The Hugh Rogers Chapter of the DAR is based at Lake Junaluska in Haywood County, North Carolina. Members meet the third Saturday of each month, September through May. The Chapter engages in local community services in addition to state and national activities to meet the National Society’s goals of education, patriotism, and historical preservation.
Chapter activities include:
- Constitution Week/Education
- DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest at local high schools
- Youth programs: ROTC Medals program & American History Essay Contest
- Projects that aid and support veterans
Chapter committees:
- Hugh Rogers Community Service Awards Committee
- DAR School Committee
- Historic Preservation Committee
- DAR Project Patriot Committee
- Commemorative Events Committee
This Chapter was named after a revolutionary war soldier, Hugh Rogers, who fought at the Battle of King’s Mountain with George Washington’s patriots and later raised his family in the Fines Creek Area of Haywood County.
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.” – History Courtesy of the Hugh Rogers Chapter of the DAR
For more information about the DAR Hugh Rogers Chapter visit their website.
To learn more about how the DAR can help you with historical research check back here next week.
