William Cooper III (bef. 1649 - 1709)

Born before 16 Aug 1649 in High Ellington, Yorkshire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Thomasine (Porter) Cooper — married 9 Sep 1672 in North Riding, Yorkshire, , England

Descendants

Died 3 Feb 1709 after age 59 in Buckingham Township, Bucks, Pennsylvania

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Biography

William Cooper III migrated from Yorkshire, England to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.

William was a Friend (Quaker)

William Cowpar, surname later known as Cooper, was born before 16 Aug 1649 in High Ellington, Yorkshire (NRY), England, when his baptism was recorded in St Mary Parish, Masham. This record identifies his father as William Cowpar, a resident of High Ellington (see media). ^[1][2] His mother is believed to have been Elizabeth Johnson, the second wife of William Cowpar.

Birthplace Discrepancy:

Baptismal record lists residence as High Ellington, Yorkshire (recorded in St Mary Parish, Masham)

Quaker records of the Middleton Monthly Meeting following the families immigration to Pennsylvania, record William's birth location as Low Ellington, Yorkshire.^[3]

The church of Snapt (Nether), Low Ellington, Yorkshire, is sometimes cited by researchers.

He married Thomasine Porter 9 Sep 1672 recorded in St Mary Parish, Masham, Yorkshire (see media).^[4][5] She is believed to be the daughter of Ralph and Mary Porter of Swinton, Yorkshire (NRY).^[6]

Known Children all born in Yorkshire, England^[3]

1. Eizabeth, bapt: 13 Apr 1673 ^[7] m. Henry HUDDLESTON Sr, d. aft 1729
2. Henry Cooper, bapt: 17 Jan 1674/75^[8] m. Mary BUCKMAN, d. 1710
3. Jonathan, born: 11 Jan 1676/77,^[9] m. Sarah HIBBS, d. 1769
4. Hannah, born: 23 Jan 1678/79^[10]
5. Anne, born: 18 Apr 1681,^[11] m Lawrence PEARSON; d 1760
6. Abraham, born: 24 Aug 1684^[12]
7. Sarah, born: 24 Aug 1684^[13], m. BOND
8. Joseph Cooper, born: 5 Mar1686/7^[14], d. 1712

Following the birth of their first two children, the family was received into the Quaker faith where the births of their remaining children are recorded.

Immigration:

About 1699, William emigrated from Yorkshire, England, to Pennsylvania,^[15] on the ship Britannia. Many Quakers were trying to escape persecution which was prevalent in England at that time. He brought with him certificates for his Anglican baptism and his two eldest children as well as a Friends certificate of removal from the Massham (Masham) Monthly Meeting in Yorkshire, dated 26 Jan 1699. The Middletown Monthly Meeting recorded these birth records."^[16]

Almost all the 140-200 passengers on the Britannia were Quakers from Lancashire and Yorkshire. The ship had been chartered by the Lancaster Quakers. They were at sea for 14 weeks.^[17] This ship had an outbreak of smallpox or typhus with 56 people dying on the trip over and 20 more when they arrived in Phildelphia. William had with him his 8 children ages 13-26, all unmarried, and his wife, Thomasin. In addition, it is believed that Israel Cooper (relationship unconfirmed), born 2 Mar 1698, also emigrated with the family. However, his mother is listed as Elizabeth Cooper in Quaker records. No father is given. William may have lost his wife Thomasin on the ship since no later mention is made of her in Quaker records or in his will.

When they arrived in Philadelphia, they were not allowed to disembark. Philadelpha already had a yellow fever epidemic raging in 1699 (most deaths were in September that year), so the ship landed across the river in Salem County, New Jersey. Christopher Atkinson died on board the ship and after his death his wife, Margaret, sold 500 acres of her husband’s land to William Cooper of Buckingham township for 30 lbs.

Events:

In 1700 The Quakers gave permission for the Buckingham Friends to hold a meeting at William Cooper’s house. In the Bucks Quarterly Meeting Register the actual certificate of removal from the Middletown meeting to the Bucks county meeting for William states:

"To the Monthly Meeting at the Falls in Bucks Co., Pa. Greeting. Whereas William Cooper who hath been a member of our Meeting since his coming from the Old England and now being desirous to join himself to your Monthly Meeting at the Falls hath acquainted us therewith, requesting of us a certificate for his removal. We therefore after due consideration of the matter do hereby certify that he hath been a laborious man amongst his family since coming amongst us, and also hath been and is in unity with Friends."

