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- Aaron spells his name Aron in his will and his certificate of removal to PA, but signs his name AARON in his Quaker Marriage Record. The name Coppock comes from the place of origin for this family when the surname came into use. It wasll estate in East Cheshire and almost all early Coppock references come from near this region. The exception is a few Coppocks listed from South Lancashire in England. From medieval times forward, the name has been spelled Coboke, Coppack, Coppick, Copuck, Coppak and Coppack and Coppock. (C-963, E) Aaron was christened on January or February 6, 1666 on his original christening record and listed as the son of John. This problem with knowing the date was that the Bishop transcripts give the date as January 6, 1666. Aaron's birth date varies according to several second hand sources. The 25th day, 10th mo, 1662 date for Aaron's birth comes from an old book entitled "A Collection of Memorials Concerning divers deceased Ministers and others of the People called Quakers in Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, and Parts adjacent, from nearly the first Settlement thereof in the Year 1787." This was a Quaker obituary basically done over sixty years after his death and they could have easily had the date wrong. It had his death date wrong and his likely age wrong. (C-253b, C-703). He was born the 9th of August 1667 according to an L.D.S. ancestral file of unknown source.
The Ohio Archealogical and Historical Society Quarterly in 1921 states that his birth date was August 19, 1662 and 1683. In England at the time, babies were baptized as quickly after birth as possible, with a 3 week old baby being baptized late.... therefore, the 25th day, 10th mo, 1662 date is probably Dec. 25, 1666 instead which occurred right before his Jan. 6, 1666 christening date according to Gary Hawley's theory. (E) To quote Gary on the christening practices of England: The rules governing the baptism of infants can be found in any 1662 Book of Common Prayer. "It was the intention of the Church of England that children's baptism should be deferred no 'longer than the first or second Sunday next after their birth.' It was also the intention that children should be baptized in Church in the presence of a congregation 'when most number of people come together.' The preface to the service is very clear that private baptism was only to be used in exceptional circumstances." This pattern is even held in their church today and I therefore agree that Aaron was likely born in Dec. of 1666 instead.
In our Aaron's baptismal certificate, it clearly states he is the son of John. The problem is that there were four Johns in Mobberley at the time of an age to be his parent from my point of view. The first and most commonly published person is John married to Susan Lowe. This one has a conflict of Aaron's 1662 birth date listed in his obituary is within months of their daughter Rose. The 2nd theory is John, the son of William (brother to John and Margaret Deane Coppock). He was likely born in the 1630's. Nothing further is known on him other than the fact that he was mentioned in his Uncle John's will of 1665. A third theory is that he is John the Tanner who married Margaret Deane in 1634 and died in 1666. The fourth is that he is the grandson of John the Tanner and Margaret Deane through their son John.
I am nearly convinced at this point that Aaron's father is my third theory, that he is the son of John the Tanner and Margaret Deane for the following reasons. A Coppock researcher, Alan Dale, copied a newspaper article from "The Guardian" published in 1910 that implies that John, the Tanner and Margaret Deane Coppock are the parents of our Aaron Coppock. "The Coppocks of Mobberley and Tarvin, There appear to have been two distinct branches of the Northenden family living at Mobberley. One branch, probably cousins of John and Margaret Dean in 1634, and they had several children baptized at Mobberley, including Bryan, the eldest, 1645 (probably called after a kinsman of Etchells), Jonathan, Mary, Aaron, and Elizabeth. "
Here is how I interpret this: One branch of the Northenden Coppock family living at Mobberley were probably cousins to John and Margaret Dean who married in 1634. John and Margaret Dean had several children baptized at Mobberley, including Bry
an, the eldest, 1645 (probably named after the relative named Bryan who was a kinsman of the Etchells), Jonathan, Mary, Aaron and Elizabeth. This list matches in it's entirety with what I have gleaned over the years about John the Tanner and Margaret Dean's family from Cheshire records, Ann Natalelli's sortings and Gary Hawley's research. Furthermore, this article stated: "John Coppock of Mobberley, Tanner, was buried there in 1666, and his will is at Chester. His father was named John." This also matches the parents that I've sorted out for John the Tanner. There are no time line discrepancies to prove otherwise.
