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    1. [ROPER] Dionysia Abernathy Roper, Giles, TN, and Robert Abernethy, Charles City Co, VA in 1652
    2. 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/1882/mb.ashx Message Board Post: David Y. Roper is shown by secondary sources to be married to Dionysia Abernathy. Although I have never seen a primary source which verifies that Dionysia's last name was Abernathy, there appears to be circumstantial evidence to draw that conclusion. >From what I can gather from the information on the Internet, the Abernathy family has been researched extensively and more than one book has been written on this family. I have not done any independent research on the Abernathy family and, therefore, cannot vouch for the accuracy of what I am reporting here. However, I believe the information collected on the Abernathy family may be quite useful to Roper genealogists in tracing the Roper family in Giles, TN to perhaps Charles City, VA. So, for what it is worth, here is a general outline of the Abernathy family. Robert Abernethy, was born abt. 1624 in Abernethy, Perthshire, Scotland, and died Jan 1684/85 in Charles City, VA. Robert was taken prisoner in the war between Cromwell and King Charles, and sent to the colonies as an indentured servant, although he came from a wealthy family: "From Public Records Office- Chancery Lane- From List of Scots Taken Prisoner: At the Battle of Worcestor (Eng) Sept. 15, 1651 Robert Abernethy, age 19- (Born 1632) son of George Abernethy de Barrie. He held the rank of Captain and served under General Leslie from Banff, one of his kinsmen. Given a choice of the Tower of London, or as an agricultural servant to the colonies in America, he chose to go as a prisoner of war and was deported October 1651 to Virginia. (copied by Frances Jones Kimayer from above records in London, October 1975)" Robert Abernethy married Sarah Cubishe/Coppage in 1657. Nugent's "Cavaliers and Pioneers" has the following entry for Robert Abernethy: "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." In an earlier post of mine on "Charles Roper, Goodwyn, Holloway, Quarles, Hayward, Barker, Yates", I mentioned the 1635 land grant shown in "Cavaliers and Pioneers" to "William Barker, Marriner" of 1850 acres in Charles City Co., VA for the transportation of, among others, Daniell Goodwin, Step. Godwin, Jon. Yates, and Robert Yates. 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. 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. 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. David Harwell Abernethy and Martha had a son named David Abernathy, Jr. b. July 29, 1759, Lincoln Co., Nc; d. April14, 1838, Yokely, Giles Co, TN: m. Christine Fourney, May 27, 1782, Lincoln Co, NC (extant marriage record). David Abernathy, Jr. and Christine Fourney had a daughter named Dionysia Abernathy, who married David Y. Roper. Virginia L. Keefer, from a posted lineage on Ancestry.com titled "Charts Giles County Descendants of Robert I. Abernethy" has these comments on David Abernathy, Jr.: "Notes for REV WAR DAVID JR ABERNATHY: David and his brother, Joseph, came to TN on a scouting trip prior to 1800 and they both purchased land. He was in Maury Co. TN in 1810 for Charles Clayton Abernathy said that he and his mother spent the second night of their journey from White's Creek to Giles Co with David Abernathy, a distant cousin who lived on Big Creek. David was a Rev War soldier who served in NC Rev. Army with Cap't. Mc Lain. He was also on an expedition against the Cherokees with General Rutherford and spent three months with Cap't Jack's army. In 1832, his widow was granted pension number S1609 for his services. David and Christine are buried on a high hill in one of the Yokely cemeteries. Many of David's and Christine's children moved westward but those who remained were substantial members of their respective communities, most being farmers. One great grandson, David Abernathy Mc Knight made a name for himself in the field of education. David Mc Knight was the son of Kizzie Roper and Jackson Mc Knight, grandson of Dionysia Abernathy of Pleasant Valley Community and began teaching in a converted blacksmith shop. He earned a reputation for devising a very successful teaching method based on the Aristotelian method of asking questions. It was in his school that such men as Flourney Rivers and Edward and Cornelius Abernathy Craig got their start. More About REV WAR DAVID JR ABERNATHY: Burial: April 15, 1838, Yokely, Giles Co, TN" David Abernathy, age 60-70 can be found in the 1830 Giles, TN census. His grandson, Abernathy McKnight, aka David Abernathy McKnight, can be found in the 1860 Giles census, as age 21 and as a teacher, in the household of A. J. McKnight, age 50, and Kissiah Y. Roper, age 45. 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>

    03/27/2014 05:38:14
    1. [ROPER] Crosslink To Post: "Drury ADAMS (d 27 Apr 1815 - Edgefield, SC) and His Wife Sarah, Widow of Charles ROPER"
    2. This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Adams Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1859.9/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I recently posted a message at the RootsWeb ADAMS Message Board discussing ROPER family connections to Drury ADAMS (d 27 Apr 1815 - Edgefield, SC): "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 In this post, I discuss four possible Sarah ROPERs who might have married Drury ADAMS and conclude that the ROPER widow Drury married was most likely Sarah ROPER, widow of 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>

    03/27/2014 08:57:30
    1. [ROPER] John ROPER (b 06 Jun 1813 - Yorkshire, England, d 30 Mar, 1847, Chillicthe, OH)
    2. This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Avery Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1881/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Within the Alumni Record of Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn, Volumes 1881-1883 By Wesleyan University (Middletown, Conn.), F. W. Nicolson, there appears the following record of John ROPER (b 06 Jun 1813 - Yorkshire, England, d 30 Mar, 1847, Chillicthe, OH) for the Class of 1833: "John ROPER Born, June 6, 1813, in Yorkshire, England. 1833, Taught in Wallingford, Conn. 1834-42, Teacher in Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass. 1842, Joined New England Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church. 1842, Stationed at Millbury, Mass. 1843, No appointment on account of poor health; preached some months in Wilbraham. 1844, Removed to Chillicothe, Ohio, and taught in a private school. Poor health soon compelled him to give up work. Died, March 30, 1847, in Chillicothe, Ohio. Married, March 13, 1842, Miss Julia Avery of Wilbraham, Mass., who died March 14, 1874. Children: John, b. June 26, 1843 : Julia, b. May 11, 1847; d. Oct. 14, 1847." The Alumni Record is online at Google Books: http://books.google.com/books?id=gqMgAAAAMAAJ&dq=&pg=PA4#v=onepage&q&f=false 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>

