Freestone County, Texas
Biographies 



Biography of George Washington Rogers 
    (Feb. 7, 1820-Jan. 26, 1864, buried at Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Bienville 
    Parish, LA.)

LUCINDA BENSON GIBBS (1818-1884) future wife of Colonel GEORGE WASHINGTON ROGERS
(1820-1864). 

G.W. Rogers served in the War in Mexico - under Captain Gillespie; Col. John C. 
Hays: 1st Regiment Texas Rangers, Gen. Zachary Taylor. He was wounded on 
assault on Bishop's Palace, Monterrey, Mexico. His name is on the Gillespie 
Monument in Huntsville, Texas. After the battle (from war department 1846) Col.
George Washington Rogers lay wounded on battle field all night, during icy 
storm. He contracted tuberculosis. After recuperating, he returned to his home
in Gibbsland, LA. Later he married Lucinda Benson Gibbs.

George Washington Rogers and his wife, Lucinda Benson Gibbs purchased 600 acres
of land in Walker county in 1844 from Pleasant Gray and his wife, Hannah. 
(This being out of their Headright.) Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Rogers were said to be 
the wealthiest family in town and their Greek-Revival style home on University
Avenue was the finest in its heyday. The aristocracy from East Texas were 
entertained there. (G.W. Rogers was Huntsville's first Treasurer.) One feature 
was a huge ballroom that occupied the southeast wing. In later years, the 
house served as the president's mansion for the third president of Austin 
College - Rufus Bailey. The house also became the home of H.H. Smith, the 
second president of Sam Houston Normal Institute. Other owners made changes in 
the house, but it has been restored and is still standing today.

Listed in 1850 Walker County Census as a merchant, 30 years old.

Died near Cotton Gin, Freestone, Texas. (After remaining in Texas for 2 years, 
remains were moved to Mount Lebanon, La., and interred by Mt. Lebanon Masonic 
Lodge #104.)