Rogers/Raincrow Genealogy

The Rogers/Raincrow Family

NFR indicates no further record.

* indicates my ancestor.

*1. Unknown Rogers m. to unknown, possibly Elizabeth Raincrow. (This information is not currently confirmed.) He was the parents of two children, one, Robert, is the ancestor of William Penn Adair (Will) Rogers, of vaudeville and movie fame.

*2a. John "Nolichuchky Jack" Rogers b. 1779 in the Cherokee Nation, Burke, Ga., d. 30 Jul 1851, and m. Sarah Cordery. He is possibly the John Rogers who was sent the following letter by Governor Gillmer of Georgia, as a method to get Whites living among the Cherokee out of Georgia, and to encourage them to help in that endevor. The letter follows:

"Executive Department

Milledgeville

March 10th, 1831

Mr. John Rogers

My Dear Sir,

I wish it had been possible for you so to have complied with the laws of the State, in relation to the Cherokee territory, as to have avoided any embarressment to yourself and family, and all danger of loss of property.

I have always had great respect for your character, as an honest man, and was chiefly induced to recommend the Legislature to permit white men to continue their residence among the Cherokees by my knowledge of yourself and family. I sincerely regret that my object should have been defeated, by the construction which you have put upon the obligation which you suppose you would incur by taking the oath required by law.

I am exceedingly anxious that the present disturbed and unsettled state of your Indian Pobulation should be quietedas early as possible. My desire is that the State should act justly and humanely towards you and those with whom you are connected. To do this will be extremely difficult, so long as the present opposition is continued to the Government of the State, and those of your people who are industrious, intelligent, and honest, are mingled with the mass of the aborines. However well fittle many of the whites, half-breeds, and their children may be for the support and preservation of an orderly and well-conducted Government, the Indians are not so, and never will be until their present situation is changed.

I am also convinced, that the sooner this can be done, the greater will be the advantage which the Cherokees will derive from it. I am also convinced, that the sooner this can be done, the greater will be the advantage which the Cherokees will derive from it. I am in the situation which enables me to form more correct opinions of the probable future course of the legislation of the State than your people are. I have incurred a great deal of ill-will from our own citizens, by my determined opposition to the passage of laws which would have oppressed you. I clam the right, therefore, of being listened to as a friend, whose intention is to serve his country, and all classes of it's population faithfully. You are perhaps aware, that but for a provision inserted in the law of the last session, in it's last stage, the Cherokees would have been deprived of the whole of their territory without any equivalent for yourselves reserved or compensation for your improvements and the right of occupation, ought to be convinced that by resisting the offers of the United States Government to give you lands to the west of the Mississippi for your present possessions, and reserves to those who may have made actual improvements, or desire to remain where youare, and become citizens of the State, are essentially injuring yourselves.

I tell you that I know to be true, that every act of opposition on the part of the Cherokees to the exercise of jurisdiction of the State, or the policy of the General Government, but renders their removal more certain, and with less regard to their feelings and interests.

All hopes of resisting the Government of Georgia through Congress, the Supreme Court, or the President, are now at an end. The Choctaw Treaty has been ratified by the Senate by a vote of 33 to 12, and the appropriation to carry it into effect made by both Houses by large majorities. Congress has refused to order your annuities paid to the tribe, instead of to individuals, as the President has directed. The President has sent a message to the Senate, stating that he has no right to interfere with the legislation of Georgia, or to enforce the non-intercourse law, since the State has extended her laws over the Cherokees within it's limits

I know how much your people have been deceived in the protection your have sought from the Supreme Court. You have thrown your miney to the winds; for not the slightest respect will be paid by the authorities of the State to the orders of the Court, if it's decisions should be different from what I am almost sure it will be. What then does duty to yourselves require, under such circumstances? What then does duty to yourselves require, under such circumstances? Surely to acquiesce in the necessity, which no exertion can overcome, and to attempt which would be inevitable ruin. The sooner, the more certainly will you be able to make a contract with the United States satisfactory to all parties.

Many of the respectable white men and half-breeds who have families, are desirous of remaining in the country, adn of becoming citizens of the state, rather than remove to Arkansas. I believe you are mistaken. However respectable, industrious, and intelligent your children may be, they never can associate upon an equality with our people. Many individuals among us may be free from prejudices against the INdian people, but it will be long before our society will become so.

I believe you to be an excellent citizen. I have heard the most favorable accounts of your two oldest sons, for whom I have an affectionate rememberance. Yet, my advice to you, and to them, is to accompany the Cherokee people in their move. You can be more useful, and consequently happier, with them than with us. You will find that many of those who have been most active in effecting your removal, will be your surest friends in securing to you an endependent Government, and every other advantage tending to the improvement and happiness of your people.

Cherokees are naturally jealous of what comes from Georgia. Dr. Reese, of Jasper County, the member of our Legislature, is, however, a cousin of Boudinot, Adairs, and others among them, and they know he will not decieve them. Let them consult him as to the course they ought to pursue. If your son William will visit me, he shall be treated with kindness, and I will give him all the information in my possession which may enable you to determine what may be the best course for you to pursue.