    03/25/2014 09:10:25
    1. [ROPER] Daniel ROPER (b 22 Mar 1785, d 17 Jul 1819 - Edgefield, SC), of Edgefield, SC
    2. This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Adams Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1880/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Few ROPER ancestors have had their genealogical information mangled quite as badly as Daniel ROPER (b 22 Mar 1785, d 17 Jul 1819 - Edgefield, SC), given the ready availability of rather conclusive information which would support reasonably conclusive ascription. Relying solely upon Census data, this Daniel admittedly makes only a single appearance when enumerated in Edgefield, SC, in 1810: Daniel ROPER: 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 1 [Edgefield, SC - 1810] See: "United States Census, 1810," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XH23-8W5 : accessed 25 Mar 2014), Danl Roper, Not Stated, Edgefield, South Carolina; citing "1810 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 54, line 1130, NARA microfilm publication M252, roll 62, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0181421. * Daniel ROPER's widow is reasonably easy to identify in the 1820 Edgefield, SC, Census enumeration. These Edgefield ROPER households are headed by a female in 1820: Rebecca ROPER: 3 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 0 - 5 -- 2 - 2 - 0 - 0 -- 2 - 0 - 2 - 0 [Edgefield, SC - 1820] Elizabeth ROPER: 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 0 - 2 -- 3 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 [Edgefield, SC - 1820] See: "United States Census, 1820," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHL7-9BC : accessed 25 Mar 2014), Elizabeth Roper, Not Stated, Edgefield, South Carolina; citing "1820 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. , NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 118, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0162021. "United States Census, 1820," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHL7-9LK : accessed 25 Mar 2014), Rebecca Roper, Not Stated, Edgefield, South Carolina; citing "1820 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. , NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 118, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0162021. Rebecca is the widow of Samuel ROPER. Elizabeth ROPER is Daniel ROPER's widow. She is shown to have two sons under age 10 and a daughter under age 10 in her household, which is precisely consistent with Daniel ROPER's 1810 Census record, which shows a young couple with NO children. * * * Daniel ROPER's rather precise genealogical information had survived in Jack RYAN's journal. See my post: "Edgefield ROPER Mentions in the Jack RYAN Book" (9 Mar 2014 8:35PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1859.1/mb.ashx But that merely confirmed as to Daniel's birthdate what could also be inferred from David ROPER's 1800 Census record and probate information: "Combining the Extant Probate Information for David ROPER (d bef 10 Dec 1802 - SC) and William ROPER (d bef Aug 1810 - SC)" (8 Mar 2014 1:34AM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/516.1/mb.ashx Although ascription of Daniel ROPER as David ROPER's son is far from completely conclusive, Daniel ROPER's date of birth precisely matches the age range of the youngest male child in David ROPER's household and Daniel ROPER appears in Edgefield in the Census immediately following David ROPER's death. In my view, there is sufficient evidence to support a reasonably strong inference that Daniel ROPER is David ROPER's son, as long as the evidence is expressly identified and the ascription is shown to be less than certain. * * * There were additional abundant clues about Daniel ROPER staring researchers in the face. The Will of Drury ADAMS, dated 09 Dec 1814 and proven 07 Apr 1815, again, admittedly a little confusing, is really quite plain if one just takes the time to carefully diagram out the various relationships. Drury mentions his daughter Elizabeth ROPER. He also mentions two step children Benjamin ROPER and Polly ROPER. This is NOT a mistake. Drury married Sarah ROPER, a widow, thus the two step children. Drury's daughter also married a ROPER. The only OTHER ROPER expressly identified in Drury's Will whose relationship to Drury is UNIDENTIFIED, but who is named co-executor of Drury ADAMS' Will: Daniel ROPER, Drury ADAMS' son-in-law. See: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/scedgefi/2002-09/1033181694 * * * By 1830, Elizabeth ROPER has disappeared from the Edgefield, SC, Census enumeration. This is because she has REMARRIED. As I will show in a follow-up post, Elizabeth ROPER's reappearance is a clue to the correct identity of her son, who has been mis-ascribed to a Pickens County, SC, ROPER family. Correct ascription and placement of Elizabeth Adams ROPER will also allow for correction as to the erroneous ascription of the maiden name of her son's wife. 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>

    03/25/2014 05:58:49
    1. [ROPER] Ewel ROPER and Possible EWELL Family Connections
    2. This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Ewel, Ewell, Euell, Yewall Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1870.3/mb.ashx Message Board Post: As noted in the above post, one early member of the East Tennessee militia was Ewel ROPER, about whom very little is known. This may be the first appearance of the given name "Ewel", "Ewell", "Euell" or "Yewall" in the ROPER family. "Yewall" appears in given names of ROPERs for several generations thereafter. In looking for EWELL family connections, I found a couple, both obscure and tenuous. One is the mention of service under a Captain EWELL in the Revolutionary Pension application of Turner WOOTEN, who married Nancy ROPER, of Chesterfield. It is my impression that Turner WOOTEN may have served under Thomas W. EWELL, who died leaving various family members as heirs. One of these, Sarah EWELL, seems to have married a HAYS or HAYES. There is McMinn ROPER deed to a HAYES. Possibly more promising, I noticed that Revolutionary War Veteran George ROPER, who served under Captain Anthony SHARP or SHARPE, served in the SAME Company during what appears to be the very same enlistment term as a Caleb EWELL. Further scrutiny of Caleb EWELL, his family and the Company commanded by Captain Anthony SHARPE seems indicated. 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>

    03/25/2014 04:25:46
    1. [ROPER] A Revolutionary War Pension Account of a Bit of a Scoundrel
    2. This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Slade Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1879/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Within the Revolutionary War Pension Application of Nathan (Nathaniel) SLADE (Widows Pension of Elizabeth P. SLADE, Pension No. W6071), Nathan SLADE gives a rather interesting account as to how he found himself re-enlisted for another term of service. SLADE gave his declaration in Caswell County, NC, on 03 Jul 1845, which included this account: "After the battle of Guilford, the company to which I belonged was divided into classes for from fifteen to eighteen or twenty and out of that number one was to be required to enlist in the number of the Continental troops or regular army of North Carolina. No man could be induced to enlist voluntarily and we were required to draw lots for the purpose of determining who should enlist. My brother Thomas Slade was at the head of the class to which I belonged and had to make the first draw and it so happened that it fell his lot to enlist or join the Continental Army. He was so situated that it was very inconvenient for him to do so-so he hired one Roper as a substitute. Roper was tendered to the proper authority as his substitute but Major Thomas Donoho refused to receive him because he had seduced a girl and gotten her with child and refused to marry her. I was them employed by Roper to take his place which I did and accordingly enlisted for eighteen months as a soldier in th! e Continental line of North Carolina. I served in the Continental Line of North Carolina form the month of August in the year 1782 until the month of July 1783 and was then discharged formerly but received no written discharge." See: http://revwarapps.org/w6071.pdf 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>

    03/25/2014 04:06:18
    1. [ROPER] Genealogical Information About Nancy Roper WOOTEN Within the Revolutionary War Pension Application of Turner WOOTEN
    2. This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Wooten, Coatney, Ewell, Lawson Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/807.5/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Experienced ROPER researchers well familiar with Joseph ROPER's family will already be aware that important genealogical information about Nancy Roper WOOTEN's (b 25 Jan 1773, d 28 Jun 1851 - Bradley County, TN) family appears within the Revolutionary Pension application of Turner WOOTEN (d 22 Nov 1833 - Jefferson, TN). Nancy ROPER married Turner WOOTEN on 02 Jan 1792 in Chesterfield County and that they were married by a Baptist minister, Rev. COATNEY. In a second subsequent application, she identified her marriage date as 26 Oct 1794. Turner WOOTEN's pension application was made in Jefferson, Tennessee. Turner WOOTEN served in the Company of Captain EWELL. Turner WOOTEN claimed to be acquainted with General LAWSON. Will GRAVES has posted a transcription of key parts of the Pension Application file: http://revwarapps.org/r11860.pdf Birthdates of Turner WOOTEN and Nancy ROPER's children and some marriage information of the next generation is given in the pension file. 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>

    03/25/2014 01:49:11
    1. [ROPER] Wesley ROPER's War of 1812 Pay Voucher (Hyde, NC)
    2. This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Gibbs Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1870.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Wesley ROPER's War of 1812 Pay Voucher is now posted online at the North Carolina State Archive's digital collection: http://digital.ncdcr.gov/cdm/ref/collection/p16062coll7/id/10700 An image of Wesley ROPER's voucher, dated 15 Oct 1814 with No. 1889 shows the recipient to be Wesley ROPER, of Hyde, who served under the command of of Capt. D. GIBBS. 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>

