“The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor.”
This is entry #42 in Amy Johnson Crow’s Challenge: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.
#42 James ROOP 1808-1890 – Found on 8 Consecutive Censuses!
Descendants of the 1752 immigrant Johann Jacob RUPP used different spellings of the surname — RUPP, RUPE, ROOP, ROUP, ROOPE, ROUPE, RUPPE — from one generation to the next, even in the same family and same generation.
James ROOP was the baby of the RUPE family until his brother Joseph was born three years later. They were the 13th and 14th children of Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL.
I can’t imagine my 4th great-grandfather James ROOP being called Jimmie. I think he may have been given the nickname “Jimmie” after his death, maybe from a well-meaning descendant. When he was old enough to marry, have his own household, see his children marry, and make his will – he was always James ROOP, without a middle initial. This will be discussed, below, after the 1880 census listing.
James was the youngest of 17 people in his father Henry RUPE’s household in 1810.1
Montgomery County, Virginia
Christiansburg
Page 18
Henry Rupe
Free White Persons – Males – Under 10: 4 (James 2, Samuel 9, William 10, and ?)
Free White Persons – Males – 16 thru 25: 3 (George 19, John 21, Henry 21, William 24)
Free White Persons – Males – 45 and over: 2 (Henry 45 and ?)
Free White Persons – Females – Under 10: 2 (Nancy 4, Rachel 6)
Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 15: 1 (Mary 8)
Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25: 3 (Barbara 18, Catherine 15, and Elizabeth 22)
Free White Persons – Females – 45 and over : 2 (Catherine 42 and ?)
Number of Household Members Under 16: 7
Number of Household Members Over 25: 4
Number of Household Members: 17
Living next door to Henry RUPE was his nephew Jacob WEAVER with his wife Elizabeth, their son Soloman, two brothers, his sister Barbara, and his mother Barbara who was Henry’s sister. It has often been asked if the other couple (45 and over) in Henry’s household could have been his parents who would have been 87 and 88 years old. No evidence has been found to prove or disprove this.
James’ parents Henry and Catherine were born in Virginia per census listings of their four living children William, Rachel, Nancy, and James in 1880.2,3,4,5,This is not correct. Family tradition is that Heinrich Thomas “Henry” RUPE (1765-1845) was born about 1765 in Baltimore County, Maryland. We know that his wife Catherine Barbara NOLL (1768-aft. 1845) was born on 24 February 1768 and christened on 13 March 1768 in Manchester, Baltimore County, Maryland per church records.6 Manchester was originally part of Baltimore County, before the creation of Carroll County in 1837.
Following the end of the American Revolutionary War (19 April 1775-14 January 1784), Henry married Catherine in Baltimore County, Maryland. Catherine was a Lutheran and Henry was German Reformed. The church they attended was called Zion and was a union church. Both the Lutherans and the Reformed used the same building. The births and christenings of their first five children were recorded at this church: Jacob born 15 June 1786 and christened 30 July 1786, Elizabeth born 4 September 1787 and christened 31 October 1787, twins Henrich “Henry” and Johannes “John” born 27 February 1789 and christened 26 April 1789, and Barbara born 29 October 1792 and christened after 29 October 1792.7
James’ father Henry owned 100 acres of land in Baltimore County, Maryland, that he had bought from his father Johann Jacob RUPP who had acquired 115 acres in 1770 with Pennsylvania money. The land was known as Rhineharts Folly and was sold to Jacob Boblitz in 1793. Henry and Catherine were preparing to move their family farther south.8
They left Maryland in 1793 and made at least one stop along the way in Rockbridge County before continuing on to their destination. They arrived in Montgomery County, Virginia, in 1800. There is an interesting anecdote about why it took them so long.9,10
Traveling on what was once the Baltimore and Memphis Turnpike, the Rupe caravan crossed the Potomac at Harper’s Ferry in 1796. The caravan included Henry, his wife Catherine, and their family of several sons and daughters, the three older brothers of Henry, and their families. In crossing the Potomac the cattle and other larger animals were forced to swim, and the sons of Henry held the ropes attached to the horns of the cows. One wild cow pulled one of the unsuspecting Rupe boys overboard while crossing and he might have been lost had they not missed the cow, which finally reached shore with the boy swinging to her tail some distance downstream. The three brothers of Henry split with one of them going to Ohio, one to Western North Carolina, and the other to Georgia. Henry and family journeyed through the Shenandoah Valley and into Rockbridge County, bound for the southwestern section of the state, then rather sparsely settled. When they reached Buffalo Creek, four miles north of Natural Bridge, a great flood overtook them and they were forced to remain for several days. A report reached them that Natural Bridge had washed away, and it being the only passage, it would require four years to restore the bridge. They settled on Buffalo Creek and built a mill there, which they operated for years before they learned that the report of the bridge destruction was like Mark Twain’s comment on the first report of his death, considerable exaggereated. Early in the year 1800 they left Rockbridge Co. and wound up in Lunenburg Co., VA where they had at least one child before settling on Pelham’s Branch, near Little River, about eight miles southwest of Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., VA. The first recorded document for Henry in this area was the purchase of 326 acres on Aug. 17, 1804 from Abner Lester, to whom it had been granted by the Commonwealth in 1795.
During their travels, three more children were born: George P. in about 1794, Catherine in about 1795, and William in 1800 in Rockbridge. Once in Montgomery (or along the path they took), the family continued to grow. Samuel B. was born in 1801, Mary “Polly” about 1802, Rachel about 1804, and Nancy about 1806 before the two youngest, James about 1808 and Joseph about 1811 were born.
