Josephine Wilcox Rogers, the widow of Lester Courtland Rogers, was born in Homer, Cortland county, N. Y., August 30, 1830. She was the daughter of Deacon Martin and
Mehitable Wells Wilcox. She was baptized and united with the Seventh-day Baptist church of Scott, N. Y., when about thirteen years of age. Her church membership has been
transferred from one locality to another several times, as she has lived in different sections of the country, her membership being with the first Seventh-day Baptist church
of Alfred, N. Y., at the time of her death.
In youth she had all the advantages for culture afforded by her Christian home, by public and private schools and by DeRuyter Institute, where she received instruction, and
was well equipped for the social and literary demands that should be made upon her in after years, as the wife of one of our able ministers, and for the last ten years of his
active life a Professor in Alfred University.
She graduated from DeRuyter Institute, then our leading denominational school, in 1851, and for the next six years was retained as one of its efficient teachers in
English, modern languages, botany and other branches of learning.
In June of 1857, she came to Westerly, R. I., and Aug. 31, of the same year, was united in marriage to Rev. Lester Courtland Rogers, of Waterford, Conn., the Rev. Alfred
B. Burdick officiating. Removing to New Market, N. J., Mr. Rogers became pastor of the Seventh-day Baptist church at that place, and while he was serving the church and
pursuing theological studies at the seminary at New Brunswick, Mrs. Rogers served as Principal of the New Market Academy, a flourishing local school of that day.
When in 1861, Mr. Rogers completed his work in the seminary, and they commenced housekeeping, they established a home that was of itself a means of Christian culture in
the community, and wherein they were not slow to entertain either stranger or friend. In all her husband's pastorates, in his labors as an evangelist and during his professorship
at Alfred, the influence of Mrs. Rogers for good was especially marked, and her helpfulness most constant.
There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rogers three children: Lester Wilcox, Hortense and Chas. Potter Rogers. Of these the first two were called from earth as they had reached
young manhood and womanhood. Great grief came to this home on account of these bereavements, but they bore their sorrow with Christian fortitude, and faith that was
unwavering.
When, because of failing health, Prof. Rogers gave up his work in Alfred University, they moved, in June, 1899, to Westerly, R. I., where he died January 20, 1900.
Since her husband's death Mrs. Rogers health had been gradually failing till she passed to her rest from the home of her husband's brother, August 5, 1902, her death
having been hastened by a serious fall, which she received near a month previous to that date. In all her suffering she was patient and thoughtful for those about her, and her
mind dwelt much upon those of her family who had gone before, and upon the one son and three sisters who now so deeply mourn her loss.
Just a few weeks before the fatal accident, in concluding a brief autobiography, which she wanted to leave to her son Charles, she wrote: 'I feel that my work is nearly done, that this is only a waiting time. God is kind and merciful, and when the last summons comes, may I too be prepared to enter in and hear the glad welcome given those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. And when dear Charles's work is done may we all be reunited in the kingdom above, to go no more out forever.'
The funeral services were conducted by the pastor of the Pawcatuck Seventh-day Baptist church, assisted by Rev. A. H. Lewis and Rev. O. U. Whitford. Interment was at Riverbend Cemetery, Westerly, R. I.
