William Copeland, Jr.

1. William (#2) Copeland, (son of William Copeland d c 1700 & Grace) was christened on March 26, 1667 in Middlesex County, Virginia, and died after Oct 23, 1720 in North Carolina.

Obtained a land grant in Chowan Co., North Carolina in 1714.
Marriage 1 Mary ______
Marriage 2 Christian ______Married: cir 1685 in Middlesex Co., Virginia

Their children:

• 1. Grace Copeland, born c. 1686 in Virginia, married Peter Parker
• 2. William (#3) Copeland, born c. 1687 in Virginia and died c.1753 in North Carolina Married Sarah Champen.
• 3. John Copeland, born c. 1689 in Virginia, married Sarah White.
• 4. James Copeland, born c. 1691 in Virginia, died c. 1752 in North Carolina. Married Diana.
• 5. Charles Copeland, born c.1693 in Virginia, died c.1786 in North Carolina. Married Mary.
• 6. Christian Copeland, born c.1695 in Virginia. Married Thomas Ward.
• 7. Sarah Copeland, born c.1697 in Virginia.

notes

Per Herman Coplen's book: William Copeland lived in Middlesex Co VA until c1712 when he removed to Chowan Pct NC. Prior to the Tuscarora War in NC, from 1711 to 1713, the Indians had been a serious threat to the settlers. After the victory which concluded that war, the rate of NC settlement rose steadily. The Carolinas presented a unique opportunity then to secure cheap, fertile land and a more favorable climate. Settlers from VA, PA, and MD moved there in large numbers. In 1712, William received a land grant and purchased additional land in Chowan Pct NC to make his total holdings 1040 acres. His patented land grant was located adjacent to Sandy Run, and near Bear Swamp and Bennett's Creek in what is now Gates Co NC. In the 1717 tax list for Chowan Co NC, William is shown as holding 900 acres and as having two "taxables" (total whites and blacks). He was most likely a factor (merchant) but probably also farmed.

Per http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/COPELAND/1998-03/0888778731

This William (#2) Copeland, is the second in the line. He married Christian (last name ?) around 1685 in Middlesex County, Virginia. They lived there until c.1712 when they moved to Chowan Precinct, North Carolina. This was toward the end of the Tuscarora War which ended the Indian threat in North Carolina. Cheap, fertile land was available, and settlers from Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania moved there in large numbers. In 1712, William received a land grant and purchased additional land which increased his holdings to 1,040 acres in Chowan County. This patented land grant was located adjacent to Sandy Run and near Bear Swamp and Bennett's Creek in what is now Gates County. In the 1717 tax list for Chowan County William is shown as holding 900 acres and having two "taxables" (total whites and blacks). He was most likely a merchant, but probably also farmed. William (#2) died c. 1720 in Chowan County.

Will of William Copeland (abstract)October 23, 1720. Sons; William ("plantation whereon I now live"), John, James and Charles ("land betwixt Sandy Run and Bear Swamp"). Daughters: Christian and Sarah Copeland. Wife and Executrix: Christian. Witnesses: John Eardan, George Turnedge, Elizabeth Turnedge.

comments

Death also seen as February 28, 1696 Essex County, Virginia

References

• http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jmljr&id=...
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156763177/william-copeland
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Copeland-1121
• https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~mysouthernfamily/genealogy/myff/d00...
• https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:William_Copeland_%2833%29