Peter Cooper, son of William and Susan Burks1 Cooper, was born May 9th, 1843. He married Malinda Sizemore, daughter of Richard Sizemore and Elizabeth Forrester2 Sizemore. Peter was a private in the Confederate States Army. He lost a leg at Seven Pines, Virginia on May 31st, 1862, but lived to tell about it. He was discharged as a disabled soldier on June 11th, 1862.
My own grandmother, Sallie Cooper Bryant, could barely remember her grandfather, who died when she was a child. She recalled that Peter loved children. Grandmother would sit on his lap, but she was always just a little bit afraid of that amputated leg--that was something strange and scary to a child. Pete wore a peg leg and is often referred to as "Peg-Leg Pete." As a matter of fact, the old peg leg has been passed down through the family, as has--ahem--Malinda Cooper's last plug of chewing tobacco, complete with toothmarks.
One other memory of grandmother's was that Peter Cooper "could make a fiddle talk." That is, he could really play. Playing bluegrass music is a family tradition among the Coopers. Issac,3 Pete's son and my great grandfather, could make a fiddle talk, too!
Genealogically speaking, Pete's missing leg was about the best thing that could have happened for descendants interested in family research. Pete and Malinda left a great paper trail. In addition to the CSA pension applications, Pete also applied for Cherokee status. Though his application was denied,4 the documents give factual documentation on Peter's ancestors, siblings, and children. Peter's grandmother, Jane, left good documentation as well.
Peter Cooper Eastern Cherokee Claims
Eastern Cherokee Claims ~ Document I
Eastern Cherokee Claims ~ Document II
Eastern Cherokee Claims ~ Document III
Eastern Cherokee Claims ~ Document IV
Peter Cooper Pension Applications
Pension Application of 1885
Pension Application of 1887
Pension Application of 1893
Pension Application of 1894
Pension Application of 1896
Pension Application of 1897
Pension Application of 1898
Pension Application of 1899
Pension Application of 1914
Malinda Cooper Pension Applications
Pension Application of 1915
Pension Application of 1920
Pension Application of 1927
Pension Application of 1928
Legend (Index of all Cooper Files)
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