Halifax County, NC - Will of Cooper, Thomas-1794 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jim Curlin Summary: Thomas Cooper's will was written 23 January 1794 and proved in February Court 1794 in Halifax County, North Carolina. It is assumed that his death date is between 23 January and probably mid February 1794, most likely soon after it was written. He leaves personal and Negro property to his two daughters, Rachel and Nancy Cooper. His land is to be sold and the proceeds are to go to these two daughters "when they arrive at the years of maturity", hence they are under 21? years old. This land is situated on the south side of Jacket, presumably Jacket Swamp, in Halifax County, North Carolina. Jacket Swamp is where Thomas Curlin owns land. He does not mention a wife - should it be assumed that she is deceased at this time? According to family lore, Sophia Curlin, sister to Thomas and Seth Curlin, was married to Thomas Cooper. Perhaps this is the husband in question. This Thomas Cooper is a son of John Cooper of Halifax County, North Carolina, and a brother to Isles Cooper. He asks that Isles Cooper be his executor and requests "him to be as a father to my children". This may imply that they are young children. HALIFAX COUNTY, NC RECORD OF WILLS 1758 - 1824 VOLUME 3, PAGE 218-219 NORTH CAROLINA STATE ARCHIVES MICROFILM C.047.80001 23 JAN 1794 / FEB CT. 1794 Thomas Cooper Will I Thomas Cooper of Halifax County in the State of North Carolina, Planter, being weak in body but Sound in mind, do make & ordain this my last Will & Testament in manner & form following. Item. I will that all my just debts be first paid. Then I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Rachel Cooper a Negro girl called Rose together with the increase of her body. To the said Rachel Cooper & her heirs forever, also I give unto Said Rachel Cooper the two first children that comes or may be born of my Negro girl C????. I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Nancy Cooper my Negro girl Peggy unto her & her heirs forever. Item. I give & bequeath unto my said Daughters Nancy & Rachel Cooper a good feather bed with two sheets, two blankets & two rugs. Item. I will that my lands consisting of One hundred and fifty acres by deed & fifty acres by right of possession situate upon the South Side of Jacket [Swamp] in the County aforesaid be sold at Public Sale or on the best terms at three years credit the last payment therefore the first year one third the amount to be paid, the second on the second year for good bond & security & the sum arising therefore to be equally divided between my Said Daughters when they arrive at the years of maturity and the residue of my property I will to be sold & the amount equally divided between my said Daughters. I leave my brother Isles Cooper my Executor, requesting him to be as a father to my children. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the twenty third day of January in the Year of Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred & ninety four. Witness Thomas Cooper (seal) Nat. Fitr?simmonds her Bethlehem X Turner mark Halifax County (Pst?) } February Sessions 1794 Then this will was Exhibited in Open Court & duly proved by the oath of Bethlehem Turner one of the Subscribing witnesses thereto, & on motion ordered to be recorded. Whereupon Isles Cooper the Executor in the Said will named, came in & was Duly Qualified thereto. Witness L.Long Clk. Date of Transcription: 10 Jun 1997 KCW Location: Cary, NC Notes: The above transcription was copied verbatim from the original microfilm to the best of my abilties. Paragraphs were inserted by myself. The [ ] notation denotes my comments - Kim Curlin Wettroth ============================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. The electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ==============================================================