Andrew's Unknown Parentage
The parentage of Andrew Ripley is a mystery. Andrew is a rare first name for a Ripley and it is not known what the middle initial C. stood for. Andrew may be the legitimate (or illegitimate) grandson or great grandson of Robert Ripley, he may have come from a different Ripley family, or he may have been adopted. No one has been able to find a record of the birth of an Andrew Ripley either in Ingleby Yorkshire or in early Cumberland County. His marriage record and death record are yet to be found.
As Myrtle Chappell points out in Fenwick 1778-1798, a great number of the residents of Fenwick, where Andrew lived, were descendants of Henry Ripley or related to him through marriage. Indeed, when you begin studying the sons of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane and their descendants, it is very clear that Henry's descendants tended to remain in the Nappan/Fenwick area, William's descendants are clustered in the Maccan area, and John's in Oxford/River Philip. Robert's sons stayed around Southampton/Springhill/Rodney.
Andrew lived on the "home place" not far from the church at the crossroads of Hwy 2 and Fenwick Road in Fenwick. Andrew's land was bordered on the north by Henry Ripley and was purchased in 1834, the year after he signed Henry's will and the year before Henry died. Andrew was only about 22 at the time so we have to wonder how he acquired 45 pounds to purchase 100 acres. Andrew received land grant 2937 directly east of the Fenwick Mine in 1855. His grant was adjacent to the grants of Henry's sons Robert and John Ripley, also suggesting a connection with Henry's family. Andrew Ripley is listed on the 1861, 1871, 1881 and 1891 census living in Fenwick. Like other Ripleys, Andrew was a Methodist, and Andrew Ripley is listed among the members of the Nappan Church Congregation 1873-1884. When the new church in Fenwick was established in 1886, the lumber was sawn at Andrew's mill on Mill Brook. The early pew owners include "Robert Coates and A. Ripley" and "J. Ripley and A. Ripley". (Myrtle Chappell, Fenwick 1778-1978, p. 83-86). However, by that date there were several of Andrew's children and relatives whose first names started with "A" who might have been the pew owners. Andrew was the first person buried in the Fenwick Cemetery in 1892. I have been unable to locate any kind of death record for Andrew.
Andrew's Birthplace
From information supplied on census records and death certificates, it seems likely that Andrew was born in Nova Scotia but this is by no means certain. On the death certificates of Andrew's sons Joseph Edward and Amos Parkinson, the birthplace of Andrew Ripley is given as England, the information supplied by Joseph's son Alton W. Ripley. However, this information is questionable as Alton was not able to supply the name of his maternal grandmother. There do not appear to be any official records of Andrew's birth in Nova Scotia or in England.
On the 1871, 1881, and 1891 census, Andrew's birthplace is given as Nova Scotia. We would hope the information was provided by Andrew himself but perhaps it was just assumed by the census taker. The 1891 census documents for Andrew's grown children Mary, Hannah, Elizabeth, Thomas, Sarah, Robert Salter, William Henry, Ann Jane, Joseph Edward, and Amos Parkinson all give Nova Scotia as their father's birthplace. The death certificates of Thomas, Robert Salter, William Henry, and Ann Jane give Nova Scotia as their father's birthplace. On William Henry Ripley's death certificate, Andrew's birthplace is given as Nappan, N.S. and his wife's name is given correctly as Elizabeth Pipes. That information was supplied by Andrew's son Amos. Robert Salter's death certificate states that Andrew was born in Fenwick Nova Scotia. However, that information was supplied by Robert Salter's second wife Edith Hyatt who was born in England and immigrated to Cape Breton. It is likely not correct as Andrew was born around 1812 and the first white child born in Fenwick was said to be Henry Lowther, born in 1821. (Myrtle Chappell, Fenwick 1778-1978, p. 52.) Edith named Andrew Ripley as Robert Salter's father but incorrectly supplied "Mary" as the name of Robert Salter's mother. It is likely that if Andrew were born in England, Robert Salter Ripley would have mentioned that information to his wife Edith who was born in England.
The following downloadable document summarizes all of the mentions of Andrew's birthplace that I have been able to discover. Another table compares the names of Andrew's children with those of his wife's family, Henry Ripley, and John Ripley.
As Myrtle Chappell points out in Fenwick 1778-1798, a great number of the residents of Fenwick, where Andrew lived, were descendants of Henry Ripley or related to him through marriage. Indeed, when you begin studying the sons of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane and their descendants, it is very clear that Henry's descendants tended to remain in the Nappan/Fenwick area, William's descendants are clustered in the Maccan area, and John's in Oxford/River Philip. Robert's sons stayed around Southampton/Springhill/Rodney.
