Thomas Roper (d 1677 - Anne Arundel, MD) was maried to a Mary --- and had one daughter, Mary Roper. After Thomas Roper's death, Mary --- Roper married Major General John Hammand (d 24 Nov 1707 - Annapolis, MD). Thomas and Mary Roper's daughter Mary Roper (b ca 1670) married Cornelius Howard, Jr. (b ca 1650 - MD; d 23 Feb 1717 - Anne Arundel, MD). Mary --- Roper Hammond (d 24 Apr 1721 - Anne Arundel, MD).

The IDENTITY of Mary, wife and widow of Thomas Roper, is UNKNOWN. One possible CLUE is a Will of William Grant, of Anne Arundell, dated 19 Dec 1671, naming Thomas Roper as his beneficiary:

MARYLAND CALENDAR OF WILLS: Volume 1

Grant, William,A. A. Co.,19th Dec., 1671;
12th Mch., 1672.
To Thos. Roper and hrs., estate, real and personal.
Ex. not named.
Test: Robt. Francklin, Wm. Roper. 1. 475.

Since we know of no other relationship between William Grant and Thomas Roper, it seems plausible that Grant is Thomas Roper's father-in-law.

I currently know nothing else about this William Grant. Does anyone have any additional information or insight, particularly any evidence that William Grant had a daughter or sister named Mary? Is anyone aware of any evidence of the date or place of marriage between Thomas Roper and Mary --- ?

Also possible clues are the names of the Witnesses to Mary --- Roper Hammand's Will: John Unett, William Anglin, and Anne Selby; as well as John Beale, Mary's Executor.

Any suggestions, analysis or insight is much appreciated!

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MISCELLANEOUS:

This is Thomas Roper's Will Abstract:

Will Abstract of Thomas ROPER:

Roper, Thomas,A. A. Co.,19th Sept., 1677;
26th Oct., 1677.
To wife Mary, execx., ½ plantation during life.
To dau. Mary and hrs., 300 A., “Roper's Increase” in Balto. Co., and ½
plantation at majority. Wife or dau. afsd. dying without issue, deceased's
portion to revert to survivor.
Overseers: Dr. Wm. Jones, Wm. Mitchell.
Test: Wm. Bowman, Thos. Jeffe, Hugh Portingalc. 5. 313.

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MARYLAND CALENDAR OF WILLS: Volume 5

Hammond (Hamond), Mary,A. A. Co.,4th Apr., 1721;
6th Apr., 1721.
To grandsons John. Thomas and Cornelius Howard, grand-daus. Sarah and Elinor Howard, personalty.
To 3 grand-child., viz. Thomas, Sarah and Elinor Howard, residue of estate.
To John Beale, ex., care of grandson John Howard and to see that he has a good education.
Test: John Unett, Wm. Anglin, Anne Selby.
Note: Moses Maccubin and Cornelius Howard present at probate. 16, 366.