William Cocke of Tennessee
This is from the book “Over the Misty Blue Hills, The Story of Cocke Co., TN,” and was found at the Fayetteville, AR public library.
William Cocke was identified with every step of the early history of Cocke County (Tenn.) The original founder of the family of Cocke was Liertenant Colonel Richard Cocke who came from Devonshire (?) England in 1632 and brought with him twenty families, numbering sixty people. This entitled him to 3000 acres of land which he received in 1636. Richard Cocke became County Lieutenant for Henrico Co., VA. And represented it in the House of Burgesses from 1634 to 1654.
Descending in a direct line from Richard Cocke 4 generations later, William was born in 1747 and received the advantages of a family of wealth and distinction. William married Sarah Maclin and soon after emigrated westward to the Watauga Settlement (in what is now E. Tenn.)From there William continued on an exploring expedition into the wilderness with Daniel Boone.
At the age of 27, William was offered an office in the Army of Lord Dunmore, the Colonial Governor of Virginia, provided he would espouse the cause of the crown (England) against the colonists. He replied, “The King does not have money enough to buy me.The cause of the colonies is just.I will devote my life to it.”Immediately after this offer, be became an officer in the provincial militia.
Soon after the great victory for the Colonists at King’s Mountain, he and his compatriots returned home and called a convention to form an independent state. N.C. had ceded all of her territory “over the mountains” to the federal government, but the fed’s had 2 years to decide whether to accept the lands or not.These men knew that they would have no protection from Indians and that lawlessness would have free reign. The plan of their proposed Free State of Franklin was drawn up by William Cocke.
The Federal Government accepted the territory and William Cocke was made a member of the House of Representative in the Territorial government.
He introduced into the Assembly the bill incorporating Blount College, the first non-sectarian College chartered in the U.S., now the U. of Tennessee.
Soon after the Territory became the State of Tennessee and William Cocke became one of its first two Senators to the U.S.Congress.
While in Congress William Cocke did not affiliate with Thomas Jefferson and Aaron burr, but acted with Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and. John Marshall
When after long years in the Senate he refused to run again, he was appointed judge of the Circuit Court of Tenn.
In 1814 Cocke was appointed by Pres. Madison to be the agent to the Chickasaw Indians and his youngest son Stephen was made his secretary.
He settled in Mississippi and was elected to the Miss. Legislature in 1822. His son Stephen became first chancellor of Miss.
In 1845. At the age of 65, William Cocke volunteered and as a private, marched under Col. John Williams against the Seminole Indians in Florida, in a company organized in East Tenn in 1817-18.The Augusta, Georgia chronicle had this to say of him: “Among those exemplary citizens it is with admiration that one recognized the venerable Judge Cocke, serving as a private under his respected friend and fellow citizen, Col. Williams!”
It is interesting to note that John Cocke, the oldest son of William Cocke was the Major General at the time William served as a private.
William Cocke was buried in
Columbus, Miss. And these words were carved on his tomb:
“Here lie the remains of William Cocke, who died in Columbus, MS on 22 August 1828.The deceased passed an active, eventful life. Was Captain in command during the Revolutionary struggle of 1776 and was distinguished for his bravery, daring and intrepidity.
One of the pioneers who first crossed the Allegheny Mountains into the wilderness of Kentucky with Daniel Boone, took an active part in the formation of the Franklin government, afterward the State of Tennessee. Was a delegate from Tennessee to the United States congress for a period of 12 years and afterwards one of the Circuit Judges.
He served in the Legislatures of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi.At the age of 65 was a Volunteer in the war of 1812-13 and again distinguished himself for his personal courage.
He departed this life in his 81st year universally lamented.”
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Re: William Cocke of Tennessee
Iris Seyfried 4/07/08
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Re: William Cocke of Tennessee
Geri Allen 4/07/08
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Re: William Cocke of Tennessee