Cooley, Phillip (1784 – 1832)

Cooley, Phillip (1784 – 1832)

  • <p>Cover of Philip Cooley's wife's petition to free him. Courtesy of the Library of Virginia.</p>

The document below details how Philip's wife Eliza, a free woman, purchased Philip and was now petitioning for his freedom so he could remain in the state, and they could remain a family. After the petition was denied the family moved north.

Coming from Virginia the Cooley family settled in Tottenville after Abraham Cole Totten, a mariner sailing regularly to the South, sold them property (see maps below). Eliza is buried at the Rossville AME Zion Church (see the headstone below).

  • <p>Philip Cooley's wife's petition to free him, page 1. Courtesy of the Library of Virginia.</p>
  • <p>Philip Cooley's wife's petition to free him, page 2. Courtesy of the Library of Virginia.</p>
  • <p>Beers Map 1874, "Part of Westfield," shows the Cooley family properties. Courtesy of the Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division. New York Public Library Digital Collections.</p>
  • <p>Beers Map 1874, "Part of Westfield." Show Mrs. E. Cooley's property on the water at the end of Sprague Avenue. Courtesy of the Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division. New York Public Library Digital Collections.</p>
  • <p>Image courtesy of findagrave.com</p>