The John Rogers House

John Rogers House, May 2021. From Paul Ligeti. The bottom right opening was the front door.

Historical Overview

Standing off of Paxson Avenue in Mercer County Park is a ghostly structure composed of just three walls sitting on a stone foundation, surrounded by a concrete platform. This brick building, with two small gravestones to its east, is the John Rogers House. This house, one of West Windsor Township's oldest historic sites, is a member of its "100 Club." Deeply intertwined with township history, it is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Even now, the house showcases unique 18th century South Jersey-style pattern architecture, commonly associated with English Quaker immigrant families. It is possibly the northernmost example in the state).[1] On the western gable are the letters "R" and "JR" are spelled out in gray brickwork and on the right gable are either "1751" or "1761" - presumably its date of construction.[2] Brickwork in general - let alone expensive ornamental Flemish-bond style - suggests the Rogers had some level of wealth.

The 2010s-era concrete base shows the layout of the house at its peak size. The walls are buttressed by thick steel framework also installed in the 2010s. Nearby are several informational markers on the home's history.

John Rogers House, April 1976. Photo by Joseph Schmeltz.

The house was presumably constructed by John Rogers Jr. and his wife Rachel[3] (very likely the "R" and "JR" on the western gable). In 1746 and 1747, John Jr., Robert, and Matthew (presumably brothers) purchased two large tracts south of the Assunpink Creek.[4],[5] In 1757, John Rogers, Jr. took a separate title to his share of the trios' lands, bounded by the Assunpink Creek River to the north and South Post Road to the east.[6] 

In 1793, John owned 150 acres of land and at least one slave.[7] At the time - and indeed, until the mid-1900s - this property, like most of the rest of West Windsor, was an agrarian landscape. John died around 1792/3,[8] after which his nephew, Ezekiel inherited the property.[9] Ezekiel was one of West Windsor's very first Overseers of the Highways when it formed in 1797 and held several other township offices for several more decades.[10] 

In return for the plantation, Ezekiel was required to complete three tasks: (1) to care for John's younger slaves until they turned 21 years old, after which they would be freed (all slaves already older than 21 were already freed by the will), (2) to care for any of them "in their old age," and (3) to "[close] the wall" around his burying ground.[11] This burial ground was believed to be in a different location than where the headstones are at the time of this writing (2023). The larger headstone marks Rachel, who died in 1791. The smaller one was perhaps for an infant or used as a footstone for an adult's grave.[12]

Brickwork on the western gable - May 2021. From Paul Ligeti.

The house passed through several more Rogers generations over the decades:

• John, Ezekiel's son, starting after Ezekiel's death in 1832/3.[12] It was during his ownership that the house was presumably refurbished and a front porch added.[13]
• Ezekiel,  John's son, starting in 1872, after John's death around 1870.[14],[15]
• William, Ezekiel's half-brother, starting after Ezekiel's death in 1885/6.[16]

William died in 1902, reputedly from pneumonia after falling through a lake while cutting ice.[17],[18] He left behind a wife, Mary, and a son, George.[19] Mary sold the property to Frank Schielke in 1903,[20] ending perhaps a century and a half of Rogers ownership.

Frank's son, Carl, claimed that it was Frank who relocated the headstones from the original burial plot because he was tired of plowing around them.[21] However, it's also claimed that Joseph DePiano was the one who did that.[22] Carl also said his father repaired or replaced much of the interior and exterior woodwork, added the wraparound porch, and constructed a stable, hay barn, tool shed, and hog pen.[23]

William T. Rogers and son George Vanness Rogers, c. 1900.

In 1931, Frank Schielke sold the House to James and Jennie Sciarotta.[24] After James' death in 1951, Jenni leased the farm and house on a long-term basis to William Flock.[25] William sub-leased the house to various tenants and acted as its caretaker while he raised peaches, sweet corn, and tomatoes on the surrounding farmland.[26] He also planted the property's extensive peach orchards in 1962 and 1963;[27] there were reputedly around 1,120 peach trees in 1969.[28]

In 1970, the property was deeded to Mercer County and became part of Mercer County Park.[29] Thereafter the building fell into extreme disrepair over the next half century. Over the decades, the interior wood structure rotted away and portions of the house fell into collapse. Despite buttressing being added decades after its sale to the county, the house continued to decay.[30],[31]

In the 2010s, work began to salvage what remained.[32] Steel bracing was added, the concrete platform constructed, and historical markers installed.[33] However, all that remains of the original mid-1700s structure are the three brick walls. Today, the property is an open-air ruins, an exhibit for visitors to learn about the property and imagine what they can about life in old West Windsor.

