This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Raper, Rope Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1870.4/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Within the previous post above, I identified these ROPERs, ROPEs or RAPERs as having served within the Kentucky militias during the War of 1812 / Creek War: KENTUCKY ROPER, John, 1 Rifle Regiment (Allen's), Kentucky Volunteers, Private [Image 627] ROPE, Jesse, 3 Regiment (Allen's) Mounted Kentucky Vols., Private (Original filed under Jesse ROPER) [Image 593] ROPE, Joseph, 3 Regiment (Allen's) Mounted Kentucky Vols., Private (Original filed under Jesse ROPER?) [Image 594] ROPER, Jesse, 3 Regiment (Allen's) Mounted, Kentucky Vols., Private [Image 625] ROPER, William, 17 Reg't (Francesco's) Kentucky Militia, Private (See also Charles THORNTON) [Image 652] ROPER, Johnson's Reg't, Mounted, Kentucky Vols., Major [Image 596] ROPER, James, Johnson's Regiment, Mounted, Kentucky Volunteers, Private (Original filed under James RAPER)[Image 620] * * * One reasonably authoritative secondary reference regarding military service in the War of 1812 in Kentucky is the Report of the Adjutant General of Kentucky entitled "Soldiers of the War of 1812" (Frankfort, KY, E. Polk Johnson, 1891). Of course, this is a compilation based upon extant records then readily available to the State Adjutant General. Consultation of the underlying primary records in the Kentucky State Archives as well as the National Archives is a better means of obtaining understanding and assurance about the facts of military service of these ROPER pioneers. A copy of the Adjutant General's Report is available online at Archive.com: https://archive.org/stream/kentuckysoldier00reporich#page/n6/mode/1up Because of the font size of the individual names on the various rosters, Optical Character Recognition of the text on the pages of this book seems incomplete and error prone. If you do a digital search within this book for a ROPER, you will FIND NONE using the current online search feature. I have NOT made an exhaustive search of this entire book. Instead, I used the Index entries from the U.S. Archives shown above, which identified the UNITS in which these ROPERs were shown to have served. I also reviewed information from secondary sources purporting to show that certain ROPERs served in various Kentucky units. As I understood the Index entries from the National Archives, the first entry (John ROPER) describes the First Regiment Kentucky Volunteers commanded by Lt. Col. James ALLEN. The Rosters of this unit seem to appear within the Adjutant General's Report at pages 24 to 33 and 117. No ROPERs seem to appear on these pages. See: https://archive.org/stream/kentuckysoldier00reporich#page/24/mode/1up https://archive.org/stream/kentuckysoldier00reporich#page/117/mode/1up * The entry for Jesse / Joseph ROPER seems to describe the Third Regiment Mounted Kentucky Volunteers under the Command of Lt. Col. James ALLEN. The rosters seem to appear within the Adjutant General's Report on pages 248 to 255. https://archive.org/stream/kentuckysoldier00reporich#page/248/mode/1up * The entry for William ROPER seems to describe service in Francesco's Regiment of Kentucky Militia commanded by Lt. Col. John FRANCESCO. The rosters seem to appear within the Adjutant General's Report on pages 262 to 273. See: https://archive.org/stream/kentuckysoldier00reporich#page/262/mode/1up * The last two entries seem to describe service within the Regiment of Kentucky Mounted Infantry under the Command of Col. Richard M. JOHNSON. The Rosters of this unit seem to appear within the Adjutant General's Report at pages 220 to 239. https://archive.org/stream/kentuckysoldier00reporich#page/220/mode/1up Within this Roll there appears a James ROPER shown to have served under the command of Captain Samuel R. COMBS' Company from May 20, 1813, to November 19, 1813 (see page 229). https://archive.org/stream/kentuckysoldier00reporich#page/229/mode/1up * * * I also found these ROPERs within "Soldiers of the War of 1812" in unexpected places in respect of the Index entries from teh National Archives: Jesse ROPER, Captain Mason SINGLETON's Company, Kentucky Mounted Voilunteers (at page 122). https://archive.org/stream/kentuckysoldier00reporich#page/122/mode/1up * * A William ROPER is shown on a list of soldiers discharged from the 7th Regiment, U.S. Infantry, with the discharge on November 23, 1813 (at page 327): https://archive.org/stream/kentuckysoldier00reporich#page/327/mode/1up No Company is given. 7th Regiment was under the command of Col. William RUSSELL. * * John ROPERS is shown to have served within Captain Carey NICHOLAS' Company, 7th Regiment, U.S. Infantry (at page 338). He is shown to have enlisted for a six month term from January 1, 1814, to June 30, 1814. He is also shown as having deserted on January 26, 1814. https://archive.org/stream/kentuckysoldier00reporich#page/338/mode/1up * * * * * JESSE ROPER (b 26 Aug 1781 - Powhatan, VA, d 03 Sep 1861 - Howard, MO) One of the least ambiguous entries is that of Jesse ROPER. Jesse ROPER is enumerated in the 1810 Census for Jessamine County, Kentucky. See: "United States Census, 1810," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XH2P-7FQ : accessed 01 Apr 2014), Jesse Roper, Not Stated, Jessamine, Kentucky; citing "1810 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 56, line 2260, NARA microfilm publication M252, roll 7, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0181352. Captain Mason SINGLETON is also shown to have resided in Jessamine County, Kentucky, in both the 1810 and 1820 Census enumeration. There is also a Benjamin WILLIAMS (shown as a Lieutenant on the Roster) enumerated in Jessamine County inteh 1810 Census. There seems to be little doubt that this unit was drawn from Jessamine County or that the Jesse ROPER who served was the Jesse ROPER enumerated in the 1810 Census enumeration. This is Jesse ROPER (b 26 Aug 1781 - Powhatan, VA, d 03 Sep 1861 - Howard, MO), son of Shadrach ROPER (d bef 16 Dec 1784 - Powhatan, VA). This Jesse lived in Powhatan, VA, Jessamine, KY, and Howard, MO. * * * WILLIAM ROPER The identity of the William ROPER shown in either 17 Reg't (Francesco's) Kentucky Militia or the 7th Regiment U.S. Infantry is less clear. As further shown below, the 7th Regiment, U.S. Infantry was a regular U.S. Army unit under the command of Col. William RUSSELL (06 Mar 1758 - 03 Jul 1825) drawing recruits from Kentucky. There are only TWO William ROPERs enumerated in the U.S. Census in Kentucky before 1850. One of these was Judge William P. ROPER. The other is William ROPER, of Cynthiana, Harrison County, Kentucky, who is shown in the 1820, 1830 and 1840 Censuses. Separately, there was a William RAPER/RAPIER in Nelson County, Kentucky. It seems inconceivable that William P. ROPER, a member of the Kentucky state legislature and later a State Senator and a Judge, would have deserted. For that matter, it seems very unlikely that he would have served as a private in the Creek War after having already served several terms in the Kentucky legislature. William P. ROPER is probably the Major ROPER shown to have served in Johnson's Reg't, Mounted, Kentucky Vols. Of all the Kentucky ROPERs he was almost certainly the most wealthy and socially prominent. See my post: "Judge William P. ROPER (b 1776-80 - VA, d 18 Aug 1833 - Fleming, KY)" (20 Mar 2014 8:10AM) http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.roper/1873/mb.ashx * The following is taken from "THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF STAFF AND LINE WITH PORTRAITS OF GENERALS-IN-CHIEF" (NY: Maynard, Merrill & Co., 1896): "[498] THE SEVENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. By LIEUTENANT A. B. JOHNSON, 7TH U. S. INFANTRY. The Seventh U. S. Infantry was organized under the act of Congress approved July 16, 1798, with William Bently as Lieutenant Colonel Commandant. After an existence of less than two years, the regiment was honorably mustered out of the service on the 15th of June, 1800, under the provisions of an Act approved May 4, 1800. The regiment was again organized on the 3d of May, 1808, under the act of Congress approved April 12, 1808, with William Russell as colonel. The first engagement in which any part of the regiment participated, and which is the first battle inscribed on its colors, was at Fort Harrison, Ohio, on September 4th and 5th, 1812. On the 3d of September the fort was attacked by a large band of Indians, who set fire to one of the block houses on the 4th, and followed it up with a resolute attack on the fort, which was then commanded by Captain Zachary Taylor, 7th Infantry, continuing the assault the following day, when the little garrison was relieved from its perilous position by the timely arrival of Colonel Russell, 7th Infantry, with a force of 1100 men. This engagement was followed by one at Viller's Plantation on the 23d of December, 1814, in which the regiment was conspicuous for its bravery and was highly complimented for its action under fire. This action was followed by the battle of New Orleans, La., on the 1st, 8th and 9th of January, 1815, in which the British lost 293 killed and 1267 wounded, while the American loss was comparatively small. In the year 1815 the practice of assigning particular states as recruiting districts for the infantry, was discontinued, Kentucky having previously been the district for the Seventh Infantry, as Colorado now is. In the same year the regiment was ordered to Georgia, and its headquarters established at Fort Hawkins, where in accordance with the act of Congress of March 3, 1815, it was consolidated with the 2d, 3d and 44th regiments of infantry to form the present First Infantry; and the 8th, 19th, 36th and 38th were consolidated to form the present Seventh Infantry, its station being changed to Fort Gibson, Arkansas, where it remained for many years. From the Arkansas frontier the regiment was ordered to Florida where it took part in the battle of Fort King, E. Fla., on April 28, 1840; Fort Drane, E. Fla., May 19, 1840; Martin's Point Hammock, E. Fla., December 28, 1840, and Wahoo Swamp, E. Fla., May 17, 1842." See: http://www.history.army.mil/books/R&H/R&H-7IN.htm * * The William ROPER, of Harrison, KY, is enumerated in the 1820 and 1840 Census. See: "United States Census, 1820," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHLR-LTW : accessed 01 Apr 2014), William Roper, Cynthiana, Harrison, Kentucky; citing "1820 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 218, NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 23, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0186183. "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHRK-K84 : accessed 01 Apr 2014), William Roper, Cynthiana, Harrison, Kentucky; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 146, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 113, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0007827. Curiously, there is also a household headed by Elizabeth ROPER in Harrison, KY, in 1840: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHRK-K8W : accessed 01 Apr 2014), Elizabeth Roper, Cynthiana, Harrison, Kentucky; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 146, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 113, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0007827. * * I do NOT see a William ROPER or ANY OTHER ROPER Households in Harrison County, KY, in 1830. It might be a good idea to check the images on this 1830 Census record: "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGP-7CS : accessed 01 Apr 2014), William Peper, Eastern Division, Harrison, Kentucky; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 172, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 37, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0007816. * * In 1850, there is a household headed by Elizabeth ROPER, age 63, born in Kentucky, residing in Harrison, KY. This household consisted of: Elizabeth ROPER, F, age 63, born Kentucky John ROPER, M, age 38, born Kentucky Margaret ROPER, F, age 28, born Kentucky Wm ROPER, M, age 23, born Kentucky Albert ROPER, M, age 9, born Kentucky Emma ROPER, F, age 7, born Kentucky Mary ROPER, F, age 5, born Kentucky Sarah HUMBLE, F, age 12, born Kentucky James HUMBLE, M, age 9, born Kentucky Traverse BROWN, M, age 32, born Virginia Ernest ROPER, M, age 0, born Kentucky See: "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M65W-857 : accessed 01 Apr 2014), Elizabeth Roper, Harrison county, Harrison, Kentucky, United States; citing family 181, NARA microfilm publication M432. * * It appears to me that this is an UNDERSTUDIED ROPER family. The primary records for Harrison County, Kentucky, especially as to deeds, tax lists and probate/court records need to be carefully assessed for ROPER mentions. * * * JOHN ROPER The identity of the John ROPER who is shown to have served within the 7th Regiment U.S. Infantry is also UNCLEAR. Possibly, some further study of extant records within the National Archives might give us some additional insight. There are only TWO John ROPERs enumerated in the U.S. Census for Kentucky from 1790 through 1820. These are the two John ROPERs enumerated in Cumberland, KY, in the 1820 Census. John Roper, Sr.: John Roper, Jr.: 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 See: "United States Census, 1820," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHLH-CYT : accessed 03 Apr 2014), John Roper Senior, Paoli, Cumberland, Kentucky; citing "1820 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 158, NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 19, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0186179. "United States Census, 1820," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHLH-CBM : accessed 03 Apr 2014), John Roper Junior, Paoli, Cumberland, Kentucky; citing "1820 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 158, NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 19, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0186179. NOTE: The Census information abstracted for Cumberland County ROPERs on Dave ROPER's "Roper Families in Kentucky" page as shown below is ERRONEOUS (at 05 Apr 2014): John Roper, Sr. 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 158 John Roper, Jr. 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 158 See: http://www.roperld.com/rky1718.htm * Researcher Frank BATCHELOR has theorized within a new recent thread that the elder of the two John ROPERs in Cumberland was the John Roper (b. bef. 1756) who seems to have migrated from Halifax, Virginia, to Caswell, NC: "John Roper, b. bef. 1756; d. aft. 1820, Cumberland, KY" (01 Apr 2014 12:05PM ) http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.roper/1887/mb.ashx This John ROPER would seem an UNLIKELY candidate to be enlisting in a regular U.S. Army unit on 01 Jan 1814 after age 58. * By contrast, the younger John ROPER, of Cumberland, shown in Frank's posts to be the John C. ROPER (b 02 Aug 1796 - VA, 16 Dec 1876 - Dallas, MO), later found residing in Dallas County, Missouri, is about the right age to have been the John ROPER shown in 7th Regiment U.S. Infantry rosters. He would have been age 17 at the 1814 enlistment date. John C. ROPER's first land grants in Kentucky were on 09 Aug 1821, but as shown above, he was already in Kentucky at the date of the 1820 Census. A more careful study of the places of birth of John C. ROPER's children may fix the date of arrival of this John ROPER in Kentucky, though since he would have been only about age 17 he probably was still unmarried at the date of the militia service. See: "David Roper, b. abt 1778, Halifax, VA; d. bef. 1844, KY or TN" (1 Apr 2014 3:58PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1886/mb.ashx See also: "John C Roper (b 02 Aug 1796 - VA, 16 Dec 1876 - Dallas, MO)" (17 Nov 2012 9:00AM) http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.roper/1698.3.1.2.