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The James Rodgers Family
James Rodgers
b. abt 1767-1769
d. aft. 7 Aug 1826, Copiah Co, MS
Father: James Rodgers
Mother: Margaret NN
m. 20 Dec 1790,
Greene Co, TN
Elly Hays
b. abt 1774
d. abt 1839, Grove Hill, Clarke Co, AL
Father: Nicholas Hays
Mother: Ally-Elly Hunter
Children:
Elizabeth Rodgers (m1. Jesse B. Landrum)
b. 25 Dec 1791, Greene Co, TN (m2. NN Matlock)
m1. 2 Jan 1817, Clarke Co, AL
d. abt 1875, Houston Co, TXHays Rodgers (m. Mary A. Scott)
b. 1 Feb 1793, Greene Co, TN
m. 15 Dec 1816, Clarke Co, AL
d. Dec 1862, Pine Springs, Lauderdale Co, MS[female] Rodgers (m. William H. Wilson)
b. abt 1794, Greene Co, TN
d. bef. 31 Mar 1826Absalom Rodgers (m. Eleanor Walker)
b. abt 1795, Greene Co, TN
d. 25 Apr 1853, Clarke Co, ALMargaret "Peggy" Rodgers (m. William Phillips)
b. abt 1797, Greene Co, TN
m. 19 Jan 1815, Clarke Co, ALSusannah Rodgers (m. John O. Deaton)
b. 9 Nov 1799, Greene Co, TN
m. 8 Nov 1821, Monroe Co, AL
d. 4 Nov 1883, Copiah Co, MSElly Rodgers (m. Andrew Kirk)
b. abt 1801, Greene Co, TN
d. bef. 1849, Clarke Co, ALHarvey Rodgers (m. Sarah Kent)
b. abt 1804, Greene Co, TN
d. abt 1870-1880, Crenshaw Co, ALPolly Rodgers (m. NN Hendricks)
b. abt 1806, Greene Co, TNNapoleon Bonapart Rodgers (m. Nancy Spinks)
b. abt 1808, Greene Co, TN
m. 23 Jan 1833, Clarke Co, AL
d. bef. 1848Jackson H. Rodgers
b. abt 1815Lavenia J. Rodgers
b. abt 1819
Known Localities:
Washington County, North Carolina [later Tennessee] (1788)
Greene County, Tennessee (1790)
Washington County, Mississippi Territory [later Alabama] (1810)
Clarke County, Mississippi Territory [later Alabama] (1814)
Monroe County, Mississippi Territory [later Alabama] (1815-1817)
Copiah County, Mississippi (1826)
Clarke County, Alabama (1830)
Chronological Timeline:
On 26 Sep 1788 in Washington County, North Carolina, James Campbell the eldest son of Robert Campbell deceased and his widow Ann Campbell sold 600 acres of land to Richard Hayworth of Hawkins County for 20 pounds current North Carolina money. The land was described as being in Greene County "on the head of Little Sinking creek, beginning at two post oaks near james Rogerses land and running thence South 20 West with George Gilespies line 420 poles to two red oaks, thence East 229 poles to a white oak tree on the side of Mac Mountain, thence North 20 East to James Rogerses line 420 poles, thence West to the beginning." The witnesses to the deed were James Rogers Junr., Peter Dillan and James Rogers [Senior].
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4Y-HHHT
On 20 Dec 1790 in Greene County, Tennessee, James Rodgers was married to Elly Hays. The bondsman was Samuel Hays.
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9Q97-YSQY-VGH
On 11 May 1792 the state of North Carolina issued land grant #1066 to James Rogers, for the payment of 50 shillings per 100 acres. The land grant was for 200 acres described as being in Greene County "on the north side of Nolichuckey on Deals Branch of Lick Creek, beginning at a Spanish oak white oak and dogwood, thence East 110 poles to a white oak and elm, thence South 240 poles to a white oak and black oak, thence West said Rodgers line 136 poles to a stake, thence to the beginning."
The claim for this tract of land was entered on 10 Mar 1778 for warrant #143 by Asabel Rawling, and granted in 1790. The 1798 deed states it was conveyed to James Rodgers from Asabel Rawling; when?
NOTE: This was later sold by James Rodgers to Mary [Donaldson] Rodgers on 8 Sep 1798, presumably his sister-in-law and wife of Thomas Rodgers.
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4Y-HHQ6
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WV-TWCX
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4Y-Q6S8
land grant #989 issued on 14 Jan 1793
On 5 Jul 1794 in Greene County, Tennessee, James Rodgers [Senior] wrote his last will and testament:
"In the Name of God, Amen. I, James Rodgers Senr. of Green County and Western Territory south of the Ohio, being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God, calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament. That is to say, principally, and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hand of Almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the Earth, to be buried in a decent Christian manner at the discretion of my Executors. And as touching such wordly estate wherewith it hath pleased God in bless me in this life, I give and dispose of the same in the following manner, Viz,
After defraying funeral expenses and discharging all just debts, I will bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife Margaret, a Negro girl named Esther, one sorrel mare seven or eight years old with saddle and bridle, two cows, on bed and beddings, wit the third of all my movable property, to her, her heirs and assignees forever. I likewise will that she shall have the use of the Plantation I now live on during her widowhood, for the support of her and her children, with all necessary farming utensils.