In 1701 his oldest daughter Elizabeth married Henry Huddleston, a non-Quaker, which caused William some difficulties with his Quaker group. Henry was 13 years older than Elizabeth and was a friend of William’s. It’s likely that he got his 40-year-old friend to marry Elizabeth, who had an illegitimate child and would have been unacceptable to most young men. The Quakers were not happy about him marrying his daughter to a non-Quaker.

The minutes of the Middletown MM on 6 Nov 1701 states that:

"Friends have spoken to William Cowper concerning his giving consent for his daughter to marry one that is not of our Society, and received no satisfaction from him; therefore the Meeting doth appoint John Chapman to tell him the Meeting desires him to come to the next Monthly Meeting to be further discoursed with concerning his daughter, and make return to answer to the same." (It is assumed they are talking about Elizabeth Cooper who married Henry Huddleston. Elizabeth, by name, is not mentioned in the records. Henry was about 10 years younger than William and they seem to have been good friends, perhaps even before the marriage. It has been speculated that Elizabeth may have been the mother of Israel Cooper.

On 4 Dec 1701:

"William Cowper being here according to the desire of the Monthly Meeting hath been discoured with about his daughter and he is willing to condemn what he has done amiss which the Meeting was satisfied with and is as followeth:

Whereas I have given my consent to my daughter to be married to a man that does not profess truth which (through Friends information) I now understand to go contrary to truth (though then I did not comprehend it). Therefore I do acknowledge my fault, that I did not advise Friends about it and consider the matter better; and I hope for ye time to come I shall be more careful. Will. Cowper"

8 Jan 1702/3 William bought 500 acres of land in Buckingham Township, Bucks Co., Pa. (north of Philadelphia and near Trenton, NJ). [Perhaps this is simply a recording of the purchase of 500 acres on board the ship in 1699.]

Monthly Meeting at Middletown, the 6th of 9th month [November], 1702. William Hayhurst, Clerk Falls MM granted William Cooper a certificate back to Middletown MM on 7 Apr 1703.

"Extracts from Minute Book of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions Courts of Bucks County, Penn 1684-1730"

18th Day of 5th Mo 1703

• We allso doe present Sarah Cooper daughter of William Cooper for committing fornication and bearing bastard child, and we allso present Auger a Negro Slave belonging to Robert Heaton for committing fornication with the said Sarah Cooper.
• Robert Heaton's Negro Hugo was called to answer this prese?? For committing fornication wt Sarah Cooper he appeared and pleaded quilty - therefore the judgment of this Court is that he shall be whipt wt twenty one lashes upon his bare back. (Name looks like Auger above and Hugo here)
• Sarah Cowper (sic) being called on her recognizance appeared and pleaded ?? Persentment found against her by the Grand Jury the 9th day of September 1703 weh was these words We the grand Jury for the body of the County do ?? Sarah Cowper daughter of William Cowper for committing fornication bearing a bastard child. Guilty.
• Court adjourned till tomorrow morning at nine O Clock
• The court m?? the S Cowper where she could pay a fine as the law in that case directs she answered she could not - judgment of this court is therefore that she Sarah Cowper shall suffer corporal punishment and receive twenty one Wipes on her bare back well laid on and order executive accordingly Court adjourned for one hour being open.

Sarah was 18 years in 1703 and it appears that no one in the family (father William Cooper or brother-in-law Henry Huddleston, or Hugo’s owner Robert Heaton) put up money for her fine. It seems strange that her family would allow her to be whipped in public, but maybe they felt that their reputation and social standing in the Quaker community demanded that she be punished. This was the second time William had trouble because of his daughters. 2 years before he was called before court because his daughter Elizabeth married a non-Quaker.

Sarah is listed in William’s will as “Sarah Bond” so she must have married later.

When Henry Huddleston died in 1706 Robert Heaton was a witness to his will and William Cooper was the executor.

