The will of John Cooper of the County of Essex, very sick and weak, was dated 27 December 1831. After just debts are paid, one third to my wife Constant Cooper during her life, the other two thirds to be equally divided amongst “my four Children Dicey Ryan my son William & my daughters Elizabeth and Nancy Cooper”. To Polly Cooper twenty five cents. Personal estate to be divided equally between my four children. Friend James Wright to be executor. Signed John his x mark Cooper. Witnesses: Jno Trible, James his x mark Acres, Richard A Covington. Proved 16 January 1832. Constant Cooper renounces all benefit of the provisions made in the will. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 22, pages 381–382.]

On 16 January 1832, James Wright and Robert Wright were bound in the penalty of $200 for James Wright’s executorship on the estate of John Cooper, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 22, page 382.]