Benjamin Cope and Rest Swayne

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Husband Benjamin Cope ¹

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           Born: 14 Sep 1765 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 15 Dec 1845 2
         Buried: 

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         Father: Nathan Cope (1733-1820) 3 4 5
         Mother: Amy Bane (      -      ) 2 4 5

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       Marriage: 11 Jun 1817 2

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   Other Spouse: Rachel Sharpless (1771-1807) 1 - 13 Sep 1792 2

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Wife Rest Swayne ²

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           Born: 7 Apr 1778 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 29 Mar 1844 2
         Buried: 

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         Father: Caleb Swayne (      -      ) 2
         Mother: Mary [Unk] (      -      ) 2

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Children

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General Notes: Husband - Benjamin Cope

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In the History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1881, pg 503, we find the following:
The following sketch of a member of the family is inserted by request:
Benjamin Cope, born 9, 14, 1765, died 12, 15, 1845, son of Nathan and Amy, of East Bradford; married first, 9, 13, 1792, Rachel, daughter of Joshua and Edith Sharpless, who died 8, 10, 1807; and he married second, 6, 11, 1817, Rest, daughter of Caleb and Mary Swayne, of East Marlborough, born 4, 7, 1778, died 3, 29, 1844. He left but one child, Caleb S. Cope.
On the 15th of 2d mo., 1799, also on the 7th of 2d mo., 1801, Benjamin Cope received certificates from Bradford Monthly Meeting to travel as companion to Thomas Baldwin, who was paying a religious visit to some of the neighboring Quarterly Meetings. He was appointed in 1814 one of the committee of oversight of Westtown Boarding-School, and on the establishment of Birmingham Monthly Meeting he was appointed, 1, 4, 1816, to the stations of elder and overseer therein. He was chosen by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 4th mo., 1818, as one of the committee on Indian affairs, in which service he several times visited the different reservations in Western New York.
Although his time was very much occupied in the service of the church, yet he was also successful in business; for by prudent dealing, and by proper economy, he always had something to spare for public improvement and private charities.
On the 5th of 9th mo., 1804, he and his first wife informed Friends of Bradford Monthly Meeting of a concern that attended their minds to go and reside with the Indians, near the Alleghany River, to instruct them in agriculture, spinning, dairying, etc. Obtaining their concurrence and unity, also the approbation of the Yearly Meeting's committee, they started on their journey the 20th of 5th mo., 1805, and arrived at Tunesassa the 7th of 6th mo., having to travel between sixty and seventy miles of the latter part of the way through an uninhabited pine forest on foot. They left a very interesting manuscript of incidents and labors among that people. Here his wife died, and Benjamin returned home in the winter of 1810-11. In 1812-13 he traveled as companion to Caleb McComber, who was on a religious visit to the meetings of Friends in Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina.
Perhaps here would be a suitable place to state that this short account, which was placed here that the memory of the just might live, and also to show the crowning result of a retiring, unspeculative life of integrity and true holiness, owes its position in this volume principally to the suggestion of my friend, Eli K. Price, whose father and mother, Philip and Rachel Price, were among the most intimate friends of Benjamin, Rachel, and Rest Cope. Eli K. Price speaks of him as follows: "I have a clear and distinct remembrance of B. Cope, particularly his general appearance and countenance. His features were symmetrical, his expression was friendly, benign, benevolent; and all his movements were in harmonious accord with these expressions. All of these indicated truly the character of the man, and that it sprang from the inward life that made the mild, gentle, sincere gentleman; a gentleman of the truest stamp, one who must do to others as he would have others do unto him; one who must obey the religious powers always operating within him. He was a good man, a holy man."
And there are many more still living who well remember his fatherly care for their temporal and spiritual welfare; how by unwavering example and kindly precept he endeavored to direct their steps in the path of wisdom and virtue; and none have better cause than those of his own immediate family, for he was a pattern of dignity, integrity, and uprightness in all the departments of life. Also many of the late worthies, who, we have good reason to believe, have been safely gathered home with him, have left like testimony behind them concerning him.
Hannah Rhoads, writing to me after his death, observes, "What a loss the church sustains in the removal of such pillars! May a deep consideration of this impress the minds of some of the younger members!"
James Emlen (who was himself a remarkably upright standard-bearer in the Lord's army), coming to see him about the commencement of his last sickness, remarked to him, "I have always esteemed thee as a father in the church." Benjamin was silent for a short time, and then said, "I have not seen how this sickness will terminate, but I feel quiet on looking back on my getting along through life. I do not know whether, if I had my time to live over again, I should mend it much. What a satisfaction to experience such a solemn quiet! I enjoy it more than I can express in words."
Here is a declaration that speaks volumes, an autobiography that but few can leave behind them; and on viewing the course of his conduct through every relation in life, I think there are but few who could more truly bear such a testimony.
Verily, the work of righteousness is peace, and the effect thereof quietness and assurance forever. But this can be but a brief index to the history of a long, useful, and eventful life, which was a perpetual rebuke to the ungodly. As he lived so he died, retaining his mental faculties bright and clear up to his latest moments, leaving behind him a rich legacy in instructive remarks and exhortations which my present limits will not permit me to publish.
On Second-day morning, the 15th of 12th mo., 1845, he appeared for some time to be engaged in supplication, but in so low a tone that we could not gather any part of what he said till near the last, when in a sweet melodious voice he continued, "Oh, Holy Father, I cannot relieve my spirit! Oh, Holy! Holy! Holy! forever and for evermore! I believe I know all of you. What shall I say? Farewell! farewell! farewell!"
Four o'clock: "Oh that I could but be relieved! poor creature! It seems as if a little more would gather me home. Oh Lord, if thou wouldst gather me! gather home!"
And here began the song of the heavenly host, the song of Holy! Holy! Holy! which gradually became less distinct as his breath grew
shorter and fainter, till both at once, in awful, solemn silence, ceased forever.
What joy to grasp a father's hand
Who calmly meets his doom,
And hear him speak about the land
Which lies beyond the gloom!
To hear him with his latest breath
Begin the eternal song,
Triumphant pass the gates of death,
The heavenly host among!
C. S. COPE.

1 J. Smith Futhey & Gilbert Cope, History of Chester County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: Louis H. Everts, 1881), Pg 503, 723.

2 J. Smith Futhey & Gilbert Cope, History of Chester County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: Louis H. Everts, 1881), Pg 503.

3 J. Smith Futhey & Gilbert Cope, History of Chester County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: Louis H. Everts, 1881), Pg 502.

4 John W. Jordan, LL.D., Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1912), Pg 25.

5 John W. Jordan, LL.D., Genealogical and Personal History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1914), Pg 100.