The Rogerenes: some hitherto unpublished annals belonging to the colonial history of Connecticut

In early‑colonial Connecticut a small but determined community called the Rogerenes challenged the prevailing religious and civil order. Their story unfolds through a passionate defence that corrects long‑standing misconceptions, revealing how they opposed taxation without representation, endured harsh fines, and faced repeated imprisonments for their convictions. The narrative brings to life the fierce exchanges between the Rogerenes and the established Congregational clergy, illustrating both the legal battles and the personal hardships that marked their struggle for conscience‑based worship.

Drawing on newly uncovered documents, the work paints a vivid picture of the Rogerenes’ resilience—highlighting daring incidents such as the forced seizure of a minister’s wig, the infamous “Hue and Cry” that chased a leader across Long Island, and the relentless financial penalties imposed by the authorities. Readers gain insight into the broader colonial climate of dissent, the complex interplay of faith and law, and the human stories that underscore a forgotten chapter of American religious history.