Born 1786 in New York. War of 1812. 1835 Michigan pioneer family. Died 1883 in Comstock, Michigan.
BIRTH
There is conflicting information about birth date and location for John Rogers. Most agree on birth in May of 1786 in New Jersey.
- Based on his tombstone, John Rogers was born 3 May 1786.
- According to a book with Rogers family history, John Rogers was born 30 May 1786 in New York.
- According to death record, John Rogers was born in 1786 in New Jersey.
- 1880 US Federal Census lists birth state for the individual, plus for father and mother (though census records are notorious for not being accurate):
John Rogers born in New Jersey; Father in NJ, Mother in NJ
Checking children of John Rogers:
William Rogers born in New York; Father in NJ, Mother in NJ
Ira Rogers
David Rogers born New York; Father in NJ, Mother in NY
Mariah Rogers
Liza Rogers Knapp (wife of William) born in New York; Father in NJ, Mother in NY - Tracking parent information on John’s children’s death certificates:
Liza/Eliza Rogers Knapp born New York; Father in NJ, Mother in NY
BAPTISM
FAMILY
While John Rogers parents are not yet named, in a book with Rogers family history it is reported that John’s parents and family were in the shipping business. They sailed out of Halifax, Philadelphia, and Newfoundland into the port of Boston. It is reported that their sailing ships were named Polley, Polly, Eliza, America, and Swallow. The dates of 1715-1716 and 1762-1769 have been offered. Need to understand their significance.
LODI DESIGNATION HISTORY
This is to alert you of possible confusion with events reported to be in Lodi, Seneca, New York prior to 1826:
- 1776 Military Tract of Central New York: After 1776 a large area of land in central New York State was designated Military Track of Central New York (or Central New York Military Tract or New Military Tract) and used to compensate soldiers for their service in the Revolutionary War.
- 1794 Ovid: In 1794 part of the Central New York Military Tract was set aside to form the township of Ovid, one of 28 Military Tract townships comprised of 100 lots of 600 acres each. In 1804 Ovid became the county seat for Seneca County.
- 1817 Tompkins County: In 1817 a portion of Seneca County (including county seat town of Ovid) and a portion of Cayuga County were combined to create Tompkins County. Waterloo was made the county seat for Seneca County.
- 1817 Covert: At the same time Ovid was reassigned to Tompkins County a portion of Ovid was set aside to create the town of Covert.
- 1819 back to Seneca County: In 1819 the area with Ovid and Covert was returned to Seneca County, which then had two county seats (Ovid and Waterloo) until 1921 when only Waterloo retained the designation of county seat.
- 1826 Lodi: In 1826 a part of Covert was set aside to form town of Lodi.
SOURCES: Wikipedia sources…
About Central New York Military Tract
About Seneca County
About Ovid
About Tompkins County
About Covert
About Lodi
A search of the Ovid No 16 lot assignments on page 10 finds no Rogers or Kelleys.
1810 US FEDERAL CENSUS
Looking for a Rogers family with a male that might be our John Rogers b May 1786 24 single. As he was not married until 1811, in 1810 expect John to be living with his parents. Checking New York 1810 census for Kelley and Rogers families in Seneca County, New York (location of his 1811 marriage).
No Kelley families found in Seneca County
Two possible Rogers families found in Seneca County
Because Ovid later was Lodi, possibility that William D Rogers of Ovid, Seneca New York in 1810 is John Rogers’ father or elder brother.