    03/25/2014 12:32:38
    1. [ROPER] Frederick ROPER's War of 1812 Pay Voucher (Hyde, NC)
    2. This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Gibbs Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1870.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Frederick ROPER's War of 1812 Pay Voucher is now posted online at the North Carolina State Archive's digital collection: http://digital.ncdcr.gov/cdm/ref/collection/p16062coll7/id/10697 An image of Frederick ROPER's voucher, dated 15 Oct 1816 with No. 1907 shows the recipient to be Frederick ROPER, of Hyde, who served under the command of of Capt. D. GIBBS. 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>

    03/25/2014 12:28:39
    1. [ROPER] Some Samuel ROPER Mentions in Revolutionary War Pension Applications
    2. This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Chapman, Swink Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1877.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Amidst my notes, I also show that a Samuel ROPER was mentioned within these Revolutionary War Pension Applications: Nicholas CHAPMAN, Service in North Carolina, Pension Number S. 8193 Mary SWINK, widow's pension in respect of North Carolina service of John SWINK, Pension No. W. 2022 Elizabeth ROPER, widow's pension in respect of New Hampshire service of Silas ROPER, Pension No. W. 15292 My NOTES indicate that Nicholas CHAPMAN's Revolutionary Pension Application is purported to contain numerous mentions of a Samuel ROPER. There is also apparently a mention of a J. D. FERRIE, possibly a realtive of Martha FERRIS. Although I have NOT looked at the underlying Pension records cited (these are amongst notes of suggested further inquiry never undertaken or completed), in my view anyone with a keen interest in the families of one or more of the Samuel ROPER's discussed ought to consider reviewing at least Nicholas CHAPMAN's Pension application and informing other researchers of their findings! 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>

    03/25/2014 10:50:07
    1. [ROPER] James ROPER (d 1814 - Madison, AL) m Molly SIMS
    2. This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Sims Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/792.4/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Within the previous post on Randolph ROPER, I mentioned the James ROPER who married Molly SIMS in Cumberland, VA. I have recently discovered that this is the James ROPER who migrated to Alabama about 1813 and who family settled in Madison County, AL. See my post: "William M. ROPER (b 31 Mar 1801 - Cumberland, VA, d 08 Dec 1883 - Madison, AL)" (15 Mar 2014 9:23AM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1867/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>

    03/24/2014 04:10:32
    1. [ROPER] Distinguishing Samuel ROPER, of Chesterfield, and Samuel ROPER, Jr., of Powhatan
    2. 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/81.126.129.133.142.143.149.390.3/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Michael: You might want to take a look at my new thread: "Sorting Out the Samuel ROPERs in the Federal Period" (21 Mar 2014 6:24PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1877/mb.ashx It has been rather conclusively demonstrated that (b bef 1761, d bef 10 Feb 1812 - Chesterfield, VA), of Chesterfield, was NOT Shadrach ROPER's son. Samuel ROPER (, Jr.) (b abt 1755-63), of Powhatan and later Chesterfield, DOES seem to have been Shadrach ROPER's son. But I ahve found NO RECORD of him after he moved from Chesterfield. * If you have some further primary evidence about ANY of the contemporaneous Samuel ROPERs who lived in the Federal period, I would be very appreciative of learning of it, either via e-mail OR by reply post to this thread OR the new thread identified above! 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>

    03/24/2014 03:45:03
    1. [ROPER] Crosslink To Post: "Samuel ROPER (d abt 1843-5 - IL), of Pope, IL"
    2. 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/409.3.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Gary: I recently created a new thread to discuss a Samuel ROPER who made a much earlier appearance in Pope County, IL. See this thread (including replies): "Samuel ROPER (d abt 1843-5 - IL), of Pope, IL" (19 Mar 2014 9:54AM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1872/mb.ashx I would particularly call your attention to my discussion of reasons we might reasonably infer a family connection with the West Virginia ROPER family appearing in this Reply post: "Samuel ROPER (b abt 1802 - England, d Jul 1849 - Pope, IL) and the Children of Samuel ROPER, of Golconda, IL" (22 Mar 2014 9:48PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1872.1.1/mb.ashx * It may simply be that Frank BATCHELOR's discovery of the 1850 Mortality record is conclusive. Maybe this Samuel ROPER is simply an immigrant from England. But there seems to be a LOT of reason to wonder whether there is a family connection to the WV ROPERs. * * * >From your research, do you have anything to contribute to our understanding of this early Illinois ROPER ancestor? 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>

    03/24/2014 03:36:02
    1. [ROPER] Jesse ROPER or ROSSER (b abt 1794 - VA), of Morgan, Tennessee
    2. This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Rosser Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1878/mb.ashx Message Board Post: In the 1850 Census for Morgan County, Tennessee, there appears the household of a Jesse ROPER, age 56 (b abt 1794), born in Virginia seemingly with wife Elizabeth, age 58, and four sons, all born in Virginia. The surname is somewhat ambiguous and might say either ROPER or ROSSER. I had concluded that it said ROPER UNTIL I found the "p" in the surname of an APPLE family, which has caused me to reassess and believe that this may be a ROSSER family, instead. The complete household, as shown in the Census record is: Jesse ROPER [or ROSSER], age 56, Male, Farmer, RE $400, Born Va. Elizabeth ROPER [or ROSSER], age 58, Female, Born Va. William ROPER [or ROSSER], age 22, Male, Farmer, Born Va. John ROPER [or ROSSER], age 19, Male, Farmer, Born Va. James [or Jane??] ROPER [or ROSSER], age 17, Female [sic],Born Va. Francis ROPER [or ROSSER], age 14, Male, Born Va. See: "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11593-164536-29?cc=1401638 : accessed 24 Mar 2014), Tennessee > Morgan > Morgan county > image 42 of 80; citing NARA microfilm publication M432. * * * There is a Jesse ROPER shown enumerated in Amherst, Virginia, in the 1840 Census. See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHBM-CDP : accessed 24 Mar 2014), Jesse Roper, Not Stated, Amherst, Virginia; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 227, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 550, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0029683. I haven't inspected the underlying images yet. * * * I do NOT see a corresponding Jesse ROPER in the Census records for 1810, 1820 or 1830. * * * There is a Campbell County marriage of a Jesse ROSSER to and Elizabeth FINCH dated 26 Dec 1823. There is also an earlier Campbell County marriage of Jesse ROSSER to Sarah GEORGE on 20 Sep 1817. See: "Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRWH-LS7 : accessed 24 Mar 2014), Jesse Rosser and Sarah George, 20 Sep 1817; citing Campbell, Virginia, reference ; FHL microfilm 31050. "Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRWH-L4D : accessed 24 Mar 2014), Jesse Rosser and Elizabeth Finch, 26 Dec 1823; citing Campbell, Virginia, reference ; FHL microfilm 31050. * If these marriage records are correct, this may indicate that the cited 1850 Census record is a ROSSER rather than a ROPER record. 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>

