This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: batchelorw Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1698.3.2.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Bill, You are absolutely right. Also, the theory that my ancestor Charles J. Roper, b. abt 1818, KY was related to a William Roper and Sarah Standridge is completely wrong and should be disregarded. Charles J. Roper was the son of David Roper, b. abt 1778, and Nancy Lewis of Cumberland County, KY. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Metzger Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1908/mb.ashx Message Board Post: There seem to be extant Georgia Tax lists placing a William ROPER in Chatham County, GA, in 1806. Chatham is on the Atlantic Coast and the site of Savannah, Georgia. There is also a marriage between a William ROPER and a Sarah Metzger shown to have taken place on 07 Dec 1802 in Effingham County, Georgia. The record for the marriage license says: "7 December 1802 Granted License of Marriage unto Mr. William Roper, of this County & State with Miss Sarah Metzger of the Same place, License directed unto the Reverend John Ernst Bergman Minister of the Gospel at Ebenezer or any other Minister of the Gospel or Justice of the Peace for this County." See: "Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-21403-35011-45?cc=1927197 : accessed 15 May 2014), 0180394 (004849072) > image 146 of 549. Effingham County is the county immediately adjacent to the North of Chatham County, GA. Effingham County is bordered on the East by the Savannah River and Jasper County, SC. Effingham and Chatham counties are well to the South of Edgefield, SC, and Pendleton, SC, where large ROPER families settled. * William ROPER does NOT seem to appear in the Census for Georgia in either the 1800 or 1810 Census enumeration. * Has anyone researched this ROPER family? Has anyone looked at the deed records or other extant records in either Effingham or Chatham County? Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Ednes, Keith, Lynch, Burdine, Gentry, Turner Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1907/mb.ashx Message Board Post: There is a biographical sketch of Amos ROPER (b 23 Dec 1845, d 29 May 1915), of Yellow Creek, Dawson Co., GA, within the book Memoirs of Georgia: Containing Historical Accounts of the State's Civil, Military, Industrial and Profession Interests, and Personal Sketches of Many of Its People, Volume 1, By Southern Historical Association (Atlanta, GA: The Southern Historical Association, 1895), at page 582: "AMOS ROPER, farmer, Yellow Creek, Dawson Co., Ga., son of Tyre and Melinda (Ednes) Roper, was born in Pickens district, S.C., Dec. 23, 1845. His parents were natives of South Carolina, and his father was a prosperous farmer and Baptist minister of considerable prominence. They were the parents of nine children: Rachel, Jesse, Rebecca, Samuel, Eliza., Annie; Amos, the subject of this sketch; Mary, and Vashti. Mr. Roper was reared on the farm and educated at the common schools of the district. He enlisted in 1862 in Company H (Capt. Philpot), Second South Carolina regiment, and with his regiment participated in many important battles -- among them, the Wilderness and Darbytown. At the last named battle he was wounded, Oct. 7, 1864, and was taken to Jackson. After receiving his discharge he returned to South Carolina, and to farming. In 1875 he came to Georgia and bought the farm in Dawson county on which he now lives, which contains 2,140 acres. He came out of the wa! r with only $16, and this large farm with its capacious and substantial improvements are the fruits of his hard work and extraordinary good management. In 1891 he was elected tax collector and served one term. He is energetic and enterprising, and always on the alert -- always ready -- to lend a helping hand to measures calculated to benefit the county. Mr. Roper was married Dec. 31, 1868, to Mary E., daughter of Cornelius and Harriet (Lynch) Keith, of old South Carolina families. Six children have blessed this union: John A., married Nancy Burdine; Annie, wife of William M. Gentry; Harriet, wife of Andrew Turner; Sarah, Cornelia, and Foster. He is a very strong and enthusiastic populist, and himself and wife are working and very prominent members of the Baptist church." There is also a sketch of William B. BURDINE (b 31 Mar 1836) father of Nancy BURDINE, who is shown to have married John A. ROPER, Amos ROPER's son, in this volume at page 579. A digital copy of this book appears at the Google Books site: http://books.google.com/books?id=h-8xAQAAMAAJ&dq=&pg=PA582#v=onepage&q&f=false * Amos ROPER died on May 29, 1915, and is interred at the Mount Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery. Amos ROPER's grave, including photos, is shown at the Find a Grave site: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=115492226 Mary Keith ROPER (b 09 Feb 1847, d 22 Apr 1929) is also interred at the Mount Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=115492246 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Rosser Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1698.3.2.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Frank: I realize that this is a rather ancient thread and that your thinking and analysis as to the ROPER family has evolved quite a bit in the last two years. However, I wanted to call your express attention to the fact that the William ROPER shown in the 1790 Census Index is actually a William ROSSER. This can be seen by a careful analysis of the handwriting and comparing to handwriting as shown in other records. See my recent post: "The Chatham, NC, Families Seem To Be ROSSERs or ROSSONs" (14 May 2014 7:40PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/519.2/mb.ashx Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Rosser, Rosson Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/519.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: More than a decade ago, I posted this thread to explore the possibility that some of the confusing records in Chatham, NC, might be ROPERs rather than ROSSERs. At the date of this post, I was seeing a lot of ambiguous records and liberally construing these as possible ROPER records. While there are a handful of ambiguous ROPER records for which it is important to correct the mis-indexing, in my view the early records from Chatham, NC, are NOT amongst these. Some of the early Chatham records are Indexed by Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org as ROPER records. In my view, these are either ROSSER records or ROSSON records. Today, I am CORRECTING the Ancestry Indices to reflect that conclusion, but posting this note for the benefit of other researchers. There are three of these ambiguous records in Chatham in the 1790 U.S. Census, ALL on the same page: John ROSSER, Sr.: 1 - 0 - 3 -- 0 - 4 [Chatham, NC 1790] (Ancestry Image 16 of 21) John ROSSER, Jr.: 1 - 3 - 6 -- 0 - 10 [Chatham, NC 1790] (Ancestry Image 16 of 21) Wm. ROSSER: 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 1 [Chatham, NC 1790] (Ancestry Image 16 of 21) Ancestry is now showing these in its Index as: John ROPER John ROSER, Junior Wm. ROPER * * * Anyone having trouble distinguishing the "ss" and "p" should look at these additional names enumerated to the right of the ROSSER names in the SAME HAND on the SAME Census page: Solomon CHAPMAN Henry CHAPMAN David CHAPMAN ... Wm. COPELAND .. Joseph CRUMP Revd. COPELAND John COPELAND * * * Similarly, some of these same names appear in the 1800 Census for Chatham and they appear to me to be equally unambiguous "ss" rather than "p": John ROSSER, Sr.: 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 -- 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 -- 0 - 0 [Hillsborough, Chatham, NC 1800] (Ancestry Image 10 of 83) John ROSSER: 2 - 2 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 4 - 3 - 0 - 1 - 1 -- 0 - 0 [Hillsborough, Chatham, NC 1800] (Ancestry Image 10 of 83) Abner ROSSER: 3 - 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 2 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 [Hillsborough, Chatham, NC 1800] (Ancestry Image 22 of 83) Joshua ROSSER: 1 - 1 - 1 - 0 - 1 -- 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 -- 0 - 18 [Hillsborough, Chatham, NC 1800] (Ancestry Image 23 of 83) Isham ROSSER: 0 - 3 - 0 - 0 - 1 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 1 -- 0 - 0 [Hillsborough, Chatham, NC 1800] (Ancestry Image 66 of 83) One might argue whether some of these say "sser" rather than "sson," but I do NOT think that ANY of these records shows a "p" rather than an "ss." Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1903.5/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Within several prior posts in this thread, I have discussed the various Census records which might include the presence of Obedience ROPER. I want to pull that information together into a single comprehensive summary to support at least a tentative ascription as to Obedience ROPER's implicit year of birth. Jesse ROPER's 1786 Tax List record gives us very little information as to Obedience ROPER's age: Jesse ROPER: 1 - 3 - 5 -- 0 - 0 [Northampton, NC 1786] Similarly, the 1790 Census gives us only a summary figure for ALL females within the household from which only a very weak inference can be drawn: Jesse ROPER: 3 - 2 - 7 -- 0 - 0 [Cumberland, NC 1790] I mention "very little information" about age and "a very weak inference," because while neither the 1786 List nor the 1790 Census figures show AGES as to females the data still supports a WEAK inference as to Obedience ROPER's age if one first ASSUMES that Obedience ROPER is Jesse ROPER's FIRST WIFE and the mother of ALL of Jesse ROPER's children. IF we ASSUME that Obedience was the mother of three sons and four daughters by 1786, and one further supposes that the children are spaced at about one year intervals with the first child being born about a year after Obedience's marriage to Jesse ROPER, we might make the weak inference that Obedience probably married Jesse ROPER no later than 1778, though perhaps somewhat earlier. If we further suppose that Obedience was at least age 14 at her marriage, we might surmise that Obedience was probably born before 1764, though we cannot say how many years before 1764. Both the Tax List and the 1790 Census data supports this weak inference. * The 1800 Census records gives us better clarity: Jesse ROPER: 2 - 1 - 0 - 2 - 1 -- 6 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 1 -- 0 - 0 [Lancaster District, SC 1800] In this record, the eldest female is age 45 or more (b bef 1756). This result is consistent with the inference we might make from the Tax List and 1790 Census data, but pushes Obedience's implicit year of birth back almost a decade. * I have speculated that Obedience might have resided in John ROPER's household at the date of the 1810 Census enumeration after Jesse ROPER's death: John ROPER: 5 - 1 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 0 - 1 - 0 - 1 - 1 -- 0 - 0 -- 0 - 100 [Mecklenburg, NC 1810] The eldest female within this household is also age 45 or more (b bef 1766), but I showed that this seems NOT to have been John ROPER's wife Sarah Fincher ROPER. But even accepting the assumption that Obedience resided with John ROPER, the 1820 Census gives us no better information than the weak inferences we could make from the 1786 Tax List and 1790 Census. See: "John ROPER (b 24 Feb 1763-6, d 25 Jul 1852 - AL), of Mecklenburg, NC" (12 May 2014 2:17AM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1903.4/mb.ashx * James ROPER's 1820 Census record, which includes two females over age 45 (b bef 1776) gives us yet another data point, though it is even LESS constraining: James ROPER: 0 - 2 - 0 - 2 - 0 - 1 -- 1 - 2 - 1 - 0 - 2 -- 0 - 4 - 0 - 3 -- 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1820] Whether one accepts the assumption that Obedience lived with James ROPER in 1820 or not, we have no additional data to narrow Obedience ROPER's year of birth. * By contrast, James STORY's 1830 Census record presents another possible older female who might be Obedience ROPER: James STORY: 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1830] This female is shown to be age 60 to 69 (b abt 1761-70). I actually suspect that Obedience ROPER is probably OLDER that this, for reasons that I will elaborate in another separate post. Obedience might have shaved a few years OFF of her age in 1830 OR the female in James STORY's household may simply NOT BE Obedience ROPER. * Thus, we can summarize some various implicit estimates: b bef 1764 (based on number of children) [Northampton, NC 1786 and Cumberland, NC 1790] b bef 1756 (age 45 or more) [Lancaster District, SC 1800] (Jesse ROPER) b bef 1766 (age 45 or more) [[Mecklenburg, NC 1810] (John ROPER) b bef 1776 (age 45 or more) [Mecklenburg, NC 1820] (James ROPER) b abt 1761-70 (age 60 to 69) [Mecklenburg, NC 1830] (James STORY) Of these, the implicit age from the 1800 Census is clearly the MOST RELIABLE as Obedience ROPER's presence in ANY of the other households in 1810, 1820 and 1830 is speculative. It might be better said that the other records and estimates are generally CONSISTENT with the estimate from the 1800 Census, EXCEPT FOR the 1830 Census record for James STORY. * Finally, I would point out that it is most likely that Obedience was younger than Jesse ROPER rather than older. Since we have Jesse ROPER's date of birth from the MOORE Family Bible as 31 May 1751, I would attend to expect that Obedience was probably born between 1752 and 1756, though most likely at the earlier end of that range for reasons I will further elaborate in another future post. