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“I am old and weak and bruised (with rupture and colic), and lameness on both feet.”

--Roger Williams,
May 6, 1682.

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“I am old and weak and bruised (with rupture and colic), and lameness on both feet.”

--Roger Williams,
May 6, 1682.

Mike's Takeaway:

The exact birth and death dates of Roger Williams has been lost to history...so far at least. We think he was born around 1602, give or take a few years. We know he passed in 1683, and by April 1st. We also know he was alive on January 15th. We also believe he was about 80 or 81 when he passed. It's interesting how much is lost to time for even the famous just a few hundred years ago.

That’s the bottom line.

Now, let’s explore this quote a bit more…

Roger lived a long productive life. On May 6, 1682, when he was about 80, he wrote to Governor Bradstreet saying:

“I am old and weak and bruised (with rupture and colic), and lameness on both feet.” –Roger Williams

Roger died in his beloved Providence between January 15, 1683 and April 1, 1683, at the age of about 80 or 81–his birth year is still in question but believed by most today to be 1602 or 1603.

Here's the key idea. We don't know exactly when Roger Williams was born, nor died. For his birth, we don't even know the year. He was born circa 1602. For his death, we know for sure it was 1683 and around March.

Finally, the core takeaway. The exact birth and death dates of Roger Williams has been lost to history...so far at least. We think he was born around 1602, give or take a few years. We know he passed in 1683, and by April 1st. We also know he was alive on January 15th. We also believe he was about 80 or 81 when he passed. It's interesting how much is lost to time for even the famous just a few hundred years ago.

That History Quote,

was first published on TST 5 months ago.

The flashcard inspired by it is this.

All this is part of the broader TST project.

This structure allows essays to remain readable and reflective, while citations stay precise, visible, and accountable.

Over time, related ideas reconnect naturally across disciplines: philosophy with science, history with critical thinking, and personal reflection with public truth.

The end!