Catalogue description COPEMAN FAMILY RECORDS

Business records, title deeds and family correspondence.

The records in the collection consist of a small quantity of early nineteenth century business records; nineteenth and twentieth century diaries; a large amount of family correspondence 1829-1960s, falling mainly into two groups (a) letters to and from John Copeman (1811-1899) and his parents, brothers and sisters and friends 1829-1890s, (b) letters to and from T. D. Copeman, his parents, wife and children 1914-1960s. The collection also includes papers relating to T. D. Copeman's work in Russia 1921-1922 and at the Ministry of Information 1939, and papers re presentation of freedom of city to H. J. Copeman in 1932.

For more Copeman correspondence 1833-1937, see MC 2184

For papers of TD Copeman, see list MC 2059

For business records 1796 - 1845 see also BR/28

For Eastern Daily Press records SEE BR/39

Copeman family of Norwich, Norfolk

Letters and diaries post-1924 are closed during the lifetime of T. D. Copeman's executors, except with their permission.

Received by Norfolk Record Office on 11 June 1982 (MS 21747)

The earliest Copeman mentioned in the collection is John Copeman, born at Horstead 1778. He was a merchant and grocer, in partnership firstly with John Cozens and after 1837 with his son John Copeman junior. John Copeman senior married firstly Rosamund Everett and secondly Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Hawkins. He died in 1866. By his second wife he had issue among others John (see below), Jonathan Davey, Thomas Parker (see below), William, Elizabeth, Mary and Anne.

John Copeman born 1811 was apprenticed to a grocer in Martham in 1827 and later joined the family firm. He was a founder of the Norfolk News Co. and an alderman of Norwich. He also married twice, firstly Lucy Turner and secondly Anne Lack. He died in 1899. By his second wife he had issue Emily, Lucy and Henry John (see below):

Henry John Copeman born 1851. Continued the family firm, was alderman of Norwich, mayor in 1911 and granted freedom of the city in 1932. He died in 1938. He married Harriet Monement in 1886.

Thomas Parker Copeman, born 1827, died 1870. He married Sarah Ann Lacey and had issue among others:

Charles Copeman, born 1862, merchant and grocer, died 1925. He married Elizabeth Mary Tomkins in 1895 and had issue among others Thomas Daniel and William Oliver (see below).

Thomas Daniel Copeman, born 1896, married firstly Margaret Sackur by whom he had issue Elizabeth, Margaret and Richard. He married secondly Winifred Mary Bayes.

William Oliver Copeman, born 1899 (T.D.'s brother) was Chairman of John Copeman and Sons Ltd. and Chairman of Eastern Counties Newspapers Ltd. He was mayor of Norwich 1948. He died in 1973.

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