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>