Notes for JOHN COPELAND:

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE FOLLOWING NOTES ON "JOHN COPELAND" ARE THE SUBJECT OF MUCH CONTROVERSY AND SPECULATION.

IN ADDITION, I HAVE FOUND A LOT OF UNSUBSTANTIATED DATA IN MANY "LAWRENCE COPELAND" FAMILY TREES FROM THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY TO THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.(Robert J. Copeland)

Notes for IMMIGRANT JOHN "JO" COPELAND:

John came to Virginia in 1635 on the ship Assurance de lo and landed near Jamestown. He was twenty three (not 19 as some have reported) and he married Sarah Ratcliff.

Much Confusion About Children Of John, In Order By Preference Of Possibliity

Finally Settled In Chowan County, North Carolina

Expulsion From Virginia By Governor Berkley Who Hated Quakers

Went From Virginia To Perquimans County, NC

Quaker John who was actually born in 1612 (not in 1616 as

reported in other written genealogies)was christened in St.Mary's Church in Lancaster, Lancashire, England; and, his father is listed as being Lawrence Cooplande (Copeland) of Dolphinholme which is 6 miles to the south of Lancaster. Dolphin Leigh may have been the name of the manor estate

according to those in the Preston Record Office. John came to Virginia in 1635 on the ship Assurance de lo and landed near Jamestown. He was twenty three (not 19 as some have reported) and he married Sarah Ratcliff.

Michael G. Copeland<junostar@ airmail.net>

He was a Quaker by faith later in life but would not have been a Quaker when he first came to America for the Quaker movement had not started yet, He was though a decender, as seen on his father, for he was what was called a "'Roundhead". He probably became a Quaker in America. One of the earliest records of Quakerism in Virginia was Elizabeth Harris, a native of London, in 1656, The first yearly meetings were first held in Virginia in 1673, If he first went to Boston in 1656, he must have gone soon after his conversion to Quakerism.

There are several references to John Copeland in early records, they may not be John Copeland or his son,John Nicholas Copeland. It was interesting to discover that when he went to Boston preaching (see story below) that when they deported him they did not put him on a ship going back to Virginia but instead put him on a ship bound for England, Therefore, he probably crossed the ocean several times. Some of the references are listed below:

Came to Virginia in 1635 at age 19,

Went to Mass, in 1656 on the 'Speedwell'.

Was in Boston again in 1657 o

Returned to Boston again in 1658.

Was in London in later part of year 1658, Was in London in 1661.

Was married in 1667(probably had been married before).

His wife died in 1675.

Married again in 1677.

He & Elizabeth Copeland witness marriage 1684 of Edman Belson

& Mary Crew,

was in America again in 1687.

He & Elizabeth Copeland witness marriage 1687 of Robert Jordan & Outland Taberer,

He & Elizabeth were witness to marriage of Nathan Newby & Elizabeth Hollowell on Oct. 10, 1687*

He & Elizabeth were witness to marriage of James Jordon & Elizabeth Ratliff on Mar, 29, 1688o

He & Elizabeth were witness to marriage of Thomas Jordon & Margaret Burgh on Dec. 9, 1688

Married again in 1691,

In 1698 Mr. Story lodged at his house, showed his mutilated ear.

1679-96 signature appears many times at Chuckatuck,

John Copeland and a Mary Copeland witnessed the marriage of

Joseph Kenerly and Sara Ratliff on July 20, 1696*

Jan. 9, 1718 date of death and burial in England.

From 'Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy'

One cannot close a sketch of Lower Virginia Quakers without a few words concerning four most interesting personages to impress the pages of their history. Incidentally, they are also four of the most colorful Virginiacolonials. The first of whom we shall speak is John Copeland, We know that he was living at Chuckatuck in 1698 for the missionary, Thomas Story, tells of lodging at his house. He says, in his Journal, 'Upon some discourse with our friend (Copeland) I found he was one of the first of those who had their ears cut off by the Presbyterians (Puritans) , or Independents, in New England for the testimony of truth, in the first publishing thereof to that rebellious generation; and at my request he showed us his right ear yet bearing the badge of their antichristianity . This quotation is most interesting as it throws new light upon the career of one of the earliest martyrs of the Quaker faith. John or John Nicholas came to American colonies as a missionary to Boston, Mass., in 1656. He was with eight other missionaries, and with them he suffered persecution, imprisonment and eventually the sentence of banishment from the colony. John Copeland was from Yorkshire, England, and in all probability an acquaintance of Robert Fowler who was of the same county and the skipper and owner of that famous vessel, "The Woodhouse". Certain it is that Copeland was one of that renowned band that made the epic voyage across the Atlantic on that tiny vessel in 1657. As can be seen, this was Copeland's second mission to America, Like his friend and traveling companion, Christopher Holder, he was at this time young and unmarried and is referred to as being well educated. In New England the two friends were banished again, after being cruelly beaten with a three-corded knotted whip. They were thrown into prison, without bedding, food or drink and left for three days and their wounds raw and uncared for. After nine weeks they were released and forbidden to ever show their faces in those parts since they preached a Gospel uncongenial to the local authorities,

