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What I found is in this and that's all right now:
GENEALOGY OF THE COCKE FAMILY OF VIRGINA
Prepared by James C. Southall
Published in Genealogies of Virginia Families from the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Volume II
In the lists of “Adventurers”, as they were styled, in the charters of the Virginia Companies, 1609 and 1620, the name is spelled Cock, Cocks. Cox, Coxe. Stith spells it Cock; Burk, Cox; Alex. Brown, in his learned work “The Genesis of the United States”, Cox, Cocks, Coxe, Cocke. The term “Adventurers” was not used in a bad sense. It referred to that spirit of adventure which made the seas swarm, in that morning of modern European civilization, with ships sent out from London and Bristol under the auspices of the English gentry and the Trades—Guilds of the English cities, to all parts of the world in search of undiscovered countries, and new avenues of commerce, and which led to the formation and incorporation of the Russia, the East India, the Northwest Passage and the Virginia Companies, whose bold sea-captains – men like Drake, Raleigh, John Smith, Samuel Argall, the Powells and scores of others – in their frail barks, roamed unterrified over all the ocean-wastes, laying the foundation of that great maritime empire which has made England in the nineteenth century – like the Phoenicians and the Greeks in the ancient world – the wealthiest and the busiest of nations.
The Cocke Family of Virginia is to be traced in four distinct lines:
1. The main line, of whom the propositus was Richard Cocke of Henrico (VA) who came over to this country prior to 1632, in which year his name appeared in the list of Burgesses of the “Grand Assembly”, as the early records denominate the first Colonial legislative bodies. He patented some 8,000 acres of land in Henrico County (VA) and held the office of County Commandant or Lieutenant-Colonel of the County.
2. The second descending line is the Surry and the Princess Anne Cockes, whose progenitors were three brothers: Captain Thomas Cocke, William Cocke and Walter Cocke; and their cousin, Captain Christopher Cocke; who came to Virginia about 1690 and settled in Surry and Princess Anne counties (in 1700-1716 Captain Christopher Cocke was Clerk of Princess Anne county, and about 1695 the family of Captain Thomas Cocke intermarried with that of Colonel Lemuel Mason, the leading citizen of Norfolk county; while in 1699, William Cocke was a justice of Surry county, and both William and Walter justices of the same county in 1714, showing that they were persons of consequence from the very beginning).
3. The third line is that of Secretary William Cocke of Williamsburg, the friend of Governor Spotswood, who came to this country from Suffolk, England, about 1705, and whose epitaph or memorial tablet is in old Bruton Church. Like the Princess Anne Cockes, his male line soon became extinct, and it is only in female lines that his descendants are represented. (Some of their descendants are shown under “Cocke, Gray, Bowie, Robb &c by Miss Fanny B. Hunter toward the end of this transcription.)
4. The fourth line is that of the Cockes and Coxes of Lancaster, Middlesex and Westmoreland. In 1658, Nicholas Cocke, and later his son Maurice Cocke, are in Lancaster County and Middlesex (Middlesex was taken from Lancaster, 1675); and prior to 700, Pressley Cox is in Westmoreland, where we also find in the early records the name of Fleet Cox.
The Henrico branch, descended from the five sons of Colonel Richard Cocke, or Coxe, as it is spelled in the beginning, were much the most numerous, and became prominent, not only in Henrico (where throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries they seemed to divide the county influence with the Randolphs), but also in Charles City, Isle of Wight, Prince George, Goochland, Amelia, Cumberland, Powhatan, Chesterfield and Albemarle.
The original seats of the Henrico Cockes were “Bremor” or “Bremo” and “Malvern Hills”, the latter (Thomas Cocke (2) lived there) some fifteen miles below Richmond on James river, just back of “Turkey Island”, the dwelling-house which is yet standing being described as “on of the best specimens of old Colonial architecture:, and the estate as on of the finest on the river. It passed out of the hands of the Cockes about the close of the eighteenth century to one of the Nelsons, James Powell Cocke (6) on account of his health, removing to the county of Albemarle. It was here that one of the most sanguinary conflicts of the Civil War took place in the year 1862 in the battles around Richmond between the troops of General Magruder and a heavy detachment of the army of General McClellan.
London and Bristol, as already alluded to, were the chief centers of the activity of the various companies that sent out their emigrants and their ships to America and the “Summer Isles” at this busy period. Rich tradesmen—like the merchant-princes of Venice in the 16th century –extended their commerce to all parts of the world and gallant sailors – some of them educated and accomplished men – sought adventures and lands on the Virginia coasts and in the Indian seas.
The composition and character of these companies will appear from the following statement (see “Genesis” United States, I, 228; II, 542): The incorporators under the second charter of the Virginia Company (1609), were 56 London companies and 659 persons, consisting of 21 peers, 96 knights, 11 doctors, ministers, &c., 53 captains, 28 esquires, 58 gentlemen, 110 merchants and 28 citizens, and others not classified. Of these 230 paid 37 pounds 10 shillings, or more; 229 paid less than this sum and about 200 were delinquent and failed to pay their subscriptions. At least 100 of them served in the House of Commons.
In the third charter (1620) there were 325 names; 25 peers, 111 knights, 66 esquires, &c. “The trader predominated in the second charter, while in this, three-fourths belonged to the gentry.”
The price of one share of stock was 12 pounds, which entitled the payer to 100 acres of land.
“of those who paid their subscriptions,” says Mr. Brown, “about one-third came to Virginia and settled; about one-third sent over their agents or their heirs; and the remaining third sold out to others. These classes were the landed gentry, and they brought over another class as servants.” Ib, II, 550.
We must take another statement in connection with this; it is made by a writer in the valuable and well-informed “William and Mary College Quarterly” (July, 1895, p.28). The writer says: “In England at this time the trades were in high repute. The younger sons of the English gentry resorted to the cities, and became tailors, grocers, coopers, weavers, &c.”
Our space does not permit us to comment on this, although it opens an interesting field. We only append the following, which our readers may investigate, from the Biographical Dictionary at the end of Vol. II of “The Genesis of the United States”:
“Stuart, Prince Henry, merchant tailor. Eldest son of James I; born 1594; died 1612 of typhoid fever.”
Among the sea captains who came to Virginia and the Bermudas and Barbadoes occur the names of at least four Powells (1609-’20), and later (1690) of Captain Thomas Cocke, Captain Christopher Cocke, Walter Cocke, mariner, and Captain James Cocke, who appear in Princes Anne, Surry, and Isle of Whyte (about 1680 Captain James Cocke, of the ship Barbadoes, sails from Barbadoes to Isle of Wight)
Richard Cocke of Henrico, as we have stated, took p his abode at Bremo, which included, as would appear, the property called “Malvern Hills”, which became the residence of the family of Thomas Cocke (2) and descended to Thomas Cocke (3), James Powell Cocke (4) &c., down to the beginning of the present century.
About thirty miles north of Bristol, in the west of England, running due north and south for a distance of about ten miles and south for a distance of about ten miles and with an average breadth of three miles, presenting very gentle acclivities in many parts, but its summit attaining a height of 1q,444 feet, and commanding a wide prospect over the three great shires that converge around it, the Archaean Ridge of Malvern Hills, divides the county of Hereford from the county of Worcester, and on the southeast of these, on the south bank of the Upper Severn, with yet ampler dimensions, stretches the county of Gloucester—all three counties touching each other at a common point near the city of Gloucester.
It was this district and from Somersetshire and the neighboring counties of Wales, and from Warwick on the north, Devon in the southwest, Herts and the Isle of Wight in the south, and across the Bristol Channel from the coasts of Ireland, that in Virginia, the counties of Henrico, James City, Charles City, Isle of Wight, Gloucester, Surry and Prince George, were in great part settled.
It is important to observe that the names of the early colonial settlers in the James River Valley up to Henricus City are the family names of Hereford, Gloucester and Worcester and the neighboring districts referred to in England, Wales and Ireland. This would at once become apparent to any one familiar with the history of the Virginia colonists, who would take the trouble to consult for a moment Walford’s “County Families of the United Kingdom”. London: Robert Hardwicke, 1860.
The names “Berkeley”, “Bruton”, “Shirley”, and “Malvern Hills”, on James River; Gloucester, Surry, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Warwick, Lancaster, prove the same thing.
“Berkeley” is from the Berkeleys of Bruton in Somersetshire, and the Berkeleys of Gloucester. (Sir Maurice Berkeley, of Gloucestershire; Sir Charles Berkeley (son of Sir Maurice) of Bruton, Somersetshire; Richard Berkeley, Esquire, of Gloucester, who, with John Smyth, George Thorpe and Sir Wm. Throgmorton, jointly owned and named the Berkeley-Hundred plantation. This John Smyth (d. 1641) was no doubt the ancestor of John Smyth, who was a Burgess from Percies Point in 1632 and the John Smyth of Warwick, who was Speaker of the House of Burgesses in 1658. Probably of Nicholas Smith and Arthur Smith, justices of Isle of Wight, 1680; and of John Smith, of Gloucester, 1702, and of Phil. Smith, sheriff of Gloucester, 1714.) “Shirley” is probably after the Shirleys of Warwickshire. “Malvern Hills” is of course, from Malvern Hills in Hereford and Worcester.
In 1636 Richard Cock, gentleman, patented 3,000 acres of land in Henrico adjoining the land of John Pearce and Thomas Harris; in 1639 he patented 2,000 acres; in 1652, 2,842 acres; in 1664 Richard Cocke, Sr., and John Beauchamp patented together 2,974 acres on the south side of the Chickahominy river. Cox, Cocks, Coxe are family names in Hereford; the Beauchamps were from Worcestershire; Harris is a Gloucestershire name; Pearce is a very old Welsh name, Co. Brecon. A near neighbor of these was the Lygons from Worcestershire.
The Carys intermarried with the family of Richard Cocke about 1690. This was a Devonshire family, in the southwest of England, as were the Brays and Dukes; the Powells, Tylers, Lewis’, Jennings, Llewellyns (Llewellyn Eps), the Jones’ (Anthony Jones was Burgess from Isle of Wight, 1639), are Welsh names; Webb and Dennis are Hereford and Gloucester names. Secretary Thomas Ludwell was from Bruton, in Somerset, as was Captain Pawlett, member of House of Burgesses, 1619; Throgmorton is a family name in Warwick, as is probably Randolph; Bathurst and Wyatt are Gloucester names; Carter, a family in Hampshire and Isle of Wight; Archer, a very ancient family in Devon and Cornwall; Pryor, in Herts; Browne in Hereford and Lancaster; Farrer in West Riding of Yorkshire; Woodward (Eliz. Cocke married Lawrence Woodward, a descendant of Christopher Woodward, Burgess of James City county, 1629) is a family of Worcestershire; Dennis (Richard Dennis was sheriff of Charles City county in 1714) is an Irish family; so were the Battes. Peter Jones must have been Welsh, as he had a son or grandson named Cadwallader.
All these families lived near to the Gloucestershire port of Bristol, and almost within view of the summits of Malvern Hills. (“In 1685 William Slaughter”, says the William and Mary College Quarterly, “was sheriff of Essex County. In Burk, ‘Slaughter of counties Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester’”. January ’94, p. 157. Can it be that this district bore for a brief period this name – as for a brief period it did that of “Rappahannock”? Were the settlers on the Rappahannock also from ‘Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester’?
(ADDITONS AND CORRECTIONS: Bristol. That portion which states that “all these families lived near Bristol”. In illustration we may refer to Mr. Bruce’s recent work on the Economic History of Virginia. I, 384. He has the statement than in 1667 there were anchored in James River nine merchantmen from Bristol, two from London and sever from other towns in England.)
The head of the Cocks family in England, in 1860, was CHARLES SOMERS SOMERS-COCKS, (ADDITION: EARL OF SOMERS) of Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury, Herefordshire, his magnificent seat, being situated at the base of the Malvern Hills, about midway between the cities of Gloucester and Worcester. The heir-presumptive to the Barony of Somers was his cousin, the REV. CHARLES RICHARD SOMERS-COCKS, magistrate for Herefordshire.
THOMAS SOMERS COCKS, Esquire, of Thames Bank, near Great Marlow, Bucks, represented a younger branch of the family and married Agneta, daughter of Right Hon. Reginald Pole Carew of Antony, Cornwall.
REGINALD THISBLETHWAYTHE COCKE was a brother of above.
Lieutenant-Colonel CHARLES LYGON COCKS, of Treverlyn-Vean, Cornwall, was a third brother. (In Henrico the Cocks, the Lygons and the Beauchamps were near neighbors. In England the Cocks family had intermarried with the Lygons, and the Lygons had intermarried with the Beauchamps—all three families living in Worcestershire and Herefordshire. Earl Beauchamp’s name (1860) was Henry Beauchamp Lygon (of Madresfield Court, Worcester).
RICHARD SNEAD COX, Esquire, of Broxwood Court, magistrate and Dep. Lieutenant for County Hereford (High Sheriff 1858), was doubtless of same stock.
SIR WILLIAM COX, K. T. S., Ireland was a lineal descendant of Dr. Richard Cox, one of the compilers of the Liturgy, and tutor to Edward VI.
ARTHUR ZACHARY COX, Esquire, of Harwood Hall, Essex, is another of this name. Balsall Heath, Worcestershire,
EDWARD TOWNSEND COX, Esquire, of Balsall Heath, Worcestershire belongs to a family which came over with William the Conqueror.
And there are several others. There was a celebrated Dr. DANIEL COXE, one of the court physicians of Queen Anne and under William and Mary, who was the chief patron and promoter of the Huguenot settlement in Virginia. See Va. Hist. Col., V, p. 9, note.
It is hardly to be doubted that Richard Cocke or Coxe, who came to Virginia bring with him the name of “Malvern Hills”, was connected with these Cocks’ and Coxes of Hereford and Worcester in England. (The name Cocke is so exceedingly rare in England and in this country that it may be quite safely assumed that all who bear it are of a common stock. In the “American Christian Record”, a volume containing lists of the clergy of all the religious denominations in the United States and Canada, 1860, giving 20,000 names alphabetically arranged, the name Cocke does not occur once; Cox and Coxe only five times (Episcopal clergy).
With the little beginnings which we have described, the Cockes of Virginia established themselves in the James River Valley, and as time rolled on they intermarried with the families of the Pleasants;, the Carys, the Harwoods, the Eppes’, the Fields, the Poythress’, the Randolphs, the Coles, the Masons of Princess Anne, the Webbs, the Farrers, the Claibornes, the Thorntons, the Ruffins, the Hartwells, the Hills, the Ashtons, the Brownes, the Peters and Allens of Surry, the Taliaferros, the Nelsons, the Bollings, the Archers of Amelia and Norfolk, the Innes’, the Carters, the Lewis’, the Minges, the Adams’, the Cabells, the Smiths, the Nicholas’, the Ruffins, the Shorts, the Kennons, the Barrons, the Harrisons, the Fitzhughs, the Custis’, the Lees, the Bowdoins, the Barrauds, the Chastains, the Egglestons, the Prestons, the Taylors of Southampton, &c.
At the close of the seventeenth century they were seated at Malvern Hills, Curles and Bremo, in Henrico, and later at Shirley (Bowler Cocke (6) who married daughter of Colonel Edward Hill), Turkey Island, Bacon’s Castle (Surry), Shoal Bay (Isle of Wight), Sandy Point (through Sarah Steward Minge, daughter of Elizabeth Cocke (6) of Surry, and at the same time through Colonel Robert Buckner Bolling of Centre Hill, descended from Robert Bolling (2) and Anne Cocke), Bremo, in Fluvanna, Bremo in Powhatan (correction: For “Bremo, in Powhatan” read “Belmead in Powhatan”. (Ph. St. George Cocke).
The first glimpse that we get of this name in Virginia is an entry in the records of the Virginia Land Patents; “WILLIAM COX, of Elizabeth City, planter (lease for ten years), 100 acres in Elizabeth City. September 20, 1628.”
The next is in a list of the members of the Grand Assembly for 1632, given in Hening’s Statutes, Vol. 1, p. 178, and among these names we find:
Both Shirley Hundreds, Captain H. Epes
From Kethes Creek to Mulberry Island, Th. Harwood
Warrasquyoake (Isle of Wight afterwards), Thos. Jordan
Waters Creeke and upper parish of Elizabeth City, Captain Thomas Willoughby
Weyanoke, Richard Coxe
This is the manner of our introduction to Richard Cocke of Weyanoke.
In 1646, in a list of the House of Burgesses, we come again upon the name of William Cocke, and he represents Henrico, to which county he must have removed from Elizabeth City. He was no doubt a brother or relative of Richard and perhaps died unmarried; he disappears as suddenly as he appears – we have no historian of that day.
In the Land Office Book, Vol I, at end of grant, it is stated that Lewis Cocke “came over in 1635”.
In 1635 William Prior patented 200 acres of land in Charles City, “bounded N. E. by Charles River (York Co.), south by his own dividend and west by land of Lewis Cocke” (Virginia Magazine History, October ’95. p. 184). This is all we know of Lewis Cocke; he too was, no doubt, related to Richard.
In 1654, we in Hening another list of the members of the Grand Assembly. Among them are:
Henrico, Richard Cocke
Surry, William Batt, James Mason (later the Cockes intermarry with these Masons).
In 1658 there was a Nicholas Cocke in Lancaster county, and in 1673 a Nicholas Cocke (same no doubt) was naturalized, and in 1687 a Nicholas Cocke died in Middlesex county (coat of arms).
In Lancaster county the will of one Oliver Segar (1658)(mark) refers to his “friends Nicholas Cocke and Richard Lee”, and one of his legatees is a son named Randolph.
The pedigree of Valentine Wood, clerk of Goochland, 1753 (maternal ancestor of General Joseph E. Johnston and Valentine Wood Southall), represents that his father, Henry Wood, married Martha Cox, daughter of William Cox, at Bremo, in Henrico, in the year 1723. This was a descendant of Richard Cocke (1) (for Richard Cocke (2) and Richard Cocke (3) lived at Bremo), and it is introduced to show that the name was spelled Cox as well as Cock (as has already appeared from Richard Coxe and William Cox). The well-known Cox family of Chesterfield are probably descended from this William Cox. (The Cox’s of Chesterfield and Henrico are descended from John Cox, who lived near Dutch Gap in 1677. The Cockes of this period all lived in this neighborhood. John Cocke (2) was a son of Richard Cocke (1) – Editor)
We have mentioned that in Alexander Brown’s “Genesis of the United States” the name is variously spelled Cocks, Cocke, Cox, Coxe, as also in the early Virginia Chronicles.
In England it is only in old Pepys’ book, 1688, (the Diary), that the word is spelled as we spell it in Virginia now. One of his principal characters is a certain “Captain Cocke” whim (I, 27) he describes as “a man of great reputation and repute”, and whose opinions he quotes on all occasions. He was connected (like Pepys) with the Admiralty and had “a most pleasant seat at Gravesend”. Pepys also refers to one Colonel Charles George Cocke, whom he mentions as having “formerly been a very great man:, iii, 398.
In Governor Dinwiddie’s correspondence (Dinwiddie Papers) during the French Wars, 1754-’55, he refers frequently to Captain Thomas and Captain William Cocke, and he spells the name indifferently –sometimes Cocks, sometimes Cock, and sometimes Cocke. (Similarly we read of Captain John Wilcocks, who came to Virginia in 1623. His will is printed in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register. There was a John Wilcocks who was Burgess for Northampton, 1657-‘8,\. A John Wilcox was Burgess for Nansemond in 1655.)
There was a great deal of reckless independence in the spelling of that day, even in official documents and especially in the seventeenth century: Poythress was Poythes and Poythers; Eppes was Epes, Eps; Flood was Fludd; Randolph was Randall and Randle; Percy was Persy, Peirsey, Pierse; Byrd was Bird; Bland was written Blund and Blunt; Cabell was Kebel; Baker was Becker; Powell was Powel, Powle; Calthorpe, Cailtropp; Ashton, Aston; Barbour, Barber; Brazier, Brazure, Brashear, Brasseur, Brassier, Brashaw; Goggin (according to Campbell, see his History of Virginia, page 164) was Colkin, Cockin, Cockayn, Cocyn, Cokain, Cokin, Gockin, Gokin, Gookin, Gookins, Gooking.
We should make a mistake in conceiving of the old Colonial times if we should call u the picture suggested by the title of Mr. Moncure D. Conway’s recent book. “The Barons of the Potomac and the Rappahannock”. There was a distinct gentry class in Virginia, and some of them, for that day, were quite wealthy, but they did not live in baronial castles, nor have the “Pride, pomp and circumstance” of the old feudal aristocracy of England, who maintained their estates by the system of entails. They were simply planters and farmers, and owned slaves (in the beginning there were a good many white servants) and ruled the counties. They had little learning. Books were very rare. Few lf the planters had such a library as Colonel Richard Lee of Westmoreland, 1715, or Edmund Berkley, Esquire, 1719. See William and Mary College Quarterly, April 1894. Their inventories show that not many of them owned more than one or two dozen books and the state of education is indicated by the fact that even men of property often sign their wills by making their mark. The spelling (as mentioned just above) is lawless beyond our imagination. In an old MS. Will (written evidently by an attorney) the testator appoints his loving wife “the hole and soul executor of this my last will and testament”. Jane Lightfoot, in 1649, signs her will with her mark. As late as 1730 the will of Harry Beverly, of Spotsylvania, who devises to his children a half dozen plantations in several counties, containing some 10,000 acres, is witnessed by four persons, all of whom make their marks.)
Nor did our gentry ancestors live in fine houses. There were no bricks in the country (CORRECTION: It is not true that there were no bricks in the country in the seventeenth century. Bricks were made in Virginia in 1609. The dwellings were generally==almost universally, except the chimneys – of wood; but the first story of all the houses at Henricus City was of brick court-house in Middlesex, in Gloucester and in James City counties. See Bruce ii, 134-44. The old colonial house at Malvern Hills is also of brick.) and few good mechanics, little money, and at first “very few people”. They lived in the forest on the great River that swept silently to the sea that interposed between them and the civilization of Europe. A few miles up the river (where is now Goochland and Powhatan) were the “Indians”.
They had in the seventeenth century few cattle, few horses and the importation of Negro slaves had only been a short time in progress. There were in 1648 about 15,000 whites and 300 negroes in the Colony. The number of horses was 250; of asses, 50. In 1670 the whole population was 40,000, of which 2,000 were Negroes, and 6,000 white servants.
When we recall the fact that in Virginia at the close of the late war, there were few country houses containing more than eight or nine rooms and a kitchen, we should not expect the Virginia planters of the first colonial century to possess very spacious dwellings. In those days places like Warner Hall, Westover, Rosehill, Rosegill, Stratford, which numbered perhaps sixteen or seventeen rooms, were the exception; few of them had more than six or eight rooms. The rooms are often enumerated in the inventory: Mr. Samuel Timson of York (1704) , had seven rooms in his house; Rosegill, the residence of Ralph Wormley, esquire, President of the Council and Secretary of State ()1701), one of the greatest and wealthiest men in the Colony, contained nine rooms. (ADDITIONS: Governor Berkeley’s house (brick), 1645, at Green Spring, had only six rooms. The house of Nathaniel Bacon, Sr., had five rooms, “an old and new hall”, a kitchen, dairy and storehouse. He was very rich. 1694. Mrs. Elizabeth Digges, of York (1690) who owned 108 slaves, lived in “six rooms and a cellar”. Major Robert Beverley of Middlesex, 1687, had “a chamber, a second chamber above, a porch and hall, chamber, a dairy and kitchen and the overseer’s room. He had forty-two Negroes. William Fitzhugh’s house had twelve or thirteen rooms. (Mr. Bruce’s Economic History of Virginia in the Seventeenth Century, ii, 151-8) Mr. R. Heber Nelson who lives near Malvern Hills and whose grandfather Robert Nelson, bought the Malvern Hills property from the Cocke family, informs us that the house here contains eight rooms (one added by his grandfather), with a hall through the center and a side hall. The house is of brick, and there is a brick porch.
The inventory of Ralph Wormley’s personal property as 2,861 pounds. Samuel Timson owned 14 negroes, 10 horses, 78 cattle, &c. Inventory, 472 pounds.
The total inventory of Colonel Thomas Ballard of 1707, one of the most famous men of that period, amounted to 603 pounds, comprising 18 slaves, 7 horses, 51 cattle, 70 oz. of plate &c. (The wants of the people in those old days were exceedingly few, so that a little money went a great ways. This is illustrated by the salary paid the ministers of the Established Church which was 1,700 pounds of tobacco, equal to about $70, which is estimated in purchasing power as equivalent to about $500 of the present day. In 1665 Lord Paulett, of England, to whom his brother, Captain Thomas Paulett, of Virginia, had in 1644 devised the Westover estate on James river, sold the same, 1,200 acre to Theoderick Bland for 170 pounds, which was about 50 cents an acre, equal to about $5 now. In 1688 the Blands sold it to Colonel William Byrd for 300 pounds sterling and 10,000 pounds of tobacco.) Mrs. Elizabeth Digges, widow of Governor Digges, left (1692) personal property amounting to 1,102 pounds. (The pound of that day was 20s of the value of 16 2/3 cents each shilling. Money went a great deal farther than it does now. Five pounds was about equal to $150.
These inventories (applying of course only to the personal estate) throw a good deal light upon the condition of the gentry. That of John Washington (son of the immigrant), who died 1712, amounted to 377 pounds, 3s, 7d. (See William and Mary Quarterly) That of John Carter, Jr., of Lancaster, however, (1690), included 71 slaves and 63 books in various languages. The inventory of Thomas Jefferson (1696), one of the justices of Henrico, and grandfather of President Jefferson, amounted to 97 pounds 16 06 ½, including “1 p’cell of old books, 10s.” Virginia Historical Magazine, ii, 237; I, 209
One of the features of the earlier Colonial period which has attracted our attention in the progress of this investigation is the comparatively short duration of life; and 2. The frequency of marriage. They died young and there was brief delay on the part of the survivor in finding a new companion. We have to meet with the first instance of an octogenarian; they rarely passed 50 or 60, and they all seem to have married twice—and some four and six times. See examples of this last Virginia Magazine of History, ii, 237; iii, 61.
After the County Lieutenant, the most important officer in the county in Colonial times was the County Clerk, who was not only the clerk, but whose house was the Clerk’s Office, where the county records were kept, and who was probably the legal adviser for the people in general at time when educated lawyers at least did not abound. The office also brought in a certain salary, probably greater than the products of the plantation; official position too in that day carried with it a great deal of power and importance, as is the case in all monarchies and even in Republican governments in Europe at the present day. The Clerk was, therefore, what that champion gossip, whom we have quoted. Samuel Pepys, denominates “a very great man”, and he was always not only taken from the gentry, but he was the leading, or one of the leading men in the county. This is illustrated by referring to a list of county officers for any year, some of which are yet preserved. (ADDITION: Salary of the County Clerk – In the valuable book on the descendants of Roger Jones, Colonel Thomas Jones (4), clerk of Northumberland county, 1781, in a letter to Mr. Turberville, states that the office yielded him about 400 pounds a year.) The following are from the official records of 1702: We have in Charles City, Benjamin Harrison, Clerk; in Elizabeth City, Nicholas Curle; in Essex ffra Meriwether; in Gloucester, Peter Beverly; in Henrico, James Cock; in King & Queen, Robert Beverly; in King William, Wm. Aylett; in Stafford, William Fitzhugh; in Warwick, Miles Cary, &c. Next in importance to the Clerk was the Sheriff, who was appointed by the Governor. In 1702 the sheriffs were: York county, Henry Tyler; New Kent, Nicholas Merriwether; Middlesex, Sir William Skipwith; Lancaster, John Tayloe; King William, John Waller; Henrico, Giles Webb (Captain Thos Cocke (2) had been sheriff (1699) and was sheriff in 1707, but he was now (1702) in the House of Burgesses); Gloucester, Peter Kemp, &c. Robert Bolling was Surveyor in Charles City (His son Robert, in 1706 married Anne Cocke and had issue: Lucy (Cocke) Bolling, who married Richard Eppes, Burgess from Chesterfield; and Robert, of Bollingbrook, father of Robert Bolling of Centre Hill. See History Bristol Parish, p. 141); Edm’d Scarburgh in Accomac; Charles Smith in Essex; Miles Cary (there were two at this time; one of them married Elizabeth Cocke, daughter of Richard Cocke (2) of Bremo) in Gloucester; James City, James Minge, Jr.; King and Queen, Henry Beverley; New Kent, James Minge, Sr., &c.
When Thomas Cocke, Sheriff of Henrico, died in 1707, he was succeeded by William Randolph, whose competitors for the office were Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Epes and Major William Farrar, two of the most influential names in this county at that period.
There is on record (see Va. Magazine History, October, ’75) in Henrico Courthouse a certificate in behalf of Colonel Edward Hill, of Charles City, which gives the following names of the members of the Henrico County Court at a session held in 1680; Mr. Thomas Cocke, High Sheriff; Colonel Wm. Byrd, Lieutenant-Colonel John Farrar, Mr. Richard Cocke, Sr., Mr. Abell Gower, Mr. Thomas Batte, Mr. Peter Field and Mr. Richard Kennon.
Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Cocke (1) was in the House of Burgesses in 1632 from Weyanoake; again in 1654 from Henrico. William Cocke was a Burgess from Henrico in 1646. In 1702 Thomas Cocke (3), grandson of Richard, represented Henrico in this body. Thomas Cocke (2) (son of Richard) was sheriff 1680-88. Thomas Cocke (3) (grandson) was sheriff in 1699 and 1707, and in the interim between these dates was probably either sheriff or member of the House of Burgesses. James Cocke, son of Thomas, was clerk of the county, 1691-1707. In 1680, 1699, 1702, 1714 (and no doubt in intervening years), Richard Cocke and Thomas Cocke were members of the county court. In 1728 Bowler Cocke (4) succeeded William Randolph as clerk; which office he held until 1751, when he was succeeded by his son, Bowler Cocke (5) who was clerk until about 1762. In 1752, Bowler Cocke (5) was a member of the House of Burgesses, and his son, Bowler Cocke (6) was in the House of Burgesses in the famous session of 1766. Colonel Allen Cocke and Hartwell Cocke (Surry) were also members of both the last-named bodies. Hartwell Cocke was in the Convention of 1788. (CORRECTION AND ADDITONS: The statement about Bowler Cocke, Allen Cocke, &c., should be as follows:
In 1752 Lieutenant-Colonel Bowler Cocke (5) was a member of the House of Burgesses and in 1765 Bowler Cocke (6) and Hartwell Cocke (5) of Surry were members of that body.
In 1773 and 1775 Colonel Allen Cocke (5) of Surry, was a member of the House of Burgesses, and in 1776 he was in the State Convention.
In 1778 there was a Cocke in the Legislature from Washington county.
In 1786, Colonel Lemuel Cocke of Surry, was a member of the House of Delegates.
In 1787-‘8 John Hartwell Cocke (6) of Surry, was a member of the House of Delegates.
In 1788 John Hartwell Cocke (6) above-mentioned (son of Hartwell Cocke (5) and father of General John Hartwell Cocke (7) of Bremo, Fluvanna) was a member of the Convention.
In the Journal of the House of Delegates for 1793 the name of Cocke occurs on a committee, as also in subsequent years in the Journal of the Senate and House of Delegates.
ENGLISH MERCHANTS OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY – RICHARD COX AND ANTHONY COCKE --
In the Economic History of Virginia, ii, 333-4, a list is given of the twenty-four English merchants who in the seventeenth century furnished the greater part of the supplies imported into Maryland and Virginia. Among them is the name of RICHARD COX. This was no doubt the same RICHARD COX who in the years 1690020 was one of the Wardens of the Grocers’ Company in London, a member of the East India and Russia Companies, of the Virginia Company (paid 25 pounds) and chief of the first English factory in Japan. Genesis of the United States, ii, 856. Anthony Cocke traded with Middlesex.
We have recently obtained information of an important character about the Cockes of England (counties Durham, Worcester, Hertford and Suffolk), who were all connected with each other, and with the Cockes of Henrico and Princess Anne and Middlesex, but shall have to defer a notice on the subject to our next article.
The earliest Cocke of whom we know anything in England was CAPTAIN WILLIAM COCKE of Plymoutht, county Devon, who fitted out a ship at his own expense, and “went out to fight the Spanish Armada” (1588) and was killed in the engagement. He was called “the Cock of the Game”. Prince’s “Worthies of Devon”.
We have indulged in this somewhat protracted dissertation on the Colonial age because it seemed to us necessary to give a certain entours and setting to the genealogy which is about to follow, and which would otherwise be a mere barren list of names without associations and without significance.
We will begin our next installment with the descendants of Richard Cocke (1).
RICHARD COCKE OF HENRICO – HIS DESCENDANTS
I. RICHARD COCKE (1) born about 1600, died 1665. Married twice. Name of first wife not known; married second, Mary Aston. Children by both wives. Was County Commandant or Lieutenant Colonel of the county of Henrico. Was a member of the Grand Assembly or House of Burgesses, 1632, from Weyanoake, and in 1644 and 1654 from Henrico. (The presence of Richard Cocke in this Assembly was inadvertently overlooked in referring to the matter in our article in the January number. The second is wanting from 1632 to 1644 except for one year. In the year 1655, having been appointed sheriff, he resigned his seat in the House of Burgesses. We take occasion also to mention that the first land patented by Richard Cocke (3,000 acres in 1636) was for the bring over of sixty persons, a list of whom is given in the books of the Land Office, and among them is the name of Margaret Powell, a fact to which we shall advert again hereafter.
His relative, Thomas Jordan, represented Warrosquyoake in the Assembly of 1632. In the will of Richard Cocke there is a legacy to his “cousin Daniel Jordan”. Samuel Jordan was a member of the first Legislative Assembly in Virginia from Charles City (16619); his plantation was called in the alliterative style of that day “Jordan’s Journey”. Thomas Jordan was Burgess for Isle of Wight 1629, 31, 32. Richard Jordan was a Burgess in 1676 and sheriff of Nansemond in 1718. George Jordan was a Burgess from James City county in 1644. The name Jordan was also a prominent one at the beginning of the eighteenth century in Bristol Parish (Prince George). Dr. Slaughter writes: “The representative names” (in this parish) “were Wood, Jordan, Poythress, Wynne, Hatcher, Cocke, Hamlin, Eppes, Bolling, Bland, Jones, Randolph, Kennon, Bott, Batte, Gilliam, Walker, Munford, &c.,” p. 121
Another member at this time was Walter Aston (Ashton) who was the father of Mary Aston, Richard Cocke’s second wife, as mentioned above. Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Aston (his tomb is at Westover) was in the House of Burgesses for Shirley Hundreds and Charles City in 1629-30, 1631-32, 1632, 1632-3 and 1642-3. When Richard Cocke died, Mary Ashton married, second, Colonel Edward Hill, of Charles City, a very great man in that day. (CORRECTION: Mary Ashton, widow of Richard Cocke, did not marry second, Colonel Edward Hill, but her mother, the widow of Colonel Walter Aston who married Colonel Edward Hill) His descendants owned “Shirley”, on James River and intermarried with the Carters (Hill Carter). About 1750 one of the Bowler Cockes married the daughter of Colonel Edward Hill, the widow of Colonel John Carter of “Corotoman”. There were Ashtons in the 17th century also in Elizabeth City and Northumberland. In 1655 Peter Ashton was a Burgess from Elizabeth City and in 1658 from Northumberland and is called “Colonel Ashton”. The tomb of Colonel Henry Ashton, 1731, is in Westmoreland, with family arms. Brown (see Genesis of United States) affirms that Lieutenant- Colonel Walter Ashton was a cousin of Sir Walter Ashton, Lord Ashton, of Forfar, in Scottish Peerage, who was Ambassador to Spain, 1635.
Another member of this Assembly was John Smith, who represented Smythe’s Mount and Peryces Point. He was probably the ancestor of Obadiah Smith, who married Mary Cocke (3) daughter of William Cocke (2) about 1685-’90.
The will of Richard Cocke is on record in Henrico County Clerk’s Office, and bears date October 4, 1665. The witnesses are Henry Randolph (then clerk of the House of Burgesses) and Henry Isham. Henry Randolph is a different line from William Randolph of “Turkey Island”, who did not come to Virginia till 1674. He was Wm. Randolph’s uncle. Captain Henry Randolph came over in 1637. In 1656 he was clerk of Henrico county. In 1660 he was made clerk of the House of Burgesses. In 1665 William Tanner or William Randolph was clerk of Henrico. In 1678 William Randolph was clerk. In 1683, Henry Randolph. In 1693-1707, James Cocke. In 1679 Peter Field was guardian of Henry Randolph, aged 13.
He left issue, five sons and one daughter
1. Thomas 2. Richard 3. John 4. William 5. Richard “the younger”6. Elizabeth
In the name of God Amen” (his will commences) “I Richard Cocke, Sen’r, being at present in perfect health and memorie for which I render hearty thanks to Almighty God my Creator, yet considering the uncertainty of this transitory life I have therefore for the peaceable settling that little Estate God in his Goodness hath given me made and ordained this m last will and testament hereby reversing all former wills at any time made by me. Imprimis. I beg to bequeath my soule to God that gave it trusting in the merits of my Redeemer to obtaine a joyfull Resurrection” – and his “body to be Interred according to the usuale Solemnities of the Church of England.
He devises and bequeaths one-third of his estate to his wife for life. He divides his lands among his sons – some 600 acres to each of his and 100 pounds to his daughter, and divides his personalty equally among his children (except two Negroes and some cattle, &c., given Richard, Sr., by his mother).
He devises some land to his cousin Daniel Jordan.
And appoints his son Thomas to see after “the mill” for the use of his younger brothers and sisters, for which he was to be paid “three thousand pds. Of tobacco and casket p. Annum” (equal to about $700 a year at present)
We notice his children in order:
II. THE CHILDREN OF RICHARD COCKE (1)
1. THOMAS COCKE (2) (styled of “Pickthorne Farm”, Henrico ) born 1638, died 1696 (at age 58). Married, 1663, Margaret Jones, widow, and mother of Major Peter Jones, founder of Petersburg.
Both Thomas Cocke (2) and Richard Cocke (2) were justices of Henrico in 1678 and 1680, and in the last named year Thomas Cocke was also sheriff of the county, and in 1680 he was coroner. The office of coroner at that time seems to have been a prominent one. He was sheriff also in 1688.
In 1689 Thomas Cocke (2) deeds 625 acres of land to William Randolph (very probably Turkey Island)
In 1681, Thomas (2) and Richard (2) own a Ferry and an “Ordinary” at the courthouse (Varina). (The first Colonel Edward Hill was owner of an “ordinary” in Charles City county, and there is complaint against him for his exorbitant charges). It was still “Cocke’s Ferry” in 1810.
Thomas Cocke 92) left six children: Thomas, Stephen, John, James, Agnes and Temperance.
COUNTY OFFICES
There was a military establishment in all of the counties, and he was called Captain Cocke, a title which his son, Thomas (3) bore after him.
Like his father, as we learn from the Henrico Records, he was a member of the House of Burgesses in 1679, and it is probable that he was a member between 1680 and 1697. From 1660 (after the restoration of the Stuarts) to 1776 there was no election of Burgesses, and afterwards there is no list of Burgesses until 1792.
We mentioned in our previous article that his son, Thomas Cocke (3), was one of the Burgesses from Henrico in 1702. We have ascertained since the writing of that article that the county of Henrico was represented in this Assembly in the year 1698-99 by Thomas Cocke (3) and his brother James Cocke (3). It is probable that they were members of the body in other years of which we have no record.
HIS WILL
The will of Thomas Cocke(2) was probated April 1, 1697. It appears that he lived at “Malvern Hills”. (His father had lived at Bremo (probably an Indian name), which is brother, Richard (2) inherited.)
For those days he was quite a wealthy man, and left a considerable estate – including the advancements made to his children, some 5,000 acres of land, the home place “Malvern Hills” having on it a flour-mill and two tanneries. This was of course the mill that had been owned by his father prior to 1665, and was undoubtedly one of the first mills erected in the Colony.
TANNERIES
Besides the mill, he owned, as stated two tanneries, and he mentions by name one of his tanners whom he bequeaths to his son James. He owned another mechanic (Jack Long) at the ill, whom he leaves “with all his tools” to his son Stephen (probably a Cooper).
MANUFACTURES LINEN CLOTH
In 1693 the Assembly offered a reward for specimens of linen cloth of home manufacture – 800 pounds of tobacco for that of the first quality. In 1695 this amount was paid to Thomas Cocke for such a piece of cloth, fifteen ells in length and three=quarters of a yard in width. (See Bruce’s Economic History of Virginia, ii, 459.)
Thomas Cocke (2) and his brother, William Cocke (2), both owned looms also, and manufactured woolen cloth (see Bruce ii, 470) and in his will Thomas Cocke bequeaths to his daughter, Agnes Harwood, a mulatto girl (whom he enjoins was to be tenderly treated, she having waited on him in his sickness), with a weaver’s loom “and all the stages and harness” thereunto belonging.
Among his slaves were some four or five Indian girls.
He leaves a legacy of 1,000 pounds of tobacco “towards purchasing a bell for the Church”.
He makes several special legacies of horses.
His son, James and his wife are his executors, and the will is sealed with red wax, as was the will of Richard Cocke (1) (implying arms)
VALUE OF HIS ESTATE
The estate left by Thomas Cocke (2) amounted to about $75,000 in present figures. His land (5,000 acres), including the improvements, dwelling, mill, tan-yards, tobacco houses, orchards, gardens (all referred to in his will) must have been worth at least $1 an acre, and estimating the one pound went as far in 1690 as 9 pounds in 1896, the landed estates must have been worth $45,000, and the personalty must have amounted to 1,000 pounds or some $30,000.
During the same period (see Bruce, ii, 251) in Henrico county the appraisements of Francis Eppes (who also owned a store) was 600 pounds; of Thos. Osborne, 208 pounds; John Davis, 250 pounds.
In York county, 1672-’90, the largest personalty is 642 pounds (James Vaulx). The next highest are 455, 355, 235, 220 pounds. Nathaniel Bacon (1690-1700) is rated at 925 pounds.
The highest personalty in Elizabeth City, 1690-1700 was 282 pounds (Wm. Marshall).
Colonel John Carter, Sr., in Lancaster, is rated at 2,250 pounds and Robt. Beverley in Middlesex at 5,000 pounds.
There is an advertisement noticed in the old county records in which Thomas Cocke offers land for sale or rent. From the land-books we learn that he patented some 5,100 acres f land in Henrico and Charles City county in 1675.
Since this article was in the printer’s hands we have seen the will of Margaret Cocke, widow of Thomas Cocke (2). She die not die till 1718, surviving him over twenty years. We discover from the will that before marrying Thomas Cocke, she had been married to -------- Jones, and had three children, one of whom was MAJOR PETER JONES, the founder of Petersburg, and after whom the town was named. It is the same family with Roger Jones of Northumberland and Lieutenant-Colonel Cadwallander Jones of Stafford. On the register of Bristol parish, 1725, is the name “Cadwallander Jones, son of Peter Jones”.
The executors of Margaret Cocke’s will are Peter Jones and William Randolph. She leaves a Negro girl to Mrs. Mary Randolph and a “mulatto boy” to her “godson William Randolph, son of William Randolph.”
A COLONIAL PICTURE
In an article on Racing in Virginia, Mr. W. G. Stanard (Virginia Historical Magazine, ii, 294) gives some interesting extracts from the Henrico Records about Thomas (3) and Stephen Cocke (3) in this connection in 1689. We have only room for one of them which follows below:
In 1689 Thomas and Stephen Cocke were twenty-five and twenty-three years of age. In the will of this Thomas Cocke (3), who died 1707 he makes reference to the “Race Paths” at Malvern Hills.
The following is a deposition filed in the Henrico Records, 1688-’97, p. 74.
“William Randolph, aged about 38 years, Deposeth: That about Saturday last was a fortnight this ep’t was at a race at Mauvern hills at which time Mr. Wm. Epes and Mr. Stephen Cocke came to this depon’t & desired him to take notice of ye agreement: w’ch was that ye hore of ye s’d Epes and ye horse of Mr. Sutton was to run that Race for ten shillings on each side, and each horse was to keep his path, they not being to crosse unlesse Stephen Cocke could get the other Rider’s path at ye start at two or three Jumps (to ye best of the dep’ts knowledge) and also that they were not to touch neither man nor horse, and further desired the dep’t to start the Horses, w’ch this dep’t did and to the best of this dep’t’s judgment they had a fair start and Mr. Cocke endeavored to get the other rider’s path as aforesaid according to ye agreement, but to ye best of the depon’t’s Judgment he did not get it at two or three Jumps nor many more, upon which they Josselled upon Mr. Epes horse’s path all most part of the race. And further saith not.
“Wm. Randolph”
Aug. 1, 1689.
2. RICHARD COCKE (2), the elder, of “Bremo” in Henrico. Born 1639; died 1706. Married Elizabeth -------------. He seems to have been surveyor of the county, and was a member of the county court 1678, 1680, 1699 and probably during all of this period. The justices of Henrico at this time were: Richard Cock, William Randolph, Peter Field, Francis Epps, William Farrer, John Worsham, Thomas Cock (sheriff), Giles Webb, Joseph Royall, John Bolling, James Cock (3), clerk court. In Charles City county, Robert Bolling (2), whose son Robert (3) married (1706) Anne Cocke, was sheriff. John Brasseur (Brazure – Mary Brazier married Thomas Cocke (3)) was a justice in Nansemond; Miles Cary in Warwick; Coll: Lemuel Mason (whose daughter married Captain Thomas Cocke) in Lower Norfolk; William Cocke in Surry.
The will of Richard Cocke (2) was admitted to probate December 2, 1706 and is witnessed by William Randolph and William Randolph, Jr. and certified by James Cocke, Cl. Cur. He left one son, Richard (3) who is his executor) and two daughters, Elizabeth (3) and Martha (3) (married to Joseph Pleasants, ancestor of Governor James Pleasants, and Miles Cary) and a number of grandchildren. He leaves an estate worth at present $35,000.
The Cockes at this time were all nestled along Turkey Island Creek, Thomas (2), Richard (2), William (2), Thomas (3) and Stephen (3) on the north side of the creek in Henrico; Richard Cocke (2), the younger, on the south side, at “Old Man’s Creek”, in Charles City county.
