Lt. Joseph Rogers, "Mayflower" Passenger

• Son of Thomas Rogers, Mayflower Pilgrim, and Alice Cosford.

Married:

1. 20 Jul 1631 in Duxbury, Plymouth Colony to Hannah (1609-1615 - 2 Jan 1678)

8 children of Hannah and Joseph Rogers include:

1. Sarah Rogers, born on 6 August 1633
2. Joseph Rogers (1635-1660) 12
3. Thomas Rogers (1638-1678)
4. Elizabeth Rogers, (1639-Between 1677)
5. John Rogers (1642-Between 1713)
6. Mary Rogers (1644-1718)
7. James Rogers (1648-1678)
8. Hannah Rogers (1652-1690)

Rediscovering Thomas Rogers

THOMAS ROGERS SOCIETY, INC Established 1974 Website: www.thomasrogerssociety.com NEWSLETTER October, 2024. By Michael Yoemans

While many historical facts are known about Joseph Rogers, discovering who he really was as a person is more difficult. One has to dig a little deeper in order to connect the dots. Starting with the basics, we know that Joseph Rogers was born in 1602/3 in Watford, Northampton, England, and that he and his family came to Leiden, Holland, where they are first recorded in 1618. (Please not that spelling and abbreviations, etc. are shown as they were in the original documents.) By 1620, the family had sold their house and Joseph came with his father Thomas on the Mayflower to Plymouth. His mother, Alice, his brother John, and his sisters Elizabeth and Margaret remained behind in Leiden. He married about 1632, and his first child Sarah, was born on 6 August 1633. He and his wife Hannah had eight children: Sarah, Joseph, Thomas, Elizabeth, John, Mary, James, and Hannah. He died between 2 and 15 January 1677/8 at Eastham.

We know that Joseph was about 17 years old when he made the voyage on the Mayflower with his father, and he did not sign the “Mayflower Compact.” His father Thomas died sometime the first winter at Plymouth leaving him without adult supervision. Joseph appears to have resided in the William Bradford household for around ten years. One can only imagine that his relationship with Bradford had to have been on of great significance. Born probably about 1590, William Radford was old enough to have been thought of by Joseph as either an elder brother or perhaps a father figure. Considering Bradford’s role as a leading figure in the Puritans; Separatist movement and his role as the longtime governor of Plymouth Colony, his influence on Joseph must have been enormous. The book “Signers of the Mayflower Compact” gives some insight on this important relationship when t states: “To show the good company he (Joseph Rogers) kept : In 1627 in dividing the cattle the 11th lot fell to Gov. Bradford, and those wit.—his wife Alles Radford, and William Bradford and Joseph Rogers….The intimate relations with Gov. Bradford inclined to a belief of a natural favoritism on his part to young Joseph. He was fully aware of it and, guarded against any increase of this feeling in the public mind.” Another person who must have had a deep effect on Joseph was Myles Standish, who was a lifelong friend of William Bradford. As captain of the militia, he regularly drilled the colonists in the use of muskets and pikes, and Lt. joseph rogers served in the Duxbury Company under him. Further evidence of this relationship is shown on October 20, 1645, when the people of Duxbury are granted “a competent porcion” of land around Saughtuckquett. Joseph Rogers was nominated to be a trustee of this land, along with Myles Standish, John Alden, George Soule, Constant Southworth, and William Bret.

Joseph was authorized in 1636 to operate a ferry on the Jones River charging a penny per passenger. Looking at a map, it appears that the ferry that Joseph operated, which was said to be near his residence, was very strategically located between Plymouth and Duxbury. In fact, the road to Duxbury is said to have run through Joseph and John Rogers property Colonists transporting themselves and their goods would have found the ferry very convenient as it represented the shortest distance between the two town locations.

It is reported that Joseph moved from Plymouth to Duxbury around 1638, but this move appears to have been much more gradual than published sources imply. Again referring to the book the “Signers of the Mayflower Compact”, it explains the “The colony had spread as to numbers and opinions, to the‘Room for the Pilgrims! Room!’ was a cry that required attention , though the break was not sudden or immediate.” The Plymouth population by the end of 1630 had grown to about 350-400 people. While Plymouth was not considered fertile enough to maintain crops of sufficient supply, it was said that “there were plenty of orchards in Duxbury in 1637”. There were also stories of wild turkey, venison and fish found in abundance. The residents there used this suburb for summer quarters, returning to Plymouth in winters, and they also attended church there. Among those thus included were Standish, Brewster and other stalwarts of the “old comers,” and for some reason of person attraction this included both Joseph and John Rogers, for in “August, 1643, they were on the list of men in Duxbury able to bear arms between 16 and 20.” In 1648, “leave was granted this Lt. Joseph Rogers to have meadows purchased from the Potanumsquart Indians, and February 24, 1652, he was appointed “one of the Jurors to lay out the most convenient road from Sandwich to Plymouth.”” Joseph Rogers lived in Duxbury for a number of years, before moving to Eastham around 1646. He apparently resided in Sandwich for a few years around 1650 before returning to Eastham. Here again, it appears that he may have had residences in several
different locations. He died in Eastham in January 1677/8; in his will he names his wife Hannah: the only record found that names his wife. Authors researching Joseph Rogers typically describe him as “an upstanding citizen in the colony”. He was a purchaser in 1626. And is listed as a freeman in 1633. The term “freeman” means that he was a citizen of the Colony, which was restricted to adult males. A freeman had the right to vote for the Governor and Assistants and the right to hold office. The laws did not provide any statutory requirement for freemanship, although the oath of allegiance to the Colony indicated what was expected.

The Freeman Oath Joseph Rogers took is as follows:

“I ___________being by God’s providence an inhabitant, and Freeman, within the Jurisdiction of the Commonwealth; do freely acknowledge myself to be subject to the Government thereof: And therefore do here swear by the great and dreadful Name of the Ever-living God, that I will be true and faithful to the same. And will accordingly yield assistance and support there unto, with my person and estate, as in equity I am bound; and will also truly endeavor to maintain and preserve all the liberties and privileges thereof, submitting myself to the wholesome Laws and Orders made and established by the same. And further, that I will not plot or practice any evil against it, or consent to any that shall so do; but will timely discover and reveal the same to lawful Authority now here established, for the speedy preventing thereof. Moreover, I do solemnly bind myself in the sight of God, that when I shall be called to give my voice touching any such matter of this State, in which /freemen are to deal, I will give my vote and suffrage as I shall judge in mine own conscience mya best conduce and tend to the public
weal of the body, So help me God in the Lord Jesus Christ.” By all accounts, Joseph Rogers’ reputation was untarnished by any criminal accusations, and he had a history of community involvement. In , “Joseph /rogers was chosen Constable for the ward of Duxbury. Bounded between Jones River and Greens harbour, and to serve the King in the office for the space on one whole yeare and to enter upon the place with the Govr elect.” This was considered an office of high trust and responsibility and none were elected to it but men of good standing. According to the Statute of Law of Municipal Corporations in Massachusetts “constables in Plymouth Colony were
selected on the ground of peculiar fitness; and their remuneration from the first, as it has up to the present, selected on the ground of peculiar fitness; and their remuneration from the first, as it has up to the present, consisted almost wholly of fees determined by law”. In Plymouth Colony, constables were at first appointed by the General Court and were charged with the duties of summoning the freeman to all public meetings for elections and for other town business, and with the service of warrants and the general protection of the public peace.

On June 1, 1647, Joseph Rogers was sworn in as Lieutenant of Nauset (later Eastham) to exercise the men in arms there. He held his office until 1661, when he was released. In 1658, a council of war of sixteen was appointed to include Mr. Collier, Mr. Alden and C. Southworth, which ordered that the military company of Duxbury be allowed to exercise and train, when the wish; and of this company Jonathan Alden was appointed ensign Josiah Winslow was raised to the chief military command, with the title of Major, and the following were mad members of his council: C. Southworth, Lit. Nash, Lt. Jospeh rogers and Ens. Standish. Thirty shilling were granted to every on of a troop of horse, furnished by each town. He was re-sworn into his lieutenant’s office in 1664 and held it until his death. Under that English militia system every able-bodied man was regarded as a potential soldier, and this mass of citizen-soldiers was organized into local companies to expedite control and training. Lt. Joseph rogers would have been one of the local company commanders. Every militiaman was required by law to possess military equipment which he was ordered to keep ready for immediate use; moreover, he was required to engage in periodic training with his local company, under the command of local officers like lt. Joseph Rogers. There is a strong resemblance between this system of universal military training. ”nation in arms,” and the system established at Plymouth.

To understand what Lt. Joseph Rogers military responsibilities were it is useful to understand the nature of the dangers the New England colonies faced starting in 1637 with The Pequot War which lasted until 1675. The New England colonists were also chronically anxious about Indians overrunning their settlements and farms and about invasion by the Dutch and French during the Anglo-European wars.” To consider this threat, the New Englanders formed a confederation that banded the four colonies together into what was called the “Puritan Club” which included Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth Connecticut and New Haven to form a defense against Indians, the French and the Dutch and to settle inter colonial problems. In 1660 for example, it was ordered that during any appearance of danger, a military watch be kept in the town in the most convenient place for giving an alarm, that the motions of any vessels that appear on the coast be watched; and that three guns be a signal in the night, fires by lighted, where the alarm is made. The council of war of the colony in 1667 included Gov. Prence, Alden, Winslow, Capt. Thomas Southworth, Capt. Wm. Bradford, Hinckley, Anthony Thatcher, C. Southworth and Nathl, Bacon. They ordered that each town make return of their number of horse and foot, that soldiers be at the command of their officers, and that the Dutch and French to be considered common enemies. It was ordered that when any town such as Nauset, is in distress, the next town shall send aid to the number of one third or on half of their own men, Each town was to provide some place of retreat for their women and children on an alarm.. Those refusing duty, when commanded, would be fined five shillings. The council of each tenant “ in time of danger will divide among the inhabitants the arms and ammunition.

Joseph Rogers was also often involved in community land transactions, serving as a trustee over a piece of Duxbury land in October 1646. In 1664, Lieutenant “ Joseph Rogers” is given authority to survey a piece of land from Bridgewater to the Bay line, along with Josias Cooke, Gyles Hopkins, Henry Sampson and Experience Mitchell. In 1670, Rogers served as a selectman along with Nicolas Snow, Daniel Cole, and Josias Cooke. Since in the early history of the Commonwealth, regularly elected town officials did not exist, town meetings would periodically “select” prominent citizens to perform the business of the town between town meetings. Gradually, town functions became involved enough to require more consistent supervision leading to the system of election of three and nine “selectmen” or “townsmen” to serve for fixed terms. This system is still in use in Eastham to this day.

From this article, we see that Joseph Rogers served many different roles in the formation operation
expansion and protection of Plymouth colony including: Constable, military Lieutenant and a member of different War Councils, ferryman, Selectman, surveyor as well as his roles as husband, father, and grandfather. He was an active citizen, a Freemason and most importantly a Christian. Descendants of Joseph Rogers have a right to be very proud of their pilgrim ancestor.

