The Cooper Letter (1856)
by James William Cooper

NOTE: James W Cooper was the brother, to our Mary G Cooper, who married our Robert White Jr, he was the son of Elijah Cooper.  The letter provides many details into the Cooper family and branches they married into, providing surnames, birth dates, marriage dates, and history of the times, truely, a family treasure.  

The Letter was written by James W. Cooper to his son William King Cooper, 1856. 

Letter is presented as was written.

August 14th 1856

My Dear Son:

At your request, I commence writing a few things (so far as my recollection can be depended on)
With regard to our ancestry, I am not able to go farther back than to my Grandfather on my Father's side. I think my Grandfather William Cooper was a Virginian but moved in early life to Granville Co. N. C. He married into the Harrison family. Jas. Harrison his brother in law was Grandfather to the late Judge Earl of South Carolina. In the time of the revolution he bore a part in that memorable event at Gilfour C. H. and other places, his was a daring spirit.

When Daniel Boon was exploring Kentucky he was with him: as well as I remember, he told me, when the Kentucky lines were marked out he was one of the No. though his name is spelt Cook. He sold his possessions with the intention of moving to that country: but on the breaking out of hostilities with the Indians his family preremptorily refused to go. Some time afterward he moved to Union Dist. S. C. before leaving N. C. he had five sons and two daughters Elijah, my Father, John, Andrew, Abner and Richard, Sallie & Pollie. Some years before the family came to this country, Elijah, a young man came to this county to his Uncle's James Harrisons, then living near Darby's old store in Union Dist. S. C. While there he formed an acquaintance with my Mother Susan Greer he went back to N. C. served out his time with his Father came back to this county & married (the marriage was not agreeable) and lived the first year with his Uncle Harrison. Some few years afterwards he bought a tract of land not far distant from his Uncle's on the road leading to Adam's old ford on Tiger river where he lived until his death which took plcae Jan. 1798 [1797] was buried at old Fair Forest 1 think. he was raised in the high church order and thought to be a member of the church was sufficient, until he heard old Dr. Woodward preach a sermon on the necessity of the new birth. From that time he never rested until he obtained a hope in the merits of Christ. He joined the Baptist Church and lived a pious life. While a young man he worked at the house carpenter trade but in after life he became a settled farmer.

My Grandfather on my Mother's side came from Ireland when quite young, he sprung from the family of Whitesides in the northern county. His parents landed in Wilmington, N. C. and settled in or about Fayetsville. When Thomas Greer (my grandfather) grew to manhood he formed an acquaintance with Sarah Smith my grandmother and settled for a time on a deep river in N. C. When the county was settling there was a No. joined together and moved to the new country, Greer, Smith, Howard and others (see Benedicts history of the Baptist) and settled in Union Dist. S. C. near Darbys old store.

My great grandfather Smith settled on Tiger River at a place now called Nixes ford, my grandfather Greer settled a few miles below on the river. The time my Grandfather Greer and Sarah Smith was married I have no account. They raised a large family, I believe 14 sons & three daughters. I cannot give you all the names (but will give what I can) Thomas, John, William, Robert, Joseph, Carleton, Jacob, James, Joshua, Caleb, Jason and Theophilus, the daughters were Pollie, Susanna, and Edith. Thomas Greer Sen my grandfather died about the year 1811. Sarah Greer my grandmother lived but a few years after the death of her husband. They both lived to a good old age both being members of the Baptist Church for many years. They were both buried at the old Fairforest Church. Elijah Cooper my father, and Susan Greer my mother was married by Thomas Blassingame Esq. some time after the Revolution about the year 1786.

