Unknown Cooper (abt. 1580)

Born about 29 Jun 1580 in Henlow, Bedfordshire, England [uncertain]

Ancestors

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Scott Bowers [send private message]

Biography

Genealogist Robert Leigh Ward states: "It seems probable that these families removed to London, where they joined the Strangers that made up part of the Pilgrim group. An indication of this is the possible identification of John Cooper, baptized at Henlow, 29 June 1580, with Mr. John Cooper of London, as mentioned above. At a guess, Humility Cooper may have been a daughter of this Mr. John Cooper of London and his wife Mary." [As it turns out, Humility was the daughter of his brother, Robert Cooper... but perhaps he was the father of Dea. John Cooper, who married Priscilla Carpenter, widow of William Wright... and of Lydia Cooper who married Nathaniel Morton.]

That Ann is also a daughter of John and Mary and a sister of Lydia and John is speculative -- supported only by the fact that Lydia Cooper married Nathaniel Morton and Ann Cooper married Ephraim Morton who were brothers. Brother John Cooper married Priscilla Carpenter, whose sister Juliana was the mother of the two Morton husbands.

Research Notes

In support of Robert Leigh Ward's thoughts about John is the baptism at Henlow, John's birth parish, on 23 Aug 1607 of Elizabeth "daughter of Mr John and Mrs Mary Cowper of London".^[1] I can't comment on the other speculative children referred to by RLW but I'll add Elizabeth as a definite daughter of John of Henlow. (David - Cooper-13819)

There's a marriage on 13 Sep 1601 at St Botolph, Bishopsgate, City of London, between Johne Cowper and Marye Symmes. The marriage entry has no other detail. Proving it's the right couple will be extremely difficult! But .........

there's also a baptism in the same church of Lydia Cowper, dau of John on 21 Nov 1602. Coincidence? I'm getting interested! And Elizabeth Cowper on 22 Feb 1607. Could they have baptised her in London then took her to Henlow a few months later and had her done again? Just speculating out loud.

What's the evidence that Lydia who married Nat. Morton was born c1615 at Leiden? If this can be substantiated it blows a hole in my speculation!

Sources

1. ↑ "The Parish Register of Henlow, 1558-1812", transcript by Bedford Archives and Records Service. Published by Bedfordshire County Council

• Ward, Robert Leigh. English Ancestry of Seven Mayflower Passengers: Tilley, Sampson and Cooper, The American Genealogist (The American Genealogist, Barrington, RI, 1976) Vol. 52, Page 206

• "vi. John, bapt. Henlow 29 June 1580; perhaps the Mr. John Cooper of London who, with wife Mary, had daughter Elizabeth baptized at Henlow 23 Aug. 1607.