Sources:

• Signers of the Mayflower Compact by Annie Arnoux Haxton, Three Parts in One, originally published New York 1897-1899, reprinted Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1968, p. 58 59.. http://pagesofmystery.com/history/Plymouth/Freeman.pdf. This pdf provides a list of the Plymouth Colony Freeman as of 1633. There are approximately 90 individuals listed.
• The Plymouth Colony Archive Project Glossary & Notes on Plymouth Colony: http://www.histarch.illinois.edu/plymouth/GLOSSARY.h
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Rogers-12

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Lieutenant Joseph Rogers, "Mayflower" Passenger, was baptized on 23 January 1602/3 at Watford, County Northamptonshire, England. He died between the 2nd and the 15th of January 1677/78, in Eastham, New Plymouth (Cape Cod, Massachusetts) and was buried in the Eastham Cove Burying Ground, Barnstable County, Massachusetts.

Notes

• "The third person from the Mayflower to settle at Nawset was Joseph Rogers, a young lad, son of Thomas Rogers who died the first winter at Plymouth leaving said Joseph and five sons in England who later came to this country. He lived in Plymouth and Duxbury, then moved to Sandwich and in Pochet. His wife named Hannah. Five children born in Duxbury and three in Pochet. At Nawset, Joseph Rogers was commissioned a Lieutenant in 1647. He is buried at Old Cove Cemetery. [4][5]
• 1643: Joseph Rogers was listed on the roster of those who could perform military duty for the Duxbury Company. [6]
• 1647: Joseph Rogers was given the commission as "Lieutenant" in Eastham (Barnstable) Massachusetts. The companies at Barnstable, Eastham, Sandwich, and Yarmouth, were organized into a regiment, called "The Third Regiment" of which John Freeman, of Eastham, was commissioned Major Commandant. The company at Falmouth was added in 1689, and company of Rochester, 1690. A company at Harwich was added in 1694 and one at Chatham in 1712. The colonial regiment continued until June 2, 1685, when the colony was divided into 3 counties, and the militia of each county was made to constitute a regiment of itself, from that time. The militia of Plymouth Colony was called the "First Regiment". [7]
• 1655: Joseph Rogers was an Eastham freeman.
• 1678: Joseph Rogers died.

Brief Biography

From the Thomas Rogers Society: Lt. Joseph Rogers

Before coming to the New World, Rogers was part of the Leiden congregation in the Netherlands. He came to the Plymouth colony on the Mayflower, in the company of his father, Thomas Rogers. By 1639 he had moved to Duxbury; he is noted as requesting land in that area in 1638 and is named on a committee for the Duxbury highway repair in 1638/39. He is mentioned as "of Duxborrow" in the records of a 1646 land sale. Rogers probably moved very soon after this mention, as he is named lieutenant of Nauset (later Eastham) in 1647. In Eastham, he might have taken up residence with Beriah Higgens, as in his will he mentions that he "lived with him a Greate while." Rogers lived in Eastham until his death.

Although his father did not survive the first winter, Joseph's brother John took his chances in the New World and at an unknown date joined his brother in Plymouth. It is uncertain whether Rogers' sisters Elizabeth and Margaret ever came to the colony; they were listed as living in Leiden in 1622.

Rogers married a woman named Hannah, whose surname is unknown. They had four sons and four daughters: Sarah (1633), Joseph (1635), Thomas, Elizabeth (1639), John (1642), Mary (1644), James, (1648), and Hannah (1652.) Joseph seems to have had a clean bill of health concerning his marriage; . His home life was not one of unmarred happiness, though. Sarah died in infancy, and Joseph predeceased his father. Roger's eldest son had suffered from "a most deadly fall" on 25 December 1660, and lingered for two days before dying. John Hawes was indicted for "violently and by force of armes" killing Rogers Jr. (The two might have been wrestling when Rogers Jr. suffered his fatal injury.) Hawes was found not guilty of the crime on 5 March 1660/61.

Had Rogers lived longer, he would have seen his family greatly diminished. Thomas, the second son and the executor of Rogers' will, died a few months after his father, along with the youngest son James. By October of 1678, only John Rogers was left to administer his father's estate.

In the first land division in 1623, Rogers received two acres, on "the South side of the brooke to the baywards." He added cattle to his goods in 1627, sharing a heifer "of the last yeare" from the "Greate white back cow that was brought over in the Ann" with William Bradford, Thomas Cushman, William Latham, Mannasses Kempton and Julian Kempton, and the Morton family. Along with the cattle, Rogers shared 2 nanny goats.

Early on, Rogers tried his hand in the transportation business. A court record from 2 March 1635/36 states that he was granted permission to run a ferry over Jones River, which ran near his house. The charge was a penny per passenger.

Rogers may have possessed over 100 acres in Duxbury at one point, having been granted 60 acres of land in 1638 and an additional 50 in 1640. There are four known land deals involving him from the time of his arrival in Eastham. A 1658 purchase from the Potanumaquut Tribe totals six and one half acres. In 1662 Manasses Kempton sold Rogers 40 acres of upland in the area "Called the Barly necke…." In 1665 Rogers is mentioned as having rights to 100 acres of land that William Nicarson (Nickerson)had illegally purchased from the natives. It is not known whether Joseph Rogers actually bought the land he was entitled to. The Plymouth court gave him liberty in 1670 to purchase land from Indians living near Eastham.

It is also not known exactly how much land Rogers held at his death. In his will he mentions holdings "at the barly necke, Pochett Iland Paomett Billingsgate or elsewhere purchased or unpurchased…." An inventory of his household comes to 56 pounds, 9 shillings, and 11 pence. Rogers, like many Cape Cod families, owned a fishing boat in his case, two " canooes."

Joseph Rogers was an upstanding citizen in the colony. He was a purchaser in 1626, and he is listed as a freeman in 1633. His reputation was untarnished by any criminal accusations, although he does appear as a plaintiff in a 1632/33 civil case. (Edward Doty had not carried through on a contract involving six pigs. Rogers received 4 bushels of corn in compensation.)

He also had a history of community involvement. While in Duxbury, he was sworn into the post of constable for 1640. On June 1, 1647, he was sworn in as lieutenant of Nauset (later Eastham) an office he held until 1661, when he was released. In 1658, he served on the Council of War. He was re-sworn into his lieutenant's office in 1664, and held it until his death. Rogers was also often involved in community land transactions, serving as a trustee over a piece of Duxbury land in October 1646. In 1664 Lieutenant "Josepth Rogers" is given authority to survey a piece of land from Bridgewater to the Bay line, along with Josias Cooke, Gyles Hopkins, Henry Sampson, and Experience Mitchell. In 1670, Rogers served as a selectman along with Nicholas Snow, Daniel Cole, and Josias Cooke.

He died between the 2nd and the 15th of January 1677/78, in Eastham, New Plymouth, a few weeks short of his seventy-fifth birthday.

From the Thomas Rogers Society:

Joseph Rogers was born in Watford, Northhamptonshire. He is noted as being baptized on 23 January 1602/03.

Before coming to the New World, Rogers was part of the Leiden congregation in the Netherlands. He came to the Plymouth colony on the Mayflower, in the company of his father, Thomas Rogers. By 1639 he had moved to Duxbury; he is noted as requesting land in that area in 1638 and is named on a committee for the Duxbury highway repair in 1638/39. He is mentioned as "of Duxborrow" in the records of a 1646 land sale. Rogers probably moved very soon after this mention, as he is named lieutenant of Nauset (later Eastham) in 1647. In Eastham, he might have taken up residence with Beriah Higgens, as in his will he mentions that he "lived with him a Greate while." Rogers lived in Eastham until his death.

Although his father did not survive the first winter, Joseph's brother John took his chances in the New World and at an unknown date joined his brother in Plymouth. It is uncertain whether Rogers' sisters Elizabeth and Margaret ever came to the colony; they were listed as living in Leiden in 1622.

Rogers married a woman named Hannah, whose surname is unknown. They had four sons and four daughters: Sarah (1633), Joseph (1635), Thomas, Elizabeth (1639), John (1642), Mary (1644), James, (1648), and Hannah (1652.) Joseph seems to have had a clean bill of health concerning his marriage; he is not mentioned in any case for any sort of sexual offence. His home life was not one of unmarred happiness, though. Sarah died in infancy, and Joseph predeceased his father. Roger's eldest son had suffered from "a most deadly fall" on 25 December 1660, and lingered for two days before dying. John Hawes was indicted for "violently and by force of armes" killing Rogers Jr. (The two might have been wrestling when Rogers Jr. suffered his fatal injury.) Hawes was found not guilty of the crime on 5 March 1660/61.

Had Rogers lived longer, he would have seen his family greatly diminished. Thomas, the second son and the executor of Rogers' will, died a few months after his father, along with the youngest son James. By October of 1678, only John Rogers was left to administer his father's estate.

In the first land division in 1623, Rogers received two acres, on "the South side of the brooke to the baywards." He added cattle to his goods in 1627, sharing a heifer "of the last yeare" from the "Greate white back cow that was brought over in the Ann" with William Bradford, Thomas Cushman, William Latham, Mannasses Kempton and Julian Kempton, and the Morton family. Along with the cattle, Rogers shared 2 nanny goats.

Early on, Rogers tried his hand in the transportation business. A court record from 2 March 1635/36 states that he was granted permission to run a ferry over Jones River, which ran near his house. The charge was a penny per passenger.

Rogers may have possessed over 100 acres in Duxbury at one point, having been granted 60 acres of land in 1638 and an additional 50 in 1640. There are four known land deals involving him from the time of his arrival in Eastham. A 1658 purchase from the Potonumaquatt tribe totals six and one half acres. In 1662 Manasses Kempton sold Rogers 40 acres of upland in the area "Called the Barly necke…." In 1665 Rogers is mentioned as having rights to 100 acres of land that William Nicarson had illegally purchased from the natives. It is not known whether Joseph Rogers actually bought the land he was entitled to. The Plymouth court gave him liberty in 1670 to purchase land from Indians living near Eastham.

It is also not known exactly how much land Rogers held at his death. In his will he mentions holdings "at the barly necke, Pochett Iland Paomett Billingsgate or elsewhere purchased or unpurchased…." An inventory of his household comes to 56 pounds, 9 shillings, and 11 pence. Rogers, like many Cape Cod families, owned a fishing boat ¾ in his case, two " canooes."

Joseph Rogers was an upstanding citizen in the colony. He was a purchaser in 1626, and he is listed as a freeman in 1633. His reputation was untarnished by any criminal accusations, although he does appear as a plaintiff in a 1632/33 civil case. (Edward Doty had not carried through on a contract involving six pigs. Rogers received 4 bushels of corn in compensation.)

He also had a history of community involvement. While in Duxbury, he was sworn into the post of constable for 1640. On June 1, 1647, he was sworn in as lieutenant of Nauset (later Eastham,) an office he held until 1661, when he was released. In 1658, he served on the Council of War. He was re-sworn into his lieutenant's office in 1664, and held it until his death. Rogers was also often involved in community land transactions, serving as a trustee over a piece of Duxbury land in October 1646. In 1664 Lieutenant "Josepth Rogers" is given authority to survey a piece of land from Bridgewater to the Bay line, along with Josias Cooke, Gyles Hopkins, Henry Sampson, and Experience Mitchell. In 1670, Rogers served as a selectman along with Nicholas Snow, Daniel Cole, and Josias Cooke.

He died between the 2nd and the 15th of January 1677/78, in Eastham, New Plymouth, a few weeks short of his seventy-fifth birthday.

Will

"I Joseph Rogers senior: of Eastham of Good understanding and perfect memory being weake in body; and not knowing the the day of my departure out of this life, doe thinke meet to Leave this as my Last will and Testament.