Henrico and Charles City counties originally lay on both sides of the river, including what are now Prince George and Chesterfield. Prince George was created in 1702.
The town of Charles City was what is now called City Point, at the mouth of the Appomattox, five miles below Henricus City in the remarkable loop of the river at Varina or Dutch Gap. In this neighborhood lived the Cockes, the Randolphs, the Ishams, the Bollings, the Eppes’, the Pleasants’, the Kennons, the Poythress’, the Ligons, the Banisters, the Fields, the Jeffersons, the Royalls, the Davis’, the Hardimans, the Jones’ (the father of Major Peter Jones, the founder of Petersburg).
Immediately opposite Charles City, on the north side of the river, Turkey Island creek, about two miles in length, emptied into the James. It is the dividing line between Henrico and Charles City counties. Midway, on its north side, is Malvern Hills, which is separate from the river by the estate of Turkey Island (William Randolph’s and afterward owned by Bowler Cocke (6)). On the river above Turkey Island plantation was Curles, where James Cocke (3) lived, and Bremo in a little loop (the river makes a tremendous bend) lies just between, about two miles from Malvern Hills.
Above Malvern Hills, on the creek, in the year 1700, were Stephen and William Cocke (3), and about half-way between the Malvern House and the head of the creek still stands the line of an old dam, where stood Thomas Cocke’s mill. Half a mile farther, at the head of the creek, Carters Mill (Shirley) is still standing.
3. JOHN COCKE (2). Born 1647, died --------------, married Mary Davis. There was a planter in Henrico county at this time named John Davis, whose personalty was appraised in 1690 at 265 pounds, rather above than below that of the larger landholders in Henrico at this date. At the close of Dale’s administration (1616) Captain James Davis had command of the colonists in Henrico. In 1619 Thomas Davis was a member for Martin-Brandon of the Assembly of 1619, the first that met in Virginia. William Davis was a member of the House of Burgesses from James City in 1642 and 1647. Captain James Davis died in 1657 at his plantation over against James City.
John Cocke (2) was the progenitor of the Cox family of Chesterfield. (Judge James H. Cox was in the Legislature in 1840-]’50 and a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1850 from the Petersburg District.). It was probably this family of Cox’s that lived at Arrahattocks, near Dutch Gap.
There is no will of John Cocke on record, and we are ignorant of the names of his children. He was he godson of Walter Aston and the first child of Mary Aston.
4. WILLIAM COCKE (2) born 1655, died 1693. He married first, Jane Clarke in 1678 and second Sarah Flower, about 1689 . Jane Clarke was the daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Clarke of Charles City county, possibly the son of Captain Jon Clarke, “an Englishman by nation, a native of London, and of the same religion as his king” (See Brown); died in Va., 1623. The Henrico Records mention a judgment against estate of Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Clarke, late guardian of Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Cocke’s orphans for 500 pounds sterling, 1686. Sarah Flower was of James City county. In the “William & Mary Quarterly” for April 1894, page 1, is an epitaph from a tomb in Gloucester county (Abingdon Parish), the grave of Jeffrey Flower who died in 1726. The arms of the family are on the tomb and are “those of Flower of Chilton, county Wilts. Sa. A unicorn pass., or on a a chief ar.” He left three children: William, Mary and Elizabeth. This Mary Cocke(3) married Obadiah Smith and these were the parents of Obadiah Smith of Westham, Chesterfield county, whose daughter Lucy Smith, was the second wife of James Powell Cocke (6).
5. RICHARD COCKE (2) the younger (It was not unusual in those days for brothers to have the same Christian name) settled at “Old Man’s Creek”, in Charles City county, left him by his father’s will. The records of Charles City county (like those of James City) were mostly destroyed by the Federal soldiers in the late war, and we know almost absolutely nothing about this youngest of Richard Cocke (1). There is good reason to conjecture that he may have been the father of Anne Cocke (3) who married Robert Bolling of Charles City in 1706 and became the maternal ancestor of the line of the Petersburg Bollings.
There was a Littleberry Cocke, a justice of Charles City in 1768; an Acrill Cocke, a Bolling Cocke and an R. Cocke Tyler in the same county in 1790-’93. (William Acrill was a member of the Convention of 1736 from Charles City. His grandson, William Acrill of Charles City was in the Convention of 1776.
6. ELIZABETH COCKE (2). We know absolutely nothing of her – save an entry in the Henrico Records, 1678, that “Elizabeth Cocke, Mary Randolph and Anne Isham are witnesses to Eliz. Eppes’ will”.
GENEALOGY OF THE COCKE FAMILY OF VIRGINIA
THE COCKE FAMILY OF HENRICO – THIRD GENERATION
I. THE CHILDREN OF THOMAS COCKE (2) (SON OF RICHARD COCKE AND TEMPERANCE BALEY/BAILEY AND MARY ASTON)
(He left six children: 1. Thomas Cocke; 2. Stephen Cocke; 3. John Cocke; 4. William Cocke; 5. Temperance Cocke and 6. Agnes Cocke)
1. THOMAS COCKE, (JR.)(3) (Captain), born c. 1662; died 1707; married first, about 1687 Mary Brazier (Brazure, Brashear, Brasier, Brassieux, Brashure) of Nansemond; married second Frances -----------------. I think that at least four of his six children (including his two daughters) were by his first wife. (In the Richmond Enquirer of 1824 there is mention of Gen. Brazure W. Pryor of Elizabeth Cit, who was a candidate for Congress. (A sister of President Tyler married one of the Pryors.) In Vol I. of the “Dinwiddie Papers”, p. xxiii, it is stated that Col. Gerard Fowke of Gunston Hall, Eng., of the Bedchamber to Charles I and his cousin, Col. Geo. Mason, both of the Royalist Army, came to Virginia about 1650. Chandler Fowke, son of the above, had issue: Chandler, Gerard and Elizabeth, the last of whom married Z. Brazier, son of Robert Brazier, of Isle of Thanet, Eng. Gov. Dinwiddie married into the family. In 1680 John Brassier was one of the Justices of Nansemond Co.; also in 1699. In 1702-9 (See Meade) John Brasseur and Maj. Thos. Jordan were vestrymen of Chuckatuck Parish, Nansemond. In 1696 John Brassieux and Thomas Jordan (sheriff) were in the House of Burgesses from Nansemond. There is a deed from John Brasher (as it is spelled in the deed) on 17th May 1692, which is signed by Thomas and Mary Cocke.)
His life was a short one, but he, with James, were the most prominent members of the family at this time. James Cocke and Wm. Randolph were in the House of Burgesses from Henrico in 1696. In 1698 Thomas and James were the representatives from this county. Thomas was made sheriff in 1699. The law did not permit the sheriff to be a member of the House of Burgesses (See Hening), but in 1702 we find him again a member of this body, and in 1707, when he died, he was again sheriff. We have no record for the intervening years.
On his death Colonel William Randolph was appointed sheriff, competing with Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Epes and Major William Farrar.
At this time (say 1702) his brother James Cocke (3) was the county clerk; his brother or cousin William (3) was coroner; Richard (3) of Bremo, was (like the others) a member of the county court. One of the justices of the county at this time was Thomas Jefferson, great-grandfather of President Jefferson.
Thomas Cocke’s will was admitted to probate 1707. He appointed his son Thomas (4) his executor, and his “beloved friends Thomas Farrar, Littlebury Epes and Sam’l Harwood (his brother-in-law), Gent., overseers of his last will and testament”. He left six children: Thomas, James Powell, Henry, Brassuir, Mary, Elizabeth.
His wife (Frances) had a separate estate settled on her by her father, which she retains intact.
The testator first devises 650 acres of land to his son Thomas; then to James Powell Cock the tract on which testator lives (Malvern Hills); also another tract of 200 acres to same; and also to said James Powell Cocke a third tract lying in Charles City County, containing 920 acres; to son Henry he gives a tract of land in Henrico and another tract containing 943 acres; to Brassuir two tracts, containing 1650 acres. He devises in all about 6,000 acres of land in Henrico, and another tract containing 943 acres; to Brassuir two tracts, containing 1650 acres. He devises in all about 6,000 acres of land. He gives land, Negroes, tobacco and money to his two daughters, and certain Negroes to his sons, and divides, excepting certain special legacies, all his personal property equally among the four sons with certain provisions for the support of his daughters.
As Thomas receives much less land than the other sons, it is probable (he was older) that he had been advanced in the testator’s life-time.
Among the special legacies are: 100 acres of land to his servant, Edward Richardson; to his son, Thomas, his horse “Desperate”, his “longest cane and great silver-hilted sword with m best trooper’s saddle and furniture with brass plate Crooper, Holsters, Pistolls and Carbine” to so James Powell Cocke, “a Bay horse called ‘Prince’ with my silver-headed cane and Baginet”; unto son, Henry “a spayed mare called ‘Bonny’ & his old silver-hilted sword”; to Mary “my old silver Tankard and the one half of her deceased mother’s wearing apparel (he was married twice), best chest of Drawers, Rusha Leather Trunk, 10 pounds sterling, one of my silver wine cups, largest Gold Ring marked J. P. and M. C., with a silver Tumbler, ear Bobbs, and one silver wine cup marked to M., &c”; to Elizabeth “Walnut chest Drawers, 1 Seile Skin Trunk, newest Silver Tankard, 10 pounds sterling, one of my silver wine cups, gold ring and ear-rings and bobs of Gold and five silver spoons”. He gives to wife and children and son, Thomas, the wearing apparel had “sent for to England”.
In the account of the Huguenot Emigration to Virginia in the yer 1700 published in the Virginia Historical Collections, Vol. V, pages 17-21, there is a statement of moneys paid out “for the Transport and Supplies of ye French Refugees”, and among the items are the following:
To Cap’t. Cocke and his brother for 10 Cowes and a Calfe, 23 pounds 11 0
To Capt. Cocke for 3 tin pans, one Cullinder, &c., &c., 9 pounds 1 6
In 1687 Thomas Cocke, Jr., patented 671 acres of land in Henrico county for transportation of 14 persons: Sarah Carter, Peter Dangerfield, &c.
In 1688 he patented in Henrico 1650 acres. Showing the capriciousness in the spelling, there is in the Land-Books about 1690 an entry for 79 acres of land to Thomas Cox. His estate at his death we judge amounted in present figures to about $75,000 – very large, considering that he was only about 45 years of age.
2. STEPHEN COCKE (3) born c. 1664, died 1717, married 1. Mrs. Sarah Marston, 1688; 2. Martha Banister, 1694. There was at this time a Marston Parish in James City county. In 1702 William Marston was sheriff of James City county. Frances Benskin, daughter of Henry Benskin of England (died 1692) married William Marston of James City, and her son Benskin was sheriff of Charles City 1747. Benskin was a name in the Lightfoot family. In 1638 Francis Epes, John Banister and other imported thirty Negroes into Virginia. There was a Lieutenant John Banister (no doubt the same person) who died in Charles City county prior to 1661. On the 5th January 1689, the Rev. John Banister baptized Henry Randolph at Appamatock. This last-mentioned John Banisher (2) was no doubt the father of Martha Banister (3) and of John Banister (3) the celebrated botanist, who was killed by an accident near the Falls of Roanoke. (See Campbell, page 724.) John Banister (3) was the father or grandfather of Colonel John Banister (5) of Revolutionary period, who was in the Convention of 1776 and in the Continental Congress, and who was a man of very large wealth. He lived at “Battersea”, and married about 1760 Elizabeth Bland, daughter of Colonel Theodorick Bland and sister of Frances Bland, mother of John Randolph of Roanoke and Judge Henry St. George Tucker. Martha Banister (5) was a sister of Colonel John Banister (5) born (see Slaughter’s Bristol Parish) February 9, 1732 and married, 1751, Robert Bolling (4), son of Robert Bolling (3) and Anne Cocke (3).
We have no will of Stephen Cocke, but it is ascertained from the few remaining records of Prince George that he died in that county in the year 1717. He had crossed over among the Banisters and Bolling and Jones’. He had a son Abraham Cocke (4) who settled in Amelia Co. (then part of Charles City Co., and became the progenitor of the distinguished line of Tennessee Cockes: General Wm Cocke (in U. S. Senate, 1795), General John Cocke, his son, in House of Representatives 1819-27 and Hon Wm. M. Cocke in Congress, 1849-53.
Stephen Cocke left also a daughter Agnes (4). He patented, as appears, 1040 acres of land in 1695 in Henrico and Charles City In 1687, his father, Thomas Cocke (2) conveyed to him 200 acres of land “one part of which was part of ye tract of dividend of land at Malvern Hills”, which included the Mill property; and in 1701 Stephen Cocke (3) conveyed 56 acres on which the mill stood, to John Pleasants who married Dorothea Cary (3), daughter of Henry Cary (2) of Warwick. Her brother Miles Cary (3) married Elizabeth Cocke (3) daughter of Richard (2). This piece of property is described as adjoining lands of Thomas Cocke (3), William Cocke (3) and Stephen (3). Sealed by Stephen Cocke with a red wafer. Sealed by Martha Cocke with “seal of yellow wax”. Witnessed by James Cocke, Theodorick Carter, Benj. Hatcher.
In 1700 there is a deed from Stephen Cocke (3) to Robert Bolling (3) who married Anne Cocke (3)). In 1698 Stephen (3) deeds to brother Thomas (3) land left him by his father’s will. In 1704 Stephen (3) deeds to Thomas (3) the land, taken from Malvern Hills, deeded to Stephen by his father in 1687. In 1701 Stephen Cocke (3) gives a Negro girl to Martha Jones (his half-niece). These Jones’ intermarried with the descendants of Colonel Abram Wood (of the Governors Council in 1657), and they all moved (along with Abraham Cocke (4)) to the vicinity of Petersburg, and thence into Amelia. There is a Richard Jones from Amelia in House of Burgesses in 1736, and a Wood Jones from Amelia in 1752, and Colonel Joseph Jones, Binns Jones (son of Peter) and John Jones are in the Convention of 1788 from Dinwiddie and Brunswick.
3. JAMES COCKE (3) (son of Thomas (2)), born c. 1666; died 1721; married Elizabeth Pleasants, January 1691, daughter of John and Jane Pleasants. (John Pleasants, ancestor of this Virginia family, was a Quaker; came to Virginia in 1665 from Norwich, England and settled in Henrico. He received grants for some 5,000 acres of land and married Jane Tucker, widow of Samuel Tucker. He died at “Curles”, on James river, 1698. He had three children: 1. John married Dorothea Cary and was a patentee of some 10,000 acres of land; 2. Elizabeth married James Cocke and their children intermarried with the Harrisons and Poythress’, 3. Joseph married Martha Cocke (3), daughter of Richard Cocke (2). John Pleasants of “Pickanockie”, son of Joseph Pleasants and Martha Cocke (3) married Susanna Woodson, daughter of Colonel Tarleton Woodson (grandson of Stephen Tarleton, of the family of Colonel Banater Tarleton, the famous British partisan) and Ursula Fleming said to be descended from Sir Tarleton Fleming, second son of the Earl of Wigton (Judge William Fleming and Tarleton Fleming, who married Mary Randolph were of this family). James Pleasants, third son of John and Susanna Pleasants, married Anne, widow of Isham Randolph, of “Dungeness”, Goochland county, son of William Randolph of “Turkey Island”. They were the parents of Governor James Pleasants. See Brock I, 139. Through this marriage he acquired the estate of “Curles” on James River, he being known as “James Cocke of Curles”. He was clerk of Henrico from 1692 to 1707, in which office he was succeeded a few years after by William Randolph.
His cousin, Martha Cocke (3), daughter of Richard Cocke (2) of Bremo, married Joseph Pleasants; brother of his wife. Here was a double alliance with the Pleasants’. But it did not top here. At the same date the Carys intermarried with both the Cockes and the Pleasants’ of Henrico. So that there was a dual connection with the Carys and a triple connection with the Pleasants’ family.
James Cocke (3) was a member of the house of Burgesses in 1696 and in 1698-9, and probably in other years. He was clerk of Henrico for the period 1692-1707. We lose sight of him after this date, except some conveyances to his son, James Cocke (4) (1713) and others. Unfortunately we have not got his will, but we have the will of his widow, Elizabeth Cocke who survived him many years and died about 75 years age in 1731. They had two sons, James (executor of Elizabeth Cocke’s will) and Pleasant (from Pleasants) who died 1744, and left a son, William Fleming (he married a Fleming) Cocke, and a son named Pleasant, who was a captain in the Revolutionary War. They also left a daughter who married a Poythress and we are told that there were intermarriages with the Harrisons.
4. WILLIAM COCKE (3), son of Thomas (2) (on an earlier entry we enumerate John Cocke among the children of Thomas Cocke (2) instead of William. In this we followed the genealogy published in the Fifth Volume of the Virginia Historical Collections; but we find from an examination of the will of Thomas Cocke (2) that his fourth son was named William NOT JOHN.) born c. 1670; died 1717; married 1691, Sarah Dennis. (Richard Denis was a member of the House of Burgesses from Charles City in 1714, very probably the father of Sarah Dennis. Sir Thomas Dennis paid 105 pounds as member of the Virginia Company of Bicton and Holcombe, Devon. He married Anne, daughter of Wm Powlett, Marquis of Winchester; died 1613. Captain Robt. Dennis was sent over in 1652 by Cromwell to establish his authority in the colony) These had issue: William (4) Temperance (4), Catharine (4), Mary (4) and Sarah (4).
5. TEMPERANCE COCKE (3), daughter of Thomas (2) born c. 1670; died ------------; married Captain Samuel Harwood, who was the delegate from Charles City county in the House of Burgesses in 1710, ’14, ’23 and ’26. His son, Samuel Harwood, Jr. of Weyanoke, was sheriff of the county in 1730, ’31, ’37. Temperance Cocke was certainly a daughter of Thos. Cocke’s first wife. .
6. AGNES COCKE (3), daughter of Thos Cocke (2), born c. 1672; died ------------------, married Captain Joseph Harwood of Charles City, Justice of the county and Member House of Burgesses 1710.
(Few Colonial families can show such a record as the Harwoods. The first of the name is Sir Edward Harwood, Governor of North Carolina in 1625. We next meet with Captain Thomas Harwood, who represented Mulbury Island (Warwick Co.) in the House of Burgesses continuously from 1629 to 1642. In 1642 and 1652 he was a member of the Council. In 1685 Major Humphrey Harwood, was a Burgess from Warwick and he was sheriff in 1692. In 1693, Anne Harwood, daughter of Thomas Harwood, married Thomas Wythe, ancestor of Chancellor Wythe. Colonel William Harwood (Warwick) was a member of House of Burgesses 1744, 1748, 1752, 1753, 1755, 1758, 1764, 1765, 1769, 1772, 1774 and of the Convention of 1776. The first of the name who appeared in Charles City county were Capt. Joseph and Capt. Samuel Harwood (who married the daughters of Thomas Cocke (2) of Henrico). They were both (as mentioned) in the House of Burgesses in 1710 from Charles City, and Samuel Harwood was a member of this body also in 1714, 1723 and 1726 (as above stated). In 1730, '31 and '37 Samuel Harwood, probably son of foregoing, was (as stated above) sheriff of Charles City, and Samuel Harwood, Jr., of Weyanoke, is appointed justice in 1739. In 1775 Samuel Harwood, probably grandson of he first Samuel, is appointed a major of the Virginia Forces; and in 1776 (along with his kinsman Colonel Wm. Harwood, of Warwick) he is a member of the State Convention. William H. Harwood, of Charles City, c. 1770, married Margaret Waldrop, who had issue: Agnes Harwood married Fielding Lewis of Gloucester, 1788 and Nancy Harwood married Thomas Lewis of Gloucester. Christopher Harwood of King and Queen, married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Roane, and had issue: Col. Archibald Roane Harwood of "Newington", member House of Delegates from King and Queen 1816, '22, '23, '24, '32, '34. He married Martha, daughter of Samuel G. Fauntleroy, and their children married with Brockenbroughs, Garnetts, Pollards, Winders. All of these Charles City and King and Queen Harwoods were descended from Temperance and Agnes Cocke (3). There was a Harwood of Warwick in Legislature in 1823, 1824 and 1829. In 1819 John R. Harwood was a Director in Exchange Bank in Norfolk; and Wm. B. Harwood was a Director in Farmer's Bank, Petersburg.)
THIRD GENERATION – Continued
II. THE CHILDREN OF RICHARD COCKE (2)
RICHARD COCKE (2) of Bremo, born 1672; died 1720; married first Anne Bowler. We don’t know the name of his second wife.
Anne Bowler was the daughter of Thomas Bowler of the county of Rappahannock (now Essex and Richmond); member of the Governor’s Council in 1670. She was born in 1695 and died 1705. There appear to have been three children by this marriage, on of them Bowler Cocke (4) of Bremo. Among the children of the second marriage was Richard (4) the ancestor of Col. Richard Cocke of Bacon’s Castle, of Hartwell Cocke (5), General John Hartwell Cocke (7) &c. (In the Revolutionary period there was a Bowler’s Wharf on the Rappahannock. The name now is spelled also Boulware.
In the William and Mary College Quarterly for January 1895, p. 204, is the following interesting notice of the grave-yard at Bremo: “At Bremor, in Henrico county, I observed two badly shattered stones with the following inscriptions.
“Here lyes Interr’d the Body of
Richard Cocke (2)
Son of Richard (10 of B * * * *
He was born the 105h day
* * ecember 1639, and departed
* * * ife on the 20th November * * “
“Here lyeth Interr’d the Body
of Anne, the wife of Richard Cocke (3)
the younger, of Bremor in this county,
and daughter of Thomas Bowler, late
of the County of Rappahannock.
She was born the 23d day of Jan:
1675 and departed this life the 24th
day of April, 1705 Aged
30 * * 3 months 1 day”
In the year 1710 (see Vol. V, Virginia Historical Collections, Huguenot Emigration to Virginia, p. 73) Mr. Robert Bolling is ordered by the Honorable the Liet.-Governor and the Council to survey and lay of the second 5,000 acres of land assigned to the French Refugees at Manakin Town, and Colo. Wm. Randolph and Mr. Richard Cocke are appointed to here and determine all disputes in regard to the distribution of the above shares, &c.
In 1714 (Dr. William Cocke was at this time secretary of the colony) Richard Cocke (3) bought of Lt.-Governor Spotswood, as appears by a deed recorded at Williamsburg, for the sum 12 pounds 10 shillings (about $350 at present), 2,447 acres of land on the north side of James river, in what is now Goochland county, adjoining the lands of Nicholas Meriwether and Joseph Lewis. A part of this tract, 1,100 acres, was bought in 1770 by the Rev. Wm. Douglas, the teacher of Mr. Jefferson, and given to his grandson Thomas Meriwether. (In the county of Goochland in 1751 Patty Wood, daughter of Henry Wood and Martha Cox, married Wm. Meriwether.)
About 1700 Richard Cocke (3) or Richard Cocke (2) patented 975 acres land.
We have not the will of Richard Cocke (3) but there is a memorandum in the Order-Book of Henrico county that it was proven October 1720, with Ebenezer Adams, Nathaniel Harrison and Henry Harrison as executors. Nathaniel Harrison was son of Benjamin Harrison of Surry county. He was the grandfather of Benjamin Harrison of Brandon “the signer”. (CORRECTION: We erroneously represented Nathaniel Harrison as the grandfather of Benjamin Harrison, “the signer”. But this Benjamin Harrison was of Berkeley and was the son of Benjamin Harrison (2), Eldest son of Benjamin (1).)
Ebenezer Adams was the father of Thomas Adams (afterwards of New Kent) who married Martha Cocke (4), daughter of Richard (3), member of the Continental Congress 1778, 1780 and the progenitor of the Adams family who lived in Richmond in beginning of present century. (CORRECTION: In our last article we stated that the ancestors of the Adams family of the Revolutionary period, and afterwards so prominent in Richmond were Thomas Adams, son of Ebenezer Adams and Martha Cocke (4), daughter of Richard Cocke (3). This was an error, as we learn from a carefully prepared genealogy of the Adams family in the January number of the William and Mary College Quarterly by Mr. C. W. Coleman. It was from “Ebenezer Adams and Tabitha Cocke(4)” daughter of Richard (3) that Richard and Thomas Adams and Colonel Richard Adams, Jr., and the other members of that family were descended. Tabitha Cocke (4) was a daughter of Anne Bowler (Richard (3) Cocke’s first wife). She married c. 1718 (she must have been born about 1698), Ebenezer Adams and it was through their son Richard (5) (not Thomas (5)), that the descent of the Richard Adams’ was drawn. Thomas Adams (5) died childless, although he married in 1775 the widow of his first cousin, Colonel Bowler Cocke (5) whose maiden name was Fauntleroy (died 1791).)
It is not unlikely that there was some connection by marriage with Nathaniel and Henry Harrison.
2. ELIZABETH COCKE (3) was the second child of Richard Cocke (2). She married in 1695 (and was probably born about 1675) Miles Cary (3), clerk of Warwick County.
The Carys are an ancient Devonshire family, of which collateral branches were Barons of Hunsdon, Earls of Monmouth and Dover, and Viscounts Falkland. (See Burke for the descent.)
Miles Cary (1) came to Virginia in 1640-46 and died 1667. Settled in Warwick and the name continued potent in that county down to 1800, and very prominent elsewhere. Miles Cary was a member of the Governor’s Council in 1665. His children were:
1. Thomas Cary (2)
2. Ann Cary (2)
3. Henry Cary (2)
4. Bridget Cary (2)
5. Elizabeth Cary (2)
6. Miles Cary (Jr.) (2)
7. William Cary (2)
Thomas Cary (2) died 1708. Issue: Thomas, James, Milnor, Elizabeth
Henry Cary (2) was the father of Miles Cary (3) who married Elizabeth Cocke. He lived at a place called “The Forest”, and was appointed to erect and superintend the building of William and Mary College and the capitol at Williamsburg. He had issue: Henry (3); Miles (3); Ann (3), Elizabeth (3), Judith (3) married ------------ Barber.
Henry Cary (3) was the father of Colonel Archibald Cary (4) of Ampthill, died 1787; prominent in the Revolutionary period; married Mary Randolph, daughter of Richard Randolph (3). One of his daughters married Thomas Mann Randolph; another Carter Page
Miles Cary (3) son of Henry (2) died 1724; married, as we have said, Elizabeth Cocke (3) and they had issue:
1. Anne Cary (4)
2. Elizabeth Cary (4) (who married Benjamin Watkins of Chesterfield and had descendants: Benjamin Watkins Leigh (grandson)(who was descended from the Cocke family), Conway Robinson, Finney, Royall, Worsham, Barksdale &c.)
3. Bridget Cary (4)
4. Dorothy Cary (4)
5. Martha Cary (4)
6. Miles Cary (4)
7. Thomas Cary (4)
8. Nathaniel Cary (4)
Colonel Miles Cary (2) died 1708; surveyor-general, naval officer, &c.; married daughter of Colonel William Wilson (Naval Officer for Lower James). They had issue:
1. Colonel Wilson Cary (3) of “Cesley’s”, and “Richneck”, born 1702. Educated at William and Mary and Cambridge, England. One of his daughters married Robert Carter Nicholas; another Bryan Fairfax, Baron Fairfax; 2. Miles Cary (3) d.s.p.; 3. Mary Cary (3) married Joseph Selden.
William Cary (2) had issue:
1. Harwood Cary (3)
2. Miles Cary (3) died 1766; father of Judge Richard Cary of the Court of Appeals;
3. Martha Cary (3) who married Edward Jaquelin, whose daughter married Richard Ambler
Miles Cary (3) who married Elizabeth Cocke, was clerk of Warwick county 1699-1714, and perhaps after 1714. He seems also to have been in the year 1714 clerk of the Committee of Claims in the General Assembly.
About this time (1690) Dorothea Cary (3) married John Pleasants, establishing a very close connection between the Carys, the Cockes and the Pleasants’. She must have been a cousin of Miles Car (3), not the daughter of Miles Cary (3), son of Miles (2).
3. MARTHA COCKE (3), daughter of Richard (2) died -------------------; married Joseph Pleasants. (See under head of James Cocke (3)). (It is restated here by transcriber: 3. JAMES COCKE (3) (son of Thomas (2)), born c. 1666; died 1721; married Elizabeth Pleasants, January 1691, daughter of John and Jane Pleasants. (John Pleasants, ancestor of this Virginia family, was a Quaker; came to Virginia in 1665 from Norwich, England and settled in Henrico. He received grants for some 5,000 acres of land and married Jane Tucker, widow of Samuel Tucker. He died at “Curles”, on James river, 1698. He had three children: 1. John married Doethea Cary and was a patentee of some 10,000 acres of land; 2. Elizabeth married James Cocke and their children intermarried with the Harrisons and Poythress’, 3. Joseph married Martha Cocke (3), daughter of Richard Cocke (2). John Pleasants of “Pickanockie”, son of Joseph Pleasants and Martha Cocke (3) married Susanna Woodson, daughter of Colonel Tarleton Woodson (grandson of Stephen Tarleton, of the family of Colonel Banater Tarleton, the famous British partisan) and Ursula Fleming said to be descended from Sir Tarleton Fleming, second son of the Earl of Wigton (Judge William Fleming and Tarleton Fleming, who married Mary Randolph were of this family). James Pleasants, third son of John and Susanna Pleasants, married Anne, widow of Isham Randolph, of “Dungeness”, Goochland county, son of William Randolph of “Turkey Island”. They were the parents of Governor James Pleasants. See Brock I, 139. Through this marriage he acquired the estate of “Curles” on James River, he being known as “James Cocke of Curles”. He was clerk of Henrico from 1692 to 1707, in which office he was succeeded a few years after by William Randolph.
His cousin, Martha Cocke (3), daughter of Richard Cocke (2) of Bremo, married Joseph Pleasants; brother of his wife. Here was a double alliance with the Pleasants’. But it did not top here. At the same date the Carys intermarried with both the Cockes and the Pleasants’ of Henrico. So that there was a dual connection with the Carys and a triple connection with the Pleasants’ family.
THIRD GENERATION – continued
III. THE CHILDREN OF JOHN COCKE (2)
1. WILLIAM COCKE (3) married Sarah Perrin 1695; died 1711 (In Gloucester county, at the mouth of York river, opposite Yorktown, the old Perrin mansion is still standing in good condition. It is of the style of architecture so usual in Virginia during the reigns of the Georges – a large, brick building, two stories high and four rooms on each floor, wainscoted and paneled. The house is in full view of Yorktown, at the mouth of Sarah’s Creek on the east side of Gloucester Point.
There are several graves of the Perrin family her, among them that of John Perrin, the epitaph stating that he died November 2, 1752, aged 63 years. See William and Mary Col. Quar., April 1895, p. 254.
In a list of slave owners in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester, 1786, the largest slave-holders were: John Page, 160; Warren Lewis, 143; John Perrin, 116; John Seawell, Sr., 39; Sam’l Cary, 39; Joseph Cluverius, 32, &c.
Major Wm. Farrar of Henrico, d. 1715; Burgess 1700, 1701, 1702; son of Lt.-Col. John Farrar; had a brother, Thomas who married Katherine, daughter of Richard Perrin. These had issue: Perrin Farrar (a child in 1691). Sarah Perrin was, no doubt, the daughter of Richard Perrin. The Farrars (Ferrars) were of a very distinguished English descent.)
In the course of the investigation of a subject like this, accompanied by published articles as the investigation progresses, new information is, or course, constantly obtained from old records, and more especially from the correspondence which is naturally developed with the scattered members of the connection who become interested in the family memoir.
We have just received from Lieutenant Champe Carter McCulloch of the United States Arm, a descendant of Co. Valentine Wood, and grandson of Edward Carter of Blenheim, a very interesting letter, which gives us the children and descendants of John Cocke (2) and solves several very important collateral questions.
From this we learn that John Cox (2) (this line seems to have adopted this spelling) left a will on record in Henrico, dated 19 February 1691 – 1692 and probated February 1, 1696. He had six sons: John (3); Bartholomew (3); Richard (3); William (3); Henry (3) and George (3) and his wife MARY COX.
There is also on record the will of William Cox (3) dated February 10, 1711, probated June 1712, which mentions son Stephen, daughters Martha, Mary Prudence, Judith, Elizabeth and wife SARAH.
There is recorded in Goochland county the will of Sarah Cox, dated March 26, 1726, probated January 20, 1747. She mentions son Stephen, daughters Edith, Martha, Elizabeth, Mary, Prudence and Judith. She appoints Henry Wood her executor, and the will is in the handwriting of Henry Wood (the clerk of Goochland county at that date, and father of Col. Vakebtube Wood), who married Lucy Henry, and was the grandfather of General Joseph E. Johnston, Beverly Johnston of Abingdon, Valentine Wood Southall and Dr. Philip Southall of Amelia and whose daughters married Edward Carter of Blenheim, Albemarle county; William Meriwether, grandson of Col. Nich. Meriwether of Hanover; and Wm. Pryor.
In the genealogy of the Wood family, it is stated that Henry Wood (for forty-odd years an attorney-at-law and county clerk of Goochland) married Martha Cox, 13 October 1723 at Bremo, in Henrico county. Martha Cox, says the genealogy, was the daughter of William and Sarah Cox of Henrico.
The genealogy proceeds: Valentine Wood (son of Henry) was baptized Oct. 23, 1724; William Finney, Stephen Cox and Ann Hoper sureties; and married (Valentine Wood) to Lucy Henry, daughter of Colonel John Henry, January 3, 1764. At the baptism of other children of Henry Wood, one of the sureties is Judith Cox.
William Finney, referred to above was the Rev. Wm. Finney, M. A. of the University of Glasgow, who married Mary Cocke (4) daughter of Thomas Cocke (3). He was minister of Henrico Parish 1714-27.
The foregoing facts negative of course the statements on p. 411 of our January article, that William Cocke (3) son of William Cocke (2) was father of Martha Cox who married Captain Henry Wood.
It appears that William Cox (3), son of John (2) died in 1711. This explains the marriage of his daughter in 1723 “at Bremo”. He left a widow and a family of young children, who found shelter at Bremo with their relative Richard Cocke (3).
2. JOHN COCKE (3) married Mary -------; born c. 1670; died 1710. Issue: William (4); James (4) died 1713; Martha (4) married ------- Wilkinson; Robert (4).
We know nothing farther of any of these individuals, nor have we information about the other children of John Cocke (2). The family is said to have lived at Dutch Gap, and to have been the ancestors of the Coxes of Chesterfield.
The Cockes became also a very prominent family in Goochland (See Meade’s “Old Churches”). This may be connected, however, with the large tract of land bought in this county in 1714 by Richard Cocke.
THIRD GENERATION – continued
IV. THE CHILDREN OF WILLIAM COCKE (2)
1. WILLIAM COCKE (3). He may have been a son of William Cocke (2) by his first marriage with Jane Clarke. If so, he was born about 1679. If his mother was Sarah Flower, he was not born before 1690. His two sisters were certainly by the second wife. There was a “Captain William Cocke”, of this period, who died in 1736. This may have been the person.
2. MARY COCKE (3) born c. 1690; married Obadiah Smith; died 1754. Her husband died 1746. Their wills are on record in Henrico county. They left a son named Obadiah Smith (died 1765) and a son named Luke, who was the father of Obadiah Smith (3) (lieutenant in the Revolution and a man of considerable property), whose daughter, Lucy Smith married James Powell Cocke (6) in 1777. (Previously we state that he was the son of Obadiah Smith (1). We confounded him with his uncle, Obadiah Smith (2) who died in 1765. There is a case reported in 3 Randolph’s Reports involving some contest about the will of this Obadiah Smith (3).
THE COCKE FAMILY OF VIRGINIA
(HENRICO) FOURTH GENERATION
1. DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS COCKE (3) SON OF THOMAS COCKE.
1. THOMAS COCKE (3) left six children: Thomas (4), James Powell (4), Henry (4), Brazure (4), Mary (4) and Elizabeth (4)
1. Thomas Cocke, born c. 1684, died unmarried 1711.
By his will, probated November 5, 1711, he leaves all his property to his three brothers. His appraisement was 147 pounds; appraisers, John Cocke, Joseph L. Royall, John Archer, John Worsham, Jr. Executors, Littlebury Eppes and Samuel Harwood.
He leaves the tract of land “on which his Grandmother now lives” (relict of Thomas Cocke (2)), called “Mawborn Hills” (note the pronunciation), to his brother Brashaw Cocke, being the land given him by his grandfather. This property, the homestead, had been left to Margaret Cocke, widow of Thomas Cocke(2), for life, and she was still living in 1711.
Thomas Cocke (4) had the executor of his father’s will, and he was in “loco parentis” to his younger brothers. It appears from the settlement of his accounts that Brazure Cocke had been at a boarding-school.
His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Charles Anderson (He was minister of Westover Parish from 1694 to 1718. His tomb is still standing at Westover. His daughters married John Stith, Henry Taylor and Ellison Armistead, all belonging to prominent families in Charles City.) He is charged for this sermon, as also attendance of “Dr. Cocke” and “Dr. Irby”. Who was this “Dr. Cocke?” That is an interesting question which we cannot answer. Where did he take his degree? About the same time (1705) in the Henrico Records there is noted a payment to “Dr. Chastain”, at Manakin Town. (These families subsequently intermarried.)
2. JAMES POWELL COCKE(4) married Martha Anderson(?) born c. 1688, died 1747. Martha Anderson may have been sister to Rev. Charles Anderson.
Another member of this Anderson family at this time in Henrico was “Henry Anderson” probably brother to Rev. Charles Anderson. His daughter, Anne Anderson married Benjamin Ward (4) (died 1732) and they had issue: 1. Colonel Seth Ward (5) of “Wintopock”, member House of Burgesses from Chesterfield about 1769; 2. Benjamin Ward (5); 3. Henry Ward (5) of Amelia, alive 1746; 4. Rowland Ward (5). Benjamin Ward (6) had a daughter Maria (7) born 1784 who married Peyton Randolph. She was said to have been John Randolph’s only love. See Virginia Historical Magazine, January 1895, page 312.
James Powell Cocke (4) resided at Malvern Hills, and it was he no doubt who built the old colonial house now standing. He appears to have been County Surveyor of Henrico county, and his name occurs on the vestry records of Henrico Parish as Vestryman as early as 1731, and frequently afterwards (In the handwriting of John Randolph, copied from a family Bible, the following entry occurs: Sarah Randolph, daughter of Henry Randolph, baptized 1715 by Mr. William Finney. Sponsors Mr. Richard Randolph, Mr. James Powell Cock, Mrs. Anne Epes, Mrs. Sarah Epes. (William and Mar Quarterly, IV, 2, 126.))
It is a matter of conjecture how the name Powell was introduced into the Cocke family. Thomas Cocke (3) married Mary Brashear (or Brazure) in Isle of Wight county. Her mother may have been a Powell. Or it may be that Margaret Cocke, wife of Thomas Cocke (2) was a Powell.
There lived in the latter half of the seventeenth century in Isle of Wight (or Nansemond) county, a MAJOR JAMES POWELL, who had (as we learn from his will) a sister named Margaret.
In Thomas Cocke’s (3) will he bequeaths to his daughter a gold ring marked “J. P. and M. C.”, which had probably belonged to her mother, Mary (Brashear) Cocke, and might have been a gift from James Powell (in this case supposed to be her mother’s brother).
In all events it is to be noted that Thomas Cocke (3) married in Nansemond county, in the neighborhood of Major James Powell.
Thomas Cocke (2) had a son named James, and had also a son named Stephen. Now Stephen was distinctively a name in the Powell family, and it does not occur anywhere else either in England or Virginia in the Cocke family. Sir Stephen Powell (a member of the Virginia Company) sub. 37 pounds, 10 shillings and paid 100 pounds. He was one of the six clerks of chancery, London, and was knighted at Theobold’s July 21, 1604; M. C. for Virginia Company, 1609, and still living in 1619. The name of Captain Nathaniel Powell is one of the most prominent in Captain John Smith’s History – “one of the first planters”, as he calls him, “a valiant souldier, and not any in the country better knowne amongst them”, Vol ii, 68. About 1730 there was a descendant of Richard Cocke (2) named Nathaniel. All these facts are worthy of consideration.
These Powells were a famous group in the early period of Virginia. The first of them, Sergeant-Major Anthony Powell, was killed at St. Augustine in 1586 in the expedition of Sir Frances Drake.
In 1618 Captain Nathaniel Powell was Governor of Virginia and member of the Council in 1621, and was killed at Powel’s Brooke, “near Flowerda hundred”, in the Indian massacre of 1622. He married a daughter of William Tracy, son of Sir John Tracy, and it was about 1680 that Dorothy Cocke, daughter of Thomas Cocke of Castleditch, county Hereford, England, married Viscount Tracy of Ireland. (her brother Charles Cocke, M. P. for the city of Worcester, 1691, married the niece of Lord Chancellor Somers) Captain William Powell was also famous at this time (administration of Governor Yeardley). He was a member of first House of Burgesses, 1619. Captain John Smith, in his history, mentions Captain John Powell as “one of the first and leading adventurers to the planting of this fortunate isle (the Barbados)”, and states that “Capt. Henry Powell brought thither the first planters” (40 English and 7 or 8 negroes).
William Powell it is stated, left two sons, Cuthbert and Thomas, who were living in Lancaster in 160, and were ancestors of the Powells of Lancaster and Loudoun counties. (See American Monthly Magazine, February, 1895.)
OLD ST. JOHN’S CHURCH
“In 1737, at a vestry meeting held at Curl’s Church for Henrico Parish, there were present: James Powell Cocke, James Cocke, church wardens; Richard Randolph, John Redford, Bowler Cocke, John Bolling, William Fuller, John Povall, John Williamson and Robert Mosby. At this meeting a resolution was passed to build a church, 60 feet long by 25 feet in breadth, after the model of Curl’s Church, near Thomas Williamson’s.
“At a meeting held December 20, 1739 (same names pretty much), it was agreed to build a church ‘on the land the Hon. William Bird, Esq., 60 feet long and 25 feet broad’. Richard Randolph, gentleman, was the contractor. The sum of 317 pounds 10 shillings to be paid for same.
“At a vestry meeting held for Henrico Parish October 13, 1740, the following members were present: William Stith, clerk; James Powell Cocke, James Cocke, gentlemen, church wardens; Richard Randolph, John Redford, Bowler Cocke, John Williamson and William Fuller, gentlemen vestrymen.
A letter was read by Richard Randolph, gentleman, as follows:
From the Hon. William Byrd, Esq.
‘Sir -- October 12, 1740 – I should with great pleasure oblige the vestry, and particularly yourself, in granting them an acre to build their church upon; but there are so many roads already thro’ that land that the damage to me would be too great to have another of a like cut through it. I should be very glad if you would please to think Richmond a proper place, and considering the great number of people that live below it, and would pay their devotions there, that would not care to go so much higher. I cannot but think it would be agreeable to most of the people, and if they will agree to have it there, I will give them two of the best lots that are not taken up, and besides give tem any pine timber they can find on that side of Shockoe Creek, and wood for burning of bricks into the bargain. I hope the gentlemen of the vestry will believe a friend to the church when I make this offer, and that I am both theirs, sir, and your humble servant,
W. Byrd.’
“Whereupon the question was put whether the church should be built on the hill called Indian Town, at Richmond, or at Thomas Williamson’s plantation, on the Brook road, and is carried by a majority of votes for the former.
It is therefore ordered that the church formerly agreed on to be built by Richard Randolph, gentleman, on the south side of Bacon’s Branch, be built on Indian Town, at Richmond, after the same manner as in the said former agreement was mentioned.
James P. Cocke
James Cocke”
This is the origin of old St. John’s Church, on Church Hill, in Richmond, which thrilled with Patrick Henry’s eloquence in the Revolutionary period.
It will be observed that there were three Cockes on the Vestry Board of Henrico Parish at this. (In his “Life and Times of James Madison”, the Hon. W. C. River has the remarks: “The vestrymen of that day, we shall find, were the Washingtons, the Lees, the Randolphs, the Masons, the Blands, the Pendletons, the Nelsons, the Nicholas’, the Harrisons, the Pages, the Madisons, and other names far too numerous to recapitulate in detail, which stand among the first on the roll of our Revolutionary worthies”. Vol I, 50.
3. HENRY COCKE (4) was the third son of Thomas Cocke (3). Born c. 1690; died 1715. James Powell Cocke and his brother-in-law, William Finney, his executors. He was only some 25 years old. No record of his marriage.
4. BRAZURE COCKE (4) was the fourth son of Thomas Cocke (3). He was born c. 1694, and was living in 1753 in James City county, where he removed about 1730. He probably married there, and the most interesting fact about him is that he was probably the father of Auditor James Cock of Williamsburg, who died 1781-90 and was very prominent figure in the Revolutionary period.
Brazure Cocke was named after his mother’s family, and was the youngest son. It appears from an entry in the executorial accounts of (his brother) Thomas Cocke (4) that he had been sent to a boarding=school, which is an interesting fact at this early period, about 1710.
(“There was a Horse Race” says the Virginia Gazette of December 14, 1739, “round the Mile Course (at Williamsburg) the First Day (of the Fair), for a Saddle of Forty Shillings Value. Eight Horses started, by Sound of Trumpet, and Col. Chiswell’s Horse, Edgecomb, came in First, and won the Saddle; Mr. Cocke’s Horse, Sing’d Cat, came in Second and won the Bridle, of 12 Shillings Value; and Mr. Drummond’s Horse, ------------- came in Third, and won the Whip.” Virginia Historical Magazine, ii, 3, page 300. This “Mr. Cocke” was probably Brazure Cocke. There were no other Cockes in James City county.)
5. MARY COCKE (4), daughter of Thomas (3), married the Reverend William Finney, who died in 1727. His will is in Henrico clerk’s office. They left issue William and Mary Finney.
There is a deed of gift for 370 acres of land, in 1736, from James Powell Cocke and his sister, Mar Finney, to William Finney.
The Rev. William Finney, M. A. was a graduate of the University of Glasgow (name spelled Finnie). Colonel William Finney in the Revolution was Quartermaster-General of the Virginia forces. There was a Rev. Alexander Finnie, minister in Prince George, and a Captain Alexander Finnie, of Williamsburg, in employ of Governor Spotswood in 1752.
