Master Roger Williams,: A Biography

350 Pages·1957·6.33 MB·English

by  Ola Elizabeth Winslow

MASTER ROGER WILLIAMS
By Ola Elizabeth Winslow
Jonathan Edwards, 1703-1758
Meetinghouse Hill, 1630-1783
Master Roger Williams
Master Roger Williams
A BIOGRAPHY
by
OLA ELIZABETH WINSLOW
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY • NEW YORK
*957
© Ola Elizabeth Winslow 1957
Published simultaneously in Canada
All rights reserved—no part of this book may be re­
produced in any form without permission in writing
from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes
to quote brief passages in connection with a review
written for inclusion in magazine or newspaper.
First Printing
Printed in the United States of America
Library of Congress catalog card number: 57-10016
This Book is for
Marilyn and Kenneth
It is a great work and too heavy for one
man's shoulders» but somebody must begin.
Jeremy Taylor
-c PREFACE o-
In searching out the materials for this book, I chanced upon George
Herbert’s Jacula Prudentum, in the edition of 1640. His preface
seemed a model in such sort, and with (I trust) due respect, I bor­
row it entire. It consists of a single sentence—this one.
“The best of the sport is to do the deed and say nothing.”
Why indeed say more, except to thank those without whose help
no book about times long past could be written at all. The materials
for this one have been collected and studied in many places, but
mainly in the Boston Athenaeum Library, the Massachusetts and
Rhode Island Historical Society Libraries and in the British Mu­
seum. In the richness and friendliness of human association these
centers provide, one finds unfailingly materials for other and per­
haps better books that will never be written, nor perhaps can be,
but the experiences themselves have made many days memorable.
In this fresh discovery, time after time, there is a renewed sense
of gratitude, which it is a pleasure to acknowledge.
I wish to mention also the helpfulness of Mr. Evan James of the
Merchant Taylors* Company of London, Mr. N. Long-Brown óf
Charterhouse, Mr. S. C. Roberts of Pembroke College, Cambridge,
Mr. F. G. Emmison of the Essex County Record Office in Chelms­
ford, and Mrs. C. P. Hall of the University Registry, Cambridge.
In fairness the list should be far longer, including always gratefully
the interest of my colleagues of Wellesley College which has been
a continuing incentive and encouragement.
Ola Elizabeth Winslow
London, November 11, 1955.
vii

•C CONTENTS >
Preface vii
Prologue i
LONDON, 1603-1623
I. “The Wonderfull Yeare, 1603’* 3
II. Merchant Taylor’s Son 9
III. Boy in Smithfield 19
IV. “Fitté Scholar” 35
V. Protégé 43
CAMBRIDGE, 1623-1628
VI. Pensioner 56
OTES, 1628-1630
VII. Chaplain 74
PLYMOUTH, 1630-1633
VIII. “Godly Minister” 95
SALEM, 1633-1635
IX. Troubler of the Peace 107
THE NARRAGANSETT COUNTRY, 1635-1643
X. “First Beginner” of a Colony 125
XI. Roving Ambassador 144
XII. Linguist 161
A Key into the Language of America
ix
X CONTENTS
LONDON, 1643-1644
XIII. Diplomat 176
XIV. Controversialist 189
Mr. Cotton’s Letter . . . Answered
Queries of Highest Consideration
The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution
PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS, 1644-1651
XV. "Chiefe Officer” 208
Christenings Make Not Christians
XVI. Trader 221
Experiments of Spiritual Life and Health
LONDON, 1651-1653
XVII. Colony Agent «35
Major Butler's Fourth Paper
The Hireling Ministry None of Christs
The Bloody Tenent Yet More Bloody
The Examiner Defended
PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS, 1653-1663
XVIII. Mediator «49 4/
RHODE ISLAND COLONY, 1663-1683
XIX. Elder Statesman 267 y
George Fox Digg’d Out of His Burrowes
Epilogue. “The Root of the Matter in Him” 289
Notes 293
Bibliographical Statement 313
Index 317