Setting the Record Straight: The Rupe Family’s Migration Trail Story

Family lore, oral or written, makes for interesting storytelling. Sometimes it contains a certain amount of truth. As the stories are passed on from one generation to the next, we lose track of who recounted which part of a story. And oftentimes, misconstrued facts are added to the story. This is the case in the story of the Henry RUPE family’s travels from Maryland to their final destination in Virginia.

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… 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… They settled on Buffalo Creek and built a mill there… 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.

Note: Parts of the narrative have been omitted as they contain family lore that cannot be substantiated.¹

This isn’t meant to expose previous researchers’ work as fallible but to question and verify the evidence.

Is the story that the RUPE family lived in Lunenburg County plausible?

The story of the RUPE family’s travels includes the claim that they were in Lunenburg County when Mary ROOP was born in about 1802. Afterward, they continued on to Montgomery County.

Did the family take a detour to Lunenburg County on their way from Buffalo Creek to Christiansburg? Geographically, it seems unlikely.

Where did the information come from?

Everette Llavon McGREW (1923-2008) gifted me a 169-page revised version (August 2000) of his original 78-page book My Mother Was A Rupe (1995) on 28 January 2002. I requested and received written permission on 28 February 2006 to quote with credit any portion of his book even though he mentions in the preface that he was not copyrighting his work.

How did the book come to be written?

Linda P. (Dickey) ROOP (1943-1994) and Everette L. McGREW had been working on their respective ROOP genealogies when they met in the early 1990s. They decided that with Everette’s help, Linda would write the book on the family. Everett sent copies of his work to her and in January 1993 Linda sent him a rough draft. He returned it to her with updates, corrections, and comments. Linda died of fast-growing cancer in September 1994 at 51, without publishing the book. Everette “attempted to take it from there” and published My Mother Was A Rupe in 1995.

When or where did the Lunenburg claim come from?

Everette wrote on the second page of the book, “The main facts that we know about Henry and his family came from a report that Redmond Ira Roop, a great-grandson of Henry’s, gave at a family reunion in Maryland in 1927.” He continued with the narrative [short version above] without indicating if it was a direct quote or if the report was being paraphrased.

The above story has been repeatedly shared online but…

Who was the storyteller?

I’ve gone back and forth trying to figure out who may have written the narrative. Which parts came from Redmond ROOP and which parts from Everette, Linda, or another storyteller?

Did Redmond ROOP attend a family reunion in 1927 and give a speech or report?

On 21 August 1927, a Roop family held its first reunion at Dunkard Meeting House, Meadow Branch, Carroll County, Maryland. The following day, the event was reported on in The Evening Sun (Hanover, PA). Redmond I. ROOP was not present.²

Did Redmond ROOP speak at a family reunion at any other time?

On 2 September 1928, the same Roop family held its second annual reunion. Once again the event was reported in The Evening Sun. This time the subtitle read: “Redmond Roop, Christianburg, Va., Gives Interesting Address At Meadow Branch Church Where Clan Meets” and further notes that Mr. ROOP had only learned of the reunion the month before.³ (Christiansburg was misspelled in the newspaper headline.)

In 1796 he moved his family to Virginia and settled on Buffalo Creek and established a mill and made his living there for several years when he later moved to Montgomery County where he purchased large tracts of land. 

Was the information Redmond ROOP gave at the reunion family lore or did he do actual research?

It’s been 95 years since Redmond Ira ROOP (1869-1947), a lawyer from Christiansburg, Virginia, gave his presentation at the family reunion in Carroll County, Maryland. Did he keep a written copy of his presentation? Did Linda or Everette obtain a copy?

Several claims by Redmond ROOP in the article are false.

“Henry Rupe, as it was first spelled, came from Germany in the early 17th century, having lived along the Rhine river, and landed in Baltimore.”

17th century? That should ring some warning bells! Henry’s parents came to America with three young sons from Oberhoffen (Northern Alsace, present-day France) and arrived in Philadelphia on 20 October 1752 on the ship “Duke of Wirtenburg” (Württemberg) that sailed from Rotterdam and Cowes under Captain Daniel Montpelier.⁴,⁵,⁶

“A son Oscar moved with his family to Missouri and later became a prominent judge.”

Redmond must have been mistaken about this. Henry RUPE and his wife did not have a son named Oscar. The furthest west that any of the sons went was (in order of distance) Pulaski County VA (John), Lee County VA (Jacob), Menifee County KY (William), and Wayne County IN (George).

Of more importance, the newspaper article of the 1828 Roop reunion gives no mention of the family’s stay in Lunenburg County. In all likelihood, Redmond was not the person who added that place to the travels of the RUPE family.

What do we know about the travels of the family?

On 23 April 1793 Henry RUPE of Baltimore County, Maryland, sold Rhineharts Folly in Pipe Creek Hundred to Jacob BOBLITZ. Henry’s wife Catherine relinquished her dower rights. The indenture was recorded on 14 May 1793.⁷

Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL left Maryland in 1793 with five children and made at least one stop along the way in Rockbridge County before continuing on to their final destination.⁸

An error or omission in the 1793 land deed called for the necessity of the land deed to be recorded again in 1798. Henry ROOP of Rockbridge County left his mark on 19 May 1798 and the indenture was recorded in Baltimore County on 15 September 1798.⁹ This is proof of his residency.

On 13 January 1801, Henry ROOP was in Rockbridge County when he made the following oath concerning his sister-in-law Polly NULL (aka NOLL):¹⁰

Rockbridge County To Wit
This Day Came before me a Justice
of the Peace for said County Henry Roop and
made oath that Polly Null who is about
to be married to James Hart is of his own
knowledge above the age of Twenty one
years — Certified under my hand this 13th Jany
1801 Alex Sheilds

The family was in Montgomery County, Virginia by 1804 when Henry bought land and was first seen on the Personal Property Tax list of the county.¹¹,¹²

Where did the claim of the family being in Lunenburg really come from?

Apparently, the information that Mary “Polly” ROOP was born in Lunenburg County was given by her oldest son Crockett ROOP in 1868 when he reported her death.

Recently, while searching for another record, I stumbled upon the  1868 register of deaths for Montgomery County. Polly ROOP died on 17 November 1868 in Montgomery County at the age of 66 years of heart disease. Her parents are correctly listed as H. & Catherine ROOP. Crockett ROOP was the informant.¹³

1868 Register of Deaths for Montgomery County, Virginia courtesy of Ancestry.com

Where was Polly ROOP born? In the column for “Where born?” the first entry in the register is Montgomery. About a dozen entries follow with ” or ditto marks. In the entry for Washington PARISH, a new place was entered: Lunenburg Co. The next two entries are for ROOP individuals with Crocket ROOP as the informant. Ditto marks indicate the birth was in Lunenburg Co.

The first entry is for “Henrietta ROGERS,” age 28, daughter of “Saml & P. ROOP” (Samuel ROOP and Martha “Patsy” TOWNSLEY). This is Harriett L. F. ROOP, wife of William P. ROGERS. The parents match. The age is a match. The married name matches. The marriage record shows that Harriett was born in Montgomery County.¹⁴ Her father Samuel was a brother of Polly ROOP. Crockett was her first cousin and should have known that her name was Harriett and not Henrietta and that she was born in Montgomery.

Further, the entry following Polly’s is for “Zepha WILLIS” with the informant being Chris WILLIS. This is Zelpha DOBBINS who married Christopher WILLIS in 1827 in Montgomery.¹⁵ Zelpha was the daughter of Thomas DOBBINS and Mary RATLIFF, a couple who lived in Montgomery County at the time of her birth.

I believe the ditto marks are NOT meant to indicate Lunenburg is the place of birth for Harriett, Polly, and Zelpha. Crockett ROOP and Christopher WILLIS didn’t give incorrect information; the clerk took a shortcut and didn’t fill in Montgomery as the county of birth. See footnote.¹⁶

The person before Mary on the death register (her niece Harriet) and the person after Mary (Zelpha) were both born in Montgomery County. Is it safe to say Mary was also born in the same county and NOT in Lunenburg County?

Was Samuel ROOP born in 1801 or 1803 in Montgomery County?

As seen above, Mary ROOP was born in about 1802 per the age listed on her death record. Her brother Samuel ROOP was born in Montgomery County according to his death record.¹⁷ Was he younger or older than Mary?

This question is hard to answer. Per the age at death listed in the register, he would have been born about 1803. The year 1801 is found in a published book and on the memorial marker of Samuel’s parents.

Louise Roop Anderson Akers used the proceeds from her book The Family Rub, Rup, Rupe, Roop, Roope (2001) to buy a memorial marker for the spot believed to be the final resting place of Henry RUPE and his wife Catherine Barbara NOLL. Although it includes the names of all of their children only Henry, Catherine, their youngest son Joseph and some of his family were buried in the Henry & Catherine Rupe Family Cemetery outside of Riner, Virginia.

Louise gifted me a hardcover revised copy of her book. The year of birth for Samuel (1803) is crossed out and 9-4-1801 (Sep 4, 1801) was written in by hand by Louise. She made several corrections to his family group suggesting she may have received information from a family member. She likely used this information for the memorial marker that has Samuel’s year of birth as 1801.

The RUPE family went from Rockbridge to Montgomery

The Henry RUPE family didn’t take a detour to Lunenburg County after leaving Rockbridge County and coming to Montgomery County. They took the direct route others took before them, traveling the Great Valley Road.

Public domain, released by David Dilts, a Family History Research Wiki user.

The evidence of the trail they took was found in tax lists, land deeds, and a marriage record proving that Henry RUPE aka ROOP was in Rockbridge County from 1794 until 1801. He was then found in tax lists from 1804 until he died in Montgomery County proving his residence there from 1804 to 1845. In 1802 and 1803 Henry Rupe was not on the Montgomery County PPT lists.

The story passed down from one generation to the next was enhanced. An event gleaned from a death record was the only evidence that the family might have lived in Lunenburg. By scrutinizing the entire page of the death register and considering where the information came from, I believe an error in the death records of Mary ROOP and two other persons was unintentionally made by a clerk.

Can evidence other than the poorly documented births of Samuel and Mary be found to set the record straight and confirm the RUPE/ROOP family was in Montgomery County as early as 1802? What’re two years in the lives of our ancestors who lived over 200 years ago? Two years make a difference in debunking this family lore.

See more articles on the ROOP families here.

© 2023, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

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1. Everette L. McGrew, My Mother Was A Rupe (1995, revised copy dated August 2000), p. 2. ↩
2. The Evening Sun, (Hanover, Pennsylvania), A Publisher Extra Newspaper, “Roop Family Holds First Reunion,” Monday 22 Aug 1927, p. 6, col. 3-4. (https://www.newspapers.com/image/520626438 : accessed 22 October 2022). ↩
3. Ibid., “Roop Family Has Its Annual Reunion, Redmond Roop, Christianburg, Va., Gives Interesting Address At Meadow Branch Church Where Clan Meets” Monday, September 3, 1928, p. 6, col. 4-5. (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45449069/roop-family-reunion-1928/ : accessed 21 October 2022). ↩
4. Strassburger, Ralph Beaver (compiler), and William John Hinke (editor), Pennsylvania German Pioneers, A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals in the Port of Philadelphia from 1727 to 1808, Volume I, 1727-1775, Archive.org (https://archive.org/details/pennsylvaniagerm03penn_2/), Pennsylvania German Society, Norristown, Pennsylvania, 1934, pages 497-499, List 190C, 20 Oct 1752, The Duke of Wirtenburg (https://archive.org/details/pennsylvaniagerm03penn_2/page/496/mode/2up and 1 subsequent image : accessed 15 February 2016). ↩
5. Annette Kunsel Burgert, Eighteenth Century Emigrants from the Northern Alsace to America  (Camden Press, Camden, Maine, 1992), pg. 413-414, entry #409 for Rubb, Joh. Jacob of Oberhoffen. ↩
6. Dr. Friedrich Krebs, Eine Liste deutscher Auswanderer nach den amerikanischen Kolonien aus Zweibrücken in der Pfalz 1750-1771, citing Rubb, Jacob, von Oberhofen (Kr. Weißenburg, Els.) mit Weib und 3 Kindern 1752 ↩
7. MDLandRec.Net – A Digital Image Retrieval System for Land Records in Maryland, database with images, Maryland State Archives, Annapolis (online http://mdlandrec.net/), Baltimore County Court (Land Records), WG LL, p 157-158 [2 images], MSA CE 66-86, 1793 land deed for 100 acres (Rheinharts Folly) Henry Rub to Jacob Boblits (accessed 5 March 2016). ↩
8. Personal Property Tax lists of Rockbridge, Botetourt, and Montgomery counties were consulted. Henry was found in Rockbridge from 1794 to 1800. There is a possible entry for 1793 for Henry but the surname was spelled RUPERT. ↩
9. MDLandRec.Net, Baltimore County Court (Land Records), WG 56, p 39-40 [2 images], MSA CE 66-106, 1798 land deed for 100 acres (Rheinharts Folly) Henry Rub to Jacob Boblits (accessed 5 March 2016). ↩
10. “Marriage bonds and licenses, 1786-1902,” browse-only images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1155579), microfilm of original records at the Rockbridge County Courthouse in Lexington, Virginia, Film 2025346, DGS 7738870, Marriage bonds, 1797-1803, image 549 of 919, Oath of Henry Roop that Polly Null was above the age of 21 years. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C91H-CQB8-4?i=548&cc=2134304&cat=1155579 : accessed 20 October 2022). ↩
11. “General index to deeds, 1773-1933; deeds, 1773-1868; wills, 1773-1797,” browse-only images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/373892), microfilm of original at the Montgomery County courthouse in Christiansburg, Virginia, Film 32610, DGS 7645568, Deeds Vols. D-E 1803-1815, image 109 of 693, Deed Book D, pg. 204, 17 Aug 1804 Abner Lester to Henry Rupe of Mtg co Va for 200 pounds for 326 ac on Pelham branch of Meadow Creek a branch of Little River and New River (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89P6-5Q4M?i=108&cat=373892 : accessed 20 October 2022). ↩
12. Henry first shows up on the Montgomery PPT lists in 1804. The 1801-1803 gap indicates a possible stopover while traveling from Rockbridge to Montgomery. The only county between these two places was Botetourt where no listing for Henry was found. ↩
13. “Registers of marriages, 1854-1902, births, 1853-1868, 1871, and deaths, 1853-1868, 1871, 1889,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/361834), microfilm of original records at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Christiansburg, Virginia, Film 32631, DGS 7724885, Register of deaths, 1853-1868, 1871, 1889 (two entries for 1912), image 355 of 360, Death Register 1868, entry 38, Polly Roop, 17 Nov 1868, heart disease, age 66, H & Catherine Roop, b. & d. Montgomery Co., informant Crocket Roop. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BK-LWCT-1?i=354&cat=361834 : accessed 19 October 2022). ↩
14. “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 1867, page 220, line 70, 27 Jun 1867 Wm P Rodgers and Harriett L. F. Roop, both born Montgomery, married by C. A. Miller (accessed 19 October 2022). “.” ↩
15. “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 445 of 673, 24 Jul 1827, Christopher Willis and Zilpha Dobbins, Thomas Dobbins father and security (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99XF-F6ST?i=444&cc=4149585&cat=361831 : accessed 20 October 2022). ↩
16. More information about how the death register was created is needed. It is in alphabetical order, not chronological, line numbers are not consecutive, and all entries are written in the same handwriting. This is an indication that the information was copied at a later date. In the original register, the clerk likely assigned a certain number of spaces for each letter of the alphabet. As some lines were not used, these numbers would be missing on the copied page. ↩
17. “Death registers, 1853-1906 (Virginia)” browse-only images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/780106), Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics, citing microfilm of the original records at the Virginia State Library at Richmond, Virginia., Film 2048578, DGS 4225402, Montgomery County, 1853-1896, image 133 of 698, Register of Deaths, np, 1858, line 14, Samuel Roope, May 26, inflammation of bowels, age 55, parents Henry & Catherine Roop, born Montgomery, consort and informant Martha Roop. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6WM4-7Z?i=132 : 10 October 2022). ↩

A Date of Death for Catherine Barbara NOLL (1768-1859)

It’s National Women’s History Month! What better way to start the month than with a post about my latest genealogy *happy dance* find concerning an ancestress who has been featured in several posts with her husband. (see links at the bottom of this post)

It was a known fact that my 5th great-grandmother Catherine Barbara NOLL was still living at the time of her husband Henry RUPE’s death in late November 1845. It has been assumed by some researchers that Catherine died before the 1850 census as she was not listed. I have always thought this to be an error as her daughters Elizabeth Compton, Barbara Rupe, Mary Roop, and Nancy Roop were also omitted even though they are known to have been living at the time. Many of her son William’s children from his first marriage were also missing.

