Vital Information
| Field | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Joseph Abel Copeland Sr. | WikiTree Copeland-1328 |
| Born | 1728, Isle of Wight (or Essex) County, Virginia | FamilySearch; WikiTree (conflicting county) |
| Died | 11 Jun 1816, White Plains, Putnam County, Tennessee | FamilySearch KNQK-X6S |
| Father | Nicholas Woodley Copeland (b. 1697) | Geni profile (unverified) |
| Wife | Sarah Jane Seahorn | FamilySearch (unverified) |
| Military | Revolutionary War, North Carolina Line (1776) | FamilySearch |
| Land grant | Davidson County TN, military warrant #786 (17 Mar 1785), 640 acres | FamilySearch |
| Son | Richard Copeland (b. 1767) |
Will
Will dated 10 August 1799, interred in court June session 1816. Location: Putnam County, Tennessee.
Migration
Born in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. Married Sarah Jane Seahorn ~1755 in Chatham County, NC. All children born in Chatham County. Moved to Jefferson County, Tennessee in 1783. Revolutionary War service in the NC Line (1776) earned him a 640-acre land grant in Davidson County, TN (military warrant #786, 17 Mar 1785). Later resided in White Plains, Putnam County, TN.
Confidence Note
The Family Tree marks Joseph Abel Copeland and Sarah Jane Seahorn as "(unverified, FamilySearch tree)." The dates and military service are plausible but have not been confirmed against primary sources. The land grant (military warrant #786) is the most verifiable claim, as Tennessee land grants from this period are held at the Tennessee State Library and Archives.
Document Sources
| Document | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Will of Joseph Abel Copeland (dated 10 Aug 1799; probated Jun 1816) | Probate | Referenced in FamilySearch; not directly consulted |
| Davidson County TN land grant, military warrant #786 (17 Mar 1785) | Land grant/military record | Referenced in FamilySearch; original at TN State Library and Archives |
| Find a Grave #52339328 | Cemetery/memorial database | Consulted |
| North Carolina Revolutionary War military records | Military records | Not yet searched |
Related Files
- Son: Richard Copeland (b. 1767)
- Grandson: Hamilton Copeland (b. 1802)