Thomas Cooper Jr.

Male, #10034, (1771 - 5 Jul 1843)

ParentCaptain Thomas Cooper Sr. (1733 - before 13 Feb 1796)
ParentSarah Anthony (15 Aug 1742 - 13 Feb 1796)
Thomas Cooper Jr.|b. 1771\nd. 5 Jul 1843|p10034.htm|Captain Thomas Cooper Sr.|b. 1733\nd. before 13 Feb 1796|p10008.htm|Sarah Anthony|b. 15 Aug 1742\nd. 13 Feb 1796|p10009.htm|Benjamine Cooper|b. 1701\nd. 1776|p10043.htm|Elizabeth Kelly|b. say 1703|p10042.htm|Joseph Anthony Sr.|b. 2 May 1713\nd. 23 Nov 1785|p10012.htm|Elizabeth Clarke|b. 15 Feb 1720\nd. 1813|p10013.htm|

Birth*1771 Thomas was born at Henry Co., Virginia, in 1771.1 
 He was the son of Captain Thomas Cooper Sr. and Sarah Anthony. 
Will24 Sep 1785 In Joseph Anthony Sr.'s will, Thomas was named by Joseph to handle his estate on 24 Sep 1785 at Henry Co., Virginia.
     The will of Joseph (probated 22 Dec 1785, Henry Co. Will Book 1, p. 120) named his wife Elizabeth and his children Sarah Cooper, Christopher, Elizabeth Candler, Penelope Johnson, Jospeh, James, Mary Carter, Agness Blaky, Micajah, Rachel, Winiford, Mark, Bolling and Judith. Thomas Cooper, husband of Sarah, and the sons Joseph, James and Micajah were executors. Shortly after the death of the elder Joseph, many of his family moved to Georgia, being found in the records of Wilkes, Elbert, Lincoln, Franklin and subsequently other counties..2 
Deed*28 Feb 1794 He or Captain Thomas Cooper Sr. was granted a deed. On 28 Feb 1794 at Wilkes Co., Georgia, ([M)]; Book MM, 1794-1795, p. 338, 28 Feb. 1794, James McLean and Ruth, his wife, to Thomas Cooper, all of Wilkes Co., for £50, on Clarks Fork of Long Creek, 80 acres, adj. Robertson, said McLean, part of 500 acres granted to said McLean, 5 Aug. 1785. (signed) Jas. McLean, Ruth (x) McLean. Wit: Clayton Talbott, George Hamilton, Wm. Hudspeth. Proved by Geo. Hamilton, 30 Dec. 1794, H. Mounger, J.P. Regd. 10 Jan. 1795. (This grant was either to Thomas Cooper Sr. or Jr. ).3 
Deed28 Feb 1794 He or Captain Thomas Cooper Sr. was granted a deed. On 28 Feb 1794 at Wilkes Co., Georgia, ([M)]; Book MM, 1794-1795, p. 339, 28 Feb. 1794, James McLean and Ruth, his wife, to Thomas Cooper, all of Wilkes Co., for £200, 300 acres, originally granted to said McLean, on Clarks Fork of Long Creek. (signed) Jas. McLean, Ruth (x) McLean. Wit: George Hamilton, Wm. Hudspeth, Clayton Talbott. Proved by George Hamilton, 30 Dec. 1794, H. Mounger, J.P. Regd. 10 Jan. 1795. (This could be either Thomas Cooper Sr. or Jr.).3
 