Impr: I Commend my soule to God that Gave it: whoe is my God, and father in Jesus Christ, and my body to the earth by decent buriall;

firstly and concerning my temporall estate that God hath possessed me off; I doe make my son Thomas Rogers whole and sole executor which I will should be disposed of as followeth:

Impr I doe Give unto my Loveing Son James Rogers and his heires Lawfully begotten of his body: or the next of kinn; my house and housing and Land with fences or the like appurtenances, that I now dwell in and Improve adjoining to my house be it more or lesse; as it is Recorded and bounded on the Towne book, I say I doe give it to him to his heires lawfully begotten of his body forever or the next kindred.

Item I doe give to my sonnes John and James Rogers all my meadow ground that I bought of the Indians Francis and Josiah, lying att Pottammacutt and therabouts; I say I doe give and will it to them and theire heires forever equally to be divided.

Item I doe give to my sonnes Thomas and John Rogers and theire heires all my meadow and sedge lying on the otherside of the Cove, on keeskagansett syde; I say I doe give it to them and theire heires lawfully begottenof theire bodys forever;

I doe give to my Daughter Elizabeth Higgens the wife of Jonathan Higgens six acrees of Land lying neare the Barly neck, by a swamp called Ceader Swamp; as it is recorded and bounded in the Towne book, I say I give this six acrees to her and her heires of her body for ever; shee nor they shall not sell hier farm it out, directly nor indirectly to any person whatsoever, execept in case of removall it shall be lawfull for my sonnes or theire heires to buy or purchase it;

Item I give to Benjah Higgens my grandchild on condition hee live with mee until I die; I say I give to him and his heires, one third parte of all my upland and meadow att Paomett, purchased and unpurchased.

Item it is my will that the remainder of my lands or marshes, both att the barly necke, Pochett Iland Paomett Billingsgate or elswher purchased or unpurchased not disposed of particularly in my will; I say it is my will that all those lands be equally divided betwixt my three sonnes Thomas, John and James Rogers; and the heires lawfully of theire bodyes for ever; noteing that my son Thomas his twenty acrees of upland that already hee hath in the barly necke ber parte of his division of my land in the barly necke;

Item I doe give unto my daughter Hannah Rogers, if shee be not disposed of in marriage before my decease, and my wifes decease, then I day I doe give to her my bed and beding with all the furniture therto belonging or that shall belonge therto att our decease;

Alsoe it is my will that shee shall have her choise of one cow before my cattle be distributed, and use of three acrees of Tillage ground, fenced in, with the arable ground of her bretheren in the barly necke if shee desires, it soe long as shee lives unmarryed;

Item it is my will that Benjah Higgens shall have on of my cowes after mine and my wifes decease

Item it is my will concerning my loveing wife Hannah Rogers that shee live in my house as longe as shee lives, and shall be comfortably maintained by my stocke and to have the use of all my hoshold stuffe, that shee needs as longe as shee lives for her comfort and that none of my household furniture or stocke be disposed of, as longe as shee lives, save onely Hannahs cowe.

Item I will that ten shillings of my estate be disposed off for the use of the Church of Christ in Eastham as shall be Judged most nessesarie.

Item I will that the remainder of my stocke estate houshold furniture that my wife shall leave att her decease not disposed of in my will before written; be equally divided between all my children; and Benjah Higgens to have an equall share with each of them; this is my last will and testament as witnes my hand and seale this 2nd of January 1677."

Joseph's inventory was taken 15 Jan. 1567/8 and the will was probated 5 Mar. 1677/8. Depositions of Jonathan Sparrow and Samuel Berry show that the grandson called Benjah Higgens in the will was also know as Beriah Higgens. Son Thomas Rogers died before completing the settlement of the estate and so Capt. Sparrow and remaining son John Rogers were impowered to handle the settlement.

Links

• The Plymouth Colony Archive Project
• Mayflower Passengers: Joseph Rogers
• Thomas Rogers Society: Joseph Rogers
• h[ttp://www.treetreetree.org.uk/Rogers.htm#Rogers The Rogers Family of Plymouth, Plymouth, MA and Eastham, Barnstable, MA]
• Cape Cod Genealogy
• Joseph Rogers 1678

Primary Source References

• 1602/03 23 January Anderson 1995, 3: 1598 Joseph Rogers baptized in Watford, Northhamptonshire.
• 1620 No Specific Date Anderson 1995, 3: 1598
• Rogers is a passenger on the Mayflower.1620/21 No Specific Date Anderson 1995, 3: 1598
• Rogers' father, Thomas, dies.1623 No Specific Date PCR 12: 4
• In the cast of lots for land, Rogers gets two acres on "the South side of the brooke to the baywards." No Specific Date PCR 12: 6
• Marie Buckett gets an acre adjoining Rogers' land. Her acre lies "on the other side of the town towards the eele-river."1627 22 May PCR 12: 12
• In the division of cattle, Rogers gets a share in a heifer "of the last yeare" from the "Greate white back cow that was brought over in the Ann." He also gets two nanny goats. William Bradford, Thomas Cushman, William Latham, Manasses and Julian Kempton, and the Morton family are in his group as well.1632/1633 2 January PCR 1: 6
• Rogers sues Edward Doty for "non-performance of covenants in a contract between them wherein six pigges of five weeks old were due unto the plaintiff." Rogers wins 4 bushels of corn. 1633 No Specific Date PCR 1: 4
• Rogers is listed as a freeman. No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221
• Sarah Rogers born.25 March PCR 1: 11
• Rogers is rated 9s in corn.1 July PCR 1:14
• Rogers is ordered to mow "that which he mowed last yeare." 1634 27 March PCR 1: 28
• Rogers is rated 9s in corn.1635 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221
• Joseph Rogers, Jr. born. 1635/36 2 March PCR 1: 39
• The court gives Rogers permission to run a ferry over Jones River near his dwelling house. He is allowed to charge a penny per head, in order to maintain "a sufficient ferry." 14 March PCR 1: 40
• Rogers is ordered to mow hay along the Jones River. His mowing companions are Thomas Prence, Thomas Cushman, and Edward Dowty. 1636 7 June PCR 1: 42
• Rogers serves on a jury. 1636/37 20 March PCR 1: 56
• Rogers is ordered to shared his "old hay ground" with Thomas Prence, "to be decided apportionable to their cattle."1638 4 June PCR 1:85
• Rogers is to be remembered for lands "on Duxborrow side" when they are surveyed.2 July PCR 1: 90
• Rogers requests land around Iland Creeke Pond, "if it be not prejudiciall to Mr Bradford." 7 August PCR 1: 93
• Rogers is granted land for corn fields in "the place where hee desireth." William Bradford would view the land and appoint it to him. 6 November PCR 1: 101
• Rogers is granted 60 acres of upland and meadow, "lying about a mile and a half from the brooke beyond Mr Bradford farme, upon Mattachusetts Payth, on the west side thereof." 1639/40 3 March PCR 1: 141
• Rogers is nominated for the post of constable of Duxbury. 5 March PCR 1: 117
• Rogers is assigned to the Duxbury highway repair. 1639 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221
• Elizabeth Rogers born. 1640 6 Apri PCR 1: 144
• Rogers is granted land next to Mr. Vassells' farm at the North River. This land totals to 50 acres of upland and meadow ground. He also received some other small divisions of land, and a joint holding. His brother John also received 50 acres in the same area, together with Constant and Thomas Southworth. 2 Jun PCR : 155
• Rogers is sworn in to his constabulary post in Duxbury. 1642 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221
• John Rogers born. 1642/43 7 March PCR 2: 53
• Rogers is granted four to five acres of meadow lying above Massachusett path. This land is noted as being two miles from the Bradford farm. 1644 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221
• Mary Rogers born. 20 August PCR 2: 75
• Rogers is appointed to lay forth a highway from William Bradford's farm to the Bay. He is appointed for Duxbury with John Rogers, and shares the commision with John Howland and John Cooke (who represent Plymouth.) The four men are instructed to pick a fifth if they can't agree on the plan. 1645 20 October PCR 2: 88
• The people of Duxbury are granted "a competent pporcion" of land around Saughtuckquett. They will pick the center and from that mark the appointed land would stretch four miles out. Rogers was nominated to be a trustee of this land, along with Miles Standish, John Alden, George Soul, Constant Southworth, and William Brett. 1646/47 2 March PCR 2: 111
• Rogers serves on a jury. 1647 1 June PCR 2: 117
• Rogers is established as lieutenant of Nawset (later Eastham) to "exercise theire men in armes…" 1648 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221
• James Rogers born.1651 10 June PCR 2: 177
• Rogers is listed as a purchaser. 1652 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221-222
• Hannah Rogers born.
• Joseph Rogers moves to Sandwich. 1658 1 June PCR 3: 142
• Rogers purchases some land from Pompmo of the Potonumaquatt tribe. He buys Aquaquesett, five acres, and Mattahquesett, one and a half acre of land. 2 October PCR 3: 153
• Rogers is appointed to the Council of War. 1660/61 5 March PCR 3: 205
• The verdict comes in on the trial of John Hawes, who had been accused of "violently and by force of armes" killing Joseph Rogers Jr. of Eastham by giving him "a most deadly fall" on December 25, 1660, from which he died forty-eight hours later. Hawes was found not guilty. 1661 1 October PCR 4: 5
• Rogers is freed from his military office as Lieutenant of the military company of Eastham. 1663 1 June PCR 4: 37
• Rogers serves on the Grand Enquest. 24 July Mayflower Descendant 17(3) 1915: 167-68
• Manasses Kempton sells Rogers 40 acres of upland in the Barley Neck area. 1664 8 June PCR 4: 64
• Rogers is reestablished into his old military office. 8 June PCR 4: 67
• Rogers is given liberty to "looke out" a parcel of land between Bridgewater and the Bay line, together with Josias Cooke, Giles Hopkins, Henry Sampson, and Experience Mitchell. The land is "for their accommodation." 1665 7 June PCR 4: 96
• Rogers is charged to "view a certain iland petitioned for by Richard Higgins" along with "Leiftenant Freeman." The pair can purchase the land and "depose of it" to Higgins if they see fit. 7 June PCR 4: 96
• Rogers is assigned 100 acres of William Nicarson's land next to Mannamoiett. If he wants the land, he must pay Nicarson. (Nicarson's land had been illegally purchased from the natives. The court had let him keep 100 acres and confiscated the rest.) 1670 7 June PCR 5: 35
• Rogers is named as a selectman for Eastham together with four others. 7 June PCR 5: 39
• The Court gives Rogers liberty to purchase land from natives near Eastham, at a place called Naamcoyicke. 1674 7 July PCR 5: 150
• The Court gives two Indians, John Gibson and Thomas Cloake, land near Rogers. 1677/78 2-15 January Mayflower Descendant 3(2) 1901: 67-71
• Joseph Rogers dies.

Sources

• Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of ..., Volume 2 By William Richard Cutter Pg.776
• Collections and Proceedings of the Maine Historical Society, Volume 8 By Maine Historical Society Pg.275

1. University of Virginia: USEM 170, Fall 1998
2. Westgate, Alice W. A. & Reeves, Ann T., Family of Thomas Rogers, General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 2000, Mayflower Families: vol. 19, p. 3.

   ---

“The pilgrims didn’t know it, but they were moving into a cemetery,” About 1614, a series of three epidemics, inadvertently introduced through contact with Europeans, began to sweep through the Indian villages in Massachusetts. At least ten Wampanoag villages were abandoned because there were no survivors. The Wampanoag population decreased from 12,000 to 5,000.

