The Pilgrim Story / Being largely a compilation from the documents of Governor Bradford and Governor Winslow, severally and in collaboration; together with a list of Mayflower passengers.

by William Franklin Atwood

Roger Williams

1633

Roger Williams, who had come from the Massachusetts Bay colony to Plymouth, was born in Wales and matriculated at Pembroke College, Cambridge. Historians differ somewhat as to his teachings and practice. Perhaps Bradford understood him best. Let him speak: “Mr. Roger Williams (a man godly and zealous, having many precious parts, but very unsettled in judgment) came over first to Massachusetts, but upon some discontent, left the place and came hither (where he was friendly entertained, according to their poor ability) and exercised his gifts amongst them, and after some time was admitted a member of the church: and his teaching well approved, for the benefit whereof I still bless God, and am thankful to him, even for his sharpest admonitions and reproofs, so far as they agree with truth. He this year began to fall into some strange opinions, and from opinion to practice; which caused some controversy between part, by occasion whereof he left them something abruptly.” etc.