Note 191 — Chapter XIV · DRAGON’S TEETH.
Reading edition
Mr. Bolles also said that he could not find a record of the birth or marriage of Joseph Bolles, Jr., on the town records, but we had no difficulty in finding both of the latter upon those records; and by close study of the New London records, we can affirm that no families of New London were better represented by careful entry of family records than were the Rogerenes, especially the Rogers and Bolles families.
The following clause in the deed by which John Rogers, 2d, set apart a burying-place for his descendants of itself sufficiently indicates the attitude of the Rogerenes regarding the sanctity and legal form of marriage:—
“I do give, grant, convey and confirm unto them my aforesd Sons and to all the Children that are or may be born unto my aforesd Sons or either of them in Wedlock lawfully begotten,” etc.
The most careful research and inquiry have failed to discover a single child born out of wedlock in this Society during the hundred years of its distinct existence. Joseph Bolles shows that there were some candid people among their enemies in his day, when he says: “Also the observers of this pretended Sabbath do allow that there is more immorality amongst themselves than there is among us who do not observe it.”