Hunting for my Cooke family
Abraham Cooke (c1660 - 1720s) is thought to have children
William, John, Matthew, Abraham, Benjamin, Hannah, Robert. The ages of this children are to young to the Cooke I am hunting for.
Abraham wife is said to be Martha Clayton the daughter of William and Hanna Clayton. This line links to my Davis family in North Carolina
I found these Cooke family
http://www.genfiles.com/cook/abrahamcooke.htm
I wonder if Abraham b about 1660 and John who died before 1683 could related???
On this page it has Francis Cooke who marries Edmund Butler.
There is no date for Francis or Edmund but the name Butler makes me wonder if they are related to Elizabeth Butler that Jeremiah Biswell married?? The Abraham Cooke family site thinks that could be Abraham Cooke daughter but with the Butler link to my Cooke family I wonder if she is my John Cooke daughter. The Butler family is link to my Cooke/Biswell family with marriage of Jeremiah Biswell marry as 2nd wife Elizabeth Butler daughter of John Butler.
A John Cooke bought land in Old Rappahannock from William and Martha Mosely in 1667, with William Land(man?) a witness. From later sales by neighbors, it appears this land was located on or near Occupacia Creek, on the opposite side of the Rappahannock River from William Clayton, and almost 15 miles upriver.
Although his land is still mentioned in deeds as late as 1684, a John Cooke orphan (represented by Alexander Robin) is mentioned as plaintiff in a 2 June 1683 suit, which required the orphan's land to be surveyed by William Mosely. [Perhaps just a coincidence; Mosely was a surveyor.] This land is described as located on Gilson's and Hodgkin's Creek, nearly opposite Totaskey Creek.
This orphan John Cooke, presumably the son of the earlier John Cooke, is named in the 1684 will of Alexander Robin as the son of my wife Judith . He may be the John Cooke apprenticed in 1686 to Elias Robinson until he reached the age of 21.
[Note that this would make him younger than Abraham Cook born abt 1660, thus casting some doubt on this scenario.] He was probably the same John Cooke later found living on a branch of the Occupacia Creek in Essex County (formed from the part of Old Rappahannock south of the Rappahannock River). That John Cook died in 1726 leaving a widow Susannah and children John, Thomas, William, Hannah, and a daughter married to a Biswell. To add to the intrigue, the son Thomas Cooke sold land in 1716 to Samuel Clayton, a likely relative of William Clayton Jr.
John Cooke who died by 1683 leaving his son John a orphan. John Jr as said �John Cooke�s land is still mentioned in deeds as late as 1684, a John Cooke orphan (represented by Alexander Robin) is mentioned as plaintiff in a 2 June 1683 suit, which required the orphan's land to be surveyed by William Mosely. [Perhaps just a coincidence; Mosely was a surveyor.]�
This orphan John Cooke, presumably the son of the earlier John Cooke, is named in the 1684 will of Alexander Robin as the son of my wife Judith . He may be the John Cooke apprenticed in 1686 to Elias Robinson until he reached the age of 21. He was probably the same John Cooke later found living on a branch of the Occupacia Creek in Essex County (formed from the part of Old Rappahannock south of the Rappahannock River). That John Cook died in 1726 leaving a widow Susannah and children John, Thomas, William, Hannah, and a daughter married to a Biswell. To add to the intrigue, the son Thomas Cooke sold land in 1716 to Samuel Clayton, a likely relative of William Clayton Jr.
John being a orphan in 1683 and apprenticed in 1686. This would make John born about 1664 the right age to mine.
John Cooke above is said to have died 1726 in Essex County, Virginia. My John Cooke also died in 1726 Essex County, Virginia. Both were married to Susannah and both had John, Thomas, William, Hannah and daughter who married a Biswell.
Left out was Mary Cooke who married Thomas Wood, William Halbert and William Taylor. John dying 1726, Mary was long send married at least three times. Therefore she as not mention in his will.
I feel that the above John Cooks are mine Cook family. As far as who is the first John family that is for another time.