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Vermillion Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1906.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The contributor seems to have posted a photo of the grave marker of Stirman ROPER (b 24 Jul 1895, d 19 Jul 1896): http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~t42cemeteries/Texas/Hill/FortGraham/ROPER_Irman.JPG Stirman ROPER was a child of James F. ROPER and Mary M. VERMILLION, whose grave marker is also at the Fort Graham Cemetery in Hill County: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~t42cemeteries/Texas/Hill/FortGraham/ROPER_Mary_M_and_James_F.JPG Photos of the graves of two of James and Mary's other children -- Neta and Orah ROPER -- are also available at this page: http://teafor2.com/FortGraham.htm Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Story, Cook Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1903.3.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: In my previous post, I identified James and Nancy ROPER's likely children as: James W. ROPER (b abt 1791-1800 - NC, d bef 1850) m Biddy ROPER on 14 Aug 1821 David M. ROPER (b abt 1795 - SC) Bethia ROPER (b abt 1800 - SC) m James STORY on 25 Feb 1817 (Mecklenburg, NC) Mary ROPER (b abt 1802 - NC) m William NEELY on 28 Nov 1820 (Mecklenburg, NC) Charles B. ROPER (b abt 1801-10 - NC) Daniel C. ROPER (b abt 1807 - SC) Sarah J. ROPER Rebecca R. ROPER * James ROPER's children emerge from their father's household in the 1830 Census. In 1830, there are three ROPER households in Mecklenburg County: Nancy ROPER: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 2 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1830] James W. ROPER: 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 2 - 3 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1830] David ROPER: 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 3 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1830] See: "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGR-QXJ : accessed 14 May 2014), Nancy Roper, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 332, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 122, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0018088. "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGR-QX3 : accessed 14 May 2014), James W Roper, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 331, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 122, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0018088. "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGR-QFW : accessed 14 May 2014), David Roper, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 332, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 122, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0018088. * Nancy and David ROPER are on the SAME Census page. James W. ROPER is on the immediately previous page. Note that ALL of the males seem to have departed Nancy ROPER's household by 1830. Charles B. ROPER seems to have relocated to nearby Chester, SC: Charles B. ROPER: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Chester, SC 1830] The other male in Charles B. ROPER's household might be the brother Daniel C. ROPER. The female, also age 20 to 29 (b abt 1801-10) seems likely to be either a wife from a recent marriage or a sister. * Charles B. ROPER's relocation to Chester may also be related to another obscure record I discovered in 2012. The are extant records showing that James ROPER was granted a contract for the transportation of U.S. mail between Yorkville (York County), SC, and Camden (Kershaw County), SC, from 1827 to 1830. The precise identity of the James ROPER who received this contract is UNKNOWN, however, the proximity of James ROPER, of Mecklenburg, NC, to York, South Carolina, is suggestive of the possibility that James ROPER (b abt 1769-74, d bef 24 Nov 1828) was the recipient of this contract. See: "James ROPER Contractor for Mail Carriage 1827 to 1830" (24 Nov 2012 6:30PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1718.3/mb.ashx To the extent that James ROPER had a lucrative contract to carry the mails, his sons might have continued the operation of this mail cartage after James ROPER's death during this interval. The significance of Charles B. ROPER's residence in Chester, SC, is that the town of Chester is along what appears likely to be the ROUTE that the mail would have been carried. Although the precise route taken probably cannot be ascertained with certainty without examination of the contract or solicitation of bids, intuition suggests that the route probably would have been along main road connecting the largest towns. These would have been Yorkville, to Chester, crossing the Catawba River, to Lancaster to Kershaw to Camden. Locating in either Chester of Lancaster would put a contractor nearer the midpoint of the route. One must also bear in mind that Jesse ROPER previously lived in Lancaster and James ROPER and his eldest sons may have spent some time there. Though hardly conclusive that James ROPER, of Mecklenburg, NC, was the contractor, James ROPER's proximity, prior residence in Lancaster and Charles B. ROPER's residence in Chester is all at least consistent with the possibility that James ROPER might have obtained this contract. * * It also bears mention that there was a Martha ROPER enumerated in Chester, SC, in the 1820 Census: Martha ROPER: 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 2 - 0 - 1 - 0 --0 - 3 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 -- 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 [Chester, SC 1820] I discussed this Martha ROPER at some length within this post: "Martha ROPER (b abt 1776-94), of Chester, South Carolina" (29 Dec 2012 2:04AM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1751.1/mb.ashx * * * * * JAMES W. ROPER I previously discussed James W. ROPER (b abt 1791-1800 - NC, d bef 1850) within this thread: "James W. ROPER (b abt 1791-1800 - NC, d bef 1850), of Mecklenburg, NC, and Sumter, AL" (22 Jan 2013 12:58AM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1767/mb.ashx * * * * * DAVID M. ROPER David ROPER is shown to be residing in Mecklenburg County, NC, in the Census immediately following his father's death: David ROPER: 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 3 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1830] See: "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGR-QFW : accessed 14 May 2014), David Roper, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 332, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 122, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0018088. David seems to be age 20 to 29 (b abt 1801-10) within this enumeration. There is a female of similar age and one female child age 5 to 9, suggesting that this David ROPER might have married before 1826. * * The best candidate in the 1840 Census seems to be James ROPER's son David ROPER, enumerated residing in Winston County, Mississippi: David ROPER: 2 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- NO SLAVES [Winston, MS 1840] See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHTX-548 : accessed 14 May 2014), David Roper, Not Stated, Winston, Mississippi; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 267, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 219, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0014842. * This David ROPER is shown to be age 30 to 39 (b abt 1791-1800), seemingly inconsistent with the 1830 record. However, the age is consistent with that of the David M. ROPER shown in the 1850 Census, as further discussed below. If this is the correct record, one or more of the children may be the children of a wife by a prior marriage, other relatives or unrelated minors. Compare the counts and age distributions to the 1830 record. * * David M. ROPER, age 55 (b abt 1795), and Daniel C. ROPER (b abt 1807), age 43, are found residing in Attala County, MS, in the 1850 Census enumeration. David ROPER is enumerated in Township 16 Range 5E at age 55. Within David M. ROPER's household is Martha ROPER, age 47. Both David and Maratha are shown to be born in South Carolina. David's Household and Family number is shown to be "435". This is Census Image 8 of 8 for this Township at the Ancestry.com presentation of the 1850 Census data. While David M. ROPER is the LAST household listed within Township 16 Range 5E, the very first image on the immediately following page, SHOWN TO BE WITHIN HOUSEHOLD "435" THE SAME HOUSEHOLD AS David M. ROPER, but identified as being in the adjacent Range are the following children: James ROPER, age 19, Male, Farmer, born SC Margaret ROPER, age 18, Female, born SC William ROPER, age 15, Male, born Miss. Berkshire ROPER, age 7, Male, born Miss. Julia ROPER, age 3, Female, born Miss. [Image 1 of 8 at Ancestry.com] See: "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M4L4-QHK : accessed 14 May 2014), Dana M Roper, Attala county, part of, Attala, Mississippi, United States; citing family 435, NARA microfilm publication M432. Note that this record is mis-indexed as "Dana" ROPER. The "David" looks very much like "Dana" in the handwriting, but study will show that the record says "David." * * The birth information of the children is consistent with a migration from South Carolina to Mississippi between 1832 and 1835. Thomas A. ROPER is also enumerated in Attala, MS, in Township 16, Range 5 E Thomas A. ROPER, age 26, Male, Farmer, born SC Sarah ROPER, age 22, Female, Born SC Leonidis ROPER, age 4, Male, born Miss. [Image 7 of 8 at Ancestry.com] See: "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M4L4-MCJ : accessed 14 May 2014), Thomas A Roper, Attala county, part of, Attala, Mississippi, United States; citing family 420, NARA microfilm publication M432. * Thomas would have been born about 1824. It should be noted that this age is slightly incompatible with the age ranges of David ROPER's children as shown in the 1830 Census record, where David ROPER seems to have only one son under age 5. However, the difference is well within the error range of most Census reports. Thomas ROPER doesn't seem to better fit into any other ROPER household. It would be better to carefully consult the probate records and other extant records including deed records before making any conclusive ascription as to any children of David NOT found within his household in 1850. Given the adjacency of Daniel ROPER, it seems very likely that David M. ROPER is James ROPER's son. * * One possibility is that the Martha ROPER shown in the 1850 Census record is the Martha COOK shown to have married a David ROPER in Henry County, Georgia, on 23 Feb 1834. The marriage is shown to have been solemnized by Aron PARKER, J.P. (Justice of the Peace). See: "Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-21404-20560-48?cc=1927197 : accessed 14 May 2014), 0175289 (004849061) > image 98 of 540. IF this is a marriage of David M. ROPER, it appears to be a second marriage since there seems to be a wife and children within the household in 1830. Martha Cook ROPER would then be the mother of only those children shown to be born in Mississippi: William, Berkshire and Julia. * * * * * CHARLES B. ROPER As mentioned above, Charles B. ROPER is probably the Charles B. ROPER enumerated in Chester, SC, in the 1830 Census: Charles B. ROPER: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Chester, SC 1830] See: "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XH5S-FP9 : accessed 14 May 2014), Ciar B Rfer, Not Stated, Chester, South Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 334, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 169, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0022503. Note that the Index entry is completely MANGLED ("Ciar B Rfer"). Both of the males in Charles ROPER's household are shown to be age 20 to 29 (b abt 1801-10). It is probably a good idea to check the land records and tax in Chester to find other indications of Charles ROPER's presence there. As mentioned above, the ROPER sons may have been continuing James ROPER's contract with the U.S. Post Office to haul mail from Yorkville to Camden, SC. There may be a variety of extant records, including newspaper records that can give us better insight into Charles ROPER and his family in Chester. * * In 1840, Charles B. ROPER is enumerated residing in Attala County, MS. Daniel C. ROPER is on the SAME Census page: Charles B. ROPER: 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Attala, MS 1840] Daniel C. ROPER: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Attala, MS 1840] See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHRL-4FL : accessed 14 May 2014), Charles B Roper, Not Stated, Attala, Mississippi; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 7, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 215, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0014841. Both Charles ROPER and Daniel ROPER seem to be in the 30 to 39 age group (b abt 1801-10). The identity of the male age 20 to 29 in Charles ROPER's household is unclear. Charles B. ROPER probably died before 1850, as I cannot identify a Census record for him. However, this is far from conclusive. Additional efforts should probably be made. Deed records and probate records should be consulted. * * * * * DANIEL C. ROPER Daniel C. ROPER first appears in the U.S. Census as a head of household in 1840: Daniel C. ROPER: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Attala, MS 1840] See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHRL-4F2 : accessed 14 May 2014), Danl C Roper, Not Stated, Attala, Mississippi; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 7, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 215, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0014841. As noted above, Daniel is enumerated adjacent to his brother Charles ROPER. * * In 1850, Daniel ROPER is again enumerated in Attala County, Mississippi, this time residing near David M. ROPER: Dan C. ROPER, age 43, Male, Farmer, born South Carolina Nancy E. ROPER, age 40, Female, born SC Charlotte W. ROPER, age 8, Female, born Miss Edora ROPER, age 2, Female, born Miss See: "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M4LW-B4D : accessed 14 May 2014), Dan C Roper, Attala county, part of, Attala, Mississippi, United States; citing family 123, NARA microfilm publication M432. * * In 1860, Daniel ROPER's widow Nancy E. ROPER, shown to be age 50 (b abt 1810), is again enumerated in Township 12, Range 5, Attala County, MS. Nancy's household consists of: Nancy E. ROPER, age 50, Female, Farming, born SC Sarah ROPER, age 60, Female, born SC Charlotte ROPER, age 18, Female, born Miss Udora [sic] ROPER, age 13, Female, born Miss Another household seemingly residing in the same structure is that of Allen INGRAM: Allen INGRAM, age 26, Mage Susan INGRAM, age 22, Female Izorah H. RUFF, age 7, Female [Ancestry.com Image 1 of 4] See: "United States Census, 1860," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M6G4-RRX : accessed 14 May 2014), Nancey E Roper, Township 12 Range 5, Attala, Mississippi, United States; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 211, household ID 1449, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 803577. * It is not immediately obvious where Sarah ROPER, age 60 (b abt 1800 - SC) fits into the family. The single best candidate would seem to be the Sarah ROPER, age 55, enumerated in 1850 residing within the household of Joel RAWLS, age 48, in Leake County, MS. Perhaps this Sarah ROPER is the mother of Joel's wife Sarah A. RAWLS, age 38 (b abt 1812 - SC). * * * * * BETHIA ROPER STORY Bethia Roper STORY first appears clearly within the 1850 Census record residing in Upson County, Georgia. Bethia Roper STORY, age 50 (b abt 1800 - SC), is enumerated with husband James STORY, age 61 (b abt 1789), residing in Upson County, Georgia, in the 1850 Census enumeration. See: "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MZYF-S15 : accessed 14 May 2014), James Story, Upson county, Upson, Georgia, United States; citing family 708, NARA microfilm publication M432. James and Bethis STORY have two boys in the household, James A. STORY, age 19, and William STORY, age 17. James is shown to be born in North Carolina and William is shown to be born in SOuth Carolina, giving further clues to the family migration. James A. ROPER's birthplace suggests that James and Bethia were probably still in Mecklenburg at the date of the 1830 Census. * Fixing James STORY's location in 1850 gives us a strong clue that the 1840 Census record in Upson County also relates to this same James STORY: James STORY: 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Upson, GA 1840] See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHBN-5MG : accessed 14 May 2014), James Story, District 537, Upson, Georgia; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 45, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 52, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0007048. The age of this James STORY is consistent with the age of James STORY in the 1850 record, however, the 1840 record shows the age of the oldest female to be 30 to 39. Of course, depending on the precise timing of Bethis's birthdate and the enumeration date of each Census, being age 39 in 1840 is NOT strictly incompatible with being age 50 in 1850. The two younger males in this household are exactly consistent with the ages of James and William in the 1850 Census record. The identity of the male age 20 to 29 (b abt 1811-20) is unclear. The 1850 enumeration showing Bethia STORY to be age 50 was taken on 11 Oct 1850. The date of the 1840 Census enumeration doesn't seem to appear on the lists. * * What appears to be James STORY's 1830 Census record in Mecklenburg seems to contain a number of persons, the precise relationship of which is unclear: James STORY: 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1830] See: "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGR-QQ4 : accessed 14 May 2014), James Story, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 323, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 122, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0018088. This James STORY seems to be age 40 to 49, which is consistent with the ages shown in teh 1840 and 1850 Census record. There are females age 15 to 19 (b abt 1811-5), age 20 to 29 (b abt 1801-10), age 30 to 39 (b abt 1791-1800) and 60 to 69 (b abt 1751-60). Bethia could be either the female in the 20 to 29 or the 30 to 39 age range. The younger male and younger female may be children of James STORY from a prior marriage. If the female in the 20 to 29 age range is in the lower end of this age range, she could be a daughter of James STORY, as well. The other extra female in James and Bethia Roper STORY's hosuehold could be Bethia's sister Elizabeth ROPER or Rebecca ROPER. One other interesting possibility is that the older female 60 to 69 (b abt 1751-60) could be Jesse ROPER's widow Obedience ROPER, if she was still living. Of course, this female could also be James STORY's mother. It seems UNLIKELY that this woman is Bethia Roper STORY's mother, since Nancy is separately shown to be heading her own household. Recall that there were two females age 45 or more within James ROPER's household in 1820. One of these might have been Obedience ROPER. * * There are two James STORY households in Mecklenburg in 1820: James STORY: 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 1 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1820] (Ancestry Image 31 of 38) James STORY: 2 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 0 - 1 -- 3 - 2 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1820] (Ancestry Image 36 of 38) See: "United States Census, 1820," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGH-884 : accessed 14 May 2014), James Story, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1820 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 193, NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 84, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0162800. "United States Census, 1820," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGH-8VN : accessed 14 May 2014), James Story, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1820 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 198, NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 84, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0162800. * The male in the first record is shown to be age 26 to 44 (b abt 1776-94) with the older female shown to be age 16 to 25 (b abt 1795-1804). The two yongsters under age 10 (b abt 1811-20) in this record are consistent with the ages of male age 10 to 14 and the female age 15 to 19 shown in the 1830 Census record. By contrast, the second James STORY record reflect a male age 45 or more (b bef 1776) and far more children than seen in the first record. The first record is precisely consistent with the 1820 Census record EXCEPT for the appearance of two additional females, including the much older female. The latter record is incompatible with James STORY's age in the 1830, 1840 and 1850 Census record. It is perhaps noteworthy though that NEITHER of these 1820 records shows a female age 45 or more in the household. While it is certainly possible that the female are 60 to 69 in James STORY's household in 1830 could be his own widowed mother, there is no evidence of such an older woman in the household in 1820. Perhaps members of the STORY family can give us additional insight as to the composition of James STORY's household. * * * * * This leaves daughters Mary ROPER (b abt 1802 - NC); Sarah J. ROPER; and Rebecca R. ROPER. I will leave these as an exercise for some other genealogist! Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1767.4/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I recently created a new thread discussing Jesse ROPER (b 31 May 1751,d bef 22 Jan 1810), son of Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN: "Jesse ROPER (b 31 May 1751,d bef 22 Jan 1810), son of Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN" (10 May 2014 8:12AM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1903/mb.ashx Within this thread, I show that James ROPER (b abt 1769-74, d bef 24 Nov 1828) was probably the son of Jesse and Obedience ROPER, and grandson of Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN. I also identify Revolutionary War Veteran John ROPER (b 24 Feb 1763-6, d 25 Jul 1852 - AL) as a likely brother of this James ROPER. * James W. ROPER (b abt 1791-1800 - NC, d bef 1850), of Mecklenburg, NC, and Sumter, AL, was a son of James ROPER (b abt 1769-74, d bef 24 Nov 1828) and Nancy. James W. ROPER's siblings are also identified within that thread. Biddy ROPER was probably a daughter of John ROPER and first cousin of James W. ROPER. There is still MUCH basic genealogical work to do on these families. No one seems to have bothered to identify and transcribe any of the deed records. Tax and probate records need to be carefully examined in each county. Even so, I am reasonably comfortable with the ascription of both James ROPER and John ROPER as sons of Jesse ROPER. See the thread identified above for details. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: t42FortGraham Surnames: ROPER Classification: cemetery Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1906/mb.ashx Message Board Post: ROPER Irman I photographed this tombstone in the Fort Graham Cemetery, Hill County, Texas. Feel free to use the picture for your records. See this photo, one of the 235,021 cemetery photos free at http://teafor2.com . If you know more about this person please reply here,instead of contacting me because this is most likely not my family. