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Subject: [ROGERS-BEN] Re: John (TPM) Rogers Revolutionary War record
Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2001 02:44:26 EDT

Ray,

I've waited a few days to answer your email to see if others were going to
comment. I'm sure this is a topic that interests a lot of folks on the list,
but I fear thatyou and I have scared off others from commenting. Perhaps
they will yet.

It certainly appears that you and I are at opposite ends of the spectrum on
proof of our ancestrial history. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that
you reject all but the most certain facts. I would fully support that if it
were not for the fact that until well into the 1800s, our Rogers line stayed
well aheard of the record keepers. Birth certificates, wills, and other
legal documents were scarce on the frontier.

I collect all available information, record it (with a question mark if
appropreate), investigate, investigate,investigate. I believe it would be a
mistake to accept all information as fact, but believe it would be equally
wrong to throw out the baby with the bath water. With so little hard facts
some times one just has to go with circumstantial evidence.

Having said that, I believe that our differing approaches is good for the
list and hopefully gives it a balance. I hope we can continue such
discussions.

Now, back to John (TPM). You wrote: "The men of the Third Virginia were from
the counties of PrinceWilliam, Fouquier, Stafford, Louisa, Fairfax, King
George, Loudoun and Culpepper. Not Montgomery, Fincastle,or any other county
in SW Virginia." Do you know that for sure? Can you prove that there were
no men in the 3d VA Reg't from SW VA? How about the John Rogers (1746-1836)
that is buried in in McGavock Cemetery, Williamson County, TN? Where was he
from. How can you be sure that he is the 3rd VA Reg't Corporal? Is there
hard evidence? What are the hard facts sited by Clovis H. Brakebill in the
book you sited based on?

You stated, ."Historically, up to and including WWII, families have went war
together. Example: The five Rogers brothers at The Battle of Guilford Court
House. Where were John's brothers Benjamin, James, David, and Joseph while he
was freezing in Valley Forge?"

I agree that often this was the case, but not always. As with most
generalizations, there are exceptions. Besides, you are ignoring other
facts. We know that the youngest brother of John (TPM), Jeremiah, served two
years with the VA Line under Col Joseph Crockett. So, where were Jeremiah's
brothers while he was marching English and German prisoners from Albemarle
Barrachs to Fredrick, MD and then went on to Ft. Pitt and down the Ohio to
the Falls of the Ohio to serve under George Rogers Clark? Point is that they
usually served together, but not always.

There were many men from SW VA who served in the VA Line away from home
especially early in the war. The following is taken from History of Tazewell
Co. and SW VA, p.349 and 350. "On 15 Jun 1775, Committee of Safety for
Fincastle Co met at the Lead Mines (only a few miles from where our ancestors
then lived) to support Patrick Henry and the other rebels against the
British." "As soon as the Colonial Convention, which met at Williamsburg on
24 Jul 1775, made provision for the raising of two regiments of soldiers, to
be commanded by Patrick Henry, the county of Fincastle promptly sent a
company of its daring riflemen to Williamsburg. The company was under the
command of Captain William Campbell, and did valiant service in the struggle
which was then taking place between Gov Dunmore and the revolting colonists.
Historians have vainly tried to find a rollof the men who composed Campbell's
company."

Keep in mind that Montgomery & Wythe Co did not yet exist. The area was then
part of Fincastle Co. So, this was all happening on the Rogers' home ground
and they were certainly moved by it. William Campbell was of course the same
William Campbell who commanded to VA militia at King's Mountain and again at
the Battle of Guilford Court House.

The point here is not that John (TPM) was one of Capt. Wm. Campbell's men in
the summer of 1775, but that men from SW VA did march off "alone" without the
rest of the family and serve just as Jeremiah did and John (TPM) might have.

We don't have absolute proof, but folks who were closer (distance and time)
to our ancestors than we were believed that John did serve with the 3d VA
Regiment. I don't believe we can ignore that. I also don't believe we are
going to settle this to everyone's satisfaction. I do believe we should
record it (annotated with a question mark) and agree to investigate further.
Perhaps a future researcher can settle the question when more information
comes to light.

I wonder what John (TPM) would say about our discusions? I'd guess it might
go something like this: Heck, what difference does it make now? You know
that I did not like what the Redcoats were up to. You know that I fought
against them. You know that I defended my home, friends, family with my gun
and my life. Be thankful that I did not fall and that I was able to father
all of my children, be happy that you all exist today and enjoy the freedom
that exists because of what we did.

Recommend we move on to examining the next topic of
disagreement...........the possiblity of John's participation at the Battle
of King's Mountain.

Jerry

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