Mike,
I see where you are coming from re Edward and Samuel possibly being brothers, but did you know how many Irishmen called Copeland of a similar age lived in Ayrshire?
I think this is Samuel Copeland before his marriage to Martha:
(The family that he is visiting were also Irish. Only their youngest child was Scots born)
1861:
Andrew Copeland 43
Jane Copeland 42
James Copeland 13
William Copeland 10
John Copeland 5
Samuel Copeland 26, Labourer (drainer), visitor b. Ireland
Address: 17 Hope Street, Ayr, Ayrshire
There are also these families:
1861:
John Copeland 36, Labourer (dramer) b. Ireland
Isabella Copeland 31
Andrew Copeland 9
James Copeland 5
John Copeland 2
Address: 13 Hope Street, Ayr
1861
William Copeland 38, collier b. Ireland
Mary Copeland 30
Agnes Copeland 9
Jane Copeland 5
Address: Main Street B Houses, Dailly Ayrshire
1861:
Robert Copeland 30. labourer b. Ireland
Mary Copeland 22
Address: Sparrow House, St Quivox, Ayshire
1861:
James Martin 26
Janet Martin 21
William Copeland 35, drainer b . Ireland
Address: Allison Street, Newton on Ayr
It complicates things.... just a bit!
Anne