Cook/Cooke family page
John Cooke/Cook born abt 1654, Virginia d 1726 Essex County, Virginia, married after September 1677 or after Timothy Pell his death, Susannah Pell/Pells. Susannah was a daughter of Timothy Pells and his wife, Alice. Note: Susannah Pells was not married at the time of her father death 1676. Beth said �I think she is the mother of William, John, and �? a second Mary.� After Timothy Pells death Alice remarried a Shipley.
This came from Ealse's Will; of Essex Co. Va.
Father of Kezia was Timothy Pell and his wife Easle Alice Shipley of Rappahannock Co., In the Deed Book 4, pg 512. Nanes Alice as his wife in will dated 8 Dec 1676. Rappahannock Co. Will Book 2, pp 44-46.
On 8 January 1715/16, Ealse Shipley [sic, Alice Shipley] of St. Ann�s Parish, Essex, made her Will. It was proven 21 February 1715/16 and she gave Sarah Fflowers my best Gound,[gown] etc.,and Martha Fflowers my nex best gound; to son-in-law, [step son?] John Shipley, daughter, Elizabeth Virgett, daughter, Keziah Henshaw; To my daughter Susanna Cook the best Cow I have in my pen; to my daughter, Mary Cosston; son in law, John Shipley, to be the executor; Wit: Arther (x)Onbee, and John Boughan. Bond was issued on 21 February 1715/16 for �200 to John Shipley, executor of the estate of Alice Shipley, and signed by John Shipley, Wm. Thompson and John (X) Cook. Wit: Robert ffoster, Robert Jones.
1. Hannah b abt 1683 married to William Motley child: John Motley
2 Mary b abt 1684 d Bef. March 1721/22 Essex, Virginia
3. John b abt 1687 m�d Mary Sale
4 William b abt 1689 in Old Rappahannock, Virginia d bef 20 November 1733, Essex, Virginia
5 Katherine b 1692
6 Sarah b 1694
7 . Thomas b abt 1686 d before 20 November 1733, Essex, VA
Next Gen
Hannah b 1678 married William Motley
Index to Marriages of Old Rappahannock and Essex Counties, Virginia, page 63, Book: W 4,Page: 205
1726,COOK,HANNAH Married William Motley. It is know that had son name John. John was name for William father John. Here is John Motley, the father of William Motley, will
�John Mottley's will. He died in 1684 leaving William , Henry , and John .
He leaves Henry and John to a David Sterne (c1645) who is married to Elizabeth Mills in 1678.
She is the niece of John's wife Mary Mills-Spicer. William is allowed to choose to stay with David Sterne or a James Trent, wife is Alice {given a gold ring in the will}. Each of these men get 1/3 of the estate if no heirs, The other 1/3 goes to John Spicer, Mary's son by her first husband William Spicer. These people are likely associated with who the boys married latter on. Henry died young with no issue. John married Elizabeth North. William married Hannah Cooke.
The Motley's also were associated with Knight Richardson and Elizabeth Richardson. They were left clothes, a cow, and the use of the house ad grounds for 4 years. John also left a gold ring to Nathaniel Allen, a seale ring to Arthur Spicer, clothes to Richard Mathews who later married Elizabeth Spicer, John's step-daughter.�
This what I know about Hannah Cooke and William Motley
next
Mary Cook married abt 1700 to Thomas Wood, 2nd married William Halbert and 3rd William Taylor.
Index to Marriages of Old Rappahannock and Essex Counties, Virginia page 125 1709,WOOD,MARY, Widow of Thomas, married William Halbert, Book: D&C 13, Page: 296
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Mary Cook (Susanna2 Pell, Timothy1) was born Abt. 1684 in Old Rappahannock County, Virginia, and died Bef. March 1721/22 in Essex, Virginia. She married (1) David Jenkins Abt. 1700 in Essex, Virginia. He was born Abt. 1680 in Unknown, and died Abt. 1706 in Essex County, Va.15. She married (2) Jeremiah Biswell Bef. 10 January 1706/07 in Essex, Virginia16. He was born Abt. 1680 in Unknown, and died Bef. 21 March 1731/32 in Essex, Virginia.
