Edmund Rosser (abt. 1805 - 1875)

Born about 1805 in Campbell, Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Malinda (Patteson) Rosser — married 4 Feb 1828 in Campbell, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died 21 May 1875 at about age 70 in Charlotte, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Edmund was born about 1805. He passed away in 1875.

Notes

He has been confused with his cousin Edmund W. Rosser, son of John Rosser and Nancy Wood, but this Edmund was born before they were married in 1808. The issue is compounded by the two families (William and John Rosser) living near each other, apparenty on the same farm.

Campbell County DB27:237 9 Sep 1848 bought land from John and Mary Rosser, bought of McReynolds known as the “DePriest tract” 100 acres on waters of Falling River Campbell County

Campbell County DB28:237 9 Sep 1848 bought land from William and Elizabeth Ann Opie Rosser, 65 acres on waters of Falling River adjacent to land of John Rosser.

Campbell County DB28:364 5 Jul 1851, Edmund and Malinda Rosser to Horatio DePriest, $1100, 255 acres adjacent to James Reynolds & al. on headwaters of Falling River, tract bought of Leroy W. Cralle, John Rosser, from James & John McReynolds, trustees, and from William and Ann Rosser allotted her in division of father's estate. J. M. Pendleton of the Botetourt County Court to wit, Edmund signed 5 Jul 1851.

Lived in Botetourt in 1850: “Contractor with Canal”, probably in Buchanan or Pattonsburg (formerly distinct from Buchanan on the north side of the River). A farmer’s family was enumerated before them, but the following dwellings had numerous single adult inhabitants with various occupations.^[1] The canal was completed to Buchanan in 1851. and work commenced on the section toward Eagle Rock (which has a completed lock) in 1853, suspended in 1856 for “lack of funds”. Construction of the 1900 foot “Marshall” tunnel through a mountain ridge near Eagle Rock was never finished, as the railroad chose to build a longer path beside the river.

1850 Census Slave Schedule: Males, age 45, 40 (2), 35 (2), 30 (2), 25 (2), 23 (3), 13; Females, age 20, 10^[2]

Edmund’s involvement with the canal must have been brief, as “Campbell” was listed as the birthplace of children born in 1848 and 1853. He was probably unable to afford to maintain the adult male slaves during the gap in construction and probably chose to return to tenant farming in 1851.

By 1860, Edmund’s family lived in Charlotte County, VA next door to Malinda’s sister Agnes Thornhill’s family (page with no P. O. given, but between pages labeled “Aspenwall” and “Charlotte C. H.” Aspenwall is east of Brookneal and southwest of Phenix).^[3] 1860 Census Slave Schedule (“E Rosser”): Females, age 37, 16, 4, 7m, Male: age 12

His parents weren’t mentioned for his record in the Charlotte County Deaths register, but his age was given in years, months, and days.^[4] There was a lengthy Chancery case in Charlotte County following his death. At that time his estate consisted of a tract of 186 acres and half-interest (with a “Wilson”) in a tract of 22.5 acres with a dwelling, a mill in poor condition, and tobacco barn. It seems that legal fees from the administration of his estate (including three attempts by the sheriff to sell in 1876) left little for his heirs. The last documents were from 1898-1899.^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M885-5R8 : 23 December 2020), Eormand Roper, Botetourt Parish, Botetourt, Virginia, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
2. ↑ "United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1850 ", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HRWV-HSZM : 15 February 2020), Edmund Rofser in entry for MM9.1.1/MV82-LYW:, 1850.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (ark:/61903/1:1:M413-BWZ : Wed Apr 05 16:31:41 UTC 2023), Entry for Edmond Rosser and M Rosser, 1860.
4. ↑ "Virginia, Library of Virginia State Archive, Births, Marriages, and Deaths 1853-1900", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZRY-WQQZ : 28 October 2021), Edmond Rosser, 1875.
5. ↑ "B A Roberts & wife & al. vs. Admr's of Edmund Rosser," Chancery Records, Digital Collections, Virginia State Library, Richmond, VA: https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=037-1898-007

• "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFLP-HHP : 29 May 2021), Edmond Rosser, 1870.
• "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRWH-L43 : 29 January 2020), Edmund Rosser, 1828.