After Joseph was born, James’ parents must have decided that fourteen was enough. The oldest of their brood were beginning to have a look around at possible spouses in preparation for marrying and starting families of their own. Before the 1820 census, six marriages took place and two of James’ sisters had illegitimate children:
◉ Elizabeth ROOP married James COMPTON about 1811.11
◉ John RUPE and Elizabeth THOMPSON (1795-1870) were married by Jonathan HALL on 14 January 1813 in Montgomery County, Virginia.12
◉ Jacob ROOP and Susannah ALLEY (1790-1860) were married by Jonathan HALL on 20 April 1815 in Montgomery County, Virginia.13
◉ Catherine “Caty” RUPE married Jacob AKERS (1775-1860) on 27 June 1815 in Montgomery County, Virginia.14
◉ George RUPE married Margaret BALDWIN (1799- ) on 5 December 1818 in Jefferson County, Tennessee.15
◉ William RUPE married Ester AKERS (1802-1846) on 7 June 1820 in Montgomery County, Virginia.16
◉ Barbary RUPE created a bit of a scandal by giving birth to a male bastard child on 20 November 1815. Barbary signed a statement on 25 July 1816 that George PETERMAN got her with a child. They did not marry.17
◉ Mary “Polly” ROOP had a daughter in about 1818. Per the daughter’s marriage record her father was L. DOBBINS.18
One would think with so many children marrying Henry’s household would be shrinking. This was not the case as his two unmarried daughters and their children remained in the home. James was twelve in 1820 and may have been responsible for chores that his older married brothers once took care of. His single brothers Henry 31 and Samuel 18 were living at home and may have taken James along when they went hunting or worked their father’s land.
Montgomery County, Virginia
Newburn Township
Henry Roop Sr.
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons – Males – Under 10: 2 (Joseph 9 and George 5, s/o Barbara)
Free White Persons – Males – 10 thru 15: 1 (James 12)
Free White Persons – Males – 16 thru 18: 1 (Samuel 18)
Free White Persons – Males – 16 thru 25: 1 (Samuel 18)
Free White Persons – Males – 26 thru 44: 1 (Henry 31)
Free White Persons – Males – 45 and over: 1 (Henry 55)
Free White Persons – Females – Under 10: 1 (Barbary 2, d/o Mary)
Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 15: 1 (Nancy 14)
Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25: 3 (Rachel 16, Mary 18, Barbara 28)
Free White Persons – Females – 45 and over : 1 (Catherine 52)
Number of Persons – Engaged in Agriculture: 3
Free White Persons – Under 16: 5
Free White Persons – Over 25: 3
Total Free White Persons: 12
Total All Persons – White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 12
In 1823 James saw two more of his siblings marry. Henry ROOP Jr. married Mary “Polly” THOMPSON (1802-1880) on 7 June 1823.20 Rachel RUPE married John B. PHARIS (1797-1866) on 20 October 1823.21 Both marriages took place in Montgomery County, Virginia.
When John R. Charlton came around the RUPE place in June of 1830, James was 23 and still living at home. His parents were growing old and his sisters Barbara, Mary, and Nancy were unmarried mothers of 5 boys and 3 girls and still living in the RUPE household. Jacob, Henry Jr., John, and William had their own households.
Montgomery County, Virginia
Blacksburg
Enumerated by John R. Charlton
Page 89
Henry Roope Sr.
Free White Persons – Males – Under 5: 3 (grandsons: Byrd 3, s/o Barbara; Henry 4, s/o Mary; and James R. 4, s/o Mary)
Free White Persons – Males – 5 thru 9: 1 (grandson Crockett 7, s/o Mary)
Free White Persons – Males – 10 thru 14: 1 (grandson George 15, s/o Barbara)
Free White Persons – Males – 15 thru 19: 1 (Joseph 19)
Free White Persons – Males – 20 thru 29: 2 (James 23, Samuel 29)
Free White Persons – Males – 60 thru 69: 1 (Henry 65)
Free White Persons – Females – 5 thru 9: 2 (granddaughters: Susan 7, d/o Barbara, and Elizabeth 7, d/o Mary)
Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 14: 1 (granddaughter Barbary 12, d/o Mary)
Free White Persons – Females – 20 thru 29: 2 (Mary 28, Nancy 24)
Free White Persons – Females – 30 thru 39: 2 (Barbara 38, unknown)
Free White Persons – Females – 60 thru 69: 1 (Catherine 62)
Free White Persons – Under 20: 9
Free White Persons – 20 thru 49: 8
Total Free White Persons: 17
Total – All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 17
James ROOP married Elizabeth CARROLL on 23 July 1830 in Montgomery County, Virginia.23 Did they live with his parents during the early years of their marriage? His father, who did not own slaves, had quite a large amount of land by then and needed his sons’ help to farm it.
The last of James’ brothers married in the 1830s in Montgomery County. Joseph ROOP married Mary “Polly” CARROLL (1809-1909) on 13 September 1831.24 Samuel B. ROOP married Martha “Patsy” TOWNSLEY (1815-1870) on 7 January 1834.25 Joseph and James’ wives were sisters and daughters of Robert and Anne CARROLL.
James and Elizabeth had a half dozen children born in Montgomery County in the 1830s:
◉ Ch 1: Amanda “Manda” ROOP (1831-1894) born September 183126
◉ Ch 2: Floyd ROOP (1833-1923) born 12 May 183327
◉ Ch 3: Evaline ROOP (1835-1888) born 3 March 183528
◉ Ch 4: Peradine ROOP (1835-1909) born 30 November 183529
◉ Ch 5: Gordon ROOP (1838-1863) born about 183830
◉ Ch 6: Barbary Ellen ROOP (1839-1910) born 28 June 183931
In 1840 John R. Charlton once again walked or rode through the division, this time enumerating nine RUPE households. James’ sisters Barbary and Mary had their own households. Their father Henry was not listed as a Revolutionary War pensioner.
Montgomery County, Virginia
Page 26
James Rupe
Free White Persons – Males – Under 5: 1 (Gordon 2)
Free White Persons – Males – 5 thru 9: 1 (Floyd 7)
Free White Persons – Males – 30 thru 39: 1 (James 32)
Free White Persons – Females – Under 5: 3 (Avaline 5, Peradine 4, and Barbary Ellen 1)
Free White Persons – Females – 5 thru 9: 1 (Amanda 9)
Free White Persons – Females – 30 thru 39: 1 (Elizabeth 32)
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 1
Free White Persons – Under 20: 6
Free White Persons – 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total All Persons – Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 8
Three more children were born in Montgomery County following the 1840 census:
◉ Ch 7: Giles Henderson ROOP (1841-1863) born 2 February 184133
◉ Ch 8: William H. T. ROOP (1843-1863) born 6 November 184334
◉ Ch 9: Rachel Monacha ROOP (1845-1901) born about 184535
James’ father Henry RUPE prepared a will on 18 November 1845 and died suddenly of heart failure at the age of 80, while out walking on the farm sometime between the date of the will and the date of probate, which was 1 December 1845.36 He was survived by his wife Catherine whose date of death remains unknown. James and his siblings buried their father on the Old Henry Rupe homeplace.
