Rogers, John (1648–1721)

American religious reformer who developed his own small sect, known as the Rogerenes. He wrote The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ 1720. Persecuted intensely for his persuasions, he was imprisoned seven times.

He was born in Milford, Connecticut, the son of wealthy merchants. He converted to the Seventh-Day Baptist faith in 1674. He married three times (1670, 1690, 1714), the second time to a maid-servant without any legal ceremony; she later sued him and was herself imprisoned for bearing a child out of wedlock. He died of smallpox in Boston. Less known than Roger Williams, he was a pioneer of religious freedom.