Catherine and Henry’s son Jacob ROOP was still settling his father’s estate in January 1860 when the Widow’s Dower went to the youngest son Joseph. Could this mean their mother was recently deceased?

Where could the answer be found?

I found the answer to this question in the Chancery Records of Virginia.

The Chancery Records Index (CRI) is a result of archival processing and indexing projects overseen by the Library of Virginia (LVA) and funded, in part, by the Virginia Circuit Court Records Preservation Program (CCRP). Each of Virginia’s circuit courts created chancery records that contain considerable historical and genealogical information.

http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/chancery/

Yesterday morning, while skimming through my Facebook News Feed, I noticed a post by my friend Ta Lee who I got to know when she recognized one of her enslaved families on my blog. Ta mentioned that new chancery cases are available and she was so excited. When I asked her which counties, she told me, Montgomery. I was a bit disappointed as I have been waiting impatiently for Amherst to come online.

This was the last update I saw on Montgomery: The bulk of this series runs from 1773 through 1913. 05/02/2016- These records are currently closed until they are digitally reformatted. The index remains available for research purposes.

Last year I had gone through the index and noted several cases which looked promising due to the names listed. One of these was John Roop, etc. vs. Jacob Roop, Exr, etc. from 1870. I was not expecting to make the find I made!

Chancery Causes: John Roop, etc. vs. Jacob Roop, Exr, etc.(transcription of the first 4 images of 36)

[http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=121-1870-012 : image 1]

Chancery Causes: John Roop, etc. vs. Jacob Roop, Exr, etc. (286 in corner)
1870-012
Montgomery County
CA estate dispute
T property
Deed
Names: Roope, Compton, Paris, Akers, Faris, Smith, Chandler, Chandlin, Silvers, Roupe
Will: 1845 Henry Roope : Montgomery County

[http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=121-1870-012 : image 2]

To the Hon. Andrew S. Fulton Judge of the County Court of Montgomery
Your orators John Roop and Henry Roop respectfully represent unto your Honor that Henry Roop Sen. departed this life in the year 1845 in the County of Montgomery having made & published his will in due form of law whereto was admitted to probate in the County Court of said County at the December Term in said year.
By his said will the testator appointed his son Jacob Roop his executor who duly qualified as such and entered into bond for the faithful discharge of his duties with Samuel Lucas, William C. Taylor & Joseph Roop as his securities.
A copy of said will is herewith filed and prayed to be taken as a part of this bill.
It will be seen by reference thereto that the testator devised to his widow Catharine Roope one third of his real estate for life & directed his executor his executor (sic) to make sale of the residue upon a credit of one and two years & the proceeds to be divided among his children of whom there were thirteen entitled to distributions.
Your orators further represent that sometime after the qualification of the said executor as aforesaid – he commenced a negotiation with the devisees under said will for the purchase of their interests in two thirds of said real estate which finally resulted in a sale on the part of most of them to him of their interests aforesaid.
Among those who thus sold were your orators. Your orator John Roop sold his interest in said real estate at the sum of $100 and in the personal estate at the sum of fourteen dollars and your orator Henry Roop received for his interest in the real & personal estate the sum of $110. Your

[http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=121-1870-012 : image 3]

his interest in said real estate at the sum of $100 and in the personal estate at the sum of fourteen dollars and your orator Henry Roop received for his interest in the real & personal estate the sum of $110. Your orators ? that the said Jacob Roop effected this purchase from them by representing the title to a portion of the land as defective that much of it was worn out and without timber & that the land sold at public auction would not bring as much as he was willing to give. Your orators having entire confidence in the integrity & judgement of said Jacob Roop made the sale of their interest aforesaid & afterword in June 1851 conveyed the same to him.
Your orators further represent that said Roop held possession of said land until the year 1850 when he made a pretended sale of the same & purchased it in himself at the sum of $8-01 cts per acre. Your orators believe that the time & place of sale was known to but few persons – that there was but little competition and the conduct of said Roop was such as to discourage bidding from the bystanders – Sometime after this, in Oct 1851, the said Jacob Roop made a sort of settlement of his executorial accounts, a copy of which is therewith filed and prayed to be taken as a part of this bill – It will be seen by reference thereto that the testator owed no debts – that the few items of credits claimed by the executor were for charges attending the administrations of said estate & for various sums paid the legatees for their interest as aforesaid – And although the said executor charges himself with 2/3ds of said land at the sum of $8-01ct per acre – yet he has only paid your orators the several sums here in before mentioned – nor has he ever acc?iled in any wise for any portion of the rents & profits of said land between the death of the testator in 1845 & the time of sale in 1850.
Your orators further represent that the said Catharine Roop departed this life in July or August of 1859 – Since which time the said Jacob Roop puts up the extraordinary claim that the sale & purchase aforesaid embraced the one third given to said Catharine Roop. But your orators and that they only conveyed & intended to convey their interests in the said two thirds as herein before stated. But they are advised that this is wholly immaterial in as much as a fiduciary will not be permitted to speculate upon those he represents – that the executor in this case will be held to account for the said two thirds at the price per acre bid by him – and as to the residue of said land he will be required to make sale of the same in the manner directed by the will or to account for its market value – Your orators are informed & so over that the said tracts of land contain 440 acres of land instead of 400 acres as represented to them by the said Jacob Roop for which he will also be held accountable intended consideration of the premises the prayer of your orators is that the said Jacob Roop in his own right & as executor as aforesaid

[http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=121-1870-012 : image 4]

George Roop – James Roop – Barbara Roop – Nancy Roop – James Comptin & Elizabeth his wife late Elizabeth Roop – Polly Roop – John Pharis & Racheal his wife formerly Racheal Rupe – Linch Akers – Wm Silvers & Ruth his wife, Narcissa Akers, Jackson Silvers & Lucinda his wife, Minnis Chandler & Catherine his wife – William Smith administrator of Samuel Roop & Joseph Roop devisees undersaid will, may be made parties defendant to this bill & required to answer the same on oath –
Let the said Jacob Roop answer & say what amount he paid your orators severally for their interest in said estate whether he did not buy in said land at the price aforesaid and let him full & specific answer make to all the allegations in this bill as though the same were herein especially repeated – And may it please your Honor to grant your orators a ?? for the amount due them upon the sale made by said executor herein before mentioned – and also for a sale of the said one third of the real estate in the manner provided for in said will – and grant your orators all such further and general relief as the nature of their case may require and the principles of equity & good conscience dectable?
                                                                                                      Staples & Wade

When did Catherine Barbara Noll die?

Catharine Roop departed this life in July or August of 1859 –

To be continued….

Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL ~ The Early Years in Maryland (1765-1793)

Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL ~ The Years in Rockbridge (1793-1801)

Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL ~ At Home on the Old Henry Roop Place

Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL ~ Family Life in Montgomery County, Virginia

The Last Will and Testament of Henry RUPE 1765-1845

Henry RUPE’s Estate and his Widow Catherine’s Last Days

© 2017, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

17th Century Ancestors: Anna Sybilla and Hannes Bartel RUPP

If there is no pedigree collapse in the family tree we’ll have 512 sets of 8th great-grandparents. The last time I checked I had the names of 37 of these 1024 ancestors. But how many of these are well documented? Or is it possible to have them as well documented as the later generations? If we calculate three generations per century our 8th great-grandparents (generation 11) may have lived about 366 years ago or around 1650 – during the 17th century.

My 8th great-grandparents Anna Sybilla and Hannes Bartel RUPP are my earliest known RUPP ancestors. They are 2 of the 37 known ancestors in this generation. More importantly, their lives and their children’s have been documented from 1685 until their deaths using the Reformed Protestant church records of Steinseltz.

Photocopy of Film Number: 775041. Notizen 1737, 1758 Taufen 1685-1787 Konfirmationen 1689-1792 Heiraten 1685-1787 Tote 1685-1786 Taufen, Heiraten, Tote 1789-1790, 1792. International Film of the Family History Library. Accessed by Theron A. Rupe in the 1990s.

They lived during the Grand Siècle dominated by Louis XIV who expanded the borders of France to include, among other regions, Alsace where the RUPP family made their home. It was a period in history of increased colonization of the Americas by Europeans. It would however take another two generations before a descendant would pull up roots, travel to Philadelphia, and begin a new life in the new world.

Reformed Church of Steinseltz in December 2001

Hannes Bartel RUPP was born about 1650. This estimate was made from his age at death recorded in the church record for his death and burial.[1] The names of his parents are unknown. In his children’s records his name was seen as Hans Barthol, Hannes Bartel and Joh. Barthol (Joh. being the abbreviation of Johann or Johannes). Naming the father when a young single person was confirmed, became a godparent, or married was characteristic of the church records. Early records for Hannes Bartel, for the time prior to his 36th year, were not found as the church records for Steinseltz, including Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg, did not cover the period before 1685.

He married Anna Sybilla about 1670. The names of her parents as well as her maiden name are not known. Anna Sybilla was born about 1648 – her age at death was recorded in a short sentence about her death and burial in the church records.[2] On 26 December 1687, when she was already a mother and married to Hannes Bartel, she became the godmother of Anna Margaretha, daughter of Hans Barthel KUNTZ and his wife Anna Juditha of Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg.[3] This child would later marry her youngest son and become her daughter-in-law.

Hannes Bartel and Anna Sybilla had the following children.

1. Johann Jörg “Hans Georg” RUPP was born about 1670 – his age at death was 51 years in 1721.[4] Records were found documenting his being a godfather of at least two children.[5], [6] Johann married Anna Maria OSTERTAG, daughter of Hans Peter OSTERTAG and his wife Anna Judith, on 3 November 1693 in Steinseltz.[7] Anna was born on 23 July 1674.[8]  Hans Georg, as he was also known, died on 24 December 1721 in Steinseltz and was buried there two days later on 26 December 1721.[4] His widow Anna Maria died on 30 May 1749 in Steinseltz and was buried there the following day.[9] Anna Maria was the godmother of at least five children.[10], [11], [12], [13], [14]
2. Hans Martin RUPP[15] was born before 1680 – assuming he was at least 21 years of age at the time of his marriage in 1700. He was the godfather of at three children.[16], [17], [18] Hans Martin married Anna Apollonia WENNER, daughter of Hans WENNER, on 16 January 1700 in Steinseltz.[15] He died before 28 April 1707 when his widow Anna Apollonia married Johann Nicolaus NAEGER.
3. Anna Eva RUPP was born before 1680 as she became a godmother in 1693 – she would have had to be confirmed, likely at the age of 14-17 years, to become a godmother. Anna Eva and her future husband became a godparents for the same child on 9 October 1695.[19] Anna Eva married Wendel RUMMEL of Cleeburg on 16 January 1700 in Steinseltz.[20] After their marriage they lived in Cleeburg. The church records for Cleeburg for the years 1685-1755 were lost making nearly impossible to research the line. On 13 May 1725 Anna Eva of Cleeburg was mentioned in the church records of Steinseltz when she became the godmother of her brother Johann Jacob’s daughter.[21] 
4. Catharina RUPP was born before 1686 (birth was not found in the Steinseltz church records which begin in 1685). She became a godmother on 21 December 1703 in Steinseltz.[22] No further record was found for her in Steinseltz.
5. Maria Margaretha RUPP was born before 1686 (birth was not found in the Steinseltz church records which begin in 1685). She became a godmother for Maria Dorothea, daughter of Johann Jacob RUPP Senior and his wife Anna Catharina of Steinseltz, on 24 August 1720 in Steinseltz.[23] No further record was found for her in Steinseltz.
6. Johann Daniel RUPP was born about 1680. He became a godfather in 1700 in Steinseltz.[10] He married Anna Catharina FETZER, daughter of Hans Paulus FETZER and and his wife Apollonia, on 10 February 1711 in Steinseltz.[24] He became a godfather in 1719 in Steinseltz.[25] Johann Daniel died at the age of 52 years on 26 January 1732 in Steinseltz and was buried there two days later.[26]
7. Johann Michael RUPP was born on 3 November 1686 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and baptized in Steinseltz.[27] He married Anna Barbara WOLTER on 14 January 1710 in Steinseltz.[28] Johann Michael died on 22 November 1711 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and was buried on 24 November 1711 in Steinseltz.[29]
8. Johann Jacob RUPP Jun. was born on 27 April 1689 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and baptized on 1 May 1689 in Steinseltz.[30] He married Maria Apollonia FETZER (1689-1743), daughter of Hans Paulus FETZER and his wife Apollonia, on 21 February 1713 in Steinseltz.[31] Johann Jacob died on 30 October 1732 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and was buried on 1 November 1732 in Steinseltz.[32] This couple, my 7th great-grandparents, were featured in The RUPP-FETZER Family of Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg.
9. Johann Phillip RUPP was born on 26 August 1691 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and baptized on 29 August 1691 in Steinseltz.[33] He was confirmed in 1709[34] and became a godfather in 1714[35] and in 1723[36] Johann Phillip married Anna Margaretha KUNTZ, daughter of Hans Barthol KUNTZ and and his wife Anna Juditha, on 13 February 1714 in Steinseltz.[37] Anna was born on 21 December 1687 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and baptized on 26 December 1687 in Steinseltz.[3] As noted earlier, her godmother became her mother-in-law. She died on 30 June 1741 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and was buried on 2 July 1741 in Steinseltz.[38] Johann Phillip died on 21 April 1751 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and was buried on 22 April 1751 in Steinseltz.[39]
10. Anna Margaretha RUPP was born about 23 July 1696 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and baptized on 23 July 1696 in Steinseltz.[40] Anna Margaretha was confirmed Easter of 1711 in Steinseltz.[41] She became a godmother in 1712[42] and in 1715[43]. She became a godmother for Maria Dorothea, daughter of Johann Jacob RUPP Senior and his wife Catharina, on 19 March 1723 in Steinseltz.[44] Anna Margaretha married Johann Jacob WENNER, son of Simon WENNER and Maria Dorothea BEYERFALCK, on 13 April 1723 in Steinseltz.[45] Johann Jacob was born on 4 March 1697 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and baptized on 6 March 1697 in Steinseltz.[46] Anna Margaretha died on 2 September 1732 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and was buried on 3 September 1732 in Steinseltz.[47] Her widower Johann Jacob WENNER died on 8 November 1732 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and was buried on 10 November 1732 in Steinseltz.[48]

Hannes Bartel RUPP died on 12 February 1707 at the age of 57 years in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg, and was buried the next day in Steinseltz.[1] His widow Anna Sybilla died a little over four years later on 11 December 1711 at the age of 63 years in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and was buried the following day in Steinseltz.[2]

The ages at death for Hannes Bartel and Anna Sybilla suggest she may have been two years older. This may be proven or refuted at a later date. The next step in researching this line would be to check the surrounding towns for Reformed Protestant church records or perhaps other denominations prior to 1685.

This concludes my series of posts for the RUPP line written since the beginning of the year. A complete list of posts can be found in The ROOP Book. I hope you have enjoyed meeting the ROOP, RUPE, RUPP families. Are they also your families? Please leave a comment below letting me know how you are related.