Andrew lived on the "home place" not far from the church at the crossroads of Hwy 2 and Fenwick Road in Fenwick. Andrew's land was bordered on the north by Henry Ripley and was purchased in 1834, the year after he signed Henry's will and the year before Henry died. Andrew was only about 22 at the time so we have to wonder how he acquired 45 pounds to purchase 100 acres. Andrew received land grant 2937 directly east of the Fenwick Mine in 1855. His grant was adjacent to the grants of Henry's sons Robert and John Ripley, also suggesting a connection with Henry's family. Andrew Ripley is listed on the 1861, 1871, 1881 and 1891 census living in Fenwick. Like other Ripleys, Andrew was a Methodist, and Andrew Ripley is listed among the members of the Nappan Church Congregation 1873-1884. When the new church in Fenwick was established in 1886, the lumber was sawn at Andrew's mill on Mill Brook. The early pew owners include "Robert Coates and A. Ripley" and "J. Ripley and A. Ripley". (Myrtle Chappell, Fenwick 1778-1978, p. 83-86). However, by that date there were several of Andrew's children and relatives whose first names started with "A" who might have been the pew owners. Andrew was the first person buried in the Fenwick Cemetery in 1892. I have been unable to locate any kind of death record for Andrew.
Andrew's Birthplace
From information supplied on census records and death certificates, it seems likely that Andrew was born in Nova Scotia but this is by no means certain. On the death certificates of Andrew's sons Joseph Edward and Amos Parkinson, the birthplace of Andrew Ripley is given as England, the information supplied by Joseph's son Alton W. Ripley. However, this information is questionable as Alton was not able to supply the name of his maternal grandmother. There do not appear to be any official records of Andrew's birth in Nova Scotia or in England.
On the 1871, 1881, and 1891 census, Andrew's birthplace is given as Nova Scotia. We would hope the information was provided by Andrew himself but perhaps it was just assumed by the census taker. The 1891 census documents for Andrew's grown children Mary, Hannah, Elizabeth, Thomas, Sarah, Robert Salter, William Henry, Ann Jane, Joseph Edward, and Amos Parkinson all give Nova Scotia as their father's birthplace. The death certificates of Thomas, Robert Salter, William Henry, and Ann Jane give Nova Scotia as their father's birthplace. On William Henry Ripley's death certificate, Andrew's birthplace is given as Nappan, N.S. and his wife's name is given correctly as Elizabeth Pipes. That information was supplied by Andrew's son Amos. Robert Salter's death certificate states that Andrew was born in Fenwick Nova Scotia. However, that information was supplied by Robert Salter's second wife Edith Hyatt who was born in England and immigrated to Cape Breton. It is likely not correct as Andrew was born around 1812 and the first white child born in Fenwick was said to be Henry Lowther, born in 1821. (Myrtle Chappell, Fenwick 1778-1978, p. 52.) Edith named Andrew Ripley as Robert Salter's father but incorrectly supplied "Mary" as the name of Robert Salter's mother. It is likely that if Andrew were born in England, Robert Salter Ripley would have mentioned that information to his wife Edith who was born in England.
The following downloadable document summarizes all of the mentions of Andrew's birthplace that I have been able to discover. Another table compares the names of Andrew's children with those of his wife's family, Henry Ripley, and John Ripley.
andrew_c._ripley_birthplace_table.doc | |
File Size: | 49 kb |
File Type: | doc |
table_of_andrew_c._children_names_compared.docx | |
File Size: | 103 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Possible father: Henry Ripley (1762-1835) son of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane
Many family trees include Andrew C. Ripley as a son of Henry. Most of Henry's descendants lived in Fenwick, and I have not seen any records of Andrew living anywhere other than the Fenwick area.
All of Henry's children were born in Nappan. Andrew was not among the children of Henry named in the Historical Record of the Posterity of William Black which states Henry had 16 children, 4 of whom died early. There are not good birth records for the names of Henry's children, and their names are derived mainly from the Historical Record of the Posterity of William Black, from Henry's will and from death certificates which name Henry Ripley and Mary Fawcett as parents.
The earliest record I have found of Andrew is his signing of Henry Ripley's (1762-1835) will (Will Book B, p. 258) in 1833 two years before Henry's death when Andrew would have been only 21 years old. This may indicate that Andrew was a member of Henry's household at the time or that he lived nearby. However, Andrew was not named as a son of Henry Ripley in Henry's will; as a beneficiary he could not have signed the will. I am not aware of any prohibitions against adopted or illegitimate children or grandchildren inheriting property. In that case, Henry might have made a separate provision for Andrew as Andrew seems to be set up well enough to marry and start having children by the age of 22 or 23. Or perhaps Andrew was bonded to work for Henry and had completed his service at age 21 with enough funds to purchase his own homestead. In 1834 Andrew purchased his home place a 100 acre lot adjacent to Henry's property for 45 pounds.
So it appears that Andrew was not the (legitimate) son of Henry but he did have a close relationship with Henry and his family. Perhaps one of Henry's daughters was widowed early or had an illegitimate child that Henry cared for as a grandson. A possible candidate is Henry's daughter Mary who was 19 in 1812 and did not marry husband Thomas Lowther until she was 27 years old. Thomas had arrived in Canada in 1817, about 5 years after Andrew's birth. Andrew's 100 acre lot was bordered on the west by Thomas Lowther. Andrew named his first daughter Mary. He also named a son Thomas.
