Samuel Ramsey Rodgers (1798 – July 14, 1866) was an American attorney, judge and politician, who served as Speaker of the Tennessee Senate during the months following the Civil War.
He oversaw the passage of several important pieces of legislation in the senate, including the state's ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
[3] In 1834, Rodgers organized a petition calling for the gradual abolition of slavery, which he submitted to the state constitutional convention then in session.
[2] In 1855, Rodgers ran as the American Party ("Know Nothing") candidate for the Tennessee Senate seat representing Knox and Roane counties,[8] and defeated Democrat and popular Knoxville businessman Joseph A. Mabry in the general election.
[14] In May 1861, Rodgers was among the Unionists who signed a call for the region's Union supporters to meet in Knoxville at what would become known as the East Tennessee Convention.
Speaking forcefully in favor of the bill, Rodgers stated that Rebels "had no right to live, much less to vote," and that it was "a piece of impudence for them to come here and ask the immunities of loyal citizens of America.
"[22] In a subsequent speech, he stated that a truly repentant Rebel would ask only of Union leaders, "let me live in the country, I ask no part in the Government, I come back a hired servant.
In early June 1865, Governor Brownlow appointed Rodgers chancellor (judge) of the state's eighth chancery district, which included Sevier, Blount, Monroe, McMinn, Roane, Knox, and Anderson counties.