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Heustess Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1905/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I wanted to call the attention of to ROPER researchers of the sketch of Rev. John Caswell ROPER appearing within the book Twentieth Century Sketches of the South Carolina Conference, M. E. Church, South, by Watson Boone Duncan (Columbia, SC: The State Company, 1914), at pp. 355-6. http://books.google.com/books?id=0NAQAAAAIAAJ&dq=Roper South Carolina Methodist Minister&pg=PA355#v=onepage&q&f=false The full text of this sketch has been posted at the memorial for Rev. John Caswell Roper at the Find A Grave site, so there is not a lot NEW by looking at the underlying published account, EXCEPT that there is a very handsome likeness of Rev. John C. ROPER as a younger man in the book. The full text as it appears at Find A Grave is available here: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=39250841 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Fincher Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1903.4/mb.ashx Message Board Post: In my previous post regarding James ROPER, I identified the James ROPER shown in the 1820 U.S. Census for Mecklenburg, NC, as a likely son of Jesse and Obedience ROPER. I showed that Jesse ROPER seemed to die in Mecklenburg, or, at least, that his estate was probated there. The focus on Mecklenburg as Jesse ROPER's last residence also necessarily focused our attention on all other Mecklenburg ROPER families and records. Foremost amongst these are the records associated with John ROPER (b 24 Feb 1763-6, d 25 Jul 1852 - AL), who is enumerated in the U.S. Census residing in Mecklenburg in both 1810 and 1820. In the 1820 Census enumeration, this John ROPER is enumerated immediately adjacent to James ROPER, suggesting a close geographic proximity. I am therefore giving a brief sketch of this John ROPER within this thread, but given the significance of Revolutionary War Veteran John ROPER (b 24 Feb 1763-6 - Brunswick, VA, d 25 Jul 1852 - Oak Level, Cleburne, AL) and of the need to reassess at least some of what is generally believed about him, I will post a more fulsome thread dedicated to this John ROPER in the near future. This sketch is therefore intended mostly to show that the John ROPER found in the Census in 1810 and 1820 in Mecklenburg is the War Veteran and also to show his connection to Jesse ROPER and James ROPER. By 1810, John ROPER already had a fairly large family seemingly with at least six sons and a daughter: John ROPER: 5 - 1 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 0 - 1 - 0 - 1 - 1 -- 0 - 0 -- 0 - 100 [Mecklenburg, NC 1810] See: "United States Census, 1810," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHL9-DLX : accessed 12 May 2014), John Roper, Capt Ozburns, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1810 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 472, line 548, NARA microfilm publication M252, roll 42, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0337915. * This John ROPER is shown to be age 26 to 44 (b abt 1766-84). There are two older females within John ROPER's hosuehold, one age 45 or more (b bef 1766) and the other of comparable age to John (b abt 1766-84). There is also one male age 10 to 15 (b abt 1795-1800) and five males under age 10 (b abt 1801-10). There is also one female age 10 to 15 (b abt 1795-1800). Because the identity of this John ROPER's neighbors is also significant, I have shown below ALL of the other heads of household on this Census page: Michael TILMAN Wm COLLEN Jno REDDEN Jno ORMOND Jno GIBBON Jno ORMOND Betey ORMOND Jas ORMOND Jno McCAY Jno FINCHER Ben FINCHER McCajah WILLIAMS John ROPER: 5 - 1 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 0 - 1 - 0 - 1 - 1 -- 0 - 0 -- 0 - 100 [Mecklenburg, NC 1810] Janthua FINCHER Jas FINCHER Jno FINCHER Ben FINCHER Jno FINCHER Joshua FINCHER Jno McCULLOCH Jas McQUISE Alexr STEWART Lincoln STEWART Jas BLIZE Saml BLITH Henry GRIMSHAW * * * The most significant take away as to John ROPER's neighbors is that he is surrounded by members of the FINCHER family. It is KNOWN that John ROPER married Sarah FINCHER on 16 Nov 1797 in Mecklenburg County, NC. See: "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XF9P-CXR : accessed 12 May 2014), John Roper and Sarah Fincher, 16 Nov 1797; citing Mecklenburg, North Carolina, United States; FHL microfilm 000546465. Thus, the presence, in Mecklenburg, of a John ROPER residing in 1810 amongst FINCHERS is highly suggestive that this John ROPER is the SAME John ROPER who married Sarah FINCHER. The age ranges of John ROPER's children are also consistent with this conclusion. Note that five of John ROPER's sons are under age 10 (b abt 1801-10) and one son and one daughter are shown to be age 10 to 15 (b abt 1795-1800). (This ASSUMES that the younger males and females in John's household are his children.) A 16 Nov 1797 marriage could easily produce two children before 1801. * * * John ROPER's 1820 U.S. Census record gives us some additional insight: John ROPER: 1 - 3 - 1 - 3 - 0 - 1 -- 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 -- 0 - 6 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1820] See: "United States Census, 1820," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGH-84M : accessed 11 May 2014), John Roper, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1820 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 189, NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 84, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0162800. * * This John ROPER is shown to be age 45 or more (b bef 1776) with a female, presumably his wife, in the same age group. This John ROPER has a total of eight males residing within his household, including three in the 16 to 25 (b abt 1795-1804) age range. It should be noted that the third and fourth age ranges overlap in 1820. The third age range is age 16 to 18 (b abt 1802-4). This was a really CONFUSING survey design. But IF the Census enumerator followed the instructions, ONE of the three males in the 16 to 25 age range was also age 16 to 18 (b abt 1802-4) and one TWO are in the 19 to 25 (b abt 1795-1801) age range. Thus, John ROPER may have had only SEVEN males residing within his household, NOT eight. This John ROPER also has three males age 10 to 15 (b abt 1805-10) and one under age 10 (b abt 1811-20). Besides the female of comparable age, John ROPER has only two other females, both under age 10 (b abt 1811-20) within his household. * * In 1830, John ROPER reappears in Gwinnett County, GA, and his two eldest sons emerge from his household in adjacent Census records. John ROPER: 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 3 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Gwinnett, GA 1830] William ROPER: 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Gwinnett, GA 1830] Charles ROPER: 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Gwinnett, GA 1830] John and William are shown at Ancestry.com Image 115 of 144 at the bottom of the page and Charles is at the top of the following page [Image 117]. See: "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGL-Y66 : accessed 12 May 2014), John Roper, Not Stated, Gwinnett, Georgia; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 365, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 17, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0007037. [Image 731] "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGL-YXM : accessed 12 May 2014), William Roper, Not Stated, Gwinnett, Georgia; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 365, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 17, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0007037. [Image 731] "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGL-YXW : accessed 12 May 2014), Charles Roper, Not Stated, Gwinnett, Georgia; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 366, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 17, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0007037. A third son James has settled nearby in Gwinnett County. * * * Thus, we have John ROPER in Meckenburg for the 1810 and 1820 Census enumerations, but GONE by 1830. The absence of mention of members of John ROPER's household at the Inventory Sale of James ROPER's estate is suggestive that John ROPER was already in Georgia by that date. Mecklenburg, NC, and Gwinnett, Georgia, deed records would probably confirm more precisely when this relocation took place. Similarly, the places of birth of John ROPER's grandchildren may also yield some additional clues. Usually, there are a variety of other extant records which show the presence of a person in a community, including appearance as a witness on deeds of others, mentions within probate records and court records, as well as other similar transactional records. As far as I can tell NO ONE has carefully inspected the records in either Mecklenburg or Gwinnett for additional insight into this ROPER family. * * * Note the presence in John ROPER's household of a female age 45 or more in 1810 (b bef 1766). While it might be that John ROPER married an older woman, this is INCONSISTENT with later Census records showing the age of the eldest female in John ROPER's household. While the 1820 Census record is ambiguous as to the age of Sarah Fincher ROPER, showing only that she was age 45 or more in 1820 (b bef 1776), the 1830 Census record from Gwinnett shows the eldest female to be age 50 to 59 (b abt 1771-80). In 1840, John ROPER is enumerated within the household of his son Stephen ROPER. Neither John ROPER appears within the COUNTS for John ROPER's household, but John ROPER appears at age 75 in the Revolutionary War Veteran's schedule. While Sarah Fincher ROPER might have been living within the household of anther member of the family, it seems most likely that Sarah was already dead by 1840. Although some secondary sources show that Sarah died about 1849 in Calhoun, Cleburne County, AL, I know of no primary evidence supporting this. If someone has specific primary evidence as to the date and place of Sarah Fincher ROPER's death, I would be interested in learning of it. Examination of the deeds in Gwinnett, GA, and Cleburne, AL, may yield additional insight. If Sarah was living at the date John ROPER sold his land in Gwinnett, Sarah would probably have also been required to sign the deed. * * Thus, the best primary evidence seems to suggest that Sarah was born: b bef 1776 (age 45 or more) [1820] b abt 1771-80 (age 50 to 59) [1830] If both of these Census records were correct, then Sarah would have been born abt 1771-6. This makes pretty good sense, as it would put Sarah's age at marriage at 21 to 26 in 1797. By contrast, if Sarah was age 45 or more in 1810 (b bef 1766), she would have been at least age 32 at her marriage, quite ancient for an unmarried woman in those days. By contrast, the older woman in the 1810 Census record could very well be John ROPER's widowed mother Obedience ROPER, whose husband Jesse was dead by 22 Jan 1810. Bear in mind that there are NO OTHER ROPER HOUSEHOLDS in Mecklenburg in 1810. Jesse died there, probably in 1809 or January 1810. Obedience does NOT appear within her own Census record. While there is NO PROOF that the older woman is Obedience "Biddy" ROPER, the presence of an older woman in John ROPER's household supports a reasonable inference that Biddy may have lived with John ROPER's family for a while after her husband's death. I would therefore suggest that Biddy was probably living in John ROPER's household in 1810, moved in with her son James ROPER by the date of the 1820 Census: John ROPER: 5 - 1 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 0 - 1 - 0 - 1 - 1 -- 0 - 0 -- 0 - 100 [Mecklenburg, NC 1810] James ROPER: 0 - 2 - 0 - 2 - 0 - 1 -- 1 - 2 - 1 - 0 - 2 -- 0 - 4 - 0 - 3 -- 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1820] Thus, I would suggest that Obedience "Biddy" ROPER moved from the household of son John ROPER (d 25 Jul 1852), to the household of son James ROPER (d bef 1828) by 1820. Since there seems to be no Census record for Biddy ROPER, she then either died before 1830 or moved into the household of another child or grandchild. While Biddy's survival and continued residence with her children might seem to be a trivial detail unworthy of such exposition, as I will show in another future post, this hypothesis ought to color and enrich our understanding and appreciation of later family lore and, if correct, increases our confidence that members of John ROPER's family might know the correct identity of John ROPER's parents! * * * * * Thus far, I have presented only the Census records, John ROPER's marriage record and the proximity of the FINCHERs to establish that Revolutionary War Veteran John ROPER (b 24 Feb 1763-6, d 25 Jul 1852 - AL) was the John ROPER found at Mecklenburg. However, there is much better and more conclusive evidence within John ROPER's Revolutionary War Pension file. A partial transcription of John ROPER's Pension file by C. Leon Harris appears at the Revolutionary War Apps website maintained by Will GRAVES: John Roper: S31945 