Refusing to be intimidated by the unjust and intolerant laws of the New England persecutors John Copeland,, like his associates of the same period, defied the cruel law of exile and returned again and again to the forbidden towns and settlements, though he knew he did so at his own bodily peril. In 1658 he and Christopher Holder again felt a religious call to proceed to Boston-known to Quakers as the "the Lion's Den". For such an act the law specified that their ears should be cut off. This they knew. Yet they went to protest the denial of their religious liberties. As soon as it was known that they were within the bounds of the state of Massachusetts they were arrested and thrown into prison, A week later after the wicked sentence had been pronounced, it was privately carried into execution by the hangman, within the walls of Boston.

In the latter part of 1658 John Copeland was in England and in 1661 we hear of his presence in London and in 1667 he married. The record of this marriage describes him as being from Lockington, North Cave, in the county of York. He married again in 1677 (presumably in England) after the death of his first wife in 1675. Ten years later (1687) he is again in America, as a letter to George Fox mentions that he is in Virginia. His signature appears many times in the Chuckatuck record between 1679-96, In 1691 he entered for the third time into the state of matrimony and, as has been seen, Story lodged in his house at Chuckatuck in 1698. His residence seems to have been a frequent meeting place for the Friends of the Chuckatuck area, Bowden gives the date of his death as the ninth of the first month 1718 and says he was buried at North Cave, England. In connection with John Copeland a news item of June 1940 becomes most interesting: Jamestown, Virginia - Possibly the oldest example of American pewter in existence was excavated recently during archaeological work at Jamestown Island... It consists of the fragment of a spoon 'by Joseph Copeland'. It is dated 'Chuckatuck 1675". This Joseph Copeland was the son of John Nicholas Copeland, according to Boddie the Isle of Wight historian, and inherited the estate of Major Taberer of that County. It should be possible to show that all the Copelands of Virginia Quaker tradition are descendants or relatives of this most unusual man - John Copeland,

More notes for immigrant JOHN COPELAND:

It is important to note that I have serious doubts about the date of death of this John Copeland. I believe that there is confusion between John Copeland, Quaker missionary who went to Boston on the Speedwell in 1656. This "Quaker" John Copeland was listed as "young and unmarried" whereas the John Copeland who emigrated to VA on the Assurance in 1635 would have been 40 and married. I believe that "Quaker" John Copeland preached in the US, but didn't have family here, returned to England and died in 1718 and that the John Copeland who was born in 1616 was probably the father of the line of Copelands in my database. This is elaborated on below.

Copeland Genealogy chart in Copeland Cuzzins, V2,#1 from Mrs. David P. Taylor, 8110 NE Wygant, Portland, OR 97218, submitted by James E.Bell.

1616: approx. date of birth based on age ate time of immigration in 1635

1635: immigrated to VA on Assurance from Gravesend, London, England

1640: witness to a Bill of Sale in Accomack County

1643: granted headright in lower Norfolk County

(above two facts from Lower Norfolk County Minute Book, 1637-1643)

Copeland Cuzzins, V2,#2 has article on "Joseph Copeland, 17th Century Pewterer". This article lists Joseph's father as Thomas Copeland of London and states that he was born c1649. The article theorizes that John Copeland may have been a favored uncle (not father) of Joseph. The article also lists Joseph as the husband of Elizabeth Taberer and father of the Joseph Copeland mentioned in Thomas Taberer's will.

Further information from: Jim and Freda Winnefeld

To: PaulMHMD

(it should be noted that the Winnefeld's subsequently have decided that John Copeland who entered VA in 1635 and John "The Quaker" Copeland were different men. It seems more likely that John who came in 1635 was the one who married Sarah Ratliff and sired the VA Copelands, and that John "The Quaker" may have never settled in America, but preached here and then returned to England to die. This would also account for a seemingly excessive age at death of 102 y/o since John "The Quaker" was probably born c1628, not 1616 which was apparently the birth date of the other John. )

Our information on Quaker Missionary John Copeland (1616-1718) has been

derived from the most part from:

1. Secondary sources (e.g. Morris Guess, "Genealogy of the Families of

Copeland," and Carol Lee Copeland Thompson's "Descendents of John Copeland

and Sarah Ratliff of Virginia and Allied Families."). [Note we disagree with

some of the results of their research and are more inline with Herman L.

Coplen's "The Copeland/Coplen and Allied Families: Immigrants to Virginia"]

2. The invevitable IGI for first approximations

3. Field work in the state archives in Richmond, Raleigh,

Annapolis.