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx "The Two John ROPERs in Cumberland County, KY" (14 Feb 2013 12:27PM) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1775.3/mb.ashx * While the younger John ROPER would seem to be a better candidate, it bears mention that absence of other John ROPERs from the tax records, land records and Census data does NOT preclude a younger John ROPER from being a member of ANY household. For example, another possible candidate is the John ROPER (b abt 1783 - NC), son of Revolutionary War Veteran David ROPER, of Pulaski, who remained within his father's household until after his father's death. This John ROPER is shown for the first time in the 1840 Census and is enumerated again in Pulaski in 1850. See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHTP-SZB : accessed 03 Apr 2014), John Roper, Pulaski, Pulaski, Kentucky; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 302, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 122, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0007831. "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M65K-1H6 : accessed 03 Apr 2014), John Roper, Pulaski county, part of, Pulaski, Kentucky, United States; citing family 439, NARA microfilm publication M432. * * It should probably be noted that there were some very serious problems during the War of 1812 paying and provisioning the men, especially in the Tennessee militia. Abandonment of the war effort by men within several units, in part due to lack of support from the state leadership is described in many historical accounts as a "mutiny". Without a careful assessment of the location and activities of the unit, it is hard to place the asserted "desertion" in proper context, though this Veteran of more than two decades of military service does not want to come across as overly apologetic for John ROPER's desertion. I am only suggesting that the abstracted record tells far less than a complete story and that the underlying primary records need to be carefully examined and placed in proper historical context. * * * JAMES ROPER/RAPER Identity of the James ROPER or RAPER who served under Captain Samuel COMBS is somewhat ambiguous. There are two Samuel COMBS listed in the 1810 Census for Kentucky, one in Clark County and one in Bardstown, Nelson County, KY, but the Samuel COMBS in Clark County is shown to have middle initial "R." This seems to be the correct Samuel R. COMBS. One of COMBS' lieutenants is shown to be a James COGSWELL. A James COGSWELL is enumerated in North Middletown, Bourban County, Kentucky, in the 1820 Census enumeration. Bourban County is to the immediate North of Clark County. Joseph MAJOR is shown to be First Sergeant of Samuel COMBS' Company. A Joseph MAJOR is enumerated residing in Hopkinsville, Christian County, KY, in 1820. This seems somewhat anomalous, as Christian County is in the extreme Western part of the state. However, there are numerous MAJOR households in other places in the state in 1810, especially in Franklin County, just to the West of Bourban County. I spot checked ten other names shown on the Rosters for Captain COMBS' Comapany against the 1810 and 1820 Census returns, as shown below, with emphasis on names I thought were likely to be reasonably unique: Jesse BAXTER: Clark (1810), Henry (1820) Henry BRAMBLETT: Bourban (1810,1820) John BURNETT: Bourban (1810) [Shown as BARNETT in Census] George COTTON: Woodford (1810); Woodford / Fayette (1820)* Ezekial DUCKWORTH: Montgomery (1810)** Mordecai GIST: Clark (1810) George HAGGIN: NOT FOUND, but there is a David HAGAN shown in Clark County in 1810. William LAMPTON: Madison (1810); Jefferson (1810)*** George McDOWELL: Livingston (1820); Breckinridge (1820) [There are other McDOWELL hosueholds in Fayette, Jessamine and Mercer Counties] John McGUNNIGAL: NOT FOUND John PASLEY: Madison (1820) Bailey SOUTHERLAND: NOT FOUND [There is a Lanty SOUTHERLAN in Madison in 1810] Pleasant SHORT: Clark (1810) Benjamin TALBOT: Harrison (1820); Henderson (1820); Shelby (1820) [There are three other TALBOT households in Clark County in 1810, headed by Samuel, Rodham, and Paul TALBOT] Mordecai WYATT: NOT FOUND [There is a John WYATT household in Clark County in 1810 and four WYATT households in Stoner, Bourban County, KY] * There is a William COTTON household in Clark County, KY, in 1810. ** Montgomery is to the immediate East of Clark County and Southeast of Bourban County *** Madison County is to the immediate South of Clark County * My conclusion is that Captain Samuel R. COMBS' company was draw geographically primarily from Clark County, with some soldiers also from Bourban County as well as adjacent Montgomery, Madison, and Fayette Counties. There were NO ROPER households in ANY of these Counties in either 1810 or 1820. Neither were RAPER households located in any of these places. There WAS seemingly a RAPER household in Nelson County and it is my understanding that extant Tax Lists may show a James RAPER in Nelson. There is also James ROPERS shown in the 1820 Census residing in Buckingham, Nelson County, Kentucky. But there also was apparently a Stephen ROPER shown in early tax lists for Bourban County. It appears to me from the Census records, including the 1850 Census enumeration, that the family seated in Nelson County was unambiguously a RAPER/RAPIER family origianlly from Maryland. Even so, in my view, since Captain COMBS' Company was drawn mostly from Clark and Bourban Counties, the James ROPER/RAPER in Camptain COMBS' Company was MORE LIKELY a ROPER, UNLESS it turns out that Stephen ROPER, of Bourban County, KY, was actually a RAPER. * * * Those with additional information about the War of 1812 militia service of any of these ROPER ancestors are requested and encouraged to share their findings within further Replies in this thread! 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: batchelorw Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1887.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: There is one George Carroll in the 1810 Caswell, NC census. There is no George Carrell. George Carroll 45 One male <10 One male 10-15 One male 16-25 One female 45 One female 16-25 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/1887.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Frank: In regards to the male age 16 to 25 counts, I am reasonably confident that the indication is a "3" rather than a "2". This is more due to the other "2"s being quite distinctive with a very well defined horizontal base. The "3" is not so much distinguishable EXCEPT in comparison to other characters. Most of the "1"s and "2" are reasonably distinctive. There are also a couple of clear "4"s and "5"s on the page for comparison (William YATES, Robert WILSON, William SUTE). There is one very distinctive "3" in the female 10 to 15 category for William YATES. In my view, the figure for age 26 to 25 cannot be easily reconciled as a "1", "2", "4" or "5" when compared to the writing for other figures on this page. Although I also do NOT think it matches closely to the "3" in the William YATES household, to me it looks MORE like a "3" than anything else. Two other notes are in order. First, because the counts are for age ranges in a single household with one age range or ten years duration (under age 10), one of six years duration (age 10 to 15) and a third of ten years duration (age 16 to 25) ALL counts are skewed towards LOWER numbers. There are a LOT of "1"s, fewer "2"s and only a few "3"s, "4"s and "5"s on each page. There FEWER "2"s in the narrower age range (10 to 15) than in the wider age range (under age 10), which is statistically expected. There are fewer "2"s in the upper ten year age range (16 to 25) than in the lower age range (under age 10). This is an expected result for two reasons. First, some children are dying and new children enter the counts only as infants in the under age 10 category. Second, in the upper age ranges, both male and female, but especially female, children are leaving the household, bringing these counts lower. Take a look at the page count distributions for various age groupings, IF the figures for John ROPER (age 16 to 25), Starling CARRELL (age 26 to 44), William SUTE (age 10 to 15); Nicholas MATLOCK (age 10 to 15) , John McCAIN (Under age 10) are interpreted as "3"s: Male Under 10: "0" (10); "1" (4); "2" (3); "3" (1); "4" (1); "5" (1) Male 10 to 15: "0" (15); "1" (3); "2" (2); "3" (0); "4" (0); "5" (0) Male 16 to 25: "0" (9); "1" (4); "2" (3); "3" (1); "4" (0); "5" (0) Male 26 to 44: "0" (12); "1" (11); "2" (0); "3" (0); "4" (0); "5" (0) Male 45 or more: "0" (12); "1" (10); "2" (0); "3" (0); "4" (0); "5" (0) Female Under 10: "0" (6); "1" (10); "2" (2); "3" (0); "4" (1); "5" (0) Female 10 to 15: "0" (14); "1" (4); "2" (1); "3" (2); "4" (0); "5" (0) Female 16 to 25: "0" (8); "1" (10); "2" (1); "3" (1); "4" (0); "5" (0) Female 26 to 44: "0" (9); "1" (9); "2" (1); "3" (1); "4" (0); "5" (0) Female 45 or more: "0" (15); "1" (6); "2" (0); "3" (0); "4" (0); "5" (0) * The only really CLEAR "3" is that which appears in William YATES' record. If NONE of the ambiguous records shows a "3", TWO "4"s and ONE "5". I do NOT think that ALL of the ambiguous figures ARE "3"s. On balance, I think that the figures for John ROPER, William SUTE and John McCAIN are probably "3"s. I suspect that the figures for Starling CARRELL and Nicholas MATLOCK are NOT. * * * As for the count for under age 10, what I see is ditto marks in that category for BOTH John ROPER and George CARRELL, the immediately following name. But I also see a mark that could be a "1" straddling the space BETWEEN these two ditto marks. That is, I interpret this mark as possibly representing that EITHER John ROPER or George CARRELL had one male under age 10. I am reasonably confident that the Census return reflects that ONE of these men had a young man under age to in the household. I am NOT confident as to which. As you have previously shown, there is a young man age 10 to 15 shown in John ROPER's 1810 Census return. What does the 1810 Census record for George CARRELL/CARROLL show? "United States Census, 1810," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHLM-J77 : accessed 02 Apr 2014), George Carroll, Not Stated, Caswell, North Carolina; citing "1810 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 51, line 280, NARA microfilm publication M252, roll 38, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0337911. Note: There were TWO George CARRELLs in the 1800 Census. * Getting a look at the Tax Lists, is also important. 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: batchelorw Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1887.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Bill, This is a very interesting find and the record may very well be that of John Roper of Caswell, NC in 1800. John purchased his property in Caswell, NC in 1797 and deeded a portion of the land to William Yates in 1798. William Yates is shown as a neighbor in this 1800 census. Further, later deed transactions in Caswell between 1803 and 1813 make reference to John Roper's property being adjacent to Thomas Boulton and Samuel family members. One of John Roper's deed is witnessed by James Samuel. The 1810 Caswell, NC census is of no help in determining nearby neighbors of John Roper since the census is listed in alphabetical order. However, II cannot make out the name of either John Roper or John Rapier in the 1800 census. My interpretation pretty much would agree with what you say you can see. However, I am not sure of what to make of the interpreted census count of three males 16-25. John's age of 45 , which appears in the count quite clearly, is consistent with John Roper, b. before 1856. FamilySeach.org gives a count of 3 males 16-25. My reading of that count in the actual image is two males, not three, 16-25. This would be consistent with my estimate of David Roper being born abt. 1778 and Henry Roper being born abt. 1781-84. However, there should be a male <10. John C. Roper is a probable son on John Roper, and appears as John Roper, Jr. in the 1820 Cumberland County, KY census, next to John Roper, Sr. In that census, he is listed as 16-25, which means he would have been 1-5 years of age if he appeared in an 1800 census. In the 1850 Dallas, MO census, John C. Roper stated he was 54. In the 1860 Dallas, MO census, John C. Roper stated he was 62. In the 1870 Dallas, MO census, John C. Roper stated that he was 72 and born in "Old Virginia", which would make him born abt. 1797/98. His father, John Roper, first bought property in Caswell, NCi in 1797, so John C. Roper would have to have been born in Virginia before that date of 1797. John C. Roper was allegedly in the War of 1812 for 6 months. John C. Roper's second wife, Anna Nave, applied for a pension and, according to secondary sources, stated in that application that John C. Roper was born in Virginia and was 21 when he joined up for service in the War of 1812. So, if John C. was the son of John Roper, I'm perplexed at what to make of this census record. Can you see a number in the column <10 in the 1800 census? I can't. 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, Yates Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1887.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Frank: I think that you are missing the 1800 Census record for John ROPER, of Caswell County, NC. The 1800 Census Indices for the FamiliySearch.org site show a John RAPIER in Caswell, NC. See: "United States Census, 1800," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHR7-VS4 : accessed 02 Apr 2014), John Rapier, Hillsboro, Caswell, North Carolina; citing "1800 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 112, NARA microfilm publication M32, roll 31, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 337907. There is a name third from the top of the page indicated by the Archives is page 112, which clearly shows a first name John. The last name is illegible, but the "R" is distinguishable and the length of the name is consistent with ROPER. Also, the smudge at the middle of the last name is consistent with a letter "p". I am NOT asserting that the image say "ROPER". But I believe that this is the name that an Indexer for FamilySearch.org made out as "RAPIER," so I do NOT think that I am simply imagining this as a possible ROPER record. Other finding aids for more readily distinguishable names are these names on the SAME page: Nicholas MATLOCK Catharine DOBBINS John DOBBINS ... Robert SANDERS James WILSON Robert WILSON William YATES Alex McCAIN John McCAIN * These names are at the top of the PREVIOUS page: Charles BOLTON Thomas BOLTON James SAMUEL, Senr. * The actual images from the 1800 Census are available at this FREE site: http://historykat.com/US/census/1800/second-census-united-states-north-carolina-1800-caswell-county.html * If this is a record for John ROPER, the counts are a little less challenging: John ROPER: 0 - 0 - 3 - 0 - 1 -- 1 - 1 - 1 - 0 - 1 -- 0 - 2 * Again, IF this is a John ROPER record, I understand this data to show that John ROPER is age 45 or more (b bef 1756) and that there are three males age 16 to 25 in this household (b abt 1775-84). There seems to be a female under age 10, one female age 10 to 15, one female age 16 to 25 and one female age 45 or more. The males in this household seem to be consistent with the year of birth for Henry ROPER (b abt 1781-4), further strengthening your hypothesis that John ROPER is Henry ROPER's father. The appearance of the other children seem to confirm my longstanding suspicion that almost ALL of the children ascribed by others to William ROPER and Keziah YATES are fraudulently ascribed. There was NEVER any evidence that ANY of the children generally ascribed to William ROPER and Keziah YATES were sons or daughters of this couple. If this record is John ROPER's Census record, it affords secondary confirmation for the implicit year of birth which can be garnered from the 1776 Orange County Poll record you cite in support of a year of birth of b bef 1756. Thus we have: b bef 1756 [Orange County Poll of 1776] (implicit based on age of majority) b bef 1756 [1800 Census, calculated Age 45 or more] This seems to me to support a very strong inference that John ROPER was born before 1756! 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/1890/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Within Find A Grave database, there is shown a grave marker for James ROPER (b 24 Sep 1820 - England, d 14 may 1859 - Warrick, Indiana) who is shown to be interred in the Barnett Chapel Cemetery, Elberfeld, Warrick County, Indiana. The Find A Grave page includes an image of the grave marker: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=46080487 The according to the text on the page grave marker says:* "JAMES ROPER Died May 14, 1859 aged 38 Ys, 7 ms, 20 ds." * The date of death looks a little more like May 11 to me, but I haven't seen the original stone marker and think we should trust the transcriber: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=46080487&PIpi=39974738 Also buried within the same cemetery is Sarah ROPER (b 09 Feb 1823 - England, d 26 Dec 1886 - Warrick, IN). Sarah's grave marker expressly identifies her as "Wife of James Roper." See: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=46080476 * * * Neither James nor Sarah are shown in the 1850 U.S. Census for Indiana. Sarah ROPER appears in Warrick, Indiana, for the first time in the 1860 Census enumeration with five minor children: Sarah Roper, F, age 37, born England James Roper, M, age 16, born England Ann M Roper, F, age 14, born England William Roper, M, age 12, born England Henery Roper, M, age 9, born England Eutoka Roper, F, age 3, born Indiana See: "United States Census, 1860," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M4NH-DFC : accessed 01 Apr 2014), Sarah Roper, Greer Township, Warrick, Indiana, United States; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 16, household ID 131, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 803305. As can be seen from this record, Sarah ROPER's family seems likely to have still resided in England in 1851 (a Census enumeration year in England) and to have arrived in Indiana by 1857. * * * 1880 Census records show that the children's father was also born in England, which is expected given the birth of the eldest children there. Does anyone know the place of origin of this ROPER family in England? 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/1886.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Frank: Another TERRIFIC Post! As I had mentioned in prior e-mail correspondence, I had probably forgotten as much about the central protagonists of your investigation as I now remember. Clearing away the detritus of various speculation and focusing on the information that we really KNOW, while identifying other reasonable inferences and avenues for investigation is really helpful! Thanks for posting this! 