Note: It is not known what the actual disease was that caused this epidemic. Various writers have suggested bubonic plague, smallpox, and hepatitis A. There is strong evidence supporting all of these theories. It is estimated that by 1619, 75% of the Native population of New England had died as a result of this epidemic.

When Squanto returned from England with captain Thomas Dermer in 1619, he searched for the Wampanoag of his village, but found that they had all died in the epidemic.

By the end of the wars the Wampanoag were nearly exterminated: only 400 survived.

When the Mayflower pilgrims and the Wampanoag sat down for the first Thanksgiving in 1621, it wasn’t actually that big of a deal. Likely, it was just a routine English harvest celebration. More significant—and less remembered—was the peace treaty that the parties established seven months earlier, which lasted for 50 years. (See also: National Geographic Kids: First Thanksgiving.)

“There’s in fact very little historical record of the first Thanksgiving, which is why Thanksgiving wasn’t really celebrated as a holiday until the 19th century,” says Charles C. Mann, author of 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus. “To historians, it seems kind of funny that the celebration … now seems more important than the treaty itself.”

President Abraham Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a national holiday during the Civil War, and the feast has since become an American tradition. Yet the story of the Wampanoag and the pilgrims who first broke bread is not commonly known. (See also: Talking Turkey: Facts about Thanksgiving's Big Bird.)

Here’s a little background about the much-mythologized meal.

1. It wasn’t actually a “Thanksgiving.”

In 1841, Boston publisher Alexander Young printed a book containing a letter by pilgrim Edward Winslow, which described the feast:

“[O]ur harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a more special manner rejoice together … [There were] many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest King Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted.” (See also: National Geographic Kids: First Thanksgiving.)

Pilgrims land An engraving depicts the Mayflower pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620. In reality, the pilgrims never wrote of any such rock. The first written mention of Plymouth Rock was in 1835.

Among 17th-century pilgrims, a “Thanksgiving” was actually a period of prayerful fasting, and Winslow did not use the word anywhere in his letter. But when Young published the letter, he called it the “first Thanksgiving” in a footnote, and the name stuck.

Edward Winslow Pilgrim Edward Winslow visits Massasoit, the Sachem (or leader) of the Wampanoag Confederacy.

2. A year before the first Thanksgiving, the pilgrims raided Native American graves.

When the pilgrims arrived in Cape Cod, they were incredibly unprepared. “They were under the persistent belief that because New England is south of the Netherlands and southern England, it would therefore be warmer,” says Mann. “Then they showed up six weeks before winter with practically no food.”

In a desperate state, the pilgrims robbed corn from Native Americans graves and storehouses soon after they arrived; but because of their overall lack of preparation, half of them still died within their first year. To learn how to farm sustainably, they eventually required help from Tisquantum, an English-speaking Native American who had been staying with the Wampanoag. (See also: Cranberries, a Native American Superfood.)

3. The pilgrims could only settle at Plymouth because thousands of Native Americans, including many Wampanoag, had been killed by disease.

If the pilgrims had arrived in Cape Cod three years earlier, they might not have found those abandoned graves and storehouses … in fact, they might not have had space to land.

Europeans who sailed to New England in the early to mid-1610s found flourishing communities along the coast, and little room for themselves to settle. But by 1620, when the Mayflower arrived, the area looked abandoned.

“A couple of years before, there’d been an epidemic that wiped out most of the coastal population of New England, and Plymouth was on top of a village that had been deserted by disease,” says Mann.

“The pilgrims didn’t know it, but they were moving into a cemetery,” he adds.

CULTURE & HISTORY

This is what happens when the migrant caravan comes to town

4. The peace that led to the first Thanksgiving was driven by trade and tribal rivalries.

Before the Wampanoag suffered losses from disease, they had driven Europeans like John Smith away. “Now,” says Mann, “the Wampanoag [were] much weaker because of the disease, and they’re much weaker than their hated adversaries, the Narragansett.”

Ann McMullen, curator at the National Museum of the American Indian, says that the Wampanoag weren’t necessarily looking to make alliances against the Narragansett; but “because the Wampanoag were in a slightly weakened position,” they realized that an alliance with the pilgrims “could fortify their strength.”

The Europeans were valuable trading partners for the Wampanoag and other Native Americans in the area because they traded steel knives and axes for beaver pelts—something that, in the beaver-rich New England area, the Wampanoag considered essentially worthless.

“It’s a little like somebody comes to your door, and says I’ll give you gold if you give me a rock,” Mann says. “The Wampanoag thought: if we tie ourselves to these guys, everybody else will be hesitant to attack us, because they could drive away these people who are willing to pay gold for rocks.

When the pilgrims arrived in Cape Cod, they were incredibly unprepared. “They were under the persistent belief that because New England is south of the Netherlands and southern England, it would therefore be warmer,” says Mann. “Then they showed up six weeks before winter with practically no food.”

In a desperate state, the pilgrims robbed corn from Native Americans graves and storehouses soon after they arrived; but because of their overall lack of preparation, half of them still died within their first year. To learn how to farm sustainably, they eventually required help from Tisquantum, an English-speaking Native American who had been staying with the Wampanoag. (See also: Cranberries, a Native American Superfood.)

3. The pilgrims could only settle at Plymouth because thousands of Native Americans, including many Wampanoag, had been killed by disease.

If the pilgrims had arrived in Cape Cod three years earlier, they might not have found those abandoned graves and storehouses … in fact, they might not have had space to land.

Buried in The Family Lot- Cove Burial Ground, Eastham, Massachusetts.

Before coming to the New World, Rogers was part of the Leiden congregation in the Netherlands. He came to the Plymouth colony on the Mayflower, in the company of his father, Thomas Rogers. By 1639 he had moved to Duxbury; he is noted as requesting land in that area in 1638 and is named on a committee for the Duxbury highway repair in 1638/39. He is mentioned as "of Duxborrow" in the records of a 1646 land sale. Rogers probably moved very soon after this mention, as he is named lieutenant of Nauset (later Eastham) in 1647. In Eastham, he might have taken up residence with Beriah Higgens, as in his will he mentions that he "lived with him a Greate while." Rogers lived in Eastham until his death.

Although his father did not survive the first winter, Joseph's brother John took his chances in the New World and at an unknown date joined his brother in Plymouth. It is uncertain whether Rogers' sisters Elizabeth and Margaret ever came to the colony; they were listed as living in Leiden in 1622.

Rogers married a woman named Hannah, whose surname is unknown. They had four sons and four daughters: Sarah (1633), Joseph (1635), Thomas, Elizabeth (1639), John (1642), Mary (1644), James, (1648), and Hannah (1652.) Joseph seems to have had a clean bill of health concerning his marriage; he is not mentioned in any case for any sort of sexual offence. His home life was not one of unmarred happiness, though. Sarah died in infancy, and Joseph predeceased his father. Roger's eldest son had suffered from "a most deadly fall" on 25 December 1660, and lingered for two days before dying. John Hawes was indicted for "violently and by force of armes" killing Rogers Jr. (The two might have been wrestling when Rogers Jr. suffered his fatal injury.) Hawes was found not guilty of the crime on 5 March 1660/61.

Had Rogers lived longer, he would have seen his family greatly diminished. Thomas, the second son and the executor of Rogers' will, died a few months after his father, along with the youngest son James. By October of 1678, only John Rogers was left to administer his father's estate.

In the first land division in 1623, Rogers received two acres, on "the South side of the brooke to the baywards." He added cattle to his goods in 1627, sharing a heifer "of the last yeare" from the "Greate white back cow that was brought over in the Ann" with William Bradford, Thomas Cushman, William Latham, Mannasses Kempton and Julian Kempton, and the Morton family. Along with the cattle, Rogers shared 2 nanny goats.

Early on, Rogers tried his hand in the transportation business. A court record from 2 March 1635/36 states that he was granted permission to run a ferry over Jones River, which ran near his house. The charge was a penny per passenger.

Rogers may have possessed over 100 acres in Duxbury at one point, having been granted 60 acres of land in 1638 and an additional 50 in 1640. There are four known land deals involving him from the time of his arrival in Eastham. A 1658 purchase from the Potonumaquatt tribe totals six and one half acres. In 1662 Manasses Kempton sold Rogers 40 acres of upland in the area "Called the Barly necke…." In 1665 Rogers is mentioned as having rights to 100 acres of land that William Nicarson had illegally purchased from the natives. It is not known whether Joseph Rogers actually bought the land he was entitled to. The Plymouth court gave him liberty in 1670 to purchase land from Indians living near Eastham.

It is also not known exactly how much land Rogers held at his death. In his will he mentions holdings "at the barly necke, Pochett Iland Paomett Billingsgate or elsewhere purchased or unpurchased…." An inventory of his household comes to 56 pounds, 9 shillings, and 11 pence. Rogers, like many Cape Cod families, owned a fishing boat in his case, two " canooes."

Joseph Rogers was an upstanding citizen in the colony. He was a purchaser in 1626, and he is listed as a freeman in 1633. His reputation was untarnished by any criminal accusations, although he does appear as a plaintiff in a 1632/33 civil case. (Edward Doty had not carried through on a contract involving six pigs. Rogers received 4 bushels of corn in compensation.)

He also had a history of community involvement. While in Duxbury, he was sworn into the post of constable for 1640. On June 1, 1647, he was sworn in as lieutenant of Nauset (later Eastham) an office he held until 1661, when he was released. In 1658, he served on the Council of War. He was re-sworn into his lieutenant's office in 1664, and held it until his death. Rogers was also often involved in community land transactions, serving as a trustee over a piece of Duxbury land in October 1646. In 1664 Lieutenant "Josepth Rogers" is given authority to survey a piece of land from Bridgewater to the Bay line, along with Josias Cooke, Gyles Hopkins, Henry Sampson, and Experience Mitchell. In 1670, Rogers served as a selectman along with Nicholas Snow, Daniel Cole, and Josias Cooke.

He died between the 2nd and the 15th of January 1677/78, in Eastham, New Plymouth, a few weeks short of his seventy-fifth birthday.

-------------------------------------------------

Collections and Proceedings of the Maine Historical Society, Volume 8 By Maine Historical Society Pg.275

http://books.google.com/books?id=yCQKi9JBQ-4C&pg=PA276&lpg=PA276&dq...

---------------------------------------------------

http://www.histarch.uiuc.edu/plymouth/JRogers4.html

The Plymouth Colony Archive Project

LT. JOSEPH ROGERS

(son of Thomas Rogers)

Compiled by Jessica Wolpert

University of Virginia

USEM 170, Fall 1998

Joseph Rogers was born in Watford, Northhamptonshire. He is noted as being baptized on 23 January 1602/03.

Before coming to the New World, Rogers was part of the Leiden congregation in the Netherlands. He came to the Plymouth colony on the Mayflower, in the company of his father, Thomas Rogers. By 1639 he had moved to Duxbury; he is noted as requesting land in that area in 1638 and is named on a committee for the Duxbury highway repair in 1638/39. He is mentioned as "of Duxborrow" in the records of a 1646 land sale. Rogers probably moved very soon after this mention, as he is named lieutenant of Nauset (later Eastham) in 1647. In Eastham, he might have taken up residence with Beriah Higgens, as in his will he mentions that he "lived with him a Greate while." Rogers lived in Eastham until his death.

