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Rogers' Ancestors
Richard Birdsall Rogers’ Grandfather, David McGregor Rogers, U.E.L.,
was born in Vermont in 1772 and later came to Upper Canada with the Loyalists
in 1784 and represented Prince Edward County in the Legislature for two
terms.
Rogers' father Robert David was born near Grafton
in 1809 and served with Captain Warren's Volunteer Company of Cobourg.
He was well-known as the settler of the Village of Ashburnham (known as
Scotch Village). In Ashburnham, Robert David built flour and saw mills
and operated a successful mercantile business called the R.D. Rogers Store
and had a saw mill in the eastern bank of the Otonabee River, and a flour
mill. Robert David's store bore the number 1856 on the front and was located
at 38 Hunter Street East, 1856 being the year the store was built. Robert
David's nephews Harry Cassidy Rogers and Henry Thomas Strickland clerked
in his store in their earlier years. He was also the town's first Postmaster.
In 1862, Robert David organized the Ashburnham Company of the 57th Battalion
which he commanded until 1866, when his son J.Z. Rogers took command.
Robert was very active and participated in municipal affairs, and was
elected Warden of the County of Peterboro in 187[1]. He died in 1885.
Rogers' uncles were also prominent men in their communities. They include
Colonel James Zacheus Rogers who commanded the 57th Batallion
of Peterboro Rangers and engaged in significant lumbering enterprises.
Richard Birdsall Rogers regularly corresponded with him especially after
his own father’s death. Another uncle, George Charles Rogers, managed
the Otonabee Flouring Mills but died suddenly in 1883 while superintending
repairs of the Mill dam. George's funeral was conducted with great military
honours and was attended by a large number of the population.
Rogers' great-grandfather, Colonel James Rogers, was an officer of the
Queen’s Rangers and commanded the King’s Royal Rangers during the American
Revolution. His brother, Colonel Robert Rogers (great-uncle to Rogers)
was commander of the famous Rogers’ Rangers during the Seven Years War.
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