Daughter Anne Cooper was given permission to marry Lawrence Pearson 4 July 1705, by Falls MM, this is the date of permission, not the marriage, which was not found in the records. (Note: In William Cooper's will he does mention an Anne Pearson but does not give the relationship.)

In the following entry is he is conferring land of his deceased son-in-law, Henry Huddleston:

11 Dec 1706, William Cowper, (executor of the estate of Henry Huddlestone), of Bucks Co., Pennsylvania to Henry Johnson Vandike, yeooman, of same, L121, 80 acres, of 200 acres--- line of Thomas Bayne patented, 1682, by John Scarborougt, blacksmith, of London, England, who sold to his son John, who sold to said Henry. Signed William Cowper. Wit: Thomas Watson, Peter Lester and Jonathan Cowper.^[18]

He left the greater part of this land (in somewhat indefinite manner) to his son Joseph who died in 1712.

Will & Death:

He made his will 30 Jan 1709/10 in Buckingham Township, Bucks, Pennsylvania. It was proved 17 Feb 1709/10 in Philadelphia (Bk C, p.195-6). It lists the following: Henry, Joseph, Abraham, Jonathan, Hannah COOPER; Ann PEARSON, Sarah BOND; Israel COOPER (relationship not given); grandchildren: William, Elizabeth & Henry HUDDLESTON; Execs: sons Henry & Joseph ^[19]

William Cooper died 3 Feb 1709/10 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. His death is recorded in the Quaker Falls Monthly Meeting minutes.^[20]

Will Transcription:

Will of William Cooper (It is in Philadelphia County, PA, Will Book C: 195):

    Buckingham_____30th day the 11th month called January, 1709.

    I William Cooper being sick of body but perfect and whole in mind, praise be to God for the same, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following: First, I commit my soul to Almighty God that gave it me and my body to the earth to be buried according to the discretion of my executors hereafter named. First, I will that my debts and funerall charges shall be paid and discharged.

    Item. I will to my son Joseph Cooper the plantation upon which I now _____ with all the buildings and improvements thereon belonging and so much wood land thereto as shall amount to two hundred acres provided that he shall take care? to pay to my son Abraham Cooper four pound a year of now current money of this province so long as he shall live. And my will is that my son Abraham shall live along with my son Joseph. But if in process of time they cannot agree together my will is that my executors shall be jointly concerned to place him where they think best.

    Item. I will that the rest of my woodland be sold by my executors which is three hundred acres____more or less and do hereby give them full power to sell and convey the same as the law shall require. And I will that the money they sell it for shall be equally divided among those hereafter named: Jonathan Cooper, Hannah Cooper, Ann Pearson, Sarah Bond and Israell Cooper.

    Item. I will that my executors pay to my grand children William Huddleston, Elizabeth Huddleston and Henry Huddleston tweny(?) shillings apiece.

    Item. I will to my son Henry Cooper and my son Joseph Cooper whole and sole executors of my estate both real and personal and my will is that they sell the above said land within two years after ny _____and my will is that my son Joseph shall not pay any money to my son Abraham til two years be expired after my death? provided that he give him meat, drink and clothing sufficient and after two years the four pound a year above mentioned shall be due to Abraham so long as he shall live. And I do hereby revoke and make ___ all former wills and ____by me heretofore made. in witness whereof I the said William Cooper to this my last will and testament sett my hand and seal the day and year above _____.

