WILLIAM ROGERS (1791?-1873?) was probably born around 1790.
Around 1824, he took over Armagh's central hotel, in Upper English Street, latterly known as the Beresford Arms, which had been established in 1769. Pigot's Directory of 1824 lists William as keeper of the Royal Hibernian Hotel, one of several other names of the building, but during William's nineteen-year period of ownership it was nearly always referred to as Rogers' (or Rogers's) Hotel and Posting Establishment. With Keenan's Hotel (known in 1824 as Mrs. Kean's), in Scotch and Dublin Street, it was one of the principal hotels in the city. It was seriously damaged by a bomb attack in October 1972, and is currently the Bank of Ireland building.
In 1824 the Royal Mail coach to Dublin left from this hotel every evening at six, and the coach in the opposite direction would arrive every morning at eight. In the spring of 1839, the Armagh to Belfast coach left "Rogers's Hotel" every morning (Sunday excepted) at fifteen minutes before five, Keenan's Hotel five minutes later, and arrived at the coach office in Belfast's Corn-Market at ten. The coach returned at three, arriving in Armagh at eight.
A Valuation of 1835 valued the property at an annual rent of £80/-/-. the second most valuable property on English Street. Martin's Belfast Directory of 1841 names it the Molyneaux Arms.
William also took a keen interest in horse racing. The Enniskillen Chronicle and Erne Packet of 10 April 1834 describes how a mare owned by him "came down, horse and rider, and did not come to the scratch after the first and the second leap" at the Middleton Steeplechase, run on 26 March. He was also Clerk of the Course, responsible for receiving entries to the Armagh Steeplechase held in 1836 and October 1837.
William Rogers appears twice (once as a resident of Armagh, once as a resident of Armagh City) in the voters lists for County Louth in 1842, in is capacity as a freeholder in Mooretown, Ardee. (It is not clear where this Mooretown is located.)
He was also on the management committee of the Armagh Gas Company (in 1845), and in 1847-1848 was a Town Commissioner.
On 17 June 1843, an advertisement appeared in the Newry Telegraph
ARMAGH
Rogers' Hotel and Posting
ESTABLISHMENT
TO BE SOLD
THE PROPRIETOR of this prosperous and very desi-
rable Concern having been urged by his Medical At-
tendants, in consequence of sudden and extreme ill health,
to retire from Public Business, will dispose of his INTE-
REST in the above ESTABLISHMENT, which he has
conducted for the last 19 years with great success and on which
he has expended a considerable Sum of Money in useful
and permanent improvements — the whole being subject to
the small Yearly Rent of £92, 6s. 2d.
Seldom an opportunity like the present offers for safe
investment of Capital, with a certain remunerating return.
To those who are acquainted with the City and surrounding
Neighbourhood of ARMAGH, 't is needless to set forth, in an
Advertisement, the patronage and respectability connected
with this comfortable and thriving Hotel; but to a stranger
it may be necessary to say, that this Establishment is in
every way calculated to carry on an Extensive and Prospe-
rous Trade, from its long standing and high character,
together with the advantages of the Mail and Day Coaches
stopping at this Hotel, which is capable of affording 20
Beds, 4 Sitting Rooms, Commercial Room, Bar Room,
Coach Office, Waiters' Pantries, Servants' Apartments.
Water Closets, &c., &c.
The Posting is very considerable — the YARD and
OFFICES are exceedingly spacious and in good order,
slated and most convenient, being attached, and accessible
by Two Gateways. There is stabling for 50 horses, with
Hay and Straw Lofts, suitable Coach-houses, Carpenters'
and Smiths' Workshops; also a Pump and Pipe Water.
The HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, which is in good
preservation, to be had at a Valuation — likewise, 6 excel-
lent Post Chaises; 1 Family Coach, runs very light; 1
Fashionable Drag, 1 Britzka, 9 Jaunting Cars, and 2 Gigs,
all in perfect order, with a proportionate quantity of Har-
ness — 20 Post Horses, in prime working condition — also,
about 100 tons very best Upland Hay, and about 50 Tons
of Straw, or any quantity required.
The Purchaser can be accommodated with any quantity
of Land, up to 100 Acres, convenient, and in prime heart.
Immediate Possession can be given on, or any
time before, the 1st of November next.
For terms and Particulars, apply to
WILLIAM ROGERS
Proprietor
Armagh, June 10, 1843
He was still at the hotel in March 1844, when he advertised the lease of Longstone. However, the Newry Telegraph of 16 April 1844 announced:
BERESFORD ARMS' HOTEL, ARMAGH. — The Hotel, which has so long been respectably conducted by Mr. Rogers, is, it will be perceived, to be opened shortly by its new proprietor, Mr. Wiltshire — under the immediate patronage of the Lord Primate. From what we have heard of Mr. W.'s experience — of his ability in the situation he has occupied for many years, and of his peculiar aptitude for business, we doubt not but the Hotel will continue to deserve and receive the most distinguished support.
James Wiltshire continued to run the Beresford Arms successfully until his death at the end of February 1855.
In 1846, Slater's Directory lists a William Rogers under Nobility, Gentry and Clergy at 5 Melbourne Place.
An advertisement in the Armagh Guardian of 22 April 1850 tells how Mr J Matthews has been instructed by William Rogers, Esq., to dispose of his entire effects by auction at his residence, Seven Houses, on Wednesday 24th. An intriguing list of effects follows.