William Finnie was minister of Varina Parish 1714-27 and in 1724 he was one of the “sureties” at the baptism of Valentine Wood, son of Henry Wood and Martha Cocke.
6. ELIZABETH COCKE (4) daughter of Thomas (3). We know nothing of her.
II. DESCENDANTS OF STEPHEN COCKE (3), Son of Thomas (2)
1. ABRAHAM COCKE, born c. 1690, died 1759. He got is name from the Jones’. Stephen Cocke had a half brother named Abraham Jones.
Abraham Cocke journeyed to Amelia, to the banks of the Nottoway River, then part of Prince George; he had interests near Petersburg. His children were related to the descendants of Major Peter Jones and Colonel Abram Wood.
The Act of Assembly (1720 – see Hening) enabling Abraham Cocke to sell certain entailed lands, mentions the land granted to Stephen Cocke (3) at Malborne Hill, and farther says the said Stephen Cocke departed this life, leaving issue a son and a daughter, to-wit: Abraham Cocke and Agnes, “now the wife of Richard Smith”.
The will of Abraham Cocke was probated in Amelia county May 22, 1760. He died 1759.
He seems to have owned large estates in what is now Nottoway and Lunenburg counties. He leaves a plantation or one (sometimes two) tracts of land to each of his six sons: Peter, Abraham, Stephen, Tomas, John and William and he leaves two slaves to each of his four daughters, slaves to his sons, and a mill to his wife. These lands lay in Amelia (now Nottoway), o the Great and Little Nottoway Rivers, and in Lunenburg.
His four daughters were named Mary (married Richard Ellis), Agnes (married Charles Hamlin), Martha and Elizabeth.
In the year 1751 he was Sheriff of Amelia, then a large county, and a justice 1745-60. In 1749 he is recorded as a Vestryman of Nottoway Parish.
His youngest son was General William Cocke (5) one of the founders of the State of Tennessee (Cocke county is called after him), and one of the first two Senators in Congress from that State (1795-1805).
General John Cocke (6), son of General William Cocke (5) had a fierce controversy with General Andrew Jackson (see Parton’s Life of Jackson).
2. AGNES COCKE (4), daughter of Stephen (3). She married Richard Smith; we know nothing more of her.
III. DESCENDANTS OF JAMES COCKE (3), Son of Thomas (2)
James Cocke (3) married Elizabeth Pleasants. They had issue:
1. James Cocke (4), born c. 1690; died c. 1769. His mother (Elizabeth Pleasants) lived, as we have stated, until 1751. The will of Elizabeth (Pleasants) Cocke, recorded in Henrico county, mentions her daughter, Elizabeth Poythress, her grandson, William Fleming Cocke (son of Pleasant Cocke, deceased), her granddaughters, Rebecca, Ann and Tabitha and her son James Cocke (4) who is made her executor. She bequeaths 12 negroes to the above and the residue of her estate to James Cocke (4).
James Cocke (4) was a member of the vestry of Henrico Parish in 1735, and afterwards down to 1750 or later. It was he whose name is associated with that of James Powel Cocke (4) in connection with the founding of old St. John’s Church.
He lived a long life. A deed is on record in Henrico courthouse, dated July 2, 1763, from James Cocke, Sr., to James Cocke, Jr. We have stated that he probably died about 1769; but it is likely he died about 1765. He interests us not only from his association with Old St. Jon’s Church, but also because his name is connected with the lot which states the present court-house of Henrico county, as appears from a deed, dated Oct. 19, 1751, recorded in Henrico clerk’s office, in which William Randolph, gentleman, conveys to James Cocke, gentleman “a certain half acre of ground in the city of Richmond, and designated as lot No. 22 in plan of said city.” See Richmond Enquirer, July 23 25, 1876. This lot is the land on which the present court-house stands. The deed is recorded Nov. 4, 1751, and certified by Bowler Cocke, C. C.
We have not his will and know the name of only one of his children, Capt. James Cocke (4).
2. PLEASANT COCKE (4) born, perhaps, 1692; died 1744. He must have married a Fleming. He seems to have left two sons; William Fleming Cocke (5) and Pleasant Cocke (Jr.)(5). He seems to have left two sons: William Fleming Cocke (5) and Pleasant Cocke (5). He may have also been the father of Rebecca, or Ann, or Tabitha Cocke mentioned as her grand-daughters in the will of Elizabeth Pleasants Cocke, the widow of James Cocke (3). Pleasant Cocke(5) was an officer in the Revolution. (The Flemings were a distinguished family in Goochland and Cumberland in the Revolutionary period. Several of them were officers high in command in the Continental army, and several of them in the House of Burgesses. Judge Fleming of the Court of Appeals in the post-Revolutionary period, was prominent as a member of that court.)
3. ELIZABETH (COCKE) POYTHRESS (4). In the next generation there was a marriage between another Poythress and a certain James Cocke, who lived at “Bon Accord”.
Dr. Bock states in his “Virginia and Virginians”, Vol. I, page --, that the children of James Cocke (3) intermarried with the Harrisons. We do not know the authority for this statement, but that accomplished genealogist is rarely wrong.
IV. The other children of Thomas Cocke (2) were William Cocke (3) and Temperance (Cocke) Harwood (3). We know nothing of the children of this William Cocke (3) and of the Harwoods we have already spoken. (There was a Captain William Cocke and a Captain Thomas Cocke in the French-Indian wars of the middle of the century.)
V. DESCENDANTS OF RICHARD COCKE (3) SON OF RICHARD (2) (FOURTH GENERATION)
Richard Cocke (3) left three sons and four daughters, to-wit: Bowler Cocke (4); Richard Cocke (4), Benjamin Cocke (4), Martha Cocke (4) (married Thomas Adams, who became quite prominent afterwards); a daughter who married William Acrill, of Charles City, member House of Burgesses 1736; Mary Cocke (4) who married ------------- Eppes, ancestor of Senator John W. Eppes) and a daughter named Tabitha Cocke (4). We notice them in order.
1. BOWLER COCKE (4) born 1696, died 1771, at “Shirley”, in Charles City. He married twice: 1. Sarah ----------------; 2. Mrs. Elizabeth Carter, widow of Colonel John Carter of “Corotoman” and a daughter of Colonel Edward Hill of “Shirley”. Colonel John Carter married Elizabeth Hill in 1723. He died in 1743. Colonel Bowler Cocke was then living at “Bremo”. His first wife had died about 1736. He probably married Mrs. Carter about 1745. When he moved to “Shirley” is not ascertained; probably about 1752, when he ceased to be clerk of Henrico, which office he held from 1728. On the death of his second wife, he became the owner of “Shirley” for life as tenant by curtsey. He died in 1771. (On the death of Bowler Cocke (1771) Shirley passed to Charles Carter, the eldest son of Elizabeth Hill by her first marriage. He was father of Edward Carter of Blenheim, Albemarle county (represented Albemarle in House of Burgesses 1768 and 1785 and no doubt other years), who was grandfather of Dr. Charles Carter of Charlottesville, who married Mary Cocke, daughter of James Powell Cocke of Edgemont, Albemarle.)
There were four of these Bowler Cockes in succession. Bowler Cocke (4) was clerk of Henrico 1728-52; Vestryman for Henrico Parish 1730-43, probably until 1748; member House of Burgesses from Henrico 1752, 1756, 1757, 1758, 1759, 1761 (and probably other years), and was Lieutenant-Colonel of the militia of the county (then a prominent position).
2. RICHARD COCKE (4) son of Richard (3) born c. 1706 (by second wife) died 1772; married Elizabeth Hartwell, daughter of John Hartwell of Swan’s Point, Surry County (opposite James City), and great-niece of Hon. Henry Hartwell, Clerk of Council in 1675-95.
Richard (4) and Benjamin (5) were half-brothers of Bowler (4) and both ancestors of distinguished lines. And both moved from Henrico to Surry County. (This has led to confusion with the regular line of the Surry Cockes, who were established in Surry before Richard Cocke (4) and Benjamin Cocke (4) moved into that county from Henrico. Hartwell Cocke (5), John Hartwell Cocke (6), Richard Cocke (5), Richard Herbert Cocke (6), Colonel Allen Cocke (5) all of Surry and Isle of Wight, were descended from the Henrico Cockes. Colonel Lemuel Cocke, Colonel John Cocke, Colonel Thomas Cocke were descended from William Cocke, the emigrant of 1690. Nicholas Cocke, Walter Cocke, Commodore Harrison Cocke were also descended from William and Walter Cocke, who came over about 1690. Colonel Richard Cocke (5) was living in Surry in 1784, in which year he represented that county in the House of Burgesses. He was by a second marriage of Richard Cocke (4) and his mother was a daughter of Colonel Augustine Claiborne. He was born about 1745, and was still living in 1813, when he gave to General John H. Cocke of Fluvanna, an exceeding valuable and interesting genealogy of the family, drawn up by himself. He had met many of the actors on the scene in the latter half of the eighteenth century. We shall give this genealogy in full further on.)
Richard Cocke (5), son of Richard (4), afterwards moved to Isle of Wight and was known as “Richard Cocke of Shoal Bay”, five miles from Smithfield on James River. (The grandson of Richard (4), Richard Herbert Cocke (6) of “Bacon’s Castle”, who was very wealthy, lived in Surry.) Richard Cocke (4) left a number of other children, among them the distinguished Hartwell Cocke (5) grandfather of General John Hartwell Cocke (7), of Bremo, in Fluvanna. His son, Colonel Richard Cocke (4) was also prominent.
3. BENJAMIN COCKE (4) Son of Richard (3). Born c. 1710, died 1763. He married Catharine Allen, daughter of Arthur Allen, of Surry County. (These Allens were among the most influential people in Surry county. John Allen was clerk of the county, 1708-51. His son, Col. John Allen was an officer in the Revolution, a member of the Virginia Convention of 1776 and a member of the Privy Council, 1780. William Allen of Claremont, who died in 1793, was probably the wealthiest citizen of Surry County.) She was the daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Stith, who married three times: 1. Arthur Allen of Surry; 2. Arthur Smith, Jr., of Isle of Wight; 3. ------------- Stith. (See William & Mary Quarterly, Oct. 1896, p. 113.) Her maiden name was Elizabeth Bray, sister of Thomas and James Bray.
Benjamin Cocke (4) had moved from Henrico to Goochland, and in 1744-47, he was vestryman in the parish of St. James-Northam in that county. The vestry records for 1747 have the same entry that “Peter Jefferson (father of Thomas Jefferson) is appointed vestryman in the room of Benj. Cocke, removed.” (Signed by Thomas Cocke. Who was this Thomas Cocke? In 17674 “it is ordered that Thomas Cock and Stephen Perkins do Procession the lands within the Precincts, &c.”)
Richard Cocke (3) in 1714 had bought a large body of land in Goochland county. This was probably the occasion of his son (Benjamin (4)) moving to that county. But when Benj. Cocke married Catharine Allen (who was probably rich) he removed to Surry.
Benj. Cocke (4) and Catharine Allen left three children: 1. Catharine Allen Cocke, m. ---------- Bradly; 2. Arthur Allen Cocke (6) m. Nancy Kennon; 3. Rebecca Cocke m. ------------- Eaton. When he (ARTHUR ALLEN per Corrections) died in 1763, his widow married Arthur Smith, Jr., and afterwards ---------- Stith. She lived until 1774. Her will is recorded in Surry county and evidences that she was quite rich. She leaves (Arthur) Allen Cocke (her grandson) her gold watch, chain and seals, three silver castes, four silver salt spoons, one silver can, a gold ring and a mourning stone ring, her father’s picture, and a plantation called Rockohock in James City county. To her granddaughters, Catharine Allen Bradly and Rebeckah Cocke, large silver tankard, a dozen and a half silver spoons, silver tongs and strainer, certain lots in Smithfield, &c. She gives a silver tankard to Col. Joseph Bridger (Lt. Col. James Bridger, in the latter part of the seventeenth century was, perhaps the leading citizen of Isle of Wight county. In 1680 he was commander-in-chief of the Horse in Isle of Wight, Surry, Nansemond and Lower Norfolk. Wm. Bridger was sheriff of Isle of Wight in 1702 and Burgess in 1714 and 1718. In 1752, 1765, 1768 and 1770 Capt. James Bridger (the executor of this will) was a member of the House of Burgesses. Col. Joseph Bridger was no doubt his brother, and in 1761 both of them were in the House of Burgesses from Isle of Wight) and to Col. Philip Johnson and Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson ten pounds to “buy them two neat rings” (Beginning with 1644 and coming down to 1825 the family of Arthur Smith has been one of the best known in Isle of Wight. The first of the name was a member of House of Burgesses in 1644. Nicholas Smith (probably brother) in 1660. Arthur Smith in 1718. Thomas Smith (c. 1780) married Elizabeth Waddrop, daughter of John Waddrop and Nancy Hunt Cocke of Surry (dau. Of Col Allen Cocke. (CORRECTION: On p. 325, note, the statement (taken from Virginia Hist. Mag., Oct. 1895, p. 197) that Nancy Hunt Cocke married John Waddrop, is erroneous. As will appear hereafter, she married: 1. Gen. James A Bradley. 2. Patrick Henry Adams 3. Col. Richard Herbert Cocke (6)). They had a daughter Elizabeth, who married James Johnson and these had a daughter Eliza, who married Lieut. Wm. H. Cocke of Surry, U.S.N. and was killed in 1822 by accidental discharge of a gun off Moro Castle. James Johnson was a member of Congress 1813-20. There was a James Johnson (of James City) who was member of Convention of 1788. In 1752 Capt. Arthur Smith, the husband of Catharine Allen, our testatrix, founded the town of Smithfield. His son, Col. Arthur Smith was a member of the Legislature in 1839-40. “Col Philip Johnson of James City county, married Elizabeth, heiress of James Bray, and had issue: James Bray Johnson and others. James Bray Johnson married Rebecca, daughter of Col. Littlebury Cocke of Charles City county and had Eliza, sole heiress, who married Chancellor Samuel Tyler of Williamsburg”. See for the foregoing William & Mary College Quarterly, Oct., 1896, p. 114. Col. Philip Johnson represented James City co. in the House of Burgesses, 1765, 1768.) also 15 pounds to three godchildren to buy cups. She gives unto Parish of Southwark 50 pounds “to purchase an Altar piece”. “I would have” (she adds) “Moses and Aaron drawn at full length, holding up between them the ten commandments * * and the Lord’s Prayer a small Fraim to hang on right hand of great Pew, and the Creed * * on left hand over other great Pew.” She gives then unto her free school at Smithfield 120 pounds, &c. These legacies were to be discharged by the sale of certain Negroes. Executors: Mr. Wm. Edwards and Capt. James Bridger.
Benjamin Cocke (4) seems to have lived at “Bacon’s Castle”, Surry, which afterwards passed into the hands of Col. Richard Herbert Cocke (6)
4. MARTHA COCKE (4), daughter of Richard Cocke (3). She married Thomas Adams. (There is an account of the Adams family, (Richard, Samuel and John Adams) in Mordecai’s, “Richmond in B-gone Days”. He speaks of their large wealth and states that they owned the Eastern portion of the city (Church Hill), then called “Adams’ Hill”. This was about 1800-1825. The late Mrs. Gen. George W. Randolph, so well known in the social circles of Richmond, was of this family.
Ebenezer Adams (with Nathaniel Harrison and Henry Harrison), was the executor of Richard Cocke (3). He moved to New Kent county. He had two sons, Thomas and Richard Adams. Richard was in the House of Burgesses from New Kent in 1752 and 1765, 1773. He was also a member of the convention of 1776. He married Elizabeth Griffin, daughter of Judge Cyrus Griffin, President of Congress in 1788. He was born 1723, and died 1800. Thomas Adams, who married Martha Cocke (4) is stated to have been clerk of Henrico, He went to England and was in his earlier life a merchant in London. He returned to Virginia in 1772, and was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1778 and 1780. Afterwards removed to Augusta county, and died in 1788. In 1785, he represented Augusta, Rockingham, Rockbridge and Shenandoah in the Senate of Virginia. Ann Hunt Cocke, daughter of Col. Allen Cocke (5) married Patrick Henry Adams. The names of both Thomas and Richard Adams are recorded in the list of the Association of Williamsburg, 1776. Col. Richard Adams and his brothers, who lived in Richmond at the beginning of the present century, were descendants of Thomas Adams and Martha Cocke.)
5. MARY COCKE (4) daughter of Richard Cocke (3) married --------------- Eppes c. 1730. This is mentioned in the account of the descendants of Richard Cocke (3) given in 1813, by Richard Cocke (5) now in possession of the family of the late Gen. Philip St. George Cocke. It is also mentioned in the pedigree in possession of Capt. Edmund Randolph Cocke’s family of Cumberland. Col. Richard Cocke (5) states that his contemporary United States Senator John W. Eppes, as descendant of the above marriage.
6. ANNE COCKE (4) daughter of Richard Cocke (3). Married William Acrill, of Charles City county, member House of Burgesses 1736. He died in 1737, and Richard Cocke (4) and (4) were his executors. She died about 1755. Then had issue (amongst others) Susanna, Rebecca and Hannah Acrill.
Another William Acrill, probably son of above, represented Charles Cit in House of Burgesses, 1768, 1777 and in the convention of 1776, and was member of the Association of Williamsburg of 1770 – a list of the most distinguished names in the colony.
There was an Acrill Cocke living in Charles City county in 1790, and in 1775 we find an Acrill Cocke in Surry.
7. TABITHA COCKE (4), daughter of Richard Cocke (4). We know nothing of her.
VI. DESCENDANTS OF ELIZABETH (COCKE)(3) CARY, DAUGHTER OF RICHARD(2) (FOURTH GENERATION)
ELIZABETH CARY (3) nee Cocke, daughter of Richard Cocke (2) and wife of Miles Cary (3) (married 1695) had issue: Ann Cary (4); Elizabeth Cary (4); Bridget Cary (4), Dorothy Cary (4), Martha Cary (4), Miles Cary (4), Thomas Cary (4), Nathaniel Cary (4).
One of the daughters of Miles Cary (4) married Benjamin Watkins (4), who was first clerk of Chesterfield county, and was a member of the convention of 1776, and a member of House of Burgesses from Chesterfield in 1777.
BENJAMIN WATKINS LEIGH. The Rev. William Leigh of King and Queen, married the daughter of Benjamin Watkins and Elizabeth Cary (4). These last were the parents of Benjamin Watkins Leigh and Judge William Leigh, and of Mrs. Finney (See Meade)
Another daughter of Miles Cary (4), son of Miles Cary, Jr.(3) married the Rev. William Selden of Henrico, father of Miles Selden and progenitor of the Seldens of James River.
The eminent lawyer, Conway Robinson, of Richmond and Washington, was also descended from Miles Cary (3) and Elizabeth Cocke (3).
VII. DESCENDANTS OF MARTHA (COCKE)(3) PLEASANTS (FOURTH GENERATION)
She was the daughter of Richard Cocke (2) and wife of Joseph Pleasants (2). They married about 1730-35. They had issue: 1. Joseph Pleasants; 2. John Pleasants m. Susanna Woodson; 3. Richard Pleasants; 4. Thomas Pleasants; 5. Robert Pleasants; 6. Jane Pleasants; 7. Martha Pleasants m. Nathaniel Vandewall; Elizabeth Pleasants.
Martha Pleasants (4) and Nathaniel Vandewall had issue: 1. Mary Vandewall (5) m. Wm. Lewis, 2. Martha Vandewall (5) m. Col. Turner Southall, in House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia from Henrico, from 1779 to 1791. (Col. Marks Vandewall, son of Nathaniel, was appointed by Mr. Jefferson, Postmaster of Richmond in 1804, in which office he as succeeded by Dr. William Foushee in 1812.)
GOVERNOR JAMES PLEASANTS
John Pleasants (4) and Susanna Woodson had a number of children, among them James Pleasants of “Contention”, m. Ann Randolph of “Dungeness”, who were the parents of Gov. James Pleasants.
VIII. DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM COCKE (3) (FOURTH GENERATION)
This William Cocke (3) was the son of John Cocke (2) and was the only child of John Cocke (2) of whose descendants we have any information. He married Sarah Perrin 1695, and died 1711.
His daughter, Martha Cocke (4) married as we have mentioned in a previous article, Colonel Henry Wood in 1724, who was the first clerk of Goochland (He qualifies as captain 1730, and as a vestryman in 1744. Was afterwards elected or appointed Colonel. Henry Wood’s tomb is still preserved at his old homestead, “Woodville”, about twelve miles northwest of Goochland Courthouse. An oblong granite slab, mounted on pedestals. It bears the inscription: “Henry Wood, son of Valentine and Rachel Wood. Born in London July 8th, 1696, and departed this life May 2nd, 1757. Fuimu quoque nos.” Was a justice for Albemarle county (cut off from Goochland) in 1744, one of the first appointed) and who was the father of Colonel Valentine Wood (second clerk), who married Lucy Henry, sister of Patrick Henry.
Three of the daughters of Colonel Valentine Wood, Martha, Mary and Lucy married respectively, Major Stephen Southall, Judge Peter Johnston and Edward Carter of Blenheim, in Albemarle (afterwards owned by Hon. Andrew Stevenson, who died there in 1857).
In 1765 Valentine Wood, Edward Carter and Bowler Cocke (4) were on a commission appointed by the General Assembly to improve the navigation of James River. The Board consisted of Hon. Peter Randolph, William Byrd, Archibald Cary, &c., for Chickahominy; Bowler Cocke, Jr., Benjamin Harrison, &c., for North Bend James River; Thomas Walker, Thomas Jefferson, Edward Carter, Valentine Wood, &c., for district Goochland and Albemarle. (See Hening, VIII, 149.)
IX. DESCENDANTS OF MARY (COCKE 3) SMITH. (FOURTH GENERATION)
She was the daughter of William Cocke (2) and married Obadiah Smith (3) and died 1754. Their children were: William Smith (4), John Smith (4), Obadiah Smith (4), Jacob Smith (4), Luke Smith (4), Elizabeth Smith (4), Annie Smith (4), Mary Smith (4) married William Smith of “Montrose”, Powhatan county).
This Mary (Cocke) Smith was the grandmother of Obadiah Smith (6) of Westham, Chesterfield county, who married Mary Burks, and was the father of Lucy Smith (6) second wife of James Powell Cocke (6) of Albemarle. (Mary Burks was sister of Elizabeth Burks, who married Dr. William Cabell, progenitor of the Cabell family. See “Cabells and their Kin”, page 59)
This brings our record down to about the middle of the eighteenth century or a little later. The lines of the James Powell Cockes, the Bowler Cockes, the Richard Cockes, the Hartwell Cokes, the Allen Cockes are now prominent. Contemporary with this fourth generation were the children of Secretary William Cocke of Williamsburg: 1. Elizabeth Cocke who married Colonel Thomas Jones (2), son of Captain Roger Jones, ancestor of General Walter Jones and Commodore Catesby Jones; 2 Catesby Cocke born 1702 of “Belmont” Fairfax county, father of Captain John Catesby Cocke of the Revolution; 3. William
Cocke, who lived mostly abroad; 4. Ann Cocke who married Major William Woodford of “Windsor”, Caroline, father of General William Woodford, of the Revolution; 5. Lucy Cocke who married Colonel Thomas Waring, Burgess from Essex, 1736.
Contemporary also were the earlier members of the Surry line, descended from William and Walter Cocke, who arrived in Surry about 1690. These intermarried with the Fludds, the Masons, the Harrisons, the Shorts, the Edmunds of Surry county, and of these were Colonel Thomas Cocke of Surry, who died 1750, and Colonel Lemuel Cocke of the pre-Revolutionary and the Revolutionary period.
We have made reference to two Captain Cocke’s in the French-Indian wars in the time of Governor Spotswood, whose correspondence frequently mentions them; Captain William Cocke (174), and Captain Thomas Cocke (1758).
The Cockes had also penetrated into Goochland and had become a prominent family there. In 1744 Henry Wood (who married Martha Cocke) and Benjamin Cocke were vestrymen for the parish of St. James, Northam. In 1747 Thomas Cocke is a vestryman for same parish and Peter Jefferson is appointed vestryman in place of Benjamin Cocke, who had removed from the parish. This is, no doubt, the Benjamin Cocke referred in Hening, Vol VI, page 15 (1748-55), who had lands and a ferry on the Rivanna river (in Fluvanna or Albemarle).
X. DESCENDANTS OF ANNE COCKE (3) AND ROBERT BOLLING (3)
In his genealogy of the Bolling Family (Bristol Parish), Dr. Slaughter gives the descendants of Robert Bolling (3) and Anne Cocke (3), who were the progenitors of a most notable line of prominent names in the history of the colony.
Robert Bolling(3) was of Charles City (he was thrown into Prince George in 1702), and was surveyor of that county. (Either he or his father was sheriff in 1699) It is probable that his wife was of the same county, and was the daughter of Richard Cocke (2) “the younger”, who lived in Charles City at “Old Man’s Creek”. The Charles City Records being lost, we cannot verify this conjecture. (William Lightoot (4) of Teddington (Sandy Point, Charles City), had a daughter named Anne Cocke and a daughter named May Elizabeth Bolling. See William and Mary Quarterly, October 1894, page 108. And there was a Bolling Cocke in Charles City county in the latter part of the Eighteenth Century).
We give the descendants of this pair as given by Dr. Slaughter, with such additional comments as have appeared to us of interest.
The Bollings belonged to the English family of Bollings of “Bolling Hall, Yorkshire”. Robert Bolling (2) (son of John Bolling of Bolling Hall) born 1646, came from London to Virginia in 1660, and married 1675, Jane, daughter of Thomas Rolfe, and granddaughter of Pocahontas; he marred second, 1681, Anne Stith of Brunswick county, and lived at “Kippax” in Prince George county. Died 1709. Issue by first marriage:
1. John Bolling (3), born 1675. He became a prominent citizen of Henrico and represented that county in the House of Burgesses in 1714, 1723 and 1726. He became, says Dr. Slaughter, “immensely rich”, and was buried at Cobb’s, April 20th, 1729.
Issue by second marriage
2. Robert Bolling (3), born 1682, married 1706, Anne Cocke, died 1749
3. Stith Bolling (3)
4. Edward Bolling (3)
5. Anne Bolling (3)
6. Drury Bolling (3)
7. Thomas Bolling (3)
8. Agnes Bolling
Issue of Robert Bolling (3) and Anne Cocke (3):
1. Mary Bolling (4) born 1708, married William Starke, who died 1755 (The Starkes came from York County. William Starke of York, son of Dr. Richard Starke, moved to Prince George, and married Mary Bolling(4) in 1727. William Starke was one of the vestry of Bristol Parish, 1733, 1737. These had issue:
a. Bolling Starke born 1733, who was a man of prominence during the Revolution. He represented Dinwiddie in the House of Burgesses 1761 and 1770, and in the Convention of 1776, and was one of the Governor’s Council; 1n 1781 was appointed by Governor Jefferson one of the auditors to succeed Thomas Everard.
b. William Starke married Mary Bassett Dangerfield
c. Robert Starke, father of Dr. Powhatan Bolling Starke, who married Miss Orgaine
2. Anne Bolling (4) married John Hall. (In 1720 we find the name of Instant Hall among the vestry of Bristol Parish. In 1718 Robert Hall was Burgess from Prince George County
3. Elizabeth Bolling (4) born 1709, married James Munford. (The Munford family of Richmond, was originally from Prince George. Robert Munford was clerk of the House of Burgesses and married Anne, daughter of Richard Bland. Robert (2) was a colonel in the Revolutionary war. He married a Beverley. Their children intermarried with the Kennons, Byrds, &c.
4. Lucy Bolling (4) born 1719, married Colonel Peter Randolph of Chatsworth. (Colonel Peter Randolph was a son of William Randolph (2) of “Turkey Island” and Elizabeth Beverley. He lived at “Chatsworth” on James River and was a member of the Council 1761, 1768 and other years. Also Attorney-General and Surveyor of Customs of North America 1749. He was the father of Governor Beverley Randolph, who married, 1775, Martha Cocke, daughter of Auditor James Cocke of Williamsburg.)
5. Jane Bolling (4) born 1722 married Hugh Miller. (Hugh Miller was one of the vestry of Bristol Ford Parish in 1746. Sir Peyton Skipwith, Seventh Baronet, married Ann, daughter of Hugh Miller, born 1743.
6. Martha Bolling (4) born 1726, married Richard Eppes of Bermuda Hundreds. (This Richard Eppes (5) represented Chesterfield in the House of Burgesses 1742, 1755, ’58, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, in which last year leaving a large estate.) (The Cockes intermarried a number of times with the Eppes. The mother of Benjamin Cocke (5) of Prince George, was Mary Eppes, daughter of Richard Eppes (4). His son married an Eppes. The Eppes’ were among the most distinguished families of Virginia and were prominent during the seventeenth and the whole of the eighteenth centuries in Henrico, Charles City, Prince George and Chesterfield. There were three Colonel Francis Eppes in succession in Henrico from 1650 to 1734, the first of the name having been a member of the Governor’s Council in 1652. In Charles City county Colonel Littlebury Eppes was frequently Burgess, and members of the family were the clerks and sheriffs of the county repeatedly from 1707 to 1770. In Prince George they held the same offices repeatedly during the same period, as well as that of Burgess. Francis Eppes of Prince George was Colonel of the Second Virginia Regiment in the Revolution. They were also prominent in Chesterfield and Nottoway.
7. Susanna Bolling born 1728 married Alex Bolling of Prince George. He represented Prince George in the House of Burgesses 1761, 1768.
8. Robert Bolling, Jr.,(4) born 1730, died 1775; settled at “Bollingbrook”, Peterburg, Va., and married first, Martha, sister of Colonel John Banister of “Battersea”, M. C.; she dying, he married second 1758, Mary Marshall, daughter of Colonel Thomas Tabb of “Clay Hill”, Amelia county, who died 1814. Thomas Tabb was a Burgess from Amelia 1751 and 1768. John Tabb was a Burgess from same count in 1777 and was a member of the Convention of 1776.)
Issue of Robert Bolling and Mary Tabb
a. Robert Bolling III (of “Centre Hill”) born 1759, married first 1781, Mary Burton, only daughter of Colonel Robert Bolling of “Challowe”, who died 1787, married second 1790, Catharine, daughter of Buckner Stith of “Rockspring”, Brunswick county, who died 1795; married third 1796, Sally, daughter of Lawrence Washington who died 1796; married fourth, Anne Dade, daughter of Buckner Stith, who died 1846. (This Lawrence Washington must have been a nephew or more probably a cousin of General Washington.)
Issue of Robert Bolling (5) and Mary Burton
(1) Mary Burton Augusta Bolling (6) born 1789, married John Monro Banister, son of Colonel John Banister, died 1853
Issue of Robert Bolling (5) and Catharine Stith
(A) W. C. Banister, killed in battle June 9th, 1864
(B) John Munro Banister, Jr. D. D. (7) married Mary, daughter of General Wm. H. Broadmax;
(C) Edith C Banister (7) married Commodore Harrison H. Cocke, U. S. N. of Prince George (He was the son of Walter Cocke of Surry, who died 1802, of the line of Surry Cockes. His family had married with the Harrisons, Travises and Henleys.
Issue of Robert Bolling and Catharine (Stith) Bolling (second marriage)
(2) Rebecca Bolling (6) married John Blackwood Strachan, M.D. died 1845
(3) Lucy Ann Bolling (6) married N. Snelson
Issue of Robert Bolling (5) and Ann Dade Stith
(4) Ann Robertson Bolling (6) married J. N. Campbell of Philadelphia; died 1828
(5) Martha Stith Bolling (6) married first Martin Slaughter of Culpeper and second E. C. Freeman of Culpeper
(6) Robert Buckner Bolling (6) married 1831, Sarah Melville, only daughter of John and Sarah Stuart Minge of Sandy Point, Charles City county, on the river—a splendid estate. She died July 20th 1854. (Colonel Robert Buckner Bolling as very wealthy and lived at the beautiful residence in Petersburg called “Centre Hill”. By his wife he obtained the splendid estate of “Sandy Point” on James river. He represented Petersburg in the Legislature for a number of years – 1840 – 1850. His wife, Sarah Melville Minge (a lovely woman), was the great-great-granddaughter of William Cocke, the progenitor of the line of the Surry Cockes, who died 1720.
Issue of Robert Buckner Bolling and Sarah Melville Minge
A. Robert Bolling (7) M. D. of Philadelphia
B. John Bolling (7)(lawyer) of New York (&c.)
(7) George W. Bolling (6) married Martha, daughter of W. N. Nicholls of Georgetown, DC
Issue of Colonel George W. Bolling (6) and Martha Nicholls
A. Robert Bolling (7) married Nanny Webster
B. William N. Bolling (7) married Susan, daughter of Hon. Richard Kidder Meade.
C. Mary Tabb Bolling (7) married 1867, General W. H. F. Lee, son of General Robert E. Lee
b. Thomas Tabb Bolling (5) born 1763 who married Seignora, daughter of Sir John Peyton of Gloucester county, died 1810
Issue of Thomas Tabb Bolling and Signora Peyton
(1) John Peyton Bolling (6) married Anne Skelton Gilliam
(2) Frances Bolling (6) married Everard Meade, M. D.
(3) Martha Tabb Bolling (6) married Thomas Tabb of Amelia
(4) Harriet Bolling (6) married Charles Eggleston of Amelia
(5) Thomas Bolling (6) married Mary Carter of Goochland
(6) William Bolling (6) married Pocahontas Robertson of Richmond
c. Anne Bolling (5) married John Shore, M. D.
d. Frances Bolling (5) married John Lemessurier
e. Marianna Bolling (5) died unmarried.
THE COCKE FAMILY OF VIRGINIA (HENRICO) – FIFTH AND SIXTH GENERATIONS
1. LINE OF THOMAS COCKE (2)
Thomas Cocke (2) left the following children: Thomas Cocke (3), Stephen Cocke (3), James Cocke (3), William Cocke (3), Agnes Cocke (3) and Temperance Cocke (4)
Thomas Cocke (3) left the following children: Thomas Cocke (4), James Powell Cocke (4), Henry Cocke (4), Brazure Cocke (4), Mary Cocke (4) and Elizabeth Cocke (4)
We have in our last article gotten through with the fourth generation of the Cocke family from Richard Cocke (1). We now enter upon generations five and six, and begin with the children of Thomas Cocke (4), the eldest son of Thomas Cocke (3), the eldest son of Thomas Cocke (2), the eldest son of Richard Cocke (1).
1. DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS COCKE (4) – Thomas Cocke (4), son of Thomas (3), died unmarried, and left no descendants. As we have mentioned he was the executor of his father’s will. Henry Cocke (4), son of Thomas (3) also died unmarried; and of Elizabeth (4) we know nothing. The only children left of Thomas Cocke (3) are James Powell Cocke (4), Brazure Cocke (4) and Mary Cocke (4).. Mary Cocke (4) who married Rev. William Finney, we have noticed. There only remain the descendants of James Powell Cocke (4) and Brazure Cocke (4).
2. JAMES POWELL COCKE (4), son of Thomas (3) – He left only two children: James Cocke (5) and Martha Cocke (5)
JAMES COCKE (5), son of James Powell Cocke (4) was born at Malvern Hills about 1721. He was alive in 1781. (A letter from Colonel Charles Fleming to Colonel Davies, describing the movements of the enemy, dated January 10, 1781, says: “Colonel Nicholas is at Mr. James Cock’s of Malburn Hills with between 3 and 400 men”. Calendar Virginia State Papers, I, 426. This was at the time of Arnold’s landing with 800 troops at Westover, and marching upon Richmond.). He married in 1742, Mary Magdeleine Chastain, daughter of Dr. Stephen Chastain, one of the French Huguenots at Mannikin Town, who came over, we are told, “in the first ship”, and whose name occurs on the records in Henrico Clerk’s Office in 1706. The wife of Stephen Chastain was named Martha, and we learn from the Parish Records of King William Parish, signed by Jean Chastain, clerk, that she died in 1725, aged 52 years.
The Huguenot settlement at Mannikin Town was made in the year 1700, one of the most active promoters in the enterprise being Dr. Daniel Coxe of London, who owned large tracts of land in the Carolinas, and who was no doubt of the family of the English Cockes, whose name as early as 1600 is spelled interchangeably Cock, Cocke, Cox, Coxe.
Prominent among the names of the Huguenot settlers in Virginia were those of Salle, Fontaine, Chastain, Dupuy, Latane, Marye, Maury, Duval, Contesse (Tylers descended from) &c., &c. (There were other Huguenot names in the colony, not of this settlement: The Barrauds, the Bowdoins, the Bertrands, the Trezvants, the Moncure, the Ghiselins, &c.)
There were three Chastains among these settlers in the beginning of the eighteenth century: Dr. Stephen Chastain, Pierre Chastain (vestryman) and Jean Chastain (clerk of the parish).
In the year 1700 more than 500 immigrants, under the Marquis de la Muce, were landed in Virginia, by four successive debarkations. Dr. Brock has published a most interesting account of them in the fifth volume of the Virginia Historical Collections, with the pedigrees of some of the prominent families, including the Chastains.
Among the settlers at Mannikin Town were three ministers and two doctors, one of the former being Louis Latane; and the physicians being Etienne Chastain (Castaing) and La Soree.
The parishioners at Monocantown proceeded to erect it into a parish (King William parish), and to elect a vestry of twelve men, one of whom was Pierre Chastain. Another was Abra. Salle, who seems to have been a leading man, and who was a justice of Henrico in 1709.
In the year 1726 the clerk of the parish is Jean Chastain, who holds the office until 1754, wee the Register of Births ends.
As time rolls on the names of Anne, Charlotte, Elizabeth, Magdelain, Jane, Martha, Judith, Rene occur on the record.
It appears from the foregoing account that there were three of these Chastains originally at Mannikin Town. The name of Dr. Stephen Chastain is spelled both Castaing (In La France Protestante we find the following notice of this family: “Castaing, ancienne famille de Manvezin (at foot of the Pyrenees, in extreme south of France, on northern frontier of Spain), Jean Castaing, practitioner (lawyer) for pendant long temps un des members actif de Consistoire de sa ville natole en xvii e siecle “En 1635 ses collegues au sein de ce conseil etaient Sebastian de Saint-Faust, docteur; Joseph D. Lamigue, docteur; de Gouland bourgeois; Isaac Dirah; Jean Machat, docteur; deputi en synolde de Castres, 1637; John Charles, medecin; Jean Dupre, bourgeois; Jean Dubarr, notarie; Etienne Lassene, docteur; Daniel Cadours, marchand.” III.833.) and Chastain (See Virginia Historical Collections V, page viii)
On pages 112-14 of the Virginia Historical Collections is a list of “Tithables”, at Mannikin Town, in 1744 – apparently the head of the family and the blacks. The highest number of blacks is credited to James Cocke, who was a very young man, and apparently living (with his Huguenot wife) at Mannikin Town. His list is eight persons: Wm. Salle, fice; estate of John James Flournoy, six; John Chastain, five; Mrs. Ann Scott, eight; Mrs. Eliza Bernard, six. On page 194, James Cocke and Mary Magdelain Chastain have a son born to them in 1743 – Chastain Cocke.
From the records in the Land Office we learn that Stephen Chastain between 1714 and 1730, received patents for some 1,400 acres of land in Henrico and Goochland counties, chiefly the former. Peter Chastain patents some 500 acres.
We ascertain through the Land Records that there was a fourth member of this family among these refugees. There is a warrant, dated April 1, 1717 to Charles Chastain, for 672 acres of land in Charles City county, “granted for divers good reasons, but more especially for the importation of 100 persons to dwell within this our colony of Virginia.” George II, Governor Spotswood, 1717
This Charles Chastain no doubt resided in Charles City county, and not with the main colony. Land, it would appear, had greatly appreciated in value, as in the middle of the previous century the Government had allowed fifty acres per head for the importation of colonists.
The Chastains, as a name, have disappeared from Virginia. In the Richmond Enquirer of September 15, 1818, is a non-resident chancer notice in a suit in Buckingham county, of David Guerrant vs Lewis Chastain, John Chastain, William Chastain, Jacob Chastain, Judith Chastain and others.
In the Enquirer of October 25, 1822, is a long chancery publication: Thomas Keeran and Sarah Gillis vs Miles Botts, John Brockenbrough, William Archer, Ph. N. Nicholas, the President and Directors of the Bank of Virginia, &c. &c., and Millon Clarke, Colin Clarke and William B. Chastain, later merchants and partners, &c.
Colin Clarke was father of Captain Maxwell Clarke of Richmond, and of the first Mrs. Douglas Gordion. He lived at Warner Hall, Gloucester county, having moved there from Chesterfield county.
The mother of Colin Clarke was a Salle, with which Huguenot family the Chastains had intermarried.
Captain Clark informs us that the late Chastain White of Hanover was a son of Larkin White, who was the son of General Mercer White. In the year 1752, we find the name of Isham Chastain among the vestrymen of Antrim parish in Halifax County, VA. Henry Isham settled at Bermuda Hundred; died 1675. Was son of Mary Brett, sister of Sir Edward Brett and William Isham. He married widow of Joseph Royall and left issue: Mary Isham who married William Randolph of “Turkey Island”, and Elizabeth Isham married Fr. Eppes of Henrico. He must also have left a daughter who married circa 1710 a Chastain, probably Pierre or Jean. Otherwise, except as a fancy name, we cannot account for Isham Chastain of Halifax in 1752.)
Rene Chastain of Chesterfield, married 1810, Winifred Goode, daughter of William Goode, son of Richard Goode, born 1750. Rene Chastain left issue: Judge Samuel Chastain of Kentucky and John William Chastain of Kentucky.
Colin Clarke was son of Colonel James Clarke of Powhatan, born 172, married Mary Goode Lyle, who died in 1884 in South Carolina at the residence of her son-in-law, Governor Manning.
The Bowdoins, Barrauds and Bertrands intermarried with the line of Richard Cocke (4) and Bowler Cocke(4) of Bremo, and will be noticed further on.
James Powell Cocke (4) left also a daughter Martha, referred to in his will as married, but we do not know the name of her husband.
THE DESCENDANTS OF JAMES COCKE (5) OF MALVERN HILLS
1. CHASTAIN COCKE (6) born March 14, 1743, died March 19, 1795; married Martha Field Archer (born 1752, died 1816) daughter of John Field and Elizabeth Royall (her mother a Field), a sister of the father of Hon. William S. Archer, United States Senator. He was ancestor of the “Cockes” of “Clover Pasture”, Powhatan county. Among his children were:
a. William Archer Cocke (7), died 1844; in Legislature from Powhatan 1822; married Catherine Murray Winston Ronald (William Ronald of Powhatan, was at this period one of the leading public men in the State. He was in the Legislature during and after the Revolution, and in the Convention of 1788. Mr. Rives, in his “Life of Madison”, classes him with the ablest men the parliamentary bodies of that epoch. His brother (they were both Scotchmen), Andrew Ronald, was one of the most eminent lawyers of Richmond. He was opposed to Patrick Henry in the great suit arising from the confiscation of British debts during the war.)
b. John Field Cocke (7), died 1857; captain of cavalry in war of 1812; married Anne Waller Ronald.
c. James Cocke (7) married Mary Lewis of Williamsburg.
Captain John Field Cocke (7) was father of the late Richard Ivanhoe Cocke (8), Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fluvanna; member of Legislature and of Constitutional Convention of 1850-51; and of the late Judge Ronald Cocke (8) of Fluvanna.
2. JAMES POWELL COCKE, JR. (6) born 1748, died January 13, 1829. He married twice: First Elizabeth Archer, sister of Martha Archer, wife of Chastain Cocke (6), and of the father of Hon. Wm. S. Archer (died 1773 without issue) (Col. William Archer, County Commandant of Amelia, was a distinguished officer during the Revolution. His son, Hon. William S. Archer, was U. S. Senator from Virginia, 1841-47 and was a man of large wealth and a striking type of the old Virginia gentleman. His brother, Dr. Branch T. Archer of Powhatan, is recommended (see Richmond Enquirer) by Legislative Caucus of 1819-20 as a Presidential Elector. He was President of the Convention which framed the Constitution of Texas, and Secretary of War for that republic. See Howe’s Historical Collections, page 173-4.) married second, September 1777, Lucy Smith, born October 1756; died February 27, 1816. He was born at Malvern Hills and lived there until about 1785, and was a justice of Henrico County in 1770.
Lucy Smith, the second wife of James Powell Cocke (6), was the daughter of Obadiah Smith of Westham, Chesterfield county, who was man of considerable property, and owned lands in Chesterfield, Mecklenburg, North Carolina and a fourth plantation at the junction of Hico and Dan rivers in the southeastern corner of Halifax. He died in 1777. His son, Obadiah, was a lieutenant in the Continental army, (There were also in the Continental Line two William Smiths, one whom was certainly a brother of Lucy Smith. The other of a collateral branch was of Powhatan).
It will be remembered that in a previous article (see April Number Magazine, page 411) we stated that Mary Cocke (3), daughter of William Cocke (2) married (about 1700) Obadiah Smith. The present Obadiah Smith, of Westham in Chesterfield county, was his grandson, and the son of Luke Smith.
There was another Obadiah Smith, who was the contemporary and cousin of Obadiah Smith of Westham. He died in 1765, and there was a litigation about his will, the case (Smith vs. Carter) being reported in 3 Randolph’s Reports, page 166.
James Powell Cocke (4) and Lucy Smith, his wife, were, therefore, both descended from Richard Cocke (1) – the former through Thomas Cocke (2); the latter through William Cocke (3). (The pedigree of Lucy Smith, as a descendant of William Cocke (2), is given farther on under the head of the line of William Cocke (2).
On account of his health, James Powell Cocke, who seems to have lived t Malvern Hills, removed to the up-country in 1791. Malvern Hills had been sold some time before to Robert Nelson, brother of Governor Nelson and James Powell Cocke (as is stated by Mr. R. Heber Nelson, grandson of Robert Nelson) received in exchange for it lands in the North Garden, Albemarle county.
