Roland D. Sawyer
Encyclopedia
Roland Douglas Sawyer was a Congregationalist minister and for nearly 30 years a Massachusetts
state legislator. He is best remembered as one of the leading Christian socialists of the first decade of the 20th century and as the author of an array of self-published books and pamphlets on genealogy
and the local history of New England
.
, the son of a father who was a shoemaker and a mother who taught school. Roland dropped out of school at age 16 to learn he craft of shoemaking from his father, but at the age of 20 he made the decision to change his career path and entered the now defunct Revere Lay College in Revere, Massachusetts
, a Protestant evangelical seminary.
Upon graduation from Revere in 1898, Sawyer took a position as a pastor at Hope Chapel in Brockton, Massachusetts
, the first of four Congregational church
es he would head.
, a growing movement in that day.
Sawyer joined the Socialist Party of America
and ran for Governor of Massachusetts
on the Socialist ticket in 1912.
In 1913, Sawyer ran in a non-partisan race for city council in Ware, Massachusetts
. Under the rules of the organization during its early period, Socialists were not permitted to run in non-partisan campaigns without having been previously granted extraordinary permission from the organization, however, and Sawyer was therefore expelled from the Socialist Party of Massachusetts
. Following his expulsion, Sawyer joined the Democratic Party
.
Running as a Democrat in the fall of 1913, Sawyer ran for the Massachusetts General Court
, the state legislature. Unlike his previous electoral experiences, this time Sawyer won his race for office. He ran for re-election and won every two years thereafter for more than a quarter century, sitting in the Massachusetts General Court until 1941.
Sawyer took an interest in the case of Sacco and Vanzetti
, two anarchists
accused of murder in conjunction with a 1920 armed robbery in South Braintree, Massachusetts, and was active in the unsuccessful campaign to win the pair a stay of execution and a new trial.
In the Massachusetts General Court, Sawyer was regarded as a crusader against political corruption
.
Sawyer ran three more campaigns for higher political office as a Democrat, all without success: for U.S. Congress in 1925, a second try for Governor of Massachusetts in 1928, and a race for U.S. Senate in 1930.
(1900-1905), Ward Hill
(1905-1909), and Ware
(1909-1950s) in the state of Massachusetts
.
Sawyer was also, particularly early in his clerical career, active in conservative social organizations, including the Anti-Profanity League, the Christian Endeavor Society
, the Anti-Saloon League
, and other temperance organizations. Ironically, as a Massachusetts legislator Sawyer came to believe that liquor prohibition
was a failed system with unintended negative consequences and was involved in campaigns for its abolition.
Following his retirement in the 1950s, Sawyer spent his remaining years at his home in Kensington working on research projects in local history and genealogy
.
Sawyer's papers reside in the Milne Special Collections department in the library at the University of New Hampshire
in Manchester
. The collection runs to 165 archival boxes, some 55 cubic feet (1.6 m³) of material.
undated
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
state legislator. He is best remembered as one of the leading Christian socialists of the first decade of the 20th century and as the author of an array of self-published books and pamphlets on genealogy
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
and the local history of New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
.
Early years
Roland Douglas Sawyer was born January 8, 1874, in Kensington, New HampshireKensington, New Hampshire
Kensington is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,124 at the 2010 census.-History:Once a parish of Hampton, Kensington was incorporated in 1737 by Massachusetts Governor Jonathan Belcher, when New Hampshire was still part of that colonial province...
, the son of a father who was a shoemaker and a mother who taught school. Roland dropped out of school at age 16 to learn he craft of shoemaking from his father, but at the age of 20 he made the decision to change his career path and entered the now defunct Revere Lay College in Revere, Massachusetts
Revere, Massachusetts
Revere is a city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, and located approximately from downtown Boston. It is named after the American patriot Paul Revere. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 51,755.- History :...
, a Protestant evangelical seminary.
Upon graduation from Revere in 1898, Sawyer took a position as a pastor at Hope Chapel in Brockton, Massachusetts
Brockton, Massachusetts
Brockton is a city in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States; the population was 93,810 in the 2010 Census. Brockton, along with Plymouth, are the county seats of Plymouth County...
, the first of four Congregational church
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
es he would head.
Political career
In about 1907, the previously conservative Sawyer began to gain an interest in Christian socialismChristian socialism
Christian socialism generally refers to those on the Christian left whose politics are both Christian and socialist and who see these two philosophies as being interrelated. This category can include Liberation theology and the doctrine of the social gospel...
