My family comes from Bolton in Lancashire. I have been looking today at a distant branch with probably connections to Samoa or Tahiti.

Elizabeth Ann ALLANSON (born near Bolton ABT 1855) appears to have married Ebenezer Vicessimus COOPER in 1880 in Bolton.

They cannot be found on the 1881/1891/1901 censuses but he seems to have died in Bolton in 1902.

Her mother emigrated in 1881 to the USA and her obituary records

"Her second daughter went to the South Sea Islands as a missionary after 2 years was called to her heavenly reward"

We found this reference

"On December 18, 1900, the chiefs of Tutuila congratulated U.S. President William McKinley on his re-election, and expressed their admiration for Governor Benjamin Franklin Tilley, saying "...you gave us a leader, a Governor, a High Chief, whom we have learned to love and respect." The Reverend Ebenezer Vicesimus COOPER of the London Missionary Society added his praise, writing that 'I cannot conceive of your finding a better man to represent your government in such delicate matters as must always be be associated with the task of 'annexing' than Commander Tilley.'"

Also (referring to Tutuila)

"In 1892 a new start was made when Ebenezer Vicesimus COOPER took up residence on the island...."

Another book has of Tahiti

"Mr Seville left in 1874, from ill-health, and for a time native pastors carried on the work; eventually Rev E V COOPER became the resident missionary and he still occupies the field"

So perhaps he went to Tahiti first after marrying then transferred to Tutuila.

I just wonder if anyone knows anything about them and particular where his wife died, which would probably be around 1882 or 1883.

Martin Briscoe
Fort William

We have got confirmation from the consular indexes 1881-1885 that Elizabeth Ann COOPER died and also Herbert COOPER probably at the same time so perhaps in childbirth.

Ebenezer Vicessimus COOPER then appears to have remarried though not sure of full name of his bride.

He returned to London in 1891 then went to Tutuila in 1892

Still be grateful is anyone in the area can supply any more information on them.

Martin Briscoe
Fort William

The London Missionary Society records exist somewhere in England, can't remember where at the moment. There are copies in Auckland, NZ and maybe elsewhere. I'll have a look at them next time I am at that library.

I have found or been given quite a bit of information about Ebenezer, I was hoping there might be someone in Tahiti on this board as it is Elizabeth Ann ALLANSON that particularly interests me.

We have found that his first wife Elizabeth Ann ALLANSON died between 1881 and 1885 on Tahiti. Also a child, Herbert COOPER was born and died in the same period so perhaps she died in childbirth.

Ebenezer remarried.

I checked the London Missionary Society microfilms
and in the Letters and Reports section for 1882, microfilm M52, folder 37, I found a group of letters from Ebenezer reporting the death of his wife, unnamed!, and baby son, and from Rev A Pearse confiming this and saying he had buried them.

They died on Huahine, not Tahiti, The baby appears`to have been born on May 28, 1882. She died 3 days later.

I took photocopies of the letters, and could scan them and send them to you if you contact me.

Later, on 4 August 1883, Ebenezer remarried to Blanche Clara Henry, gt granddaughter of Rev William Henry, original LMS missionary to Tahiti.
Christine
cliavaa@gmail.com