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William Rogers

Name:	William Rogers
Biography/History:	Rogers is a recurrent name in American makers of coin, sterling and silverplate ware; there is great confusion about the many firms bearing this name, some are linked by family relationships, but many are not. The earliest family association seems to have been “Rogers Brothers, a series of intertwined companies having their origin in 1825 in Hartford, CT when William Rogers Sr. entered into partnership with his master silversmith, Joseph Church. Later his son Asa Jr. and his brother Simeon entered in the partnership.” The earliest major Rogers family company started in 1847; most or all of the family-related companies became part of International Silver Co. when it formed in 1898. Listed below are the primary companies in which one or more of the original Rogers brothers (William, Asa and Simeon) were actively interested; their brands were still in existence in the 1930s. These five companies, as well as Meriden Britannia Co. (org. 1862), continued production of the “1847 Rogers Bros.” line; all at various times became part of the International Silver Co. that formed in 1898. All three brothers were in the employ of the Meriden Britannia Co. when they died. ROGERS BROTHERS, Hartford, CT, org. 1847: first used mark Rogers Bros. on silverplate spoons; created the best-known trademark, “1847 Rogers Bros” in 1862. ROGERS, SMITH & CO, Hartford, 1857-1898: consolidated with (1853) Rogers Brothers Mfg. Co. in 1861, and sold tools and dies to Meriden Britannia Co., who continued producing the 1847 Rogers Bros. line, then acquired hollowware division (1863) and plating shop (1866). Rogers, Smith & Co. ceased to exist as a separate firm when International Silver Co. was formed in 1898. ROGERS & BROTHER, Waterbury, CT, 1858-1898: Only manufactured flatware until 1874. Became part of International Silver Co. in 1898. Another ROGERS & BROTHER CO, Waterbury CT, 1858: was incorporated into Rogers Bros. Mfg. Co., 1866. WILLIAM ROGERS MFG CO (Wm. Rogers & Son), Hartford, 1865-1898: family no longer associated after company incorporated in 1872; controversary followed over use of Rogers name. Became part of International Silver Co. in 1898. ROGERS CUTLERY CO, Hartford, 1871: merged with Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co. in 1879, but tools and machinery sold to Rogers and Brittin. Mark continued to be used until International Silver Co. formed in 1898.

Name:

William Rogers

Biography/History:

Rogers is a recurrent name in American makers of coin, sterling and silverplate ware; there is great confusion about the many firms bearing this name, some are linked by family relationships, but many are not. The earliest family association seems to have been “Rogers Brothers, a series of intertwined companies having their origin in 1825 in Hartford, CT when William Rogers Sr. entered into partnership with his master silversmith, Joseph Church. Later his son Asa Jr. and his brother Simeon entered in the partnership.” The earliest major Rogers family company started in 1847; most or all of the family-related companies became part of International Silver Co. when it formed in 1898. Listed below are the primary companies in which one or more of the original Rogers brothers (William, Asa and Simeon) were actively interested; their brands were still in existence in the 1930s. These five companies, as well as Meriden Britannia Co. (org. 1862), continued production of the “1847 Rogers Bros.” line; all at various times became part of the International Silver Co. that formed in 1898. All three brothers were in the employ of the Meriden Britannia Co. when they died. ROGERS BROTHERS, Hartford, CT, org. 1847: first used mark Rogers Bros. on silverplate spoons; created the best-known trademark, “1847 Rogers Bros” in 1862. ROGERS, SMITH & CO, Hartford, 1857-1898: consolidated with (1853) Rogers Brothers Mfg. Co. in 1861, and sold tools and dies to Meriden Britannia Co., who continued producing the 1847 Rogers Bros. line, then acquired hollowware division (1863) and plating shop (1866). Rogers, Smith & Co. ceased to exist as a separate firm when International Silver Co. was formed in 1898. ROGERS & BROTHER, Waterbury, CT, 1858-1898: Only manufactured flatware until 1874. Became part of International Silver Co. in 1898. Another ROGERS & BROTHER CO, Waterbury CT, 1858: was incorporated into Rogers Bros. Mfg. Co., 1866. WILLIAM ROGERS MFG CO (Wm. Rogers & Son), Hartford, 1865-1898: family no longer associated after company incorporated in 1872; controversary followed over use of Rogers name. Became part of International Silver Co. in 1898. ROGERS CUTLERY CO, Hartford, 1871: merged with Wm. Rogers Mfg. Co. in 1879, but tools and machinery sold to Rogers and Brittin. Mark continued to be used until International Silver Co. formed in 1898.