This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: waroper Surnames: Roper, Peay Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.roper/1768.9.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Frank: Thanks for the additional reference! I had previously been alerted to a deed showing William and Martha ROPER as well as Green ROPER and his wife. But the inclusion of the express mention of the nickname "Patty" wasn't given in the account of I received. As I had mentioned, I have recently concluded that Martha Peay ROPER was NOT the notorious "Polly" ROPER involved in the Tennessee divorce. It became increasingly clear that she didn't fit for other reasons. But discovery that Martha had the nickname "Patty", while not mutually exclusive from the possibility of another different nickname, is additional evidence as to my prior misascription. These records are also helpful in further elaborating the Peay family line into which the Anson ROPER family intermarried. Given Austin PEAY's operation of a ferry across the Wateree River, I think you can also see why I suspected that the Martha ROPER who appeared in Lincoln County where the ROPERs operated a ferry across the Elk River might be the SAME Martha who married William ROPER. Now, I think that the ROPER involvement on the Elk River ferry, about which little seems to be known, is simply a coincidence. Of course, operation of ferries in modern times, with the existence of a robust transportation infrastructure to include an abundance of highway bridges, is uncommon, but in those days ferries were the efficient means of crossing broad and fast rivers! So the significance of the coincidence is lessened by the more common occurence. Obviously, I wouldn;t have drawn any inferences if I noted that two families in different places were involved in farming. But some other occupations, such as the Methodist ministry (Charles ROPER's family), leather making (Shadrach ROPER's family) and innkeeping (the family of Jesse ROPER, of Richmond), seem to have persisted across generations and give some clue or support weak inferences as to family connection. 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>