Henry Cooper (1852-1883)

The Old Cooper Bible

Cooper, Henry. Family Bible Records. 1848-1868. The Holy Bible. [Cover page torn out.] Privately held by Mary R. Cooper. San Diego, California. 2005.

Henry COOPER was born in Marlinstown, Westmeath, Ireland on 12 April 1852. He was the first child of fourteen of my second great grandparents, Austin COOPER and Elizabeth GIBSON. His father worked for the Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland.

First Cousin Marriage

I find Henry COOPER in Dublin by 1877 marrying his first cousin, Frances Hannah DIGGES LATOUCHE. Henry’s and Hannah’s mothers were sisters. Oh, my! Elizabeth GIBSON had a younger sister, Jane GIBSON who married Edmond 

DIGGES LATOUCHE. The parents of these two girls were Rev. Alexander GIBSON, Presbyterian minister of Mullingar, Westmeath, Ireland, and Jane GIBSON. I have yet to still figure out the relationship of their parents with the same surname.

Henry Cooper and Hannah Digges La Touche were married on 18 Jan 1877 in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Rathmines, Dublin, Ireland. 

Ireland Marriage Records. Henry Cooper and Hannah Frances Digges La Touche. 18 January 1877. Volume 2. Page 741. No. 256. Civil Registration Office, Roscommon, Ireland. Accessed 13 November 2008. 

The following year, Hannah gave birth to Emily Cooper on 20 Dec 1878. The baby died five days later of convulsions that lasted for thirty minutes. 

Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, "Civil Records," database with images, IrishGenealogy.ie (https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/ : accessed 21 June 2017), image, birth registration of Emily Cooper, (20 December 1878, Dublin) citing Group Registration ID 10050051; registration filed 26 Dec 1878 by J. R. Ferguson, Deputy register, page 506, stamped no. 0278267, entry 298.

Ireland Death Records. Emily Cooper. 25 Dec 1878. Quarter 4. Volume 2. page 415. No. 288. Civil Registration Office, Roscommon, Ireland. Accessed 24 July 2017.  

Two years later on 12 Jan 1880, Frances Cooper was born in Dublin. Francis was baptized on 16 Mar 1881 in the St. George Parish of Dublin. 

Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, "Civil Records," database with images, IrishGenealogy.ie (https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/ : accessed 21 June 2017), image, birth registration of Frances Cooper, (12 January 1880, Dublin) citing Group Registration ID 10972122; registration filed 24 Feb 1880 by J. P. Nowlan, Deputy register, "First Page," stamped no. 0257534, entry 114.

Hannah Cooper arrived on 19 Nov 1881. Hannah Jane was baptized on 17 May 1882 in the St. George Parish of Dublin.

Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, "Civil Records," database with images, IrishGenealogy.ie (https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/ : accessed 21 June 2017), image, birth registration of Hannah Cooper, (19 November 1881, Dublin) citing Group Registration ID 9979588; registration filed 2 Jan 1882 by J. R. Ferguson, Deputy register, "First Page," stamped no. 02025830, entry 256.

At 30 years, Henry died at the Adelaide Hospital in Dublin on 16 Dec 1883, leaving behind pregnant Hannah, and two babies - a three year old and one year old. His cause of death was myelitis, inflammation of the spinal cord.

Ireland Death Records. Henry Cooper. 16 Dec 1883. Quarter 4. Volume 2. Page 582. No. 216. 

Civil Registration Office, Roscommon, Ireland. Accessed 24 July 2017.  

Their fourth child and only son, Austin Henry Cooper, was born in 1884 and died on 26 Jan 1895 as a minor in Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland. I find him listed in the Ireland Calendar of Wills & Administrations.

"Ireland Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ58-KNJ : accessed 21 June 2017), Austin Henry Cooper, 26 Jan 1895; citing 00312, 005014910, Principal Probate Registry, Dublin; 100,996.

10 Winton Avenue - Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland

I also found Austin Henry Cooper in the Death Registration listing his death location at 10 Winton Avenue in Rathgar, Dublin. Ireland. His aunt Bessie Pearson was present at his death. This is third document (one letter and 2 death registrations - also Bessie's brother, Edwin Ashley Cooper) of listing Bessie Pearson at 10 Winton Ave. in 1890s. 

Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, "Civil Records," database with images, IrishGenealogy.ie (https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/ : accessed 23 Sept 2016),

image, death registration of Austin Henry Cooper (26 January 1895, 10 Winton Ave., Dublin South), citing Group Registration ID 4010410; registration filed 1 February 1895 by Richard McHearn, in Rathmines Registration District, South Dublin undignified register, folio 583, “First page,” stamped no. 04688154, entry 90.

Austin Henry Cooper at the age of 11.5 died of tubercular meningitis. 

What happened to Frances and Hannah Jane Cooper? 

I later find them listed in the England 1901 census visiting their grandmother, Jane GIBSON DIGGES LA TOUCHE. 

who is living with their uncle Dr. Alexander DIGGES LA TOUCHE in Ossett, Yorkshire, England.           

1901 Census of England.Yorkshire, Ossett. Enumeration District 11. Household 13. Alexander D. La Touche household; digital images. Ancestry.com : accessed 12 July 2017. 

Andrew D. La Touche    Head     Married    42       Male         Physician & Surgeon 

Sarah  " do.                     Wife     Married    34      Female
John J. " do.                    Son      Single       8      Male
Marie   "  do.                  Daur     Single        7       Female
Gertrude   "  do.             Daur     Single        5       Female
Alexander A.  "  do.       Son       Single       1        Son
Jane  " do.                     Mother  Wd          70      Female
Francis G. Cooper         Niece     Single      21      Female
Hannah J. do.                Niece      Single     19      Female

I find a marriage registration to a Thomas Warwick, a Baptist minister, for Frances Gertrude Cooper on 1 June 1911. 

Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, "Civil Records," database with images, IrishGenealogy.ie (https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/ : accessed 26 May 2017), image, marriage registration of Thomas Warwick and Frances Gertrude Cooper (1 June1911, The Baptist Chapel St Peter’s Parish, County of Dublin, city of Dublin North), citing Group Registration ID 2067812; registration filed 15 July 1911 by Jos. N. Pearce, Clergyman, in North Dublin Registration District, unidentified register, folio 614, “First page,” stamped no. 05617097, entry 32.

Hannah Jane Cooper married James Barlow, an engineer, on 4 Jun 1913 in Manchester, Lancaster, England. Her sister, F.G. Warwick is a witness along with A. Digges LaTouche, an uncle of the bride. Notice that Hannah was the witness for her sister, Frances Gertrude’s wedding, 2 years prior in 1911. Uncle Alexander Digges LaTouch also was present as a witness.

"England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:26Z8-P2P : 13 December 2014), Hanna Jane Cooper and James Barlow, 1913; from “England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1913, quarter 2, vol. 8D, p. 315, Manchester, Lancashire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England. Accessed 23 May 2016.

When widow Aunt Bessie Cooper Pearson came to visit the United States in 1921, her ship record stated that she was living with niece Mrs. Barlow at 12 Davenmore Rd. Withington, Manchester, in Lancaster, England. I now know that the mysterious Mrs. Barlow was her niece, Hannah Jane Cooper Barlow.

My next research goal is to find out if the sisters Frances and Hannah had any children.

Austin Irwin Cooper 1849-1891

The Old Cooper Bible

Austin Irwin COOPER is the only son of Austin COOPER and Mary Agnes IRWIN born 25 March 1849 in Westmeath, Ireland.

I find him mentioned in the Old Cooper Bible after the second marriage of his father to Elizabeth GIBSON in 1851. The Bible records his baptism on 17 April 1849, in Dublin, Ireland.

Cooper,Austin and Elizabeth. Family Bible Records. 1848-1868. The Holy Bible. [Cover page torn out.] Privately held by Mary R. Cooper. San Diego, California. 2005.

My next document for Austin Irwin COOPER is his death registration. He died on 10 April 1891 in his home at 119 Upper Lesson Street in Dublin, Ireland. At the age of 41, he never married. He served as a Captain in the Militia. He suffered from Congestive Bronchitis and died three days later. 

Ireland. Death Records. Austin Irwin Cooper. 10 April 1891. Quarter 2. Volume 2. Page 492. No. 154. Civil Registration Office, Roscommon, Ireland. Accessed 18 April 2009.

