There's a transcript of the will of John Deans (wife Rhoda) at http://genforum.genealogy.com/deans/messages/405.html. Various web sites say the wife Rhoda mentioned in the will was Rhoda Cooper.

This will was proved 1846. Son John E. Deans is mentioned -- maybe the John Deans Jr you're looking for?

Here's a deed extract which shows a John E. Deans adjoining a Cooper on Sappony Swamp, 1861:

"NC DB 22. page 98. dated 9 Jan 1861
Division of the lands of Pridgen Manning, deceased, by commissioners. Lot # 1drawn by David Manning contained 131 acres; Lot #2 by Sparling J. Batchelor in right of his wife Reby A. E. Batchelor 131 acres; lot # 3 by Pencillany Manning, two tracts, one of 85 acres and one of 63 1/6 acres; Lot # 4 by Richard M. Manning, 110 acres; Lot # 5 by Eli M. Manning, 110 acres. The tract containing Lots # 1 and #2 was on the Cow Branch adjoining the dower tract of Mrs. Lucy Ann Manning, John H. Rackley, and Miller Batchelor. One tract of Lot #3 adjoined the dower tract and Elisabeth Manning; the other tract descended to Pridgen Manning by the death of Merrit Manning and adjoined Edith Batchelor. The tract containing lots # 4 and #5 was on Big Sappony Swamp and the Raleigh Road adjoining Elisabeth Manning, R. H. Pridgen, Calvin Cooper, and John E. Deans. Reg. Feb Term 1861"

That's from http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&d...

According to a web site at http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&d..., this Calvin Cooper may have had a sister Rhoda but apparently no proof.

HTH