Mobile in Mobile County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
James W. Roper
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 26, 2015
1. James W. Roper Marker
of Oakleigh
Born 1801 in South Carolina
(day and month of birth unknown)
Died Jan. 12, 1856
Erected 1962 by the Historic Mobile Preservation Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1902.
Location. 30° 41.135′ N, 88° 3.019′ W. Marker is in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. Marker can be reached from South Scott Street, 0.1 miles south of Government Street (U.S. 98). Marker located within Church Street Graveyard next to large truncated tree. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: South Scott Street, Mobile AL 36602, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Big Zion African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Church Street Cemetery - 1819 (about 500 feet away); The Quigley House (about 500 feet away); Eugenie Marx (about 700 feet away); Home of Raphael Semmes (about 800 feet away); St. John's Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Emerson Institute (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shaarai Shomayim (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mobile.
Regarding James W. Roper.
this page online
Roper began building Oakleigh on 35 acres west of Mobile in 1833. Roper designed and built the house himself.
As a cotton trader, Roper was hit by the Panic of 1837. Unable to repay the $20,000 he had borrowed to build the house, he sold it to his brother-in-law Boyd Simison, who allowed him to live in it rent-free until 1850. Simison, bought Oakleigh, half of the estate's acreage, and all but one of Roper's 18 slaves. With his business interests failing, Roper followed his brother-in-law's example, becoming a lumber merchant and moving to New Orleans in 1850.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . . Oakleigh Historic Complex (Mobile, Alabama). (Submitted on July 28, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 26, 2015
2. Wide shot of marker in rear center of photo.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 26, 2015
3. James W. Roper gravesite
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 26, 2015
4. Church Street Graveyard entrance.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 642 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 28, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
