 
| | PART I. | | | A VINDICATION. | | | CHAPTER I. | | | Errors of historians regarding the Rogerenes. James Rogers and his family. Rogerenes first people in Connecticut to denounce taxation without representation. Fines of the Rogerenes. Their interruption of meetings not without reasonable cause. John Roger’s contribution of a wig to the New London ministry and his apology for the same. Progressive character of the Rogerene movement. Heroism of the Rogerenes under fines. Suit of Governor Saltonstall against John Rogers. Its illegal character. Rev. Mr. McEwen’s attacks on the Rogerenes. Sufferings of the Rogerenes. Quotations from John Rogers and John Bolles regarding persecutions. Scourging of Rogerenes, 1725, for travelling to one of their own meetings on Sunday | 19-36 | | | | CHAPTER II. | | | Rev. Mr. Saltonstall. His charge of blasphemy against John Rogers. Statements of John Rogers, 2d, regarding this charge and the punishments inflicted upon John Rogers on account of it. John Rogers fined regularly once a month without regard to his innocence or guilt. His nearly four year’s imprisonment at Hartford immediately followed by Mr. Saltonstall’s suit for defamation, by which a subservient jury awarded Mr. Saltonstall the enormous sum of £600 for damages. No admission of fault from the ecclesiastical side. The case for the Rogerenes. John Roger’s own account of his imprisonment upon charge of “blasphemy.” Mr. McEwen avers that the Rogerenes persecuted the Congregationalists and makes no mention of the persecutions of the Rogerenes at the hands of the Congregationalists, which called forth the efforts in their own defense. Appropriate lines from Mother Goose. Mr. Byles apparently as much displeased with the Congregationalists as with the Rogerenes | 37-50 | | | | CHAPTER III. | | | Truth and falsehood. Toleration not the word. The most calumniated person in the world. “Blessed are ye when men shall persecute and revile you.” John Rogers and his followers would seem entitled to this blessing. Inexcusable misstatements made by Mr. McEwen. Cause of the divorce of John Rogers and Elizabeth Griswold as stated by their son, John Rogers, 2d. A shining exception to the erroneous statements of historians in general, on this subject, shown in a quotation from Saulisbury Family Histories. Singularly absurd statement by Rev. Mr. Saltonstall quoted by Mr. McEwen. Similar statement by Peter Pratt. Reply of John Rogers, 2d, to the same, giving some account of his father’s sufferings on account of his religion. Quotations from Trumbull indicating some of the fines imposed upon the Rogerenes on account of their religious persuasion. Mr. Saltonstall “a great man” according to Bible text as well as by statements of historians | 51-60 | | | | CHAPTER IV. | | | Quotation from Peter Pratt’s calumnious work and quotations from Reply of John Rogers, 2d, to same, giving account of the forced separation of John Rogers from his first wife, his marriage to Mary Ransford and his forced separation from her. Verses by Peter Pratt. Verses by John Rogers, 2d, in reply to the same. Tribute of Peter Pratt to the character of his half brother, John Rogers, 2d. Tribute to same by Miss Caulkins | 61-72 | | | | CHAPTER V. | | | “Nine and twenty knives.” Rev. Gurdon Saltonstall, author of a plot for the purpose of incarcerating John Rogers for life. John Roger’s account of this plot and the barbarous punishments inflicted upon him in consequence. The purpose to send him to Hartford prison as a lunatic. His escape to Long Island. Copy of “Hue and Cry” sent after him. Crime of charging sane persons with insanity for malign purpose | 73-80 | | | | CHAPTER VI. | | | Strictures on a Discourse delivered by Rev. Thomas P. Field of “The First Church of Christ” of New London, 1870. Quotations from the work of John Bolles, entitled “True Liberty of Conscience is in Bondage to no Flesh.” Account of John Bolles by his biographer. The unceasing efforts of the Rogerenes, from first to last, in the cause of religious liberty must, of necessity, have aided that cause in Connecticut. Deacon John Bolles, of Hartford, grandson of John Bolles and brother of Rev. David Bolles. Tribute to Deacon John Bolles by Dr. Turnbull, in 1856. Judge David Bolles, son of Rev. David Bolles and author of “The Baptist Petition.” The Bolleses Bonapartes in the contest for religious liberty. Frederick D. Bolles, first editor of the Hartford Times, established in 1817. The subject of religious freedom its main topic. Quotations concerning this paper, its editor Frederick D. Bolles, and the associate editor, John M. Niles | 81-97 | | | | CHAPTER VII. | | | Further comments on the Half-Century Sermon of Rev. Mr. McEwen. Posterity of the Rogerenes. Mention of prominent citizens of New London of Rogerene descent. Lawyers, ministers, and physicians of this descent. Non-employment of physicians by the Rogerenes. Anecdote concerning Joshua Bolles of Bolles Hill. Mention of professors, wealthy merchants, brokers, artists, editors, authors, and teachers of Rogerene descent. Tribute to the memory of the author’s sister, Delight Rogers Bolles. The “First Church of Christ” removed to a new location called at the time “Bolles Hill.” The Petrified Fern.—An obituary notice of John Rogers Bolles, author of “A Vindication of the Rogerenes” | 98-120 |
| | PART II. | | | THE GREAT LEADERSHIP. | | | 1637-1721. | | | CHAPTER I. (1637-1675.) | | | James Rogers the Connecticut planter. Soldier in the Pequot war, from Saybrook. At Stratford, at Milford, at New London. Is the principal business man of New London. His children; their marriages. Conversion of his son John and connection with Seventh-Day Baptist Church of Newport. Consternation and opposition of Matthew Griswold and family. Wife of John Rogers persuaded by her relatives to return to Blackhall. John and his brothers are baptized by immersion and join the Newport church. John Rogers founds a church in New London, under that at Newport. Griswold Petition for divorce. Arrest of John Rogers on accusation by the Griswolds. His examination and acquittal at Hartford | Note.—The only change from the original Rogerene writings in this Appendix or in the body of this work has been in omitting the old style capital letters at beginning of substantives.
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