Sources:
[1] Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin (67), browsable images of parish and civil records. Any utilization other than for private use, even non-commerical, is subject to a signed license agreement., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 223 of 268, right page, last entry. 1707 Death Record (age 57). (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769182 : accessed 28 May 2013).
[2] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 224 of 268, right page, last entry. 1711 Death Record (age 63). (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769183 : accessed 28 May 2013).
[3] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 13 of 268, right page, first entry. 1687 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768971 : accessed 20 May 2016).
[4] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 226 of 268, left page. 1721 Death Record, left page, last entry for 1721. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769186 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[5] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 29 of 268. 1704 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768987 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[6] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 30 of 268. 1708 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768988 : accessed 2 May 2016).
[7] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 187 of 268. 1693 Marriage Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769146 : accessed 28 May 2013).
[8] Kern Family Genealogy, online http://www.kerngenealogy.com/getperson.php?personID=I2189&tree=tree1; accessed 15 June 2013.
[9] Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin (67), Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 243 of 268, left page. 1749 Death Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769203 : accessed 28 May 2013).
[10] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 25 of 268. 1700 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768983 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[11] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 32 of 268. 1711 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768990 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[12] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 33 of 268. 1713 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768991 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[13] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 34 of 268. 1717 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768992 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[14] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 35 of 268. 1721 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768993 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[15] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 188 of 368, right page . 1700 Marriage Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769147 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[16] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 21 of 268. 1696 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768979 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[17] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 22 of 268. 1697 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768980 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[18] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 24 of 268. 1698 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768982 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[19] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 20 of 268. 1695 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768978 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[20] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 188 of 268, right page. 1700 Marriage Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769147 : accessed 2 June 2013).
[21] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 38 of 268. 1725 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768996 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[22] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 28 of 268, right page. 1703 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768986 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[23] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 35 of 268. 1720 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768993 : accessed 2 June 2013).
[24] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 190 of 268. 1711 Marriage Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769149 : accessed 8 June 2013).
[25] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 34 of 268. 1719 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768983 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[26] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 230 of 268, left page. 1732 Death Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769190 : accessed 8 June 2013).
[27] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 11 of 268 . 1686 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-3796171 : accessed 2 June 2013).
[28] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 190 of 268, page 367 . 1710 Marrage Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769149 : accessed 7 June 2013).
[29] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 224 of 268 , right page. 1711 Death Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769183 : accessed 2 June 2013).
[30] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 15 of 268, left page, 2nd entry. 1689 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768973 : accessed 1 June 2013).
[31] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 191 of 268, left page, last entry. 1713 Marriage Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769150 : accessed 26 May 2013).
[32] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 231 of 268, right page, 5th entry. 1732 Death Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769191 : accessed 2 June 2013).
[33] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 17 of 268, page. 1691 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768975 : accessed 1 June 2013).
[34] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 163 of 268. 1709 Confirmation Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769121 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[35] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 33 of 268. 1714 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768991 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[36] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 37 of 268. 1723 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768995 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[37] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 191 of 268 . 1714 Marriage Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769150 : accessed 8 June 2013).
[38] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 238 of 268, left page . 1741 Death Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769198 : accessed 28 May 2013).
[39] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 245 of 268, left page . 1751 Death Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769205 : accessed 28 May 2013).
[40] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 223 of 268. 1696 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769182 : accessed 1 June 2013).
[41] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 163 of 268. 1711 Confirmation. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769121 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[42]  Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 32 of 268. 1712 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768990 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[43] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 33 of 268. 1712 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768991 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[44] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 36 of 268. 1723 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768994 : accessed 22 May 2016).
[45] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 193 of 268, page 372 . 1723 Marriage Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769152 : accessed 14 June 2013).
[46] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 22 of 268, left page, 1st entry. 1697 Baptismal Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1768980 : accessed 14 June 2013).
[47] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 231 of 268, right page. 1732 Death Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769191 : accessed 14 June 2013).
[48] Ibid., Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 231 of 268, right page. 1732 Death Record. (http://archives.bas-rhin.fr/detail-document/ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519#visio/page:ETAT-CIVIL-C475-P84-R91519-1769191 : accessed 14 June 2013).

Genealogy Sketch

Name: Hannes Bartel or Hans Barthol RUPP
Parents: unknown
Spouse: Anna Sybilla (maiden name unknown)
Parents of spouse: unknown
Whereabouts: Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and Steinseltz in Alsace, France
Relationship to Cathy Meder-Dempsey: 8th great-grandfather

1. 1. Hannes Bartel RUPP
   2. Johann Jacob RUPP Junior
   3. Johann Jacob RUPP
   4. Henrich “Henry” RUPE Sr.
   5. James ROOP
   6. Gordon ROOP
   7. Gordon Washington ROOP
   8. Walter Farmer ROOP
   9. Myrtle Hazel ROOP
   10. Fred Roosevelt DEMPSEY
   11. Cathy Meder-Dempsey

© 2016, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

The Johann Jacob Rupp Family History Spans Two Continents

Back in the 1990’s my 4th cousin twice removed (4C2R) Theron Arvel RUPE consulted the microfilm of the Family History Library for the Protestant church records before 1752 for the little town of Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg in the Bas-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France. Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg is the longest name of any commune in the Bas-Rhin department. It should always be referred to in it’s entirety [previous posts have been corrected] as there is another Oberhoffen in the Bas-Rhin department. Oberhoffen-sur-Moder lies 40 km (25 miles) south of Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg.

An entry in Annette Kunsel Burgert’s Eighteenth Century Emigrants from the Northern Alsace to America[1] led Theron to research in Bas-Rhin for the Johann Jacob RUPP family. On pages 413-414 under entry 409 for Rubb, Joh. Jacob of Oberhoffen (Burgert did not give the full name of the town) the following information was given:

Johannes NONNENMACHER of Merckweyler md. 25 November 1721 Maria Barbara STAMBACH, daughter of Jacob STAMBACH of Oberkutzenhausen. They had 5 children: Maria Barbara 1722 md. Joh. Jacob RUBB, Anna Eva 1724-1733, Anna Maria 1727, Christina 1730 md. Joh. Michel WERNER, and Margaretha 1733. After the death of Johannes NONNENMACHER his widow Maria Barbara md. 1734 Joh. Michael FÜNFROCK. She died in 1768 and he emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1770.[1]

Although the above was very helpful for the ancestry of Johann Jacob RUPP’s wife Barbara no information was given for his parents. Nevertheless, Burgert included very important information on the three sons of Jacob RUPP and his wife Barbara – their dates of birth and baptism as well as the name of the church record they were found in: Steinseltz Reformed Kirchenbuch.[1]

FamilySearch Catalog: https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/350938?availability=Family%20History%20Library

Theron consulted the film (above) and found several entries for Johann Jacob RUPP. The first (below) was for his birth on 8 March 1723 and his baptism the next day. His parents are seen as Johann Jacob RUPP jun. (Jüngere=the younger) and his wife Maria Apolnia (sic). His godparents were Hans Georg RUPP’s son Johann Peter, Peter THOMAS’ son Johann Jacob, and Johann Philipp ERLMANN’s daughter Anna Juliana. Hans Georg RUPP was an older brother of the father of the child. The relationship of the other two sponsors has not been researched.

Photocopy of Film Number: 775041. Notizen 1737, 1758 Taufen 1685-1787 Konfirmationen 1689-1792 Heiraten 1685-1787 Tote 1685-1786 Taufen, Heiraten, Tote 1789-1790, 1792. International Film of the Family History Library. Accessed by Theron A. Rupe in the 1990s.

As fate would have it, also on the same page of the church book was the birth and baptism of a set of twins born to Johann Jacob RUPP sen. (Senior=the elder) and his wife Anna Catharina (2. above) At the time Theron, or the person helping him with deciphering and translating, thought the elder RUPP was the father of the younger RUPP and followed the elder’s trail back. Rupp Sen. was the son of another man named Johann Jacob RUPP. Confusing? At the time it seemed logical and the line of Jacob RUPP b. 1723 was seen going back two more generations with father and grandfather having the same name.

If you take another look at the FamilySearch catalog entry for the church records of Steinseltz, under Notes you will see the records once available only on FHL film have been online since 20 July 2010 at the Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin at this direct link to the church and civil records.

Access to the Archives of the Bas-Rhin is free. To access the site you must agree to their conditions by checking the box at the bottom “J’accepte ces conditions” (I accept these conditions). These are in French and in a nutshell allow you to use the images for your own personal use. You are not allowed to distribute them to the public or third parties without permission. If you wish to share them on the internet or in a publication you must sign a license for the public release of the images and send it to the Bas-Rhin archives for approval. This applies to commercial and non-commercial use. A fee may be applied when the use is of a commercial nature. There are several different variants of the license depending on the use of the images. Once you have agreed to the conditions, by checking the box, you may proceed to the graphic version or the adapted version of the site.

I learned about the records being online in May 2013 and found about 130 church records for RUPP individuals for the time period 1685-1752 within days but it took a bit longer to figure out where they belonged in the RUPP family tree.

The Most Important Discovery

Hans Barthol RUPP was the father of the younger Johann Jacob RUPP. Johann Jacob RUPP the elder was NOT the father of Johann Jacob RUPP the younger. They were born two years apart and most likely were cousins. Johann Jacob (father of Johann Jacob sen.) and Hans Barthol (father of Johann Jacob jun.) had an 8 years difference in age and died the same year. They were the only RUPP men of similar age during the time period in the Steinseltz church records. No reference to their parents was made in the records found. My assumption at this time is they may have been brothers. Further research will take me to Lembach and Wissembourg for Protestant church records before 1685 and more specifically during the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) most likely the period in which Hans Barthol RUPP’s parents were born and married.

Photocopy of Film Number: 775041. Notizen 1737, 1758 Taufen 1685-1787 Konfirmationen 1689-1792 Heiraten 1685-1787 Tote 1685-1786 Taufen, Heiraten, Tote 1789-1790, 1792. International Film of the Family History Library. Accessed by Theron A. Rupe in the 1990s.

Above is the title page the Protestant church register of Steinseltz. This is from the LDS film and not an image from the Bas-Rhin archives site. It is in this register that all information was found for the RUPP family from the time the register began in 1685 to 1752 when the Johann Jacob RUPP family emigrated to America. As I do not have a license to use the images I have listed complete source citations at the end for all interested in seeing the actual record for the births, marriages, and deaths found. If you have problems accessing or finding them please feel free to get in touch with me for help.

Johann Jacob RUPP, son of Johann Jacob RUPP, der Jüngere (the younger) and Maria Apollonia FETZER, was born on 8 March 1723 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France[2]. He was baptized on 9 March 1723 in Steinseltz, the neighboring town where the Protestant Church was located.[2] He died after 1792 in Maryland or Virginia.

Johann married Maria Barbara NONNENMACHER, daughter of Johannes NONNENMACHER and Maria Barbara STAMBACH, on 7 February 1746 in Kutzenhausen, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France.[1], [3], [4] Maria was born on 17 November 1722 in Merkwiller, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France.[5] She was baptized on 19 November 1722 in Kutzenhausen.[5] She died after 1792 in Maryland or Virginia.

Jacob and Barbara had the following children.

1. Jörg Heinrich Rupp was born on 17 November 1746 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and was baptized on 20 November 1746 in Steinseltz.[6] He died at less than two months of age on 7 January 1747 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and was buried on 8 January 1747 in Steinseltz.[7]
2. Johann Jacob Rupp was born on 22 December 1747 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and was baptized on 26 December 1747 in Steinseltz.[8] It is not known if this son came to Baltimore County with his parents or where he lived during his lifetime.
3. Johann Michel “Michael” Rupp was born on 6 April 1749 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and was baptized on 11 April 1749 in Steinseltz.[9],[10]  Michael married Magdalena “Magdaline” Tanner before 1776. Magdalena died before 3 April 1806. He also married Mary (Rhinehart) Weaver after 3 April 1806. Michael died before 13 April 1816 in Manchester, Baltimore County, Maryland, and left a will. His second wife Mary died 19 September 1848.
4. Johann Martin Rupp was born on 6 March 1751 in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg and was baptized on 12 March 1751 in Steinseltz.[11], [12] Martin married Mary Barbara Mattias about 1777. Mary was born after 1755. He died between 1830-1835, most likely in Tennessee.
5. Anna Maria “Mary” Rupp was born about 1753 in Pennsylvania or Maryland. Anna married John Shower about 1772 in Manchester, Baltimore County (present-day Carroll County), Maryland. John was born about 1750. He died before 2 March 1810 and left a will. Mary died intestate in 1833.
6. Barbara Rupp was born about 1759 in Baltimore County, Maryland. She married George Weaver before 1778. George was born before 1755. He died in between 1800-1810. Barbara died between 1830-1840 in Montgomery County, Virginia.
7. Henry RUPE Sr. was born about 1765 in Baltimore County, Maryland. Henry married Catherine Barbara NOLL, daughter of Johan Anton “Anthony” NOLL and Maria Magdalena BRUNNLE, about 1785 in Baltimore County, Maryland. Catherine was born on 24 February 1768 near Manchester, Baltimore County, Maryland. She was baptized on 13 March 1768 in Manchester. She died before 12 January 1860 in Montgomery County, Virginia. Henry died between 19 November 1845-1 December 1845 on the Old Henry Roop Place near Riner, Montgomery County, Virginia. Henry and Catherine were buried in the Family Cemetery on the Old Henry Roop Place.

The family decided to go to America after the birth of child #4. Burgert wrote, “Zweibruecken Manumissions Protocoll, Clee- and Catharinenburg, 1752: Jacob Rubb with wife and three children, from Oberhoffen, leaves for America.”[1]

In 1770 Jacob RUPE bought Rhineharts Folly in Baltimore County, Maryland. The following year on 12 April 1771, per Burgert, Jacob RUP, German, was naturalized. Her source: Colonial Maryland Naturalizations by Jeffrey A. Wyand, Florence L. Wyand (Genealogical Publishing Com, 1975).[1]

There may have been a son named George RUPE who signed the Oath of Allegiance in 1778 in Baltimore County, Maryland. I have not found any documentation to support his being a son nor have I located a person by this name with an estimated birth being between 1752-1757. Could the oldest living son of the emigrant have used the name George? His father owned land in Baltimore County and was most likely the Jacob Rupe who signed the Oath of Allegiance in 1778 with George Rupe and Martin Ra(u)pe.

Also included in many family trees for Jacob RUPE and his wife Barbara is a son named John. I found no trace of a John RUPE in Baltimore County, Maryland. The brothers Johann Michael and Johann Martin went by their second names, Michael and Martin. Could the fact that Jacob and Barbara named three of their sons Johann with a middle name in the German tradition have caused this confusion? There was a John RUPE in Franklin County, Virginia, from at least 1799 to after 1827. In 1812 and 1817 he was surety for the marriage of two RUPE ladies to BECKNER men. In 1827 he was security for his son-in-law Samuel BECKNER. He did not appear to have sons who lived to adulthood and his line was likely continued by 3 or 4 daughters. Further research is planned to determine if he was a son of Jacob RUPE.

Next week I will be going back another generation to Johann Jacob RUPP jun. and his family. Have you missed one or the other post about Johann Jacob RUPP and his wife Maria Barbara NONNENMACHER? Here’s a list:

Johann Jacob RUPP of Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg, Northern Alsace, present-day France

Rupe/Roop/Ruppe/Rupp Migration in the Years 1752-1820

“I found the ship!”

How to Find Your 18th Century Immigrant’s Signature

Rhineharts Folly in Pipe Creek Hundred, Baltimore County, Maryland

Where I Found the Land Records of my RUPE Ancestors in Maryland

Three Fantastic Finds Made While Researching 1752 Immigrant Johann Jacob Rupp

Proof of Patriotic Service During the Revolutionary War for Jacob RUPE

Sources:
[1] Annette Kunsel Burgert, Eighteenth Century Emigrants from the Northern Alsace to America (Camden Press, Camden, Maine, 1992), pg. 413-414. Photocopy of 4 pages received from Louise Roop Akers in March 2001.
[2] Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin (67), browsable images of microfilm collection of parish and civil records (online http://etat-civil.bas-rhin.fr/adeloch/index.php), Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 36 of 268, right page. Images from this site are not allowed to be shared with others, used on the internet, or for commercial purposes without permission. 1723 Baptismal Record, 6th entry under MDCCXXIII. (http://etat-civil.bas-rhin.fr/adeloch/index.php : accessed 26 May 2013).
[3] Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin (67), Kutzenhausen, Parroise protestante, BMS, 1737-1784, 3 E 253/13, image 14 of 54, bottom left . 1746 Marriage Record (part 1). (http://etat-civil.bas-rhin.fr/adeloch/index.php : accessed 27 May 2013).
[4] Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin (67), Kutzenhausen, Parroise protestante, BMS, 1737-1784, 3 E 253/13, image 14 of 54, top right. 1746 Marriage Record (part 2). (http://etat-civil.bas-rhin.fr/adeloch/index.php : accessed 27 May 2013).
[5] Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin (67), Kutzenhausen, Parroise protestante, BMS, 1714-1736, 3 E 253/9, image 20 of 81, right page. 1722 Baptismal Record, 4th entry (http://etat-civil.bas-rhin.fr/adeloch/index.php : accessed 16 June 2013).
[6] Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin (67), Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 85 of 268, left page. 1746 Baptismal Record. (http://etat-civil.bas-rhin.fr/adeloch/index.php : accessed 2 June 2013).
[7] Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin (67), Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 242 of 268, left page. 1747 Death Record, right page 1st entry. (http://etat-civil.bas-rhin.fr/adeloch/index.php : accessed 28 May 2013).
[8] Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin (67), Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 88 of 268. 1747 Baptismal Record, right page bottom. (http://etat-civil.bas-rhin.fr/adeloch/index.php : accessed 26 May 2013).
[9] Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin (67), Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 92 of 268. 1749 Baptismal Record, left page bottom, 1st part. (http://etat-civil.bas-rhin.fr/adeloch/index.php : accessed 26 May 2013).
[10] Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin (67), Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 93 of 268. 1749 Baptismal Record, right page top, 2nd part. (http://etat-civil.bas-rhin.fr/adeloch/index.php : accessed 26 May 2013).
[11] Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin (67), Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 98 of 268 . 1751 Baptismal Record, left page bottom, 1st part. (http://etat-civil.bas-rhin.fr/adeloch/index.php : accessed 26 May 2013).
[12] Archives départementales du Bas-Rhin (67), Steinseltz, Paroisse protestante (réformée), BMS, 1685-1787, 3 E 4791/1, image 99 of 268. 1751 Baptismal Record, right page top, 2nd part. (http://etat-civil.bas-rhin.fr/adeloch/index.php : accessed 26 May 2013).

