The Cochran Years 1784 to 1757
1784 Robert Fletcher to Thomas Cochran
Thomas Cochran acquired the 1000-acre Denson Grant from Denson's son-in-law Robert Fletcher in 1784. Robert Fletcher had leased the property to Robert Ripley in 1782 for 21 years and presumably the lease continued. See The Denson Years and Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane: The Fletcher Lease on this website.
Thomas Cochran acquired the 1000-acre Denson Grant from Denson's son-in-law Robert Fletcher in 1784. Robert Fletcher had leased the property to Robert Ripley in 1782 for 21 years and presumably the lease continued. See The Denson Years and Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane: The Fletcher Lease on this website.
1792 Cochran's Map
Thomas Cochran commissioned a survey of his property sometime before 1792. This incredible map shows the buildings of a Mr. Ripley and much other information pertinent to three ongoing land disputes. See Thomas Cochran's Map on this website for details.
Thomas Cochran commissioned a survey of his property sometime before 1792. This incredible map shows the buildings of a Mr. Ripley and much other information pertinent to three ongoing land disputes. See Thomas Cochran's Map on this website for details.
1797 Death of Robert Ripley
Robert Ripley died in 1797 and presumably his wife Isabella and son John continued to live on the lease until it expired in 1803, the same year John Ripley bought his homestead in Oxford. The lease was not mentioned in Robert’s will.
Robert Ripley died in 1797 and presumably his wife Isabella and son John continued to live on the lease until it expired in 1803, the same year John Ripley bought his homestead in Oxford. The lease was not mentioned in Robert’s will.
1801 Death of Hon. Thomas Cochran
Thomas Cochran died in 1801, two years before the lease to Robert Ripley expired. Thomas left behind a wife, Jane Allen (1759-1826), sons Thomas (1777-1804), Joseph (1779-1811), William George (abt 1788-1857), Rupert (abt 1799-), James Jr.(1790-1883) and daughters Elizabeth (1781-) who married Bishop John Inglis, Isabella (1784-) who married Rev. Edward Ramsay, unmarried Georgiana (1790-1811) and unmarried Harriet (1787-1829). These birth and death dates are from the Inglis-Cochran family genealogy available online. Thomas Cochran died intestate and John Wentworth issued a decree on 24 Sep 1803 stating that some of Cochran's properties could be sold to cover his debts.
Thomas Cochran died in 1801, two years before the lease to Robert Ripley expired. Thomas left behind a wife, Jane Allen (1759-1826), sons Thomas (1777-1804), Joseph (1779-1811), William George (abt 1788-1857), Rupert (abt 1799-), James Jr.(1790-1883) and daughters Elizabeth (1781-) who married Bishop John Inglis, Isabella (1784-) who married Rev. Edward Ramsay, unmarried Georgiana (1790-1811) and unmarried Harriet (1787-1829). These birth and death dates are from the Inglis-Cochran family genealogy available online. Thomas Cochran died intestate and John Wentworth issued a decree on 24 Sep 1803 stating that some of Cochran's properties could be sold to cover his debts.
1808 Lease of 1000 Acres to Michael Keiver
In 1808 William Cochran leased 1000 acres “previously granted to Henry Denny Denson” to Michael Keiver for 10 years. Presumably, this was the same 1000 acres previously leased to Robert Ripley. Payment was to be made every fall in firkins of butter! (Deed Book F, p. 209, Document #503708260, Registered 1809, Cumberland County.). Michael Keiver died in 1817, one year short of the expiration of his lease, leaving behind a wife Margaret, 7 sons and 6 daughters. Michael Keiver left 300 acres in Amherst to be divided between sons William, Michael, and John Lodowich when the youngest turned 21 in 1836. He also left 42 acres of marsh to be divided between sons David, James, Nicholas, and Joseph. Keiver's properties were not part of the 1000-acre Denson Grant as the Denson properties were not devised to Cochran's heirs until 1826. The lease is not mentioned in Michael Keiver's will which can be viewed online at Family Search. (Nova Scotia Probate Records 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938 no 2269-2329 (B-C) File #2287 beginning on Image 218).
