When Mr. and Mrs. John Rogers talk of going through life together, they really mean it. They were born in the same village in the same year, attended school together, and are now completing their 60th year of partnership in marriage.
The story began in Riseley, Beds., in January, 1861, when Mr. Rogers saw the light, his wife entering the world in the following August. The marriage was on August 26th, 1880 – it was conducted by the Rev. R. Barber – and Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, now at 46, Irchester-road, Rushden, will therefore reach the diamond wedding anniversary next Sunday.
Bricks used to be made by hand at Riseley, and Mr. Rogers helped to make them. Forty-two years ago he came to Rushden because the Brick and Tile Company were opening-up in Wellingborough-road. Here the bricks were made by machine and his work was that of a burner. He gave up his old calling at the end of the last war and turned to the boot industry, finding employment with Messrs. Eaton and Co. and then for 12 years with Messrs. William Green and Son.
Apart from the fact that 60 years is a long run, Mr. and Mrs. Rogers can see no reason for telling a long story. They have lived quietly, and, says Mrs. Rogers, their chief concern in former years was “bringing up our children as well as we could.” The six surviving children are Mrs. Marlow (Croydon), Mr. W. E. Rogers (Irthlingborough), Mr. C. E. Rogers (Duston), Mr. Edgar Rogers (Higham Ferrers), Mr. James Rogers (South Norwood) and Mrs. Arthur Southwell (Kettering).
There are eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Mrs. Rogers is no longer robust, but her husband, still capable of tending his garden grounds, looks remarkably well for a veteran of 79 years.
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