Marriage*1797 He married Judith Harvey at Hancock Co., Georgia, in 1797. 
Deed*1799 He received a land grant in 1799 at Hancock Co., Georgia, (Grant Book CCCCC, page 278, 292 acres).4 
Deed*22 Jun 1801 He granted a deed on 22 Jun 1801 at Wilkes Co., Georgia.
(Book UU, 1803-1804, p. 205, 22 June 1801, Thomas Cooper & Judith, his wife, of Hancock Co., Ga., to Thomas Wellborn of Wilkes Co., Ga., for $1260, 420 acres in Wilkes Co. on Clark Fork of Long Creek, adj. N.W. by Crews & Springer, N.E. by Robertson, S.F. & S.W. by vacant at time of original survey, being two tracts originally granted to James McLane, one 5 Aug. 1785, the other 23 Jan. 1799. (signed) Thomas Cooper, Judith Cooper. Wit: F. Tucker, J.P., Wm. Raburn, J.I.C. Rec. 14 Mar. 1804.).3 
Miscellaneous28 Apr 1804 The earliest school whose location is definitely known was in Powelton for on April 28,1804, John Michael, "for and in consideration of the love of learning," gave half an acre of land to James Harvey, William Lee, Sampson Duggar, Thomas Cooper and John Michael as trustees of the Powelton school "lately built" on the site. He also conveyed the privilege of using water from the spring convenient thereto. This school was a predecessor of Powelton Academy founded in 1811 and incorporated in 1815 with a board of trustees consisting of William Rabun, Nicholas Childers, Thomas Cooper, Sampson Duggar, Archibald R. S. Hunter, James Crowder, Reuben T. Battle, John Veazey and Stephen Weston. On 28 Apr 1804 at Powelton, Hancock Co., Georgia. 
Relocation*say 1805 He, accompanied by family member(s) Joseph Cooper and John Cooper, relocated say 1805 at Popcastle, Putnam Co., Georgia, (Below Ashbank lies the Popcastle GMD #308. Here lies the mouth of Lick Creek and the boundary between Popcastle and Rockville District at Long Shoals farther south. Captain William Adams, whose property was at Long Shoals, served as the militia captain for Popcastle District. Many of the families of this district had previously been successful planters and leaders in Hancock County. They provided strong influence and leadership in this community, in Putnam County, and at one time, in Georgia.
Among the prominent families in Popcastle were Major William Alexander (whose house and land was later sold to become part of Turnwold Plantation, with William Turner, Sr., and Jr., Lots #277,278, and 279); Joel and David Reese; William Walker, who had lots on Lick and Crooked creeks and the Oconee River, Lots #261, 262, 276, 286, 287, 289, and 300; Joseph, Thomas, and John Cooper; Rowan and Francis Ward; Thomas Lowe; and members of the Spivey and Rosser families.
By 1811 Joseph Cooper was operating a mill on the Oconee and, shortly after, a toll bridge crossing the river. Thomas Lowe also built a mill on the Oconee. Crooked Creek, as well as parts of Lick Creek, provided fine water resources to many of these planters. Crooked Creek Baptist Church, established even before Putnam County, is within the Popcastle District. Its early roll recalls other pioneer families.
).5 
(Non Winner) Land Lottery1805 Joseph Cooper participated in but did not win the land lottery for land in the new Georgia counties of Baldwin, Wayne and Wilkinson in 1805 at Hancock Co., Georgia.6 
Marriage*after 1807 He married Margaret (?) after 1807.7 
(executor) Will16 Jan 1807 In James Harvey's will, Thomas was named by James to handle his estate on 16 Jan 1807 at Hancock Co., Georgia.8 
(heir) Will29 May 1819 In Joseph Cooper's will on 29 May 1819 at Putnam Co., Georgia, Thomas named as heir(s).9 
Land Lottery*1820 He had a fortunate draw in the land lottery in 1820 at Hancock Co., Georgia, (land in the Georgia counties of both Gwinnett and Appling).10 
(executor) Probate2 Feb 1830 Thomas was the executor of Martha Lewis's estate at Putnam Co., Georgia, on 2 Feb 1830.11 
Will*29 May 1843 He made a will on 29 May 1843.
     (Nieces--Elizabeth Cooper, Ann Dollar; Brother--Micajah Cooper; Daughter--Emily Branham; Executors--Mark Cooper, Samuel Boykin, Eugenia Nisbet).12 
Death*5 Jul 1843 He died at Putnam Co., Georgia, on 5 Jul 1843.1 
Burial*after 5 Jul 1843 His body was interred after 5 Jul 1843 at Old Union Church Cemetery, Eatonton, Putnam Co., Georgia.1 
Biography* Thomas Cooper, born in Henry County, Virginia, in 1767, came to Putnam County, Ga., and died in Eatonton, Ga., in 1842. He was the first man to raise cotton for market in Hancock County. The cotton gin had not then been invented, and he invented a roller gin for his own use. Cotton was then worth from fifty to seventy-five cents a pound. Thomas Cooper was one of the original subscribers to the Georgia Railroad. He aided in the founding of Mercer University, was among the first subscribers and supporters of the Columbian Star, afterwards The Christian Index, published first in Washington, D. C., then in Philadelphia, and now in Atlanta.
     He joined the Baptist Church in 1813, was prominent in the church councils, and was a deacon. Among his intimate friends were Jesse Mercer, Adiel Sherwood and Jesse H. Campbell. James C. Clark, of Atlanta., speaking of him to his grandson, the Rev. T. C. Boykin said, "A more devoted, useful, and spiritually minded man than Mr. Cooper I never knew."
(Names referenced above: Thomas Cooper Jr. Thomas Cooper Jr.).13 

