Cowper, Spencer, 1669-1727.

Spencer Cowper was born in 1669. He was educated at Westminster and became a lawyer. In 1690, he was made controller of the Bridge House estates. He was acquainted with a Quaker family by the last name of Stout, and he knew their daughter Sarah, who fell in love with him. In the spring of 1699, she was found drowned by a river. On July 16, 1699, Cowper and three other lawyers were tried for Sarah Stout's murder. They were acquitted of the murder. In 1714, he became attorney-general to the Prince of Wales and in 1717 chief justice to Chester. On the accession of George II he became attorney-general of the duchy of Lancaster, and on Oct. 24, 1727 judge of the common pleas. He died on Dec. 10, 1727.