Lydia was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to David Hand Bowen (son of Clement Remington Bowen and Lydia Hand) and Margaret ‘Maggie’ Magee. David was an undertaker in the Philadelphia area, with D.H. Bowen & Sons. Lydia was most likely named for her paternal grandmother.
On June 7, 1865, she married Capt. John Lonsdale Roper, also of Philadelphia, at Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church. He was the son of Richard Bryham Roper and Esther Ann Reynolds. He had previously served in the Union Army during the Civil War with the 11th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry (108th Volunteers). They were married in Philadelphia and promptly went to live in Norfolk, Virginia. Capt. Roper had served there during the Civil War and wanted to move there to start his lumber business. John eventually became a lumber baron, building lumber mills, railroads, and a ship yard. He bought or built homes for his adult children to live within 2 blocks of his and Lydia's spacious home. At his wife’s request, he built the Lydia Roper Home in Norfolk, a home for poor widows, and left an endowment to maintain it; on her death, Lydia increased that endowment. That home is still in existence and houses elderly women under the guidance of the United Methodist Church. Information about the current home is at lydiaroperhome.org/our-impact
Lydia was an active member of the community and church. She taught Sunday School at the Epworth Methodist Church in Norfolk. She recognized the needs of the poor, sick and elderly in the area and was generous in her efforts to assist them. One daughter, Margaret, was very active in the Methodist Church in Norfolk, helping to form the Norfolk City Union of the King’s Daughters, which established a baby clinic that later would become King’s Daughters Children’s Hospital in Norfolk.
John and Lydia were the parents of 6 children:
1) Margaret Bowen Roper (1866-1966)
- - Most likely named after Lydia's mother, Margaret Mcgee Bowen.
- - married George Farant Moss. She would be remembered as a social activist.
2) George Wisham Roper (1867-1946)
- - Named after Lydia's older sister's (Kate) husband, George Wisham.
- - married Isabelle Place Hayward.
- - After Isabelle’s death, he married Matilda 'Maida' Secor McCord, an artist who exhibited her paintings in France and Italy.
George served as Chairman of the Board of Virginia National Bank, Executor of the J L Roper Estate, and President of Norfolk Marine Ry Co., Inc and Norfolk Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp. George was the first chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Lydia Roper Home.
3) William Bryham Roper (1870-1964)
- - married Rosa Bruce. William managed sales in the lumber yard and was eventually the chairman of the board of Norfolk Ship and Dry Dock Co.; served as secretary and treasurer of the North Carolina Pine Association. Also served as president of Norfolk United Charities, Inc.
- - Named after gr-great-grandfather
*William Bryham m. Ann Lonsdale, parents of
**Hannah Bryham m. John Roper; parents of
***Richard Bryham Roper, father of
****Capt. John Lonsdale Roper, father of this William
4) John L. Roper (1872-1872), died as an infant.
5) Virginia 'Ginny' Roper (1873-1946)
- - never married. She was a pianist, music composer, poet and artist. Her close friend, Adele Williams, was a painter. (Adele's memorial, #93685491)
6) Albert Lonsdale Roper (1879-1966)
- - married Georgette Phillips Parks. Albert was a lawyer, a partner in Roper and Cochran with Herbert G. Cochran and was mayor of Norfolk 1918-1924. Georgette was a writer and used the pen name George Phillips.
- - After Georgette's death, he married Ethel May Cronk Jones (divorced, ex-wife of Grant Jones and daughter of Amzi/Amsey/Anthony Johnson Cronk and Laura Virginia Rau) in June 1933.
- - The name LONSDALE is a family name from several generations back. Albert's gr-great-grandmother was
*Ann LONSDALE m. William Bryham, parents of
**Hannah Bryham m. John Roper; parents of
***Richard Bryham Roper, father of
****Capt. John Lonsdale Roper, father of Albert
Lydia and John lived at 314 W. Freemason St in Norfolk for most of their married life. Lydia died at home at the age of 90.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
• 1860 Census, Philadelphia Ward 3, PA: Lydia, age 18, daughter in household of David & Margaret Bowen. (David’s occupation: ‘undertaker’)
• 1865 Pennsylvania Marriages: Liddie H. Bowen married John L. Roper in Philadelphia, PA, June 7
• 1870 Census, Norfolk Ward 4, Virginia: age 30, wife of John Roper. (John’s occupation: “lumber manufacturer”)
• 1880 Census, Norfolk, Virginia: age 38, wife of John Roper. (John’s occupation: “lumber mer.”[merchant])
• 1900 census, Norfolk Ward 3, Virginia: age 59, wife of John Roper (John’s occupation: “lumber dealer”) Lydia indicated she was the mother of 6 children, 5 still living; married 33 yrs (1867)
• 1910 Census, Norfolk Ward 3, Virginia: Liddie H, age 68, wife of John Roper (John’s occupation: “lumber business”)
• 1920 Census, Norfolk, Jefferson Ward, Virginia: age 79, wife of John L. Roper (no occupation listed for John)
• 1930 Census, Norfolk, Virginia: age 88, widow, head of household, no occupation listed
(On each census, Lydia's only listed occupation was Housekeeper or no occupation was listed.)