4. Direct access to records held by DAR and Society of Colonial Dames of the

17th Century (both in DC). Also National Archives (but not very useful for

our purposes).

5. Considerable field work in North Carolina and Virginia

(County Historical Societies)

We have not yet gone into gravestone and parish church record checks (except

from secondary sources). Our trip to the UK is to track both John and

Fredda's ancestor William upstream a bit. One takes us to Scotland and the

other to York/Lancashire.

As an aside, I believe the IGI records are excellent in general; one just

needs to look at them with some skepticism and a willingness to use them to

form and test hypotheses. Indeed they are contradictory and often frustrating

(and incomplete).

Jim Winnefeld

A Biography of John Copeland (1616-1718)

by James Winnefeld and Fredda Coupland Winnefeld.

Based on Speculation and Incomplete Records John Copeland was a prominant Quaker missionary who emmigrated to America, returned to England several times, was mutilated in Massachusetts for his religious beliefs and teachings, and finally returned to England where he died in 1718. John is an ancestor of many American Copelands. The purpose of this essay is to compile in one place what is known about him, his parents, his siblings, and his children and grandchildren. There is much that is not known for certain about John, even though he is frequently mentioned in early histories and records of Virginia and Massachusetts. Some of these uncertainties carry down to his children and the various lines of descendents they parented. An examination of these uncertainties should start with ascertaining what is known of John's origins.

John's Origins

It is likely that John was born in either Yorkshire or Lancashire. If he was born in Lancashire, he was probably the son of Lawrence Copeland. Guess states that this Lawrence was a famous roundhead whose lands were confiscated for his religious beliefs. The LDS International Genealogy Index (IGI) for Lancashire indicates that a John, son of Lawrence Cooplande (sic) was Christened in St. Mary's parish Lancaster on 24 February 1612. The IGI also indicates that Lawrence had a son named Lawrence Christened in St Mary's parish in 1609. There was one more son recorded in the IGI: William Copeland, Christened 6 July 1616 in St. Mary's parish. If John originated in Yorkshire, he was probably the son of Robert Copeland and Alice Young, born 10 April 1616 and Christened in Easingwold on 27 October 1616. This John had numerous brothers and sisters. There is at least one cite that says John was from Yorkshire. There is a possibility that John originated in Scotland. There is an IGI entry that shows a John Copeland being born in Dumphries, Scotland, in 1616. But we have been unable to establish other linkages to Scotland to date. Several sources state that John was from Dolphin Leigh. Guess indicates that it was in Lancashire (he says that was father Lawrence's home). Copeland and Barnes suggest much the same.To date we do not know whether Dolphin Leigh was/is an estate, town, or parish. It is not listed in any gazetteer we have examined. However, an inquiry to the National Geographic Society (Mr. Michael Horner, map archivist) resulted in placing Dolphin Leigh in the southeast outskirts of Lancaster, Lancs at Latitude 54 degrees, 3 minutes, and 9 seconds north; and Longitude 2 degrees, 46 minutes and 3 seconds west. The only additional information is that it is not a town or topographical mark. By elimination it is either a farm, estate, or crossroads. As we will see, John later became a devout Quaker. Quakerism was strong in both Lancashire and Yorkshire (less so in Scotland). As a working hypothesis, we assume in the remainder of this essay that John is from Lancashire.

John Emmigrates to America

The record clearly indicates that John left Gravesend (near London) for Virginia aboard Assurance in July 1635. In conformance with the then existing law, he was "examined" by a town official before leaving and required to take an oath of "allegiance and supremacy" to support the Church of England. He was carried on the passenger manifest as being 19 years old at the time. It is not known where John debarked in Virginia, though based on his subsequent movements it was likely in the Hampton Roads region.

John's Early Period in Virginia

It is not known when John was converted to Quakerism, but it is unlikely that such an event happened until the late 1640s or early 1650s when Quakerism's founder, George Fox, greatly expanded the geographical coverage of his ministry. Also it is not known whether John became a Quaker as a result of a conversion in England or in Virginia. What we do know with some certainty is that he settled in the southside of colonial Virginia and married Sarah Ratliff in 1644 in Isle of Wight County (IGI, VA, p. 7,026). As far as we know this was his first marriage. If his given age on sailing for Virginia in 1635 was correct, he must have been 29 years old at the time of his marriage.

John and Sarah had four children according to the IGI:

Nicholas Copeland (1645)

William Copeland (1647)

Hannah Copeland (1654)

Joseph Copeland (1655)

All were born in Isle of Wight County. We will return to these children later in this essay.

