Copson Blog

Laurence Stephen Cutler of Newport, Rhode Island, writes of his grandmother, Ethel Copson, who sounds a fascinating person. Laurence is co-founder and CEO of the National Museum of American Illustration and can be reached at lcutler@americanillustration.org.   An architect, he worked for many years in Ghana and Nigeria.

“My maternal grandmother was Ethel Copson, who married Abner Edgar Cousins of New Haven, Connecticut. My grandmother always spoke of the Copsons, and told a story that her father came from near Leicester, England and settled in North-Eastern Massachusetts. When living near Boston in the 1960s, I found a William Copson’s grave marker in Lowell, Massachusetts. My kids and grandkids sometimes ask about their great grandparents and family origins, and while I have some scant info on my Dad’s side, I am very interested in further information regarding my grandmother Cousins’ (Copson) side. I noted with some interest that in Derek Copson’s entry from August 11, 1999, that there was a William Copson (name of my great-grandfather) whose wife was named Ethel (name of my grandmother).

“My grandmother was born an Episcopalian. After marriage she converted to Jewish, then after divorce to Christian Scientist, then with true inner happiness to Zen Buddhist, and finally was a follower of Gurdjieff and his explorative movement. An interesting Copson, to be sure, Grandma was an antique dealer in New York’s Greenwich Village in its heyday.”

Dear Ray,
Thanks for getting back to me. I am hoping the chap that posted the picture of Jane Copson does get back as I am having difficulty tracing the Roach line, i.e. Jane’s husband. My mothers maiden name is Roach. The Roach’s back another 2 generations came across from Ireland and thats where my difficulties start. I have in my tree a number of Copsons and still adding. I was so surprised to find the picture of my great great grandmother on your site…in fact any decendants of Jane Copson might be able to help and I’d love to hear from them. Thanks again!
Kevin Nixon
Isle of Wight, UK….born Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.

Copson descendant Kevin Nixon is looking for another researcher, Keith Clarke. Kevin can be contacted at kevynix@aol.com
Hello Ray,
I wonder if you can put me in touch with Keith Clarke who posted the picture of Jane Hannah Elizabeth Copson. Jane is definitely my gggrandmother married Michael Thomas Roach, His son Reginald Bernard Roach b1895 is my ggrandfather, and is of course the father of my grand dad also Reginald Bernard Roach born 03.01.1917, his daughter is my mum, Barbara Ann Roach b 16/11/1939,
I do not have any Clarkes in my tree I assume Keith is a decendant of Florence Roach and hope to follow it up. You can also advise if through Jane we also have any links.
Thanks.
Kevin Nixon