Person Page 616

William Brown was born in 1840 in Reading, BRK, ENG.^1,2 He and Eleanor (Elinor) Robinson were married in 1862 in Happy Valley, Nelson, NZ.¹ He died on 27 December 1876, at age ~36, in Nelson, NZ.¹

Researcher:
Barbara MANSELL, 6 Glassonby Rd, Howick 2013, AK, NZ email: famhistory@xtra.co.nz (or possibly fam-history@xtra.co.nz.) William Brown immigrated to arrived Nelson 1842 on Sir Charles Forbes in 1842.¹

Eleanor (Elinor) Robinson and William Brown were married in 1862 in Happy Valley, Nelson, NZ.¹

William Henry Rogers was born about 1809 in Salem, MASS, USA, died aged 65.^1,2,3,4 He and Kataraina (Rangi KAHWITI) Rangikawhiti were married in 1845.¹ He died on 5 November 1874, at age ~65, in Maketu, NZ.¹

The history of the Rogers family is closely aligned to the history of Maketu storekeepers. William Rogers is said to have been born in Massachusetts, USA and came to New Zealand around 1834. He first appears in Maketu in 1843 when Edward Shortland, the Sub-Protector of Aborigines, notes that there are only two other Europeans living at Maketu, William Rogers and a Mr Dally. They were working for William Mayhew Junior; an American whaling captain who had purchased Gilbert Mair's trading station at Wahapu, Bay of Islands. William Rogers was trading flax as well as potatoes and pork to Mayhew. William Rogers was a shipwright and built numerous boats for the Maori coastal trade. He was also Maketu's first postmaster.
One descendant is: My name is Billie Dell. I am searching for info on William Henry Rogers, his parents, siblings, etc. I would appreciate any other information you may have. William also had three other wives. I come from him and Kataraina, four generations after. BIDE
I am wondering if you know if William Henry Rogers had a son named James who was born 1826 in New Zealand or Salem, Massachusetts I think he was born in Massachusetts but I am not sure, he married Emma Webh and his son Charles Rogers was my girlfriends Great grandfather who come to Queensland to live . I know it makes William 17 years old when James was born but going by my girlfriend her 3 great grandfather was William Henry Rogers came to New Zealand and not long after he arrived his wife died and he was given 3 New Zealand wife?s This is the story that has been past down from generation to generation and my girlfriend remembered this story because it was told so often by her grandfather and father. GLCU

INQUEST Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXX, Issue 5385, 25 November 1874
An inquest was held at Maketu on Novem.ber 7, on the body of William Rogers, who died suddenlyat his reiidence on Nov. 5, before Captain Tovey, coroner ; Mr. James John Piercey, foreman. After a short deliberation the jury returned th± following rerdict: ?"That the said William .Rogers, on the 5th November, 1S74, and in cousequence of apoplexy, and not from any hurt, injury, or violence done or committed to the said William Kogers, to the knowledge of the said jurors, did die." Mr. Kogers was a very old settler, much respected, and leaves a family behind him.

Hi I've been researching my family history and Willam henry rogers was my 4x great grand father .
Would you happen to know his parents name? By any chance? AMRO. William Henry Rogers immigrated in 1834.¹

Kataraina (Rangi KAHWITI) Rangikawhiti was born in Rotorua, NZ.¹ She and William Henry Rogers were married in 1845.¹ She died in Mokioia Is, Rotorua, NZ.¹

William (Wiri) Rogers was born in 1857. He and Te Waharoa were married in 1881. He died on 22 April 1917, at age ~60, in Rotorua, NZ.¹

William took over the store from his brother-in-law William A Butt about 1884. William was said to have received his education in Auckland and then became an accountant with the Post Office Savings Bank. He was also a licensed interpreter. In 1892 he leased the Paroa flaxmill near Maketu for a short while. He was married to a grand-daughter of Te Waharoa, rangitira of Ngati Haua of Matamata, age old enemies of Ngati Whakaue.

Te Waharoa and William (Wiri) Rogers were married in 1881.

Raiha (Eliza) Rangikawhiti Rogers was born in 1855 in Maketu, NZ.¹ She and Thomas Jackson Bennett were married in 1871. She died in 1930, at age ~75.