Many family trees include Andrew C. Ripley as a son of Henry. Most of Henry's descendants lived in Fenwick, and I have not seen any records of Andrew living anywhere other than the Fenwick area.
All of Henry's children were born in Nappan. Andrew was not among the children of Henry named in the Historical Record of the Posterity of William Black which states Henry had 16 children, 4 of whom died early. There are not good birth records for the names of Henry's children, and their names are derived mainly from the Historical Record of the Posterity of William Black, from Henry's will and from death certificates which name Henry Ripley and Mary Fawcett as parents.
The earliest record I have found of Andrew is his signing of Henry Ripley's (1762-1835) will (Will Book B, p. 258) in 1833 two years before Henry's death when Andrew would have been only 21 years old. This may indicate that Andrew was a member of Henry's household at the time or that he lived nearby. However, Andrew was not named as a son of Henry Ripley in Henry's will; as a beneficiary he could not have signed the will. I am not aware of any prohibitions against adopted or illegitimate children or grandchildren inheriting property. In that case, Henry might have made a separate provision for Andrew as Andrew seems to be set up well enough to marry and start having children by the age of 22 or 23. Or perhaps Andrew was bonded to work for Henry and had completed his service at age 21 with enough funds to purchase his own homestead. In 1834 Andrew purchased his home place a 100 acre lot adjacent to Henry's property for 45 pounds.
So it appears that Andrew was not the (legitimate) son of Henry but he did have a close relationship with Henry and his family. Perhaps one of Henry's daughters was widowed early or had an illegitimate child that Henry cared for as a grandson. A possible candidate is Henry's daughter Mary who was 19 in 1812 and did not marry husband Thomas Lowther until she was 27 years old. Thomas had arrived in Canada in 1817, about 5 years after Andrew's birth. Andrew's 100 acre lot was bordered on the west by Thomas Lowther. Andrew named his first daughter Mary. He also named a son Thomas.
Possible father: Thomas Ripley (1764-1836) son of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane
On the death certificates of Andrew's sons Joseph Edward and Amos Parkinson, the birthplace of Andrew Ripley is given as England. (see Andrew C. Ripley and Elizabeth B. Pipes page on this website to view the records.) This surprising information, which contradicts all the census and other death certificate records, was supplied by Joseph's son Alton W. Ripley, Andrew's grandson, and may not be accurate. At the time of Joseph's death, for instance, Alton did not know the name of his maternal grandmother Elizabeth B. Pipes although he did supply the name Elizabeth Pipes on Amos's death certificate a few years later. Andrew's son, Robert Salter Ripley's second wife Edith was born in England. If Robert's father Andrew had been born in England, he likely would have mentioned that to Edith as she was also born in England. However, Edith reported Fenwick as Andrew's place of birth on Robert Salter Ripley's death certificate.
If Andrew was born in England, then Thomas (or a Ripley relative) would have been his father. Thomas remained in England when the rest of the family emigrated to Canada. He was also living in England at age 33 when his father Robert died in 1797 and mentioned Thomas "now in England" in his will. There is a tradition in Ripley research that Thomas was a schoolteacher and did come to Canada. This tradition also places Thomas in Fenwick. In Fenwick 1778-1978, p. 106, Myrtle Chappell states that "the history of the school in Fenwick goes back, as far as we can learn to 1857." She also mentions a cane that "belonged to the first School Master in Fenwick, Thomas Ripley. The date on the cane is 1760 which does not agree completely with the date of birth of the Thomas, son of Robert Ripley, whose year of birth has been given as 1763, but as he was supposed to have studied to be a teacher, no doubt it is the same man." This is a charming story, but in 1857 when the Fenwick school was founded, our Thomas son of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane would have been 94. The Thomas Ripley who was a schoolteacher in Fenwick was most likely not Thomas, son of Robert and Isabella.
A Thomas Ripley late of Yorkshire with a wife and no children applied for a land grant in Nova Scotia in 1817. There is no indication of his age; our Thomas would have been 53 in 1817. However, Andrew C. Ripley would have been 5 years old in 1817 and the Thomas who applied for a grant in 1817 had no children.
There is a record of an Alice Ripley, wife of Thomas Ripley, who died in 1832 in Maccan. It is possible that this Alice was the wife of the Thomas who applied for a land grant. It is also possible that our Thomas came to Canada and returned to England after the death of his wife. This Alice might also have been the first wife of Robert Ripley and Jane Rushton's son Thomas. However, it is more likely that our Thomas simply remained in England and died there. On his website, Gord Ripley reports there is a grave marker for a Thomas who died in 1836 age 72 and his wife Mary in the cemetery at Ingleby Greenhow. Thomas, born in 1764, would indeed have been 72 in 1836.
