Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Thomas Pim COPE
Thomas Pim Cope (1768-1854), prominent Quaker merchant, member of Philadelphia City Council and Pennsylvania legislature, was the founder of the Cope packet line - a mercantile shipping firm based in Philadelphia and trading with England and the Far East. His sons, Henry and Alfred later took on the
business themselves when their father withdrew from the company in 1829. Their brother, William D. Cope (1798-1873), settled in Susquehanna County, Pa. where William looked after his father's land interests, establishing his home at "Woodbourne." Henry's sons, Francis R. Cope (1821-1909) and Thomas Pim Cope (1823-1900) also joined the shipping firm, continuing it as Cope Brothers after the death of their father in 1869 and the withdrawal of their uncle Alfred. The company was sold in 1880.
COPE, Thomas Pym, merchant, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., Aug. 26, 1768; son of Caleb Cope, a Quaker, who in 1775 protected Major André from the mob. The son was trained to the importing and commission business in Philadelphia and became an extensive merchant and ship owner.
He served in the state legislature, was a member of the city council, a delegate to the state constitutional convention, president of the board of trade and of the mercantile library company, an executor of Girard's will, a trustee of the bank and a director of the college. He helped to complete the Chesapeake and Delaware canal and the Pennsylvania railroad, and secured to the city Lemon Hill as a public park. His sons, Henry and Alfred, succeeded him in business as they in turn were succeeded by Francis and Thomas, sons of Henry, under the name Cope Brothers. He died in Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 22, 1854.
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