Hoopers in Tennessee in 1850

Morgan County lies in the eastern part of Tennessee, but is west of Knoxville. The land is rolling piedmont, not the mountainous ridges of Blount, Monroe, and Cocke Counties. There seem to be early land and court records, dating nearly from the creation of the county in 1817. However, there has been a loss of marriage and estate records, probably during the Civil War period.

This county's census has only one visible series of page numbers. These stamped numbers appear on every other page of the microfilm. The best way to locate a family is by household numbers, which are continuous, and easily readable throughout the county. The page number given below is the nearest stamped page number. The date of enumeration was August 19, 1850.

The census enumerator (for the part of the county listed below) used an ink which has remained dark. Where applicable, he did tick the columns for marriages within the year, school attendance, and literacy. The handwriting is bold, regular, and easily readable.

Besides Robert Hooper, there are no other Pennsylvania birthplaces recorded for anyone else on his page, the page before his entry, or the page after his entry.

In 1850, Robert Hooper was a farmer with real estate valued at $500. Household 45 before him was that of William (21) and Mehala Lawson, a young family. The household after Robert Hooper was that of Ambrose Lawson, aged 40. Both farmers, William and Ambrose Lawson owned real estate valued at only $50. On the preceding page at household 40 is Melinda Lawson, aged 55, with land valued at $300. Immediately before her at household 39 is another William Lawson family. This older William Lawson was 60, also a farmer, but his land was worth only $50. Three sons (Casper 24, Hiram 21, and William Lawson 19) were listed as laborers. Perhaps these Lawson men worked for the more affluent land owners, such as Robert Hooper, with lands nearby.

Prior records:

In Roane County, Tennessee, Robert Hooper acquired a bond dated 31 March 1824 for his marriage to Polly Goddard. They were enumerated in 1830 in Roane County, page 37, line 26 - 000001-00011.
Meigs County lies west of McMinn County and is southwest of Roane County; it had been formed from the eastern part of Rhea County in 1836. In 1840, Robert Hooper's Meigs County household appeared on page 219: 0010001-000001.

Later census:

In 1860, Robert Hooper remained in Morgan County, but his age increased to 69. Mary was 55 in 1860. Within their household was laborer Casper Lawson, listed as age 40. Neither Robert nor Mary Hooper was a head of household in 1870 or 1880 Tennessee. If either of them did survive until after the Civil War, probate records might have been filed in Morgan County.