Patrick Lawrence Rogers was born in Ireland in 1817. His mother, Rose, bore him when she was 28-years-old. He was married to Sarah Ann Mills by 1840 when he was 23-years-old. It is not yet known when Rogers immigrated to the United States, but he arrived by 1840. He and his wife had at least four sons and eight daughters between 1840 and 1853. They lived for a time in Brooklyn, before moving to Pelham.
P. L. Rogers, as he was known, became a successful New York City clothier as a young man. By the early 1840s, he operated a "Fashionable Tailoring Establishment" at 292 Grand Street. His business grew until he outgrew his Grand Street space. In about 1845, he moved his business to 102 Bowery, between Hester and Grand Streets and placed the following advertisement regarding the move:
"P. L. ROGERS' Fashionable Tailoring Establishment 102 Bowery, between Hester and Grand sts. would inform his old customers and the public in general, that having from his untiring exertions increased his business to such an extent, he has been compelled to change his place from 292 Grand-st. to the above place; he would call the attention of his customers and the public to a very well selected assortment of Fall and Winter Goods, embracing all the latest styles of French and English Cloths and Cassimeres, a very rich lot of Velvet Vestings, suitable for the coming season -- all of which will be made in a few hours' notice, at extraordinary low prices, and in the superiur [sic] style for which the establishment has been so long celebrated. Employing the best workmen, he does not hesitate [to] challenge a comparison with any in point of style or elegance, in the city. s18 6teodis*"
Source: P.L. ROGERS' [Advertisement], New-York Daily Tribune, Sep. 25, 1845, Vol. V, No. 144, p. 3, col. 6.
By 1849, P. L. Rogers had moved his establishment once again, this time to 76 Fulton Street at its intersection with Gold Street. Once again, his advertisements emphasized the quality of his cloths, "Cassimeres," and "Vestings." One advertisement stated:
"CLOTHING.
-----
THE BEST PLACE TO GET NEAT AND FASHIONABLE clothing made to order, or buy it ready made from the best material, is at the store of P. L. Rogers, 76 Fulton street, corner of Gold, where he is prepared to show his friends and the public an extensive and well selected assortment of cloths, Cassimeres and Vestings, which he will make up to be sure in the best and most fashionable style, and at the lowest possible price.
P. L. ROGERS,
76 Fulton street, corner of Gold."
Source: CLOTHING -- THE BEST PLACE TO GET NEAT AND FASHIONABLE [Advertisement], The New York Herald, May 28, 1849, No. 5470, p. 5, col. 5.
By 1850, P. L. Rogers seems to have expanded the nature of his business from tailoring and retail clothing to a combination clothing retailer and wholesaler. Indeed, his advertisements became lengthier and contained more pricing information. For example, the following advertisement appeared on May 31, 1850:
"CLOTHING.
-----
THE BEST PLACE TO BUY.
CLOTHING AT WHOLESALE OR RERAIL [sic], is at the Store of P. L. ROGERS, 76 FULTON - ST. at the sign of Gen. Taylor. I assert, without hesitation, that my stock of Spring and Summer Clothing is the cheapest and most varied, both in style and prices, that has ever been offered for sale in the city.
Dress and Frock Coats, From French and English Cloths........$5 00 to 20
Office and Business Coats, from Cassimere, Cashmerett, Tweed, Alapacca, and Linen, &c.........$1 00 to 7 00
Vests from plaint and fancy Silks, Satin, and Marseilles...............75 to 5 00
BOYS' CLOTHING.
Boys' Frock and Sack Coats, from Cloth, Alapacca, Linen, &c........75 to 5 00
Boys' Jackets and Pants, from ................. 62-1/4 to 2 00
Boys' Vests, from Silk, Satin and Marseilles....... 50 to 2 00
Also, a splendid assortment of Cloths, Cassimeres and Vestings, constantly on hand, and made at the shortice notice.
P. L. ROGERS, 76 Fulton-st., cor of Gold.
A full suit of Summer Clothing for $2. s20 2mMWFh"
Source: CLOTHING -- THE BEST PLACE TO BUY [Advertisement], New-York Daily Tribune, May 31, 1850, No. 2847, p. 2, col. 5.
