During his executorship, John Rogers has freed a number of his father’s slaves. Two of these slaves (called “servants”) are mentioned in the inventory of the estate, in 1688, where it is stated that they are to be free in three years. The bond-children owned by James Rogers, as yet of no value, were not mentioned in the will or inventory, but they appear to have been classed with that residue of the estate (“moveables”) which, by the terms of the codicil, was to be divided between John, Bathsheba and James. [There are indications that not only had John Rogers come to regard the keeping of slaves in life bondage as contrary to the teachings of the New Testament, in the line of the Golden Rule; but that his father had come to the same conclusion, and had made plans for freeing all his slaves. His charge to his children—John, Bathsheba and James—in the codicil to his will, to “remember Adam,” one of his two able-bodied negro slaves, appears to have been understood by them as referring equally to the children of this slave; since one of the young slaves freed by the executor is proven—by “Hempstead Diary”—to be Adam, son of this Adam (each being called “Adam Rogers”). It is probable that others of the young slaves were Adam’s children, while some of them were children of the negro woman, Hager, who, as stated in inventory, was to be freed in three years.] By various documents on record, it is evident that the administration of the estate by John has gone on in a very methodical manner and strictly according to the tenor of the will. The order of the committee (1693) was that, after the death of the widow, the remainder of the estate should be “disposed of according to the terms of the will,” of which the codicil was the part that referred to this residue. The codicil, however, does not contain explicit directions regarding the movable estate, but simply says that John and Bathsheba are to “take” the things about the house, “before the others be divided,” and that—after the cows have been given to Elizabeth—the remainder of the movable estate “whatsoever” be divided by John, Bathsheba and James among themselves. The residue of land legacies is clearly defined. The whole estate having been placed under the executorship of John and Bathsheba, presumes their continuance in that office until the final settlement. This is evidently the expectation of the court and of those concerned, as they continue to be called executors. No fault has hitherto been found with the executorship, save in the demand of Samuel Beebe for the cows. Yet the executor is well aware of the irregular claims pending, and by his father’s request will be held from making appeal to the court against any unjust action which Samuel Beebe may take in this matter.