I shall regret very much to see injustice done to the Cherokees, and so far as I can, will prevent it. I am bound, however, to defend the rights of the State, and cannot but hope that the time will soon arrive, when, in doing so, I shall meet with no opposition from our Indian people.

Your friend,

George R. Gilmer"

Source: Georgians by George R. Gilmer

2b. Robert Rogers, Sr., b. in the Cherokee Nation, Burke, Ga., and m. Lucy Cordery, sister of his brothers wife.

*2a.John "Nolichucky Jack" Rogers was not related to Chief John "Hellfire Jack" Rogers. George was a postmaster in Sheltonville, Ark., and was killed in the Civil War. His burial place is unknown. He married Sarah Cordery who was 1/2 Cherokee. She died July 14, 1842 in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, and is believed to be buried on her homestead, in an unmarked grave (probably unmarked due to age and use of the property as a farm). Sarah and Jack Rogers had twelve children who were at least 1/4 Cherokee.

3a. Robert Rogers b. in the Cherokee Nation, Ga. ca. 1804, and m. 1. Mary Ann Baptiste, m. 2. Mary Scott Jones. He had a total of ten children.

3b. William Rogers, I, b. ca. 1806, in the Cherokee Nation, Ga., and m. 1. Mary Ann McNair (Mrs. Neely), m. 2. Louisa Reedy. He had a total of eight children.

3c. Johnson K. Rogers b. ca. 1808 in the Cherokee Nation, Ga., and m. Octavia Ann Mount. He died w/o issue.

3d. Joseph Rogers b. ca. 1810 in the Cherokee Nation, Ga., and m. Hannah Foster. They had seven children.

3e. Lovely Rogers b. ca. 1813 in the Cherokee Nation, Ga.. He married twice and had three children.

3f Mary Rogers b. 1815 in the Cherokee Nation, Ga., and m. Nicholas Byers McNair. They had nine children.

3g. Jackson Rogers b. 12 Oct 1816 in the Cherokee Nation, Ga., and m. Sarah G. Blackborn on 7 Feb 1844. Jack died 14 May 1899. Sarah and Jack had four children.

3h. Cynthia Rogers> b. ca. 1819 in the Cherokee Nation, Ga., and m. John Lowe. They had four children.

3i. Annie Chapel Rogers, b. ca. 1821 in the Cherokee Nation, Ga., and m. John Wilson Lenoir. They were the parents of seven children.

3j. Colonel Henry Curtis Rogers b. 1824 in the Cherokee Nation, Ga., and m. Louisa Jane Blackburn (Mrs. Thompson) who was b. in 1823 in Georgia. She died 30 Nov 1883 and he died 3 Feb 1896 near Chelsea, Cooweescoowee District, Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, and is buried in the Chelsea Cemetery in Chelsea, Rogers, OK., They were the parents of six children.

*3k. George Waters Rogers b. ca. 1826 in the Cherokee Nation, Ga., and m. Polina Phillips.

3l. John Pendergrass Rogers b. ca. 1830 in the Cherokee Nation, Ga., and m. 1. Martha Crawford b. 15 May 1854, and d. 10 Mar 1928 at Chelsea, Rogers, Ok., and is buried in the Chelsea Cemetery, there. His m. 2. was to Mary Eugenia Garland (Mrs. Spencer). John had six children.

*3k. George Waters Rogers was b. in the Cherokee Nation, Ga., and was a member of the Treaty Party. After he removed to the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, he became a follower of Stand Watie, and is believed to have been killed during the Civil War. His burial place has not been found, but I am still searching. He was not listed as a member of Gen. Waties regiment of Mounted Rifles, but it is said that he was killed at the place of his trading business. He married Polina Phillips, and there is nothing more known of her. There are currently several theories on her pedigree. George and Polina had three children, who were at least 1/8 Cherokee.

4a. Augusta Rogers b. ca. 1848 in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory.

*4b. Levaga "Virgil" Rogers b. ca. 1850 in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, consorted with Eliza Rogers, and had one daughter. Left the Cherokee Nation, and m. a Choctaw woman by the name of Isabell Pilcher, in the Choctaw Nation.

4c. Labrunta Rogers b. ca. 1853 in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory.

LeVaga Rogers and his sisters are shrowded in mystery. Nothing is known of his sisters, and there is no record of them on any of the late rolls of the Cherokee Nation. LeVaga was enrolled in the Choctaw Tribe, and is buried in the Stringtown Cemetery in Stringtown, Oklahoma. He is reported to be an outstanding citizen of the Choctaw Nation, though he was Cherokee. He had an illegitimate child by Eliza Rogers d/o W. D. Nelson and Rosannah West Rogers. Whether this was a contributing factor in his leaving is not known. Eliza and Virgil had one child, my great grandmother.

*4a. Margaret "Maggie" Rogers b. 25 May 1875 in the Coosweescoowee District, Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, and m. Augona William Penn "Will" Adair, III on 12 Apr 1891. A record of their children is found under the Adair genealogy.

This page was created by me, Ann Maloney. If you have questions or comments about my genealogy, please email me

luvcats@ionet.net