Descendants of Henry & Irma

In the early years of the United States, Alexander Hamilton was thinking beyond independence. He believed the country needed to build its own economy — not just rely on agriculture, but develop manufacturing. When he visited the Great Falls of the Passaic River in northern New Jersey, he saw something practical: a powerful, reliable source of energy.

That idea led to the founding of Paterson — one of the country's first planned industrial cities. Water from the falls was redirected into a system of raceways, which powered mills throughout the city. It was an early example of using natural resources in a structured, almost engineered way to support industry. In that sense, Paterson wasn't just a city — it was an innovation.

Where Our Family Connects

Several decades later, members of our family became part of that system. Sarah Cooper Terhune — our grandmother Irma White's grandmother — worked as a cotton mill operator in Paterson until her marriage in 1862. At that time, working in a mill meant long hours and physically demanding conditions. It also meant participating directly in one of the country's earliest industrial economies.

We believe Sarah likely worked at the Phoenix Cotton Mill, one of only two cotton mills operating in Paterson around 1850 and located near her home. While we can't confirm this with certainty, the timing and location make it a reasonable connection.

A Family Pattern of Work

Sarah was not the only one in her family to work in the mills. Her younger sisters continued working after Sarah left, and they were employed in silk mills, which became a major part of Paterson's economy later in the 19th century. In fact, Paterson would go on to be known as "Silk City" because of this industry. So within one generation, our family was connected to both the earlier cotton mills and the later silk industry that defined the city.

Hendrick Kuyper, our 5th great grandfather — later known as Henry Cooper — was born on May 20, 1761, in Clarkstown, in what is now Rockland County, New York. In 1778, at age 17, he enlisted in the New York militia in New City, NY.

Service Along the Hudson

During the Revolutionary War, Hendrick served primarily as a scout. His work took him along the Hudson River corridor between Stony Point, New York and Paulus Hook in New Jersey. This area was strategically important, with both British and American forces operating nearby.

Scouting involved observing troop movements, tracking activity, and carrying information. It required mobility and familiarity with the terrain more than formal battlefield formation.

A Place We Can Still Visit

Part of Hendrick's route included the cliffs along the Hudson River in Weehawken, New Jersey. That location is now Hamilton Park. It later became known as the site where Alexander Hamilton was fatally wounded in a duel with Aaron Burr in 1804.

Connected to a Larger Event

Although most of his service was in scouting, Hendrick also took part in at least one significant military action. In July 1779, American forces carried out a nighttime attack on British fortifications at the Battle of Stony Point. Hendrick was present for that engagement. We'll share more about that story separately.