Research Forum

I take it from what you say that "your" William COOPER was the one who married Lydia and who died before 1841?

If that is the case then (as you probably know) at the time of the 1841 census Lydia was living in Cheddar with children aged from 15 (James COOPER) through 10, 8 and 6 down to 4 (Richard COOPER).

I haven't managed to find a likely baptism for a James COOPER around 1826, but I think I know why. According to FreeReg William COOPER married Lydia MAIN in Bedminster on 4 May 1830. This suggests that James was born out of wedlock. There is in fact (again according to FreeReg) a baptism of a James MAIN son of Lydia MAIN in Axbridge on 29 January 1826.

As William and Lydia's youngest child was born c1837 and Lydia was seemingly a widow by 1841 it seems likely that the William COOPER who was buried in Cheddar on 13 August 1838 was "your" man. As you say the burial record gives his occupation as Cooper and his age as 31. So you are looking for someone born around 1807 (if the burial record is accurate).

According to the transcriptions on this site there was a baptism of a William COOPER in Cheddar on 27 September 1807 to parents John and Mary. Lydia MAIN was baptised there on 4 August 1805 to parents Moses and Sarah. My guess is that these are your people.

Dave Erasmus

I would agree with Dave, except that it is the baptism records of his children which gives his occupation as cooper not the burial record.  If Dave's supposition is correct and that William was the son of John & Mary - there is a will of a John COOPER of Cheddar in the Somerset Heritage Centre dated 1814 which might be helpful.

Similarly, the Overseers' Accounts for Cheddar may give information of any help received by Lydia after her husband's death - these are at Taunton as well.

The North Somerset Archivist will be visiting Weston on March 3rd - Is there a local member who would volunteer to look these up for Elizabeth who lives too far away to visit herself? 

Hi Pat,

Just want to say thank you for asking Peter Towey to sort out a copy of the Will you informed me about.  It was a great surprise to hear from him and as he kindly sent me a copy, it has helped me a bit more to sort out the family.  I am very grateful to you both.

As I have said before, this is a brilliant website with very helpful members assisting.

Elizabeth

Hi Dave & Pat,

Thank you both so much for taking the trouble to look out all that information for me.  That is the right family and you are right with all that you  have researched (at least it corresponds with the information I have found)  What I did not note was the occupation for William on the baptisms of his children.  Probably too many coopers, name and job so a little confusing.  Very remise of me.

The will of John Cooper would be very interesting to see as I do not have that one.  I do have a transcript of the 1808 one which I downloaded from somewhere ? but I cannot open the actual file at the moment due to changing my computer.  Can I download this one if no-one is willing to look it up for me?

With regard to the Overseers' Accounts can these be purchased or is it only by visiting the SHC.?  I do not intend being in UK for some time to come.

Thank you both not just for helping me but for being such stalwarts of a great site.

Best wishes,

Elizabeth