Roper Family of Burke County Area, North Carolina

L. David Roper
roperld@vt.edu
(www.roperld.com)
6 March, 2002

The Second Generation of Ropers in Burke County Area (1815-1870)

The 1815 Tax List for Burke County contains: Capt. Huffman's Company (SE Burke County):
Elijah Roper 1 tract of Land lying on the South fork. Land 50 Valuation $50 White Poles 1
Capt. McKinsey's Company (SW Burke County, now McDowell Co.):
Hennery Roper (no land) White Poles 1
David Roper 1 tract of land of 98 acres lying on Cain Creake. Land 98 Value $196 White Poles 1

(See above for James Roper's entry in SE Burke County.) There are many Cain Creeks in North Carolina, and one of them is in Old Burke County in what is now extreme Southeastern McDowell County and flows south into Rutherford County. Its origin is at Bolin Knob on the extreme SW corner of Burke County. Thus, David Roper's land is about six miles SW of (Rev.) David Roper's land (see above). James went NE and David went SW to settle for land. Elijah's land is in the same area as James' land, so Elijah is probably James' son, but could be his brother. We shall see later from the census records that Elijah is 26 years younger than James, so it appears most likely that he is James's son. He could be David, Jr.'s son, but it seems unlikely since David, Jr.'s sons were about ten years younger than James' and David, Jr. disappeared from Burke County while Elijah remained involved in James's affairs (see James' estate record below). The white pole (age 21-50) entry indicates a birth date for Elijah Roper, Hennery Roper and David Roper of 1765-1794.

Burke Co. court records for 1815:

Jan 1815 David Roper on jury to view & mark road from head of CaneCreek to Swannanoa.
Jul 1815 John & Henry Roper were hands on road, 16 mile post to Rutherford line.
Oct 1815 David Roper on jury to view road from Lincolnton to Buncombe.
Oct 1815 Deed from James Moses to Elijah Roper, 50 acres dated 18 Sep 1812. Proved by Solomon Roper
Oct 1815 David Roper juror to Jan 1816 court.

This record for Henry Roper and the Hennery Roper record above are the only records for him I have found in this area. (There are many Henry Roper records in Caswell County. One there married Rachel Farley in 1810 and did not show in the records again until 1819. Henry may have moved to Burke Co. after marrying and then back to Caswell Co. a few years later.) This John Roper record perhaps connects John Roper of the earliest Roper grave in Salem Methodist Church to the other Ropers who lived in the Rutherford/Burke Counties line area.

The following marriage records exist for Burke County:
Alexander Deal Clary England 7 Sep 1816 Alexander Norten(bm) J. Erwin (w)
James Garradson x Polly Roper 30 Mar 1813 Philip Martin (bm) C. Hildebrand (w)
David Roper x Mary Becknel 23 Jan 1816 Solomon Roper (bm) J. Erwin (w)
Joshua Tallent Carrie Roper 30 Oct 1816 Solomon Roper (bm) W. A. Erwin (w)
John Roper Polly England 24 May 1821 Fredk. Stevilie(bm) A. H. Erwin (w)
John Garrelson Dycca Berry 7 Aug 1823 John Roper (bm) Jno. Sudderth (w)
George Smith Sally Roper 1 Dec 1824 Wm. Roper (bm) Joseph Erwin (w)

The bonds may have been paid before the marriage. Alexander Deal/Dale latter married Barbara Roper (see below). The name Garradson was later changed to Garrison.

John Roper is obviously the same one in the cemetery records above. The fact that no Roper was a bondsman for his marriage may mean that he was not closely connected to the other Ropers in Burke County. Also, the Salem Methodist Church at which he and his wife Mary (Polly) are buried, although it is south of Morganton, is not in the farther south South Mountains where the other Ropers lived. As will be explained below, the evidence suggests that many of the other Ropers buried in the Salem Methodist Church and who now live in its vicinity are descendants of John. The placement in the 1830 census indicates that John Roper might be a son of David, Jr.. Since I have few records on the David Roper, Jr. family and he seemed to move around often, I shall assign John Roper to this family for now.

This even younger David Roper would likely have been born 1790-1800. Solomon Roper appears (only) in the 1830 US census for Burke County with birth date 1790-1800. So Solomon is probably this David Roper's brother, since he served as the bondsman. Two David Ropers who were born 1790-1800 appear in the 1830 US census (see below) for Burke, and the grouping of households indicate that Solomon and one David might be sons of David, Jr. and the other David might be a son of James.

Sally Roper Smith is probably a daughter of James Roper because her bondsman Wm. Roper appears by land records (see below) to be a son of James. Similarly, Carrie Roper Tallent is probably a daughter of James Roper since she or her daughter Carah Talent is prominent in the estate record of James (see below). Polly Roper Garradson may have been James's daughter, since a Garrison is listed in the estate of James (see below). Since Solomon Roper is listed as the bondsman of both David and Carrie, I reverse the conclusion of the previous paragraph and now assign Solomon to the James family.

