Although numerous members of the Rodier family of Georgetown are buried in Holy Rood Cemetery, the only grave stone that can be found today is that of Mary Imogen Rodier, “infant daughter of Anthony and Catherine Rodier,” who died July 18, 1852.
(Not all of the Georgetown Rodiers are buried in Holy Rood, and the inclusion here of the immigrant Philibert Rodier––Mary Imogen’s grandfather, and the founder of the family in Georgetown––should be considered provisional.)
Philibert Rodier
Jean-Francois Philibert Louis Rodier, civil engineer, was born in France, circa 1784. While serving in the engineer corps of the army of Napoleon, Rodier was captured and imprisoned on a hulk in the harbor of Chatham, England, where he became a Freemason. Emigrated to America circa 1814-1815. (Information per a descendant.)
He married Mary Adelaide (Jones) Jarber, October 29, 1816, in Washington, DC.
“P. Rodier” ran an oyster house and lodging house in Georgetown in 1822. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, “City Tavern: A Century of Georgetown History, 1796-1898”, Columbia Historical Society, Vol. 50, 1980, pp. 1-35)
Philibert Rodier & Felix Nicolay, insolvent debtors, confined in Washington County Prison, for debt. (Intelligencer, August 23, 1822)
1826-1828, Rodier may have worked at Cape Henlopen on the Delaware Breakwater, which was designed by the Philadelphia architect William Strickland as a refuge for ships during storms.
C&O Canal, groundbreaking ceremony, July 4, 1828 (President John Quincy Adams). Benjamin Wright, Chief Engineer; Philibert Rodier, draughtsman.
Rodier’s name is inscribed on one of the plaques on the east side of the High Street (Wisconsin Avenue) Bridge over the C&O Canal.
Philibert Rodier, of France, draftsman, Engineer Corps of the C&O Canal Company. (Jonathan Elliot, Historical Sketches of the Ten Miles Square forming the District of Columbia: with a picture of Washington, describing objects of general interest or curiosity at the metropolis of the Union, 1830)
A C&O Canal Historical Society historian found evidence that Rodier was also involved in the construction of the canal connecting the C&O Canal with the Washington Canal, and that Rodier’s “Washington Engineering Office” was the Old Stone House in Georgetown––which was also family lore. “Descendents of Philibert Rodier, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company engineer and designer of the Wisconsin Avenue Bridge, maintain that Rodier and his family resided in the Old Stone House in 1830. Although there are no extant records to verify this, it seems highly likely as the Georgetown Directory of 1830 lists Rodier as residing on Bridge Street near Washington Street, which is the approximate location of the Old Stone House.”
(Genevieve M. Arend, Tara P. Cubie, Old Stone House Historic Structure Report, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Capital Region, Washington, D.C., April 2013.)
The 1830 directory of Georgetown lists Philibert Rodier, engineer, on Bridge Street, near Washington Street, i.e. M and 30th Streets, NW. Family history identifies this as 3051 M Street, the “Old Stone House”, built by Christopher Layman in 1765.
John Francis Philibert Rodier died November 26, 1833 near Williamsport, Maryland, possibly of cholera contracted while working on C&O Canal.
“P. Rodier” was buried December 13, 1833 in a walnut and cherry coffin, by William King, Georgetown undertaker. (William King’s Mortality Books, 1833-1863, Vol. 2).
No location of burial was given by William King, and no record of his burial has been identified in the Trinity Church archives. There may in fact be none to be found there, as Rodier, a freemason, may not have been eligible for burial in a Catholic cemetery.
John Philibert Rodier
Born circa 1819
Married to Mary Elizabeth Settle, 1838
Died November 26, 1842, buried (half pay ground) Trinity Church Upper Grave Yard (Holy Rood Cemetery)
(Trinity Church record says age 30, which would place his birth in 1812. But, per a descendant, 1819 is more likely.)
Maria Rodier
Daughter of John Rodier and of Maria Elizabeth Settle, his wife, born April, 1839
Died May 13, 1839, age 1 month, 7 days
Trinity Church Upper Grave Yard (Holy Rood Cemetery)
(Buried in half pay ground)
Charles Henry Rodier (“Henry”) (See The Rodier Brothers)
Born circa 1818.
Married Elizabeth Smart, February 3, 1842.
Mary E. C. Rodier, wife of C. H. Rodier, died July 30, 1850, in the 27th year of her life, July 31, 1850. (Marriage and Death Notices from National Intelligencer, 1800-1850)
Charles H. Rodier married Ann Elizabeth Clements (1837-1866), at Holy Trinity Church, Georgetown, November 17, 1853. (She may have been a Protestant.)
