Ambrose Roope Esq (abt. 1595 - abt. 1647)

Born about 1595 in Townstal, Devon, England

Died about 1647 at about age 52 in Devon, England [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Steve Hunt [send private message]

Biography

In the Herald's Visitation of Devonshire in 1620 it was recorded that Ambrose Roope of Townstal, Devon, the son of John Roope and Mary, daughter of Richard Rouse/Rowse, had married Frances Harris, daughter of Sir William Harris of Essex.^[1][2][3]

Children

• John Roope^[4] (baptised 13 Nov 1625 at 'Townstal or St Clement Dartmouth', Devon, son of Ambrose and Francys)^[5]
• Mary Roope^[4]
• Ambrose Roope^[4]
• Arthur Roope^[4]
• Frances Roope^[4]
• Dorothy Roope^[4]
• William Roope^[4]

A John Roop son of Ambrose was born at Tounstall, near Dartmouth, Devon, and admitted to Christ's College, Cambridge, on 30 Oct 1646 age 19. He was admitted at Gray’s Inn on 07 Dec 1647.^[6]

In 1647 Arthur Roope, son of Ambrose Roope of Little Dartmouth, Devon, deceased, became Apprentice to Humphrey Browne of the Mercers' Company.^[7]

Career

Ambrose Roope esq. and Allen Tabb husbandman were two of the defendants to a bill of complaint from John Mese of Slapton, Devon, Yeoman. The document referred to a sum to be paid to Ambrose Roope on 8 Nov 1621 at his house in Little Dartmouth, Devon.^[8]

In the will of Frances' brother William Herris, the will made on 28 Mar 1622 and proved on 11 May 1622^[9], the Testator made a bequest of £100 to his brother in law Mr. Roope.

Arms

Arms of Roope of Townstal, near Dartmouth, Devon:^[3][10]

Argent, a lion rampant gules an orle of nine pheons azure

Summary of the Will of Ambrose Roope 1647

In his will made on 01 Nov 1643 and proved on 11 Dec 1647 he was recorded as Ambrose Roope of Little Dartmouth in the County of Devon Esquire.^[4]

He made bequests to the poor of Tounstall and Dittesham, both in Devon and to Nathaniell David, Preacher.

To his wife Franncis he bequeathed £150 and two closes of land called Dittesham Parkes.

He bequeathed £400 [uncertain] to his daughter Mary; £300 to his daughter Franncis; and £300 to his daughter Dorothey. They were all under the age of 21 and unmarried.

To his son Ambrose he bequeathed £300, £100 of which was to be used for placing him as an apprentice, should the Overseers think him fitting to be an apprentice. He was under the age of 21.

He bequeathed the same sums and terms for his sons Arthure and William.

The residue of his goods etc. he bequeathed to his son John Roope whom he made his sole Executor. He also referred to his son John 'during his minority', suggesting John was also under the age of 21 when the will was made. The Testator appointed Overseers to the will including a John Roope and a Thomas Steevens the younger, but the other names are unclear (due to the poor quality of the image).

Sources

1. ↑ Devonshire Pedigrees Recorded in the Herald's Visitation of 1620. By John Tuckett. Parts 1-6 with Index. 1859. Roope Pedigree, p 182 Internet Archive.
2. ↑ The Visitation of the County of Devon in 1620. By F T Colby. 1872. Roope Pedigree, p 246 Internet Archive.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} The Visitations of the County of Devon comprising the Herald's Visitations of 1531, 1564, & 1620. With additions by J L Vivian. 1895. Roope of Dartmouth Pedigree p 658 HathiTrust.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7} Will of Ambrose Roope of Little Dartmouth, Devon. 11 December 1647. PROB 11/202/582. The National Archives, Kew.
5. ↑ England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JM5Z-TZB : 11 February 2018, FHL microfilm 917,194.
6. ↑ Biographical Register of Christ’s College 1505-1905 and of the Earlier Foundation, God’s House 1448-1505. By John Peile. Vol I. 1448-1665. Cambridge University Press, 1910.
7. ↑ Records of London's Livery Companies Online. Apprentices and Freemen 1400-1900. Arthur Roope 1647. Mercers' Company.
8. ↑ Mese v Roope. Pleadings 1625-1660. C 2/ChasI/M57/15. The National Archives, Kew.
9. ↑ Will of William Herris, Gentleman. 11 May 1622. PROB 11/139/388. The National Archives, Kew.
10. ↑ Arms of Roope of Townstal. Image by Lobsterthermidor 18 June 2017 Devon Heraldry.