This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: COPELAND Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/ikJ.2ACIB/1224.1.1.2 Message Board Post: More than likely these Copeland's are going back to far, but thay may give you a clue to your Copeland. Sure hope so. These old papers show the Copeland's in Chatham Co., NC., branch originated in Essex Co., Va. The map of NC of the early days shows that from Isle of Wright and Nanaemond Cos. Va. it is a step acrose an imaginary line into Gates, Perqimans and Chowan Cos., NC. From these counties, the family spreaded Southwestward with the flow of emigration through Edgecomb, and Wayne, through Cumberland to Bladen and the present Horry? Cos., SC. NC records are filled with references to the Copelands in the counties mentioned. As early as Oct. 23, 1720, Chowan Co., records the death of William Copeland, who willed his son, William "the plantation on which I now live". To sons, John, James, and CHARLES, he left "the land between Sandy River and Bear Swamp", and mentions daughters Christian and Laura. James died in Chowan, March 13, 1753 and willed to his son, James, "the tract of land on Chowan River. William died in Chowan, Jan. 26, 1763, and mention his wife, Sarah, two sons, William and Jesse, and one dau., Ann Judith. William's branch producted, Hugh Copeland, CHARLES COPELAND, Alexander Copeland, and Isaac Copeland. Each of whom received large grants in Craven and (Greenville?hard to make out.) Counties SC. 1790 census heads of family in NC CHARLES COPELAND-----Perquimans county----one male over 16, and one female. CHARLES COPELAND-----Johnston county---one male under 16, one male over 16, and two females. No slaves were listed for either Charles Copland. These research paper's are from D. Graham Copeland. Only date on these paper's is 1917. Some pages are missing. I found them in Bell Co., TX. I'll keep looking. Ada