Genealogy Sketch

Name: Johann Jacob RUPP
Parents: Johann Jacob RUPP and Maria Apollonia FETZER
Spouse: Maria Barbara NONNENMACHER
Parents of spouse: Johannes NONNENMACHER and Maria Barbara STAMBACH
Whereabouts: Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg, France and Baltimore County, Maryland
Relationship to Cathy Meder-Dempsey: 6th great-grandfather

1. 1. Johann Jacob RUPP
   2. Henrich “Henry” RUPE Sr.
   3. James ROOP
   4. Gordon ROOP
   5. Gordon Washington ROOP
   6. Walter Farmer ROOP
   7. Myrtle Hazel ROOP
   8. Fred Roosevelt Dempsey
   9. Cathy Meder-Dempsey

© 2016, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

Henry RUPE’s Estate and his Widow Catherine’s Last Days

“Well, it has been so troublesome and vexatious that I am almost sorry that old gentleman ever died.” ~ Jacob ROOP, executor of the last will and testament of Henry RUPE [1]

Henry RUPE’s last will and testament did not mention how much land he had when he died. In At Home on the Old Henry Roop Place we learned Henry RUPE had acquired at least 1,147 acres between 1804 and 1826 in Montgomery County, Virginia. Although the RUPP, RUPE, ROOP line has been researched by at least a half a dozen serious researchers[2] I have not heard of a single land record which refers to Henry RUPE selling or gifting land in Virginia during his lifetime. A visit to the county court house and/or state archives is not planned for anytime in the near future. I would however be grateful to anyone willing to share new record finds.

It is not known if Henry gave each of his children land outright or allowed them to live on his land when they married, became independent, or started families (as three of his daughters did without bothering to marry). In his will he mentioned only a tract of 100 acres which his son William lived on:

…William Roupe my sone will take they hundred akers of land that he is now living on for his part of they hole of my estate, he has they priveeledges so to dwo and if not that is to be sold with they rest of my lands…[3]

Perhaps 100 acres was the amount of land he subdivided for his children to use until they decided to settle elsewhere.

The earliest map I could find gives “the names and locations of many of the early a adventurers in the territory – from 1750 to 1865” but does not show the location of Henry Rupe’s mill. I did however find several Civil War period maps which have Roope’s Mill marked to the west of Ryner and southwest of Auburn which would later become Riner.

Civil War – Map of Montgomery County.[4]

Old Henry Roop Place on Google MyMaps

Zoom in (blue marker above) to see the Old Henry Roop place (below)

The “Old Henry Roop Place.” Photo courtesy of Roger S. ROOP. Used with permission.

The First Census Following Henry’s Death

Before we go on to the records left after the death of Henry RUPE I would like to discuss a peculiarity of the 1850 census.

In 1850 Henry’s children Jacob, Henry Jr., Caty’s widower Jacob Akers, William, Samuel, Rachel Pharis, and Joseph were living in Montgomery County. James was in Floyd County and John was in Pulaski County. These nine were found on the census. George was living in Indiana but has not been located on the census. Widow Catherine and daughters Elizabeth Compton, Barbara, Mary, and Nancy were not located in 1850. The daughters were still living as will be seen below and should have been enumerated with under-aged and/or unmarried children. Three of William’s sons aged between 14-18 were also missing from the 1850 census. As this seems quite peculiar I would like to throw out a theory: Henry’s widow Catherine, her widowed daughter Elizabeth, her three unmarried daughters and their children, and William’s unmarried sons (their father had remarried in 1846) may have all been living together and working on the home place in 1850 but were missed by the census taker. Is this too farfetched? Why else would they have been missed?

Old Henry Roop Place is Mentioned in These Deeds

Louise Akers included three deeds in her compilation[3] on the family which show Henry RUPE must have owned 406 acres at the time of his death and his wife Catherine had use of 1/3 or 138 acres until her death. It must be noted that these three deeds do not mention all of the children of Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL.

Barbara ROOP and Henry R. ROOP sold their share of the tracts of land know as the old Henry Roop place to Jacob ROOP, executor of his father’s will, on 12 April 1851. [3]

Deed Book 8 p. 52 (Examined is written in the margin)
Roop & al to Jacob Roop
This deed made this 12th day of April 1851 between Barbara Roop and Henry R. Roop of the county of Montgomery and state of Virginia of the one part and Jacob Roop of the other part witnesseth that in consideration of the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars to them paid by the said Jacob Roop the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged the said Barbara Roop and the said Henry R. Roop do grant unto the said Jacob Roop all the right title and interest in and to these tracts of land know as the old Henry Roop place and which descended from him to his Heirs lying on the head waters of mill creek in the county of Montgomery adjoining the lands of William Smith, George Surface and others. Together by estimation containing about four hundred and six acres be the same more or less and the said Henry R. Roop and Barbara Roop covenant that they will _ a warrant the property hereby conveyed. Witness the following signatures and seals the day and date first above written.
.                                                       Barbara her x mark Roop Seal
.                                                       Henry R. Roop Seal
Signed sealed delivered in the presence of us
Wm Smith
John Whaland

In the clerks office of Montgomery County Court the 5th day of May 1851. This deed of bargain to ale from Barbara Roop and Henry R. Roop of to Jacob Roop was delivered to me and proven by the oath of the witnesses thereto __ and admitted to ___.
R. D. Montague C.

Elizabeth COMPTON, John ROOP, Henry ROOP, Nancy ROOP and Polly ROOP sold their interest in the Old Henry Roop place to their brother Jacob ROOP on 14 June 1851.[3]

Deed Book, pg. (not given)
Cumpton & al to Jacob Roop
This deed made this 14th day of June in the year 1851 between Elizabeth Cumpton, John Rupe Roop, Henry Roop, Polly Roop and Nancy Roop one part and Jacob Roop of the other part. Witnesseth that for and in consideration of full value paid by the said Jacob Roop, to the said John Rupe, Henry Roop, Polly Roop, Nancy Roop & — the acceipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and of a grant onto the said Jacob Roop by deed with general warranty a ? and each of rights, title & Interest in and to three tracts or parcels of land known as the old Henry Roop place the same lately owned by Henry Roop and which descended from him to his heirs lying on the head waters of mill creek in the county of Montgomery adjoinging the lands of William Smith, George Surface & others together containing by estimation about 406 acres more or less Witness the following signature & seals.
Charles Litten
William Roop                           Elizabeth her x mark Cumton Seal
.                                                   John his x mark Roop Seal
.                                                   Henry his x mark Roop Seal
.                                                   Nancy her x mark Roop Seal
.                                                   Polly her x mark Roop Seal
Montgomery County to wit
I William C. Taylor a Justice of the peace in the county aforesaid in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that Polly Roop a party to (the rest of this line was cut off on the photocopy as well as some text along the right side of the deed)

Are Henry R. ROOP, in the deed dated 12 April 1851, and Henry ROOP, in the deed dated 14 June 1851, the same person? Henry R. ROOP appears to have signed his name while Henry ROOP left his mark. Could the middle initial have been copied incorrectly into the record book? Could this have been George’s son Henry B. RUPE who may have been taking care of business for his father who lived in Indiana?

On 12 January 1860 Jacob ROOP sold 138 acres, a part of the Old Henry Roop place, to his brother Joseph ROOP.[3]

Deed Book (number illegible), pg. 520
Jacob Roop to Joseph Roop
This deed made the 12th day of January 1860 between Jacob Roop of the first part and Joseph Roop of the other and both of the County of Montgomery and State of Virginia. Witnesseseth that in consideration of the sum of three hundred and eighteen dollars paid in hand by the said Joseph Roop to the said Jacob Roop the said Jacob Roop doth doth grant unto the said Joseph Roop all his interest consisting of two thirds in a certain tract piece or parcel of land lyin and being in the county aforesaid on the waters of Mill creek known as the Widow’s Dower in the tract of land of Henry Roop decd and containing one hundred and thirty eight acres and Bounded as follows. Beginning at a stake at the foot of a hill and runing N 50 1/2° 134 pl. to two white oaks & a black oak N 1° E 28 pl. to a white oak N 51° E 70 po. to a stake on a hill and N 62 E 20 po. to a stake near the top of a ridge N 47° E 36 po. to 2 pines corner to Smiths land and with it N 35 W 14 po. to 2 red oaks N 39 W 46 po to a black oak, white oak and hickory on Smith’s line. S. 61 W 116 po. to a stake in a field thence S. 46 W 187 po. cross the mill dam to a stake in a field by a road S 36 E 11 po. to a white oak by a road S 7 E 21 po. to a white oak sapling S 23° E 60 po. to the begining. And the said Jacob Roop doth convenant to and with the said Joseph Roop to warrant the aforementioned land with general waranty. Witnesseth the following signatures and seals.
.                                                                         Jacob Roop seal
State of Virginia
Montgomery County to-wit:
I William A. Stone a Justice of the peace for the county aforesaid in the state of Virginia do certify that Jacob Roope whose name is signed to the writing above bearing date the 12th day of January 1860 has been acknowledged before me in my County aforesaid. Given under my hand this 14th day of January 1860.                                                                   W. A. Stone J.P.
In the Clerks Office of Montgomery County Court the 21st day of June 1860
In the left margin: Examined & delivered to Jos. Roop

When Did Henry’s Widow Catherine Die?

Henry’s son Jacob ROOP was still settling his father’s estate in January 1860 when the Widow’s Dower went to the youngest son Joseph. Could this mean their mother was recently deceased?

There has been much speculation about when Catherine Barbara NOLL died. She was not found in the 1850 census, as discussed above, the 1860 census, or the Mortality Schedule for 1859-1860, the year prior to the enumeration of the 1860 census.

Redmond Ira Roop his speech in 1927 said she died in 1861 at the age of 95. It is unlikely she died after her son Joseph bought the Widow’s Dower. Could she have died just before 12 January 1860? I hope her death may have been noted in a batch of chancery records which are not yet available online.

After Catherine’s death a chancery case was “going on” up until 1870 between John ROOP etc. and Jacob ROOP, Executor of Henry’s will. I found this indexed on the Library of Virginia site however the scanned images are not yet available online. The will of Henry RUPE was submitted as evidence per the index. The surnames mentioned are AKERS, CHANDLER, COMPTON, PHARIS, ROOP (various spellings), SILVERS, and SMITH. Akers, Compton and Pharis were the married names of daughters Caty, Elizabeth and Rachel. Chandler was the married name of Caty’s daughter Catherine and Silvers was the married name of her daughters Narcissa, Ruth and Lucinda. Caty’s children are most likely mentioned as she died before 1850. This is, of course, speculation on my part as I have not seen the images with the surnames which were indexed.

The Henry and Catherine Rupe Family Cemetery

Using Google MyMaps (above) I was able to pinpoint the exact location of the cemetery on the old homeplace using the Civil War period maps with the location of the “Roope Mill,” the descriptions on the land deeds mentioned in At Home on the Old Henry Roop Place, and Roger S. Roop’s photos.

The family cemetery on the “Old Henry Roop Place.” Photo courtesy of Roger S. ROOP. Used with permission.

Photo courtesy of Roger S. ROOP. Used with permission.

Catherine was buried on the Old Henry Roop place next to her husband Henry. Louise Roop Anderson Akers used the proceeds from her book The Family Rub, Rup, Rupe, Roop, Roope (2001) to buy a memorial marker for the spot believed to be the final resting place of Henry RUPE and his wife Catherine Barbara NOLL. Although it includes the names of all of their children only Henry, Catherine, their youngest son Joseph and some of his family were buried in the Henry & Catherine Rupe Family Cemetery outside of Riner, Virginia.

This concludes the family history of Henry RUPE, the youngest son of the immigrant Johann Jacob RUPP. It is now time to cross the Atlantic Ocean and go back to the roots of the Rupp family in Oberhoffen-lès-Wissembourg in present-day France.

Sources:
[1] Everette L. McGrew, My Mother Was A Rupe (revised edition August 2000).
[2] Researchers: Linda Pearl Dickey Roop, Everette Llavon McGrew, Louise Roop Anderson Akers, Theron Arvel Rupe, Helen Dale Roop Osborne, Lois Rowe Johnsten, Delores Roberta Dees Springer
[3] Louise Roop Anderson Akers, comp., The Family Rub, Rup, Rupe, Roop, Roope (2001 Printed by Jamont Communications, 339 Luck Ave., Roanoke, VA 24016). Citing Montgomery County, Virginia, Will Books.
[4] Confederate States Of America. Army. Dept. Of Northern Virginia. Chief Engineer’s Office, et al. Map of Montgomery County. [S.l.: Chief Engineer’s Office, D.N.V, 1864] Map. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <https://www.loc.gov/item/gvhs01.vhs00348>.

Genealogy Sketch

Name: Henrich “Henry” RUPE Sr.
Parents: Johann Jacob RUPP and Maria Barbara NONNENMACHER
Spouse: Catherine Barbara NOLL
Parents of spouse: Johan Anton “Anthony” NOLL and Maria Magdalena BRENTEL
Whereabouts: Baltimore MD, Rockbridge VA, Montgomery VA
Relationship to Cathy Meder-Dempsey: 5th great-grandfather

1. 1. Henrich “Henry” RUPE Sr.
   2. James ROOP
   3. Gordon ROOP
   4. Gordon Washington ROOP
   5. Walter Farmer ROOP
   6. Myrtle Hazel ROOP
   7. Fred Roosevelt Dempsey
   8. Cathy Meder-Dempsey

© 2016, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

The Last Will and Testament of Henry RUPE 1765-1845

The beautiful Eclipse on Thursday night took us by surprise. The weather has been so charming, that we had no occasion to consult the Almanac for “signs,” and hence the first intimation of the phenomenon we derived from the darkened face of the Moon herself. It was almost a total eclipse, a very narrow rim of light appearing on the lower edge of the Moon. The shadow passed oft about half-past 9. Tough the shrouded Queen of Night threw a cold and melancholy light on the ground, it did not , as far as we saw, affect, in the least, the minds or feelings of our fellow-citizens. There was as much joyous laughter or brooding discontent, as if there had really been no no eclipse. Very few persons, in these days of steam, are subject to “skyey influences.”[1]

The lunar eclipse took place on 14 November 1845, less than a week later Henry RUPE would sit down to write his last will and testament on 19 November 1845.

A very short time later, at the age of eighty, Henry died suddenly of heart failure while out walking on the farm.[2] He was buried on the homeplace. His death took place between the writing of his will on 19 November 1845 and 1 December 1845, the day of probate.

The Last Will and Testament

In they name of God Amen.
I Henry Roupe seigneor of they County of Mountgomery and State of Virginia, now
being in my perfect mind and memmory, and Knowing that it is so appointed
for man once to dye, dwo heareby make and ordain this my last Will and
Testatment that is to say after all my just debts and funeral charges are paid
I gave and bequeath unto my beloved wife Catherine they one third parte of
all my lands, one cow, one bed, and one flax whele, also all they grain
“Will Book 7, pg 285” was written on the photocopy by Louise or the clerk who copied the page

pg. 286 “Examined” was written in the margin
and weate that I now have, and one small oven. I also gave unto
Nancy Roupe one bauro, one loome and all they reads and harness belonging
thereto and all my part of they shepe, and one pot and oven also one cow
and yearling and one flax whele, they ballance of my personal estate to be
sold on a creaddet of one yeare and if William Roupe my sone will take they
hundred akers of land that he is now living on for his part of they hole of
my estate, he has they priveeledges so to dwo and if not that is to be sold
with they rest of my lands on as creaddet of one and two years by they purchased
giving bo^d [bond] and approved security and they money arising from they proceeds
of such sails to be eaquelly dividded amoungst all my children and
at they decese of my wife Catherene Roope they ballance of they lands
that is now left oft to her to geather with they personal estate that may
bee in hur hans to bee sold as above mentioned and they money arising
from such sails to beaqually divided amongst all my children as above
mentiond. I also enommenate, constitute and appoint my son Jacob Roupe
my trew and lawful executor. In witness whereof I have heareunto set my
hand and seal this 18th day of November 1845.
Henry his mark Roupe   seal
attest
John M. Walters
Danile his mark Peterman
Aaron Terry
At a Court held for Montgomery County the 1st day of December 1845

Montgomery County, Virginia, Will Book 7, page 285 [3]

Montgomery County, Virginia, Will Book 7, page 286 [3]

The Last Will and Testament of Henry ROUPE, as his name was written, was photocopied by Louise Akers and included in her book.[3] Although she placed a transcription in the front of the book, I did my own from the photocopy in the book in hopes of perhaps finding a missing clue and to better understand the many misspellings. [To-do: A better copy of the document needs to be obtained. Check the next page of the Will Book for a possible continuation of the last line.]