I also find Austin Irwin Cooper’s Will in the Ireland Calendar of Wills and Administration Index database.

"Ireland Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ5C-FLM : 12 December 2014), Austin Irwin Cooper, 10 Apr 1891; citing 00080, 005014905, Principal Probate Registry, Dublin; 100,991. Accessed 28 April 2017.

THE LETTER

After being in contact with my distant cousin, Richard AUSTIN-COOPER, he sent me a copy of a letter written by Austin Irwin Cooper’s younger half-sister, Bessie Cooper PEARSON, to her second cousin (they share Austin Cooper FSA/Sarah Mauvillian Turner Cooper as their great grandparents) Mark Bloxham COOPER, a Dublin barrister. This letter was written 11 days after Austin Irwin Cooper’s death. 

pages 1-2

page 3

Here is transcription of the letter written 21 April 1891.

10 Winton Avenue

Rathgar

21/4/91 [21 April 1891]

My dear Mark,

Thanks for the list.

Jinnie’s [sister Jane Mauvillian Cooper Osborne] address is 806 San Antonia Street, Austin, Texas, U.S.A.

As to rings, as far as I know dear Austin had 4 - — has told me to put on & [m]ind for him & I have written Jinnie about  them & I shall keep them until I hear from her. One was taken out of his room before I came. Then Mrs. McGuire said she could not take charge of anything — the nurse promises to have it found - -the other the nurse handed to me & then I was told that was the ring dear Austin gave her I handed it back at once. 

As to Black Axe it is Sandy’s left to him by dear Papa, & Jinnie had only the loan of it & left it here before she went away and Sandy knows its here, but has not taken it - as he knows it is here, but he has not taken it - as he knows it is safe. 

I should like to see Mrs. McGuire’s bill. I suppose yours will wait until you hear from Jinnie before you bill anything. —-

I enclose lists requested which numbers 13. Why do the debts & costs  not come out the Land or rent on May 1st?

I enclose the Doctor’s  bill for attending dear Austin for two illnesses. he had him for a week about - 3 weeks ago - 

Did you see the portrait  of our great-grandmother? [Austin Cooper FSA’s wife Sarah Mauvillian Turner]. It was Henry’s [another sibling deceased at this time & married to Frances LaTouche] & now belong’s to Mrs. Henry & her son & should be sent to his trustee, J. J. Digges La Touche. Jinnie had a loan of it & I fear she did not return it, however she will write about it. 

I enclose list.

With kind regards to your wife, from your cousin,

Bessie Pearson

Here are some questions and comments I have about the items mentioned in this letter.

1. Four rings - Do these include the two rings handed down to my cousin in Colorado? Bessie brought these rings when she came to visit family in America in 1921 and gave two of them to her nephew, Edwin Irwin COOPER. The other two were accounted for in the letter. 

2) Black Axe - I have a photo of this sent to me by third cousin, 1x removed, Richard Austin-Cooper. It is in possession of a Cooper fifth cousin in England.

3) Portrait of Sarah M. T. Cooper 

I received a very poor computer print out of this photo of the painting portrait from distant cousin, Angela Anderson, a descendant of the Rev. Austin Cooper, grandfather to the barrister Mark Bloxum Cooper & granduncle to Austin Irwin Cooper.

Who now owns this painting of Sarah Mauvillian Turner Cooper? 

I also have a photo copy of another painting of Sarah done at a later time. I do not remember where I got a copy of this one.

This letter was very informative, yet left me with more questions.

Who is Sandy? Is it Samuel Cooper, Bessie’s brother?  How did a descendant of Barrister Mark B. Cooper end up with the axe?

What about sister, Jinnie? I have more answers about her life after she came to the U.S. But no mention of the painting. Check out future blog about Jane Mauvillian Cooper Oswald.

If anyone knows which family member has possession of these family paintings, I would love to find out the answer to this question.

Cousin Richard’s notes on the letter include:

on page 1  - Her bro[ther] Austin died 11 days earlier

        Jenny Cooper = Osborne ?

on page 3 - Bessie Pearson nee Cooper dau[ghter] of Austin & Bessie Gibson having f[???] Captain Austin Irwin Cooper her 1/2 brother who d[ied] 10-4-1891

next to “great-grandmother” - Sarah Turner?