William Roche1

#480, (circa 1810 - circa 18 September 1866)
RelationshipGrandfather of Estelle Rose Roche
Father*Michael Roche2 (s 1781 - )
Mother*Mary Whelan2 (s 1785 - )
Source: William Whelan Papers. Philadelphia: The Library Company of Philadelphia

Family

Mary Ann Casey b. c 1820, d. 1859
Children 1.William C F Roche30 (1843 - 1871)
 2.John1 Roche31 (1847 - 1848)
 3.Thomas Roche32 (1849 - 1849)
 4.Mary Ellen Roche+33 (1850 - 1930)
 5.Laurence Stanislas Roche34 (1852 - 1859)
 6.Ambrose Joseph Roche+35 (1854 - 1903)
 7.Thomas Ignatius Roche36 (1856 - c 1859)
 8.Alexander P Roche37 (1859 - 1907)
Birth*circa 1810He was born circa 1810 in Co. Waterford, IrelandG.3,4 
1825He was likely in the household of Michael Roche and Mary Whelan at Camphire, Lismore and Mocollop Par., Co. Waterford, IrelandG, in the census of of 1825.5  
circa 1830He migrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1830, from Ireland. He met his uncle, William Whelan [#18327], in Philadelphia, and learned the grocery business.6 
December 1835He removed to St. Louis, Missouri, in December 1835 from Philadelphia.6 
1835He was licensed as a grocer in the name of "Roach & Delisle" in 1835 in Missouri.7 
31 December 1835William Roche wrote to Michael Skeehan on 31 December 1835.8 
10 April 1837He returned to Ireland, then returned to Pennsylvania with three siblings on 10 April 1837 on board the Oconee.9
1838He was a proprietor of Wm. Roche, Grocers in 1838 at 35 Market, St. Louis, Missouri.10 
Marriage*7 August 1838He married Mary Ann Casey, daughter of Andrew Casey and Ellen Walsh, on 7 August 1838 at Old Cathedral, St. Louis, Missouri.11,12
1840He and Mary Ann Casey appeared on the census of 1840 at St. Louis, Missouri; (possible.)13 
1842He was a dry goods and grocery merchant in 1842 at 2 N. Front, St. Louis, Missouri.14
1842He lived in 1842 at 45 N. 4th Street, St. Louis, Missouri.14 
10 May 1842He was a member of the Repeal Association of the Friends of Ireland on 10 May 1842 at Missouri.15 
1845He was a grocer in 1845 at 2 N Front, St. Louis, Missouri.16 
1847He lived in 1847 at 75 N. 4th, St. Louis, Missouri.17 
1848He was dry goods merchant in 1848 at 77 North Fourth, St. Louis, Missouri.18 
14 October 1850He and Mary Ann Casey appeared on the census of 14 October 1850 at 3rd Ward, St. Louis, Missouri.19
1854 In 1854 William Roche was a proprietor of a gentleman's furnishings store at 77 North Fourth St. betw. Pine and Olive, St. Louis, Missouri.20,21 
9 July 1860He appeared on the census of 9 July 1860 at St. Louis, Missouri; (near Virginia Hotel.)22
between 1862 and 1865He lived between 1862 and 1865 at 53 N. 4th Street, St. Louis, Missouri.23,24 
1866He lived in 1866 at 26 Gratiot, St. Louis, Missouri; (poss.)25,26 
Death*circa 18 September 1866He died circa 18 September 1866 at Missouri.27 
Note: Mary Ann d. 1859. William was in the city directory of 1863. Of their children, William was a proprietor in 1867; Ambrose was a student at the Christian Brothers Academy in 1870 and employed and res. in St. Louis in 1872; Alexander was a student at St. Louis University in 1874; and Mary Ellen had marr. Timothy McInerney in 1872.28 
Historical Note: William Whelan Papers, 1811-1841. According to the Library Company of Philadelphia, this collection is on deposit at the Historical Society of Philadelphia, confirmed by Steven Smith, HSP Public Service Librarian. Call Number: McA MSS 021.
Series I Correspondence (1811-1841), "nine letters from William Roche, a dry goods merchant in Missouri. The first is addressed to Michael Skeehan in Manayunk (now part of Philadelphia), and describes Roche's trip from Philadelphia to St. Louis as well as the state of the markets there; at the end of the letter he asks Skeehan to show the letter to Whelan. The next was written to Roche's parents in County Waterford and explained where he had established himself "after all my perambulation." The letter is also signed by his siblings John, Bridget, and Ellen, who were living and working with him; Roche asks that any response be sent to William Whelan who will forward it on. The remainder of their letters concern shipments of merchandise from Whelan to St. Louis, and mention the many transportation challenges faced by settlers in the Midwest."29
 
