Daniel Rogers (politician)

Daniel Rogers
3rd Governor of Delaware
In office September 30, 1797 – January 9, 1799
Preceded by	Gunning Bedford Sr.
Succeeded by	Richard Bassett
Personal details
Born	(1754-01-03)January 3, 1754 Accomac County, Colony of Virginia
Died	February 2, 1806(1806-02-02) (aged 52) Milford, Delaware
Political party	Federalist
Spouse(s)	Esther O. Cropper Nancy Russum
Residence	Milford, Delaware
Occupation	Miller

Daniel Rogers (January 3, 1754 – February 2, 1806) was an American miller and politician from Milford, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.

Early life and family

Rogers was born on a farm in Accomack County, Virginia, near Pungoteague, son of James and Patience Rogers. Generations earlier, about 1665, the family came from England to the Virginia Eastern Shore. His first wife was Esther O. (Nutter) Cropper, the wealthy widow of Molton Cropper of Milford, Delaware. Daniel and Esther had five children: James Rogers, Thomas W. Rogers, Elizabeth "Betsey" Rogers, Molton Cropper Rogers and Daniel Nutter Rogers. The family lived at the Causey Mansion in Milford, which was named for a subsequent governor of Delaware, Peter F. Causey, who lived there later. After the death of Esther, Daniel Rogers married Nancy Ann Russum, with whom he had seven more children: John Rogers, Samuel Rogers, Clement S. Rogers, Hannah Wise Rogers, William Rogers, Mary Rogers and Henry Rogers. They were members of Christ Episcopal Church in Milford.

Professional and political career

Rogers came to Cedar Creek Hundred, in Sussex County, Delaware, about 1775, and acquired a farm there. Following his first marriage in 1778 and his acquisition of the Cropper property, he bought various milling operations in the area, including the Haven Mills which were north of Milford in Kent County. He also bought a brick granary at Argo's Corner and a tavern at Cedar Creek Village.

He was elected to the State House of Representatives for the 1791–92 session and then was elected twice as the Speaker. He served from 1793 until he became Governor of Delaware and was Speaker the entire time. On September 30, 1797, Governor Gunning Bedford Sr. died and Rogers succeeded to the office. He served as governor from that date until January 15, 1799. He returned to the State Senate in 1802 and served two terms until his death which occurred while he was still in office.

Death and legacy

Rogers died at his home in Milford and was buried on his property there, facing the plaza at Causey Avenue and South Walnut Street. In 1917 the state moved his remains to the Odd Fellows Cemetery at Milford.

His oldest son, James Rogers, moved to New Castle, Delaware, and later served as chief justice of the Court of Common Pleas, Attorney General and Secretary of State of Delaware.

There is no known portrait of Daniel Rogers.

Delaware General Assembly (sessions while Governor)
Year	Assembly		Senate majority	Speaker		House majority	Speaker
1798	22nd		Federalist	Isaac Davis		Federalist	Stephen Lewis

References

• Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company.
• Martin, Roger A. (1984). A History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press.
• Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware: Roger A. Martin.
• Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609–1888. 2 vols. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.

External links

• Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States
• Delaware's Governors
• Daniel Rogers at Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard

Places with more information

• Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161.
• University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831–2965.