John the Tanner wrote his will and died before our Aaron was born accounting for the lack of evidence as to which John is the father of Aaron. Although they basically had a grown family when John wrote his will, Margaret could have easily been born about 1620 or slightly before, making her in her mid to late 40's when she had Aaron. This is still totally possible as a late life baby. Secondly, Aaron is a very rare Coppock name. In fact, our Aaron is the first one to have it as a name. There are only 3 Aarons christened in all the parish records for the area... this Aaron in Jan. of 1666, one in 1721 and one in 1746. This actually supports the fact that our Aaron is the son of John the Tanner and Margaret because the other two were grandsons and great grandsons of John the Tanner and would have been named after our Aaron. (C-1295, 2246, 2267)
Further circumstantial evidence that could help us ascertain who his parents are is from the closest kin column on Aaron's marriage certificate to Miriam Short. There are 2 names under the closest kin column. The first is his wife's sister, Ann and the 2nd is Lydia Carter. Lydia Carter by position on the list could easily be a relative of Aaron's. Robert Carter also attended the wedding. Robert Carter (b. 1665 in Oxford, England) married Lydia Walley in 1688. Her parents were John and Alice Walley and grandfather was John Walley who was born in Cheshire, England, the same county where Aaron was born. One thing is certain... she is a close relative of Aaron Coppock or his wife, Miriam, especially since they named their 2nd daughter after her. (E) I suspect that this relationship may one day help prove or disprove my theory that John the Tanner is the father of Aaron. (C-2430)
Aaron Coppock's first marriage to Mary (Orrell) in 1/1688 was probably outside of the Quaker church. The Orrells were next door neighbors to the Coppocks in Pownall Fee. According to an Internet site, he supposedly was married twice. His first was to a Mary in England. They had a son, Aaron, born at Mobberly, England that was buried there on Feb. 9, 1691 in the Anglican Church of England's graveyard.
He came to Pennsylvania in 1683 according to the Ohio Archealogical and Historical Society Quarterly, 1921 issue. He came in 1685 from Nottingham, England to Nottingham Co., MD according to the "LittleJohn Family History" written in 1953 by Mrs. Iris Littlejohn McKown. He had likely converted to the Quaker faith by 1695 when he was fined for failure to tithe to the Church of England. He paid the fine in corn. He apparently traveled back to England as he received a certificate of removal on the 23, 3 mo.,1701 from Pownall-fee Monthly Meeting of Friends in Cheshire, England. He traveled to Bristol England, probably in that year, to return on a boat to Pennsylvania.
He married Miriam Short in either the Upper Chichester Meeting of Friends, Delaware Co., PA, the Nottingham Monthly Meeting, or the New Garden Monthly Meeting, all in Pennsylvania as 1704, 9mo 30th day. Their marriage is recorded in all three places. This is one of the histories based upon it being recorded in the Nottingham MM of Maryland. "Maryland Quaker Records: Nottingham Monthly Meeting, Cecil County, Book F - 1808-1836" "Miriam White declared intentions of marriage the 1st time at Concord MM, PA, 11-7-1704 OS; 1tm 13-9mo (Nov) 1704; rptd married 11 10mo (Dec) 1704 OS (Note: James Trimble says "Aaron Coppock was advanced in age when he settled in E Nottingham about 1704; and died about 1728; he was a minister.
His son, John Coppock, married Margaret, daughter Jospeh Coulson, of Germantown, Philadelphia Co, PA, at W Nottingham MH, 16-1mo (Mar) 1730/1 OS; tradition says that this Joseph was a brother of Thomas Coulson, the Nottingham emigrant, and that his daughter Margaret resided with her uncle Thomas in W Nottingham at the time of her marriage to John Coppock."
This info does not quite match the info I've found on him so far. According to my research, Aaron lived in Easton Twp, Chester Co., PA at the time of his marriage to Miriam. He was not advanced in age, but in his 30's to 40's. In 1713, he, his wife, his brother-in-law, Joel Baily and his wife all sold land together. Aaron and family then moved to Nottingham Twp. on the border of Maryland. He was an Overseer, Elder and a Quaker Minister for 42 years in the East Nottingham Monthly Meeting in Maryland/Pennsylvania.
His will, dated Dec. 1726, can be found in Book A, page 205, West Chester, Pennsylvania (C-2246) It is curious that at the 1731 marriage of his son, John, he is listed as the father from East Nottingham Twp. Chester Co., Province of Pennsylvania, deceased. It does not mention his wife though she is a witness in the relatives column on the Quaker wedding document. He is listed in "A Collection of Memorials Concerning Divers Deceased Ministers and Others of the People called Quakers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Parts Adjacent, from Nearly the First Settlement Thereof in the Year 1787, no author given, printed by Joseph Crukshank, Market Street, Philadelphia, 1787, pages 64-5".