John the Quaker Missionary

One researcher believes John travelled from Virginia to Boston in 1651. Sometime later he returned to England. It is possible that he converted to Quakerism at this time. He left England 30 May 1656 for Boston aboard Speedwell, and is listed as a Quaker on the passenger manifest. On arrival in Boston he and seven other co-religionists were promptly jailed. The captain of Speedwell was required to take them back to England. But the following year John returned to Boston in the Woodhouse. He was described at the time as young, unmarried, and educated. John's stay in Boston was again a stormy one and resulted in his having his right ear cut off by order of a Boston court in 1658 and again being ejected from the Colony. John's subsequent travels until 1665 are unknown, but in that year he was again in England and was among the Newgate prisoners to be sentenced to transportation, first to the Barbadoes, and subsequently to Virginia. Sarah died either in 1675 or in 1687. The first date is consistent with a report of his second marriage in England. A letter sent to George Fox in 1678 states that John was in Virginia at that time.

John's Later Years

Chuckatuck County records in Virginia show his signature many times between 1679 and 1696. He became a celebrity in his old age as one of the old Quakers who had suffered for his beliefs.He was asked on several occasions to display his mutilation to sympathizers. He remarried (his third marriage by our count) in 1691, and reportedly received many visitors in his home as late as 1698. Coplen gives the date of his death as 9 January 1718 and his burial site as North Cave, Yorkshire.

John's Relationship with Lawrence of Braintree, Massachusetts

Several genealogists have pointed to the possibility, even probability, that Quaker John was the brother of Lawrence of Braintree, Massachusetts. The evidence for this connection is scanty and consists of a possible common father in Lawrence of Lancashire and the fact that John made several journeys to Massachusetts during the course of his ministry. The birth dates in the IGI suggest that if Lawrence of Braintree is the son of Lawrence of Lancashire, it is quite possible that his brother John is not Quaker John. If we accept the "John is from Yorkshire" hypothesis set out earlier in this essay, it follows that Quaker John and Lawrence of Braintree were not brothers, but may have had an earlier joint ancestor in England or Scotland. If Lawrence and Quaker John were brothers, Lawrence was much the older, having been born in 1599 (see IGI and William Copeland Clark, p. 43) while Quaker John was born in either 1612 or 1616.

John and Sarah's Children

We have already cited four children born of John and Sarah: Nicholas (1645), William (1647), Hannah (1654), and Joseph (1655). Guess (p. 8) cites four sons: John, Nicholas, William, and possibly Thomas. Guess makes no mention of Hannah or Joseph.Thompson has still a different list of John's and Sarah's children: William, Nicholas, John, Sarah, and Thomas. The names common to all three lists are: William and Nicholas. The children of William and Nicholas are fairly well documented by the various genealogical researchers. However, the children of William son of Quaker John and William son of William Copeland of Middlesex Co., Virginia are either almost identical in naming and sequence, or some genealogists have borrowed the family of one and attributed it to the other William.

The Puzzle of Quaker John's Marriages

The evidence suggests that Quaker John entered into three marriages, the first to Sarah Ratliffe of Isle of Wight County, Virginia. The names of his second and third wives are unknown. Moreover, we do not know if he had any children from those later marriages.The dates of the various marriages are confusing. For example, one researcher has him entering into his second marriage while another researcher shows first wife Sarah Ratliffe still alive. These events raise the suspicion that Quaker John has been confused with other John Copelands that may have existed. For example, suppose that there were a John each from Dumphries, Lancashire, and Yorkshire and that two or more of them lived in Virginia at the same time.

A multiplicity of Johns may also explain the confusion over the children attributed to him, and his extraordinarily long life (102-106 years). Moreover, the possibility of more than one John in Virginia in the middle of the 17th Century may better support possible linkages of one of them with Lawrence of Braintree, MA. Morris E. Guess, "Genealogy of the Families of Copeland." Guess doesn't say definitively that John is the son of roundhead Lawrence, but that is what his reporting implies. The IGI makes a distinction between this Lawrence (born in 1609) and another Lawrence born in 1599 who is said to have married Lydia Townsend in Massachusetts. We will return to this point later in this essay as we attempt to define the linkage between Quaker John Copeland, our interest here, and Lawrence Copeland of Braintree, MA who married Lydia Townsend. See cite 20 from Fredda Coupland Winnefeld's chronology. John W. Copeland, "The Copeland Family of Moore County North Carolina," Gastonia, North Carolina. Baker Barnes, "Genealogy of Copeland."

According to the National Geographic Society, Dolphin Leigh can be located on Royal Ordnance Survey maps (sheet 97 at 50,000:1). An examination of these maps does not show Dolphin Leigh. An on-site visit of the neighborhood is required to further pinpoint Dolphin Leigh.