My best guesses for the David Roper, Jr. and James Roper families are now:

David Roper, Jr. (b 1770-1775) m 25 Feb 1788 Sarah Francis (b bef 1775)
Henry Roper (b 1765-1794); David Roper III (b 1780-1790)
John Roper m 24 May 1821 Mary (Polly) England
(b 6 Sep 1797 d 10 Jan 1868) (b 25 Aug 1783 d 30 Mar 1865)

James Roper (b 1760=1770) WIFE (b c1770)
Polly Roper (b 1780-1790) m 30 Mar 1813 James Garradson
Carrie Roper (b 1790-1800) m 30 Oct 1816 Joshua Tallant
David Roper (b 1790-1800) m 23 Jan 1816 Mary Becknel
Solomon Roper (b 1790-1800)
Sally Roper (b 1790-1800) m 1 Dec 1824 George Smith
Elijah Roper (b 1790-1800);
William Roper (b 1800-1810)

Morganton NC Circuit of the SC Conference of the Methodist Church:
Quarterly meeting 4 Apr 1817:...Ropers 0"0"0 (Collection)

The 1820 US census for Burke County lists:
James Roper: M: 2(10-16) 1(16-18) 3(18-26) 1(26-45) 1(45 up) F: 1(10-16) 1(18-26) 1(45 up)
Elijah Roper: M: 2(0-10) 1(26-45) F: 1(0-10) 1(26-45)
David Roper: M: 1(0-10) 2(10-16) 2(18-26) 1(45 up) F: 1(0-10) 1(10-16) 3(18-26) 1(26-45)

Betsy Pittman states: "David Roper was in (now) McDowell Co., judging from his neighbors."

Thus the birth dates are:
James (bef 1775) WIFE (bef 1775):
M: 1(1775-1794) 3(1794-1802) 1(1802-1804) 2(1804-1810) F: 1(1794-1802) 1(1804-1810)
One of these two younger females could be the woman with a young son who was living with James when he died in 1853 (see below).

David (bef 1775) WIFE (1775-1794) M:2(1794-1802) 2(1804-1810) 1(1810-1820)
F: 3(1794-1804) 1(1804-1810) 1(1810-1820)

Elijah (1775-1794), WIFE (1775-1794) M: 2 (1810-1820); F: 1 (1810-1820)

Estes family history indicates that Sally Estes married Solomon Roper in Burke County about 1820.

Phifer indicates that Solomon Roper was a justice of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in 1821 (p. 420) and was coroner in 1826 (p. 425). Justices serve for life (Phifer, p. 47).

The North Carolina Room of the Burke County Public Library has a list of the persons buried in the old cemeteries of Burke County. The only Ropers listed who were born in the 1820s are:
W. M. Roper b 23 Jan 1821 d 19 Aug 1883 Salem Methodist Church
Mrs. F. J. Roper b 1 May 1824 d 8 Aug 1903 Salem Methodist Church

Family memory places these two as husband and wife. The only older Ropers in this cemetery are John and Mary Roper (see above) and their graves are in the row in front of these graves, so this W. M. Roper is probably their son. Mrs. F. J. Roper's maiden name was Frances Jane Orders and she is W. M.'s wife, and W. M. is William (Monroe?) Roper. No graves are in this cemetery for birth dates in the 1830s, so these four early birth dates are much earlier than any that follow.

The following Burke County land grant appears for Solomon Roper in 1823:

No. 4450
County Burke Name Roper, Solomon Acres 51
Grant No. 5107 Issued 8 Dec 1823 Entry No. 8354
Entered 10 May 1823 Book No. 135 Page No. 472
Location on waters of long creek joining his own land on both sides of the still house branch.
NORTH CAROLINA Comptroller's Office, Dec 2 1823
IT appears from a Receipt of the Public Treasurer, lodged in this office, that Solomon Roper has paid the Purchase-Money for an Entry of Land, containing 51 acres, in the County of Burke , which Entry is No. 8354 Jo Hawkins, Compt. (signed)
(second page:)
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA No. 11492
David Ferree Entry officer of Claims for lands in the County of Burke to the Surveyor of said county.
Greeting you are hereby required to lay off & Survey for Solomon Roper one tract or parcel of land containing fifty One acres lying in your county bounded as follows viz lying on the waters of long Creek Joining his Own land, on both Sides of the Still house branch. Entered 10th May 1823
Observing the direction of the Act of Assembly in such case made and provided. Given under my hand at office this 25th Sept. 1893 David D. Ferree (signed)
(third page:)
State N. Carolina, Burke County (map is here) By virtue of a Warrant No. 8354 Entered the 10th of May 1823survey for Solomon Roper fifty One acres lying On the waters of long Creeke Joining his own land on both sides of the Still house branch. Begining On a white Oake On a ridge his old Corner & runs South 58 deg. W Sixty poles to a large white Oake On the North Side of a hill then South 19 deg. East Oone hundred & thirty Six poles to a Stake in his Old line Then with S.P(?) line to the Begining. Surveyed October 28th 1823 F T Turner D. Syrv Austin Farr (?)
Geo. W. Walker CC Robt. Logan C.S.