They had four children J. W. Cooper myself, Polly G. Cooper, Jessee and Thomas Cooper – I was the oldest, was born Oct 16th 1785 [1788]. My Father died when I was small; though I can remember him I remember seeing him read the bible: and hearing him pray. My Mother lived on the same plantation for several years (a widow) married Payton Simmons about the year 1803, and lived on the same plantation until the year 1818, when they moved to Spartanburg and settled near Cedar Springs My mother died about the 1st Feb. 1851 She had been a member of the Baptist Church nearly seventy years After the death of my Father she used to call her little children around her and pray for herself and them and that they might not come to want, that the Lord would take care of them and bless them, that they all might come to a saving knowledge of the truth. She lived to see them all become members of the Baptist Church After the death of my Father as soon as I was able to work I had charge of the family as far as I was able, until my Mother married again I lived there one year after her marriage then went to work [at] the carpenters trade with one John Smith in 1804. We first worked at Ralf Jacksons Esqr near the cross keys in Union Dist. There I became acquainted with my first wife Elizabeth Jackson. About the year 1799 and 1800, I began to think seriously about my future state. I soon found there was nothing in me that would recommend me in favor of God I viewed myself a lost and helpless sinner. I frequently, when I could be in private, fall upon my knees and say God, be merciful to me a sinner. In the year 1800 I thought I found relief I thought I could see how God could save sinners through the merits of Christ and still be holy, just, and good. with these views my soul was transported beyond expression all creation smiled and bespoke the majisty of God. Some time in that year I saw a man baptised, I then fully believed that was the way christ was baptised that was enoughf for me I wanted to follow him. In the latter part of the year about November, I offered myself to the old Pagets Creek [Church] and was received on christmas day following I was baptised by the Rev. Thomas Greer, at Nix's ford on Tiger river in my twelveth year of my age. in the year 1808 I was married to Elizabeth Jackson, by Rev. Thomas Ray Who also had become a member of the same church. In the year 1802, I settled in Union Dist. between Tiger river and fairforest about two miles from Darbys old store. I lived there a few years until I became the Father of two children Levina & Elijah. In this time the old Fairforest church was formed. My wife and myself were both constituent members. I became unhealthy sold my possessions and bought in Spartanburg in the fail of 1813 and moved there (on the place upon which I now live) in 1814. When we moved to Spartanburg we joined the Cedar Spring Church in May 1814. There we had two other children Sallie & Jackson My wife went to Union to see her Father in Jan 1817 was taken sick while there and never returned home: She died on the 6th of Feb. 1817 leaving me a poor disconsolate man, with four small children to take care of, the scenes I then passed through was like tearing the flesh from the bone. My prayer to God was that I might not be forsaken; but that I might be sustained by grace. In the course of the year 1817, I became acquainted with your mother Lucy King daughter of John & Sarah King near Rich Hill in Spartanburg Dist. on the 16th of December 1817 we were married at early candle light by the Rev. George Philips. we have raised a large family. My first children Levina Cooper was born June 25th 1809, was married to John Smith Dec. 27th 1832. Elijah Cooper was born May 12th 1812, was married to Sarah Gordon the year [June 21, 1835]. Sarah Cooper was born July 6th 1812, was married to Harrison Yates Nov. 26th 1835, died in the State of Ga. Oct. 7th 1841. Ralph Jackson Cooper was born Dec. 15th 1816, was married to Permelia Campbell, March 28th 1844. After my second marriage we had nine daughters & two sons Louisa, first daughter was born Jan. 27th 1819, was married to Thomas Littlejohn April 15th 1856. Minerva was born Aptil 16 1820, was married to John Simpson March 2nd 1843. William King Cooper was born March 22nd 1822, was married to Elizabeth Johnson May 1st 1845. Caroline Cooper was born Sep. 29, 1823, died 21 January 1825. Elizabeth Cooper, born August 23 1825, was married to Thomas Littlejohn Feby. 16, 1845, Died Sep. 5th 1855. Mary Cooper was born June 2nd 1827, was married to John W. White.

Martha Cooper was born April 25 1829, died May 1st 1856. Susan Ann Cooper, born Feb. 8th 1831. James Young Cooper was born Feb. 23, 1834. Nancy Jane Cooper was born June 9th 1836, was married to Wily H. Felker March 30th, 1852. Emily Frances Cooper was born July 15th 1839.

