Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Margie Pearce.
fungymm@i-55.com
 

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The following is taken from The Roop Reunion Book, a handwritten notebook in my posession.

Sarah's story as she wrote it (no date, but according to references within the story, it was written between 1914 and
1916):

Page titled:  Sarah S. Gump born Mar 22, 1833, daughter of Jacob Shultz & Eva Roop

Dear Cousin,

     According to your request I will try to give you a little history of my life as it comes to me.  It may not be very perfect, but may be you can understand it.
     I was born in Huntington Co, Pa, March 22, 1833.  My Father's name was Jacob Shultz and Mother's name was Eve Roop Shultz.  When I was only one year old my father died and soon after he died my Uncle Amos Roop came and moved us to Seneca Co, Ohio, and in a short time my mother married a man by the name of Thomas West and when I was ten years old my mother died and soon after that I went to live with my aunt Susanah Roop Dickie who lived in Willshire then
and then in a few years more Uncle Dickie moved to Miami Co, Ohio and when I was 17 years old I was married to Jeremiah Gump on the Jan 17 1850.  We lived in Ohio 3 years and then moved to Allen Co, Ind. 61 years ago and always lived on the same farm.  It was woods and swamps, but we dug and chopped our way through and built up a nice home.
     Husband and I lived together 62 years less 2 months that is a long time to travel together.  But it seemed to short. I had a kind husband, it will be 4 years the 18 of November, 1915, since he died.  I still live at my own home.  Dear old Home to me.
     There was ten children born to us there names as follows

Almina Gump     born April 22, 1851
Rachel Gump     born August 21, 1852    Died Oct 21 1853
Analiza Gump      " March 12, 1854
Albert Gump       " March 6, 1856
Adaline Gump      " March 26 1858       Died Aug. 9 1880
Anvilla Gump      " July 12 1859
Adella Gump       " Dec 5 1862          Died Feb 24 1869
Alnora Gump       "  Apr 9 1864
Ernest Gump       "  Apr 10 1866                Died Mar 28 1899
Jesse Gump        "  Mar 8 1869

Adaline was married and left 2 children and we took them and raised them till they were married.
Ernest was married and left a wife & 2 children.
     My husband was 82 years 6 months old when he died and if I live till the 22nd of March 1916, I will be 83 years old. My oldest child is 64 years old and my youngest is 46 years.  If I live to 17 day of Jan 1916, it will be 66 years since I was married.  I have seen many joys and many sorrows, but feel thankful that it is well with me as it is and we surely all have much to be thankful for.  We live in a land of peace and plenty.  Now if there is anything more that you can think of just tell me and if I know I will freely tell you.  I would much rather sit by your side and tell you these things than write as I am a better talker than writer.
     There was no house on the farm when we moved and we had to cut down trees to make a place to build our cabin. We only had two children then.  We had quite a struggle till we got things anything like comfort.  But we were both healthy and had lots of ambition and worked our way through. But we had much to endure. We took the advice of our Blessed Savior where he said first seek the kindgon of Heaven and the Rightiousness and the rest would be added.  So we joined
the Church of Brethren and was baptised by Christian Baptism June 21 1854.  Not long after he was ordained to the ministery.  We was in the woods and Husband was young.  But he shouldered the Cross and was faithful worker in the church and proved faithful to the end.
     Our son Jesse is also a minister.  I have 2 grandsons who are ministers.  My husband and son and 2 grandsons was many times all in the sacred Stand at once.  After my husband's death my son Jesse took his place as Elder in the church.  I have 36 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and one great, great grandson.  So you see we comprise a large family.  We are going to have the picture of five generations taken soon.  I have outlived all my folks.  Only cousins. My mother is buried in Ohio.  And my Grandmother Roop lies by her side.  My only sister is buried in Iowa.

End of quote.