This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Story, Cook Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1903.3.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: In my previous post, I identified James and Nancy ROPER's likely children as: James W. ROPER (b abt 1791-1800 - NC, d bef 1850) m Biddy ROPER on 14 Aug 1821 David M. ROPER (b abt 1795 - SC) Bethia ROPER (b abt 1800 - SC) m James STORY on 25 Feb 1817 (Mecklenburg, NC) Mary ROPER (b abt 1802 - NC) m William NEELY on 28 Nov 1820 (Mecklenburg, NC) Charles B. ROPER (b abt 1801-10 - NC) Daniel C. ROPER (b abt 1807 - SC) Sarah J. ROPER Rebecca R. ROPER * James ROPER's children emerge from their father's household in the 1830 Census. In 1830, there are three ROPER households in Mecklenburg County: Nancy ROPER: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 2 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1830] James W. ROPER: 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 2 - 3 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1830] David ROPER: 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 3 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1830] See: "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGR-QXJ : accessed 14 May 2014), Nancy Roper, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 332, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 122, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0018088. "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGR-QX3 : accessed 14 May 2014), James W Roper, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 331, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 122, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0018088. "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGR-QFW : accessed 14 May 2014), David Roper, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 332, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 122, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0018088. * Nancy and David ROPER are on the SAME Census page. James W. ROPER is on the immediately previous page. Note that ALL of the males seem to have departed Nancy ROPER's household by 1830. Charles B. ROPER seems to have relocated to nearby Chester, SC: Charles B. ROPER: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Chester, SC 1830] The other male in Charles B. ROPER's household might be the brother Daniel C. ROPER. The female, also age 20 to 29 (b abt 1801-10) seems likely to be either a wife from a recent marriage or a sister. * Charles B. ROPER's relocation to Chester may also be related to another obscure record I discovered in 2012. The are extant records showing that James ROPER was granted a contract for the transportation of U.S. mail between Yorkville (York County), SC, and Camden (Kershaw County), SC, from 1827 to 1830. The precise identity of the James ROPER who received this contract is UNKNOWN, however, the proximity of James ROPER, of Mecklenburg, NC, to York, South Carolina, is suggestive of the possibility that James ROPER (b abt 1769-74, d bef 24 Nov 1828) was the recipient of this contract. See: "James ROPER Contractor for Mail Carriage 1827 to 1830" (24 Nov 2012 6:30PM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1718.3/mb.ashx To the extent that James ROPER had a lucrative contract to carry the mails, his sons might have continued the operation of this mail cartage after James ROPER's death during this interval. The significance of Charles B. ROPER's residence in Chester, SC, is that the town of Chester is along what appears likely to be the ROUTE that the mail would have been carried. Although the precise route taken probably cannot be ascertained with certainty without examination of the contract or solicitation of bids, intuition suggests that the route probably would have been along main road connecting the largest towns. These would have been Yorkville, to Chester, crossing the Catawba River, to Lancaster to Kershaw to Camden. Locating in either Chester of Lancaster would put a contractor nearer the midpoint of the route. One must also bear in mind that Jesse ROPER previously lived in Lancaster and James ROPER and his eldest sons may have spent some time there. Though hardly conclusive that James ROPER, of Mecklenburg, NC, was the contractor, James ROPER's proximity, prior residence in Lancaster and Charles B. ROPER's residence in Chester is all at least consistent with the possibility that James ROPER might have obtained this contract. * * It also bears mention that there was a Martha ROPER enumerated in Chester, SC, in the 1820 Census: Martha ROPER: 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 2 - 0 - 1 - 0 --0 - 3 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 -- 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 [Chester, SC 1820] I discussed this Martha ROPER at some length within this post: "Martha ROPER (b abt 1776-94), of Chester, South Carolina" (29 Dec 2012 2:04AM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1751.1/mb.ashx * * * * * JAMES W. ROPER I previously discussed James W. ROPER (b abt 1791-1800 - NC, d bef 1850) within this thread: "James W. ROPER (b abt 1791-1800 - NC, d bef 1850), of Mecklenburg, NC, and Sumter, AL" (22 Jan 2013 12:58AM