This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Williams, Riley, Vickers, Cox, Walker Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1938.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: As mentioned within the previous post, Bracken ROPER is the eldest of the males seeming to emerge from Joseph and Martha ROPER's household beginning in 1836, as shown in the 1836 Tax List for Lincoln. There are probably some other Lincoln Tax Lists that can further inform our understanding. There seems unquestionably to be a reasonably ancient grave marker which shows Bracken ROPER's date of birth to be 31 Jan 1800 and his date of death to be 25 Sep 1866. The date of death seems likely to be trustworthy. There is no particular reason to doubt the month and day given for Bracken ROPER's birth. But the year given on the grave marker seems to be inconsistent with four of the five extant Census records which would otherwise seem to include him and is almost certainly contradicted by the 1800 Census record IF Joseph ROPER, of Lincoln, is also the same Joseph ROPER who was enumerated in Pendleton, SC, in 1800. To quickly review, the Census data as it might apply to Bracken ROPER, we are first inclined to expect him to be one of the males shown in Joseph ROPER's 1820 Census record: Joseph ROPER: 3 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 -- 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 -- 0 - 3 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 [Lincoln, TN 1820] Joseph is shown in this record to be age 45 or more. The two eldest boys shown within Joseph ROPER's household are shown to be age 10 to 15 (b abt 1805-10). Thus, IF Bracken is Joseph ROPER's son and appears within this record, it seems UNLIKELY that he was born much before 1805. * We would next expect to find Bracken in Martha ROPER's household in 1830: Martha ROPER: 0 - 0 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- NO SLAVES [Lincoln, TN, 1830] The two eldest young men shown in this record are shown to be age 21 to 29 (b abt 1801-10). This too seems to be incompatible with Bracken being born as early as 1800. * In 1840, Bracken seems to emerge from Martha ROPER's household: Bracken ROPER: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 -- NO SLAVES [Lincoln, TN, 1840] See: "United States Census, 1840," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XHRY-L9R : accessed 15 Aug 2014), Bracken Roper, Not Stated, Lincoln, Tennessee; citing "1840 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com; p. 89, NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 531, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 0024548. The two eldest males in this household are shown to be age 30 to 39 (b abt 1801-10). The only other male is even YOUNGER, age 20 to 29 (b abt 1811-20). There is some reason to suspect that the three males in this household might be Bracken, Joshua and Joseph ROPER. * * * In 1850, Bracken ROPER is again enumerated residing in Lincoln, TN: Bracken ROPER, age 44, Male, Farmer, R.E. $2,000, born NC Rosa ROPER, age 21, Female, born Ala Mary ROPER, age 6, Female, born Tenn. James ROPER, age 4, Male, born Tenn. Martha ROPER, age 2, Female, born Tenn. (Image 148 of 160 for Ancestry.com presentation of Subdivision 1, Lincoln TN, 1850 Census data) See: "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MCDG-J34 : accessed 15 Aug 2014), Bracken Roper, Lincoln county, Lincoln, Tennessee, United States; citing family 1475, NARA microfilm publication M432. * * * In 1860, Bracken ROPER is again enumerated residing in Lincoln, TN [Indexed as RAPER]: Bracken ROPER, age 50, Male, Farmer, Pers. Estate $1,000, R.E. $800, born NC Emaline ROPER, age 32, Female, born Ala. Mary ROPER, age 15, Female, born Tenn. James ROPER, age 13, Male, born Tenn. Martha ROPER, age 11, Female, born Tenn. Elisa ROPER, age 10, Female, born Tenn. Emaline ROPER, age 8, Female, born Tenn. William ROPER, age 6, Male, born Tenn. Sarah ROPER, age 4, Female, born Tenn. Winney ROPER, age 1, Female, born Tenn. John WILLIAMS, age 18, Farmer, born Ala. Epp. TILERY, age 6, Male, Farmer, born Ala. Caroline WILLIAMS, age 49, Female, born SC (Image 17 of 23 for the Ancestry.com