Stillhouse Creek is in old Burke County, now central McDowell County. This is in the area (SW Burke County) where David, Jr. lived, rather than where James lived (SE Burke County). So, now it appears that Solomon is a son of David, Jr. instead of James.

The Burke County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Jan 1823, p. 389: Solomon Roper appointed Constable who give bond with approved Security in the Sum of $4,000.

The Burke County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for Oct 1824. Warrants & Surveys, 1778-1858 (microfilm in NC Room, Burke Co. Pub. Lib.) David Doak's survey on Rock Creek, water of S. Fork; adj. James Smith, A. Smith, & Legel; James Roper and Peter Laygle (Lail).

The Burke Journal, V.X, N.2, p.20: Burke Co. Apprentice Bonds 1784-1873: Oct 1824 Court: to John Boone, Sheriff. Three children of a colored woman named Sally who lives on the creek near Solomon Roper.

1824 Burke Co. tax list: Capt. I. Hall's Co. (SW Burke/Rutherford/ McDowell Cos.)
David Roper 100 acres $100 evaluation 1 pole

Burke Co. Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions-Jan 1826. Ordered that Solomon Roper, Conrad Hildebrand and Thomas Walker be a Committee to Settle the Estate of Lewis Lowmon decd. with Jesse Martin admr & report therof.

In 1828 inThe Hoffmans of North Carolina by Max E.Hoffman (1938) the following contract to build a school in the "southern part of Burke County" is quoted on p. 92: We whose names are hereunto Subscribed do bind ourselves, our heirs, Executors, Administrators or Asigns to pay, or cause to be paid unto Daniel Brackett the Sum of one Dollar & Twenty five cents per Scholar for his Services as a Teacher 3 months & each subscribed Shall Assist in building a Sufficient House to teach in agreeable to their Subscription & S, d Subscribers Shall Empower S, d Brackett in full Government of said School. & I Daniel Brackett Doth bind myself to teach S, d School Committed To my Care in reading, Writing or Arithmetic to the best of his Skill and ability & their Several Capacities will permit and S, d Brackett obliges himself to teach & instruct good rules and Regulations to the best of his skill & begins with 20 Scholars and keeps an open School to 2. If any Scholar comes into the School and will not submit to the rules of the School they Shall Leave the School & pay Likewise & we the
Subscribers Shall find S, d Brackett in boarding and washing as Witnesses--with our respective Names Annex't with the number of Scholars CB and keeps 5 days per week During said term.
Phillip Brittain_________Schlors__6; Daniel Roper_____________Schlors__4
Casper Hoffman___________Schlors__5; Phillip Martin___________Schlors__6

This is the only occurrence of a Daniel Roper I have found in the early records. Since the Brittains and Martins did not live near James Roper, Daniel Roper is most likely a son of David Roper, Jr.. However, the names David and Daniel are often mistaken when records are transcribed, so this could be for a David, since several lived in Burke County about this time.

Field Note Book Lands Sold for Erwin Erwin & Greenlee 5 June 1828: Surveyed for John Roper & Robert Carswell 100 Acres Speculate of land on both sides of Cain brake creek Beginning on a W.O. on West side of the creek Marked E.S. and runy East 22 poles to the creek + in the same 18 poles to a stake then S 60 poles to a W.O. on the hill above the house the corner of the Old ???? then So. ?????? the creek 100 poles to a stake then West 100 poles to a Sowerwood in a hollow at side of James Ropers place then 160 poles to the beginning. Surveyed 4 Feb 1829. Wm Carswell, Elijah Roper CC`````````` Deed Executed to Robt. Cresswell on 24 March 1829 $50 Survey for Robt. Carswell 11 Acres 4 Feb 1829. Elijah Roper, Wm. Carswell CC

Letter to author from Betsy Pittman: The Field Note Book...ofspeculation land in upper Rutherford (now Cleveland) Co.

Powell's Gazetteer: Cane Brake Creek rises in S. Rutherford Co. andflows S. into Broad River.

The following death record exists for Burke County: Person Parents
Patient Smith 27 Feb 1829 Elija Roper NC unknown burial
b 22 Jun 1919 NC Catherine Hoffman NC

So now we know Elijah's wife's maiden name. Many Hoffman's (or Huffman) lived, and still live, in the area where the Ropers lived (now Walker's Chapel area of the South Mountains). The 1850 census (see below) lists Patience as living in the Elijah Roper household and the 1870 census (see below) lists Catherine Roper as living in the Zack and Patience Smith household.