Family

Judith Harvey (say 1775 - )
Marriage*1797 He married Judith Harvey at Hancock Co., Georgia, in 1797. 
Children

Charts Warren Culpepper's Ancestry Chart
Last Edited 10 Sep 2006

Citations

  1. Edward F. Hull, Early Records of Putnam County, Georgia, 1807-1860: Old Cemeteries Wills and Marriages Ashland, AL, 190?.
    "Thomas Cooper, Died July 5, 1843, age 72 years", page 17.
  2. William C. Stewart, Gone to Georgia: Jackson and Gwinnett Counties and their Neighbors in the Western Migration, Washington, DC: Nat'l Genealogical Society, 1965.
    pages 253-254.
  3. Michael Martin Farmer, Wilkes Co., GA Deed Books A - VV, 1784 - 1806 Farmer Genealogy, Dallas.
  4. The Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas Jr., Index to the Headright and Bounty Grants of Georgia Georgia Genealogical Reprints, Vidalia, GA, 1970.
    page 129.
  5. Katherine Bowman Walters, Oconee River Tales to Tell, Eaton, Putnam Co., GA: Eaton, Putnam Co. (GA) Historical Society, 1995.
    Page 126.
  6. Virginia S. and Ralph V. Wood, 1805 Georgia Land Lottery Greenwood Press, Cambridge, 1964, Repository: LDS Family History Library - Salt Lake City, Call No. 975.8 R2WY 1805.
  7. Edward F. Hull, Early Records of Putnam County, Georgia, 1807-1860: Old Cemeteries Wills and Marriages Ashland, AL, 190?.
    "Margaret Cooper, Consort of Thomas Cooper, Dec. 14, 1781 - May 16, 1838, Age 57 years", page 17.
  8. Hancock Co., GA Wills (1792-1842) DAR, 1950.
    Cites Book C (1803-1806), page 429.
  9. Edward F. Hull, Early Records of Putnam County, Georgia, 1807-1860: Old Cemeteries Wills and Marriages Ashland, AL, 190?.
    Page 9, cites Will Book A-page 119.
  10. The Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas Jr., 1820 Land Lottery of Georgia Southern Historical Press, Easley, SC, 1986, Repository: LDS Family History Library - Salt Lake City, Call No. 975.8 R2la.
    page 73.
  11. Edward F. Hull, Early Records of Putnam County, Georgia, 1807-1860: Old Cemeteries Wills and Marriages Ashland, AL, 190?.
    Will dated 18 Sep 1829 and probated 2 Feb 1830. Page 21: Cites Will Book B-page 96.
  12. Edward F. Hull, Early Records of Putnam County, Georgia, 1807-1860: Old Cemeteries Wills and Marriages Ashland, AL, 190?.
    Will dated 29 May 1843 and probated 10 Jul 1843. Page 29: Cites Will Book B-page 178.
  13. William J. Northern, Men of Mark in Georgia, Vol. V A. B. Caldwell, 1910.
    " Samuel Boykin", pages 338-340.
  14. , RootsWeb WorldConnect Project, Ancestry.com: Rootsweb.
    http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/
    "Alexander's - Southside VA/NC, GA & AL"; contact: e-mail address.
  15. Kenneth Coleman and Charles Stephen Gurr, Dictionary of Georgia Biography University of Georgia Press, 1983.
    pages 217-218.
  16. Dates are only estimated, but Clinton Cooper is believed to have died as an infant.