John Rogers House, 2017. Courtesy of Kevin Stout.

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Bibliography

1. ‘Patterned Brick Farmhouses: A Quaker Specialty of the Delaware Valley,’ n.d. This informational marker by the John Rogers House describes the history and significance of the John Roger House's brick construction. Credits at the bottom of this marker read: "Restoration of the Rogers House was completed in 2017. Funding has been provided by the Mercer County Open Space Preservation Trust. Sign design by Hunter Research, Inc. and Douglas Scott. Image credits: New Jersey Historic Preservation Office; Hunter Research, Inc."
2. “Preservation Plan for the John Rogers House.” West Windsor, NJ: 103 Carnegie Center, Suite 301, January 31, 2001. Prepared by Ford Farewell Mills and Gatsch, Architects for the County of Mercer, Division of Planning (McDade Administration Building, 640 South Broad Street, Trenton, NJ 08650). Ford Farewell Mills and Gatsch is officed at 103 Carnegie Center, Suite 301.
3. "Story of an Old Mercer County Farm." Trenton Sunday Advertiser. February 10, 1907. Written by Joseph H. West. Mentions that Rachel's gravestone lists her as John Rogers Jr.'s wife.
4. Hutchinson, Jonathan, Hutchinson, William, Rogers, Jonathan Jr., Rogers, Robert. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1746. Located in the New Jersey State Archives, East Jersey Deeds, Volume G-3, Folio 40.
5. Burnet, Jonathan, Burnet, William, Rogers, Jonathan Jr., Rogers, Matthew, Rogers, Robert. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1747. Located in the New Jersey State Archives, East Jersey Deeds, Volume G-3, Folio 5.
6. Rogers, John, Rogers, Robert. “Indenture.” Windsor, 1757. Located in the New Jersey State Archives, East Jersey Deeds, Volume G-3, Folio 42.
7. ​​“Windsor Township Tax Ratables, 1793.” Windsor Township, 1793. Located in the New Jersey State Archives, Middlesex County Tax Ratables, Book 1088.
8. Essay. In Documents Relating to the Colonial, Revolutionary and Post-Revolutionary History of the State of New Jersey: First Series--Vol. XXXVII: Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Administrations, Etc.. Volume VIII--1791-1795, 299–299. Jersey City, NJ: Scott Printing Co., 1942. Abstract of will of "Roger, John of Windsor TWSP., Middlesex Co." Will created Oct. 19, 1792. Proved Nov. 27, 1793. Located in Lib. 33, P. 218. Inventory made Nov. 26, 1793. Located in File 8259-8266L.
9. Ibid.
10. ​“West Windsor Township Meeting Minutes, 1797-2012.,” n.d. Original Township Committee meeting minute database located in the Municipal Center.
11. Essay. In Documents Relating to the Colonial, Revolutionary and Post-Revolutionary History of the State of New Jersey: First Series--Vol. XXXVII: Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Administrations, Etc.. Volume VIII--1791-1795, 299–299. Jersey City, NJ: Scott Printing Co., 1942. Abstract of will of "Roger, John of Windsor TWSP., Middlesex Co." Will created Oct. 19, 1792. Proved Nov. 27, 1793. Located in Lib. 33, P. 218. Inventory made Nov. 26, 1793. Located in File 8259-8266L.
12. “Preservation Plan for the John Rogers House.” West Windsor, NJ: 103 Carnegie Center, Suite 301, January 31, 2001. Prepared by Ford Farewell Mills and Gatsch, Architects for the County of Mercer, Division of Planning (McDade Administration Building, 640 South Broad Street, Trenton, NJ 08650). Ford Farewell Mills and Gatsch is officed at 103 Carnegie Center, Suite 301.
13. Rogers, Ezekiel. “Will of Ezekiel Rogers.” West Windsor, NJ, November 26, 1832. Located in Probate Records and Indexes, 1780-1971; Wills, Vol C-D, 1824-1846. Author: New Jersey. Surrogate's Court (Middlesex County); Probate Place: Middlesex, New Jersey. Retrieved from the following URL: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8796/images/005670403_00294?pId=1566491
14. Rogers, Ezekiel, Throckmorton, Aaron R. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1872. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 89 Page 286.