But he did not leave Henrico until 1791, when he removed to Augusta county, having purchased the Spring Hill estate (840 acres), near Tinkling Spring, from the Rev. James Waddell, D. D., the celebrated blind preacher immortalized b Wirt. He paid for this land 1,050 pounds ($3,500), which he sold in 1793 for $5,333.331/3, and which was bought by John Coalter in 1812 for $13,700 (Joseph Addison Waddell in Staunton Spectator, February 1885). (The Rev. James Waddell bought this property from heirs of John Preston, who lived on it and who was the progenitor of the Preston family of Virginia. Died c. 1780)
James Powell Cocke was a member of the Board of Trustees of the old Staunton Academy, which consisted of the following distinguished names: Rev. John . McCue, Gabriel Jones (a famous man in that day); Alex. St. Clair, Archibald Stuart, Robert Gamble, William Mower, General Robert Porterfield (married half-sister of J. P. C.), James Powell Cocke, John Tate, Robert Grattan, Gentlemen.
In 1793, James Powell Cocke sold his plantation in Augusta, removed to Albemarle and lived at Edgemont, on the Hardware river, near the Green Mountain, thirteen miles south of Charlottesville – a handsome old place still in good preservation, where his monument stand in the old family burying-ground.
James Powell Cocke (6) and Lucy Smith (6) had issue:
a. James Powell Cocke (7) born October 10, 1779; died 1811, married Martha Ann Lewis; died 1856; connected with Lewises and Randolphs of Albemarle.
b. Another son born and died 1783.
c. Mary Cocke (7) born 1785, died in infancy
d. Martha Cocke (7) born 1788 and died in infancy
e. Chastain Cocke (7) born 1790 and died in infancy
f. Smith Cocke (7) born 1792, died in Kentucky 1835, educated at Washington College
g. Chastain Cocke (7) (the second of this name) born February 1795, died (unmarried) at Edgemont December 16, 1838
h. Mary Cocke (7) born October 21, 1796, died March 5, 1888
i. Martha Cocke (7) born June 14, 1799, died July 12, 1874
Mary Cocke (7) daughter of James Powell Cocke (6) married about 1817, Dr. Charles Carter of Charlottesville. Charles Warner Lewis Carter (he called himself Charles Carter) was son of Edward Carter (the second), of Blenheim, Albemarle, and Mary Lewis, and grandson of the first Edward Carter of Blenheim who was a son of Colonel John Carter of Shirley; son of “King” Carter. The first Edward Carter represented Albemarle in House of Burgesses about 1770 and again in 1785, and probably other years. Dr. Charles Carter was also in the Legislature about 1849. Mary Lewis was the daughter of Colonel Charles Lewis (of the family of Colonel Fielding Lewis), of Buck Island, Albemarle. (Represented Albemarle in Convention of 1776.)
Martha Cocke (7) daughter of James Powell Cocke (6) married 1825, Valentine Wood Southall, son of Major Stephen Southall and grandson of Colonel Turner Southall of Henrico. There was a singular conjunction here. Both of the parties were descended from Richard Cocke (1) by a double line. Martha Cocke (7) daughter of James Powell Cocke (6) as descended through James Powell Cocke (4), from Thomas Cocke (2), eldest son of Richard (1). Through her mother Lucy Smith, she was descended from William Cocke (2), father of Mary Cocke (3), wife of Obadiah Smith (3). Valentine Wood Southall was descended from Martha Cocke (4) who married Henry Wood in 1724. She was daughter of William (3), son of John (2) so that he traces through John Cocke (2), son of Richard (1). This was his maternal line. His grandfather, Colonel Turner Southall, married Martha Vandewall, who was the daughter of Martha (Cocke) Pleasants (4), who was daughter of Martha Cocke (3), who was daughter of Richard Cocke (2). So that the descent by this line is to Richard Cocke (2) son of Richard (1). The pair traces their descent to four of the five sons of Richard Cocke (1) by four different lines, and Richard Cocke, “the Younger”, of Charles City, alone, is not represented.
Colonel Turner Southall, paternal grandfather of Valentine Wood Southall, was a very prominent figure in Henrico in the last quarter of the eighteenth century. He represented Henrico in the House of Delegates 1778-84, and was a member of the State Senate in 1790, at the time of his death, from the Senatorial District of Henrico, Goochland and Louisa. He was Colonel Commandant of the county of Henrico (and kept pretty active) during the Revolution; a member of the Committee of Safety 1774-75; appointed on a commission to erect the new capitol in Richmond, and to lay off the streets of the new city; Director of Public Buildings; one of the trustees to improve the navigation of James river; vestryman with Peyton Randolph and Bowler Cocke in 1785 of Henrico parish. He was connected with every prominent public movement in Henrico from 1770 to 1790.
Major Stephen Southall of Henrico, who served as a lieutenant through the Revolutionary War (he lived in Richmond, cor. Leigh and 7th streets, and at Westham, Henrico), was the father of Valentine Wood Southall.
The latter was for many years the leading member of the bar in Albemarle; for many years represented Albemarle in House of Delegates; was Speaker of that body; was member of the Constitutional Convention of 1850-51; attorney for the Commonwealth of Albemarle for may years; member of the State Convention of 1861, and acting President of the body after President Janney’s sickness, (He ran against Mr. Janney for the presidency, the latter being elected by the more extreme Union vote.)
3. STEPHEN COCKE (8) was the third son of James Cocke (5) and Mary Magdalene Chastain. He married Jane Segar Eggleston of Amelia, daughter of Major Joseph Eggleston of the Revolution. (Judge Peter Johnston was in Major Eggleston’s command during the Revolution, and he called his son, Joseph Eggleston Johnston after him. Maj. Eggleston is said to have been a man of considerable literary attainments, and he was made a general of militia by the Legislature after the war, but he declined it. John Eggleston was M. C. from Virginia 1798-1801. (There was another Stephen Cocke (5) living at this time, son of Abraham (4).)
The Segars were from Lancaster. Joseph Eggleston married Judith Segar of Lancaster 1753. The will of Oliver Segar, 1658, of Middlesex, refers to his friends Nicholas Cocke (who was a vestryman of the old Christ Church (Middlesex), still standing, in 1670) and (Col.) Richard Lee. He mentions his “son Randolph”.
The name of Joseph Eggleston occurs in 1775 as a member of the James City Co. Committee of Safety. He probably removed to Amelia. There were several intermarriages of the Cockes with the Egglestons.)
Stephen Cocke (6) died in 1794, and must have been an exceedingly wealthy man. The will was probated in 1795. He directed his hole estate to be kept together during the life of his wife for the support of the family.
The tract of land on which he lived was divided equally between his sons Joseph and James Powell Cocke (this last for many years represented Amelia in the Legislature.)
He devises two tracts of land on Flat Creek in Nottoway, and on Beaver Pond in Amelia, to his son Charles. He left to Charles also 330 pounds to build such houses as were needed.
He left to each of his daughters 1000 pounds apiece.
The personal estate to be divided between his sons.
He appoints as executors, his wife and his friends, Richard Archer, Daniel Hardaway, Richard Ogilby, Everard Meade, John Archer, Samuel Farrar and Joseph Eggleston.
The executors gave bond in the penalty of $133.333.
Dr. Charles Cocke (7) son of Stephen (6) settled in Albemarle. He was very rich in early life, but speculated unfortunately in Texas lands. He represented Albemarle for many years in the Senate and the House of Delegates. He was beaten in some political contest on leaving the Democratic party (he was a great Whig), and at a 4th of July dinner, someone offered the following toast: “Dr. Charles Cocke of Albemarle: A dead cock in the pit – killed in wheeling.”
He married Sarah W. Taylor of Southampton, daughter of John Taylor, descended from Ethelred Taylor, and her sister Charlotte married Gen. Armistead Mason, who was killed in the famous Mason-McCarty duel.
Ethelred Taylor was a Burgess for Surry county 1714, and his son Ethelred Taylor in 1752. William Taylor represented Southampton in 1761. Henry Taylor was in the Convention of 1776 (from Southampton). John Taylor was in Legislature 1784, 1785.
The brother of Dr. Charles Cocke (James Powell Cocke) was in the House of Delegates from Amelia 1809, 1811, 1822, 1824, 1842, 1843 and perhaps other years.
Two of the daughters of Stephen Cocke (6) married Peterfield and Richard Archer.
4. Martha Cocke (6) was the fourth child of James Cocke (5). She married Col. William Cannon of Buckingham county. (William Cannon of Buckingham, is mentioned several times in Hening’s Statutes and seems to have been a man of influence in that county. Martha Cocke was his second wife; he had been previously married to Sarah Mosby, daughter of Col. Littlebury Mosby, of Fort Hill, Powhatan county, who was quite prominent in the Revolutionary period. He was county lieutenant of Cumberland, in 1780; sheriff 1795, a member of the Cumberland Committee of Safety 1775, and a captain in the Revolution.
There is an Act of Assembly given in Hening (1758) appropriating money to reimburse Capt. Henry Anderson, William Cannon and Maj. Wood Jones of Amelia, for provisions, &c, furnished militia. This last William Cannon of Amelia, was probably the father of William Cannon of Buckingham.
Thomas Cannon, Esquire, was one of the list of “Adventurers” for 1620. In the Revolutionary war, there was a Captain Jesse Cannon in the Virginia navy and a Capt. Luke Cannon in the Continental army.
5. ELIZABETH CHASTAIN COCKE (6) was the fifth child of James Cocke (5) of Malvern Hills. Born c. 1745-50. She married c. 1767, Capt. Henry Anderson of Amelia county, who was no doubt the Capt. Henry Anderson of 1758, mentioned by us in the note about William Cannon. (We have already spoken of Henry Anderson of Henrico, who was probably a brother of Rev. Charles Anderson; this Henry Anderson was probably his grandson.)
Henry Anderson and Elizabeth Chastain Cocke (6) had issue:
a. Crawford Anderson, d.s.p.
b. William Anderson, d. s. p.
c. James Anderson. Lost sight of
d. Henry T. Anderson, born c 1766-70, married circa 1790, Elizabeth Bass, daughter of Col. Joseph Bass of Chesterfield (member of the Chesterfield Committee of Safety, 1774) (Nicholas Bass was a member of the second “Grand Assembly”, held in the Colony (1724)).
Issue of Henry T. Anderson (7) and Elizabeth Bass:
(1) Stephen Anderson (8)
(2) James Powell Anderson (8)
(3) Dr. Peter Anderson (8). Went to California and married.
(4) Dr. Joseph Bass Anderson (8), born 1795, married first 1819, Sally Scott Merriwether (daughter of Dr. Wm. Merriwether and Sally Scott of Amelia county); married second Jane B. Archer (8), no issue.
Issue of Dr. Joseph Bass Anderson and Sally Scott:
(a) Ann E. Anderson (9) married -------------Harris, married second Col. --------- Davis
(b) Martha Anderson (9) married Col. Austin
(c) Joseph Anderson (9)
(d) Francis J. Anderson (9)
(e) Laura Anderson (9)
(f) Mary Chastain Anderson (9) born November 14, 1829, married 1845, Josiah M. Jordan of Prince George, died 1866. Left a number of children; among them Sarah Rebecca Jordan, married Judge William J. Leake of Richmond.
After the death of James Cocke (5), his widow, Mary (Chastain) Cocke, married Samuel Farrar of Amelia. (The Farrars of Henrico, in early times were exceedingly prominent.) Their daughter, Rebecca Farrar, half sister to James Powell Cocke (6) and his brothers married General Robert Porterfield of Augusta county, who was a captain the Continental army. The family seems to have been from Berkeley. There was a Porterfield from this county in House of Delegates, 1819.) He had also a brother, who was distinguished in that war, Lieutenant- Colonel Charles R. Porterfield, and there was yet another, Charles Porterfield, who was a captain in the same service. Colonel Charles R. Porterfield was killed fighting gallantly at the disastrous battle of Camden.
General Robert Porterfield had a fine estate twelve miles from Staunton, in Augusta county, on South river. His daughter, who was Rebecca Porterfield, married William Kinney of Staunton, who represented Augusta county for many years in the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate, as did his father, Jacob Kinney, who was clerk of Augusta, 1793-1818. And after him his son Chesley Kinney was clerk, and after him his son-in-law, Erasmus Stribling, and after him Jefferson Kinney, son of Chesley, who was also clerk of the District Court. And Nicholas Kinney (1831-5) was clerk of the Superior Court.
II. FIFTH AND SIXTHE GENERATIONS (LINE OF THOMAS COCKE (continued)
DESCENDANTS OF BRAZURE COCKE (4), SON OF THOMAS (3), SON OF THOMAS (2), SON OF THOMAS (2)
Brazure Cocke, as we have stated, went to James City County – possibly settled in Williamsburg. Records are wanting. We trace him as late as 1753. In 1753, there was a James Cocke in Williamsburg, to whom Henry Hacker, “a rich merchant of Williamsburg”, left a legacy. This was no doubt, Auditor James Cocke, who was also Mayor of Williamsburg about 1760. In conjunction with Thomas Everard he was Auditor of the State for the period 1761-80 (James Cocke and Thos. Everard were succeeded by Harrison Randolph and Leighton Wood, Jr.) There is no trace (excepting his daughters) of any other Cocke in James City county, and James Cocke must (as would suit the dates) have been the son of Brazure Cocke. (We cannot help thinking that in certain enquiries submitted in 1671 by the Lord Commissioners of Foreign Plantations, the name of A. Broucher (one of the commissioners) is equivalent to Brashear. See Hening ii, 511.
James Cocke left two daughters (possibly other children, but his ill is lost, who both married Randolphs (CORRECTION: Page 440 (middle of page). “For both married Randolphs” say one (Martha) married a Randolph; the other Colonel James Innes, whose daughter married a Randolph.); one (Martha) Gov. Beverly Randolph (1775)(See York county Records for marriage license), the other (Elizabeth) the celebrated Col. James Innes, Colonel in Revolutionary army, member Convention of 1788, first attorney-general of Virginia, to whom Washington offered the attorney-generalship of the United States, which he declined.
The daughter of Col. James Innes, married Peyton Randolph of Wilton and from them was descended the late Innes Randolph of Baltimore, of whom it is enough to say that he wrote, “The Night Before Christmas”. (CORRECTION: Page 440. Clement C. Moore, not Inness Randolph, was the author of “The Night before Christmas”.)
A member of this family sends us the following record preserved by this family, which we copy verbatim:
Col. James Innes was an officer during the entire Revolutionary war, and raised a company in Williamsburg, he joined Patrick Henry in his visiting Dunmore, and was present in command of the portion of the army stationed on Gloucester Heights at the surrender at Yorktown. He was afterwards Attorney-General of Virginia. He and Governor Beverly Randolph married sisters.
James Cocke of Williamsburg, Virginia married Catherine Richards, their daughter Elizabeth Cocke married Colonel James Innes, officer in the Revolution; Attorney-General of Virginia; their daughter Anne Brown Innes, married Peyton Randolph of Wilton, Virginia; their son James Innes Randolph married Susan Peyton Armistead. (In Enquirer March 12, 1805, Peyton Randolph advertises for Eliza Innes, the estate of “Vermouth”, on the Chickahominy, ten miles from Williamsburg, containing 2,700 acres.)
Benjamin Harrison of Berkeley married Ann Carter of Virginia; their son Benjamin Harrison married Lucy Bassett. He was the signer of the Declaration of Independence, and father of the President of the United States; their daughter, Lucy Harrison married Peyton Randolph of Wilton, Virginia; their son Peyton Randolph married Ann Brown Innes; their son James Innes Randolph married Susan Peyton Armistead.
John Armistead of Hesse Castle, Gloucester county, Va., married Luc Baylor of Essex county; their son, Addison Bowles Armistead, married Mary Peyton of Winchester, Va.; their daughter, Susan Peyton Armistead married James Innes Randolph.
James Cocke was one of the executors of Peyton Randolph (the other was John Randolph), first President of the Continental Congress. (Peyton Randolph’s Will and Inventory include 105 negroes, 173 head of cattle, books 250 pounds, wine 60 pounds, 30 gal. rum, 5 chariot 230 pounds and &c.)
Governor Beverly Randolph (6) and Martha Cocke (6), the other daughter of Auditor James Cocke, left issue: Lucy Randolph (6) married William Randolph of “Chitower, son of Gov. Thos. Mann Randolph (4).
FIFTH AND SIXTH GENERATIONS (LINE OF THOMAS COCKE (2)
III. DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM COCKE (4) OF AMELIA
ABRAHAM COCKE (6) son of Stephen (3), son of Thomas (2), as we have already set out, moved to the banks of the upper Nottoway river, in Nottoway, then Amelia County. He prospered, grew wealthy and left a number of children, to-wit:
1. Peter Cocke (5)
2. Abraham Cocke, Jr. (5) (removed to Alabama)
3. Stephen Cocke (5) married (1764) Amy Jones, daughter of Richard Jones, who represented Amelia in House of Burgesses in 1736 (Wood Jones represented it in 1752), (There was a Peter Jones who died in 1721 and he left sons: Abraham Jones, Peter Jones, William Jones, Thomas Jones, John Jones, Wood Jones. Margaret Cocke, widow of Thomas Cocke (3) had by a first marriage two sons, named Abraham and Peter Jones. It was a numerous family and there were several Peter Jones.) (ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS FAMILY IS SHOWN LATER ON IN THIS TRANSCRIPTION.)
4. Thomas Cooke (5) removed to Tennessee
5. John Cocke (5)
6. William Cocke (5) born 1748, ancestor of Tennessee Cockes
7. Mary Cocke (5) married William Ellis
8. Agnes Cocke (5) married Charles Hamilin of Prince George, 1757
9. Martha Cocke (5) married Theophilus Lacy, 1760
10. Elizabeth Cocke (5) married John Cross, 1765. (In 1790 Elizabeth Cocke (6), a descendant of Abraham Cocke, married in Amelia, William Cameron, son of Rev. John Cameron, minister of Bristol Parish, who was ancestor of Judge Duncan Cameron of North Carolina and of Governor William E. Cameron, of Virginia.)
Abraham Cocke (4) lived in 1730-59 in what is now the extreme southeast corner of Nottoway county, in the fork of the Great and Little Nottoway rivers, and at a point where the three counties of Nottoway, Brunswick and Mecklenburg come together. Nottoway was then (as we have stated) part of Amelia, which in 1720, had been taken off from Prince George. Many years ago the main thoroughfare from Petersburg to Clarksville, in Mecklenburg county, which crossed the fork of the Nottoway river, was called “Cocke’s Road”. There was a Cox’s creek in Lunenburg county on this route, and a Cock’s creek, we think, in Mecklenburg, on the same line.
We know little of the children of Abraham Cocke (4), excepting Stephen and William (5).
1. STEPHEN COCKE (5), son of Abraham (4), was sheriff of Amelia county for a number of years (about 1775-90). He lived in southeast corner of what is now Nottoway, in the fork of the Great and Little Nottoway rivers. He lived and died at the old family homestead, And his son, John H. Cocke, succeeded him.
He was the contemporary of his relative Stephen Cocke (6) of Amelia, son of James Cocke (5) of Malvern Hills, but their homes were far apart, Stephen Cocke (6) probably lived among the Archers, near (the present) Chula Depot.
2. GEN. WILLIAM COCKE (5) of Tennessee, son of Abraham Cocke (4) , married Sarah Maclin (Sarah Maclin was probably the daughter of Frederick Maclin, who represented Brunswick in the House of Burgesses 1777.), was in the Virginia House of Burgesses from Washington county, Virginia, in 1778. He was at this time thirty-one years old. He had gone “West”, and located in what was then known as the “Wtanga” settlement, at a point then claimed by both Virginia and North Carolina. He was elected to the House of Burgesses of both Virginia and North Carolina about the same time, and after coming to Williamsburg (1778) he sat in the General Assembly of North Carolina. (ADDITION: Page 442, note. Francis Maclin also represented Brunswick in House of Burgesses 1766, 1767 (no session) and 1768. Francis (it should probably be Frederick) in 1775.)
He was a man of very active life, and was at this time a captain in the Revolutionary army and fighting the Indians in the South-west on the North Carolina and Tennessee line.
There is a memoir of General William Cocke by William Goodrich of Philadelphia, one of his descendants, in the July number (1896) of the "American Historical Magazine", Nashville, TN. We learn from this sketch, that William Cocke studied law in his early life and it is there stated that at the age of twenty-seven he was sent for by Lord Dunmore and offered a very high position if he would espouse the cause of King against the Colonies, which he indignantly declined.
Somewhat previous to this he had, in company with Daniel Boone, explored what is now East Tennessee and Western Kentucky, being absent about a year. In 1776 (see Ramsay's History of Tennessee) four companies, principally Virginians, were raised, who marched to Heaton's Station, where a fort had been built by the advice of Captain William Cocke and named after him "Cocke's Fort:. There was here a fierce battle with the Indians, in which they received a crushing defeat. After this he was very active in the military operations in this quarter, and took part in the engagements at Long Island, Threkeldry Fort and King's Mountain.
He was very prominent in the efforts to withdraw from the State of North Carolina and establish he separate State of Frankland or Franklin and made a speech of great power before the House of Commons of North Carolina. He was sent by the people of Franklin to Philadelphia with a memorial to Congress applying for admission to the Union.
In 1796 he was elected by the new State of Tennessee the first Senator from the State of Tennessee to the Federal Congress, having been previously very prominent in the Convention which framed the first Constitution of that State. Andrew Jackson became his colleague in the U. S. Senate in 1797. The State of Tennessee honored him in 1797 by naming a county after him. He continued in the Federal Senate until 1809, when he was appointed Judge of the First Circuit.
Removing to Mississippi, he was elected to the State Legislature and in 1814 President Madison appointed him Agent for the Chickasaw Nation. two wars, the Legislatures of four States (Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi) and in the Senate of the United States. He was active also in laying the foundations of the educational system of his adopted State. He was the founder of the University of Tennessee, a trustee of Greenville College and incorporator of Washington College.
He died in Columbus, MS on 22 August 1828 in the 81st year of his age and is buried there under a tombstone erected to his memory by the State of Mississippi. This monument bears the inscription:
"Here lie the remains of William Cocke, who died in Columbus, Miss., on the 22d of August, 1828. The deceased passed an eventful and active life. Was Captain in command during the war of 1776. Was distinguished for his brave daring and intrepidity. Was one of the pioneers who first crossed the Allegheny Mountains with Daniel Boone into the wilderness of Kentucky. Took an active part in the formation of the Franklin Government, afterwards the State of Tennessee. Was the delegate from that free limit to the Congress of the United States. Was a member of the convention which formed the first Constitution of Tennessee, and was one of the first Senators from that State to the Congress of the United States for a period of twelve years, and afterwards one of the Circuit Judges. He served in the Legislatures of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Mississippi, at the age of sixty-five was a volunteer of the war of 1812, and again distinguished himself for his personal bravery and courage. He departed this life in the eight-first year of his age, universally lamented."
3. GENERAL JOHN COCKE (7), son of General William Cocke, was in the Legislature of Tennessee for many years as Representative and Senator, and was in the United States Congress from 1817 to 1827. He was very prominent in the Florida and Creek wars; was a major-general in the army, and had a fierce controversy with General Andrew Jackson, who was his superior in command, and who had him cashiered. Parton, in his “Life of Andrew Jackson”, blames Jackson and states that General Cocke was completely vindicated on the trial.
He founded the School for the Deaf and Dumb, at Knoxville.
4. COLONEL WILLIAM M. COCKE (8), son of John (7) (CORRECTION: Son of Sterling (7)) died in Nashville in February 1896. He had been also prominent; was for a number of years a member of the General Assembly; and in the United States Congress in 1845-59.
FIFTH AND SIXTH GENERATIONS (LINE OF THOMAS COCKE (2))
IV. DESCENDANTS OF JAMES COCKE (4), SON OF JAMES (3), SON OF THOMAS (1)
We know nothing of the children of James Cocke (4), except that he had a son named James (5), who died in 1772, and whose will is on record.
James Cocke (4) must have died about 1765, between seventy and seventy-five years of age. His son James (5) was called James Cocke, Jr., and had the title of “Captain”. He (James (5)) had seven children, viz:
1. James Cocke (6)
2. William Cocke (6)
3. John Cocke (6)
4. Elizabeth Pleasants Cocke (6) (after her grandmother)
5. Sarah Lewis Cocke (Joseph Lewis was a member of the Revolutionary Committee for Henrico (1774). So also was Samuel Price, who was of the executors of the will)
6. Ann Cocke (6)
7. Susanna Cocke (6) (We know in addition to the above, that one of the daughters of James Cocke (5) married Elisha Meredith, son of Samuel Meredith (c. 1740). Sampson Meredith was sheriff of Prince George in 1714. Samuel Meredith was a member of the Hanover Committee of Safety 1775.
He seemed to have been in moderate circumstances, perhaps 1,000 acres of land (partly in Goochland) and ten or fifteen negroes.
He appointed his son James and William Lewis of Goochland, and Samuel Price of Henrico, his executors.
There were several other James Cockes living at this period (1750-80). There was a James Cocke (the auditor) in Williamsburg, probably son of Brazure Cocke (4). There was also a James Cocke (5) (son of John Cocke (3) of Surry, son of Nicholas (2) of the line of the Surry Cockes, who had married a Poythress) living at “Bon Accord”, in Prince George county, on the river, and who was captain in the Virginia Navy in the Revolution.
II. FIFTH AND SIXTH GENERATIONS (LINE OF RICHARD COCKE (2)(DESCENDANTS OF BOWLER COCKE (4), SON OF RICHARD (3), SON OF RICHARD (2)
1. BOWLER COCKE (4) married twice.
Sarah ---------------, by whom he had following issue:
a. Susanna Cocke (5), born 1712, died 1713;
b. Anne Cocke (5) born 1720;
c. Tabitha Cocke, born 1724;
d. Bowler Cocke (5) born 1726, died 1772;
e. Sarah Cocke (5) born 1728
f. Elizabeth Cocke (5) born 1731
g. Richard Cocke (5) born 1733, died 1733
h. Charles Cocke (5) born 1735, died 1739
Mrs. Elizabeth Carter, widow of Colonel John Carter of Shirley (no issue)
Bowler Cocke (4) was clerk of Henrico from 1728 to 1748 (not 1752, as stated in previous articles.
Most of the above children died in infancy. We know nothing of any of the rest except Bowler (5)
2. BOWLER COCKE (JR.) (5)
He succeeded his father as clerk of Henrico in 1748. He was at various times a member of the House of Burgesses from Henrico in 1761 (when he ceased to be clerk), 1765 (Colonel Hartwell Cocke of Surry, was also a member of this body at this memorable session. It was the session when Patrick Henry offered his resolution against the Stamp Act. Among the members occur the names of Philip Johnson, Arch Car, Richard Eppes, Benj. Harrison, John Fleming, Robert Bolling, Richard Adams, Fielding Lewis, William Fitzhugh, Thomas Ludwell Lee, William Harwood, Richard Lee, Richard Henry Lee, Wythe, Pendleton, Marshall, Washington, Page, Cabell, &c.), 1767, 1768, 1769 and probably other years; and he was a vestryman of Henrico parish 1749-1771.
In 1769 Bowler Cocke, Sr. of Shirley, as appears from a deed recorded in Henrico clerk’s office, gave to Bowler Cocke, Jr. of Henrico, 30 slaves. The latter was then residing at Bremo, where his son, Bowler Cocke (6) was living in 1775, as appears from an advertisement in the Virginia Gazette, but Bowler Cocke (6) afterward resided at “Turkey Island” until his death in 1812.
In 1752 the General Assembly (see Little’s Hist. Richmond, p. 19) passed an Act to lay off the city of Richmond, with power to elect successors and fill vacancies. The following were the trustees: Hon. Peter Randolph, Esq., William Byrd, Esq., Wm. Randolph, Bowler Cocke, Jr., Richard Randolph, Thos. Atkinson, Sam’l Gleadowe, Sam’l Duval and John Pleasants, gentlemen.
In 1765 (see Hening, viii, 149) an Act was passed by the Assembly for the improvement of the navigation of James River. The trustees to carry out the act were. For James River, Hon. Peter Randolph, William Byrd, Arch’d Cary, &c. For Chickahominy, Bowler Cocke, Jr. (6), Benj. Harrison, &c. For North Branch James River (Rivanna), Thos Walker, Thomas Jefferson, Edward Carter, Valentine Wood, &c.
Col. Richard Adams, Sr., of Richmond, Aug. 8, 1771, writes to his brother, Thomas Adams: “I had a most unfavorable account our poor old uncle of Bremo (Bowler Cocke (4)) yerday. I fear he will not survive may days.
Again Aug, 12: “The old gentleman our uncle …..cannot survive many days. He had acted nobly by his son’s estate”, &c. He died soon after. The death of his son, Bowler Cocke (5) occurred in the following year (1772).
There is an advertisement, Dec. 1, 1774, of the household and kitchen furniture, &c., of Col Bowler Cocke (5) dec’d, signed George Webb ex’or. (He was treasurer of the State and member of the Council.0. in q780 Gen’l Andrew Lewis, George Webb and (we forget the third) are appointed to the Council to succeed John Page, David Blackbourne, and David Mead.
Bowler Cocke (5) shortly after 1750 married Elizabeth, widow of Harry Turner, and daughter of Colonel Nicholas Smith (Thomas Turner was a Burgess from King George in 1736, 1752. Nicholas Smith was a Burgess from King George in 1723. An earlier Nicholas Smith was a Burgess from Isle of Wight in 1659 and probably of family of Arthur Smith. Nicholas Smith of King George, was probably of same family, and both of same family as Merriwether Smith of Essex.) Harry Turner died in 1750 and his wife survived him but a short time. There were probably no children by this marriage and Bowler Cocke (5) must have married again, but we do not know he name of his second wife. (The cousin of Bowler Cocke (5) Anne Adams (5) (as will be seen under the head of the “Adams Family”) married Colonel Francis Smith of Essex in 1748; contracted a second marriage with Miss Fauntleroy. (CORRECTION: Page 446, note, last line: omit words “contracted a second marriage with Miss Fauntleroy.”)
DESCENDANTS OF BOWLER COCKE (5). We only have the names of three children: Bowler Cocke (6), William Cocke (6) and Sarah Cocke (6)
1. BOWLER COCKE (JR.) (6). He lived at Turkey Island, and was born 1750-55, died 1812. We find his name as a vestryman of Henrico Parish, 1785.
The first vestryman of Henrico, says Bishop Meade (Old Churches, I, 141) after the Revolution were: Edmund Randolph, Turner Southall, Jaq. Ambler, Nath’l Wilkinson, Wm. Foushee, Miles Selden, Jr., Bowler Cocke, &c.” This was in 1785. Edmund Randolph and Bowler Cocke were church-wardens.
We have reason to believe (it was perhaps about 1775-80)that he married a Miles Fox (we are so informed by Mr. R. Heber Nelson, grandson of Robert Nelson, who lived at Malvern Hills, 1783-1800. (The Foxes were of King William and a very old family. Henry Fox married Anne West, daughter of Governor John West, son of Thomas, second Lord de la War. Captain David Fox was a Burgess from Lancaster in 1692 and William Fox represented the county in 1702.)
His son was named Bowler F. Cocke (7)and he had a daughter named Ellen F. Cocke (7), who married Walter Coles of Albemarle.
We have then soon after 1800, three marriages of “Bowler Cocke”, viz: About 1800, Bowler F. Cocke (as we suppose) married Ann Eliza Agnes Pleasants Heth, daughter of Captain Harry Heth of the Revolution, Va. Hist. Col., xi, 329. (Harry Heth was a captain in the Revolution, and possessed large landed estates. He lived at Blackheath, Chesterfield county. His executor was one of the Randolphs. William Heth was a colonel in the Revolutionary Army. Andrew and John Heth were Lieutenants.)
We have then, Nov. 1802, the marriage of Bowler Cocke (6) to Nancy Dandridge, daughter of Col. Francis Dandridge. Letter of Bowler Cocke dated February 4, 1803.
We have again an obituary notice in the Richmond Enquirer of April 1, 1804 of the death of Maria Cocke, wife of Bowler Cocke of Henrico, aged seventeen years.
So it would seem that Bowler Cocke (6) of Henrico, when nearly fifty years of age, married twice between 1802 and 1804. On the 29th July 1798, Bowler Cocke (6) exor. Of Francis Dandridge of King William Co, advertises “Huntington “on the Matagony”” as it is necessary for me to go over the mountains for my health. I have requested Mr. Edmund P. Chamberlayne to attend to the business.” In the Richmond Enquirer , December 22, 1812, Bowler F. Cocke, administrator of the late Bowler Cocke, advertises the sale of the estate “Turkey Island”, containing 900 acres, fifteen miles below Richmond on James River.”
2. WILLIAM COCKE (6) of Bremo, was another son of Bowler Cocke (5). He removed to Cumberland county, and resided at “Oakland”, which family seat is still occupied by one of his descendants, Captain Edmund Randolph Cocke, brother of Preston Cocke of Richmond. He married Jane Armistead of Hesse, Gloucester county and had issue:
a. WILLIAM ARMISTEAD COCKE (6) of Oakland (died 1855), who married Elizabeth Randolph Preston, who was the daughter of Major Thomas Lewis Preston and Edmonia Randolph daughter of Governor Edmund Randolph. Major Thomas Lewis Preston was brother of Governor James Patton Preston; of General John Preston, Treasurer of Virginia; of General Francis Preston and of some five or six other distinguished members of the Preston family, all of whom were the children of Colonel Wm. Preston, son of John Preston of Spring Hill, Augusta county, afterwards owned by Rev. James Waddell who sold it to James Powell Cocke (6).
(1) Wm. Fauntleroy Cocke (7) killed at Gettysburg
(2) Thomas L. P. Cocke (7)
(3) Captain Edmund Randolph Cocke (7)
(4) Preston Cocke (7)
3. SARAH COCKE (6) who married about 1780, Major Thomas Massie, was a daughter of Bowler Cocke (5). She was born (according to the record in “The Cabells and their Kin”, page 377) at “Turkey Island”, in 1760 and died at “Level Green”, in Nelson county, 1838. Major Thomas Massie (ancestor of the Massies of Nelson county) was born in New Kent county, 1747, and was a distinguished officer in the Revolution. They had issue:
(1) Thomas Massie (7), surgeon in war of 1812 and member of Virginia Convention of 1829-30. Married Lucy Waller of “Bellfield”.
(2) William Massie (7), married Miss Steptoe, and several other times
(3) Henry Massie (7) married Miss Lewis
Thomas and Lucy (Waller) Massie had issue: Sarah Massie married Hon. Wm. O. Goode and several others
Mrs. James Pleasants of Richmond (wife of James Pleasants, son of John Hampden Pleasants) is a daughter of the late Henry Massie of Charlottesville who married Miss Lewis of Bath county.)
THE ADAMS FAMILY
III. DESCENDANTS OF TABITHA COCKE (4) AND EBENEZER ADAMS
In our last article we stated that the ancestors of the Adams family of the Revolutionary period, and afterwards so prominent in Richmond were Thomas Adams, son of Ebenezer Adams and Martha Cocke (4), daughter of Richard Cocke (3). This was an error, as we learn from a carefully prepared genealogy of the Adams family in the January number of the William and Mary College Quarterly by Mr. C. W. Coleman.
It was from “Ebenezer Adams and Tabitha Cocke(4)” daughter of Richard (3) that Richard and Thomas Adams and Colonel Richard Adams, Jr., and the other members of that family were descended. Tabitha Cocke (4) was a daughter of Anne Bowler (Richard (3) Cocke’s first wife). She married c. 1718 (she must have been born about 1698), Ebenezer Adams and it was through their son Richard (5) (not Thomas (5)), that the descent of the Richard Adams’ was drawn. Thomas Adams (5) died childless, although he married in 1775 the widow of his first cousin, Colonel Bowler Cocke (5) whose maiden name was Fauntleroy (died 1791).
We followed the statement of Colonel Richard Cocke, in the paper given by him to General John H. Cocke in 1813, and which will be given in our next article. Ebenezer Adams (we learn from the William and Mar Quarterly) came to Virginia in 1714 and patented 3,883 acres of land in New Kent and Henrico. He died 1735.
He was (as we have previously mentioned) one of the executors of Richard Cocke (3). With him were associated Nathaniel Harrison and Henry Harrison, sons of Benjamin Harrison of Surry, progenitor of the Harrisons of Berkeley and Brandon and Sussex county. We erroneously represented Nathanial Harrison as the grandfather of Benjamin Harrison, “the signer”. But this Benjamin Harrison was of Berkeley and was the son of Benjamin Harrison (2), Eldest son of Benjamin (1).
Colonel Nathaniel Harrison (2) second son of Benjamin (1), Naval Officer for the Upper James, Burgess in 1702, member of the Council 1715, &c., was the ancestor of the Harrisons of Brandon and grandfather of the Honorable Benjamin Harrison of Brandon, member of the Council.
A third son of Benjamin (1) was Henry Harrison (2) ancestor of the Sussex Harrisons. His descendant, Henry, married a daughter of John Cocke (died 1798) of Surry, who was of the line of William Cocke (1) of Surry. In 1718, Henry Harrison was Burgess from Surry.
Issue of Ebenezer and Tabitha (4) Cocke Adams:
1. Richard Adams (5) died in infancy
2. Bowler Adams (5) died in infancy
3. William Adams (5) d.s.p
4. Richard Adams (5) to be noticed
5. Tabitha Adams (5) married Richard Eppes. (This seems to differ also from paper of Colonel Richard Cocke (5), which represents that ------------ Eppes (ancestor of John W. Eppes) married a daughter (Mary) of Bowler Cocke (4))
6. Thomas Adams (5) (who was a member of the Continental Congress, died 1788)
7. Anne Adams (5) married Colonel Francis Smith (1748) of Essex county, member House of Burgesses 1752-58 (he died 1762), who had been previously married to Lucy Merriwether, mother of the distinguished Merriwether Smith. (Among the descendants of Colonel Francis Smith and Anne Adams were Thomas Adams Smith (7), Brigadier-General United States Army, died 1844; Lucy Ann Smith (8) (died 1867) married Judge Beverley Tucker of Williamsburg.)
8. Sarah Adams (5) married Colonel John Fry of Albemarle and had issue:
a. Joshua Fry (6) married Peachy, daughter of Dr. Thomas Walker of “Castle Hill”, Albemarle
b. William Adams Fry (6)
c. Tabitha Fry (6) married Bowler Cocke of Kentucky
Colonel Richard Adams (5) of Richmond, born 1726 in New Kent. We have already noticed him in our previous article. He was very prominent. He married Elizabeth Griffin, daughter of Leroy and Mary (Bertrand) Griffin of Richmond county and sister of Judge Cyrus Griffin of Williamsburg, who was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1778-81-87-88, and in the last named year was President of that body. He married Lady Christine Stuart, daughter of John, sixth Earl of Traquar, Scotland.
Richard Adams represented New Kent in House of Burgesses, 1752-61-65-68 and Henrico in 1770. Was a member of the Committee of Safety, 1774-5. His residence on Adams’ (Church) Hill, was the building now known as the Convent of Monte Maria. He and a number of his descendants are buried in Richmond. We think it is a mistake that Adams street was named after him. It was probably called after President Adams, along with Jefferson, Madison and Monroe.
He left issue:
1. Thomas Bowler Adams (6) who married Sarah Morrison, whose mother was a Miss Bland.
2. Colonel Richard Adams, Jr. (6) born 1760, died 1817. He married first, Elizabeth, widow of Peter Skipwith Randolph and daughter of Colonel James and Frances (Jones) Southall; married second Sara Travers, daughter of Travers and Frances (Moncure) Daniel
3. Anne Adams (6) married Colonel Mayo Carrington of Cumberland (died 1803)
4. Sarah Adams (6) married in 1793, George William Smith, Governor of Virginia
5. John Adams (6) physician and prominent member Legislature, 1803-4; mayor of Richmond. Erected and occupied house in Richmond now known as the Van Lew residence
6. Samuel Griffin Adams (6) married Catherine Innes
Thomas Adams (says Mr. Coleman) used a seal identical with arms of English branch of the family (Co. Salop). A pedigree of eleven generations appears in the Visitation of Shropshire for 1623. The arms are: Ermine, three cats passant in pale azure.
“Tabitha (Cocke (4)) Adams (wife of Ebenezer Adams) owned that portion of her grandfather’s estate in Essex county still known as Bowler’s (where was a warf) and on which there was a public warehouse.” She was still living, a widow in New Kent county in 1760.
CORRECTIONS: (Since this transcription doesn’t correspond to these page numbers, the changes have been noted in their location)
In the January number, p. 324, at line 27, for “he” substitute “Arthur Allen”.
On p. 325, note, the statement (taken from Virginia Hist. Mag., Oct. 1895, p. 197) that Nancy Hunt Cocke married John Waddrop, is erroneous. As will appear hereafter, she married: 1. Gen. James A Bradley. 2. Patrick Henry Adams 3. Col. Richard Herbert Cocke (6)
THE COCKE FAMILY
A bound copy of Vol. IV of your Magazine, page 442, says “Stephen Cocke (5) son of Abraham ……………… and his son Jno. H. Cocke succeeded him”, which interested me very much as my grandmother was Amy Elizabeth Cocke of Somerville, Tennessee, m. Dr. Josiah Higgason, born 1801 in Hanover Co., Va., and a son of Chas. R. Higgason. Before her death in 1890 she gave me some Cocke genealogical data taken from old family Bibles the may show a slight error in the above quoted statement concerning Stephen Cocke. I am taking the liberty of sending it to you for perpetuation in your valuable journal.
This is the record:
Stephen Cocke Sr. was born March 31, 1740
Amy Jones his wife was born Jany’y 26, 1747
The children of Stephen and Amy Jones Cocke were:
1 Richard Cocke, born 1766, d. Feb. 17,1823
2 Mary Cocke, born 1768
3 Elizabeth Cocke, born 1770, ------------ 1804
4. Martha Lacy Cocke, born 1772, d. ---------- 1824
5. Sarah Stratton Cocke, born 1774
6. Rebecca Cocke, born 1776
7. Amy Jones Cocke, Jr., born 1778, d. June 1, 1824
8. Thos Jones Cocke, born 1780, d. Aug. 21, 1845
9. Stephen Cocke, born 1784, d. April 5, 1822
Stephen Cocke, Sr. died 1792 & Amy Jones Cocke died Sept 15, 1788
Thomas Jones Cocke married Lucy Watkins Nicholson on Jany 20, 1802 (Lucy W. Nicholson was b. Feby 4, 1783, d. Nov. 2, 1836.)
Their children were as follows:
1 A son born Feby 10, 1803
2 James Nicholson Cocke b. Jany 3, 1805, d. Dec. 29, 1850
3 Stephen William Cocke b. Feby 10, 1807, d --------------
4 Thomas Cocke Oct. 27, 1808, d. Oct. 29, 1808
5 Martha Ann Cocke, Mch 20, 1810
6 Amy Elizabeth Cocke b. Oct. 17, 1812, d. ----------1899
7 Thos Richard Cocke b. Oct. 13, 1814, d. -------- 1883
8. Edwin Cocke b. Aug 27, 1817, d. July 21, 1830
9 Jack Lacey Cocke b. May 11, 1821, d. Oct. 26, 1822
My grandmother said her parents moved from Virginia and settled in Kentucky, afterwards in about 1825 coming to Fayette Co, Tennessee. Her father, Thos. Jones Cocke was wealthy, owned many slaves and much land, was for years a member of the County Court.
Lucy Watkins Nicholson, wife of Thos Jones Cocke, was the daughter of James Nicholson, b. Nov. 1, 1748, and his wife Sally Harris b. May 11, 1787
Martha Ann Cocke m.. Maj. Edmund Winston of La Grange, Tennessee on Feb. 11, 1828.
The record also gives this information:
Richard Cocke, oldest son of Stephen & Amy Jones Cocke, married Mary Watkins Dec. 6, 1797 (Mary dying Feb. 20, 1823). Their children:
1. John Watkins Cocke b. Jany 21, 1808
2. Rich’d Cocke b. July 12, 1815
3. Mary Ann Cocke b. Dec. 13, 1816
4 Martha Frances Cocke
Stephen Cocke, Jr. son of Stephen Sr. & Amy, married Mch 10, 1806, Harriet A. Nance & their children are as follows:
1 Susan Francis Cocke, b. Dec. 29, 1806
2 Stephen Frederick Cocke b. Dec. 29, 1809
3 Thomas Robert Cocke b. April 23, 1815
Thinking this data might be interesting to some of the numerous Cocke heirs in Virginia and elsewhere, and considering its reliability as I have explained, I am in hopes that you will be able to print it.
Very Respty
J. H. Dortch
1510 Park Road, N. W.
Washington, D.C.
Oct. 9, 1920
COCKE-COX
It is no reflection upon the late Dr. Southall that I wish to suggest a few corrections in his article on the Cocke family of Henrico, in Vol 4, of the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. If he were living today, in the light of deeper researches, these corrections would most probably be made by himself.
The following marriages are taken from the old records of Henrico County:
Sept. 25, 1682, John Cox paid for license to marry Mary Kennon
Nov. 10, 1686, John Cocke to marry Mary Davis
June 16, 1691, William Cocke Sen., married Sarah Dennis
1695, William Cocke married Sarah Perrin
John Cox, Sen., had among others, a son William, to whom Dr. Southall erroneously assigns the above Sarah Perrin as wife. When the above wives are transferred to their proper mates, it leaves William Cox with a wife, Sarah --------------, They had a daughter, Martha who married Henry Wood at Bremo, 1723. Through this Martha Cox comes to the Wood family the tradition of Cocke descent. Dr. Southall, in trying to place the tradition which he got from Lieutenant Champe Carter McCulloch (deceased as Colonel C. C. McCulloch, Oct. 14, 1928), assigned it to the Cox side of the family, making John Cox, Sen., appear to be the son of Lieutenant Col. Richard Cocke.
After exhaustive search, Judge Edwin P. Cox, Attorney Walter L. Hopkins (both of Richmond), the late Col. C. C. McCulloch, as well as myself, have come to the conclusion that an error was made that the tradition came through the wife of William Cox, who instead of being Sarah Perrin, as Dr. Southall outlined, was in fact, Sarah Cocke. Many thing point to this conclusion. Her only son was “Stephen”, a Cocke name. After her husband’s death in 1711, Sarah Cox retired to “Bremo”, the Cocke family estate, where her daughter Martha, married Henry Wood, 1723. At the baptism of Martha (Cox) Wood’s son Valentine Wood, Oct. 23, 1724, William Finney and Stephen Cox (probably Martha’s brother) were sureties. William Finney was the Rev. William Finney, M. A. of the University of Glasgow, who married Mary Cocke, daughter of Thomas Cocke (3). There is no record that points in the least to John Cox having been born a Cocke.