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/1885.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: TERRIFIC JOB, Frank! This is a very compelling summary! You did a really outstanding job showing coinciding migration by the neighbors, etc. This really seems to be a very solid foundation for any and all future research on Charles 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: batchelorw Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1889/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Philip L. Roper will eventually marry Mary Oden, daughter of Peter Oden. The following is information I have collected on Peter Oden and his family. Philip L. Roper may have met Mary Oden in McMinn, TN in about 1838. He in fact married a Mary Oden. Also, there may be some historical connection between the Phillip L. Roper branch of the Roper family and the Oden family in Edgefield, SC. The Oden family was in Edgefield, SC in the 1790's and 1800. Thomas B. Oden and Alexander Oden are shown on the same page as Samuel Roper in the 1800 Edgefield, SC census. This Samuel Roper appears in the 1800 Edgefield, SC Census as follows: ROPER, Samuel 161 00100-00100-00 Samuel Roper and his wife would be 16-26 years of age, with no children. A Thomas B. Oden and Alexander Oden are shown on the same page as Samuel Roper as follows: ODEN, Alexander 161 22101-02200-01 ODEN, Thomas B. 161 01110-01010-00 Alexander Oden is residing 2 properties away from Samuel Roper and, on the other side of Samuel Roper, Thomas B. Oden is residing 3 properties away from the property of Samuel Roper. Alexander Oden would be age 45-up. He was married to Letitia Bussey, the daughter of George Bussey who owned land in Edgefield. Thomas B (Bussey) Oden is considered his son. In the Census record, he would be 26-45. Oden family researchers believe that Alexander Oden was the brother of Hezekiah Oden, who was residing in Edgefield, SC in 1790, along with his sons Peter Oden, Andrew Oden, and Thomas H. Oden. That these were Hezekiah Oden's sons is demonstrated by the following will: Edgefield District, SC: Wills, 1787-1836 "p. 133. 3 Aug 1797. I, Hezekiah ODEN, Senr, being sick of body but of sound & perfect memory. I will that all my just debts be paid out of my estate. I give to my loving wife Susaner (sic) ODEN the plantation where I now live also three cows & calves, two sows, one negro fellow named Ben, one feather bed & one horse during my wife Lolraner (?) ODEN life or her widowhood & after her decease I appoint & give all the above property with the increase to my son John ODEN. I give to my son Andrew ODEN 50 acres of land beginning on the S line then E to a Rocky Branch, up the branch to the original line. I give to my son Peter ODEN the land whereon he now lives, beginning on rocky Branch & running an E course to the old spring branch. I give to my son Thomas ODEN a tract of land beginning below the mill at a hollow & running S course up the hollow to the line joining Samuel DAGNEYS (DABNEYS?), thence along a line to the corner also two cows & calves. I give to my son Hezekiah ODEN a tract of land beginning at Peter ODENS line along S course by the upper Water Gap to the original line also one mare & colt, two cows & calves the mill & tract of land belonging with the pond & running up the Spring Branch to Peter ODEN line. I give to my dtr. Darcas ODEN two cows & calves, one horse, one woman saddle, one feather bed and the wagon and the black smith tools with the plantation tools for the family use. I appoint Alexander ODEN the sole executor. Wit: Archibald MC KAY & Nath. (X) EVANS. Signed: Hezekiah ODEN. Proved in open court by the oath of Archibald & Nath. EVANS Oct. term 1797 & ordered to be recorded. R TUTT." Peter Oden can next be found in the 1800 Greenville, SC census, living near Thomas Oden. Peter Oden is next found in an 1830 Census in McMinn, TN. Peter Oden is shown as age 60-69, which is consistent with the Peter Oden born in 1768, Blount, SC. On the preceding page of the Census, you will find a Jacob Lawson and a Richard Lawson, both ages 40-50, living next door to each other. Within Peter Oden household, the following females will be found: one female 40-49, one female 20-29, one female 15-19, one female 5-9, and one female under 5. A "Vincent" Oden is shown in the 1830 Census residing in Rhea, TN, which is next to the county of McMinn, TN. (The 1820 Rhea, TN census no longer exists.) " 1830 Rhea,TN Census MICRO FILM PAGE 384 Oden, Vincent 11011-0001001 Vincent" is shown age 20-30, consistent with a birthdate of 1792. Vinson Oden is shown by secondary sources to be the son of Peter Oden. He is shown with a female age 30-40. There is a marriage registry to be found on the Internet that shows Vinson Oden and Levicy Lawson marrying on January 1, 1822 in Rhea, TN. (Notice the name Lawson again.) This would seem to preclude Vincent from being the father of Mary Ann Oden, who states she was 31 (born abt. 1819) in the 1850 Blount, AL census. However, there is one other female in the house, other than his presumed wife of 30-40, who is shown as age 15-20. Philip Roper first appears in the 1840 Marshall, AL Census. He is 20-30 years of age, and so is his wife. They have 2 females under 5, and one female 5-10. They are residing two houses from Israel Oden, age 20-30. A William Golden, age 30-40, is living next door to Israel Oden. Israel Oden, who married Lucinda Golden, is supposedly the son of Peter Oden. Peter Oden, b. abt 1768, SC, appears in the 1840 Blount, AL Census, shown as age 70-80, residing 3 house from Thomas H. Oden, age 70-80, probable brother of Peter Oden (there is a will of Hezekiah Oden, b. 1735, SC, d. Aug. 3, 1797, Edgefield, SC, in which he names his sons as Peter, Thomas, and John.) So both Peter and Thomas are in the area where Philip L. Roper and his wife are shown residing in 1850. Philip Roper, age 32, next appears in the 1850 Blount, AL Census. The Census record states he was born in TN, but the 1860 Panola, TX Census states he was born in KY. His wife Anna, age 31, is shown being born in TN. Neither Philip nor Anna can read or write. Vinson Oden, age 50, also appears in the 1850 Blount, AL Census, with his wife Levicy Lawson, age 44. Philip Roper next appears in the 1860 Panola, TX census as age 48. This time he states he was born in Kentucky. Philip Roper next appears in the 1870 Hunt, TX census as age 55. He states he was born in Tennessee. Philp Roper then appears in the 1880 Hopkins, TX census as age 65. He states he was born in Kentucky. He further states that his parents were born in North Carolina. Philip L. Roper, b. abt 1815, KY, married Mary Oden according to secondary sources. There is a primary source supporting this information as shown in the next three paragraphs. Philip L. Roper and his wife had a child named Charles J. Roper. Secondary sources have assumed he was named after Charles J. Roper, b. abt. 1818, Cumberland, KY, son of David Roper of Cumberland, KY. Charles J. Roper, son of Philip, in turn had a son named Andy Lawson Roper. There is a Mt. Vernon, Franklin County, Texas Death Certificate for Charles J. Roper which states that he died on December 27, 1937 at the age of 89 years, 6 months. The cause of death is a "Severed jugular Vein Self inflicted". I recall a posting from a secondary source that said Charles J. Roper killed himself because he was terminally ill. The information in the death certificate of Charles J. Roper was provided by Andy Roper, who would be his son Andy Lawson Roper. He lists the father of Charles J. Roper as Philip Roper, born in Tennessee. He lists the maiden name of Charles J. Roper's mother as Mary Oden, born in Alabama. The stated birth places of both Philip and Mary are probably wrong. Charles J. Roper is shown buried on December 27, 1937 at Friendship cemetery, Mt. Vernon, TX. When Philip L Roper moved from Blount, AL and next appeared in Panola, TX in the 1850 census, we find an Oden family member who apparently made the move with him. This has to be more than coincidence since this move from Blount, AL to Panola, TX involves crossing both the states of Mississippi and Louisiana. On page #1 of the 1850 Panola, TX census, we find Israel Owden, age 43, born abt 1817, TN, with his wife Martha and their children. This is probably Israel Oden, who was residing two houses from Philip L. Roper in Blount, AL, and who is the alleged son of Peter Oden, probable father of Vinson Oden. Israel Oden is buried in the Mt. Zion Methodist Church Cemetery in Panola, TX, along with his daughter Lucinda M. Golden, who married Richard C. Golden. Mary Ann Oden was about the same age as Israel and may have become close friends. Also, a Jeff Owden, age 21, born AL, is shown on page #3 of the 1850 Panola, TX census. This is probably Jefferson Lewis Oden, b. April 20, 1838, AL, son of Israel Oden On the same census page #7 with Philip L Roper we find a Nathan Rogers, age 30, born in GA, married to a Malinda, age 26, born in AL. Malinda is Elizabeth Malinda Roper, daughter of Philip L. Roper. Philip L. Roper and Mary Oden named their children as follows: Nancy Roper, b. 1836 Charles J. Roper, b. June 1852, AL (same name as Philip's brother) This Charles J. Roper names a son Andy Lawson Roper Thomas Roper b. abt 1859, TX Albert Roper b.abt 1857 , TX Ann E. Roper, b. abt 1853, TX Martha D. Roper, b. abt 1848, AL Henry Roper, b. abt 1844, AL Henry, who died abt. 1769, named a child Henry Lawson Roper, b. abt 1862, d. October 25, 1921, Hunt, Marion, TX Jane Roper, b. abt 1841 Elizabeth Malinda Roper, b. abt 1844, Blount, AL 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: batchelorw Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1888/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Henry Roper, b. abt. 1782, d. abt. 1845, Caswell, NC has been shown by secondary sources as being a son of William Roper, b. abt 1754, Orange, NC, m. Keziah Yates. I think there is a better case that Henry Roper, b. between 1780 and 1790 in Halifax, VA, was a son of John Roper, b. abt. 1754, Virginia. John Roper, b. abt 1754, first makes his appearance in Caswell, NC in 1797, having recently moved from Halifax, VA. He buys land in Caswell, NC, his son David Roper marries Nancy Lewis in 1801 in Caswell, and he appears in a number of deeds in Caswell during the early 1800's. Henry Roper first makes his appearance in Caswell, NC in 1809. John Roper is shown deeding 100 acres to Henry Roper: Q:76: John Roper to Henry Roper for $500 100 acres on Country Line Cr. adj. William Yates, heirs of Thomas Boulton 3 Nov 1809 Wit: Jno Stanfield, Durrett Richards, Archd Samuel. Henry Roper is then seen marrying Rachel Farley on October 4, 1810: Marriage records of Caswell Co., NC: Henry Roper m Rachel Farley 4 Oct 1810 Abner Burton John Roper and Henry Roper are the only two Ropers shown residing in Caswell, NC in 1810, according to the L. David Roper database: 1810 US Census of NC: 0-10 10-20 20-30 40up (M - F) slaves Caswell Co.: John Roper 0 1 0 0 1 - 1 0 2 0 1 - 1 499; Henry Roper 0 0 1 1 0 - 0 0 1 0 0 - 6 499 There are two males shown in Henry Roper's household, one age 26-45 and the other 45 up. There is one female shown as age 26-45. Later records will show Henry born in the 1780's. There are no minor children as Henry and Rachel have only recently married. John Roper is shown to be 45 , old enough to be Henry's father. John Roper then has a judgment executed against his land in 1811 and no longer appears in Caswell, NC records. My belief is that he has moved to Cumberland, KY to be near his son David Roper, as shown in an 1820 Cumberland, KY census Henry Roper remains in Caswell, NC, where he is shown in several deeds (L. Roper database): "Q:65: Jesse Carter to John Swann for $500 140 acres & 38 acres on Rattlesnake Creek adj. David Roper, John Carmon 2 Jan 1810. Wit: A. L. Bennett, J. Barker. Q:211: Matthew Terry to heirs of Thomas Boulton for $300 pd by Thomas Boulton decd, 88.5 acres on Miry Br of Country Line Cr adj John Roper 13 jan 1810. Wit: Danl S. Farley, Archd Samuel, John Hubbard. Q:523: John Stamps sheriff to Thomas Fisher whereas Benjamin Stephens assignee of Gatewood & Co. recovered judgment against John Roper for 133 lbs 16s 10p, goods & chattels 484.75 acres whereon Roper lives on Country Line Cr. adj Boulton, Henry Roper, Fisher, Solomon Merrett sold to Thomas Fisher the high bidder. 15 Oct 1811. Q:512: Henry Roper to Thomas Fisher for $267.90 41.9 acres NW side Country Line Cr. Adj John Roper former line, Boulton, Fisher. Wit: Danl S. Farley, William Fisher. Wit: E. D. Jones, Geo. W. Willson. Q:408: Jeremiah Samuel to Edward Samuel of Lincoln? Co. GA for $500 200 acres on Country Line Cr. adj Stephens 9 Jan 1812. Wit: Samuel Pittard, Henry Roper, Archd Samuel. R:12: Josiah Samuel to Walker Samuel for 134 lbs 13.4 acres on Country Line Cr adj Henry Roper, William Rainey, John Rogers Apr 1813 Wit: Chas Willson, Danl Darby. R:80: John Swann to Jacob Sryer for $400 140 acres on Rattlesnake Cr adj David Roper, John Carmon, Slade; also 38 acres adj Roper. 20 Oct 1813 Wit: John Carter, Jesse Thompson. R:190: Walker Samuel to Josiah Samuel for 134 VA money 134 acres on Country Line Cr adj Henry Roper, John Rogers. 2 Mar 1815 Wit: Z. Samuel, James Towler, James H. Willson. R:199: Lewis Vaughan to William Rainey for $200 a saw mill on Country Line Cr 7 Apr 1815 Wit: Henry Roper, E.D. Jones, Abel Taylor R:347: Jacob Gryer to Moses Kitchen for $400 140 acres both sides Rattlesnake Cr adj David Roper, John Carmon, Slade; also 38 acres adj Roper 17 May 1815. Wit: A. L. Bennett, Stephen Kitchen (name possibly same as Grider). R:384: Thomas Fisher to Phoebe Boulton for $1759.60 252.8 acres W side Country Line Cr adj Henry Roper, Merritt 13 Dec 1816 Wit: Danl S. Farley, A. Gordon." Henry Roper then has a child by Henry's wife's slave named Moses Roper in about 1816. This is a fascinating story in itself, which I will not go into at this time. For those interested, they can view the story at the L. David Roper database of Roper Families in North Carolina, 1800-1899. The L. David Roper database has many documents from 1816- 1849 concerning this Henry Roper, which are too numerous to repeat here. They do show Henry Roper dying abt 1845 and the subsequent inventory of his estate. Rather than repeating that information, I want to return to my primary purpose of showing that this Henry Roper is probably the son of John Roper, b. abt 1754, (VA?) and not William Roper, b. abt. 1766, Orange, NC. Henry Roper was shown in the 1810 Caswell, NC census as age 20-30. Henry also appears in the 1820, 1830, and 1840 Caswell, NC census records: 1820 US census of NC: Page Caswell Co.: Henry Roper 2 0 0 0 1 0 - 4 0 0 1 0 41 Henry is shown age 16-45, with a female 26-45. 1830 US census of NC: Caswell Co. Henry Roper 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 - 1 2 1 1 2? 