    03/24/2014 10:17:53
    1. [ROPER] Captain Samuel ROPER (b abt 1830 - IL, d bef 11 Feb 187 - IL), of Golconda, Pope, IL
    2. This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, McCoy, Rauchfuss Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1872.4/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Samuel ROPER's son Samuel ROPER (b abt 1830 - IL, d bef 11 Feb 187 - IL) seems to have served as a Captain in command of Company K, 56th Ill. Infantry, and to have survived the Civil War, as further explained below. There is a marriage record for a Samuel ROPER in Pope County in 1866, showing that the younger Samuel survived the Civil War. ROPER, SAMUEL -- MCCOY, ALICE: POPE COUNTY; 2/15/1866; 00B/0572 This Samuel ROPER is enumerated in the 1870 Census, but seems to have been dead by 1880. See: "United States Census, 1870," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M6HT-2GY : accessed 23 Mar 2014), Mertyl H Roper in household of Samuel Roper, Illinois, United States; citing p. 16, family 134, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 000545769. See also my related post this thread: "DAR Lineage of Myrtle Roper RAUCHFUSS (b abt 1867 - Golconda, IL)" There is a Civil War pension record for a Captain Samuel ROPER which should probably be inspected. See: "United States Civil War and Later Pension Index, 1861-1917," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NHHL-YTR : accessed 23 Mar 2014), Samuel Roper, 12 Jul 1869; citing "Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served Between 1861 and 1900," Fold3.com; company K, regiment 56, Illinois, NARA microfilm publication T289. Samuel's widow Alice ROPER is shown in a published list of Civil War pensioners, rather conclusively linking Samuel ROPER, of Golconda, to the pension cited above: United States Congressional serial set, Issue 7126, Page 30 http://books.google.com/books?id=qZk3AQAAIAAJ&dq="Samuel Roper" Kentucky&pg=RA1-PA30#v=onepage&q&f=false 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>

    03/22/2014 11:17:19
    1. [ROPER] DAR Lineage of Myrtle Roper RAUCHFUSS (b abt 1867 - Golconda, IL)
    2. This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, McCoy, Rauchfuss Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1872.3/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The DAR paperwork in support of the DAR Lineage of Myrtle Roper RAUCHFUSS (b abt 1867 - Golconda, IL), daughter of Samuel ROPER and Alice McCOY might provide some additional insight into this family, though Mrs. RAUCHFUSS used her mother's line to qualify. See DAR Lineage Book Volume 51 for Mrs. RAUCHFUSS' DAR Lineage (No. 50706): http://books.google.com/books?id=RpQYrtuOQP0C&dq="Samuel Roper" Kentucky&pg=PA317#v=onepage&q&f=false Myrtle's father Samuel seems to have died between 1870 and 1880 when she is enumerated at age 13 within the household of John R. SMITH and his wife Alice SMITH in Golconda, IL. See: "United States Census, 1870," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M6HT-2GY : accessed 23 Mar 2014), Mertyl H Roper in household of Samuel Roper, Illinois, United States; citing p. 16, family 134, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 000545769. "United States Census, 1880," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MXK4-DKC : accessed 23 Mar 2014), Myrtle A Roper in household of John R Smith, Golconda, Pope, Illinois, United States; citing sheet 116A, NARA microfilm publication T9. 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>

    03/22/2014 10:59:19
    1. [ROPER] Samuel ROPER (b abt 1802 - England, d Jul 1849 - Pope, IL)
    2. 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/1872.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Frank: Thanks for running this down! Hopefully, with some better imaging we can identify this Samuel ROPER's Census record. The dearth of Samuel ROPERs in the early 1800s and the exact correspondence as to place would seem to support a very strong inference that the Samuel ROPER you identified in the 1850 Mortality Schedule is the SAME Samuel ROPER shown in the 1840 Census and the deceased husband of Jane ROPER. I had made the weak inference that Samuel ROPER had died earlier based upon the absence of younger children from the household. But one or more of the younger children might also very well have been stricken with cholera, which was epidemic in those years, especially along the rivers that tended to communicate the disease into the interior of the country after arrival of new infections from Europe. * Curiously, I found a Census record for a James ROPER (b 1836 - IL) residing in Williamson, Illinois in the 1880 Census that shows this James ROPER's parents to have been each born in Illinois. This may reflect that this isn't Samuel ROPER's son, that the Census record as to the birthplace of the parents is simply wrong, OR that there was another Samuel ROPER in Pope County. See: "United States Census, 1880," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MXK1-5CR : accessed 23 Mar 2014), James Roper, Northern, Williamson, Illinois, United States; citing sheet 388B, NARA microfilm publication T9. * * * On balance, I have MORE confidence in the more contemporaneous Mortality Schedule and am inclined to believe that the English birthplace given in that record ought to be treated as determinative. * * * Note my separate post showing that this Samuel ROPER may have been an adherent of Alexander CAMPBELL's Christian Church movement. 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>

    03/22/2014 09:49:17
    1. [ROPER] Samuel ROPER, of Golconda, IL/KY, Subscriber To "The Millennial Harbinger"
    2. This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Campbell Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1872.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The following letter was published within "The Millennial Harbinger": "Golconda, Kentucky, December 17, 1841 An attempt was made in this place by brother McCOOL, the only public defender of our claims in any part of this region, to establish a church on the pure principles of the gospel. A church has been constituted, consisting of nine members. Three were received by baptism -- the humble writer of this making one of the happy number. Three weeks from Wednesday last three others will unite themselves by repentance, faith and obedience to the word. Can you not send us help? A pious faithful, and devoted servant of the Cross, would be well received here, and might be instrumental in doing a great amount of good for the Redeemer's cause in these ends of the earth. Send help if possible; for we expect great opposition from the sects. I know I speak the sentiments of all the dear disciples of this place. Should you send help, direct him to call on me or brother Richmond, residing at this place. SAMUEL ROPER" See: "The Millennial Harbinger", Volume 13 (1842), P.40 http://books.google.com/books?id=oj85AQAAMAAJ&dq="Samuel Roper" baptist&pg=PA40#v=onepage&q&f=false A "receipt" reflecting payment by "S. Roper, Golconda [Illinois]" for Volumes 3 and 4 of this publication is shown on the back cover of Vol. VI (New Series), No. 2 (1842). http://books.google.com/books?id=oj85AQAAMAAJ&dq="Samuel Roper" baptist&pg=PA96-IA2#v=onepage&q&f=false * * * "The Millennial Harbinger" was a publication of Alexander Campbell (b 12 Sep 1788, d 4 Mar 1866), a leader of a reform effort that is historically known as the Restoration Movement, and by some as the "Stone-Campbell Movement." It resulted in the development of non-denominational Christian churches, which stressed reliance on Scripture and few essentials. Campbell published The Millennial Harbinger beginning in 1830, which I understand he continued to edit until his death in 1866. Campbell founded Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia, in 1840. * * * The indication that the letter was from "Golconda, Kentucky," is curious, but not entirely dissonant. Golconda is s town in Pope County, Illinois, on the North bank of the Ohio River, immediately opposite Kentucky. Although a Samuel ROPER is enumerated in the 1840 Census for Kentucky, the youngest child in Jane ROPER's household in the 1850 Census is shown to be "Elizabeth ROPER, age 7, born KY",a suggesting that by 1843 this ROPER family might have been living on the South bank of the Ohio River in Kentucky rather than in Illinois. This also suggests that Livingston or Crittenden Counties in Kentucky might also be places to look for deed records or probate records for this ROPER family. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

    03/22/2014 09:20:46
    1. Re: [ROPER] Samuel ROPER (d abt 1843-5 - IL), of Pope, IL
    2. 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/1872.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Bill, Ancestry.com does show a Samuel Roper in the 1840 Pope County, IL census. However, I find most of it totally unreadable and I cannot find the name Samuel Roper. Someone with better eyes might be able to find his name. The check marks for the family members are readable. There is a image record of a death of a Samuel Roper in the U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules for Pope, Illinois that contains the following information: Samuel Roper Gender: Male Marital Status: Married Estimated Birth Year: abt 1802 Birth place: England Age: 47 Death Date: Jul 1849 Cause of Death: Cholera Census Year: 1850 Census Place: Pope, Illinois Occupation: Merchant 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>