Catherine and her daughters Elizabeth Compton, Barbara Rupe, Mary Roop, and Nancy Roop were missing in the 1850 census. Redmond Ira ROOP, a lawyer and great-grandson of old Henry, in his presentation at the 1927 family reunion, said that Catherine died in 1861 at the age of 95. She would have been 93 if she died in 1861, but what’s a year or two when you are in your nineties? She was not found in the 1860 census.
James’ brother William lost his wife, mother of nine children, about the same time as their father died. William then married Catherine CARROLL (1819-1879) on 4 November 1846 in Montgomery County, Virginia.37 Catherine was the third daughter of Robert and Anne CARROLL to marry one of the ROOP boys.
The year before the 1850 census was an eventful year for James, his wife, and their nine children. Elizabeth was pregnant with her 10th child. James wanted to get his own piece of land as his father’s estate would require several years to be settled. His father had left a large estate and James’ brother Jacob was named as executor in the will. On account of there being so many heirs widely scattered over the country, Jacob almost despaired a number of times before the estate was finally settled. Once in his desperation, he exclaimed, “Well, it has been so troublesome and vexatious that I am almost sorry that old gentleman ever died.”38
James and Elizabeth’s 10th child was born in September of 1849 and was named James Anderson ROOP. He was the first of their children to be born in Floyd County on the land that James would own. He’d made the decision to buy a piece of land containing 600 acres about 9 1/2 miles northwest of Floyd, in Floyd County, Virginia, on what is now known as the White Oak Grove Road. Alvin GRAHAM sold the 600 acres to James ROOP and the deed was recorded on 17 November 1849 in Floyd County’s Deed Book E on page 377.39
James cleared up the land and hewed the logs to build their house. He built a one-room, log structure, about 24 feet by 12 feet. The logs were daubed with mortar. The chimney was located on the southwest end and made with rocks. He built an unusually large fireplace with an arch of homemade bricks over the fireplace and a plain log mantel. The one-story log house had a hip roof with shingles and very plain wood cornices. There was no porch and the entrance was a plain yellow pine door made by nailing large planks together. It had common iron hinges and an old-fashioned door lock on the outside. Two unshuttered windows with 16 7″ by 10″ panes brought light into the single room. The ceiling was 8 feet high. James must have had help to lift the logs so high. Broad even planks made from hand-hewed logs covered the floor. There was no cellar and therefore no stairway. He built the kitchen about 8-10 feet away from the house as was common in those days.40
Years later the building was in such poor condition that it was torn apart and moved. In 1938 it was being used for a cow house by James’ grandson Amos L. ROOP (1855-1941) who lived on the property at the time.
Floyd County, Virginia
The Western District No. 15, Page No. 445A
Enumerated by me, on the 7th day of September 1850. Joseph L. Howard Ass’t Marshal.
HH #938-938
James Roop 42 M Farmer $600 Montgomery cannot read & write
Elizabeth Roop 42 F Floyd cannot read & write
Amanda Roop 18 F Montgomery
Floyd Roop 17 M Laborer Montgomery
Evaline Roop 15 F Montgomery
Peradine Roop 14 F Montgomery attended school within year
Gordon Roop 12 M Montgomery attended school within year
Barbary Roop 10 F Montgomery attended school within year
Henderson Roop 8 M Montgomery
William Roop 6 M Montgomery
Manarca Roop 5 F Montgomery
James Roop 8/12 M Floyd
Starting in 1850 until 1880 James was always seen as a farmer in the census. In 1850 the enumerator Joseph L. HOWARD misread the column “Place of Birth Naming the State, Territory, or Country” and filled in the name of the county that the individual was born in. Thank you, Mr. Howard! This is how I know that little James was the first child to be born on the new homeplace. Two more children were born there:
◉ Ch 11: Hamilton N. ROOP (1854-1919) born abt. December 185342,43
◉ Ch 12: Charles Monroe ROOP (1854-1928) born 10 August 185444
Five marriages took place in 1855-1856. Manda, Floyd, and Peradine married in 1855, the year before the White Oak Grove Church was built by neighbors of the community about a mile southeast of the James ROOP home.45,46,47 The first pastor of the church was my 5th great-grandfather, Rev. Owen SUMNER (1796-1874). The church was used as a school during the week. Evaline and Gordon may have married too early in 1856 to have their marriages performed in the new building but they were married by Rev. SUMNER, the grandfather of Gordon’s wife Emaline LESTER.48
More information on the marriages of James and Elizabeth’s children will be included in Elizabeth’s story next week.
Floyd County, Virginia
Page No. 99+100, Sheet No. 533+534
Enumerated by me, on the 16th day of July, 1960. Geo M. Well, Ass’t Marshal.
Post Office Floyd C.H. Va.
HH #712-669
James Roop 50 M Farmer $2000 $292 Virginia
Elizabeth Roop 50 F Virginia cannot read & write
Amanda Lester 28 F Virginia
Giles H. Roop 19 M Virginia attended school
William H. T. Roop 17 M Virginia attended school
Barbary C. Roop 20 F Virginia attended school
Rachel M. Roop 14 F Virginia attended school
Jas Roop 10 M Virginia attended school
Hamilton N. Roop 7 M Virginia attended school
Charles M. Roop 5 M Virginia attended school
Jas R. Lester 4 M Virginia (son of Amanda)
Lafayette Lester 2 M Virginia (son of Amanda)
American Civil War (4 Feb 1861-23 Jun 1865)
At the beginning of the War Between the States, the soldiers were gathered in the White Oak Grove Church and mustered. The ladies of the community prepared food and took it to the church for the men. Four of James ROOP’s sons (Floyd, Gordon, Giles Henderson, and William H. T.) and two of his daughters’ husbands (Amanda’s husband George Washington LESTER and Peradine’s husband Sylvester MILLS) served in Company A, 54th Infantry Regiment Virginia. Daughter Evaline’s husband Mathias RATLIFF served in Company E of the same regiment. Seven men in the family served and three did not come home: my third great-grandfather Gordon and his brothers Giles and William died in Georgia in 1863 while serving.