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Morganton News Herald 1991 article: Walker Top Church Plans Reunion....Joseph (Walker), who was born Oct. 20 1824, was only 5 years old when his father (Thomas Walker) died. Burke Co. records show that Elizabeth Walker's brother, Michael Hoofman, and her brother-in-law Elijah Roper, were appointed as guardians for her children.

The following Burke County land grant appears for Samuel Roper in 1829:

No. 4769
County Burke Name Roper, Samuel Acres 100-
Grant No. 5425 Issued 11 May 1830 Entry No. 10146
Entered 29 July 1829 Book No. 138 Page No. 354 Location on Waters of the South Fork
NORTH CAROLINA Comptroller's Office, 10th May 1830
IT appears, from a Receipt of the Public Treasurer, lodged in this Office, that Samuel Roper has paid the Purchase-Money for an Entry of Land, containing One Hundred acres, in the County of Burke , which Entry is No. 10,146 J. Grant, Compt. (signed)
(second page:)
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, Burke COUNTY. NO. 10146
David E. Ferree Entry Officer of claims, for Lands in the County of Burke to the Surveyor of said County, Greeting: YOU are hereby required to lay off and Survey, for Samuel Roper a tract or parcel of Land lying in your County, containing 100 Acres, lying on James Roper Mill Creek, joining Thos Walker & the Speculation Entered 29th day of July A.D. 1829 . Observing the direction of the Acts of Assembly in that case made and provided, for running out Lands, two just and fair plans of each survey, with a proper Certificate annexed to each, together with this warrant, you are to transmit to the Secretary's Office, without delay. Given under my hand, at office the 30 day of Oct 1829 David D. Ferree (signed)
(third page:)
State N. Carolina, Burke County (map is here) By virtue of a Warrant No. 10146 Entered 29th July 1829 Surveyed for Samuel Roper One Hundred Acres of land lying on the Waters of the South Fork. Beginning on a Post Oak bush at a dead ? Thomas Walker's So.West corner on the West Side of Chapmans road, and runs north on the Walkers line One hundred & Sixty poles to a Sasafras Post Oak and black Oak bush at the No.West corner of Walkers Survey. Then West crossing the road that goes from Ropers to the Church then South One hundred and Sixty poles to a stake then East One hundred poles to the Begining. Surveyed 1st April 1830.
James Roper and M. Sudderth C. Sy. (signed) Wm. Roper (CC)

Using the clues in this land grant I was able to drive directly to the area of the grant (Walkers Chapel Baptist Church area) on 7 May 1989. It lies next to River Road in the South Mountains about one mile west of the turnoff to Walkers Chapel Baptist Church; it now belongs to Frank Huffman. Frank Huffman, who lived near the church, showed me the old mill dam on Roper Mill Creek and where the log Roper Church- School was (at side of parking lot for Walkers Chapel Church) before it burned in 1922. I have a newspaper clipping, supplied by Nicole Mull, of the 1906 class in front of Roper School. It states that the school was "located on Old N.C. 18 on the site where Walker's Chapel Methodist Church is now." (This is a mistake about the church's denomination or else it changed.) Of the 53 people in the picture, 18 are Huffmans and 10 are Carswells.

The following Burke County land grant appears for William Roper in 1829:

No. 4770
County Burke Name Roper, William Acres 100-
Grant No. 5426 Issued 11 May 1830 Entry No. 9935
Entered 28 April 1829 Book No. 138 Page No. 354
Location on Waters of S Fork
NORTH CAROLINA Comptroller's Office, 10th May 1830
IT appears, from a Receipt of the Public Treasurer, lodged in this Office, that William Roper has paid the Purchase-Money for an Entry of Land, containing One Hundred acres, in the County of Burke , which Entry is No. 9935 J. Grant, Compt. (signed)
(second page:)
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA No. 9935 David E. Ferree Entry Officer of claims for Lands in the County of Burke to the Surveyor of said county Greeting you are hereby required to lay off & Survey, for William Roper one tract or parcel of land containing one hundred acres lying in your county situate as follows lying on the watter of the South Fork joining James Roper & John Smith including the Red hill. Entered 28th April 1829. Observing the direction of the Act of Assembly made and provided in Such case - Given under My hand at office this 29 day of July 1929
David D. Ferree (signed)
(third page:)
State N. Carolina, Burke County (map is here) By virtue of a Warrant No. 9935 Entered 28th April 1829 Surveyed for William Roper One Hundred Acres of land on the Waters of the South Fork including the Red hill. Beginning on a pine marked J.S.W.R. near the path leading from John Smiths to Robert Criswells and runs North 75 degrees West One hundred poles to a Black Oak near the head of a branch that runs into the river in Philip Brittains old place. Then north 15 degrees East One hundred Sixty poles to a small Black Oak sapling near the Ridge Road. Then south 75 degrees East One hundred poles xing a branch to a stake. Then south 15 degrees West One hundred poles to the Begining. Surveyed the 1st day of April 1830.
James Roper and M. Sudderth C. Sy. (signed) Saml. Roper (CC)

Note that CC indicates the name of the chain carriers for the surveyor. Thus it appears that James is probably William's and Samuel's father. We can add Samuel Roper to the James Roper family.