Item. I likewise will and bequeath to my son Joseph one hundred and fifty acres of land to be cut of the upper end of my Plantation with five pounds of Virginia currency to be paid in cash.
Item. I will and bequeath to my son John, and my son Samuel, the plantation I now live on in the following manner, and my son John to have upper end joining my son Joseph, and my son Samuel the lower end, to be divided equally betwixt them in quantity and quality, not withstanding should my son John, or my son Samuel, or either of them, come of age during my wife's widowhood, that they then shall have liberty of improving the woodland belonging to their part as they think proper.
Item. I will and bequeath to my son James and Thomas, the sum of fifty pounds Virginia currency each, to be paid by my sons John and Samuel two years after full possession of their land each paying an equal part.
Item. I will and bequeath to my daughter Sarah one sorrel mare three or four years old with saddle and bridle.
Item. I will and bequeath to my daughter Margaret the sum of fifteen pounds Virginia currency to purchase a horse at her discretion with her saddle and bridle.
Item. I will and bequeath to my daughter Jean, one Negro girl named Hannah, to be her property during said Jean's life and at her death my executors to sell said Negro and after paying the person who had the care of her during her life, what they think sufficient for their trouble, that then the remainder to be divided equally amongst my Legatees.
I likewise constitute and appoint my loving wife Margaret my executrix and my Trusty Friends David Fleming and Samuel Freazure [Frazier] my executors to this my Last Will and Testament and I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and dismal all and every other former Testaments, Wills, Legacies, Bequeasts and Executors by me, in any ways before named, willed and bequeathed; Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament in witness whereof I have herein to set my hand and seal this fifth day of July, in this year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and ninety four.
Test. Signed and Sealed
Thomas Rodgers James Rodgers
James Dinwiddie
John Armstrong
On 8 Sep 1798 in Greene County, Tennessee, James Rodgers sold 100 acres of land to Mary Rodgers, both of Greene County, for 300 silver dollars. The tract of land was half of a 200 acre grant issued to Asabel Rawling in 1790 and conveyed to James Rodgers in 1792, located in Greene County on the waters of Lick Creek. The tract was described as "beginning at a walnut and ash then running East 80 poles to a beech and ironwood sapling, then South 85 poles to a stake, then West 80 poles to a stake, then North 89 poles to the beginning." The witnesses were James Patterson and John Woolsey. The deed was proven during the July 1799 County Court session and was registered on 23 Apr 1810.
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4Y-Q6S8
On 1 Apr 1806 in Greene County, Tennessee, Samuel Caldwell sold 50 acres of land to James Rodgers for 100 silver dollars. [Extract deed details] Witnesses William Patterson, John Olinger and David Logan.
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C39N-Z96R-X
On 5 Mar 1806 in Greene County, Tennessee, James Rogers sold 100 acres of land to Samuel Caldwell for 300 silver dollars. [Extract deed details] Witnesses Hugh Williams, John Olinger, John M. Rodgers.
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C39N-Z9XQ-V
On 1 Apr 1806 in Greene County, Tennessee, James Rodgers sold 200 acres of land to John Rodgers for 300 silver dollars. The tract of land was originally granted to Asabel Rawlings in 1790 and conveyed to James Rodgers in 1792. The tract of land was described as being located in Greene County on the waters of Lick Creek, including James Rodgers' improvements, "beginning at a post oak, thence East 70 poles to two hickories and an elm, thence South 178 poles to a dogwood and spanish oak, thence West 90 poles to a lyn elm and sugar tree, thence North 98 poles to a sugar tree and beech, thence West 190 poles to a white oak, thence North 160 poles to a white oak in a flat, thence East 210 poles to two white oaks, thence South 80 poles to the beginning." The witnesses to the deed were Samuel Caldwell, William Patterson and John Olinger. The deed was proven during the April 1806 County Court session and was registered on 4 Nov 1806.