Tepper, Passengers to America, pp. 99-100. Note that if this was his real age, it calls into question the validity of placing his origins in Lancashire. A birth date of 1616 fits with the Yorkshire and Dumphries records. If these assumptions are valid, it is very unlikely that John was the brother of Lawrence of Braintree (MA). As we shall see, John eventually married 3-4 times. Note carefully that John did not name his first son after either himself or his reputed father, Lawrence. Note that Carol Lee Copeland Thompson believes John and Sarah had five children: William, Nicholas, John, Sarah , and Thomas. She gives no birth dates. See her Descendents of John Copeland and Sarah Ratliff of Virginia And Allied Families.

Greer, Early Immigrants, p. 78.; John Cox, "Notes on the Eight Names Marked as Quakers in the Speedwell Passenger List, 1656," (parent publication unknown), p. 149-151. Cox believes that the manifest marking was done after arrival in Boston "and as soon as the offense of their preaching was known."One wonders if we are talking about the same John who landed in Virginia in 1635 at the age of 19, and who married Sarah Ratliff in 1644. In 1656 the John who landed in 1635 would have been 40 years old, a ripe age for the 17th Century.

Cox, op. cit.:There is one reference to his being in London in 1661. Thompson cites the later date.

Herman L. Coplen, Jr., The Copeland/Coplen and Allied Families: Immigrants to Virginia, Gateway Press, Baltimore, 1983, p. 3. Note that the place of death was less than 30 miles from where John would have born if his origins are in Yorkshire. See in particular Coupland (p. 5) who states that: "There can therefore be little doubt that the Massachusetts and Virginia Copelands were related through Lawrence and John, most likely brothers." Guess reaches a similar conclusion (pp. 7-8). Neither provides direct evidence of the relationship (e.g., letters to each other, visits). William Copeland Clark who did considerable research on the life of Lawrence mentions no connection with John, although he examined closely other members of Lawrence's family and progeny. We know of no children from his later marriages. IGI, VA. It is curious that if John were the son of Lawrence of Lancashire, that none of his sons were given that name (a common practice in 17th Century Britain). But we should also note that if he were the son of Robert Young of Yorkshire, it is equally curious that none of John's sons were named Robert. The IGI and Coplen attribute the "common children" to William, son of William of Middlesex Co and Christian (no surname known), while Guess, Copeland, and Thompson attribute them to William son of Quaker John and Christian Taberer.

Notes for JOHN NICHOLAS COPELAND:

Not much is known about Nicholas as information was rather sketchy in

this time period, and he didn't live a very long life.

Notes for ELIZABETH TABERER:

Quaker

Daughter of Thomas Taberer a member of the house of burgesses from 1657 to 1680. His father was William Taberer of England. Justice County Court 1654-1680. Will proved 1699. on page 37 & 38 it mentions Margrett Tabberer and her children; >Elizabeth Wood dau of Marg. and first husband, John Wood, >was b. 27th of the 7 mo 1656. >Christian Tabbarer, dau of Marg. and her second husb. Thomas Tabbarer >was b 9th mo 1661. >Elizabeth Tabberer dau of Marg & Thomas b last of the 10th mo 1663. > (my note-I notice on your note that you have Eliz. born Oct. 1663 - > 10th month is Dec. not Oct.)

Quaker records state that Elizabeth is the daughter of Margaret and Thomas Taberer, born in 1663. However, this date does not make sense. Many sources state Elizabeth was married about 1670. In 1694, Elizabeth was the wife of John Williams per Deed book record.

Notes for JOSEPH COPELAND:

Joseph Copeland's Will

IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN, February 25, 1725/26, I, Joseph Copeland, of

the Isle of Wight County, being indisposed in body but of sound and

perfect mind and memory, do make this my last will and testament in

writing as followeth, viz.

First, I reommend my soul to God that gave it me trusting by the

merits of my Savious Christ to attain to the resurrection of life my

body to be decently buried at the descretion of my Executrix hereafter

named and for such estate as God hath entrusted me with, I give as

followeth:

I give and bequeath unto my son, John Copeland, one negro boy called

Robin, to him and his heirs forever and I likewise give him my pistols,

holsters, and silver hilt sword, I give and bequeath unto my son, John

three hogsheads of tobacco I have shipped on board Captain Murren for to

purchase a still of forty five gallons and all necessaries belonging t a

still and if the tobacco that doth not clear the still my will is that

my son John shall pay the remainder out of his estate, my wife haveing

half the use of the said still during her natural life.

I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Copeland one negro boy

named Sam and one negro girl named Minnie, which two negroes I give to

her and her heirs forever and also one gold ring the posie being "as God

decreed so we agreed."

I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Copeland two negro girls named

Jude and Lolo to him and his heirs forever and I give him my silverhead

cane.

And my will is that the remainder of my crop and provision killed into

my house estate I desire may be appraised and equally divided between my

loving wife and children my just debts being in the first place paid and

I do make and ordain my loving wife's executirx of this my last will and

testament whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 28th day of

February.

Joseph Copeland (seal)

Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of

Richard Webb, Lupo Melchezidick (Mark) Dusag.