0 1 - 7 268 Henry is indexed as Henry Raper by Ancestry.com. There are four males, the oldest two being 30-40 and 40-50. Based on the 1840 census, Henry would have been the older of the two. 1840 Caswell NC census: 000100010000 0220010000000 Henry is shown as 50-60. So Henry was born between 1780 and 1790. His new wife, Mary Ann (Polly) Elmore, is shown as 30-40. Rachel Farley died in about 1831. Henry had about 10 children, 11 counting Moses Roper. Three of the children were Hezekiah Roper, John E. Roper, and Francis Catherine Roper. Hezekiah Roper was named after Rachel Farley's father, Hezekiah Farley. He is shown as an orphan in the inventory of Henry Roper's estate: Caswell Co. NC Will Books 1777-1814: p.19: Book G 1816-1817: p.42: Div of negroes belonging to estate of Isekiah Farley on 24 Dec 1819 to: Rachel Roper.. p.74: Book K 1825: Sales property of Hezekiah Farley decd to: Henry Roper 77 p.178: Guardian accounts 1845-1847: 1847 guardian Thomas C. Pass orphan Hezekiah Roper. Pd R. John E. Roper is also shown as a son of Henry Roper: Caswell Co. NC Will Books 1777-1814: p.19: Book G 1816-1817: p.189: John E. Roper of Cole Co., MO to ThomasC. Pass of Caswell Co. to receive from estate of decd father Henry Roper of Caswell Co. 17 May 1847 GG 831 Francis Catherine Roper is also shown as an orphan of Henry Roper: Caswell Co. NC Will Books 1777-1814: p.19: Book G 1816-1817: p.178: Guardian accounts 1845-1847: 1847 guardian Thomas C. Pass orphan Hezekiah Roper. Pd R. Crittenden for boots, Mrs. Gordon for making coat; Samuel Watkins store acct. 372 guardian Thomas C. Pass, orphan Frances C. Roper 389 Francis Catherine Roper was born July 8, 1828, Caswell, NC; d. January 22, 1896, Milton, Caswell, NC. She married Thomas Samuel Brandon, Jr. Francis Catherine Brandon, age 50, and Hezekiah Roper, age 52, brother and sister, both show up residing next to each other in the 1880 Milton, Caswell, NC census. Both Francis Catherine Brandon, indexed as F.C. Brandon, and Hezekiah Roper state that they were born in North Caroline, that their mother was born in North Carolina, and that their father was born in Virginia! With this information, it appears that William Roper, abt. 1766 in Orange, NC is probably not the father of Henry Roper. William's father, David Roper, Sr, b. abt. 1727, was in Orange, NC by at least May 12, 1757, when he purchased property on Rattlesnake Creek. William Roper was deeded 224 acres by his father David on January 20, 1779 on Rattlesnake Creek in Caswell, NC. William Roper married Keziah Yates on August 31,1781 in Caswell, NC. William Roper is also shown in the 1786 Richmond District, Caswell, NC Tax list. William Roper appears in the 1790 Hillsborough District, Caswell, NC census. To my knowledge, William Roper never lived in Virginia from 1780-1790, the time period that Henry Roper would have been born in Virginia. Thus, considering that John Roper shows up in the 1782 Halifax, VA tax list, that he apparently remained there until he moved from Halifax, VA to Caswell, NC in 1797, that John Roper deeded land to Henry Roper one year after his marriage to Rachel Farley, that John Roper and Henry Roper are living next to each other in Caswell, NC, that Henry Roper names a son John E. Roper, and that Henry Roper's children state that their father was born in Virginia, I believe it is probable that Henry Roper is the son of John Roper and that Henry Roper is not the son of William 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: batchelorw Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1887/mb.ashx Message Board Post: A John Roper is seen in a Poll of Orange County in 1776, along with William Roper and David Roper, in the L. David Roper database for Roper Families in North Carolina. John Roper would have been at least 21 years of age, giving him a birth date before 1756. North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, May 1984, p. 99: Poll of Orange County for election on 10 December 1776 election for delegates to represent said county in Congress: ... Thos. Merideth,... Wm. Roper ... Davd Roper ... John Roper ... As mentioned above, John Yates married Jemima Roper, daughter of David Roper, b. abt.1723, on March 8, 1779 in Caswell, NC. Just prior to that time, it appears that John Yates sold a 320 acre piece of property that he owned in Halifax, Virginia to an Edward Parker of Halifax, VA on May 14, 1778. "P. 160 May 14, 1778 from John Yates of Caswell County, North Carolina, to Edmund Parker of H, for 130 £, about 320 acres in H on Winns Cr., & bounded by the Cunty line, signed - Jno Yates - Wit- Thomas Lipscomb, Joseph Rogers, John Brandon, Theo. Carter. Recorded May 20,1779." Halifax County Deeds, 1778-1784 TLC Geneology (1992). John Yates, who married Jemima Roper, had a sister named Keziah Yates. She married William Roper, son of David Roper, b. abt. 1723, and Sarah. The bondsman for William Roper and Keziah Yates was "John Yeats". A John Roper can be found as early as 1782 residing in Halifax, Virginia. He is listed in the 1782 Personal Property Tax List. A John Yates can also be found in the same tax list, approximately 97 names above the name of John Roper. This may be the earliest tax list for the county of Halifax, Virginia. The 1782 Halifax County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List Transcribed by Jeffrey C. Weaver, August 2, 1998 Rowlett, William 1 6 5 - 17 Mann, Beverely 1 1 2 - - Jones, William 1 - 1 - 4 Chandler, Robert 1 24 7 - 50 Yates, John 1 - 1 - 1 Hanley, Richard 1 - 1 - 8 Hill, Ephraim 1 3 2 - 9 Brown, James 1 0 2 0 5 Stone, Ann - 4 4 - 6 McNight, James 1 - 1 - 6 Lee, William 1 1 2 - 6 Caldwell, John 1 2 7 - 28 Roper, John 1 0 2 - 5 Caldwell, Allen 1 6 3 - 16 Colson, Geo. - - 1 - 4 John Roper is shown in the 1785 tax list in Halifax, VA, in the L. David Roper "North Carolina Roper Families Dates and Events (1600-1779)", as follows: Halifax Co. 1785: (white, dwellings, other buildings) list of J. W. P. Martin: John Roper 5 - - This record indicates there were 5 whites residing in the household. As of the date of this writing, I have not found a deed showing where John Roper owned property. However, an approximate location of the property on which he was residing can be determined by knowing his neighbor's property. Here is a complete list of the property owners named by J. W.P Martin in the 1785 Halifax County tax list: List of J.W.P. Martin Kennon Charles 5 2 3 Lewis John Jr 6 1 3 Taylor Phil 5 0 0 Waddill Noell 6 1 2 Johnson James 10 1 2 Hopun Henry Jr 5 0 0 Akin Edward 7 0 0 Caldwell Allen 2 1 0 Caldwell John 8 1 0 Tanner Creel 2 0 0 Wood Joseph 2 0 0 Smith James 7 0 0 Douglas Mary 7 1 3 Maze William 7 0 0 Davis William 4 0 0 Roper John 5 0 0 Cearson Thomas 4 1 0 EdmundÕs Sterling (Est) 6 2 4 Walton William 9 1 0 Hamlett William Sr 5 2 4 Kirby Joseph 7 2 2 Dottson Caleb 6 1 0 Chelton Charles 8 0 0 Hutchinson Daniel 6 1 2 Wall Charles 10 1 2 Hopson Henry (little) 3 1 0 Echols Moses 13 2 2 Kent Alexr 4 0 0 Harbour Talmon 1 1 3 Harbour Noah 6 1 0 Hopson Henry Sr 3 1 5 Hopson Benja 3 1 1 Dickie John Jr 5 1 4 Moore Alexander 2 2 4 Seaim Jessee 4 0 0 Lawson John 5 1 11 Harper Banister 4 0 0 Lawson (Widow) 3 3 0 Carter Mary 7 1 5 Akin Robert 5 1 2 Hopson Joseph 5 3 6 Akin Joseph 7 1 0 Carter Richard (S.) 12 1 4 Dobson Elisha 3 1 0 Hedgepeth Lemuel 7 0 0 Russell Absolom 2 1 0 Russell George 1 1 0 Gaines Thomas 7 0 0 Miller John F. 4 2 1 Walton Spencer 9 1 0 Miller Harmon 10 1 0 Strange Owin 3 0 0 Groce Jarrett 9 1 0 Lawson Thomas 4 1 1 Horsly James 6 1 0 King Benja 5 0 0 Waddill William 6 0 0 Santford (Widow) 1 1 3 Nobles John 5 1 2 Beach Thomas 1 0 0 Owin John 8 1 0 Combs William 3 0 0 Martin Wm Peters 6 2 7 Brown Frederick 8 1 1 Wood George 8 1 4 Moore William 7 0 0 Wilson William 2 1 0 Hamlet Littleberry 2 1 1 Wall John 9 1 3 Bates David 8 0 0 Waters John 11 1 0 Cheatham Abia 3 1 0 Martin Warner 3 0 0 Gaines Richard 4 0 0 Cumbo Thomas 13 0 0 Echols William 9 1 3 Brown George 3 0 0 Martin Peter 9 0 0 Allen David 3 1 0 Lewis John Sr 2 1 4 Colquet Jonathan 6 1 4 Spradling Jesse 3 0 0 Colquet Ransome 1 0 0 Farmer Henry Sr 1 1 0 Graves James 5 0 0 Haily James 4 0 0 Fergusson Nimrod 7 1 0 Fergusson Isaac 5 1 0 Watkins William 9 1 2 Hamlett William Jr 4 1 2 Boyd John 9 1 2 Boyd John Jr 3 0 0 Baker Maiton 6 3 3 Countilen Lewis 2 0 0 Goare Henry 1 0 0 Fears James 7 0 0 Ball John 3 0 0 Watkins Micajah (Est) 0 1 5 Martin John 9 1 2 Dotson Thomas 8 1 0 Wilson Daniel 5 1 3 Jordon William 10 1 0 Harriss William 4 1 0 Stubblefield George 8 1 1 Sullins Nathan 11 1 2 Smith John 5 0 1 Mathews Robert 4 1 0 Farmer Henry 11 1 0 Farmer Archer 8 1 0 Farmer David 8 1 0 Cocke Henry 4 0 0 In looking at this list, we notice the names of John Lewis, Sr and John Lewis, Jr. As will be seen later, John Roper will be a witness to the will of John Lewis, Sr. Also, John Roper's son David Roper will marry a Nancy Lewis. Next, we notice a John Lawson and a Thomas Lawson in the list. Finally, we observe the names of William Walton and William Maze, who appear to be residing fairly close to John Roper. In the "Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 10 (1776-1778)", published by TLC Genealogy, we find the following on page 332: "Oct 6, 1777 from Spencer Walton of H, to William Mays (Mayes) Jr. of H, for 1 £, all that tract of land in H on Miery Cr, about 100 acres bounded by Sherwood Walton, MacNight, it being part of 400 acres whereon said Spencer Walton now lives, granted to him by deed from Sherwood Walton and recorded H. Signed Spencer Walton. Wit- Joseph Witt, Charles Henderson, Micajah Watkins. Recorded Oct 16m1777". Spencer Walton and Micajah Watkins are both listed in the 1785 Halifax tax list. Miery Creek, or more correctly Miry Creek, is a northern tributary of the Dan River. At its junction, it is approximately 6-7 miles west of New Boston, Halifax, VA. Here are two more deeds dealing with many of the same individuals: p. 137. Sep 20, 1781 from WILLIAM WALTON of Halifax to Stephen Pankey of Halifax, for 10,000 pounds, about 100 acres in Halifax on polcat Cr. Bounded by Nathan Sullins, Mays, Charles Henderson,, George Combs, it being part of 400 acres granted to Nathan Sullins & by him divided to Charles Henderson and acknowledged in Halifax Court. [signed] WILLIAM WALTON Wit: Jno Pankey, Jonathan Colquitt, SPENCER WALTON. Recorded Sep 20, 1781. NANCY, the wife of said WILLIAM WALTON, voluntarily relinquished her right to dower to the lands conveyed. p. 138. Sep 20, 1781 from Stephen Pankey of Halifax, to WILLIAM WALTON of Halifax, for 1000 pounds about 100 acres in Halifax on the 2nd fork of birches Cr, and bounded by the mouth of Tantroth branch, SPENCER WALTON, Henneries order line. [Signed] Stephen Pankey. Wit: Jon Pankey, James More, Jonathan Colquitt. Recorded Sep 20, 1781. Mary Ann, wife of said Stephen voluntarily relinquished her right of dower to the lands conveyed. "Polcat Creek", which is actually Polecat Creek, is generally a few miles north and west of New Boston. Birches Creek is a northern tributary of the Dan River, about 12 miles west of New Boston at its junction. Thus, it is probably safe to assume that John Roper was living in that general vicinity, near the Dan River and just north of the border of Rattlesnake Creek, Caswell, NC, where David Roper and Sarah were living. The next evidence we have of John Roper in Halifax, VA is when he shows up as a witness to the will of John Lewis, Sr.: "Will of John Lewis 'of Halifax County', Virginia written in 1787 before he moved to Caswell County, North Carolina." "July Court, 1790 In the name of God, Amen. I John Lewis of the County of Halifax and State of Virginia, calling to mind the uncertainty of life do make and ordain while in perfect state of health and memory this my last Will and testament in the manner following: Imprimis. It is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid. Item. It is my will and desire that my beloved wife Catherine Lewis shall have exclusive of what the law allows the use of all my household and kitchen furniture together with the use of the following negroes namely: Little, Fran, Sallie, Millie, and Cesia, during her natural life. Item. It is my will and desire that my beloved wife Catherine Lewis shall have Tom Plump, and Robbin Flagg in her dower of slaves. Item. I give unto son John Lewis, all of the lands I die possessed of in Halifax County together with the one third part of my personal estate, to him and his heirs forever. Item. I give unto my son John Lewis, as trustee for my daughter Sarah Taylor one third part of my personal estate for her use during her natural life and at her death to be equally divided between the heirs of her body to them and their heirs forever. Item. I give unto my daughter Apphia Allen one third part of my personal estate to her and her heirs forever. Item. It is my will and desire that at the death of my beloved wife, all the negroes, household and kitchen furniture be equally divided between my son John Lewis, my daughter Sarah Taylor and my daughter Apphia Allen as before mentioned. Item. It is my will and desire that my son John Lewis shall have at the death of my beloved wife, Tom Plump if alive in her proportion of the estate she dies possessed of, to him and his heirs forever. It is my will and desire that my Executors hereafter named sell all my land except what I have already given to my son John at the more convenient time and place, and the money arising from the sale of said land to be appropriated to the use of paying my just debt and the balance if any to be equally divided between my son John and my daughter Sarah and my daughter Apphia to them and their heirs forever. Lastly I nominate and appoint my son John Lewis, Major David Allen and William John Pellet Executors to this my last Will and testament revoking all other heretofore made by me. As Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighth day of June, one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven. John Lewis, Senior (m) (seal) Signed sealed and acknowledged in presence of John Winters, his mark Jurat Archie Walter John X Roper -Jurat his mark The execution of this Will was duly proven in open court by the oath of John Winters and John Roper two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and on motion ordered to be recorded. At the same time John Lewis (m) and John Pettet qualified as executors and letters issue. Teste A. Murphy, Clerk Court. North Carolina, Caswell County I, Mary A. Horton, Deputy Clerk Superior Court, of Caswell County, North Carolina, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the above Will as it appears of record in the office of the Clerk Superior Court in book of Wills "b", page 340. Witness my hand and seal of said court, this 29th day of January, 1934 Mary A. Horton, Deputy Clerk Superior Court." >From this Will, we can draw a couple of conclusions. First, John Roper is still living in Halifax, VA in 1787. Second, John Roper must have been fairly close to John Lewis to become a witness to his will. As will be seen later, John Roper's son David will marry a Nancy Lewis in 1801 in Caswell, NC. The Lewis family and the Roper family were quite close in Virginia, and there were a number of marriages between the two families. John Lewis Sr., whose will is shown above, was born on August 31, 1726 in "Chemonkins", St. Peters Parish, New Kent, VA, where "Ropers" were living. John Lewis, Sr. appears not to be the father of Nancy Lewis, since she is not mentioned in his will. However, a Benjamin Lewis is also listed in the 1790 Halifax, VA tax list, in addition to a John Bird Lewis, Sr. and a John Bird Lewis, Jr. Benjamin Lewis could be a candidate for the father of Nancy Lewis. Next, John Roper of Halifax, VA moved to Caswell, NC. In the L. David Roper data base, John Roper of Halifax County, VA appears in Caswell, NC in deeds dated in 1797 and 1798: "K:104: George Samuel to John Roper of Halifax Co. VA for 200 lbs 255 acres on creek near Ragsdale's old mill. 12 May 1797. Wit: Asa Thomas, James Robertson, Will Thomas." "N:133: John Roper to William Yates for 50 lbs 50 acres W side Country Line Cr. at Roper's Spring Br. 13 Nov 1798 Wit: Saml S. Farley, Abner Robinson." Gideon Robertson was the bondsman at the wedding of David Roper and Nancy Lewis in Caswell, NC on July 13, 1801. The deeds mentioned above are witnessed by a James Robertson and an Asa Thomas. These individuals are all connected closely with Thomas Robertson, who died in 1883 in Caswell, NC and who left a will naming Gideon Robertson as his son. "Caswell Co., NC, Will Bk B, p.437, Oct. Court 1791. Estate of Thomas Robertson in acct. with Will Hall, exec. Acct paid to Elliner, Martha, Rebecca, Kesiah Robertson; William Powell, John Low, Thos. Stephens, Archey Samuel, Jacob Pearson, James Williams attorney, Robert Moore, Allin Caldwell, John Cochran, Robert Willson, James Robertson, Asa Thomas. By James Sanders, Adams Sanders." "April 1789: Kesiah Robinson, orphan of Thomas Robinson, chose James Robinson as guardian". David Roper, who will turn out to be the son of John Roper, next marries Nancy Lewis on July 13, 1801, as shown in the L. David Roper database for Roper Families in North Carolina: Marriage records of Caswell Co., NC: David Roper m Nancy Lewis 13 Jul 1801 Many secondary sources have listed David Y. Roper as the husband of Nancy Lewis because of this marriage record showing a David Roper marrying a Nancy Lewis on July 13, 1801 in Caswell, NC. I think this is in error and that David Roper, b. abt 1778, VA, (son of John Roper) who later moved to Cumberland, KY, was the person who married Nancy Lewis. John Roper next appears on the tax list in 1802 in Caswell, NC: Caswell County North Carolina Land Grants, Tax Lists, State Census, Apprentice Bonds, Estate Records, by Katharine Kerr Kendall: 1803 list of taxables for Caswell County: John Roper, Richmond District, 205 acres He apparently owns the same acreage that he owned in 1798, except for the 50 acres he deeded to William Yates. Then there are a series of deeds in which John Roper is mentioned as residing in Caswell, NC between 1803 and 1813 (L. David Roper data base): Caswell Co. Deeds: N:41: Joab Robinson of Linkham Co. (Lincoln Co.) KY to Matthew Terry for $177 88.5 acres on Miry Br of Country Line Cr adj Thomas Boulton, John Roper 4 Jan 1803 Wit: Danl S. Farley, Archd Samuel, John C.Rogers O:119: Allen Yates to Josiah Samuel for 100 lbs 150 acres on Country Line Cr. adj. John Roper, Thomas Boulton, John Rogers, Craften Williams, Lewis Vaughan, William Rainey, Joseph Flipper, William Yates, excepting his interest in the mother's dower during her life and after her death (Caty Yates) his interest included in this sale. 25 Oct 1805 Wit: John Stanfield, Archd Samuel D. Richards. O:186: David Caldwell of Halifax Co. VA to Josiah Samuel for $100 50 acres on Country Line Cr adj. John Roper, Thomas Boulton, John Rogers, William Yates, said land dower of Catherine Yates widow of John Yates decd. 1 Nov 1805 Wit: Durrett Richards, Jno Stanfield, James Dix,John Roper. Q:1: Durrett Richards to Matthew Terry for $200 88.5 acres on Ming Br. of Country Line Cr adj. Thomas Boulton, John Roper 8 Sep 1805. Wit: Jno Stamps, Jno Williams, Jas Samuel Azariah Graves. P:180: Benjamin Merritt to Thomas Fisher for 40 lbs 30 acres both sides Country Line Cr adj. John Roper, Fisher own line, John Stanfield. 12 Oct 1807 Wit: Thos Gatewood, A. Harrison, James Boling, Geo Dabney. P:199: John Roper to Thomas Fisher for $52.50 7 acres on Country Line Cr adj Fisher. 