The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-10-03
LAN1nq or RoeER WILLINGLY Eo.z AheHsMA4eby ozzzea/

neer," written by Emily Easton and
published by the HOughton Mifflin
company"
If Roger Williams had been no more
than the pioneer, he would still be in
teresting and worthy Of study. But 1t
is in Roger Williams, the prophet of
freedom, that our main interest lies,
and with him in this role his new BIZ
ographer is chiefly concerned. The
year of his birth is uncertain 1t was
probably 1902 or 1903. The scene was
in London on the edge of Smithfield
where were held both the fairs and
the executions of the day. His father
was merchant tailor, but young Rog-
err does not seem to have had any de-
sire to follow in his fathers footsteps.
He began the study Of stenography
and became an adept at writing short.
hand, taking down sermons at Saint
Sepulchre's church and speeches in
the star chamber. the awesome and
terrible court at Westminster hall.
where offenders against the crown
were summarily and secretly tried.
Williams talent attracted the atten-
judge and leader of the Puritans, who
saw to it that the boy was admitted
to the Charter house school. In 1926
he received his degree from Pembroke
college, Cambridge, and became chap
lain in the country house of Sir VIII
liam Masham. Naturally free think
er, he allied himself with the most ex-
IRENE of the Puritans. Belief in the
separation of church and state pre-
vented his taking parish in England
and he resolved to come to America.
He arrived in Boston on February 5,
1881, but soon found that he was no
better off in New England than in Old
& England. So he went to Plymouth,
the pioneer settlement.
The Plymouth people could not
agree with his strange opinions" so
he went to Salem, where he was re-
peatedly summoned and finally BAN
ished.
1t was in January. 1886. that Roger
w AAb0MS was SOhlpCtiC0 ~ iCoNO hAo
wife and babies and tramp through the
snow-covered forests. He was saved
through the aid Of Indians toward
whom he had ever assumed kindly
and generous attitude.
Chief Massasoit of the Pokanoket
Indians gave him tract of land on
Seekonk river, where he was Joined
by old friends from Salem, and a set
Element started. But upon receiving
friendly hints that complications were
liable to arise with the Plymouth col
ony. he moved to the present site Of
Providence, r.. l., and in June, 1896,
started the settlement that was des-
tined to become Rhode Island. The
land there was given by his old
friends, Canonicus and Miantonomo,
sachems of the Narragansetts.
= Williams soon had d chance to re-
turn good for evil for such was his
influence over the Narragansetts that
he easily prevailed upon this powerful
tribe not to join the Pequots under
Sassacus in their plan to destroy all
the English settlements in that part
of the country.
Williams, in 1888, assisted John
Clarke and William Coddington in pur-
chasing Aquidneck, or Rhode Island,
from the Indians. He saw to it that
the Indians were not swindled but lib
orally paid for their holdings.
In 164S he went to England and OBJ
tanned the charter for the Providence
and Rhode Island settlements. While
there he blossomed forth as an author
of some of the best Sellers" produc-
ing key Into Language Of America"
1.-The Blody Tenet of Persecution for
Cause of Conscience" and "Mr. Cot
tons Letter Examined and Answered"
Williams made such hit in England
that several members of parliament
gave him letter which was virtually
passport through Massachusetts up
on his return in 1914.
In 1861 he was obliged to again visit
England in order to obtain the revoke
ment of the commission of William
| Coddington as governor of Rhode Is
land and Connecticut. He not only
got what he went after, but found