ON LEFT BELOW: Ovid, Seneca, New York
William D Rogers
Free White Persons – Males – Under 10: 1
Free White Persons – Males – 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons – Males – 16 thru 25: 1 (age of John)
Free White Persons – Males – 26 thru 44 : 1
Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25: 1
Number of Household Members: 5
ON RIGHT BELOW: Fayette, Seneca, New York
Jonathan Rogers
Free White Persons – Males – 16 thru 25: 1 (age of John)
Free White Persons – Males – 26 thru 44 : 1
Free White Persons – Males – 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons – Females – Under 10: 2
Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25: 1
Number of Household Members: 6
ON LEFT 1810 US Federal Census: US; New York; Seneca; Ovid;
William D Rogers family
SOURCE: 1810 US Federal Census; Ovid, Seneca, New York; Roll: 36; Page: 238;
Image: 00153; FHL film 0181390 from The National Archives; Ancestry.com
ON RIGHT 1810 US Federal Census: US; New York; Seneca; Fayette;
Jonathan Rogers family
SOURCE: 1810 US Federal Census; Fayette, Seneca, New York; Roll: 36; Page: 197;
Image: 00132; FHL film 0181390 from The National Archives; Ancestry.com
MARRIAGE
There is some conflict about the exact date of the 1811 marriage of John Rogers (25) and Frances Kelley (16):
- According to a book with Rogers family history, John Rogers married Frances Kelly on 5 May 1811.
- According to War of 1812 pension application, John Rogers married Frances Kelley on 11 May 1811 at Lodi, New York.
Excerpt from pension application that mentions marriage date and location for John Rogers and Frances Kelley.
SOURCE: Declaration for Pension Under Act of February 14, 1871
State of Michigan, County of Kalamazoo on 16 August 1871
CHILDREN
Children of John and Frances:
All were born in New York
William H Rogers 13 March 1813 DIRECT LINE ANCESTOR
Ira Rogers 7 March 1815
David K Rogers 3 March 1817
Mariah/Maria Rogers 16 February 1819
Lisa/Eliza Rogers 14 February 1821
SOURCES: Rogers Family History book
WAR OF 1812
John Rogers served in the War of 1812. He enlisted at Lodi in New York about 1 September 1813 and served until about 1 December 1813. He was a private in Capt. John Whitney’s Co., 1 Reg’t New York Detached Militia. They were at Fort George in Upper Canada.
Muster rolls for John Rogers
SOURCE: TBD
1820 US FEDERAL CENSUS
Looking for John Rogers family in Seneca County New York with family members who match:
John Rogers b May 1786 34 married
Frances Rogers b Mar 1795 25 married
William Rogers b Mar 1813 7
Ira Rogers b Mar 1815 5
David Rogers b Mar 1817 3
Mariah Rogers b Feb 1819 1
As the following matches exactly and Covert later became Lodi, this must be our John Rogers and family.
Covert, Seneca, New York Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons – Males – Under 10: 3 (William 7, Ira 5, David 3)
Free White Persons – Males – 26 thru 44: 1 (John 34)
Free White Persons – Females – Under 10: 1 (Mariah 1)
Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25: 1 (Frances 25)
1820 US Federal Census: US; New York; Seneca; Covet;
John Rogers family
SOURCE: 1820 US Federal Census; Covet, Seneca, New York; Roll: M33; Page: 301;
Image: 63; FHL film from The National Archives; Ancestry.com
1830 US FEDERAL CENSUS
Looking for John Rogers family in New York with family members who match:
John Rogers b May 1786 44 married 1811
Frances Rogers b Mar 1795 35 married
William Rogers b Mar 1813 17
Ira Rogers b Mar 1815 15
David Rogers b Mar 1817 13
Mariah Rogers b Feb 1819 11
Liza Rogers b Feb 1821 9
Males:
10-14 1
15-19 2
40-49 1
Females:
5-9 1
10-14 1
30-39 1
TO MICHIGAN
According to a book with Rogers family history, John and Frances relocated from New York to Comstock, Kalamazoo area of Michigan in 1835. This made them one of the first pioneer families in the Michigan Territory.
1840 US FEDERAL CENSUS
Looking for John Rogers family members in New York and Michigan:
John Rogers b May 1786 54 married [believe in Michigan]
Frances Rogers b Mar 1795 45 married [believe in Michigan]
William Rogers b Mar 1813 27 single [believe in New York]
Ira Rogers b Mar 1815 25 single found in Comstock, Jackson, Michigan
David Rogers b Mar 1817 23 single found in Sandstone, Jackson, Michigan
Mariah Rogers b Feb 1819 21 married to Rhemick Clark b 1816 24 found in Tyler, Virginia [as Jehemick]
Liza Rogers b Feb 1821 19 single [believe in Michigan]
This appears to leave just father at 54, mother at 45 (if still alive), and probably daughter at 19. Supposed to be in Michigan, but unsuccessfully searched in both Michigan and New York.
