The Rogers Family of Ipswich

Members of the Rogers family served as ministers of the First Church of Ipswich in the 17th and 18th centuries. There were two related men named Rev. Nathaniel Rogers who served in Ipswich about a century apart. The second Nathaniel Rogers was the great-grandson of the first. His gravestone is featured here, and his former home is now the House of Peace on High Street. The homes of the earlier members of the Rogers family faced the South Green in Ipswich.

  1. Nathaniel Rogers(1) (c.1598–1655) was the early Puritan minister who emigrated from England and was ordained pastor of Ipswich on 20 February 1638 (co-pastor with John Norton). He married Margaret Crane.
  2. Rev. John Rogers(1) (1630-1684) was a son of Nathaniel Rogers(1). He served as pastor of the church and was appointed President of Harvard College in 1682.
    • John Rogers and his brother Samuel Rogers(1) were born in Assington, Suffolk, England. Samuel was born in 1635 and married, first, Judith Appleton in 1657 and second, Sarah Wade. He died in 1693 in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Samuel became the town clerk of Ipswich and was not a pastor.
    • Rev. John Rogers had a son, Dr. Samuel Rogers(2). A Harvard graduate of 1725, he served the Town as physician and town clerk. He was a Justice of the Court of Sessions and Representative to the General Court. His home was opposite the home of his grandfather at the intersection of South Main, County, and Poplar Streets, but was moved to 83 County Rd. to accommodate the construction of the South Congregational Church, which burned in 1975.
  3. Rev. John Rogers(2) (1666–1745), son of John(1), served as a minister of Ipswich. Daniel Rogers, son of Rev. John Rogers(2), was born at Ipswich, Mass, in 1707. He graduated from Harvard College in 1725, and in 1748 was ordained pastor of the church at Exeter, New Hampshire
  4. Rev. Nathaniel Rogers(2) (1701-1775) was the son of John(2). The 1727 “Old Manse” at 1 High Street was built for him. He was the great-grandson of Nathaniel Rogers (1).

Rogers Family Gravestones at the Old North Burying Ground

C-104 Here Lyes buried the body of Daniel Rogers Esq’r. who dec’d. December the 1st, 1722, AEt. 5. Turbidus, ad Laetos Solari Lumine Portus, Sollicitos Nautas per mare fert Aquilo; Me Borealis Agens Nitidum super Aetheris Axem Justitiae Solis Luce beavit Hyems. (F. S.) Daniel Rogers Esq’r.; Daniel Rogers 25 Sep 1667 – 1 Dec 1722

C-100 Daniel Rogers Esq. Died Sept. 23, 1816, AEt. 81. The grave’s soft bed his sacred dust contains, And with its God the soul in bliss remains, Faith was his bark, incessant prayer his oars, And hope his gale: that from these mortal shores Through death’s rough wave to heaven his spirit bore To enjoy his triumph, and to sigh no more. (F. S.) D.R.; Daniel Rogers unknown – 22 Sep 1816

C-103 Here Lyes Interr’d the body of Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers, relict of Mr. John Rogers (sometime) President of Harvard College; and Daughter of Major-General Daniel Dennison of Ipswich, Who dec’d. July the 13th 1723 in the 82nd Year of her age. (F. S.) Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers

C-164 – Here lies buried the Body of Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers, virtuous consort of Mr. Daniel Rogers of Ipswich and dau’r. of Mr. Will’m. and Mrs. Eliz’th. Simpkins of Boston who departed this life July 195h, A. D. 1765 in the 38th year of her age. (F. S.) E.R. Elizabeth dau’r. of Mr. Daniel and Mrs. Eliz’th. Rogers, AEt. 14 mo.

C-98 In Memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers, amiable Consort of Mr. Daniel Rogers and daughter of the Rev’d. Mr. Nathaniel Rogers, who died Sept. the 22nd, A. D. 1774, in the 39th year of her age. (F. S.) Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers; Elizabeth Denison Rogers 10 Apr 1642 – 13 Jun 1723

C-187 Here Lye the Remains of the Honorable Coll. John Appleton, whose fidelity in Several Superior and very Important Publick Stations in the County and Province War Remarkable and Whose Piety and Usefullness therein as Allso Priveat Life Were Eminent and Exemplary. He died Sept. the 11, 1739, AEt 87, and Madam Elizabeth Appleton, his Relict, and Eldest Daughter of the late Revd. and Learned President Rogers, Whose Good Understanding, Social Veartues and Christian Graces Were Eminent and very Engaging, still bringing forth fruit in old age. She died March the 13, 1754, AEt. 91. Appleton, Elizabeth Rogers

C-58 Here lies Henry Rogers who died October the 22, 1721, in the 23 year of his age. (F. S.) Henry Rogers’ Rogers, Henry

