Posted By:	James R. Rasco
	Email:
	Subject:	ROSCOE FAMILY and "THE MENDER BUNCH"
	Post Date:	November 30, 2005 at 18:14:53
	Message URL:	http://genforum.genealogy.com/nc/richmond/messages/389.html
	Forum:	Richmond County, NC Genealogy Forum
	Forum URL:	http://genforum.genealogy.com/nc/richmond/

There are at least two branches of the Roscoe family with descendants in Richmond County, NC. One of these groups trace their linage back through George Washington Roscoe to a John Rascoe of Marlboro County, SC The other group of Roscoes descend from a John Mender and his wife Martha "Pent" Jones. John Mender was born about 1860 in Chesterfield County, SC and died in 1937. His wife Martha Jones (aka Steen) was born about 1864 in Marlboro County to Elizabeth Steen and an unknown Jones. Martha died in 1836. John Mender and Martha Jones were married about 1886. Martha had two children prior to her marriage to John. These were Clifton S. Steen and Venetta "Nettie" Jones English. John and Martha are buried in the Steen Cemetery in Marlboro County. Their children settled in the Hamlet area of Richmond County NC where many of George Washington Roscoe children lived. In the 1880 census of Marlboro County SC, Smithville Twp., John Mender is listed in the household of William K. Sweatt as a 14 year old farm laborer. William K. Sweatt's second wife, Mary, may have been John Mender's mother. In the 1900 census John and Martha were listed in Brightsville Township. In the 1910 census they were back in Smithville Township only now they were using Roscoe as their family surname. John Mender claim to have been an illegitimate son of John R. Roscoe, a brother of George Washington Roscoe. John R. Roscoe had served in the SC 8th infantry, company "G" during the Civil War and had settled in Cheraw, Chesterfield County, SC after the war. He married Martha Stanton and they had several children. John R. Roscoe and his wife died shortly after 1900 and are buried in the St. David Cemetery in Cheraw. The descendant of George W. Roscoe denied that John Mender was a son of John R. Roscoe. They said that John Mender was no relation to them and had only changed his name to Roscoe to obtain a job in a local mill. He explaned that although he was a son of John R. Roscoe that he had been raised by his grandmother Mender. John Mender was also known as "Dig" Mender or "Dig" Roscoe. Some of the descendant of G.W. Roscoe knew him and his wife as "Uncle John" and "Aunt Pent" Mender. As a group, the descendants of G.W. Roscoe refered to John Mender/Roscoe and his family as "THE MENDER BUNCH" George Washington Roscoe was married twice. His first wife was Harriet Caulder and his second wife was Sarah Jane Adams. George was born in Marlboro County, SC 27 July 1841 and died 23 April 1921. He is buried in the Brigman Cemetery #4 in Marlboro County although his death certificate said he was buried in the Hubbard Cemetery. George also served in the SC 8th infantry, company "G" during the Civil War. The children of George Washington Roscoe were: 1. Ida L. Roscoe English 2. William Julius Roscoe 3. Joseph S. Roscoe 4. Lillie M. Roscoe Caulder 5. Lucy Roscoe Justice 6. Daniel Thomas Roscoe 7. Millard Seals Roscoe 8. Minnie Lee Roscoe Steen 9. Oscar Raymond Roscoe 10. Magnolia Roscoe Turner 11. Edmond Roscoe 12. George Washington Roscoe, Jr. The children of John Mender/Roscoe were: 1. Elizabeth "Bettie" Roscoe Grant. 2. Pearlie Roscoe 3. Elisha Roscoe 4. Redman Roscoe 5. Walter Thomas Roscoe 6. Hellie Roscoe 7. Johnny Roscoe 8. Willie Roscoe I have lots more data on these Roscoe families and others in Chesterfield County SC. Will share and exchange data with descendants or other researching of having interest and knowledge of these families. James R. Rasco <jrrasco2@aol.com>