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>