C-62 Here lies the body of Henry Rogers, the son of Mr. Benjamin and Susannah Roger, who died April the 14, 1723. Aged two months. Rogers, Henry

C-193 Here sleeps with an infant daughter, Mrs. Lucy Farley, the amiable consort of Mr. Jabez Farley, and daughter of the late Rev. Nathanael Rogers, who departed this life July 24th, A. D. 1788, AEt. 29 As vernal storms both tree and fruit destroy, So death thee, Lucy, and they budding Joy: Farwell – for thee each feeling heart shall mourn, And oft to mind thy friendly soul returne. (F. S.) Mrs. Lucy Farley; Farley, Lucy Rogers

C-101 Miss Martha Rogers (*daughter of Daniel Robers and Mary Appleton Rogers)born Jan. 29, 1785, died August 26, 1849. Friend after friend departs; Who hath not lost a friend! There is no union here of hearts, that finds not here an end. (F.S.) M. R. Martha Rogers 29 Jan 1785 – 26 Aug 1849

D-5 In memory of Mrs. Martha Treadwell, the amiable consort of Mr. Jacob Treadwell, the dau. of the Venerable Mr. Nathaniel Rogers of blessed memory. She departed this life Oct. 27th, 1780, in the 40th year of her age. Snatch’d in thy prime! and when fair fortune smiled; and when high favored earth’s fresh opening joys; and when blind man pronounced thy bliss complete. O death all-eloquent! well dost thou show, what bubbles are our brightest hopes below. (F.S.) Mrs. Martha Treadwell, 1780. Mrs Martha Rogers Treadwell 14 Jun 1741 – 27 Oct 1780

C-181 Here lyes buried the body of Mrs. Martha Berry, wife to Mr. Thomas Berry, Esqr, and daughter of the Revd. Mr. John Rogers and Mrs. Martha, his wife, who decd. Aug. 24th Anno Domni 1727, AEtatis Suae 33. (F.S.) Mrs. Martha Berry.; Martha Rogers Berry  2 Nov 1694 – 25 Aug 1727

C-105 Here lyes the body of Mrs. Mary Rogers daughter of Daniel Rogers Esq. and Mrs. Sarah, His wife, who decd. Oct. the 9th, 1723, AEt 21. (F.S.) Mrs. Mary Rogers.

C-131 Here lyes the body of Mrs. Mary (Leverett) Rogers the excellent consort to the Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Rogers and dau. of the Hon. (and Rev. Mr. John Leverett Esq.) who died June the 25th, 1757 AEt. 55. John xi, 25. Jesus said unto her I am the Resurrection and the Life; he that believeth in me, tho’ he were Dead yet shall he live. (F.S.) Mrs. Mary Rogers.;

C-99 Mary Rogers, relict of Daniel Rogers Esq. died Aug. 2, 1832, AEt. 86. Happy the dead who die in Christ; They from their cares and labours rest their holy works do follow them to the bright mansions of the blest. (F.S.) M. R.; Rogers, Mary

C-191 Here lyes the body of Nathaniel Rogers  (son of Mr. Daniel and Sarah Rogers) who died August the 31, 1712, aged —– (stone defaced); Nathaniel Rogers 6 Aug 1712 – 31 Aug 1712

C-156 In memory of the Rev. Nathaniel Rogers; who was more than 47 years, a faithful and beloved Pastor of the first Church and Congregation in this place; Colleague of the first 18 years, with his venerable Father, the Rev. John Rogers of precious memory, whose dust lies near: Alone in office after, until death translated him to the high reward of his labors. He slept in Jesus, May 10th, A.D. 1775, AEt. 74. A mind profoundly great; a heart that felt the ties of nature, friendship and humanity; Distinguished wisdom, dignity of manners, these marked the man; but with superior grace the Christian shone, in faith and heavenly zeal, sweet peace, true goodness, and prevailing prayer. Dear Man of God! with what strong agonies he wresteled for his flock-and for the world! and like Apollos mighty in the Scriptures, opened the mysteries of love divine and the great name of Jesus! Warm from his lips the heavenly doctrine fell; and numbers rescued from the jaws of hell, shall hail him blest in realm of light unknown. And add immortal luster to his crown. (F.S.) Rev. Nathaniel Rogers.

C-126 Here lies buried the body of Richard Rogers of Ipswich Esq. Son of the Rev. Mr. John Rogers of Ipswich, who departed this life Nov. the 26th 1742 AEt. 39. (F.S.) R. R.; Richard Rogers 2 Dec 1703 – 26 Nov 1742

C-132 Here lies the body of Mrs. Sarah Rogers, daughter of the Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Rogers, who departed this life Dec. 21st, 1772, in the 39th year of her age. (F.S.) Mrs. Sarah Rogers, 1772. Sarah Rogers 1734 – 21 Dec 1772