John ROGERS

1641 - 1695  (53 years)

• Name	John ROGERS
  Born	11 Sep 1641	Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts
  Gender	Male
  Witchcraft connection?	Y
  Witch Description	Was a witness during the trials & later recanted
  Died	5 Aug 1695	Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts
  Person ID	I43943	Main
  Last Modified	3 Nov 2023

  
  

  Father	John ROGERS,   b. 18 Oct 1612, Moulsham, Chelmsford, Essex, England ,   d. 25 Jan 1686, Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts  (Age 73 years)
  Mother	Priscilla DAWES,   b. 1618, Sudbury, Suffolk, England ,   d. 21 Apr 1663, Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts  (Age 45 years)
  Family ID	F30929	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Mary SHED,   b. 1 Oct 1647, Braintree, Norfolk, Massachusetts ,   d. 17 Aug 1688, Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts  (Age 40 years)
  Children	1. John ROGERS,   b. 13 Dec 1680, Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts ,   d. 7 Jul 1736, Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts  (Age 55 years)
  Last Modified	25 Aug 2017
  Family ID	F30923	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map		Born - 11 Sep 1641 - Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts Died - 5 Aug 1695 - Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Notes

  Salem Witch participation: * 3 Jun 1692. Participated in search of the bodies of John PROCTOR & John WILLARD for signs of witchcraft. * 28 Jun 1692. Summoned to be a witness against John WILLARD & Martha CARRIER. * 30 Jul 1692. Summoned to appear at Court of Ayer & Terminal to testify agains Martha CARRIER. * 2 Aug 1692. Gave deposition against Martha CARRIER. * 8 Hue 1703. Signed petition denouncing the witch trials. —— The deposition of John Rogger of Billreca aged 50 yeares or Thereabouts Saith That about Seven yeares since Martha Carrier being a Nigh Neigbour unto this depon't and there hapening some difference betwixt us she gave forth severall threatning words as she often used to doe and in a short time after this deponent had two large lusty Sowes w'ch frequented home daily that were lost & this deponent: found one of them dead Nigh the s'd Carriers house w'th both Eares cut of & the other sow I Never heard of to this day; & the same summer to the best of my rembrance I had a Cow w'ch used to give a good Mess of milke twice a day & of a sudden she would give little or None Every Morning though a Nights she gave as formerly and this Continued above the space of a month in w'ch time I had three Meals milke on three severall Mornings not successively: and no more though One Night three of us Watched the Cow all night #[one night] yet I could have no milke in the morning of her & about the monthes End she gave milke as formerly she used, by all w'ch. I did in my Conscience beleive then in the day of it & have so done Ever since & doe yet beleive that Martha Carrier was the occasion of those Ill accidents. by Meanes of Witchcraft she being a very Malicous Woman & further Saith Not marke of J John Rogger Essex County Court Archives, Salem -- Witchcraft Vol. 1 No. 315. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Judicial Archives, Massachusetts State Archives, MA.  —— To his Excellency the Governor, Council and Representatives of the Province of the Massachusets Bay, in Generall Court Assembled June 1703 The Address of severall Ministers of the County of Essex. Whereas in the year 1692 some of our neighbours of a good conversation, were apprehended and imprisoned upon suspition of Witchcraft, upon the complaint of some young persons under Diabolicall molestations; and upon their Tryall at the Court at Salem were condemned; great weight being layd upon the evidence of the Afflicted persons, their Accusers Sentence of Death was Executed on severall of them, others were Reprieved. But since it is apparent and hath been Acknowledged, that there were Errors and mistakes in the aforesaid Tryalls; and notwithstanding the care and conscientious endeavour of the Honorable Judges to do the thing that is right: yet there is great reason to fear that Innocent persons then suffered, and that God may have a controversy with the Land upon that account. We would therefore humbly propose to the consideration of this Honored Court, whether something may not, and ought not, to be publickly done to clear the good name and reputation of some who have suffered as aforesaid, against whom there was not as is supposed sufficient evidence to prove the guilt of such a crime and for whom there are good grounds of charity. Some of the condemned persons aforesaid, and others in behalf of their Relations who have suffered, have lately Petitioned this Honoured Court upon this Account. We pray that their case may be duely considered. [signed by] Thomas Barnard, Joseph Green, William Hubbard, Benjamin Rolfe, Samuel Cheever, Zech. Symmes, Joseph Gerrish, John Rogers, Jabez fitch, Jno Wise, Joseph Capen, Thomas Symmes July 9th 1703 In Council Read and sent down/. July 16th: 1703. In the House of Representatives Read.