• 1930 Virginia death record: Lydia H. (Bowen) Roper died at home, Dec 7
Info from death certificate:
Born in Philadelphia
Father, David H. Bowen (b. New Jersey)
Mother, Maggie Magee (b. Pennsylvania)
Widow of Capt John L. Roper
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A more detailed biography of Lydia's husband, John, is available at New River Notes:
https://tinyurl.com/yanyw8ev
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
** There is a Margaret Bowen, died May 9, 1870, buried in Ebenezer Church cemetery (the same church where Lydia & John were married) in Philadelphia; see memorial# 160623842. This memorial has a note that mentions she was married to David Bowen. This cemetery is now defunct, most of the bodies were moved after 1914. Margaret's remains were evidently moved (although no documentation has been found yet) to Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia. A Margaret Bowen was listed on the 1870 U.S.Federal Census Mortality Schedule, who died in May in Philadelphia County, PA.
The Margaret Bowen in Mt. Moriah died May 9, 1878; headstone is shared with David H. Bowen. Although both Margarets died on May 9, one is dated 1870 and the other is 1878. Most likely, the stone engraver of the Mt. Moriah gravestone transcribed the date incorrectly.
One of Lydia's older sisters was named Margaret.(Margaret V Bowen, born Sept 27, 1838, baptized at Ebenezer Methodist Church, Philadelphia. M Virginia Bowen married James Salter Dec 1864 in Philadelphia; one son was named David Bowen Salter; David's passport application was witnessed by Lida J Wooley, Margaret's & Lydia's sister.)
On June 7, 1865, she married Capt. John Lonsdale Roper, also of Philadelphia, at Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church. He was the son of Richard Bryham Roper and Esther Ann Reynolds. He had previously served in the Union Army during the Civil War with the 11th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry (108th Volunteers). They were married in Philadelphia and promptly went to live in Norfolk, Virginia. Capt. Roper had served there during the Civil War and wanted to move there to start his lumber business. John eventually became a lumber baron, building lumber mills, railroads, and a ship yard. He bought or built homes for his adult children to live within 2 blocks of his and Lydia's spacious home. At his wife’s request, he built the Lydia Roper Home in Norfolk, a home for poor widows, and left an endowment to maintain it; on her death, Lydia increased that endowment. That home is still in existence and houses elderly women under the guidance of the United Methodist Church. Information about the current home is at lydiaroperhome.org/our-impact
Lydia was an active member of the community and church. She taught Sunday School at the Epworth Methodist Church in Norfolk. She recognized the needs of the poor, sick and elderly in the area and was generous in her efforts to assist them. One daughter, Margaret, was very active in the Methodist Church in Norfolk, helping to form the Norfolk City Union of the King’s Daughters, which established a baby clinic that later would become King’s Daughters Children’s Hospital in Norfolk.
John and Lydia were the parents of 6 children:
1) Margaret Bowen Roper (1866-1966)
- - Most likely named after Lydia's mother, Margaret Mcgee Bowen.
- - married George Farant Moss. She would be remembered as a social activist.
2) George Wisham Roper (1867-1946)
- - Named after Lydia's older sister's (Kate) husband, George Wisham.
- - married Isabelle Place Hayward.
- - After Isabelle’s death, he married Matilda 'Maida' Secor McCord, an artist who exhibited her paintings in France and Italy.
George served as Chairman of the Board of Virginia National Bank, Executor of the J L Roper Estate, and President of Norfolk Marine Ry Co., Inc and Norfolk Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp. George was the first chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Lydia Roper Home.