William Elam’s will, 1688, gives to “so-in-law John Cox, Sen., one shilling. The rest to cousin Martin Elam.”
Were William Elam’s daughter the then wife of John Cox, Sen., would he not have left his estate to her instead of to his cousin, Martin Elam? Or, had his daughter been the mother of John Cox’s children, would he not have left his estate to her children? The conclusion is forced upon me that instead his being “son-in-law”, John Cox, Sen., was step-son to William Elam, as the expression so frequently meant in those early days. There is no record of the wife of William Elam among Henrico records.
“William Cox, Elizabeth Jux” were among headrights to Matthew Edloe, 1737. Although the “J” in “Jux” is very distinct, in Photostat copies just received of old records from the Archives Division, State Library, Richmond, Va., I find an exact reproduction of the “J” in “Jux” used as the symbol “&”. I believe, as does also Mrs. Nugent, of the State Land Office, that the rendering should be “William Cox, Elizabeth & ux. “
1636, William Cox had a grant of land “about 3 ½ miles above Harroe Attocks”, 1685. John Cox, Sen., in a deed calls himself “of Harry Addocks, planter”. The probability is that they were father and son.
1646, a William Cocke was a Burgess from Henrico. There was no known adult William Cocke in Henrico at that time. The foregoing points to the scribe having mis-written the name. The so-called William Cocke, Burgess, was in all probability, William Cox, father of John Cox, Sen. My conclusion is that after William Cox’s death his widow married William Elam. John Cox, Sen, was born Cox not Cocke, and was the step-son of William Elam.
Ella Foy O’Gorman, 226 E. St., N. E., Washington, D.C.
THE COCKE FAMILY OF VIRGINIA (HENRICO)
FIFTH AND SIXTH GENERATIONS
LINE OF RICHARD COCKE (2)
III. DESCENDANTS OF RICHARD COCKE (4), SON OF RICHARD (3), SON OF RICHARD (1)
Richard Cocke (4), as stated in the article for January, was the second son of Richard (3) and half—brother of Bowler Cocke (4)
We shall now publish entire (with such annotations as may seem proper) a paper drawn up in the year 1813 by Colonel Richard Cocke (5), son of Richard (4) and given to him to General John Hartwell Cocke (7) of “Bremo” on James river in Fluvanna county. It carries with it, therefore, unusual authority as a family record. It gives the descendants of Richard Cocke (4) in full and has a brief account of the family of Benjamin Cocke (4) and the daughters of Richard (4).
The following is the pedigree:
FAMILY RECORD OF COLONEL RICHARD COCKE (5) OF “SHOAL BAY”
“The following genealogical narration was received from Col. Richard Cocke (5) of Shoal Bay, in the county of Isle of Wight, at an advanced period of his age, by John H. Cocke of Bremo, Fluvanna county, April, 1813”.
The original ancestor of the Cockes of Virginia emigrated from Leeds in Yorkshire, England about the year 1650 and settled at Malvern Hills in the county of Henrico.
(We know of no authority for this statement. We have not been able to find any traces of the Cocke family in Yorkshire, though they were widely scattered in England in the beginning of the 17th century. Nor is it probable, as stated further on, that Richard Cocke (1) settled at “Malvern Hills”, which does not appear in the family until the second generation (Thomas Cocke (2)), though the place was probably owned by Richard Cocke (1). On one of the tombstones at Bremo we have the inscription: “Here lyes Interr’d the Body of Richard Cocke, son of Richard Cocke of B * * (born 1639)”, which shows that Richard Cocke, the first, lived at Bremer, as it is spelled on the tombstone of Anne (Bowler) Cocke, wife of Richard (3).
In a previous article we have stated that Bremo” or “Bremor” was probably an Indian name, but we have discovered that there is a “Breamore House” in the county of Wilts, and also that there is a village called “Breamore” in the western part of the county of Hants (Hampshire), about 7 or 8 miles south of Salisbury, just to the southern frontier of Wilks, which last county adjoins Gloucester, where the Cockes were numerous and where lay “Malvern Hills, that Richard Cocke (1) came, and that he was nearly connected with the Cockes of Gloucester, who settled in that county from Kent about 1450.
Colonel Cocke was also mistaken as to the date of Richard Cocke’s arrival in the colony. We have stated in a previous article that his name first appears in 1632 as a member of the Colonial Assembly from Weyanoke. We have since ascertained that Richard Cocke patented 100 acres of land in Elizabeth City in 1628. We have already mentioned in our first article (January, 1895, page 287) that “William Cox patented 100 acres in Elizabeth City September 20, 1628.” (They came over together) In 1636 Henry Southwell or Southall (Spelt both ways on the land-books) patented 700 acres of land “on Lynn Haven” in Elizabeth City. Elizabeth City then included what is now Princess Anne county, lying on Lynn Haven Bay, and it is probable that Richard Cocke (1), William Cox (1) and Henry Southall all landed in what is now Princess Anne county, on Lynnhaven Bay, and they were about the three first Virginians who ever realized the delicious flavor of the famous bivalve now in such esteem among all the epicures of the western world.
In 1632, as we have said, Richard Cocke (1) was in the House of Burgesses from Weyanoke. This is in Charles City county. In March 1636, he is entered on the land-books as patenting 3,00 acres of land in Henrico. Lands adjoin those of Thomas Harris. Same year Thomas Harris adds by patent 700 acres to his lands near “the Bremoes dividend”. This must have been Bremo, and it was this time it got its name.
Richard Cocke (1) came over when Captain Francis West, brother of Lord De La Warr (first governor) was in charge of the colony (1627). Governor West was succeeded by his brother in 1635, Captain John West, who remained in Virginia, and he (Francis) owned lands near “Westover”. In England, about 1675, Elizabeth Cocke, daughter of Sir Henry Cocke of Herts, married Robert West, son of Lord De La Warr. About this date the family of Sir George Percy, Governor of Virginia (1609-11) and brother of Henry, Earl of Northumberland, had intermarried with the family of Thomas Cock (1620), county Gloucester, England.
The Cockes at this time were very prominent in England. Richard Cox was a prominent Virginia merchant in London. Several members of the family were connected with the Royal Household in the reigns of Henry VIII, Mary, Elizabeth and James I. They were connected by marriage with the Wests and Percys, Lord Chandos, the Berkeley, Sir Hugh Poyntz, Sir Robert Oxenbridge, Sir Edmund Lucy, Lord Somers, Lord Wentworth, &c.)
A descendant from the English emigrant settled at Bremo, near the same place in the same county, were Richard and Benjamin Cocke were born, who both married heiresses in Surry and settled in that county. Richard and Benjamin were young and “half brothers” of the elder Bowler Cocke of Bremo (Henrico). They had sisters, one of whom married Mr. Adams, ancestor of the late Col. Richard Adams of Richmond; another married Mr. Epps, of the Hundred, near City Point, progenitor of John W. Epps, Esq., (U. S. Senator from Virginia 1817) and a third married Mr. Acrill of Charles City, whose family name is extinct.
IV. BENJAMIN COCKE’S BRANCH. Benjamin (4) married Miss Allen, (daughter of Arthur Allen of Bacon’s Castle) of Surry and raised a son and two daughters, namely Allen Cocke (5), Nancy Cocke (5) and Rebecca Cocke (5).
1. Allen Cocke (5) married Nancy Kennon of Charles City and raised three sons and two daughters, viz: Benjamin Allen Cocke (6), Richard Cocke (6), Allen Cocke, Jr. (6), Nancy Cocke (6) and Catharine Cocke (6). The two elder sons married but left no children; (6) Allen Cocke (6), the youngest, died single. Nancy Cocke (6) first married General James A. Bradley, by whom she raised no child; Secondly, Patrick H. Adams -- no child—and is now living, the wife of Richard H. Cocke (6) of Bacon’s Castle, Surry. (We may notice here the prominent position occupied at this time by the Cocke family in the county of Surry, which at this date seems to have been one of the leading counties. There were living during this period (1759-1790) in this county, Colonel Richard Cocke (5), Colonel Allen Cocke (5), Colonel Hartwell Cocke (5),Colonel Lemuel Cocke (4) and Colonel John Cocke (4) (these last two of the line of William Cocke, who came over in 1690). They were all prominent men. Richard Cocke (5) was a member of the House of Delegate, 1784, and no doubt other years. Allen Cocke (5) was a member of the House of Burgesses in 1773, 1775, 1776. Hartwell Cocke (5) was a member in 1759, 1761, 1765, 1767, 1768, 1770 (and no doubt other years). Col. Lemuel Cocke was a member 1786, 1788 and probably other years. John Hartwell Cocke (6) 1787. During the same period, Bowler Cocke (5) and Bowler Cocke (6), Wm. Cocke of Washington, Charles Cocke of Lee (a few years later), Anderson Cocke of Cumberland &c., were members.
In the year 1886, in Surry county, on the Revolutionary Committee of Safety, there were five Cockes: Col. Allen Cocke, Col. John Cocke, John Cocke, Jr., John Hartwell Cockes, Col. Lemuel Cocke. Hartwell Cocke was just dead.)
Catherine Cocke (6), daughter of Allen (5) married first Wilson C. Wallace (by whom she had a daughter, Sally, now living) and died the wife of Thomas Hare, leaving him a son.
2. Catherine Cocke (5), the daughter of Benjamin (4) married Mr. Bradley and raised James A. Bradley (who married his cousin Nancy Cocke (6) as above stated) (General James Allen Bradley (6) (he is called general by Governor Bev. Randolph in 1794) was the issue of this marriage. He married Nancy (Ann Hunt) Cocke (6), daughter of Allen Cocke (5) and Nancy Kennon, ad died leaving her a widow. She married second, Patrick H. Adams and third, Richard Herbert Cocke (6), her cousin, son of Richard Cocke (5). Robert Bradley in 1680 was one of the attorneys of the colony. William Bradley was a Burgess for Norfolk county, 1761 and 1768. It was a prominent name in Charles City county.)
3. Rebecca Cocke (5), daughter of Benjamin (4) married Mr. Eaton (of James City. Colonel John Eaton was a Burgess for James City in 1736 and in 1739, in which last year he died) and raised a son, William (who is now living in North Carolina and has several children and two daughters, Mrs. Brownloe, who has left two children and Mrs. Williams, who is living and has several.
RICHARD COCKE’S (4) BRANCH
Richard Cocke (4), (born 1707; died 1772) married Elizabeth Hartwell (4) of Swan’s Point, Surry, and raised the following named children, viz: Hartwell Cocke (5), Benjamin Cocke (5), Elizabeth Hartwell Cocke (5) and Rebecca Cocke (5). In a second marriage with Elizabeth Ruffin, relict of Mr. Kinchin, he raised Nancy Cocke (5), Richard Cocke (5) (the author of this narrative), Lucy Cocke (5), Nathaniel Cocke (5) and John Cocke (5).
1. Hartwell Cocke (5) married Ann Ruffin, daughter of John Ruffin of Rich Neck in Surry and raised John Hartwell Cocke (6), Hartwell Cocke (6), Mary Cocke (6), Richard Cocke (6) and Martha Cocke (6) (twins), Nancy Cocke (6), Benjamin Cocke (6), Robert Cocke (6) and Elizabeth Cocke (6). (This line of Cockes intermarried several times with the Ruffins. 1. Richard Cocke (4) married Elizabeth Ruffin (Mrs. Kinchin), Hartwell Cocke (5) son of Richard (4) married Anne Ruffin of “Rich Neck”, Surry county, daughter of John Ruffin. 3. Lucy Cocke (5) sister of Hartwell Cocke (5), married William Ruffin, of “Rich Neck (1770). (Rich Neck” had been the seat of Colonel Philip Ludwell). The daughter (Nancy Ruffin) of Lucy Cocke (5) and Wm Ruffin married William Browne of “Four Mile Tree”, Isle of Wight.
2. Benjamin Cocke (5) (the brother of Hartwell) died unmarried.
3. Elizabeth Hartwell Cocke (5) married Mr. Thornton and raised four daughters and one son, viz: Nancy Thornton (6), Rebecca Thornton (6), Francis Thornton (6), Lucy Thornton (6), Elizabeth Thornton (6). Elizabeth Thornton (6) daughter of Elizabeth Hartwell (Cocke) Thornton first married William Wilkinson of James City, and had a son, Cary Wilkinson (7) who is now (1813) living. (Cary Wilkinson was one of the Committee of Safety of James City county, in 1774. In 1819-20, Cary Wilkinson, John Tyler, Capt. John Armistead &c. constitute the County Committee for Charles City county, in the Presidential election (Republican). In the Virginia Argus for Nov. 20, 1810, Cary Wilkinson advertises three tracts of land of 180, 200 and 234 acres – the last as agent for Miss Martha B. Southall.) By her second marriage with Robert H. Taliaferro, there are four children.
Nancy Thornton (6), daughter of Elizabeth Thornton (5), married Mr. Branch and raised a son, Henry F. Branch (7).
Francis Thornton (6) son of Elizabeth Hartwell Thornton (5) died at New Orleans in the military service of the United States, about 1812.
4. Rebecca Cocke (5), the daughter of Richard Cocke (4), married Colonel Richard Taliaferro of “Powhatan”, in the county of James City, and raised three sons and seven daughters, all of whom, except one, she survived. The eldest son Richard Taliaferro died unmarried. The second son, Benjamin Taliaferro, raised no children. The children of the third son, Robert H. Taliaferro are noticed above.
The eldest daughter (6) of Rebecca (Cocke (5)) Taliaferro married Daniel Call of Richmond, who has one daughter living. Daniel Call was one of the most eminent lawyers of Richmond in the beginning the century. He was the author of Call’s Reports.)
The second (6) married the late Judge William Nelson from whom there are no descendants now living. (President William Nelson (acting Governor in 1770, as President of Council) died in 1772. His son, Judge William Nelson, was a member of the Convention of 1776 and 1788, and one of the Privy Council in 1785. He was also a member of the Legislature in 1783, and probably other years.
The third (6) married Mr. Carter Nicholas, who raised no children.
The fourth (6) (married) Mr. William Browne – no children.
The fifth (6) (married) Mr. Wilkinson, who raised one daughter, the present Mrs. Harrison of Petersburg.
The sixth (6) married Mr. William P. Harris, and raised no children.
The seventh (6) married Mr. McCandlish, at present living in Williamsburg, and who has several children.
5. Nancy Cocke (5), daughter of Richard Cocke (4), a child of the second marriage, married Colonel William Browne of Four Mile Tree, Surry, and raised Richard, John and Polly Browne, all of whom died early and left no descendants. (One of the wealthiest and most influential families in Surry County in the eighteenth century was the “Browne” family of “Four Mile Tree”. These were neighbors to the Cockes (Richard Cocke (4) and his descendants, intermarried with them, and held evidently very intimate relations toward them). As far back as 1637, Captain Henry Browne patented 2,250 acres of land in James City county, on the south side of the river (Surry), at “Half-way Tree”; in 1639, 900 acres of James City county; and in 1643, 2,450 acres at “Four Mile Tree”. He was a member of the Council in 1634-60. William Browne was member of the Council in 1646 and repeatedly a member of the House of Burgesses.
In 1747 the inventory of Captain William Browne amounted to 2,630 pounds in Surry and 619 pounds in Isle of Wight. In 1734 there is a record of the will of Henry Browne, who leaves rings to Richard Cocke (4) and his son Hartwell (5). By a nuncupative will, 1744, Captain William Browne leaves the direction of his wife and children to his “good friends, Captain Richard Cocke and William Eaton”. About 1768 Colonel William Browne, born 1739, married Anne Cocke, daughter of Colonel Richard Cocke (4).
6. Richard Cocke (5), son of Richard (4), married Ann Claiborne and raised Richard H. Cocke (6), Augustine Cocke (6) (born 1771), Lucy Cocke (6), and Buller Cocke (6). (FOOTNOTE: Colonel Augustine Claiborne of “Windsor”, born at “Sweet Hall”, 1721; eminent lawyer; married Mary, only daughter of Buller Herbert of “Puddledock”, near Petersburg, brother of Martha Herbert, wife of James Powell Cocke (4) who was immensely wealthy. They had issue: 1. Mary Claiborne, born 1744, married General Charles Harrison of the Revolution, son of Benjamin Harrison of Berkely, uncle of President William Henry Harrison; 2. Herbert Claiborne married a Ruffin of “Sweet Hall”, King William county; second a daughter of William Burnet Browne; 3. Thomas Claiborne, born 1747, married ---------- Scott whose mother was a Miss Cocke of James River; member House of Burgesses, 1775-8, from Brunswick; 4. Anne Claiborne, born 1749, married 1768, Richard Cocke (5) of Shoal Bay, Isle of Wight county, author of this paper; 5. Buller Claiborne, born 1755, Major in Revolution, aid to General Lincoln; married Patsy Ruffin; issue: Sterling Claiborne of Amherst; 6. Lucy Herbert Claiborne married Colonel John Cocke (5), son of Richard Cocke (4).)
In a second marriage with Mrs. White he has now living Nathaniel Cocke (6), William Cocke (6) (married Eliza Johnson) FOOTNOTE: William Henry Cocke (6) son of Colonel Richard Cocke (5) married Eliza Johnson, daughter of James Johnson of James City (in Convention of 1776). William H. Cocke was in United States Navy and was killed in 1822 by accidental discharge of a gun off Moro.
), John Cocke (6) (married Ann Bressie Webb, 1820), Leonard Cocke (6) and a daughter.
(Martha Anne Cocke (7) who married, 1. Batt Henley; 2. John Peter. Issue by first marriage: Indiana Henley (8) who married Dr. Emmett Robinson of Petersburg.)
a. Richard H. Cocke (6) married first Miss Markie and has a daughter living and by second marriage with Mrs. Adams (nee Ann Hunt Cocke), daughter of Colonel Allen Cocke, has no children. (She married first, General James A. Bradley). (Richard Herbert Cocke (6) died 1833. His wife (Ann Hunt Cocke) renounced the will. His appraisement was $29,048.39; he had seven coaches and sets of harness and twenty-two horses)
b. Buller Cocke (6) married Miss (Eliz. ) Barron and has several children living. (There was a Commodore James Barron, a Commander, Richard Barron and a Lieutenant William Barron in the Revolution. Commodore James Barron killed Commodore Stephen Decatur in a duel (1820).) (Elizabeth Cocke (7), daughter of Buller Cocke (6) married Lewis Curzon Tresvant. James Tresvant represented the Southampton District in Congress in 1825-31 and was in the Convention of 1829-30. It is a Huguenot name. The family came from Maine.
Colonel Richard Herbert Cocke (6), son of Richard (5) lived at “Bacon’s Castle”, Surry, and his brother, Buller (6) lived at “Monk Dale”, both on James River, near the old Surry Church. Bacon’s Castle had been a seat of Benjamin Cocke (4) whose granddaughter (the widow of General James Allen Bradley), Richard H. Cocke married. In 1675 it had belonged to Arthur Allen, father of Benjamin Cocke’s wife, and was taken possession of and defended by parties engaged in Bacon’s Rebellion, and got its name from this circumstance. The original house is brick dwelling of two stories and some six or eight rooms, four gables) is still standing.
c. Lucy Cocke (6), daughter of Richard (5), married William Ruffin of Richneck, and raised a son and daughter, Wm. Cocke (7) and Betsey Cocke (7). William (7) married Miss Edwards and has left two sons, William Cocke (8) and Thomas Cocke (8). Betsey Cocke (7) married the late Wm. Browne, Esq. of Four Mile Tree and has left an daughter, lately (1813) married to John T. Bowdoin, Esq.
d. Nathaniel Cocke (6) son of Richard (5), married Miss Thompson of Halifax, and raised three sons, Nathaniel Cocke (Jr) (7), John Cocke (7) and William Cocke (7), the two first died young, the latter still lives in Savannah, Georgia. Nathaniel Cocke (6), son of Richard Cocke (5) (of Halifax) was Lieutenant Colonel in the State Line in the Revolution.
7. John Cocke (5), son of Richard (4), married Miss Claiborne (Lucy Herbert) of Sussex (born 1769) and raised two sons, Herbert Cocke (6) and John Cocke (6), both of whom are now living in the count of Halifax, and have children (1813).
DESCENDANTS OF HARTWELL COCKE (5)
a. JOHN HARTWELL COCKE (6), son of Hartwell (5) married Elizabeth Kennon of Mount Pleasant, in Chesterfield, daughter of Robert Kennon and Sally (formerly Sally Skipwith, daughter of Sir Wm. Skipwith), and raised the following children, viz: Sally Cocke (7), Nancy Cocke (7), Elizabeth Cocke (7), John Hartwell Cocke (Jr.)(7) and Mary Kennon Cocke (7). Nancy Cocke (7) married first Carter Nicholas of Chesterfield, by whom she raised no child, and secondly Merrit M. Robinson of Richmond, leaving a son Merrit M. Robinson (8) now (1840) living. Elizabeth Cocke (7) married Arthur Sinclair, late a commodore in the United States Navy, and died, leaving no child. Mary Kennon Cocke (7) married John Faulcon of Surry, deceased, leaving one child, Elizabeth Ann Faulcon, now Mrs. Upshur. (Nicholas Faulcon and Colonel Allen Cocke represented Surry in the Convention of 1776. In 1781 (to 1801) Jacob Faulcon was clerk of Surry, and from 1801 to 1829 John Faulcon was clerk. Several of these Faulcons married with the line of John Hartwell Cocke (6).) (the ancestor of the Kennon family (see Slaughter) was Richard Kennon, who, with Francis Eppes, Joseph Royall and George Archer appear as joint patentees of 2,8727 acres of land in Henrico in 1670. Wm. Kennon (3) in 1713, was in House of Burgesses from Prince George. General Richard Kennon (4) of the Revolution, was a brother of Robert Kennon (3).
b. HARTWELL COCKE (6) son of Hartwell (5), married Miss Clements of Southampton and died without having a child.
c. MARY COCKE (6) daughter of Hartwell (5), married Captain Edward Archer of Norfolk Borough and left two son, Richard Arthur (7) and Samuel B. Hartwell (7) and a daughter Maria Hartwell (7) married Mr. Woodruff of Fredericksburg.
d. RICHARD COCKE (6) son of Hartwell (5), died unmarried.
e. MARTHA COCKE (6), daughter of Hartwell (5) is now living, the wife of Colonel Daniel Coleman of Caroline and has three sons, viz: John Coleman (7), Ruffin Coleman (7) and Daniel Coleman (7) now residing in Kentucky and Alabama. (She died in Alabama, March 1842).
f. NANCY COCKE (6), daughter of Hartwell (5) is now living, the wife of Thomas Gray, Esq., of Southampton and has four sons and two daughters living, viz: Edwin Gray (7), Joseph Gray (7), Robert Gray (7) and Thomas Gray; Catherine Gray (7) and Nancy Gray (1813). (William Gray was a Burgess from Surry, 1710-15. Joseph Gray was a Burgess from Isle of Wight, 1736. Joseph Gray (son probably) was Burgess from Southampton in 1744, 1755, ’56, ’57, ’58, ’62, ’67, ’69. Edwin Gray (probably his son) was a member of the Convention of 1776, from Southampton (with Henry Taylor, grandfather of Sarah W. Taylor, who married Dr. Charles Cocke of Albemarle county). Edwin Gray also represented the Southampton District in Congress, in 1799-1813. John C. Gray represented this district in Congress, 1820-21.)
g. BENJAMIN COCKE (6), son of Hartwell (5), died unmarried.
h. ROBERT COCKE (6), married twice; first, Miss Browne and then Miss Newsum. No child by either marriage.
i. ELIZABETH COCKE (6), daughter of Hartwell (5), married Wm. Taliaferro.
JOHN HARTWELL COCKE (6)
Copied from an old prayer-book in the possession of Dr. C. C. Cocke, 1848.
John Hartwell Cocke (6), born November 26, 1749, married, November 28th, 1773, to Elizabeth Kennon (7), who was born July 13, 1755; died 1791; of which marriage was born: Sallie Cocke, May 10, 1775. Ann Hartwell Cocke (7) November 11, 1776. Elizabeth Cocke (7). John Hartwell Cocke (7), September 19, 1780. Mary Kennon Cocke, July 25, 1783. Robert Kennon Cocke (7), December 26, 1785; died 1790. Martha Ruffin Cocke (7), January 26, 1788. Rebecca Kennon Cocke (7), July 10, 1791; died 1791.
GENERAL JOHN HARTWELL COCKE (7)
John Hartwell Cocke (7), the son of John Hartwell (6), the son of Hartwell (5), the son of Richard (4), was married to Ann Blaus Barraud, daughter of Dr. Philip Barraud of Norfolk, Va., December 25th, 1802 (died 1816). From which marriage were born: John Hartwell Cocke (8), January 25, 1804, died September 1846. Louisiana Barraud Cocke (8), June 24, 1806; married Dr. John Faulcon, of Surry; died 1829. Philip St. George Cocke (8), April 17, 1809; married Sally Elizabeth Courtney Bowdoin; died December 26, 1861. Ann Blaus Cocke (8), December 15, 1811, died 1862. Cary Charles Cocke (8), January 1, 1814. Sallie Faulcon Cocke (8) September 8, 1816.
C. FIFTH AND SIXTHGENERATIONS (LINE OF JOHN COCKE (2))
DESCENDANTS OF MARTHA COCKE (4), DAUGHTER OF WILLIAM COCKE (3), SON OF JOHN COCKE (2)
MARTHA COCKE (4), daughter of William (3), married Henry Wood, whose commission as Clerk is the first paper in the county records of Goochland (1728).
Henry Wood was born in London in 1696 and arrived at Yorktown 1713, after which he lived for two years, as his apprentice, with Christopher Robinson, a wealthy merchant on the Rappahannock river, and who was Secretary of State, 1705.
We find him (Henry Wood) thin in Henrico county, where he married Martha Cocke at Bremo, in 1723. He was (says the family record) a person of good education, strong natural parts, and a great vivacity of temper. He practiced law and acted as Clerk of Goochland for forty odd years. He was a person of unblemished character and acquired a considerable property. (Henry Wood and Benjamin Cocke (4) (son of Richard)(3)) were Vestrymen of Goochland in 1744.) He was appointed Clerk in 1728, which office he held until 1757, when he as succeeded by his son, Col. Valentine Wood. He died and was buried at his seat, “Woodville”, and his tomb, a heavy, oblong, granite slab mounted on pedestals, bearing the inscription “Fuimus quoque nos”, is still well preserved.
Issue of Henry and Martha (Cocke) Wood:
1. VALENTINE WOOD (5), born Sept. 2, 1724, married January 3, 1764, Lucy Henry, sister of Patrick Henry, born in Hanover county, March 29, 1743, died in Fluvanna, July 14, 1826.
2. SALLY WOOD (5), born 1726; married William Pryor
3. PATTY WOOD (5), born 1732, married Wm. Merriwether, 1751
4. Three other children who died unmarried.
a. Valentine Wood succeeded his father as Clerk of Goochland (1757-81). He was Colonel of the County Militia, and one of the first justices appointed for Albemarle (1744 taken from Goochland). Lucy Henry, the wife of Valentine Wood, was of an intellect comparing in vigor with her brother’s (Patrick Henry). She was a woman of most earnest piety, and was an attendant on the ministry (more or less frequently), of the celebrated Samuel Davies. (“Two of the sisters of Patrick Henry,” say Campbell (Hist. Va., p. 522) – “Lucy, who married Valentine Wood, and Jane, who married Col. Samuel Meredith, were members of Davies’ congregation.)
The descendants of Valentine Wood and Lucy Henry were: Henry Wood, died unmarried. 2. Martha Wood, married Major Stephen Southall, son of Col. Turner Southall of Henrico. 3. Mary Wood married Judge Peter Johnston, father of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. 4. Valentine Wood, died unmarried. 5. Lucy Wood married Edward Carter of Blenheim, Albemarle, son of Colonel John Carter of Shirley. 6. John Henry Wood married Eliz. Spencer.
b. Sally Wood and William Pryor. The latter was Sheriff of Goochland county, 1753, 1754. Colonel of Va. Militia, many years one of his Majesty’s justices for Goochland. He died in 1777. His will mentions wife Sarah, sons, Samuel, William and John Pryor; daughters, Sally Payne, Patty and Mary Pryor.
c. Patty Wood and William Merriwether. The latter was a captain in Revolution and died in Louisa county, where his will is probated. He left several children, of whom one, David Wood Meriwether (born 1756) married Mary Lewis, daughter of John Lewis, one of the most eminent members of the bar of that period, and moved to Kentucky in 1801. (There was a David Merriwether in the United States Senate from Kentucky in 1852.)
William Merriwether was the son of David Merriwether, who was son of Major Nicholas Merriwether and Elizabeth Woodhouse, the former of Surry county, the latter of the old Woodhouse family of Princess Anne. (There was a Nicholas Merriwether, Burgess from New Kent in 1714, 18, 23 and 26. George Merriwether was in the Virginia Convention of 1776, from Louisa.)
D. FIFTH AND SIXTH GENERATIONS (LINE OF WILLIAM COCKE (2))
THE FAMILY OF OBADIAH SMITH
In a previous article (page 95 of Virginia Historical Magazine, July, 1896 and page 328, October 1896), we stated that Mary Cocke (3), daughter of William Cocke (2), married Obadiah Smith, and some seventy-five years afterwards (1777) his descendant, Lucy Smith (daughter of his grandson, Obadiah Smith (4),) married James Powell Cocke (6) of Malvern Hills.
Obadiah Smith (3) and Mary Cocke (3) left issue: William Smith, John Smith, Obadiah Smith, Jacob Smith, Luke Smith (4), Elizabeth Smith, Anne Smith and Mary Smith.
Luke Smith (4) left a son, Obadiah (5) who married Mary Burks, in Albemarle county, Va., and died in 1777. (In “The Cabells and their Kin”, we have the following (page 59), Elizabeth Cabell (Burks), wife of Dr. William Cabell, was the daughter of Samuel and Mary Davis Burgs of Hanover count (when that county extended to the Blue Ridge mountains). Her only sister, Mar Burks, married Obadiah Smith (who died 1777 in Chesterfield county) and became the mother, inter alias, of Peartree Smith, whose descendants went to Kentucky; of William Smith who married Elizabeth Mayo of Lucy Smith who married James Powell Cocke and of Elizabeth Smith who married Isaac Winston.
Peartree Smith got his name from John Peartree Burke, the brother of Mary Burks, the wife of Obadiah Smith. He moved to Kentucky. In 1852 “Mrs. Hebe Carter Preston married her cousin, Wm. Peartree Smith of Henderson county, Ky.” (page 455).
Isaac Winston married second, daughter of John Coles. He was a son of Isaac and Mary Ann (Fontaine) Winston: the latter born 1718 and daughter of Rev. Peter Fontaine. Peter Winston, brother of Isaac, was a member of the Henrico Committee of Safety, 1774 and he was the grandfather of John Winston Jones, Speaker of House of Representatives.
William Smith (6) and Elizabeth Mayo (he died in Chesterfield County in 1800) (She descended from Joseph Mayo who came to Virginia, 1727, from Barbdoes and settled at “Powhatan” (near Richmond), the seat of the Indian chief. The intermarried with the Carringtons. Philip Mayo represented Henrico in House of Burgesses in 1768. John Mayo represented Cumberland in 1770 and 1777. William Mayo, Jr., represented Powhatan in 1785. John Mayo was a member of the Cumberland Committee of Safety, 1775.) left issue: Mary Smith, William Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Dr. Beverly Smith, Lucy Ann Smith, Signora Tabb Smith, William Mayo Smith, Edward Warren Smith and Obadiah Smith. We get the above information from Mr. Charles L. Pullen, of New Orleans, great grandson of William Smith (6), son of Obadiah (5).
We have another pedigree of the Smith family sent us by Mr. Willis B. Smith of Richmond, which gives the descendants of Mary Smith (3), who was daughter of the first Obadiah Smith. Mr. Willis Smith writes that their “old book says” that Obadiah Smith (3) who married Mary Cocke (3) was the son of John Smith of Charles City, who came there from England. (Captain Roger Smyth (who had been a captain (1692) under Sir Francis Vere in the Netherlands), a member of the Virginia Council in 1621, had a plantation in Charles City county. John Smith (or Smyth), gentleman of Nibley, spent large sums of money in Virginia, though he never came to the colony himself. He was interested in the Tracy-Berkeley-Smith-Thorpe plantation at Berkeley. Some of his family probably cane to Virginia. From one of the above it is likely that Obadiah Smith (3) was descended.) (Neill (Virginia Carolorium) thanks that Roger Smyth was a son of John Smyth, Esq., of Nibley, in Gloucestershire.
Mary Smith, born 1726, died 1804, the ancestor of Mr. Willis B. Smith, married a William Smith of Gloucester, son of Robert Smith of Gloucester, son of William Smith of Gloucester, probably of the family of Colonel Lawrence Smith. William and Mary Smith settled at “Montrose”, in Powhatan county. (Robert Smith of Gloucester had a large estate now Rockcastle” in Goochland county, owned by Mrs. John C. Rutherford, just opposite “Belmead”, former seat of Philip St. George Cocke. Robert Smith was a member of the Cumberland Committee of Safety in 1775.) They had a number of children, among them: 1. Josiah Smith, who was the father of the late Benjamin Mosby Smith, D. D., of Union Theological Seminary, Virginia. 2. Mary Smith married James Morton, father of W. S. Morton of Cumberland county; 3. Anne Smith married Rev. Drury Lacy, who was the grandmother of the Rev. Moses D. Hoge, D. D., of Richmond; 4. Judith Smith, who was grandmother of Mrs. Terhune (Marlon Harland).
Josiah Smith married Judith Michaux Mosby, daughter of Colonel Littlebury Mosby and granddaughter of Jacob Michaux.
The will of Obadiah Smith (3), probated in Chesterfield county, May 2, 1777, disposes of lands in Mecklenburg county, “with negroes and stock” to son of Peartree Smith; to son William land on James River “above Moses’ creek, &c.”; to Obadiah the residue of tract of land in Chesterfield county, “being plantation whereon I now live”, to William land at mouth of Hico and Dan rivers (Halifax county); to Obadiah all his land in North Carolina; to Lucy two Negroes; to Elizabeth two Negroes; to Edith Christmas one Negro boy and 100 pounds in money, and two girls for life; to granddaughter Eliz. Winston, one girl and 100 pounds; to Peartree Smith 250 pounds; and all the residue of his estate to William, Obadiah and Lucy.
There is a letter from “Will Scott” dated “Bunkershill, Va., Feb’y 25, 1777”, to “Mr. Wm. Smith, Paymaster 5th Virginia Regiment”, who was with the army in New Jersey, informing him of the death of his father.
There was an Obadiah Smith and two William Smiths , who were lieutenants in the Continental Line in the Revolutionary War.
E. THE COCKES OF CHARLES CITY COUNTY
We have given the descendants of Robert Bolling (3) and Anne Cocke (3), and we stated that this Anne Cocke was probably the daughter of Richard Cocke (2), the younger (youngest son of Richard Cocke (1)), who settled in Charles City county.
The destruction of the records of Charles City county leaves us only a few glimpses now and then of the Cocke family in Charles City in the 18th century. In the “Calendar of Virginia State Papers”, vol. I, page 261, there is a record of the justices appointed for Charles City county in April, 1769: Edward Cocke, Benjamin Harrison, Littlebury Hardyman, Littlebury Cocke, &c. – twelve in all. (Captain Littlebury Hardyman of “Indian Fields”, Charles City county, is named in the article on “Racing in Colonieal Virginia”, in the Virginia Historical Magazine for Jany’y ’95, p. 301, along with Colonel John Tayloe, Colonel Wm. Byrd, Mr. Maclin, Wm. Lightfoot, George Washington, Lewis Burwell, Sir Marmaduke Beckwith, and a number of other gentlemen, who were engaged at that period in the importation of horses of the English racing stock. He married Elizabeth Eppes, and she married, second, ---------- Cocke and had by him a daughter named Eliza Cocke, who in the year 1830, at the house of George Hairston of Henry county, married Amos Allen Atkinson of Alabama. George Hairston had married her half-sister, Louisa (Eppes) Hardyman. Another half-sister, Susan (Eppes) Hardyman, married John Southall of Charles City. Littlebury had a sister Lucy who married Colonel John Bradley of “Laurel Hill”, Charles City county, and these had a daughter Maria, who married Philip Southall, son of William Southall of Charles City. (c. 1800).) The grandmother of Eliza (Cocke) Atkinson was also a Hardyman (Anne), and she had a brother, Stith Hardyman, who married (c. 1770), Rachel Tyler, sister of Governor Tyler, the father of President John Tyler. See Wm & Mary Quar., April ’97, p. 272.) In 1768 there is a deed on record from Littlebury Cocke (and Rebecca his wife) to his daughter, Rebecca Cocke. In 1773 there is a marriage license to Bray Johnson and Rebecca H. Cocke. In 1793, there is recorded the will of Rebecca H. Cocke, widow of Colonel Littlebury Cocke, devising a tract of land called “Westbury”, and thirteen negroes to R. Cocke Tyler. In 1790 there is a mortgage from Acrill Cocke to Major Willcox. In 1791 a power of attorney from Jane Cocke to John Harwood. In 1792 a deed from Bolling Cocke to John Cocke. In 1810 a deed from John Minge to John Cocke. In 1793 the will of Jane Cocke, devising tract of land called “Bullfield” to Frances Riddlehurst.
From the will of William Lightfoot of Tedington, Charles City county, proved 1809, we learn that his first wife was named Anne, and they had a daughter named Anne Cocke Lightfoot and a daughter named Elizabeth Bolling Lightfoot. Three daughters were born about 1780 and in 1790 there is a deed on record in Charles City Clerk’s office, from Bolling Cocke, who was therefore a contemporary of William Lightfoot. We think it probable that William Lightfoot married a daughter of Bolling Cocke. See Wm. And Mary College Quarterly, Oct. 1894, p. 108.
Tedington (says Dr. Slaughter) was one of the four farms which composed the splendid estate of Sandy Point, between the James and Chickahominy rivers. (Three of these farms were inherited by Miss Minge (Mrs. Robert B. Bolling), and the fourth was added by Col. Bollong.). These Lightfoots were extremely wealthy. Philip Lightfoot, of York, father of William of Tedington, who died in 1748, owned 180 slaves and plantations in York, Charles City, Surry, Brunswick, Goochland, New Kent and Hanover, and he left 2,000 pounds sterling to each of his sons. His will mentions large amounts of plate, “two-wheeled and four-wheeled chase”, “coach and six horses”, &c.
Wm. Lightfoot imported many fine horses.
We have mentioned just above, Acrill Cocke, who was living in Charles City county in 1790, whose father no doubt married the daughter or sister of Capt. William Acrill, who died in 1738. This William Acrill (as mentioned elsewhere) had married Anne Cocke (4) of Surry, sister of Richard Cocke (4) and Benjamin Cocke (4). He was a member of the House of Burgesses at the time of his death.
His son, William Acrill was in the House of Burgesses, 1766, ’68, ’69, ’70, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’75.
We learn from the marriage license cited above and from the William and Mary College Quarterly, Octobe4 1896, page 114 (note), that James Bray Johnson, son of Colonel Philip Johnson of James City county, married Rebecca, daughter of Colonel Littlebury and Rebecca Hubard Cocke of Charles City county, and that Elizabeth, daughter James Bray Johnson and Rebecca Cocke, married Chancellor Samuel Tyler of Williamsburg. This explains the gift in 1793 from Rebecca H. Cocke of the estate called “Westbury” to R. Cocke Tyler, who was her grandson and son of Chancellor Tyler. (James Bray of James City county, was a member of the Council in 1676. His grandson, David Bray (3), son of David Bray (2), was a member of the Council in 1699. James Bray (2), son of James Bray (1), was a Burgess from James City in 1702. He was grandfather of Elizabeth Bray (4) who married Colonel Philip Johnson. The wife of Governor Edward Diggs was a Bray.)
It may be gathered from the foregoing facts that the Cockes of Charles City (descendants, as may be presumed of Richard Cocke (2), “the younger”) intermarried with the Bollings, the Lightfoots, the Johnsons, the Tylers and the Acrills, of that county. We may mention in this connection the name “Littlebury Cocke”. We can find no trace of any Littlebury family in Virginia, and yet there was a Littlebury Cocke, Littlebury Harrison, a Littlebury Ligon, a Littlebury Eppes, a Littlebury Royall, a Littlebury Carrington, a Littlebury Mason, a Littlebury Harwood.
ADDITONS AND CORRECTIONS.
JAMES POWELL COCKE (4) – It is now ascertained from the Virginia Gazette of August 7, 1752 (see William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 4, page 240), that James Powell Cocke (4) married, not Martha Anderson, as heretofore conjectured, but “Martha Herbert”, daughter of John Herbert, said to have been “a merchant on James River,” who had married Frances Anderson, probably of Henrico or Prince George. (The Herberts were a prominent family in Lower Norfolk county in the 17th century.) John Herbert, who died in 1704, was the son of John Herbert of London, Apothecary, and grandson of Richard Herbert, of London, Grocer. His tomb was until a year or two, since, at “Puddledock”, on the north side of the Appomattox, near Petersburg, but the slab, which is of slate, about six inches thick, has been removed to Blandford Churchyard, Petersburg. On it were inscribed the FAMILY ARMS: Per pale az, and gu. 3 lions rampant ar. Armed and langued or. Crest: A bundle or arrows or headed and feathered ar., six in saltire, one in pale, girt round the middle with a belt gu. Buckle and point estended, of the first. The arms are those of Colbrook, County Monmouth. See Slaughter’s Bristol Parish, 167.
John Herbert had three sons and one daughter: John Herbert, Buller Herbert, Richard Herbert and Martha Herbert. The three sons were all among the earliest vestrymen of Bristol Parish, 1722-27.
Buller Herbert “said to be (Slaughter) a grandson of one of Lords Herbert”, married a Miss Stith of Brunswick, by whom he got 200 slaves, 15,000 acres of land south side of the Appomattox, 3,000 acres on Monkananock creek, the Puddledock estate, including Matoax, and lots and houses at Bolling’s Point.” The left only one child --- a daughter – Mary Herbert, who married Colonel Augustine Claiborne of “Windsor” , a distinguished lawyer, member House of Burgesses, 1748, ’53 and ’54, from Surry. In addition to the great fortune inherited from her father, Mary Herbert got a block of Houses in London from her aunt, which sold for 80,000 pounds. Nor was this all; her uncle, John Herbert, whose will is on record in Chesterfield, left her the bulk of his large estate – he presumably had no children. This accounts (the absence of sons) for the rare occurrence of the name in the succeeding generations. Of Richard we only know that he was a vestryman in 1727. Martha, the daughter of John Herbert, married, in 1718, James Powell Cocke.
In regard to the marriage of James Powell Cocke (4) with Martha Herbert, we find on going over our notes, that in the Henrico Clerk’s office there is a record of the Inventory of Herbert Powell in 1690. His mother must have been Herbert, and his father one of the Powells of 1620 and thereabouts. The children of Thomas Cocke (2) were not by his second wife, Margaret Jones, but by his first wife, and she was probably a Powell. In this way the names Stephen Cocke, James Cocke and James Powell Cocke, may have gotten into the family, and in that way James Powell Cocke (4) may have met Martha Herbert (a relative), whom he married.
We note that in 1635, Henry Harte patented 350 acres “on the south side of the main river over against James Town island”, “adjoining apt. Powell’s land”. This was in what is now Surry County. It was in Surry County that Thomas Cocke (2) married Mary Brashear and Major James Powell lived in Isle of Wight adjoining.
In 1619, Capt. William Powell was a member of the first House of Burgesses, and represented James City. He was the “Capt. Powell” of 1635, as we know from the fact (see Burk I, 332), that in the allotments of land in the year 1620, in the “Territory of Tappahannock over against James City”, 200 acres, planted were allotted to Capt. William Powell.
Among the original “Adventurers”, his name is entered as “William Powell, Gentleman, Paid 25 pounds. Major James Powell of Isle of Wight, was probably his son.
It is from this Capt. William Powell that the Powells of Loundoun, claim to be descended, and in their genealogy, the family is said to have been from Wales co. Brecon, and is traced from Bliddyn ap Macnyrch ap Driffen ap Hwgan, Lord of Brecon, in the reign of William Rufus, 1087. It is stated that he left two sons, Cuthbert and Thomas, who were living in Lancaster in 1660.
Among sixty persons whom Richard Cocke brought over in 1636, was a Margaret Powell. James Cocke of Surry, had a sister Margaret. And there was a Margaret descended from the Capt. Wm. Powell of the Loudoun family.
Herbert is the family name of the Earls of Pembroke and Montgomery.
William Herbert, third Earl of Pembroke, was a member of the Virginia Company in 1609. Paid 400 pounds. Born in 1850. Married sister of Sir Philip Sidney. He patented 30,000 acres of land in Virginia in 1630. The Rappahannock river was originally called Pembroke river. He took an active part in Virginia affairs.
Philip Herbert, the second earl, was also a member of the Virginia Council in 1612, Paid 169 pounds.
JAMES COCKE (5), son of James Powell Cocke (4) was living at Malvern Hills in 1781. But this must have been James Powell Cocke (6). We have discovered that James Cocke (5) died in 1753, some six years after his father, aged about 34; and this is the reason that we hear so little of him. His wife, Mary Magdaleine Chastain Cocke, about a year after his death, married again – Peter (not Samuel) Farrar. These facts are given in a pedigree in the possession of DR. Charles Irving of Amelia (one of the Cocke family). In this pedigree it also appears that James Cocke (5) had two sons named Chastain, the elder of whom died in infancy, about a year after his grandfather, James Powell Cocke (4), who had left him all of his landed property, reserving a life estate in his widow (which she afterwards deeded to her son). The death of this infant (and his father) gave the estate to his heirs, who were his brothers and sisters. The children were all very young; Mrs. Cocke married Peter Farrar, who is said in the family tradition to have “managed” her property. (She probably remained at Malvern Hills.) When James Powell Cocke (6) grew to manhood he probably bought out the interests of his brothers and sisters, and Peter Farrar and his wife moved to Amelia. It was always stated in the family that James Powell Cocke (6) owned Malvern Hills. He must have been there in 1781, when Arnold was at Westover. Some years afterwards he exchanged the property with Robert Nelson for lands in Albemarle. The other estate, Four Mile Creek, willed by James Cocke (4) to his grandson, Chastain (6) passed into the hands of one of the Pleasants family.
