Trying to trace the Roper family
I am currently researching my family tree and am trying to find information on my grandfather Walter Robert Roper. His father alledgedly ran a local public house in Wisbech where my grandfather and his brothers grew up before his father's death. I believe that my grandfather then married Gwendoline Vincent and went on to have my father, Gwendoline died very young and my father and grandfather then moved to Yorkshire. My father has little memory of Wisbech as he was only 3 when his mother died but I would love to trace the family history and my dad's roots. Looking at the 1901 and 1871 records it seems that the Roper family were all located in Wisbech back to this time, any information greatfully received!

Hi Anne I know of a Steve Roper who also ran a pub - The Woolpack at Terrington St. John. Though I haven't seen Steve for a couple of years or so, I occasionally see his wife, Sue, so will have a word with her next time I see her. Meanwhile, I will contact others on my Wisbech mailing list and see if we can make contact that way.

The Roper family
Many thanks, I'll wait and see! I did find a document suggesting that the Roper family ran a public house called The Mill on Lynn Street, Wisbech back in the early 1800s but the document was not very clear so I could be wrong on this. Thanks for your help, any info most appreciated!

Hi Anne The public house along Lynn Road (Street) was orinally, The Windmill, then The Clarkson and now, the Clarkson Arms. I have been able to find an entry in 'The Inns and Taverns of Wisbech, by Arthur A Oldham and published in 1979. CLARKSON (late "Windmill") On 22nd August 1877, at the Brewster Sessions in Wisbech there was an application on the part of Mr. Jonathan Cox, to change the name of the "Windmill" Lynn Road to that of the "Clarkson Inn" which was granted. The Mill, which gave the old Inn its name, still stood for another nine years, and its eventual passing was comrnented on in the "Wisbech Advertiser" of 26th May 1886. "The old four post Mill, which has been a conspicuous feature on the Lynn Road for many years, has just been taken down and with it disappears one of the oldest landmarks in the immediate vicinity of our ancient borough. The only record as to the age of the mill found during the demolition was the year 1690, cut on a piece of oak, with the letters H.W. but it is believed to have been erected some years prior to that date. Within the past twenty years it was the property of Mr William Clarke who carried on the business of a publican, as well as miller and flour dealer, in a house that formerly stood on the site of the present Clarkson Inn, now in the occupation of Mr. J. Rouse. A few years ago, the property passed into the hands of Messrs Steward, Patterson & Co., the well-known brewers of Norwich; by whose direction the mill has been removed. Viewed from the Clarkson Road Avenue the venerable mill presented a most picturesque appearance, and this jointed to its antiquity and the purpose it served as a landmark, caused a feeling of regret on the part of some that there should be any necessity for its removal." Two generations of Rouses occupied the Clarkson, Jeremiah Senior and Junior, the former being there in 1886 and probably earlier, the latter, the noted Jeremiah, until his death in 1925. Then for a period of about eighteen months the trade was carried on by another son, until March 1928. William A. Hill was in occupation for a number of years, the vacancy passing on his death, in December 1945, to his son Stanley, the present tenant, The Clarkson has a very fine pictorial hanging sign, which has recently been re-painted. It tells the story of a local historical association depicting Thomas Clarkson (a native of Wisbech) talking to a kneeling coloured slave, who thanks him for his great work of liberation. Slaves in a plantation are also seen in the background. Hope that is of some use to you. The Clarkson is still in use and the only pub in Wisbech I have never been in! I also learnt that there was a windmill there! There was one in use and still standing, closer to town. There was also another Inn called, The Mill, but that was cross the river along Leverington Road and now known as The West End. Any further info I get, I will pass on, but it might take some time.

Thanks, the only reference I found was from the Gazeteer as a footnote 'Peter Thompson Roper owned The Mill on Lynn Rd in 1778. Inns & Taverns, p.6.' but I have no more info than this. Thanks for your help, I'll await more info!

I know a John Roper who came from Sheffield, now lives in Mantom, South Bretton. Peterborough. He's 40, and just thinking of 'doing' his family tree.

The Roper family
I haven't come across a John Roper in my tree, I have been using Genes Reunited which has proved really good so I would recommend it to anyone thinking of doing their 'tree'. My Grandfather (Walter Robert Roper) was living in the Dewsbury area of Yorkshire before his death, I'm not aware of any connection with Sheffield but you never know!