Phineas Wolcott Cook Family Tree

BIRTH: Essex Institute (Salem, Massachusetts), Vital records of Salem, Massachusetts, to the end of the year 1849 (Newburyport, Mass. : Parker River Researchers, 1988;Decorah, Iowa : Anundsen Pub., 1988), p. 175, (FHL 974.45/S1 V2) He died, "25 Dec. 1661" aged 45. (not documented, but puts his birth about 1615.) Phineas Wolcott Cook believed he was "of Plymouth" because published histories at that time stated it. Phineas's record stands: "Henry Cook, no birth date, but “of Plymouth, Mass.” Death noted “at Plymouth.” Submitted by Phineas Wolcott Cook, “4th great-great-grandson,” From records of Phineas Wolcott Cook, Logan Temple Endowments for the Dead, Vol. B, p. 327, #11589, FHL 177,956) Because Henry was never in Plymouth, it shows Phineas was dependent on current published information which erroneously stated Henry was the son of Francis Cooke of Plymouth. Most published sources have claimed he was the son of Francis Cooke who came on the Mayflower and lived in Plymouth. However, that is simply not possible to document. The children of Francis are well documented with verified birth dates, and Henry doesn't fit in anywhere. Early sources claimed the connection, and for three centuries people copied it, but there is no evidence.

EMIGRATION UNKNOWN, Prob. about 1637.

BOSTON, MASS     Because Henry Birdsall may be the “Henry Burchall” in Boston by 1635, the records were searched for reference to Henry Cooke as well. (Henry Burchall, 1635, Land Grant in Boston, MA, 15 acres, Town Records 1634-1660,Book of Possessions, Vol. 2, p. 40 [Wendy J Bentley research] Also found in Boston Town Records, City Document No. 46, 1637, p. 26, FHL 974.461 H2b Vol. 2). There is a "____ Cooke" in Boston in 1630, listed as "resident." (Town Records of Boston.) Since there were only 204 people in Boston at that time, anyone with that surname is important. However, no reference is found for Henry Cooke. Richard Cooke was in Boston later, and was very prominent. It leads us to believe Henry went first to Salem after immigration. However, Henry Cooke is the only one of that name in New England, so it certainly is possible he was the one in early Boston.

SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS: On October 29, 1638 "Henry Cooke desireth to be an inhabitant within this Town." (Salem Town Records, vol 1, p. 73.) This was exactly 7 months after Henry Birdsall was admitted to the town. He was admitted as an inhabitant of Salem as a "proprietor" (indicating he was a freeman) and was awarded six acres on December 26, 1638. (p. 76.) In January he was granted five acres and in February he was granted an additional 25 acres at Jeffrey's Creek. (p. 80.) Henry Burdsall appears in church records, admitted 25:12:1637, However, neither Henry nor Judith Cooke appears in church records. (Records of the First Church in Salem, Mass. FHL 974.45/S1 K2r) His marriage to Judith Birdsal recorded in "Vital Records of Salem, Mass. to the end of the year 1849" The Essex Institute, Salem, Mass, 1924, Vol. III. p. 243, FHL 974.422/N1 V2v) On January 17, 1645 he bought a house near the meeting house in Salem for 7 pounds, five pounds to be paid immediately and by July 40 shillings to be paid in two cow-calves. (Essex Co. Deeds, vol 8, p. 70 as transcribed by Winifred Lovering Holman, "The Cook Line," Manuscript Collection, New England Historic Genealogical Society, p. 3.) Over the years he was involved in at least a dozen land transactions. 40 acres purchased January 21, 1649 "beyond the river or on this side by Henerie Bartholomew not wronging any other grant." (Salem Town Records, vol 1, p. 73, 76, 80. Although known as a butcher, he also had other occupations. "On 30 March 1640, ordered that Henry Cooke and Edward Ingram shall keep the swine of the Town. And it is agreed that they shall have 6 shillings a piece for the keeping." (Salem Town Records, Vol 1, p. 73, 76, 80. Transcribed by Holman, NEHGS, p. 2.) Named "Henry Cook of Salem in the County of Essex, butcher" in a land record July 23, 1652. He sold five acres of land in the South field for 3 pounds. (Essex Co. Deeds, vol 8, p. 70, transcribed by Holman, NEHGS, p. 3.) On 10 December 1649 Henry Cooke of Salem, butcher, mortgaged his house, shop and one acre of land to Henry Birdsall. (Essex land Records 1:7)

DEATH: Vital Records of Salem, Mass to the end of the Year 1849, Vol. 5, p. 175, Deaths: "Henry, Sr., Dec. 25, 1661," (FHL book 974.45/S1 V2e.)