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The Burke Journal, V.X, N.2, p.11: Burke Co. Tax List, Capt.
Huffman's Co. 1830 (S. Mts. area): Name Land Value Poles
William Roper 200 200 1 Elisha Roper 50 50 1
Saml Roper 100 50 1 James Roper Senr 0 0 1

The 1830 US census shows eight Roper families in Burke County, he most of any of the old censuses:
"In the German section." Page No.
John Roper M: 2(5-10) 1(30-40); F: 2(40-50) 126
Solomon Roper M: 1(0-5) 1(5-10) 1(30-40) F: 2(0-5)1(30-40) 2(Fslaves10-24) 127
David Roper M: 2(5-10) 1(30-40); F: 2(0-5) 1(30-40) 128
William Roper M: 1(20-30); F: 1(20-30) 130
James Roper, Sr. M: 1(20-30) 1(60-70); F: 1(20-30) 1(60-70) 130
David Roper M: 1(0-5) 1(30-40); F: 1(0-5) 1(20-30) 130
Elijah Roper M: 1(5-10) 1(10-15) 1(15-20) 1(30-40) F: 2(0-5) 1(15-20) 1(40-50) 131
James Roper, Jr. M: 2(0-5) 1(20-30); F: 1(0-5) 1(5-10) 1(20-30) 137

Thus the birth dates are:

John: (1790-1800) WIFE (1780-1790) M: 1(1820-1825); F: 1(1780-1790)
It appears that John's sister, his wife's sister or a brother's wife is living with them.

Solomon: (1790-1800) WIFE (1790-1800) M: 1(1820-1825) 1(1825-1830); F: 2(1825-1830)

David: (1790-1800) WIFE (1790-1800) M: 2(1820-1825); F: (1825-1830)

William: (1800-1810) WIFE (1790-1800)

James, Sr.: (1760-1770) WIFE (1760-1770) M: 1(1800-1810); F: 1(1800-1810)
The female that was born after 1810 (see 1820 census above) and that perhaps was living with James with a young son when James died (see below) is not now at home.
David: (1790-1800) WIFE (1800-1810)
M: 1(1825-1830); F: 1(1825-1830)

Elijah: (1790-1800) WIFE (1780-1790) M: 1(1810-1815) 1(1815-1820) 1(1820-1825)
F: 1(1810-1815) 2(1825-1830)

James, Jr.: (1800-1810) WIFE (1800-1810) M: 2(1825-1830); F: 1(1820-1825) 1(1825-1830)

So we add James Roper, Jr. (1800-1810) to the James Roper family.

The following marriage record exists for Lincoln County:
William Roper Anna Ramsey 3 Feb 1830 Allen Ramsey (bm)
(one record shows: 1 Feb 1830) Luther McBee (w)

Burke Co. NC election records: We do hereby Certify that the foregoing is a correct Statement of all the notes given us at the house of James Roper, that each number of votes is next to the candidate. This is given under our hand. Seals this 10 day of Aug 1830.C Hildebrand, Frederick Draper?
?? David Roper Jr. 40 William Roper 43 Solomon Roper 49 James Roper ?? ? Roper
49 Samuel Roper ?? David Roper

Phifer (p. 420) indicates that William Roper was a justice of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in 1831. Justices serve for life (Phifer, p. 47).

Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Jul 1831, Case #20: Margaret Wild v. William Roper. Jury withdrawn by consent; continued in Jul 1832 session; in Jan 1833, jury finds for the defendant (charge not given)

On 25 Sept. 1832 in Open Court Elijah Roper was designated the guardian of Elizabeth Hardridge and Samuel Walker, minor heirs of Samuel Walker. $55.10 funds were indicated.

Burke Co. Inventories of Sales of Estates, 1832-1838: (P)=purchasers
27 Jul 1832 David Tate Sr. estate: Roper, John Roper (P)
28 Jul 1832 Robert Carswell estate: S. Roper JP
1 Feb 1833 James Murphy estate: Sol Roper, Wm Roper (P)
Oct 1833 Henry Hildebrand estate: Wm Roper JP
24 Oct 1833 John Williams estate: S. Roper (P)
Jan 1834 William Walker estate: Wm Roper JP
24 May 1834 George Pool estate: David Roper (P)
24 May 1834 Samuel C. Tate estate: William Roper (P)
26 Aug 1834 Abraham Huffman estate: Elijah Roper, Samuel Roper, William Roper (P)
18 Oct 1835 Thomas Walker estate: Elijah Roper guardian
Jan 1836 Abram Hoofman/Huffman estate: William Roper (P)
21 Apr 1836 Jacob Stillwell estate: William Roper (P)
29 Oct 1836 James Murphy estate: Wm. Roper (P)