29 Mar 1808 Wit: Thos Gatewood, Jno Stamps, Major Price. Q:76: John Roper to Henry Roper for $500 100 acres on Country Line Cr. adj. William Yates, heirs of Thomas Boulton 3 Nov 1809 Wit: Jno Stanfield, Durrett Richards, Archd Samuel. Q:65: Jesse Carter to John Swann for $500 140 acres & 38 acres on Rattlesnake Creek adj. David Roper, John Carmon 2 Jan 1810. Wit: A. L. Bennett, J. Barker. Q:211: Matthew Terry to heirs of Thomas Boulton for $300 pd by Thomas Boulton decd, 88.5 acres on Miry Br of Country Line Cr adj John Roper 13 jan 1810. Wit: Danl S. Farley, Archd Samuel, John Hubbard. Q:523: John Stamps sheriff to Thomas Fisher whereas Benjamin Stephens assignee of Gatewood & Co. recovered judgment against John Roper for 133 lbs 16s 10p, goods & chattels 484.75 acres whereon Roper lives on Country Line Cr. adj Boulton, Henry Roper, Fisher, Solomon Merrett sold to Thomas Fisher the high bidder. 15 Oct 1811. Q:512: Henry Roper to Thomas Fisher for $267.90 41.9 acres NW side Country Line Cr. Adj John Roper former line, Boulton, Fisher. Wit: Danl S. Farley, William Fisher. Wit: E. D. Jones, Geo. W. Willson. Q:408: Jeremiah Samuel to Edward Samuel of Lincoln? Co. GA for $500 200 acres on Country Line Cr. adj Stephens 9 Jan 1812. Wit: Samuel Pittard, Henry Roper, Archd Samuel. Q:568: Edward Swann to James Lea for $1000 423.8 acres on Rattlesnake Cr adj Donoho formerly Roper 31 Oct 1812 Wit: Danl S. Farley, William Lea. R:12: Josiah Samuel to Walker Samuel for 134 lbs 13.4 acres on Country Line Cr adj Henry Roper, William Rainey, John Rogers Apr 1813 Wit: Chas Willson, Danl Darby. R:80: John Swann to Jacob Sryer for $400 140 acres on Rattlesnake Cr adj David Roper, John Carmon, Slade; also 38 acres adj Roper. 20 Oct 1813 Wit: John Carter, Jesse Thompson. R:190: Walker Samuel to Josiah Samuel for 134 VA money 134 acres on Country Line Cr adj Henry Roper, John Rogers. 2 Mar 1815 Wit: Z. Samuel, James Towler, James H. Willson. R:199: Lewis Vaughan to William Rainey for $200 a saw mill on Country Line Cr 7 Apr 1815 Wit: Henry Roper, E.D. Jones, Abel Taylor R:347: Jacob Gryer to Moses Kitchen for $400 140 acres both sides Rattlesnake Cr adj David Roper, John Carmon, Slade; also 38 acres adj Roper 17 May 1815. Wit: A. L. Bennett, Stephen Kitchen (name possibly same as Grider). R:233: Josiah Samuel to Anthony Stephens for $450 207 acres on Country Line Cr adj Matlock, Abraham Stanfield, Williams, Roper. 2 Oct 1815. Wit: E. Graves, A. L. Bennett. R:373: Thomas Donoho to Ambrose L. Bennett for $80 16 acres on Roper Br adj Wm. Peterson, Jacob Wright. 5 Oct 1815 Wit: Archimedes Donoho Freeman Hubbard. R:384: Thomas Fisher to Phoebe Boulton for $1759.60 252.8 acres W side Country Line Cr adj Henry Roper, Merritt 13 Dec 1816 Wit: Danl S. Farley, A. Gordon. John Roper also is listed in the 1810 Caswell, NC census, along with a Henry Roper: 1810 US Census of NC: 0-10 10-20 20-30 40up (M - F) slaves Caswell Co.: John Roper 0 1 0 0 1 - 1 0 2 0 1 - 1 499; Henry Roper 0 0 1 1 0 - 0 0 1 0 0 - 6 499 Henry Roper is also a son John Roper, which I will discuss in a separate section below. John Roper does not appear in the 1820 Caswell, NC census. The only Roper named in that County is Henry Roper, who will continue to live in Caswell County until his death. John Roper will later re-emerge next to David Roper in Cumberland, KY in 1820. Perhaps John Roper left Caswell, NC because of some financial misfortune. As can be seen above in the list of land transactions, John Roper suffered a significant loss when a judgment was obtained against him and had his land and other property sold at public auction on October 15, 1811. Besides David Roper of Cumberland, KY, John Roper had two other sons: Henry Roper and John C. Roper. These two sons will be discussed in a separate 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: batchelorw Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1886/mb.ashx Message Board Post: David Roper first makes his appearance in a record of his marriage to Nancy Lewis on July 13, 1801in Caswell, NC. His bondsman was Gideon Robertson. As will be demonstrated in another posting, David Roper's father, John Roper, had recently moved from Halifax, VA and purchased 255 acres in 1797 in Caswell, NC, 50 acres of which he then sold to William Yates: "K:104: George Samuel to John Roper of Halifax Co. VA for 200 lbs 255 acres on creek near Ragsdale's old mill. 12 May 1797. Wit: Asa Thomas, James Robertson, Will Thomas." L. David Roper database. "N:133: John Roper to William Yates for 50 lbs 50 acres W side Country Line Cr. at Roper's Spring Br. 13 Nov 1798 Wit: Saml S. Farley, Abner Robinson." L. David Roper database. David Roper, who married Nancy Lewis, moved from Caswell, NC, sometime after his marriage in 1801, and is shown owning land in Cumberland, KY in 1805 (see below). In the 1810 Cumberland, KY Census, we will find a David Roper, age 26-45, living with 3 males 0-9, one female 0-9, one female 10-15, two females 26-45, and one female 45-up. Nancy Lewis would one of the females 26-45. Two of the male children ages 0-9 will turn out to be John A. Roper and George W. Roper, sons of David and Nancy. The other male 0-9 could be a son named David Roper, although I have not located him as yet. There is a 5 generation pattern in this line where each first born child is named after his grandfather, such that we have a John, David, John, David, John naming pattern. The second son is then usually named after the father. The one female 45-up could possibly be a mother-in-law, which would indicate that Nancy's father had died by 1810. In the 1820 Cumberland County, KY Census, there is a David Roper residing in Cumberland County, KY, shown as age 26-45. His presumed wife is also age 26-45. This is consistent with this David Roper being the David Roper, b. abt 1778, Caswell, NC, married to Nancy Lewis. They are shown with 2 male children under 10 (consistent with one of them being Charles J. Roper) and three male children ages 11-16 (two of whom will be John A. Roper and George W. Roper, and one of whom may be a David Roper). There are also two females under 10. The other male under 10 may be Philip L. Roper, who might have been an orphan after his parents died and who may have been taken in by David and Nancy. However, this conclusion is speculation on my part. William Alexander Roper, Jr. first suggested a connection between David Roper, Philip Lawson, and both Charles J. Roper and Philip L. Roper. This is the information he provided: "Philip LAWSON appears to have been the recipient of three very early Kentucky land grants: 03 May 1799: 200 acres 13 Aug 1805: 20 acres 16 Nov 1826: 50 acres The first grant was shown to be in Green County. The latter two are shown to be in Cumberland County. Each of these land grants is shown to be on Sulpher Lick Creek. The last of these was shown to be on the West fork of Sulphur Lick (also Suphur) Creek. That would put the land near here: http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=16&X=808&Y=5074&W=3 This area is adjacent to the Kentucky - Tennessee boarder. One might very well have crossed the state line several times returning from an errand or going fishing. David ROPER received five Kentucky land grants in Cumberland County: 05 Oct 1805: 30 acres 17 Oct 1805: 25 acres 17 Oct 1805: 15 acres 20 Nov 1805: 93 acres 08 Jun 1816: 50 acres David ROPER's grants were shown to be on the Cumberland River, except for one on Kettle Creek. The Kettle Creek land would have been near here: http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=14&Z=16&X=198&Y=1266&W=3 This Kettle Creek property would have been about eight miles away from Philip LAWSON's land. The other parcels might have been a little farther or closer depending upon their precise location on the Cumberland River. John C. ROPER received two other grants on the Cumberland River in Monroe County on 09 Aug 1821. Monroe County is adjacent to Cumberland County to the immediate West. This land was probably within ten miles of the Philip LAWSON property. John ROPER received a grant for an additional 100 acres of land on Kettle Creek on 20 Dec 1833. It would seem that David ROPER, John ROPER/John C. ROPER and Philip LAWSON were neighbors in Kentucky. Philip LAWSON seems to have been active in the Sulpher Baptist Church. Philip Lawson's Will was probated in Cumberland County on 24 May 1836. Perhaps it contains some insight into his relationship with the ROPER family. David ROPER is enumerated in the 1810 Census as residing in Burksville, Cumberland County, Kentucky. In 1810, Philip Lawson was residing in Goochland, Virginia. In 1820, both David ROPER and Philip LAWSON are enumerated in Paoli, Cumberland County, Kentucky. Philip LAWSON appears at the very top of Page 18 of the images for Paoli post office. David ROPER appears at mid page in page 17 of the same enumeration. This seems unlikely to be coincidental and is highly suggestive of close physical proximity. Paoli is shown to be a historic post office somewhere near the town of Albany in Clinton County, Kentucky. Note that there is also a Sulphur Creek branch here, as well: http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=16&X=826&Y=5072&W=3" Philip Lawson was apparently a messenger in the Baptist church in Cumberland, KY. A messenger is described by the modern day Southern Baptist Church as follows: "The Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention consists of representatives, or "messengers," as they are called, from cooperating churches, who gather to confer and determine the programs, policies, and budget of the Convention. Each church may be represented by up to 10 messengers, depending on church size and Cooperative Program giving amounts, ensuring equal accessibility for small and large congregations alike." Sulpher Baptist Church Records have the following information of Philip Lawson: Page 474: Obey's River---Sinking Spring---Sulphur Baptist Church, Cumberland Co., KY: in 1812, Philip Lawson was a messenger here. 1815-P. Lawson, messenger. 1816-Philip Lawson, messenger. 1817-P. Lawson, messenger. 1820-Philip Lawson, messenger." It appears from this information that Philip Lawson was very important to this particular Baptist Church in Paoli, Cumberland County, KY. He might have been the minister. Also, these were missionary churches, set up to minister to the "heathens" throughout the world, including the Cherokee "heathens" in the Southeast. Many families with Cherokee ties became members of these churches. I have one further note on Philip Lawson. In looking at the book "Cumberland County Kentucky Will Records 1815-1912" compiled by Laura Lee Butler, we find the following information: "PHILLIP LAWSON WILL C-207, 208; signed 12/23/1835; reccd.5/24/1826; wife Poly; Francis Keen. Wit. Thomas Watkins, Nathaniel R. Ridble (sp?), Isaac Spears, ex. Polly Lawson & Francis Keen". P. 36 In the 1820 Cumberland, KY Census, a Charles Lewis is listed as resident 900, Philip Lawson is listed as resident 911, and David Roper is listed as resident 892. A John Lewis is listed as resident 667 and a Benjamin Lewis is listed as resident 862. Charles Lewis is listed as age 26-44, with a wife age 26-45, with 2 females under 10, and one male under 10 and two males 10-16. Benjamin Lewis is age 26-45, with a young family, and John Lewis is age 26-45, with a young family. As I mentioned previously, John Roper disappeared from Caswell, NC after his property was seized by way of a judgment obtained against him. He reappears in Cumberland, KY. David Roper, John Roper, Sr., and a John Roper, Jr. are seen residing in Cumberland, KY in 1820. The L. David Roper data base shows the following census results, which is in error: 1820 US census for KY: <10,11-16,17-18,26-45,>45(M) page <10,11-16,17-26,27-45,46-up (F) Cumberland Co.: David Roper 2 3 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 0 160 John Roper, Sr. 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 158 John Roper, Jr. 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 158 When I say the census data is in error, I refer to the interpretation that would follow from the above census data. John Roper Sr., and presumably is wife, are shown as being over 45 years of age, and with two female children. This appears to be consistent with the Ancestry.com census records. However, John Roper, Jr., who is has been identified by secondary sources as John C. Roper, is shown to be 11-16 years of age and presumably his wife is also 11-16 years of age. This would seem to be a bit young to be married. Also, if this is in fact John C. Roper, his age does not agree with later census data. For example, in the 1850 Dallas, MO census, John C. Roper is shown to be age 54. This would make him 24 years of age in 1820, not 11-16 years of age, and he would have been born in about 1796. In the 1860 Dallas, MO census, he is shown to be 62, and in the same census in 1870 he is shown to be 72, which would have him born in about 1798. In looking at the original 1820 Cumberland, KY census page on Ancestry.com, John Roper Jr. is shown as follows: John Roper, Jr. 1-0-0-1-0-0 0-0-0-1-0-0 This is not what is shown in the L. David Roper data base. John Roper, Jr. is shown in the Ancestry.com record as 16-25, his presumed wife is 16-25, and they have on male child under 10. This is consistent with the later census data on John C. Roper. John C. Roper is seen in the census records as having been born in Virginia. John Roper of Halifax, VA, father of John C. Roper, did not arrive in Caswell, NC until about 1797-98. This would be consistent with John C. Roper being born in Virginia, since John C. Roper's census records show him born between 1796 and 1798. So now we have John Roper of Halifax, VA, residing in Cumberland, KY in 1820 with his two sons, David Roper and John C. Roper. In the 1830 Cumberland, KY Census, David Roper is no longer residing in Cumberland County or anywhere else in KY. This is because he has moved to Rhea, TN. In the 1830 Rhea, TN Census, David Roper and his wife are shown as ages 50-59, consistent with birthdates in in 1780s. The male children are: one 10-14; one 15-19; and two 20-29. Charles J. Roper should now be about 12. Philip L. Roper should be about 15. There are no other David Ropers residing in Rhea, TN in 1830. (David Roper is residing 5 houses away from a Barkley Lawson, age 20-29 in Rhea, TN.) In looking at the book "Cumberland County Kentucky Deed Records Abstract and Index" compiled by Laura Lee Butler and Randolph N. Smith, 1975, we find that David and his wife are selling some of their property in Cumberland, KY in 1830: "David Roper & w. Nancy of Rhea Co. Tenn. to Clement Scott land on Galaway; 2/8/1831; G-241; also 6-242; 8/18/1830". P. 158 Notice that the above record is the first and only time that I am aware of that we come across the name of the wife of David Roper of Cumberland County, KY. Her name Nancy is consistent with her being Nancy Lewis who married David Roper in Caswell, NC. "David Roper of Rhea County to Joel Scott land on Galloway Creek; 8/2/1830; G-244". P. 158 There is also this entry in a Kentucky deed book: "Deed Book A 278 26 Feb. 1831 David Roper of Rhea co. to Solomon Hayes. The portion of Cumberland, KY that David Roper lived in became Monroe, KY in 1820. David Roper apparently returned from Rhea, TN to Monroe County, KY where he kept some land and he died sometime before June 2, 1843. In looking at the book "Cumberland County Kentucky Will Records 1815-1912" compiled by Laura Lee Butler, we find the following information: "Milton Murley, Att. for John A. Roper, Ex.of David Roper, dec. of Monroe Co., KY to Jacob Cain land on Kettle Creek; 11/5/1856; 0-32". P 336 "John A. Roper of Macon, MO. p. a. to Milton Murley of the Co. to deed land as heir or adm. of David Roper, dec.; 6/2/1843". P. 350. The Monroe County courthouse burned down twice, once at the hands of the Confederate army in retaliation for the burning of one of their courthouses. So there will be not probate records surviving. I cannot find David Roper in any 1840 census record. Besides Charles J. Roper, the two other known children of David Roper are John A. Roper and George Washington Roper. As can be seen above, John A. Roper was named as executor of David Roper's estate. Oldest sons are for the most part named as the executors of their father's estates In the 1810 Cumberland, KY census, David Roper is shown with 3 male children under 10. One of those will be George W. Roper. Another will be John A. Roper. Charles J. Roper has not yet been born. The 1830 Cumberland, KY census does not show David Roper, since he has now moved to Rhea, TN. However, the 1830 Cumberland, KY census does show a John A. Roper as the head of a household: 1830 US census for KY: page Cumberland Co. John A. Roper 1M20-30, 3F<5, 1F5-10, 1F20-30 128 John A. Roper next appears in the 1840 Liberty, Macon, Missouri census. He is shown as age 30-39, and his presumed wife is shown as 30-39. They have three children, all female, two of whom are age 10-14 and the other age 15-19. John A. Roper next appears in the 1850 District 52, Macon, Missouri census. He is shown as age 46, born abt 1804 in Virginia. His wife appears to be Patsy Roper, age 42, born about 1808 in Kentucky. They are shown with one daughter Elizabeth, age 20, born in Kentucky. (So both John A. Roper and his wife Patsy were in Kentucky). A John Roper then appears in the 1860 La Plata, Macon, MO census, age 55, born abt. 1805 in Kentucky. His wife is shown as Martha Roper (not Patsy), age 50, born abt. 1810, Kentucky. They are shown with no children. Secondary sources show John A. Roper's wife to be Martha A. Patsy Murley, born December 22, 1807, Kentucky, and dying on November 15,1889, in Richland, Macon, MO. She is shown marrying John A. Roper in 1824 in Tennessee. Her parents are shown to