James and Elizabeth’s daughter Rachel married at home in 1866. Rev. SUMNER came to the house to perform the ceremony.50 Their son James married in 1868 in Montgomery County.51
Floyd County, Virginia
Page No. 9+10, Sheet 5A+5B
Alum Ridge Township
Enumeratd by me on the 5th day of August, 1870. B. P. Elliott, Ass’t Marshal.
Post Office Floyd C. H. Va.
HH #68-66
Roop, James 62 M W Farmer $1,500 $430 Virginia male US citizen over 21 yo
Roop, Elizabeth 62 F W Keeping house Virginia cannot read & write
Roop, Hamilton N. 17 M W farm laborer Virginia cannot read & write
Roop, Charles M. 15 M W farm laborer Virginia cannot read & write
Roop, Barbara E. 30 F W without occupation Virginia cannot read & write
In 1870 James’ household included his wife, two youngest sons, and Barbara Ellen who was on her way to being an old maid. James and Elizabeth’s youngest sons Hamilton and Charles were married by Rev. SUMNER at his home in 1872 and 1873.53,54 This left James and Elizabeth alone in 1880 as Barbary was living with her sister Rachel and her family.
Montgomery County, Virginia
Page No. 18
Christiansburg Magisterial District
Enumeration District No. 50, Sheet No. 356B
Enumerated the 11th day of June, 1880. John C. Wade, enumerator.
HH #151-153
Roop, James Sr. W M 71 married Farmer cannot read & write VA VA VA
Roop, Elizabeth W M 71 wife married Keeping House cannot write VA VA VA
James ROOP was never listed with a middle initial in any of the above censuses or on the marriage records of his children. Ancestry has him indexed as James W. ROOP in the 1880 census. A close look at the census image shows that he was listed as Sr. and his son James A. ROOP who lived next door was listed as Jr. This does not mean that James shared the same middle initial or middle name with his son. The abbreviation Sr. was misread for a W. [I needed to get that straightened out!]
The last of James and Elizabeth’s children finally married in 1888. Barbary was 49 years old the first time she married.56 It would not be the last. She was widowed twice and married again in 1898 and 1906.57,58 She didn’t remain an old maid after all.
James’ wife Elizabeth passed away during the 1880s. James most likely was enumerated on the Montgomery County census in 1890 as he is not seen on the substitute used for Floyd.59 The actual 1890 Floyd County, Virginia, census was among those destroyed in the fire/flood in Washington in 1921. An abbreviated copy was made before the original was sent off and can be found in the Court House in Floyd. In 1890 James made his will, dated 31 January 1890, in Floyd County and died there on 2 November 1890.60 If he had been on the 1890 substitute for Floyd he would have been found in nine consecutive censuses.
James Roop’s Will
Recorded in Floyd County, Virginia
Will Book F, Page 486
Will and Testament of James Roop – In the name of God, Amen. I James Roop of the County of Floyd and State of Virginia, being weake of body, but of mind and memory and calling to mind the mortality of my body make and ordain this my Will and Testament – and as vouching my worldly estate. When with it has pleased God to bless me with this life – I deaded to Floyd Roop, my son, he being heir of my body one hundred akers of land being part, this land lying in the County of Floyd and the State of Virginia, joining land of James Simmons and John Altizer and others. – I also bond James Roop, my son, being heir of my body, one hundred akers of land, this land being sold to George W. Lester of said James Roop and this deed were made to George W. Lester instead of James Roop, this land joining Cornelius Altizer. – I also bond Hamilton N. Roop, my son, being heir of my body, one hundred and twenty akers of land, said Hamilton N. Roop sold to A. L. Roop and this dead being made to A. L. Roop instead of Hamilton N. Roop, this land joining George Nixon. – I also deaded Charley Roop, my son, one hundred akers of land, he being heir of my body, this deed were made to his wife and heirs instead of said Charley Roop, this land joining Perdine Peterman.
I allso desire Gordon Roop, my son, he be heir of my body, his heirs to have fifteen dollars, a peace, there names being Thomas Roop, and Gordon Roop and Dolley Roop.
Perdine Roop, my daughter, she being heir of my body, has received her part in land this dead was made to Silvester Mills her husban instead of said Perdine his wife, This land is none (sic, known) as the Canaan Simons land lying on the Waters of Little River joining lands of C. D. Lester, this land lying in the County of Floyd and State of Virginia. – The amount of Perdine money that I paid for this land is mention in Silvester’s deed.
I allso desire at my death for the rest of my estate to be eaqely divided amongst my four daughters. They being heirs of my body, Amanda Roop, and Avealine Roop, and Barbery Roop, and Rachel M. Roop. My requests is that A. L. Roop to be my Administrator. – This 31st day of January 1890.
His
James X Roop
Mark
Witness: James A. Simmons
H. D. Simmons
Virginia – In Floyd County Court held on this 14th day of September 1897, a paper in writing, purporting to be the last Will and Testament of James Roop, deceased, was produced in court proven by the Oaths of James A. Simmons and H. D. Simmons, the Subscribing Witnesses thereto. Admitted to probate and ordered to be recorded. Thereupon, A. L. Roop, the Executor named in same Will. Together with Ira S. Hylton and J. M. Roop, his surieties, entered unto said acknowledged a Bond in the Penalty of $1000.00 conditioned according to law. A certificate is granted said A. L. Roop for obtaining probate of said will in due form.
The final settlement of James ROOP’s will was made on 18 September 1897 in Floyd County, Virginia.
This Post was Updated on 16 October 2022: Missing source citations were added, images were scaled, and some corrections were made to the text and format.
© 2014–2022, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.
