Roper Family History - Photographs

John and Bessie (Elizabeth) Roper

John was baptized on 13/05/1852 in Broadwindsor. He was the middle son of Robert and Mary Roper. Bessie was the daughter of Levi and Anna Humphries, a well-to-do family from Wootton Bassett. They married in 1883 and farmed at Clyffe Pypard (near Wootton Bassett) and specialized in producing quality cheeses and butter.

Tragedy struck the Roper family in 1885 when John's brother and sister-in-law (William and Susannah) suddenly died within a short period of each other, they fostered their nephew Thomas (our direct family line).

Memorabilia, photographs and recollections from this time, portray a family group with financial success. They dressed well, lived in smart houses and used the railways as a common means of transport for business and leisure. On the other hand, Thomas was not entirely accepted by Bessie - a stern, childless, very house-proud person. At times he was treated as an outcast with such indignities as having to bathe in the cowshed for fear of dirtying the house facilities. John was quite different to Bessie, he disregarded fashion and had little respect for anybody in authority. Many saw a facade encompassing a kindly country gentleman, others considered him quite off-hand and a ‘bit of a rogue’. Tales from that time said the local children were scared to enter John Roper’s land as he set man-traps. True or false – we cannot be certain but, upon his death some old rusty mantraps were discovered in his attic! Regardless of these oddities, the couple nurtured Thomas into a well educated, strong businessman, with good morals and religious beliefs.