Zaccheus Rogers Journals, 1816-1819: Finding Aid
Published in October 2014
Summary Information
- Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
- Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6917
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php - Call number: MS 11
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: Zaccheus Rogers Journals
- Dates: 1816-1819
- Size: 0.25 linear feet
- Container Summary: 2 volumes
- Creator: Rogers, Zaccheus, Jr.
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: Zaccheus Rogers, Jr. was a merchant mariner and ship's carpenter. The journals are the product of Rogers' service aboard the merchant vessels Columbia, Alexander, and True American.
Biography of Zaccheus Rogers, Jr.
Zaccheus Rogers, Jr., son of Zaccheus Rogers and Ruth Oakman Rogers of Marshfield, Massachusetts, was a merchant mariner and ship's carpenter. During the latter half of the 1810s, Rogers served aboard the schooner Columbia and brig Alexander, sailing between Canton, the Northwestern United States, and Hawaii. Following his separation from the Alexander in 1817, Rogers spent nine months in Hawaii, after which he returned to Canton, China aboard the ship Levant. From Canton, he joined the crew of the True American, sailing between Canton, China and Europe.
Description of Contents
The Zaccheus Rogers Journals, comprising 0.25 linear feet of documentation in two volumes, span from 1816 to 1819. The journals are the product of Rogers' service aboard the merchant vessels Columbia, Alexander, and True American.
The journals focus primarily on the daily events and occurrences aboard the vessels they represent, with notations on weather, winds, course, sails, and vessels encountered throughout the cruises. The first volume is the product of cruises aboard the schooner Columbia and brig Alexander between Canton, China, the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), and Norfolk Sound (Sitka, Alaska). The second volume is the product of a cruise of the True American from Canton to England and Germany. While the primary focus of the volumes is the shipboard events of the respective vessels, both volumes make occasional references to Rogers' life and duties, including his nine-month stay in Hawaii after separating from the Alexander in 1817 and his carpenter's work overhauling True American.
Arrangement
The Zaccheus Rogers Journals are arranged chronologically.
Access and Use
Access
Access is restricted to microfilm.
Copyright and Permission
The Zaccheus Rogers Journals are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Custodial History
The Zaccheus Rogers Journals were previously the property of Edwin T. Rogers of North Marshfield, Massachusetts.
Provenance and Acquisition
Transfer from the Naval Academy Museum in February 1975.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
There are no other known collections of papers of Zaccheus Rogers, Jr.
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.
Processing and Other Information
Journal of the Schooner Columbia and Brig Alexander, 1816-1817 was formerly cataloged as MS 149.
Journal of the Ship True American, 1818-1819 was formerly cataloged as MS 150.
Preferred Citation
Zaccheus Rogers Journals, MS 11
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Selected Bibliography
The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:
Drummond, Josiah H. John Rogers of Marshfield and Some of His Descendants. West Hanover: Ellis, 1898.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in October 2014. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in October 2014.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Alexander (Brig)
- Columbia (Schooner)
- Merchant marine -- United States
- Merchant marine -- United States -- History -- Sources
- Rogers, Zaccheus, Jr.
- True American (Ship)
Genre Terms
- Journals (accounts)
- Manuscripts
- Ships' logs
Contents List
Journal of the Schooner Columbia and Brig Alexander, 1816 May 12-1817 October 7 1 volume (66 leaves)
The bulk of the volume pertains a cruise of the Columbia spanning from May 12, 1816 to February 12, 1817, under the command of John Jinnings. The Columbia's cruise, originating in Canton, included stops in Norfolk Sound (Sitka, Alaska), Onalaska, St. Georges, the Columbia River, and the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii). The remainder of the journal is of a cruise of the Brig Alexander from August 31 to October 7, 1817, under the command of John C. Bencraft. The Alexander cruised from Norfolk Sound (Sitka) to the Sandwich Islands. Following the last journal entry are brief remarks detailing Rogers' movements after leaving the Alexander, including living in Hawaii for nine months, followed by taking passage aboard Levant to Canton.
Journal of the Ship True American, 1818 December 14-1819 June 26 1 volume (77 leaves)
The journal covers a cruise of the ship True American, under the command of John C. Bencraft, from Canton to the Isle of Wight, England, and Hamburg, Germany. The first few pages of the journal pertain to Rogers' overhauling of the True American and work aboard the Alexander building a companion way.