Other Probate Records

Following the transcript of the will Louise also included the Will Book number and page of associated probate records. She abstracted the names of persons who bought items of the estate but did not include a list of these items or prices paid. Images of these records were not included in the book.

• WB 7:301 is a list of personal estate[3]
• WB 7:307 is a sale bill. Some names listed are Joseph ROOP, Daniel PETERMAN, Martin DOBBINS, Jos. W. ROOP, Gaspar ALBRIGHT, James AKERS, Wm ROOP, Elswick AKERS, Christopher WILLART, Wm C. BOOTH, Paul T. WOODARD, J. B. PHARES, Wm SMITH, Edward AKERS, Catherine ROOP, Elizabeth COMPTON, Joseph ROOP, Joel W. PEPPER, Charles HOWARD, Isom DOBBIN, Crockeett ROOP, John ELLIOTT.[3]
• WB 8:284 final estate settlement. It showed a balance of 1204.07 and dated 31 Dec 1850.[3]

What Henry’s Will Told Me

Transcribing makes the words sink in. I don’t have an inventory of his estate or a copy of the sale bill of his estate, but I realized in his last will my 5th great-grandfather Henry told me a bit about the work the ladies in his household did.

To his wife Catherine he left one cow, one bed, one flax wheel, all the grain and wheat, and one small oven. To his youngest daughter Nancy he left one burro, all his part of the sheep, one cow and yearling, one loom with its reeds and harnesses, one pot and oven, and one flax wheel.

[4]

What kind of beds did the family have? Single, three-quarter,  or full sized? Walnut, maple or pine? Four poster beds with trundle beds underneath? High, low, turned, ringed or carved bedposts? Plain or shaped headboards? Home-made or bought? Being a large family they probably hand-made all their furnishings and may not have had the time or inclination after all the hard work to fancy up the bedposts with carvings.

[5]

A housewife’s work included hours in the kitchen working the stove or oven. Baking, frying, roasting, and boiling pails and pails of water for bathing, washing, and even scalding pigs for slaughter.  Cleaning, butchering and preparing game brought home by the men. Caring for the animals, milking cows, producing butter, tending the garden, shearing sheep, spinning and weaving cloth. All the time with children afoot.

[6]

In his last will and testament Henry mentioned only his wife Catherine, daughter Nancy, son William and his oldest son Jacob whom he named executor. The money arising from the sale of the estate was to be equally divided among all his children but they were not named. Linda Pearl Dickey Roop wrote in her research notes, “Named in his will and settlement of the estate (Floyd Co, Va.3-Feb-1850) were his wife Catherine, sons: Jacob, John, Henry Jr., William, Samuel, James, Joseph, and George. Daughters: Barbary, Catherine Jr., Mary, Rachael, Nancy, and Elizabeth.” Henry’s son James ROOP, my 4th great-grandfather, was living in Floyd County at the time of his father’s death. Could probate records have been included in the county due to James’ living there?

He left a large estate and his son, Jacob, was named as Executor in his will. On account of there being so many heirs widely scattered over the country it required several years to wind up the estate. It was said that Jacob almost despaired a number of times before the estate was finally settled and once in his desperation exclaimed “Well, it has been so troublesome and vexatious that I am almost sorry that old gentleman ever died.”[2]

To be continued….

Sources:
[1] Richmond enquirer. (Richmond, Va.), 18 Nov. 1845. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024735/1845-11-18/ed-1/seq-4/ : accessed 1 April 2016)
[2] Everette L. McGrew, My Mother Was A Rupe (revised edition August 2000).
[3] Louise Roop Anderson Akers, comp., The Family Rub, Rup, Rupe, Roop, Roope (2001 Printed by Jamont Communications, 339 Luck Ave., Roanoke, VA 24016). Citing Montgomery County, Virginia, Will Book 7 on pages 25 and 286.
[4] William Lowing Kimerly,  How to Know Period Styles in Furniture; A Brief History of Furniture from the Days of Ancient Egypt to the Present Time, Grand Rapids Furniture Record Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan 1912. (https://archive.org/stream/howtoknowperiods00kimeiala#page/140/ : accessed 13 April 2016)
[5] New-York Tribune. (New-York [N.Y.]), 01 Dec. 1841. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030212/1841-12-01/ed-1/seq-4/ : accessed 13 April 2016)
[6] History of American Textiles : With Kindred and Auxiliary Industries (illustrated), publisher Frank P. Bennett, Boston, Mass. 1922.(https://archive.org/stream/historyofamerica1922bost#page/20/mode/2up : accessed 13 April 2016)

Genealogy Sketch

Name: Henrich “Henry” RUPE Sr.
Parents: Johann Jacob RUPP and Maria Barbara NONNENMACHER
Spouse: Catherine Barbara NOLL
Parents of spouse: Johan Anton “Anthony” NOLL and Maria Magdalena BRENTEL
Whereabouts: Baltimore MD, Rockbridge VA, Montgomery VA
Relationship to Cathy Meder-Dempsey: 5th great-grandfather

1. 1. Henrich “Henry” RUPE Sr.
   2. James ROOP
   3. Gordon ROOP
   4. Gordon Washington ROOP
   5. Walter Farmer ROOP
   6. Myrtle Hazel ROOP
   7. Fred Roosevelt Dempsey
   8. Cathy Meder-Dempsey

© 2016, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL ~ Family Life in Montgomery County, Virginia

This is where we left off following The Early Years in Maryland (1765-1793), The Years in Rockbridge (1793-1801), and At Home on the Old Henry Roop Place:

The trip with eight children, animals, and household goods was not a trip to the store. The oldest son Jacob was fifteen and his brothers Henry and John, the twins, were twelve, all three old enough to help their father. Their little brother George being seven years old probably followed them everywhere they went not wanting to be considered a sissy by sticking around his sisters and mother. Elizabeth, the oldest daughter and fourteen, may have been responsible for keeping her siblings in line, maybe bossing 9 years old Barbara around, and watching over little Caty who was six while their mother cared for baby William.

The family of Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL reached Montgomery County in time for Catherine to give birth to Samuel on 4 September 1801.[1] Six boys and three girls. But they were not yet finished with the family planning.

He erected another mill on this farm, as he and a son, Jacob, were both expert millwrights. He and his hardy sons felled the forest and cleared most of this land where they erected a large log dwelling on an eminence overlooking the spring, stillhouse, and mill, and to protect them from a surprise attack by the Indians, who were then quite numerous.[2]

While Henry and his “hardy sons” were busy clearing the land and building a new home for  the family, Catherine gave birth to child number ten, Mary also known as Polly about 1802.[3] In 1868 when Polly’s oldest son reported her death he gave her place of birth as Lunenburg County.[4] This death notice has not been found or confirmed and is the cause of a discrepancy in the family tradition.

I suspect her place of birth is incorrect considering the geographical location of Lunenburg County compared to Rockbridge and Montgomery counties where the family was said to be before and after her birth. It would mean Henry and his family left Rockbridge County traveling through Montgomery County where their son Samuel is said to be born, on to Lunenburg County where Polly is said to be born, and then back to Montgomery County where they finally settled down.

About the same time Henry RUPE bought his first tract of land in the county in 1804 his wife Catherine gave birth to her eleventh child, a daughter Rachel.[5] His family was still growing and he found a necessity for more land as seen in Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL ~ At Home on the Old Henry Roop Place.

Henry and Catherine became the parents of a daughter Nancy in 1806[6] and a son James, my 4th great-grandfather and their 13th child, about 1808.[7]

When the census was taken on 6 August 1810[8] Henry RUPE was 45 years old and his household included 17 persons as follows:

1810 U.S. Federal Census
Montgomery County, Virginia
Page 18, Henry Rupe
4 males under 10 (James 2, Samuel 9, William 10, and poss. Elizabeth’s son William ca. 6)
3 males 16 thru 25 (George 16, John 21, Henry 21, Jacob 24)
2 males 45 and over (Henry 45 & poss. James Compton, husband of Elizabeth)
2 females under 5 (Nancy 4, Rachel 6)
1 female 10 thru 15 (Mary 8)
3 females 16 thru 25 (Catherine 15, Barbara 18, Elizabeth 23)
2 females 45 and over  (Catherine 42 & unknown)
Number of Household Members Under 16: 7
Number of Household Members Over 25: 4
Number of Household Members: 17

1810 U.S. Federal Census [courtesy of Ancestry] [8]

It is interesting to note the pre-1850 census listings were all in alphabetical order except for 1810 which was recorded by visit. Living next door to Henry RUPE was his nephew Jacob WEAVER, his wife, son, mother and siblings. Jacob’s father George was enumerated in Salisbury, Stokes County, North Carolina, in 1800[9] and died before 1810 either in North Carolina or after moving to Montgomery County. The RUPE and WEAVER families were sandwiched in between Austin AKERS and Northrup FULLER who shared land lines with Henry as seen in the 1809 land grant description.[10]

Henry and Catherine’s oldest daughter Elizabeth is believed to have married about 1803 however a marriage record has not been found. I am no longer sure this is the case and will have to do further research before I write about Elizabeth. After her father’s death she would be seen as Elizabeth COMPTON or CUMPTON when she sold her part of her father’s estate on 14 June 1851.[11]

In Henry’s household in 1810 all of his children are accounted for. Extras in the household are a man and a woman in the same age bracket as Henry and Catherine as well a a young male under 10 years old. James COMPTON who is believed to have been the husband of Elizabeth was not found in 1810. Could he have been included as the male over 45 in this listing? Is the young male Elizabeth’s son? Unless there are COMPTON descendants who already know the answers, these questions may only be answered by a new round of fact-finding.

Chances are Catherine was pregnant in August 1810 when the census was taken. She was 43 years old when she gave birth to her 14th child, a son Joseph, born about 1811.[12] Joseph would remain the youngest of the RUPE brood. Catherine had spent the last twenty-five years bearing children and these days were finally over. Henry and Catherine saw all fourteen children grow to maturity. A bit unusual for the times and shows they took great care of their family.

No evidence has been found of any of Henry RUPE’s older sons serving during the War of 1812 (18 Jun 1812-24 Dec 1814). Jacob, the twins John and Henry, and George would have been old enough being between 26 and 18 years of age. Instead of going to war the older children began to marry.

• John RUPE married Elizabeth THOMPSON (1795-1870) on 14 January 1813[13]
• Jacob ROOP married Susannah ALLEY (1790-1860) on 15 Apr 1815[14]
• Catherine “Caty” RUPE married Jacob AKERS (1775-1860) on 27 June 1815[15]
• George RUPE married Margaret BALDWIN (1800-1839) on 5 December 1818
  [16]
• William RUPE married Ester AKERS (1802-1846) on 7 June 1820[17]

They were all married in Montgomery County, except for George who married in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Redmond Ira ROOP, in his 1927 reunion speech, told of George’s learning the hatter’s trade in Christiansburg. Among those who worked by his side was the famous Col. David CROCKETT of Tennessee, who became stranded in Christiansburg in 1802 on his way home from Baltimore, where he had gone with a cattle drive. George RUPE followed David CROCKETT to Tennessee about 1815.[18]

Less than a week after Henry purchased 46 acres[19] from his nephew Jacob WEAVER the 1820 census was taken on 7 August 1820.[20] One little line of “chicken scratch” and this is what comes out of it:

1820 U.S. Federal Census [courtesy of Ancestry] [20]

1820 U.S. Federal Census
Montgomery County, Virginia
Newburn Township
Henry Roop Sr.
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
2 males under 10 (Joseph 9 and George 5, s/o Barbara)
1 male 10 thru 15 (James 12)
1 male 16 thru 18 (Samuel 18)
1 male 16 thru 25 (Samuel 18)
1 male 26 thru 44 (Henry Jr. 31)
1 male 45 and over (Henry Sr. 55)
1 female under 10 (Barbary 2, d/o Mary)
1 female 10 thru 15 (Nancy 14)
3 females 16 thru 25 (Rachel 16, Mary 18, Barbara 28)
1 female 45 and over : (Catherine 52)
Number of Persons – Engaged in Agriculture: 3 (Henry Sr., Henry Jr., Samuel)
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

You may ask, why are we seeing children of the daughters Barbara and Mary and no husbands. By 1820 six of the fourteen children were married and had their own households. The second oldest daughter Barbara had a son, was not married, and lived with her parents.

Montgomery County (to wit)
The examination of Barbary Roop of sd County single woman Taken upon oath before me E. Howard one of the commonwealth Justices for the County afforesaid this 25 Day of July 1816 who saith that on the 20th day of Novr last past in the county afforesaid she the sd Barbary Roop was Delivered of a Male Baster Child and that the said Bastard Child is Likely to become Chargeable to the County and that George Peterman of the sd County did git her with child of the sd Bastard Child.
Taken and signed the Day
and year above written before me.
E. Howard                 Barbary her X mark Roop[21]

Mary, the next oldest unmarried daughter living at home, had an illegitimate daughter in 1819. The father was allegedly Isom DOBBINS.[22]

Before the next marriage could take place in the family Henry Jr. was fined $16.13 on 3 October 1822 for bastardy.[23]

The Commonwealth of Virginia, to the Sheriff of Montgomery County Greeting:
We command You, that of the Goods and Chattels of Henry Roope
lat is your bailiwick, you cause to be made the sum of Sixteen Dollars and thirteen cents which the overseers of the poor late before the Justices of our Court of Montgomery County have against him for costs of recognizance for bastardy in that behalf expended, whereof the said Roope is convict as appears to us of record; and that you have the same before the Justices of our said Court, at the Court-House on the 1st Tuesday in November next, to render unto the said overseers f the costs aforesaid, And have then there this writ. Witness Charles Taylor, Clerk of our Court at the Court-House the 3rd day of October 1822 in the 47th year of the Commonwealth.
Charles Taylor[23]

The notice does not mention the child or the mother of the child. Eight months later, at the age of 34, he married 18 years old Mary “Polly” THOMPSON (1802-1880) on 7 June 1823 in Montgomery County[24]. Henry’s twin brother John had married Polly’s sister Elizabeth ten years earlier.

Henry and Catherine’s youngest daughter Rachel married John B. PHARIS (1797-1864) on 20 October 1823 in Montgomery County.[25]

When the census was taken on 1 June 1830[26] Henry was 65 years old and Catherine 62. In their household were three unmarried daughters, Barbara, Mary, and Nancy, with their eight illegitimate children; three sons, and an unknown female in the 30 thru 39 age group.

1830 U.S. Federal Census
Montgomery County, Virginia
Blacksburg, Enumerated by John R. Charlton, page 89
Henry Roope Sr.
3 males under 5 (grandsons: Byrd 3, s/o Barbara; Henry 4, s/o Mary; and James R. 4, s/o Mary)
1 male 5 thru 9 (grandson Crockett 7, s/o Mary)
1 male 10 thru 14 (grandson George 15, s/o Barbara)
1 male 15 thru 19 (Joseph 19)
2 males 20 thru 29 (James 23, Samuel 29)
1 male 60 thru 69 (Henry 65)
2 females 5 thru 9  (granddaughters: Susan 7, d/o Barbara, and Elizabeth 7, d/o Mary)
1 female 10 thru 14 (granddaughter Barbary 12, d/o Mary)
2 females 20 thru 29 (Mary 28, Nancy 24)
2 females 30 thru 39 (Barbara 38, unknown)
1 female 60 thru 69 (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

1830 U.S. Federal Census [courtesy of Ancestry] [26]

This screenshot of the census for Henry Sr., Henry Jr., Jacob, William, and John shows 52 persons in 5 households. Missing in the count are three daughters, Elizabeth (believed to be married to James COMPTON with 2 children, a 3rd already married), Caty with 8 children, Rachel with 3 children, and son George who was in Wayne County, Indiana, with 4 children. This brings the grand total up to 78 persons in the family including in-laws. No wonder cousin Everette McGrew wrote:

They were Whigs, but never owned slaves, the family being so large and able bodied that they had little use for them, and for the further reason that there were few slaveowners in that immediate locality.[27]

As for their being Whigs, I cannot find anything to support this statement. The Whig Party was formed in 1833 and dissolved in 1854. I believe Everette may have used the term in a more broad sense indicating they were opposed to tyranny as were the American Whigs who fought for independence in 1776.

During the first half of the 1830s the three youngest sons married in Montgomery County.

• James “Jimmie” ROOP married Elizabeth CARROLL (1808-1880) on 23 July 1830[28]
• Joseph ROOP married Mary “Polly” CARROLL (1809-1909) on 13 Sep 1831[29]
• Samuel ROOP married Martha “Patsy” TOWNSLEY (1815-1870) on 7 January 1834[30]

On 1 June 1840[31] when the census was enumerated Henry was 75 years old and head of a household which included his 72 years old wife Catherine, his youngest son Joseph with his wife and their four children, and his unmarried daughter Nancy and two of her three sons. His other two unmarried daughters as well as his married children had their own households in Montgomery County with the exception of the twins John and Henry Jr. who were in Pulaski County, formed in 1839 from parts of Montgomery and Wythe counties.