    03/22/2014 04:30:06
    1. [ROPER] Sorting Out the Samuel ROPERs in the Federal Period
    2. This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Faris, Ferris, Jennings Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1877/mb.ashx Message Board Post: There are several contemporaneous Samuel ROPERs who lived in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina during the Federal Period following the Revolution who are often confused and are quite confusing. Many researchers have made questionable and false ascriptions as to these ROPER ancestors and the secondary information about these Samuel ROPERs is very uneven. It is probably too ambitious of a task to actually resolve all of the questions and properly ascribe all of the relationships. However, as a finding and research aid, I thought it would be helpful to summarize and discuss some of the data to help clear away the detritus of false asciption and to aid in more thoughtful analysis. SAMUEL ROPER OF CHARLES CITY COUNTY, VA Amongst the Personal Property Tax records for Charles City County, there appears a Samuel ROPER in the 1782 to 1887 tax records. This Samuel ROPER is shown to own 104 acres of land in Charles City County through 1786. The 1782 Personal Property Tax record shows that this Samuel ROPER owned a slave named "Moses". In 1784, Samuel ROPER is shown in Charles City County with two slaves, "Moses" and "Lucy". In 1786, this Samuel ROPER seems to sell his land to William TERRELL and George HUBBARD. Though the recorded deed of this sale no longer exists, the fact of this transfer appears within the extant Charles City Land Tax records. Bear in mind that the Charles City County DEED RECORDS are LOST, but the real estate tax records show the disappearance of Samuel ROPER from the tax rolls and the appearance of 104 acres taxed to William TERRELL and George HUBBARD the same year. * * * SAMUEL ROPER OF CHESTERFIELD, VA Samuel ROPER first appears on the Chesterfield personal property tax lists in 1795. Samuel ROPER appears in Chesterfield near Joseph ROPER, who appeared on every extant Chesterfield Personal Property Tax List from 1786 through his death. Joseph ROPER died leaving a Will dated 25 Jan 1803. See my post: "Will of Joseph ROPER (d aft 25 Jan 1803 - Chesterfield, VA)" (5 Mar 2006 9:45AM) http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.roper/807/mb.ashx As can be seen from Joseph ROPER's Will, Samuel ROPER, of Chesterfield, is NOT Joseph ROPER's son. The year immediately following Samuel ROPER's appearance in Chesterfield County (1796), a second Samuel ROPER, Jr., also appears on the tax lists in Chesterfield. BOTH Samuel ROPERs appear on the Chesterfield Personal Property Tax Lists EVERY YEAR thereafter until 1803. That year, BOTH Samuel ROPERs DISAPPEAR from the Chesterfield Tax Lists. However BOTH then reappear the immediately following year and then remain on the tax lists through 1806. In 1807, Samuel ROPER, Jr., disappears from the Chesterfield Tax List. Samuel ROPER, Sr. remains on the Chesterfield County Tax Lists through his death in 1811. Samuel died, leaving a Will dated 06 Nov 1811 and proved 10 Feb 1812 naming widow "Ritter" and several children: Salley TAYLOR, Joseph ROPER, Eleander JORDAN, and John ROPER. See: "Will of Samuel ROPER (d bef 10 Feb 1812 - Chesterfield, VA)" (20 Sep 2010 4:20AM) http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.roper/1670/mb.ashx The Inventory and appraisement of the estate of Samuel ROPER, of Chesterfield, recorded on 25 February 1812 shows as the first two items slaves named "Moses" and "Lucy". Also amongst the Inventory is a "Family Bible" and a "History Virginia Baptists". Perhaps the Bible is that which is cited amongst the records of the family of Dutoy ROPER. The volume "History Virginia Baptists" seems to me to suggest Samuel ROPER's religious denomination. Joseph ROPER, son of Sam (it says so on the Tax List), first appears on the Chesterfield Personal Property Tax List in 1802. This happens to precisely coincide with the year that Joseph ROPER (b 30 Jun 1781), later of Fulton, KY, turns age 21 and becomes taxable in his own right. Joseph ROPER, son of Samuel ROPER, appears on the Chesterfield Tax List only one MORE year 1803, before disappearing. A John ROPER appears on the Chesterfield Tax List in 1809 at age 22, two years before his father's death. This John ROPER married Asseneth HATCHER on 06 Jan 1807. * As previously noted, the corresponding disappearing of a Samuel ROPER from the Charles City Tax Rolls and the reappearance of a Samuel ROPER in Chesterfield, together with the EXACT identification of the slaves shown in the Charles City Tax Lists matching to the slaves shown in the Inventory rather conclusively establishes that Samuel ROPER, Sr., of Chesterfield was one and the same as the Samuel ROPER previously found in Charles City County. We do NOT know the identity of this Samuel ROPER's father, though he seems to be a Charles City ROPER. We do NOT know this Samuel ROPER's date of birth, but he was probably already at least age 21 in 1782 when he first appears on the Charles City County tax rolls (b bef 1761). Since the eldest of this Samuel ROPER's children Sarah was born in 1779, it also seems likely that this Samuel was probably married the previous year (1778) and if married no earlier than age 21 might have been b bef 1757. This Samuel certainly could have been older, but probably wasn't born after 1757 and almost certainly wasna't born after 1761. I believe that this Samuel ROPER can be correcty and reasonably described as Samuel ROPER (b bef 1761, d bef 10 Feb 1812 - Chesterfield, VA), of Chesterfield. * * * SAMUEL ROPER, OF POWHATAN, SON OF SHADRACH ROPER Another nearby Samuel ROPER is the Samuel ROPER named in Shadrach ROPER's Will dated 17 Sep 1784: Will of Shadrach ROPER (d aft 17 Sep 1784 - Powhatan, VA) (5 Mar 2006 3:12PM) http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.roper/808/mb.ashx This Samuel ROPER is almost certainly already an adult when Shadrach made his Will, which makes him somewhat of a contemporary of Samuel ROPER of Charles City/Chesterfield. However, the eldest of Shadrach ROPER's minor children William P. ROPER (b 1776-80 - VA, d 18 Aug 1833 - Fleming, KY) was no more than about age eight when Shadrach died. The marriage of Mary Ann ROPER to Joseph MEREDITH in Powhatan on 06 Jan 1787 seems likely to be the remarriage of Shadrach ROPER's second wife (NO, Shadrach was NOT married to the Susannah ROPER who died in Powhatan). There is a marriage of a Samuel ROPER to Martha FARIS/FERRIS in Goochland on 26 Jan 1792. Goochland County is immediately adjacent to Powhatan to the North on the opposite bank of the James River. This marriage seems likely to be that of Shadrach ROPER's son Samuel ROPER. There is also a Powhatan marriage the following month the same year (04 Feb 1792) between Kisey (Keziah) ROPER and Benjamin JENNINGS. This seems likely to be the Keziah ROPER mentioned in Susannah ROPER's Will. Although she has been falsely ascribed as a daughter of Shadrach in many posted online accounts, she is NOT mentioned in Shadrach's Will and there is NO REASON TO BELIEVE that Keziah is a daughter of Shadrach ROPER. * I seem to have misplaced my notes as to the Powhatan County Tax records. It is my RECOLLECTION that the Powhatan tax data shows the disappearance of Samuel ROPER of Powhatan immediately PRIOR to the appearance fo Samuel ROPER, Jr. in Chesterfield in 1796, but please do NOT HOLD ME TO THIS. CHECK THE POWHATAN TAX RECORDS YOURSELF! The YEAR of first appearance of Samuel ROPER in the Powhatan tax records is VERY SIGNIFICANT, but regretably I cannot find my notes on this. I just do NOT RECALL whether Shadrach