ChartsAncestors of Estelle Roche

Citations

  1. [S54] 1840 U.S. Federal Census. St. Louis Township and City page 40.
  2. [S56] Gabriel Drouin, compiler, Drouin Collection: Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records (Montreal: Institut Généalogique Drouin, after 1940), St-Louis, Mariages 1828-1840, St. Louis Old Cathedral, 7 Aug 1838, img. 53/96. [margin] Wm Roche & M Ann Casey. [entry] "William Roche son of Michael and of Mary Roche, and Mary Ann Casey daughter of Andrew and of Ellen Casey" joined in matrimony "before several witnesses" [not named], by Jos. A. Lutz, priest.. Online Ancestry.com.
  3. [S1253]  William Whelan Papers, correspondence and documents, McAllister Collection, Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Collection summary, p. 4, Series I (1811–1841): "letters from William Roche, a dry goods merchant in Missouri. The first...describes Roche's trip from Philadelphia to St. Louis as well as the state of the markets there....The next was written to Roche's parents in County Waterford and explained where he had established himself 'after all my perambulation.' The letter is also signed by his siblings John, Bridget, and Ellen, who were living and working with him..."
  4. [S20] 1850 U.S. Federal Census.
  5. [S1680] Tithe Applotment Books, 1823-1837, image viewed online http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie and FamilySearch.com, Box No. 121, Lismore and Mocollop Par., Cos. Waterford and Cork. imgs. 40 and 74 (amended)/129. Camphire Townlands. Michael Roche, 52 acres, value £1 per acre, annual tithing £3 6s. Note: record is certified 27 Nov 1825.
    Others in Camphire: Byrne, Callahan, Carty, Condon, Deale, Hearn, Hickey, Hogan, Keefe, Keily, Lamstand, Leary, Lyons, Mahony, Meligan, Mulcahy, Murphy, Noonan, Nugent, O'Daniel, Power, Stack, Usher.
  6. [S1381] William Whelan Papers, correspondence, Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, William Roche of St. Louis MO to Michael Skeehan of Manayink PA, 31 Dec 1835, describing his trip of the same month from Philadelphia to St. Louis.
  7. [S545] St. Louis County Court Records, 1824 - 1835, online www.slcl.org, Roach & Delisle; Grocer's license; vol. 1, Yr. 1835, p. 436 [index entry].
  8. [S1381] William Whelan Papers, correspondence, Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Letter from William Roche of St. Louis to Michael Skeehan of Manayunk PA, 31 Dec 1835, describing William's journey from Philadelphia to St. Louis. The letter mentions Mr. Cody, Mr. Cassidy, "White from Manayunk" and Clinton Cadwalleder, met along the journey. William is thinking of starting his own business; if he does, he will ask Michael Brady to come out. William asks Michael to show the letter to William's uncle (William Whelan). The letter mentions carpentry in St. Louis, an interest of Jarvis Wright and Mr. [Edmund] Ryan. Sends regards to Michael Burns and Rev. Mr. Mulholland, who is to be told that William has seen Mr. Rudd and family. William sends thanks to "Mrs. Skeehan and little sis, Mr. Dugan and all the family girls, particularly Michael Burns’s wife, Bradley, Leonard Hawkins, Denis Mealy, Walsh, Barr. Millens and all
    the rest." Finally, William sends his "respects to all friends in Philadelphia" and mentions that "Miss Boyle has wrote to Miss Whelan."
  9. [S1686] Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Philadelphia, 1800-1882, Publication M425; 108 rolls, Record Group 36, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, District of Columbia, online FamilySearch.com, Roll 52/108, img. 71/651 (Family Search). Ship Oconee, from Liverpool arr. Philadelphia 10 Apr 1837. Manifest lines 9-13. Wm Roach, age 24, pedlar [sic]; John Roach, age 21, laborer; Ellen Roach, age 26, servant; Bridget Roach, age 18, servant; Thos. Malligan, age 17, farmer; all from Ireland. Lines 14-18 are the family of Patrick (40) and Mary (42) Walen, with children Jane (11), Barney (8) and Ellen (6).
  10. [S707] St. Louis City Directories (transcripts and images) (St. Louis, MO: Washington University Digital Library Services), Keemles 1838, 1839:39, Wm. Roche dry goods store, 35 Market.
  11. [S56] Gabriel Drouin, Drouin U.S. 1695-1954, St-Louis, Marriages 1828-1840, St. Louis Old Cathedral, 7 Aug 1838, img. 53/96. [margin] Wm Roche & M Ann Casey. [entry] "William Roche son of Michael and of Mary Roche, and Mary Ann Casey daughter of Andrew and of Ellen Casey" joined in matrimony "before several witnesses" [not named], by Jos. A. Lutz, priest.
