Ruschenberger.] 112 [Nov. 0, 



during summer, Dr. Rogers habitually left Williamsburg, as 

 soon after July 4 as practicable, to pass the vacation. After 

 the close of the college in 1828, he spent several days in Balti- 

 more and then went to Ellicott's Mills. A few days later he 

 was seriously ill. All his children came to his bedside. He 

 died of malarial fever, August 1st, 1828, in the fifty T second year 

 of his age. 



This sketch of his trying career is presented because the pro- 

 found, affectionate respect with which the sons always regarded 

 their father, suggests that this commemoration would be unsatis- 

 factory to them in their graves if he were not associated in it. 

 Besides, he seems to have been the mental type of his sons to a 

 considerable degree, though they were indebted to their mother 

 largely for their moral constitution. 



Of their seven children four sons survived them. 



The eldest, James Blythe Rogers, was born in Philadelphia, 

 February 11, 1802.* His preliminary education was acquired 

 in Baltimore and Williamsburg, Va., at the College of William 

 and Mary (182U-21). He studied medicine in the office of Dr. 

 Thomas E. Bond, and in 1822 received the degree of Doctor of 

 Medicine from the University of Maryland. Epilepsy was the 

 subject of his thesis. There is a tradition that while he was a 

 student he assisted his brothers, William and Henry, in teach- 

 ing a school. After graduation, to eke out his too scant income, 

 he taught a class of girls, in conjunction with a Dr. McClellan 

 who had a school for boys in Baltimore. This connection 

 proved to be unsatisfactory and the enterprise was given up. 

 He was needing employment, and thought of seeking the post of 

 surgeon to a colony of free negroes which it was proposed to es- 

 tablish at Cape Mesurado and consulted his father on the sub- 

 ject. He wrote in reply — " What is the use of your complaining 

 of, mankind? The world as yet owes you nothing. Up to this 

 time you have been simply a recipient of its benefits. Make 

 yourself worthy of a place here, and you will find one." The 

 projedt of going to Africa was abandoned. 



He had formed an intimate friendship with a fellow-student 

 and graduate, Dr. Henry Webster. They became partners to 

 practise medicine at Little Britain, in Lancaster county, Pa., 

 about two miles from the Maryland line. 



* His parents then lived at No. 55 Lombard street. 