- 1810 U.S. Federal Census (index and images), Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7613/), citing Third Census of the United States, 1810 population schedule, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C. NARA microfilm publication M252, 71 rolls, NARA Roll M252_70, Vam252_70-0085; FHL Roll: 0181430, Virginia, Montgomery County, Christiansburg, page 641, line 10, Henry Rupe (accessed 17 October 2014). ↩
- 1880 U.S. Federal Census (index and images), Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/), citing Tenth Census of the United States, 1880 population schedule, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C., NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls, Roll: T9_433; Kentucky, Menifee County, Ridge, Enumeration District: 74, page 39-40, sheet 668C lines 47-50 and sheet 668D lines 1-2, household 327-344, Smith Roop with father William in the household (accessed 7 March 2011). ↩
- Ibid., Roll: T9_1378; Virginia, Montgomery, Auburn, Enumeration District: 56, page 22, sheet 485B, lines 41-45, household 183-191, James R. Pharris (accessed 9 Jan 2005). ↩
- Ibid., Roll:T9_1375; Virginia, Lee County, Jonesville, Enumeration District: 41, page 26, sheet 202B, lines 32-41, household 217-218, Asa Roop (accessed 19 December 2010). ↩
- Ibid., Roll: T9_1378; Virginia, Montgomery County, Christiansburg, Enumeration District: 50, page 18, sheet 356B, lines 45-46, James Roop Sr. (accessed 18 October 2014). ↩
- C. T. Zahn and Frederick S. Weiser, translators and editors, Maryland German Church Records Volume 10, Zion Church “The German Church”, Manchester, Carroll County — today Trinity United Church of Christ Records, 1760-1836 and Immanuel Lutheran Church Records, 1760-1853 (published by the Historical Society of Carroll County, Westminster, Maryland). ↩
- Ibid. ↩
- Where I Found the Land Records of my RUPE Ancestors in Maryland ↩
- Redmond Ira ROOP (1869-1947), a report given at the 1927 family reunion in Carroll County, Maryland, by Henry’s great-grandson Redmond as noted in the research of Linda P. (Dickey) Roop (1943-1994). Linda’s source is unknown. ↩
- Update as of 10 Oct 2022: Personal Property Tax lists of Rockbridge, Botetourt, and Montgomery counties were consulted. Henry was found in Rockbridge from 1794 to 1800 with a possible entry for 1793 (surname spelled Rupert). Henry was in Montgomery as of 1804. The gap between 1800 and 1804 indicates a possible stopover. The only county between Rockbridge and Montgomery County was Botetourt where no listing for Henry was found. The Lunenburg PPT lists are not listed in the FamilySearch catalog. The information that Mary ROOP was born in Lunenburg was given by her oldest son Crocket ROOP in 1868 when he reported her death. This record has not been found. I find it hard to believe the family traveled to Lunenburg and then back west to Montgomery. All counties contained in the triangle formed by Rockbridge, Lunenburg, and Montgomery need to be checked to confirm the tale. ↩
- No record of the marriage has been found. James Compton was first seen on the 1810 Montgomery County PPT indicating he had just turned 21 years of age. Henry Compton, the first known child of Elizabeth and James was born about 1812. As Elizabeth appears to have been living at home in 1810, I’ve estimated the marriage at about 1811. ↩
- “Register of marriages, Montgomery County, Virginia, 1777-1853,” (browse-only images), FamilySearch, citing microfilm of original records at the Virginia State Library in Richmond, Virginia, Film 32633, DGS 7579015, Index of marriage register, 1777-1853 — Register of marriages, 1777-1853, image 603 of 673, page 361, John Roup and Betsy Thompson married by Jonathan Hall on 14 Jan 1813. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9XF-FXT7?i=602&cc=4149585&cat=361831 : accessed 11 October 2022). ↩
- Ibid., Film 32633, DGS 7579015, Index of marriage register, 1777-1853 — Register of marriages, 1777-1853, image 604 of 673, page 362, 20 April 1815 Jacob Rupe and Susannah Alley married by Jonathan Hall. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9XF-FXQT?i=603&cc=4149585&cat=361831 : accessed 12 October 2022). ↩
- Ibid., Film 32633, DGS 7579015, Index of marriage register, 1777-1853 — Register of marriages, 1777-1853, image 384 of 673, page 146, 27 Jun 1815 Jacob Acres and Caty Rupe, witness/security Henry Rupe. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89XF-FFNX?i=383&cc=4149585&cat=361831 ; accessed 12 October 2022). ↩
- “Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002,” index and images, Ancestry, citing “Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002,” (microfilm) Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee. George Roupe, male, married 5 Dec 1818 in Jefferson County, Tennessee, spouse Margaret Baldwin. (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 March 2016). ↩
- “Register of marriages, Montgomery County, Virginia, 1777-1853,” Film 32633, DGS 7579015, Index of marriage register, 1777-1853 — Register of marriages, 1777-1853, image 408 of 673, page 170, 7 Jun 1820 William Rupe married Ester Akers, father of groom Henry Rupe, father of bride Blagburn Akers, 5 securities/witnesses. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99XF-F6Q8?i=407&cc=4149585&cat=361831 : accessed 12 October 2022). ↩
- Louise Roop Anderson Akers, comp., The Family Rub, Rup, Rupe, Roop, Roope (2001 Printed by Jamont Communications, 339 Luck Ave., Roanoke, VA 24016). Photocopy of a document dated 25 July 1816 concerning the examination of Barbary Roop by E. Howard concerning the bastard child she delivered on 20 November 1815 and naming George Peterman as the father. ↩
- “Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRS5-Z9D : accessed 6 April 2016), Wm. Lane and Barbara Roop, 02 Jul 1856, bride’s father’s name reputedly L. Dobbins; citing Montgomery, Virginia, reference n 44; FHL microfilm 2,048,462. Images not available online 12 October 2022. ↩
- 1820 U.S. Federal Census (index and images), Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7734/), citing Fourth Census of the United States, 1820 population schedule, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C., NARA microfilm publication M33, 142 rolls, NARA Roll M33_130, image 349, Virginia, Montgomery, Newburn, sheet 181A, line 16, Henry Roop Sr. (accessed 16 December 2004). ↩
- “Register of marriages, Montgomery County, Virginia, 1777-1853,” Film 32633, DGS 7579015, Index of marriage register, 1777-1853 — Register of marriages, 1777-1853, image 423 of 673, page 185, 7 Jun 1823 Henry Rupe married Polly Thompson, Elswick Thompson father of bride was security/witness. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99XF-F6Q6?i=422&cc=4149585&cat=361831 : accessed 12 October 2022). ↩