Raiha/Eliza married twice. Her first husband was Thomas Jackson Bennett who also appears to have been a storekeeper in Maketu around 1871/1872. Frederick Augustus Bennett, later the first Maori Bishop of Aotearoa was a son. Raiha/Eliza's second husband was William Alfred Butt who had served with the Forest Rangers during the war in the Waikato of 1864. He later joined the 1st Waikato Regiment who fought in the Tauranga Bush campaign of 1867. With the end of the fighting he managed the Maketu trading store of Thomas Wrigley, later taking the business over. He was also a licensed interpreter.

Thomas Jackson Bennett was born about 1810 in IRL.^1,2 He and Raiha (Eliza) Rangikawhiti Rogers were married in 1871.

Thomas Jackson Bennett immigrated to Ireland to NZ in 1849.¹

Frederick (Bishop) Augustus Bennett was born in November 1871 in Ohinemutu, Rotorua, NZ.^1,2 He and Arihia Ngarangioue (Rangioue) Hemana (Pokiha) were married on 4 December 1911.² He died on 16 September 1950, at age 78, in Clive, Napier, NZ.^1,2

Frederick Augustus Bennett was born on 15 November 1871 at Ohinemutu, Lake Rotorua. His mother, Raiha Ratete (Eliza Rogers), a high-born woman of Ngati Whakaue section of Te Arawa, gave to her son the culture and whakapapa of her race. His father was Thomas Jackson Bennett, a storekeeper, who had emigrated to New Zealand from Ireland in 1849. He had a splendid command of the English language and was a keen church worker. Frederick's dual ancestry equipped him powerfully for his life's work. Frederick (Bishop) Augustus Bennett was a Bishop of Napier in 1929.¹

Became deputy mayor of Wellington CC.

William Boyle Bennett was born died aged 86.¹ He died in Rotorua, NZ.¹

William Alfred Butt was born in 1842. He died in 1915, at age ~73.

Theresa Nga Kotuku died on 16 November 1889.¹

Mereana Rogers was born in 1859 in Maketu, NZ.¹ She died in 1918, at age ~59.¹

Charles (Hare) Rogers was born about 1861 in Maketu, BOP, NZ.¹ He and Rihi Titihuia Ratete were married on 23 June 1923 in Rotorua, NZ.¹ He died on 27 June 1923, at age ~62.¹

Charles Rogers also ran a store at Maketu, probably taking over from his brother. He also had the mail contracts between Te Puke and also Paengaroa and Maketu. Four of his sons served in World War One and Ru was awarded the Military Medal "for especially good work and devotion to duty". Both he and his brother Kuku were granted land for soldier settlement at Ohineapanea. Their farms were on Rogers Road.
PAENGAROA
In conjunction with the blacksmith's shop a wheelwright also operated and many old-timers will remember Bill Jones and his old shack and how he always welcomed Charlie Rogers, the driver of the Maketu mail cart, when Charley arrived with the goods from Maketu.
Surname RATETE
Given Name Whakarongotai
Category Nominal Roll Vol. 2
Regimental Number 20727
Rank Private
Next of Kin Title Charles
Next of Kin Surname ROGERS
Next of Kin Relationship Father
Next of Kin Address Maketu Bay of Plenty
Roll 41
Page 40
Occupation Sawmilling

ST THOMAS
In loving memory of Charles ROGERS died 27 June 1923 aged 62 years
He tohu aroha, Hare Ratete, i mate i te 27 o nga ra o Hune (June) 1923, ona tau 62.

Rihi Titihuia Ratete was born about 1865 in Maketu, BOP, NZ, died aged 78.¹ She and Charles (Hare) Rogers were married on 23 June 1923 in Rotorua, NZ.¹ She died on 17 November 1943, at age ~78.¹

Augustus Rutakewhenua Rogers was born in 1892 in Maketu, BOP, NZ.¹ He died in 1957, at age ~65.