Although his father did not survive the first winter, Joseph's brother John took his chances in the New World and at an unknown date joined his brother in Plymouth. It is uncertain whether Rogers' sisters Elizabeth and Margaret ever came to the colony; they were listed as living in Leiden in 1622.

Rogers married a woman named Hannah, whose surname is unknown. They had four sons and four daughters: Sarah (1633), Joseph (1635), Thomas, Elizabeth (1639), John (1642), Mary (1644), James, (1648), and Hannah (1652.) Joseph seems to have had a clean bill of health concerning his marriage; he is not mentioned in any case for any sort of sexual offence. His home life was not one of unmarred happiness, though. Sarah died in infancy, and Joseph predeceased his father. Roger's eldest son had suffered from "a most deadly fall" on 25 December 1660, and lingered for two days before dying. John Hawes was indicted for "violently and by force of armes" killing Rogers Jr. (The two might have been wrestling when Rogers Jr. suffered his fatal injury.) Hawes was found not guilty of the crime on 5 March 1660/61.

Had Rogers lived longer, he would have seen his family greatly diminished. Thomas, the second son and the executor of Rogers' will, died a few months after his father, along with the youngest son James. By October of 1678, only John Rogers was left to administer his father's estate.

In the first land division in 1623, Rogers received two acres, on "the South side of the brooke to the baywards." He added cattle to his goods in 1627, sharing a heifer "of the last yeare" from the "Greate white back cow that was brought over in the Ann" with William Bradford, Thomas Cushman, William Latham, Mannasses Kempton and Julian Kempton, and the Morton family. Along with the cattle, Rogers shared 2 nanny goats.

Early on, Rogers tried his hand in the transportation business. A court record from 2 March 1635/36 states that he was granted permission to run a ferry over Jones River, which ran near his house. The charge was a penny per passenger.

Rogers may have possessed over 100 acres in Duxbury at one point, having been granted 60 acres of land in 1638 and an additional 50 in 1640. There are four known land deals involving him from the time of his arrival in Eastham. A 1658 purchase from the Potonumaquatt tribe totals six and one half acres. In 1662 Manasses Kempton sold Rogers 40 acres of upland in the area "Called the Barly necke…." In 1665 Rogers is mentioned as having rights to 100 acres of land that William Nicarson had illegally purchased from the natives. It is not known whether Joseph Rogers actually bought the land he was entitled to. The Plymouth court gave him liberty in 1670 to purchase land from Indians living near Eastham.

It is also not known exactly how much land Rogers held at his death. In his will he mentions holdings "at the barly necke, Pochett Iland Paomett Billingsgate or elsewhere purchased or unpurchased…." An inventory of his household comes to 56 pounds, 9 shillings, and 11 pence. Rogers, like many Cape Cod families, owned a fishing boat ¾ in his case, two " canooes."

Joseph Rogers was an upstanding citizen in the colony. He was a purchaser in 1626, and he is listed as a freeman in 1633. His reputation was untarnished by any criminal accusations, although he does appear as a plaintiff in a 1632/33 civil case. (Edward Doty had not carried through on a contract involving six pigs. Rogers received 4 bushels of corn in compensation.)

He also had a history of community involvement. While in Duxbury, he was sworn into the post of constable for 1640. On June 1, 1647, he was sworn in as lieutenant of Nauset (later Eastham,) an office he held until 1661, when he was released. In 1658, he served on the Council of War. He was re-sworn into his lieutenant's office in 1664, and held it until his death. Rogers was also often involved in community land transactions, serving as a trustee over a piece of Duxbury land in October 1646. In 1664 Lieutenant "Josepth Rogers" is given authority to survey a piece of land from Bridgewater to the Bay line, along with Josias Cooke, Gyles Hopkins, Henry Sampson, and Experience Mitchell. In 1670, Rogers served as a selectman along with Nicholas Snow, Daniel Cole, and Josias Cooke.

He died between the 2nd and the 15th of January 1677/78, in Eastham, New Plymouth, a few weeks short of his seventy-fifth birthday.

------------------------------------------------

http://www.thomasrogerssociety.com/p1.htm#i9

Joseph Rogers was baptized on 23 January 1602/3 at Watford, co. Northamptonshire, England. He was the son of Thomas Rogers [Mayflower Pilgrim] and Alice Cosford.2 Joseph Rogers married Hannah.

-----------------------------------------------

Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of ..., Volume 2 By William Richard Cutter Pg.776

http://books.google.com/books?id=kFoLBC2TwFYC&pg=PA776&lpg=PA776&dq...

Thomas Rogers, immigrant ancestor, was one of the Pilgrim Fathers. He was born in England, went to Holland with the Pilgrims and came to New England in 1620 on the "Mayflower." bringing with him his son Joseph, and taking a prominent part in the colony at Plymouth. His other children came afterward. He died in the first sickness at Plymouth. Among his children were 1. Joseph, Mentioned below. 2. John, weaver and planter of Duxbury; taxed there in 1632; admitted a freeman March 1, 1641-42; town officer and commissioner of jurors; married April 16, 1639, Ann Churchman; lived at Scituate about 1647; removed to Marshfield where he died; will dated February 1, 1660; wife Frances. 3. William. 4. Noah.

(II) Lieutenant Joseph Rogers, son of John Rogers (I), (THIS MUST BE A TYPO, AS STATES ABOVE JOSEPH IS SON OF THOMAS), was also a Pilgrim. He was born in England or Holland and came with his father in the "Mayflower" to Plymouth; was married and had six children in 1650. He had lands assigned to him in 1623 and was freeman in 1644. He removed to Duxbury. He was given permission by Plymouth colony to keep a ferry over Jones river near his house, March 2, 1635-36. He and his brother John had a grant of land April 6, 1640. He finally removed to Eastham, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. He was appointed Lieutenant of the military company at Nawsett in 1647. His will dated January 2, 1677-78, was proved March 5 of that year. He bequeathed to sons Thomas, John and James to daughters Elizabeth Higgins and Hannah Rogers and to his wife. He gave to Beriah Higgins a share with his children because Beriah had lived with him a great while, etc. Children: 1. Sarah, born August 6, 1633, died young. 2. Joseph, July 19, 1635, died 1660. 3. Thomas, March 29, 1637. 4. Elizabeth, September 29, 1639. 5. John, April 3, 1642. 6. Mary, September 22, 1644. 7. James, October 18, 1648. 8. Hannah, August 8, 1652.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Collections and Proceedings of the Maine Historical Society, Volume 8 By Maine Historical Society Pg.275

http://books.google.com/books?id=yCQKi9JBQ-4C&pg=PA276&lpg=PA276&dq...

------------------------------------------------------------

1620, on the ship"Mayflower"

608. Westgate, Alice W. A. & Reeves, Ann T., Family of Thomas Rogers, General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 2000, Mayflower Families: vol. 19, p. 3.

Joseph Rogers was baptized on 23 January 1602/3 at Watford, co. Northamptonshire, England. He was the son of Thomas Rogers [Mayflower Pilgrim] and Alice Cosford.2 Joseph Rogers married Hannah. Joseph Rogers Joseph Rogers was born in Watford, Northhamptonshire. He is noted as being baptized on 23 January 1602/03.

Before coming to the New World, Rogers was part of the Leiden congregation in the Netherlands. He came to the Plymouth colony on the Mayflower, in the company of his father, Thomas Rogers. By 1639 he had moved to Duxbury; he is noted as requesting land in that area in 1638 and is named on a committee for the Duxbury highway repair in 1638/39. He is mentioned as "of Duxborrow" in the records of a 1646 land sale. Rogers probably moved very soon after this mention, as he is named lieutenant of Nauset (later Eastham) in 1647. In Eastham, he might have taken up residence with Beriah Higgens, as in his will he mentions that he "lived with him a Greate while." Rogers lived in Eastham until his death.

Although his father did not survive the first winter, Joseph's brother John took his chances in the New World and at an unknown date joined his brother in Plymouth. It is uncertain whether Rogers' sisters Elizabeth and Margaret ever came to the colony; they were listed as living in Leiden in 1622.

Rogers married a woman named Hannah, whose surname is unknown. They had four sons and four daughters: Sarah (1633), Joseph (1635), Thomas, Elizabeth (1639), John (1642), Mary (1644), James, (1648), and Hannah (1652.) Joseph seems to have had a clean bill of health concerning his marriage; he is not mentioned in any case for any sort of sexual offence. His home life was not one of unmarred happiness, though. Sarah died in infancy, and Joseph predeceased his father. Roger's eldest son had suffered from "a most deadly fall" on 25 December 1660, and lingered for two days before dying. John Hawes was indicted for "violently and by force of armes" killing Rogers Jr. (The two might have been wrestling when Rogers Jr. suffered his fatal injury.) Hawes was found not guilty of the crime on 5 March 1660/61.

Had Rogers lived longer, he would have seen his family greatly diminished. Thomas, the second son and the executor of Rogers' will, died a few months after his father, along with the youngest son James. By October of 1678, only John Rogers was left to administer his father's estate.

In the first land division in 1623, Rogers received two acres, on "the South side of the brooke to the baywards." He added cattle to his goods in 1627, sharing a heifer "of the last yeare" from the "Greate white back cow that was brought over in the Ann" with William Bradford, Thomas Cushman, William Latham, Mannasses Kempton and Julian Kempton, and the Morton family. Along with the cattle, Rogers shared 2 nanny goats.

Early on, Rogers tried his hand in the transportation business. A court record from 2 March 1635/36 states that he was granted permission to run a ferry over Jones River, which ran near his house. The charge was a penny per passenger.

Rogers may have possessed over 100 acres in Duxbury at one point, having been granted 60 acres of land in 1638 and an additional 50 in 1640. There are four known land deals involving him from the time of his arrival in Eastham. A 1658 purchase from the Potonumaquatt tribe totals six and one half acres. In 1662 Manasses Kempton sold Rogers 40 acres of upland in the area "Called the Barly necke…." In 1665 Rogers is mentioned as having rights to 100 acres of land that William Nicarson had illegally purchased from the natives. It is not known whether Joseph Rogers actually bought the land he was entitled to. The Plymouth court gave him liberty in 1670 to purchase land from Indians living near Eastham.

It is also not known exactly how much land Rogers held at his death. In his will he mentions holdings "at the barly necke, Pochett Iland Paomett Billingsgate or elsewhere purchased or unpurchased…." An inventory of his household comes to 56 pounds, 9 shillings, and 11 pence. Rogers, like many Cape Cod families, owned a fishing boat in his case, two " canooes."

Joseph Rogers was an upstanding citizen in the colony. He was a purchaser in 1626, and he is listed as a freeman in 1633. His reputation was untarnished by any criminal accusations, although he does appear as a plaintiff in a 1632/33 civil case. (Edward Doty had not carried through on a contract involving six pigs. Rogers received 4 bushels of corn in compensation.)

He also had a history of community involvement. While in Duxbury, he was sworn into the post of constable for 1640. On June 1, 1647, he was sworn in as lieutenant of Nauset (later Eastham) an office he held until 1661, when he was released. In 1658, he served on the Council of War. He was re-sworn into his lieutenant's office in 1664, and held it until his death. Rogers was also often involved in community land transactions, serving as a trustee over a piece of Duxbury land in October 1646. In 1664 Lieutenant "Josepth Rogers" is given authority to survey a piece of land from Bridgewater to the Bay line, along with Josias Cooke, Gyles Hopkins, Henry Sampson, and Experience Mitchell. In 1670, Rogers served as a selectman along with Nicholas Snow, Daniel Cole, and Josias Cooke.

