Correspondence (arranged chronologically) in the Rogers papers is not continuous but rather falls into groups. Between 1825 and 1878 most of the letters concern Joshua Britton and his life as a minister in New England. Between 1889 and 1895 the correspondence consists of exchanges between Charles, while a student at the University of Wisconsin, and his parents. Rogers' letters at this time contain detailed accounts of student activities, especially debating, class work, and entertainment; descriptions of professors; and numerous characterizations of campus speakers such as Woodrow Wilson, William McKinley, and Robert Ingersoll. Since Rogers was an advocate of the Single tax, there are scattered letters referring to this between 1893 and 1906. Letters of 1915-1917 relate to his interest in the University of Wisconsin and alumni matters, and deal with tuition policies, the legislative committee, and appropriations. Correspondence of 1918-1920 includes communications Mrs. Rogers had in connection with her association with The Fatherless Children of France. Rogers' correspondence of 1930-1951 relates to reunions of the class of 1893 and the law class of 1895 at the University of Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association, and the Wisconsin X Club.
Miscellaneous materials include records of the Liberty Loan Speakers' Bureau, records and accounts for The Fatherless Children of France, typewritten copies of “Reminiscences of a Country Lawyer,” and various class notes and papers relating to the University of Wisconsin.
The Rogers papers include three very interesting collections of diaries, due partly to the periods covered and partly to the subject matter. 1) Between 1824 and 1878 Reverend Joshua Britton kept daily journals and diaries which reflect the life of a preacher in New England--a preacher who very often filled pulpits in two or three states in the course of a year. His diaries of the 1870s are concerning his life after he moved to Wisconsin. 2) Reverend Britton's niece, Angenette (Nettie) Horton Rogers (mother of Charles B. Rogers) kept diaries from 1856? to 1905. These record the daily activities of a housewife and mother. 3) From 1882 to 1960 Charles B. Rogers faithfully kept his own diaries, recording daily activities relating to his school work at the University of Wisconsin, his personal life, and his legal practice in Fort Atkinson. Filed with the diaries are other bound records of individuals plus a few unbound papers of Joshua Britton.
Filed at the end of the collection are the records of Rogers and Rogers, records of the City Hall Company of Fort Atkinson, a list of cases tried in a justice court in Jefferson County, and a record of receipts and expenditures of the First Universalist Church at Fort Atkinson.
