Joseph Coope
Joseph Coope was born about 1752, the son of Joshua Coope. The burial register for St Peter's records his age when he died as 61 and not 62 as stated. A yeoman was a man holding and cultivating a small landed estate which was freehold. Joseph appears in the Land Tax records for Horbury, showing that he owned and occupied land. It appears one of his tenants was Joshua Webster.
Rebecca Coope, born in 1758, was the sister of Joseph and married Aaron Webster on the 25th October 1779 at Dewsbury All Saints. Was Joshua's tenant a relative? Aaron was described in the marriage register as a husbandman, this means someone who cultivates land.
Aaron and Rebecca had a son Joshua, baptised Christmas Day 1782 at St Peter's. On the gravestone it records their son as John. I think this is the same person since the year of birth would be the same and I can't find any other children of Aaron and Rebecca.
The inscription reads:
"In Memory of Joseph Coope, Yeoman who died January 20th 1813 aged 62 years.
Also Rebecca the wife of Aaron Webster and sister of the above Joseph Coope who died March 19th 1827 aged 70 years.
Also Aaron Webster, Yeoman husband of the above Rebecca who died April 6th 1828 aged 78 years.
Also John Webster, son of the above Aaron And Rebecca Webster who died December 11th 1835 aged 53 years.
Also Joseph Webster son of the above Aaron and Rebecca Webster who departed this life on the 19th day of March 1855 aged 75 years."
Helen Bickerdike June 2017