be Daniel Murley, born February 28, 1788, Greenbrier, VA, d. Jan 16, Macon, Macon, MO, and Margaret Barrett Moore, b. Sept 22, 1885, VA; d. 1855, Macon, Macon, MO. Besides Martha Patsy Murley, they are shown with 7 other children, one of whom is Margaret Ann Peggy Murley, b. March 26, 1820, Cumberland, KY. Returning to primary sources, Daniel Murley is shown residing in Paoli, Cumberland, KY on August 7, 1820 in that years census. He and his presumed wife are shown as age 26-44, with three males under 10, two females under 10, and three females 10-15 (poor Margaret Barrett Moore). They have one slave. In the 1820 Paoli, Cumberland, KY census just mentioned, Daniel Murley is shown residing next door to David Roper, and 7 properties from Charles Lewis, probable brother of Nancy Lewis. Daniel Murley also appears in the 1830 South of Cumberland River, Cumberland, KY census. Daniel Murley is shown in a Kentucky Land Grant, Survey Date May 8, 1822, Monroe County, KY, with 50 acres, Book J. The water course is Kettle Creek. The Land Grant is shown in Vol. 1,Book J, page239. Daniel Murley is shown in the 1850 District 52, Macon, MO census as age 72, b. Virginia. His wife Margaret Murley is age 65, b. Virginia. He is shown with three children residing in the household. A James Murley, presumed son of Daniel, is residing next door, age 23, b. Kentucky. Another known son of David Roper and Nancy Lewis is George W. Roper The 1810 Cumberland, KY Census shows three male sons of David Roper under 10 years of age. The 1820 Cumberland, KY Census shows two sons of David Roper under 10 years of age and 3 males sons between 11-16. When David and his wife Nancy moved from Cumberland, KY to Rhea, TN, they are shown with the following male children in the 1830 Rhea Census: one male child 10-14; one 15-19; and two 20-29. Charles J. Roper should now be about 12 years of age. There are two sons 20-29. One of those older sons is probably George W. Roper, who first shows up in a July 1, 1845, Huntsville, Marshall County, AL deed. His name is George W. Roper, Land Office Huntsville, Document Number 12531. Total acres are 80.25, issue date is Jul 1, 1845, statutory reference is 3 Stat. 566, Act of Treaty 1820, assignee of Richard Tidwell. The land description is 1 E1/2 SW HUNTSVILLE No 9S 2E 23. William Alexander Roper, Jr. found the parcel map. As he explained, "The property described in the deed you mention seems to be within Section 23, Township 9 South, Range 2 East. That would seem to put the property in Marshall County in the Big Spring Valley very near the Blount County line: http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=14&Z=16&X=172&Y=1182&W=3 USGS Maps show only the reference numbers for the corner Sections within each Township. You will see Sections 31 (near Summit) and 36 (Nixon Chapel) are labeled. The Section immediately above Section 31 is Section 30. The Section immediately above Section 36 is Section 25. Section 23 would be one Section up (North) and one Section left (West) of Section 25." In the same parcel map that WAR, Jr. found George W. Roper, there is another parcel owner listed as "Vinton Gden". This is probably Vinson Oden, father of Mary Oden, who married Philip L. Roper, b. abt. 1815. William Alexander Roper, Jr. then found a David Roper with Northern Alabama, Township 12 South, Range 3 West, in Section 30. I do not know who this David Roper is; he may be the missing son of David Roper, which would fit in with the naming pattern that I mentioned above. Philip L Roper was found in the 1840 Marshall, AL census, and in the 1850 Blount, AL census, which is adjacent to Marshall, AL. William Alexander Roper, Jr. next found George W. Roper in the 1850 Marshall, AL census, with the following information: "George ROPER is enumerated in Marshall County, AL, in the 1850 Census, but the record is mis-indexed at Ancestry as 'RESSER': Source: Year: 1850; Census Place: District 22, Marshall, Alabama; Roll: M432_10; Page: 192B; Image: 388. The 1850 Census record gives a much richer identification of the children. It is UNCLEAR whether the eldest female Casander, age 23 (b abt 1827 - AL) is an eldest daughter or a young wife, but her place of birth is suggestive that this is George's wife. Next is Elizabeth, age 18 (b abt 1832 - TN), followed by David, age 16 (b abt 1834 - TN). Following David are sons Milton, age 13 (b abt 1837 - TN) and Hardy, age 10 (b abt 1840 - TN). Nancy, age 8 (b abt 1842 - TN) is next with Elizabeth, age 6 (b abt 1844 - AL) the youngest. David's appearance as seemingly the eldest son is consistent with this George ROPER being a son of a David ROPER, given the tendency to name the eldest son in honor of one's father. The appearance of a Nancy amongst the children also seems to be consistent with George being a child of David and Nancy ROPER, of Cumberland and Rhea. Hardy and Milton, by contrast, are interesting names, not common in the ROPER family. It seems a little unusual to have two daughters named "Elizabeth", introducing some question as to whether the eldest Elizabeth, age 18, is a daughter or, perhaps an orphaned niece or young ROPER widow. Alternatively, the younger Elizabeth ROPER, age 6, might be an orphan folded into the family. Immediately adjacent to George ROPER in the 1850 enumeration is a Milton BAILY, age 38 (b abt 1812 - SC), who seems to be a very good candidate to be the person honored by naming a son Milton ROPER. Perhaps George ROPER was married to a BAILY. Casander or Cassandra ROPER is much too young to be the mother of the elder children. The birthplaces of the children seem to fix the arrival date of George ROPER in Alabama as abt 1842-4. This seems to be consistent with the deed record you noted. The birthplaces would also seem to imply that the place to look for George in the 1840 Census would be in Tennessee. The ages of George and the children seem to be reasonably consistent with the ages of persons enumerated within the household of George ROPER, of McMinn County, TN, though Elizabeth at age 18 seems too old to be the female child shown to be under age 5 in 1840. This seems to suggest the possibility that the elder Elizabeth is not George ROPER's daughter. Source: Year: 1840; Census Place: McMinn, Tennessee; Roll: 527; Page: 90; Image: 185; Family History Library Film: 0024547." In the 1860 Marshall County, AL Census, he is shown as George W Roper, age 50, born about 1810 in Kentucky, living in the Western Division of Marshall, Alabama, Guntersville Post Office. His wife is listed as Catherine Roper, age 33, born in Alabama. There is a child named Hardy Roper, age 20, born in Tennessee, and a child named Eliza Jane Roper, born in Alabama, age 15. (Secondary sources say he was first married to a Jane, but I have found no primary proof of that name. However, this would explain a child in the household only 13 years younger than the mother in the household and who was born in Tennessee, not Alabama). The 1870 Marshall County, AL Census has the additional information that George W. Roper is age 61 and his wife Catherine is age 43. They are shown with two children in the household, Henry, age 6, and John, age 5, both born in Alabama. The 1980 Marshall County, AL Census shows George W Roper to be 71, born in abt. 1809, KY, occupation saloon keeper, with both parents being shown as born in Virginia. His wife is named Cassia, age 48, born in Alabama, with parents both born in Kentucky. The sons Henry and John again show up, with no new information. Secondary sources state that George W. Roper died November 15, 1883, Warrenton, Marshall, AL. So here are the connections that are important: 1. George W. Roper is born in Kentucky in abt. 1809, which would account for one of the missing children of David Roper in the 1810 and 1820 Cumberland, KY Census. 2. George W. Roper has a child born in about 1840 in Tennessee, where David Roper and his wife Nancy are residing by 1830. 3. George W. Roper appears in Marshall County, AL by at least July of 1845, where Philip L. Roper is residing by the time of the 1840 Marshall County, AL Census, and in the same section where Vinson Oden is living. 4. George W. Roper names a child David. 5. George W. Roper says his parents were born in Virginia. Secondary sources say Nancy Lewis, who I believe to be the wife of David Roper, was born in Virginia. 6. Charles J. Roper named his first son George W. Roper, who named a son Philip Washington 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: batchelorw Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1885/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Most of the information posted below has already been posted at different times on the Roper-L Archives. However, at the suggestion of William Alexander Roper, I have consolidated the known information on Charles J. Roper and am posting it now in order to make that information more easily found. I will do the same for the information collected on whom I presently consider to be the ancestors and siblings of Charles J. Roper. Charles J. Roper states he was born in Kentucky in about 1818 (1850 Cadron, Conway, AR census). Secondary sources say he was born in Pulaski County, Kentucky, but no birth certificate has surfaced and I have found no evidence that Pulaski was the county in which he was born. Philip L. Roper may have been born in Pulaski, KY, and secondary sources may be assuming that Charles J. Roper was born there since they also assumed they were brothers. Secondary sources state that Charles J. Roper's full name was Charles Jackson Roper. I have found no document that shows what the letter "J" stood for. A "Charles Roper" first appears in the 1840 Searcy, AR census. He and his wife are both shown as age 20-30, with no children. They are living next door to Elbridge H. Clayton and his wife, both ages 20-30, with one male <5. "Charles Roper" next shows up in an 1850 census for Cadron, Conway County, Arkansas. In the 1850 Census, his family is shown to include Elizabeth (28), his wife (who was also born in Kentucky or Illinois), and his children George (10), Benjamin (8), Philip (6), Charles (4), Henry (2), and Mary (1), all of whom were born in Arkansas. "Charles J. Roper" purchased from the U.S. Government 72.44 acres in Conway County on July 1, 1857. "C. J. Roper" (43) and his family next appear in the 1860 Census for Big Flat, Searcy, Arkansas, with the following family: Elizabeth (38), George (19), Benjamin (17), Philip (15), Lewis ( (13), Henry (11), William (9), Elizabeth (6), and Clementine (4/12). (Notice that in the 1850 Census, the child age 4 appears as "Charles". In the 1860 Census, he appears as Lewis, age 14. So apparently his name was Charles Lewis, same name as the probable brother of Nancy Lewis.) David Roper and Nancy Lewis of Caswell, NC, who moved to Cumberland, KY by 1810, are the probable parents of Charles J. Roper. There is a connection we can make between Charles J. Roper in these census records and with Cumberland, KY. In the 1850 Cadron Township, Conway County, AR census Charles Roper, age 32, is shown with his family residing 4 households away from a Richard Clayton, age 60, born in Virginia, with a wife named Jane, age 60, born in North Carolina. They have 5 children, all males and all born in Kentucky, who are listed as follows: Benjamin, age 27; James, age 27; William, age 24; Richard, 17, and Samuel, age 2. This appears to be the same Richard Clayton who is shown as residing in Paoli, Cumberland, KY, in 1820, 1830, and 1840 census records shown next. The 1820 Paoli, Cumberland, KY census shows a Richard Clayton, age 26-45, married to a female age 26-45, with one male under 10, and three females under 10. John Roper, Sr., the probable father of David Roper, and his son John Roper, Jr., the probable brother of David Roper, are on the same census page 158. David Roper is on page 160. (A Benjamin Lewis is shown on the page following Richard Clayton). The 1830 South of Cumberland River, Cumberland, KY census shows a Richard Clayton, age 40-49, with his wife being 40-49. They are shown with three male children: one under 5, one 5-10, and one 10-15. There are two females 10-15, and one female 15-20. (A Benjamin Lewis is shown on the same page.) The 1840 Cadron, Conway, AR census shows a Richard Clayton, age 40-49, with his wife also 40-49. These ages would not appear to agree with the 1830 Cumberland, KY census, where Richard and his wife are also shown at 40-49. However, if they were both 40 years old in 1830, they could be both turning 50 in the 1840 Cadron, Conway, AR census. This assumption will be born out when we next see the 1850 Cadron, Conway, AR census. Richard Clayton has four male children, ages 5-9, 10-14, 15-19, and 20-29. Other than his wife, there are no females living in the household. The 1850 Cadron, Conway, AR census shows Richard Clayton on the same page as Charles Roper and four properties away from him. Richard is shown as age 60, born in Virginia. His wife Jane is shown as age 60, born in North Carolina. They have five children, all born in Kentucky: Benjamin, age 27; William, age 24; James, age 27; Richard, age 17; and Samuel, age 2. In the 1810 Cumberland, KY Census, a Henry Clayton, age 45-up, with a wife age 45-up, is shown with three male children ages 11-16 and three male children ages 17-24. Also, a Henry Clayton, age 45-up is shown on the same page as Richard Clayton in the 1820 Paoli, Cumberland, KY census. Charles Roper (indexed as Rosser) is show in the 1840 Searcy, AR census as living next to an Elbridge H. Clayton, age 20-30, with a wife the same age, and one male child under 5. Later census records will record that Elbridge H. Clayton was born in Kentucky. There is also a Beverly W Clayton, age 40-50, shown in the 1840 Searcy, AR census. He also appears as B W Clayton in the 1860 Bear Creek, Searcy, AR census as age 72, born abt. 1788 in Virginia. A Beverly Clayton can be seen marrying "Sally Rion" on June 28, 1814, in Cumberland, KY. His widow Sally, now identified as "Sally Ryan", applied for a veteran's pension as a result of her husband, "Beverly W. Clayton", serving in the War of 1812 in Kentucky. She said Beverly Clayton resided in Conway, AR in 1851. Now let's consider the names of the children of Charles J. Roper, and how that might relate to David Roper and Nancy Lewis: (1) Philip Lawson Roper, b. Sept 11,1844, Cadron, AR This is the same name of Philip Lawson, neighbor of David Roper in KY, and same name as Philip L. Roper, who it is reported by secondary sources as the brother of Charles J. Roper, which turns out not to be the case. They may have been cousins. Philip Lawson may have been the Baptist minister in Cumberland County, KY. There is no extant document which states that Charles J. Roper's son, Philip L. Roper, had a middle name of Lawson. However, Philip L. Roper did name a son Andy Lawson Roper. (2) Charles Lewis Roper, b. 1846 Cadron Creek, AR This is the same name as the probable brother of Nancy Lewis. Charles Lewis, age 26-45, with a wife 26-45, and with one male <10, two males 10-16, and two females <10, is shown residing 8 properties from David Roper in the 1820 Cumberland, KY census. Charles Lewis is listed as resident 900, Philip Lawson is listed as resident 911, and David Roper is listed as resident 892. A John Lewis is listed as resident 667 and a Benjamin Lewis is listed as resident 862. Benjamin Lewis is age 26-45, with a young family, and John Lewis is age 26-45, with a young family. A Charles Lewis, Robert Lewis, and John Lewis can all be found in the 1790 Richmond District, Caswell, NC taxpayer lists, along with William Roper, James Roper, William Yates, and John Yates. A Charles Lewis, Edw C. Lewis, and Jas Lewis can be found in the 1800 Hillsboro, Caswell, NC census. (3) Nancy Mary Roper, b. 1849, AR This is the same name as Nancy Lewis, mother of Charles J. Roper. (4) George Washington Roper, b. abt 1841, AR This is the same name as one of Charles J. Roper's brothers, George W. Roper, who was born in Kentucky in abt. 1809. George W. Roper appears in Marshall County, AL by at least July of 1845, where Philip L. Roper is found residing in the 1840 Marshall County, AL Census, and in the same section where Vinson Oden is living. George W. Roper named a child David and said his parents were born in Virginia. David Roper was born in Virginia. Charles J. Roper and his wife are not seen after the 1860 Searcy, Arkansas census. He enlisted in the Confederate army at age 47 in Marion County, AR on March 16, 1862 as a private. He served in the 45th Regiment Arkansas Militia. He was discharged on June 25, 1862 for being over-age. He also formerly served in the 45th Regiment Arkansas Militia. His son Benjamin Roper also enlisted in Marion County on June 18, 1862 at age 18 and served in Brown's Arkansas Battery. Benjamin did survive the War and shows up in subsequent census records. His son and my ancestor, Philip Lawson Roper, also served in the Confederate army and can be seen in later Arkansas census records. 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, Lawson Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1698.5.