He died between the 2nd and the 15th of January 1677/78, in Eastham, New Plymouth, a few weeks short of his seventy-fifth birthday.

LIEUTENANT JOSEPH ROGERS' CONNECTIONS

Alden, John named trustee of Duxbury land along with Rogers, 20 October 1645

Berry, Samuel testified about Rogers' bequests, 5 March 1677/78.

Bradford, William

" was in cattle division group with Rogers, 22 May 1627

" Rogers requests land in a certain area, if not prejudicial to Bradford, 2 July 1638

" Bradford to view and appoint land for Rogers, 7 Aug 1638

" buys land from Rogers for ten pounds, 31 July 1646

Brett, William named trustee of Duxbury land along with Rogers, 20 October 1645

Buckett, Marie gets land next to Rogers' in casting of lots, 1623

Cloake, Thomas received land near Rogers, 7 July 1674

Cole, Daniel served as selectman with Rogers, 1670

Cooke, John appointed with Rogers to a highway commission, 20 August 1644

Cooke, Josias

" given liberty to survey land between Bridgewater and Bay line with Rogers, 8 June 1664

" served as selectman with Rogers, 1670

Cushman, Thomas

" was in cattle division group with Rogers, 22 May 1627

" assigned to mow hay along Jones River with Rogers, 14 March 1635/36

Done, Daniel appraised Rogers' goods, 15 January 1677/78.

Doty, Edward

" was sued by Rogers for breach of contract, 1 January 1632/33

" assigned to mow hay along Jones River with Rogers, 14 March

1635/36

Freeman, Lt. assigned to view island with Rogers, 7 June 1665

Gibson, John received land near Rogers, 7 July 1674

Higgins, Beriah Rogers mentioned living with him "a Greate while" to Jonathan Sparrow and Samuel Berry. Sparrow and Berry testified that Rogers had wanted to leave him a bed, two blankets, and his best suit of clothes to Higgens, but had forgotten to add it to his will. 5 March 1677/78

Hopkins, Giles given liberty to survey land between Bridgewater and Bay line with Rogers, 8 June 1664

Howland, John

" appointed with Rogers to a highway commission, 20 August 1644

" mentioned as exchanging land with Rogers, 31 July 1646

Latham, William was in cattle division group with Rogers, 22 May 1627

Kempton, Julian was in cattle division group with Rogers, 22 May 1627

Kempton, Manasses

" was in cattle division group with Rogers, 22 May 1627

" sold Rogers 40 acres of land in Barley Neck, 24 July 1662

Mitchell, Experience given liberty to survey land between Bridgewater and Bay line with Rogers, 8 June 1664

Nicarson, Willaim part of his lands assigned to Rogers, 7 June 1665

Pearse, Abraham exchanges land with Rogers, 31 July 1646

Pompmo sold land to Rogers, 1 June 1658

Prence, Thomas

" assigned to mow hay along Jones River with Rogers, 14 March 1635/36

" ordered to share his hay ground with Rogers, 20 March 1636/37

Sampson, Henry given liberty to survey land between Bridgewater and Bay line with Rogers, 8 June 1664

Snow, Nicholas served as selectman with Rogers, 1670

Sparrow, Jonathan

" appraised Rogers' goods, 15 January 1677/78.

" testified about Rogers' bequests, 5 March 1677/78.

Soul, George named trustee of Duxbury land along with Rogers, 20 October 1645

Southworth, Constant named trustee of Duxbury land along with Rogers, 20 October 1645

Standish, Miles named trustee of Duxbury land along with Rogers, 20 October 1645

Tracye, Stephen mentioned as once sharing a meadow with Rogers, 25 October 1649

Twining, William witnessed Rogers' will, 2 January 1677/78.

LIEUTENANT JOSEPH ROGERS

PRIMARY SOURCE REFERENCES

1602/03 23 January Anderson 1995, 3: 1598

Joseph Rogers baptized in Watford, Northhamptonshire.

1620 No Specific Date Anderson 1995, 3: 1598

Rogers is a passenger on the Mayflower.

1620/21 No Specific Date Anderson 1995, 3: 1598

Rogers' father, Thomas, dies.

1623 No Specific Date PCR 12: 4

In the cast of lots for land, Rogers gets two acres on "the South side of the brooke to the baywards."

No Specific Date PCR 12: 6

Marie Buckett gets an acre adjoining Rogers' land. Her acre lies "on the other side of the town towards the eele-river."

1627 22 May PCR 12: 12

In the division of cattle, Rogers gets a share in a heifer "of the last yeare" from the "Greate white back cow that was brought over in the Ann." He also gets two nanny goats. William Bradford, Thomas Cushman, William Latham, Manasses and Julian Kempton, and the Morton family are in his group as well.

1632/1633 2 January PCR 1: 6

Rogers sues Edward Doty for "non-performance of covenants in a contract between them wherein six pigges of five weeks old were due unto the plaintiff." Rogers wins 4 bushels of corn.

1633 No Specific Date PCR 1: 4

Rogers is listed as a freeman.

No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221

Sarah Rogers born.

25 March PCR 1: 11

Rogers is rated 9s in corn.

1 July PCR 1:14

Rogers is ordered to mow "that which he mowed last yeare."

1634 27 March PCR 1: 28

Rogers is rated 9s in corn.

1635 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221

Joseph Rogers, Jr. born.

1635/36 2 March PCR 1: 39

The court gives Rogers permission to run a ferry over Jones River near his dwelling house. He is allowed to charge a penny per head, in order to maintain "a sufficient ferry."

14 March PCR 1: 40

Rogers is ordered to mow hay along the Jones River. His mowing companions are Thomas Prence, Thomas Cushman, and Edward Dowty.

1636 7 June PCR 1: 42

Rogers serves on a jury.

1636/37 20 March PCR 1: 56

Rogers is ordered to shared his "old hay ground" with Thomas Prence, "to be decided apportionable to their cattle."

1638 4 June PCR 1:85

Rogers is to be remembered for lands "on Duxborrow side" when they are surveyed.

2 July PCR 1: 90

Rogers requests land around Iland Creeke Pond, "if it be not prejudiciall to Mr Bradford."

7 August PCR 1: 93

Rogers is granted land for corn fields in "the place where hee desireth." William Bradford would view the land and appoint it to him.

6 November PCR 1: 101

Rogers is granted 60 acres of upland and meadow, "lying about a mile and a half from the brooke beyond Mr Bradford farme, upon Mattachusetts Payth, on the west side thereof."

1639/40 3 March PCR 1: 141

Rogers is nominated for the post of constable of Duxbury.

5 March PCR 1: 117

Rogers is assigned to the Duxbury highway repair.

1639 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221

Elizabeth Rogers born.

1640 6 Apri PCR 1: 144

Rogers is granted land next to Mr. Vassells' farm at the North River. This land totals to 50 acres of upland and meadow ground. He also received some other small divisions of land, and a joint holding. His brother John also received 50 acres in the same area, together with Constant and Thomas Southworth.

2 Jun PCR 1: 155

Rogers is sworn in to his constabulary post in Duxbury.

1642 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221

John Rogers born.

1642/43 7 March PCR 2: 53

Rogers is granted four to five acres of meadow lying above Massachusett path. This land is noted as being two miles from the Bradford farm.

1644 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221

Mary Rogers born.

20 August PCR 2: 75

Rogers is appointed to lay forth a highway from William Bradford's farm to the Bay. He is appointed for Duxbury with John Rogers, and shares the commision with John Howland and John Cooke (who represent Plymouth.) The four men are instructed to pick a fifth if they can't agree on the plan.

1645 20 October PCR 2: 88

The people of Duxbury are granted "a competent pporcion" of land around Saughtuckquett. They will pick the center and from that mark the appointed land would stretch four miles out. Rogers was nominated to be a trustee of this land, along with Miles Standish, John Alden, George Soul, Constant Southworth, and William Brett.

1646/47 2 March PCR 2: 111

Rogers serves on a jury.

1647 1 June PCR 2: 117

Rogers is established as lieutenant of Nawset (later Eastham) to "exercise theire men in armes…"

1648 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221

James Rogers born.

1651 10 June PCR 2: 177

Rogers is listed as a purchaser.

1652 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221-222

Hannah Rogers born.

Joseph Rogers moves to Sandwich.

1658 1 June PCR 3: 142

Rogers purchases some land from Pompmo of the Potonumaquatt tribe. He buys Aquaquesett, five acres, and Mattahquesett, one and a half acre of land.

2 October PCR 3: 153

Rogers is appointed to the Council of War.

1660/61 5 March PCR 3: 205

The verdict comes in on the trial of John Hawes, who had been accused of "violently and by force of armes" killing Joseph Rogers Jr. of Eastham by giving him "a most deadly fall" on December 25, 1660, from which he died forty-eight hours later. Hawes was found not guilty.

1661 1 October PCR 4: 5

Rogers is freed from his military office as Lieutenant of the military company of Eastham.

1663 1 June PCR 4: 37

Rogers serves on the Grand Enquest.

24 July Mayflower Descendant 17(3) 1915: 167-68

Manasses Kempton sells Rogers 40 acres of upland in the Barley Neck area.

1664 8 June PCR 4: 64

Rogers is reestablished into his old military office.

8 June PCR 4: 67

Rogers is given liberty to "looke out" a parcel of land between Bridgewater and the Bay line, together with Josias Cooke, Giles Hopkins, Henry Sampson, and Experience Mitchell. The land is "for their accommodation."

1665 7 June PCR 4: 96

Rogers is charged to "view a certain iland petitioned for by Richard Higgins" along with "Leiftenant Freeman." The pair can purchase the land and "depose of it" to Higgins if they see fit.

7 June PCR 4: 96

Rogers is assigned 100 acres of William Nicarson's land next to Mannamoiett. If he wants the land, he must pay Nicarson. (Nicarson's land had been illegally purchased from the natives. The court had let him keep 100 acres and confiscated the rest.)

1670 7 June PCR 5: 35

Rogers is named as a selectman for Eastham together with four others.

7 June PCR 5: 39

The Court gives Rogers liberty to purchase land from natives near Eastham, at a place called Naamcoyicke.

1674 7 July PCR 5: 150

The Court gives two Indians, John Gibson and Thomas Cloake, land near Rogers.

1677/78 2-15 January Mayflower Descendant 3(2) 1901: 67-71

Joseph Rogers dies.

SOURCES

PCR The Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, edited by Nathaniel B. Shurtleff and David Pulsifer (Boston: William White, 1855-61; New York: AMS Press, 1968). 12 v. in 6.

"I Joseph Rogers senior: of Eastham of Good understanding and perfect memory being weake in body; and not knowing the the day of my departure out of this life, doe thinke meet to Leave this as my Last will and Testament.

Impr: I Commend my soule to God that Gave it: whoe is my God, and father in Jesus Christ, and my body to the earth by decent buriall;

firstly and concerning my temporall estate that God hath possessed me off; I doe make my son Thomas Rogers whole and sole executor which I will should be disposed of as followeth:

Impr I doe Give unto my Loveing Son James Rogers and his heires Lawfully begotten of his body: or the next of kinn; my house and housing and Land with fences or the like appurtenances, that I now dwell in and Improve adjoining to my house be it more or lesse; as it is Recorded and bounded on the Towne book, I say I doe give it to him to his heires lawfully begotten of his body forever or the next kindred.