1850 US FEDERAL CENSUS
Looking for John Rogers family members:
John Rogers b May 1786 64 married possibly found in Comstock, Kalamazoo, Michigan living with another family
Frances Rogers b Mar 1795 55 married [Is Frances still alive?]
William Rogers b Mar 1813 37 married to Olive Rustine b 1823 27 found in Hanover, Jackson, Michigan
Ira Rogers b Mar 1815 35 married to Elizabeth Williams b 1815 35 [are Ira and Elizabeth still alive?]
David Rogers b Mar 1817 33 married to Eliza Beetle b 1817 33 found in Comstock, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Mariah/Maria Rogers b Feb 1819 31 married to Rhemick Clark b 1816 34 found in Marrion, Greene, Pennsylvania
Liza Rogers b Feb 1821 29 married to William H Knapp found in Charleston, Kalamazoo, Michigan
A John Rogers 67 is found in Comstock, Kalamazoo, Michigan living with the Fletcher family. The age is close, but not exact.
A John Rogers 66 is found in Jackson, Jackson, Michigan living with a John Rogers family. The age is close, but not exact. And our John Rogers did not have a son named John.
Comstock, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Charles M Fletcher 3 b NY farmer value of property 1200
Phebe Fletcher 69 b NY
Mary A Fletcher 68 b NY
Russell Fletcher 65 b NH
Rachael Fletcher 71 b VT
John Rogers 67 b NY
U.S. Federal Census: US; Michigan; Kalamazoo, Comstock
John Calvert living with Charles Fletcher family
SOURCE: 1850 US Federal Census; Comstock, Kalamazoo, Michigan; Roll: M432_352; Page: 138B; Image: 275; FHL film from The National Archives; Ancestry.com
Researching to establish a family relationship to explain motivation for the Fletcher family to have John Rogers living with them.
1860 US FEDERAL CENSUS
Comstock Kalamazoo, Michigan
N B Wheeler 41 carpenter b NY
Zalinda Wheeler 36 b NY
Freeman C Wheele 13 b NY
Clark Wheeler 10 b NY
Dowin E Wheeler 7 b NY
Nancy Wheeler 69 b CT (possibly mother of head of household?)
John Rogers 73 farmer b NJ
U.S. Federal Census: US; Michigan; Kalamazoo, Comstock
John Rogers living with N Wheeler family
SOURCE: 1860 US Federal Census; Comstock, Kalamazoo, Michigan; Roll: M653_548; Page: 349; Image: 353; FHL film from The National Archives; Ancestry.com
Researching to establish a family relationship to explain motivation for the Wheeler family to have John Rogers living with them. Did find that in the late 1600s in Connecticut there were marriages between Rogers and Wheelers. Research continues.
1869 CITY DIRECTORY
1869 City Directory Galesburg, Kalamazoo, Michigan
John Rogers, boarder at 223 Battle Creek Street page 359
William H Knapp, farmer, home at 223 Battle Creek Street page 357
(so John living at son-in-law’s home)
John Rogers located in 1869 Galesburg, Kalamazoo, Michigan city directory
living with daughter and son-in-law at 223 Battle Creek Street
SOURCE: U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995; Ancestry.com
Home at 223 West Battle Creek, Galesburg, Kalamazoo, Michigan
SOURCE: Google Earth
The 1880 U.S. Federal Census reports a family relationship to explain motivation for the Knapp family to have John Rogers living with them. Eliza Knapp was youngest daughter of John Rogers.
