(p. 45) SAMUEL ROGERS SAMUEL ROGERS was born in Charlotte County, Virginia, November 6, 1789. His paternal grandfather emigrated from Smithfield, England, about the middle of the eighteenth century, and settled in Bedford County, Virginia. His father, Ezekiel Rogers, at the age of fifteen, joined a company of light-horse belonging to Washington's regiment. He was at the battle of Cowpens, and, continuing in service to the close of the Revolution, was present at the siege of Yorktown, and witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis. In 1793, Ezekiel Rogers removed his family to Kentucky, settling near Danville, but moving shortly after to Clark County, and later to Missouri. Of the years spent in the latter State, as a boy, Samuel Rogers, in his autobiography, says: "My experiences were the richest of my boyhood; nor do I remember that I desired a change; the glades, the forests, and the rivers afforded charm enough for me." His early education consisted of three months training in a country school. He was, however, a close student of nature, and his mind was stored with useful and beautiful lessons drawn from that source. (p. 46) He was married in 1812 to Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew Irvine, and to this union he attributed all that lie was, and, as he said, "all that he hoped to be." His wife was a most religious woman, and it was largely due to her influence that he confessed Christ, shortly after his marriage, and was immersed by Barton Stone. His son, John I. Rogers, who became a successful proclaimer, was the eldest of quite a large family of children. When war was declared between England and the United States in 1812, Samuel Rogers enlisted with Captain Metcalf's company at Cynthiana; but after a few months of service he fell ill of fever, and was taken home. Upon his recovery he re-enlisted, remaining in service until peace was declared. It was about this time that he began, to use his own words, "teaching in a very humble way." From this time his service was devoted to the Master's cause. He was most zealous and sincere in his work and his teaching, and his influence extended over a wide territory. Through Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, Missouri, and Kentucky he made frequent and extensive tours, preaching and organizing Churches, one of which, in Indiana, he named Antioch. He was associated in his work with John T. Johnson, Winthrop Hopson, and other shining lights of that day. In 1852 he established a home (p. 47) in Cynthiana, having accepted a call from the Christian Church to preach once a month. Here he was content to pass the evening of his life, surrounded by loyal friends, some of whom, still living, reverence his memory, and love him as a sweet-spirited, self-sacrificing, unassuming man of God. When, on July 11, 1877, the final summons came to him, he approached the grave "soothed and sustained by an unfaltering trust," and death came to him as sleep to "one who wraps the draperies of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." -- Bob Francis 1920A Butner St. Ft. Eustis, VA 23604 My Homepage is: http://www.shawhan.com Ruddell's Fort Page: http://www.shawhan.com/ruddlesfort.html Early Bourbon County Families Page: http://www.shawhan.com/bourbonfamilies.html