ROBERT ROGERSON
Robert Rogerson (b. Rehoboth, Mass., 15 March 1757; d. 1824 or later) was a composer, singer, and physician. He settled in Boston where, on 24 March 1785, he married Lucy Dearing. Although a history of his birthplace names him as an 'honored physician in Boston,' no record of his education has been found; perhaps it was foreign. In 1789 he appeared as a solo singer in a Boston performance of Samuel Felsted's oratorio Jonah. The Boston Handel and Haydn Society elected him its president in 1823-24. He should not be confused with his father, the Reverend Robert Rogerson (b. Plymouth, England, 1721; d. Rehoboth, Mass., 20 March 1799), pastor of the First Church of Rehoboth from 1759 until his death.
Sonneck-Upton. Also Arnold 1897, p. 732; Boston Marriages 1903, p. 100; Brooks 1888, p. 95-97; Census 1790, Massachusetts, p. 184, col. 2; Handel & Haydn 1883, p. 88-89; Tilton 1918, p. 178.
AN ANTHEM SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN HANCOCK, 1793
ASMI 441
An Anthem, Sacred to the Memory of His Excellency John Hancock, Esq; late Governor and Commander in Chief of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. By Dr. Robert Rogerson.
Know ye not that there is a great man fallen this day? 2 Sam. iii Ch. 38 verse.
Published according to act of Congress. Printed, typographically, at Boston, by Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T. Andrews. Sold at their bookstore, No. 45, Newbury Street; by said Thomas in Worcester; and by the booksellers in Boston, and elsewhere.-1793.
8 p. 14 x 24.5 cm.
Recommendations dated 16 Oct. 1793. (Hancock died 8 Oct.) Boston Columbian Centinel, 16 Oct. 1793, reports that the work 'will be published tomorrow morning.' Advertised as 'now published', Columbian Centinel, 19 Oct. p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], dedication, 'Recommendations'; p. [3]-8, music. "The following anthem, in memory of the late Governor Hancock, is most respectfully inscribed to all denominations of Christians, throughout the Common-wealth of Massachusetts. By the author.' (Dedication in full.) 'Recommendations. We the Subscribers, having seen and examined Dr. Rogerson's Anthem... do hereby recommend it as a valuable performance, and particularly adapted to the solemn occasion of the Death of that Good and Great Man. [Signed:] Oliver W. Lane. Oliver Holden. Matthew Clark. Joshua Eaton. Edmund Bowman. Jacob Kimball, Jun. William Williams. Ebenezer White. George Trott. Ezra Parmeter. [New par.] I have examined an Anthem composed by Dr. Rogerson, sacred to the Memory of the late worthy Governor, John Hancock, Esquire, and find in it nothing contrary to the rules of Harmony, and think it well adapted to the occasion. William Selby. October 16, 1793.' (Recommendations in full.)
1 anthem for 4 voices; full text. Attrib. to Rogerson. Identified as 1st pr. American composition.
Not in Core Repertory.
E26104 (NN). MB, NN*.
ASMI pp. 527-528.