Papers : 1765-1902.

James Rogers (1726-1790) was born in Ireland. He was the elder brother of the more famous Robert Rogers (1731-1795) who raised the Queen's or Rogers' Rangers during the Seven Years War. The family emigrated from Ireland to Massachusetts and later settled near Concord, New Hampshire in 1746. Robert and James acquired a familiarity with the wilderness and a considerable knowledge of Indian ways, including the art of warfare. During the Seven Years War, Robert was placed in command of all Ranger companies, including the one sent to Louisbourg, in which his brother James was serving. At the end of the Seven Years War and after Pontiac's war, the Rangers were disbanded. Robert married Elizabeth Brown in 1761, and James married Margaret, the daughter of Rev. David McGregor of Londonderry, New Hampshire, and settled on the New Hampshire Grants. In 1776 during the early days of the American Revolution, Robert began raising a Provincial Corps called the Queen's Rangers, but later lost the command and John Graves Simcoe was appointed in his stead. In 1779 Robert received a warrant from Sir Henry Clinton to raise a new regiment to be known as the King's Rangers. James Rogers became a major in the new corps, and, with Robert's departure for England, became the commanding officer for the remainder of the war. The King's Rangers consisted of only three companies but their contribution to scouting and secret service activities was considerable. James settled in Fredericksburg Township, Ontario, and his son David McGregor Rogers (1772-1824) was a member of the Legislative Assembly.