More Notes:

He was evidently connected with the Military, in which he must have gained some distinction; since he bequeathed his silver mounted sword and silver cup to his eldest son John Copeland. He is mentioned in the will of Major Thomas Taberer (his grandfather) written on 24th of Jan., 1692. "and a feather bed I lie on usually to gr. son Joseph Copeland' & "to John Numan the enjoyment of my

plantation till gr. son Joseph Copeland comes to age to make no waste upon it and to keep Joseph to school at his own charge till he can write and cipher sufficiently;'

Notes and Will for Joseph A. Copeland

He lived in Chatham N.C. early in life and all his children were born there, moving to Jefferson County, TN in 1783 His will was made Aug. 10, 1799 and was interred in court June Session of 1816. Joseph, with brothers, William and James, moved to East Tenn. in 1783 and settled on 640 acres, seven miles north of Dandridge on the south side of the French Broad River. Each received land grants which are documented in the North Carolina Land Grants in Tennessee. James later sold his land t o William and moved to South Carolina in 1786 and purchase d land from his wife's cousin Archibald Dill, who had bee n a nearby neighbor on the Long Island of the Holston. William became a signer for the State of Franklin and remained there until his death. Joseph moved to Jefferson, which is part of Knox CO.

October 12, 1793 - Knoxville Gazette - (newspaper article) On the 3rd, a party of Indians, consisting of 30, plundered the house of Mr. Copeland on the South bank of French Broad, the family only a few minutes before passed over to the North side and were eye witnesses to their number and depredation

WILL OF JOSEPH COPELAND

In the name of God, amen. the 10th day of August One Thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine, I, Joseph Copland, of Jefferson County and State of Tennessee, being weakly in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given to almighty God, therefor calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all my onset to die, I do make and ordain this my last will and testament. That is to say, principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty promise of God and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to help me with in this life. I desire first that all my lawfully debts should be paid, the rest I give, devise, and dispose in the following manner and form. Imprimis, I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife, Sarah Copland, the third of three hundred acres of land, the lower end of my plantation, with all my moveable property estate as long as she continues my widow.

Item: I give unto my beloved son Stephen Copland, the sum of five shillings sterling. Item: I give unto my beloved son Zacheus Copland, five shillings sterling. Item: I give unto my beloved son Rickety Copland, three hundred and forty acres of land, the upper end of the above s aid plantation. Item: I give unto my beloved daughter, Isabel, the sum of five shillings sterling. Item: I give unto my beloved daughter Susannah, five shillings sterling. Item: I give unto my beloved daughter, Elizabeth, five shillings sterling. Item: I give unto my beloved son, Nicholas Copland, five shillings sterling. Item: I give unto my beloved daughter, Mary, the sum of five shillings sterling. Item: I give unto my beloved son, Solomon Copland, three hundred acres of land, the lower end of the above mentioned plantation, to be enjoyed by him and his heirs forever wit h all my moveable estate, after my wife decease or marriage. I likewise constitute, make, and ordain my dearly beloved wife and my beloved friend, John Seahorn, my joint executors of this my last will and testament, and I do hereby alterly disallow, revoke, and disannul all and every former testaments, wills, legacies, bequeaths, and executors by me an d any way before named willed, and bequeathed, ratifying, an d confirming by this and no other to be my last will and testament.

In witness, whereof, I have here unto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. Signed, sealed, published, pronounced, and declared by the said Joseph Copland as his last will and testament. Wit: George Graham, George Lewis, Reuben Dobkins

State of Tennessee

Jefferson County June sessions 1816

Then was the last will and testament of Joseph Copland, deceased, duly proven in Open Court by the oaths of George Graham and Reuben Dobkins, two of the subscribing witnesses to the same and ordered to be recorded. Joseph Hamilton, Clerk by his dep., Joseph Hamilton, Jr.

Moved to Chatham County North Carolina before 1761 from Essex County, Virginia.

Will of James Copeland, from the North Carolina Archives. Transcribed by Alvis &

Imogene Clegg.

Lack of punctation makes reading difficult.

This Copeland lived in the Bells community, near New Hope Creek in

eastern Chatham County.

