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Pilgrim Village Families Sketch: Thomas Rogers

Robert Charles Anderson

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Birth: Thomas Rogers was born by about 1572, based on his date of marriage.

Death: He died in Plymouth in the first winter, 1620/1.

Ship: Mayflower, 1620

Life in England: Thomas Rogers was born in Watford, Northamptonshire, northwest of London, son of William and Eleanor Rogers. He married there in 1597 and left sometime after May 1613, the last recorded baptism of one of his childlren.

Life in Holland: The Rogers family was in Leiden by February 22, 1614, when Thomas bought a house on the Barbarasteeg. He became a citizen on June 25, 1618, and worked as a camlet-merchant (camlet is a mixed fiber fabric, originally made of silk and camel hair).Thomas sold the house on April 1, 1620. His wife and three of the children appeared in the 1622 poll tax, described as poor people, living in the kitchen or back part of the house.

Life in New England: Thomas came over with his son Joseph. He died the first winter and Joseph may have lived with Governor Bradford and family. Goveror Bradford said of Thomas Rogers, “The rest of Thomas Rogers’ [children] came over and are married and have many children.” Since the only child known to have immigrated is John, and he had only four children, it would seem that his daughters followed later and have not yet been identified.

Family: Thomas Rogers married Alice Cosford on October 24, 1597, in Watford, Northamptonshire. She apparently died in Leiden sometime after the 1622 poll tax listing.

Children (all baptized in Watford):

  • Thomas was baptized March 24, 1598/9, and buried May 27,1599.

  • (possibly) Richard, baptized March 12, 1599/1600, and buried April 4, 1600.

  • Joseph was baptized January 23, 1602/3. He married, assuming she was his only wife, a woman named Hannah _____ by 1633.They had eight children and died in Eastham in January 1677/8. He was buried in the Old Cove Burial Ground.

  • John was baptized April 6, 1606. He came to Plymouth in 1630. John married Anna Churchman in Plymouth on April 16, 1639, and had four children. He died in Duxbury between August 26, 1691, and September 30, 1692.

  • Elizabeth was baptized December 26, 1609. She was living in Leiden in 1622 and may have come to New England later in life.

  • Margaret was baptized May 30, 1613. She was living in Leiden in 1622 and may have come to New England later in life.