The Rogerenes: some hitherto unpublished annals belonging to the colonial history of ConnecticutBolles, John R. (John Rogers)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The Rogerenes: some hitherto unpublished annals belonging to the colonial history of Connecticut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
For forty years after the death of Governor Saltonstall, nothing
regarding the Rogerenes appears on the records of either of the
three courts. Yet there is abundant evidence that these people are
steadfastly continuing in the faith and practices of their sect,
holding their own meetings, in New London, Groton and elsewhere,
preaching their purely scriptural doctrines, and publishing books in
defense of their principles. Although not presented before the
County Court in this period, they are (as shown by the writings of
John Rogers, 2d, and John Bolles) frequently disturbed by the town
magistrates, who deal with them “at their own discretion.” That
entrance into the meeting-house was a last resort is shown by its
extreme infrequency as compared with the more or less constant and
severe aggravations to which they are subjected. The only evidence
of virulent measures in this period is the pitiless scourging
inflicted by Norwich authorities (1725) upon the Sunday party on
their way to Lebanon. (See Part I., Chapter I.) The officers and
others concerned in this proceeding appear to have been members of
the Norwich church, from which, as has been seen, were wont to issue
pursuers of the Rogerenes.[143]
Footnote 143:
This may account for the traditions credited by Miss Caulkins of
some sort of entrance into that church. (“History of Norwich.”) It
is possible that attacks from this church were only to be held in
check by some significant warning; but that there was any
disturbance of meeting seems disproven by absence of any court
record to that effect. The law regarding disturbance of meeting is
very explicit, calling for presentation before the County Court.
If any person shall come to any church or congregation, either
established or allowed by the laws of this colony, and disquiet
and disturb the same, such person or persons upon proof thereof
before any assistant or justice of the peace, by two sufficient
witnesses, shall be bound in £50 for appearance at next County
Court, and in default of same to be committed to prison to remain
until sitting of said court, and upon conviction of said offence
shall suffer the penalty of £20.
The following from the “Hempstead Diary” shows an imprisonment of
one or more Rogerenes at this period, and, in consequence, a
Rogerene attendance in Congregational church. The speaking appears
to have been so timid as not to disturb the services.
1725. _Sunday, Oct. 31._—Walter and John Waterus spake aloud att
ye Same Instant and said you Blaspheme the name of Christ or to
that effect. Jno. Rogers and Bolles and his wife sd Nothing till
meeting was over and yn complained much of the french barber
striking over one of their crew at the prison and brot the stick
wch he sd he Struck him with.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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