In the name of God, Amen. I James Copeland

of the County of Chatham and the state of North Carolina planter

Being sick and weak in Body, but of perfect mind and memory

Thanks be given unto god calling into mind the Mortality

of My Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men

once to die Do make and ordain this my last will and

Testament that is to say principally and first of all I give

and Recommend my Soul into the hand of almighty God that

give it and My Body I Recommend to the Earth to be Buried

in Decent Christian Burial at the Discretion of my ExecutorsNothing Doubting But at the General Resurrection, I shall Receive

the Same Again By the Mighty power of God and as

touching Such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God

to Bless Me in this Life I Give Devise and Dispose of the

Same in the following Manner and form - - -

First I give to my well Beloved wife Elizabeth all and Singular My Movable Estate Containing My house hold furniture to gather with My Stock of Every Kind of Bruits (Beasts?) and fowls and My

Land that I Now Live upon and all the lands that is

Now in my position after all my Just Debts is paid During

her Widow hood and then I give to my son John Copeland

one hundred and sixty acres one hundred acres at the same

Being part of a tract Entered By Me James Copeland for My

Self and David Copeland and the other Sixty was______

Entered by me James Copeland for myself also I give

to my son David Copeland after the widowhood of My Wife

The sold tract that J. Haw live upon Containing

one hundred and twenty five acres also after the - - -

Widow hood of My Wife. I give and bequeath the Movable

part of my property containing the house hold furniture

and Stock of Every Kind to My well Beloved children

By name Sillah Bryant, Daniel Copeland, Silvy Bryant,

James Copeland, Liddy Branton, Elisabeth Lasator, Frankey

Lasetor, Susanah Ellitt, William Johnston, Sarah McIver and

Richard Johnston whom I own as my Children although

Known By the Name of Johnston and McIver Sealley

Copeland John Copeland Polley(Dolley?) Copeland David Copeland

Anney Copeland Cloe Copeland I Likewise consitute Make

and ordain Daniel Copeland and Thomas Branton My

Sole Executors of this this my Last will and Testament

and I Do hereby disalow Revoke and Disanull all ---

and Every other former Testaments Wills Legacies Bequests

and Executors By Me in any wise Before Named Willed

and Bequeathed Ratifying and Confirming this and No

other to Be My Last will and testament in Witness

Whereof I the Said James Copeland Have hereunto set

My hand and Seal this thirtyeth Day of September

in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven ---

Hundred and Ninety Three

Signed Sealed PublishedPronounced and Declared by the James Copeland seal

Said James Copeland as his Last

Will and Testament in the presence

of us who in his presents and in the

Presents of Each other have hereunto

Subscribed our Names

Benjamin Gunter (seal)

Richard Gunter (seal)

Isac Bright his mark

Chatham County Nov Term 1809

The execution of this last Will and Testament was duly proved in OpenCourt by the Oath of Benjamin Gunter and Richard Gunter and ordered

to be recorded and is recorded in Book A pages 39 & 40 Test. Thomas Ragland CCCObtained land in Tennessee with his brother, William and Joseph on Long Island on the Holston River as registered in the North Carolina Land Grants in Tennessee. James sold his land and moved to South Carolina.

Burial: Joel Copeland Cemetery, Oak Hill Area, Overton County, TN

Burial: Dandridge, Jefferson County, TN

A Captain during the Revolutionary War soldier and a Colonel during the War of 1812 Dec 1800,Smith Co. court ordered John Overturf,John Black, Samuel Huff, Abraham Denton and Stephen Copeland be appointed jury to view mark and lay off a road where Kentucky road intersects Line Creek. The nearest and best way to Captain Stephen Copeland on Roaring Creek and report the same to ensuring court. Stephen , Sr. was the first white settler in Overton Co in the spring of 1799. He was granted 640 acres and chose to settle near the headwaters of the Roaring River. He did not know that the land layed out partly belonged by treatee to the Cherokees. He became good friends with local chief Nettle Carrier (tala-dane-gisks) and was allowed to stay.

More About STEPHEN CALVIN COPELAND , SR.:

Fact 1: Lived in Overton County, Tennessee

Fact 2: Served as a Colonel in War Of 1812. Gathered 500 me n to fight

the Indians.

Fact 3: September 27, 1793, In Col. George Doherty's Regt D oherty's

Regt. against Cherokees until 10-27 179

Fact 4: Served under Capt. David Williams Infantry 3rd Regi ment, East

TN Militia.

Fact 5: Also in Gen. JohnSevier's Etowah Campaign

Fact 6: May 30, 1807, Commisioned to Lt. Col. in Overton, T ennessee. Fact 7: 1800, Listed on the Jefferson County, Tennessee Ta x Records.98 Fact 8: Posted bail for his father in a case Joseph Cobelan d v. George

Swingle.99

More About STEPHEN CALVIN COPELAND:

Burial: Roaring River Cemetery, Overton County, Tennessee

Moved to Jackson Co,Ark, where he lived until about 1834. He owned land in Grimes CO,TX. Nicholas Copeland was probably born in NC. His family were early settlers near Dandridge, Jefferson Co, TN. He lived in Jackson Co, Ark in 1830 (cens us). A letter to daughter Sarah describes his arrival in Texas in 1835. Austin's Register records he came to Texas with wife Dorcas and 3 children and applied for land in Oct 1835. His land grant is in what is now Madison and Leon Counties, TX. He died in May 1845. His personal property was probated in Montgomery Co, TX; his real property was probated in Leon and Grimes Co, TX. He is buried on his property in what is now known as Burns/Biddle Cemetery.