The North Carolina Room of the Burke County Public Library has a list of the persons buried in the old cemeteries of Burke County. The only Roper listed who was born in the 1830s is:
Altha Duckworth Roper b 1833 [wife William Shuping R.] d 1905 Glen Alpine Methodist

The following Burke County land grant appears for Elijah Roper in 1832:

No. 4994
County Burke Name Roper, Elijah Acres 5-
Grant No. 5650 Issued 5 Dec 1833 Entry No. 11492
Entered 20 Feb 1832 Book No. 140 Page No. 519 Location on both sides of the South fork
NORTH CAROLINA Comptroller's Office, 29th Nov 1833
IT appears, from a Receipt of the Public Treasurer, filed in this Office, that Elijah Roper has paid the Purchase-Money for an Entry of Land, containing Five acres, in the County of Burke , which Entry is No. 11492 J. Grant, Compt. (signed)
(second page:)
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA No. 11492 David E. Ferree Entry Officer of claims for lands in the County of Burke to the Surveyor of said county Greeting you are hereby required to lay off & Survey for Elijah Roper one tract or parcel of land containing twenty acres, lying in your county situate as follows lying on the South Fork & Younger Creek joining lands of Wm. Creswell, John Smith and his own. Entered 20th Feb 1832 Observing the direction of the Act of Assembly made & provided in Such case -Given under My hand at office this 26th day of Sept 1932
David D. Ferree (signed)
(third page:)
State N. Carolina, Burke County (map is here) By virtue of a Warrant No. 11492 Entered 20th day of February 1832 Surveyed for Elijah Roper five Acres of land on both sides of the South Fork adjoining his own land, John Smith and Erwin and Sudderth. Begining on a black oak on a hill in the line of Erwin & Sudderth and runs North 20 degrees East with their lines crossing Younger Creek forty four poles to a Spanish Oak & Black oak their corner and the corner of John Smith, Thos. Smith with Smiths line sixty poles to the river crossing. Same course twelve poles to a stake. Then north 29 degrees West crossing the river and running with Ropers own line thirty four poles to the begining. Surveyed the 31st Dec 1832.Wm. Creswell and M. Sudderth C. S. (signed) Saml. H. Roper (CC)

This is the only occurrence of a middle initial for Samuel Roper. Other evidence indicates that he is a different Samuel than the one often mentioned above. This one is a son of Elijah and the other is a brother.

Phifer (p.279) indicates that James Roper was the militia captain for his district in 1834 and, therefore, the district was then named Roper's District.

Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Jan 1834 State v. Solomon Roper Not quilty (assault & battery).

Shortly after this Solomon moved to MS. A child of his was born there in 1838.

Sale of Abraham Huffman 26 Aug 1834: buyers: Samuel Roper 1 man's saddle $2.58
Elijah Roper 1 hay stack $2.85, 1 bottle whiskey $$.27; 1 account on William Roper $2.62 1/2
Bulletin of Genealogical Society of Old Tryon Co. 1988: p.66: A copy of the polls of the election held in the county of Burke, on the 13th day of Aug 1835, for the election of a member to represent the 12th District of NC in the 24th Congress of the US. A list of the voters for the Congressional election opened and held at Morganton: ...17. John Roper...279. Solomon Roper ...
p.108: State of North Carolina, Burke Co.. We, Elijah Roper and William Brittain, judges of an election opened and held at the South Fork election ground, this day do certify that at said election ground, that in Congress, James Graham got 21 votes. David Newland got 13 votes. ______Durham got 00 votes. Given under our hands, this 13th day of Aug 1835. Abraham Brittain, Elijah Roper, Judges. Samuel Roper, Clerk.
p.109: A list of voters for Congressional election, opened and held at James Dysart's, Aug 13th 1835...15. David Roper..

Walter Hall (P.O. Box 609, Montreat, NC 28757) states: Daniel Roper of Burke Co. was a son of David who married a Margaret.Daniel was born April 14, 1836, and died Jan. 20, 1909. On Feb 16, 1858 he married Susan Caroline Fouts. She was born April 6, 1839 and diedAugust 12, 1926. Both Daniel and Susan are buried in Macon Co., NC. The children of Daniel and Susan were:
1. Margaret Born May 22, 1859 Died Jan 18, 1915
2. Alice Born Apr 22, 1862 Died Sep 9, 1911
3. Barbara Born Nov 21, 1863 Died Sep 16, 1954
4. Corrie Ann Born Dec 17, 1865 Died Sep 25, 1936
5. Charles C. Born Apr 21, 1868 Died ?
6. Harriett Born Aug 28, 1870 Died Apr 17, 1947
7. Lunia Born Apr 1, 1873 Died Sep 23, 1877
8. William T. Born Aug 23, 1876 Died Mar 14, 1937
9. James R. Born Nov 30, 1877 Died ?
10. Harley S. Born Aug 12, 1880 Died Dec 17, 1955
11. Gordie Born Dec 21, 1882 Died ?

