Dear Researchers, I would be pleased to have you add any information to this brief note-taking concerning Richard Rosser and his probable brother-in-law John Kemper [Sr.] of Garrard Co., KY, previously believed to have been of Fauquier Co. or perhaps Culpeper Co. If Rosser was of Mercer Co., KY, will soneone forward this to that group--rootsweb, that is. Preparer: E. W. Wallace Edited Mar 1999 RICHARD ROSSER. His wife is reported to be Judith Kemper. Judith's relationship to John Kemper [Sr.] of Garrard Co. KY is unknown, but she may be a sister. According to compiled marriage bond records of Fauquier Co., one Richard Rosser was married to Judith Kemper on or about 23 Sept 1779. She was designated as daughter of Peter Kemper. Rosser's Rev War pension number is reported to be S31344, probably filed in either Garrard Co. or adjoining Mercer Co., KY.. According to the Revolutionary War Pensions Lists, Pension Roll of 1835, Vol III, Kentucky [The Learning Co., CD 145], he received a pension payment Sep 1, 1832. He served in the VA State Troops. The first payment was $23.33, and he received a total of $69.99. He was age 78. This would give a birth date of ca 1754, an appropriate birthdate for a person in the Revolution. Whether the first payment was an annual payment or a monthly payment was not stated. At any rate, he seems to have received three payments of $23.33 each. Rosser is believed to have been the brother-in-law of John Kemper, Sr. of Buena Vista area, Garrard Co., KY. Kemper's wife was Sarah Rosser, whom he married 15 Dec 1761, probably in the newly-formed county of Fauquier, VA. (Because of this early marriage date, John Kemper was either considerably older than Rosser, or else we have identified the wrong John Kemper. More research is needed.) Richard Rosser served in Capt. Benjamin Harrison's Co., Virginia Volunteers, Revolutionary War "from Fauq'r, Virginia," according to a jacket at the National Archives, Washington, DC. The card number is 39188159. Another jacket states that Rosser appears on a list of Capt. Benjamin Harrison's Company (Virginia Volunteers), but the list is not dated. There is no other information, as the searcher at that repository commented "Complete file." Copy of National Archives record is in possession of this writer. The following indicates the close relationship of the Kempers [Kampers] and the Rosser family: Fauquier Co., VA DB 8 pp. 84-86. 26 Jul 1783. Bargain and sale between John Peter Kamper and Frederick Kamper his son & Molly Kamper, wife of said Frederick, on the one part and Richard Rosser, of the other part .. tract in Hamilton Par. .. cor to Harmon Button .. to the Naked Mt. road .. line of Nathaniel Rector .. 70 A. (s) John Peter Kamper, Fred'k. Kamper, Molly (X) Kamper. Wits: Martin Pickett, William Allason, John Kemper. Rec. 22 Mar 1784, ack. by John Peter Kamper. Earlier Fauquier Co. deeds make reference to Richard Rosser's lines, indicating also that he is a neighbor to several Kempers: DB 7-p. 252-254, Aug 1774 "cor. to Richard Rosser cor. tree to George Williams by a drain falling into Rosser's Run .. cor. to Jacob Kemper .. pines in John Kemper's line and cor. to Bushrod Doggett's land." Reference to essentially the same lines is made in DB-7, p. 322-324 although Williams's and Doggett's land seems to have changed ownership. In 1783, a John Rawser [Rosser], Sr. made a deed of gift to a probable son-in-law and daughter and to a grandson, which deed was witnessed by several other Rosser males, probably his sons. DB 7-p. 512-513, 21 Jan 1783. Bargain & sale between John Rawser [Rosser] Sr. & John Mitchell & Mary, his wife and their son John Mitchell .. for love and affection held for John and Mary Mitchell .. doth lend unto them during their natural life only .. 20 A. .. part of tract whereon he now lives .. fork of Rawser's Branch in the line of the main Patent .. they promise not to sell, or any ways dispose of the above tract .. without his consent .. for future benefit of John Mitchell, Jr., grandson to the sd. John Rawser .. gives to John Mitchell Jr. the said tract after the death of John & Mary Mitchell (s) John Rosser. Wits: George Rosser, John Rosser, Richard Rosser. Rec: 26 May 1783, proved by oath of wits. A few short months later, John Rosser seems to have died. DB 7- p. 527-530, 17 Jul 1783. Bargain & sale between Mary Rosser, widow of John Rosser, decd., Richard Rosser & Judith his wife and George Rosser, said Richard and George being sons of the above named John Rosser and Mary Rosser, his widow .. and William Allason .. 