The wholesale and retail clothing business of P. L. Rogers continued to succeed and grow. In 1850, Rogers built a massive establishment to house his expanding business. It was named the "Union Hall Wholesale and Retail Clothing Warehouse," an immense establishment for its time. It was a six-floor warehouse that stood on the corner of Fulton and Nassau Streets opposite the famed Sun and Herald newspaper buildings. The new facility opened in November, 1850. Each of the six floors housed a different department of the clothing "Emporium" specializing in "ready-made clothing."
This was a massive establishment for its time. Irish immigrant P. L. Rogers employed about 1,000 people at his Emporium -- mostly Irish.
A lengthy advertisement published on November 1 of that year trumpeted the new facility. It said:
"UNION HALL Wholesale and Retail CLOTHING WAREHOUSE, Corner of Fulton and Nassau-sts., (opposite the Sun and Herald Buildings.)
This immense establishment, built expressly for the proprietor, P. L. ROGERS, and opened in November, 1850, consists of SIX FLOORS, each of which is, of itself, a COMPLETE DEPARTMENT; the whole combined forming one of the most perfect and comprehensive Wholesale and Retail Clothing Emporium to be found in the CITY OF NEW-YORK; embracing a stock of some TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS' WORTH OF READY MADE CLOTHING, in every variety, of the cheapest and most desirable style of goods, of our own importations, and from manufacturer's agents suited to all markets.
Particular attention is paid to the manufacture of BOYS' CLOTHING, under the immediate supervision of an experienced cutter and a large assortment constantly on hand.
P. L. R. has just completed his FALL AND WINTER STOCK, which he confidently offers to the public as unsurpassed in extent, variety, style, material, workmanship and cheapness.
P. L. ROGERS,
Union Hall Clothing Warehouse,
Corner of Fulton and Nassau-sts. N. Y.
013 2mTuTh&8*"
Source: UNION HALL Wholesale and Retail CLOTHING WAREHOUSE [Advertisement], New-York Daily Tribune, Nov. 1, 1851, Vol. XI, No. 3289, p. 2, col. 3.
Patrick Lawrence Rogers and his family (including his mother, Rose) continued to live in Brooklyn in the 1850s and can be found there in 1855 as reflected in the New York State Census that year. His business, known as "Union Hall," continued to thrive. Indeed, despite opening the newly-constructed six-story Union Hall only a few months before, by May 1852, Rogers had taken over the adjoining building further to expand his business. With the success of his massive wholesale and retail clothing emporium, however, at some point thereafter Rogers and his family purchased a 175-acre estate and home along today's Shore Road in the Town of Pelham.
On Monday, July 4, 1864, Patrick Lawrence Rogers was involved in a carriage accident. He was thrown from his vehicle and badly injured. He was carried to his Pelham residence along Shore Road where he lingered for two days. He died on Wednesday, July 6, 1864. His funeral was held on Saturday, July 9 at St. Stephen's Church in Manhattan at the corner of East 28th Street and Lexington Avenue. Although the obituary in The New York Times stated he was 50 years old, he actually was 47.
His widow, Sarah Rogers, and other executors of his will quickly had the will proved and probated. See Thu., Sep. 07, 2017: Patrick L. Rogers of Pelham and His Estate Along Shore Road in the 19th Century. In 1869, the executors of the will of P. L. Rogers held a peremptory auction of a portion of his 175-acre estate in Pelham. The auction was held on Saturday, April 3, 1869 at the Mott Haven Railroad Depot. See id. It appears that a small portion of the lands that belonged to Rogers were sold. His home was not sold. Indeed, it appears that his wife, younger children, and his mother continued to live in the home.
Only months after his death, P. L. Rogers' mother died. Rose Rogers died in the family home at Pelham on Saturday, March 4, 1865. Her brief obituary read:
"MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.
-----
Died. . . . .
ROGERS. -- At Pelham, Westchester county on Saturday, March 4, in the 76th year of her age. Mrs. Rose ROGERS, mother of the late P. L. Rogers.
The funeral services will take place at St. Matthews church, New Rochelle, on Monday morning at eleven o'clock."
Source: MARRIAGES AND DEATHS -- Died. . . . ROGERS, N.Y. Herald, Mar. 5, 1865, Whole No. 10,415, p. 2, col. 6.
The wife of P. L. Rogers, Sarah, continued to live in the family home in Pelham until the late 1870s. By about 1877, it seems that she suffered some form of difficulty -- likely financial difficulty. A plaintiff sued her in New York Supreme Court and obtained a writ of execution against the Rogers estate in Pelham which, by then, consisted of only about 101 acres of the original 175-acre tract. In 1878, the Sheriff of Westchester County levied upon and took the Rogers estate from Sarah Rogers and offered it at a Sheriff's Auction to the highest bidder at an auction held at the County Courthouse in White Plains on April 17, 1878 at 11:00 a.m. So far, research has not revealed the outcome of the auction, although it seems readily apparent that Sarah Rogers and her family lost the land at that time.