3) William Bryham Roper (1870-1964)
- - married Rosa Bruce. William managed sales in the lumber yard and was eventually the chairman of the board of Norfolk Ship and Dry Dock Co.; served as secretary and treasurer of the North Carolina Pine Association. Also served as president of Norfolk United Charities, Inc.
- - Named after gr-great-grandfather
*William Bryham m. Ann Lonsdale, parents of
**Hannah Bryham m. John Roper; parents of
***Richard Bryham Roper, father of
****Capt. John Lonsdale Roper, father of this William
4) John L. Roper (1872-1872), died as an infant.
5) Virginia 'Ginny' Roper (1873-1946)
- - never married. She was a pianist, music composer, poet and artist. Her close friend, Adele Williams, was a painter. (Adele's memorial, #93685491)
6) Albert Lonsdale Roper (1879-1966)
- - married Georgette Phillips Parks. Albert was a lawyer, a partner in Roper and Cochran with Herbert G. Cochran and was mayor of Norfolk 1918-1924. Georgette was a writer and used the pen name George Phillips.
- - After Georgette's death, he married Ethel May Cronk Jones (divorced, ex-wife of Grant Jones and daughter of Amzi/Amsey/Anthony Johnson Cronk and Laura Virginia Rau) in June 1933.
- - The name LONSDALE is a family name from several generations back. Albert's gr-great-grandmother was
*Ann LONSDALE m. William Bryham, parents of
**Hannah Bryham m. John Roper; parents of
***Richard Bryham Roper, father of
****Capt. John Lonsdale Roper, father of Albert
Lydia and John lived at 314 W. Freemason St in Norfolk for most of their married life. Lydia died at home at the age of 90.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
• 1860 Census, Philadelphia Ward 3, PA: Lydia, age 18, daughter in household of David & Margaret Bowen. (David’s occupation: ‘undertaker’)
• 1865 Pennsylvania Marriages: Liddie H. Bowen married John L. Roper in Philadelphia, PA, June 7
• 1870 Census, Norfolk Ward 4, Virginia: age 30, wife of John Roper. (John’s occupation: “lumber manufacturer”)
• 1880 Census, Norfolk, Virginia: age 38, wife of John Roper. (John’s occupation: “lumber mer.”[merchant])
• 1900 census, Norfolk Ward 3, Virginia: age 59, wife of John Roper (John’s occupation: “lumber dealer”) Lydia indicated she was the mother of 6 children, 5 still living; married 33 yrs (1867)
• 1910 Census, Norfolk Ward 3, Virginia: Liddie H, age 68, wife of John Roper (John’s occupation: “lumber business”)
• 1920 Census, Norfolk, Jefferson Ward, Virginia: age 79, wife of John L. Roper (no occupation listed for John)
• 1930 Census, Norfolk, Virginia: age 88, widow, head of household, no occupation listed
(On each census, Lydia's only listed occupation was Housekeeper or no occupation was listed.)
• 1930 Virginia death record: Lydia H. (Bowen) Roper died at home, Dec 7
Info from death certificate:
Born in Philadelphia
Father, David H. Bowen (b. New Jersey)
Mother, Maggie Magee (b. Pennsylvania)
Widow of Capt John L. Roper
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A more detailed biography of Lydia's husband, John, is available at New River Notes:
https://tinyurl.com/yanyw8ev
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
** There is a Margaret Bowen, died May 9, 1870, buried in Ebenezer Church cemetery (the same church where Lydia & John were married) in Philadelphia; see memorial# 160623842. This memorial has a note that mentions she was married to David Bowen. This cemetery is now defunct, most of the bodies were moved after 1914. Margaret's remains were evidently moved (although no documentation has been found yet) to Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia. A Margaret Bowen was listed on the 1870 U.S.Federal Census Mortality Schedule, who died in May in Philadelphia County, PA.
The Margaret Bowen in Mt. Moriah died May 9, 1878; headstone is shared with David H. Bowen. Although both Margarets died on May 9, one is dated 1870 and the other is 1878. Most likely, the stone engraver of the Mt. Moriah gravestone transcribed the date incorrectly.
One of Lydia's older sisters was named Margaret.(Margaret V Bowen, born Sept 27, 1838, baptized at Ebenezer Methodist Church, Philadelphia. M Virginia Bowen married James Salter Dec 1864 in Philadelphia; one son was named David Bowen Salter; David's passport application was witnessed by Lida J Wooley, Margaret's & Lydia's sister.)