282 pds. 10s. specie .. tract .. on N. branch of Rappahannock River, by Patent from the Proprietor's office .. to Richard Rosser .. 7 Feb 1725 .. 226 A +/- .. box oak in a Poison Field (s) Mary (X) Rosser, Richard Rosser, Judight Rosser, George Rosser. Wits: Eppa Timberlake, William Withers, Fred'k (X) Burditt. David Allason, Francis Payne, John Rosser. Rec: 28 Jul 1783, prov. by oath of wits. (Deed abstracts from John K. Gott, FAUQUIER COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEEDS 1778-1785, V. 2 [Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1993]) Rosser was still residing in Fauquier Co. in 1785 when he witnessed a deed concerning two lots in Germantown tract. (Fauquier Co., VA DB 8-245-248) Mercer Co. & Garrard Co., Kentucky Richard Rosser is believed to be the same Richard Rosser, who some years later, in 1832, in Mercer Co., VA, applied for a Rev. War pension, S 31344. Transcribed pension (Page 83, Section 158 [Garrard Co. records]) Richard Rosser of Virginia Service S31344 applied in Garrard County, KY for pension 8-20-1832, age 75, a resident of Garrard Co., KY states he volunteered 9-1777, and marched from Fauquire [sic] Co VA under Major Martin Rickett, Capt. Benj. Harrison. He arrived at Germantown, on the day of the battle and assisted in burying the dead, the next day, the troops were commanded on the day of the battle by General Weeden, states he was a volunteer, that he marched from the place of rendezvous, through Leesburg, VA through Maryland to Germantown, thence after the burial of the dead, joined the main army at White Marsh, commanded by Gen. Washington, continued in service 4 months. Gen Wayne, Scott and Woodford, commanded Brigade - Col. Heath commanded a regiment of regulars. Col. Marshall commanded the regiment to which this applicant was attached. And served 3 months in the militia at the seige of York under Capt. Alexander Scott Bullett, afterwards transferred to Capt. Wm. Bailes, he was attached to the regiment of Col. Edmonds, that he was discharged after the seige and taking of Cornwallis and after having guarded the British prisoners to Albemarle Barracks in VA. Section 159 --Affidavit - We John Kemper, Thomas B. Maddox, citizens of Garrard Co., KY states they have known Richard Rosser many years and know him to be about 76 years of age and I john Kemper - certify that I was a mess mate that said Rosser in the first tour spoken of by him and know that he served said tour, that we were together the day after the Battle of Germantown and I Thomas B. Maddox, certify, that the said Richard Rosser marched as he states from my father's on the last tour of 3 months and I knew when he returned with the prisoners and believe he served as stated at York and we both certify that Richard Rosser we believe was a soldier of the Revolution. (Added to the transcription: See Jane Rosser pension papers in Garrard County, KY records. (Sec. 159) (From Mrs. Carl W. McGhee, HISTORICAL RECORDS OF HARRODSBURG (MERCER COUNTY) FORMERLY KNOWN AS OLD CRAB ORCHARD, LINCOLN COUNTY, STANFORD, KENTUCKY; Washington, DC, n.d. LAFHC 976.948s M1735-8 Vol. 2, pt. 1) (This is a very old booklet, practically in tatters. No doubt the full pension can be obtained from either the film, held by the NARA or at Salt Lake City, or by writing to National Archives for the proper form, which probably can now, in 2004, be downloaded.) ......... An Earlier Richard Rosser There is reference in Northern Neck land grants dating rom 1705 to at least 1746 to Richard Rosser in several counties. There is also reference to Rosser's Run, Prince William Co., VA. However, the name Richard Rosser has been carried down for generations in the United States, at least since the early 1700s in Richmond Co., VA. Refer to Wills of Farnham Parish of Richmond Co., VA. Northern Neck Land Grant References: Bk 3-128, dated 23 Feb 1705 refers to land adj Richard Rosser, Richmond Co. On 30 Jan 1726 [book not noted] Richard Rossier of King George Co., 264 A in King George Co. on Great Run of Rappahannock R above Naked Mt. [Compare with grants to John Kemper; this land later in Fauquier Co.] From Northern Neck Patent Books: Bk A-193 Richard Rossier of King George Co., 226 A in said Co. on N. great Branch of Rapphannock R, 7 Feb 1725. E-443, dated 14 Apr 1742. land in Prince William Co. adj Richard Rosser, Wm Settle 14 Apr 1742. (Gertrude E. Gray, NORTHERN NECK LAND GRANTS, V. I) Prince William Co., DB 1748-1749, a deed 26 Sep 1748 Wm. Duling to Alexander Munroe mentions line of Richard Rosser et al. (This probably was an older man than Richard Rosser of Garrard Co., KY, who was the brother-in-law of Kemper.) EWW