Burial: Burns-Biddle Cemetary, Leon County, TX

Notes for WILLIAM M. COPELAND:

William and his siblings Solomon, Joseph, John and Sarah moved to Maries County, MO 1831/2. Sarah was a widow. They came with her late husband's uncle Peter Taff and three Wiseman brothers, Albert, Davenport (Porty) and James. War of 1812 vet. Served East TN Mil. Captain Elihu Milliken's Co as private. Drafted September 20, 1814, Knoxville. Served seven months sixteen days. William and Martha believed to be buried Vaughan Cemetery in Maries County, MO.

More About WILLIAM M. COPELAND:

Burial: Vaughan Cemetary, Maries County, MO

More About MARTHA ELIZABETH TAFF:

Burial: Vaughan Cemetary, Maries County, MO

Burial: Vaughan Cemetary, Vienna, MO

Burial: Vaughan Cemetary, Vienna, MO

According to Austin's Register, Martin came to TX in 1835 with wife Susan and 6 children. He received a certificate for a league and a labor of land (dated 23 Apr 1838). He received a certificate for 320 acres (dated 14 Nov 1838) for serving in the TX army (10 Sep 1836 to 10 Sep 1836). He was administrator of his brother John 's estate in Leon Co, TX in 1847, but was replaced in 1851 because he moved to Robertson Co, TX. After he died, a deed in 1855 Robertson Co states he was survived by wife Susan and 3 children.

Susan is the wife of Martin, although she is recorded as "Louisiana" in the 1850 census in Robertson Co, TX. Austin' s Register states Martin came to TX with wife Susan. A deed after his dea th lists wife Susan. Susan died in 1860. She was survived by children Lewis and Julia and granddaughter Elizabeth Kinsey (daughter of her deceased daughter Minty).

Sarah Copeland and husband Martin Bridgeman lived in Jackson Co, AR, where he died and Sarah was administrator of his estate. She then moved to TX. She received a land certificate . After death of her husband Eli Seale, she moved to land she had inherited from her father. She is probably buried there in the Burns/Biddle Cemetery.

Burial: Probably in Burns-Biddle Cemetary

Burial: Maries County, MO

Burial: Maries County, MO

Burial: Vienna Public Cemetary, Vienna, MO

Burial: Vienna Public Cemetary, Vienna, MO

Burial: Union, MO

Burial: Union, MO

Bunyan and Jennie lived in Jefferson City, MO. He was employed by a railroad company. He was killed when strusk by a train while working on the tracks. Jennie lived to be 104 years old.

Burial: Jefferson City, MO

Burial: Jefferson City, MO

Adam and Kate lived in Maries County near Brinktown, Missouri most of their lives. Adam served in a public in Vienna for several years. In their later years, they moved to Dixon where they lived until their deaths.

Rainey Alvis Burns and Martha Missouri Copeland were married July 10, 1910. Martha Missouri was the eldest daughter of John Richard and Virginia Ellen Copeland. She was a twin to Adam Edward Copeland, born January 15, 1889. To this union two children were born: Rena Belle and William Richard.

In November 1920, Missouri married Robert Helton and they became the parents of three children: Hubbard Harold (1921), Minnie Ellen (1925) and Sylvia Irene (1927). After the death of Robert Helton, she married Richard Prater. Martha Missouri lived most of her life in the Van Cleve area. She died in August 1974, and her husband Richard Prater preceded her in death.

Burial: Vienna Public Cemetary, Vienna, MO

Syvia and Archie lived in Jefferson City, MO.

Burial: Vienna Public Cemetary, Vienna, MO

Belvia and Norman lived in several locations between Vienna and St. Louis County pastoring in small churches. Upon retirement, they settled in Sullivan, MO and started a church where they pastored for many years. After the death her husband, Belvia moved to Dixon and then to Vienna where she stayed until her death in Februray, 1989.

Burial: Vienna Public Cemetary, Vienna, MO

Lela was born on the Bates Farm near Vienna, MO. She attended the Flat Top School and spent her childhood days on the John R. Copeland farm which adjoins the Bates farm.

Burial: Vienna Memorial Cemetary, Vienna, MO

Burial: Union, MO

Burial: Union, MO

Burial: Ontario, CA

Burial: Union, MO

Cremation: Abt. December 19, 1988, California

Burial: Riverview Cemetary, Jefferson City, MO

Cremation: Abt. October 19, 1982, California

1. Jesse Macon Lawrence Jr., FTM Descendants of Lawrence Copeland.

2. FTM Ancestors of John Townsend Lannom, Ancestors of John Townsend Lannom.

3. Jesse Macon Lawrence Jr., FTM Descendants of Lawrence Copeland.