In 1808 William Cochran leased 1000 acres “previously granted to Henry Denny Denson” to Michael Keiver for 10 years. Presumably, this was the same 1000 acres previously leased to Robert Ripley. Payment was to be made every fall in firkins of butter! (Deed Book F, p. 209, Document #503708260, Registered 1809, Cumberland County.). Michael Keiver died in 1817, one year short of the expiration of his lease, leaving behind a wife Margaret, 7 sons and 6 daughters. Michael Keiver left 300 acres in Amherst to be divided between sons William, Michael, and John Lodowich when the youngest turned 21 in 1836. He also left 42 acres of marsh to be divided between sons David, James, Nicholas, and Joseph. Keiver's properties were not part of the 1000-acre Denson Grant as the Denson properties were not devised to Cochran's heirs until 1826. The lease is not mentioned in Michael Keiver's will which can be viewed online at Family Search. (Nova Scotia Probate Records 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938 no 2269-2329 (B-C) File #2287 beginning on Image 218).
1817 Jane Cochran Applied for Probate in Nappan
In 1817, Thomas Cochran's widow applied for probate in the estate of her husband in Nappan. The document is signed by Jane Cochran, widow, with James Cochran Jr. and William Cochran. Jane Cochran filed the probate document because she was getting ready to sell Lots 2 and 3 in Nappan. Lots 2 and 3 are shown on one of the maps from Ernest Coates collection, well south of Nappan River and Fenwick Road and east of Gmelin line. These were properties her deceased husband Thomas Cochran received in the Amherst Grant of Oct 1765. Thomas Cochran’s brother James had also received 2 lots in the Amherst Grant. The 1000-acre property, originally the Denson grant, is not mentioned in this probate document which can be viewed online at Family Search. (Nova Scotia Probate Records 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938 no 518-538 C-D, File #523 beginning on image 45).
In 1817, Jane sold 102 acres, a portion of the woodlot 2, to William White. (Deed Book H, p. 129)
In 1817, Thomas Cochran's widow applied for probate in the estate of her husband in Nappan. The document is signed by Jane Cochran, widow, with James Cochran Jr. and William Cochran. Jane Cochran filed the probate document because she was getting ready to sell Lots 2 and 3 in Nappan. Lots 2 and 3 are shown on one of the maps from Ernest Coates collection, well south of Nappan River and Fenwick Road and east of Gmelin line. These were properties her deceased husband Thomas Cochran received in the Amherst Grant of Oct 1765. Thomas Cochran’s brother James had also received 2 lots in the Amherst Grant. The 1000-acre property, originally the Denson grant, is not mentioned in this probate document which can be viewed online at Family Search. (Nova Scotia Probate Records 1760-1993, Estate Files 1764-1938 no 518-538 C-D, File #523 beginning on image 45).
In 1817, Jane sold 102 acres, a portion of the woodlot 2, to William White. (Deed Book H, p. 129)
Leases after 1818
After Michael Keiver's lease expired in 1818, the Cochrans continued to lease Denson's original grant in smaller parcels until the last of the Denson grant properties were sold in 1859. We know from the sale of Lot R in 1830, that Lot R was then occupied by Henry Colbum or Colburn. From the sale of Lot S in 1859, we learn that the tenants at the time were formerly Edward Noiles and then Mssrs. Keiver and Corbet. From the sale of properties west of today's Hwy 2 to Thomas Bacon in 1859, we learn that his property was then occupied by tenants Francis and Cornelius Smith. Bacon's deed also says that his eastern border was Lot S then occupied by William Keiver and Jacob Corbet as tenants. A part of the southern boundary of James Read's land was a line dividing the bog from the mowing marsh of a farm occupied by Mssrs. Keiver and Corbet.
After Michael Keiver's lease expired in 1818, the Cochrans continued to lease Denson's original grant in smaller parcels until the last of the Denson grant properties were sold in 1859. We know from the sale of Lot R in 1830, that Lot R was then occupied by Henry Colbum or Colburn. From the sale of Lot S in 1859, we learn that the tenants at the time were formerly Edward Noiles and then Mssrs. Keiver and Corbet. From the sale of properties west of today's Hwy 2 to Thomas Bacon in 1859, we learn that his property was then occupied by tenants Francis and Cornelius Smith. Bacon's deed also says that his eastern border was Lot S then occupied by William Keiver and Jacob Corbet as tenants. A part of the southern boundary of James Read's land was a line dividing the bog from the mowing marsh of a farm occupied by Mssrs. Keiver and Corbet.
1826 Division of Cochran Estate
Jane Cochran died in 1826. On 1 Oct 1826, the remaining Cochran heirs deeded all of the Cochran properties to William Hill, who was charged with dividing them according to a survey plan created by Thomas Logan. (Rupert Cochran to William Hill, Deed Book K, p. 255, Document 503711716, registered 1828, Cumberland County). William Hill deeded the properties back to the individual heirs the following day.
By this time, Thomas Cochran's brothers James and William had also died and their properties as well as other properties acquired by Thomas Cochran were included in the division. These included properties in New Brunswick, Amherst Point, lands granted south of Nappan Road, lands purchased from John Young in Amherst, and the 1000-acre Denson Grant. The living heirs who received property were William George Cochran (Deed Book K, p. 228), Rupert Cochran (Deed Book K, p. 232), Dame Margaret George (Deed Book K, p. 235), Harriet Cochran (Deed Book K, p. 238, Eliza Inglis (Deed Book K, p. 242), and Isabella Cochran (Deed Book K, p. 250). I did not find an allocation for James Cochran.
Jane Cochran died in 1826. On 1 Oct 1826, the remaining Cochran heirs deeded all of the Cochran properties to William Hill, who was charged with dividing them according to a survey plan created by Thomas Logan. (Rupert Cochran to William Hill, Deed Book K, p. 255, Document 503711716, registered 1828, Cumberland County). William Hill deeded the properties back to the individual heirs the following day.
By this time, Thomas Cochran's brothers James and William had also died and their properties as well as other properties acquired by Thomas Cochran were included in the division. These included properties in New Brunswick, Amherst Point, lands granted south of Nappan Road, lands purchased from John Young in Amherst, and the 1000-acre Denson Grant. The living heirs who received property were William George Cochran (Deed Book K, p. 228), Rupert Cochran (Deed Book K, p. 232), Dame Margaret George (Deed Book K, p. 235), Harriet Cochran (Deed Book K, p. 238, Eliza Inglis (Deed Book K, p. 242), and Isabella Cochran (Deed Book K, p. 250). I did not find an allocation for James Cochran.
Sale of the Cochran Properties to 1859
Harriet died in 1829 and left her properties to her brothers to sell. Isabella Cochran sold most of her properties around 1838. William George Cochran died in 1857 and left his properties for his brother James to sell. Sir James Cochran continued to sell properties that were once part of the 1000 acre Denson Grant until 1859, when all had been sold. See Upland Lots 70-75 and Marsh Lots 70-75 on this website for further information on the sale and subsequent history of these properties.
Harriet died in 1829 and left her properties to her brothers to sell. Isabella Cochran sold most of her properties around 1838. William George Cochran died in 1857 and left his properties for his brother James to sell. Sir James Cochran continued to sell properties that were once part of the 1000 acre Denson Grant until 1859, when all had been sold. See Upland Lots 70-75 and Marsh Lots 70-75 on this website for further information on the sale and subsequent history of these properties.
Further Research
An online index for probate files at NS Archives shows that on Reel 19400, files CO87-CO90 there are probate documents for Harriet, Jane, William, Thomas, Hon. Thomas and 2 or 3 James Cochrans. The Hon. Thomas Cochran also had a son Thomas (1777-1804) and brothers James (1741-1819) and William (1751-1820). Hopefully Thomas Logan's 1826 plan and William S. Moffat's 1837 plan of William Hill's division of Thomas Cochran's properties can be found in the probate documents as the plan will be very helpful in sorting out the boundaries of properties that were later sold.
An online index for probate files at NS Archives shows that on Reel 19400, files CO87-CO90 there are probate documents for Harriet, Jane, William, Thomas, Hon. Thomas and 2 or 3 James Cochrans. The Hon. Thomas Cochran also had a son Thomas (1777-1804) and brothers James (1741-1819) and William (1751-1820). Hopefully Thomas Logan's 1826 plan and William S. Moffat's 1837 plan of William Hill's division of Thomas Cochran's properties can be found in the probate documents as the plan will be very helpful in sorting out the boundaries of properties that were later sold.