Willoughby Cooper was born in Pitt County, North Carolina in 1795, son of George Cooper, R.S. In his youth he was brought by his parents to Wayne County, Georgia, when they moved there. He was married in Wayne County, Georgia in January, 1877 to Mary (or Pollie) Walker, born in 1800 in Glynn County, daughter of Isham Walker. They had only three children. Willoughby served as Justice of Peace in 335th district, Wayne County, 1822-1823 and again 1833-1837. He was 1st Lieutennant in the militia in the same district, 1836-1838/ In the Indian War he and his son John were privates in Capt. James Walker's company of Ware County Militia in 1838; he was a private in Capt. E.D. Tracy's company of Camden County militia Aug 23, 1840, to Sept 23 1840. Also in Capt. James Jones' company of Ware County militia Aug 26th to Sept. 15, 1840 (note this service overlaps the one under Capt. Tracy; this cannot now be explained).