Judge William Cooper Papers (15 c.f.)

William Cooper (1754-1809) the founder of Cooperstown, New York and the father of James Fenimore Cooper, was the first judge of Otsego County and the main political arbiter of upstate New York in the 1790's. He was twice elected to Congress on the Federalist ticket. As a major land developer for the region he not only bought and sold property for himself, but was a land agent for numerous other large patents.

This collection, containing over 5,000 documents, includes William Cooper's business papers (patents, indentures, deeds, accounts, waste books, etc.), 1712-1809; his correspondence, 1704-1809; over 170 maps and land surveys, c. 1755-1816; business and estate papers of William Cooper's heirs, 1809-1891; and the business papers and correspondence of his sons, Isaac, William, and Richard, 1801-1869.