Whether Thomas came to Canada or not, Andrew may have been born in England and come to Canada as a young man. It is possible that Thomas fathered a son named Andrew in 1812 at the age of 48, especially if his wife was younger. Thomas's brother Henry had a child at age 52 and his brother William had a child at age 51. Gord Ripley has been unable to locate any birth records in Ingleby for the 1800-1851 time period. Andrew born in England would have been 24 years old in 1836 when his father Thomas died and would have come to Canada prior to his father's death, taking up residence with or near his uncle Henry Ripley, the eldest son of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane and the closest in age to Thomas. As mentioned above, in 1833, at age 21, Andrew C. Ripley was on hand to witness the will of Henry Ripley so we presume he was either a member of Henry's household or living nearby.
Mary and Thomas are included among the names of Andrew's children. The first child of Andrew C. Ripley and Elizabeth B. Pipes, John P. Ripley, was born about 1835. This child was likely named after Elizabeth's father John Parkinson Pipes as they are buried next to each other in The Old Burying Ground. Their second son, born 1842, was named Thomas Albert. Their first daughter, born 1838, was named Mary, the name of the woman buried with Thomas in Ingleby but also the name of Henry Ripley's wife Mary Fawcett and John Ripley's second wife Mary Baker. Elizabeth's aunt Mary Pipes also lived with Andrew and Elizabeth before her death. Andrew's second daughter, born 1839 was named Hannah, likely after Elizabeth's mother Hannah Lake Smith.
The case for Thomas being the father of Andrew is pure speculation, of course. While the chronology is certainly plausible, the listing of Andrew's birthplace as Nova Scotia on many other census documents and death certificates does not support the theory that Andrew was born in England. When Andrew applied for a land grant, he did not identify himself as a native of Yorkshire as other Ripleys did even 30 years after their immigration. It is unlikely that Thomas was the father of Andrew.
On the death certificates of Andrew's sons Joseph Edward and Amos Parkinson, the birthplace of Andrew Ripley is given as England. (see Andrew C. Ripley and Elizabeth B. Pipes page on this website to view the records.) This surprising information, which contradicts all the census and other death certificate records, was supplied by Joseph's son Alton W. Ripley, Andrew's grandson, and may not be accurate. At the time of Joseph's death, for instance, Alton did not know the name of his maternal grandmother Elizabeth B. Pipes although he did supply the name Elizabeth Pipes on Amos's death certificate a few years later. Andrew's son, Robert Salter Ripley's second wife Edith was born in England. If Robert's father Andrew had been born in England, he likely would have mentioned that to Edith as she was also born in England. However, Edith reported Fenwick as Andrew's place of birth on Robert Salter Ripley's death certificate.
If Andrew was born in England, then Thomas (or a Ripley relative) would have been his father. Thomas remained in England when the rest of the family emigrated to Canada. He was also living in England at age 33 when his father Robert died in 1797 and mentioned Thomas "now in England" in his will. There is a tradition in Ripley research that Thomas was a schoolteacher and did come to Canada. This tradition also places Thomas in Fenwick. In Fenwick 1778-1978, p. 106, Myrtle Chappell states that "the history of the school in Fenwick goes back, as far as we can learn to 1857." She also mentions a cane that "belonged to the first School Master in Fenwick, Thomas Ripley. The date on the cane is 1760 which does not agree completely with the date of birth of the Thomas, son of Robert Ripley, whose year of birth has been given as 1763, but as he was supposed to have studied to be a teacher, no doubt it is the same man." This is a charming story, but in 1857 when the Fenwick school was founded, our Thomas son of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane would have been 94. The Thomas Ripley who was a schoolteacher in Fenwick was most likely not Thomas, son of Robert and Isabella.
A Thomas Ripley late of Yorkshire with a wife and no children applied for a land grant in Nova Scotia in 1817. There is no indication of his age; our Thomas would have been 53 in 1817. However, Andrew C. Ripley would have been 5 years old in 1817 and the Thomas who applied for a grant in 1817 had no children.
There is a record of an Alice Ripley, wife of Thomas Ripley, who died in 1832 in Maccan. It is possible that this Alice was the wife of the Thomas who applied for a land grant. It is also possible that our Thomas came to Canada and returned to England after the death of his wife. This Alice might also have been the first wife of Robert Ripley and Jane Rushton's son Thomas. However, it is more likely that our Thomas simply remained in England and died there. On his website, Gord Ripley reports there is a grave marker for a Thomas who died in 1836 age 72 and his wife Mary in the cemetery at Ingleby Greenhow. Thomas, born in 1764, would indeed have been 72 in 1836.
