Roger Williams was apparently a nephew of Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island. Roger's father was Sydrach Williams, a merchant tailor of London, born January 10, 1598-99 in St. Sepulchres, Newgate Parish, London, died in 1647. His mother was Anne Tiller/Tyler, born about 1604 and died in 1637 in Putney, Surrey, England. Sydrach's father was James Williams, merchant tailor of London, whose will was proved November 19, 1621. Sydrach's mother was Alice Pemberton, baptized February 10, 1564-65, will proved January 26, 1634-35. Alice's father was Robert Pemberton of St. Albans, born about 1520-25 and buried July 16, 1578, and was probably a mercer or clothier. (This information from Nancy Kiser, "Genealogies of Rhode Island Families," and a family tree {McDaniel-King} on rootsweb).357

Williams’ father, James, was a fairly successful merchant tailor, who upon his death in 1621, left his family comfortably situated. Williams’s mother, Alice Pemberton, daughter of Robert Pemberton and Katherine Stokes, was born in St. Albans in 1564. She ran an inn in London and apparently was also successful. She died in 1634, leaving some inheritance. Roger had an older brother, Sydrach, an older sister Catherine, and a younger brother Robert.363