1840 U.S. Federal Census [courtesy of Ancestry] [31]

1840 U.S. Federal Census
Montgomery County, Virginia
Page 26
Henry Rupe
2 males under 5 yo (grandsons: Martin 2, s/o Joseph, and Lindsay Crockett 1, s/o Nancy)
2 males 5 & under 10 yo (Bluford 6, s/o Joseph, and Asa G. 7, s/o Nancy)
1 male 20 & under 30 yo (Joseph 29)
1 male 70 & under 80 yo (Henry 75)
1 female under 5 yo (Malinda 4, d/o Joseph)
1 female 5 & under 10 yo (Mary Jane 8, d/o Joseph)
2 females 20 & under 30 yo (Nancy 34 and Joseph’s wife Mary 31)
1 female 70 & under 80 yo (Catherine 72)
11 persons in household
2 persons engaged in agriculture

Henry RUPE and his family toiled hard on the land he bought. They owned and worked several grist mills, timbered and farmed the land, as their livelihood. Henry left fourteen children when he died in 1845. They gave him 94 grandchildren during his lifetime – only two of these did not live long enough to be named. Eighteen more grandchildren were born before his widow Catherine passed away. The last two grandchildren were born after her death bringing the total to 114. Ninety-two of these grandchildren carried the RUPE or ROOP surname while only 22 carried a different surname than their grandfather.

Did Henry RUPE leave a will with the names of his children? Did he wish for his property to be divided and how? The answers to these questions as well as the  source of the name “Old Henry Roop Place” will be revealed in the next installment.

Sources:
[1] Louise Roop Anderson Akers, comp., The Family Rub, Rup, Rupe, Roop, Roope (2001 Printed by Jamont Communications, 339 Luck Ave., Roanoke, VA 24016). Note: My copy of this book is the hard cover copy which the compiler also gave to the Library of Virginia. She made some corrections and additions written in pen before gifting me the book.  On page 6 she wrote in 9-4-1801 for Samuel Roop’s date of birth.
[2] Everette L. McGrew, My Mother Was A Rupe (revised edition August 2000).
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] The year of birth (1804) is an estimation made using the census: 1850 age 45, 1860 age 56, 1870 age 65, 1880 age 75
[6] The year of birth (1806) is an estimation made using the census: 1860 age 54, 1870 age 58, 1880 age 70. Find A Grave #13622047 photo of grave marker shows 1806.
[7] The year of birth (1808) is an estimation made using the census: 1850 age 32, 1860 age 50, 1870 age 62, 1880 age 71.
[8] 1810 U.S. Federal Census, (index and images), Ancestry, citing Third Census of the United States, 1810 population schedule, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C. NARA microfilm publication M252, 71 rolls, Virginia, Montgomery, sheet 641, line 10. Henry Rupe household. (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 October 2014).
[9] 1800 U.S. Federal Census, (index and images), Ancestry, citing Second Census of the United States, 1800 population schedule, images) National Archives and Records Administration,Washington D.C., microfilm M32, 52 rolls, North Carolina, Stokes County, Salisbury, Page: 576; Image: 583; Family History Library Film: 337908. George Weaver household. (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 April 2016).
[10] Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants, (http://image.lva.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/GetLONN.pl?first=195&last=&g_p=G59&collection=LO Grant : accessed ), Henry Roop grantee, land grant 1 September 1809, Montgomery County; citing Land Office Grants No. 59, 1809-1810, p. 195 (Reel 125).
[11] Akers, 1851 deed (will be shared in next post)
[12] “Virginia, Deaths and Burials Index, 1853-1917,” (index only), Ancestry, citing FamilySearch index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records, FHL Film Number: 2048578. Joseph Roop, born abt 1811 in Montgomery County, Virginia, died 10 May 1874 in Montgomery County, Virginia, age at death 63, white, widowed, male, father Henry, mother Barbara. (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 March 2016).
[13] “Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XR8N-66G : accessed 6 April 2016), John Roup and Betsy Thompson, 08 Jan 1813; citing Montgomery County, Virginia, reference P 137; FHL microfilm 32,633.
[14] Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XR8N-XLT : accessed 6 April 2016), Jacob Rupe and Susannah Alley, 15 Apr 1815; citing Montgomery County, Virginia, reference P 145; FHL microfilm 32,633.
[15] Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XR8N-F3F : accessed 6 April 2016), Jacob Acres and Caty Rupe, 27 Jun 1815; citing Montgomery County, Virginia, reference P 146; FHL microfilm 32,633.
[16] “Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002,” (index and images), Ancestry, citing Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee. Microfilm. George Roupe, male, married 5 Dec 1818 in Jefferson County, Tennessee, spouse Margaret Baldwin. (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 March 2016).
[17] “Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940,” (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XR8N-K3P : accessed 6 April 2016), William Rupe and Easter Akers, 06 Jun 1820; citing Montgomery County, Virginia, reference P 170; FHL microfilm 32,633.
[18] McGrew
[19] Akers, Montgomery County Deed Book G, pg. 483.
[20] 1820 U.S. Federal Census, (index and images), Ancestry, citing Fourth Census of the United States, 1820 population schedule, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C., NARA microfilm publication M33, 142 rolls, Virginia, Montgomery, Newburn, sheet 181A, line 16. Henry Roop Sr. household. (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 December 2004).
[21] Akers, photocopy of document in book.
[22] “Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940,” (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRS5-Z9D : accessed 6 April 2016), Wm. Lane and Barbara Roop, 02 Jul 1856; citing Montgomery, Virginia, reference n 44; FHL microfilm 2,048,462.
[23] Akers
[24] “Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940,” (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XR8N-G9P : accessed 6 April 2016), Henry Rupe and Polly Thompsom, 07 Jun 1823; citing Montgomery County, Virginia, reference P 185; FHL microfilm 32,633.
[25] “Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940,” (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XR8N-GHH : accessed 6 April 2016), John B. Pharis and Rachel Rupe, 20 Dec 1823; citing Montgomery County, Virginia, reference P 188; FHL microfilm 32,633.
[26] 1830 U.S. Federal Census, (index and images), Ancestry, citing Fifth Census of the United States, 1830 population schedule, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C. NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls, Virginia, Montgomery, Blacksburg, page 89, line 14. Henry Roope Sr. household. (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed ‎17 October 2014).
[27] McGrew
[28] “Virginia, Marriages 1740-1850,” (index-only), Ancestry, citing Dodd, Jordan R., et al.. Early American Marriages: Virginia to 1850. Bountiful, UT, USA: Precision Indexing Publishers. James Rupe, male, spouse Elizabeth Earl (sic), female, marriage date 23 Jul 1830 in Montgomery County, Virginia. (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 6 April 2016).
[29] Akers, Copy of bond in book. “I do hereby certify that I celebrated the rites of matrimony between Joseph Roop & Mary Carl of Montgomery Cty on the 13th day of September 1831 by virtue of a publication given under my hand this 26th day of June 1832. Richd Buckingham.”
[30] Akers, Copy of bond in book.
[31] 1840 U.S. Federal Census, (index and images), Ancestry, citing Sixth Census of the United States, 1840 population schedule, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C., NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls, Virginia, Montgomery County, page 26, line 20. Henry Rupe household. ‎(http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 December 2004).

Genealogy Sketch

Name: Henrich “Henry” RUPE Sr.
Parents: Johann Jacob RUPP and Maria Barbara NONNENMACHER
Spouse: Catherine Barbara NOLL
Parents of spouse: Johan Anton “Anthony” NOLL and Maria Magdalena BRENTEL
Whereabouts: Baltimore MD, Rockbridge VA, Montgomery VA
Relationship to Cathy Meder-Dempsey: 5th great-grandfather

1. 1. Henrich “Henry” RUPE Sr.
   2. James ROOP
   3. Gordon ROOP
   4. Gordon Washington ROOP
   5. Walter Farmer ROOP
   6. Myrtle Hazel ROOP
   7. Fred Roosevelt Dempsey
   8. Cathy Meder-Dempsey

© 2016, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL ~ At Home on the Old Henry Roop Place

We’ve seen the RUPE family in the early years in Baltimore County, Maryland from 1765-1793 and in Rockbridge County, Virginia from 1793-1801. They were in Rockbridge County when Henry’s sister-in-law Polly NULL married on 13 January 1801. Sometime after Henry ROOP gave oath she was of age to marry his family of ten once again gathered up their personal and household goods,  livestock and children and continued south. Did the twins Henry and John celebrate with 12th birthday on 27 February 1801 in Rockbridge or were they already on their way to Montgomery County?

Henry was 36 years old and his wife Catherine was 33 years old and expecting her ninth child when they traveled from Buffalo Creek in Rockbridge County farther south to Montgomery County. The distance was only 80 miles however they were not traveling as we would today. At a rate of 10 to 15 miles a day they may have taken about a week to make the journey by wagon to the area of Auburn in Montgomery County. It may have taken longer if Henry was scouting for a new place to settle along the way. We know only that the family ended up in Auburn which was renamed Riner in 1882 in honor of David Riner, a representative of Montgomery County in the state House of Delegates in 1887-1888.

The trip with eight children, animals, and household goods was not a trip to the store. The oldest son Jacob was fifteen and his brothers Henry and John, the twins, were twelve, all three old enough to help their father. Their little brother George being seven years old probably followed them everywhere they went not wanting to be considered a sissy by sticking around his sisters and mother. Elizabeth, the oldest daughter and fourteen, may have been responsible for keeping her siblings in line, maybe bossing 9 years old Barbara around, and watching over little Caty who was six while their mother cared for baby William.

The family reached Montgomery County in time for Catherine to give birth to Samuel on 4 September 1801.[1] He was the pivotal point in the family’s timeline as his birth is said to have taken place in Montgomery County, placing them there in 1801.

Tracts of Land Acquired by Henry RUPE aka Henry ROOP

“He erected another mill on this farm, as he and a son, Jacob, were both expert millwrights. He and his hardy sons felled the forest and cleared most of this land where they erected a large log dwelling on an eminence overlooking the spring, stillhouse, and mill, and to protect them from a surprise attack by the Indians, who were then quite numerous.”[2]

Enter a caption

Although there may have still been raids and skirmishes in the westernmost counties of Virginia in the late 18th century I very much doubt Indians were attacking settlers in Montgomery County in the first decade of the 19th century when Henry was acquiring and making improvements to his land. Peter Wallenstein wrote about Blacksburg which lies 17 miles north of Riner, “Indians surely traveled throughout the New River Valley, and they hunted in the area, but they seem not to have had villages near Blacksburg when white newcomers began to call the area home and to establish their own settlements.”[3]

Henry RUPE aka Henry ROOP became a large landowner by purchasing a number of tracts and patenting others. He purchased his first 326 acres in 1804. The history of the tract of land he bought may support my belief that the family lived off of the tract before it was bought.

An early pioneer of Fincastle County, Virginia, Abner LESTER acquired 326 acres of land by grant in Montgomery County, Virginia, in 1796 on Pelham branch of Meadow Creek, a branch of Little River waters of New River of Montgomery County. He lived there for several years before moving to Russell County, Virginia, about 1801. Again he purchased land and settled for a few years before moving to Floyd County, Kentucky, before 1810.[4] The original grant for the land in Montgomery County is described follows:

….a Certain Tract or parcel of Land Containing three hundred and twenty Six acres by Survey bearing date the twenty fourth day of September one thousand seven hundred and ninety four lying and being in the County of Montgomery on Palms branch Waters of Meadow Creek a branch of little River Waters of New River and bounded as followeth to wit. Beginning at a white oak Corner to a Survey of Ezkiel Howards and with the lines there of North forty nine degrees East one hundred and thirty four poles Crossing said branch to two Black oaks on a hill side North four degrees West twenty Six poles to two white oaks North forty seven degrees East seventy poles to two pines North fifty eight degrees East twenty poles to a pine on the north side of a Ridge North forty Seven degrees East thirty poles to two pines thence leaving said line North forty degrees West one hundred and twelve poles to Augustine Akers’s line and with it to a pine and two white oaks North Seventy one degrees West one hundred and fifty Six poles crossing said branch to two white oaks on the top of a Ridge thence leaving said line South twenty five degrees West one hundred and eighteen poles to two pines South thirty eight poles to a pine, South fifteen degrees West forty two poles to three Spanish oak saplings by a path South thirty eight degrees East ninety two poles to two white oaks South nine degrees East twenty poles to a black oak and white oak sapling by a fence, South thirty two and a half degrees East forty poles to the Beginning.[5]

Abner LESTER sold Henry RUPE the 326 acres tract of land on Pelham Branch of Meadow Creek, a branch of Little Waters of the New River in Montgomery County on 17 August 1804 for 200 pounds.[6] Since Abner LESTER had resided on the land until he removed from the county in 1801 there had to have been some kind of dwelling on the tract. Did Henry have use of the land from 1801 until he bought it in 1804? Did he make improvements to the land even before he owned it?

On 19 December 1805 James and Sarah SIMPKINS sold to Henry RUPE of Montgomery County “for $200 being on Mill Creek waters a branch of Meadow Creek water Little River part of a survey of 455 acres.”[7] The deed was recorded in Deed Book D, page 291. As with several other deeds I have only an abstract of this land deed. The “part of a survey” makes me wonder if he acquired 455 acres or only “a part.” Ezekiel Howard, one of Henry’s neighbors, had a land grant for 455 acres “on the waters of Mill Creek waters of Meadow Creek,waters of Little River adjoining Jacob Akers, John Thompson.” Could this be the land SIMPKINS sold to Henry?

Henry continued to acquire land. This time it was 45 acres of land granted to him, Henry ROOP, on 1 September 1809 on the head waters of Meadow Creek a branch of Little River in Montgomery County.

……a certain tract or parcel of Land, containing forty five acres, by survey bearing date, the nineteenth day of march, one thousand eight hundred and seven; lying and being in the County of Montgomery, on the head waters of Meadow creek, a branch of Little river and bounded as followeth, to wit: Beginning at two Spanish oaks corner to Austin Akers land thence with the lines thereof, north thirty nine degrees, west one hundred and thirty two poles to a black oak on a ridge, north seventy degrees, west two hundred and forty two poles crossing a branch to two white oak saplings on a ridge corner to Northup Fullers land thence with a line thereof south thirty nine and a half degrees east one hundred and twenty seven poles to two pine saplings, on a line of his own land, thence with the lines thereof north twenty three degrees, east forty two poles to two white oak saplings on a ridge, south seventy one degrees east one hundred and fifty six poles crossing a branch to a pine and two white oaks and thence, south forty two degrees east one hundred poles to the beginning with its appurtenances…[8]

On 1 August 1820 Henry RUPE purchased from his nephew Jacob WEAVER for $100 46 acres situated on waters of Mill Creek a branch of Meadow Creek.[9]

On 22 August 1821 Henry ROOP acquired a land grant for 65 acres on Little River a branch of New River in Montgomery County.

Thomas M. Randolph Esq., Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia: To all to whom These presents shall come Greeting: Know Ye that in conformity with a survey made on the tenth day of August 1820, by virtue of a Land Office Exchange treasury warrant Number 2158; issued the 14^th February 1812; there is granted by the said Commonwealth, unto Henry Roop A certain tract or parcel of Land Containing Sixty five acres Situate in the County of Montgomery on Little River a branch of New river and bounded as followeth to wit: Beginning at a white Oak on a ridge South forty seven degrees East twenty six poles to a mulberry walnut and Sycamore on the River bank and down the Several Courses thereof and binding thereon two hundred and Sixty Five poles to three hickories under a Clift of rocks and thence South thirty nine degrees West One hundred and ninety eight poles to the Beginning. To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of Land with its appurtenances, to the said Henry Roop and his heirs forever. In witness whereof, the said Thomas M. Randolph Esq. Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia hath hereunto set his hand, and Caused the lesser Seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond on the twenty second day of August in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty One and of the Commonwealth the forty Sixth.
Thos. M. Randolph [10]

On 5 April 1822 Henry RUPE purchased from Elias VANCIL 110 acres known as Wolf Spring in consideration of $200.[11]

On 24 June 1826 Henry ROOP acquired a land grant for 100 acres on the head of the Flag Branch (as seen on the LVA Catalog but not in the transcription below) in Montgomery County.