1870 US FEDERAL CENSUS
Charleston, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Post Office: Galesburg
Household Members:
Wm H Knapp 49 b 1821 NY Farmer
Eliza Knapp 49 b 1821 NY (Lisa Rogers, dau of John Rogers)
Martha Knapp16 b 1854 MI
Cord L Knapp 12 b 1858 MI
Emma Knapp 10 b 1860 MI
Ida R Knapp 4 b 1866 MI
John Rogers 84 b 1786 NY
U.S. Federal Census: US; Michigan, Kalamazoo, Charleston
John Rogers found living with Knapp family (daughter Eliza & son-in-law William)
SOURCE: 1870 US Federal Census; Comstock, Kalamazoo, Michigan; Roll: M593_680; Page: 51A; Image: 106; FHL film from The National Archives; Ancestry.com
WAR OF 1812 PENSION APPLICATION
Declaration for Pension Under Act of February 14, 1871
State of Michigan, County of Kalamazoo on 16 August 1871
John Rogers, aged 85 years, resident of Galesburg, Kalamazoo, Michigan
married to Frances Kelley, married at Lodi, New York 11 May 1811
Served full period of 60 days in the military service of the US in the War of 1812
Owed 80 acres.
Form signed by son David K Rogers and son-in-law William H Knapp.
John Rogers application for pension for War of 1812
SOURCE: Declaration for Pension Under Act of February 14, 1871
State of Michigan, County of Kalamazoo on 16 August 1871
1880 US FEDERAL CENSUS
Comstock, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Household Members:
Wm. H. Knapp 59 b 1821 NY; F b NY; M b NY; dealer in agricultural implements
Eliza Knapp wife 59 b NY; F John Rogers b NJ: M b NY
Emma Knapp daughter 19 b 1861 MI; F Wm H Knapp b NY; M Eliza Knapp b NY
Iva Knapp daughter 14 b 1866 MI; F Wm H Knapp b NY; M Eliza Knapp B NY
John Rogers father-in-law 94 b 1786 NJ; widower; F b NJ; M b NJ; (sick with old age)
U.S. Federal Census: US; Michigan; Kalamazoo; Comstock
John Rogers found living with Knapp family (daughter Eliza & son-in-law William)
SOURCE: 1880 US Federal Census; Comstock, Kalamazoo, Michigan; Enumeration District: 129
Roll: 586; Page: 76D; Image: 0155; FHL film 1254586 from The National Archives; Ancestry.com
1880 JOHN IS BLIND
As part of the 1880 census, Schedules of Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes
John Rogers in Comstock, Kalamazoo, Michigan is blind, due to old age.
U.S. Federal Census Schedules of Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes shows John Rogers as blind
SOURCE: U.S. Federal Census – Schedules of Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes;
Year: 1880; Roll: 70; Publication Number: T1164 from National Archives and Records Administration; Ancestry.com
DEATH
According to Michigan Deaths Records, John Rogers, widower, died 16 October 1883 in Comstock, Kalamazoo, Michigan at 97 years 5 months 13 days. Cause of death listed as old age. Birthplace listed as New Jersey. Parents listed as “unknown.”
Michigan Death Record for John Rogers at age 97 in 1883
SOURCE: Michigan, Death Records, 1867-1950 from Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics; Ancestry.com
BURIAL
John Rogers was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. His tombstone says…
JOHN ROGERS
MAY 3, 1786
OCT 16, 1883
A SOLDIER OF 1812
Tombstone for John Rogers buried at Oak Grove Cemetery, Galesburg, Kalamazoo County, Michigan
SOURCE: FindAGrave Memorial #18504022
WILL
CHILDREN OVERVIEW
William H Rogers b 13 Mar 1813 ; m 17 Mar 1842 to Olive Rustine; d 30 Dec 1881 DIRECT LINE ANCESTOR
Ira Rogers b 7 Mar 1815; m to Elizabeth Williams; d TBD
David K Rogers b 3 Mar 1817; m to Eliza Beetle; d 1 Dec 1881
Mariah/Maria Rogers b 16 Feb 1819; m to Rhemick Clark; d TBD
Lisa/Eliza Rogers b 14 Feb 1821; m 1844 to William H Knapp; d 12 Jun 1900
ADDRESSES
ONGOING RESEARCH
- Research for parents of John Rogers
- Look for churches in area of Ovid, Covert, Lodi in 1811
- Locate more War of 1812 documents for our John Rogers, particularly location of enlistment
- Locate the War of 1812 pension application folder. Perhaps in National Archives?
Please share with us any stories, photos, documents, etc. that could add to the stories of any of these ancestors. Send to suzan@genealogynirvana.com