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Frank: In continuing to look over the data for Kentucky ROPER families, I stumbled back across a couple of ROPER - LAWSON marriages I had previously noted above in the post "A Note About the Ancient Affinity of the ROPER and LAWSON Families": "James T. (or L.) LAWSON m Mary Lucretia ROPER (b 12 Oct 1848, d 03 Jun 1922) on 24 Oct 1868 at Fulton, KY J. [John] C. ROPER m Bettie [E.] LAWSON on 12 Oct 1871 at Fulton, KY [dau Mary E. ROPER (b abt 1876, d 03 Jun 1922) m ELLIS] ^[1[ ^[2]" I do NOT have the time right now to do a full rundown and assessment on these ROPER - LAWSON couples. However, I wanted to recall your attention to their mention in this prior post and to expressly bring to your attention the primary record I had found redirecting my attention to one of these marriages, as well as the secondary reports regarding the lineage of Mary Elizabeth ROPER. The primary record I came across was the death certificate of Mary Elizabeth Roper ELLIS (d 03 Jun 1922 - Shelby, TN), daughter of John C. ROPER and Bettie E. LAWSON. Mary E. ELLIS is shown to have been born in Kentucky and each of her parents is shown to have been born in Kentucky. Mary ELLIS is shown to be age 46 at her death (b abt 1876), though her date of birth is not given in the death certificate. Mary ELLIS is shown to have been interred in Fulton, KY. Secondary sources show this Mary Elizabeth ROPER to have been born on 17 Apr 1875. Mary's parents are shown by secondary sources to be Lewis ROPER and Rozella REED. Lewis ROPER is shown to be the son of Joseph ROPER and Mildred SHOUSE. Joseph ROPER migrated to Woodford County, KY, and later settled in Fulton County, KY. This Joseph ROPER is believed to be the son of Samuel ROPER, of Chesterfield, VA. Given that we are seeing some indications that closely allied branches of the ROPER family to Philip Lawson ROPER and/or Charles Jackson ROPER might have some connection to the Chesterfield ROPER families, I wanted to call your renewed attention to these ROPER - LAWSON marriages. It may be that some research elaborating the family history of the LAWSONs shown in these records may give us some additional insight into the connection between the families in the prior generation(s). 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, Burnett Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/807.7/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Secondary sources show that Edward BURNETT and Rhoda Roper BURNETT migrated to Jefferson County, TN, and that Edward died before 1818. Although I have NOT seen a primary record that supports such a date of death, this seems credible in light of subsequent Census data described below. Presumably, there is some extant probate record in Jefferson County, TN, affording support for the date shown. Jefferson, TN, would certainly be the place to look. Rhoda's brothers John, Drury and Joseph all seemed to first migrate from Virginia to Jefferson County, though Joseph ROPER then seemed to continue on to McMinn, TN, and Shelby, AL. Rhoda's sisters Sally Roper SASSEEN, Nancy Roper WOOTEN, and Elizabeth Roper FRANKLIN also each settled in Jefferson, TN. The Census returns for Jefferson, TN, and other East Tennessee (Tennessee Valley) Countys were ALL LOST for 1810 and 1820. Thus, the next glimpse of any of the Jefferson ROPER households in the Census is in 1830. Rhoda ROPER is enumerated residing in Jefferson in both the 1830 and 1840 Census returns. "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHP9-D8T : accessed 31 Mar 2014), Rhoda Burnet, Not Stated, Jefferson, Tennessee; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 319, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 180, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0024538. "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHYG-MGK : accessed 01 Apr 2014), Rhoda Burnett, Not Stated, Jefferson, Tennessee; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 345, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 526, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0024546. * Secondary sources also assert that Rhoda Roper BURNETT married secondly a Joseph NOLLY in 1833. I am NOT aware of any primary source support for the asserted remarriage. IF Rhoda remarried, is seems likely that the remarriage was after 1840 when she appears in the Census as Rhoda BURNETT. 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, Henderson Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/807.6/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Within Joseph ROPER's Will, Joseph ROPER mentions son Joseph ROPER. I had NOT fully reviewed the extant evidence for the various younger Joseph ROPERs at the date I first posted Joseph ROPER's Will in 2006. Recently, I posted a thread on Joseph ROPER (b 11 Oct 1782 - VA, d 06 Sep 1864 - Columbiana, Shelby, AL) (26 Feb 2014 6:30PM): Joseph ROPER (b 11 Oct 1782 - VA, d 06 Sep 1864 - Columbiana, Shelby, AL) (26 Feb 2014 6:30PM) (26 Feb 2014 10:30PM GMT) http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.roper/1854/mb.ashx As shown within that post, the Joseph ROPER who died in Shelby, AL, is shown to have been "born near Richmond, Va." You cannot get much closer to Richmond than the Southern bank of the James River in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Separate from this clue, Joseph ROPER, of Shelby, AL, is KNOWN to have married in Mary HENDERSON in Jefferson, TN, on 15 Jun 1807. This places the younger Joseph ROPER in Tennessee rather precisely when Joseph ROPER's other sons John ROPER (b 03 Mar 1782 - Chesterfield, VA, d 22 Feb 1858 - Dandridge, TN) and Drury ROPER (d aft 1834 - Dandridge, TN), as well as Joseph ROPER's daughters Nancy Roper WOOTEN, Sally Roper SASSEEN, Rhoda Roper BURNETT, and Elizabeth Roper FRANKLIN, are ALL relocating from Chesterfield, VA, to Dandridge. Later, this same Joseph ROPER seems to have migrated down the Tennessee River Valley to McMinn, Tennessee, before finally settling with his family in Shelby, Alabama. While woefully little primary records research seems to have been done on the younger Joseph ROPER's family, the migration path, age and indication of a place of origin near Richmond ALL seem to suggest that this Joseph ROPER is the son of Joseph ROPER(d aft 25 Jan 1803 - Chesterfield, VA) . The alternative might be that this Joseph ROPER (b 11 Oct 1782 - VA, d 06 Sep 1864 - Columbiana, Shelby, AL) (26 Feb 2014 6:30PM) could have been a son of Samuel ROPER (d Fan-Feb 1812 - Chesterfield). I discuss why I suspect that Joseph ROPER (b 30 Jun 1781, d abt 24 Jan 1836 - Fulton, KY) is the son of Samuel ROPER (d Fan-Feb 1812 - Chesterfield) within the thread on Samuel ROPER (d Fan-Feb 1812 - Chesterfield)'s Will. 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/1789.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: What is the basis for your belief that a member of the Lancashire ROPER family settled in South Carolina and particularly in the Pendleton District? Is there any extant correspondence or primary evidence of this? 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, Clordy Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1884/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Amongst my notes for Georgia ROPERs, is a reminder to look further into the family of Clanada ROPER, age 94, born Virginia, enumerated within the 1870 Census residing in Dawson County, Georgia. Clanada ROPER is almost certainly the eldest surviving ROPER in the United States in 1870, born about 1776. Here is the information for Clanada ROPER's household: ROPER, Clanada, 94, F, W, Farmer, Per. Estate $300, R.E. $150, Born Va. ROPER, Martha, 60, F, W, Farm Laborer, Born Ga. ROPER, Benjamin, 21, M, W, Farm Laborer, Born Ga. ROPER, Sarah, 19, F, W, At Home, Born Ga. BECK, Nancy, 30, F, W, At Home, Born Ga. BECK, Jeffree, 8, M, W, Born Ga. See: "United States Census, 1870," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11560-62551-39?cc=1438024 : accessed 28 Mar 2014), Georgia > Dawson > Blacks > image 2 of 11; citing NARA microfilm publication M593. * * * I believe that the inclusion of a Clanada ROPER is probably an anomalous Census mis-transcription by the Census enumerator, but want to call this record to the attention of other researchers who may be more familiar with this family. * * * The Martha ROPER shown in the 1870 record is almost certainly the SAME Martha ROPER enumerated in Barretts Dist, Dawson, Georgia, in the 1860 Census. In 1860, Martha ROPER is shown to be age 49 and born in North Carolina. Also in Martha ROPER's household that year is a Nancy ROPER, age 24, born in South Carolina, children Henry ROPER, age 15, Benjamine ROPER, age 12, Sarah ROPER, age 8, and Nancy CLORDY, age 82, born North Carolina. See: "United States Census, 1860," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MZM5-96M : accessed 28 Mar 2014), Martha Roper, Barretts Dist, Dawson, Georgia, United States; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 75, household ID 517, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 803119. It seems most likely that the Census enumerator misunderstood the name of the very elderly Nancy CLORDY and incorrectly thought the LAST NAME she was giving was her given name. * * * In turn, it appears that the Martha ROPER shown within the records cited above is likely to be the SAME Martha ROPER enumerated with Jacob ROPER, age 43, born South Carolina, in the 1850 Census for Ruth, Lumpkin County, Georgia. Martha ROPER, age 42, is shown to be born in North Carolina in this record. The two next eldest females, Evaline ROPER, age 17, and Nancy ROPER, age 14, are both shown to have been born in South Carolina. The younger children -- Solomon, age 13, Jane, age 10, Henry, age 6, and Benjamin, age 2 -- are all shown to be born in Georgia, suggesting that this family migrated from South Carolina to Georgia about 1837. See: "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11099-94775-90?cc=1401638 : accessed 28 Mar 2014), Georgia > Lumpkin > Ruth > image 8 of 8; citing NARA microfilm publication M432. * * * The 1840 Census record for Jacob ROPER enumerated in Smiths, Lumpkin County, Georgia, seems likely to be the same Jacob ROPER household in the prior Census. I haven't examined this Census record yet. See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHBN-6TY : accessed 28 Mar 2014), Jacob Roper, Smiths, Lumpkin, Georgia; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 267, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 45, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0007045. * There is also a Jacob ROPER in Bradley County, Tennessee in the 1840 Census. See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHT1-M3F : accessed 28 Mar 2014), Jacob Roper, Not Stated, Bradley, Tennessee; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 52, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 517, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0024542. * * * The only Jacob ROPER enumerated in the 1830 Census is shown to be residing with his family in Pickens County, South Carolina. See: "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGY-823 : accessed 28 Mar 2014), Jacob Roper, Not Stated, Pickens, South Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 314, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 173, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0022507. * * * If there ever really WAS a Clanada ROPER, the 1870 Census record might be a very important linking record. But given the age of the Nancy CLORDY enumerated in 1860 within Martha's household, I suspect that the presence of "Clanada" is only important in helping to understand Martha ROPER's origin. 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, Abernathy Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1882.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Frank: I think it is tremendously helpful to elaborate on the family history and migrations of those intermarried with the ROPERs. In this case, your elaboration simply strengthens my argument that the ROPERs you are studying are probably descended from Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN. When you cite records from Charles City County, it is important to distinguish modern Charles City County from the ancient boundaries of Charles City. When you included this primary record reference, you are referring to an area which was probably ALWAYS in what we now know as Dinwiddie County: "ROBT. ABERNETHE, 100 acs. Chas. City Co., 7 Mar. 1665, p. 466, (567). S. side of James Riv. on the head of the poplar runn where it boundeth on land of James Wallis, S. on land of Thomas Duglas & the quarter land &c. Part of a greater devdt. granted to Patrick Jackson & Richard Barker & by sd. Jackson out of his parte sould to sd. Abernathe." Modern Charles City County is wholly on the Northern side of the James River and South of the Chickahominy. The area described was South of the James River and would have been part of Prince George County when the area South of the James was separated from Charles City County. Before 1702, both Dinwiddie and Prince George Counties were part of Charles City County (created in 1634). Brunswick County was created from Prince George County in 1720, but due to the sparseness of the population there, the county government wasn't organized until 1732. Dinwiddie County was created by an act of the General Assembly in 1752. Your next primary record reference is particularly fascinating and underscores the importance of getting the geography right: "Robert Abernethy and Sarah had a son named Robert Abernethy, Jr. b. abt 1657, VA, d. abt 1730 Prince George (?). VA, m. Christine Tillman. He acquired 100 acres in 1717 on the Horsepen Branch of Sapponi Creek." Sappony Creek is in CHESTERFIELD County South of the James River, but North of the Appomatox River. Chesterfield was historically a part of Henrico rather than Charles City County. This area of Chesterfield is in the Southern portion of Chesterfield County adjacent and across the bank from where Charles ROPER's family was seated in Dinwiddie. From what I can garner from modern records, Horsepen Branch isn't a tributary of Sappony Creek, but rather is another stream which seems to flow into Swift Creek. This is very near Thomas ROPER's ancient tracts in Chesterfield County and would therefore also be very near the Chesterfield ROPER family! Then you tell us: "Robert Abernethy and Christine had a child named Robert Abernethy, III, b. abt 1695, Charles City Co. VA, d. abt 1772, Tyron, NC; married Mary Harwell/Howell. They lived in Prince George Co. and Dinwiddie County. Their children are listed in the Bristol Parish Register." The mention that "They lived in Prince George Co. and Dinwiddie County" is almost certainly correct. But the ABERNATHY family probably didn't MOVE, the County boundaries did. The ABERNATHY family history tells us "Their children are listed in the Bristol Parish Register." Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN's two eldest children are also listed in the Bristol Parish Register. See: "Bristol Parish Register Entry for Twin Children of Charles and Ann ROPER" (1 Jul 2002 12:12PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/493/mb.ashx I discussed Bristol Parish and furnished some references in a prior post last year: "A Quick Note About Bristol Parish" (6 Jun 2013 9:06PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1797.3.1.1.1.2/mb.ashx See also: "Ancient Boundaries of Bristol Parish" (19 Jul 2013 7:32PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1797.3.1.1.1.2.4/mb.ashx The next reference is internally inconsistent based upon a faulty understanding of geography, though it probably also reflects the changing of boundaries: "Robert Abernethy and Christine had a child named David Harwell Abernethy, b. May 29, 1726, Bristol Parish, Brunswick County, VA; d. bef 1814 Lincoln County, NC; married Martha Ann Turner." St. Andrews Parish seems to have been created with Brunswick County in 1720. The Northern portion of Brunswick County remained St. Andrews Parish after the creation of Meherrin Parish after 1753. David Harwell ABERNATHY might have been born in Bristol Parish in 1726 and he might have been born in Brunswick County, but it is unlikely that he was born in both. He might have been born in Brunswick County and been Christened in Bristol County, since even after the creation of the new County in 1720 it is unlikely to have had ANY church for some time. Of course, this area of Brunswick County is PRECISELY where several of Charles ROPER's sons, including both David ROPER and William ROPER first settled before moving to Edgefield, South Carolina. It would be interesting to see how close the ABERNATHYs in Brunswick were in proximity to the ROPERs in Brunswick. This information may help to further inform us about the Maury / Giles, Tennessee ROPER family, however, my suspicion is that this ROPER family is going to be connected to William ROPER and Martha PEAY. On the other hand, your discussion of the ABERNATHY family raises the prospect that a Chesterfield or Brunswick, Virginia, origin might make sense. But there seems to be NO EVIDENCE placing the ABERNATHYs in what is now Charles City County, the portion of the County which has always been Westover Parish. 