Charles Henry Rodier’s business seems to have been in dry goods: “Rodier and Brother” were paid for “draping the town house in mourning” when the Mayor of Georgetown died. (Georgetown Ordinances, September 18, 1852)
Death of a District officer.––We announce with regret the death, after a few days of illness, of Capt. Charles H. Rodier, of Georgetown, an officer in the 1st District regiment. The deceased, when Washington was threatened with invasion last summer, commanded the Anderson Rifles of Georgetown, and his company was one of the first to take the oath of allegiance and enlist as three months volunteers for the defense of the National Capital. They performed good service, being the first troops to cross the Potomac, which they did at Chain Bridge. Capt. Rodier was afterwards appointed in the 1st district regiment, where he has a brother serving as a lieutenant. He was accidentally shot in the leg at his camp some months ago, and suffered a great deal from the wound. He recovered so as to rejoin his regiment, but the ball was never extracted. He died yesterday afternoon. Deceased was 43 years old, and leaves a wife and a large family of children.
(Star, April 4, 1862)
Charles Henry Rodier died April 3, 1862, age 44
Trinity Church Death Register, p.111;
(indexed, p.79 as “Charles A. Rodier”)
Section 15, lot 24,
Trinity Church Upper Grave Yard (Holy Rood Cemetery)
Site bought by Kengla and Hall, of Grace Street, Georgetown.
Charles Henry Rodier [Jr.]
Died June, 1862, age 6 months
Son of Charles Henry Rodier and Ann Elizabeth Clements
Trinity Church Upper Grave Yard (Holy Rood Cemetery)
Charles Anthony Rodier
Born in 1827.
Married Catherine Hall September 11, 1850, in Washington, DC.
A child, Mary Imogen Rodier, “Infant daughter of Anthony and Catherine Rodier”, born circa 1852, died July 18, 1852.
Trinity Church Death Register, p.111; indexed, p. 79;
Section 15, lot 24, Holy Rood Cemetery (Trinity Church Upper Grave Yard),
bought by Kengla and Hall, of Grace Street, Georgetown.
(Ida E. Rodier (1852-1930), child of Charles (Anthony) Rodier and Catherine Hall, married Charles Hollingshead Fickling; they are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.)
White House Hotel, Cherry and High Street, 1858 directory: “I would commend to all lovers of good fixings in the eating line, to make a visit to mine host of the White House, Toney Rodier. Whoever partakes of such oysters as he serves up, will never think of going anywhere else for them. Long may he continue to select, pick out, and serve forth such invincible fellows as he manages to collect from the salt sea-side for the good of our epicures.” (National Republican, February 20, 1861, p.3)
Rodier’s White House Restaurant, 32 and 33 High street, near canal, is almost synonymous with Georgetown. Tony can and does prepare as good a table as can be desired. (National Intelligencer, January 22, 1865)
Steamed oysters and billiards, Rodier’s, 32 and 33 High street, Georgetown, near the canal. (National Intelligencer, January 2, 1865)
Monticello Restaurant, 13 Bridge street, Georgetown, A. Rodier, G.W. Thecker, proprietors. (National Intelligencer, February 7, 1865)
White House Restaurant & Bowling Saloon, 33 High Street
The Bar is Stocked with Choice Wines, Liquors and Cigars. Meals at all hours. Oysters and game in season. Anthony Rodier, Prop. (1874 Georgetown Directory)
Georgetown Affairs: Another tournament came off at Analoston Island last evening, given by the proprietors of the island, Messrs. Rodier and Mulliner. Miss Ida Rodier was crowned 2nd maid of honor. (National Intelligencer, September 26, 1865)
Jolly Fat Men’s Lunch.––The Merry Heavy-weights Eat, Laugh, and Grow Fat.––One of the jolliest meetings of the Jolly Fat Men’s Club, which is proverbial for its jollity, was that of last evening held at the Elkton Hotel, one of whose proprietors, Mr. Anthony Rodier, is a member of the heavy-weights.
The tonnage of humanity present was placed by reasonable estimate at 11,500 pounds, or about six tons, the fifty attendants averaging over 230 pounds each. Mine host gave them liquors and solids such as agree with the rotund forms of Jolly Fat Men, and they in turn gave him a hearty compliment, and at parting rousing cheers.
(Washington Post, November 22, 1893, p.6)
Died.––Rodier––On Tuesday, February 19, 1901, at 11:15 p.m., at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Charles H. Fickling, Charles Anthony Rodier, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. (Washington Post, February 21, 1901, p.3)
Elks Deplore C.A. Rodier’s Death.––Retired Caterer Was Charter Member Of Washington Lodge, No.15.––Charles A. Rodier, a charter member of the Washington Lodge of Elks, and one of the oldest residents of this city, died at his home, 1518 Thirty-first street northwest, Tuesday evening. He was widely known as a caterer, and for many years was the possessor of a secret for preparing terrapin stew that was noted throughout the East.