This marriage is shown in the NC Marriage Bonds microfilm: Daniel Roper m Susan C. Fouts on
17 Feb 1858 bm: William Foutes w: R. C. Slagle by: D. McCoy in: Macon Co., NC

Declaration papers at the National Archives show that Samuel Roper "was a private soldier in the Company commanded by Capt. Connelley in the regiment of N.Ca. militia commanded by Col. Bynum who were engaged in the military service of the U.S. in removing the Cherokee Indians west of the Mississippi ... that he volunteered at at Morganton, NC on or about the 1st day of Apr A.D. 1838 for the term of six months and continued in actual service for the term of two months 12 days. ... and was honourable discharged at Ashville, NC on or about 5 day of July 1838." The original papers were filed in Burke County in 1852. Later papers were filed in 1855 in Cherokee County, NC to receive bounty land. The final papers were filed in 1871 in Cherokee County by Samuel's widow Rebeca x Roper and witnessed by W. W. Roper to receive bounty land. (Family history has it Rebecca Flowers.)

Phifer (p. 452) also lists Samuel Roper as the only Roper from Burke involved in the Indian Removal.

1838 List of a Volunteer Co. raised from 79th Reg. of NC Militia Co. of Burke for the Cherokee service: ...48. Samuel Roper

My best guesses for the David Roper, Jr. family are now:
David Roper, Jr. (b 1770-1775) m 25 Feb 1788 Sarah Francis (b bef 1775)
Hennery Roper (b 1765-1794)
David Roper III (b 1790-1800) m 23 Jan 1816 Mary Becknel
John Roper m 24 May 1821 Mary (Polly) England
(b 6 Sep 1797 d 10 Jan 1868) (b 25 Aug 1783 d 30 Mar 1865)
Solomon Roper (b 1790-1800) (m c1820) Sally Estes (b 1790-1800)

Daniel Roper

My best guesses for the James Roper family are now:
James Roper (b 1760=1770) WIFE (b c1770)
Polly Roper (b 1780-1790) m 30 Mar 1813 James Garradson
Carrie Roper (b 1790-1800) m 30 Oct 1816 Joshua Tallant
David Roper (b 1790-1794) WIFE (b c1800)
Sally Roper (b 1790-1800) m 1 Dec 1824 George Smith
Elijah Roper (b 1790-1794) Catherine Hoffman (b 1780-1790)
William Roper (b 1800-1810) m 3 Feb 1830 Anna Ramsey
Samuel H. Roper (b 6 Jan 1806) m Rebecca Flowers (b 29 Mar 1817)
James Roper, Jr. (b1800-1810) WIFE (b 1800-1810)
The birth dates for Samuel Roper and Rebecca Flowers are taken from family history. I have moved Solomon to the David Roper, Jr. family and reversed the David Ropers between the two families.

Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Apr 1839 - Solomon Roper appointed Corriner (coroner).

Rutherford Co. Wills & Misc. Records, 1783-1868: p.54. 9 Mar 1839 Will of William Lucas. Land east side of Lucas Ford Money to Palm Tree Church. "I have give unto my drt. Nancy & her husband Andrew Parker one tract of land called the Roper tract..."

Rutherford Co., NC Abstracts of Wills 1823-1868: p.42: E:54 William Lucas, 9 Mar 1839...Have given to Dau. Nancy & husband Andrew Parker, tract of land Roper tract ...

The US census for 1840 for Burke County lists:
On the south side of the Catawba River and west side of North Fork
James Roper M: 1(5-10) 1(10-15) 1(15-20) 1(30-40) F: 1(5-10) 1(10-15) 1(15-20) 1(30-40) p.39
Samuel Roper M: 1(30-40); F: 1(20-30) p. 59
Elijah Roper M: 1(5-10) 1(15-20) 1(50-60) F: 1(5-10) 1(10-15) 1(50-60) p.59
Jas. Roper, Sr. M: 1(0-5) 1(70-80); F: 1(20-30) p. 366
John Roper M: 2(15-20) 1(40-50); F: 1(50-60) p. 64
James Garrison, Sr. M: 1(5-10) 2(10-15) 1(20-30) 1(70-80); F: 1(15-20) 1(20-30) 1(50-60)

Thus the birth dates are:
James, Sr.: (1760-1770) NO WIFE? M: (1835-1840) F: (1810-1820)
It appears that James Roper, Sr.'s wife had died 1830-1840.