John Tyler, Esq., Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia: To all ye whom these presents shall come Greeting: Know Ye, That in conformity with a Survey, made on the twelfth day of March 1824, by virtue of a Land Office Treasury warrant No. 7097 issued June 22^nd, 1821, there is granted, by the said Commonwealth, unto Henry Roop a certain Tract or Parcel of Land, containing One hundred Acres, situate in the County of Montgomery on the head of New river, and bounded as followeth, to wit: Beginning at a chesnut oak and pine on the head of a hollow on the north side of the Pilot Mountain and near the top South two degrees, East one hundred and forty four poles crossing said branch to a white oak and chesnut on the South side of the mountain and along it South forty three degrees, West Seventy four poles crossing a branch to a pine and white oak, North Seventy one degrees, west one hundred and forty poles to two black oak and a white oak sapling on top of the Mountain, and thence North fifty degrees, East two hundred and thirty four poles to the beginning. To have and to hold the said Tract or Parcel of Land, with its appurtenances, to the said Henry Roop and his heirs forever. In witness whereof, the said John Tyler, Esq., Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his Hand, and caused the lesser Seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed, at Richmond, on the twenty fourth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty Six and of the Commonwealth the fiftieth.                                                            John Tyler[12]

The abstracts of the Montgomery County Deed Book entries included by Louise AKERS in her book[6], [7], [9], [11] have the grantee’s name listed as Henry RUPE while the land grants found on the Library of Virginia site were all for Henry ROOP. The later are correct as I have seen the images of the deeds (and transcribed them as seen above) however as the county Deed Books have not been viewed I cannot be sure the abstracted name “Henry RUPE” is correct in all four cases.

The total acres of the above deeds and grants is 1,147 acres. Did all of the land remain in his possession until his death? This may be answered in the next installment when the  source of the name “Old Henry Roop Place” will be revealed.

Disclaimer: The image used in this post is not of the mill on the Old Henry Roop Place. It is a pencilized photograph taken by my husband of an old mill in Germany.

Sources::
[1] Louise Roop Anderson Akers, comp., The Family Rub, Rup, Rupe, Roop, Roope (2001 Printed by Jamont Communications, 339 Luck Ave., Roanoke, VA 24016). Note: My copy of this book is the hard cover copy which the compiler also gave to the Library of Virginia. She made some corrections and additions written in pen before gifting me the book.  On page 6 she wrote in 9-4-1801 for Samuel Roop’s date of birth.
[2] Everette L. McGrew, My Mother Was A Rupe (revised edition August 2000).
[3] Peter Wallenstein, Chapter 2 of A Special Place for 200 Years, A History of Blacksburg, Virginia edited by Clara B. Cox (http://spec.lib.vt.edu/bicent/recoll/histbook/specplac.htm : accessed 31 March 2016).
[4] Anne M. Wynn Laningham and Hattie Byrd Muncy Bales. Early Settlers of Lee County, Virginia and Adjacent Counties. Greenboro, N.C: Media, 1977.
[5] State of Virginia, “Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants/Northern Neck Grant and Surveys,” digital images, Library of Virginia (http://image.lva.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/GetLONN.pl?first=357&last=&g_p=G34&collection=LO Grant : accessed 28 March 2016), Abner Luster grantee, land grant 27 June 1796, Montgomery County; citing Land Office Grants No. 34, 1796, p. 357 (Reel 100).
[6] Akers, Montgomery County Deed Book D, page 204.
[7] Akers, Montgomery County Deed Book D, page 291.
[8] Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants, (http://image.lva.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/GetLONN.pl?first=195&last=&g_p=G59&collection=LO Grant : accessed ), Henry Roop grantee, land grant 1 September 1809, Montgomery County; citing Land Office Grants No. 59, 1809-1810, p. 195 (Reel 125).
[9] Akers, Montgomery County Deed Book G, pg. 483.
[10] Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants, (http://image.lva.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/GetLONN.pl?first=284&last=&g_p=G70&collection=LO Grant : accessed ), Henry Roop grantee, land grant 22 August 1821, Montgomery County; citing Land Office Grants No. 70, 1820-1821, p. 284 (Reel 136).
[11] Akers, Montgomery County Deed Book H, pg. 295.
[12] Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants, (http://image.lva.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/GetLONN.pl?first=110&last=&g_p=G75&collection=LO Grant : accessed ), Henry Roop grantee, land grant 24 June 1826, Montgomery County; citing Land Office Grants No. 75, 1826-1827, p. 110 (Reel 141).

Genealogy Sketch

Name: Henrich “Henry” RUPE Sr.
Parents: Johann Jacob RUPP and Maria Barbara NONNENMACHER
Spouse: Catherine Barbara NOLL
Parents of spouse: Johan Anton “Anthony” NOLL and Maria Magdalena BRENTEL
Whereabouts: Baltimore MD, Rockbridge VA, Montgomery VA
Relationship to Cathy Meder-Dempsey: 5th great-grandfather

1. Henrich “Henry” RUPE Sr.
2. James ROOP
3. Gordon ROOP
4. Gordon Washington ROOP
5. Walter Farmer ROOP
6. Myrtle Hazel ROOP
7. Fred Roosevelt Dempsey
8. Cathy Meder-Dempsey

© 2016, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL ~ The Years in Rockbridge (1793-1801)

One hundred and ten years ago today on 26 March 1906 a great-great-great-granddaughter of Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL was born.
Happy Birthday to my grandmother Myrtle Hazel ROOP (1906-1997).

Time to Leave Maryland

I wonder if Maryland was becoming too crowded for the Henry RUPE family in the 1790s? After he sold Rineharts Folly on Tuesday, 23 April 1793, there is no further trace of the family in Baltimore County.[1] If you missed their time in Maryland you can read
Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL ~ The Early Years in Maryland (1765-1793).

From family tradition and documents which point to new locations, we know my fifth great-grandparents Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL prepared to leave Maryland. They packed up their personal and household goods, rounded up their livestock and five children and made their way to a destination which may not have been known when they set out. Did they have a wagon for the journey ahead or did they buy a Lancaster Conestoga wagon? Did they travel alone or with others? Unless someone kept a diary, we will never know the answers to all of our questions. Some facts, or is it fiction, were passed down and recounted by Henry’s great-grandson Redmond Ira ROOP at a family reunion in 1927 in Carroll County, Maryland (extracts in italics in the boxes).

Traveling on what was once the Baltimore and Memphis Turnpike, the Rupe caravan crossed the Potomac at Harper’s Ferry in 1796.[2]

In 1793 Henry was about 28, his wife Catherine 25, son Jacob 7,  daughter Elisabeth 6, twin sons John and Henry 4, and baby daughter Barbara was less than a year old. If they did not make the trip until 1796 as recounted by Redmond another three years need to be added to the ages.

However 1793 would seem to be more logical as their next child, son George was born in Virginia per his three living children’s 1880 census listings. George who was not found on the 1850 census died the summer of 1859 at the age of 65. This would place his birth at about 1794.

The Three Older Brothers of Henry?

The caravan included Henry, his wife Catherine, and their family of several sons and daughters, the three older brothers of Henry, and their families.[2]

Who doesn’t have a story of several brothers? I asked this question in
Rupe/Roop/Ruppe/Rupp Migration in the Years 1752-1820. I believe not the brothers but a sister’s family may have taken the journey with them as well as a single sister-in-law.

Catherine left behind her elderly father Anthony NOLL age 70, a younger step-mother Catharina, brothers Francis and John, sisters Lovis, Elizabeth, Magdalena and Betsey, and a half-sister also named Catharina. All were mentioned in the will Anthony NOLL left in 1801 in Baltimore County. My fifth great-grandmother Catherine Barbara NOLL and another daughter Polly NOLL were not mentioned in the will.[3]

Public domain, released by David Dilts, a Family History Research Wiki user.

Henry left behind his brother Michael and sister Anna Maria, both married with children. His oldest brother Jacob has not been traced as well as George, who is only known because he signed the Oath of Alligiance in 1778 in Baltimore County. A brother named John, included in the family group by early researchers, has not been documented.

It is not known if his parents were still living in 1793. There has been some speculation by earlier researchers that the older RUPE couple may have accompanied Henry and his family on the Great Wagon Trail through the Shenandoah Valley. Redmond did not mention the parents in his narrative.

Henry’s brother Martin most likely took to the trail several years earlier as his daughter Sophia was born in Virginia abt. 1790. He was in Surry County, North Carolina, by 1795.

Henry’s sister Barbara and her husband George WEAVER also made the trip with their family – but when? George WEAVER sold his land in Baltimore County in 1785 when his wife Barbara relinquished her dower rights. However they remained in the county for five more years having children in 1786, 1789, and 1790. Is it possible the WEAVERs traveled with the RUPE family or the did the RUPE family follow the WEAVERs?

The Trip

Who hasn’t read of the hardship our ancestors endured while traveling overland. Horse and oxen pulled the covered wagons over rutted and narrow dirt roads or trails. Streams and rivers had to be crossed, dry or swollen from rains. Not all crossings went well.

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 down stream.[2]

The first leg of the journey had taken them from Manchester southwest through Frederick on to Harpers’ Ferry where they entered Virginia after crossing the Potomac River. A crossing retold over the years to become part of the family legend. Imagine the scene! If only I had my great-grandfather Walter Farmer ROOP’s talent for drawing.

The three brothers of Henry split with one of them going to Ohio, one to Western North Carolina, and the other to Georgia.[2]

Per family tradition following the crossing of the Potomac the caravan split up. However I cannot find proof of a RUPE brother going to Ohio or Georgia. As mentioned earlier, Martin RUPE, the brother who went to North Carolina, traveled through Virginia in 1790 when a child was born in the state, and lived in Surry County, North Carolina, from at least 1795 until before 1810.

The End of the First Leg of the Journey

Oren Frederic Morton, A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia, published 1920 by McClure Co., Staunton, Virginia- (https://archive.org/stream/historyofrockbri00mortrich#page/n313/mode/2up : accessed 20 March 2016)

The trail entered the Shenandoah Valley between two mountain ranges, the Blue Ridge on the east and the Allegheny Mountains on the west, near Winchester. At times it was not unusual to see a half a dozen wagons a day passing through a point in the Shenandoah Valley. The RUPE family were bound for the southwestern part of the state but their journey would end, for a while, before they reached the Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County. At a rate of 10 to 15 miles a day it would have taken them about 2-3 weeks to travel from Manchester, Maryland, to this point in Rockbridge County.

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 (sic).[2]

If the WEAVER family had been traveling with RUPE family through the Shenandoah Valley to Rockbridge they likely separated when Henry’s family built the mill and settled on Buffalo Creek. George and Barbara WEAVER were in Stokes County, North Carolina, by 1798 when their oldest son married.

In 1798 Henry RUPE was living in Rockbridge County, Virginia. This is a fact documented in Baltimore County’s land records. Rineharts Folly, the land he sold in 1793,  once again plays a role in the family tale.

BALTIMORE COUNTY COURT (Land Records) 1798-1798 WG 56, pp. 0039-0040 [2 images] MSA CE 66-106. (https://mdlandrec.net : accessed 5 March 2016)

To view the full images of this land record please refer to my post Where I Found the Land Records of my RUPE Ancestors in Maryland for directions.

Henry Roop                     This Indenture made the nineteenth day
To                                       of May seventeen hundred and ninety Eight
Jacob Boblits                    Between Henry Roop of Rockbrdig County
and State of Virginia of the one part and Jacob Boblits of Baltimore
County and State of Maryland of the other part Witnesseth that
the said Henry Rop for and in consideration of the sum of one
hundred and fifteen Pounds Current Money did Convey unto the
said Jacob Boblits by a deed of Conveyance bearing date the
nineteenth day of April Seventeen hundred and ninety three one
hundred acres of land all that Tract of land called Rine=
=harts Folley Resurveyed lying and being in Baltimore County
aforesaid as by said Deed may more fully appear and for as
much as the said Deed is found to be erronious in several parts
therefore the said Henry Roop in order to Correct the Errors in the
aforesaid ded of Conveyance as well as for and in consideration
of the sum of one hundred and fifteen pounds Current money
afsd to him in hand paid before the ensealing and delivering of
the afsd Deed of Conveyance by the said Jacob Boblits the receipt
whereof the said Henry Roop doth hereby Acknowledge and him
selfe to be therewith fully sattisfyed contented and Paid Hath
and by these Presents doth give grant Bargain sell alien
enfeoff and confirm unto him the said Jacob Boblits his heirs and
assigns forever all that Tract of land called Rineharts Folley
resurveyed situate lying and being in Baltimore County aforesaid
Beginning at the original beginning and running and boun
=ding as is expressed in the original Certificate and Grant
of said land which Expresses to contain one hundred acres
of land more or less To have and To hold all the afsd Tract
of land called Rineharts Folley Resurveyed and all the ap=
=purtanances thereunto belonging or in any wise appurtaining
unto hin the said Jacob Boblits his heirs and assigns for
=ever: and for and unto their only Proper use and behoofe
and the said Henry Roop doth hereby for himselfe and his heirs
Exrs. and Admrs. Convenant grant and agree to Warrant and
forever defend the aforesaid bargained land and appertanances
and every part and Parcel thereof with all rights Titles previledges
proffits and benefitts thereunto belonging or in any wise appurtaining
unto him the said Jacob Boblits his heirs and assigns forever against
all manner Persons whatever. Claiming or to Claime any right Title
or interest in or unto the afsd bargained land and appurtanances
or any Part or parcel thereof and In Witness whereof the said Henry
Roop hath hereunto sett his hand and affixed his seal the day
and year first above written                 Henry his X mark Roop  Seal
signed sealed and Delivered                 Received the day of the within
in the Presents of                                     date of Jacob Boblits one hundred
Alexis Lemmon                                        and fifteen pounds Current
Charles his KB mark Boblits
money the full Consideraton for the land appertainances with
=in mentioned                     pr me                Henry his + mark Roop
witnessed by                       Baltimore County Cst on the nineteenth day
Alexis Lemmon                   of May 1798 Came the within named Henry
Roop before us the subscribers two of Justices of the peace for
said County and acknowledged the within Instrument of
writing to be his act and deed and the land and appertain=
=ances within mentioned to the Right Title and Estate of the within
named Jacob Boblits his heirs and assigns forever according
to the true intent and meaning thereof                    Alexis Lemmon
Received to be Recorded the 15th day of                 George Kerlinger
September 1798 same Day Recorded and Examinded p. Wm. Gibson Clk

[Transcription by Cathy Meder-Dempsey, 12 March 2016]
Note: afsd = aforesaid; pr= per; Cst= scilicit (latin meaning that is to say or to wit)

Due to an error or omission in the original land deed dated 19 April 1793 the document had to be recorded again. I may be incorrect about this but Alexis Lemmon and Charles Boblitz may have traveled to Rockbridge County to have the deed signed by Henry Roop who left his mark on 19 May 1798 and then had it recorded in Baltimore County on 15 September 1798. Was Charles Boblitz the son or a relative of Jacob Boblitz, the grantee? Was he taking care of family business by going to Rockbridge? The 1793 deed was missing the day of the month at the beginning but the description of the tract was identical to that found in the 1788 deed in which Jacob RUPE sold the land to his son Henry RUPE. In the deed above the complete description was omitted.

A Wedding Before Moving On

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.[2]

This last statement is incorrect. Henry was still in Rockbridge in early 1801 when he gave witness to the age of a young lady who was married the same day. Later in the year when the tax list was drawn up, he would no longer be in the county.

1801 Oath. Courtesy of Nellie Hart, a descendant of James HART and Polly NULL, received per email 25 Feb 2006.

Rockbridge County To Wit
This Day Came before me a Justice
of the Peace for said County Henry Roop and
made oath that Polly Null who is about
to be married to James Hart is of his own
knowledge above the age of Twenty one
years — Certified under my hand this 13th Jany
1801                     Alex Sheilds (sic)

The marriage which took place in Rockbridge County on 13 January 1801 brings up a question. Who was Polly NULL?

1801 Marriage Bond. Courtesy of Nellie Hart, a descendant of James HART and Polly NULL, received per email 25 Feb 2006.

Know all men by these presents that we
James Hart and John Berryhill
are held and firmly bound to James Monroe
governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia or
his successor in the sum of one hundred and
fifty Dollars to which payment well and
truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs
Exors & jointly and severally firmly by these
Presents – Witness our hands and seals this
13th Day of January 1801
The Condition of the above obligation is such
that whereas there is a marriage shortly intended
to be solemized (sic) between the above bound James
Hart and Polly Null Daughter of
Anthony Null of Baltimore County
and State of Maryland
If therefore there shall be no lawful cause to obstruct
the same then this obligation to be void or else to
remain in full force
James (his +mark) Hart   seal
James (his o mark) Berryhill   seal
Teste
A. Reid Jr.

Polly NULL, daughter of Anthony NULL of Baltimore County, Maryland, married in Rockbridge and had her age witnessed by Henry. Neither document points to Henry’s relationship to the bride. There was only one Anthony NOLL in Baltimore County, Maryland, during this time period. The NULL and NOLL spelling of the surname was found in the land records of Anthony NOLL. Polly NULL has to be a younger sister of Catherine NOLL and a sister-in-law of Henry.