Charles Anthony Rodier, or “Tony” Rodier, as he was more familiarly known, was born in Georgetown in 1827. He was the lessee and manager of Analoston Island for many years, and was a member of the old volunteer fire department of Georgetown. In 1879 he assumed the management of Marshall Hall, where he remained until 1881, when he took charge of the American House, which was under his management for six or seven years. He then took control of the Elkton Hotel, on Sixth street, opposite the Pennsylvania station, which he managed until his retirement from active business a few years ago.
Funeral services will be held to-morrow at Holy Trinity Church, Georgetown. The interment will be in Holy Rood Cemetery, where the beautiful Elks’ service will be held at the grave side. The pallbearers will be John A. Gorman, Thomas Wilkerson, jr., J.D. Burns, J.F. Rupertus, Col. E.B. Hay, John C. Maxwell, Gen. Joseph Darr, and M.J. Gallagher, all members of Washington Lodge, B.P.O.E.
A resolution, adopted by Washington Lodge No.15, B.P.O.E., last night, deplores, in the death of Mr. Rodier, the loss of one who, as a charter member, was faithfully and zealously interested in the welfare of the order, steadfast to its principles, and an adherent of its golden rule, and who won the esteem of all who knew him fraternally.
(Washington Post, February 21, 1901, p.12)
Catherine Rodier
Wife of Charles Anthony Rodier
Born circa 1827, died November 1859, age 32
Trinity Church Upper Grave Yard (Holy Rood Cemetery)
The Hall-Kengla Connection
Matilda Hall, widow of Richard Hall, married Jacob Kengla. She ran a boarding house on High between Canal and Water, with her sons Richard and William Hall as partners. (1853 directory)
Richard Hall, Jr. died September 13, 1858, age 26. His tombstone (Holy Rood 15/124) was bought by his mother, Matilda Hall Kengla, of Grace Street.
Richard Hall’s widow married Charles Anthony Rodier.
Anthony Rodier, Restauranteur, and daughter Ida Rodier, in household of Matilda Hall Kengla (1860 Census).
Death of William E. Hall.––After an illness of a few weeks at Providence Hospital. Mr. Hall was the youngest son of the late Richard Hall and Mrs. Anthony Rodier, of West Washington. When only eight years of age he lost his sight, but for a blind man he was remarkable, being able to go all over the city without assistance. He had an unusually large number of friends and acquaintances. The remains will be buried to-day in Oak Hill Cemetery. (Washington Post, October 19, 1896, p.8)
Mary Imogen Rodier
Born circa 1852, died July 18, 1852
Infant daughter of Anthony and Catherine Rodier
Trinity Church Death Register, p.111; indexed, p. 79;
Section 15, lot 24, Trinity Church Upper Grave Yard (Holy Rood Cemetery)
bought by Kengla and Hall, of Grace Street, Georgetown.
Susannah Rodier
Daughter of James L. Rodier and Susanna Clements?
Born 1868, died September 9, 1886, age 18
Address: 2820 Pennsylvania Ave.
Trinity Church Death Register, p.98
Section 16, Holy Rood Cemetery
James C. Rodier
Born 1885, died October 30, 1886, age 14 months
Address: 3529 O St, Georgetown
Trinity Church Death Register, p.98 (indexed as “Jason C. Rodier”)
Section 16, Holy Rood Cemetery
Francis B. Rodier
Born circa 1888, died September 24, 1891, age 3
Address: 3606 O St, Georgetown
Trinity Church Death Register, p.413
Section 62, Holy Rood Cemetery
James H. Rodier
Trinity Church Death Register, p.324
Section 37, lot 42, Holy Rood Cemetery
purchased in 1904 by James H. Rodier, of 3515 Prospect Ave.
Requiem Set Today for James Rodier.–– Requiem mass for James Henry Rodier, 73, livelong resident of the District, who died Tuesday at his residence, 1409 Thirty-seventh street northwest, will be celebrated this morning at 9 o’clock in Holy Trinity Church, Georgetown. Burial will be in Holy Rood Cemetery.
Mr. Rodier was educated in the D.C. schools and for many years was employed by the National Theater as a stage hand. He later went into the interior decorating business, from which he retired ten years ago.
Surviving are four sons, Phillip L. Rodier, Robert L. Rodier, O.H. Rodier and Lewis V. Rodier, of Vienna, Va., and a brother, Anthony Rodier, of this city.
(Washington Post, March 17, 1938, p.X31)
Bessie Rodier
Trinity Church Death Register, p.324
Section 37, lot 42, Holy Rood Cemetery
purchased in 1904, by James H. Rodier, of 3515 Prospect Ave.
Jules A. Rodier
Died May 13, 1941
Trinity Church Death Register, p.429
Section 55, lot 10, Holy Rood Cemetery
___________________________________________________________
Carlton Fletcher
The citation and acknowledgement of my research is greatly appreciated.
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