15. First Presbyterian Church Hamilton Square. (n.d.). First Presbyterian Church Hamilton Square graveyard. Hamilton, NJ. First Presbyterian Church Hamilton Square graveyard gravestones, which often list birth dates, death dates, and ages of those buried there.
16. Cook, Reorge R., Rogers, William T. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1886. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 148 Page 372.
17. Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church. (n.d.). Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church graveyard. West Windsor. Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church graveyard gravestones, which often list birth dates, death dates, and ages of those buried there.
18. “Preservation Plan for the John Rogers House.” West Windsor, NJ: 103 Carnegie Center, Suite 301, January 31, 2001. Prepared by Ford Farewell Mills and Gatsch, Architects for the County of Mercer, Division of Planning (McDade Administration Building, 640 South Broad Street, Trenton, NJ 08650). Ford Farewell Mills and Gatsch is officed at 103 Carnegie Center, Suite 301.
19. Ibid.
20. Rogers, Mary A., Schielke, Frank. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1903. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 262 Page 284.
21. “Preservation Plan for the John Rogers House.” West Windsor, NJ: 103 Carnegie Center, Suite 301, January 31, 2001. Prepared by Ford Farewell Mills and Gatsch, Architects for the County of Mercer, Division of Planning (McDade Administration Building, 640 South Broad Street, Trenton, NJ 08650). Ford Farewell Mills and Gatsch is officed at 103 Carnegie Center, Suite 301.
22. Ezzo, J. (2020, April 12). Facebook comment by John Ezzo. Comment made on Facebook in response to photo of Howard's Luncheonette in the Historical Society of West Windsor's Facebook page. Comment text: "My Uncle Joe DePiano moved the stones to the hedgerow when he and his family lived in the Rogers house. They were in his way when he farmed the fields." URL: https://www.facebook.com/schenckfarmstead/photos/a.109484357056445/222204059117807/
23. “Preservation Plan for the John Rogers House.” West Windsor, NJ: 103 Carnegie Center, Suite 301, January 31, 2001. Prepared by Ford Farewell Mills and Gatsch, Architects for the County of Mercer, Division of Planning (McDade Administration Building, 640 South Broad Street, Trenton, NJ 08650). Ford Farewell Mills and Gatsch is officed at 103 Carnegie Center, Suite 301.
24. Ibid.
25. ​Ibid.
26. Ibid.
27. ​Ibid.
28. ‘The Farm Before the Park,’ n.d. This informational marker by the John Rogers House describes the history and significance of the John Roger House's brick construction. Credits at the bottom of this marker read: "Restoration of the Rogers House was completed in 2017. Funding has been provided by the Mercer County Open Space Preservation Trust. Sign design by Hunter Research, Inc. and Douglas Scott. Image credits: New Jersey State Archives; Mercer County Planning Division."
29. County of Mercer, Flock, Ruth, Flock, William E., Jr., Zanetti, Jennie, Zanetti, Joseph. “Indenture.” West Windsor, 1970. Located in the Mercer County Clerk's Office, Mercer County Deed Book 1862 Page 908.
30. “Preservation Plan for the John Rogers House.” West Windsor, NJ: 103 Carnegie Center, Suite 301, January 31, 2001. Prepared by Ford Farewell Mills and Gatsch, Architects for the County of Mercer, Division of Planning (McDade Administration Building, 640 South Broad Street, Trenton, NJ 08650). Ford Farewell Mills and Gatsch is officed at 103 Carnegie Center, Suite 301.
31. "Concern surrounds stagnant state of the John Rogers House, West Windsor's oldest standing building." NJ.Com. June 18, 2012. Retrieved via the following URL: https://www.nj.com/mercer/2012/06/concern_surrounds_stagnant_sta.htmlIbid.​
32. Personal observations of the author of this article (Paul Ligeti).
33. ​Ibid.