MARGARET COCKE (2), wife of Thomas Cocke (2) and Peter Jones. It is stated (see Virginia Historical Magazine III, 3, page 252) that Peter Jones married the daughter of Major-General Abram Wood. This must have been Margaret Jones who married (her third marriage (questioned by transcriber)) Thomas Cocke (2) (his second marriage). She had a son, Peter Jones, who died 1721, and he left a son, Peter Jones, who in 1733, with Colonel Byrd was the founder of Petersburg. Peter Jones left a son, Wood Jones, who represented Amelia in House of Burgesses 1752.
On page 431, April number of Magazine, for Roman numeral I substitute letter A; on page 445, for numeral II substitute letter B; on page 448 (Adams Family), substitute numeral II for III.
Page 440. Clement C. Moore, not Inness Randolph, was the author of “The Night before Christmas”.
Page 440 (middle of page). “For both married Randolphs” say one (Martha) married a Randolph; the other Colonel James Innes, whose daughter married a Randolph.
COLONEL JAMES INNES. See page 440. It was his mother who was Catharine Richards. She married the Rev. Robert Innes of Drysdale Parish, Caroline.
Page 442, note. Francis Maclin also represented Brunswick in House of Burgesses 1766, 1767 (no session) and 1768. Francis (it should probably be Frederick) in 1775.
Page 444. Colonel William M. Cocke was the son of Sterling Cocke, brother of General John Cocke.
Page 446, note, last line: omit words “contracted a second marriage with Miss Fauntleroy.”
Page 447. Top line. See page 449, third line from top.
BOWLER COCKE (T) (see page 447). His will bears date 24 February 1771. He left the following children: Bowler Cocke (Jr.)(6), Elizabeth Cocke (6), Sarah Cocke (6), Charles Cocke (6), William Cocke (6), all under age at above date. Exors.: Thomas Adams, George Webb, Peter Lyons of Hanover and son Bowler “when of age”. Witnesses: Richard Randolph, Beverly Randolph, David I. Hylton, &c.
There was a Colonel Charles Cocke in Legislature from Lee county in 1797-‘8. Engaged in southwest against the Indians, 1792. This must have been the son of Bowler Cocke (5). There was no other Charles Cocke at this time.
LIST OF BURGESSES AND REPRESENTATIVES (COCKE FAMILY) 1750-1850
We have already made some reference to this subject, but on imperfect data. And the following, which is a list of the Cockes who were in the House of Burgesses or the General Assembly for the period 1750-1850, is not complete; the record is frequently wanting. There is no record preserved for the period 1728-52, except one year (1736):
COLONEL BOWLER COCKE (4) of Henrico, 1752, 1756, 1757, 1758, 1759, 1761. There is no record from 1761 to 1765.
BOWLER COCKE (5) of Henrico, 1765, 1766, 1767, 1768, 1769.
COLONEL HARTWELL COCKE (5) of Surry, son of Richard Cocke (4), 1759, 1761, 1765, 1766, 1767, 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771 (died)
COLONEL ALLEN COCKE (5) of Surry, son of Benjamin Cocke (4), brother of Richard (4) both sons of Richard (3)), 1772, 1773, 1774, 1775, 1776, 1777. Also in Convention of 1776.
GENERAL WILLIAM COCKE (5), son of Abraham Cocke (4), afterwards United States Senator from Tennessee, 1778.
COLONEL RICHARD COCKE (5) of Surry, son of Richard (4), 1784.
COLONEL LEMUEL COCKE, of Surry, of the line of William Cocke (1), who settled in Surry, 1691 (brother of Captain Thos. Cocke (1) of Princess Anne), 1786, 1788.
JOHN HARTWELL COCKE (6) (Surry), 1787, 1788, also in Convention of 1788.
---------------- COCKE (county unknown), 1793
ANDERSON COCKE of Cumberland, of the line of Bowler Cocke (4), 1795, 1796, 1798
COLONEL CHARLES COCKE (6) of Lee (probably son of Bowler (5)), 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800
------------ COCKE (60) of Prince George, 1796
JAMES POWELL COCKE (7) of Amelia, of the line of James Powell Cocke (4), 1809, 1811, 1822, 1824, 1842, 1843
PETER PRESLEY COX, of Westmoreland, descended from Presley or Fleet Cox (1700-25), 1809
WILLIAM ARCHER COCKE of Powhatan, of the line of James Powell Cocke (4), 1812
CHARLES COCKE (7) of Albemarle, son of Stephen Cocke (6) of Amelia, of the line of James Powell Cocke (4), 1822, 1827, 1828 (House of Delegates), 1832, 1833, 1835, 1842, 1843 (Senate from Albemarle, Nelson and Amherst.)
JUDGE JAMES H. COX of Chesterfield, descended from John Cocke (2), 1839, 1840, 1842 (H. of D.), 1844, 1845, 1847, 1848, 1849 (Senate from Chesterfield and Petersburg). Member of Convention of 1851.
CHASTAIN COCKE (7) of Powhatan, of the line of James Powell Cocke (4), 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, 1848.
RICHARD IVANHOE COCKE of Fluvanna, of the line of James Powell Cocke (4), 1851, 1852. In Convention of 1851.
In the above deliberative bodies the female line was largely represented by the Harwoods, the Bollings, the Banisters, the Randolphs, the Eppes’, the Adams’, the Balls, the Jones, the Warings, the Carters, the Lees, the Archers, the Egglestons, &c.
Col. Richard Adams, son of Tabitha Cocke (4), was member of the House of Burgesses almost continuously from New Kent and Henrico, from 1752 to 1775. His brother, Thomas Adams, was in the Continental Congress, and in the Senate of Virginia.
OFFICERS IN THE REVOLUTION
There were in the Revolutionary War, the following officers of the Cocke Family:
COL. WILLIAM FINNIE, PROBABLY SON OF Rev. William Finnie and Mary Cocke (4).
COL. JAMES INNES, married daughter of Auditor James Cocke.
LT. COL. NATHANIEL COCKE (6) of Halifax, son of Col. Richard Cocke (5)
CAPT. PLEASANT COCKE (5), son of James Cocke
CAPT. JOHN COCKE of Surry
CAPT. COLIN COCKE of Surry
CAPT. JOHN CATESBY COCKE, grandson of Col. Thomas Jones, married daughter of Secretary William Cocke (Navy)
CAPT. JAMES COCKE of Prince George, son of John Cocke, line of Surry Cockes. (Navy)
CAPT. JOHN COX, died 1837. (Navy)
CAPT. WILLIAM (afterwards General) COCKE (6) of Southwest Virginia.
CAPT. CADWALLADES JONES, descended from Secretary William Cocke.
LIEUT. STEPHEN SOUTHALL, grandson of Henry Wood and Martha Cocke (4).
LIEUT. PETER JOHNSON, grandson of same
LIEUT OBADIAH SMITH (6), son of Obadiah Smith (5)
LIEUT. WILLIAM SMITH (6)
COCKE GENEALOGY
In the July number of the Virginia Magazine, in the Genealogy of the Cocke Family”, page 76, there is note which I desire to correct, as to the only surviving child of Mrs. Elizabeth Marion Cocke Trezevant, who was the only child who married and left issue, of Buller Cocke and Elizabeth Barron his wife. The said Elizabeth married Dr. Lewis Cruger Trezevant, only child of Judge Lewis Trezevant of Charleston, South Carolina. The judge died in 1808, at the early age of thirty-nine years, having been nine years on the bench; “he was the youngest judge who had ever been appointed”. The Trezevants were a Huguenot family, mentioned by Ramsay in his “History of the United States” as coming to America, 1685, soon after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. I might give the page, &c., if my notes were not in America. Colonel James Trezevant, as he was always called, who represented the Southampton district in Congress in 1825-31, and was in the Convention of 1829-30, was a cousin of Dr. Lewis Cruger Trezevant, being a son of Dr. John Trezevant, a surgeon during the Revolution, who left South Carolina with the army, and later settled in Virginia. I cannot account for the statement that “the family came from Maine”.
Dr. Lewis Cruger Trezevant was the father of the gallant Colonel Edward Buller Trezevant, whose biography you will find in “General Bedford Forrest’s Cavalry “, by Strange. He lost his life at Spring Hill, before Columbia, Tenn.
The Barrons deserve a full sketch from the State of Virginia, as in the early days, they did much service, and in the familial of Captain James Barron Hope, the commission “Commander-in-Chief of the State Navy” was transmitted from Com. Samuel Barron, signed by Thos. Jefferson, then President of the United Sates.
I have written in haste, having just received my Magazines, without my papers, but on my return I shall be glad to furnish any further information I may possess.
BETTY T. KEIM
Hamburg, December 30, 1897
CONCERNING COX AND COCKE FAMILIES OF HENRICO
By James P. C. Southall
Published in Genealogies of Virginia Families from The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography
1. Many years ago Dr. Bruce stated that the Coxes of Chesterfield and Henrico are descended from John Cox who lived near Dutch Gap in 1677 (3 V 288). Unfortunately John Cox’s son William Cox and Thomas Cocke’s son William Cocke have been confused with each other in this Magazine, Vol. III, 94, and one main purpose of this note is to separate these two Williams who, as far as known, were not related (See particularly 37 V 157-159. (Pages 163-165, this volume).
Coxes were among the earliest immigrants to Virginia. William Coxe who came in the Godspeed in 1610 (Nugent, C&P, I, Intrude., p. xxix) was apparently a lad not more than eleven years old when he landed at Jamestown; and doubtless he is the same as William Cox, Planter, who patented, 100 acres of land within the “precincts” of Elizabeth City, 20 September 1628. (Id., p. 12; 3 V 287)
Arthur Bayly, merchant and real estate dealer, had a grant of 550 acres of land in Henrico Co., “on N. side the Riv., known by the name of Harristocks, beg. Next to land of Capt. Edloe”; which had been purchased from Bayly by Wm. Johnson and then assigned to John Cox, early in April 1666 (29 March, 1665, O.S.) This John Cox was perhaps a son of William Cox who had patented 150 acres of land in Henrico Co., 29 November 1636, “About 2 ½ mi. above Harroe Attocks”. (Id. P. 447.)
John Cox, Sr., had two sons, John Cox, Jr., who married Mrs. Jane Gower’s daughter Mary Baugh, and William Cox, whose wife was named Sarah, and who has been confused, as above stated, with William Cocke (3), youngest of the four sons of Thomas Cocke (2) “of Pick-thorn Farm in the County of Henrico” (43 V 75) or Thomas Cocke who was the first of Henrico Cockes to live at Malvern Hills adjoining Old Bremo.
2. As well as can be ascertained, William Cocke(3) (Thomas (2) Richard (1)) married twice and lived to be nearly 50 years old. He was born probably about 1669, for when his father made his will, 10 December 1696, William Cocke’s first wife, mother of his eldest daughter Sarah Cocke (4), was then no longer alive. We know that William Cocke (3) married Sarah Perrin in 1695 a year or more before his father’s death, and that nearly a decade earlier, namely in 1686, Thomas Farrar (b. 1665) grandson of Councilor William Farrar and his wife Cicely, had married Katherine Perrin, daughter of Richard Perrin and perhaps an elder sister of Sarah Perrin. William Cocke and his wife Sarah Perrin had one son and three daughters all of whom came of age: William Cocke (4), Temperance Cocke (4), Mary Cocke (4) and Catharine Cocke (4).
About William Cocke(3) little more is known beyond the fact that a deed is on record of date 16 November 1708 from John Pleasants who married Dorothia Cary, whereby part of a tract of land that had been patented by Pleasants in 1699, on the south side of Chickahominy Swamp, was conveyed to William Cocke, and that soon afterwards, 1 April 1709, William Cocke sold some of this land. William Cocke (3) died near the end of 1717 or early in 1718, not long after the death of his brother Stephen Cocke (3); for his will, dated 5 November 1717, was probated 3 February 1717-1718.
3. Sarah Cocke (4), eldest of William Cocke(3)’s children, married (1) William Cox (d. 1711), son of John Cox, Jr., above mentioned and (2) Thomas Jordan who survived her. Sarah Cocke died around 1730, for by May 1734 she had been dead some four years, when her husband Thomas Jordan was plaintiff in a law-suit Jordan vs. Cox in which Sarah’s son John Cox(5) was defendant against his stepfather. (27 W, 140-141, Sarah Cocke(4), whose first husband was William Cox (d. 1711) is not to be confused with Sarah who married the elder William Cox an whose will, dated 29 March 1726-7, names her only son Stephen Cox, and her six daughters, one of the latter being Martha Cox, Henry Wood’s wife.)
William Cocke’s only son William Cocke (4) (William (3), Thomas (2), Richard (1)) married Judith Stewart. Neither of their two children lived to be eight years old although both were alive when their father died perhaps about a year after the death of his half-sister Sarah Cocke (4) or possibly earlier, say, between 1727 and 1731.
Mary Cocke (4)(William (3), Thomas (2), Richard (1)) married John Redford (or Radford).
Temperance Cocke (4), perhaps named for aunt Temperance Cocke (3) (Thomas (2) Richard (1)) wife of Samuel Harwood, married Abraham Bailey, a large landowner in Henrico county, in 1704, who flourished there apparently long years afterwards. (27 V. 209. Wright and Tinling, Secret diary of William Byrd, p. 150. Henrico Records, p. 310. Valentine Papers, II, y4i, 1050, and III, 1441.) Accordingly, if Temperance Baley (b. 1618) was the first wife of the immigrant Richard Cocke of old Bremo, Mrs. Abraham Bailey, nee Temperance Cocke, was her great grand-daughter.
Catharine Cocke (4)(William (3), Thomas (2), Richard (1)) possibly named for Katherine Perrin (Mrs. Thomas Farrar) married John Burton. Her husband and her son John Burton, Jr., both survived her.
Early in January 1743, N.S., Abraham Bailey, John Redford, Jr., Thomas Jordan and John Burton joined in asking the court to appoint them administrators of the estate of “Miss Judith Cocke”, dec’d. The inference is that she was Judith Cocke (5), daughter of William Cocke (4) and his wife Judith Stewart, afterwards wife of Francis Redford (10).
4. It is easy to see how the confusion arose between William Cox, son of John Cox, Sr., and William Cocke, son of Thomas Cocke of Pick-thorn Farm, who both lived in Henrico county about the same time. Each had a wife named Sarah and William Cox and his wife Sarah ------ had a son Stephen Cox, while William Cocke had a brother named Stephen Cocke. One of William Cox’s daughters was Martha Cox who married Henry Wood at Bremo in 1723 (4 V 94, 95), but why the wedding took place at the home of Bowler Cocke (4) (Richard (3), Richard the Elder (2), Richard (1)) is something of a puzzle.
Rev. William Finney (Finnie), who married Mary Cocke, daughter of Thomas Cocke (3) (Thomas (2), Richard (1)) was minister of Varina Parish 1714-1727. In 1724 he was one of the sureties at the baptism of Valentine Wood, son of Henry Wood and his wife Martha Cox. (4 V 216).
In the light of the facts here put together, corrections need to be made in the Cocke Genealogy as given in Volume IV of this Magazine not only pp. 94-95 but pp. 327 and 436. (Pages 122-123, 136 & 147, this volume.)
MALVERN HILLS, HENRICO COUNTY, AND EDGEMONT, ALBEMARLE COUNTY, HOMES OF JAMES POWELL COCKE (4) AND JAMES POWELL COCKE (6)
By James P. C. Southall
Published in Genealogies of Virginia Families from The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography
In a valuable and painstaking article recently contributed to William and Mary College Quarterly, 2nd ser., XIII, 207-213, Dr. William Cabell Moore, of Washington, D. C., has related in some detail an outline of the history of old Bremo on James River, where Richard Cocke (1), ancestor of the Cocke family of Henrico Co., settled in 1636 or soon afterwards (Note 1) and where one line of his descendants continued to live for several generations or nearly 175 years down to the beginning of the nineteenth century. This estate which comprised about 640 acres when Richard Cocke (1) died in 1665 and was buried in his “orchard” or garden by the side of his early wife, was situated on the north bank of the river between Curles Neck and Turkey Island, as may be seen on the folded map which is attached to Dr. Moore’s article.
The two eldest sons of Richard Cocke (2), both by his first wife whose identity has never been ascertained (Note 2), were Richard Cocke (2) of Bremo (1639-1706), known as Richard Cocke (2) the elder to distinguish him from his half-brother Richard Cocke (2) the younger, and Thomas Cocke (2) of Malvern Hills (c. 1638-1697) (Note 3), who in 1672 speaks of himself as “Thomas Cocke of Pick-thorn Farm in the County of Henrico” (Note 4). Both brothers were prominent and influential personages in Henrico in the latter half of the seventeenth century.
The land patented by their father in 1636 and 1639 comprised not only the plantation called Bremo, but a larger tract on the ridge a mile or two from the river which extended to the head of Turkey Island Creek and was called Malvern Hills or “Mawborne” Hills, as is frequently written, phonetically, in the old documents with many variations of spelling (Va. M. H. & B., III, 285 (Page 96, this volume) and XIV, 192; Wm. & M. C. Q., 2nd ser., XI, 228 and XIII, 207-212). From the will of Richard Cocke (1) (Miscel. Records of Henrico Co., Book I, p. 27, Archives Div., Va. State Library; abstract in Edw. Pleas. Valentine Papers, II, 640), dated 4 October 1665, it may reasonably be inferred that shortly before he died he had given Malvern Hills by deed to Thomas Cocke (2) for his home, perhaps about 1663 near the time of his first marriage. When the latter died more than thirty years afterwards, no doubt he likewise was buried in his garden at Malvern Hills in compliance with the wish expressed in his will dated 10 December 1696 and probated 1 April 1697 (Henrico County Records, Book 5, 1684-1697, pp. 684, foll., Archives Div., Va. State Library), but according to Dr. Moore no trace of a grave can be found now at Malvern Hills.
The four sons of Thomas Cocke (2), namely, Thomas Cocke (3) (1664-1707), Stephen Cocke (3) (1666-1717), James Cocke (3) (1667-1721) and William Cocke (3) (d. 1717), as well as his two daughters, Temperance Cocke (3) (m. Samuel Hardwood) and Agnes Cocke (3) (m. Joseph Harwood), all named in their father’s will were undoubtedly Thomas Cocke’s children by his first wife. Her identity, like that of his mother, remains undiscovered, although it has been conjecture that she may have been a Miss Powell (Va. M. H. & B., V, 84; see IV, 90). Some time after 1670, Thomas Cocke (2) married again. His second wife (by whom he had no issue as far as known) was a widow named Margaret Jones (Va. M. H. & B., III, 407 (for pages 84,90, 407 &36 see p. 179, 118, 106 & 181, this volume.) where several errors need to be corrected in the light of the above account). She was a daughter of Major-General Abraham Wood, a very prominent character in the annals of colonial Virginia from 1644 to 1656, and the grandmother of Major Peter Jones who, with Colonel Byrd, founded Petersburg in 1733 (Va. M. H. & B., III, 252 and V, 86). Thomas Cocke 92) left Malvern Hills to his widow, Margaret Wood-Wynne-Jones-Cocke, for life and afterwards to his grandson, Thomas Cocke (4), son of Thomas Cocke (3), naming his “loving wife and dutiful son James” executors of his will. The old lady outlived all her husband’s sons except her co-executor, James Cocke (3), and even outlived the grandson above mentioned; dying at Malvern Hills in 1718 (Note 5).
The eldest son of Thomas Cocke (2) was Captain Thomas Cocke (3) and although his life was comparatively short, he also, like his father and grandfather before him, was a prominent citizen of Henrico Co, being a man of affairs and of considerable means. Probably about 1684, before attaining the age of manhood, he married Mary Brazure (Brassuir, Brashear, etc.), daughter of John Brazure or Brasseur from Nansemond Co. She was certainly the mother all his children, possibly with the exception of the youngest. Doubtless he married his second wife, Frances ----------, not long before his death in 1707. Thomas Cocke (3) may have lived at Malvern Hills with his step-mother as implied in his will which was probated 1 April 1707, is eldest son Thomas Cocke (4) (c. 1684-1711), who was himself little over twenty-one years old at the time was appointed executor by his father, evidently with the intention of his acting in loco parentis to his younger brothers and sisters who were all under age. Their names were as follows: James Powell Cocke (4), (b. 1688), Henry Cocke (4) (born about 1693, Brazure (or Brassuir) Cocke (4) (born about 1694), Mary Cocke (4) who may have been born about 1693, and Elizabeth Cocke (4).
Thomas Cocke (3) leaves to his second son, James Powell Cocke (4), “the plantation I now live upon and part of the land adjoining thereto which I purchased from by brother Stephen Cocke”, all in Henrico Co., besides a tract of land in Charles City Co. consisting of 920 acres, amounting in all to considerably over 1,500 acres. Presumably the land in Henrico Co., included some part of the Malvern Hills estate, although James Powell Cocke doubtless acquired the whole of this property subsequently by purchasing his youngest brother’s (Brazure) share. It has been conjectured with some plausibility that James Powell Cocke derived his name in some way from Lieutenant-Colonel James Powell of Isle of Wight Co., on the supposition that the latter was kinsman of his mother’s family in Nansemond Co. Her husband’s will mentions a gold ring “marked J. P.’ which may have been hers before her marriage. James Powell was a leading citizen in his part of the country between 1677 and 1682 (Va. M. H. &B., IV, 213 and VI, 116). See also another conjecture connecting the Powells with the Cockes and likewise with the Herberts who intermarried with the Powells (V. M. H. 7 B. V. 84-85).(For pages 213, 84-85, 95, 21t & 440 see pp. 126, 179-180, 95, 129 & 151, this volume)
In July 1711 when Henry Cocke (4) (1693-1715), third son of Captain Thomas Cocke (3), was nearly eighteen years old and was “designing to leave” Virginia, he appointed his “kinsman Richard Cocke” to receive from his brother, Thomas Cocke (4), in his absence abroad the property which had been left him in trust in his father’s will. About four years later Henry Cocke died (at sea, so it is said, Va. M. H. & B., XXXVII, 230), unmarried. His will dated 1 February 1714 was proved 4 April 1715; the executors being Mr. William Finney, M. A. (Glasgow), minister of Henrico Parish 1714-1727 (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 95, 216 and XXXVII, 230), who had married his older sister, Mary Cocke (4), and his brother, James Powell Cocke (4). An inventory of his books at the time of his death is given in Va. M. H. & B., X, 404.
Brazure (or Brassuir) Cocke (4) (c. 1694-1770, youngest of the four brothers, was only thirteen years old when his father died (in 1707). Three years later (1710) he was at boarding school, as we know from the accounts kept by his eldest brother. He long outlived all his brothers, dying in Brunswick Co. in 1770, where his will, dated four years earlier (1766), is on record (Brunswick County Will Book, IV, 32; Va. M. H. & B., XXII, 78 and XXVIII, 162). Earlier in life, from about 1730 until 1753 or later (some years after the death of his nephew, James Cocke (5) of Cumberland Parish in Lunenburg Co.), he seem to have resided in James City Co. (Va. M. H. & B, IV, 216, 440 (Note 6)).
The eldest son, Thomas Cocke (4), did not long survive his father, dying four years later in 1711, shortly after his brother Henry went abroad. Not more than twenty-six years old at the time of his death, he left all his property to his three younger brothers above mention. To “Brashaw” Cocke in particular he left the tract of land called “Mawborn Hills” “on which his Grandmother now lives”, that is, the property which had been left him by his grandfather, Thomas Cocke (2), after the death of his widow, Margaret Wood-Wynne-Jones-Cocke. At that time (1711) the old lady still had seven years longer to live, as mentioned above.
Whatever interest Brazure Cocke(4) had in Malvern Hills in consequence of the bequest above referred, presumably he afterwards disposed of it some way to his elder brother, James Powell Cocke (4)(1688 – 1747) who had himself inherited part of this land from his father, as has been pointed out. At all events the fact is that James Powell Cocke (4) lived at Malvern Hills nearly all his life and died there; and apparently it was he who built the old brick dwelling (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 213)(for pages 213, 413, 447, 283, 84, 215, 86 & 214 see pp. 126, 112, 158, 94, 179, 128, 181 & 127 of this volume) which seems to have contained originally seven rooms and a main hall that extended from the front of the house to the rear, as was the fashion in so many country houses in old Virginia (Va. M. H. & B., III, 413 and IV, 447). The simple and unpretentious structure (a picture of which photographed by H. P. Cook and reproduced from General Dabney H. Maury’s History of Virginia may be found in Va. M. H. & B., IV, opp. P. 434 and XXXVII, opp. P. 230) is said to have been “one of the best specimens of colonial architecture” in Tidewater, Virginia (Va. M. H. & B., II, 283).
James Powell Cocke (4) married Martha Herbert in 1718. She was the daughter of John Herbert (d. 1704) of Puddledock, Prince George Co., and his wife, Frances Anderson (Va. M. H. & B., V, 84 and SVIII, 190; Wm. & M. C. Q., XIII, 4); and doubtless it was by this marriage that, some time prior to 1727, James Powell Cocke had acquired the “land on Nibb’s Creek” in Prince George Co. which was adjacent to a place called Beachtree belonging to Henry Anderson, whose daughter, Judith, married one of the Cockes (Va. M. H. & B., XXII, 374, 388). Besides Malvern Hills, James Powell Cocke (4) owned also another plantation in Henrico Co. known as Four Mile Creek (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 215 and V, 86; Wm. & M. C. Q., XXVII, 143), which was not far from the site of Richmond below the falls in the river. He and his wife had two children, Martha Cocke (5)(married --------------), and James Cocke (5), sometimes called James Cocke, Junior.
Contemporary with James Powell Cocke (4) (Thomas (3), Thomas (2), Richard (1)) in Henrico Co. were James Cocke (4) (James (3), Thomas (2), Richard (1)) and Bowler Cocke (4) (Richard (3), Richard the elder (2), Richard (1)); all three of whom were present, for example, at a meeting of the vestry of Henrico Parish held in Curls Church in 1737 when it was first proposed to build old St. John’s Church in Richmond (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 214). The following year (1738) we hear that Luke Smith, grandfather of Lucy Smith, who married James Powell Cocke’s grandson, James Powell Cocke (6), in 1777, had been appointed inspector at “Shochoes” Warehouse in place of James Cocke (4) above mentioned (Va. M. H. & B., XIV, 241). These items serve to give us some little idea of James Powell Cocke and his neighbors. At this time (1738) his only surviving brother, Brazure Cocke, was perhaps living in James City Co., as had been previously stated.
In his will dated 19 August 1747 and probated in Henrico County Court early in the following month (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 215, Wm & M. C. Q., XXVII, 143) James Powell Cocke (4) appoints his only son, James Cocke (5), executor and leaves to his “loving wife the use of all my hole estate during her Natural life except what is Given to my Daughter and to her Husband in a bond Signed but not recorded the particulars that are in that bond to be Given by my Exrs when required according to the true intent of the bond” (plainly indicating, as does the entire document, that the testator, like the Emperor Sigismund, was super grammaticam and apparently disdainful of orthography also). After his wife’s death his grand-daughter, Martha Cocke (6) is to have “four Negro Garls not under twelve years of age”. His two plantations at Malvern Hills and Four Mile Creek are to go to his grandson, “Chasteen” Cocke (6) (Note 7), after the death of his father James Cocke (5); and all the rest of his estate is to be divided between James Cocke (5) and his son Chastain Cocke (6), when the latter comes of age. Shortly after the testator’s death his widow, Martha Herbert Cocke, by a deed recorded in Henrico County Court in June 1749, conveyed to her son, James Cocke (5), the plantation of “Malborne” Hills, together with all her other interest in her late husband’s estate as devised to her by the latter in his will.
James Cocke (5) (c. 1721-1753), only son of James Powell Cocke (4) is the same as James Cocke of Cumberland Parish in Lunenburg Co., (Wm. & M. C. Q., XXVII, 141). He married Mary Magdaleine Chastain, 19 April 1742, daughter of Dr. Stephen Chastain, who was one of the Huguenot settlers at Mannikin Town (Va. Hist. Col., new series, Vol. V; Va. M. H. & B., IV, 431, foll.). They had five children (the two eldest being named in their grandfather’s will, as above noted), namely: Chastain Cocke (6), Martha Cocke (6) (born about 1744 and named for her grandmother), James Powell Cocke (6), Stephen Cocke (6) (youngest son, named after his maternal grandfather), and Elizabeth Cocke (6) or Elizabeth Chastain Cocke. As was so frequently the case in Colonial Virginia, James Cocke (5) had a short life, dying 13 April 1753 before he was thirty-five years old and before any of his children had reached the age of ten years (Note 8). According to his will dated 30 April 1753 and probated 3 July 1753 (Lunenburg County Court Will Book, No. 1, p. 96; abstract in Wm. & M. C. Q., XXVII, 141-143), he died possessed of over 7,000 acres of land in various localities comprising Malvern Hills (670 acres) in Henrico Co., a tract of 750 acres in Cumberland Co., his home in Cumberland Parish (300 acres), Lunenburg Co. (not far from the place in Brunswick Co., where his uncle, Brazure Cocke, afterwards lived and died, a large tract of 2,560 acres on the south side of the Staunton River in Halifax Co., and another large tract containing 2,771 acres in Amelia Co., which was left to his widow (Note 9) for her lifetime and afterwards to his youngest son, Stephen Cocke (6).
Notwithstanding the fact that James Powell Cocke (4) had left “the Plantation Malborn Hills” in his will to his grandson, Chastain Cocke (6), “after the Death of his Father James Cocke”, the will of James Cocke (5) clearly sets forth that Malvern Hills, together with the stock, household goods and sixteen of the Negroes on the place, was left to his second son, James Powell Cocke (6) as well as his land in Cumberland Co., amounting in all to over 1,400 acres (Note 7). On the other hand, to his oldest son, Chastain Cocke (6), his father left his land in Halifax Co. with twenty-five negroes; and to his youngest son, Stephen Cocke (6), his home in Lunenburg Co., together with the reversion of the land in Amelia Co. above mentioned. To each of his two daughters he left 500 pounds to be paid when they were eighteen years old or married;;; with the stipulation that his elder daughter, Martha Cocke (6), should relinquish her claim to the legacy (four Negro girls) left her in her grandfather’s will (Note 10).
At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in 1776 James Powell Cocke (6) (1748-1829) was a young man still under thirty years of age living at Malvern Hills. Early in his life, indeed before he was grown, he had married Elizabeth Archer in Amelia Co., 25 November 1767 (Wm. & M. C. Q., XVI, 84). She was the sister of Martha Field Archer, wife of his elder brother, Chastain Cocke (6) (1743-1795); and dying in 1773 she had left her young husband a childless widower (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 434). Three or four years afterwards (September 1777) James Powell Cocke (6), still under thirty years of age, married his second wife, Lucy Smith (1756-1821), daughter of Obadiah Smith of Westham in Chesterfield Co., and great-granddaughter of Mary Cocke (3) (William (2), Richard (1)) (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 95, 328; v, 80, 81) (For pages 434, 95, 328, 80 & 81, see pp 145, 133, 137, 175 & 176, this volume). They lived happily together many years until she died at Edgemont in Albemarle Co., leaving husband a widower again in his old age. She was the mother of nine children, only four of whom survived her, namely, her two sons, Smith Cocke (7) and Chastain Cocke (7) and her two daughters, Mary Cocke Carter (7) and Martha Cocke (7) (Note 11).
Near the end of the Revolutionary War when Arnold landed at Westover with a considerable force, we infer that James Powell Cocke (6) was still living at “Malburn Hills”, because Colonel Charles Fleming, writing to Colonel Davies, 10 January 1781, notifies him that Colonel Nicholas was stationed at “Mr. James Cock’s” with three or four hundred troops (Cal. Va. State Papers, I, 426; Va. M. H. & B., I , 431 and, 86) (for pages 431, 86, 435, 447 & 283, see pp. 142, 181, 146, 158 & 94 this volume)
Apparently not long after peace was restored James Powell Cocke (6) sold Malvern Hills to Robert Nelson, brother of Governor Nelson, taking in exchange 1,600 acres in the North Garden of Albemarle Col (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 431 and V, 86) (For pages 431, 86, 435, 447 & 283, see pp. 142, 181, 146, 158 & 94, this volume.); and thus Malvern Hills, one of the original seats of the Cockes of Henricom passed out of the hands of that family (Note 12). Robert Nelson is said to have lived there from 1783 to 1800 (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 447). Twenty years later, when so many of the old plantations in Virginia were being sold at auction, the “fine estate” of Malvern Hills was advertised for sale by Messrs. Berkeley and Nelson as commissioners to sell under decree of the court (Richmond Enquirer, 10 May 1820). In 1862 Malvern Hills was the scene of one of the most desperate and bloody conflicts of the Civil War “in the battles around Richmond between the troops of General Magruder and a heavy detachment of the army of General McClellan”. (Va. M. H. & B., III, 283) Having long survived the ravages of three wars, including the War of 1812 (Note 9), the historic and venerable and mansion was destroyed by fire, 3 December 1908. At that time it had been the country residence of Mr. William Hall of New York for some fifteen years. Near the ruins of the house, which are still standing, a small modern dwelling has been erected (Wilstach’s Tidewater Virginia, p. 146).
In the interval from 1783 to 1791 presumably James Powell Cocke (6) continued to reside in Tidewater Virginia, although the place of his abode at this time is not definitely known. It was during this period that two of his children died in infancy, and he himself appears to have been in poor health, perhaps being a victim of the malaria that was prevalent malady in the low country. At any rate, in 1791 James Powell Cocke (6) purchased Springhill in Augusta Co., and moved there with his family (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 435), perhaps at the instance of General Robert Porterfield of Augusta Co., who had married his half-sister, Rebecca Farrar (Note 9). Two years later (1793) he sold Springhill and moved from the Valley to Albemarle Co., where he built his home, called Edgemont, on the south fork of he Hardware River, occupying part of the land which he had purchased some years before from Robert Nelson; and here he dwelt all the rest of his life, and here also his son, Chastain Cocke (7), continued to dwell until he died in 1838, the last male survivor of his father’s household. Since that time for nearly a century none of all this extensive property has been in the possession of the Cocke family.
The old house at Edgemont with its surroundings is now rather desolate and forlorn in appearance, showing the effects of neglect and the ravages of time, and it takes an effort of imagination to reconstruct the picture it must have presented in the days when James Powell Cocke and his family lived there. Nevertheless, thanks to its solid foundations and enduring material, the original structure is still standing in a state of fair preservation and could be renovated and remodeled at no great cost so as to be both comfortable and imposing. The dwelling, which faces west toward Applebury mountain, occupies a commanding site on a high hill and is plainly visible from the highway, about a quarter of a mile away. The driveway leading to the house has fallen into decay from long disuse and is well-nigh impassible for a large modern vehicle. The entrance to it is about four miles from the railway station at North Garden and not far beyond the old plantation mill (formerly Coles’s Mill) on the south fork of the Hardware River along the road from North Garden to Keen which leads past “Estouteville” in the Green Mountain district of Albermarle. The driveway turns a little abruptly into the front yard, and as the visitor stands face to face with the deserted old mansion for the first time he cannot fail to admire its simple grace and dignity and the beauty of the wide plateau on which it is situated; and this first impression is heightened by closer inspection. The front porch surmounted by a gable roof which is supported by four tall pillars is perfectly proportioned; and the proportion and symmetry of the whole plan constitute on of the chief chars. Formerly there were two side porches, each exactly like the front porch, but one of them has fallen away and been replaced by an unsightly addition on the south side of the house, where the well-worn path ascends from the spring about fifty yards away. (The water from the spring gushes from the mountain slope and is deliciously pure and fresh. Miss Julia Peyton, of University, Va, inherited from her grandmother, Mrs. Charles Warner Lewis Carter (Mary Cocke (7)) a china mug which her father used to send to the spring to be filled with water for his own use.) The outward appearance of the structure is that of a plain frame house, but in reality the walls are thick brick masked over by heavy weather-boarding on the outside after the manner of the “stock brick buildings” that were not uncommon in colonial days (Wilatach’s Tidewater Virginia, p. 127). The woodwork was put together almost entirely by concealed wooden pegs, occasionally also by hand-made iron nails. The front porch leads directly into what was probably the sitting-room or drawing-room. There are six large rooms on the main floor, the three front rooms being separated from the three back rooms by a commodious hall 56 feet long extending the whole width of the house from the north porch to the south porch. The house bulges out at the back to make space for the large octagonal dining-room which is across the hall from the drawing-room and directly opposite the front door. The characteristic shape and dimension of the dining-room leads to the supposition that Thomas Jefferson was the architect of Edgemont, and indeed there are many other details that point to his influence (Note 13). The six rooms on the main floor, each with its old-fashioned fireplace and mantelpiece, all open on the hall, which was the only means of access from one room to another. The doors all have brass-ring knockers instead of knows, the locks in some instances being of solid brass.
The basement has the same dimensions as the floor above it, but is divided differently into six compartments, including a spacious kitchen and a long dining-room for the servants. The fireplace in the kitchen, 8 feet wide and 5 feet high, contains two large cranes and various other iron utensils and furniture still in place as of yore. Here in the basement the huge beams can be seen that support the main floor and superstructure. Five of the basement doors have massive iron clasps and the old H-L hinges that are so dear to the colonial antiquary. The smokehouse is one of the outbuildings in the back yard that is still standing.
Behind the house is the old brick-terraced garden on four levels of four plots each, the foundations of which were so securely laid in the beginning that to this day the plan symmetry of the design are still intact. Much of the boxwood has perished by fire and from neglect, but enough has survived to give an idea of its former luxuriance.
North of the garden lies the old graveyard, overgrown now with think underbrush, making it difficult to find the monuments over the tombs of those who lie buried there. The column that marks the three graves of James Powell Cocke (6) and his wife and their son, Chastain Cocke (7), has toppled over and lies flat on the ground. The inscription on the monument to James Powell Cocke (7) states that it was erected by his widow. One of the graves is that of Sarah W. Taylor, who died 26 November 1831; she was the daughter of John Taylor, of Southampton, and the wife of Dr. Charles Cocke (7), nephew of James Powell Cocke (6). Long afterwards (about 1861) her husband was buried by her side.
Apparently about four or five years before his death James Powell Cocke (6) sold Edgemont to Martha Ann Lewis Cocke, widow of his eldest son. She died intestate in 1856 and Edgemont descended to her heir, Mrs. Judith A. Randolph. For sixty years, from 1862 to 1922, this property was owned by a family named Yates, one of whom lived at Edgemont a long time. During the past twelve years it has been in the possession of Mr. J. R. Johnson and his family.
In conclusion, it may be added that the writer has several heirlooms associated with Edgemont which came to him through his grandmother, Martha Cocke Southall, a youngest child of James Powell Cocke (6). One of them is a handsome old mahogany desk or “secretary” which was brought from Malvern Hills to Edgemont. Another highly prized memorial is a small crayon portrait of James Powell Cocke (6) made in his old age. Some of the old Edgemont silver which undoubtedly came originally from Malvern Hills is owned by Mrs. Florence Sharp Grant, widow of Admiral Albert W. Grant, U.S.N. who was as granddaughter of Martha Cocke Southall (7).
Note 1 –
In the colony of Virginia in early days there were numerous other individuals named Cocke (Cock, Cocks, etc.) who were contemporary with Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Cocke (1) of Henrico Co., some of whom were presumably more or less distantly related to him, although positive evidence on this point is lacking. A partial list of such persons is worth keeping in mind, as follows:
(1) Hugh Cockes or Cocks of Charles City Co., 1634 (Greer’s Early Va. Imm. 50, 83, 148, 164, etc; Va. M. H & B, V, 313; Wm & M. C. Q., 2nd ser. IX, 57 and X, 160)
(2) Lewis Cock or Cocke, of Charles River Co., who was transported to Virginia in 1635 by Thomas Harwod (Early Va. Imm. 71; Va. M. H. & B, III, 60, 288 and IV, 187; Wm. & M. C. Q. 2nd ser., IX, 57 and X, 160);
(3) Thomas Cocke, who witnessed an assignment of land belonging to Margarett Rogers in the Upper County of New Norfolk, 9 June 1636 (Va. M. H. 7 B., VII, 296; Wm. & M. C. Q., 2nd ser, IX, 57)
(4) Richard Cocke, whose name, together with that of Robert Asten (Aston)?, is found in a list of forty persons transported to Virginia by Theodore Moyses in 1637 (Va. M. H. & V., III, 188, 191, Wm. & M. C & Q 2nd ser., IX, 57 AND xi, 229; Early Va. Imm., 14, etc);
(5) William Cocke, who (according to Mr. William Ronald Cocke, Jr., of Columbia, Va.) was a “surveyor” in Middlesex or Lancaster Co. about 1646, and contemporary with a certain
(6) Richard Cocke of Middlesex Co., and his wife Sarah, who made a deposition in that county about 1646
(7) William Cock or Cox, who was burgess from Henrico Co. in 1646 (Va. M. H. & B., III, 288, 292; Wm. & M. C. Q., 2nd ser. IX, 57)
(8) Edward Cock or Cocke, a headright of Thomas Browne of York Co., 1648, who had a land transaction of some kind with George Jordan in 1652 (Early Va. Imm., 71, 81; Wm. 7 M. C. Q., 2nd ser. IX, 57; Edw. Pleasants Valentine Papers, p. 716);
(9) Richard Cocke who patented 180 acres of land in Northumberland Co., 24 August 1662 (as reported by Mr. Ronald Cocke, Jr.), and who devised land to John Wet (Wm & M. C. Q., X, 64; see land patent records of Northumberland Co. in which both Richard Cocke and Nicholas Cocke are named as being in that county in 1664, according to Mr. William Ronald Cocke, Jr.). Little more is known about any of these individuals beyond the bare facts briefly alluded to above in connection with each name. Likewise during the lifetime of Richard Cocke (1), of Henrico Co., there were numerous individuals in Virginia by the name of Cox which in some instances was probably really Cocke. In Hening’s Statutes, I, 178, we find the name of Richard Coxe as a member of the Grand Assembly for Weyanoke in 1632, and it has been assumed but not established that he and Richard Cocke (1) of Henrico Co., were one and the same individual (Va. M. H. & B., III, 282,288,292, etc). A patent or grant of 100 acres of land was issued by Governor John West to Richard Cox or Cocke, in Elizabeth City, 20 September 1628 (Va. M. H. & B., V, 72, Wm & M. C. Q., 2nd ser., XI, 231). Undoubtedly there were Cox’s in colonial Virginia who had no connection whatever with the Cockes, but that the two names were sometimes confused and interchanged in the old records seems to be beyond question. Thus, for example, it is difficult to suppose that Symon Cox, immigrant in Isle of Wight Co., in 1648 (Early Va. Imm. 71; Wm & M. C. Q., 2nd ser., IX, 57) was not somehow related to “Symon Cocke of Plymouth” in England; or that Christopher Cox or Coxe, Northampton Co., 1652-1658 (Early Va. Imm. 81; Wm. & M. C. Q., 2nd ser., IX, 58) was not one of the Christopher Cockes whose name recurs so often among the Cockes.
The Cox’s of Chesterfield Co. were not related to the Cockes of Henrico Co. Unfortunately John Cocke (2), younger brother of William Cocke 92) of “the lowgrounds” in Henrico Co., has been confused with John Cox. Senior (Va. M. H. H. &B., III, 288) whose second wife was Mary Kennon (Va. M. H. & B., XXXVII 157-159). This John Cox, Sr. (and not John Cocke (2) as stated in Va. M. H. & B., III, 411 and elsewhere), was the progenitor of the Chesterfield Cox’s. His grandson, William Cox, has likewise been confused with William Cocke (3), son of John Cocke (3) (Va, M. H. & B., IV, 94). William Cox married Sarah --------, and their son, Stephen Cox, had a daughter, Martha Cox, who was the wife of Henry Wood.
Sarah Perrin was the wife of William Cocke (3), son of Thomas Cocke (2)
Doubtless Richard Cocke (1) of Bremo likewise had other relatives in Virginia whose surname was not Cocke. In his will he himself alludes to his “Couzon Daniell Jordan” (Va, N, G, 6 B,M UUUM 495, 406). He mentions also “Mr. John Beauchamp”, who was not his cousin but his close friend and partner. The Beauchamps and Ligons, who were his near neighbors, were related to each other (Va. M. H. & B. III, 285, 286 and V, 310; Wm. & M. C. Q., 2nd ser., XI, 228). Thomas Harris, whose land patented in 1636 adjoined the “Bremoes dividend”, was a cousin of Richard Ligon.
Note 2 – It is just possible that the first wife of Richard Cocke (1) of Henrico Co., was John Browne’s widow (whoever she was) who married a certain Richard Cocke in 1632 (Minutes of the Council and Gen. Court of Va., p. 201; Wm. & M. C. Q., 2nd ser., XI, 231). According to Mr. William Ronald Cocke, Jr., this John Browne was living at “Flower dew Hundred” in 1623, the year after the great Indian massacre and was burgess for Shirley Hundred in 1629. It may have been his son, John Browne, who paid a debt of 400 pounds of tobacco to the estate of Richard Cocke (1), of Henrico Co., as recorded by William Randolph, clerk of the court, in 1679.
Note 3 – In his will Richard Cocke (1) distinctly names each of his five sons in succession from the oldest to the youngest, namely, Richard Cocke (2), Sr., Thomas Cocke (3) and their half-brothers, William Cocke (2), John Cocke (2) and Richard Cocke (2), Jr.; (Edward Cocke (2), the youngest of all his children, was not born when Richard Cocke (1) made his will and was probably a posthumous child) and more than once in this carefully worded document he specifically designates Richard Cocke (2), Sr., as “my eldest Son”. To this son who bore his name he left his estate of Bremo which would have fallen to the eldest son by the law of primogeniture in Virginia; and, moreover, to this one of her two sons his mother had made a special gift before she died, as is likewise stated in the father’s will. Accordingly, the fact that Richard Cocke (2), Sr., was his father’s eldest son seems to be established beyond dispute.