* * * * *
I have written before about Patrick Lawrence Rogers and his estate in Pelham. See:
Mon., Jul. 31, 2006: Sale at Auction of P. L. Rogers Estate on Mainland Across from Hunter's Island in Pelham in 1869.
Thu., Feb. 18, 2010: 1869 Advertisement for Auction of Portion of 175 Acres in Town of Pelham Owned by P.L. Rogers.
Thu., Sep. 07, 2017: Patrick L. Rogers of Pelham and His Estate Along Shore Road in the 19th Century.
Detail From 1868 Beers Map Showing Location of the P. L. Rogers Estate
Along Today's Shore Road, A Portion of Which Was Offered for Sale at a
Peremptory Auction Held on Saturday, April 3, 1869. Source: Beers,
Actual Surveys by and Under the Direction of F. W. Beers, Assisted by A.B.
Prindle & Others, p. 35 (NY, NY: F. W. Beers, A.D. Ellis & G.G. Soule, 1868).
NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
* * * * *
Below is the text of a number of other advertisements and other items that are not quoted in their entirety above that form bases for today's Historic Pelham article. Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.
"THE FALL CAMPAIGN OPENED at Gen. Taylor's Head-Quarters, No. 76 Fulton-st., corner of Gold. -- P. L. ROGERS, Commissary General of the above well-known establishment, desires to acquaint his patrons and the public, that he is now prepared to offer them an assortment of FALL and WINTER CLOTHING (made of superior materials, and by experienced workmen) at wholesale and retail, cheaper and more varied in style than can be found at any other house in this city. The entire establishment is under the supervision of Mr. J. SOUDER, who will specially attend to the custom department, thereby guaranteeing a perfect fit to all who patronize him. Remember, 76 Fulton-st., corner Gold -- Gen. Taylor's Head Quarters. s16 1m*"
Source: THE FALL CAMPAIGN OPENED [Advertisement], New-York Daily Tribune, Oct. 2, 1851, Vol. XI, No. 3263, p. 2, col. 4.
"UNION HALL
Wholesale & Retail Clothing Warehouse, CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STREETS, Opposite the Sun and Herald Buildings, New York.
THIS SPLENDID EDIFICE, SIX STORIES IN HEIGHT, was built expressly for P. L. ROGERS, and opened in November, 1850. So great has been the increase of business in this short space of time, that the Proprietor has been compelled to add the adjoining building to his establishment, and now possesses one of the largest and most complete wholesale and retail CLOTHING EMPORIUMS in the country.
UNION HALL is situated on one of the great business thoroughfares, corner of Nassau and Fulton streets, and is one of the most central locations in the city. The building contains SIX FLOORS, each of which is, of itself, a complete department.
The First Floors are devoted to the retail business exclusively, and a number of polite salesmen are always in attendance.
The Second Floors are the custom departments, replete with all the latest and most desirable styles of goods, of our own importations, and from manufacturers' agents, where all who desire their garments made to order, in the best style, and for reasonable prices, will be promptly served.
The Third and Fourth Floors are devoted to the wholesale branch; and wholesale buyers will find, in this department, an extensive variety of the garments suited to all markets.
The Fifth and Sixth Floors are occupied exclusively for manufacturing.
The Spring and Summer Stock for 1852 is perhaps the largest ever exhibited before by any establishment, and embraces the most fashionable and substantial wearing apparel of every description, SUITABLE FOR ALL CLASSES, of every variety of material, at the lowest prices ever before known in the trade. Buying his Goods in immense quantities, the Proprietor is thereby enabled to effect a GREAT SAVING in cost, which results to the benefit of the purchaser. His stock of CLOTHS, CASSIMERES AND VESTINGS, from the best manufactories in EUROPE AND AMERICA, manufactured and imported to order, and embrace all of the richest fabrics and most beautiful styles.
The attention of COUNTRY MERCHANTS and purchasers generally, is particularly invited to an examination of this IMMENSE STOCK of some Two Hundred Thousand Dollars' Worth of Ready-Made Clothing, Manufactured by competent workmen, and cut in the most elegant and modern style. Also, every variety of Boys' Clothing.
