Phineas Wolcott Cook Family Tree

BIRTH Daniel Cook, son of Daniel Cook Sr. and his wife Elizabeth born 18 August 1761 at Goshen. (Barbour Collection of Goshen Vital Records, 1739-1854, Connecticut State Library, 1927, p. 16, citing Goshen Vital Records Vol 1, p. 263. (Family History Library film 2970.) Daniel named both his parents in a land record October 2, 1780, Goshen Land Records 7: 243: Goshen Land Records 7: 243, as follows: Daniel Cook sold to Moses Cook, both of Goshen six 1/3 acres in Goshen “part of home lot lately owned by my honored father Daniel Cook, late of said Goshen, deceased, and lies at the north part of said home lot and bounds east and north on highways, south and west on land of the said Moses. Said land I now sell was set out to me as part of my portion out of the estate of my said father and is described in the division of my said fathers estate but then the improvement of said land my honored mother Elizabeth holds as her right of dower during her natural life and at her decease said land reverts to me. I also hereby sell and convey near one fourth part of the dwelling house standing on said home lot and half the barn standing on the same lot but then the use and improvement of said. It ----- barn my said mother is to have during her natural life. Deed dated: October 2, 1780 Witnesses: Samuel Nash, Amasa Cook. (Family History Library film 4420) "There are two competing vital records for Daniel’s birth. Goshen Vital Records as cited by The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records gives his birth records as, "Cook, Daniel, s. Daniel, b. Aug. 18, 1761." The second and most credible is his headstone inscription, "In memory of Capt. Daniel Cook who died on his birthday August 14, 1809 aged 49 years." He was the fourth son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Pond) Cook and his father’s name sake probably due to the close proximity of his birth date to that of his father. From his father’s estate papers p. 2 we learn he was a minor on 15 January 1778. From his first land transaction we learn he sold land 2 October 1780 to his brother Amasa. If he was born 1761 he would have been nineteen years old and technically a minor and thus unable to transact business. His birth year may have been 1760." (Bryson C. Cook, 2009) Phineas Wolcott Cook recorded his birth thus: Daniel Cook, born 18 Aug 1761 at Goshen, Litchfield, CT, died 14 Aug. 1809. Submitted by Phineas Wolcott Cook, grandson. From records of Phineas Wolcott Cook, (Logan Temple Endowments for the Dead, Vol. B, p. 178, #6278, FHL 177,956)

FAMILY "The History of the Town of Goshen" by Hibbard p. 451 lists Daniel Cook and children Amasa and Phineas, but without birth dates. Spouses and children are named, including the full name of Daniel Jr.'s wife Elizabeth Porter. ("History of the Town of Goshen," by L.M. Norton, 1987, p. 451, FHL book 974.61/G1 H2h)

