00000351.htm

344 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1834

closed and sold, as none of the heirs cared to take it at the valua-
tion placed on it by the will of Judge Cooper. During the fifteen
years which elapsed before Cooper bought it back in 1833, the
people of the village had been in the habit of making a short cut
across the grounds and around the house from one part of Fair
Street to the other. Naturally Cooper stopped this when he came
to live in the Hall, and was bitterly attacked by the type of
resident, found in every community, that recognizes no private
right which puts it to inconvenience.

(2) The other dispute was even more unreasonable and was'
inspired by the same type of resident. In his will Judge Cooper
left "Three Mile Point" on Otsego Lake to the youngest William
Cooper living in 1850. Fenimore Cooper was administrator with
the will annexed of his father; on his return to Cooperstown after
some years abroad he found that this point had been used by the
residents of Cooperstown as a public picnic ground and that
certain of them claimed the legal right so to use it. He had no
choice in the matter, but was obliged to protect the title for the
devisee under the will, and did so: the Point going in 1850 to
a William Cooper, not a resident of the village.

The facts of these two disputes were grossly contorted and
seized upon by an unfriendly press for the purpose of attacking
Cooper.

FROM MARY SOMERVILLE

Royal Hospital, Chelsea

8th July, 1834
My dear Sir

May I request the kind attentions of Mrs. Cooper and
you in behalf of my friend Miss Martineau, with whose
fame and works I have no doubt you are acquainted.
You will find her a most agreeable companion notwith-
standing her unfortunate deafness, and I can assure you
no one is more highly esteemed for her excellent qualities.
Her principal object in going to America is to study



	344 CORRESPONDENCE OF [1834 closed and sold, as none of the heirs cared to take it at the valua- tion placed on it by the will of Judge Cooper. During the fifteen years which elapsed before Cooper bought it back in 1833, the people of the village had been in the habit of making a short cut across the grounds and around the house from one part of Fair Street to the other. Naturally Cooper stopped this when he came to live in the Hall, and was bitterly attacked by the type of resident, found in every community, that recognizes no private right which puts it to inconvenience. (2) The other dispute was even more unreasonable and was' inspired by the same type of resident. In his will Judge Cooper left "Three Mile Point" on Otsego Lake to the youngest William Cooper living in 1850. Fenimore Cooper was administrator with the will annexed of his father; on his return to Cooperstown after some years abroad he found that this point had been used by the residents of Cooperstown as a public picnic ground and that certain of them claimed the legal right so to use it. He had no choice in the matter, but was obliged to protect the title for the devisee under the will, and did so: the Point going in 1850 to a William Cooper, not a resident of the village. The facts of these two disputes were grossly contorted and seized upon by an unfriendly press for the purpose of attacking Cooper. FROM MARY SOMERVILLE Royal Hospital, Chelsea 8th July, 1834 My dear Sir May I request the kind attentions of Mrs. Cooper and you in behalf of my friend Miss Martineau, with whose fame and works I have no doubt you are acquainted. You will find her a most agreeable companion notwith- standing her unfortunate deafness, and I can assure you no one is more highly esteemed for her excellent qualities. Her principal object in going to America is to study