, a growing movement in that day.
Sawyer joined the Socialist Party of America
Socialist Party of America
The Socialist Party of America was a multi-tendency democratic-socialist political party in the United States, formed in 1901 by a merger between the three-year-old Social Democratic Party of America and disaffected elements of the Socialist Labor Party which had split from the main organization...
and ran for Governor of Massachusetts
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
on the Socialist ticket in 1912.
In 1913, Sawyer ran in a non-partisan race for city council in Ware, Massachusetts
Ware, Massachusetts
Ware is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 9,707 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.Part of the town comprises the census-designated place of Ware....
. Under the rules of the organization during its early period, Socialists were not permitted to run in non-partisan campaigns without having been previously granted extraordinary permission from the organization, however, and Sawyer was therefore expelled from the Socialist Party of Massachusetts
Socialist Party of Massachusetts
The Socialist Party of Massachusetts is the state chapter of the Socialist Party USA in the U.S. state of Massachusetts.It was reorganized in the 1970s after the formation of the SPUSA by activists who had been members of the Socialist Party of America...
. Following his expulsion, Sawyer joined the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
Running as a Democrat in the fall of 1913, Sawyer ran for the Massachusetts General Court
Massachusetts General Court
The Massachusetts General Court is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the Colonial Era, when this body also sat in judgment of judicial appeals cases...
, the state legislature. Unlike his previous electoral experiences, this time Sawyer won his race for office. He ran for re-election and won every two years thereafter for more than a quarter century, sitting in the Massachusetts General Court until 1941.
Sawyer took an interest in the case of Sacco and Vanzetti
Sacco and Vanzetti
Ferdinando Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were anarchists who were convicted of murdering two men during a 1920 armed robbery in South Braintree, Massachusetts, United States...
, two anarchists
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
accused of murder in conjunction with a 1920 armed robbery in South Braintree, Massachusetts, and was active in the unsuccessful campaign to win the pair a stay of execution and a new trial.
In the Massachusetts General Court, Sawyer was regarded as a crusader against political corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
.
Sawyer ran three more campaigns for higher political office as a Democrat, all without success: for U.S. Congress in 1925, a second try for Governor of Massachusetts in 1928, and a race for U.S. Senate in 1930.
Clerical career
Sawyer was a Congregationalist minister throughout his life, heading churches at Brockton (1898-1900), HansonHanson, Massachusetts
Hanson is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 9,495 at the 2000 census.-History:Hanson was first settled in 1632 as the western parish of Pembroke. The town was officially incorporated in 1820, and was named for Maryland newspaper publisher and U.S. Senator...
(1900-1905), Ward Hill
Haverhill, Massachusetts
Haverhill is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 60,879 at the 2010 census.Located on the Merrimack River, it began as a farming community that would evolve into an important industrial center, beginning with sawmills and gristmills run by water power. In the...
(1905-1909), and Ware
Ware, Massachusetts
Ware is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 9,707 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.Part of the town comprises the census-designated place of Ware....
(1909-1950s) in the state of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Sawyer was also, particularly early in his clerical career, active in conservative social organizations, including the Anti-Profanity League, the Christian Endeavor Society
Christian Endeavor Society
In India Bishop Heber College, Trichy has a strong base for CE activities.Two Christian Endeavour Hostels , one for men and one for women function in Bishop Heber Campus....
, the Anti-Saloon League
Anti-Saloon League
The Anti-Saloon League was the leading organization lobbying for prohibition in the United States in the early 20th century. It was a key component of the Progressive Era, and was strongest in the South and rural North, drawing heavy support from pietistic Protestant ministers and their...
, and other temperance organizations. Ironically, as a Massachusetts legislator Sawyer came to believe that liquor prohibition
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
was a failed system with unintended negative consequences and was involved in campaigns for its abolition.
Following his retirement in the 1950s, Sawyer spent his remaining years at his home in Kensington working on research projects in local history and genealogy
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
.
Death and legacy
Sawyer died in October 1969 at the age of 95.Sawyer's papers reside in the Milne Special Collections department in the library at the University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire at Manchester
The University of New Hampshire at Manchester was established in 1985 as the sixth college of the University of New Hampshire. Located in Manchester, UNH Manchester provides associate's, bachelor's, and master's, with special emphasis on programs that address urban issues...
in Manchester
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
. The collection runs to 165 archival boxes, some 55 cubic feet (1.6 m³) of material.