Lydia was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to David Hand Bowen (son of Clement Remington Bowen and Lydia Hand) and Margaret ‘Maggie’ Magee. David was an undertaker in the Philadelphia area, with D.H. Bowen & Sons. Lydia was most likely named for her paternal grandmother.
On June 7, 1865, she married Capt. John Lonsdale Roper, also of Philadelphia, at Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church. He was the son of Richard Bryham Roper and Esther Ann Reynolds. He had previously served in the Union Army during the Civil War with the 11th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry (108th Volunteers). They were married in Philadelphia and promptly went to live in Norfolk, Virginia. Capt. Roper had served there during the Civil War and wanted to move there to start his lumber business. John eventually became a lumber baron, building lumber mills, railroads, and a ship yard. He bought or built homes for his adult children to live within 2 blocks of his and Lydia's spacious home. At his wife’s request, he built the Lydia Roper Home in Norfolk, a home for poor widows, and left an endowment to maintain it; on her death, Lydia increased that endowment. That home is still in existence and houses elderly women under the guidance of the United Methodist Church. Information about the current home is at lydiaroperhome.org/our-impact
Lydia was an active member of the community and church. She taught Sunday School at the Epworth Methodist Church in Norfolk. She recognized the needs of the poor, sick and elderly in the area and was generous in her efforts to assist them. One daughter, Margaret, was very active in the Methodist Church in Norfolk, helping to form the Norfolk City Union of the King’s Daughters, which established a baby clinic that later would become King’s Daughters Children’s Hospital in Norfolk.
John and Lydia were the parents of 6 children:
1) Margaret Bowen Roper (1866-1966)
- - Most likely named after Lydia's mother, Margaret Mcgee Bowen.
- - married George Farant Moss. She would be remembered as a social activist.
2) George Wisham Roper (1867-1946)
- - Named after Lydia's older sister's (Kate) husband, George Wisham.
- - married Isabelle Place Hayward.
- - After Isabelle’s death, he married Matilda 'Maida' Secor McCord, an artist who exhibited her paintings in France and Italy.
George served as Chairman of the Board of Virginia National Bank, Executor of the J L Roper Estate, and President of Norfolk Marine Ry Co., Inc and Norfolk Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp. George was the first chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Lydia Roper Home.
3) William Bryham Roper (1870-1964)
- - married Rosa Bruce. William managed sales in the lumber yard and was eventually the chairman of the board of Norfolk Ship and Dry Dock Co.; served as secretary and treasurer of the North Carolina Pine Association. Also served as president of Norfolk United Charities, Inc.
- - Named after gr-great-grandfather
*William Bryham m. Ann Lonsdale, parents of
**Hannah Bryham m. John Roper; parents of
***Richard Bryham Roper, father of
****Capt. John Lonsdale Roper, father of this William
4) John L. Roper (1872-1872), died as an infant.
5) Virginia 'Ginny' Roper (1873-1946)
- - never married. She was a pianist, music composer, poet and artist. Her close friend, Adele Williams, was a painter. (Adele's memorial, #93685491)
6) Albert Lonsdale Roper (1879-1966)
- - married Georgette Phillips Parks. Albert was a lawyer, a partner in Roper and Cochran with Herbert G. Cochran and was mayor of Norfolk 1918-1924. Georgette was a writer and used the pen name George Phillips.
- - After Georgette's death, he married Ethel May Cronk Jones (divorced, ex-wife of Grant Jones and daughter of Amzi/Amsey/Anthony Johnson Cronk and Laura Virginia Rau) in June 1933.
- - The name LONSDALE is a family name from several generations back. Albert's gr-great-grandmother was
*Ann LONSDALE m. William Bryham, parents of
**Hannah Bryham m. John Roper; parents of
***Richard Bryham Roper, father of
****Capt. John Lonsdale Roper, father of Albert
Lydia and John lived at 314 W. Freemason St in Norfolk for most of their married life. Lydia died at home at the age of 90.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
• 1860 Census, Philadelphia Ward 3, PA: Lydia, age 18, daughter in household of David & Margaret Bowen. (David’s occupation: ‘undertaker’)
• 1865 Pennsylvania Marriages: Liddie H. Bowen married John L. Roper in Philadelphia, PA, June 7
• 1870 Census, Norfolk Ward 4, Virginia: age 30, wife of John Roper. (John’s occupation: “lumber manufacturer”)
• 1880 Census, Norfolk, Virginia: age 38, wife of John Roper. (John’s occupation: “lumber mer.”[merchant])
• 1900 census, Norfolk Ward 3, Virginia: age 59, wife of John Roper (John’s occupation: “lumber dealer”) Lydia indicated she was the mother of 6 children, 5 still living; married 33 yrs (1867)
• 1910 Census, Norfolk Ward 3, Virginia: Liddie H, age 68, wife of John Roper (John’s occupation: “lumber business”)
• 1920 Census, Norfolk, Jefferson Ward, Virginia: age 79, wife of John L. Roper (no occupation listed for John)
• 1930 Census, Norfolk, Virginia: age 88, widow, head of household, no occupation listed
(On each census, Lydia's only listed occupation was Housekeeper or no occupation was listed.)
