This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Estes Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1943.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: In 1830, there is only ONE Solomon ROPER enumerated in the U.S. Census and this happens to be a Solomon ROPER residing in Burke, NC: Solomon ROPER: 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Burke, NC 1830] See: "United States Census, 1830," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XH5M-NM4 : accessed 26 Aug 2014), Solomon Roper, Not Stated, Burke, North Carolina; citing "1830 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 127, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 118, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0018084. This Solomon ROPER is shown to be age 30 to 39 (b abt 1791-1800), with a female, presumably a wife, of similar age, one male under age 5 (b abt 1826-30), one male age 5 to 9 (b abt 1821-5) and two females under age 5. There are also two male slaves, age 10 to 24, in this household. * * * In 1840, there seem to be two Solomon ROPERs, one in Guilford, NC, and the other in Marshall, Mississippi. The Marshall, MS, Solomon ROPER is shown to be: Solomon B. ROPER: 0 - 0 - 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 2 - 2 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Marshall, MS 1840] See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHTX-J7W : accessed 26 Aug 2014), Solomon B Roper, Northern Division, Marshall, Mississippi; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 30, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 218, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0014842. Although this Solomon ROPER is shown to be age 50 to 59 (b abt 1781-90), in all other material respects the household composition of his household is exactly consistent with that found in Burke, NC, ten years earlier. * * * Similarly, there is some indication that a Solomon B. ROPER was enumerated within the 1845 Mississippi State Census, though I have NOT seen these Census images. * * * I have NOT yet identified this ROPER family in the 1850 U.S. Census. However, the 1860 U.S. Census shows a Marshall, MS, household headed by James H. ROPER, age 32, born in North Carolina, heading a household which includes a Lythe ROPER, age 20, born Virginia, James B. ROPER, age 1, born Mississippi, and Sarah S. ROPER, age 60, born North Carolina. See: "United States Census, 1860," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M6GF-WWK : accessed 26 Aug 2014), Sarah S Roper in household of Jas H Roper, Township 2 Range 4, Marshall, Mississippi, United States; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 49, household ID 324, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 803587. * * * This Sarah S. ROPER is again enumerated residing in Marshall, MS, in the 1870 Census at age 71. Sarah ROPER is again shown as having been born in North Carolina. There is an Isaac ROPER, age 13, residing within this household. See: "United States Census, 1870," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MFSV-DXZ : accessed 26 Aug 2014), Sarah S Roper in household of J H Roper, Mississippi, United States; citing p. 42, family 347, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 000552239. * * * * * Secondary sources show Solomon ROPER as marrying a Sarah ESTES on 15 Feb 1823 in Burke, NC. I have not yet found a primary record supporting this asserted marriage, however, I find this asserted marriage date to be consistent with the ages of Solomon ROPER's children as shown within the 1830 and 1840 Census records. Similarly, the age of Sarah ROPER, of Marshall, MS, is consistent with the ages of the eldest female shown residing within the household of Solomon ROPER in 1830 and 1840, in Burke and Marshall, MS, respectively. This seems to me to support a rather strong inference that Sarah ROPER, of Marshall, MS, was Solomon ROPER's widow, though a careful genealogist should consult the Marshall deed records, probate records, guardianship records and tax records before making such an ascription. * * * * * Secondary sources have also ascribed to this Solomon ROPER the middle name of "Benjamin." While this is certainly a very plausible middle name which begins with a "B.", I am aware of no primary record which supports this ascription. Like so many published ROPER famliy history records, this middle name is very likely simply INVENTED by lazy or careless researchers. If anyone is aware of any primary record which would support this ascription, I would be interested in learning of it. * * * * * Finally, it bears noting that the ROPER Family History Fictionalists have obviated the need to do any further research on this Solomon ROPER by simply fraudulently ascribing this Solomon ROPER as a son of Meredith ROPER. There is simply NO EVIDENCE supporting this ascription. Within comments supporting this ascription, it is shown to be a "guess" of one of the leading Fictionalists. That is the "proof" of the relationship, it is a "guess," without so much as a supporting rationale. Such is the sorry state of published ROPER genealogy! Those who subscribe to mainstran standards or genealogical proof and refrain from making false and misleading representations unsupported by evidence will DELETE any ascription of Meredith ROPER as Solomon ROPER's father. Given some actual research and analysis, Solomon's correct father can probably be identified. 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