Hi, I have been off the mailing list for awhile and thought I'd post information that I have found. My great-great grandfather, Sterling Cooper was born in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina on February 12, 1827. His father's name was Benjamin Franklin Cooper. The only info that I have about Benjamin Franklin Cooper is that he was born in North Carolina as was Sterling's mother (name unknown) who was also born in North Carolina. According to new information from an elderly cousin, Sterling came to the Vigo County, Indiana area alone around 1850. He married Mary Woodard and was living with her mother and family in the 1850 Vigo County, Indiana census. Mary Woodard died about 1852. Sterling served as a teamster in the 6th Indiana Infantry in the Civil War. He married Amanda Shaffer August 18, 1870 in Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois. They had five children, James Fred Cooper born 1871, Benjamin Franklin (Frank) Cooper born 1873, Orpha Caroline (Callie) Cooper Hylman born 1875, Daisy Nancy Cooper born 1878 and William Phillip Cooper born 1881. Sterling Cooper died March 25, 1920 in Trilla, Coles County, Illinois. If anyone has any information about this family I would love to compare notes. I have not been able to find any information about Sterling or his parents before 1850. There are Sterling Cooper's and Benjamin Franklin Cooper's in North Carolina and Virginia but I have not been able to document any of them to my family. Thanks, Mindy Bell