James, Jr.: (1800-1810) WIFE (1800-1810)
M: 1(1820-1825) 1(1825-1830) 1(1830-1835) F: 1(1820-1825) 1(1825-1830) 1(1830-1835)

Samuel: (1800-1810) WIFE (1810-1820)

Elijah: (1780-1790) WIFE (1780-1790)
M: 1(1820-1825) 1(1830-1835) F: 1(1825-1830) 1(1830-1835)

John: (1790-1800) WIFE (1780-1790) M: 1(1820-1825)

So the Solomon Roper family, the two David Roper families and the William Roper family have left Burke County or the families have dispersed. And Samuel Roper, son of James, Sr., has started his family. The young female and even younger male living with James, Sr. may be a daughter-in-law and her child or a new very young wife and offspring (see 1850 census below). She does not fit the ages of the wifes of Solomon, David, William (see above census records), who possibly are James' sons that do not show in this census.

On 28 Oct 1840 James Roper was an informer for a court action involving Daniel, John, George, Samuel and Elish Brown.

The North Carolina Room of the Burke County Public Library has a list of the persons buried in the old cemeteries of Burke County. The only Ropers listed who were born in the 1840s are:
Nancy Ann Roper b 2 Oct 1840
[wife Barney Roper] d 23 Oct 1922 Denton Chapel Methodist
Shuping Roper b 1845
[William Shuping Roper] d 1930 Glen Alpine Methodist
Jane Roper b 27 Oct 1846
(wife of Berry Roper) d 16 Aug 1937 Zion Memorial Methodist
Julius Roper b 10 Mar 1849
[son David,gson Elijah] d 5 Jun 1887 Salem Methodist Church
Barbra A. Williams Roper b 24 Mar 1849
[wife Joseph H. Roper] d 20 Feb 1915 Salem Methodist Church
Joseph H. Roper b 6 Dec 1849
[son William;gson John] d 8 Apr 1936 Salem Methodist Church

This Joseph H. Roper is known by family history to be a son of William M. Roper (see above) and I place him as a grandson of John Roper by the reasoning given above. Barbara Williams Roper is his wife (see death record below).

The Index to Death Certificates book at the Burke County Court House lists:
1 Jan 1930 Wm. Shuping Roper f: Jimmie Roper m: Lucinda Mitchell

Phifer (p. 420) indicates that Samuel Roper was a justice of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in 1841. Justices served for life (Phifer, p. 47).

Burke Co. Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions April 1842: Order of Sale. Robert H Erwin vs Elijah Roper. Justices judgment for $21.12 principal $4.87 interest & 40 cents cost with execution returned in this case hand " on one tract of land & of one entery containing 55 acres on the South Fork adjoining John Smith and Samuel Smith. Judgement of the Court that plaintiff answer the same and that the lands hand on be condemmed and sold to satisfy judgement and cost. Order of Sale. R H Erwin vs Elijah Roper. Justices judgment for $13.31 1/4 debt and 40 cents cost with an execution returned ???? "on one tract of land of one small ?????? containing 55 acres on the South Fork adjoining John Smith and Samuel Smith on the 29th Jan 1842" Judgment of the Court that plaintiff recover the same and that the land ???? on be condemned and sold to satisfy the same and costs.
Wed. Apr 20 1842. Thomas Walker vs Elijah Roper. Justices judgment for $8.25 principal $2.07 interest and 40 cents cost with an execution thereon returned delivered on the 11th day of Feb 1842 on one tract of land of defendents containing one hundred acres half the property of defendant lying on the waters of the South Fork known by the name of Walker land. Judgment of the Court for the amount of Justices judgment and costs and that the land ???? on be condemned and sold to satisfy the same and costs. Thomas Walker vs Elijah Roper. Justices judgment for $32.00 principal $4.32 interest & 40 cents cost with an execution thereon returned ???? the 11th day of Feb 1842 on defendants interest being the one half on One hundred acres of land known as the Jacob Deal place lying on Youngs Creek. Judgment that plaintiff recover Justices judgment and that the lands ???? on be condemned and sold to satisfy the same. Thomas Walker vs Elijah Roper. Justices Judgment $1.25 cost 40 & execution ???? on the 11 day of Feb 1842 on ??? ???? a tract of defendants land containing fifty acres lying on the waters of the South Fork known by the name of the Walker lands. Judgment of the Court that plaintiff recover the same and that the lands ???? on be condemned and sold to satisfy the same. Thomas Walker vs Elijah Roper. Justices Judgment $9.08 principal interest $3.82 cost 40 with an execution returned ???? the 11th day of Feb 1842 on one tract of land of defendants containing fifty acres lying on the South Fork known by the name of Walker land. Judgment of the Court that plaintiff recover the same and that the land ???? on be condemned and sold to satisfy the same and cost. Thomas Walker vs Elijah Roper. Justices Judgment $11.00 principal interest $1.35 cost 40 with an execution thereon returned ???? the