Note: forwarded message attached.

To all relatives of Fleet Cooper, Sr. of Sampson County, NC; either related directly or remotely through collateral lines: The commonly accepted parentage of Fleet Cooper, Sr. has for years been based upon the book by Murphy Rowe Cooper, "The Cooper Family History and Genealogy, 1681-1931". Since this book was published, however, there have been more and more fellow researchers who have called Murphy Rowe Cooper's research into question. In more recent years, the new tool of genealogical DNA testing, has not been able to prove Fleet Cooper's descent from Benjamin and Elizabeth Kelly Cooper, or from James Cooper of Stratford Upon Avon, in England, or from George Ashley Cooper, the brother of Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury. It is beyond belief, that as noted a personality and public figure that Fleet Cooper, Sr. was; that there is not one scrap of evidence, not one ambiguous Bible record, not one note in some family members treasures, that offers up and alternative line or alternative names of Fleet, Sr.'s parents from which to begin additional research. This is a plea to anyone remotely or directly related to Fleet Cooper, Sr., to PLEASE help us to do an exhaustive search for any old letter, notes, Bible records, public records, ANYTHING that might be stored away in some dusty attic, basement or abandoned chest or closet, that might give the family a new direction or lead in determining Fleet Cooper, Sr.'s parentage. Thank You in advance for anything helpful. Regards, Gary