Almost every Harper researcher has heard through family lore that they are descended from Robert Harper of Harpers Ferry …....who had no children. (This includes my own family!) In the estate settlement of Robert Harper you find:...“decd in acct with Edward Lucas, one of the Executors thereof” on 26 Feb 1795, it states: “To do (ditto) paid T. Worthington D. Sheraiff in full of Benjamin Harper Executor of R Harpers Estate….14 £ 4 shillings 9 (D)? pence?”. Again after 1 May 1802…”to amount of Ebenezer Harper_____against the Este paid T. Worthington D. Sheriff, 7£ 15 shillings 3 (D) pence?” I personally think Benjamin and Ebenezer are the same person...but this is based on no fact whatsoever. I can go back only to a Benjamin Harper who married Charlotte Hiett. When? I don't know. I have never seen a marriage license. Benjamin was paying taxes (on a horse) in 1805 in Frederick Co, VA. He did not buy land until 1812. However, in both Benjamin and Charlotte's wills they referred to each other as husband and wife and they did have a son, John, born in 1798 as well as 4 more sons. As to Benjamin's birth year...that too is a mystery. His will was proved in 1817. We don't know if he died of old age, disease or by the fate of an accident. He could have been born anytime from maybe 1750 to 1780. Charlotte could have been a second or even third wife. Benjamin's parentage is a mystery. There was a Benjamin in North Liberties, City of Philadelphia who died between 15 Sep 1797 and 30 Nov 1798. He had a son, Benjamin, but here the trail ends. (At least for me.) An early church record of New Castle County, Wilmington Monthly Meeting, notes a certificate of removal sent 1 Nov 1786 to Abington MMtg stating "Benjamin Harper – clear of marriage engagements." I don't know what this means either. I am a big believer in the family naming –game. First son named after the father's father, second after the mother's father. There are NO Roberts in our history. I invite any corrections, clarifications or suppositions to all that I have presented above. Mitzie Preston Madaline H. Preston