Finding Polly raises several questions. Did she accompany the RUPE family or did she join them several years later? She would have been a young teenager in 1793 and may have gone along to help her sister Catherine with the five young children. Did she choose to join Catherine instead of staying with her father and step-mother? Why did Catherine and Polly’s father omit them from his last will and testament in 1801? Did the RUPE family keep in touch with the families in Baltimore County over the years?

This 1801 marriage is the last documented proof of Henry RUPE, seen at this time as ROOP, being in the county of Rockbridge. Soon after, while Polly NULL and her husband James HART remained in Rockbridge, Henry pulled up stakes and continued south with his family which now numbered 10 persons: Henry was 36 years old, his wife Catherine 33, their children Jacob 15, Elizabeth 14, twins John and Henry 12, Barbara 9, George 7, Caty 5, and William less than a year old.

The RUPE family left for a new destination and it couldn’t have been Lunenburg County, Virginia.

Sources:
[1] MDLandRec, A Digital Image Retrieval System for Land Records & Indices for Baltimore County, (https://mdlandrec.net : accessed March 2016)
[2] Redmond Ira ROOP (1869-1947) at a 1927 family reunion in Carroll County, Maryland per research notes of Linda Pearl Dickey Roop (1943-1994)
[3] “Maryland, Register of Wills Books, 1629-1999,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-24153-57010-13?cc=1803986&wc=M97S-ZJ3:n1483733492 : accessed 22 Jul 2013), Baltimore > Wills 1797-1802 vol 6 > images 177 and 178 of 288.

Genealogy Sketch

Name: Henrich “Henry” RUPE Sr.
Parents: Johann Jacob RUPP and Maria Barbara NONNENMACHER
Spouse: Catherine Barbara NOLL
Parents of spouse: Johan Anton “Anthony” NOLL and Maria Magdalena BRENTEL
Whereabouts: Baltimore MD, Rockbridge VA, Montgomery VA
Relationship to Cathy Meder-Dempsey: 5th great-grandfather

1. 1. Henrich “Henry” RUPE Sr.
   2. James ROOP
   3. Gordon ROOP
   4. Gordon Washington ROOP
   5. Walter Farmer ROOP
   6. Myrtle Hazel ROOP
   7. Fred Roosevelt Dempsey
   8. Cathy Meder-Dempsey

© 2016, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

Henry RUPE and Catherine Barbara NOLL ~ The Early Years in Maryland (1765-1793)

My 6th great-grandparents Anton NOLL and Maria Magdalena BRUNNLE (also seen as BRENTEL and PRENL) belonged to the Zion Church, or German Church, in Manchester, Baltimore County, Maryland. Established on 12 February 1760, the Zion Church was the oldest Lutheran congregation in what is now Carroll County. Today the church is known as the Immanuel Lutheran Church.

On Sunday, 13 March 1768, Anton and his wife Maria Magdalena brought their daughter Catharina Barbara, two and a half weeks old, born on Wednesday, 24 February 1768, to a log structure owned and used jointly by the Lutheran and Reformed congregations.[1] The building was located east of the present complex on ground now used for burial purposes.

The log structure was replaced by a second house of worship, a brick building painted yellow, in 1798. It was also a joint Reformed and Lutheran church. A tower erected in 1836 graced the church until both were razed and the ground cleared for a new church building dedicated in 1915. Source: History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Maryland of the United Lutheran church in America, 1820-1920 by Wentz, Abdel Ross, 1883-1976, Published 1920, pg. 361. (https://ia801400.us.archive.org/0/items/historyofevangel00wentiala/historyofevangel00wentiala.pdf : accessed 12 March 2016)[2]

They met up with friends, neighbors, and fellow worshipers. On this Sunday they  brought Catharina Barbara along to be baptized and asked their friends Johann Jacob FAUBEL, Anna Barbara HOBMANNIN, and Catharina HOBMANNIN to sponsor her.[1] The baby girl’s sisters Lovis (14) and Elizabeth Margreth (11) and her brothers Francis (7) and John (4) may well have been present for the occasion.

The church service was conducted exclusively in German. The record book of the congregation was kept at the church, in a cupboard or on a shelf at the altar. John Casper KIRCHNER, the clergyman, recorded the baptism in German in the book with a pen he dipped in the inkwell which sat waiting to be used.[1]

The year Catharina Barbara was born her father was one of the signers of a petition for the removal of the county seat from the once thriving port of Joppa to Baltimore Town. Her future father-in-law Jacob RUPE and his oldest sons Jacob and Michael also signed the petition. I’ve got this history fact down pat and know without looking it up that it took place in 1768.

In 1783 Catharina, the 15 years old daughter of Anthony NOLL, was confirmed along with thirteen young women aged 15 and 16 and twelve young men aged between 15 and 18 at the Zion Church of Manchester.[1] Catharina’s mother died between 1778-1783 and wasn’t present for this important event.

Three years later Catharina NOLL married Henry RUPE, the youngest son of Jacob RUPE and Maria Barbara NONNENMACHER. Henry, seen as Henrich in the church records when his children were baptized, belonged to the Reformed congregation. He was born about 1765. Although entries were made in the shared church book by John Caspar KIRCHNER for the Lutheran congregation and by Jacob LISCHY for the Reformed congregation for the time period Henry was born, there is no entry for his birth or baptism. Pastor LISCHY recorded only three baptisms in August 1765 and July 1766.

Marriages were often performed at the pastor’s home or at an inn and rarely in the church were the record book was kept. The church record, used by both the Lutheran and Reformed congregations, has records of baptism, communion, confirmations, and much later funerals or burials – no records of marriages. We therefore do not know a date for the marriage of Catharina and Henrich, or Catherine and Henry as they were known outside the German community.

Henry and Catherine’s marriage likely took place in the fall of 1785 before her 18th birthday. They probably lived with Henry’s parents Jacob and Barbara on Rhineharts Folly, land Jacob bought in 1770.

On Sunday, 30 July 1786 Catharina née NOLLIN and Henrich RUP presented their first born son Jacob for baptism. He was a month and a half old having been born on Thursday, 15 June 1786. His parents were his sponsors.[1] Nollin is the feminine form of the mother Catharina’s maiden name NOLL, née was included in the transcription/translation of the German records to English.

Catharina and Henrich had a daughter Elisabetha on Tuesday, 4 September 1787. She was baptized nearly two months later on Wednesday, 31 October 1787. Her sponsor was Elisabetha SELLERIN (feminine form of SELLER, ZELLER).[1]

On Wednesday, 2 April 1788, Jacob RUPE sold the remaining 100 acres of Rineharts Folly to his son Henry RUPE. Originally 115 acres, he’d sold 15 acres to his son-in-law John Shower in 1787. Jacob and Henry’s surname was spelled RUB on the deed and Rhineharts lost an h and was written Rineharts.[3]

BALTIMORE COUNTY COURT (Land Records) 1788-1788 WG BB, pp. 0557-0558 [2 images] MSA CE 66-77. (https://mdlandrec.net : accessed 5 March 2016)[3]

To view the full images of this land record please refer to my post Where I Found the Land Records of my RUPE Ancestors in Maryland for directions.

Jacob Rub to Henry Rub
This Indenture made this Twenty second Day of April Anno Domini Seventeen Hundred and Eighty eight Between Jacob Rub of Baltimore County and State of Maryland of the one part and Henry Rub of the same County and State aforesaid of the Other part witnesseth that the said Jacob Rub for and in Consideration of the sum of Fifty pounds Current money to him in hand paid at or before the Enscaling and delivery of these presents the Receipt whereof he doth hereby Acknowledge and therewith to be fully Contented and paid hath and by then presents doth give grant sell alien enfeoft and Confirm to him the said Henry Rub his Heirs and assigns forever all that part of a Tract of Land Called Rineharts folly resurveyed lying and being in Baltimore County and beginning for these part at the original Beginning and Running thence North twenty two degrees East Forty perches north Seventy eight degrees East sixty perches North East forty two perches South forty nine degrees and thirty minutes East sixty seven perches to the end of Forty one perches and a half perch on the seventh line of the said land then with it south twelve degreees East fifty eight perches and a half perch South Eighty degrees west one Hundred and Seventy three perches to the third line of the Original then with it to the Begining of said line South Eighty two degrees west fifty two perches North thirty five degrees East Seventy five perches and then by a Straight line to the Begining Containing One Hundred Acres of Land more or Less together with all the Buildings Improvements medows waters priviledges and appurtenances thereto belonging and all the Right Title Interest use property claim and demand of in or to the said Land and premises Reversion and Reversions Remainders Rents Issues and profits thereof and of every part or parcel thereof to have and To Hold the said parcel of Land and premises with the Appurtenances unto him the said Henry Rub his Heirs and assigns forever and to his and their only proper use and behoof and the said Jacob Rub for himself and his Heirs doth hereby Convenant and agree to and with the said Henry Rub his Heirs and assigns that he the said Jacob Rub and his Heirs the aforesaid parcel of Land and premises with the Appurtenances to him the said Henry Rub his Heirs and Assigns forever shall and will warrant defend by these presents against all person and persons Claiming or which may hereafter claim by from or under him the said Jacob Rub or his Heirs or by their means or procurement In Witness whereof the said Jacob Rub hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year above written…..
Signed Sealed & delivered
In the presence of                                               Jacob Rub (Seal)
Geo. Goulds Presbury;  Lyde Goodwin          Received the day and year first within written of Henry Rub the sum of Fifty pounds Current Money it being the Consideration within mentioned as witness my hand  – Witness frst? Geo Goulds Presbury                                                            Jacob Rub
On the 22d day of April 1788 Came Jacob Rub before us two of the Justices of the peace for Baltimore County and acknowledged the within Deed to be his Act and the parcel of Land hereby bargained and sold to be the Right title and Estate of the within mentioned Henry Rub his Heirs and assigns forever according to the true Intent and meaning of the said Deed.
Geo Goulds Presbury, Lyde Goodwin
Received to be Recorded the 7th day of June 1788 same day Recorded & Examined                      Wm. Gibson clk
[Transcription by Cathy Meder-Dempsey, 12 March 2016]

Henry bought the land from his father with all the buildings, improvements, meadows, waters,  privileges, and appurtenances. There is no mention of Jacob’s wife Barbara relinquishing her dower rights.

Henry was now the owner of the family home and likely was expected to care for his parents. Jacob and Barbara were 65 years old in 1788.

With Catharina’s next pregnancy the number of children would double from two to four. On Friday, 27 February 1789, Catharina gave births to twins, Johannes and Henrich. The boys were baptized on Sunday, 26 April 1789, in the Lutheran church their mother attended. The sponsors were: Johannes KIEFFER and Eva KIEFERIN for Johannes and Peter and Christina ZIEGLER for Henrich.[1] Johannes and Henrich would would later be known as John and Henry.

On Monday, 29 October 1792, Catharina gave birth to her fifth child, a daughter Barbara. He baptism is recorded in the church record with only the name of her father Henrich, her date of birth, and the name of her sponsor, Barbara RUPPIN (feminine form of RUPP).[1] Her sponsor in all likelihood was her paternal grandmother who was a member of the church and whose husband was Reformed. Why did the clergyman omit the name of the mother and the date of the baptism? Other children baptized in 1792 and 1793 also had the name of their mother missing in the church record.

The page young Barbara’s baptism was recorded on, at first glance, appears to have entries made out of order. In the introduction to the compilation of the church records we learn that people may have come from great distances to have their children baptized. A closer look at the names reveals four Kaltreuter children born between 1787-1792 being baptized, likely on the same day as Barbara. The youngest was born 4 November 1792 which could mean the baptisms took place after this date. Even the most conscientious clergyman can make mistakes. Was Pastor Daniel SCHROEDER overwhelmed by the number of baptisms performed and recorded on one day that he forgot to enter the date?

Whatever the reason for the missing date for the baptism, it is the last record for the three generation family in the church records.

On Tuesday, 23 April 1793, Catherine relinquished her dower rights when her husband Henry RUB sold Rineharts Folly to Jacob BOBLITS. The indenture was recorded on Tuesday, 14 May 1793.[3]

BALTIMORE COUNTY COURT (Land Records) 1793-1793 WG LL, pp. 0157-0158 [2 images] MSA CE 66-86. (https://mdlandrec.net : accessed 5 March 2016)[3]

Henry Rub to Jacob Boblits
This Indenture made this [blank] day of April Anno Domini Seventeen hundred and ninety-three Between Henry Rub of Baltimore County and State of Maryland of the one part and Jacob Boblitz of the same County and State aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth that the said Henry Rub for and in Consideration of the sum of one hundred and fifteen pounds Current money to him in hand paide at or before the Ensealing and delivering of these presents the Receipt whereof doth hereof acknowledge and therewith to be fully contented and paide Hath and by these presents doth give grant sell alien enfeof and confirm to him the saide Jacob Boblits heirs and assigns forever all that part of a Tract of Land Called Rineharts folly Resurveyed Lying and being in Baltimore County and begining for these part at the Original Begining and runing thence North twenty two Degrees East forty perches North Seventy Eight Degrees East Sixty perches North East forty two perches South fory nine degrees and thirty minutes East Sixty seven perches to the end of Forty one perches and a half perch on the Seventh line of the saide Land then with it South twelve degrees East fifty Eight perches and a half perch South Eighty degrees west one hundred and seventy three perches to the third line of the Original then with it to the begining of Saide Line South Eighty two degrees west fifty two perches North thirty five degrees East Seventy four perches and then by a Straight line to the Begining Containing one hundred acres of Land more or less together with all the Buildings Improvements meadows waters priveliges and appurtenances thereto Belonging and all the right title Intrust use properly claims and Demand of in on to the said Land and Premises Revision and Reversions Remainders rents Houses and profits thereof and of every part of parcel thereof to Have and To Hold the saide parcel of Land and Premises with the appurtenances unto him the said Jacob Boblits his heirs and assigns forever and to his or theirs only use and behoof and the said Henry Rub for himself and his heirs doth hereby Covenant and Agree to and with the saide Jacob Boblits his heirs and assigns that he the saide Henry Rub and his heirs the aforesaid parcel of Land and Promises with the appurtenances to him the saide Jacob Boblits his heirs and assigns forever sall and will warant and defend by these against al person or persons claiming or which may hereafter claim by from or under him the saide Henry Rub or his heirs or by these means or procurement In Witness whereof the said Henry Rub Hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year above written.                                 Henry his x mark Rub
Signed Sealed and delivered in the presents of us R. Winchester
Baltimore County (to witt)
On the day of the date hereof came Henry Rub Party to the within Deed Before us the subscribers two of the Justices of the peace for said County and acknowledged the within Instrument of writing to be his act and Deed and the Land and Premises therein mentioned to be the Right and Estate of the within named Jacob Boblits his heirs and assigns forever according to the true Intent and meaning thereof at the same time Catherine the wife of the said Henry Rub and being by Privately Examined from apart and out of the hearing of her said husband did relinquish her right of Dower in and to the within described Land & premises and acknowledged it to be the right of the within named Jacob Boblits his heirs and assigns forever and that she did of her own free will and voluntary will without threats or fear of ill usage from her said husband April 23rd 1793 acknowledged before
R. Winchester       Joshua Lemmon
Received to be recorded the 14th day of May 1793 same day recorded a& examined.
W Gibson clk
[Transcription by Cathy Meder-Dempsey, 12 March 2016]

This would be the last record of Catherine and Henry RUPE in Baltimore County before they left Maryland to migrate to Virginia. This was not, however, the last record they produced in Baltimore County as will be seen in the next part of their story.

Sources:
[1] C. T. Zahn and Frederick S. Weiser, translators and editors, Maryland German Church Records Volume 10, subtitle: 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).
[2] Wentz, Abdel Ross, History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Maryland of the United Lutheran church in America, 1820-1920, published 1920, pg. 361. (https://ia801400.us.archive.org/0/items/historyofevangel00wentiala/historyofevangel00wentiala.pdf : accessed 12 March 2016)
[3] MDLandRec, A Digital Image Retrieval System for Land Records & Indices for Baltimore County, (https://mdlandrec.net : accessed March 2016)

Genealogy Sketch

Name: Henrich “Henry” RUPE Sr.
Parents: Johann Jacob RUPP and Maria Barbara NONNENMACHER
Spouse: Catherine Barbara NOLL
Parents of spouse: Johan Anton “Anthony” NOLL and Maria Magdalena BRENTEL
Whereabouts: Baltimore MD, Rockbridge VA, Montgomery VA
Relationship to Cathy Meder-Dempsey: 5th great-grandfather

1. 1. Henrich “Henry” RUPE Sr.
   2. James ROOP
   3. Gordon ROOP
   4. Gordon Washington ROOP
   5. Walter Farmer ROOP
   6. Myrtle Hazel ROOP
   7. Fred Roosevelt Dempsey
   8. Cathy Meder-Dempsey

© 2016, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.