The Rogerenes: some hitherto unpublished annals belonging to the colonial history of ConnecticutBolles, John R. (John Rogers)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The Rogerenes: some hitherto unpublished annals belonging to the colonial history of Connecticut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
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.”
Marriage publications were not entered upon New London records; but
the publication of Joseph Bolles and Martha Lewis, in the
Congregational church, in 1731, is plainly recorded in the
“Hempstead Diary.” Mr. J. A. Bolles had no knowledge of the
existence of this Diary.
The anecdote which Mr. J. A. Bolles judged too good to be spoiled
for the sake of relationship, yet of which he said: “The story has
been told of so many that I doubt its authenticity,” has had so many
versions, even as attached to the Rogerenes, that it cannot well be
presented in this connection without laying before the reader
several of the Rogerene versions that have become current. Space is
given for these the more readily, because this is a good
illustration of the scurrilous stories that have been told regarding
this greatly abused sect.
ANECDOTE.
_Version No. I._ (_From the Half-Century Sermon of Rev. Abel M.
McEwen, 1857._)
Among the idols which it was the mission of these fanatics to
demolish, was the Congregational ceremony of marriage. One of
their sturdy zealots, a widower of middle age, announced his
intention to take for his wife, without any formality of marriage,
a widow in the neighborhood. Mr. Saltonstall remonstrated against
the design of the man, but he stoutly maintained and declared his
purpose. The clergyman, seeing him enter the house of his
intended, also went in that he might see them together. “You,
sir,” said he to the man, “will not disgrace yourself and the
neighborhood by taking this woman for your wife without marriage?”
“Yes,” he replied, “I will.” “But you, madam,” said the wily
watchman, “will not consent to become his wife in this improper
manner?” “Yes,” said she, “I do.” “Then,” said he, “I pronounce
you husband and wife; and I shall record your marriage in the
records of the church.”
The marriage records of the Congregational church, all of which are
extant, give no record of any such Rogerene widower and widow. Any
marriage of an irregular nature in those times, and to a much later
date, would have been proven until this day by record of presentment
at the County Court of the woman upon the birth of every child, with
attendant fine or whipping. Since not a single such presentment in
the case of a Rogerene (with the exception of Mary Ransford) is to
be found on the court records, the opening statement of Mr. McEwen
is even by that one evidence disproved.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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