• 1930 Virginia death record: Lydia H. (Bowen) Roper died at home, Dec 7
Info from death certificate:
Born in Philadelphia
Father, David H. Bowen (b. New Jersey)
Mother, Maggie Magee (b. Pennsylvania)
Widow of Capt John L. Roper
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A more detailed biography of Lydia's husband, John, is available at New River Notes:
https://tinyurl.com/yanyw8ev
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
** There is a Margaret Bowen, died May 9, 1870, buried in Ebenezer Church cemetery (the same church where Lydia & John were married) in Philadelphia; see memorial# 160623842. This memorial has a note that mentions she was married to David Bowen. This cemetery is now defunct, most of the bodies were moved after 1914. Margaret's remains were evidently moved (although no documentation has been found yet) to Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia. A Margaret Bowen was listed on the 1870 U.S.Federal Census Mortality Schedule, who died in May in Philadelphia County, PA.
The Margaret Bowen in Mt. Moriah died May 9, 1878; headstone is shared with David H. Bowen. Although both Margarets died on May 9, one is dated 1870 and the other is 1878. Most likely, the stone engraver of the Mt. Moriah gravestone transcribed the date incorrectly.
One of Lydia's older sisters was named Margaret.(Margaret V Bowen, born Sept 27, 1838, baptized at Ebenezer Methodist Church, Philadelphia. M Virginia Bowen married James Salter Dec 1864 in Philadelphia; one son was named David Bowen Salter; David's passport application was witnessed by Lida J Wooley, Margaret's & Lydia's sister.)
On June 7, 1865, she married Capt. John Lonsdale Roper, also of Philadelphia, at Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church. He was the son of Richard Bryham Roper and Esther Ann Reynolds. He had previously served in the Union Army during the Civil War with the 11th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry (108th Volunteers). They were married in Philadelphia and promptly went to live in Norfolk, Virginia. Capt. Roper had served there during the Civil War and wanted to move there to start his lumber business. John eventually became a lumber baron, building lumber mills, railroads, and a ship yard. He bought or built homes for his adult children to live within 2 blocks of his and Lydia's spacious home. At his wife’s request, he built the Lydia Roper Home in Norfolk, a home for poor widows, and left an endowment to maintain it; on her death, Lydia increased that endowment. That home is still in existence and houses elderly women under the guidance of the United Methodist Church. Information about the current home is at lydiaroperhome.org/our-impact
Lydia was an active member of the community and church. She taught Sunday School at the Epworth Methodist Church in Norfolk. She recognized the needs of the poor, sick and elderly in the area and was generous in her efforts to assist them. One daughter, Margaret, was very active in the Methodist Church in Norfolk, helping to form the Norfolk City Union of the King’s Daughters, which established a baby clinic that later would become King’s Daughters Children’s Hospital in Norfolk.
John and Lydia were the parents of 6 children:
1) Margaret Bowen Roper (1866-1966)
- - Most likely named after Lydia's mother, Margaret Mcgee Bowen.
- - married George Farant Moss. She would be remembered as a social activist.
2) George Wisham Roper (1867-1946)
- - Named after Lydia's older sister's (Kate) husband, George Wisham.
- - married Isabelle Place Hayward.
- - After Isabelle’s death, he married Matilda 'Maida' Secor McCord, an artist who exhibited her paintings in France and Italy.
George served as Chairman of the Board of Virginia National Bank, Executor of the J L Roper Estate, and President of Norfolk Marine Ry Co., Inc and Norfolk Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Corp. George was the first chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Lydia Roper Home.
