The Rogerenes: some hitherto unpublished annals belonging to the colonial history of ConnecticutBolles, John R. (John Rogers)
History
The Rogerenes: some hitherto unpublished annals belonging to the colonial history of Connecticut
Bolles, John R. (John Rogers)
Rogerenes -- History
Where he was doubtless confined for his “disturbance outside the
meeting house” in the recent countermove, the “ten stripes” being
too mild a punishment.
John Rogers, Jr., for being “conspicuously guilty of consuming New
London meeting house” (although no slightest evidence of such guilt
is recorded), “for having been in company with some who held a
discourse of burning said meeting house” (although no such discourse
has been proven), and “that he did encourage the Indian to fly far
enough” (this appears to refer to William Wright’s “escape from
justice”), and “for being active in conveying Matthews out of the
colony,” is placed under bond for trial. It is shown that his uncle,
Samuel Rogers, has appeared and given bail for him. (There is no
after record to show that such trial ever took place, and no
slightest mention of any further proceeding in the matter.) This act
of Samuel Rogers is one of the frequent evidences of cordial
friendship between John, Jr., and his uncle.
Bathsheba, for “devising and promoting” the firing of the
meeting-house, and the “defiling” of that at Stonington, is to pay a
fine of £10 or be severely whipped. This fine is probably paid by
Samuel Rogers. It certainly would not be paid by her. The sole
evidence against John, Jr., and Bathsheba is in the character of
vague rumors of indignant discourse relating to the recent moves
against John Rogers, Sr. No proof of any complicity is recorded.
John, Jr., and Bathsheba are freed, but William Wright remains in
Hartford jail with his master (and will continue there for three
years to come), not for burning the meeting-house, which is not
proven against him, nor for defiling that at Stonington (on
suspicion of which he has already been punished with the stripes);
not (save in part) for the charges incurred by the rescue of
Matthews, but (as will be evident three years later) for his averred
determination not to submit to the law regarding servile labor on
the first day of the week.
In the meantime, Mr. Saltonstall and his friends, who have recently
been congratulating themselves on the success of their scheme for
keeping John Rogers in Hartford jail, are gravely contemplating the
ashes of their meeting-house and the remnants of its new bell, with
still further uneasiness in regard to results like enough to ensue
from added distrainments of the nonconformists towards the building
of another edifice.
Nor is this all. There are prominent members of this very church who
have so long been witnesses of wrongs and provocations on the part
of the authorities towards the conscientious non-conformists, and
have seen these wrongs and provocations so increased of late, that
they are willing to join with representatives of those people in an
open remonstrance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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