REVOLUTIONARY WAR "I am a native of old Connecticut. My Grandfather enlisted in the war with England in 1774 at the age of 14 years and served his country 7 years 9 months or to the end of the war." (Letter to Grover Cleveland, August 8, 1885 from Logan, Utah by Phineas W. Cook) Daniel Cook Jr. served 7 years in the Revolutionary War, enlisting at the age of 16. "The Life and History of Phineas Wolcott Cook," pp. 2-5 published by the Phineas Wolcott Cook Family Organization at http://www.cookfamily.org/journal/PWCJournalPages/lifeandhistoryPWC1.htm. His musket is still in existence with another branch of the family in Michigan. (JSP 2005) By 1809 when he died he was recognized as a Rev. War soldier. He is listed in the "Register of Soldiers and Patriots in Litchfield," by Joyce Mackenzie Cropsey, Mary Floyd Talmadge Chapter, Hartford, p. 36. Identified as "Daniel Cook, b 8-14-1760 d 8-14-1809 #35" (Family History Library book 974.61 V22c). Unfortunately, an enlistment or service record for him does not exist. Goshen enlistment records were complied 70 years after the war, long after he had died. Local Records show every available man and boy in Goshen enlisted in the effort to defend Long Island from the British and Hessians in 1776. Although Daniel was only 15, there are many records of boys that age enlisting. A fifer and drummer stood on the church steps Sunday mornings several times from April to June to make sure there was no one who didn't enlist. It isn't likely Daniel stayed home. His brother Amasa and Joel Gaylord who married his sister Lois were in Col. Fisher Gay's 2d Batt. on Long Island, and Daniel probably was in that unit too. (Connecticut Men in the Rev.) Benjamin and John Porter (Elizabeth Cooks' brothers) were also at Long Island. Although we can't be certain, he is almost certainly the Daniel Coo(-) who lost his gun in the retreat of Col. Gay's Batt. on Long Island and who was under Gen. Wadsworth, Col. Fisher Gay, Capt Rogers (who was from Cornwall.) (Rolls and Lists of Conn. Men in the Rev., 1775-1783, Collections of the Conn. Hist. Soc., FHL film 897070 V. 8 p. 138.) When Gen. Washington asked for enlistment in the Continental forces to ensure a permanent army, Joel Gaylord who later married Daniel's sister and others from Goshen enlisted for the duration of the war. Daniel also must have done so, although there is no record. Enlistment records for some units were assembled as late as 1840 by those still living. Many were forgotten, especially the 15-year old who enlisted in 1776 and was dead by 1809. Phineas Wolcott Cook's journal recorded he mutinied twice to go home for food; then he returned to share what he had, resulting in a Court-Martial. Records have been searched, but a Court-Martial for Daniel Cook was not found. In searching for the units close enough to make a round trip to Goshen on foot "8 or 10 days," Bryson Cook writes the following: "I believe Daniel served in the 7th regiment of the Continental Line. In looking through the rosters of the 1st, 2nd and 5th, it is noticeable that the 7th has the most men from Goshen relative to the other regiments. This regiment was commanded by Gen. Jedidiah Huntington, Col. Heman Swift, Lt. Col. Josiah Starr, Capt. Albert Chapman, wintered at Redding, Conn. and was known to have mutinied twice. Only Gen. Putnam's eloquence and leadership kept them from 'storming the General Assembly at Hartford for redress.' (Conn. Men, p. 131-133. General Putnam's speech is at http://members.tripod.com/-compmast/putnam/camp.html) Daniel's brother-in-law Benjamin Porter was in the 8th Regt. also camped at Redding the winter of 1778-79, but we know that only from his pension." Neither man appears on the rosters. (Bryson Cook "Daniel Cook Revolutionary War Research, 2006, p. 7.)

EVIDENCE OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR SERVICE Ebenezer Miller, b. 1764, md. Dorothy Gaylord, md. (2) Sarah Catlin. He enlisted in State Troops commanded by Col. Bezaleel Beebe of Litchfield and Capt. Peter Curtis of Farmington. “I well remember a company of three men at least as with us the latter part of October 1780 from Goshen of this county joined our company for [ ] purpose viz. Daniel Cook, Alex. Griswold and Thomas Griswold remembered by incident in situation to them.” (Pension W1306, p. 53, found at the website Fold 3.) Alexander Griswold testified to a Portage, Ohio judge on 5 March 1850 that he entered the service of the United States Army in 1781 and served under Col. Bezaleel Beebe of Litchfield, Capt. Peter Curtis of Farmington, Lt. Wilson, Ensign Lewis, and Sergeant Bull. He went to Horseneck (Stratford) and served about two months. In 1782 he went to New Haven under Col. Beebe and Capt. Catlin and served for four or five weeks. While searching for wood for the encampment he and twelve others were captured by the British. He was later exchanged for a Tory and then discharged. “Daniel Cook and Thomas Griswold both of Goshen aforesaid went with him to New Haven in the campaign aforesaid. They have both been dead many years and he knows of no living witness by whom he can prove his services.” Alexander Griswold was born in Goshen, CT. (Pension R4342, page 3, found at the website Fold 3.)