http://revwarapps.org/s31945.pdf John ROPER made his application in Gwinnett County, GA, the place of the 1830 Census record cited above. In his deposition on written questions before the Gwinnett, Georgia, Court, John ROPER tells us: "That he th entered the service under the following named officers & served as herein stated towit In the year 1780 in Northampton County & State of North Carolina where he then resided he entered the service as a Volunteer for three months in the Company Commanded by Capt Samuel Lockhart and Lieutenant Barnett." "He has a copy of the Record of his age which shows that he was born 24 February 1763 in Brunswick County & State of Virginia - after the War he resided about 2 years in Northampton County - then removed into Cumberland County then to Mecklenburg County - in North Carolina Thence to Gwinnett County Georgia where he now resides." The former fixes John ROPER's place of enlistment in the militia in Northampton County where we find Jesse ROPER in the 1786 Tax list. We next find Jesse ROPER in Cumberland County, NC, in 1790, presumably with his son John ROPER still residing within his household. Jesse ROPER then migrates to Lancaster, SC. Though John ROPER says nothing of living in South Carolina, John ROPER's eldest son William F. ROPER is shown to have been born in South Carolina about 1799. John ROPER does say that he lived in Mecklenburg after living in Cumberland and it is in Mecklenburg that we find John ROPER residing in the 1810 and 1820 Census. He states that he migrated from there to Gwinnett and we find John ROPER enumerated in Gwinnett in 1830. In my view, this is about as good as it gets in terms of proof as to the migration and correctness of the Census records. This does NOT strictly prove that Jesse ROPER is John ROPER's father. That will be the subject of another separate thread. But this post rather clearly establishes that the identified 1810, 1820 and 1830 Census records belong to John ROPER, the Revolutionary War Veteran. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Story, Neely, McNeely Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1903.3/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Realization that Jesse ROPER (b 31 May 1751,d bef 22 Jan 1810), son of Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN, died in or near Mecklenburg, NC, and that his estate was probated there gives us probably sufficient reason to suspect that the James ROPER found in Mecklenberg in the 1820 Census is Jesse ROPER's son. James ROPER's 1820 Census record shows these counts: James ROPER: 0 - 2 - 0 - 2 - 0 - 1 -- 1 - 2 - 1 - 0 - 2 -- 0 - 4 - 0 - 3 -- 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1820] See: "United States Census, 1820," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGH-849 : accessed 10 May 2014), James Roper, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1820 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 189, NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 84, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0162800. This James ROPER is shown to be age 45 or more (b bef 1776). There are two females shown to be age 45 or more (b bef 1776) residing in this household. One of these may be Obedience ROPER, widow of Jesse ROPER. There are also two males age 10 to 15 (b abt 1805-10) and two males age 16 to 26 (b abt 1794-1804) in James ROPER's household, as well as one female under age 10 (b abt 1811-20), two females age 10 to 15 (b abt 1805-10) and one female age 16 to 26 (b abt 1794-1804). There is also one male slave age 14 to 25. It is NOT clear that all of the younger members of the household are James ROPER's children. There is at least some reason to suspect that at least one (other than Obedience ROPER) may not be, as further discussed below. * It is hard to get a much better fix on James ROPER's age from the Census records alone, though it is useful to quickly review again Jesse ROPER's records within the context of James ROPER's age. Recall that Jesse ROPER's appearance on the 1784 Northampton Tax List included three males under age 21 (b abt 1765-86). Similarly, the 1790 Census enumeration from Cumberland, NC, shows three males (including Jesse ROPER) age 16 and up (b bef 1775) and two white males under age 16 (b abt 1774-90). Finally, the 1800 Census record from Lancaster District shows two males age 26 to 44 (b abt 1756-74), one male age 10 to 15 (b abt 1785-90) and two males under age 10 (b abt 1791-1800). Summarized, we have these additional implicit estimates of James ROPER's year of birth: b abt 1765-86 (Under age 21 in 1786) [Northampton, NC, Tax List] b bef 1775 (Age 16 and up) OR b 1775-90 (Under age 16) [Cumberland, NC, 1790 Census Record] b abt 1756-74 (age 26 to 44) [Lancaster, SC, 1800 Census Record] Bearing in mind that we are most confident that James ROPER is born before 1776 (from the 1820 Census record), it seems most likely that James was one of the two elder boys shown in the 1790 Census record (b bef 1775). This would seem to be further confirmed by the 1800 Census record showing NO males in the age 16 to 25 age range (b abt 1775-84). The LOWER end of James ROPER's age range thus seems to place the latest year of birth about 1774. The upper end of James ROPER's age range would then seem to be implied by an earliest year of birth of about 1765 (as shown in the 1786 Tax List). However, recognizing that Jesse ROPER was born on 31 May 1751, it seems most likely that Jesse married no earlier than about age 18 (abt 1769) and probably didn't have his first child until the following year. Moreover, at the date of the 1786 Tax List, Jesse seems to have three sons and four daughters, so there is better than an even chance that the first child was female. Overall, it seems to me that we can probably state with some confidence that this James ROPER was born abt 1769-74. * * * The identity of James ROPER's children is probably implicitly suggested by his 1828 Mecklenburg, NC, probate file, which no one seems to have bothered to inspect, despite the images being readily available online at the FamilySearch.org site. James W. ROPER was named as administrator of James ROPER's estate. This James W. ROPER, who married Biddy ROPER, seems likely to be James ROPER's son. The administrator's bond for $1,200, dated 24 Nov 1828, was signed by James W. ROPER, David ROPER and James STORY, and seems to have been presented at the November 1828 Term of the Court. See: "North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32035-24595-61?cc=1911121&wc=93P4-C68:183210601,183381101,199897201 : accessed 10 May 2014), Mecklenburg County > R > Roper, James (1828) > image 7 of 14; citing State Archives, Raleigh. The Inventory Sale seems to have taken place quickly on 12 Dec 1828. Amongst the purchasers at the sale were: David ROPER, James STORY, Charles B. ROPER, David MILLS, James PATTERSON, Sarah J. ROPER, John COURTON, Samuel TICER, Joseph WEEKS, John HOOD, John TEMPLES, John STORY, James MILLER, John CULP, John PINNSER?, Randolph COLE, Rebecca R. ROPER, Dan C. ROPER, Reuben COLE, John WIATT, William G. COX?. Sarah J. ROPER is shown to have purchased a bible [Image 10]. There are also listed some outstanding bills (drafts): J. M. DIGARLICK, James WESTBROOK, G. THORN?, Hyden A. DAVIE, Elizer HARRIS and U.S. Bank at Charleston. The Inventory seems to have been presented at the February 1829 Term of the Mecklenburg Court [Image 12]. See: "North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32035-24019-73?cc=1911121&wc=93P4-C68:183210601,183381101,199897201 : accessed 10 May 2014), Mecklenburg County > R > Roper, James (1828) > image 9 of 14; citing State Archives, Raleigh. James ROPER's widow Nancy petitioned the Court for her year's allowance out of the estate [Images 13-4], which provision was certified to the Court at the Februrary 1829 Term by John H. HOOD, Thomas WIATT and John KINEAR?? [Images 5-6]. See: "North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32035-24566-18?cc=1911121&wc=93P4-C68:183210601,183381101,199897201 : accessed 11 May 2014), Mecklenburg County > R > Roper, James (1828) > image 5 of 14; citing State Archives, Raleigh. "North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32035-24542-74?cc=1911121&wc=93P4-C68:183210601,183381101,199897201 : accessed 10 May 2014), Mecklenburg County > R > Roper, James (1828) > image 13 of 14; citing State Archives, Raleigh. The Estate seems to have been ultimately settled at the February 1833 Term of the Court [Images 1-2]. * * The James STORY who co-signed James W. ROPER's administrator bond seems likely to have been the James STORY who married Bethia ROPER in Mecklenburg on 25 Feb 1817. Although it is also possible that Bethia ROPER is a daughter of John ROPER, it seems more likely that she is James ROPER's daughter, especially given James STORY's appointment as co-administrator of James ROPER's estate. * * * Since there is a John ROPER enmerated immediately adjacent to James ROPER in the 1820 Census record, it is far from certain that ALL of the ROPERs named as purchasers at the December 1828 Inventory Sale are children of James ROPER. To summaize those ROPERs mentioned in the probate records were: Nancy ROPER (widow) James W. ROPER (administrator) David ROPER (bondsman) Charles B. ROPER Dan C. ROPER Sarah J. ROPER Rebecca R. ROPER There are FOUR male ROPERs, EXACTLY corresponding with the number of males residing with James ROPER in the 1820 Census record. By contrast, there are only TWO female ROPERs shown. The eldest of the daughter shown in the Census may have already been married by 1828. Looking at other primary records seems to bear this out. As mentioned, James STORY is shown to have married Bethia ROPER on 25 Feb 1817 in Mecklenburg, NC. Bethia Roper STORY therefore would have probably been already absent from the household by 1820. The 1850 Census for Upson County, Georgia, shows a James A. and Bethia STORY residing there. Bethia STORY is shown to be age 50 (b abt 1800) and born in South Carolina. This is consistent with Jesse ROPER's 1800 Census record when he was enumerated in Lancaster County, SC. Separately, secondary sources show a Mary ROPER marrying first William McNEELY and secondly a John M. STORY. The 1850 Census record for John M. STORY of Pike County, Georgia, shows a John M. STORY, age 48, a Mary STORY, age 48, and seven STORY yougnsters, including a Biddy R. STORY, age 14. The eldest two children, David W. STORY, age 20 and Esther STORY, age 18, are shown to be born in NC, while the younger children starting with Benjamin W. STORY, age 16, are shown to be born in Georgia. Thus, it seems likely that John M. STORY and Mary Roper STORY migrated to Georgia about 1832-4. See: "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MZYH-B3G : accessed 11 May 2014), John M Story, Pike county, Pike, Georgia, United States; citing family 41, NARA microfilm publication M432. Mary STORY is again enumerated in Pike County, Georgia, in 1850, at age 58, so the implicit year of birth seems reasonably solid. See: "United States Census, 1860," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MZMC-92N : accessed 11 May 2014), Mary Story, , Pike, Georgia, United States; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 20, household ID 131, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 803134. There seems to be primary support for a marriage of Polly ROPER to a William NEELY or McNEELY in Mecklenburg on 28 Nov 1820. See: "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11598-133318-36?cc=1726957 : accessed 11 May 2014), 004364139 > image 721 of 754. The appearance of a Biddy STORY within the household of John M. and Mary STORY seems to me to be suggestive that the secondary ascription is probably correct, though I would think it approproriate to find some better proof. To the extent that Mary ROPER (b abt 1802 - NC) was James ROPER's daughter, she seems likely to be the one female age 16 to 26 (b abt 1794-1804) shown in James ROPER's 1820 Census record. * * While James ROPER was enumerated adjacent to John ROPER in 1820, by 1830 this John ROPER seems to have moved away. Since there are NO OTHER ROPER households in Mecklenburg in 1830, this seems to me to support a much stronger inference that the ROPERs named in the Inventory Sale are James ROPER's children. Thus, I am inclined to tentatively ascribe these children to James and Nancy ROPER: James W. ROPER (b abt 1791-1800 - NC, d bef 1850) m Biddy ROPER on 14 Aug 1821 David M. ROPER (b abt 1795 - SC) Bethia ROPER (b abt 1800 - SC) m James STORY on 25 Feb 1817 (Mecklenburg, NC) Mary ROPER (b abt 1802 - NC) m William NEELY on 28 Nov 1820 (Mecklenburg, NC) Charles B. ROPER (b abt 