Works
- America's Most Prevalent Vice: A Sermon. Hanson, MA: Anti-Profanity League, n.d. [after 1902].
- The Making of a Socialist. Westwood, MA: Ariel Press, n.d. [1911].
- What Move Shall We Make in the Interests of True Temperance? Ware, MA: Sawyer, 1911.
- Walt Whitman, the Prophet-Poet. Boston, R.G. Badger, 1913.
- The Glad Green Days: Leaves from a Summer Journal. Ware, MA: Sawyer, n.d. [c. 1914].
- My Early Years. Farmington, ME : D.H. Knowlton, 1915.
- The Country Home with the English-Speaking Poets. Farmington, ME : D.H. Knowlton, 1915.
- Under Swaying Pines. Farmington, ME : D.H. Knowlton, 1915. —children's book.
- My Youth and Early Manhood. Farmington, ME : D.H. Knowlton, 1916.
- Tranquil Hours: My Tenth Season in Camp: Excerpts from Newspaper Articles. Ware, MA: Sawyer, 1916.
- Sketches of Kensington History, Rockingham County, New Hampshire... Exeter, NH: Sawyer, 1918-19.
- Epistles from an Unassuming Philosopher: Short Studies in What I Have Learned in My Forty-six Years of Life. Farmington, ME : D.H. Knowlton, 1920.
- The Seven Golden Candle-Sticks and Simplification: My Personal Gospel: Two Preachments. Farmington, ME : D.H. Knowlton, 1922.
- Cal Coolidge, President. Boston: Four Seas Co., 1924.
- Outline History of Kensington. Ware, MA: Sawyer, 1926.
- The Sawyer Family of Hill, New Hampshire: Betfield and Thomas Sawyer, Their Ancestry and Posterity. Ware, MA: Sawyer, n.d. [1928?].
- Two Decades in Ware: A Record of Public service, Pastoral Offices, Intellectual Pursuits, Personal Life. Farmington, ME : D.H. Knowlton, 1929.
- Jesus, as Portrayed by his Earliest Followers: Seven Pen Pictures of the Christ, Selected from Apostolic Material in the Gospels: One Week's Daily Devotional Reading. Ware, MA: Sawyer, n.d. [1920s].
- Man's Love for Wild Nature. Farmington, ME : D.H. Knowlton, n.d. [1920s].
- Charms of the Changing Year. Farmington, ME : D.H. Knowlton, n.d. [1920s].
- Chirps from the Woods. Ware, MA: Sawyer, n.d. [1920s?].
- A Personal Narrative. Farmington, ME : D.H. Knowlton, 1930.
- A Quarter Century in Tent, Cabin and Cottage: Pen Pictures of the Delights of my Summer Seasons at Kensington, NH. Farmington, ME: Knowlton & McLeary, 1932.
- My Mother, Her Family and Ancestry: An Account of the Life, Family and Ancestry of Phoebe Maria (Blake) Sawyer of Kensington, NH... Ware, MA: Sawyer, 1935.
- An Epilogue to the Joys of my Summer Life at Kensington. Farmington, ME : D.H. Knowlton, 1939.
- Material for a History of Kensington, NH: In Three Parts and an Appendix. Kensington, NH: Ware, 1940-42.
- Kensington Vital Statistics, 1737-1907. Ware, MA: Sawyer, 1943.
- The History of Kensington, New Hampshire: 1663 to 1945 (282 years) with a Family and Homestead Register of the Pioneer Families, Early Settlers and Permanent Citizens of the Town. Farmington, ME : D.H. Knowlton, 1946.
- Homesteads of Kensington, Two Hundred and Seventy-Six Years, 1670-1946: Being a Reprint of Chapter 20 of the History of Kensington, NH. Ware, MA: Sawyer, n.d. [c. 1946].
- The Ilsley-Chase Account Books. Salem, MA : Essex Institute, 1950.
- An Historical Sermon Preached in the First Church in Ware, Mass., on August 5, 1951. Ware, MA: Sawyer, 1951.
undated
- A Backward Glance at Summer Joys. Ware, MA: Sawyer, n.d.
- Brentwood Graveyards and Cemeteries. Ware, MA: Sawyer, n.d.
- The World's Great Teachers of Wisdom and Virtue. Ware, MA: Sawyer, n.d.
- The World's Two Christians... Ware, MA: Sawyer, n.d.
External links
- Finding Aid for the Roland Douglas Sawyer Papers, Milne Special Collections, University of New Hampshire.