Whether Thomas came to Canada or not, Andrew may have been born in England and come to Canada as a young man. It is possible that Thomas fathered a son named Andrew in 1812 at the age of 48, especially if his wife was younger. Thomas's brother Henry had a child at age 52 and his brother William had a child at age 51. Gord Ripley has been unable to locate any birth records in Ingleby for the 1800-1851 time period. Andrew born in England would have been 24 years old in 1836 when his father Thomas died and would have come to Canada prior to his father's death, taking up residence with or near his uncle Henry Ripley, the eldest son of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane and the closest in age to Thomas. As mentioned above, in 1833, at age 21, Andrew C. Ripley was on hand to witness the will of Henry Ripley so we presume he was either a member of Henry's household or living nearby.
Mary and Thomas are included among the names of Andrew's children. The first child of Andrew C. Ripley and Elizabeth B. Pipes, John P. Ripley, was born about 1835. This child was likely named after Elizabeth's father John Parkinson Pipes as they are buried next to each other in The Old Burying Ground. Their second son, born 1842, was named Thomas Albert. Their first daughter, born 1838, was named Mary, the name of the woman buried with Thomas in Ingleby but also the name of Henry Ripley's wife Mary Fawcett and John Ripley's second wife Mary Baker. Elizabeth's aunt Mary Pipes also lived with Andrew and Elizabeth before her death. Andrew's second daughter, born 1839 was named Hannah, likely after Elizabeth's mother Hannah Lake Smith.
The case for Thomas being the father of Andrew is pure speculation, of course. While the chronology is certainly plausible, the listing of Andrew's birthplace as Nova Scotia on many other census documents and death certificates does not support the theory that Andrew was born in England. When Andrew applied for a land grant, he did not identify himself as a native of Yorkshire as other Ripleys did even 30 years after their immigration. It is unlikely that Thomas was the father of Andrew.
Possible father Robert Ripley (1766-unknown) son of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane
Robert Ripley married Jane Rushton and settled in Southampton on Luke Harrison's farm which Robert inherited. Their male children were Henry (b 1805), William (b 1809), and Thomas (b 1811). These births were recorded in the Southampton Records. After that we lose sight of Robert and Jane until a land grant application in 1818. Robert says he has 4 children, the eldest 13. On the 1827 census Robert was living in Maccan and reported 4 males and 3 females in his household, one birth having occurred that year. Robert and sons Henry, William, and Thomas were the four males. So Andrew, born 1812, was likely not Robert and Jane Rushton's son. But who are the three females? The eldest son, Henry, may have married that early and had a daughter. The three females could be Jane (Rushton) Ripley, Henry's wife, and his infant daughter. However, based on the information in the 1818 land grant application that Robert had 4 children, I suspect Robert and Jane had a daughter whose name we don't know.
Robert died sometime between 1840 and 2 April 1844 and his will names son Thomas, William, and granddaughters Margaret Ann Ripley, Jane Ripley, and Sarah Story. Wife Jane and son Henry had presumably died by that time. Robert left his farm to be divided equally between his son Thomas and a Charles Story. The will does not mention an Andrew Ripley. I believe that the 4th child Robert mentioned in his deed application of 1818 was a daughter (name unknown) who had a child with Charles Story. Perhaps they were never legally married. In 1847, Jane Ripley and Sarah Story, both 14 years of age, chose Charles Story as their guardian. Margaret Ann Ripley was not mentioned in the guardian selection. She may have married, died, or achieved adult status. If she were the daughter of Robert and Jane's son Henry, born 1827, she may have just turned 21. I have not been able to find any connection between Andrew and Southampton or with the other children of Robert Ripley and Jane Rushton.
Robert Ripley married Jane Rushton and settled in Southampton on Luke Harrison's farm which Robert inherited. Their male children were Henry (b 1805), William (b 1809), and Thomas (b 1811). These births were recorded in the Southampton Records. After that we lose sight of Robert and Jane until a land grant application in 1818. Robert says he has 4 children, the eldest 13. On the 1827 census Robert was living in Maccan and reported 4 males and 3 females in his household, one birth having occurred that year. Robert and sons Henry, William, and Thomas were the four males. So Andrew, born 1812, was likely not Robert and Jane Rushton's son. But who are the three females? The eldest son, Henry, may have married that early and had a daughter. The three females could be Jane (Rushton) Ripley, Henry's wife, and his infant daughter. However, based on the information in the 1818 land grant application that Robert had 4 children, I suspect Robert and Jane had a daughter whose name we don't know.
Robert died sometime between 1840 and 2 April 1844 and his will names son Thomas, William, and granddaughters Margaret Ann Ripley, Jane Ripley, and Sarah Story. Wife Jane and son Henry had presumably died by that time. Robert left his farm to be divided equally between his son Thomas and a Charles Story. The will does not mention an Andrew Ripley. I believe that the 4th child Robert mentioned in his deed application of 1818 was a daughter (name unknown) who had a child with Charles Story. Perhaps they were never legally married. In 1847, Jane Ripley and Sarah Story, both 14 years of age, chose Charles Story as their guardian. Margaret Ann Ripley was not mentioned in the guardian selection. She may have married, died, or achieved adult status. If she were the daughter of Robert and Jane's son Henry, born 1827, she may have just turned 21. I have not been able to find any connection between Andrew and Southampton or with the other children of Robert Ripley and Jane Rushton.