1801-10 - NC) Daniel C. ROPER (b abt 1807 - SC) Sarah J. ROPER Rebecca R. ROPER There may have been one other unnamed daughter whose name doesn't appear within the probate records, possibly because she is also married. However, I suspect that Biddy ROPER, who married James W. ROPER, may have already been living in her UNCLE's household by 1820, PRIOR to marrying her first cousin on 14 Aug 1821. The ONLY two females in the household of neighboring John ROPER in 1820 are under age 10 (b abt 1811-20). While Biddy ROPER would have been about age 22 in 1820, OLDER than Mary ROPER, as a niece rather than a daughter, one might easily imagine that Biddy's age might be erroneously reported to the Census enumerator. One might also well imagine that Biddy might have resided in the neighboring household of her grandmorther, for whom she was named. I must emphasize that this is SPECULATION. The FACT is that there is one MORE female child in James ROPER's household than can be explained by the probate records. There is NO corresponding child in John ROPER's household of an age to be the younger Biddy ROPER who married James W. ROPER. Biddy ROPER may instead be from another nearby branch of the ROPER family. I am simply seeking a simple and logical explanation that best harmonizes the extant data. However, researchers should treat this explanation as an avenue for additional investigation rather than a firm ascription. Biddy ROPER may be John ROPER's daughter and may have married her first cousin James W. ROPER. But without further proof, this ascription is speculative. James ROPER might have also had another unnamed daughter, possibly already married by 1828. * * * I have previously discussed James W. ROPER within my thread: "James W. ROPER (b abt 1791-1800 - NC, d bef 1850), of Mecklenburg, NC, and Sumter, AL" (22 Jan 2013 12:58AM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1767/mb.ashx This James ROPER married Biddy ROPER in Mecklenburg County, NC, on 14 Aug 1821. James ROPER's brother David ROPER was a bondsman for the marriage. See: "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12399-111132-73?cc=1726957 : accessed 11 May 2014), 004364141 > image 267 of 762. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Hood, Hooe, Fincher Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1904/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Amongst the extant probate files for Mecklenburg, NC, is a file for Thomas ROPER, Deceased. This probate file is exceptionally THIN, probably because Thomas ROPER was a young man and had very little property. The administrator's bond is dated 29 Nov 1814 and show the bondsmen to be James ROPER and Joseph FINCHER. The bond also has the given name "John" interlineated as if John ROPER was originally contemplated to be the bondsman, but that this had been changed. Similarly, the bond identifies James ROPER as the administrator, however, the name John ROPER appears to the left of James ROPER, but is stricken through. See: "North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32035-24520-88?cc=1911121&wc=93P4-HFG:183210601,183381101,199897601 : accessed 10 May 2014), Mecklenburg County > R > Roper, Thomas (1814) > image 4 of 5; citing State Archives, Raleigh. The most interesting item is what appears to be a voucher or receipt of sorts signed by James ROPER. It says: "The Estate of Thomas Roper Deceist the amount of his Clothes by Capt. hood is $8=58 1/4 Cents three months and six days servis in the Malitia Admin,r James Roper" See: "North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32035-23865-67?cc=1911121&wc=93P4-HFG:183210601,183381101,199897601 : accessed 10 May 2014), Mecklenburg County > R > Roper, Thomas (1814) > image 2 of 5; citing State Archives, Raleigh. The reverse of this small scrap of paper seems to show that this was submitted to the Court at the February 1815 Term. >From this, I perceive that this Thomas ROPER probably served a three month, six day tour in the militia and was due some clothing allowance for his service, which was payable to his estate. The Capt. HOOD might also say Captain HOOE. In another previous post, I noted the service of a Thomas ROPER in the North Carolina militia during the War of 1812: "ROPER Veterans of the War of 1812 / Creek War" (17 Mar 2014 10:57PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1870/mb.ashx * * * It may be that Thomas ROPER was a son of Jesse and Obedience ROPER, and brother of James and John ROPER, who died young. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Harrison, Fincher Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1903.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Given the clues that Mecklenburg might be a reasonable place to look for Jesse and Obedience ROPER, I checked the Mecklenburg probate files online at FamilySearch.org and immediately found that there was a probate file for Jesse ROPER opened in 1810. The first item in this file was the administrator's bond, given by Biddy ROPER, James ROPER and Josiah HARRISON, dated 22 Jan 1810. The bond states that Biddy ROPER and James ROPER have been appointed as administrators of Jesse ROPER's estate. "North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32035-24512-81?cc=1911121 : accessed 10 May 2014), Mecklenburg County > R > Roper, Jesse (1810) > image 2 of 7; citing State Archives, Raleigh. Besides the administrator's bond, the only other item within the probate file seems to be the three page administrator's Inventory and Sale List. The Inventory Sale list is undated, but seems to have been presented at the April 1810 Term of the Mecklenburg, NC, Court. Since images of this list are available online for FREE at the LDS FamilySearch.org site, I will only briefly abstract the contents of that list. Consistent with the 1790 and 1800 Census records, NO SLAVES are mentioned. Purchasers at the Inventory sale include: James ROPER, John ROPER, Bidday [sic] ROPER, Elizabeth ROPER, Samuel HARRISON, Josiah HARRISON, Jeremiah HARRISON, John C. HARRISON, Joseph FINCHER, John FINCHER, James FINCHER, Benjamin FINCHER, Nathaniel CUNNINGHAM, James CUNNINGHAM, Richard SPEARS, Saml. SMITH, William STUART, Thomas HUNTER, Jame McGUYRE, Able BARNET, Charles ELMS, James STOREY, John WIATT, Walter OWNSBY, Moses CANE, Richard SPEARS, John ROBINSON, James POTS, Jas MILLAR [MILLER], Able JOHN, Jas. DAVIS, James POTS. At the end of the inventory list ELEVEN of the items are unidentified BOOKS. Biddy ROPER purchased a bed and funiture, as well as a loom and spinning utinsils from her husband's estate. Biddy also purchase a mare and saddle. Elizabeth ROPER purchased one heiffer. Joseph FINCHER purchased Jesse's rifled gun as well as one pistol. Several lots of lumber, several hogs, a sow and pigs, as well as saws and woodworking tools were also sold, suggesting that Jesse ROPER was both raising hogs and harvesting timber. Jesse ROPER was rather clearly a literate fellow, as were those around him, purchasing these books. No relationships are given as to ANY of those purchasing. See: "North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32035-24377-16?cc=1911121&wc=93P4-C6F:183210601,183381101,199897501 : accessed 10 May 2014), Mecklenburg County > R > Roper, Jesse (1810) > image 4 of 7; citing State Archives, Raleigh. It seems most likely that James ROPER and John ROPER were amongst Jesse ROPER's sons, but this is merely an inference and cannot be proven by the Inventory. Josiah HARRISON's appointment as a co-administrator seems suggestive that he is closely related, perhaps a son-in-law or brother-in-law. That additional HARRISONs were purchasers at the Inventory sale also suggests a closer family connection. The presence of so many FINCHERs is also interesting. Revolutionary War Veteran John ROPER (b 24 Feb 1763 - Brunswick, VA, d 25 Jul 1852 - Oak Level, AL) was married to Sarah FINCHER on 16 Nov 1797 in Mecklenburg, NC. This seems likely to be Sarah Fincher ROPER's family. John ROPER also migrated through Cumberland, NC, and Mecklenberg, NC. IF John ROPER's (b 24 Feb 1763 - Brunswick, VA, d 25 Jul 1852 - Oak Level, AL) date of birth is CORRECT, then he is too OLD to be Jesse ROPER's son, though his granddaugther seemed to think her great-grandparents were Jesse and Obedience ROPER. This will be the subject of a separate discussion and analysis. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1903.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Last year, I created a thread to discuss James W. ROPER (b abt 1791-1800 - NC, d bef 1850), of Mecklenburg, NC, and Sumter, AL: "James W. ROPER (b abt 1791-1800 - NC, d bef 1850), of Mecklenburg, NC, and Sumter, AL" (22 Jan 2013 12:58AM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1767/mb.ashx That thread seems to be relevant to a discussion of Jesse and Obedience ROPER for four reasons. First, "Biddy" is nickname for Obedience. The Biddy ROPER who married James W. ROPER in Mecklenburg, NC, was the FIRST ROPER with the given name "Biddy" I have found anywhere in America. That this Biddy first appears in Mecklenburg one hundred miles to the west of Cumberland and thirty miles north of Lancaster, SC, only a decade after the disappearance of Jesse and Biddy ROPER seems UNLIKELY to be a coincidence. Second, James W. ROPER and Biddy ROPER had a son named Jesse ROPER (b abt 1834 - AL). The naming of a son "Jesse" by James and Biddy also seems unlikely to be a coincidence. Third, in this previous post, I noted the presence of an older female residing with James W. and Biddy ROPER at the date of the 1840 Census enumeration: "There is also now also a much older female, age 70 to 79 (b abt 1761-70), residing within this ROPER household, probably either James' or Biddys' mother." After finding Biddy T. ROPER's 1850 Census record showing her to be age 51 (b abt 1799 - SC), i failed to do the math and reassess the possible relationship. The older female in James W. ROPER's household was age 70 to 79 when Biddy was age 41, making the older female 29 to 38 years older than Biddy. James W. ROPER was shown to be age 40 to 49 in 1840 (b abt 1791-1800 - NC). If James was close in age to Biddy, the older woman might be more than one generation older than James W. ROPER, too. Fourth, the place of marriage of James W. ROPER and Biddy ROPER seems to be a reasonable place to at least look for any traces of Jesse and Obedience ROPER. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Goodwyn, Lucy, Lockhart, Wren Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1903/mb.ashx Message Board Post: A Jesse ROPER is shown to appear on the 1786 Tax List for Williams District, Northampton County, North Carolina. Ann Lewis ROPER, widow of Richard ROPER is shown on the Tax List for Vincent's District, Northampton County, NC, that year. Similarly, there is a Jesse ROPER shown within a compilation shown on Ancestry as the North Carolina, State Census, 1784-1787 (which I believe is actually a compilation of special tax lists for these years). Jesse ROPER is shown on Page 4 of the list for Captain WILLIAMS' district:* Jesse ROPER: 1 - 3 - 5 -- 0 - 0 The first figure (1) is for white males over age 21. The second figure (3) is for white males under 21 and above 60. The third figure (5) is for white females of all ages. The fourth figure (0) is blacks age 12-50. The final figure (0) is for blacks under 12 and over 50. * This is probably a different secondary compilation of the same Tax List data described as a Tax List for 1786, above. Assuming without concluding that this is Jesse ROPER (b 31 May 1751), son of Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN, he would be about age 35 in 1786. Thus, Jesse would presumably be the SOLE male over age 21. Most likely, the three males under age 21 (b abt 1765-90) or over age 60 are ALL Jesse ROPER's minor sons. Most likely, one of the females is Jesse's wife and the other four are most likely daughters. The identity of the others shown on the same Tax List may also be of some possible significance. These include: Thomas SEVERETT Joseph COLLIER William NORTON Oadom POYTRESS Numan HATCHCOCK John MORGAN, Jr. Henry LEE Starling RACHEL Thomas WILLIAMS James NORTON, Jr. James NORTON, SR. Isham NORTON William NORWOOD Nattal. NORWOOD William LOVE Ransford FLOWERS Robert MALONE Robert CRITTENDEN Edward CAPEL Jesse ROPER Saml. WORNUM John McGRIGGER Lemmond LAND Allen GLOVER Thomas MAUGHAN Nathan HARRIS [page 4] Burwell LUCY, Sr., mentioned below, is shown on the previous page of the Tax List / State Census and is shown to be the SOLE member of his own household. He is also listed in the column of under 2 and over age 60. It seems most likely that Burwell LUCY is the latter and was