- Ibid., Film 32633, DGS 7579015, Index of marriage register, 1777-1853 — Register of marriages, 1777-1853, image 426 of 673, page 188, 20 Oct 1823 John B. Pharis and Rachel Rupe, Henry Rupe security/witness. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9XF-FXVN?i=425&cc=4149585&cat=361831 : accessed 12 October 2022). ↩
- 1830 U.S. Federal Census (index and images), Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8058/), citing Fifth Census of the United States, 1830 population schedule, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C. NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls, Roll M19_198, Family History Library Film: 0029677, Virginia, Montgomery County, Blacksburg, page 89, line 14, Henry Roope Sr. (accessed 17 October 2014). ↩
- “Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1771-1989,” database with images, FamilySearch, citing Marriage, Virginia, United States, Circuit court clerk offices, Virginia, Marriage records, 1785-1861, DGS 7740792, Film 2047122 (item 3), Marriage record 1812-1841, image 101 of 854, right page, 7th entry, 8 Jun 1830, James Roop and Elizabeth Carrol, citing Montgomery County, Virginia. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C91C-TPS4?cc=2134304 : accessed 23 December 2021). ↩
- Ibid., Marriage records, 1785-1861, DGS 7740792, Film 2047122 (item 3), Marriage record 1812-1841, image 111 of 854, left page, 2nd entry, Joseph Roop and Mary Carl married 13 Sep 1831 by Richd Buckingham who published it 26 Jun 1832. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C91C-TPSM?cc=2134304 : accessed 25 December 2021). ↩
- Ibid., Marriage records, 1785-1861, DGS 7740792, Film 2047122 (item 3), Marriage record 1812-1841, image 113 of 854, left page, last entry, 7 Jan 1834 Saml Roop and Patsy Townsley married by Richd Buckingham and published 14 Jan 1834. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C91C-TPQW?i=112&cc=2134304&cat=1135002 : accessed 23 December 2021). ↩
- Marguerite Tise, comp., The Lester Family of Floyd and Montgomery County Virginia (copyright 1996 Marguerite Tise, P.O. Box 343, Floyd, VA 24091-0343), pg. 20. ↩
- “Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014,” index and images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9278/), citing Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia, Certificate of Death No. 4986, Registration Area No. 601A. Floyd Roop, male, white, age 89, born 14 May 1833, died 4 Feb 1923 in Montgomery, Virginia, registration date 8 Feb 1923, father James Roop, mother Betsy, spouse Mary. (accessed 28 December 2015). ↩
- Find A Grave, database and images. (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39327168/eveline-ratliff: accessed 12 October 2022), memorial page for Eveline Roop Ratliff (3 Mar 1835–1 Mar 1900), Find a Grave Memorial ID 39327168, citing Edgemont Church Cemetery, Montgomery County, Virginia, USA; Maintained by Cardsfan23 (contributor 49145760). Photos by Gayle Fisher (contributor 47054020) confirm the dates of birth and death. ↩
- Ibid., (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/116584501/peradine-mills: accessed 12 October 2022), memorial page for Peradine Roop Mills (15 May 1836–30 Mar 1909), Find a Grave Memorial ID 116584501, citing Simmons Cemetery, Mountview, Raleigh County, West Virginia, USA; Maintained by Walter Pack Family (contributor 47557175); photos of marker by D. Mack (contributor 46909657) confirm the dates of birth and death. ↩
- Rena Worthen & Barbara Reininger (co-project), “Index to Marriages of Floyd County, Virginia 1831-1940 (and few others too),” index and images, part of the Floyd County, Virginia, The USGenWeb Project online https://sites.rootsweb.com/~vafloyd/floyd.htm, citing the images of Floyd Co., VA marriages downloaded by Rena Worthen from the Library of Virginia Microform indexed by Barbara Reininger, Marriage License of Gordon Roop age 18 and Emeline Lester age 20 married 10 Mar 1856. (http://sites.rootsweb.com/~vafloyd/Mar%20FCVA1856/FCVA1856RoopLester.jpg : accessed 2 March 2020). The groom’s birth is estimated at about 1838: 1850 age 12 (census), 1856 age 18 (marriage), and 1860 age 22 (census). ↩
- The source for the date of birth of Barbary Ellen is at this time unknown. It may have come from one of the two books on the Roop families. Both need to be checked for confirmation. ↩
- 1840 U.S. Federal Census (index and images), Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8057/), citing Sixth Census of the United States, 1840 population schedule, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C., NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls, Roll: 704_567; FHL Film: 0029689, Virginia, Montgomery County, page 26, line 22, James Roop (accessed 16 December 2004). ↩
- The source for the date of birth of Barbary Ellen is at this time unknown. It may have come from one of the two books on the Roop families. Both need to be checked for confirmation. ↩
- Ibid. ↩
- Estimated from age at the time of the census and other documents. ↩
- “Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1983,” (index and images), Ancestry, citing original data of Virginia County, District, and Probate Courts, Montgomery County > Mixed Records, Vol 7-8, 1842-1856 > Will Book 7, page 285-286, 1845 Will of Henry Roupe (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9085/images/007645480_00161 : accessed 11 October 2022). ↩
- “Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1771-1989,” Marriage bonds, 1844-1848, Film # 007740802, images 405+406 of 699, William Rupe and Robert Carrell went bond on 4 Nov 1846 for the marriage of William Rupe and Catharine Carrell. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C91C-53V2-M?cc=2134304 : accessed 25 December 2021). ↩
- Everette L. McGrew, My Mother Was A Rupe (revised August 2000). ↩
- “Deed books, 1831-1900; general indexes, 1831-1980,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/399119?availability=Family%20History%20Library), citing microfilm of original records at the Floyd County Courthouse in Floyd, Virginia, Film 31339, DGS 8572238, Deed books, v. D-F 1844-1853, image 485 of 790, Deed Book E, page 377, Roop from Graham deed for 600 acres in Floyd County. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C373-GH5Q?i=484&cat=399119 : accessed 13 October 2022). ↩
- “Virginia Historical Inventory,” Library of Virginia (https://lva-virginia.libguides.com/historical-inventory), Peters, Genevieve H. et al.,
Jimmie Roop homeplace : survey report, 1938 Jan. 12, call number VHIR/10/0586, 4 image files (Library of Virginia, 1999). This write-up is a part of the Virginia W.P.A. Historical Inventory Project sponsored by the Virginia Conservation Commission under the direction of its Division of History. (https://lva.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01LVA_INST/altrmk/alma990006904200205756 : accessed 11 September 2007). ↩ - 1850 U.S. Federal Census (index and images), Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8054/), citing Seventh Census of the United States, 1850 population schedule, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C., NARA microfilm publication M432, 1009 rolls, Roll: M432_943, Virginia, Floyd County, sheet 445A, household 938-938, lines 5-16, James Roop (accessed 17 October 2014). ↩