3) William Bryham Roper (1870-1964)
- - married Rosa Bruce. William managed sales in the lumber yard and was eventually the chairman of the board of Norfolk Ship and Dry Dock Co.; served as secretary and treasurer of the North Carolina Pine Association. Also served as president of Norfolk United Charities, Inc.
- - Named after gr-great-grandfather
*William Bryham m. Ann Lonsdale, parents of
**Hannah Bryham m. John Roper; parents of
***Richard Bryham Roper, father of
****Capt. John Lonsdale Roper, father of this William
4) John L. Roper (1872-1872), died as an infant.
5) Virginia 'Ginny' Roper (1873-1946)
- - never married. She was a pianist, music composer, poet and artist. Her close friend, Adele Williams, was a painter. (Adele's memorial, #93685491)
6) Albert Lonsdale Roper (1879-1966)
- - married Georgette Phillips Parks. Albert was a lawyer, a partner in Roper and Cochran with Herbert G. Cochran and was mayor of Norfolk 1918-1924. Georgette was a writer and used the pen name George Phillips.
- - After Georgette's death, he married Ethel May Cronk Jones (divorced, ex-wife of Grant Jones and daughter of Amzi/Amsey/Anthony Johnson Cronk and Laura Virginia Rau) in June 1933.
- - The name LONSDALE is a family name from several generations back. Albert's gr-great-grandmother was
*Ann LONSDALE m. William Bryham, parents of
**Hannah Bryham m. John Roper; parents of
***Richard Bryham Roper, father of
****Capt. John Lonsdale Roper, father of Albert
Lydia and John lived at 314 W. Freemason St in Norfolk for most of their married life. Lydia died at home at the age of 90.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
• 1860 Census, Philadelphia Ward 3, PA: Lydia, age 18, daughter in household of David & Margaret Bowen. (David’s occupation: ‘undertaker’)
• 1865 Pennsylvania Marriages: Liddie H. Bowen married John L. Roper in Philadelphia, PA, June 7
• 1870 Census, Norfolk Ward 4, Virginia: age 30, wife of John Roper. (John’s occupation: “lumber manufacturer”)
• 1880 Census, Norfolk, Virginia: age 38, wife of John Roper. (John’s occupation: “lumber mer.”[merchant])
• 1900 census, Norfolk Ward 3, Virginia: age 59, wife of John Roper (John’s occupation: “lumber dealer”) Lydia indicated she was the mother of 6 children, 5 still living; married 33 yrs (1867)
• 1910 Census, Norfolk Ward 3, Virginia: Liddie H, age 68, wife of John Roper (John’s occupation: “lumber business”)
• 1920 Census, Norfolk, Jefferson Ward, Virginia: age 79, wife of John L. Roper (no occupation listed for John)
• 1930 Census, Norfolk, Virginia: age 88, widow, head of household, no occupation listed
(On each census, Lydia's only listed occupation was Housekeeper or no occupation was listed.)
• 1930 Virginia death record: Lydia H. (Bowen) Roper died at home, Dec 7
Info from death certificate:
Born in Philadelphia
Father, David H. Bowen (b. New Jersey)
Mother, Maggie Magee (b. Pennsylvania)
Widow of Capt John L. Roper
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A more detailed biography of Lydia's husband, John, is available at New River Notes:
https://tinyurl.com/yanyw8ev
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
** There is a Margaret Bowen, died May 9, 1870, buried in Ebenezer Church cemetery (the same church where Lydia & John were married) in Philadelphia; see memorial# 160623842. This memorial has a note that mentions she was married to David Bowen. This cemetery is now defunct, most of the bodies were moved after 1914. Margaret's remains were evidently moved (although no documentation has been found yet) to Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia. A Margaret Bowen was listed on the 1870 U.S.Federal Census Mortality Schedule, who died in May in Philadelphia County, PA.
The Margaret Bowen in Mt. Moriah died May 9, 1878; headstone is shared with David H. Bowen. Although both Margarets died on May 9, one is dated 1870 and the other is 1878. Most likely, the stone engraver of the Mt. Moriah gravestone transcribed the date incorrectly.
One of Lydia's older sisters was named Margaret.(Margaret V Bowen, born Sept 27, 1838, baptized at Ebenezer Methodist Church, Philadelphia. M Virginia Bowen married James Salter Dec 1864 in Philadelphia; one son was named David Bowen Salter; David's passport application was witnessed by Lida J Wooley, Margaret's & Lydia's sister.)
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