Nothing was more foreign to the teachings of John Rogers and his followers, or more abhorred by Rogerenes in general—as will be readily attested by those familiar with their principles—than any vulgarity, or even ordinary coarseness, of speech or manner.
Miss Caulkins also states (“History of Norwich”) that John Rogers accosted Dr. Lord (over one hundred years before) in a very loud voice, asking him if they wore wigs in heaven, giving her story from “tradition.” This is evidently a mixture of the Peter Pratt court scene, and the contribution of the wig to Mr. Saltonstall.
[188]. J. Backus, the justice who apprehended and scourged the Lebanon party in 1725, appears to have been grandfather of the historian of the Baptists.
[189]. At that date the Congregationalists did not hold prayer-meetings, or any evening services. They had, however, a religious “lecture” on Friday afternoons.
[190]. The original name appears to have been Walterhouse, contracted first to Waterhouse and then to Watrous.
[191]. Mr. Bolles also said that he could not find a record of the birth or marriage of Joseph Bolles, Jr., on the town records, but we had no difficulty in finding both of the latter upon those records; and by close study of the New London records, we can affirm that no families of New London were better represented by careful entry of family records than were the Rogerenes, especially the Rogers and Bolles families.
The following clause in the deed by which John Rogers, 2d, set apart a burying-place for his descendants of itself sufficiently indicates the attitude of the Rogerenes regarding the sanctity and legal form of marriage:—
“I do give, grant, convey and confirm unto them my aforesd Sons and to all the Children that are or may be born unto my aforesd Sons or either of them in Wedlock lawfully begotten,” etc.
The most careful research and inquiry have failed to discover a single child born out of wedlock in this Society during the hundred years of its distinct existence. Joseph Bolles shows that there were some candid people among their enemies in his day, when he says: “Also the observers of this pretended Sabbath do allow that there is more immorality amongst themselves than there is among us who do not observe it.”
[192]. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”