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C39N-Z9XW-S
On 1 Sep 1809 in Greene County, Tennessee, Margaret Rodgers Senior wrote her last will and testament. Within her will she bequeaths the following:
"First I will that my funeral expenses be paid by my executors hereafter named and that all lawful debts be paid
Likewise I give and bequeath to my three daughters viz Sarah, Margaret and Jane all my body cloaths, fine sheets and table linnen to be equally divided between them
Likewise I will and bequeath to my two daughters Sarah and Margaret my two biggest puter dishes and twelve puter plates to be equally divided between them
Likewise I will and bequeath to my daughter Margaret one three year old heifer spotte red and white, and one young sow
Likewise I will and bequeath to my daughter Jane one new twilled feather bed, two good sheets, three good blankets, one rug, one red blue and white coverlid, one callico and linnen quilt, one bolster, two pillows with proper cases and bedstead, And likewise all my new seven hundred linnen, also $150 to be let to interest for her use, and if she the said Jane should decease before said money is expended for her lawful maintenance, then and in that case the money all or in part (as the case may be) shall be divided equally amongst the rest of my heirs, also one good hog one cow and calf one set of bed hangings
It is likewise my earnest request that my daughter Sarah Kelly shall keep and nurse my said daughter Jane and it is my will that said Sarah get all the said jane's cloaths, bed and furniture at her decease
I likewise bequeath to my daughter Margaret one blue and white coverlid
I likewise will and bequeath my fowls of all kinds to my son John Rodger's wife jane, my daughters Sarah and Margaret
Likewise I will and bequeath one margin bible to my son James Rodgers
Likewise I give to my daughter Margaret one pocket bible
Likewise I will and bequeath to my sons Thomas John and Samuel Rodgers and likewise my daughter Sarah each one school bible
The rest of my estate to be sold and divided equally amongst all my heirs
Likewise ordain and appoint my son John Rodgers and William Kelly executors of this my last Will and Testament
Coddicil to this will: Whereas my son Samuel Rodgers hath some time past purchased a horse from me for which he was to pay me the sum of 20 pounds Virginia Currency and having never paid the same, this is therefore to will that the said 20 pounds be added to the dividend of my estate and be reducted out of his part."
On 29 Jan 1811 in Greene County, Tennessee, Jacob Kile and Margaret Rodgers Campbell swore oath and proved the last will and testament of Margaret Rodgers Senior in court.
On 1 May 1810, the Governor of Georgia issued a passport to James Rogers which allowed passage through the Creek Nation, presumably on his way to Washington County, Mississippi Territory.
"James Rogers through the Creek Nation"
SOURCE: www.familysearch.org/library/books/idviewer/120301/56
The 1811 tax list for Washington County, Mississippi Territory has James Rodgers being taxed on 200 pounds of "maze" sold the previous year.
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPXZ-SSS1
The 1814 tax list for Clarke County, Mississippi Territory has James Rogers being taxed on 1 white poll.
NOTE: Clarke County was formed in 1812 from the eastern portion of Washington County.
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPXZ-SQ3D
The 1815-1817 territorial census for Monroe County, Alabama shows James Rogers with a household consisting of the following:
2 Males over 21
4 Males under 21
1 Female over 21
4 Females under 21
0 slaves
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPW5-99LB
The 1816 tax list for Monroe County, Alabama has James Rodgers and son Hays Rodgers being taxed on 1 white poll each.
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPXZ-SWQG
The 1826 tax roll for Copiah County, Mississippi has James Rodgers being taxed on 1 white poll, no land.
NOTE: He does not appear in the 1824 and 1825 tax rolls for Copiah County.
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RD4-3V2
James Rodgers wrote his last will and testament on 31 Mar 1826 in Copiah County, Mississippi. He bequeathed the following:
To my dearly beloved wife Elly Rodgers, I do give and bequeath one negro woman named Amy & all the rest of the goods and effects now in possession of at this time at her own disposal for the use of the family during life or widowhood and all conveyances she shall make shall be good and lawful during her widowhood.
Also to my eldest daughter Elizabeth Matlock I do gave and bequeath to her one dollar in cash.
Also to my eldest son Hays Rodgers I do gave and bequeath to him one dollar in cash.
Also to William H. Wilson the husband of my daughter and deceased I do gave and bequeath to him one dollar in cash.
Also to my son Absalum Rodgers, I gave and bequeath to him one dollar in cash.
Also my daughter Peggy Phillips, I gave and bequeath to her one dollar in cash.
Also my daughter Susanah Deaton I gave and bequeath to her one dollar in cash.
Also to Elly Kirk my daughter I gave and bequeath to her one dollar in cash.
Also to Harvey Rogers my son I gave and bequeath to him one dollar in cash.
Also to my daughter Lavina Rodgers I gave and bequeath to her one negro girl named Dafna.
Also to my daughter Polly Hendricks I gave and bequeath to her one dollar in cash.
Also to my son Bonapart Rodgers I gave and bequeath to him one negro boy named Joe.
Also to my son Jackson Rodgers I gave and bequeath to him one negro girl named Cintha.
He appointed Hays Rodgers and John Deaton as executors and the witnesses were J. H. Wilson and Dempey Welch. John H. Wilson appeared in court on 9 Aug 1826 and swore oath to prove the last will in testament. The register of Copiah County, William Barnes, recorded the foregoing will on 12 Aug 1826.
SOURCE: Copiah County, Mississippi, Marriage Records Volume A, Page 180-182
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9KZ-VQZB
The 1830 federal census has Elly Rogers enumerated in Clarke County, Alabama, several lines below her son Absalom Rogers; their households consisted of the following:
Absalom Rogers
2 Males 5-10
1 Male 10-15
1 Male 30-40
2 Females under 5
1 Female 5-10
1 Female 10-15
1 Female 20-30
1 Male Slave 10-24
1 Female Slave 36-55
Elly Rogers
1 Male 10-15
1 Male 15-20
1 Female 20-30
1 Female 50-60
1 Male Slave 10-24
1 Female Slave under 10
1 Female Slave 24-36
SOURCE: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YTL-9972
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