Nevertheless, it has been maintained that Thomas Cocke (3) was the elder of the two brothers, and in view of the careful phraseology of their father’s will it cannot be altogether without significance that in each of the four instances where the two brothers are mentioned together, as, for example, “my two Sons Tho: & Richd Cocke Senr”, Thomas’s name comes first. Moreover, the provisions of the will seem to imply that the father relied chiefly on his son,, Thomas, and appointed him to manage the mill for the benefit and “use of my other Children until they come to Age”.
Entirely apart from the evidence here adduced from the will of Richard Cocke (1), we know by the inscription which is still legible on one of the old tombstones in the graveyard at Bremo that Richard Cocke (2), Sr., was born 10 December 1639 (Wm. & M. C. Q., III, 204: Va. M. H. & B., IV, 91, Wm. & M. C. Q., 2nd ser., XIII, 135); and the fact that he was indeed born near the end of the year 1639 is confirmed by a deposition which was dated 1 August 1685 and in which he declares that he was then 46 years old (Id., p. 327). This statement implies that his birth occurred not earlier than towards the end of the year (1638 in accordance with the date given in Va. M. H. & B., III, 407) nor later than August 1639. This process of reckoning makes Thomas Cocke (2) older than Richard Cocke (3), Sr.,. But it must be in error, because it seems impossible to refute the plain declaration the will of Richard Cocke (1) that his eldest son was Richard Cocke (2), Sr. (Wm. & M. C Q., 2nd ser., XIII, 151).
Note 4 – The writer is indebted to Mr. Wm. Ronald Cocke, Jr., for much of the information in this article and above all for a Photostat copy of an agreement which was made by Thomas Cocke (2) of Pickthorn Farm, Henrico Co., with an individual named “Tho East” who was tenant on his land. This document duly signed and executed in the presence of witnesses, 20 August 1672, was long afterwards, 1 October 1691, “Produced in Court at tryall of a Cause between ye subscribed Cocke and East” (Col. Records Henrico, V, folio 245, Va. State Library). In it Thomas Cocke (2) confirms in writing an oral agreement which he made with Thomas East some three or four years earlier whereby East was to “lease” for a term of twenty years “One parcel of land lying & being within the line of that land belonging now to me and my brother as being given us by the Will of our father and Pattent in the name of him and John Beauchamp”, etc., etc. The chief interest of this document at present is that it clearly established the fact that Thomas Cocke (2) of Malvern Hills had formerly lived at “Pick-thorn Farm in the County of Henrico.”
Although the English origin of the Cocke Family of Henrico Co., remains unsolved, the fact that Thomas Cocke (2) was “styled of Pick-thorne Farm” (Va. Hist. Collections, new ser., V, 194; Va. M. H. 7 B., III,406) leads to the plausible conclusion that he and his father had some close and direct connection or association with the Cockes of Shropshire in England (who were themselves perhaps connected in some way to the Cocks of Gloucestershire), especially with “Tho. Cocke de Pickthorn in com. Salop” whose daughter Alice Cocke married “Thomas Holland de Burwarton et de Medio Temple ao 1592 (Harl. Soc. Pub., XXVIII, 250-251; Wm. & M. C. Q., 2nd ser., XI, 232-233). Pickthorn or Pickthorne is an ancient place-name peculiar to Shropshire. A family of Cockes flourished there in the sixteenth century. It may have been the boyhood home of Richard Cocke (1) of Bremo or the home of his near kinsfolk, and thus it would be easy to see how the name had been revived and perpetuated in far-off Virginia.
Thanks to the courtesy of Dr. E. G. Swem, a copy of the will of Thomas Cocke, “yeoman”, of Pickthorne in the Parish of Statesdon, Shropshire, is now in the writer’s possession (which was transmitted to Dr. Sem by Mr. Boddie of Chicago). Thomas Cocke died in August 1587. His will, dated 26 July 1587 and proved 2 October 1587, indicates that he was a person of some standing and intelligence. He and his wife Agnes had five daughters, namely, Elizabeth who married John Buckhowse, Elinor who married William (?( Blakeseye, Alice who married Thomas Holland, Ann who married Walter (?) Dolman and Joan who married John (?) Norgrove. Thomas Cocke left legacies to friends and kinsfolk and also to the poor in his own and neighbouring parishes. He left his featherbed to his daughter Alice (Cocke) Holland and five pounds to each of the five children of his son-in-law “Mr. Holland”, at the same time specifying that “Thomas Holland of Burwarton, gent., owes me 80 pounds, this to be divided equally among his children”. Generally the testator refers to his grandchildren by name, and the fact that he does not do so in the case of his Holland grandchildren may imply that all five of them were still very young at the time; whence it may be inferred that Alice Cocke married Thomas Holland about 1580. (Her husband Thomas Holland was a member of the Middle Temple of the two Inns of Court in London, “ao 1592” as above stated. In a footnote in Wm. & M. C. Q., 2nd ser., XI, 232, the year of his marriage is given as 1592; but this is a mistake, as pointed out above.)
Thomas Cocke likewise left legacies to his brother Humphrey Cocke, to his “kinsmen” William, Robert and Thomas Cocke, to his “kinswomen” Margery Cocke, and to his sister-in-law Elizabeth Cocke. The name Humphrey Cocke recalls the fact that Humfrey Cocke of Steeple was church-warden of the parish of Neen Savage in Shropshire in 1582 (Parish Registers of Shropshire, Hereford Diocese, XVII, p. 2 of Register of Neen Savage; Wm & M. C. Q., 2nd ser. XI, 233). This church contains handsome monuments to Cocks and Somers which were closely allied families in the neighbouring count of Gloucester (Va. M. H. & B., V, 308-314, Wm. & M. C. Q., 2nd ser., IX, 51-53 & X, 146-147).
In the Visitation of Shropshire 1623 (p. 218) the arms of Cocke of Shropshire are: Orgent, a bend and chief an annulet azure.
Note 5 – The will of Mrs. Margaret Wood Wynne–Jones- Cocke, widow of Thomas Cocke (2) of Malvern Hills, dated 12 August 1718, is preserved in the Virginia State Library in Miscel. Court Records of Henrico 1650-1807, pp. 433-434. Thomas Cocke (2) was her third husband (see Va. M. H. & B., V, 86) (For pages 86, 409, 88, 89, 412 & 90 see pp. 181, 108, 116, 117, 111 & 118, this volume). The will alludes to her first marriage named Wynne and to those by her second marriage named Jones. It is evident that she had no children by her last husband. (TRANSCRIBER NOTE: The Wynne’s mentioned in her last will and testament were her GRANDCHILDREN not her children so she did not have a first marriage to a Wynne.)
Concerning the sons of Thomas Cocke (2) it is appropriate to add here several comments. It is in connection with Thomas Cocke (3) (1664-1707) and his brother Stephen Cocke (3) (1666-1717) that we first hear (1689) about the horse-races at Mauvern Hills” (Va. M. H. & B., II, 294 & III 409) and the “Race Paths” mentioned by Thomas Cocke (3) in his will.
Stephen Cocke (3) is said to have married (1) Mrs. Sarah Marston in 1688 and (2) Mrs. Martha Bannister in 1694 (Va. M. H. & B., II, 294 & III, 409)(for pages 86, 409, 88, 89, 412 & 90 see pp. 181, 108, 116, 117, 111 & 118 this volume). In 1704 he and his wife Martha executed a deed to his brother Thomas Cocke (3); and after his death his widow Martha presented at the court of Prince George Co., 9 July 1717, a list of small debts owed by Stephen Cocke to various individuals including Littlebury Eppes and John and Richard Bolling. Concerning Martha Bannister there is a curious record of the Henrico Court dated 1 December 1694 (Colon. Records Henrico, V, 352) as follows:
“Report—false—that the late Mrs. Bannister was hung up by a hook under chin by – Her husband, Stephen Cocke at the supposed time was aboard a ship with Peter Jones.”
We can merely conjecture that the lady referred to here as “the late” (or former) Mrs. Bannister, who had suffered this cruel treatment 20 August 1694, was near being killed; that to make matters worse, her husband to whom she had been married only a short time before was suspected of the dastardly crime; and that the court, having investigated the charge, had exonerated him by establishing an alibi.
Stephen Cocke (3) and Peter Jones above mentioned, who was doubtless the son of Stephen’s step-mother seem to have been close friends. In 1697 Stephen Cocke made a deed to him.
Stephen Cocke likewise had connections with the Bollings. There is a deed on record from him to Robert Bolling, merchant, of Charles City Co., in 1700 or 1701 (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 89 & XXII, 104); which leads to conjecture whether Anne Cocke who married Robert Bolling in 1706 (Va. M. H. & B., III, 412) was perhaps Stephen Cocke’s daughter, although there is no positive evidence that he had a daughter named Anne.
Concerning James Cocke (3) (c. 1666-1721) who was executor of his father’s will, see Va. M. H. & B., IV, 89-90.
William Cocke (3), youngest son of Thomas Cocke (2), is said to have married Sarah Perrin in 1695 (Va. M. H. & B., XXVII, 230). His was NOT Sarah Dennis, as stated in Va. M. H. & B., IV, 90.
Note 6 – In his will dated 20 September 1766 Brazure Cocke (4) leaves bequests to his wife Frances, son William Cocke (5), children of son Thomas Cocke (5) (who had doubtless died before 1766), daughter Elizabeth Holt (= Elizabeth Cocke (5)), daughter Fanny ( = Frances Cocke (5)) who married John Oliver), daughter Mary Anderson (= Mary Cocke (5)) who may have been the Mary Cocke who married Parsons Anderson in Cumberland Co. in 1748; see Wm. & M. C. Q., 2nd ser., XII, 282, also 289), daughter Susanna Coleman (= Susanna Cocke (5)) and daughter Martha Cocke (5). Mention is likewise made of son James Cocke (5), dec’d. The latter is said to have died in Lunenburg Co., with will in 1761 (Note 8).
Auditor James Cocke was mayor of Williamsburg in 1752 and who died in 1769 (Va. M. H. & B., XX, 283) was not Brazure Cocke’s son as was formerly conjectured (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 440) (For pages 440, 216, 330, 441, 85-86, 217, 322, 444-445, 284, 84 & 186 see pp. 151, 129, 139, 152, 180-181 130, 141, 155-156, 95, 179 & 190 this volume) nor was he descended from Richard Cocke (1) of Bremo. On the contrary he was James Cocke (4), son of Lemuel Cocke (3) (Thomas (2), Walter (1)) of Surry Co. and his wife Jane Browne (Wm. & M. C. Q., XVI, 231; XX, 229; XXV,164; Wm & M. C. Q., 2nd ser., XII, 287. See also Va. M. H. & B., IV, 216, 330, 440, 441; V, 86 XXVI, 153, 155).
Note 7 – The story “that James Cocke (5) had two sons named Chastain, the elder of whom died in infancy, about a year after his grandfather James Powell Cocke (4)”, etc., as derived from “the pedigree in the possession of Dr. Charles Irving of Amelia” (Va. M. H. & B., V, 85-86), may be dismissed from consideration in the light of all the facts and especially in view of the will of James Cocke (5) which the author above quoted never had the opportunity of seeing. On the other hand, James Powell Cocke (6) did have two sons called Chastain, one of whom died in infancy (Note 11); and doubtless it is this circumstance which is the basis of the above story. It is true, it is difficult to explain why Chastain Cocke (6) did not inherit Malvern Hills after his father’s death in accordance with his grandfather’s will and the story may have originated in order to account for this difficulty. It is not unlikely to suppose that during his lifetime James Cocke (5) had given his eldest son Chastain certain land in exchange for his rights in the Malvern Hills estate; but, however that may have been, it is certain that in his will James Cocke (5) left Malvern Hills expressly to his son James, that is, to James Powell Cocke (6).
Note 8 – Contemporary with James Cocke (5) (James Powell (4), Thomas (3), Thomas (2), Richard (1)) were several other James Cockes who are liable to be confused with one another. One of these was James Cocke (4) (James (3), Thomas (2), Richard (1)) of Henrico Co, who lived to be nearly eighty years old (dying about 1769) and who really belonged to the same generation as James Powell Cocke (4) with whom, as has been mentioned, he was associated on the vestry of Henrico Parish (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 217, 332). However, his son Captain James Cocke (5) (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 444-445) who was born about 1720 was nearly the same age as James Cocke (5), son of James Powell Cocke (4).
Another contemporary was James Cocke (5), son of Brazure Cocke (4) (Thomas (3), Thomas (2), Richard (1)) who seems to have died in Lunenburg Co., in 1761 with will, nine years after the death of his first cousin of the same name who likewise died in Lunenburg Co.
More eminent of all these James Cockes was James Cocke (4), son of Lemuel Cocke (3) (Thomas (2), Walter (1) of Surry Co., who was mayor of Williams burg in 1752 near the close of the short life of James Cocke (5), son of James Powell Cocke (4). This was Auditor James Cocke (Note 6). However, both he and his rather distant cousin Captain James Cocke (4) of Bon Accord, Prince George Co. (Va. M. H. & B., III, 284; V, 84 & 186), who was the eldest son of John Cocke (3) (Nicholas (2) William (1) of Surry Co, really belonged to the revolutionary era in the generation succeeding James Cocke (5), son of James Powell Cocke (4).
Note 9 – Mary Chastain Cocke, widow of James Cocke (4), married Peter Farrar (Va. M. H. & B., V, 85)(For pages 85, 439, 438 & 434 see pp. 180, 150, 149 & 145, this volume) Acting as the guardian of his stepsons, Peter Farrar had some litigation in their behalf with the executors of their father’s will.
Rebecca Farrar, daughter of Mary Chastain Cocke Farrar and half-sister of James Powell Cocke (6), married Robert Porterfield of Augusta Co., who was adjutant to General Washington in the Revolutionary War (Va. H. h. & b., iv, 439). Afterwards in the War of 1812, General Porterfield wrote to the Governor of Virginia, 2 September 1814, calling his attention to the strategic importance of Malvern Hills and requesting the Governor “to furnish me with two twelve pounders to be used at Malvern Hills” to check the enemy if he attempted to advance (Cal. Va. State Papers, X, 383-4).
Note 10 – Who were the husbands of the two sisters, Martha Cocke (6) and Elizabeth (Chastain) Cocke (6), daughters of James Cocke (5) ?
(a) We know that Martha Cocke married Henry Anderson in Amelia Co., 24 January 1760 (Va. County Rec., IV, Early Va. Mar., p. 63). If she was Martha Cocke (4) above mentioned, she was not much more than sixteen years old at the time of her marriage.
(b) We know also that Elizabeth Cocke married William Cannon in Amelia Co., 24 June 1790 (Va. County Rec. IV, Early Va. Mar., p. 66). If she was Elizabeth (Chastain) Cocke(6), she must have been about forty years old at that time.
On the other hand, we are told that Martha Cocke (6) married Col. William Cannon of Buckingham Co. who was perhaps the son of William Cannon of Amelia Co.; and also that Elizabeth Chastain Cocke (6) married about 1767 Captain Henry Anderson of Amelia Co. (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 438). Evidently in view of the undoubted facts above mentioned, neither of the latter statements is correct.
Note 11 – James Powell Cocke (6) and his wife Lucy Smith had nine children in all, as has been stated. Four of them died in infancy, namely, a son born in 1783 who lived only a few weeks, the eldest daughter Mary Cocke (7) (1785-1793) who did not live to be eight years old, Martha Cocke (7) (b. 1788), and Chastain Cocke (7) (1790-1793). Each of these names, Mary, Martha and Chastain is duplicated the following list of their other children, three sons and two daughters, all of whom attained maturity:
1. James Powell Cocke (7) (1779-1812), who married Martha Ann Lewis in Powhatan Co., 25 December 1804, and who died seven years afterward without issue.
2. Smith Cocke (7) (1792-1835), who was a student at Washington College in 1812-13 and afterwards (1814) for a short time member of a company of militia commanded by his cousin Captain John Field Cocke (7) who died in 1857 (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 434). Smith Cocke died in Kentucky, unmarried.
3. Chastain Cocke (7) (1795-1838), who lived at Edgemont and died unmarried.
4. Mary Cocke (7) (1796-1888) who married Dr. Charles Warner Lewis Carter (b. 1793) of Charlottesville 18 April 1816 five years before her mother’s death (19 March 1821).
5. Martha Cocke (7) (1799-1874) who married Valentine Wood Southall (1793-1861) of Charlottesville in 1825 four years after her mother’s death.
James Powell Cocke (6) had no grandsons who bore his surname and agnatic descent along this line ceased with his sons (see Va. M. H & B., IV, 436) (For pages 436, 438, 77, 88 & 83 SEE PP. 147, 149, 172, 183 & 269 this volume.) He had a nephew named James Powell Cocke (7) who was the son of Stephen Cocke (6) and a brother of Dr. Charles Cocke (7) who lived near James Powell Cocke (6) at Esmont in the Green Mountain district of Albemarle Co. (Va. M. H. & B., IV, 438; V, 77,88; XXXV, 83) This J. P. Cocke (7) married Caroline Lewis, but apparently they had no issue.
There was a number of other Chastain Cockes besides those that have been mentioned already, all of them descended, of course, from James Cocke (5) and his wife Mary Magdaleine Chastain. Thus, for example, Chastain Cocke (7), who was born 30 January 1775 and died at sea in 1797, was a son of Chastain Cocke (6), eldest brother of James Powell Cocke (6). Chastain Cocke (8), eldest son of William Archer Cocke (7) and grandson of Chastain Cocke (6), is said to have married Sarah Meade Eggleston, daughter of Edward Eggleston, in January 1825 (Wm. & M. C. Q., XVI, 84; see also Va. M. H. & B., XXXV, 83), he was a member of the legislature from Powhatan Co. from 1843 to 1848 and died in Mississippi in 1855.
Note 12 – During the decade that succeeded the Revolutionary War both Bremo and Malvern Hills changed hands by sale, but Bremo continued to be one of the Cocke places a few years longer, As well as can be ascertained from the meager records of the period, William Cocke (6) (1758-1828) having inherited Bremo from his father Bowler Cocke (5) (Bowler (4), Richard (3), Richard, the elder (2), Richard (1), sold it about 1791 to his older brother Bowler Cocke (4) of Turkey Island and lived thereafter at Oakland in Cumberland Co. This was the same year (1791) when James Powell Cocke (6) took up his abode at Springhill in Augusta Co. The subsequent history of Bremo has been given by Dr. Moore in his article above mentioned.
Note 13 – The story, still current among the countryfolk in the vicinity, that “Edgemont was built for James Powell Cocke by Jefferson’s own carpenters”, perhaps has little basis of fact.
James Powell Cocke (6) was five years younger than Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826); both of them lived to be over eighty years of age so that their lives almost completely overlapped from beginning to end. In his younger days doubtless Jefferson had been a frequent visitor at Malvern Hills, and for over thirty years he and James Powell Cocke were near neighbors in Albemarle. Thus notwithstanding the fact that the two individuals were obviously far apart in some respects, it is reasonable to suppose that they were often thrown together and were perhaps close friends. However, as far as the present writer is aware, no reference to James Powell Cocke has been found in Jefferson’s wide correspondence.
RICHARD COCKE (1) OF BREMO AND HIS CHILDREN
By James P. C. Southall
In the year 1636 Richard Cocke (1), who may have been born about 1600, patented 3,000 acres of land on the James river in Henrico County, Virginia, due him for the transportation of sixty immigrants into the colony (Wm & MCQ, 2nd ser., XIII, 207, see also VaMH&B, III, 285, 405; V, 72; VI, 186; and Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., XI, 228) (For pages 285, 405 & 72 see pp. 96, 104 & 167, this volume). Three years later (1639) “Richard Cocke gent” obtained a grant of 2,000 acres of land in the county of Henrico for the transportation of forty persons, of which a tract of 300 acres was at the place called Bremo where Richard Cocke had his home on the bank of the river and rest called by the name of “Mauburne Hills” or Malvern Hills was along the ridge at the head of “Turkie Island Creek” (VAMH&B, III, 285; XIV, 192 and Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., XI, 228; XIII, 208). However, this second parcel of land of 2,000 acres was included in the first patent, for the second patent sets forth his fact specifically. Finally, some twelve or thirteen years later in 1652 Richard Cocke (1) obtained a third patent, this time for 2,482 acres of land (VaMH&B, III, 285; Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., XI, 228) made up of “1860 acres near the head of Turkey Island Creek” and “622 acres the residue thereof commonly called by the name of Bremo”. This third patent likewise was chiefly in order to confirm and establish Richard Cocke’s exclusive rights to the domain which he had acquired by the two previous patents; as has been clearly elucidated in Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., XIII, 209, where the details of these several transactions are given. (See also “Cavaliers & Pioneers”, I, 54, 120 and 266).
(It seems that Arthur Bayly, merchant in Jamestown in 1638 (Id., I, 97; see I, 131), who was perhaps a son of William Bayley, ancient planter (Id., I, p. xxix), had sold prior to year mentioned a tract of 1,000 acres in Henrico County to Robert Hallom’s heirs, one of whom was his widow, Ann Hallom formerly the wife of John Price, labourer (Id., I, 86). John Price and his son, Matthew Price, after him owned land on Turkey Island Creek (Id., I, 88). The above facts help us to understand the references to some of these names in Richard Cocke’s several patents.)
The name Richard Cocke appears here and there occasionally in the old colonial records of Virginia as early as 1627 (Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser. XI, 231), although there is no certain evidence to show that Richard Cocke (1) of Bremo in Henrico County was in Virginia prior to the date of his first patent (1636) which is now three hundred years ago or indeed that he came Virginia until after that date. It is has generally been taken for granted that he was the same as Richard Coxe or Cocks whose name appears in the list of burgesses of the Grand Assembly of Virginia for the year 1632 as a member for Weyanoke in Charchles City Count (Hening’s Statutes, I, 178; VaMH&B, III, 287; XLIII, 84), and it seems more than likely that this is true. Possibly also he was the Richard Cocke who married John Browne’s widow in this same year (1632)(Minutes of Council & Gen. Court of Va., p. 201) (This John Browne who was living at Flower Dew Hundred in 1623 (the year after the great Indian massacre) was burgess for Shirley Hundred in 1629. The name John Brown is such a common name that it is perhaps hardly worth while to note that in the list of thirty persons transported to Virginia by Richard Cocke (1) of Bremo in 1626 the name “John Browne” occurs twice. It is just possible that one of them may perhaps have been a son or kinsman of John Browne whose widow married a person named Richard Cocke. One of the debtors of the estate of Lt.-Col. Richard Cocke (1) of Bremo was likewise named John Browne, as is recorded by William Randolph, clerk of court, in 1679 in a list of “Debts Received” or payments made to Richard Cocke’s estate.
Concerning the early occurrences of the name Richard Cocke in Virginia, it would be helpful, for example, if we could identify “Richard Cock, the Attorney of Patrick Canada” in 1628 (Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser. XI, 231) who may have been the same as Richard Cox who was attorney for “John Hudleston, Marriner” in connection with land that Hudleston had patented in 1621 (Caval. & Pion. I, 44) or the same as Richard Coxe, burgess for Weyanoke in 1632. “Patrick Canada” above mentioned in unquestionably the same as Patrick Kannady (Kennedye, etc.), also a “Marriner” who doubtless speculated in colonial lands on a small scale as was quite frequently done by ship-captains whose voyages brought them to Virginia (Id. I, 55, 78, 118, 119). Moreover it appears that Captain Thomas Harris whose land in Henrico County was closely adjacent to the “Bremoes devident” (as subsequently stated) had sold some land to Patrick Kannaday (Id. 188).)
Although it is abundantly evident that Richard Cocke (1) was a gentleman of birth and standing in the community where he lived, little or nothing positive is known about his English origin. Perhaps the most direct of all the clues to this puzzle is the fact that Thomas Cocke (2), on of his two eldest sons, describes himself in 1672 as “Thomas Cocke of Pickthorn Farm in the County of Henrico” (Col. Records of Henrico, Vol V, folio 245, Va. State Library; Va. Hist. Collections, V, 194; VaMH&B, III, 406; XLIII, 75) (For pages 287, 84, 406 & 75 see pp. 98, 241, 105 & 231, this volume); which points almost unmistakably to the conclusion that the Cockes of Henrico County in Virginia had some close and direct connection with a family of Cockes who flourished in Shropshire, England, as far back as the latter part of the sixteenth century; and more specifically with a yeoman known as “Tho. Cocke de Pickthorn in comp. Salop” whose daughter Alice married “Thomas Hollard de Burwarton et de Medio Templo London ao 1592” (Harl. Soc. Pub., XXVIII, 250-0251, Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., XI, 232-233; VaMH&B XLIII, 86-87). (According to the will of Thomas Cocke of Pickthorne in the Parish of Stotesdon, Shropshire (a copy of which is in the writer’s possession), his daughter Alice married Thomas Holland perhaps about 1580. Thomas Cocke himself died in 18587. Pickthorn was an ancient place-name in Shropshire doubtless of Danish origin. So far as the writer has been able to ascertain, this name occurs nowhere else in the world except in Shropshire and in the single instance in colonial Virginia which is cited here.) Circumstantial evidence seems to indicate that the Cockes of Henrico County in Virginia were more or less distantly related also the Cocks family of Gloucestershire in England who were connected by marriage with Hon. George Percy, one of the leaders of the original company at Jamestown (VaMH&B, V, 309, 318p Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., IX, 53, 56; X, 147) and likewise with the family of Walter Lord Aston (Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., IX, 56) who was a cousin of Lt.-Col. Walter Aston of Charles City County, Va.
Bremo, where Richard Cocke (1) made his home some time prior to 1640, was an estate of more than six hindered acres of land in the bend of James river called Curles Neck (Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., XIII, 207, foll.). It was situated between Turkey Island where the Randolphs lived and the Curles estate which belonged originally to Captain Thomas Harris (“an Ancient planter and Adventurer in the time of Sir Thomas Dale his government”, Caval & Pion., 1, p. 34) and which was afterwards conveyed by him to Nathaniel Bacon, Kr., “the rebel” (Va. MH&B, XXXVII, 354-357; Wm7MCQ, 2nd ser., XI, 228). In Thomas Harris’s patent dated 2 May 1636 (less than two months after Richard Cocke (1) was granted his first patent) his land is described as extending “southwest toward the Bremoes dividend” (Wm& MCQ, 2nd ser., XIII, 209); which is apparently the first mention of the name Bremo in the old records. (All efforts to discover the origin of this name have been in vain, although various conjectures have been offered (Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser. XIII, 210). Contrary to the opinion of Dr. Wm. Cabell Moore (loc. Cit.), the writer is disposed to think that the name had probably been in use in this locality before Richard Cocke (1) came there to live and the name Bremo was not original with him. It may be noted that shortly after Richard Cocke (1) took out his first patent in Henrico County, one of the individuals who was transported to Virginia by Richard Maior in 1638 was Thomas Breamer (Caval. & Pion., I, 90). Doubtless he was the same as Thomas Bremor who was probably a gentleman of standing in the colony and who may have been in York County in 1647 (VaMH&B, in the colony and who may have been in York County in 1647 (VaMH&B, XII, 453); and possibly “Bremers land” adjoining Mulberry Island Parish may have been named after him or some of his family (VaMH&B, XXIII, 247; Wm &MCQ, 2nd ser., XI, 229). Thomas Bremo (as his name is spelt in Caval. & Pion., I, 222) patented 1,500 acres of land in “Gloster Co”, 9 January 1651; and we hear of him afterwards in 1656 as “Capt. Thomas Breamor” (or “Bremor”) and again in 1663 as “Mr. Bremar” of Gloucester County (Caval. & Pion. I, 341, 473). It seems reasonable to suppose that the “Bremoes devident” was called after the antecedents in Virginia of this Captain Thomas Bremo (Bremer, Bremor, Breamor, Bremar).
The ridge called Malvern Hills was certainly named after the famous range of bills in England of that name, possibly in the days of Sir Thomas Dale when the city of Henricus was founded and fortified against the Indians.
In short there is no good reason to suppose that Richard Cocke (2) bestowed the names Bremo and Malvern Hills on his adjoining places in Henrico County. On the other hand, the name Pickthorne Farm which is associated with one of his two eldest sons is in a different category and doubtless had some peculiar connection with the Cockes themselves.)
Other neighbours of Richard Cocke (1) were the Lygons and Beauchamps (VaMH&B, III, 285, 286) who were closely inter-related (VaMH&B, V, 310)(For pages 310, 285, 84-85, 405 & 406 see pp. 210, 96, 241-242, 104 & 105, this volume)
In his will dated 10 February 1678, Thomas Harris alludes to his “Cozen Richard Lygon”. Not long before Richard Cocke (1) died he and “Mr. John Beauchamp”, as he is called in Richard Cocke’s will, patented (1664) a tract of nearly 3,000 acres of land on the south side of the Chickahominy river (VaMH&B, III, 285; V, 310), and long afterwards in 1689 when Beauchamp had “gone out of the Country” and was then no longer alive, this property was amicably divided between three of Richard Cocke’s son and Mr. John Pleasants acting as attorney for the executors of John Beauchamp (Colon. Records Henrico, V, 88, Va. State Library).
In the colony of Virginia there were numerous other individuals named Cocke (Cock, Cocks) who were contemporary with Richard Cocke (1) of Bremo, some of them doubtless more or less distantly kin to him, although now little is known about any of these early immigrants (VaMH&B, XLIII, 84-85) (For pages 310, 285, 84-85, 405 & 406, see pp. 210, 96, 241-242, 104 & 105, this volume). We know of his “Cousen Daniell Jordan” (VaMH&B, III, 405) because he happens to be mentioned in Richard Cocke’s will.
For at least a quarter of a century Richard Cocke (1) of Bremo was a leading and influential personage in Henrico County (VaMH&B, III, 405-406). His will (Miscellaneous Records Henrico, I, p. 27, Va. State Library) is an interesting document in many ways. It is dated 4 October 1665, shortly before his death, although the date when the will was probated is not given. He expresses the wish “to be Interred in my Orchard near my first Wife decently according to the usual Solemnities of the Church of England”. The word “Orchard” is used here to mean garden, as in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, Act III, Sc. 2. Neither his grave nor that of his wife can be located now in the old graveyard at Bremo (Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., XIII, 135-136). To his loving wife Mary Cocke”, who was his second wife, he leaves “the one third of all my Estate whether in lands or Chattels” “for her naturall life and no longer”; particularly stipulating “that she lay no Claims to any part of that land formerly given by me to my sons Thomas and Richard Cocke but that they may enjoy the Same Intirely to them & their heirs according to a deede of gift thereof recorded in Henrico Court.”
To the two eldest sons of Mary Aston Cocke, “Will & John Cocke”, their father devises: “the residue of that dividend of land not disposed by the aforesaid deed of gift and the mill always excepting in the Gift the Six hundred and forty Acres called Bremo to be held to them and their heiress for Ever & to be equally divided between them when they Come to age.”
To his son Richard Cocke (2), Sr., his father leaves his estate of Bremo above mentioned: “I give and bequeath the afore excepted Six hundred and forty Acres of land to my eldest Son Richard Cocke & the heire males of his body lawfully begotten & for want of such issue to my Son Tho. Cocke & the heir males of his body lawfully begotten & for want of such issue to my Son Will Cocke and the heire males of his body lawfully begotten & for want of Such heires to the heire males of John Cocke & for want of Such to the heir males of Richard Cocke my youngest Son.”
However, an express condition was attached to this bequest on behalf of his daughter Elizabeth Cocke (2) which reads as follows:
“Provided always that my first named Son Richard Cocke if he lives to Inheritt it or any other of my sons or their heirs that shall after my decease first possess the said land shall pay to my Daughter Elizabeth Cocke for her portion one hundred pounds Sterling & if he or they shall refuse payment or fail of making good payment of the said Sum to the said Elizabeth when she attaines the age of Seaventeen years or at the day of her Marriage which shall first happen then the said land to be extended to the use of the said Eliza: until the said Sum by annuall value of the land shall be accomplished and in Case the said Eliza should die before either of the said terms of Seaventeen years of age or Marriage then my will is that the hundred pounds be paid to my other Children by my now Wife by equall portion as they shall attaine to be full age.”
The following paragraph in the will of Richard Cocke (1) of Bremo concerns his son Richard Cocke (2), Jr., half-brother of Richard Cocke (2), Sr., the latter being perhaps at least twenty years older than the former: “I give and bequeath to my now youngest Son Richard Cocke and his heirs seven hundred and fifty Acres of Land out of the patent of land taken up Jointly between Mr. John Beauchamp & my Self of which Seaventeen hundred & fifty belongs to me the residue of which Seaventeen hundred & fifty I have already given and hereby Confirm to my Sons Thomas Cocke and Richard Cocke the older & their heires.”
Having thus provided for each of his children in turn, Richard Cocke (1) makes a number of special provisions in his will, as follows: “And for my personall Estate I do hereby acknowledge that all the Cattle of my oldest Son Richard & the hogs being of a distinct mark—all known by my Cozen Daniell & the two Negroes do properly belong to him by a gift from his Mother which I hereby Confirm they being never by me reputed as any part of my proper Estate, as for the rest of my Estate my wives thirds being deducted, I give to be equally divided between my Children by my present Wife Mary Cocke willing that the Make & Stock of Cattle & Sheep run in Comon for their point benefit & as any of my said Children come to Age that they receive their equall portion of the female Stocks then in being & all the male Increase to the Guardian of my Children.”
*I give & bequeath to my Couzon Daniell Jordan as much manured land as he & two hands shall be able & will manure with a teame during his life or abode in the Country provided he accept the same upon these terms, Vizt. To employ himself & one hand, my Son finding team & Seedes & all housing & tackling belonging to it & one hand more & to have my said Cozen the third part of the produce of all theire labours.”
Item my will is that in Case my Son Thomas Cocke will look to the Mill for the use of my other Children until they Come to Age that then he Shall have for his paines & Care the grinding of his Cornet ole free & three thousand pds of Tob & Cask per Annum out of the profits my other Childrens Estate keeping his in repair.”
“It. I make my loving Wife Mary Cock & my two Sons Tho: & Richd Cocke Senr my Executors of this my Will—appointing my Wife the Guardian of all my Younger Children born of her – until they Come to age & in Case of her decease then my said Sons Tho: & Ricd.”
“It. I desire & request the Justices of the County of Henrico in whose fatherly Care & Integrity towards the Widdow & fatherless I repose much Confidence to bee my Overseers of this last will & Testament & to take care that it be performed according to the true Intent & meaning Thereof.”
This document “Declared Signed & Delivered” by “Richd Cocke Senr” was witnessed by Henry Randolph and Henry Isham. It shows that the testator was twice married, although it affords no clue as to the identity of his first wife. The elder Richard Cocke (2) who bore his father’s name and naturally inherited Bremo and his brother Thomas Cocke(2) of Pick-thorn Farm who afterwards lived at Malvern Hills were her two sons. At the time of their father’s death the two brothers who were nearly the same age and who were closely associated all their lives were not more than twenty-five years old, whereas none of Richard Cocke’s other children had come of age, all of them being in fact quite young.
It may be conjectured that Elizabeth Cocke (2) was perhaps between twelve and fourteen years old in 1665, and it also seems reasonable to infer that her mother was the mother of her two older brothers. However, the language used by Richard Cocke (1) in his will when he speaks of his only daughter in connection with “my other Children by my now Wife” may be construed literally to imply that she was the eldest child of Mary Aston Cocke, her father’s second wife. On the assumption that Elizabeth Cocke (2) was the daughter of the first wife of Richard Cocke (1) of Bremo, it may be supposed that he married his second wife Mary Aston about ten years before his death. She was the daughter of Lt.-Col. Walter Aston of Charles County and the sister of Walter Aston, Jr., whose tomb as likewise the tomb of his father is at Westover. William Cocke (2), John Cocke (2) and the younger Richard Cocke (2) were about eight years old. Mary Aston Cocke’s fourth son, Edward Cocke (2) was undoubtedly a posthumous son of Richard Cocke (1) of Bremo; and this explains why he is not mentioned in his father’s will, although the expression which his father uses in speaking of Richard Cocke (2)(Jr.) as being “my now Youngest Son” seems to imply that he was not without expectation of his wife’s bearing another child in his old age.
Mary Aston Cocke and her two stepsons “Tho: & Richd Cocke Senr” were appointed executors of her husband’s estate and she was named as “the Guardian of all my Younger Children born of her.” The widow afterwards married Lt.-Col. Daniel Clarke of Charles City County, as is proved by the will of her oldest son William Cocke (2) dated 13 October 1969 (Colon. Rec. Henrico, V, 452, Va. State Library), in which he refers to “my mother, Mrs. Mary Clarke”, and likewise by a deed executed in 1680 win which William Cocke(2) speaks of Daniel Clarke as his “father-in-law” meaning step-father. In consequence of this marriage Daniel Clarke became the guardian of “the orphants” of Lt.-Col. Richard Cocke (1) of Bremo (VaMH&B, III, 411)(page 110 of this volume) and much litigation ensured thereafter between him and Richard Cocke’s sons in settlement of their just claims, as is shown by the records of Henrico County for many years as late as 1692 (Col. Rec. Henrico, Vol. IV, under years 1677, 1681 and 1692).
The fact that Richard Cocke (1) names all his sons in his will in due order of succession from the oldest to the youngest and more than once specifically designated Richard Cocke (2), Sr., as “my elder Son”, and likewise the fact to this one of her sons his mother had made a special gift before she died, would seem to establish Richard’s primogeniture beyond question (Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., XIII, 151; VaMH&B, XLIII, 85-86)(For pages 85-86, 410, 91, 71, 90, 84 & 76-77 see pp. 242-243, 109, 119, 166, 179 & 232-233, this volume) although in spite of these facts it has been argued on other grounds that Thomas Cocke (2) was the oldest son. Richard Cocke (2), Sr., (1639-1706) of Bremo was the ancestor of a long line of Cockes many of whom including the Bowler Cockes of Henrico County and General Hartwell Cocke (7) (1780-1866) of Bremo in Fluvanna County (Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., XIII, 150, foll. & 213, foll.) were persons of much influence and distinction in their day. He married Elizabeth ---------------- by whom he had two sons Richard Cocke (3) (b. 1672) whose first wife was Ann Bowler and John Cocke (3) who married Obedience Branch in 1696 and died several years later, according to VaMH&B, XXXVII, 230; Wm&MCQ, XXV, 63, 108, 109-110; Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., XIII, 151, and had two daughters, namely Elizabeth Cocke (3) (who married Miles Cary, Jr., in 1695) and Martha Cocke (3) (who married Joseph Pleasants in 1699). For further information concerning Richard Cocke, Sr., see for example: VaMH&B, III, 410; IV, 91; V. 71; XXVI, 21, 38; XXVIII, 210,211; XXXVII, 230, 231, 354-357; Wm&MCQ, III, 204; XXIV, 131; Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., XI, 228, 229; 2nd ser., XIII, 135, 150, foll., 211,212.
Thomas Cocke (2), who was born between 1638 and 1640, was likewise an active man of affairs and a prominent personage in the community where he lived. He married his first wife probably about 1663 several years before the death of his father. Without any sure basis of fact and perhaps chiefly in order to account for the name of his grandson James Powell Cocke (4), it has been conjectured that Thomas Cocke’s first wife was related to the Powells of Isle of Wight County (VaMH&B, IV, 90; V, 84; XLIII, 76-77). At all events she was undoubtedly the mother of his four sons, namely, Thomas Cocke (3) (1664-1707), Stephen Cocke (3) (c. 1666 - 1717), James Cocke (3) (1667-1721), and William Cocke (3)(d. 1717), and of his two daughters Temperance Cocke (3) (born probably about 1670; married Samuel Harwood) and her younger sister Agnes Cocke (3) (wife of Joseph Harwood).
By a deed dated 29 August 1672 (to which reference has already been made) “Thomas Cocke of Pick-thorn Farm in the County of Henrico” confirmed in writing an oral agreement which he had made about four years previously with one of his tenants named Thomas East; whereby in consideration of a nominal rent “of one Ear of Corn” payable on Christmas Day each year, the said East was to have for his own use, subject various stipulations, a certain parcel of land for a term of twenty years, with the option of buying it at the expiration of the lease. The land in question was part of a tract that had been given to Thomas Cocke (2) and Richard Cocke 92), Sr., “by the Will of our father & Pattent the name of him and John Beauchamp who also acknowledges our Right to be good in Court as the Records will show” (Colon. Rec. Henrico, V, folio 245, Va. State Library). Apparently therefore some five or six years after his father’s death Thomas Cocke (2) was living at Pick-thorn Farm. During the latter part of his life, perhaps after his second marriage, he lived at Malvern Hills on the ridge overlooking his brother’s estate of Bremo. His second wife was a widow named Margaret Wood-Wynne-Jones, daughter of Major-General Abraham Wood. She was the grandmother of Major Peter Jones who with Colonel Byrd founded the town of Petersburg two hundred years ago (1733) (VaMH&B, III, 252; V, 86; XLIII, 76, 88) (For pages 86, 76, 88, 407 & 206-208 see pp. 181, 232, 245, 106 & 747-479, this volume)
In 1678 Thomas Cocke (2) of Malvern Hills was appointed a justice of Henrico County and in 1679 he was a member of the House of Burgesses. About this time he owned and operated “Cocke’s ordinary at Varina” (VaMH&B, III, 407) which was some little distance from his home at Malvern Hills. The colonial records afford occasional glimpses of this old tavern, as, for example, in a deposition made by William Farrar, 20 February 1681, when he was 24 years old, in which he states that he saw Thomas Cocke, Jr., a youth about seven years younger than himself, and Robert Sharp playing with each other in “the Ninepin Alley at the Ordinary”. Thomas Cocke (2) was one of the appraisers of William Farrar’s estate in 1687 (VaMH&B, VIII, 206-208). Not long afterwards William Byrd writing to Lord Eppingham in 1690 complains that “for ordinary’s wee have none in our County, mr Cocke having left of(f) these two years” (VaMH&B, XXVI,254); from which it may be inferred that Thomas Cocke(2) had abandoned his inn at Varina as far back as 1688.
In a deed dated 1 October 1689 Thomas Cocke (2) gives a black mare to his god-daughters Mary and Anne Aust, daughters of John Aust (Colon. Rec. Henrico, V, 185). The latter may have been the John Ast whose place was adjacent to William Cocke’s (2) plantation of the “Lowground”.
It would seem that in 1691 Thomas Cocke (2) had fallen out with his tenant Thomas East and there was some litigation between them, as has been indicated previously. At any rate in 1693 Thomas Cocke (2) advertises for an overseer to take care of his land in both Henrico County and Charles City County, some of which he offers for sale (Colon. Rec. Henrico, V, folio 487, Va. State Library).
Shortly before his death in 1696 Thomas Cocke (2) was “Security” for the marriage of Richard Ward and Elizabeth Blackman (Wm&MCQ, XXVII, 195). It appears that he “was Secty for the delivery of some Estate, in the hands of Richard Ward, belonging to his Ward’s children, as a legacy left them by Edward Deeby dec’d.” Thomas Cocke 92) having died in the meantime, and the executors of his estate “refusing to stand bound”, the Court ordered 20 August 1697, that the executors “be discharged and that the sd Richard Ward doe provide new Sec’ty for the delvry of said Estate” (Colon. Rec. Henrico, IV, 39, Va. State Library).
For other data concerning Thomas Cocke (2), in addition to the references given above, see VaMH&B, III, 406-409; IV 90, 213; VIII, 206-208; XXVIII 15, 1211; XXXII, 49; XLIII, 75-76, 85-86; Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., IX, 56 57; 2nd ser., XI, 230, 132; 2nd ser., XIII 211 (For pages 406-409, 90, 213, 206-208, 75-76, 85-86, 412 & 410 SEE PP. 105-108, 118, 126, 747-749, 231-232, 242-243, 111 & 109, this volume)
All that is known about Elizabeth Cocke (2) (born perhaps about 1653) is contained in her father’s will. Whether she ever “attained the age of Seaventeen years” or “the day of her Marriage”, whether her brother Richard Cocke (2), Sr., paid the “one hundred pounds Sterling” to her, or whether she died and the money was divided among the sons of Mary Aston Cocke, are questions that cannot be answered. It is supposed that she witnessed will of Elizabeth Eppes in 1678 (VaMH&B, III, 412).
William Cocke (2) (1657-1693) who is described in his will as “William Cocke of the Lowground in Henrico co”, was Mary Aston Cocke’s oldest son. His plantation was close to the homes of several of his brothers on the north side (VaMH&B, III, 410) of “Turkey Island Creek adjoining the mill of John Pleasants and (extending) to the Lines of Robert Povey, John Cocke and Giles Carter and so along the said Criik Now in possession of John Ast (Aust?) and Henry Lester containing about 254 acres” (Indenture Deed dated 6 April 1705 between Obadiah Smith & his wife Mary Cocke (3) and Launcelot Woodward & his wife Elizabeth Cocke (3), Col.. Rec. Henrico, 1700-1709, p. 127).
Perhaps about a year or two after William Cocke (2) came of age a deed dated 19 July 1680, signed by him and acknowledged a few days later in Henrico County Court, absolves his “father-in-law” (= step-father) Daniel Clarke from all further indebtedness to him in consideration of his having received from Clarke 5,490 lbs tobacco “which is my full due from him of what was due to me by my father Lt. Coll. Richard Cocke of Bremo”; and accordingly I do “hereby acquit and discharge the said Clarke of all debts dues or demands wtsover from the beginning of the world to this day accrueing by that estate, as witness my hand”, etc.
Another paper dated 20 February 1681/2 relates that one day when William Cocke (2) was of “age 24 years or thereabouts” his brother Thomas Cocke (3) “sent his sonne Stephen Cocke down to my house” to fetch him to Valvern Hills; and that on his arrival at his brother’s home the latter asked to go with hit to “the old tobacco house” for the purpose of inspecting a hogshead of tobacco which had been delivered to Thomas Cocke (2) by a certain John Watson and in which the tobacco was mixed in with layers “of ground leaves and trash tobacco” such as was “not fit to be put into a hd.” While this incident is not of much interest in itself, it has a human touch which lends it a little importance and wee seem to share Thomas Cocke’s anger at finding he had been cheated by John Watson.
