This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Roper, Miller, Payne, Crawford Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kgDBAEB/812 Message Board Post: The following obituary of Rev. David Roper (b 27 Sep 1792 - Charles City County, VA; d 28 Feb 1827 - Richmond, VA) appeared in the Richmond Enquirer on Saturday, March 10, 1827, at Page 3, Column 5: “DIED – in this city, on the 28th ultimo, after a tedious and painful indisposition, the REV. DAVID ROPER. The same day, which terminated only his 35th year closed also his mortal existence. And thus, when to all human view, the period had arrived for most efficient effort, society, the cause of religion, the denomination to which he belonged and an afflicted family, have been bereaved of an invaluable member and leader. How mysterious are the plans and the operations of Divine Providence! This truly amiable and universally respected man was an example worthy of imitation, whether we consider him as a citizen, a professor of religion or a preacher of the gospel. ‘Owing no man any thing, he provided things honest in the sight of all.’ Integrity and kindness, hospitality and beneficence, -- indeed, what virtue possible in this imperfect state, did not adorn this man’s character? Even qualities seemingly opposite, were happily blended in him. Inflexible in his adherence to righteousness, he was a stranger to bigotry. His firmness and candor in declaring and maintaining his sentiments were sweetly associated with liberality and mildness. Economical and provident in the management of his temporal concern, -- although the situation in which Divine Providence had placed him, rendered his support dependent upon his own industry; if contributions for benevolent and religious objects were required, his name was enrolled among the first. With an understanding and a taste of no ordinary character, Mr. Roper had devoted a large portion of the last eighteen years of his life to such a course of literary and Evangelical reading and thought, as qualified him for extensive usefulness. His success in these pursuits was seen in the judicious method, the sound arguments, the apt illustrations and the unexceptionable style of his public discourses. One whole year, at least, before his death, declining health rendering him unable to perform pastoral duty, he relinquished the charge, over which he had faithfully provided, in the Second Baptist Church in this city, from the time of its constitution. Desirous to be useful as long as he might live, he did not fail, until the close of the last year, to discharge the duties of a responsible and lucrative office, to which his known integrity and talent had called him. Although in health now evidently sinking, hopes were nevertheless entertained by his friends, that the softness of the Spring might be instrumental in preserving his invaluable life. But the design of Heaven was otherwise. In calmness and resignation of mind, with intellectual powers totally unimpaired, he suffered a gradual decay of constitution. With an exclusive and unshaken reliance upon the Atonement, he selected several works before his death, a portion of the Sacred Scriptures, the improvement of which he wished at his funeral; and also made other arrangements as to what should be done after his departure. On the morning of the 28th ultimo, at 3 o’clock, he reached the other side of the valley of the shadow of death, in his passage through which, he had been comforted with the rod and the staff of gospel consolation and support. ‘After he had served his own generation, by the will of God, he fell on sleep.’ ‘The memory of the just is blessed.’ ‘Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.’ His widow and four children sustain in this bereavement, a loss not to be repaired. But ‘their loss is his gain.’ * * * I previously Posted a transcription of the biographical sketch concerning Rev. David ROPER appearing within the “Lives of Virginia Baptist Ministers” (1837, 1838) at: "Biography of Rev. David Roper, of Richmond, VA" [14 Mar 2002 10:48 PM GMT] http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=message&r=rw&p=surnames.roper&m=461 Additional genealogical information concerning Rev. David ROPER’s family is appended as notes to that Post. * * * I previously Posted Rev. David ROPER’s Will at: “Will of Rev. David Roper (b 27 Sep 1792 - Charles City County, VA; d 28 Feb 1827 - Richmond, VA)” [21 Apr 2002 5:57 PM GMT] http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/message/rw/surnames.roper/465 Some additional records relating to David ROPER’s father and immediate family are Posted within Dr. L. David ROPER’s ROPER Family History web site at http://www.roperld.com/rva18.htm . * * * For additional genealogical information concerning Rev. David ROPER’s son Benjamin Eliscus Roper (b 8 Nov 1816 - Richmond, Henrico Co., VA; d 11 Apr 1871 - Lynchburg, Harris, TX), see my Post: “Benjamin Eliscus Roper (b 8 Nov 1816 - Richmond, Henrico Co., VA; d 11 Apr 1871 - Lynchburg, Harris, TX)” [17 Sep 2002 5:49 PM GMT] http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/message/rw/surnames.roper/540.1 * * * For additional genealogical information concerning Rev. David ROPER’s son Frederick A. ROPER (b abt 1815 – VA, d bef 1845), see my Post: “Frederick A. ROPER (b abt 1815 - VA) m Lethe A. CRAWFORD” [2 Mar 2003 1:27 AM GMT] http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/message/rw/surnames.roper/461.1 * * * A transcription of the Patent for the ROPER Plantation on the Chickahominy is Posted at: “Transcription of Charles City Co Patent of John Roper dated 16 Jun 1714” [28 Apr 2002 5:12 PM GMT] http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/message/rw/surnames.roper/468