John Cooper

John Cooper (January 16, 1730 – April 1, 1785) was a political leader of the American Revolution in New Jersey. He was likely the main author of the New Jersey Constitution of 1776, and served as one of the first judges of Gloucester County. and argued against a more gradual approach to emancipation. A Quaker who was disowned by the Society of Friends for his political actions during the revolution, He was the estranged younger brother of Quaker abolitionist David Cooper. He continued to conduct business in Philadelphia and owned some property there. He developed a reputation as an excellent host, regularly welcoming officers from the Continental Army and other notable figures to his home. but as of mid-June 1776, they had not been authorized by the colonial government to vote for independence. De Hart, Smith, and Dickinson Sergeant resigned their positions, while Cooper appears not to have attended meetings, The puzzle of who the "true" author was may never be confirmed with complete certainty. a position he held until 1782. and captured Fort Billingsport. After marching into Woodsbury, Cornwallis commandeered John Cooper's house, because it was "the finest and best equipped home in the section", from November 21 to 24, 1777. Cooper locked his closets before fleeing to the home of his sister Ann Whitall, who lived in a farmhouse at Red Bank, on the Delaware River. Cooper wrote:We say, “all men are equally entitled to liberty, the pursuit of happiness;” but are we willing to grant this liberty to all men? If after we have made such a declaration to the world, we continue to hold our fellow creatures in slavery, our words must rise up in judgement against us; and by the breath of our own mouths we must stand condemned.

County court In 1779, Cooper was elected President Judge of the Common Pleas Court of Gloucester County. Cooper Street in Woodbury is named after John Cooper.