This is the tombstone of John Cooper, a solider of the War of 1812.  Cooper was laid to rest here in Campbell County at the Cooper View Cemetery at Pinecrest.  He was born October 7, 1780, and died July 27, 1854.

PINECREST, TN (WLAF) – Perhaps it’s only fitting, maybe a bit ironic, that here, some 166 years later, a veteran of the Vietnam War is tending to the grave of a veteran of the War of 1812.  That’s the case here in Campbell County for Ray Watson as he tends to the grave of John Cooper.Watson cares for the cemetery at Cooper View where Cooper was buried in 1854.  Watson calls Cooper “the general” and is proud to make sure his grave and the entire cemetery is kept looking good.

In this circa 1970 photo Ray Watson is holding his buddy Sun, the son of the lady that cleaned the barracks.  Watson said he and Sun played everyday.

Ray Watson is shown here, 50-years after the photo above was snapped, at his Pinecrest home.

The Jacksboro High School graduate and former Eagle football player served his country in the U.S. Army.  Watson’s stint in ‘nam was in 1969 and 1970.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/25/2020-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF RAY WATSON)

4 Replies to “A soldier of the War of 1812 was laid to rest in Campbell County”

  1. Many thanks to Mr. Watson for taking care of John Cooper’s grave in the old Cooper’s View Cemetery. John Cooper was my third great-grandfather. He was the father of six Union soldiers who fought in the Civil War including General Joseph A. Cooper.

  2. He was my 5th great grandfather, I never knew his grave was here. I have a “crayon” portrait of him and his wife. I have a signed letter from General Joseph Cooper as well. Thanks to Mr Watson for his service and looking after the grave!

  3. Mr. Watson Thank you for you service and taking care of John Cooper grave. He also had a son that died at the Andersonville Prison, a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp. John Cooper is my husband 4th great grandfather

  4. Mr. Watson Thank you for your service and taking care of John Cooper grave. He also had a son that died at the Andersonville Prison, a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp. John Cooper is my husband 4th great grandfather

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