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