Obit dated 12 Apr 1957
Ru ROGERS
Death of a Great Humanitarian
Died on Sunday aged 65yrs
Born at Maketu in 1892 and apart from war service lived all his life in BOP
As a young ma he was outstanding rugby player and represented the Bay of Plenty on a number of occasions. He was a member of the Bay tea which almost wrested the Ranfurly Shield from Hawkes Bay, being beaten 17-16.
After returning from war service with the First Maori Contingent, during which he was commissioned and received the Military Medal for gallantry in the field. Mr Rogers was one of the servicemen settled on farms at Ohinepanea, and from that time forward devoted his time and energy to his race and ex-servicemen.
He was a foundation member of the RSA and gave his whole life to its cause. At the time of his death he was on the Te Puke executive. Mr Rogers was a member of the small committee set up to raise funds and build the War Memorial Hall.
Between the wars, his strong character was responsible for carrying the Te Puke RSA through many difficult periods. He took an active interest in the affairs of the Arawa Trust Board and the welfare of the Maori people and at the time of his death was a member of the Maori Farming Committee. Mr Rogers was given the honour of representing Te Puke at the last Dominion Conference of the RSA and reported back that it had been his most wonderful experience.
Neighbours and friends have always respected his forceful humanitarian nature. He had a helping hand for everyone and whatever he did was done wholeheartedly and cheerfully.
Mr Rogers is survived by his wife Katarina, three daughters May (Mrs Hudson), Kathleen (Mrs Gray) Ani and four sons, Augustus, Patrick, Noel and Johnny. Another son Willie predeceased him four years ago. A brother is farming at Ohinepanea and as sister Mrs Williams resides in Tauranga.
A large number of mourners attended an impressive service which was held in the War Memorial Hall on Wednesday. The service was conducted by Rev W S C Stephens and the Rev Rangiaho. The cortege then left for the Maketu marae where it was welcomed by Major Ray Vercoe who speaking on behalf of the relatives thanked the RSA. There, members of the RSA paid their last respects and the Last Post was sounded. A large number of members of Mr Rogers company from the Maori Contingent were present at the service in the Maketu Church in the afternoon and acted as pall-bearers to conduct the body to the Rogers block just outside the church where it was interred.
Pall bearers at the Memorial Hall were Messrs R Evans, A Flinn, J Anderson, J Pattie, F T Fenton, and S E Winters and in the meeting house, Messrs Anderson, Pattie and four members of the Rotorua RSA.
St Thomas's Maketu
16/354 2nd Lt Augustus Rutakewhenua ROGERS
d 7 April 1957 aged 64 years
Surname ROGERS
Given Name Augustus
Category Nominal Roll Vol. 1
Regimental Number 16/354
Rank Private Body or Draft First Maori
Unit or Regiment A Company
Marital Status S
Last NZ Address Onslow Rd Epsom Auckland
Next of Kin Title Charles
Next of Kin Surname ROGERS
Next of Kin Address Maketu

In 1920, the block now known as the Ohinepanea Soldier Settlement, originally owned by the MacDougall brothers, was bought by the Government from Mr Hoskings. It was divided into nine sections-five on the inland side of the railway for European ex-servicemen and four on the beach side for Maori soldiers. The Europeans successful in the ballot were R. R. Evans, A. Flinn, W. Graveson, A. Key and L. Barnard. Mr Barnard sold his farm to B. Lyon in 1925. The beach sections were taken over by the late Major Vercoe, and two brothers, Kuku and Ru Rogers. On Major Vercoe's section the Hoskings' homestead still stands.. After farming it for several years, Mr Vercoe sold his property to the Rogers brothers. Mr Kuku Rogers farmed his land for many years before selling most of it to Mr T. Anderson. Mr Ru Rogers, who won the M.M. in World War 1, farmed his land until his death. Mr Rogers was active in many projects for the district, especially the school. His farm has been sold except the house section where Mrs Rogers still lives.
ROGERS Augustus
16/354
MM
Sergt NZ Pioneer (Maori) Battalion
London Gazette 28 January 1918 p1406 Rec No 1621
For especially good work and devotion to duty in the St Jean area during the period 8/20th October 1917. Sergeant Rogers has consistently and wholeheartedly devoted himself to getting the best and the most work out of his men. By his initiative and example under fire he cheered and encouraged his men, through the trying work of getting Field Artillery guns forward through almost impassable places where horse teams had failed. His coolness under fire enabled him to extricate his men from dangerous positions, and his experience was invaluable in keeping his men together and getting them back to work when shelling ceased.

Whakarongotai Rogers was born about 1886.¹ He and Hera Hetet were married in 1967.¹ He died in 1955, at age ~69.¹

Hera Hetet was born about 1899.¹ She and Whakarongotai Rogers were married in 1967.¹

Frederick Kamu Rogers was born about 1889.¹ He died in 1955, at age ~66.¹

Hilda was born about 1896.¹ She died in 1965, at age ~69.¹