Friday, 29 January 2010

Did John Rogers fight in the English Civil War?

Ancestor John Rogers was Christened on the 25th November 1623 in Modbury Church. He married Susan Coaker at the age of 25 in1648, the year the English civil war ended. Was John Rogers a soldier from 1642 until 1648? When he was twenty war came to his own town, there were two battles in Modbury. The second in February 1643 began in the afternoon, and continued into the early hours of the next morning. The Royalists had an initial advantage holding the high ground, whilst the Parliamentarians had to advance up hill.

“The enemy seeing our men come so close upon them, drew out about 200 men, ours did the like, the enemy began upon them first, our men lying behind a bank gave them leave to discharge the first shot upon them. Then our men answered them with the like so they continued until night.”

The Royalists withdrew field-by-field and, running short of ammunition, took lead from the roofs to make shot. A number of houses were set on fire and they withdrew to a large house at the top of, what is now, Church Street. The greater part of the force retreated down, what we know as, Runaway Lane leaving a number of Dragoons to keep firing to give the impression a large force still occupied the house, until they also withdrew. Prisoners, cannon and arms were captured by the Parliamentarians and there were dead and wounded on both sides. The battle was a victory for the Parliamentarians, the siege of Plymouth was ended and the Royalists returned to Cornwall and the armies dispersed. The majority of working men found it best to follow their local gentry when choosing between supporting king or parliament. Modbury was for the Parliament, although there were a few exceptions.
The following appeared on a list Modbury men suspected of supporting the king:
  • Beare, George of Modbury    - Carpenter
  • Blachford, John of Modbury -  Husbandman
  • Foord, Walter of Modbury   -  Barber
  • Fortescue, Nicholas   -  Gentleman
  • Heman, Lewis of Modbury - Cordwainer 
  • Hill, Robert of Modbury  -  Gentleman 
  • Hooper, John of Modbury -  Brazier
  • Hutchings, William of Modbury  -  Gentleman
  • Jackson, John of Modbury  -  Husbandman
  • Saunders, John of Modbury  -  Husbandman
  • Stephens, Nicholas of Modbury -   Husbandman 
  • Stitson, Vincent of Modbury  -  Cordwainer
  • Stone, Thomas of Modbury -  Butcher
  • Symons, John of Modbury -  Cordwainer
  • Twiggs, James of Modbury  -  Glover   
It's most likely that John Rogers, if he was a soldier fought for Parliament.

Map
Read more about the Battles of Modbury here.
Read about Civil war soldiers here.

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