GMT) http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1767/mb.ashx * * * * * DAVID M. ROPER David ROPER is shown to be residing in Mecklenburg County, NC, in the Census immediately following his father's death: David ROPER: 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 3 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1830] See: "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGR-QFW : accessed 14 May 2014), David Roper, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 332, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 122, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0018088. David seems to be age 20 to 29 (b abt 1801-10) within this enumeration. There is a female of similar age and one female child age 5 to 9, suggesting that this David ROPER might have married before 1826. * * The best candidate in the 1840 Census seems to be James ROPER's son David ROPER, enumerated residing in Winston County, Mississippi: David ROPER: 2 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- NO SLAVES [Winston, MS 1840] See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHTX-548 : accessed 14 May 2014), David Roper, Not Stated, Winston, Mississippi; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 267, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 219, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0014842. * This David ROPER is shown to be age 30 to 39 (b abt 1791-1800), seemingly inconsistent with the 1830 record. However, the age is consistent with that of the David M. ROPER shown in the 1850 Census, as further discussed below. If this is the correct record, one or more of the children may be the children of a wife by a prior marriage, other relatives or unrelated minors. Compare the counts and age distributions to the 1830 record. * * David M. ROPER, age 55 (b abt 1795), and Daniel C. ROPER (b abt 1807), age 43, are found residing in Attala County, MS, in the 1850 Census enumeration. David ROPER is enumerated in Township 16 Range 5E at age 55. Within David M. ROPER's household is Martha ROPER, age 47. Both David and Maratha are shown to be born in South Carolina. David's Household and Family number is shown to be "435". This is Census Image 8 of 8 for this Township at the Ancestry.com presentation of the 1850 Census data. While David M. ROPER is the LAST household listed within Township 16 Range 5E, the very first image on the immediately following page, SHOWN TO BE WITHIN HOUSEHOLD "435" THE SAME HOUSEHOLD AS David M. ROPER, but identified as being in the adjacent Range are the following children: James ROPER, age 19, Male, Farmer, born SC Margaret ROPER, age 18, Female, born SC William ROPER, age 15, Male, born Miss. Berkshire ROPER, age 7, Male, born Miss. Julia ROPER, age 3, Female, born Miss. [Image 1 of 8 at Ancestry.com] See: "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M4L4-QHK : accessed 14 May 2014), Dana M Roper, Attala county, part of, Attala, Mississippi, United States; citing family 435, NARA microfilm publication M432. Note that this record is mis-indexed as "Dana" ROPER. The "David" looks very much like "Dana" in the handwriting, but study will show that the record says "David." * * The birth information of the children is consistent with a migration from South Carolina to Mississippi between 1832 and 1835. Thomas A. ROPER is also enumerated in Attala, MS, in Township 16, Range 5 E Thomas A. ROPER, age 26, Male, Farmer, born SC Sarah ROPER, age 22, Female, Born SC Leonidis ROPER, age 4, Male, born Miss. [Image 7 of 8 at Ancestry.com] See: "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M4L4-MCJ : accessed 14 May 2014), Thomas A Roper, Attala county, part of, Attala, Mississippi, United States; citing family 420, NARA microfilm publication M432. * Thomas would have been born about 1824. It should be noted that this age is slightly incompatible with the age ranges of David ROPER's children as shown in the 1830 Census record, where David ROPER seems to have only one son under age 5. However, the difference is well within the error range of most Census reports. Thomas ROPER doesn't seem to better fit into any other ROPER household. It would be better to carefully consult the probate records and other extant records including deed records before making any conclusive ascription as to any children of David NOT found within his household in 1850. Given the adjacency of Daniel ROPER, it seems very likely that David M. ROPER is James ROPER's son. * * One possibility is that the Martha ROPER shown in the 1850 Census record is the Martha COOK shown to have married a David ROPER in Henry County, Georgia, on 23 Feb 1834. The marriage is shown to have been solemnized by Aron PARKER, J.P. (Justice of the Peace). See: "Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-21404-20560-48?cc=1927197 : accessed 14 May 2014), 0175289 (004849061) > image 98 of 540. IF this is a marriage of David M. ROPER, it appears to be a second marriage since there seems to be a wife and children within the household in 1830. Martha Cook ROPER would then be the mother of only those children shown to be born in Mississippi: William, Berkshire and Julia. * * * * * CHARLES B. ROPER As mentioned above, Charles B. ROPER is probably the Charles B. ROPER enumerated in Chester, SC, in the 1830 