Hugh Rogers
1761 – 1848
Revolutionary War soldier, Hugh Rogers, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1761, to Robert and Frances Russell Rogers. Robert’s father Samuel came from County Cork, Ireland, in 1758. Being a shipbuilder by trade, he helped build the ship he sailed on in return for passage to the colonies.
The Rogers family moved to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, about 1774. Hugh’s father, Robert, worked in a plant that manufactured gunpowder used by the patriots in the Battle of King’s Mountain. Hugh enlisted as a private, fought in the Battle of King’s Mountain, and served under General Sumter in the North Carolina Militia. He met his future wife, Nancy Thornton, on the final day of the battle as she carried water to the soldiers. She was the daughter of Colonel John Thornton and Jane Washington Thornton.
After the revolution, Hugh’s father received a land grant in the area now known as Washington County, Tennessee. The Rogers family along with the Thornton family moved there and Hugh and Nancy were married. Later, Hugh and Nancy moved with the Rogers family to Buncombe County, North Carolina, near Bent Creek. Robert died during this time and was buried near the present entrance to Biltmore Estate.
Around 1800, Hugh and Nancy moved their family to Fines Creek in Haywood County, North Carolina, where they raised twelve sons. Nancy died in 1843 and Hugh in 1848. They are buried at the Thad Rogers Cemetery located in the Upper Fines Creek Community.
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