The following translation is provided by Gary Hawley."AARON COPPOCK This Friend was born in Cheshire, Great Britain, Tenth mo. 25th, 1662. He was convinced of the Truth when quite young, and removed to Pennsylvania soon after. He is supposed to have been a son of Bartholomew Coppock, who in 1682 settled with his family near Chester. Bartholomew was a man of good standing in civil and religious Society, being often used in religious appointments, and representing, on numerous occasions, the county of Chester in the Assembly of Pennsylvania. About the year 1714, Aaron Coppock removed to reside at Nottingham, still in the county of Chester, with his family. Being a friend of sound judgment, and exemplary in his walking, he was, soon after his removal, chosen an elder, in which station he did not long continue, his heavenly Father having called him to the work of the ministry. During the short period that was allotted him to labour in this service, he was "concerned to exhort Friends to a life of self-denial, watchfulness and prayer." This his friends say "he did in great sincerity, zeal and innocence." He was diligent in the attendance of meetings, and, we doubt not, was often admitted to participate therein of that blessed communion which the humble worshippers of Christ Jesus do at seasons witness with him.On the 1st day of the Tenth month, 1725, he was taken ill, and suffered greatly. During the early part of his sickness, poverty of spirit was his portion, and a consequent depression of mind. This dispensation, which was no doubt in infinite wisdom administered, soon passed away, leaving a blessed prospect of eternal happiness before him, with a sure hope that he should, through adorable mercy, partake thereof. In this assurance, knowing in whom he had believed, he departed this life, after a sickness of nine days. He was sixty three, and been engaged in the ministry of the gospel about seven." His death date in this source is listed as 10th mo, 10 day, 1725, at age 63. Memorials were often written after the fact, and included errors. This date is likely at least one year early according to when his will was written. (C-2059) His will is as follows: "I Aaron Coppock of Notingham being Sick and weak of body but of a Sound and well Disposing mind and Memory do Make this as my Last will and testament revoking all other wills have heretofore been Made of done by me----- First my will is (that) my body be decently buried and (that) all my Just debts & funerall Charges be defrayed as Soon as Pofsible after my decease Secondly I give and bequath Unto my Son John Coppock ye plantation whereupon I Now Live when he comes of age but my will is (that) my wife Shall have liberty to live thereupon during her Natural life & to have ye Use of (that) house & buildings (that) half of the orchard & ye half of the other Improvements upon ye plantation to be at her own difpose while Shee lives & if my wife & Son John Sees Meet to part then my Son John to have Liberty to build Upon Some other part of ye Land where he Shall think Convenient & to have ye other hlf of ye Imrovement to his own proper Ufe when Equaly divided & after his mothers decease the whole to be for ye proper Use & behoofe of his & his heirs for Every whole tract containing one hundred Acres or therabouts Item I give Unto my daughter Lydia Coppock Tenn pound Item I give Unto my daughter Miriam Coppock Tenn pound (ye said) payments to be paid Unto them Two year after my decease but if they should be Married before ye time perfixed then ye Legacy to be paid them at ye day of Marriage ------ Item I give Unto my daughter Sarah Frayzer five Shillings Item I give Unto my dauther Martha Robinson five Shillings Item I give Unto My dauther Mary Sinclear five Shillings Item I give unto my Son In Law Ralph Thomson ye Money (that) is due to me Upon bill it being fourty Shillings ------ Item I give Unto my Son In law John White five Shillings. Item I give unto my Son In Law Samuell White five Shillings Item I give Unto my daughter In Law Elizabeth White five Shillings Lastly I ordaine & Conftitute my loving and welbeloved wife Miriam Coppock Sole Executrix of this my last will & Teftament & James King (Ring?) to be Afsistant to her therein In witnefs whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal Dated in Notingham In ye County of Chester & provicne of pensilvania ye 3d day of ye 10th mo 1726 Signed, Seal, publifhed and declared by ye within Named Aaron Coppock to be his Last will & testament In ye prefence of us Teftis James Wright Samuel Littler (Lighter?) Aaron Coppock prov: ye 17:10 (illegible) (C-1425c&d, 2150)
According to "Quaker Biographical Sketches" he took ill on the first day of the 10th month in 1725 and died 9 days later. Noting that his will was written in 1726, I'd say this source was simply incorrect about the year his death took place. If he was truly 63 years of age at his death, this would make his birth in 1663 instead. It should be remembered that this eulogy was written years after his death, and like many eulogies of this type, they often have data and detail errors based upon memories of persons that aren't necessarily his families'. His christening in 1666 means he's much more likely to have been born in 1666 also and that his age, birth date and death date were all estimates. (C-2260)
A prayer book had been passed down in the family to Anna Godwin that is now lost. It was inscribed in Aron's handwriting "We are the Clan MacDonell of Keppoch and our clan cry is God and St. Andrew" This clan MacDonnell was of Keppock in ancient times, and what is now the region called Glenngarry. The Coppock's that come from this clan were specifically from Lochaber in this region according to their homepage at http://www.clan-donald-usa.org/septs.htm. (Joyce Haskell-E)
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