Mary Bizwell, granddaughter of John Cooke, Sr.(died 1727) was a daughter of Mary Cook(e) and Jeremiah Bizwell. Joel married Mary Bizwell.
THE SEARCH FOR THE TRUE IDENTITY OF THE FIRST WIFE OF JOEL HALBERT I of ESSEX AND CAROLINE COUNTIES, VA.
Several documents substantiate this fact.
For instance, in the will of Mary Cooke Wood Halbert Taylor,[1] mother of Joel Halbert, she mentions a granddaughter, Sarah Halbert. This will was dated April 9, 1737 and was probated June 21, 1737. Her sons, Joel and William are named executors. Joel's daughter Mary apparently was not yet born, as she was not mentioned in her grandmother's will. But who was This Mary Cooke family?
Further proof that Joel was married and father of two daughters, Sarah and Mary, is found in several documents pertaining to land inherited by his two daughters as heirs of John Cook(e) of Essex Co., Virginia.
Found in Order Book 1754-1757 of Essex County, pages 46, 176 and 266
In which Sarah and Mary Halbert by Joel Halbert, their nearest friend bring suit of ejectment: in order to take title to the above-mentioned land. These documents are dated 1753. Sarah and Mary are referred to as infants under the age of 21, indicating that they were both born after 1732.[2]
The following year, in Deed Bk 27, p. 71, Essex Co., Va, found again
Is found a deed dated Oct 11, 1754, between John Motley and Tabitha, his wife, of Essex Colony of Virginia, and Theophilus Favor, for 39 pounds . . . part of land that John Cooke, grandfather of John Motley had his dwelling, plantation on and which fell by co-heirship after the decease of John Cooke and his male heirs, to the above John Motley and the two daughters of Joel Halbert, surviving grandchildren of the above said John Cooke by his daughters, namely, Hannah, the mother of the said John Motley and Mary, mother of the above-mentioned daughters of Joel Halbert. etc.[3]
On the same day as the above deed, a bond for 500 pounds between Joel Halbert and James Charles of Caroline County, and Wm Halbert and John Motley of Essex County to Theophilus Favor was made to guarantee the title to the land to Theophilus Favor when Joel Halbert's two daughters, Sarah and Mary, come of age. By this time, Sarah was married to James Charles.
Page 106 - Bond - 28 October 1754 - L 500, JOEL HALBERT And James Charles Of Caroline County And WILLIAM HALBERT And John Mottley Of Essex County To Theophilus Favor To Guarantee Deed Date 11 October 1754 (See Above) Refers To The Daughters of Said JOEL HALBERT Namely SARAH, Now Wife of Said James Charles, and MARY HOLBERT
From the above deeds wherein Joel Halbert's two daughters are said to inherit this land from John Cooke through their grandmother, Mary Cooke Bizwell, daughter of John Cooke, and wherein they are called great-grandchildren of John Cooke, it would seem that Joel Halbert did indeed marry Mary Cooke, as has been accepted by earlier researchers.
However, in another deed [4] (Deed Book dated January 1757, page 253 (43), James Charles and his wife, Sarah (formerly Halbert) who had now apparently come of age, sign the deed, in which for the sum of two pounds six shillings and a sixpence, current money of Virginia . . . grant and give all right and title that they have to that land and plantation that John Cooke, great-grandfather of Sarah Charles formerly lived on and which said land contained one hundred sixty-two acres, after the death of the said John Cook and his male heirs, became the property of the said Sarah Charles and her sister Mary, great-grandchildren of the said John Cooke.
These two deeds indicate that there was a conflict as stated in the relationship of the Halbert daughters to John Cooke. But they were his great-grandchildren. It appears that the first document calling them daughters of Mary Cooke and grandchildren of John Cooke, was accepted without effort to resolve this conflict, (which probably could have been a copying error on the part of the court clerk), which resulted in being published and republished in various works.
Some times in wills grandchildren are list as children but should be grandchildren.