According to an alternative account, he is said to have moved to Rathmines in County Dublin, and then to Kingstown, and to have lived there until 1873. When Martha remarried in 1854, her father was described as a farmer. There is a Rogers family grave in Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin, where William Rogers (d. 27 June 1873, aged 82) and Jane his wife (d. 7 August 1873 aged 65) are buried. (The will of this William, "late of Drumnacara, Summerhill Road, Kingstown, County Dublin was proved on 9 August 1873 by Francis Faulkner junior, of 83 Grafton St.,Dublin, merchant, "one of the executors").
1 MARTHA ROGERS (1811?-1882) was born about 1811. At the age of 23 or 24, on 8 July 1835, she married Jeremiah Taylor Andrews. Three years later, in 1838, Jeremiah took out a licence as an auctioneer, and carried on a successful business in Lower English Street. In April 1844, she had a son, Thomas Andrews.
However, in 1845, Jeremiah took ill, with a "lingering illness", and despite seeking treatment in Dublin, he died on 8 November.
Less than a month later, on 5 December, the Board of Governors of Armagh County Infirmary met.
They agreed that Mrs Wilkinson, the infirmary's housekeeper, should be given notice "that her services will not be required after 5 January next, and that the Treasurer be directed to have advertisements inserted in the Armagh Guardian and Newry Telegraph for a Matron to succeed her."
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This was duly done, and the post advertised at a salary of thirty guineas a year, with coal and candle.
The Armagh Guardian of 6 January 1846 carries an article headed "Armagh County Infirmary". On Friday last there was a meeting of the Governors of this institution held in the Board-room, for the purpose of electing a Matron. His Grace the Lord Primate presided: besides whom there were present - Colonel Verner, M.P.; Rev. Dr. Elrington, Revs. James Jones, Josiah F. Flavell, Richard Quin; Joseph Johnston, Thomas Dobbin, Lee M'Kinstry, S. Garner, George Scott, Esqrs. Twelve candidates offered themselves, and the Governors appointed Mrs. Andrews, widow of the late Mr. J.T. Andrews, at a salary of £30 per annum with a supply of coal and candle.
The County Infirmary in Abbey Street was a nine-bay, two-storey building built in 1767. It had been extended in 1776 and 1843. In 1857 the hospital had 72 beds and a total annual expenditure of just over £1300. £30 was a modest, but typical, salary for the matron supervising an infirmary at this time.
For some reason, this position did not work out. It might have been the care of young Thomas, a two-year-old toddler. It might have been her aging father's health. It could have been that being matron of the Infirmary was too onerous a task. The Governors' Minute Book for 4 November 1846 records: "That Mrs Andrews the Matron having tendered her Resignation, the same be accepted, she to remain in charge until a successor be appointed. And that a general meeting of Governors be summoned for Wednesday the 18th inst. to make such appointment." We do not know what Martha did after her resignation.
On 15 July 1854, Martha remarried, to John Bell, of Lurgangreen, County Louth. The notice in the Armagh Guardian of 21 July states July 15, in Dromiskin Church, by Rev. J.H. Stubbs, John Bell, Esq., of Sea-view, Lurgangreen, to Martha, relict of the late J.T. Andrews, formerly of Armagh. (The parish register entry lacks a date, and refers to Martha as "Matilda Andrews (orse Rogers)") The witnesses were John Dransfield (a Newry hotel-keeper) and James McCullagh.
However, a notice in the Dundalk Democrat of 22 November 1862 mentions proceedings under the Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act "in the matter of John Bell, late of Dromiskin Commons, in the County of Louth, Farmer, an insolvent."
The case was heard at the Four Courts in Dublin on 4 December.
It appears that Lord Clermont, from whom John's farm was held under a lease, had demanded a rent that was far in excess of what could be paid.
He remained listed in the Valuation Books as the ratepayer until 1864 (though in the new book prepared in 1862, the name William is written above John - were these two Bells, or had John taken an additional forename?).
The Cork Examiner of 12 March 1863 reprints an article from the Dundalk Democrat telling the end of the story:
EVICTIONS ON LORD CLERMONT'S ESTATE. — On yesterday, amidst the rain and storm, two evictions took place near Lurgangreen, on the estate of Lord Clermont. The scenes were most repulsive and sickening.
One of the parties thrown out of the house and farm was Mr. William Bell. He owed a year and a half's rent, and we are told that an offer was made to the agent to have a year's rent paid, and a guarantee given for the payment of another, and to crop the land, but it would not be accepted, the reply being — "Go and settle with Mr. Brabazon, the sub-sheriff!"
It was heart-rending to see the people thus treated, turned out, and standing under the rain and storm, the victims of a land code that has brought so much woe to Ireland. The other tenant was Mr. Thomas Cooney...
How long will these evictions disgrace our country? How long will Lord Clermont permit his tenants to be thus treated? They will, we suppose, be asked next week to rejoice for the marriage of the Prince of Wales!
A couple of months later, the Louth Advertiser noted: We have heard of a most wanton and malicious act having been committed on a farm at Lurgangreen, lately taken possession of by Burton Brabazon, Esq. On Monday night some persons smashed all the ploughs and farming implements they could lay their hands on.
This farm was formerly held by a family named Bell, ejectments against whom were obtained at the December Sessions.
In 1864, the ratepayer for this farm (and also the adjacent 108-acre farm) was Burton Brabazon. John remained as ratepayer for a 14-acre parcel of land in the Moortown townland until 1869, when he was succeeded by a George Elphinson.
John possibly died before 1877, as Martha seems to have lived later with her son and reverted to the name Andrews.
Martha moved to Waterford, and was the informant at her granddaughter Clara's birth in 1877. She died, aged 70, on 26 March 1882 at her son's home, 10 Bridge Street, Waterford. A Margaret Harrington, also living in Bridge Street, was the informant of her death.
