John Rogers returns to his Mamacock farm. Life at Mamacock. Mary Ransford. Her attachment to John Rogers and willingness to become his wife in a manner differing from that of his first marriage, which marriage he considers never to have been rightfully annulled. Opposition of his son to the match. The marriage is consummated. John Rogers, Jr., marries and brings his bride to Mamacock. Displeasure of Mary. Disagreement between her stepson and herself. Mary fined for the birth of her first child. Her husband appeals and the fine is remitted. John Rogers, Jr., and his stepmother before the court. Affidavit of John Rogers, equally condemning and excusing either party. Attempt of John Rogers to shield his second child from brand of illegitimacy. His wife’s lack of courage to second his endeavors. Her imprisonment and escape to Block Island. Romantic scene between John Rogers and his first wife. Visit of John Rogers to Samuel Bownas, while the latter is imprisoned on Long Island. John Rogers gives up the Seventh Day Sabbath, being convinced, by study of the New Testament, that the Jewish Sabbath was done away with by the new dispensation
John Bolles leaves the Congregational Church to join the Rogerenes. His courageous stand. Mr. Saltonstall elected governor. Peter Pratt a Rogerene. Dilemma of John Rogers as executor. Captain James and son James to the rescue. Joan Jackson. Her husband and John Rogers accused of stealing her from Samuel Beebe at Plumb Island. Trial and unjust verdict, by which a freed slave is given over with her children to perpetual servitude. John Rogers condemns this court sentence and is imprisoned for refusing to give bonds for “good behavior” until his appearance for trial before the Superior Court. His Petition ignored. Heavily fined by Governor Saltonstall as judge of the Superior Court, and again imprisoned for refusing to give bonds for good behavior. Seizure of land of John, Jr., for a fine of his father
Authorities pretend to fear that John Rogers may escape from New London prison. He is placed in irons. Conveyed to the solitary and unfinished “inner prison.” At death’s door. Rescued by the midnight outcry of his son. Death of his sister Bathsheba. His release. Settlement of remainder of the James Rogers estate. Effort to illegally arrest and imprison John Rogers for “attempt to baptize” a person, which purpose failing, Governor Saltonstall issues a warrant for his arrest on charge of insanity. Imprisoned on this charge and window of prison darkened by a plank. Protest in behalf of John Rogers by an English lieutenant. Mob in favor of prisoner tear the plank from the prison window. Evening examination of John Rogers by Governor Saltonstall in regard to his mental condition. Plot to secure dark and solitary imprisonment of John Rogers in Hartford jail. John Rogers informed of the plot. Escapes by night to Long Island. “Hue and Cry” sent after him. John Rogers, Jr., fined for his outcry in the night. John Rogers is favored by the governor of New York. Returns to New London and attempts to secure trial of the judges who conducted the unfair trial by which Joan Jackson was consigned to slavery. Is non-suited by influential enemies. Death of Samuel Rogers. Death of Captain James Rogers. Marriage of John Rogers to Sarah Cole
Rogerenes aroused by attempts at more strict enforcement of the ecclesiastical laws. A countermove. Specious public promise of Governor Saltonstall. Arrest of Sarah, wife of John Bolles, for “breach of sabbath.” She rebukes the judge for his unjust verdict. Her long imprisonment. Court scene relating to the imprisonment of Sarah Bolles. John Rogers declares the indictment in this trial to be a false charge and has the sympathy of the jury. Sarah Bolles loses her child in prison and lies at the point of death. She is rescued from the prison, by a party of friends and sympathizers, and carried home on a bed. Countermove by John Waterhouse. His trial and imprisonment. Disappearance of the doors of New London prison. John Waterhouse under suspicion. Parentage and character of John Waterhouse. John Bolles examined on charge of complicity in the carrying off of the doors
John Waterhouse arrested and imprisoned for baptizing Joseph Bolles. Countermove by John Bolles and wife. Seizure of Rogerene property for rebuilding Congregational meeting-house. Rogerenes hold noon meeting in Congregational church. Governor Saltonstall absent. Noon meeting repeated. Governor Saltonstall present. Rogerenes attacked by a church party mob. Leaders imprisoned. John Bolles maltreated. John Waterhouse whipped for baptizing Joseph Bolles. Smallpox epidemic in Boston. John Rogers goes to Boston to aid the sufferers, having, ever since his conversion, made a practice of visiting the sick, and especially those afflicted with this malady. His return home. He is prostrated with the disease. Action of Governor and Council at New Haven. Mamacock quarantined. Death of John Rogers. Fidelity of his followers. Succeeding leadership of the Rogerene Society
Death of Mr. Saltonstall. The half-way covenant under his ministry. Rogerenes scourged, in 1725, by Norwich authorities, for travelling on Sunday. John Bolle’s “Application to the General Court,” 1728. Governor Saltonstall’s pew stove down, 1734. Rogerene baptisms. Groton Rogerenes migrate to New Jersey. They found Waretown. Ephrata Pilgrims visit the Rogerenes at New London, 1744. Tightening of ecclesiastical reins. Slight countermove, 1735. Conciliatory character of Mr. Adams. Location of Rogerenes. Their general character. Their intermarriages with other denominations. General toleration towards the Rogerenes in this period. Death of John Rogers, 2d. Rogerene burying ground. Sons of John Rogers, 2d. Sons of John Bolles. Death of Mr. Adams, 1753. John Bolle’s message to the General Court at Boston, 1754. A Rogerene warning, 1754. Congregational Church await a new minister
Mather Byles installed in Congregational Church, 1757. His character. His “sweetest enjoyment.” His efforts to reclaim the Rogerenes by sermons on the sanctity of the Sabbath and the sin of desecrating that “holy day.” Rogerene leadership at this date. “Discourse” published by Mr. Byles, 1759, entitled “The Christian Sabbath.” Reply to same by Joseph Bolles. Virulent measures against the Rogerenes revived by the church party, under the influence of Mr. Byles. Death of Ebenezer Bolles, 1762. His character. Faith in Divine healing. Preparations for a great countermove. Rogerene procession from Quaker Hill and entrance into Congregational meeting-house, June, 1764, with “gospel testimony.” Dire punishment by lynch law. Continuance of “testimony,” and continuance of brutal punishments. Imprisonment of Rogerenes. New tactics by the Rogerenes. Mr. Byles is driven nearly frantic. Victory for the Rogerenes is near at hand. Mr. Byles will not venture out to church. He soon deserts New London and the Congregational ministry. Quiet restored. Death of John Bolles, January 7, 1767
Rogerenes in the new century (1800). Home of John Waterhouse. Quakertown in that locality. Early Rogerenes of Groton. John Culver. Samuel Whipple. His iron works. Marriages with New London Rogerenes. Liberal characteristics of New London Rogerenes. Exclusiveness of the Quakertown community. John Waterhouse living in 1773. His son Timothy succeeds him in leadership. Timothy’s experience in the great countermove, as described by himself. Zacharia Watrous. The Battle Axe. Petition of Alexander Rogers regarding the military tax, 1810. Elder Timothy Watrous, Jr., succeeded by his youngest brother, Zephania. Quakertown meeting-house built. Elder Zephania Watrous. Quakertown Rogerenes as abolitionists. William Bolles of New London. His paper, The Ultimatum. His encouragement and entertainment of speakers in The Abolition cause. The temperance cause in Quakertown. Division in Quakertown regarding freedom of speech. Principles advocated in Quakertown. Quakertown people