Your Grandfather King was a Virginian. I know nothing of his ancestry farther than that he was of good family. When the Revolutionary war came on he was a young man, not of age. he went into service as a substitute served out his time, went into the army again for some time. I think not long until he inlisted during the war. In the darkest period of the Revolution he was taken from the ranks and attached to Gen. Washington's life guard, he served in that capacity until the close of the war. He was an eye witness to the distress of the army about Valley forge, and many other places where their foot prints were marked with blood. He was standing sentry at Gen. Washington's Markee when Stuben the Prucian officer came. The life guard was soon placed under his training, ‘till they became as well acquainted with military tactics as the opportunities offered. He was never in a general engagement; when ever one was expected, he was one of the company that was sent to guard the Generals effects. When the british army was moving down towards York Town in Virginia, the American army was also moving on. He got a permit to go by home for a few days: while there he was taken sick. After some little time he thought he could travel, the first day he walked Forty miles, he was so anxious to join the army before the general engagement; but was again taken sick, was taken home, lay a long time, never saw the army any more, before his recovery the army was disbanded. He has often said it was one of the most painful scenes in his life. After so much distress and trouble, not to see the British Lion bow in subjection to the American Eagle, The haughty Briton deliver up his sword to the worn soldier of American independence. After the revolution he formed an acquaintance with Sarah Lemaster (also a Virginian) Miss Lemaster's Father moved to South Carolina, Spartanburg Dist. and settled near Tollesons old place (now called Buzzards roost). Mr. King came to this county about a year after and married miss Lemaster about the year 1789 or 1790, and settled near Rich Hill Spartanburg Dist. he lived in the same neighborhood until his death, which took place March 25 1842, Aged 84 years and two months. I will give you all the ages of the family taken from the family record. John King sen was born in Louesy Co. Virginia Jan 12th 1758. Sarah Lemaster was born in Amherst Co. Virginia Sep 17th 1774. They were married by Genl Hugh Means Esq. March 2nd 1790. Edmond King 1st son of J. & S. King was born in Spartanburg Dist. S. C. Dec 1st 1790. William King 2nd son was born March 19 1792. Mary King 1st daughter was born March 8th 1794. Ann King 2nd daughter was born November 7th 1796. Lucy 3rd daughter was born Nov 15 [or 16th as shown in other records and on tomb stone] 1798. Elizabeth 4th daughter was born September 6th 1800. Martha 5th daughter was born Oct 2 1801. Philip W 3rd son was born Oct 22nd 1803. Sarah 6th daughter was born January 11th 1806. (infant) King 4 son was born Dec 8 1808. Margaret 7th daughter was born Nov 2 1809. John M. King 5 son was born March 28 1812. Minvera King 8th daughter was born May 25th 1815. John King & Sarah Lemaster was married in Spartanburg S. C. March 2nd 1790. James W. Cooper & Lucy King 3rd daughter of J. & S. King was married Dec. 16, 1817. John Easley and Elizabeth King was married Jan. 30, 1825. William King and Rhoda Smith was married in Tennessee in the year 1825. David Reid & Margaret King was married Oct 11th 1827. Hiram White and Sarah King was married Nov 11 1828. Philip W. King and Polly Browning was married in Tennessee August 1st 1829. Edmund King and Mary Emberson was married in Tennessee January 30 1830. John Gossett and Martha King was married Dec 15 1830. John M King and Sarah Hammett was married Nov 1st 1842.

The end

Below, William King Cooper had made a copy for his brother James Young Cooper (1860).

Dear Brother

You will find that I have not punctuated this geneology. It is changed very little from the original in some places abbreviated.

SOURCE: 

The following letter was written from James William Cooper to his son William King Cooper. The typescript below was made from a photocopy of the copy made by William King Cooper for his brother James Young Cooper, and is preserved by descendants of the latter.

The text of this letter can be found in the SCMAR listed below:

The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research
SCMAR, Volume XIV
Number 1, Winter, 1986
Letter from J.W. Cooper to His Son

SCMAR, Vol. XIV, Winter 1986, No. 1, p.29
Simpsonville Academy Copied April 10th 11, & 12 1860

SCMAR, Vol. XIV, Winter 1986, No. 1, p.29
August 14th 1856