probably born bef 1727. Whether Burwell LUCY is related in some way or was solely counterparty in the sale of land is unclear. * This would seem likely to be the SAME Jesse ROPER who is shown in a deed dated 12 Jan 1779 granted by Burrel or Burwell LUCY for 100 acres of land. The grantee of the deed is apparently shown to be Jesse ROPER, of Dinwiddie, Virginia. This Deed is apparently proven at the September Court for Northampton, NC, and recorded in Northampton Deed Book 6. The deed abstract purports the neighbors to be: ROY, HORTON, HODGES, MEACHAM, and SORREL. This deed was witnessed by William HUDSON, Joseph CARTER, Henry MASON and Robert MALONE. The land is shown to adjoin the "Spring Branch". I have NOT seen the image of the deed. The indication that the purchaser was Jesse ROPER, of Dinwiddie, is a strong indication that this Jesse ROPER is Charles ROPER's son. Jesse ROPER is shown as a witness to the deed of Samuel LOCKHART, of Northampton, NC, to William HUDSON, of same, dated 01 Jul 1780. Jesse ROPER is shown as a witness on the deed of Henry MASON, of Northhampton, NC, to Charles THOMPSON, of Northampton, dated 17 Dec 1782. Seven years after purchasing this parcel, on 27 [No Month] 1786, Jesse ROPER and his wife Biddy (Obedience) sold this parcel to John MAHOLLAND. This deed was proven at the September 1786 Court and recorded in Northampton Deed Book 7. HORTON, MEECHAM and SORET (probably SORREL) are shown to own the neighboring parcels. * Jesse ROPER is NOT shown in the 1790 Census to be residing in Northampton County, so we may surmise that he relocated after the sale of this property in 1786. A number of the neighbors mentioned appear on this Census page: Nathaniel THRIFT Banjamin JACKSON John ETTER Simon WOODWARD Sarah ROOK Sewil CARTER Eaton HAYNES Benjamin SMITH Samuel LOCKHART Burwell LUCY Sarah WILKINS James ROY Thomas ARCHER Elizabeth LOVE William GLOVER John HATHAWAY William KEMP Elizabeth MORNUM William LOVE David SCOTT Nathan HARRIS Nathl HARRIS Simon HARRIS Gilliam MOODY Thomas SERETT Kinchen ROSSER Thomas HUDSON Seth PEEBLES James HORTON Alexander LOVE William NARSWORTHY William HORTON Jno. McDANIEL Michael WALTHORPE Matthew KEY Abso COLLIER Note that Samuel LOCKHART was the name of the Company Commander -- Captain Samuel LOCKHART -- of Revolutionary War Veteran John ROPER (b 1763 - Brunswick, NC, d 1852 - Oak Level, AL). John ROPER's Revolutionary Pension Application also gives us some additional insight into this Jesse ROPER, because of the extent to which their migration patterns seemed to coincide, at least for a while: "He [John ROPER] has a copy of the Record of his age which shows that he was born 24 February 1763 in Brunswick County & State of Virginia - after the War he resided about 2 years in Northampton County - then removed into Cumberland County then to Mecklenburg County - in North Carolina Thence to Gwinnett County Georgia where he now resides." See: "Pension Application of John Roper: S31945" http://revwarapps.org/s31945.pdf Otherwise, these former neighbors are included NOT because I see something significant as to any of these names, but rather because later, some significance might be noted by someone else with ready access to the identity of the neighbors. * * * There is only one Jesse ROPER shown in the U.S. Census in 1790 anywhere in the United States. This is the Jesse ROPER enumerated in Cumberland, North Carolina: 1790 United States Census for Cumberland, NC Jesse ROPER: 3 - 2 - 7 -- 0 - 0 [Cumberland, NC 1790] See: "United States Census, 1790," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHK1-VSJ : accessed 10 May 2014), Jesse Roper, Not Stated, Cumberland, North Carolina; citing "1790 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 101, line 8434, NARA microfilm publication M637, roll 7, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 00406. * Jesse is enumerated on Guilford DUDLEY's list. Although Guilford DUDLEY seems to have done the entire Census for Cumberland that year, he made one list for Fayetteville and another for the remainder of Cumberland County. Jesse is on the list outside of Fayetteville. The first figure shown is for free white males age 16 and up (b bef 1775). The second figure is for white males under age 16 (b abt 1774-90). The third figure is for white females. The two remaining figures (both zero) are for free blacks and slaves. Note the consistency with the prior data from the Tax List (probably from 1786). In 1786, Jesse seems to have a wife, 3 sons, and four daughters. In 1790, he seems likely to have a wife, two (2) sons over age 16 (bef 1774), two (2) sons under age 16 (b abt 1774-90) and six (6) daughters. In short, Jesse seems to have one more son and two more daughters four years later. This seems reasonably consistent with Jesse being a young man with a still growing family. Of course, since the 1790 Census does NOT show the relationship of those within the household, it is far from certain that all members of Jesse's household are wife and children. Any one of these might be related in some other way, or NOT related at all. Unfortunately, the Census enumeration for Cumberland, NC, is in quasi-alphabetical order, so one cannot garner any useful informaation about proximity to neighbors. * No one seems to have ever bothered to look up this Jesse ROPER's deed records or to find ANY OTHER extant records within Cumberland concerning Jesse ROPER or John ROPER. This is probably because the deed records would further show the fraudulent nature of the lineage which is now generally circulated for Revolutionary War Veteran John ROPER. * * * No one seems to have previously identified Jesse ROPER's Census record in Lancaster District, South Carolina. At Ancestry, this record was indexed under Jesse ROSEN. It was indexed as ROSEN at the LDS FamilySearch.org website, too. Careful scrutiny of the third letter shows that it is a "p" rather than an "s". The terminal "r" is somewhat more ambiguous. I have corrected the Index entry at Ancestry. 1800 United States Census for Lancaster District, SC Jesse ROPER: 2 - 1 - 0 - 2 - 1 -- 6 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 1 -- 0 - 0 [Lancaster District, SC 1800] See: "United States Census, 1800," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHRC-QF4 : accessed 10 May 2014), Jesse Rosen, Not Stated, Lancaster District, South Carolina; citing "1800 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 13, NARA microfilm publication M32, roll 50, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 181425. * The 1800 Census record is reasonably consistent with that of Jesse ROPER in 1790, adding confidence to this asciption of the Census record. Jesse ROPER would seem to be the male age 45 or more (b bef 1756). This is consistent with the known date of birth of Jesse ROPER (b 31 May 1751), son of Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN. The eldest female in this household is also age 45 or more (b bef 1756), consistent with the possibility that Jesse's first wife has survived to middle age. The precise identities and relationships of the remaining members of the household become a little murkier. ALL of the younger members of the household could be unmarried children, though it would be more common for the daughters to have married before are 26. The two males age 26 to 44 (b abt 1756-74) are consistent in age with the two males over 16 also found in Jesse's household in 1790. The two eldest females could be either Jesse's daughters or wives of the eldest sons. Alternatively, one of the daughters might have married and her husband joined the household. With two boys and six girls under age ten (b abt 1781-90), it seems more likely that at least some, if not all of these youngsters might be grandchildren rather than children of Jesse. Here are the age ranges of members of Jesse ROPER's household summarized by implicit year of birth: 1 male b bef 1756 (age 45 or more) 2 males b abt 1756-74 (age 26 to 44) 1 male b abt 1785-90 (age 10 to 15) 2 males b abt 1791-1800 (under age 10) 1 female b bef 1756 (age 45 or more) 2 females b abt 1756-74 (age 26 to 44) 1 female b abt 1775-84 (age 16 to 25) 1 female b abt 1785-90 (age 10 to 15) 6 females b abt 1791-1800 (under age 10) * Others shown to be residing proximate to Jesse ROPER in Lancaster in 1800 are: Robert HANCOCK Nat. TOMLINSON Robert CARNY Alexander CARNY Isaac ANDERSON George WHITE Andrew JOHNSON John BLANKS George WRICK William WREN Guy WALLIS Jesse ROPER: 2 - 1 - 0 - 2 - 1 -- 6 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 1 -- 0 - 0 [Lancaster District, SC 1800] Wylie DORSEY Will MAFRAY Rob. John BROWN Baxter THROWER Samuel HIGGINS Will. GRAHAM John STEVENSON Will. GAMMUL Patrick HENRY Isaac BARR David STRAIN * Further confirmation of the correctness of this transcription is probably given in a deed granted by Jesse ROPER, of Lancaster County, to George WREN. I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS DEED. Jesse Roper seems to have sold 150 acres which had been conveyed to him by Adam Fowler Brisbane. I do NOT have a date for this record, nor do I have any reference as to the conveyance into Jesse ROPER. * * * Despite much searching, I do NOT find a Census record for this Jesse ROPER anywhere else in the United States. I took special care in looking in both Lancaster District, where I exemained every Census page of the 1818 Census, back in Cumberland, and in North Carolina or South Carolina generally. Despite the misindexing, when I set about looking for the 1800 Census record, I found it in about five minutes. I did NOT find an obvious 1810 Census record for either Jesse ROPER OR his widow, despite looking for about two hours. >From this, I think that it is most likely (a) that Jesse ROPER died before 1820, (b) that Jesse ROPER moved to an area of the frontier which wasn't subject to enumeration in the 1820 Census or where the Census returns were LOST (e.g. Mississippi Territory or Eastern Tennessee), or (c) that Jesse was missed in the 1820 Census enumeration. Possibilities (a) and (b) seem most likely. If Jesse ROPER was still living simply residing in a place not subject to enumeration in 1820, he would most likely have later appeared in the 1820 Census at age 69, if still living. Given life expectancies in those days, Jesse ROPER's death before 1810, when he would have turned 59 seems particularly likely. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Cowley Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1902/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Over the years, I have posted information about a number of primary records concerning Jesse ROPER, of Richmond, VA, and Chesterfield, VA. For example, in 2006, I posted information appearing within an advertisement in the Virginia Gazette on 22 Nov 1770: "To Be RENTED, THE ORDINARY in Richmond town formerly kept by Mrs. Mary Cowley, deceased, and now by Mr. Jesse Roper. ... ???????? to me in Chesterfield or to Mr. Roper ??? ????. ABRAHAM COWLEY." See: "Jesse ROPER Mention in the Virginia Gazette on 22 Nov 1770" (25 Feb 2006 10:16PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/804/mb.ashx * I also noted that an Abraham COWLEY seems to have operated an ordinary (tavern) in Charles City County from a very early date. I noted that an extant Order Book from Charles City County shows that renewal of an ordianry license by Abraham COWLEY in February 1740: [at page 115, February Court 1739/40] "Abraham COWLEY's ordinary License renewed." This ordianry license is then shown to have been further renewed in the name of Thomas COWLEY in subsequent years. See: "ROPER Mentions Within the Charles City County Order Book, 1737-1757" (25 Sep 2010 7:33PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1674/mb.ashx * Secondary sources show Jesse ROPER to have been an appraiser of the estate of Donald McDONALD, in Chesterfield County, VA, in April 1773. The same year Jesse ROPER's name is purported to appear on a Tax List for Brunswick County. I have NOT seen the tax list. * Also, several years ago, I posted some data from my notes concerning a Jesse ROPER who purchased land in Chesterfield, VA, in 1777: "Transcription of John B. FOESE's Chesterfield Deed To Jesse ROPER Dated 03 Jan 1777" (22 Sep 2010 12:59AM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1672/mb.ashx I had thought that this record might be of interest to those who trace their lineage to one of the Chesterfield ROPERs, however, it turns out that everyone is so satisfied with their FRAUDULENT lineage back to New Kent, that they have NO INTEEREST in any actual evidence that conflicts with the ficitious ancestors and fabricated evidence they have arrayed