Bill Buchanan,[5] sent me copies of the pertinent documents. A check of the Essex, with this new information, verified his information.
P. 253 - Deed - 18 January 1857 [1757?] - James Charles And Sarah, His Wife, Of Caroline County, Sell Theophilus Favor Land In Essex County. Deed Says That John Cooke, Great Grandfather Of The Said Sarah Charles, Formerly Lived On - After Death of John Cooke And His Male Heirs - 81 Acres Descended to John Mottley, Grandson Of Said Cooke, And 81 Acres Decended to Sarah Charles And Her Sister Mary, Great Grandchildren of John Cooke, Etc. Witness: JOEL HALBERT, WILLIAM HALBERT and William Kidd
�And 81 Acres Decended to Sarah Charles And Her Sister Mary, Great Grandchildren of John Cooke, Etc.� Mary Halbert married William Kidd
A bond was given by William Kidd of Essex Co., dated January 31, 1757, wherein he was bound unto Theophilus Favor of the same county and colony in the sum of two hundred pounds current money of Virginia. The condition of the bond was such that Mary, now wife of William Kidd, had equal right with her sister Sarah Charles to the half of that land and plantation that John Cooke great-grandfather to the said Mary Kidd and her sister, Sarah Charles lived on, etc. containing eighty-one acres. William Kidd for the sum of fifty-five pounds and thirteen shillings agreed, bargained and sold all the right that he and his aforesaid wife Mary and their heirs have or may have to the above said tract of land. This was to take effect when Mary Kidd came of age.
81 Acres Descended to John Mottley, Grandson Of Said Cooke,
John Mottley is son of William Mottley and Hannah Cook the daughter of John Cooke and unknown wife.
At a court held for Essex Co. at Tappahannock the 20 of September 1757, this bond was proved. Marginal note:
Original delivered to Theophilus Favor, Jr. for Theophilus, Sr., 7 June 1758[6]
On September 1, 1761, William Kidd and Mary, his wife, of the County of King and Queen and Colony of Virginia to Thomas Favor (son of Theophilus Favor, deceased), of the County of Essex and Colony aforesaid of the other part, wherein the above-mentioned Mary Kidd had equal right with her sister, Sarah Charles to one half of the one hundred sixty and two acres of land lying in Saint Ann's parish in Essex County, it being the land and plantation of John Cooke, deceased, the Great-grandfather of the said Mary Kidd lived on and the said William Kidd for and in consideration of the sum of fifty and two pounds thirteen shillings current money, hath agreed to sell and convey unto the above-mentioned Theophilus Favor . . .all the right that he and his aforesaid wife Mary have or may have unto the above said tract of land, by a bond given by said William Kidd unto said Theophilus, which was duly proved in Essex County Court the 20th of September 1757[7]
Thus, Mary Halbert was married by January 31, 1757, but was still a minor, but had come of age by September 1, 1761. Since she was not named in the will of her grandmother, Mary Wood Halbert Taylor, dated April, 1737, and considering the date on which she had apparently come of age and could then legally sign the deed in 1761, she was probably born about 1739/40.
Old Rappahannock & Essex County marriages -Book D27, page 71list their marriage date as 1750. This makes two possibilities, either the 1750 date is the second marriage of Joel to Mary or the date has been transcribed wrong. Due to the fact that there is good evidence that Sarah was indeed the daughter of Joel & Mary, with a brother named William based on at least two recorded documents. I am ordering the film on this marriage.
The Mary Cooke that was the mother of Joel Halbert�s. daughters Sarah and Mary her granddaughters. Mary Biswell, Joel Halbert wife was the daughter of Jeremiah and Anne Cooke. Making Mary the granddaughter of John Cooke and her children the great-grandchildren Mary Biswell has a half-brother William Biswell. For more read on.
