Joseph Jefferson Copeland (abt. 1779 - 1857)

Born about 10 Nov 1779 in Jefferson, Tennessee

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 27 Apr 1857 at about age 77 in Overton, Tennessee

Problems/Questions Profile manager: William Thompson [send private message]

Sgt. Joseph Copeland served for Tennessee in the War of 1812
Service started: 1812
Unit(s):
Service ended: 1812

Biography

Burial

Burial:

Date: ABT 29 Apr 1857

Place: Copeland Cove , , Overton, Tennessee

User ID

User ID: BD5594FA50FF6740AD0F719928CAC8697FFB

Note

Note: Have also seen birthplace as NC.

1850 Overton Co, TN census Joseph Copeland 67 TN b. 1782-1783; District 6 page 51 line 8 #686/687; 2 Oct 1850.

1850

Joseph Copeland 67 TN 1782-1783

Hannah Copeland 60 TN 1789-1790

William Copeland 27 TN 1822-1823

Solimon Copeland 25 TN 1824-1825

When Stephen and his son Joseph reached Overton county they cleared a small tract of land and planted corn and potatoes, after which they began to clear more land for a larger farm and home.Their meager supply of corn soon gave out and they killed wild turkeys and with their wild meat and berrries they managed to live and make a fair crop, clearing a nice acreage for the coming year. Joesph did a mans work and it seemed to agree with him, as he grew to enormous size, reaching the height of 7 feet 3 inches and weighed 350 pounds. He was known near and far as Big Joe Copeland.�Big Joe had a farm near his father and married and had a large family. He could crack black walnuts with his teeth and thought nothing of drinking a gallon of buttermilk at one time. His sons William Ellison, Solomon Addison, Stephen Harrison, James Richardson, Moses Wilkerson, Jefferson Madison and Joseph Anderson were all giants in size as their father.

Notes for JOSEPH COPELAND: �Big Joe was said to be at least 7' 3" tall, weighed 350 pounds. His wife was also a very large woman. All sons were said to be over 6'5", with Stephen 7'. Joseph Anderson Enlistment papers list him as 6'4'

Joseph Jefferson Copeland was born in 1780 in Jefferson Co.Tn. He died on 27 April 1857 in Overton,Tn. �Joseph was also known as 'Big Jo' �There is a family story that Big Joe purchased the cove from Chief Nettle Carrier for $120 and a horse. Source: Edward H.Vaughn �He was a famous Tennessee strongman and hunter, who was living in Overton Co. until well into the nineteenth century. ��Early spring of 1791 ,Col.Stephan Copeland, one of the oldest families of North Carolina ,accompanied by his son Joseph ,left Jefferson Co. for the Cumberland country.Following an indian trail over the Cumberland mountains ,they pursued their journey , carring few supplies ,brought from Kingston. They camped in a valley which is now known as Overton,Tn.and they planted a crop of corn. Col.Copeland hunted many days with an Indian chief, Nettle Carrier. As a Cherokee chief he signed a paper authorizing a turnpike company to open a road through the reservation. After cultivating his corn crop, Col.Copeland and son returned home ,and became the first settlers of Overton Co.Tn.

Joseph copeland was a man of gigantic size,there are many stories about is exhibitions of strength. It was as a hunter that Joseph was well known, one story told was that he killed sixty two grown bears in one winter.

In choosing a wife ,Joseph married chief Nettle Carriers daughter,Hannah. In her prime she weighed about three hundred and fifty pounds. The smallest of their children was known as 'Little Ellis and he weighed 360 pounds. �They were famous locally for running foot races and winning.

Source: http://homestead.deja.com/user.sandy9729/Copeland.html �Joel Copeland

Note: #DWNLNOTE

Data Changed

Data Changed:

Date: 5 Dec 2011

Time: 08:50:02

Prior to import, this record was last changed 08:50:02 5 Dec 2011.

Sources

Notes

Note DWNLNOTE

This is a community service project to compile the genealogies of all Fentress, Overton & Pickett Counties, Tennessee families. It also includes many families from surrounding counties. Please send any corrections or additions to bruceyork1243@@yahoo.com.

See also:

• Find A Grave: Memorial #68225409 accessed on 18 Mar 2021

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Teresa Campos for creating WikiTree profile Copeland-1313 through the import of Hazel.Copeland.bruceyork.ged on Nov 29, 2013. Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Teresa and others.