- On the 1900 census his month and year of birth were noted as December 1854. He was seen in 1860 as age 7 and in 1870 as age 17 and later became younger. As the early census could be more reliable than the later, I estimate his birth at about December 1853. The date of birth on the death certificate, 10 August 1855, was written in two different hands. See footnote 43. ↩
- “Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014,” Certificate of Death No. 40835, Registration District No. 601B. Ham N. Roop, male, white, age 63, born 10 Aug 1855, died 8 Dec 1918 in Montgomery, Virginia, registration date 9 Dec 1918, father James Roop, mother Mary Carl. (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 December 2015). The informant may have confused his date of birth with that of his brother Charles who was born on 10 August 1854. ↩
- “Virginia, U.S., Birth Registers, 1853-1911,” (index and images), Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/418338:62153), citing Virginia, Birth Registers, 1853–1911at the Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia., Floyd County Register of Births 1854, page 27 (stamped), line 19, 10 August 1854, Charles M Roop, male, white, 10 Aug 1854, James Roop and Elizabeth Roop (accessed 13 October 2022). ↩
- “Index to Marriages of Floyd County, Virginia 1831-1940 (and few others too),” 1855 George W. Lester and Amanda Roop marriage. (http://sites.rootsweb.com/~vafloyd/Mar%20FCVA1855/FCVA1855LesterRoopMar%20Light.jpg : accessed 2 March 2020). ↩
- Ibid., 1855 Floyd Roop and Mary Blackwell marriage. (http://sites.rootsweb.com/~vafloyd/1_Marriages%20of%20Floyd%20County.htm : accessed 2 March 2020). ↩
- Floyd County (Virginia) County Clerk, “Marriage registers, 1843-1925” (browse-only images), FamilySearch, citing microfilm of original records at the Floyd County Courthouse in Floyd, Virginia., Film 31345 (Items 3), DGS 7578964, image 138 of 606, Floyd County Register of Marriages 1855, line 16, 30 Aug 1855, Sylvester Mills and Peradine Rupe. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89XF-K9SM-B?i=137&cat=363663 : accessed 13 October 2022). ↩
- “Index to Marriages of Floyd County, Virginia 1831-1940 (and few others too),” Marriage License of Gordon Roop age 18 and Emeline Lester age 20 married 10 Mar 1856. (http://sites.rootsweb.com/~vafloyd/Mar%20FCVA1856/FCVA1856RoopLester.jpg : accessed 2 March 2020). ↩
- 1860 U.S. Federal Census (index and images), Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7667/), citing Eighth Census of the United States, 1860 population schedule, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C., NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls, Roll: M653_1345, Family History Library Film 805345, Virginia, Floyd County, sheet 533-534, page 99+100, lines 30-40 and line 1, household 712-669, James Roop (accessed 8 January 2016). ↩
- “Marriage registers, 1843-1925,” Film 31345 (Items 3), DGS 7578964, image 152 of 606, Floyd County Register of Marriages 1855, line 33, 8 Mar 1866, Wm L Simmons and Rachel M Roop. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89XF-K9SM-4?i=151&cat=363663 : accessed 13 October 2022). ↩
- “Virginia, U.S., Marriage Registers, 1853-1935,” (index and images), Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62154/), citing Virginia, Marriage Registers, 1853–1935 at the Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia., Montgomery County Marriage Register 1868, page 202, line 107, 26 Nov 1868 James Roop 20 and Elizabeth J Roop 25 married by Amos Dickerson. (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/286910:62154 : accessed 13 October 2022). ↩
- 1870 U.S. Federal Census (index and images), Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/), citing Ninth Census of the United States, 1870 population schedule, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C., NARA microfilm publication T132, 13 rolls, M593_1646; Virginia, Floyd, Alum Ridge, page 9+10, sheet 5A+5B, line 39+40 and lines 1-3, household 68-66, James Roop (accessed 8 January 2016). ↩
- “Marriage registers, 1843-1925,” Film 31345 (Items 3), DGS 7578964, image 171 of 606, Floyd County Register of Marriages 1872, line 55, 15 Aug 1872 Hamilton N Roop and Mary E Epperley married by Owen Sumner. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9XF-KBT7?i=170&cat=363663 : accessed 13 October 2022). ↩
- Ibid., Film 31345 (Items 3), DGS 7578964, image 173 of 606, Floyd County Register of Marriages 1873, line 33, 17 Mar 1873 Chas M Roop and Martha Epperley married by Owen Sumner. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9XF-K99Y-G?i=172&cat=363663 : accessed 13 October 2022). ↩
- 1880 U.S. Federal Census, Roll: T9_1378; Virginia, Montgomery County, Christiansburg, Enumeration District: 50, page 18, sheet 356B, lines 45-46, James Roop Sr. (accessed 18 October 2014). ↩
- “West Virginia, U.S., Compiled Marriage Records, 1863-1900,” index-only, Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/4484/), original data: Dodd, Jordan, comp. West Virginia Marriage Records, 1863-1900, Nathaniel Thompson, male, married Barbara E. Roop, female, 12 Sep 1888 in Raleigh County, West Virginia, citing Raleigh County, West Virginia Marriages, 1865-1900. County court records located in Beckley, West Virginia, or Family History Library microfilm #0598403 (unavailable online at FamilySearch). Not available on WVCulture.org. ↩
- West Virginia Vital Research Records Project (database and images), West Virginia Division of Culture and History citing county records in county courthouses, West Virginia (A collaborative venture between the West Virginia State Archives and the Genealogical Society of Utah to place vital records online via the West Virginia Archives and History Web site accessible at https://archive.wvculture.org/vrr), West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970, FHL microfilm 598432, image 268, Marriage License of Henderson Beckelheimer and Barbara Ellen Thompson. (http://images.wvculture.org/598432/00268.jpg : accessed 11 October 2022). ↩
- Ibid., West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970, FHL microfilm 589347, image 37, Marriage Register, line 6, 21 Aug 1906 Charles Cochran and Barbary E. Beckenhamer [Beckelheimer]. (http://images.wvculture.org/589347/00037.jpg : accessed 11 October 2022). ↩