William Cocke (2) had three children, namely, two daughters Mary Cocke (3) and Elizabeth Cocke (3) and one son William Cocke (3). The two girls were certainly the children of his first wife and the son was almost certainly her child also. She was a Miss Flower, sister of John Flower (or Flowers) of James City County (VaMH&B, IV, 96) (for pages 96, 411 & 90 see pp. 124, 110 & 118, this volume) Her name was probably Jane Flower inasmuch as we know by several deeds that in 1684 and earlier the name of William Cocke’s (2) was Jane. Undoubtedly a little more that two years before he died William Cocke (2) married again 16 June 1691, the name of his second wife being Sarah Dennis (Colon. Rec. Henrico, V, 253). (FOOTNOTE: It has been stated (VaMH&B, III, 411) that William Cocke (2) married first, Jane Clarke, daughter of his step-father Daniel Clarke, and second Sarah Flower; but each of these statements appears to be erroneous. It has not ascertained that Daniel Clarke had a daughter named Jane. Moreover, it is not true that William Cocke(3), son of Thomas Cocke (2) married Sarah Dennis (VaMH&B, IV, 90), the fact being that this William Cocke married Sarah Perrin in 1695)
Mary Aston Cocke who married Daniel Clarke after the death of her first husband outlived her son William Cocke(3), as we know by his will dated 13 October 1693 and proved early in the following February (Colon. Rec. Henrico, V, 452). The witnesses of this will were his step-father Daniel Clarke, his brother Richard Cocke(2), Jr., Mary Horner and Mary Cocke. The two last named witnesses being unable to write made their “signum” or mark. This Mary Cocke could hardly have been William Cocke’s elder daughter Mary Cocke (3), because at that time was probably not more than about twelve or fifteen years at most.
To his only son and youngest child William Cocke (3) the father gives that tract of Land I now live on” called “the lowground”; on condition that in case the lad died before coming of age, this property should be divided equally between his two older sisters Mary Cocke (3) and Elizabeth Cocke (3). Moreover on each of these girls their father bestow the sum of 20 shillings which he says he had “received of my mother Mrs. Mary Clarke” to buy rings for them when “they come of age or are married.”
Ample provision was made in the will for the widow of whom the testator seems to have stood perhaps a little in awe, as may be inferred from the following paragraphs:
ITEM: I desire that my Wife, and it is my will that she be no way molested to Fall, Maul, Saw, Cutt off Sell and dispose of what timber she pleases, either for Boards, Pipe, Staves or for Cask Soe far forth as to ye paying my Debts, I am now engaged as also if my son William should live till he be of age for himself that then the Land to be divided, she to enjoy the one half during her natural life and so otherwise if my sd Son should Die ere he come of age but then that she shall keep the Mannour House and Land adjoining to be her half and no way therein to be molested”.
ITEM: I give unto my loving Wife to her Heirs for Ever two Hundred acres of Land Lying out at Shipley’s Quarter.”
ITEM: All the rest of my Estate I leave unto my Loving Wife Sarah who I make, ordain, Constitute and to be my whole and sole Execux of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my Hand and Seal this 13th day of 8ber 1693.”
That the testator was not without some anxiety about entrusting his daughters to their step-mother’s care is shown by the following paragraph:
ITEM: It is my desire that my children Mary and Elizabeth may remaine with my wife till they are of age or married, but is my wife be not able or willing to keep them, then I do desire that they may be both put to my mother, Mrs. Mary Clarke or to my brother Richard Cocke, Jr., there to remain till they are of age or married.”
As a matter of fact the two girls went to live with their uncle Richard Cocke(2), Jr., continuing under his roof until each of them was married. The lad William Cocke (3) doubtless remained with his father’s widow. Apparently he died early in life, for he disappears from sight entirely and his sisters inherited his estate as provided in their father’s will.
Mary Cocke (3) who died in 1754 married Obadiah Smith (VaMH&B, 8V, 95)(For pages 95, 96, 411, 288 & 157-159, see 123, 124, 110, 99 & 163-165 this volume) Her younger Elizabeth Cocke (30 married “Lanse-lott” (Launcelot) Woodward in 1708 (VaMH&B, IV, 96, Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., XIV, 179).
Little is known of John Cocke (2) and his descendants. He was born probably before 1660, possibly in 1658 (certainly not in 1647, as stated in VaMH&*B, III, 411) (FOOTNOTE: The name John Cocke or John Cocks occurs in Virginia as early as 1619-20 (Brown’s “First Republic in America” p 629). A certain John Cocke who was apparently a merchant in Bristol, England, was a contemporary of Richard Cocke (1) of Bremo, as we know by the will of Richard Fielding of Northumberland County, Va., dated 16 July 1666 (Wm&MCQ, IX, 265).
Unfortunately John Cocke (2) has been confused with John Cox, Sr. (VaMH&B, III, 288), WHOSE SECOND WIFE WAS Mary Kennon (VaMH&B, XXXVII, 157-159)(For pages 95, 96, 411, 288 & 157-159 see pp. 123, 124, 110, 99 & 163-165, this volume). This John Cox (and not John Cocke (2), as stated in VaMH&B, III, 411 and elsewhere) was the progenitor of the Cox’s of Chesterfield County who were not originally related to the Cockes of Henrico County, although the two families intermarried (Concerning these Cox’s and some of their connections with the Cockes of Henrico, see several paragraphs at the end of this paper.) William Cox, grandson of John Cox, Sr., has likewise been confused with William Cocke (3), son of John Cocke (2) (VaMH&B, IV, 94). The wife of William Cox was named Sarah but she was not Sarah Perrin. William Cox and his wife Sarah had a son Stephen Cox and a daughter Martha Cox who married Henry Wood. Sarah Perrin (as has been stated already) was the wife of William Cocke (3), son of Thomas Cocke (2). One of her daughters was named Temperance Cocke (4) after her aunt Temperance Cocke (3))
Undoubtedly younger than William Cocke (2), John Cocke (2) was perhaps nearly the same age as his older brother with whom he seems to have closely associated all his life. Both brothers lived not far apart on Turkey Island Creek, and their names are found frequently liked together in the old records; as for example in the following dated 5 August 1682: “Wee William and John do acknowledge the above survey containing 84 acres – the bounds of the land formerly sold to our brother Thomas Cocke (with the mill)”, etc. (Colon Rec. Henrico, I, 222, Va. State Library), from which it may be inferred that Thomas Cocke (2) had bought the mill (mentioned in his father’s will) from his younger brothers. Again (p.390) almost immediately after John Cocke (2) had married Mary Davis, 10 November 1686, it appears that he and his wife Mary relinquished dower to Francis Cleavely with reference to the “line between William Cocke and ye aforesaid John Cocke”. John Cocke (2) paid quit rent in Henrico County in 1704 and we hear of him in this same year in connection with his half-brother Richard Cocke (2), Sr., of Bremo, his younger brother Richard Cocke (2), Jr., of Charles City County, and his two nephews Thomas Cocke (3) and James Cocke (3) (VaMH&B, XXVIII, 210, 211). He appraised the estate of Roger Carr, Henrico County, 1717. Was he the John Cocke whose will was proved 6 April 1724, with James Powell Cocke (4) as executor?
As in the case of John Cocke (2), little information is available about his brother Richard Cocke (2), Jr., of Old Man’s Creek in Charles City County. Born probably soon after 1660, he was scarcely more than a baby when his father died leaving him the plantation above mentioned, as may be conjectured from his father’s will. Perhaps Richard Cocke (2), Jr., was the same as Richard Cocke of Westover Parish, Charles City County, who in 1735 conveyed 500 acres of land in Henrico County to his daughter Mary Cocke Eppes (VaMH&B, XXXVIII, 231); and if so, Richard Cocke (2), Jr., lived to be about 75 years old or more (FOOTNOTE: It is likewise possible to suppose that Mary Cocke Eppes was the granddaughter of Richard Cocke (2), Jr., and therefore the daughter of his son Richard Cocke, although whether Richard Cocke (2), Jr., had a son named Richard is not known. Richard Cocke of Westover Parish, Charles City County, may have been a son of Edward Cocke (2), although it is doubtful whether Edward Cocke (2) could have had a marriageable granddaughter in 1735. At all events it is obvious that Mary Cocke Eppes was not the daughter of Richard Cocke (3) (1672-1720, about) of Bremo, elder son of Richard Cocke (2), Sr., as stated in VaMH&B, IV, 323, 326, Because Richard Cocke (3), who was about 12 or 15 years younger than his uncle Richard Cocke (2), Jr., had been dead about fifteen years when Richard Cocke of Westover Parish, Charles City County, deeded the land in Henrico County above mentioned to his daughter Mary Eppes.)
It is conjectured that Richard Cocke (2), Jr., may have been the father of Anne (or Mary Ann) Cocke who married Robert Bolling in 1706 (VaMH&B, III, 412 (For pages 412, 88 & 411, see pp. 111, 245 &110, this volume); also XXVII, 210, 211; XXXVII, 230). However, another conjecture is that this Anne Cocke may have been a daughter of Stephen Cocke (3) (Thomas (2), Richard (1)) who had business transaction with Robert Bolling (VaMH&B, XLIII, 888). (FOOTNOTE: The various Richard Cocke’s are confusing. Besides those above mentioned there was Richard Cocke (3) (Thomas (2), William (1)) of Surry County, who was not one of the Henrico Cockes at all and who died in 1773, and his contemporary Richard Cocke (4) of Surry County (1707-1772), who was the son of Richard Cocke (3) of Bremo. Was Richard Cocke (3) of Bremo the same as Richard Cocke, burgess for Henrico County who was assaulted by John Bolling of Hanover County in 1715 (Wm&MCQ, XXI, 215)?)
In the will of Walter Aston, Jr. (1638-1666), which was proved 4 February 1666(7) was not long after the death of his brother-in-law Richard Cocke (1) of Bremo, he leves to his nephew and godson John Cocke (2), son of Richard Cocke (1), deceased, 4,000 lbs. tobacco and to his nephew and godson Edward Cocke (2), likewise said to be the son of Richard Cocke (1), deceased, 6,000 lbs. tobacco (Wm7MCQ, IV, 149; 2nd ser., XI, 230; 32 and 48 pounds sterling, respectively, assuming that the court’s valuation in 1632 in the case of John Browne’s debts was valid in 1666-7 (Wm&MCQ, 2nd ser., XI, 231, where a thousand pounds of tobacco is estimated as worth about eight pounds sterling). At the time of their uncle’s death John Cocke (2) was perhaps not more than five or six years old and Edward Cocke (2), supposed to be a posthumous son of Richard Cocke (1) was still an infant in arms. If Edward Cocke (2) was born in 1666, he was 38 years old in 1704 when we first hear of him in Charles City County (VaMH&B, XXXI, 314). The same individual appears as a resident and petitioner in Charles City County in 1710 (VaMH&B, XVIII, 399). In 1732 Edward Cocke was appointed sheriff by the Council (Exec. Journals, IV, 273) and in 1734 he succeeded Dasey Southall (or Southwell) as tobacco inspector at Soan’s warehouse (Exec. Journals, IV, 335). In 1739 Mary, relict of Edward Cocke, deceased, came into court in Charles City County and made oath he died intestate (VaMH&B, XXI, 85; XXII, 334). Although it cannot definitely be established, it seems reasonable to suppose that Edward Cocke who lived in Charles City County in the early part of the 18th century, who married Mary -------, and who died prior to April 1739, was Edward Cocke (2), youngest son of Richard Cocke(1) of Bremo. (FOOTNOTE; Among the Cockes Edward is an uncommon baptismal name. As has been mentioned already, one of the immigrants in York County in 1648 was Edward Cocke who reappears as Edward Cocks in 1651 and who was probably the same as Edward Cocke who was concerned in a land transaction with George Jordan in 1652. There is no ground for supposing that he was related to Richard Cocke (1) of Bremo except that they had the same surname and both in Virginia at the same time; but in connection with the name George Jordan mentioned above (who was burgess from James City County in 1644), it is perhaps worth pointing out that Richard Cocke (1) had two cousins, Thomas Jordan (burgess for Isle of Wight County in 1629, 1631 and 1632) and Daniel Jordan to whom he left a legacy in this will, as has been stated (VaMH&B, III, 405, 406). Mary Aston Cocke, widow of Richard Cocke (2), may have named her youngest son Edward Cocke (2) after her brother-in-law, Lt. Col. Edward Major of Charles City County, who married Susanna Aston in 1655 (Wm&MCQ, VII, 62; 2nd ser., IX, 56, 229). Still another possibility is that Edward Cocke (2) was named after Colonel Edward Hill who married Hannah, widow of Lt.-Col. Walter Aston, Sr. (VaMH&B, IV, 96)(For pages 94-95, 495, 406 & 96, see pp. 122-123, 104, 105 & 124, this volume)
In conclusion, owing to several intermarriages between the Cox’s of Chesterfield County and the Cockes of Henrico County, some confusion has arisen between certain individuals of these families which is desirable to straighten out as far as possible. John Cox, Sr., presumable the son of William Cox who obtained a grant in 1636 of 150 acres of land 3 ½ miles above Harroe Attocks near Dutch Gap, was twice married. By his first wife whose identity is not known he had two sons, John Cox Jr., and William Cox. He married his second wife Mary Kennon in 1682.
John Cox, Jr., son of John Cox, Sr.., married Mary Baugh, daughter of Jane Gower of Kingsland, Henrico County. Mary Baugh Cox was a sister or half-sister of John Branch, eldest son of Jane Gower, whose daughter Obedience Branch married John Cocke (3), son of Richard Cocke (2), Sr., of Bremo (Colon. Rec. Henrico, V, 689, Va. State Library) in 1696, as have been previously stated.
William Cox, younger son of John Cox, Sr., and brother of John Cox, Jr., married Sarah --------------, by whom he had one son Stephen Cox and a number of daughters one of whom, Martha Cox, married Henry Wood at Bremo in Henrico County in 1723 (VaMH&B, IV, 94-95). The fact that this wedding took place at Bremo seems to imply some connection with the Cockes of Henrico, but what this connection was is not clear.
The youngest of the four daughters of William Cocke (3) (Thomas (2), Richard (1)) was Sarah Cocke (4) (named after her mother who was Sarah Perrin). The first husband of Sarah Cocke (4) was William Cox, son of John Cox, Jr.
John Cocke (3), younger son of Richard Cocke (2), Sr., of Bremo, married Obedience Branch, daughter of John Branch, in 1696, as above stated. He died soon afterwards before August 1699 (Wm&MCQ, XXV, 109). He and his wife had three children, namely: John Cocke (4) of Henrico and Albemarle counties who died in 1759 (Wm&MCQ, XXV, 109). Obedience Cocke(4) who married Benjamin Branch and Martha Cocke who married, 1st, Arthur Moseley, Jr., and 2nd, Edward Friend (Wm&MCO, XXV, 110). (FOOTNOTE: There was likewise a John Cocke who married, Elizabeth, relict of Edward Baxter of Charles City County, who died in 1726. She died before 1746 (VaMH&B, XXXVII, 231).
There appears to be no doubt about the fact that the first husband of Martha Cocke (4) (John (3), Richard (2), Sr., Richard (1)) was Arthur Moseley, Jr., as above stated; and if so, this married occurred perhaps about 1720. On the other hand, it is said that the second husband of Elizabeth Cox Jameson, daughter of William Cox and sister of Martha Cox Wood was Arthur Moseley, Jr., both of these statements cannot be true, unless there were two different individuals named Arthur Moseley, Jr. )
NOTES ON THE COCKE FAMILY (From “Virginia Council Journals, 1726-1753” prepared by Fairfax Harrison
The genealogy of the Cocke family (or rather families) prepared by Dr. Southall and published in this Magazine, is remarkable piece of work, when the field to be covered in considered. But there were many branches he did not treat of fully and many details which did not come to his attention. A number of accounts prepared by various people and notes from records of various counties, etc., will be given here. It is understood that, for some years past, a member of the Cocke family has been making a most careful study preparatory to writing a history of the family.
Richard and Anne (Bowler) Cocke had (as is shown by the will of Richard Cocke, 1706) at least two children, Bowler and Tabitha.
FOURTH GENERATION
Bowler Cocke of Bremo, was clerk of Henrico County in 1728 to 1738. In 1733 he sold certain lands which he states in the deed was granted to his father, Richard Cocke, in 1706. He married Sarah ------------------, and they had issue, first, Ann, born at Bowler’s farm on the Rappahannock River, June 18th, 1720. Second, Susanna, born at Bremo, November 6th, 1722; died in October following. Third, Tabitha, born September 25th, 1724. Fourth, Bowler, born March 7th, 1726. Fifth, Sarah, born February 6th, 1728. Sixth, Elizabeth, born May 15th, 1731. And seventh, Richard, born March 7th, 1733, and died in twenty-days. (These dates are from the fragment of the Henrico Parish Register.) Bowler Cocke, the father of these children, died about Aug. 20, 1771.
FIFTH GENERATION
Bowler Cocke, Jr., of Bremo, born March 7th, 1726, was appointed Clerk of Henrico County, February, 1749 to 1750. There is recorded in Henrico, a deed dated March 31st, 1769, from Bowler Cocke, the elder, of Shirley, to his son Bowler Cocke, Jr., of Bremo, conveying thirty-seven slaves. He is stated by the Virginia Gazette to have died in April, 1772. Bowler Cocke, Jr., was a member of the House of Burgesses for Henrico, 1758, 1761, 1764 and 1765. He had issue, according to old letters, in the Virginia Historical Society Collections, first William, second Bowler, third Sarah, who married Massie. The Virginia Gazette notes the marriage in 1778 of Sarah, daughter of Col. Bowler Cocke, Jr., of Bremo, to Major Thomas Massie.
SIXTH GENERATION
Bowler Cocke of “Turkey Island” made his will March 1st, 1812, proved in Henrico, September 7th 1812. Directs his executors to see ten thousand acres of land in Lincoln County, Kentucky. States that his brother William and himself own four thousand acres in Randolph County, Va., part of forty thousand acres which was deeded to him as assignee of Foster Webb, and which was sold at auction to pay a debt for said Webb, to Mr. Carter of Shirley. Bequests to his daughters Rebecca C. and Lucy Webb Cocke, to his wife all his title to the negroes which were owned before her marriage. Son Bowler F. Cocke, daughter Sallie W. Dandridge, and the children of his daughter, Betsy F. Coles, deceased.
SEVENTH GENERATION
Bowler F. Cocke of “Strawberry Plain”, will dated June 3rd, 1825, proved July 5th, 1825, legatees, son Bowler (not of age), daughters Rebecca and Elizabeth, appoints his friend, John Stagg, guardian to his daughters and Gurdon H. Buckers one of his executors.
EIGHTH GENERATION
Elizabeth Cocke married first, Joseph Henderson, June 11, 1830, recorded in Memphis, Tenn. Issue: one daughter, Catherine. Joseph Henderson died in 1843. On Oct. 7th, 1846, Elizabeth Henderson married Jarman M. Fletcher. Issue: one son, Claude, and three daughters, Annie, Ida and Elizabeth, all dead except Ida.
NINTH GENERATION
Catherine Henderson married first, Tighlman H. Bunch of Memphis, Tenn., Nov 20 1860. Issue: one daughter Laura Tate, and one son Tighman Howard. T. H. Bunch, Sr., died in 1866. Catherine Bunch married again, 1871, Edwin Henry Skipwith, of Little Rock, Arkansas, no children.
The following notes from Henrico County records relate to the several Bowler Cockes.
Will of Bowler Cocke of “Turkey Island”. Executors are desired to dispose of 10,000 acres of land in Lincoln County, Ky. My brother, William Cocke and myself own 4,000 acres in Randolph County, Va., part of 40,000 acres decreed to me as assignee of Foster Webb and sold at auction to pay a debt due to Mr. Carter of Shirley from said Webb. The testator directs how the 10,000 and 4,000 acres shall be sold to pay certain debs. Daughters Rebecca C. Cocke and Lucy Webb Cocke to be supported and maintained. Wife to have all his estate in the negroes that were her own before marriage. Son Bowler F. Cocke, daughter Sally W. Dandridge, daughter Betsy F. Coles’ four children. Dated March 1, 1812, proved Henrico, Sept. 8, 1812.
Will of Bowler F. Cocke of “Strawberry Plain”. Son Bowler Cocke not 20 years of age. Daughters Rebecca and Elizabeth. Friend John Stagg, guardian to daughters. Dated June 3, 1825, proved July 5, 1825.
Marriage Bond, Henrico, November 18, 1797, Walter Coles and Eliza F., daughter of Bowler Cocke of “Turkey Island”.
Marriage Bond, Jan. 4, 1808, Bowler F. Cocke and Eliza Agnes Pleasants Heath (Heth).
Deed Oct. 1783 from Bowler Cocke of Bremo to Charles Carter, in regard to the property of Foster Webb.
Deed 1807 from Bowler Cocke and Sally his wife.
Deed, March 1808, from Bowler Cocke, conveying in trust the land he lives on called “Turkey Island”, 1,400 acres.
In April, 1814, B. F. Cocke, executor of Bowler Cocke, sold Turkey Island to Pickett.
Deed March 31, 1769, from Bowler Cocke the elder, of Shirley, conveying to his son, Bowler Cocke, Jr., of Bremo, 37 male and female slaves.
Deed, July 1748, from Bowler Cocke, the elder, to his son, Bowler Cocke, the younger, 96 acres in Curles Swamp.
Col. Bowler Cocke, Jr., of Bremo, had a daughter, Sarah, who in 1778 married Major Thomas Massie.
Richard Cocke of Henrico, died May 11, 1820, aged 67 years.
Bowler F. Cocke, of Strawberry Plain, Henrico, separated in 1825 from his wife, Mary B.
Col. Bowler Cocke, Sr., married secondly, Elizabeth, widow of John Carter of “Shirley”, but there was no issue by this marriage.
SOME COCKE FAMILY RECORDS
(Contributed by Mr. W. Ronald Cocke, Jr.)
From an original paper of Charles Cocke of Albemarle County, dated 7 February 1860, in possession of his grandson, Judge Bennett Taylor Gordon, Nelson County, Virginia.
Chronologically arranged and contributed by William Ronald Cocke, III.
James Powell (1) Cocke, was born at Malvern Hills, where he lived until just before his marriage with Mary Magdalene Chastain, an heiress of a Huguenot family at Manakin Town, Chesterfield county; by whom he left three sons and two daughters:
1. CHASTAIN (2) married Judith Archer, daughter of Colonel William Archer, conspicuous in the war of the Revolution, by whom he had six sons and two daughters:
a. CHASTAIN COCKE (3) died young
b. JAMES POWELL COCKE (3) married Polly Lewis and had five children:
(1) John Lewis Cocke (4) died unmarried
(2) James Cocke (4) died unmarried
(3) Aubion Cocke (4) married Armistead Green
(4) Mary Cocke (4) married a Mr. Boyd
(5) Martha Cocke (4) died unmarried
c. WILLIAM ARCHER COCKE (3) married the widow Ronald and left four children:
(1) Chastain Cocke (4) married first, Sally Eggleston, daughter of Major Joseph Eggleston of Amelia and second, Mary Eggleston, daughter of Edward Eggleston, Esq.
(2) William Archer Cocke (4) married Murray and left one son: William Archer Cocke (5)
(3) Judith Cocke (4) married Fran. Eggleston, both of whom are dead leaving two children:
(a) William Eggleston (5)
(b) Judith Eggleston (5)
(4) Mary Cocke (4) married a Mr. Saunders
d. JOHN FIELD COCKE (3) married Miss Ronald and left two sons:
(1) R. Ivanhoe Cocke (4)
(2) William Ronald Cocke (4)
e. ELIZABETH COCKE (3) married John Royall and left one son: (1) Albert Royall
f. MARY COCKE (3) died at age of 18
g. RICHARD COCKE (3) died young
h. JOSEPH COCKE (3) died young
2. JAMES POWELL COCKE (2) married first Martha Archer by whom he had no issue and second Lucy Smith, by whom he had three sons and two daughters.
a. JAMES POWELL COCKE (3) married Martha Ann Lewis, by whom he had no issue
b. SMITH COCKE (3) died unmarried
c. CHASTAIN (3) died unmarried
d. MARY C. COCKE (3) married Dr. Charles Carter and had one son and three daughters
(1) C. Everett Carter (4) is dead
(2) Mary Carter (4) married John Singleton of S.C.
(3) Lucy Carter (4) married P. Minor
(4) ----------- Carter (4) married Champelo (Champe?) Green Peyton
e. MARTHA COCKE (3) married V. W. Southall, has three sons and three daughters:
(1) William Southall (4) married Miss Alden of Richmond
(2) James C. Southall (4)
(3) Valentine Southall (4)
(4) Lucy Southall (4) married Mr. Sharp
(5) Mary Southall (4) married John Thompson Brown
(6) Florence Southall (4), died unmarried
3. STEPHEN COCKE (2) married Jane Segar Eggleston by whom he had three sons and five daughters:
a. JOSEPH E. COCKE (3) married Ann Mosby, no issue
b. JAMES POWELL COCKE (3) married Caroline Lewis, still living and never had issue
c. CHARLES COCKE (3) (the writer of this), married Sally W. Taylor of Southampton, by whom he had one living child
(1) Charlotte Mary Cocke (4) married William Gordon, and had six sons and two daughters:
(a) Sally Taylor Gordon (5)
(b) Charles Cocke Gordon (5)
(c) Lennox Gordon (5)
(d) Agnes Stuart Gordon (5)
(e) William F. Gordon (5)
(f) Bazel B. Gordon (5)
(g) Bennett Taylor Gordon (5)
(h) Robert Walker Gordon (5)
d. JUDITH E. COCKE (3) married Peter Field Archer, and had two sons and two daughters
(1) John F. Archer (4) died young
(2) Richard Archer (4) died young
(3) Fanny Archer (4)
(4) Jane Segar Archer (4), wife of Dr. Jos. B. Anderson
(By a former married, Peter Field Archer had three sons: William Archer, Branch T. Archer, Peter F. Archer, and three daughters: Fanny Tanner Archer, Martha Archer and Elizabeth Archer.)
e. MARY M. COCKE (3) married Richard Archer and had two sons:
(1) Stephen C. Archer (4)
(2) Richard T. Archer (4)
(They removed to Mississippi where Stephen died, leaving one son, Edward Archer (5), Richard Archer is still alive and has eight or ten children)
f. MARTHA COCKE (3) married William T. Eggleston and left one son and four daughters:
(1) Everard Eggleston (4) died unmarried
(2) Mana? Eggleston (4) married Alfred B. Eggleston and has two sons and three daughters
(a) William Eggleston (5) married Miss Booth
(b) Irving Eggleston (5)
(c) Patty Eggleston (5) married William Townes of Texas
(d) A daughter (5)
(e) A daughter (5)
(3) Charlotte Eggleston (4) married Dr. May of Petersburg
(4) Martha Eggleston (4) married George Johnson
(5) Jane Eggleston (4) married first, Dr. Irving, and second, L. Masters; three children
g. NANCY COCKE (3) died fifteen years of age
h. JANE S. COCKE (3) married Captain James Hobson of Cumberland and is now a widow without children
4. ELIZABETH COCKE (2) married Henry Anderson of Amelia and left fur sons and two daughters:
a. HENRY ANDERSON (3) married and had two sons
(1) Dr. Joseph B. Anderson (4) of Amelia
(2) Dr. Stephen C. Anderson (4) of Chesterfield
b. CRAWFORD ANDERSON (3)
c. JAMES P. ANDERSON (3)
d. WILLIAM ANDERSON (3)
e. MARTHA ANDERSON (3) died unmarried
f. ELIZABETH ANDERSON (3) married John Royall of Nottoway – no issue
5. NANCY COCKE (2) (I think) married Colonel William Kennon or Cannon of Buckingham and left two sons who moved with their father to the west before this century.
The James P. (3) and the writer of this (Charles) are now (1860), the only surviving children of Stephen Cocke (2). In our branch of the family and that of my uncle James P. (2), the name is extinct in the next generation, although the two brothers had between them six sons to hand down.
A few years after his marriage, my grandfather, James P. (1), removed from Malvern Hills to the “old place” in Amelia, where he lived until his death, and where he and my grandmother are buried. The estate in Amelia was inherited by my father, and is now owned by my brother, James P. (3), the property in Powhatan, and an estate on Roanoke River, were given to my uncle, Chastain (2), who lived and died on the former, and Malvern Hills, and land in Albemarle were given to my uncle, James P. (2), who sold out and removed to Augusta but afterwards settled and died in Albemarle.
After the death of my grandfather, my grandmother married Peter Farrar, by whom she had to sons and two daughters:
1. John Farrar
2. Samuel Farrar married Elizabeth Eggleston (first cousin of my mother) and left two sons and two daughters
a. Dr. Stephen C. Farrar of Mississippi
b. Dr. Richard Farrar of Amelia
c. Polly Farrar married Beverley Eggleston
d. Jane Farrar died unmarried
3. Judith Farrar married Richard Ogilby and left several children
4. Rebecca Farrar married General Porterfield of Augusta, and left two sons and two daughters
a. Robert Farrar
b. John Farrar married Miss McCue and left a son, Robert Farrar, who I believe died without issue
c. Mary Farrar married --------------
d. Rebecca Farrar, married William Kenney of Staunton, is still living and has several children
I have reason to believe that my grandfather and great grandfather was an only child, which adds to the difficulty of tracing the remote family connections. Strange as it may seem, my old uncle, forty years ago, could tell me little or nothing of his grandfather, and did not seem to know whether he had an uncle or an aunt on the father’s side. I know he had none on the maternal.
The total ignorance of family connections may have grown out of the fact that he was reared in a region of country as remote in those days from that in which his father had been born and dwelt, as California is from Virginia, in our times, besides, his father, from whom alone he could have obtained information on the subject, had he been curios enough to seek for it, had died when he was quite a small boy.
My uncle thought our branch of the family was nearest related to Bowler Cocke of Turkey Island. Contemporary with my father, there was a Stephen Cocke of Nottoway, with whose son, Stephen, I was at college. The family removed west before I was grown and I always though that Judge William Cocke and General John Cocke, both United States Senators from Tennessee were of the Nottoway family.
I do not remember that any relationship was claimed between my family and that of Nottoway, but my father died when I was six years old.
Feb. 7, 1860 ------------------------------------------------- Chas. Cocke
COCKE, GRAY, BOWIE, ROBB, &c. by Miss Fanny B. Hunter, Alexandria, Va. Published in Genealogies of Virginia Families from The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography
Some partial tracing through the line of Lucy (2) the fourth daughter of Secretary Cocke (1) of Williamsburg and Elizabeth Catesby, his wife (Va. His. Mag., Vol. ----, p. -----), who married Frank Waring of Essex county, Va., May 12, 1744.
Of this marriage there were four daughters and three sons, viz: Lucy Cocke (3), Ann, Elizabeth, Susanna, Thomas, William and Henry. The late Mr. Lewis of ------------, in his history of the family, from which the most of this is taken, wrote of these sons: “They entered heart and sword into the Revolution, and were in all hard-fought battles at the North, and we, their descendants, may well be proud of the part they bore.” Henry Cocke (3) the youngest, was Capt. Of the 7th Virginia Regiment, and died from exposure near the close of the war, leaving no children. Thomas Cocke (3) was unmarried in 1803. William Cocke (3), second son, left one son Henry Cocke (4), father of Mrs. Mary Waring Buckner. His first wife was Lucy Robb, daughter of Robert Gilchrist Robb; the second was Lucy Stiff, of Middlesex county.
Lucy Waring (3), eldest daughter of Frank and Lucy Cocke Waring, m. December 14, 1769, James Robb, of Port Royal, a native of Scotland, and nephew of Robt. Gilchrist, a man of much prominence in the Colony. Mr. Robb died April 21, 1805; his wife died October 3, 1819. Their children were:
I. William Robb (4) b. in Essex, 1771; d. 1820
II. Lucy Robb (4), b. April 1773, married John Gray, of Traveller’s Rest, Stafford county, Va.
III. Robert Gilchrist Robb, born in Orange county, 1775; m. 1st Nellie, dau. of Dr. Wm. Bankhead and Ellen Stewart; 2d Mrs. Serephena Norfleet, nee Vermecula, of Naples
IV. Anne Robb (4), b. January 1777, married John Catlett of Port Royal; died March 10, 1853 (issue: Robert Catlett (5), James Catlett (5), Peter Catlett (5) and 2 daus.)
V. Margaret Robb (4) b. in Orange county 1779; d. aged 13 years
VI. Elizabeth Robb (4), b. in Orange county 1782; d. 1804
VII. James Robb, b. 1784; d. 1788
VIII. Patrick Robb (4) b. 1771, m. ----------Pratt, dau. of John Pratt of Caroline county
Issue of John and Lucy (Robb)(4) Gray (Roman Number II above)
I. Agnes Gray (5) b. March 2, 1794; died at “Eastwood” in 1864—a woman of great force of character, a devoted churchwoman; “given to hospitality”, especially to its ministers, several of whom bestowed her name upon their children.
II. Atcheson Gray (5), b. December 1, 1798; d. 1822; married Catherine Lewis Willis; left no children
III. Margaret Gray (5), b. March 3, 1803; d. 1839 unmarried
IV. Janet Robinson Gray (5), b. September 10, 1805; d. 1879; married Jan. 3, 1827, her 1st cousin, William Pollock of Scotland, who was b. in Glasgow August 20, 1797
V. John Bowie Gray (5), born November 11, 1808; died June 1861; married, 1829, Jane Moore Cave of Fredericksburg, daughter of Benjamin Cave and Jane Moore Glassnell (FOOTNOTE: Glassell Family – Andre Glassell of Torchorwald, Madison county, emigrated from Dumfries, Scotland, in 1756. He was grandson of John Glassell and his wife Mary Coulter, and son of Robert, who in 1734, married Mary Kelton of Torchorwald Town near the castle of the Douglas. The eldest son by this marriage was John Glasell, who was for many years a merchant in Fredericksburg, but returned to Scotland and bought an estate near Edinburgh, where he resided with his wife, Helen Buchan. Their one daughter married Lord John Campbell, whose son, George, became Duke of Argyle. Andrew Glassell, the send son, was born October 8, 1738. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Erasmus and Jane (Moore) Taylor.)
VI. Robert Gray (5), born December 12, 1811; died aged 18
Issue of William and Janet (Gray) Pollock (Roman Numeral IV above)
I. William Pollock (6) , Captain C.S.A.; died 1864 unmarried
II. John Gray Pollock (6), Captain Confederate Army, married Estelle Lewis, daughter of Fielding Lewis, King George county (three children, Catherine Lewis Pollock (7), wife of Harry Knox Gore, of Ireland; Margaret Aitcheson Pollock and John Gray Pollock (Jr.))
III. Aitcheson Pollock (6) married Hannah Jett of King George (six children, Janet Robinson Pollock (7), Julia Lane Pollock, John Gray Pollock, Nellie Pollock, Malcom Pollock, Agnes Pollock)
IV. Matthew Bailey Pollock (6) married, 1870, Catherine Lewis, second daughter of Fielding Lewis, who died 1871, married second Lucy Daingerfield Tayloe, daughter of Colonel John Tayloe of Chatterton, King George, who married a sister of Field Lewis. Issue: Matthew Tayloe Pollock (7) married Elizabeth 1. Bernard Pollock (one son Matthew Tayloe Pollock (8); Helen Janet Pollock (7); 3. Andrew Pollock (7); Catherine Lewis Pollock (7)
Children of John Bowie (5) and Jane Moore (Cave) Gray:
I. Robert Acheson Gray (6) married Adelaide Heyman of Georgetown, D. C. Issue: Anna Heyman (7); Julia Heyman (7) Robert Heyman (7), John Heyman (7)
II. Lucy Robb Gray (6) married first, Dr. Joseph Alexander, second ----------- Ongley (no children).
III. Agnes Spruel Gray (6) married Captain Paul Venable, C. S. A., of Danville, Va.
IV. Margaret Gray (6) married William Dickinson of Caroline county. She died young, leaving one child, Margaret Gray who married William Madison (no children).
V. Gertrude Gray (6) married Walter Hamilton of England, later of New Jersey (2d wife). Their four children are: Maud Hamilton (7), Isabel Hamilton wife of Chas Atkinson of Palmyra, N. J.; Gertrude Hamilton, wife of Geo. Ricardo of Hackensack; Henry Hamilton and Agnes Gray Hamilton.
VI. Jane Glassell Gray (6)
VII. Isabella Bowie Gray. These two last named are residents of Fairfax, Va.
VIII. John Bowie Gray (Jr.)(6) of Travellers Rest, a graduate of Virginia Military Institute, and participant in the battle of New Market. He married Mary, fourth daughter of Maj. Bushrod Washington Hunter, C.S.A., formerly U. S. Navy of “Abingdon”, Alexandria Co., and his wife Mary Frances, daughter of Col. George Blow of Sussex Co. Va. Their children:
1. Mary Hunter Gray (7), married to Ernest Deans of Wilson, N.C., (one child, Mary Hunter Deans (8)
2. Jane Moore Gray (7)
3. Aylmer Gray (7)
4. John Bowie Gray (III) of Wilson, NC
Issue of Capt. Paul and Agnes (Gray) Venable: (Roman Numeral III. Above)
1. Samuel “Woodson” Venable of Wilson, married Jean Armstead (four children: Jean St. Clair Venable; Mary Howard Venable; Paul Carrington Venable; Samuel Armistead Venable).
2. Wade “Hampton” Venable married Eliza Talbot.
Issue of Robert Gilchrist (4) and Nellie (Bankhead) Robb:
1. Robert Gilchrist Robb (5) Capt. U. S. and C. S. Navy, married Fanny Lightfoot and had two sons and one daughter, viz:
a. Robert Lightfoot Robb (6) married 1st Augusta Turner, daughter of Carolinus Turner of King George co., who died, leaving two sons, Robert Robb (7) and Turner Robb (7), his second wife was Mr. Ada Randolph, daughter of Col. Richard H. Stuart of that county;
b. Philip Lightfoot Robb (6) married Helen Bernard of Caroline county. Their children are Fanny Bernard Robb (7); Helen Struan Robb (7); Gay Robertson Robb (7); Robert Gilchrist Robb (7); Philip Lightfoot Robb (7); Frances Randolph Robb (7)
c. Mittie Robb (6) married William Augustine Smith of King George. There only child, Frances Lightfoot Smith (7) is the wife of A. Randolph Howard of Fredericksburg. (One daughter Frances Randolph (8)
2. Mary Robb (5) died unmarried
3. Elizabeth Robb (5) married Robert Waring
4. Ellen Robb (5) died unmarried
5. Lucy Robb (5) was the first wife of Henry Waring
(by 2nd wife)(Mrs. Serephena Norfleet, nee Vermecula of Naples
6. Roberta Robb (5) died young
7. Margaret Robb (5) married Dr. Banum
Issue of Dr. Patrick Carrick (4) and Unknown (Pratt) Robb:
1. Lucy Ann Pratt Robb (4) married Dr. George Lewis of Westmoreland
2. John Robb (4) married Mary Turner of King George
Issue of Dr. George and Lucy (Robb (5)) Lewis
1. Millie Lewis (6) married ------------ Long or Clarke County
2. Alice Lewis (6) married Henderson Wallace
3. James Lewis
4. Eliza Lewis
Issue of John and Mary (Turner) Robb (5)
1. Mary Robb (6)
2. Lelia Robb (6)
3. Jennie Robb (6)
4. Patrick Robb (6)
5. Alice Robb (6) married 1st ---------- Maddox by whom she had one daughter, Josephine Maddox; married 2nd George Richardson
Issue of Colonel Spencer and Lucy (Waring) Ball (3), second daughter of Colonel Frank Waring and Lucy Cocke:
I. William Ball (4), a distinguished Colonel in the War of 1812, died unmarried.
II. -------------- Ball, a physician of note, resident of Fairfax County.
III. Spencer Ball married Bettie Landon Carter, daughter of Councellor Robert of Nomini, Westmoreland County
IV. Henry Ball
V. Elizabeth Ball married John Burwell
Issue of William Latane of Essex County and Anne Waring (3), third daughter of Colonel Frank and Lucy (Cocke) Waring:
I. John Latane (4) born April 27, 1777, married Parthenia Robinson, daughter of Robert Payne Waring of Paynesfield, Essex County (three children: Roberta Latane (5); William Latane (5); Mary Latane (5).
II. Lucy Latane (4), born September 14, 1778, married July 1800, Robert Payne Waring of Edenetta, son of Robert P. Waring of Paynesfield (two children: Robert Waring (5); Mary Waring (5).
III. Samuel Peachy Latane (4), born December 30, 1779, died 1794
IV. Henry Latane (4), born July 29, 1782, died June 1860; married October 28, 1818, Susan Allan, daughter of James Allan of Spring Hill, Essex county.
V. Mary Latane (4), born July 29, 1785; died February 8, 1838; married January 10, 1804, John Temple of King and Queen
VI. Thomas Latane (4), born May 14, 1787; died August 1837; married October 1, 1818, Mary Bassett, daughter of Nelson Berkeley of Hanover county (one daughter Lucy Robinson Latane (5)
VII. William Catesby Latane (4), born April 14, 1788; died August 1846, married Ann Eliza Burwell, daughter of James and Judith Ball Burwell.
VIII. Ann Susanna Latane (4), born November 7, 1791; died July 7, 1822; married May 22, 1810, Warner Lewis of “Lewis Level”.
IX. Elizabeth Latane (4), born May 11, 1794; died February 1727; married December 1810, James Waring, son of Robert Payne Waring of Paynesfield.
X. Susan Latane (4), born November 7, 1797; died May 12, 1807
Issue of Henry (4) and Susan (Allen) Latane:
Lewis Latane (5); John Latane (5); Thomas Latane (5); Ann Ursula Latane (5); Henry Waring Latane (5); James Allen Latane (5); William Samuel Latane; Peachy Lewis Latane and John Latane (twins)(5)
Children of John and Mary (Latane (4)) Temple were Arthur Temple (5); John Temple (5); Lucy Latane Temple (5); Henry Waring Temple (5)
Children of William Catesby (4) and Ann (Burwell) Latane: James Henry Latane (5) born 1820; Ann Waring Latane; Susan Catesby Latane; John Lafayette Latane
Children of Warner and Ann S. (Latane(4)) Lewis: Thomas Waring Lewis (5); William Latane Lewis (5); John Lewis (5); Joseph Lewis (5); Henry Lewis (5)
Children of James and Elizabeth (Latane) Waring: William Payne Waring; John Henry Waring; Thomas Waring; Warner Lewis Waring.
Susanna Waring, third daughter of Colonel Frank and Lucky Cocke Waring, married Dr. John Taliaferro Lewis of Culpeper county, a distinguished graduate of Edinburgh, Scotland, and a son of Colonel Charles Lewis, who resided at Cedar Creek, near Port Royal, Va., who was brother of Fielding Lewis of Fredericksburg, Av.
WARING FAMILY
Colonel Thomas Waring emigrated from England and settled at Goldsburg, St. Anne’s Parish, Essex county, VA, in the latter part of the seventeenth century. He was vestryman, justice of the peach and represented Essex in the House of Burgesses in 1736. He died at his family seat, January 17674, leaving two sons Frank and Thomas Waring, and three daughters, Elizabeth Waring, the eldest married Thomas Todd of King and Queen county, from whom are descended the Fauntleroys and Todds of that county. Mary Waring, the second daughter, married Henry Robinson of Hanover, brother of Speaker John Robinson, from whom descend the Robinsons, Winstons and Pollards of Hanover. Anne Waring, the younger married Rev. James Stith of St. Anne’s Parish, a man of distinguished talents and piety. Mrs. Ann Lile Butler was their daughter.
Thomas Waring, the second son above named, born September 8, 1719, married Betty Payne, an heiress, and the owner of Payne’s Island. Frank Waring, the elder son, was born July 23rd, 1717, died 1771. He inherited Goldsberry; was a vestryman, justice of the peace, and represented Essex in the House of Burgesses in 1758 and 1764. He married Lucy Cocke, daughter of Sec. William Cocke, of Williamsburg, who was aunt of Mrs. Bishop Madison, of Gen. Woodford of the Revolution and of Dr. Walter Jones, who represented the Northern Neck in Mr. Jefferson’s administration, and was a writer of great force and perspicuity.
GRAY FAMILY
William Gray, of Garleraig, Scotland, married in 1718 Jennett Barrie.
William Gray, his son, also of Gareraig, was born 1729, died 1777; married Isabella, only child and heiress of John Bowie of “Hill of Bath”, and Agnes Spreul, and grand-daughter of John Bowie and Marian Gow, whose silver ladle, marked J. B. & M. G., and Bowie seal is in possession of their descendant, Mr. John Bowie Gray, Sr., of “Traveler’s Rest”, Stafford county, Va.
The following is from the diary of Mr. John Gray, grandfather of the above, written in 1845. The said Mr. Gray was born 1769, at Garlcraig; came to America 1784, settled first in Port Royal, and in 1809 purchased Traveller’s Rest, once the residence of Col. Burgess Ball, and spoken of in a pamphlet by his grandson, Capt. G. W. Ball, as “the well-known and most appropriately named seat”, whose unbounded hospitality characterized it literally. This reputation was no less marked in the change of owners, even to the present day.
“My brother William being the eldest, inherited the whole of my father’s estate. My first cargo of goods I purchased with my small patrimony, about 400 pounds, that I got from my grand-uncle, Andrew Spreul’s will who lived in Gosport, Va., and I believe owned the site on which the Navy Yard now stands”.
The old seal of Gray is described by Nesbit as follows: (This seal, with that of Bowie, was inherited by Mr. Gray, and is now in possession of his great-grandson, John Bowie Gray, Jr.)
Gray Arms: Gules. A lion rampant within a bordure engrailed argent Crest. An anchor in pale of Suppartors. Two lions guardant gules. Motto: Anchor fast anchor.
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