  12. [S271] Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002, Microfilm images, online Ancestry.com, St. Louis, 1838, img. 54/83. William Roche and Mary Ann Casey, marr. 7 Aug 1838. Entry from Jos. A. Lutz, Catholic Priest; filed and recorded 26 Sep 1838.
  13. [S54] 1840 U.S. Federal Census. M (20-29) [Willliam], M (20-29) [John]; F (20-29) [Bridget], F (20-29).
  14. [S708] The Saint Louis Directory [C&K], (Republican Office, St. Louis: Chambers & Knapp, published annually), 1842:115 "Roche, Wm., dry good and grocery merchant, 2 n Front, res. 45 n 4th."
  15. [S710] Repeal Association of the Friends of Ireland, 1842, online www.stlgs.org, William Roche, from County Watreford, Grocery.
  16. [S57] Green's Saint Louis Directory 1845 (St. Louis, Missouri: n.pub., 1845), p 149.
  17. [S544] Green's Saint Louis Directory 1847 St. Louis, Missouri (1847), p. 159: Roach William, grocer, dw 75 n Fourth.
  18. [S1382] Sloss's Saint Louis Directory (St. Louis: Charles and Hammond, published annually), online http://digital.wustl.edu/c/cty/,, p. 197. William Roche, dry goods, 77 N. Fourth.
  19. [S20] 1850 U.S. Federal Census. William (40), merchant, b. Ireland, real est. $3850; Mary (30), b. Ireland; William (7), Mary (5/12), both b. MO.
  20. [S1329] Montague's Illinois and Missouri State Directory for 1854-5 (St. Louis: Wm. L. Montague, 1854), p. 465. Gent's Furnishing Goods. Roche, Wm. 77 North Fourth.
  21. [S1383] Morrison's Saint Louis Directory (St. Louis: Missouri Republican, published annually), online http://digital.wustl.edu/c/cty/,, 1852 edition, p. 216. William Roche, gent's furnishings store, 77 Fourth between Pine and Olive.
  22. [S19] 1860 U.S. Federal Census. William (50), Dry Goods Store, b. Ireland.
  23. [S455] U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918, online Ancestry.com, Div. 5, collection Dist. 1. Sep-Dec 1862, img 37/312; Wm. Roche, 53 N. 4th St., income excise, valuation $234.61, ad valorem $7.04 [3%], 21 Aug 1862. Jan-Jun 1863, img 77/277; Wm. Roche, retail dealer, for the year 1863, $6.67, 17 Aug 1863.
  24. [S58] Gould's St. Louis Directory , 1864, p. 459: William Roche, gents. furnishingh goods, 53 n. 4th, res. same; 1865, p. 585: William Roche, clothing, 53 N. 4th, res. same, and William Jr., salesman, William Roche, boards 53 N. 4th; 1865, p. 775, classified listing of retal clothiers: William Roche, 53 n. 4th.
  25. [S58] Gould's St. Louis , 1866, p. 694: William Roche, res. 26 Gratiot.
  26. [S455] U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, online Ancestry.com, Div. 3, collection Dist. 1. 1866, img 123/614; Wm. Roche, 72 Gratiot, income excise, valuation $241, rate 5%, $28.75, pianos, valuation $268, rate $4.00, tax $4.00; total tax $32.75.
  27. [S2825] The Missouri Republican, St. Louis, Missouri, Fri., 2 Nov 1866, p. 4. Administrator's Notice by Wm. C F Roche on the estate of William Roche, deceased, letters of administration granted 19 Sep 1866.
  28. [S520] VWH.
  29. [S1381] William Whelan Papers, correspondence, Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Series I Correspondence (1811-1841), nine letters from William Roche.
  30. [S19] 1860 U.S. Federal Census. age 16.
  31. [S56] Gabriel Drouin, Drouin U.S. 1695-1954, Old cathedral Baptisms.
  32. [S56] Gabriel Drouin, Drouin U.S. 1695-1954, St. Louis, Burials, 1847–1852, Old Cathedral, p. 169, img. 88/287. Thomas Roach, son of William Roach and Mary Casey, age 4 hours, died and interred June 22nd, 1849. (signed) Patrick Ryder.
  33. [S19] 1860 U.S. Federal Census. age 6.
  34. [S56] Gabriel Drouin, Drouin U.S. 1695-1954, Old Cathedral, St. Louis, Baptisms 1851 - 1856, vol. 1852, p. 74, img. 38/228. Laurence Stanislas Roche, son of William Roche and Mariann Casey, b. 8 Jul 1852, bapt. 14 Jul 1852 by Edm. Saulnier; sponsors Michael Whealan and Brigitte Casey.
  35. [S56] Gabriel Drouin, Drouin U.S. 1695-1954, Old Cathedral, St. Louis, Baptisms 1851 - 1856, vol. 1854, p. 200; "On this 5th day of April 1854, I the undersigned have baptized Ambrose Joseph, born of William Roche and Mary his wife on the 24th day of February last. The sponsors were Daniel Casey and Bridget Knight;" img. 103/228.
  36. [S56] Gabriel Drouin, Drouin U.S. 1695-1954, Old Cathedral, St. Louis, Baptisms 1851 - 1856, vol. 1856, p. 361, img. 188/228. Thomas Ignatius Roche, son of William Roche and Mary Ann Casey, b. 29 Jul 1856, bapt. 3 Aug 1856 by Wm Wheeler; sponsors Andrew Pearce and Ann C Lynch.
  37. [S19] 1860 U.S. Federal Census.