Item I doe give to my sonnes John and James Rogers all my meadow ground that I bought of the Indians Francis and Josiah, lying att Pottammacutt and therabouts; I say I doe give and will it to them and theire heires forever equally to be divided.

Item I doe give to my sonnes Thomas and John Rogers and theire heires all my meadow and sedge lying on the otherside of the Cove, on keeskagansett syde; I say I doe give it to them and theire heires lawfully begottenof theire bodys forever;

I doe give to my Daughter Elizabeth Higgens the wife of Jonathan Higgens six acrees of Land lying neare the Barly neck, by a swamp called Ceader Swamp; as it is recorded and bounded in the Towne book, I say I give this six acrees to her and her heires of her body for ever; shee nor they shall not sell hier farm it out, directly nor indirectly to any person whatsoever, execept in case of removall it shall be lawfull for my sonnes or theire heires to buy or purchase it;

Item I give to Benjah Higgens my grandchild on condition hee live with mee until I die; I say I give to him and his heires, one third parte of all my upland and meadow att Paomett, purchased and unpurchased.

Item it is my will that the remainder of my lands or marshes, both att the barly necke, Pochett Iland Paomett Billingsgate or elswher purchased or unpurchased not disposed of particularly in my will; I say it is my will that all those lands be equally divided betwixt my three sonnes Thomas, John and James Rogers; and the heires lawfully of theire bodyes for ever; noteing that my son Thomas his twenty acrees of upland that already hee hath in the barly necke ber parte of his division of my land in the barly necke;

Item I doe give unto my daughter Hannah Rogers, if shee be not disposed of in marriage before my decease, and my wifes decease, then I day I doe give to her my bed and beding with all the furniture therto belonging or that shall belonge therto att our decease;

Alsoe it is my will that shee shall have her choise of one cow before my cattle be distributed, and use of three acrees of Tillage ground, fenced in, with the arable ground of her bretheren in the barly necke if shee desires, it soe long as shee lives unmarryed;

Item it is my will that Benjah Higgens shall have on of my cowes after mine and my wifes decease

Item it is my will concerning my loveing wife Hannah Rogers that shee live in my house as longe as shee lives, and shall be comfortably maintained by my stocke and to have the use of all my hoshold stuffe, that shee needs as longe as shee lives for her comfort and that none of my household furniture or stocke be disposed of, as longe as shee lives, save onely Hannahs cowe.

Item I will that ten shillings of my estate be disposed off for the use of the Church of Christ in Eastham as shall be Judged most nessesarie.

Item I will that the remainder of my stocke estate houshold furniture that my wife shall leave att her decease not disposed of in my will before written; be equally divided between all my children; and Benjah Higgens to have an equall share with each of them; this is my last will and testament as witnes my hand and seale this 2nd of January 1677."

Joseph's inventory was taken 15 Jan. 1567/8 and the will was probated 5 Mar. 1677/8. Depositions of Jonathan Sparrow and Samuel Berry show that the grandson called Benjah Higgens in the will was also know as Beriah Higgens. Son Thomas Rogers died before completing the settlement of the estate and so Capt. Sparrow and remaining son John Rogers were impowered to handle the settlement.

He died between 2 and 15 Jan 1677/78. He was buried at Old Cove Burial Ground, Eastham.

Children of Joseph Rogers and Hannah

  * Sarah Rogers b. 6 Aug 1633, d. 15 Aug 1633

* Joseph Rogers b. 19 Jul 1635, d. 27 Dec 1660
* Thomas Rogers+ b. 29 Mar 1638, d. bt 5 Mar 1677/78 - 7 Aug 1678
* Elizabeth Rogers+ b. 29 Sep 1639, d. bt 2 Jan 1677/78 - 4 Jul 1679
* John Rogers+ b. 3 Apr 1642, d. bt 27 Apr 1713 - 10 Aug 1714
* Mary Rogers+ b. 22 Sep 1644, d. a 19 Apr 1718
* James Rogers+ b. 18 Oct 1648, d. 13 Apr 1678
* Hannah Rogers+ b. 8 Aug 1652, d. a 18 Oct 1690

Joseph Rogers was baptized on 23 January 1602/3 at Watford, co. Northamptonshire, England. He was the son of Thomas Rogers [Mayflower Pilgrim] and Alice Cosford.2 Joseph Rogers married Hannah. Joseph Rogers Joseph Rogers was born in Watford, Northhamptonshire. He is noted as being baptized on 23 January 1602/03.

Before coming to the New World, Rogers was part of the Leiden congregation in the Netherlands. He came to the Plymouth colony on the Mayflower, in the company of his father, Thomas Rogers. By 1639 he had moved to Duxbury; he is noted as requesting land in that area in 1638 and is named on a committee for the Duxbury highway repair in 1638/39. He is mentioned as "of Duxborrow" in the records of a 1646 land sale. Rogers probably moved very soon after this mention, as he is named lieutenant of Nauset (later Eastham) in 1647. In Eastham, he might have taken up residence with Beriah Higgens, as in his will he mentions that he "lived with him a Greate while." Rogers lived in Eastham until his death.

Although his father did not survive the first winter, Joseph's brother John took his chances in the New World and at an unknown date joined his brother in Plymouth. It is uncertain whether Rogers' sisters Elizabeth and Margaret ever came to the colony; they were listed as living in Leiden in 1622.

Rogers married a woman named Hannah, whose surname is unknown. They had four sons and four daughters: Sarah (1633), Joseph (1635), Thomas, Elizabeth (1639), John (1642), Mary (1644), James, (1648), and Hannah (1652.) Joseph seems to have had a clean bill of health concerning his marriage; he is not mentioned in any case for any sort of sexual offence. His home life was not one of unmarred happiness, though. Sarah died in infancy, and Joseph predeceased his father. Roger's eldest son had suffered from "a most deadly fall" on 25 December 1660, and lingered for two days before dying. John Hawes was indicted for "violently and by force of armes" killing Rogers Jr. (The two might have been wrestling when Rogers Jr. suffered his fatal injury.) Hawes was found not guilty of the crime on 5 March 1660/61.

Had Rogers lived longer, he would have seen his family greatly diminished. Thomas, the second son and the executor of Rogers' will, died a few months after his father, along with the youngest son James. By October of 1678, only John Rogers was left to administer his father's estate.

In the first land division in 1623, Rogers received two acres, on "the South side of the brooke to the baywards." He added cattle to his goods in 1627, sharing a heifer "of the last yeare" from the "Greate white back cow that was brought over in the Ann" with William Bradford, Thomas Cushman, William Latham, Mannasses Kempton and Julian Kempton, and the Morton family. Along with the cattle, Rogers shared 2 nanny goats.

Early on, Rogers tried his hand in the transportation business. A court record from 2 March 1635/36 states that he was granted permission to run a ferry over Jones River, which ran near his house. The charge was a penny per passenger.

Rogers may have possessed over 100 acres in Duxbury at one point, having been granted 60 acres of land in 1638 and an additional 50 in 1640. There are four known land deals involving him from the time of his arrival in Eastham. A 1658 purchase from the Potonumaquatt tribe totals six and one half acres. In 1662 Manasses Kempton sold Rogers 40 acres of upland in the area "Called the Barly necke…." In 1665 Rogers is mentioned as having rights to 100 acres of land that William Nicarson had illegally purchased from the natives. It is not known whether Joseph Rogers actually bought the land he was entitled to. The Plymouth court gave him liberty in 1670 to purchase land from Indians living near Eastham.

It is also not known exactly how much land Rogers held at his death. In his will he mentions holdings "at the barly necke, Pochett Iland Paomett Billingsgate or elsewhere purchased or unpurchased…." An inventory of his household comes to 56 pounds, 9 shillings, and 11 pence. Rogers, like many Cape Cod families, owned a fishing boat in his case, two " canooes."

Joseph Rogers was an upstanding citizen in the colony. He was a purchaser in 1626, and he is listed as a freeman in 1633. His reputation was untarnished by any criminal accusations, although he does appear as a plaintiff in a 1632/33 civil case. (Edward Doty had not carried through on a contract involving six pigs. Rogers received 4 bushels of corn in compensation.)

He also had a history of community involvement. While in Duxbury, he was sworn into the post of constable for 1640. On June 1, 1647, he was sworn in as lieutenant of Nauset (later Eastham) an office he held until 1661, when he was released. In 1658, he served on the Council of War. He was re-sworn into his lieutenant's office in 1664, and held it until his death. Rogers was also often involved in community land transactions, serving as a trustee over a piece of Duxbury land in October 1646. In 1664 Lieutenant "Josepth Rogers" is given authority to survey a piece of land from Bridgewater to the Bay line, along with Josias Cooke, Gyles Hopkins, Henry Sampson, and Experience Mitchell. In 1670, Rogers served as a selectman along with Nicholas Snow, Daniel Cole, and Josias Cooke.

He died between the 2nd and the 15th of January 1677/78, in Eastham, New Plymouth, a few weeks short of his seventy-fifth birthday.

LIEUTENANT JOSEPH ROGERS' CONNECTIONS

Alden, John named trustee of Duxbury land along with Rogers, 20 October 1645

Berry, Samuel testified about Rogers' bequests, 5 March 1677/78.

Bradford, William

" was in cattle division group with Rogers, 22 May 1627

" Rogers requests land in a certain area, if not prejudicial to Bradford, 2 July 1638

" Bradford to view and appoint land for Rogers, 7 Aug 1638

" buys land from Rogers for ten pounds, 31 July 1646

Brett, William named trustee of Duxbury land along with Rogers, 20 October 1645

Buckett, Marie gets land next to Rogers' in casting of lots, 1623

Cloake, Thomas received land near Rogers, 7 July 1674

Cole, Daniel served as selectman with Rogers, 1670

Cooke, John appointed with Rogers to a highway commission, 20 August 1644

Cooke, Josias

" given liberty to survey land between Bridgewater and Bay line with Rogers, 8 June 1664

" served as selectman with Rogers, 1670

Cushman, Thomas

" was in cattle division group with Rogers, 22 May 1627

" assigned to mow hay along Jones River with Rogers, 14 March 1635/36

Done, Daniel appraised Rogers' goods, 15 January 1677/78.

Doty, Edward

" was sued by Rogers for breach of contract, 1 January 1632/33

" assigned to mow hay along Jones River with Rogers, 14 March

1635/36

Freeman, Lt. assigned to view island with Rogers, 7 June 1665

Gibson, John received land near Rogers, 7 July 1674

Higgins, Beriah Rogers mentioned living with him "a Greate while" to Jonathan Sparrow and Samuel Berry. Sparrow and Berry testified that Rogers had wanted to leave him a bed, two blankets, and his best suit of clothes to Higgens, but had forgotten to add it to his will. 5 March 1677/78

Hopkins, Giles given liberty to survey land between Bridgewater and Bay line with Rogers, 8 June 1664

Howland, John

" appointed with Rogers to a highway commission, 20 August 1644

" mentioned as exchanging land with Rogers, 31 July 1646

Latham, William was in cattle division group with Rogers, 22 May 1627

Kempton, Julian was in cattle division group with Rogers, 22 May 1627

Kempton, Manasses

" was in cattle division group with Rogers, 22 May 1627

" sold Rogers 40 acres of land in Barley Neck, 24 July 1662

Mitchell, Experience given liberty to survey land between Bridgewater and Bay line with Rogers, 8 June 1664

Nicarson, Willaim part of his lands assigned to Rogers, 7 June 1665

Pearse, Abraham exchanges land with Rogers, 31 July 1646

Pompmo sold land to Rogers, 1 June 1658

Prence, Thomas

" assigned to mow hay along Jones River with Rogers, 14 March 1635/36

" ordered to share his hay ground with Rogers, 20 March 1636/37

Sampson, Henry given liberty to survey land between Bridgewater and Bay line with Rogers, 8 June 1664

Snow, Nicholas served as selectman with Rogers, 1670

Sparrow, Jonathan

" appraised Rogers' goods, 15 January 1677/78.