    Sealed, signed and delivered in the presence of us -

    Thomas Watson James Steator (?), John Scarbrough, Joseph Fel

Sources

1. ↑ FreeReg.org https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/58189e7ee93790eca37cc245/willyam-cowpar-baptism-yorkshire-north-riding-masham-1649-08-16?locale=en
2. ↑ FindmyPast; Baptism: Willyam Cowpar, Father: Willyam of High Ellington, 16 Aug 1649, St Mary Masham, Yorkshire ($)
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935: "U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935"
   Pennsylvania > Bucks > Middletown Monthly Meeting > Minutes, 1664-1807 > image 57 of 118
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 13 November 2023)
   Elizabeth Cooper.
4. ↑ FreeReg.org https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/581844b4e93790eb7f7bb9a5/thomassin-porter-willyam-cowpar-marriage-yorkshire-north-riding-masham-1672-09-09?locale=an
5. ↑ FindmyPast; Marriage: 9 Sep 1672; Willyam COWPAR of High Ellington, to Thomasin PORTOR; Masham St Mary, Yorkshire (North Riding), England ($)
6. ↑ FreeReg.org https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/58189e7de93790eca37cc163/thomassin-porter-baptism-yorkshire-north-riding-masham-1647-02-28?locale=en
7. ↑ FreeReg.org https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/58189e86e93790eca37ccf93/elizabeth-cowpar-baptism-yorkshire-north-riding-masham-1673-04-13?locale=en
8. ↑ FreeReg.org https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/58189e86e93790eca37cd033/henrye-cowpar-baptism-yorkshire-north-riding-masham-1675-01-17?locale=en
9. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQHD-651 : 11 December 2014), Jonathan Cooper, 11 Jun 1676, Birth; citing p. 21, Richmond, Yorkshire, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.
10. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWGR-VRX : 11 December 2014), Hannah Cooper, 23 Jan 1678, Birth; citing p. 24, Richmond, Yorkshire, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.
11. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQG6-1M4 : 11 December 2014), Ann Cooper, 18 Apr 1681, Birth; citing p. 22, Richmond, Yorkshire, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.
12. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FQLZ-HJF : 11 December 2014), Abraham Cooper, 24 Aug 1684, Birth; citing p. 23, Richmond, Yorkshire, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.
13. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWFZ-GBY : 11 December 2014), Sara Cooper, 24 Aug 1684, Birth; citing p. 23, Richmond, Yorkshire, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.
14. ↑ "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F7WS-B2B : 11 December 2014), Joseph Cooper, 05 Mar 1686, Birth; citing p. 24, Richmond, Yorkshire, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.
15. ↑ Passenger List: "U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s"
    Place: Pennsylvania; Year: 1699; Page Number: 23
    Ancestry Record 7486 #3049821 (accessed 13 November 2023)
    Name: William Cooper; Arrival Year: 1699; Arrival Place: Pennsylvania; Primary Immigrant: Cooper, William; Source Publication Code: 9448; Annotation: In the years from 1925 to 1942, Frederick A. Virkus edited seven volumes with the title, The Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy, published in Chicago by the Institute of American Genealogy. Each volume has a section in the main body of the work, co; Source Bibliography: VIRKUS, FREDERICK A., editor. Immigrant Ancestors: A List of 2,500 Immigrants to America before 1750. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1964. 75p. Repr. 1986.;
    Household Members (Name):
    William Cooper.
16. ↑ Penn's Colony, Vol. II, "Buckman Family"
17. ↑ https://fangorn.com/news-and-stories/brackin-family-stories/5-the-voyage-of-the-britannia-1699
18. ↑ Bucks County, Pennsylvania Deed Records 1684 - 1763 , p298, by John David Davis, 1997 by Heritage Books
19. ↑ Family Search Film # 007726372, Screen# 106-7 Wills, 1682-1916; indexes to wills, 1682-1924; Wills, v. C-E, 1705-1736; City of Philadelphia Register of Wills Office https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9B2-P3NR-D?i=105
20. ↑ Death: "U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935"
    Swarthmore College; Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2189 #157944 (accessed 13 November 2023)
    Wm Cooper death 3 Feb 1709 in Bucks, Pennsylvania.

See Also:

• Bucks County, Pennsylvania Church Records of the 17th and 18th Centuries, Vol 2, Quaker Records: Falls and Middletown Monthly Meetings. F. Edward Wright, 1993
• "Middletown, Richland, Wrightstown Monthly Meeting 1680-1870 Bucks County, PA. Also, Quakertown Monthly Meeting, NJ 1713-1870" page 162
• Bucks County, Pennsylvania Deed Records 1684 - 1763 , p298, by John David Davis, 1997 by Heritage Books
• Descendants of William Cooper born 1625
• First Quaker Meeting in Bucks City, Pa. 1700 (Immigrant Ancestors p. 843)
• William Cooper "Ancestors of Sharon Jeanette Latham"

Acknowledgements:

• This person was created through the import of The Ties That Bind.ged on 12 July 2010.
• This person was created on 18 March 2011 through the import of knox17032011.ged.