REV. WAR PENSION Although he didn't live long enough to receive a pension, nor did Elizabeth apply for a pension as his widow, I checked the applications in case there was a BLWt (Bounty Land Warrant) for him. (They are indexed together.) There was a family tradition he received land for his service in the Rev. War. However, there is no record of a BLWt or any other pension to him or to his family. (JSP 3-15-08)

CHURCH RECORDS Goshen church records are missing except for the following: Daniel Cook, "petition with others living on a tract of land within limits of Litchfield, Goshen, Warren and Cornwall, with record of meeting in 3d society in Litchfield, April 22, 1796 and tax-lists of said society, called Blue Swamp, and lists of Goshen, Warren and Cornwall, showing inconvenience of attending public worship and praying to be made into a distinct society. Resolve incorporating ecclesiastical society of Milton, April-May, 1795. (Connecticut Archives, Ecclesiastical Affairs, 2nd Series, III:43, Family History Library book 974.6 K23.) Also found in The public records of the State of CT by Leonard Woods, p. 282 cited in Google http://books.google.com/books?id=ndkP5fQbTlEC&vid=0iLVfnW36Xsmx8VJCAvKBM-&dq=daniel%2Bcook%2Bgoshen%2Bconnecticut&q=daniel%2Bcook%2Bgoshen%2Bconnecticut&pgis=1#search

GOSHEN, CONNECTICUT 1790 CENSUS: There are four listings for Daniel Cook in Litchfield County in 1790, adding to the complications associated with this family. Since Goshen is just north of Litchfield, they were enumerated together. Daniel's brothers Amasa and Moses are also enumerated in Litchfield, the only ones by those names in the county. Daniel appears with them in Goshen which was enumerated in Litchfield Town as Daniel Cook, 1 male over the age of 16; 2 boys under 16, and two females. The females were Elizabeth and the mother of one of them or possibly a female child for whom we have no record. That female is gone in 1800. It could be the daughter Eliza or Elizabeth. (Heads of Families, First Census, 1790, Connecticut. Government Printing Office, WA, 1908, Family History Library book 974.6/X2b/1790.)

1800 CENSUS: Daniel (along with Moses and Amasa) are enumerated in Goshen. 1 male 10-16; one male 16-26; and one male 26-45. Daniel was age 39. Both sons were still at home. One female 26-45. (An index to the 1800 federal census of Litchfield, New Haven, Tolland and Windham counties, state of Connecticut, Lowell M. Volkel, FHL Book 974.6 X22vLm, p. 688.)

1810 CENSUS: Daniel had died the year before and Elizabeth appears not to be living with either Amasa or Phineas, who were both in Goshen at the time..There are a male and a female over age 45 in Phineas Cook's household. If one of them was his mother, who is the older male? Seems more likely a couple, but we don't know who. (Connecticut 1810 Census Index A-Z, Heritage Quest, Bountiful, Utah, Family History Library book 974.6 X22h 1810)

LAND RECORDS: Three land transactions with the same piece of property in Cornwall, bordering on the town of Goshen (Land Records of Cornwall, FHL film 3960, Vol 7, 1785-1798, p. 142, 143, 398.) The land was sold to Daniel and his brother Moses in 1792, Sold in 1798 by Moses to Daniel who sold it to someone else the same day.

DEATH He is listed in the "Register of Soldiers and Patriots in Litchfield," by Joyce Mackenzie Cropsey, Mary Floyd Talmadge Chapter, Hartford, p. 36. Identified as "Daniel Cook, b 8-14-1760 d 8-14-1809 #35." "Register of Soldiers and Patriots in Litchfield," (Family History Library book 974.61 V22c). Daniel's headstone in the Milton Cemetery, Litchfield, Litchfield, Connecticut, transcribed by Bryson Cook: "In memory of Capt. Daniel Cook who died on his birthday, August 14th, 1809, aged 49 years. "Harke my gay friends, that solomn toll speaks the departure of a soul. 'Tis gone thats all. we know not where; Or how the unbodied soul doth fare."

BURIAL Milton Cemetery, Litchfield Twp, CT. "In memory of Capt. Daniel Cook who died on his birthday, August 14th, 1809, aged 49 years."

