Orleans

ROGERS, Nathaniel Sewall

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 340-341

Nathaniel Sewall ROGERS, of Newport [Orleans County, Vermont], was born 07 
June 1840 in Moultonboro [Moultonborough, Carroll County], New Hampshire, son 
of Nathaniel and Mary (SMITH) ROGERS. When he was five years old his father 
moved to Newport Centre [Orleans County], where he commenced to clear and 
cultivate a farm, in the labor of which his son assisted, while pursuing his 
studies at the public schools. The father [Nathaniel ROGERS] at the age of 
fifty-seven entered the army, 01 October 1862, in Company H, Fifteenth 
Regiment Vermont Volunteers. On 09 March 1863 he was taken prisoner by 
MOSBY, at the time General STOUGHTON was taken, and confined in Libby Prison 
and finally exchanged, when he returned to his home completely broken in 
health.

During this period the subject of this sketch [Nathaniel Sewall ROGERS] took 
his father's place, supporting the family during his absence. After his 
father's return, prompted by a conscientious desire to serve his country 
(having been prevented up to this time by illness), he enlisted 15 September 
1863 as a private in Battery M, First Vermont Heavy Artillery; mustered into 
service in Brattleboro [Windham County]; and first served in the defenses of 
Washington, and subsequently, in the battle of Spottsylvania, was the first 
man wounded in his regiment, in consequence of which disaster he lost his 
right leg, and was discharged from the Montpelier Hospital [Washington 
County, Vermont] 14 September 1865.

At the end of the war he returned to Newport Centre, and having previously 
purchased his father's farm, continued to carry it on until the death of his 
parents. In 1880 he moved to his present village residence. Republican; was 
justice of the peace fourteen years; and in September 1892 was elected 
assistant judge of Orleans County. Judge ROGERS has been adjutant, chaplain, 
and commander of T. R. Alexander Post No. 16, Grand Army of the Republic, and 
for the past year held the office of assistant inspector department of 
Vermont G. A. R. He has been connected with the executive committee, and 
teacher and member in the Sunday school of the Free Will Baptist church, with 
which he united at the age of nineteen years. On 25 September 1866 Judge 
[Nathaniel Sewall] ROGERS married Mary E., daughter of Rufus and Phillinda 
(OAKS) WHIPPLE, of Newport Centre [Orleans County, Vermont]. Three children 
are the issue of this marriage: Elmer C., Ernest S., and Jennie G.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly