaker Hill and entrance into Congregational meeting-house, June, 1764, with “gospel testimony.” Dire punishment by lynch law. Continuance of “testimony,” and continuance of brutal punishments. Imprisonment of Rogerenes. New tactics by the Rogerenes. Mr. Byles is driven nearly frantic. Victory for the Rogerenes is near at hand. Mr. Byles will not venture out to church. He soon deserts New London and the Congregational ministry. Quiet restored. Death of John Bolles, January 7, 1767[284-297]
CHAPTER XIII.
Quakertown.
Rogerenes in the new century (1800). Home of John Waterhouse. Quakertown in that locality. Early Rogerenes of Groton. John Culver. Samuel Whipple. His iron works. Marriages with New London Rogerenes. Liberal characteristics of New London Rogerenes. Exclusiveness of the Quakertown community. John Waterhouse living in 1773. His son Timothy succeeds him in leadership. Timothy’s experience in the great countermove, as described by himself. Zacharia Watrous. The Battle Axe. Petition of Alexander Rogers regarding the military tax, 1810. Elder Timothy Watrous, Jr., succeeded by his youngest brother, Zephania. Quakertown meeting-house built. Elder Zephania Watrous. Quakertown Rogerenes as abolitionists. William Bolles of New London. His paper, The Ultimatum. His encouragement and entertainment of speakers in The Abolition cause. The temperance cause in Quakertown. Division in Quakertown regarding freedom of speech. Principles advocated in Quakertown. Quakertown people and their neighbors. Anecdote of divine healing in Quakertown. Intermarriages. Quakertown industries. Quakertown inventors. Quakertown authors. Peace Meetings inaugurated. Zerah C. Whipple. Peace Meetings of present day. Brief summary of Rogerene doctrines and customs[298-320]
CHAPTER XIV.
Dragon’s Teeth.
Peter Pratt. His scandalous book. The evident falsehoods in that work. Proof of other intentionally incorrect statements in the same. Later historians, including Miss Caulkins, misled by these statements. Errors regarding the Rogerenes in Backu’s “History of the Baptists.” Unreliable traditions in Barber’s “Historical Collections of New Jersey.” Errors by Mr. Field in his Bi-Centennial Discourse. Errors by Mr. Blake in his “History of the First Church of Christ in New London.” Marriages of New London Rogerenes same as those of persons of other sects. Marriages of Groton Rogerenes by a Quaker ceremony, solemnized in Rogerene public meeting, after due publication of marriage intentions. These marriages legal. View of marriage among the Rogerenes; a sacred agreement not to be annulled save for the one cause stated in the New Testament. Errors by author of the Bolles Genealogy. Seven different versions of the current anecdote regarding lack of marriage ceremony by the Rogerenes. Serious dragon’s tooth inadvertantly manufactured by Dr. Blake[321-341]
[APPENDIX.]
Extracts from “Epistles” by John Rogers, Sr.[345]
Extracts from “Two Ministrations” by John Rogers, Sr.[349]
Extracts from “Concerning the Sabbath” by John Rogers, Sr.[352]
“Heretics” by John Rogers, Sr.[361]
Extracts from “Conversations with John Rogers” by Samuel Bownas[362]
Extracts from “Reply to J. Backus” by John Rogers, 2d[363]
Extracts from “Answer to Cotton Mather” by John Rogers, 2d[365]
Extracts from “Reply to Peter Pratt” by John Rogers, 2d[368]
Extracts from “Answer to Mr. Byles” by John and Joseph Bolles[369]
Extracts from “Looking Glass for Presbyterians of New London” by John Rogers, 3d[373]
Extracts from “Debate between Mr. Byles and Congregational Church,” published by the Church[381]
Extracts from “The Battle Axe” by Timothy Watrous, Sr., and Timothy, Jr.[383]
Petition by Alexander Rogers (John, 2d)[386]
Titles of Books by Rogerene Authors[388]

Note.—The only change from the original Rogerene writings in this Appendix or in the body of this work has been in omitting the old style capital letters at beginning of substantives.