PROBATE Probate Records for Goshen, #1601. Inventory added up to $790.14. His land totaled 186 acres, 33 rods of land with buildings which was worth a total of $5,551.24. The date was 1809. (Litchfield County Connecticut Probate Packets, Family History Library film 1,022,333)

HIS FAMILY IN THE REVOLUTION: His brother Amasa enlisted in Goshen in 1776 and in Berkshire, Co. Mass the following year. His brothers-in-law Joel Gaylord and close friends and neighbors also enlisted in Goshen. It is likely he was with them, even though only 15: The Third Sergeant was Giles Gaylord from Norfolk. It was reported he was brother to the Lieutenant Timothy Gaylord, also of Norfolk (killed in action), both sons of Samuel Gaylord, "one of the first settlers of Goshen." (History of Goshen, Hibbard, p. 126.) "Campaign of 1776 at Long Island and New York: At the early session of the General Assembly, Mr. Stephen Goodwin was commissioned and ordered to enlist a company of men from Goshen and vicinity, for six months' service, and when the company was made up to proceed to New York. John Doud, a soldier in the French was, was directed to solicit volunteers. He took a drummer and fifer and marched them around the company, calling on the men (and boys?) to enlist under Captain Goodwin. A considerable number of recruits were thus obtained. The company was made up to 60 men and about 50 of them were residents of Goshen, the others mostly from Torrington." They spent most of the winter near Norwalk, heard the Declaration of Independence read, and formed a part of the Second battalion, Fisher Gay, Farmington, Colonel. "The entire brigade was transferred to Long Island about the middle of July." The company rolls are lost, and it is impossible to obtain the names of all the soldiers." The company list was written by Andrew Norton in 1838. Joel Gaylord and Joseph Gaylord, brothers, were among those remembered. Isaac Baldwin, John Norton and Seth North, all from families close to the Cooks, were among the volunteers. (pp. 124-126.) RESEARCH NOTE: Revolution References to Daniel Cook: 1. Daniel Cook, sick rolls, Capt. Starr, Col. Hinman's Regt. Discharged Aug. 1775. ("Record of Service of Conn. Men in the Rev." FHL book 974.6 M2ca, p. 20.) He is listed with Ashbel Porter, who appears next to Daniel Cook's name on list of Harwinton tax abated for Physical Service (Prob. Daniel Cook Sr.) Vol 2, p. 6. (2006 note: Research has proved this to be another Daniel Cook. JSP)

MARRIAGE Married about 1780 Elizabeth Porter of Goshen. She was the daughter of John and Deborah (Hand) Porter and was born in Bethlehem, Litchfield, Connecticut in 1758. DOCUMENTATION The book "History of Goshen, Conn, (Family History Library book 974.61/G1 H2h) gives genealogical information on the Cook family back to Henry Cooke at Plymouth. Yet they have no date or place for the marriage of Daniel Cook and Elizabeth Porter, probably because there were no vital records at that time. But on p. 451 it states "Daniel Cook, b. Aug 18, 1761 m. Elizabeth Porter of Goshen." It is known Elizabeth's brothers Benjamin, Robert and John were in Goshen Land Records about that time. Apparently the four siblings moved from Woodbury to Goshen where Elizabeth met Daniel. Elizabeth's Mother was dead by then and her father had remarried. There was no reason to go anywhere else for the wedding.

The book "History of Goshen, Conn, (Family History Library book 974.61/G1 H2h) gives genealogical information on the Cook family back to Henry Cooke at Plymouth. Yet they have no date or place for the marriage of Daniel Cook and Elizabeth Porter, probably because there were no vital records at that time. But on p. 451 it states "Daniel Cook, b. Aug 18, 1761 m. Elizabeth Porter of Goshen." It is known Elizabeth's brothers Benjamin, Robert and John were in Goshen Land Records about that time. Apparently the four siblings moved from Woodbury to Goshen where Elizabeth met Daniel. Elizabeth's Mother was dead by then and her father had remarried. There was no reason to go anywhere else for the wedding.