John Rogers was the grandson of Captain John Rogers (1626-1671), a Merchant Venturer who traded goods from Newcastle with the nations surrounding the Baltic Sea. He invested his money in property around Newcastle, acquiring shares in coal mines, lead mines, salt pans and other income-producing assets. He also purchased Denton Hall to the west of the city. John Rogers’ father, also John Rogers (1656-1709) was appointed High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1693, and married Elizabeth Ellison (1665-1734). John was their only child: he also played a role in public life, becoming a Justice of the Peace and being appointed High Sheriff of Northumberland in 1715. He married Anne Delaval (1688-1723): they had no children. However, Rogers became mentally unstable, and following the death of his wife in 1723 and his mother in 1735, it became clear that he was unable to manage his own affairs. In 1742 his cousin Edward Montagu became his legal guardian, and when Rogers died in 1758, Edward inherited a significant part of his estate. See Rogers Family Tree.