in support of their fraud. Taken by itself, the DATE and PLACE given in this record is highly suggestive that the Jesse ROPER who purchased John FOESE's land may have been Charles ROPER's son. As to date, since we have a KNOWN date of birth for Charles ROPER's son Jesse ROPER (b 31 May 1751), the purchase would have taken place when this Jesse ROPER was age 25, probably about the time that Jesse might have married and set up his own household. As to PLACE, Chesterfield is the county immediately to the North of Dinwiddie, across the Appomattox River, so this is geographically near to Dinwiddie County where Charles ROPER's son Jesse ROPER would have grown up. However, the other earlier records as early as 1770 seemingly describing the SAME Jesse ROPER and the coincident appearance of a Jesse ROPER in Brunswick County seem more consistent with the possibility that Jesse ROPER, of Richmond and Chesterfield, is a DIFFERENT and older Jesse ROPER, than Jesse ROPER (b 31 May 1751). * I noted in the post identifying this land transaction that Jesse ROPER seemed NOT to appear in the Chesterfield extant personal property tax records. Instead, a Jesse ROPER is shown within the Henrico Personal Property Tax Rolls beginning with the first extant list in 1783. It had seemed to me at the date of my cited post that this might have stimulated some interest by members of this ROPER family in looking at the Henrico Tax Lists year by year, as well as the Henrico deed records, to ascertain more precisely which years Jesse ROPER appeared to reside in Henrico. However, no one seems interested in doing this, probably again because it will only serve as further proof of the fraudulent lineages of so many ROPER families! * There is an additional advertisement in the Virginia Gazette on 04 Oct 1780 for the sale of a vessel at Warwick, Chesterfield County. Those interested were encouraged to apply to Jesse ROPER, at Warwick, or to Bernard MARKHAM near Manchester. This ad seems to suggest that Jesse ROPER may have been seated at Warwick, Chesterfield, as late as 1780, and that he might have removed to Henrico sometime between 1780 and 1783 when he is shown in the Tax Lists there. * In 1781, Jesse ROPER together with Robert BOYD, William WHITE and Robert RAWLINS were ordered by the Court in Richmond City (seemingly as special masters) to examine the state and situation of the public jail. * The Virginia Gazette again mentions Jesse ROPER on 11 May 1782 in designating his home (or place of business) as the place of auction of the personal estate of Abraham COWLEY by administrator John BROOKE. * The 07 Feb 1784 edition of the Virginia Gazette advertises the sale of two dwelling houses in the town of Warwick formerly occupied by Charles THOMAS and Jesse ROPER. This record is consistent with the absence of Jesse ROPER from the personal property tax lists for Chesterfield and his appearance instead in the tax lists for Henrico. It bears noting that Warwick was a town on the James River in Chesterfield County on the James River BELOW Richmond. Below Richmond, the James River turns and flows almost DUE SOUTH, forming a boundary between Henrico County on the East and Chesterfield County on the West. * Secondary sources seem to show Jesse ROPER in the militia lists for Richmond during the Revolutionary War. * Jesse ROPER is also shown in a number of records which seem to exemplify that he was both prosperous and generous in support of public projects. * The Virginia Gazette & Weekly Advertizer reported in its Thursday, 22 Mar 1787 edition that "Mrs. Roper, spouse of Jesse Roper of Richmond, d. last Tuesday." This would put Mrs. ROPER's death date at 20 Mar 1787. No first name or other genealogical information was given. As aforementioned, secondary sources have claimed that the wife's name was Theodocia. While I have no specific reason to believe otherwise, I also am NOT aware of any specific information that supports this assertion. * In 1791, Jesse ROPER signed a petition advocating the establishment of a Richmond branch of the Bank of the United States. The petition indicates that Richmond merchants were unhappy that they had to sell bills at a deeper discount due to the absence of a source of banking liquidity. * The Virginia Gazette & General Advertizer edition of 29 Jul 1795 informs us that Jesse ROPER, of Richmond, was named as administrator of the estate of John ROPER, deceased. * Nansemond County, VA, Clerk fee books identify several suits apparently brough by William WHITE, as assignee of Jesse ROPER in 1795, 1796 and 1797-8. Of course, a year by year study of the extant Richmond and Henrico Tax Lists would reveal Jesse ROPER's continued presence in Richmond. Further study of the deed records in Chesterfield, Henrico and Richmond City would also show when various properties were purchased and sold. The sale of the parcel at Warwick might very well identify with certainty the name of this Jesse ROPER's wife. * On balance, after carefully studying these records, I am quite doubtful that the Jesse ROPER shown in the Chesterfield and Henrico records was Jesse ROPER (b 31 May 1751), son of Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN. I will discuss this further in another post within the context of other anomolous records which seem to show otherwise. Although I shown in the subject of this post only that Jesse ROPER, of Chesterfield and Henrico, was born before 1752, I suspect that this probably underestimates his year of birth. I think that it is MORE LIKELY that this Jesse ROPER was at least age 21 in 1770 when he advertized for someone to rent the ordinary, putting his year of birth BEFORE 1750. With a bit of concerted study, we ought to be able to identify a possibly earlier first mention of Jesse ROPER in the Chesterfield and Henrico records, especially if he is much older. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Cowley Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/804.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: In the post above from 2006, I noted that the Jesse ROPER mentioned in the indicated advertisement might have been either Jesse ROPER (b 31 May 1751), son of Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN, or Jesse ROPER, son of Shadrach ROPER: > This Jesse ROPER seems most likely to be either Jesse ROPER (b 31 May 1751), son > of Charles ROPER and Anne GOODWYN, or Jesse ROPER, son of Shadrach ROPER. A > careful study of the personal property tax records for Chesterfield, Henrico, Powhaton and > Richmond may distinguish which Jesse ROPER lived in Richmond and once ran the Ordinary. I subsequently studied the family of Shadrach ROPER and have conclusively established that Shadrach ROPER's son was Jesse ROPER (b 26 Aug 1781 - Powhatan, VA, d 03 Sep 1861 - Howard, MO). Clearly, Shadrach ROPER's son was NOT EVEN BORN at the date of this advertisement. While at first blush, this might seem to conclusively establish that the Jesse ROPER identified in the advertisement was Jesse ROPER (b 31 May 1751), son of Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN, this may NOT be correct either. Since NO ONE seems to want to be related to this Jesse ROPER, NO THOROUGH STUDY of the Henrico records has EVER BEEN UNDERTAKEN. If the Jesse ROPER mentioned in the ad is Charles ROPER's son, he is only age 19 at the date of the advertisement. Thus, to ascribe this record to Charles ROPER's son, we must necessarily conclude that not only had Jesse ROPER already married Theodocia COWLEY by 1770, but that Theodocia's mother Mary had died and that Charles, at age nineteen, was already running the ordinary following her death. I should probably further QUALIFY this assertion in that I have NEVER SEEN ANY PRIMARY RECORD which supports the assertion that Jesse ROPER's wife was named Theodocia COWLEY, NOR that Theodocia was a daughter of Mary COWLEY. I HAVE seen records, such as the advertisement, showing that there is some close family connection between the ROPERs and the COWLEYs, however someone may have either GUESSED or MADE UP the missing details. We almost certainly need to obtain and transcribe the COWLEY probate records to be more certain of the relationships. * It seems to me that there is a non-trivial possibility that there was another different and OLDER Jesse ROPER who may have intermarried with the COWLEYs. While it is POSSIBLE that Jesse ROPER, of Henrico, was Charles ROPER's son, this seems to me to be far from certain because members of this ROPER family have simply REFUSED TO DO any basic research and instead have fabricated other evidence and created false lineages to New Kent. This is unfortunate, since getting this family's history right would probably clear up a LOT of jumbled ROPER lineages! Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Bennett, Beals, Shull, Hull, Holl, Hall, Kimmel Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1901/mb.ashx Message Board Post: One inconvenient ROPER ancestor who continues to be completely IGNORED is Jesse ROPER (b bef 1745), of Washington Township, York County, PA. Those who have constructed various fraudulent lineages back to New Kent County, VA, seem NOT to want anyone to know about Jesse ROPER, since his existence further discredits the various specious ascriptions and invented ancestors used to connect so many ROPER families to a branch of the family to which they are NOT directly related. We first learn of Jesse ROPER in respect of his land in Washington Township, York County, Pennsylvania. The 100 acre York County parcel was granted to Jesse ROPER on 27 Aug 1766. The survey for this parcel appears within PA Survey Book D57 at Page 129: http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r17-114CopiedSurveyBooks/Books D1-D90/Book D57/Book D-57 pg 257.pdf This property is in the upper reaches of the Conewago Valley and is crossed by both Plum Run and Dead Run, tributaries of Bermudian Creek, which flows into Conewago Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River. Jesse ROPER's immediate neighbors are shown to have been William BENNET (BENNETT), Abraham BEALS, Frederick SHULL, Isaac HULL, HOLL or HALL, and Nicholas KIMMEL. The rough location of the property can be seen on this ancient Melish-Whiteside Map from about 1816-9: http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r17-534WhitesideMaps/r017_0534_0000_3386_YorkCounty.pdf The property would have been just to the South of the Church building shown near the Northernmost portion of Washington Township. The ancient Jesse ROPER parcel on Plum Run is near where Cashman Road now crosses Plum Rum. Plum Run Road junctions with Turkey Pit Road (a continuation of Cashman Road) just to the South of the property. This is East of U.S. 15 (connecting Harrisburg to Gettysburg), South of E. Berlin Road (PA 234) and West of the Carlisle Pike (PA 94). The Latitude and Longitude of the property are at about 39.9280011, -77.0938244. The location can be seen on Google Maps here: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9274868,-77.0935662,2587m/data=!3m1!1e3 This puts the property about twenty one miles almost due South of Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The property is only about eleven miles from the Cumberland - York County line along the main road to the South from Carlisle. This is the road leading to Baltimore through Hanover, Pennsylvania. The Conewago Valley in Pennsylvania was one of the places Maryland Catholics fled to escape Catholic persecution in Maryland when Protestants in control of the government there began exceptionally harsh religious persecution about 1704. * This would have been a convenient place for a Catholic family to settle to escape persecution. The Penns had made Pennsylvania a place of free religious worship, as Maryland had been intended to be. About eleven miles to the South of Jesse ROPER's property was Conewago Chapel, in Hanover, the FIRST Catholic church in Pennsylvania, founded in 1741. The historic church building there, built in 1787, is the oldest Catholic church constructed of stone in the United States. This church is now called the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Conewago. * >From Jesse ROPER's West Side Land Grant Application, No. 1003, and the 1766 date of this grant, we can probably surmise that this Jesse ROPER was born before 1745. http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r17-40WestSideApps/r17-40WestSideApps 130.pdf * As far as I can tell, ALL of Jesse ROPER's descendants have RENOUNCED and IGNORED HIM in favor of INVENTED FICTITIOUS ancestors fraudulently created to create a false connection to New Kent County, Virginia. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>