James Johnstone Rogerson
Encyclopedia
James Johnstone Rogerson (March 21, 1820 – October 17, 1907) was a businessman, political figure and philanthropist
in Newfoundland. He represented Burin
from 1859 to 1861 and Bay de Verde
from 1870 to 1882 in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
.
He was born in Harbour Grace
, the son of Peter Rogerson and Amelia Palmer. He apprenticed with a Scottish
firm based in St. John's
before joining his father's firm, which was involved in shipping goods and the seal fishery, in 1841. He was named to the Legislative Council
in 1850 and to the Executive Council in 1858. He did not run for reelection in 1861 but was elected again in an 1870 by-election held after John Bemister
resigned to accept a position as sheriff. Rogerson served as receiver general from 1874 to 1882. He was defeated when he ran for reelection in 1882. After he retired from politics, he was active in the Temperance Society. Rogerson established a home for fishermen and sailors and an agency to find employment for workers in winter. He also supported the education of poor children and juveniles in prison, and literacy programs for people living in remote locations on the island. Rogerson was married twice: to Emma Garrett Blaikie in 1845 and to Isabella Whiteford in 1879. He died in St. John's at the age of 87.
His daughter Jessie Emma married A.J.W. McNeilly
who also served in the Newfoundland assembly.
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
in Newfoundland. He represented Burin
Burin, Newfoundland and Labrador
Burin is a town on the Burin Peninsula in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Burin Peninsula is often affectionately nicknamed "The Boot" due to its resemblance to the footwear when seen on a map, with the town of Burin located near the "heel". Burin is approximately 318 km...
from 1859 to 1861 and Bay de Verde
Bay de Verde, Newfoundland and Labrador
Bay de Verde is an incorporated town in Conception Bay on the northern tip of the Bay de Verde Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The first recorded inhabitants at Bay de Verde arrived in 1662. Bay de Verde became an incorporated town in 1950.-Geography:Bay de Verde is the northern...
from 1870 to 1882 in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
The Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly is one of two components of the General Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, the other being the Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Newfoundland and Labrador General Assembly meets in the Confederation Building at St...
.
He was born in Harbour Grace
Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and Labrador
Harbour Grace is a town in Conception Bay on the Avalon Peninsula in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. With roots dating back to the sixteenth century, it is one of the oldest towns in North America. It is located about 45 km northwest of the provincial capital, St. John's...
, the son of Peter Rogerson and Amelia Palmer. He apprenticed with a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
firm based in St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
before joining his father's firm, which was involved in shipping goods and the seal fishery, in 1841. He was named to the Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Newfoundland
The Legislative Council of Newfoundland was established in 1854 when the British Government granted a new constitution to Newfoundland establishing an Executive Council of not more than seven members of the majority party and a Legislative Council of not more than 15 members upon nomination of the...
in 1850 and to the Executive Council in 1858. He did not run for reelection in 1861 but was elected again in an 1870 by-election held after John Bemister
John Bemister
John Bemister was a merchant and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented Conception Bay from 1852 to 1855 and Bay de Verde from 1855 to 1869 in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly....
resigned to accept a position as sheriff. Rogerson served as receiver general from 1874 to 1882. He was defeated when he ran for reelection in 1882. After he retired from politics, he was active in the Temperance Society. Rogerson established a home for fishermen and sailors and an agency to find employment for workers in winter. He also supported the education of poor children and juveniles in prison, and literacy programs for people living in remote locations on the island. Rogerson was married twice: to Emma Garrett Blaikie in 1845 and to Isabella Whiteford in 1879. He died in St. John's at the age of 87.
His daughter Jessie Emma married A.J.W. McNeilly
A.J.W. McNeilly
Alexander James Whiteford McNeilly was an Irish-born lawyer and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented Bonavista from 1873 to 1878, Twillingate and Fogo from 1878 to 1882 and Bay de Verde from 1885 to 1889 in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly.He was born in Armagh, the son...
who also served in the Newfoundland assembly.