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The Benjamin Rogers family was one among the large group of North Carolina families that migrated to eastern Jefferson and western Switzerland County, primarily, between 1818 and 1835. However, at this point it is known only that the 1850 and 1860 censuses show Benjamin was born in North Carolina, as was his wife Rachel. However, his son John Rogers, who was born about 1816, was born in Ohio, according to the 1850 and 1860 censuses. It is assumed that this John is Benjamin’s son John as John appeared near Benjamin Jr. in 1860.

Benjamin Rogers lived ca. 1780-23 July 1862 (age 80 years) His wife Rachel lived ca. 1789-12 Apr. 1852 (age 63). Both are buried in the graveyard of the former McKendree Methodist Church in Milton Township. He was listed in the 1830 Jefferson County census and patented land in the SE1/4 SE1/4 Sec. 8 Twp. 4N Range 12E on 28 March 1832, according to the Bureau of Land Management General Land Office Web site. A map of entries of this section, probably prepared by Miss Mary Hill in the 1940s showed Benjamin entered this tract on 4 Nov. 1831. Section 8 borders the Craig Township boundary on the East and Greenbriar Road runs through the southern part of this section. Sons John and Samuel also patented land in this section.

The family was one of the central families in the McKendree Methodist Church. Samuel and Rebecca Rogers deeded land to the trustees, Samuel Orem, John Rogers, William Malcolm, Benjamin Rogers Jr., and Samuel Rogers on July 21, 1844. (Jefferson County Deed Book 2 p. 539) By deed description, the church was located in the SW 1/4 Section 8 Twp. 4N Range 12E, which is on modern Greenbriar Road near the Switzerland County boundary--the deed mentions a road from Moorefield to Brooks Mill. Moorefield is in Switzerland County Brooks Mill was on the Indian-Kentuck Creek, near the point where Dry Fork joins it. The church disbanded by 1880 with members joining Home Church, which operated into the early 1960s.

Benjamin Rogers Sr. left a will in Jefferson County written 17 Apr. 1860 and recorded 5 Aug. 1862. (Jefferson County Will Book A-248), He left a bed and bed clothes, to his son, John. Daughter Martha and son Benjamin were to receive $75 (each?) The “remaining to be divided equally between my children. Son, Samuel and my three children, Martha, Rachel and Mariah.” The transcription did not contain the last names of the daughters, but their marriages are on record.

Children of Benjamin and Rachel Rogers
1. MARTHA ROGERS (6 Jan. 1809-21 Dec. 1880) She m. on 30 Oct. 1828 in Jefferson County, William Heath (1 Oct. 1798-16 July 1871), who died near Brooksburg, buried Mt. Zion Cem. She was his second wife. William had married first Sarah Heath who was born in 20 Feb. 1800 in Rutherford County, N.C., according to researcher Sol Gorrell. William was taxed in 1827 in Milton Township for 47.5 acres of second-rate land in the SW1/4 Sec. 31 Twp. 4N Range 12E. This land adjoined his uncle Martin Heath. He was also taxed for one poll, one horse and two oxen, while in 1828 he also owned two horses and two oxen. He will was written on 15 Feb. 1871 and recorded on 29 July that year in Jefferson County. He named his wife, Martha; sons, Allen Wiley, Thomas C., Benjamin, Samuel, John W., Francis A., Hiram, William H., and daughters: Malinda, Rachel, Sarah Ann. Martha lived with her daughter Rachel Heath Sample in Milton Township in 1880.

2. SAMUEL ROGERS (1812/13-after 1880) Born in Ohio, he m. on 31 March 1834 in Switzerland County, Rebecca Adkinson, who born about 1816. He patented 80 acres in the E1/2 SW1/4 Sec. 8 Twp. 4N Range 12E on 8 Oct. 1834. Samuel and Rebecca deeded land in this section to the McKendree Church Trustees. They were listed in a household before his parents in Milton Township in 1850; in Knoxville Twp., Marion County, Iowa, in the 1856 state census; and in 1860, 1870 and 1880 federal census.

3. JOHN ROGERS (1815/16-after 1880) Born in Ohio, he m. Celia ? (b. 1819/20) He patented 40 acres in the SW1/4 SW1/4 Sec. 8 Twp. 4N Range 12E on 16 March 1837. He was probably the John Rogers who m. on 14 Apr. 1827 in Switzerland County, Eliza Culbertson. John was elected a trustee at McKendree Church on 25 July 1868. He moved to Home Church when McKendree disbanded. He was probably the Elder Rogers who presided at the dedication of a new Home Church building in 1880. His family was listed in Milton Township in 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.

4. BENJAMIN ROGERS (1821/22-after 1900) Born in Indiana, he m. on 6 Feb. 1843 in Jefferson County, Mary Malcolm, who was born about 1830 in Indiana. They were listed immediately after his parents’ household in Milton Township in 1850; and again in Milton Township in 1860. Benjamin and Mary were listed in Indiana Twp., Marion County, Iowa, in 1870 and 1880; in Knoxville Twp., Marion County, in 1900. The 1900 census shows him as born in November 1824 in Indiana and Mary as born in June 1837.

5. RACHEL ROGERS (28 Nov. 1823-12 July 1905) She m. on 11 Jan. 1844 in Jefferson County, William Malcolm (28 Dec. 1818-14 Apr. 1908), both buried Brooksburg Cem. He was elected a trustee at McKendree on 25 July 1868 and again on 27 Jan. 1872. Malcolm was elected a trustee of Home Church on 8 Aug. 1885. They were listed in Milton Township in 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1900.

6. MARIAH ROGERS (I have not found her in the censuses.