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/1883/mb.ashx Message Board Post: In several recent posts, I have discussed and elaborated the primary data regarding several of the ROPERs who first arrived in Edgefield, South Carolina, around 1800. Within several of these posts, I have touched upon or discussed the two Benjamin ROPERs found in the early Edgefield, SC, records. In this post, I seek to pull that information together into a clearer view of the data which may be properly ascribed to each of these Benjamin ROPERs. * * * THE EARLY CENSUS DATA The first mention of Benjamin ROPER in the United States Census for Edgefield was in 1810: Benjamin ROPER: 1 - 0 - 1 - 1 - 0 -- 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 0 [Edgefield, SC - 1810] This Benjamin ROPER is shown to be age 26 to 44 (b abt 1766-84), with a female of similar age, as well as a male age 16 to 25 and one male and one female under age ten. See: "United States Census, 1810," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XH23-8KS : accessed 27 Mar 2014), Benjm Roper, Not Stated, Edgefield, South Carolina; citing "1810 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 74, line 280, NARA microfilm publication M252, roll 62, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0181421. * * Ten years later. Benjamin ROPER again appears enumerated in Edgefield, SC: Benjamin ROPER: 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 2 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Edgefield, SC - 1820] Benjamin is shown in the same 26 to 44 age range ten years later (b abt 1776-94). The two females shown in the 1810 Census are gone, as is the next eldest male. The younger male is shown to be age 10 to 16 (b abt 1804-10). See: "United States Census, 1820," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHG6-3MP : accessed 27 Mar 2014), Benjamin Roper, Not Stated, Pendleton, South Carolina; citing "1820 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 181, NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 120, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0162023. * * Benjamin ROPER: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Edgefield, SC - 1830 (Page 181)] Benjamin ROPER: 0 - 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 [Edgefield, SC - 1830 (Page 143)] The elder Benjamin ROPER is shown to be age 60 to 69 (b abt 1761-70). The younger male in this Benjamin ROPER's household is shown to be age 20 to 29 (b abt 1801-10). The younger Benjamin ROPER is shown to be age 30 to 39 (b abt 1791-1800). There is a female of the same age range residing in this Benjamin ROPER's household. Since no younger children are shown, it seems likely that this couple is recently married. See: "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHP2-FCY : accessed 27 Mar 2014), Benjamin Roper, Not Stated, Edgefield, South Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 181, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 172, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0022506. "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHP2-6B1 : accessed 27 Mar 2014), Benj Roper, Not Stated, Edgefield, South Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 143, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 172, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0022506. * * By 1840, the elder Benjamin ROPER is no longer shown as a head of household. There is only ONE Benjamin ROPER shown in the Census that year: See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHYL-SC3 : accessed 28 Mar 2014), Benjn Roper, Not Stated, Edgefield, South Carolina; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 129, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 511, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0022509. There is also an Edgefield household headed by Hartwell ROPER in 1840: See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHYL-MPQ : accessed 28 Mar 2014), Hartwell Roper, Not Stated, Edgefield, South Carolina; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 79, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 511, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0022509. * * * Benjamin ROPER: 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 [Pendleton 1800] Benjamin ROPER: 4 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 3 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 0 - 0 [Pendleton 1810] Benjamin ROPER, of Pendleton seems to have been age 26 to 44 in 1800 (b abt 1756-74) and is shown in the same age range ten years later (b abt 1766-84). Taken together, this Benjamin ROPER seems to be (b abt 1766-74) based upon the 1800 and 1810 Census data. * * * THE EDGEFIELD PROBATE DATA Benjamin ROPER is shown to be the administrator of the Estate of David ROPER (d bef 10 Dec 1802), as well as receiving an equal share of David ROPER's estate: "Estate of DAVID ROPER, Benjamin Roper Admr. d. before Dec. 10, 1802 Inventory of goods - Dec 30, 1802 Inventory included the following negroes: 1 boy Joshua, purchased by David Glover $460 1 man Tom purchased by David Roper $300 Paid legatees: John Roper $220 " David Roper $110 " Samuel Roper $110 " William Roper $111 " Sarah Roper $42.28 and $60 (later paid her several very small payments) The above sworn to the 18th Jan 1805 " Benjamin Roper $110.26 (paid Jan 18, 1806)" See my post below and the Archived Edgefield posts of Billie JONES cited therein: "Edgefield, SC, Administration of Estate of David ROPER (d bef 10 Dec 1802)" (10 Mar 2014 8:34AM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1859.6/mb.ashx This Benjamin ROPER is clearly the elder of the two Benjamin ROPERs and seems to be the son of David ROPER (b 29 Jun 1742, d bef 10 Dec 1802 - SC). * * The immediate following year, Benjamin ROPER is further identified within the Will of William ROPER, of Edgefield, SC, dated 07 Jun 1803: "I constitute and appoint my son in law Benj. Roper and my son Joel Roper to be my whole & sole executors to this my LWT. In Witness thereof, I have here unto set my hand and seal this seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eignt hundred and three William Roper." See: "Will of William ROPER, of Edgefield, SC, Dated 07 Jun 1803" (9 Mar 2014 10:50PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1859.3/mb.ashx The ONLY reasonable construction of the wording of William ROPER's Will is that the elder Benjamin ROPER is William ROPER's son-in-law by virtue of having been married to an unnamed daughter of William ROPER. Based upon the date of William ROPER's Will 07 Jun 1803, it is inconceivable that the younger Benjamin ROPER (b abt 1791-1800) could have been William ROPER's son-in-law. * * Benjamin ROPER is again mentioned within the probate of the nuncupative Will of Wiley ROPER, dated 19 Nov 1807 and sworn to and record on 24 Nov 1807. See: "Nuncupative Will of Wiley ROPER (d Nov 1807), of Edgefield, SC" (10 Mar 2014 9:37AM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1859.8/mb.ashx By 1807, it is at least conceivable that the younger Benjamin ROPER could have been a witness to Wiley ROPER's nuncupative Will, though the exact witness hardly seems to matter since there are no important genealogical details to be inferred about either Benjamin from this probate information. The elder Benjamin ROPER, Wiley ROPER's brother-in-law certainly seems to be the more compelling candidate. * * The next mention of Benjamin ROPER in the Edgefield probate records is a little more ambiguous and somewhat problematic. The mention is within the nuncupative Will of William ROPER (d bef 21 Jul 1810). Benjamin is both a witness to the nuncupative Will and named as co-executor: "His will & desire was that his friends Benjamin and Samuel Roper should act as Executors." The other two witnesses were Samuel ROPER and Jacob EARNEST. See: "ROPER wills, Edgefield Co, SC transcribed by Billie Jones" (Lee and Billie Jones, Sat, 13 Apr 2002 14:37:51 -0400) http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/scedgefi/2002-04/1018723071 The relationships are somewhat problematic. As previously shown, the elder Benjamin ROPER seems to have been David ROPER's son and son-in-law to his Uncle William ROPER. If this William ROPER (d bef 21 Jul 1810) is also a SON of David ROPER, then the elder Benjamin would be a BROTHER, yet he and Samuel ROPER are described merely as "friends". The younger Benjamin ROPER seems still too young to be named as an executor unless he was born at the very earliest years of the date ranges shown in the Census records. This William ROPER left a widow Margarite ROPER. * * The next mention of a Benjamin ROPER in Edgefield probate records within the Will of Drury ADAMS is particularly important as it rather conclusively identifies the younger Benjamin as the son of Sarah ADAMS, the widow of an unnamed ROPER. Drury ADAMS' Will provides this bequest: "I give and bequeath unto my two step children, namely Benjamin Roper and Polley Roper , the tract of land known by the Walnut Hill, one bed and furniture each, one cow and calf each, at lawful age or marriage, one negro, Dick, at their mother's death, all which property I give to them and their heirs forever." See this post from the SCEDGEFI-L Archives: "Will of Drury Adams, 1815/ dauaughter wife of Hezekiah Byrd??" (Lee and Billie Jones, Tue, 8 Oct 2002 22:42:40 -0400) http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/scedgefi/2002-10/1034131360 >From this Will, we learn that the younger Benjamin ROPER's mother is named Sarah and that Benjamin has one sister named "Polly" ROPER. I more thoroughly discuss Benjamin ROPER's mother Sarah Roper ADAMS within this recent post to the ADAMS Message Board: "Drury ADAMS (d 27 Apr 1815 - Edgefield, SC) and His Wife Sarah, Widow of Charles ROPER" (26 Mar 2014 8:43PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.adams/15752/mb.ashx I concluded in my analysis that Sarah ROPER was most likely the widow of Charles ROPER, who seems likely to have been son of David ROPER. Thus, the elder Benjamin ROPER was David ROPER's son and the younger Benjamin ROPER was David ROPER's grandson and nephew of the elder Benjamin ROPER. * * Edgefield Court records apparently reflect the marriage of a Benjamin ROPER to a Mary HOLMES, daughter of Edward HOLMES (d bef 07 May 1831). Edward HOLMES seems to have been adjacent to a John GLANTON. See: "HOLMES, BURRIS, and COLLINS" (Kathy Wilcox, Mon, 12 Feb 2007 16:01:57 -0600) http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/scedgefi/2007-02/1171317717 * The 1830 Census information shows a female in the younger Benjamin ROPER's household but no females the household of the elder Benjamin. This seems to support the ascription of Mary HOLMES as the wife of the younger Benjamin ROPER, son of Charles and Sarah ROPER. * Another researcher identifies Mary HOLMES as the daughter of Edward HOLMES and Elizabeth BURESS, giving a specific date of death for Mary Holmes ROPER as 15 Jun 1832. This researcher also asserts that the same Benjamin ROPER next married Emily E. COGBURN (b 19 Apr 1812, d 07 Oct 1852). Although primary record support for these assertions is not given in the post, this information seems reasonably credible. See: "Benjamin Roper" (Gerald Boyd, Fri, 1 Oct 2004 11:58:12 -0500) http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/scedgefi/2004-10/1096649582 * * Of course, the single most important of the probate documents as to the younger Benjamin ROPER is his extant Will, dated 02 Nov 1841 and recorded on 18 Nov 1841: "Will of BENJAMIN ROPER, /w/ 2 Nov, 1841 recorded 18 Nov, 1841. [From will book A - no payments shown] I, Benjamin Roper of the State of SC and District of Edgefield being of sound mind..., ordain this my LTW .viz: 1st I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Emily Roper and to __ __ Sarah Ann Roper the whole of my real and personal Estate share and share alike except my wife should bring forth another living child, then in that case my entire estate be divided equally among the three share and share alike. 2nd It is my will and desire that my entire estate remain undivided during my wife's widowhood or even if she be married provided the property be __ for the interest of my wife Emily and child or children as the case may be, or if the property shall not be [depreciated] by mismanagement; my child or children as the case may be to be educated from the proceeds of the Estate while is shall remain undivided. 3rd If in the opinion of my Executor hereinafter appointed my estate shall become de_icaiated in the possession of my wife, he shall cause the estate to be appraised and shall divide the [source] equally between my said wife Emily and child or children as the case may be. 4th It is my further will and desire that if my child Sarah Ann or my children as the case may be shall become of age and marry she or they shall them be entitled to receive their personal and relative interest in my estate, and it shall then be appraised for said division. 5th If my child Sarah Ann or my children as the case may be should died leaving no bodily heir or heirs, then in that case my wife Emily shall be entitled to receive one half of my real & personal Estate, or if there being more than one child, either child dying in infancy the remaining or surviving child or children shall be equally entitled with my wife to such childs or childrens part, share and share alike. 6th It is my further will and desire if my daughter Sarah Ann of my children as the case may be should die leaving no bodily heir or heirs then and in that case the property herein before bequeathed to them shall be divided among my relatives in manner following Viz: the one half of said property to my Sister Mary Glanton and their heirs of her body for ever, and the remaining half to be divided equally among between my two half sisters Martha Adams and Susan Adams and my two half brothers John Adams and Drury S. Adams share and share alike. 7th I hereby appoint my half brother John Adams executor of this my last will and testament this 2nd day of November 1841. In witness whereof I have this day hereunto set my hand and seal /s/ Benjamin Roper {LS} The aforesaid will was proclaimed, published and declared to be the will of Benjamin Roper and was signed * sealed as the last will and testament by said Benjamin Roper in the presents of us who subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator: James Rainsford, Samuel C. Scott, Vincent D. Cogburn. Proven and qualified John Adams Executor 17 Nov 1841 Recorded in Book D. p. 150-151 the 18th Nov 1841. O. Towles, OED" This is another Will transcribed by Billie JONES and posted at the U.S. GenWeb Archive: http://files.usgwarchives.net/sc/edgefield/wills/r1600003.txt * * * A death notice in the Edgefield Advertiser on October 29, 1845, further clarifies the age and implicit year of birth of Benjamin ROPER (b abt 1767, d 23 Oct 1845 - Edgefield, SC): "Departed this life, Benjamin Roper, Senior, on October 23, 1845, at his residence in Edgefield District, in the 78th year of his age. He has left a son (who lived with him many years) and one grandson." Edgefield Death Notices and Cemetery Records, compiled by Carlee T. McClendon (Columbia, SC: The Hive Press, 1977), p. 55. Benjamin ROPER's calculated year of birth is consistent with the age ranges shown in the 1810 and 1830 Census enumerations for Edgefield (b abt 1766-84 and b abt 1761-70, respectively), which, taken together imply that Benjamin ROPER seems to be have been born about 1766-70. However, this year of birth is inconsistent with the age range given in 1820 (b abt 1776-94). * * * The elder of the two Benjamin ROPERs, of Edgefield, can be reasonably ascribed as Benjamin ROPER (b abt 1767, d 23 Oct 1845 - Edgefield, SC), son of David ROPER and grandson of Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN. The younger of the two Benjamin ROPERs, of Edgefield, can be reasonably ascribed as Benjamin ROPER (b abt 1767, d Nov - Edgefield, SC), son of Charles and Sarah ROPER, grandson of David ROPER and nephew of the elder Benjamin ROPER. * * * The elder Benjamin ROPER seems to have left only one son, Hartwell ROPER (b abt 1800-4 - SC). The younger Benjamin ROPER seems to have left only one daughter Sarah Ann ROPER (b abt 1840), no doubt named for her grandmother. See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHYL-MPQ : accessed 28 Mar 2014), Hartwell Roper, Not Stated, Edgefield, South Carolina; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 79, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 511, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0022509. "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M8QF-P3Z : accessed 28 Mar 2014), Hartwill Roper in household of James Bennet, Edgefield county, part of, Edgefield, South Carolina, United States; citing family 1860, NARA microfilm publication M432. "United States Census, 1860," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MZTC-SD3 : accessed 28 Mar 2014), Hartwell Roper, Edgefield District, Edgefield, South Carolina, United States; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 174, household ID 1326, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 805219. "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M8QF-W77 : accessed 28 Mar 2014), Sarah A Roper in household of Harwood Burt, Edgefield county, part of, Edgefield, South Carolina, United States; citing family 740, NARA microfilm publication M432. * * * See also: "Delaughters in Various SC Census Since 1790" (5 Jul 2002 4:54PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/498.3.1/mb.ashx "Edgefield Administration of Charles ROPER (d bef 27 Jan 1801 - Edgefield, SC)" (10 Mar 2014 1:46AM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1859.5/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>