Francis COOKE^[1]

Abt 1584 - 1663  (~ 79 years)

• Name	Francis COOKE
  Born	Abt 1584
  Gender	Male
  Death	7 Apr 1663	Plymouth, Massachusetts
  Died	7 Apr 1663	Plymouth, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts
  Will Proved	5 Jun 1663	Plymouth, Massachusetts
  _UID	3E6519C453100B4D91DE660DB3F440DADE15
  Person ID	I25452	Branch 220 James Stafford 1809 DE
  Last Modified	31 Oct 2008

  
  

  Family	Hester MAHIEU,   b. Abt 1585, Leyden, South Holland, Netherlands ,   d. 18 Jun 1666, Plymouth, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts  (Age ~ 81 years)
  Married	30 Jun 1603	Leyden, South Holland, Netherlands
  Married	30 Jun 1603	Leyden, South Holland, Netherlands
  Children	1. John COOKE,   b. 1607, Leiden, South Holland, Holland ,   d. 23 Nov 1695, Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts  (Age 88 years)   2. Elizabeth COOK,   b. 26 Dec 1611, Leyden, , Holland ,   d. Yes, date unknown   3. Jane COOKE,   b. Bef 1613, Leyden, South Holland, Netherlands ,   d. 8 Jun 1666, Plymouth, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts  (Age > 53 years)   4. Jacob COOKE,   b. Abt 1618, Leiden, South Holland, Holland ,   d. Dec 1675, Plymouth, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts  (Age ~ 57 years)   5. Hester COOK,   b. Abt 1620, Leiden, South Holland, Holland ,   d. Aft 8 Jun 1666  (Age ~ 46 years)   6. Mercy (Mary) COOKE,   b. Between Mar 1624 and 1627, Plymouth, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts ,   d. 21 Mar 1713/4, Middleboro, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts  (Age ~ 90 years)
  Last Modified	25 Jun 2020
  Family ID	F9437	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  A 1620 passenger on the Mayflower. Signed the Mayflower Compact. Occupations: Woolcomber, landowner, and at Plymouth - a Land Owner and Highway Surveyor. His wife came to America on the the ship Anne wtih their children Jane and Jacob. The Dutch records in Leyden show the names of Franachoic Couck and bride Hester Mahieu. Witnesses to the marriage were Walloons. Francis Cooke and his son, John, left Holland in July 1620 on the Speedwell, leaving behind his wife and other children. In England, father and son transferred to the Mayflower and they set sail from Plymouth, England in September 1620 (Ibid, p. 67) Francis Cooke came on the Mayflower with his eldest son John in 1620 and as such was one of the signers of the Mayflower Compact. His wife, Hester, soon followed on the Anne in 1623. She brought with her three additional children: Jacob, Jane, and Hester. Another child, Mary, was born in 1626. Freemen Francis Cooke was also listed on the original list of freemen for Plymouth and was found on this list again in 1633, 1637 and 1658. As a freemen he had several duties which were thrust upon him. He served twice on the Grand Inquest, once in 1638 and a second time in 1640. Cooke also served on numerous juries from the years 1638-48. His most notable case was that of Allis Bishop. She admitted to murdering her four year old daughter by slashing her throat and windpipe with a knife. His major service to the community, however, seemed to come in the highway realm. In 1937 he was appointed to the committee to lay out highways. He followed this appointment with the job of surveyor of the highways for Plymouth in 1641, 1642 and again in 1645. He even served on a committee to find the best route for a new road. Occupation There is no record or what kind of work Cooke was engaged in. He did have and apprentice, John Harmon, for seven years starting in 1636. Francis Cooke was also on the 1643 Plymouth list of those who were able to bear arms. Estate Francis Cooke was not as active in court as his jury duty. He won a judgment against John Browne, the elder, for abusing his cattle. Along with twelve others, he was given 4 black heifers and two shee goats in the 1627 cattle division. Cooke appears to have been granted many different parcels of land in and around Plymouth. Some of this land he gave to his sons Jacob and John, which they sold portions of. Francis even sold some land to William Bradford. His neighbors included Isaak Allerton, Edward Winslow, and Thomas Prence as well as his 2 sons John and Jacob. The will of Francis Cooke, dated 7 October 1659, leaves all his possessions to his wife Hester with Hester and his son John as joint executors of the will. John Aldin and John Howland were witnesses to the will. Francis Cooke passed away on 7 April 1663 at the age of approximately 80. An inventory was taken of his possessions by Ephraim Tinkham and William Crow on 1 May 1663. His total net worth at that time was 86 pounds, 11 shillings, and 1 pence. Will Proved: The last Will and Testament of ffrancis Cooke of Plymouth late Deceased: exhibited before the Court held att Plymouth aforsaid the fift day of June 1663 on the oathes of mr John Aldin and mr John howland; The Last Will and Testament of ffrancis Cooke made this seaventh of the tenth month 1659 I being att prsent weake and Infeirme in body yett in prfect memory throw mercy Doe comitt my soule unto god that gave it and my body to the earthe; which my will is should bee Intered in a Decent and comly manner; As for such goods and lands as I stand posessed of I Doe will and bequeath as followeth; 1 My will is that hester my Dear and loveing wife shall have all my moveable goods and all my Cattle of all kinds; viz: neat Cattle horsekind sheep and swine to be att her Dispose 2 my will is that hester my wife shall have and Injoy my lands both upland and meddow lands which att prsent I posesse During her life 3 I Doe ordaine and appoint my Deare wife and my son John Cooke Joynt exequitors of this my said will Witnes John Aldin ffrancis Cooke John howland

  
  

• Sources

  [S4663] Stafford Data Branch 14.