58 



The evidence that this was the house of Roger Wil- 

 liams will be seen in the article referred to at the begin- 

 ning of this notice ; but since that was written we have 

 found two additional items of proof. In a deed of land 

 on the east side of North street, in 1671, from the heirs 

 of Samuel Sharpe to John Turner, North street is de- 

 scribed as "formerly called Williamses Lane." After 

 Jonathan Corwin bought the house, the same street 

 was called " Corwin's Lane," or as the name was after- 

 wards spelt, "Ciirwen's Lane." Again it appears upon 

 the County Court Records that, in 1650, the Grand Jury 

 presented as being defective the "way between Roger 

 Morey and Mr. Williams his house that was." Roger 

 Morey, lived on the western corner of Essex and Dean 

 streets. 



It may be well here to briefly recapitulate the history 

 of this house. In a letter written from Providence in 

 1670, by Roger Williams to Major Mason (Mass. Hist. 

 Coll., Vol. 1, p. 276), he says "when I was unkindly 

 and unchristianly, as I believe, driven from my house and 

 land and wife and children (in the midst of a New Eng- 

 land winter, now about 35 years past) at Salem, that ever 

 honoured Governour Mr. Winthrop privately wrote to me 

 to steer my course to the Nahigonsct Bay and Indians 

 for many high and heavenly and publike ends, incourag- 

 ing me from the freenes of the place from any English 

 claims or patents. I took his prudent motion as an hint 

 and voice from God, and waving all other thoughts and 

 motions, I steered my course* from Salem (though in 

 winter snow which I feel yet) unto these parts, wherein 

 I may say Peniel, that is I have scene the face of God." 



He also wrote in a letter to Gov. Winthrop, in 1638, 



*The compass which he used to '• steer his course" through the pathless wilder- 

 ness, is still preserved at Providence. 



