James Roper

1. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE:

James Roper, (son of John Roper and Edith Farwell) was b. ABT 1772, Chideock,, Dorset, England, bapt. 21 Dec 1772, in Chideock, Dorset, England. He m (1) Polly Roper Farwell, on 27 Sept. 1803 in Chideock, both of this parish, in the presence of Henry Farwell and Joel Roper (all signed). She was b. c1775, Dorset, England, and was buried with a m.i. in Chideock, aged 33, on 22 Feb 1808. In 1807, the Dorset Poll Book shows James as the owner of some land in Wells, occupied by John Crofts.

James m (2) Mary James, in Kingstone, Somerset, on 21 July 1808. Mary James was baptized in Dowlish Wake, Somerset, on June 15, 1783, a daughter of Richard James and Mary Rooke [C4 on the Symonds tree]; James farmed in Chideock and in Whitechurch Canonicorum. James was churchwarden in Whitechurch Canonicorum in 1814 / 15. He died in Whitechurch Canonicorum, Dorset, England, on Oct 2, and was buried on 9 Oct 1816 aged 44, m.i. in Chideock, Dorset. In the census of 1841, in Chideock, Mary 55 was enumerated, as well as daughters, Sarah 35 and Mary 30, all independent. Mary Roper 60 died on Oct 22 and was buried with a m.i. in Chideock on 27 Oct 1843. John had issue from each of his two wives.

2. MONUMENT INSCRIPETIONS IN CHIDEOCK ST. GILES CHURCHYARD

No. 91 Large Upright with rounded top with motif, leaning forward
In Memory of JAMES ROPER / who departed this life Oct 2nd 1816, aged 44 years / Also of MARY his wife / who departed this life Feb 11th 1808, aged 33 years / “We hope that change is for the best / To those with Christ who are at rest” / Also of MARY his second wife / Departed this life October 22 1843, aged 60 years / Also JAMES / son of the above / who died May 11th 1844 aged 37 years / Also in Affectionate Remembrance of SARAH FARWELL ROPER 11th December 1866.

3. CHIDEOCK ST. GILES PARISH REGISTERS OF BURIALS

• Sarah Farwell Roper, Chideock, April 17th 1844, aged 33
• Sarah Farwell Roper, Chideock, Jan 15th 1866, aged 61
• James Roper, Whitchurch Canonicorum, Oct 9th 1816, aged 44
• Polly Roper, Feb 22nd 1808
• Mary Roper, Chideock, Oct. 27th 1843, aged 60
• James Roper, Whitechurch Canonicorum, May 11th 1844, aged 36.

Peter D. Ferreira. Toronto, Canada. March 2020.