COOPER GRAVEYARD

Why traveled they so far.
Wast lust or greed of gold?
Ah no, they saw a door ajar.
A road led west to a new freehold.
(R. H.)

Another graveyard in this vicinity lies on the north slope
of a ridge perhaps one or two hundred feet south of a low
gap in the ridge enclosing the west side of the Little Tygart
basin.  It is across the road, and perhaps 150 yards north
of the Cooper schoolhouse and - on a guess - a mile from
the bridge at the crossing of Tygarts Creek.

The Cooper home was said to have been across the low gap
on the side of the next knob.  Here Henry Cooper, the founder
of the family, bought 250 acres of land of John Stokeley "by
agreement made in 1813" - receiving his deed in 1817.  The
hewed log house standing on this farm was purchased in
1910, and the "Old Cabin" Museum of the Pioneer Daughters
of America erected in the City Park from the material.

The graveyard doubtless dates back to at least 1815, though
the oldest date I found was 1845.

It was probably a private burying ground, and is enclosed
by a plank fence, but badly grown with weeds and briers when
I visited it in October, 1927.

*This penciled in:  Henry Cooper, Sr. b 1770 d 5/2/1844

Henry Cooper was born April 28, 1810, died in 1892.  *10-20-
penciled in before 1892.  He married Dorcas, daughter of
Thomas Dawkins.  I did not see her name, but noted some
of the 14 children:
John Wesley Cooper, 1841; and two others, illegible.
Dorcas Cooper, born 1821, died 1899.
Henry Cooper, Jr. was known as "Harry."
James W. Cooper, born March 30, 1818.  Died September
12, 1875.  He would have been but slightly more than 57
years old.  He was born here and lived at the home after
his father's death.
C. M. Morrison, 1855-1923, is probably husband of
Lemuel's daughter, a widow, Mary Morrison at the mouth
of Slate Creek, 1930.  *Mary marked out and Wealthea
penciled in.
Several of the children of James and Lucy Dawkins Cooper
were buried at this old cemetery.  I note:  *Lucy Dawkins
marked out and Lucy Elizabeth Price penciled in.
Benjamin F. - October, 1851.
Charles H. - September, 1851.  *9/2 penciled in
before - September, 1851.
John M. - 1865.  *d Aug    born 10/2/1842
penciled in.
I can note here the names of Benjamin Cooper and wife,
Virginia Langfitt Cooper.  A son:
Otis Cooper, died Feb. 8, 1873, aged 22.
Another of the children of Henry Cooper buried here is
Nancy, who married John Barnett, Jr., in 1823.  *7/23
penciled in.
Nancy, wife of John Barnett, August 8, 1871, 68 years,
one month.  (Name given "Ann" on marriage record.)
She was born July, 1803.
John Barnett, June, 1872, aged 71 years, 8 months and
28 days.  He was born February, 1800.
This was John, Jr., and the one that lived in "the old brick."
There are others of the name Cooper:
T. H. Cooper, October 19, 1880.  Aged 38 years, 6 months,
24 days.  He was born March 25, 1842.
Lucy, daughter of T. H. and M. V. Cooper.
(I fail to place them.)
Henry, son of W. E. and James and Herbert Cooper are a
younger generation.
Of the Stephens family, who lived at one time down on the
creek by the bridge, and were, both families, half Dawkins, I
find here the graves of:
William F. Stephens, 1853-1917.
Wife, Martha E., 1857.
Mary J., wife of A. Stephens, died September 21, 1854, aged 25.
Mary Frances Stephens
Abednego Florence, 1859 --75-8-17; born in early 1780.
Elizabeth Florence, Jan. 28, 1810; Sept. 6, 1883.
Francis M. Florence, 1865, aged 34 years.
Elisha Archer, Sr., 1815-1896
Elisha Archer, 1829-1909
Henry L. Hoffman, in 40th year.
William Beard, December 30, 1875.  Aged 64 years.
Sarah Perry Beard, 1820-1909.
F. P. Coe, November, 1855.  Aged 25 years.
Sophia, wife of T. G. Moore, 1873.  Died in her 23rd year.
Andrew Somerville, 1822-1900.  Age, 78 years.
Margaret J. Somerville, 1827-1915.  Age, 88 years.
Levi Holland, 1843-1900.  Co. "H" 7th (W. Va.)
W. A. Harper, died 1894.  (No age given.)
Hattie Pool, 1851.  Age 19 years.
Benjamin B. Whaley, June 10, 1854.  Aged 58 years, 2
months.
William Anderson, 1891.
Lydia Anderson, 1842-1921.  Age, 79 years.   

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Permission by Virginia Ludwick
In Memory of John Ludwick

   
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