MORGAN'S HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY CONFERENCE Page 13
G. A. Mills and sent to Fair Haven. He was transferred to the Philadelphia Conference in 1879 and remained in it five years, and was transferred back to New Jersey Conference.
Rev. Frisby John Cooper was born near Churchill, Queen Anne county, Eastern Shore, Md., February 23, 1828. His father's name was Robert Cooper, who was born in Easton, Talbot county, Md., and his mother's maiden name was Judith Tilghman, who was born in Queen Anne county, Md. They were both slaves for a term of years and were married in 1811. They had eleven children. Six were born slaves; the rest free. Frisby was the second free-born.
In 1829 his father moved to Wilmington, Del., and settled; there he reared his family, securing for himself a comfortable home. He sent his children to school, being a lover of education. Frisby was careful in his studies. A white maiden lady by the name of Martha Shields became quite interested in Frisby and volunteered to educate him, and did pay all bills, and furnished books, &c. The school was under the control of the Friends, incorporated the African School Society by the Legislature of Delaware. He passed successfully through all the common English branches, viz: arithmetic, geography, grammar, natural philosophy, astronomy, algebra, geometry, geology, physiology, &c., and was preparing to go to Oberlin, but was interrupted by the death of his father, October 25, 1841. This sad event changed the plans. His mother felt that she needed his help to support the younger children. Her wishes were complied with, but he continued his studies. Isaac S. Flint (white), the teacher, employed him as an assistant teacher, at a fair compensation, with the privilege of being taught. He studied Latin and Greek under competent private instructors. He for a few years worked in the brick-yard in summer and taught a day and evening school in winter until 1854, when he was selected by the school directors, after examination, to take charge of the school, and continued to teach it consecutively until 1867, when he resigned and joined the Philadelphia Conference.
On September 11, 1851, he married Miss Rebecca Perkins.
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