A separate department is manged by a gentleman of experience and taste, and supplied with every material in use, imported and of home manufacture.
P. L. ROGERS,
Union Hall Clothing Emporium,
corner of Fulton and Nassau sts.,
opposite the Sun and Herald offices.
ap13 2m"
Source: UNION HALL Wholesale & Retail Clothing Warehouse [Advertisement], The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 20, 1852, p. 3, col. 4 (Note: Paid subscription required to access via this link).
"THE PRIZE CARRIAGE FOR UNION HALL. -- The following communication from Mr. P. L. ROGERS, the well-known Clothier of Union Hall, is in reply to a letter, signed 'An Artist,' which appeared in the DAILY TIMES of Saturday:
UNION HALL CLOTHING WAREHOUSE, }
Cor. of Fulton and Nassau-sts., Friday, March 18. }
To the Editor of the New-York Daily Times:
MR. EDITOR: I have the pleasure to state, in answer to the communication of 'An Artist, that the prize of $100 for the best design of a commodious and elegant business vehicle for Union Hall, has been awarded to Mr. N. H. Hoyt, of No. 230 Ninth-avenue, (the artist and architect employed by Mr. Kipp, the well-known stage proprietor,) for a most superb and beautiful model from which he is now engaged in manufacturing the Prize Carriage. It will be completed is time for the World's Fair, and will run to and fro between our establishment and the Crystal Palace. The vehicle, harness and horses will form, together, the most magnificent business 'turn out' ever seen in New-York. Yours respectfully, P. L. ROGERS."
Source: THE PRIZE CARRIAGE FOR UNION HALL, N.Y. Times, Mar. 21, 1853.
"DIED . . .
ROGERS. -- On Wednesday, July 6, at his residence, at Pelham, Westchester County, N.Y., P.L. ROGERS, from injuries sustained by being thrown from his carriage, on the 4th inst., aged 50 years.
The funeral Will take place from St. Stephen's Church, corner of East 28th-st. and Lexington-av., on Saturday morning, at 10 1/2 o'clock. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, without further notice."
Source: DIED . . . ROGERS, N.Y. Times, Jul. 8, 1864.
"Legal Notices.
-----
SHERIFF'S SALE. -- By virtue of a certain writ of execution issued out of the Supreme Court of the State of New York and to me directed and delivered, I have levied upon and taken -- which I shall expose for sale, as the law directs, at the Court-House in the village and town of White Plains, county of Westchester, and State of New York, on Wednesday, the seventeenth day of April, 1878, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon of that day -- all the right, title, and interest of Sarah A. Rogers, individually and as executrix of and trustee under the last will and testament of P. L. Rogers, deceased, which she had on the 20th day of February, 1877, or at any time thereafter, of, in, and to the following described premises, to wit:
All that certain tract, piece, or parcel of land situate lying and being in the town of Pelham, county of Westchester, and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: Beginning at high water mark on the shore of Long Island Sound, at the boundary line between the premises hereby intended to be conveyed and land of Aaron Raymond (formerly of the said Patrick L. Rogers); and running thence along said Raymond's land north, twelve degrees fourteen minutes west (N., 12 deg. 14 min. W.), seven hundred and sixteen (716) feet, crossing the highway known as the Boston road, to the northerly side of said road; thence along the northerly side of said road south, seventy-three degrees twenty-six minutes west (S., 78 deg. 26 min. W.), sixty-one (61) feet, to the other land of said Raymond; thence along said Raymond's land north, twenty-two degrees fifty-three minutes west (N., 22 deg. 53 min. W.), five hundred and eighty (580) feet; thence north, sixty-eight degrees thirty four minutes east (N., 68 deg. 34 min. E.), twenty (20) feet; thence north, twenty-two degrees five minutes west (N., 22 deg. 5 min. W.), four hundred and sixty-five (465) feet six (6) inches; thence south, sixty-eight degrees thirty-four minutes west (S., 68 deg. 34 min. W.), four hundred and eighty (480) feet; thence south, twenty-two degrees fifty-one minutes east (S., 22 de. 51 min. E.), four hundred and sixty-five (465) feet six (6) inches, to land of Doctor Morris; thence along said Morris's land south, sixty-eight degrees thirty-four minutes west (S., 68 deg. 34 min. W.), eight hundred and ten (810) feet, to land of M. L. Bartow; thence along said Bartow's land north, thirty-eight degrees fifty-eight minutes west (N., 38 deg. 58 min. W.), seven hundred and twenty-six (726) feet; thence north, forty-nine degrees twenty-seven minutes east (N., 49 deg. 27 min. E.), one hundred and seventy-eight (178) feet; thence north, thirty-eight degrees six minutes west (N., 38 deg. 6 min. W.), two hundred and fifty-two (252) feet; thence north, sixteen minutes east (N., 16 min. E.), one hundred and thirty-six (136) feet; thence north, fifteen degrees seventeen minutes east (N., 15 deg. 17 min. E.), five hundred and twenty-nine (529) feet; thence south, eighty degrees twenty-six minutes east (S., 80 deg. 36 min. E.), three hundred and eighty-six (386) feet; thence north, sixty-seven degrees sixteen minutes east (N., 67 deg. 16 min. E.), one hundred and six (106) feet; thence north, thirty-six degrees seven minutes west (N., 36 deg. 7 min. W.), eight hundred and forty-eight (848) feet; thence north, sixty-six degrees forty-four minutes east (N., 66 deg. 44 min. E.), sixty-six (66) feet; thence north, sixty degrees, forty-four minutes east (N., 60 deg. 44 min. E.), eight hundred (800) feet thence north, seventy degrees thirty-six minutes east (N., 70 deg. 36 min. E.), eighty-six (86) feet; thence north, sixty degrees forty-four minutes east (N., 60 deg. 44 min. E.), two hundred and eighty-five (285) feet; thence north, forty-four degrees two minutes east (N., 44 deg. 2 min., E.), one hundred and seventy-one (171) feet; thence along land of Peter Van Cortlandt south, sixteen degrees twenty-three minutes east (S., 16 deg 23 min. E.), eight hundred and twelve (812) feet; thence south, thirteen degrees eleven minutes east (S., 13 deg. 11 min. E.) seven hundred and thirty-one (731) feet six (6) inches; thence north, seventy-six degrees fifteen minutes east (N., 76 deg. 15 min. E.), seventeen (17) feet, to land of Mary C. Worster; thence along said Worster's land south, twenty-one degrees twenty-four minutes east (S., 21 deg. 24 min. E.), nine hundred and sixty-one (961) feet six (6) inches; thence still along said Worster's land and land of Charles A. Trowbridge north, sixty-nine degrees thirteen minutes east (N., 69 deg. 13 min. E.), six hundred and twenty-one feet, to land of Peter Van Cortlandt aforesaid; thence along said Van Cortlandt's land south, seventeen degrees thirty minutes east (S., 17 deg. 31 min. E.), five hundred and fifty-three (553) feet, to the northerly side of the Boston road aforesaid; thence sought, twenty-seven degrees eight minutes east (S., 27 deg. 8 min. E.), forty-six (46) feet six (6) inches, to the southerly side of said road; thence still along said Van Cortlandt's land south, eighteen degrees east (S., 50 deg. E.), one hundred and forty-three (143) feet to high water mark on the shore of Long Island Sound; and thence along said shore, at high water mark, in a general westerly direction, to the place of beginning; together with all the right, title, and interest of the said Patrick L. Rogers, deceased, and of the party hereto of the first part (Sarah A. Rogers), in and to the land under water, and all water rights and privileges in front of, adjacent, and appertaining to the premises above described: being the same premises above described; being the same premises shown on a map or diagram surveyed for Audley W. Gazzam by Rudolph Ross, surveyor, August 27th, 1875, recorded in the Westcheter County Register's office, in Liber 676 of Mortgages, page 124, &c., September 6, 1875: excepting and reserving however, from the premises above described the land of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Company, shown in said diagram; also excepting a certain parcel of land containing two acres, shown in said diagram, and marked 'A;' and a certain other parcel of land containing one acre, shown in said diagram and marked 'B' thereon -- the premises hereby intended to be conveyed containing, exclusive of the exceptions and reservations above mentioned, and exclusive of the highway known as Boston road, one hundred and one acres and one-tenth of an acre of land. -- Dated February 26, 1878.
ROBERT F. BRUNDAGE, Sheriff.
HORATIO F. AVERILL, Plaintiff's Attorney,
120 Broadway, N. Y. 46w7"
Source: Legal Notices -- SHERIFF'S SALE, Eastern State Journal [White Plains, NY], Mar. 15, 1878, Vol. XXXIII, No. 48, p. 4, col. 1.
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