Possible father: William Ripley (1774-1846) son of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane
The 1891 census was unusual because it recorded the birthplaces of individual's parents in addition to their own birthplaces. On the 1891 census the birthplace of Andrew's father and mother is given as Nova Scotia. There is no guarantee that this information was supplied by Andrew personally as he was likely in the last year of his life in 1891 and no longer the head of the household for that census. However, if it were accurate, then the only son of Robert Ripley who could possibly be Andrew's father is William Ripley as Robert's other sons were born in England. William may also have been born in England, but his name is not included on the passenger list of the Providence which has lead to confusion about the year and place of his birth.
There is a space between the birth of William's son Robert (b 1810) and daughter Mary Ann (b 1813) where another child could have been born in 1812. However, except for Jane E. born in 1815, the births of the children of William Ripley and Hannah Coates in Maccan seem to be well documented in the Southampton Records Online and do not include Andrew. William's wife Hannah died in 1817, possibly from complications of childbirth, leaving several small children behind. Their daughter Hannah was raised by William's sister Mary and her husband Robert Read. William remarried in 1818.
Williams' will (Ripley Wills 1st & 2nd Generation) does not mention a son Andrew, so I think we can also rule him out. Two of Andrew's children later married grandchildren of William. Andrew's son Robert Salter Ripley married Hannah Elizabeth Ripley and his daughter Sarah Ripley married Rufus Ripley.
The 1891 census was unusual because it recorded the birthplaces of individual's parents in addition to their own birthplaces. On the 1891 census the birthplace of Andrew's father and mother is given as Nova Scotia. There is no guarantee that this information was supplied by Andrew personally as he was likely in the last year of his life in 1891 and no longer the head of the household for that census. However, if it were accurate, then the only son of Robert Ripley who could possibly be Andrew's father is William Ripley as Robert's other sons were born in England. William may also have been born in England, but his name is not included on the passenger list of the Providence which has lead to confusion about the year and place of his birth.
There is a space between the birth of William's son Robert (b 1810) and daughter Mary Ann (b 1813) where another child could have been born in 1812. However, except for Jane E. born in 1815, the births of the children of William Ripley and Hannah Coates in Maccan seem to be well documented in the Southampton Records Online and do not include Andrew. William's wife Hannah died in 1817, possibly from complications of childbirth, leaving several small children behind. Their daughter Hannah was raised by William's sister Mary and her husband Robert Read. William remarried in 1818.
Williams' will (Ripley Wills 1st & 2nd Generation) does not mention a son Andrew, so I think we can also rule him out. Two of Andrew's children later married grandchildren of William. Andrew's son Robert Salter Ripley married Hannah Elizabeth Ripley and his daughter Sarah Ripley married Rufus Ripley.
Possible father: John Ripley (1770-1853) son of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane
John Ripley married Margaret Donkin and settled at River Philip. Andrew does not seem to have any connection with River Philip. Andrew C. Ripley did name a son John P. Ripley but since this son is buried next to John Parkinson Ripley in the Old Burying Ground it is likely he was named for his maternal grandfather. Margaret is conspicuously absent as a name among Andrew's female children. John Ripley had a second marriage to a Mary Baker in 1821 when Andrew would have been only 9 years old, and Andrew did name his first daughter Mary.
The births of John and Margaret's children are not well documented and have been assigned largely on circumstantial evidence. The connections between the children become clearer when you look at the homestead of John Ripley and the land grants of Robert Ripley and Joseph and Thomas Ripley, all in the Oxford and River Philip area. John and Margaret likely had a daughter Esther whose birth year is estimated from the 1871 and 1881 census records as either 1811 or 1812. A daughter Isabella was born in 1813 according to her death record where John Thos. Ripley is named as her father but 1816 according to the 1871 census.
John and Margaret also had a son named Thomas. On my tree, I have him marrying Priscilla Embree in River Philip 18 May 1831 at the age of 30 but I have no confirmation of this marriage date. This Thomas Ripley (b 1801) named a son Andrew Emery Ripley (b 1 Apr 1840) and this is the only other Andrew in the 4th generation. However, I have seen Andrew Embree b. 1813 listed as a brother of Priscilla Embree on several trees and it is likely that he was named for his uncle Andrew D. Fillmore. So Andrew Emery Ripley was mostly likely named Andrew Embree Ripley for his uncle on his mother's side.
Like Andrew C. Ripley, Thomas also had a son named William Henry. Thomas and Priscilla also had a daughter named Jane Coates Ripley probably after Thomas's aunt Jane (Ripley) Coats. However, Thomas did apply for a land grant with his brother Joseph for land previously owned by their father John and Thomas farmed in River Philip (Gord Ripley, 5 Generations of the Ripley Family in Nova Scotia).
