Richard Copping was born in Tasmania in 1821 and went to sea in his early teens in the bay whaling and fishing industries. He later became the master of the Harriet McGregor and Lufra. In 1856, Richard Copping married Susannah Elizabeth Mann (known as Elizabeth). After retiring from the sea, Richard moved to his house Rochford Hall at Kellevie where he stayed to work and manage his farm until his death in 1892. His family name lives on in the township of Copping in Tasmania's southwest. Ian Walker is a descendant of Archie Copping, Richard Copping's half nephew and adopted son.