Hi Bob/Ervin, Bob and I have corresponded about our Coopers before. I descend from two of William Cooper's siblings, Isabella (Cooper) McCutcheon and James Cooper. The ealiest Cooper info that I have is a petition by George Cooper for his mother and siblings: "Petitions For Land From South Carolina Council Journals," Vol. I:1734-1748, pp.267-268 Read the Petition of GEORGE COOPER humbly Shewing that the Pet'rs father ADAM COOPER upon his arrival into this Province with his Family in the year 1737 obtained a warrant for the survey for 450 acres of land in any of the northern Townships dated Feb'ry 8th 1737, which warrant by neglect of the survey'r was never executed, as y'r pet'rs father is since dead, he therefore as Eldest son and Heir prays his Excell'cy and Honours upon his surrender of the aforesaid Township warrant herewith surrendered, to order a Common warrant for y'e survey of 450 acres on the north side of Black Mingo Creek, bounding on or near the plantation of HUGH MCCUTCHEN, and that a Grant may be passed for the same to the Petitioner. To this was annexed the warrant mentioned, whereupon y'e Pet'r appearing..... it was ordered that 450 acres be granted to the Pet'r viz 100 acres for himself, and 350 acres in Trust for his mother JANE RUTLEDGE & his brothers WILLIAM COOPER, JAMES COOPER, THOS COOPER, SAMUEL COOPER and his sisters ISABEL COOPER and MARY COOPER each 50 acres... James COOPER married Martha STRAIN, daughter of Adam and Margaret STRAIN and my Isabella (Cooper) McCUTCHEON was married to Hugh McCUTCHEON. Some new information indicates that Hugh McCutcheon and Adam Strain were first granted land in the Camden area. >From "Ouakers in South Carolina" by Rev. Silas E. Lucas, Jr. "February 8, 1737, on which date a group of families abtained precepts for land in Fredricksburg Township. Fifty acres being allotted for each member of the family, the number of individuals may be inferred from the number of acres granted to the head. The following may therefore be cited as the original prospectors of Camden: * Adam Strain, 200ac, 4 in family *David Alexander, 100ac, 2 in family *James McGowan, 300ac, 6 in family *Hugh McCutchin, 100ac, 2 in family *Michael Harris, 50ac, 1 in family *William Seawright, 250ac, 5 in family Robert Seawright, 50ac, 1 in family The unnamed family, mentioned in the Council Journal of 1736 as murdered by the Indians on Pine Tree Creek, belonged, no doubt to this little colony. We can but marvel at their hardihood in bringing wives and children into such surroundings. Of these seven families, William Seawright and Robert Seawright settled in Belmont Neck, just south of Mulberry; Hugh McCutchin, Michael Harris, and James McGowen about seven miles southeast of Camden, on waters of Swift Creek; Adam Strain and David Alexander cannot be precisely located, but were probably within hailing distance of some of the others." (end quote) I don't know what sources Rev. Lucas used, but below is some information on Adam Strain in Fredericksburg Township. >From "South Carolina Deed Abstracts, vol 3" by Clara Langley: Book W-W, page 14, 22 & 23 April 1757, L & R (Lease & Release?) Adam (his mark) Strain, planter of Craven Co., and Margaret (her mark) his wife, to Samuel Scott, planter, of Fredericksburg Township, Craven Co., for L200 currency, 200 acres in Fredericksburg Township, bounding SW on Wateree River; NW on Robert Stuart; other side on vacant lands. Witnesses: John Scott, Samuel Burrows, William Scott. Before John Liviston, J.P. William Hopton, Register. Book W-W, page 18, 14 & 15 November, 1758, L & R Samuel (his mark) Scott, trader, to Lt. James Adamson, for L250 currency, 200ac in Craven Co., in Fredericksburg Township, on N side Wateree River, bounding on all other sides on Vacant land; which 200ac were granted 10 Feb. 1749 by Gov. James Glen to Adam Strain (Secretary's Book E.E. fol. 314); who sold to Samuel Scott on 23 Apr. 1757. Witnesses: Timothy Kelly, Joseph Kershaw. Before Samuel Wyly, J.P. William Hopton, Register. >From "Petitions for Land from SC Council Journals, vol 4" Page 114: The petition of Adam Stran humbly setting forth That he had four Negroes for whom he never had any Warrant of Survey of Grant of Land in this Province, That there was a tract of 200 ac of land in Craven County (bounding to the eastward of Lands belonging to Jno Peter Summerhoof) vacant, prayed to lay out two hundred acres of land situated and bounded as aforesaid and that he might have a Grant for the same. Dated Febry 2d 1756. Adam Stran (A). The prayer thereof was granted. In the will of Adam Strain of Craven County, written 14 Feb 1761. He names his Grandsons James Cooper, granddaughters Janet Cooper and Margaret Cooper, Grandson Hugh Strain Winter, Sons in law Hugh Winter and James Cooper, and wife Margaret. Executors are wife Margaret, John Liviston Esqr., Samuel Cooper, Robert Winter and Robert Pettycrew (Pettique?). Witnesses are Thomas Scott, William Scott and Rebekah Chappel. It was proved 29 March 1762. Margaret Strain's will is dated 23 Sep 1774, Prince Fredericks Parish, Craven County. She names grandson James Cooper, granddaughter Margaret Cooper, nephew John Boyd, "my Nices two children...Moses and Isabel Scott and grandchildren Hugh Strane Winter, James Cooper, Margaret Cooper and Jannet Graham. Legacies to be give at their marriages or when they arrive at the age of 21. Execs Robert Dick, Robert Petticrue & John Boyd. Witnesses Robert Paisley and Isabel McCutchen. No date of proof, but the Exors qualified Oct 20, 1774. James Cooper will, Prince Fredrick Parish in Craven County, dated 6 June 1771. He names wife Martha, daughter Ann Cooper, "my four young children Ann, Joseph, Adam and William Cooper. Eldest son James Cooper, two sons Joseph and Adam Cooper, daughter Janet Cooper and . Appoint Samuel Cooper my brother, Martha Cooper my wife, Joseph Michie and Robert Paisley to be exectutors. Witnesses: William Cooper; James McCutchen; Joseph McCutchen. Donna