Census: Charles B. ROPER: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Chester, SC 1830] See: "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XH5S-FP9 : accessed 14 May 2014), Ciar B Rfer, Not Stated, Chester, South Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 334, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 169, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0022503. Note that the Index entry is completely MANGLED ("Ciar B Rfer"). Both of the males in Charles ROPER's household are shown to be age 20 to 29 (b abt 1801-10). It is probably a good idea to check the land records and tax in Chester to find other indications of Charles ROPER's presence there. As mentioned above, the ROPER sons may have been continuing James ROPER's contract with the U.S. Post Office to haul mail from Yorkville to Camden, SC. There may be a variety of extant records, including newspaper records that can give us better insight into Charles ROPER and his family in Chester. * * In 1840, Charles B. ROPER is enumerated residing in Attala County, MS. Daniel C. ROPER is on the SAME Census page: Charles B. ROPER: 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Attala, MS 1840] Daniel C. ROPER: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Attala, MS 1840] See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHRL-4FL : accessed 14 May 2014), Charles B Roper, Not Stated, Attala, Mississippi; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 7, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 215, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0014841. Both Charles ROPER and Daniel ROPER seem to be in the 30 to 39 age group (b abt 1801-10). The identity of the male age 20 to 29 in Charles ROPER's household is unclear. Charles B. ROPER probably died before 1850, as I cannot identify a Census record for him. However, this is far from conclusive. Additional efforts should probably be made. Deed records and probate records should be consulted. * * * * * DANIEL C. ROPER Daniel C. ROPER first appears in the U.S. Census as a head of household in 1840: Daniel C. ROPER: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Attala, MS 1840] See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHRL-4F2 : accessed 14 May 2014), Danl C Roper, Not Stated, Attala, Mississippi; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 7, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 215, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0014841. As noted above, Daniel is enumerated adjacent to his brother Charles ROPER. * * In 1850, Daniel ROPER is again enumerated in Attala County, Mississippi, this time residing near David M. ROPER: Dan C. ROPER, age 43, Male, Farmer, born South Carolina Nancy E. ROPER, age 40, Female, born SC Charlotte W. ROPER, age 8, Female, born Miss Edora ROPER, age 2, Female, born Miss See: "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M4LW-B4D : accessed 14 May 2014), Dan C Roper, Attala county, part of, Attala, Mississippi, United States; citing family 123, NARA microfilm publication M432. * * In 1860, Daniel ROPER's widow Nancy E. ROPER, shown to be age 50 (b abt 1810), is again enumerated in Township 12, Range 5, Attala County, MS. Nancy's household consists of: Nancy E. ROPER, age 50, Female, Farming, born SC Sarah ROPER, age 60, Female, born SC Charlotte ROPER, age 18, Female, born Miss Udora [sic] ROPER, age 13, Female, born Miss Another household seemingly residing in the same structure is that of Allen INGRAM: Allen INGRAM, age 26, Mage Susan INGRAM, age 22, Female Izorah H. RUFF, age 7, Female [Ancestry.com Image 1 of 4] See: "United States Census, 1860," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M6G4-RRX : accessed 14 May 2014), Nancey E Roper, Township 12 Range 5, Attala, Mississippi, United States; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 211, household ID 1449, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 803577. * It is not immediately obvious where Sarah ROPER, age 60 (b abt 1800 - SC) fits into the family. The single best candidate would seem to be the Sarah ROPER, age 55, enumerated in 1850 residing within the household of Joel RAWLS, age 48, in Leake County, MS. Perhaps this Sarah ROPER is the mother of Joel's wife Sarah A. RAWLS, age 38 (b abt 1812 - SC). * * * * * BETHIA ROPER STORY Bethia Roper STORY first appears clearly within the 1850 Census record residing in Upson County, Georgia. Bethia Roper STORY, age 50 (b abt 1800 - SC), is enumerated with husband James STORY, age 61 (b abt 1789), residing in Upson County, Georgia, in the 1850 Census enumeration. See: "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MZYF-S15 : accessed 14 May 2014), James Story, Upson county, Upson, Georgia, United States; citing family 708, NARA microfilm publication M432. James and Bethis STORY have two boys in the household, James A. STORY, age 19, and William STORY, age 17. James is shown to be born in North Carolina and William is shown to be born in SOuth Carolina, giving further clues to the family migration. James A. ROPER's birthplace suggests that James and Bethia were probably still in Mecklenburg at the date of the 1830 Census. * Fixing James STORY's location in 1850 gives us a strong clue that the 1840 Census record in