Guide to the John Rodgers Papers

John Rodgers was born in Boston in 1727; his family moved to Philadelphia the following year. He studied for the ministry under the Rev. Samuel Blair and was licensed by New Castle Presbytery in 1747. In 1749 he was called to St. George's Church in Delaware. In 1765 Rodgers moved his family to New York City to take charge of a congregation there; this became the First Presbyterian Church.

Rodgers served as a brigade chaplain in the Continental Army of the United States. After the war he returned to New York City, which was largely in ruins; the First Presbyterian Church had been converted into a hospital. Rodgers preached in Episcopal churches in the city until his own church was rebuilt.

Rodgers holds the distinction of having been moderator of the first General Assembly, in 1789. He preached for the last time in 1809 and died two years later, at the age of eighty-four.