" testified about Rogers' bequests, 5 March 1677/78.

Soul, George named trustee of Duxbury land along with Rogers, 20 October 1645

Southworth, Constant named trustee of Duxbury land along with Rogers, 20 October 1645

Standish, Miles named trustee of Duxbury land along with Rogers, 20 October 1645

Tracye, Stephen mentioned as once sharing a meadow with Rogers, 25 October 1649

Twining, William witnessed Rogers' will, 2 January 1677/78.

LIEUTENANT JOSEPH ROGERS

PRIMARY SOURCE REFERENCES

1602/03 23 January Anderson 1995, 3: 1598

Joseph Rogers baptized in Watford, Northhamptonshire.

1620 No Specific Date Anderson 1995, 3: 1598

Rogers is a passenger on the Mayflower.

1620/21 No Specific Date Anderson 1995, 3: 1598

Rogers' father, Thomas, dies.

1623 No Specific Date PCR 12: 4

In the cast of lots for land, Rogers gets two acres on "the South side of the brooke to the baywards."

No Specific Date PCR 12: 6

Marie Buckett gets an acre adjoining Rogers' land. Her acre lies "on the other side of the town towards the eele-river."

1627 22 May PCR 12: 12

In the division of cattle, Rogers gets a share in a heifer "of the last yeare" from the "Greate white back cow that was brought over in the Ann." He also gets two nanny goats. William Bradford, Thomas Cushman, William Latham, Manasses and Julian Kempton, and the Morton family are in his group as well.

1632/1633 2 January PCR 1: 6

Rogers sues Edward Doty for "non-performance of covenants in a contract between them wherein six pigges of five weeks old were due unto the plaintiff." Rogers wins 4 bushels of corn.

1633 No Specific Date PCR 1: 4

Rogers is listed as a freeman.

No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221

Sarah Rogers born.

25 March PCR 1: 11

Rogers is rated 9s in corn.

1 July PCR 1:14

Rogers is ordered to mow "that which he mowed last yeare."

1634 27 March PCR 1: 28

Rogers is rated 9s in corn.

1635 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221

Joseph Rogers, Jr. born.

1635/36 2 March PCR 1: 39

The court gives Rogers permission to run a ferry over Jones River near his dwelling house. He is allowed to charge a penny per head, in order to maintain "a sufficient ferry."

14 March PCR 1: 40

Rogers is ordered to mow hay along the Jones River. His mowing companions are Thomas Prence, Thomas Cushman, and Edward Dowty.

1636 7 June PCR 1: 42

Rogers serves on a jury.

1636/37 20 March PCR 1: 56

Rogers is ordered to shared his "old hay ground" with Thomas Prence, "to be decided apportionable to their cattle."

1638 4 June PCR 1:85

Rogers is to be remembered for lands "on Duxborrow side" when they are surveyed.

2 July PCR 1: 90

Rogers requests land around Iland Creeke Pond, "if it be not prejudiciall to Mr Bradford."

7 August PCR 1: 93

Rogers is granted land for corn fields in "the place where hee desireth." William Bradford would view the land and appoint it to him.

6 November PCR 1: 101

Rogers is granted 60 acres of upland and meadow, "lying about a mile and a half from the brooke beyond Mr Bradford farme, upon Mattachusetts Payth, on the west side thereof."

1639/40 3 March PCR 1: 141

Rogers is nominated for the post of constable of Duxbury.

5 March PCR 1: 117

Rogers is assigned to the Duxbury highway repair.

1639 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221

Elizabeth Rogers born.

1640 6 Apri PCR 1: 144

Rogers is granted land next to Mr. Vassells' farm at the North River. This land totals to 50 acres of upland and meadow ground. He also received some other small divisions of land, and a joint holding. His brother John also received 50 acres in the same area, together with Constant and Thomas Southworth.

2 Jun PCR 1: 155

Rogers is sworn in to his constabulary post in Duxbury.

1642 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221

John Rogers born.

1642/43 7 March PCR 2: 53

Rogers is granted four to five acres of meadow lying above Massachusett path. This land is noted as being two miles from the Bradford farm.

1644 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221

Mary Rogers born.

20 August PCR 2: 75

Rogers is appointed to lay forth a highway from William Bradford's farm to the Bay. He is appointed for Duxbury with John Rogers, and shares the commision with John Howland and John Cooke (who represent Plymouth.) The four men are instructed to pick a fifth if they can't agree on the plan.

1645 20 October PCR 2: 88

The people of Duxbury are granted "a competent pporcion" of land around Saughtuckquett. They will pick the center and from that mark the appointed land would stretch four miles out. Rogers was nominated to be a trustee of this land, along with Miles Standish, John Alden, George Soul, Constant Southworth, and William Brett.

1646/47 2 March PCR 2: 111

Rogers serves on a jury.

1647 1 June PCR 2: 117

Rogers is established as lieutenant of Nawset (later Eastham) to "exercise theire men in armes…"

1648 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221

James Rogers born.

1651 10 June PCR 2: 177

Rogers is listed as a purchaser.

1652 No Specific Date Davis 1883, II: 221-222

Hannah Rogers born.

Joseph Rogers moves to Sandwich.

1658 1 June PCR 3: 142

Rogers purchases some land from Pompmo of the Potonumaquatt tribe. He buys Aquaquesett, five acres, and Mattahquesett, one and a half acre of land.

2 October PCR 3: 153

Rogers is appointed to the Council of War.

1660/61 5 March PCR 3: 205

The verdict comes in on the trial of John Hawes, who had been accused of "violently and by force of armes" killing Joseph Rogers Jr. of Eastham by giving him "a most deadly fall" on December 25, 1660, from which he died forty-eight hours later. Hawes was found not guilty.

1661 1 October PCR 4: 5

Rogers is freed from his military office as Lieutenant of the military company of Eastham.

1663 1 June PCR 4: 37

Rogers serves on the Grand Enquest.

24 July Mayflower Descendant 17(3) 1915: 167-68

Manasses Kempton sells Rogers 40 acres of upland in the Barley Neck area.

1664 8 June PCR 4: 64

Rogers is reestablished into his old military office.

8 June PCR 4: 67

Rogers is given liberty to "looke out" a parcel of land between Bridgewater and the Bay line, together with Josias Cooke, Giles Hopkins, Henry Sampson, and Experience Mitchell. The land is "for their accommodation."

1665 7 June PCR 4: 96

Rogers is charged to "view a certain iland petitioned for by Richard Higgins" along with "Leiftenant Freeman." The pair can purchase the land and "depose of it" to Higgins if they see fit.

7 June PCR 4: 96

Rogers is assigned 100 acres of William Nicarson's land next to Mannamoiett. If he wants the land, he must pay Nicarson. (Nicarson's land had been illegally purchased from the natives. The court had let him keep 100 acres and confiscated the rest.)

1670 7 June PCR 5: 35

Rogers is named as a selectman for Eastham together with four others.

7 June PCR 5: 39

The Court gives Rogers liberty to purchase land from natives near Eastham, at a place called Naamcoyicke.

1674 7 July PCR 5: 150

The Court gives two Indians, John Gibson and Thomas Cloake, land near Rogers.

1677/78 2-15 January Mayflower Descendant 3(2) 1901: 67-71

Joseph Rogers dies.

SOURCES

PCR The Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, edited by Nathaniel B. Shurtleff and David Pulsifer (Boston: William White, 1855-61; New York: AMS Press, 1968). 12 v. in 6.

"I Joseph Rogers senior: of Eastham of Good understanding and perfect memory being weake in body; and not knowing the the day of my departure out of this life, doe thinke meet to Leave this as my Last will and Testament.

Impr: I Commend my soule to God that Gave it: whoe is my God, and father in Jesus Christ, and my body to the earth by decent buriall;

firstly and concerning my temporall estate that God hath possessed me off; I doe make my son Thomas Rogers whole and sole executor which I will should be disposed of as followeth:

Impr I doe Give unto my Loveing Son James Rogers and his heires Lawfully begotten of his body: or the next of kinn; my house and housing and Land with fences or the like appurtenances, that I now dwell in and Improve adjoining to my house be it more or lesse; as it is Recorded and bounded on the Towne book, I say I doe give it to him to his heires lawfully begotten of his body forever or the next kindred.

Item I doe give to my sonnes John and James Rogers all my meadow ground that I bought of the Indians Francis and Josiah, lying att Pottammacutt and therabouts; I say I doe give and will it to them and theire heires forever equally to be divided.

Item I doe give to my sonnes Thomas and John Rogers and theire heires all my meadow and sedge lying on the otherside of the Cove, on keeskagansett syde; I say I doe give it to them and theire heires lawfully begottenof theire bodys forever;

I doe give to my Daughter Elizabeth Higgens the wife of Jonathan Higgens six acrees of Land lying neare the Barly neck, by a swamp called Ceader Swamp; as it is recorded and bounded in the Towne book, I say I give this six acrees to her and her heires of her body for ever; shee nor they shall not sell hier farm it out, directly nor indirectly to any person whatsoever, execept in case of removall it shall be lawfull for my sonnes or theire heires to buy or purchase it;

Item I give to Benjah Higgens my grandchild on condition hee live with mee until I die; I say I give to him and his heires, one third parte of all my upland and meadow att Paomett, purchased and unpurchased.

Item it is my will that the remainder of my lands or marshes, both att the barly necke, Pochett Iland Paomett Billingsgate or elswher purchased or unpurchased not disposed of particularly in my will; I say it is my will that all those lands be equally divided betwixt my three sonnes Thomas, John and James Rogers; and the heires lawfully of theire bodyes for ever; noteing that my son Thomas his twenty acrees of upland that already hee hath in the barly necke ber parte of his division of my land in the barly necke;

Item I doe give unto my daughter Hannah Rogers, if shee be not disposed of in marriage before my decease, and my wifes decease, then I day I doe give to her my bed and beding with all the furniture therto belonging or that shall belonge therto att our decease;

Alsoe it is my will that shee shall have her choise of one cow before my cattle be distributed, and use of three acrees of Tillage ground, fenced in, with the arable ground of her bretheren in the barly necke if shee desires, it soe long as shee lives unmarryed;

Item it is my will that Benjah Higgens shall have on of my cowes after mine and my wifes decease

Item it is my will concerning my loveing wife Hannah Rogers that shee live in my house as longe as shee lives, and shall be comfortably maintained by my stocke and to have the use of all my hoshold stuffe, that shee needs as longe as shee lives for her comfort and that none of my household furniture or stocke be disposed of, as longe as shee lives, save onely Hannahs cowe.

Item I will that ten shillings of my estate be disposed off for the use of the Church of Christ in Eastham as shall be Judged most nessesarie.

Item I will that the remainder of my stocke estate houshold furniture that my wife shall leave att her decease not disposed of in my will before written; be equally divided between all my children