- Barb Reininger (transcribed & annotated by), 1890 Floyd County, Virginia Census, RootsWeb (https://sites.rootsweb.com/~vafloyd/BarbR_FCVAResearch/zz_census_1890_fcva_main1.htm). “Floyd County, Virginia, is nearly unique in that the 1890 Census record for the county is one of the very few surviving census records for that year for the entire country.” ↩
- “Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1983,” index and images, Ancestry, citing original data of Virginia County, District, and Probate Courts, Floyd County, Virginia, Will Book F, page 486, Last Will and Testament of James Roop dated 31 January 1890.(https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9085/images/007645227_00302 : accessed 14 March 2022). ↩
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Opening Doors in Brick Walls 
I enjoyed reading about the Roop family.Thanks for telling their story.
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Thank you Beverly for reading it.
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Nice detective work! You’re so fortunate to have found the anecdote about your family as well as all the other details. It’s wonderful family history : ).
Do you know how they acquired the land in Buffalo Creek?
I’m surprised that they moved so soon after building a mill. However, it does look like they had better plans seeing that they continued to pursue land ownership with the purchase of 326 acres. They were very adventurous. So many of our ancestors just stayed in one place for generations.
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Thank you Wendy! Althought this post is for James Roop I really wanted to get the anecdote in about his father Henry Rupe moving the family. I haven’t been able to find anything (yet) that supports Redmond’s statement about them staying at Buffalo Creek and building a mill. I’m pretty sure that Henry’s travelling with his three older brothers must be exaggerated. The siblings’ timelines don’t seem to match but I’m saving that for a later post.
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I also greatly enjoyed the anecdotes as well as the facts and research. What a family, what a legacy. Thanks for another adventure!
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Thank you Helen. The entire ROOP line is one of my favorites! My grandmother Myrtle Hazel (Roop) Dempsey has a special place in my heart. I wish she were still here to share this with.
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Whew! What a story, I need a break now to catch my breath:). You did z great job gathering all thst info. I can’t imagine traveling likd they did and having all those children. And you wonder with hardly any mail or slow at best – how did they decide where they would travel to. You wonder how long it took to get to Ohio from Va? Another great read – so many name variations to chase here!!!
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Thank you Jeanne. This family did not go to Ohio, they remained in Virginia. The anecdote needs serious research. As I mentioned above in a comment I believe there may have been some exaggeration. We have to remember that people who passed on our family stories 50 to 100 years ago did not have access to all the records we are able to use today. I know it’s hard to imagine travelling and that with children who most likely had to walk as wagons were filled with things they needed along the way and to set up household once they came to their destination. In those times it might have taken then 2-3 days to travel 25 miles as there were no roads as we know them today.
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As others have stated. I’m loving the read. Following your family thru your eyes. Awesome. Thank you. You inspire me to find more on my lineage of Rupe’s.
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Thank you Cathy. We know that your Rupe line also came through Virginia but earlier than mine. This week I looked up another family in the chancery records of Virginia and found that the index and cover sheet (image) did not mention all names. I am convinced that the records are there to show that both of our Rupe lines were in Virginia before 1800 – we only need to find them.
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Yes, I so feel we are connected. Just reading your post put me thinking of what their lives were. Thank you.
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My name is Shawn Roop
My grandfather is Raymond Roop
Great grandfather is William Edward Roop
Great great grandfather is John William Roop born in West Virginia in the 1870s am I related to the same roops
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Shawn, I don’t have your line. I’ll check to see if I can find a John William Roop born in WV in the 1870s and try to work the line up and down. It would help if you could give me the name of his wife or the wife of William Edward Roop. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
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Shawn, I found your line back to John William Roop of Jefferson County, West Virginia. His 1904 marriage license to”Emily V. Tattersol ” gives his name as John W. Roop Jr. No parents are listed. Jr. would suggest he was the younger of two men named John W. Roop living in the county or his father was the Sr. I was not able to find a 1900 census record for him with his parents and/or siblings.
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I wonder how many people are listed on eight (let alone nine) census records. Pretty amazing, especially given when he lived. Great work as always, Cathy. I have to admit that I winced at the reference to James’ unmarried daughter as an old maid!
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Thank you, Amy. Today the term may be derogatory but I’ve always thought of them as strong women who didn’t depend on a man. 🙂
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That status of being a single woman is not the issue. It’s the term “old maid”—used even when the woman isn’t old and isn’t a maid—or a maiden to designate someone who will never be married and is sad and pathetic. Remember the card game? No one wanted to be the old maid–stuck alone with no one.
We don’t have a term for a single man other than bachelor, and we use that for young men and older men. Although “spinster” has taken on some negative connotations, at least on English records it’s used for all previously unmarried women on marriage records so doesn’t convey the sense of hopeless loneliness that old maid does. Since I have a 38 year old unmarried daughter, I may be especially sensitive to the terminology. She is no old maid! 🙂 I guess I would use the term single woman or unmarried woman.
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I understand what you mean, Amy. The term has a different meaning for me than it does for you. It might be the European influence.
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