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Life of Fletcher

Subject: "Family Bible"
Date: 01/08/2000 6:13:59 AM GMT Standard Time
From: SWDLookN
To: JRogers722, tom@mail.hot1.net

Tom & Jerry

I have a copy of what I believe Mary B. Kegley described as Benjamin Jr's Family Bible. It is actually a pocket size New Testament, printed in MDCCLXIV (1764) by Alexander Kincaid, his majesty's printer. The title page is part of Benjamin's Rev. War pension file in the National Archives. Benjamin & Martha's record, that I copied from microfilm series M804, roll 2073, contains 44 pages. Two of the pages are the title page and the reverse side of the New Testament. The reverse side has two inscriptions. I can't decipher the first inscription because the second is written over it. The second reads "Benjamin Rogers son of Benjamin Rogers son of aforesaid was born January the 29th, 1756. The Title page is signed by Abraham Hayter J.P. who probably removed it from the book and submitted it along with Benjamin's application as proof of his birth date.

I believe the three pages from the book, The life of Fletcher, was submitted with Martha's application, along with affidavits from Sarah Mode and David Rogers, to prove her marriage to Benjamin. The first of the three pages is also signed by Abraham Hayter J.P.. In Martha's affidavit, dated 12 March 1840, "She states that an old Bible now in her possession probably used to have the record in it."

Ray

Subject: Life of Fletcher
Date: 04/20/2000 5:03:57 AM GMT Daylight Time
From: SWDLookN

Jerry & Cousins,

I found it!!!!!

Your hunch that the book "The Life of Fletcher" had some sort of religious significance was correct.

With the lead from Cindy’s E-mail I was able to find a copy of the book "The Life of Fletcher. " I logged on to the Kansas City Public Library Home page. I searched there on line catalog using the author search. I found out John Wesley wrote volumes during his lifetime. Encyclopedia Britannica states Wesley was the author of over 400 publications include many medical, scientific and educational books and pamphlets, hymn books, and devotional, controversial, theological, and biblical writings.

Not being of the Methodist faith, I was unaware that John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist Church. It seems that the Rev John W. de la Flechere was Wesley’s handpicked successor. After Flechere’s death in 1785, Wesley wrote his biography "Life of Fletcher.

The book I found is held in William Jewell College Library. William Jewell is a small Baptist College located in Liberty Missouri. The complete title of this book is : The life of the Rev. John W. de la Flechere: compiled from the narrative of Rev. Mr. Wesley: the biographical notes of Rev. Mr. Gilpin, from his own letters: and other authentic documents, many of which were never before published

Author: Benson, Joseph, 1749-1821
Publisher: New York: Carlton & Phillips, 1853
Subject: Fletcher, John, 1729-1785.
Methodist Church--Clergy--Biography. Clergy-- England--Biography.
Description: 356 p.:port,; 19 cm
Note: Spine title: Life of Fletcher.
Other author Wesley, John, 1703-1791 Gilpin, Joshua.
Other title: Short account of the life and death of the Rev. John Fletcher.

My observation of this find is that Religion (notably Methodism) made a large impact on the Rogers daily lives. I cite the biblical given names of Benjamin’s (the immigrant) children and those of his and children. John's (TPM) next to last son Wesley born abt. 1818 and the Fletcher’s. There are also a number of Methodist ministers in the Rogers Line and their in-laws.

Happy Easter,

Ray

Subject: Re: The Life of Fletcher
Date: 04/19/2000 8:18:29 AM GMT Daylight Time
From: dodds@midrivers.com (Francesca Dodds)

Jerry,

I did a little checking and it's possible that the "Fletcher" you are seeking information on is John Fletcher (the chosen successor to John Wesley, an early church leader) I found references to "Life of Fletcher" a couple of places and have noted them here below John Fletcher chosen by John Wesley to be his successor http://wesley.nnu.edu

Wesley's sermon: "On the Death of Rev. Mr. John Fletcher" also referenced was -- Benson's life of Fletcher, and John Fletcher's Works - 4 vol. 5. Luke Tyerman, Wesley's Designated Successor: The Life, Letters and Literary Labours of the Reverend John William Fletcher (New York-Phillips and Hunt, 1883), p. 559. Hereafter referred to as Tyerman, WDS.

Fran

THE REV. JOHN WILLIAM DE LA FLECHERE, Vicar of Madeley; Who was born at Nyon in Switzerland, September 12, 1729, And finished his course, August the 14th, 1785

June 15 2010 08:04:18