ROPER appeared within the extant Tax Lists for Powhatan BEFORE HE DIED and WHICH YEAR Samuel ROPER first appeared. Samuel ROPER's FIRST APPEARANCE in the tax list would be some evidence that he had turned age 21 that year. That this Samuel ROPER seems NOT to have been a minor at Shadrach ROPER's death does seem consistent with his then already being age 21 (b bef 1763). I suspect that the authorities would have looked the other was as to Samuel ROPER's majority if he was already age 19 or 20 when his father died, so he might have even been born a couple of years later. To the extent that my recollection is correct, the description of this Samuel ROPER as Samuel ROPER, Jr., in the Chesterfield tax records merely reflected that this Samuel ROPER was YOUNGER than the Samuel ROPER who relocated to Chesterfield from Charles City County. Thus, I believe that Samuel ROPER, Jr., was born after the elder Samuel ROPER (b bef 1761) and was also probably already age 21 when Shadrach ROPER died (b bef 1764). Since Samuel ROPER (b bef 1761) could have been born several years or more before 1761, I am going to rather arbitrarily use six years and assert that Samuel ROPER, Jr., Shadrach ROPER's son was probably born abt 1755-63. I think he would be at the upper in of this range anyway. Recall that Samuel ROPER, Jr. also disappears from the Chesterfield Personal Property Tax records after 1806. Since there is NO PROBATE for a Samuel ROPER in Chesterfield that year and the elder Samuel ROPER remained thereafter, it seems reasonable to infer that Samuel ROPER, Jr., had migrated from Chesterfield about that year. * * * SAMUEL ROPER, SON OF DAVID ROPER, OF EDGEFIELD, SC The very first appearance of Samuel ROPER in ANY Census in the United States was in Edgefield, SC. Samuel ROPER appears there along with a David ROPER in 1800: David ROPER: 0 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 -- 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 1 -- 0 - 2 [Edgefield, SC - 1800] Samuel ROPER: 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 [Edgefield, SC - 1800] This Samuel ROPER seems to be the nephew of David ROPER (b 29 Jun 1742) and son of William ROPER (b 26 Jun 1753 - VA, d bef Oct 1803 - Edgefield, SC), as further discussed within this post and the referenes cited therein: "Edgefield, SC, Administration of Estate of David ROPER (1802)" (10 Mar 2014 4:34AM) http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.roper/1859.6/mb.ashx I have picked up NO CLEAR TRACE of Samuel ROPER, son of David ROPER ANYWHERE after he received his legacy from his father's estate, although the bare possibility exists that the elder Samuel ROPER, of Chesterfield, VA, could be David ROPER's son. The AGES might work, barely. Although primary information about this Samuel ROPER is wanting, I further discuss this Samuel ROPER in respect of inferences drawn from other data at the conclusion of this post. * * * SAMUEL ROPER, SON OF WILLIAM ROPER, OF EDGEFIELD, SC An extant bill of sale and some inferences from William ROPER's Will, leave us with the impression that William ROPER (b 26 Jun 1753 - VA, d bef Oct 1803 - Edgefield, SC), son of Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN, had a son named Samuel. See: "William ROPER (b 26 Jun 1753 - VA, d bef Oct 1803 - Edgefield, SC)" (8 Mar 2014 5:26PM) http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.roper/1858/mb.ashx The bill of sale from William ROPER to his son Samuel ROPER dated 21 Dec 1798 conveys property and seems to set the son up for hosuekeeping. William ROPER's Will, dated 07 Jun 1803 and proved 21 May 1804, OMITS any mention of a Samuel ROPER, but mentions dividing his estate amongst SIX CHILDREN, while the Will names only FOUR. It is possibly of some significance that Samuel ROPER, of Edgefield, is identified as amongst the subscribers to the book "A General History of Baptist Denomination in America" (1813). (In those days, publication of some books was underwritten by the prior paid subscription of contracted purchasers, whose names would then also be included in the book.) See: "Samuel ROPER, of Edgefield, SC, Amongst the Subscribers of "A General History of Baptist Denomination in America" (1813)" (17 Sep 2010 9:43PM) http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.roper/1668/mb.ashx * It perhaps also bears mention that Rev. Jacob GRIGG, the father-in-law of Rev. David ROPER, of Richmond, is also shown as a subscriber residing at Richmond, VA: http://books.google.com/books?id=e8I4AAAAMAAJ&dq=roper intitle:history intitle:of intitle:Baptist&pg=PA571#v=onepage&q&f=false Subscribers from Chesterfield are also shown on the same page. Samuel ROPER, of Chesterfield, couldn't subscribe to this book, since it was published in 1813, but he was already dead in 1811. David LAWSON is shown to be amongst the subscribers to the same book resident at Caswell County, NC: http://books.google.com/books?id=e8I4AAAAMAAJ&dq=roper intitle:history intitle:of intitle:Baptist&pg=PA572#v=onepage&q&f=false The list of Edgefield, SC, subscribers is singularly LONG, suggesting a particularly vibrant Baptist congregation there: http://books.google.com/books?id=e8I4AAAAMAAJ&dq=roper intitle:history intitle:of intitle:Baptist&pg=PA573#v=onepage&q&f=false * MOST of the famiy of Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN seem to have been Methodists. But Samuel ROPER, of Chesterfield was clearly Baptist, as were at least some of the Chesterfield ROPERs. * * Samuel ROPER was enumerated in both the 1800 and 1810 Census residing in Edgefield: Samuel ROPER: 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 [Edgefield, SC - 1800] Samuel ROPER: 2 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 1 - 1 - 0 -- 0 [Edgefield, SC - 1810] In 1800, this Samuel ROPER is shown to be age 16 to 25 (b abt 1775-84). In 1810, this Samuel ROPER is shown to be age 26 to 44 (b abt 1766-84). The inference from the 1800 is within the latter range and is constraining if the representations in the Census are TRUE. Thus, Samuel ROPER, son of Willaim ROPER, seems to be b abt 1775-84. In 1800, the sole female residing within Samuel ROPER's household is shown to be age 16 to 25 (b abt 1775-84). There are no children in this household in 1800, suggesting a possibly recent marriage. * Samuel's first wife seems to have died on 01 Sep 1814. Samuel ROPER seems to have died on 02 Mar 1820, after first remarrying. See: "Edgefield ROPER Mentions in the Jack RYAN Book" (9 Mar 2014 4:35PM) http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.roper/1859.1/mb.ashx * * It probably bears mention that since the ascription of this Samuel ROPER as William ROPER's son is somewhat speculative, a little further discussion and analysis is probably in order. First, while the ascription that the Samuel ROPER who was enumerated in Edgefield, SC, as the son of William ROPER (b 26 Jun 1753 - VA, d bef Oct 1803 - Edgefield, SC), as opposed to the son of David ROPER or another ROPER, is speculative, the EXISTENCE of a Samuel ROPER, son of William ROPER is NOT. The bill of sale from 1798 seems to clearly show that a William ROPER residing in Edgefield had a son named Samuel ROPER. The Will OMITS mention of son Samuel. Our inferences then are that the William ROPER who died in 1803 is the SAME William ROPER who made the bill of sale and that the Samuel ROPER in the 1800 Census is the SAME Samuel ROPER who was the grantee of that bill of sale. This is the simplest explanation and any other interpretation of the data requires additional complicating facts, for example that the Samuel ROPER resident in 1798 has MOVED AWAY and that another Samuel ROPER has moved in, etc. The ascription seems to be further supported by