According to a post by H Rogers in 2000, WILLIAM ROGERS (1791?-1873) was born in 1791.
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. It was also known as the Molyneux Arms Hotel. 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 Rogers married Jane Irvine on 24 June 1836 in Derryvullen Lower Church in Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh. She was the third daughter of John ("the late") and Margaret Armstrong Irvine of Fort Hill St., Enniskillen.
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.
After William gave up the hotel business in 1844, the family lived until 1850 on Melbourne St. in Armagh City. 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. In 1850 the family moved to Rathmines, later to Kingstown both in Co. Dublin. William died June 27, 1873 and Jane died Aug. 7, 1873. Between those deaths was the birth of the first grandchild and only surviving one who bore the Rogers' name even though their daughter had given them 10 grandchildren.
He is said to have moved to Newington Terrace, Rathmines, in County Dublin, and then to Kingstown, and to have lived there until 1873. 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 Falkner junior, of 83 Grafton St.,Dublin, merchant, "one of the executors").
The four children of William and his wife, Jane Irvine, were born in the hotel.
John's son was never seen by his grandfather.
H. Rogers' grandfather was born on 30 July 1873.