John and Margaret likely had another son, James, whom I was unaware of until recently. This son was mentioned in the estate papers of Robert Read. In December of 1827, a John Ripley of River Philip had bonded his son James for 6 years of service to Robert Read of Amherst. Robert Read was married to John's sister Mary. Robert and Mary Read also raised William Ripley's daughter Hannah after her mother died in childbirth. James was to be paid 48 pounds in cash and stock on completion of the service. Unfortunately James died before the end of the service and Robert Read's estate paid John Ripley for services already rendered. The documents are a little confusing but it looks like James may have died September 13, 1830 and, as his son's heir, John was paid for 2 years and 8 1/2 months of service. The 6 years of service would have been complete in 1833. If this is the date on which James would have turned 21, James would have a birthdate of about 1812. Gord Ripley has also told me that 24 was sometimes regarded as legal age, giving James a birth year of 1809. John Ripley had applied for a second land grant in 1809 stating he had four children. James born 1809 may have been that 4th child. John's other sons were all of legal age by 1827. Robert was born in 1800, Thomas in 1801, and Joseph in 1803. Joseph and Charlotte Johnson named their first child, born 1831, James.
It's interesting that both James and Andrew were born around 1812. Perhaps Andrew had a similar bond arrangement with Henry. That would explain both his close connection to Henry and where he got the 45 pounds to purchase his 100-acre homestead adjacent to Henry's. It would also explain the remark made by Lawson Smith's mother that Andrew "was not from around here." Presumably if he had arrived from Yorkshire, she would have commented that he was from the old country. Like John's other children, Andrew has no birth record. I have not been able to locate a will for John.
I do not have a confirmed death date for Margaret Donkin although she must have died (or been divorced) previous to 1821. A John Ripley of River Philip posted a marriage bond with his intention to wed a Mary Baker 3 Jan 1821 (Nova Scotia Vital Stats Book 1800:4591.) John and Mary later sold property in Oxford on which John had previously been living with wife Margaret. I have seen 9 Aug 1832 as a death date for Margaret on some trees. Coincidentally, this is the death date given for the mysterious Alice wife of Thomas who died in Maccan on 9 Aug 1832.
John Ripley married Margaret Donkin and settled at River Philip. Andrew does not seem to have any connection with River Philip. Andrew C. Ripley did name a son John P. Ripley but since this son is buried next to John Parkinson Ripley in the Old Burying Ground it is likely he was named for his maternal grandfather. Margaret is conspicuously absent as a name among Andrew's female children. John Ripley had a second marriage to a Mary Baker in 1821 when Andrew would have been only 9 years old, and Andrew did name his first daughter Mary.
The births of John and Margaret's children are not well documented and have been assigned largely on circumstantial evidence. The connections between the children become clearer when you look at the homestead of John Ripley and the land grants of Robert Ripley and Joseph and Thomas Ripley, all in the Oxford and River Philip area. John and Margaret likely had a daughter Esther whose birth year is estimated from the 1871 and 1881 census records as either 1811 or 1812. A daughter Isabella was born in 1813 according to her death record where John Thos. Ripley is named as her father but 1816 according to the 1871 census.
John and Margaret also had a son named Thomas. On my tree, I have him marrying Priscilla Embree in River Philip 18 May 1831 at the age of 30 but I have no confirmation of this marriage date. This Thomas Ripley (b 1801) named a son Andrew Emery Ripley (b 1 Apr 1840) and this is the only other Andrew in the 4th generation. However, I have seen Andrew Embree b. 1813 listed as a brother of Priscilla Embree on several trees and it is likely that he was named for his uncle Andrew D. Fillmore. So Andrew Emery Ripley was mostly likely named Andrew Embree Ripley for his uncle on his mother's side.
Like Andrew C. Ripley, Thomas also had a son named William Henry. Thomas and Priscilla also had a daughter named Jane Coates Ripley probably after Thomas's aunt Jane (Ripley) Coats. However, Thomas did apply for a land grant with his brother Joseph for land previously owned by their father John and Thomas farmed in River Philip (Gord Ripley, 5 Generations of the Ripley Family in Nova Scotia).
John and Margaret likely had another son, James, whom I was unaware of until recently. This son was mentioned in the estate papers of Robert Read. In December of 1827, a John Ripley of River Philip had bonded his son James for 6 years of service to Robert Read of Amherst. Robert Read was married to John's sister Mary. Robert and Mary Read also raised William Ripley's daughter Hannah after her mother died in childbirth. James was to be paid 48 pounds in cash and stock on completion of the service. Unfortunately James died before the end of the service and Robert Read's estate paid John Ripley for services already rendered. The documents are a little confusing but it looks like James may have died September 13, 1830 and, as his son's heir, John was paid for 2 years and 8 1/2 months of service. The 6 years of service would have been complete in 1833. If this is the date on which James would have turned 21, James would have a birthdate of about 1812. Gord Ripley has also told me that 24 was sometimes regarded as legal age, giving James a birth year of 1809. John Ripley had applied for a second land grant in 1809 stating he had four children. James born 1809 may have been that 4th child. John's other sons were all of legal age by 1827. Robert was born in 1800, Thomas in 1801, and Joseph in 1803. Joseph and Charlotte Johnson named their first child, born 1831, James.