the fact that there are only THREE OTHER (and possibly TWO OTHER) adult Samuel ROPERs then in America, as discussed above and further elaborated below. I have previously suggested that the Samuel ROPER (b bef 1761, d bef 10 Feb 1812 - Chesterfield, VA) in Charles City County and Chesterfield would have been born before 1761 and possibly earlier. IF the ascription of William ROPER (d bef Oct 1803 - Edgefield, SC) as the SON of Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN is correct, this this William ROPER was born 26 Jun 1753 and it would be an impossibility for this William ROPER to be the father of Samuel ROPER (b bef 1761, d bef 10 Feb 1812 - Chesterfield, VA). Since we KNOW that Shadrack ROPER also had a son named Samuel, there would seem to exist the bare possibility that Samuel ROPER, Jr., of Powhatan/Chesterfield could have migrated to Edgefield and might be the Samuel ROPER shown within the Edgefield Census in 1800 and 1810. However, similarly, Samuel ROPER, Jr. (b abt 1755-63), Shadrack ROPER's son would be more a contemporary of William ROPER (b 26 Jun 1753 - VA, d bef Oct 1803 - Edgefield, SC) than someone born a generation later. Since Samuel ROPER, of Edgefield, could NOT have been BOTH Shadrach ROPER's son AND William ROPER's son, the dates of birth are more significant in respect of comparison with the Census data for consistency. Since the Census data for Samuel ROPER, of Edgefield, shows him to have been born abt 1775-84, this seems to EXCLUDE the possibility that Samuel ROPER, Jr. migrated from Chesterfield about 1798 and is the Samuel ROPER enumerated in the Census in Edgefield in 1800 and 1810. The Census data as to this Samuel ROPER's age is further supported by both the age of the wife in the 1800 Census and the absence of children from the hosuehold. The 1800 household gives the appearance of a newly married young couple, quite consistent with the father setting up the son with the incidents of his own household upon his marriage. I believe that we can reasonably describe Samuel ROPER, of Edgefield, as Samuel ROPER (b abt 1775-84, d 02 Mar 1820), son of William ROPER (b 26 Jun 1753 - VA, d bef Oct 1803 - Edgefield, SC). I will further elaborate on this Samuel ROPER in a separate topical post. * * * SUMMARY During the immediate post-Revolutionary period there seem to have been at least three and probably FOUR unique adult Samuel ROPERs in America. These were: Samuel ROPER (b bef 1761, d bef 10 Feb 1812 - Chesterfield, VA), of Charles City/Chesterfield [Father UNKNOWN] Samuel ROPER (, "Jr.") (b abt 1755-63), of Powhatan/Chesterfild, son of Shadrach ROPER. Samuel ROPER, son of David ROPER (b 29 Jun 1742, d abt 1802 - Edgefield, SC) Samuel ROPER (b abt 1775-84, d 02 Mar 1820), son of William ROPER (b 26 Jun 1753 - VA, d bef Oct 1803 - Edgefield, SC) * * * I want to briefly elaborate on Samuel ROPER, son of David ROPER (b 29 Jun 1742, d abt 1802 - Edgefield, SC), a little further and discuss the bare possibility that Samuel ROPER (b bef 1761, d bef 10 Feb 1812 - Chesterfield, VA) could actually be David ROPER's missing son. In discussing the other Samuel ROPERs, I was able to draw on at least a little priamry evidence to support a sketch of each. But other than mention as a legatee receiving a payment in respect of his father's estate abt 1802, suggesting that he was then at least ALIVE, there is very little more that is directly known about this Samuel ROPER. There is, however, a little more that is known about this Samuel ROPER's immediate family which can further inform our inquiry and understanding. I discuss, analyze and speculate a little about David ROPER's family in my recent post: "Combining the Extant Probate Information for David ROPER (d bef 10 Dec 1802 - SC) and William ROPER (d bef Aug 1810 - SC)" (7 Mar 2014 9:34PM) http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.roper/516.1/mb.ashx Within this post, I speculate that the order in which legatees were named might be indicative of birth order. At the conclusion of that post, I give this assessment as the the idenntity and ages of David ROPER's children: "Overall, in my view, the Census data, taken together with the probate data seems to support these children of David ROPER: Benjamin ROPER (b abt 1766-76) John ROPER (b abt 1766-84) David ROPER Samuel ROPER (b abt 1775-84) William ROPER (d abt 21 Jul 1810) Sarah ROPER (b 1775-84) Daniel ROPER (b abt 1885-90) (youngest minor son, age 10 to 15)" Later, I discovered very specific information identifying the precies date of birth and date of death of Daniel ROPER (b 22 Mar 1785, d 17 Jul 1819 - Edgefield, SC), which was precisely consistent with my inferences taken from the Census records. Although Daniel ROPER is NOT expressly named as a legatee, he WAS a minor at David ROPER's death and this would explain the double share paid to John ROPER. This also seems to fix the year of birth of the YOUNGEST of David ROPER's children. Similarly, after further study, I determined that David ROPER's son Benjamin ROPER was likely to be the Benjamin ROPER (b abt 1767, d 23 Oct 1845 - Edgefield, SC) mentioned in a death notice in the Edgefield Advertiser on October 29, 1845: "Benjamin ROPER (b abt 1767, d 23 Oct 1845 - Edgefield, SC)" (7 Mar 2014 10:38PM) http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.roper/516.1.1/mb.ashx * Thus, to the extent that my original inference that the legacies paid were listed in birth order (except for Administrator Benjamin ROPER) is correct, this would seem to suggest that David ROPER's children were born between 1767 and 1785. While I think that this is probably a CORRECT inference, I also want to recognize the bare possibility that the sequence of the children and the year of birth of the first child might NOT be correct. For example, the legacies might simply be listed in the chronological ORDER PAID or some other basis, even random. If the ascription of David ROPER (d abt 1802 - Edgefield, SC) as the son of Charles ROPER and Ann GOODWYN is CORRECT, and I think it IS, then this David ROPER was born b 29 Jun 1742. Benjamin ROPER would have been born when David ROPER was age 25. If David ROPER married somewhat younger, perhaps at age 20 or 21, he certainly could have had a son born abt 1762-3. Marriage even earlier is also possible. Thus, it seems to me that we CANNOT completely exclude the possibility that David ROPER could have been the father of Samuel ROPER (b bef 1761, d bef 10 Feb 1812 - Chesterfield, VA). While I am NOT suggesting this as an ascription, I think that a plausible, but tenuous case could be made supporting such a relationship. Therefore, I want to simply call attention to some of the evidence that might support this conclusion, leaving the researcher to further investigate and to draw their own conclusions. My first argument is the complete ABSENCE of any trace of David ROPER's son Samuel. He MUST have been living at the date of the legacy in 1803. But he doesn't seem to appear in the 1800 Census elsewhere. This seems to present three possibilities. First, Samuel might be living in a place where the Census returns for 1800 were unavailable or LOST (e.g. Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi Territory, etc.). He seems NOT to be heading a household in North Carolina or South Carolina which were fully enumerated in the 1800 Census, at least not as a head of household. (As shown above, actually inspecting the extant ANNUAL Tax Lists for Virginia can give an exceptionally good clarity both on the migration of a household and the coming of age of the sons. It is for this reason that it is absolutely CRITICAL to inspect and transcribe EVERY TAX ANNUAL LIST in Virginia where ROPERs are known to have resided. If Samuel ROPER was residing in Virginia, he may still be FOUND by an inspection of tax lists. There are also extant Tax Lists in other places including North Carolina and the frontier areas. Too often, lazy researchers look no further than the ABSTRACTS of these lists, which are intended SOLELY AS A FINDING AID for the original records.) Second, Samuel might have residing in a household headed by another ROPER, a relative or even some other unrelated family and be simply included in their Census count. While this might explain the omission in 1800, it hardly explains the omission in 1810, if Samuel was then still living. Given that Benjamin ROPER was already age 33 by the 1800 Census, it is even plausible that Samuel ROPER could have been old enough to head his own household in 1790. Why isn't Samuel shown in the Census? Since David ROPER, William ROPER and Benjamin ROPER seem to have migrated from Brunswick, Virginia, to Edgefield, SC, the LOGICAL thing to do is to CHECK THE BRUNSWICK TAX LISTS FOR EVERY YEAR FROM 1782 TO 1810. This is how REAL GENEALOGISTS investigate relationships and make ascriptions. This is tedious and time consuming, but it WORKS. What doesn't work is to simply GUESS or MAKE UP THE MISSING DATA. The third possibility is that we have ONE Samuel ROPER TOO MANY and that the data can be reconciled by recognizing that one of the OTHER three Samuel ROPER's is David ROPER's son. We have three possible candidates, but TWO are already ascribed as sons of Shadrach ROPER and William ROPER, respectively. The third is the UNASCRIBED Samuel ROPER (b bef 1761, d bef 10 Feb 1812 - Chesterfield, VA), whose father is NOT identified. This Samuel ROPER has dates that are CLOSE TO, but NOT overlapping with the years we think are plausible as to David ROPER's first son (1762-3). If we STRETCH the date ranges a little, ASSUMING that David ROPER married YOUNG and had a son at age 17-18 and/or that Samuel ROPER was NOT YET age 21 when first shown in the Charles City County Tax Lists, we could reconcile the possibility that David ROPER (b 29 Jun 1742, d abt 1802 - Edgefield, SC) might be Samuel ROPER's (b bef 1761, d bef 10 Feb 1812 - Chesterfield, VA) father. Were this the ONLY argument, I wouldn't even mention this possibility. But there are a couple of other arguments which I believe raise the possibility at least high enough NOT to completely reject it absent further investigation. Secondly, UNLESS I MISSED SOMETHING or my NOTES ARE WRONG, my records show that BOTH Samuel ROPER and Samuel ROPER, Jr., DISAPPEAR from the Chesterfield County, Virginia Tax List during 1803. WHY is that significant or important? Realize that in a very short space of time Charles ROPER (d abt 1801), David ROPER (b 29 Jun 1742, d abt 1802 - Edgefield, SC), William ROPER (b 26 Jun 1753 - VA, d bef Oct 1803 - Edgefield, SC) each died in Edgefield, leaving widows and families. IF Samuel ROPER, of Chesterfield WAS the SON of David ROPER, is it REASONABLE to think that he MIGHT travel to Edgefield to assist his widowed mother? It is LESS CLEAR why Samuel ROPER, Jr., might also go along. But to the extent that he is a cousin and also related to David, William or Charles ROPER, through his father Shadrach, accompanying Samuel ROPER, possibly his uncle or cousin, wouldn't be an unreasonable thing to do either. Again, I recognize that this is thin evidence for an ascription. But it seems to me that the death of a parent and widowing of a mother and aunt(s) would be a reason to LEAVE Chesterfield in 1803. While the omission of data for that year may be simply a coincidence, I do NOT think that the possibility of a deliberate departure from Chesterfield can be overlooked. Third, my notes show that amongst the Inventory of Samuel ROPER, of Chesterfield, was a "Family Bible" and a "History Virginia Baptists". Realize that this is a DIFFERENT BOOK than the Book subscribed by Samuel ROPER, of Edgefield, SC, who puchased a copy of the book "A General History of the Baptist Denomination in America, Vol 2," by David BENEDICT (Boston: Manning & Loring, 1813). Moreover, the Samuel ROPER who purchased this book seems to be the KNOWN Samuel ROPER (b abt 1775-84, d 02 Mar 1820), son of William ROPER (b 26 Jun 1753 - VA, d bef Oct 1803 - Edgefield, SC), rather than the MISSING Samuel ROPER (b 1766-84), son of David. The book in the possession of Samuel ROPER would seem to be the work more properly entitled "A History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia", By Robert Baylor Semple, first published in 1809, just two years before the death of Samule ROPER, Sr., of Chesterfield. A republication of this work from 1894 is online and it gives a sketch of the Powhatan Baptist Association on pages 264-5. At the end of the sketch Rev. SEMPLE explains: "Their number is no less that fourteen, viz.: John and James Dupuy, Edward Maxey, George Smith, George Stoval Smith, Lewis Chadoin, B. Watkins, Noah Lacy, Thomas La Fon, Isaac Lookado, Josiah Gayle, John Wooldridge, William Rousee and Samuel Roper." http://books.google.com/books?id=t6RhTC8ziQQC&dq="Samuel Roper" baptist&pg=PA264#v=onepage&q&f=false Note that this sketch is written AFTER Samuel ROPER, Jr. seems to have departed from Chesterfield County. It bears noting that Chesterfield County is immedaitely adjacent to Powhatan County and the Powhatan Church was said to be located in the Eastern section of the county, in the vicinity of what would later be the Powhatan station on the Richmond and Danville railroad. But GIVEN that MUCH of the Charles ROPER family is Methodist, here we have a Samuel ROPER KNOWN to be Baptist in Chesterfield and two closely allied sons of Charles ROPER -- David and William -- who migrate together from Brunswick, VA, where they seemed ot live adjacently, to Edgefield, SC. David ROPER's son Benjamin has married his first cousin, William ROPER's daughter. Samuel ROPER, of Edgefield is Baptist and purchases Baptist histories. Samuel of Chesterfield is Baptist, attends the Powhatan Church and also purchases Baptist histories. David ROPER (b 29 Jun 1742, d abt 1802 - Edgefield, SC) MIGHT HAVE BEEN the Rev. David ROPER shown in the 1790 Census for Rutherford, NC. MIGHT these ROPERs be literate and INTERESTED in Baptist History? I do NOT want to press this argument beyond the point of strain. In my view, the AGES seem slightly incompatible with an ascription that Samuel ROPER is the son of David ROPER. But I believe that the case to be made is FAR STRONGER than that asserted by other researchers in support of speculative ascriptions. More than anything else, the bare possibility also underscores another fundamental of family history research. You do NOT get the names of books of the full inventories of estates by looking at probate ABSTRACTS. For this, one must find, PULL, read and transcribe the original primary records! ROPER family history will REMAIN stagnant in the cesspool of fraudulent and errornoeus information UNTIL researchers recognize that genealogy is NEVER actually advanced by simply COPYING and RE-POSTING the speculative or fraudulent ascriptions of others, based upon abstracted records. If you have an UNSUPPORTED ascription in your family history, particuarly one culled from the notoriously unreliable ROPER Family History Database, you need to DELETE the relationship and get to work doing the basic research to find out the CORRECT ascription! * * * See also my earlier post within the thread discussion Susannah ROPER's Powhatan Will: "Samuel ROPER (b abt 1772, d Feb 1820 - Edgefield, SC)" (12 Sep 2010 4:39PM) http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.roper/1666.2/mb.ashx Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board. <br>

    03/21/2014 06:24:30