presentation of District 17, Lincoln, TN, Census data) See: "United States Census, 1860," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M8TN-HBK : accessed 15 Aug 2014), Bracken Roper, District No 17, Lincoln, Tennessee, United States; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 16, household ID 109, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 805261. * * * 1870 CENSUS In 1870, Bracken is no longer shown in the Lincoln, TN, Census. The grave marker in the Cross Cemetery shows Bracken to have died on 25 Sep 1866. However, Bracken's wife Emaline ROPER and family are shown in the 1870 Census, including two additional daughters: Emaline ROPER, age 46, Female, White, K. House, Pers. Estate $400, R.E. $500, born Tenn. [sic] Eliza ROPER, age 20, Female, White, At Home, born Tenn. Wm. ROPER, age 16, Male, White, F. Labor, born Tenn. Sarah ROPER,a ge 14, Female, White, At Home, born Tenn. Winee ROPER, age 10, Female, White, At Home, born Tenn. Margaret ROPER, age 8, Female, White, At Home, born Tenn. Allace [Alice] ROPER, age 4, Female, White, At Home, born Tenn. (Image 24 of 30 at the Ancestry.com presentation of the Census data for District 17, Lincoln, TN) * * * 1880 CENSUS Curiously, despite the indication that Bracken ROPER was dead by 1866, two additional ROPER children appear within Emaline's household in 1880. Moreover, we learn that Emaline's first name is actually Theressa: Theresa E. ROPER, White, Female, age 53, Widowed, Keeping house, born AL, Father born AL, Mother born TN Margaret ROPER, White, Female, age 18, Daughter, Single, Ast Keeping house, born Tenn., Father born Tenn, Mother born Tenn. Alice ROPER, White, Female, age 16, Daughter, Single, Ast Keeping house, born Tenn., Father born Tenn, Mother born Tenn. John ROPER, White, Male, age 14, Son, Single, Works on Farm, born Tenn., Father born Tenn, Mother born Tenn. Willia C. ROPER, White, Female, age 8, Daughter, Single, born Tenn., Father born Tenn, Mother born Tenn. C. WILLIAMS, White, Female, age 59, Widowed, born Tenn., Father born Tenn, Mother born Tenn. (Image 18 of 28 at the Ancestry.com presentation of the Census data for District 17, Lincoln, TN) It is UNCLEAR how it might be that the children's mother is shown to have been born in Tenn. when Theresa E. ROPER is shown to have been born in ALABAMA. Similarly, since Bracken showed his birthplace to be North Carolina in both the 1850 and 1860 Census enumerations, this seems most likely to be his place of birth. The indication that both parents were born in Tennessee seems to be simply a MISTAKE. * * * * * BRACKEN ROPER's YEAR OF BIRTH We thus have these implict estimates of Bracken ROPER's year of birth from the Census: b abt 1805-10 (age 10 to 15) [1820] b abt 1801-10 (age 21 to 29) [1830] b abt 1801-10 (age 30 to 39) [1840] b abt 1806 (age 44) [1850] b abt 1810 (age 50) [1860] In my view, despite the grave marker showing a year of birth of 1800, the Census data would seem to support a year of birth of 1805 to 1810, with 1806 the most likely year. Further, it seems to me that it is most likely that Bracken ROPER is OLDER than Joshua ROPER, who is shown to be age 42 (b abt 1808 - TN) in the 1850 Census, age 52 (b abt 1808 - TN) in the 1860 Census, and 62 (b abt 1808 - TN) in 1870. It seems to me that Bracken is LIKELY to be older whether or not Joshua is his brother or cousin, since it would be more likely that Joshua would have been shown as the head of household in 1840 if Joshua was older, though perhaps this would NOT be the case if Bracken as the LAND OWNER. For this reason, I believe that Bracken's age range can be further narrowed to abt 1805-7, again with abt 1806 as the MOST LIKELY year. Some secondary sources show Bracken's year of birth as 1805. If someone is aware of any actual primary record showing this year, I would be interested in learning of it. * * * BRACKEN ROPER's PLACE OF BIRTH Both the 1850 and 1860 Census record show Bracken ROPER's place of birth as NORTH CAROLINA and therefore it seems to me that this should be considered to be trustworthy. * * * There are several additional primary records showing specific information about Bracken ROPER's children. Alabama Death records