Gloucester County Democrat., 1907-01-17
JOHN COOPER, PATRIOT.

ter County Historical Society:
Old Gloucester County is goodly field
of historic interest that is worthy thor
ough cleaning, and it is duty incumbent
on each aud every one of you to aid in the
collection, winnowing and preservation of
It's ungarnered grain before it sinks too
deeply into the dust of exaggeration, mis-
representation and time, and its authentic
ity forever lost.
So as not to trespass on private fields of
research, have selected as subject bachel-
or-one who left no sons nor daughters,
consequently no descendants to affiliate
with the patriotic organizations of the
period and exploit his praiseworthy record.
He was the most prominent local patriot
in the Revolutionary era; he ably repre-
sented Gloucester County in the Senate
and on the judicial bench; he Indicted
New Jerseys State Constitution, and was
selected to sign the Declaration of Inde-
pendence He was born, reared, educated,
lived, died and buried within sight Of this
very spot on which we to-day stand, and
slough his works are not emblazoned with
his name, they are unmarked monuments
evidencing his forceful ability to accom-
plish lasting results.
In the preparation of this sketch have
endeavored to collect such items as exhibit
heredity, environment, association and
education, showing their sequence in the
history of New jersey.
JOHN COOPER, PATRIOT.
-sHow far the little canuIe rnrows his beams; SO
shine good deeds" (Merchant of Veniee)
Good. actions confer strength and are al
wavs an inspiration; good examples are bet
ter than precepts and best influences are of
slow growth and of gradual adaptation to
human necessities, constituting silent forces
of inconceivabIe latitude, that sweep
away all resisting circumstances. So, the
righteous example of good woman is a
valuable asset to any neighborhood, even
decades after her demise; and to-day Wood
bury has reason to be glad that Ann Clark
Cooper was an intelligent, Christian woman,
WHO tuuCdbeu ucl Cnil0aCA anu AanHtte5S0
her property so skillfully that her descend
ants have proven worthy, helpful citizers
of the communities of which they were
members.
To begin with William Cooper of Coles
hill, England, who with his wife Margaret
came to America 1879. Their eldest son
William married Mary, daughter of Edward
Bradway, Of Alloway, Salem County.
Their only SOD, JohD, was 8 yrs. old when
his father died, 1851, and in 1892 his mother,
desiring to wed William Kentin, the boy
John Cooper was of his own yolition,
apprentieed to his grandfather, William
Cooper, Sr., of Cooper's Point The linden
ture is dated nearly three years afterward
but the boy had lived those years with his
grandfather aud was manly lad of II
years. -
4th month. 5h, 1895.
'sWitnessetii that ye said John Cooper by
and with the consent Of his mother and also
of his own voluntary mind and will hath
nut himself saryent and after the manner Of
an apprentice into ye said William Cooper
his said grandfather to and with him to
dwell from ye day Of ye date hereof until
he shall ataine to We age Of nineteen years
during which said tearme ye said John
Cooper his said grandfather wiz William
Cooper we'll and truly shall serve, his
honest and lawful commandments observe
and obey everywhere, nor from the sarYice
or imployment ef his sd. grandfather in
any wise unlawfulIy absent himself by day
nor yeti by night, but as erue and faithful
apprentice and saryant ought in all cases
10 demaine and behave himself towards ye
sd. William Cooper, his sd grandfather and
Margaret Cooper, his grandmother during
the said tearme, and the said William
Cooper is to find unto ye said John Cooper
his grandchild sufficient and convenient
meate, ,drinke, ,lodgeing, washing and apparill
during ye sd. tearme."
So faithful was his service that his grand
father named said John Cooper, bis grand
son, although but twenty-seven years old,
as onesof the executors Of his large estate
list mo-. 11th, 1710. Three years after
ward, 1918, be married Ann Clark, Oldest
daughter of BENZ. and Anne Clark Of Perth
Amboy. Benjamin Clark was publisher
Of Friends Books in London, Eng, who
came to America 1856, bringing stock of
books and stationery. His father was also
a BENJAMIN Clark and bis mother was an
Ann Clark, who never came to America.
The Cooper home was about one mile
south Of woodbury. in Deptford Township
al what is now called Woodbury. Heights,
formerly the David Jessup farm. John
Cooper, sr., was one Of the three trustees
selected to build the first Friends meeting