John Cooper (1730-1794) by Elva Davis (Mrs. Ernest) Fall According to research done by some descendants of this Patriot, his grandfather, was Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st, Earl of Shaftsbury, who was born in Winborne in Dorsetshire, England, in 1621. He was educated at Exter College, Oxford, and studied law. He entered Parliament in 1640, and died in Holland in 1683. On March 24, 1663, King Charles II granted lord Ashley Cooper and six others land in America, and in June 1665, this grant was extended to embrace all territory of North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and part of Florida and Missouri. Among he powers bestowed as land proprietor was that on enacting law. Ashley Cooper's son apparently settled in North Carolina, and his grandson, John Cooper, was born there in 1730. Official records show that John Cooper was representative from Beaufout County, North Carolina to the General Congress, which met a Hillsborough, North Carolina on August 20, 1775. These same delegates also met with the Colonial Congress at Halifax County, North Carolina on April 4, 1776, and John Cooper was on the committee of privileges and elections. The Congress was the fourth meeting of people in a representative capacity offered the royal government in North Carolina. This committee had power to send persons, papers and records as the case required, and report to this Congress. This committee also had charge of the rations and price of rations allowed the different commissaries of the Army. They also reported on defense and the state of the seacoast and report to Congress. John Cooper, Esquire, was appointed Commissary at Occacok Inlet. He died in Halifax County, South Carolina in November 1794. The only member of the Jacob Flournoy Chapter, DAR, who is descended from John Cooper, is Mrs. Ernest Fall. Taken from the Fulton Daily Leader, November 7, 1975