show the death of Martha C. RILEY at age 76 on 20 Sep 1924 in Madison County, AL. See: "Alabama, Deaths, 1908-1974," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDNB-7D9 : accessed 15 Aug 2014), Martha C. Riley, 20 Sep 1924; citing reference cn 20006, Department of Health, Montgomery; FHL microfilm 1908263. Secondary source report Martha's precise date of birth as June 17, 1848. This is consistent with the 1900 Census record showing Martha's month and year of birth as June 1848 while residing with husband Farell RILEY (b Mar 1846 - TN) and her family in Lincoln, TN. * Amongst Tennessee Death records, Elizabeth VICKERS is shown to have been born on 12 Oct 1850 and to have died on 29 Aug 1925 in Blanche, Lincoln County, Tennessee. This death record shows Elizabeth VICKERS' parents as Bracken ROPER and Emeline WILLIAMS. This death record also shows both of Elizabeth's parents to have been born in Alabama. See: "Tennessee, Death Records, 1914-1955," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NSX5-GNP : accessed 15 Aug 2014), Eliza Vickers, 28 Aug 1925; citing Cemetery, Blanche, Lincoln, Tennessee, v 38 cn 183, State Library and Archives, Nashville; FHL microfilm 1299787. * The Texas Death record of Sallie Adaline COX shows Sallie's date of birth to be 22 Jan 1857 and her date of death to be 06 Sep 1947. Sallie is shown to be the daughter of Bracken ROPER and Emeline WILLIAMS and born in Lincoln, Tennessee. Sallie is shown to have died in Kaufman County, Texas. See: "Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K39K-3FQ : accessed 15 Aug 2014), Sallie Adaline Cox, 06 Sep 1947; citing certificate number 38994, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2218652. * Similarly, the Tennessee Death record for Margaret Bethene WALKER gives Margaret's date of birth as 02 Mar 1861 and her date of death as 10 May 1938. Margaret WALKER's parents are shown as Bracken ROPER and Emiline WILLIAMS. This record gives Bracken's place of birth as Tennessee and that of Emeline WILLIAMS as Alabama. Margaret's spouse is shown as Joseph Allen WALKER. Margaret WALKER is shown to have been interred in Gatlin, TN. See: "Tennessee, Death Records, 1914-1955," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NS8Y-Y52 : accessed 15 Aug 2014), Margaret Bethene Walker, 10 May 1938; citing Cemetery, Taft, Lincoln, Tennessee, cn 12819, State Library and Archives, Nashville; FHL microfilm 1876864. * * * * * BRACKEN ROPER's CHILDREN SUMMARIZED Mary ROPER (b abt 1845 - Lincoln, TN) James ROPER (b abt 1847 - Lincoln, TN) Martha C. ROPER (17 Jun 1848 - Lincoln, TN, 20 Sep 1924 - Madison County, AL) m RILEY Elizabeth ROPER (b 12 Oct 1850 - Lincoln, TN, d 29 Aug 1925 - Blanche, Lincoln County, TN) m VICKERS Emaline ROPER (b abt 1852 - Lincoln, TN) William ROPER (b abt 1854 - Lincoln, TN) Sarah "Sallie" Adaline ROPER (b 22 Jan 1857 - Lincoln, TN, d 06 Sep 1947 - Kaufman, TX) m COX Winney ROPER (b abt 1859 - Lincoln, TN) Margaret Bethene ROPER (b 02 Mar 1861 - Lincoln, TN, 10 May 1938 - TN) m J. A. WALKER on 14 Sep 1882 Alice ROPER (b abt 1864-6 - Lincoln, TN) John ROPER (b abt 1866 - TN)* Willia C. ROPER (b abt 1872 - TN)* * These children did NOT appear within the 1870 Census and the latter seems to have been born well after Bracken's death. Perhaps these are orphaned nephews, nieces or grandchildren whom have been adopted. * * * I want to emphasize that I am NOT endeavoring to do a complete genealogy of this family, but rather am simply collecting the readily available primary evidence in support of further analysis as to the correct identity and ascription of Joseph and Martha ROPER. Others are welcome and encouraged to elaborate on the information shown. I would further note that EXCEPT for the omission of discussion about the additional children in the 1880 Census, much of what has been reported by secondary sources regarding Bracken and his family seems to be reasonably accurate. * * * * * Finally, I want to note that Bracken seems to name his eldest son "James" rather than "Joseph". Neither does Bracken seem to name ANY child after Joseph ROPER. But the second daughter is named "Martha". 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>