It's interesting that both James and Andrew were born around 1812. Perhaps Andrew had a similar bond arrangement with Henry. That would explain both his close connection to Henry and where he got the 45 pounds to purchase his 100-acre homestead adjacent to Henry's. It would also explain the remark made by Lawson Smith's mother that Andrew "was not from around here." Presumably if he had arrived from Yorkshire, she would have commented that he was from the old country. Like John's other children, Andrew has no birth record. I have not been able to locate a will for John.
I do not have a confirmed death date for Margaret Donkin although she must have died (or been divorced) previous to 1821. A John Ripley of River Philip posted a marriage bond with his intention to wed a Mary Baker 3 Jan 1821 (Nova Scotia Vital Stats Book 1800:4591.) John and Mary later sold property in Oxford on which John had previously been living with wife Margaret. I have seen 9 Aug 1832 as a death date for Margaret on some trees. Coincidentally, this is the death date given for the mysterious Alice wife of Thomas who died in Maccan on 9 Aug 1832.
Conclusion:
Ironically, the only person with whom Andrew C. Ripley has a definite connection, Henry Ripley, is also the person easiest to rule out as Andrew's father since he did not name Andrew in his will. Robert and William are also ruled out since they did not mention an Andrew in their wills. That leaves Thomas and John. On the 1891 census, the birthplace of Andrew's parents is listed as Nova Scotia, which, if accurate, would rule out both of them.
The information that Andrew was born in England is questionable because it is contradicted by census information supplied while Andrew was alive and while his children were alive saying Andrew was born in Nova Scotia. The grandson who supplied the information that Andrew was born in England did not know the name of his maternal grandmother. Therefore, we can probably also rule out Thomas as a possible father.
Researcher Lawson Smith's mother (of Fenwick) once remarked that Andrew was not "from around here". In the Ernest Coates papers at the Cumberland County Genealogical Society I discovered several letters from Robert S. Ripley's grandson to Ernest Coates. In one of the letters dated 6 Jan 1974 (05-050-04-R04#1188) Robert D. (Bob) Ripley of Truro says his aunt Stella had told him that her husband always said Robert S. Ripley and Hannah Elizabeth Ripley were not related other than husband and wife. However, Robert D. Ripley later sent another letter on January 26 1974 (05-050-04R04#1036) saying that he had been speaking to Trueman Langille of Springhill. Trueman had told him that "Aunt Esther", Hannah Elizabeth's sister had said they were cousins. In the early days, said the politically incorrect Esther, settlers had a choice of marrying cousins or Indians and they chose cousins.
Naturally I will keep researching in this area, but for now the parentage of Andrew remains a mystery. Of Robert and Isabella's children, John is the most likely candidate. Andrew might also have been illegitimate or adopted. It's possible that he was from a different Ripley family altogether.
Ironically, the only person with whom Andrew C. Ripley has a definite connection, Henry Ripley, is also the person easiest to rule out as Andrew's father since he did not name Andrew in his will. Robert and William are also ruled out since they did not mention an Andrew in their wills. That leaves Thomas and John. On the 1891 census, the birthplace of Andrew's parents is listed as Nova Scotia, which, if accurate, would rule out both of them.
The information that Andrew was born in England is questionable because it is contradicted by census information supplied while Andrew was alive and while his children were alive saying Andrew was born in Nova Scotia. The grandson who supplied the information that Andrew was born in England did not know the name of his maternal grandmother. Therefore, we can probably also rule out Thomas as a possible father.
Researcher Lawson Smith's mother (of Fenwick) once remarked that Andrew was not "from around here". In the Ernest Coates papers at the Cumberland County Genealogical Society I discovered several letters from Robert S. Ripley's grandson to Ernest Coates. In one of the letters dated 6 Jan 1974 (05-050-04-R04#1188) Robert D. (Bob) Ripley of Truro says his aunt Stella had told him that her husband always said Robert S. Ripley and Hannah Elizabeth Ripley were not related other than husband and wife. However, Robert D. Ripley later sent another letter on January 26 1974 (05-050-04R04#1036) saying that he had been speaking to Trueman Langille of Springhill. Trueman had told him that "Aunt Esther", Hannah Elizabeth's sister had said they were cousins. In the early days, said the politically incorrect Esther, settlers had a choice of marrying cousins or Indians and they chose cousins.
Naturally I will keep researching in this area, but for now the parentage of Andrew remains a mystery. Of Robert and Isabella's children, John is the most likely candidate. Andrew might also have been illegitimate or adopted. It's possible that he was from a different Ripley family altogether.