Upson County also relates to this same James STORY: James STORY: 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Upson, GA 1840] See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHBN-5MG : accessed 14 May 2014), James Story, District 537, Upson, Georgia; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 45, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 52, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0007048. The age of this James STORY is consistent with the age of James STORY in the 1850 record, however, the 1840 record shows the age of the oldest female to be 30 to 39. Of course, depending on the precise timing of Bethis's birthdate and the enumeration date of each Census, being age 39 in 1840 is NOT strictly incompatible with being age 50 in 1850. The two younger males in this household are exactly consistent with the ages of James and William in the 1850 Census record. The identity of the male age 20 to 29 (b abt 1811-20) is unclear. The 1850 enumeration showing Bethia STORY to be age 50 was taken on 11 Oct 1850. The date of the 1840 Census enumeration doesn't seem to appear on the lists. * * What appears to be James STORY's 1830 Census record in Mecklenburg seems to contain a number of persons, the precise relationship of which is unclear: James STORY: 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1830] See: "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGR-QQ4 : accessed 14 May 2014), James Story, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 323, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 122, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0018088. This James STORY seems to be age 40 to 49, which is consistent with the ages shown in teh 1840 and 1850 Census record. There are females age 15 to 19 (b abt 1811-5), age 20 to 29 (b abt 1801-10), age 30 to 39 (b abt 1791-1800) and 60 to 69 (b abt 1751-60). Bethia could be either the female in the 20 to 29 or the 30 to 39 age range. The younger male and younger female may be children of James STORY from a prior marriage. If the female in the 20 to 29 age range is in the lower end of this age range, she could be a daughter of James STORY, as well. The other extra female in James and Bethia Roper STORY's hosuehold could be Bethia's sister Elizabeth ROPER or Rebecca ROPER. One other interesting possibility is that the older female 60 to 69 (b abt 1751-60) could be Jesse ROPER's widow Obedience ROPER, if she was still living. Of course, this female could also be James STORY's mother. It seems UNLIKELY that this woman is Bethia Roper STORY's mother, since Nancy is separately shown to be heading her own household. Recall that there were two females age 45 or more within James ROPER's household in 1820. One of these might have been Obedience ROPER. * * There are two James STORY households in Mecklenburg in 1820: James STORY: 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 1 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1820] (Ancestry Image 31 of 38) James STORY: 2 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 0 - 1 -- 3 - 2 - 0 - 1 - 0 -- 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Mecklenburg, NC 1820] (Ancestry Image 36 of 38) See: "United States Census, 1820," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGH-884 : accessed 14 May 2014), James Story, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1820 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 193, NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 84, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0162800. "United States Census, 1820," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHGH-8VN : accessed 14 May 2014), James Story, Not Stated, Mecklenburg, North Carolina; citing "1820 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 198, NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 84, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0162800. * The male in the first record is shown to be age 26 to 44 (b abt 1776-94) with the older female shown to be age 16 to 25 (b abt 1795-1804). The two yongsters under age 10 (b abt 1811-20) in this record are consistent with the ages of male age 10 to 14 and the female age 15 to 19 shown in the 1830 Census record. By contrast, the second James STORY record reflect a male age 45 or more (b bef 1776) and far more children than seen in the first record. The first record is precisely consistent with the 1820 Census record EXCEPT for the appearance of two additional females, including the much older female. The latter record is incompatible with James STORY's age in the 1830, 1840 and 1850 Census record. It is perhaps noteworthy though that NEITHER of these 1820 records shows a female age 45 or more in the household. While it is certainly possible that the female are 60 to 69 in James STORY's household in 1830 could be his own widowed mother, there is no evidence of such an older woman in the household in 1820. Perhaps members of the STORY family can give us additional insight as to the composition of James STORY's household. * * * * * This leaves daughters Mary ROPER (b abt 1802 - NC); Sarah J. ROPER; and Rebecca R. ROPER. I will leave these as an exercise for some other genealogist! 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>