Cropper, Thomas Baylie, d. 1855.

Thomas Baylie Cropper was a sea captain and the son of Catherine West Cropper (d. 1855) of Accomack County, Va. Cropper commanded several transatlantic merchant ships that sailed out of Philadelphia and New York. In 1843, he married Rosina Mix (fl. 1833-1878) with whom he had three children: Catherine (b. 1844), Rose (b. 1846), and John (b. 1848). Family members represented include Thomas's two sisters, Elizabeth C. Gibb and Ann C. Arbuckle Savage; two brothers, P. W. and Coventon; his niece Catherine F. Gibb; and his cousin superior court judge and congressman Thomas Henry Bayly.

From the description of Thomas Baylie Cropper papers 1832-1879 [manuscript]. WorldCat record id: 25968145

Thomas Baylie Cropper (d. 1855), a sea captain and participant in the Gold Rush of the 1850s, was the son of Catherine West Cropper (d. 1855) of Accomack County, Virginia. Cropper commanded a number of transatlantic merchant ships. Between 1832 and 1838 he sailed out of Philadelphia on the Montezuma, the Algonquin, and the Susquehanna From the spring of 1838 through 1848, he sailed out of New York on the Columbus, the New York, and the West Point At least after 1838, and perhaps earlier, he was employed by Charles H. Marshall of New York.

In 1843, Cropper married Rosina Mix (fl. 1843-1878), and together they had three children: Catharine, called Kitty (b. 1844); Rose (b. 1846); and John (b. 1848).

Thomas Baylie Cropper had two sisters, Elizabeth (Eliza) and Ann. Eliza married a schoolteacher, Joseph Gibb, and lived with him in several Accomack County locations, including Drummond Town, Pungoteague, and Metompkin Island. The Gibbs had six children: Elizabeth (Lizzy), Ann, Catharine T., John J., William J., and Tom. Ann first married George Arbuckle, then, in 1838, Major John Savage. The Savages lived in Gargotha, in Accomack County, and had at least one daughter, Lizzie.

Cropper had two brothers, P. W. (fl. 1832) of Assawamaw, and Coventon (C. H.), who farmed on Thomas Baylie Cropper's farm, Edgehill, in Accomack County. Coventon, called Covey, married a woman named Leah, who died in 1838, soon after the birth of their daughter, Isabella. He then married a woman named Sarah. Coventon possibly had another daughter, Kate.

Thomas Henry Bayly, superior court judge between 1842 and 1844 and U.S. congressman from 1844 until his death in 1856, was a cousin to Thomas Cropper. U.S. Congressman, Henry A. Wise, was also a cousin.

From the guide to the Thomas Baylie Cropper Papers, ., 1832-1879, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)