Daniel Cooper (convict and merchant)
Encyclopedia
Daniel Cooper was a convict
transported to New South Wales
who became a successful merchant, financier, shipowner and shipping agent.
Transported in 1815, he received a conditional pardon in 1818 and an absolute pardon in 1821. He married in 1819, to convict Hannah Dodd. His first business interests were a general store, an adjoining inn, a small investment in shipping, and a brewery. His fortune developed when he became a partner in the firm of Hutchinson
, Terry
and Co., (also known as the Waterloo Co.) and in 1825 he and Solomon Levey
became the sole owners of the firm, which became generally known as Cooper and Levey. The firm continued to have spectacular success, expanding into importing of all kinds of goods, pioneering the export of Australian wool, and investing in whaling and sealing expeditions. The firm's ships visited many parts of the coast of New Zealand, and other places such as Tahiti. Among other properties, the firm acquired the estate of Captain John Piper
, which included more than 1100 acres (4.5 km²) at Woollahra and Rose Bay
.
In 1826 Solomon Levey left Sydney for England to further the firm's business interests. While he was there, he became involved with Thomas Peel
in the colonization of Western Australia, which was a financial disaster for him, and did not return. Cooper continued to manage the firm. He also built up a personal fortune in real estate, independent of his interest in the firm. He countered the efforts of the Bank of New South Wales to force his firm out of the banking business, and was elected a Governor of the Bank in 1828. In October 1831 Cooper sailed for England. He undertook a general supervision of the firm from England, and appointed managers in Sydney. He died at Brighton, England, on 3 November 1853. His third wife Alice survived him. He had no children but had taken great interest in the education and business training of a nephew who bore his own name (later Sir Daniel Cooper, baronet) and this nephew was his major heir. His nephew became the speaker for the first parliament of New South Wales.
Convicts in Australia
During the late 18th and 19th centuries, large numbers of convicts were transported to the various Australian penal colonies by the British government. One of the primary reasons for the British settlement of Australia was the establishment of a penal colony to alleviate pressure on their...
transported to New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
who became a successful merchant, financier, shipowner and shipping agent.
Transported in 1815, he received a conditional pardon in 1818 and an absolute pardon in 1821. He married in 1819, to convict Hannah Dodd. His first business interests were a general store, an adjoining inn, a small investment in shipping, and a brewery. His fortune developed when he became a partner in the firm of Hutchinson
William Hutchinson (Superintendent)
William Hutchinson was a British convict who was transported to the Australian colonies, ultimately to become a successful public servant and businessman.Hutchinson was by trade a butcher in England...
, Terry
Samuel Terry
Samuel Terry was transported to Australia as a criminal where he became a wealthy landowner, merchant and philanthropist. His extreme wealth made him by far the richest man in the colony and compared with the wealth of the richer in England...
and Co., (also known as the Waterloo Co.) and in 1825 he and Solomon Levey
Solomon Levey
Solomon Levey was a convict transported to Australia in 1815 for theft who became a highly successful merchant and financier, at one time issuing his own banknotes in New South Wales. His success in New South Wales triggered the migration of many relatives. His brother Barnett was the first free...
became the sole owners of the firm, which became generally known as Cooper and Levey. The firm continued to have spectacular success, expanding into importing of all kinds of goods, pioneering the export of Australian wool, and investing in whaling and sealing expeditions. The firm's ships visited many parts of the coast of New Zealand, and other places such as Tahiti. Among other properties, the firm acquired the estate of Captain John Piper
John Piper
John Piper may refer to:* John Piper , 20th century English painter and printmaker* John Piper , 20th century BBC radio host* John Piper , 19th century lieutenant-governor of Norfolk Island...
, which included more than 1100 acres (4.5 km²) at Woollahra and Rose Bay
Rose Bay, New South Wales
Rose Bay is a harbourside, eastern suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Rose Bay is located 7 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government areas of Waverley Municipal Council and Woollahra Council .Rose Bay has views of both the Sydney...
.
In 1826 Solomon Levey left Sydney for England to further the firm's business interests. While he was there, he became involved with Thomas Peel
Thomas Peel
Mr. Peel, he moans, took him from England to Swan River, West Australia, means of subsistence and of production to the amount of £50,000. Mr. Peel had the foresight to bring with him, besides, 300 persons of the working-class, men, women, and children. Once arrived at his destination, "Mr. Peel was...
in the colonization of Western Australia, which was a financial disaster for him, and did not return. Cooper continued to manage the firm. He also built up a personal fortune in real estate, independent of his interest in the firm. He countered the efforts of the Bank of New South Wales to force his firm out of the banking business, and was elected a Governor of the Bank in 1828. In October 1831 Cooper sailed for England. He undertook a general supervision of the firm from England, and appointed managers in Sydney. He died at Brighton, England, on 3 November 1853. His third wife Alice survived him. He had no children but had taken great interest in the education and business training of a nephew who bore his own name (later Sir Daniel Cooper, baronet) and this nephew was his major heir. His nephew became the speaker for the first parliament of New South Wales.