PROBATE: Administration on the estate of Henry Cooke, intestate was granted 24 June 1662. The estate would remain with Judith until the children become of age except that Isaac was to have 5 pounds in hand and after his mother's decease, to have the house and land adjoining valued in the inventory at 60 pounds. The other children to have 10 pounds each at age or time of marriage. (Salem Quarterly Court Records, vol 4, p. 98. transcribed by Holman, NEHGS, p. 4.) Inventory taken January 14, 1661 by Nathaniel Felton and Henry Bartholomew and sworn to by the widow 24 June 1662. Total inventory was 255 pounds. He owed 92, so his net estate was 162 pounds 14 shillings 4 3/4d. His children were as listed on the inventory: Isaac, aged 22 years; Samuel, 20; John, 14; Henry, 8; Judith, 18; Rachel, 16; Mary and Martha, 12; and Hanna, 4. (Essex County Quarterly Court Files, Vol 8, pp. 24-25.) BIOGRAPHICAL: "From the records that exist about Henry Cooke, he was evidently educated enough to sign his name. His vocational pursuits included butcher, surveyor, and swine herder. He was a very careful frugal man. It is possible that he brought more of an estate with him than was customary among the early emigrants. Regardless, his inventory amounted to 255 pounds and he was not an old man when he died." The inventory of Judith shows she was the owner of a silk hood, not even lawful unless her husband was worth 200 pounds. (Report commissioned by Bryson C. Cook, 1995. SOURCES: Salem Vital records Family History Library # 974.45/51 /v2ev.3. His children born there. "The Pioneers of Massachusetts," by Charles Henry Pope. FHL 974.4 D2p Henry listed as a butcher, his marriage, children, death and that of Judith. "Persi","Henry Cook in Mass. Ancestry.Com" This source said Henry was believed to have been from the Cooks of Kent or Hertsfordshire who emigrated from Normandy in the 1000's. Repeated in Wallingford and Waterbury town histories. "History of Salem" by Sidney Perley Vol II 1638-1670. Historical information about Henry. "Genealogical Dictionary of The First Settlers of New England, Those who Came Before May 1692 on The Basis of Farmer's Register Vol. I", by James Savage ., This gives marriage, death and ages of Henry's family as well as hiis property. "The John & Mary, A Story of the Founding of Dorchester Mass 1630." authors, Kuhns, Maude, Pinney. FHL #974w2k I found a Henry _____listed as passenger #158, but with no last name or other information. It could be our Henry. This book also listed 5 Wolcotts and 2 other Cooks. This does list a Henry Wolcott 1578-1655 marrying a Joanna Cook. The John & Mary carried passengers mainly from Devonshire, Dorset & Somerset. They were puritains who landed in South Boston in 1630. FHL book (973W2CM "History of Emigration 1600-1775") Lists Henry Cooke as a butcher and proprietor in Salem. Arriving there in 1638. Wendy Bentley notes: Since Henry may have been 27-30 when he was married, he may have been married before and his wife died. unmarried men weren't tolerated well then, unless they were attached to a family. In the American Genealogist they tried to find Henry Coke who came in 1835 and landed in Barbados. (p; 75) However, that Henry stayed in Barbados and his descendants are there many years later.(JSP) Salem Vital records Family History Library # 974.45/51 /v2ev.3

RESEARCH: Descendants for many generations found on the website http://www.geocities.com/ckhansgw/hcook.htm#Joseph34

Salem Vital records Family History Library # 974.45/51 /v2ev.3. Also found in "Vital Records of Salem," The Essex Institute, Salem, Mass, 1924, Vol. III. p. 243. No day is recorded. "The Pioneers of Massachusetts",by Charles Henry Pope. FHL 974.4 D2p Henry listed as a butcher, his marriage, children, death and that of Judith.