Manuscript - Joel Halbert & His Descendents by Florence Pearl Huey & Kenneth Waddell- 1947, P. 22, P. 106 of King & Queen County, Virginia records copied by the DAR as Vol. 27 notes that a bond of 500 Pounds was furnished October 20, 1754 by James Charles of Caroline County and William Halbert & John Motley of Essex County to Theopolis Faver of Essex County to guarantee a deed dated 1754. Reference is made to the daughters of Joel Halbert, namely Sarah wife of James Charles. Land was on Occupacia Creek. List John Cook as their Grandfather and that John Motley was a grandson.
Manuscript - Joel Halbert & His Descendents by Florence Pearl Huey &Kenneth Waddell - 1947, P. 22, States the Cook Plantation was divided with 81 acres going to John Motley, Son of William & Hannah (Cook) Motley, and 81 acres going to Sarah (Halbert) Charles, wife of James Charles and her sister Mary Halbert.
Fleet, Beverley,King and Queen County records concerning 18th century persons. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961, 113 pgs.
page 71
deed 11 Oct 1754, John Mottley and Tabitha his wife of Essex co sell Theophilus Faver of same co for l 39/ 30 acres part of that John Cooke, grandfather of said John Mottley, lived on and fell by co-heirship, after Cooke's death and of his male heirs, to said John Mottley and Mary the mother of the daughters of Joel Halbert. the land adjoins that of the daughters of Joel Halbert that of Caleb Lindsey.
page 85 deed
19 aug 1754, Henry Motley and Ann his wife of Essex co planter, sell John Jones of same co for 150., certain properties in Essex. the deed inclukes a trace given said Henry Motley by will of his father John Mottley deceased and also 30 acres said Henry Motley purchased from John Mottley eldest son and heir fo William Mottley deceased. also another tract patented 22 sept 1739 by Eliz' Mottley deceased and bequeathed by her will to said Henry Motley. the land on occupation creek
page 106
bond 28 oct 1754 l 500 Joel Halbert and James Charles of Caroline Co and Wm Halbert and John motley of Essex co to Theophilus Faver to guaranteed deed dated 11 Oct 1754. refers to 'the daughters of Joel Halbert namely Sarah now wife of said James Charles and Mary Halbert.
That Joel Halbert I, (ca 1712) of Essex County, Virginia was married and had two daughters before he married Frances Jones, is certain.
JOEL HALBERT died in 1762 in Caroline County, Virginia at the age of 52.
Therefore, Mary Cooke Biswell was the grandmother of Sarah and Mary Halbert and therefore John Cooke was their great-grandfather.
Now about the Facts on the Biswell family
Jeremiah Biswell Birth: ABT 1680 in England Death: Mar 1730 in Essex Co.VA married Mary Cooke daughter of John Cooke and Susannah Pell
Index to Marriages of Old Rappahannock and Essex Counties, Virginia page 23
[p.23] 1743?,BISWELL,JEREMIAH : Married Elizabeth, daughter of John Butle Book: D 23, Page: 53
Jeremiah married more the once, Read on
Jeremiah married 20 Feb 1706, Essex County. Virginia Mary Cooke Jenkins, widow of David Jenkins in Feb 1707. Jeremiah married second time Elizabeth Butler having a son William Biswell. After Elizabeth's death, Jeremiah married Ann Ayres, widow.
Jeremiah and Mary children
1 Mary Biswell, born Abt. 1712 in Essex, Virginia; died Abt. 1742 in Essex, Virginia.
2 Jeremiah Biswell, born Abt. 1720.
After Jeremiah's death, his daughter, Mary, chose her half brother, William Bizwell as her guardian,. indicating that she was of the age of fourteen or over.
Cooke, Halbert and Biswell lines
Therefore, the correct relationship of Sarah and Mary Halbert, daughters of Joel Halbert and his first wife, Mary Bizwell are that they were great-granddaughters of John Cooke.
Joel Halbert SR was married first Mary Biswell, 2nd Frances Jones Joel Halbert married after Mary's death, Frances Jones, daughter of Frances Randolph and John Jones
After the death of Joel's first wife, who was Mary Bizwell, granddaughter of John Cooke, and mother of Joel's daughters, Sarah and Mary, he married Frances Jones, by whom he had six children?. A separate write-up will give information on Joel's second family.
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