Smithsonian Institution - United States National Museum - Bulletin 249: Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology; Papers 52-54 on Archeology
David Hume · en
Further evidence is found in the _Virginia Gazette_ for February 4,
1740:
To be Sold by Way of Outcry, at the house of Mr. William Rogers,
deceas'd ... all the Household Goods, Cattle, and Horses; also a
very good drought of Steers, 3 Carts, a Parcel of Wheat, and Salt,
a large Parcel of old Iron, Parcel of Stone and Earthen Ware, a
good Worm Still, a very good Horse Mill to go with one Horse; also
a new Sloop, built last March with all new Rigging, and very well
fitted, with 2 very good Boats and several other Things.[215]
The horse mill was probably the potter's traditional clay-grinding
mill, while we may assume that the large amount of salt was intended
for stoneware glaze. Other items in the inventory show that Rogers was
in both the brewing and the distilling business and every evidence is
that he had achieved great affluence.
Governor Gooch's last report on the "poor potter" was filed in 1741
(none having been sent in 1740). In it he stated:
The poor potter is Dead, and the business of making potts & panns,
is of little advantage to his Family, and as little Damage to the
Trade of our Mother Country.[216]
There is little question now that this William Rogers was, indeed, the
"poor potter." We also learn from this report that the business was
being continued by his family after his death. This is confirmed by a
number of documentary clues, the first of which occurs in an indenture
of 1741 (proved in 1743 in the York County Deeds). It begins:
I George Rogers of Bra[i]ntree in the County of Essex [England]
coller Maker Send Greeting. Whereas William Rogers late of
Virginia Mercht was in his life time younger brother to me the
said George Rogers and at the time of his death left an Estate to
his only son named William Rogers which sd last mentioned William
Rogers dyed lately intestate so that in right of Law the said
Estate is devolved & come unto me....
This document served to appoint "Thomas Reynolds of London Mariner" as
his attorney and to assign to him all his rights in the estate.[217]
We hear no further of George, suggesting that his claim on the estate
was settled permanently, but of Thomas Reynolds we learn a good deal.
On June 6, 1737, as captain of the ship _Braxton_ of London, he arrived
at Yorktown from Boston "where she was lately built." He brought from
New England a cargo of 80,000 bricks, "Trayn Oyl," woodenware, and
hops.[218] It was he who had married Susanna Rogers.[219]