Cocke Family Notes from Judy Canant October 2000

This note was prompted by an uncertainty expressed in a paper written by Frances Shacklette Fast.

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It has been pretty well proven that Ann COCKE who married Robert Bolling, II,
(b: 1682) was indeed a COCKE. I have been working on the VA records of the
COCKE families, and these are her parents and siblings. I have a lot more,
but this is just the immediate family of Ann COCKE. I still have stacks of
papers to go through on the COCKE family, but I did work on it for a couple
of months this summer.:
Judy Canant


Descendants of Richard Cocke, The Younger

1 11054 Richard COCKE, The Younger b: Abt. 1657 in Settled at "Old Man's
Creek", Charles City Co d: 1720 in Bremo, Henrico Co, VA (will presented
in court Oct 1720 by Ebenezar Adams)
.+11058 Anne BOWLER b: January 23, 1674/75 d: April 24, 1705
Father: Thomas Bowler, Esq
.2 631 Anne COCKE b: Bet. 1682 - 1690 in of Charles City Co, VA
(some old records say she is Mary Anne Cocke)
.....+630 Robert BOLLING, Hon b: January 25, 1681/82 in of Charles City Co,
VA (area became Pr Geo in 1702) Was Sheriff m: January 27, 1705/06 in
Ancestors of Bollings of Petersburg d: 1749 in Probably in Pr Geo Co, VA
Father: Robert Bolling, Col Immigrant Mother: Anne Stith
.2 11057 Tabitha COCKE b: in (dau of Richard Cocke, "the younger" of
Bremo) d: Aft. 1760 in Was in New Kent Co, mentioned at that time in
will of her s-i-l, Col F. Smith
.....+11059 Ebenezar ADAMS, Gent. b: in Of St Peter's Parish, New Kent Co,
VA - to VA bef 1714 m: Abt. 1718 d: June 13, 1735 Father: Richard
Adams
.2 [1] 11143 Bowler COCKE b: 1696 in of Bremo [he was the elder
half-brother of Richard Cocke of Swann's point in Surry. d: August
1771 in "Shirley"
..... +11144 Sarah FLEMING m: Bef. 1720
.*2nd Wife of [1] 11143 Bowler COCKE:
.....+11152 Elizabeth HILL b: in She and Bowler Cocke moved to "Shirley"
after 1765 m: Abt. 1745 Father: Edward Hill, Col
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The reason that Richard Cocke is called "the younger" is that his father had
married before and had another son named Richard, who was called Richard
Cocke, The Elder.

Here is a look at the Father of both Richards and the children of both wives:

Descendants of Richard Cocke, Lt Col

1 [1] 11047 Richard COCKE, Lt Col b: Abt. 1600 in (many theories on his
place of birth) Ancestor of Cocke Family of Henrico Co, VA d: Abt. 1665
in Henrico Co, VA (Will dated Oct 4, 1665 is on recd in clerk's office of
Henrico Co) Burial: In his orchard or garden by side of his early wife
.+11229 First WIFE b: in No name shown in records of Richard.
.2 11048 Richard COCKE, The Elder b: 1639 in He inherited Bremo
from his father - was Surveyor of the Co d: 1706 in Will was admitted
to probate december 2, 1706 (1678, 1680, 1699, Member of the Co Court,
Henrico, Genalogies of Va Families, Vol II, Genealogy of the COCKE Family in
Virginia, by James C Southall, p 109; 1678-1680 a Justice of Henrico; Long
after death of Richard, his son, Richard, the Elder, was plaintiff in a suit
brought against John Woodson, Jr for trespassing on a part of his land;
Genealogies of VA Families, Vol II, Concerning the Origin of the Cockes of
Henrico, pp 34-40, This land was due him for the transportation of 60
immigrants (VA Mag. Hist. & Biog. VI, 186; see also III, 285, 405 and V, 72),
There can hardly be any doubt that this was Richard Cocke of Bremo (or
Bremor_, the progenitor of the Cocke Family of Henrico Co, whose estate
adjoined the lands of John Pearce and Thomas Harris. In this same year
(1636) his neighbor, Capt Thomas Harris patented 700 a in addition to his
previous holdings near "The Bremo's dividend" (Id., V, 72). lived on NS of
Turkey Creek, Death of Richd the Elder: Genalogies of Va Families, Vol II,
Genealogy of the COCKE Family in Virginia, by James C Southall, p 109,
Witnessed by Wm Randolph and Wm Randolph, Jr, and certified by James Cocke,
Cl. Cur., Son, Richard was Exor.
.....+11230 Elizabeth m: Only these three children, and Several
grandchildren
.2 11051 Thomas COCKE, Capt b: 1638 in of "Pickthorne Farm", Henrico Co.
(Title is for County Military Establishment) d: Aft. December 10, 1696
in Henrico Co, VA (date of Will, probated April 1, 1697) (Was living at
"Malvern Hills")
(His father gave him Malvern Hills in his will by deed. about 1663 near time
of his first marriage. When Thomas died, more than 30 years afterwards, no
doubt he likewise was buried in the Garden at Malvern HIlls in compliance
with the wish expressed in his will dated 10 Dec 1696, probated 1 Apr 1697
(Henrico Co Recds, Book 5, 1684-1697, pp 684, foll, Archives Div., VA State
Library.) Accrding to Dr Moore, a historian of this family, no trace of a
grave can be found now at Malvern Hills. a Justice of Henrico, Along with
his bro, Richard the Elder, Genalogies of Va Families, Vol II, Genealogy of
the COCKE Family in Virginia, by James C Southall, p 106; Sheriff of
Henrico Co and Coroner; Thomas & Richard own "Cocke's Ferry" (still known as
CF in 1810) and an "Ordinary" at the Ct Hs in Varina; Thomas deeds 625 a of
land to Wm Randolph (very probably Turkey Island); Was living on NS of
Turkey Creek
.....+11222 Margaret WOOD, Widow Jones m: 1663 in VA d: 1718 in
Malvern Hills, Henrico Co, VA (she survived Thomas by over twenty years)
Father: Abraham Wood, Maj Gen
*2nd Wife of [1] 11047 Richard COCKE, Lt Col:
.+11049 Mary ASTON b: Bet. 1620 - 1630 in (age is my own guesstimate)
m: Abt. 1646 in The children of this m were all minors when their father's
will was made. Father: Walter (Ashton) Aston, Lt Col
.2 11052 John COX, Sr b: 1647 in Was the proginator of the COX
family of Chesterfield & Henrico d: in (No Will on record and, so, no
names of his children.) (He was the god-son of Walter Aston, and the first
child of Mary Aston.
Genalogies of Va Families, Vol II, Genealogy of the COCKE Family in Virginia,
by James C Southall, p 110)
.....+11236 Mary DAVIS
.2 [2] 11053 William COCKE b: 1655 d: 1693 (Gen. of VA Fam. II,
Concerning COX and COCKE Families of Henrico, p 228. Doubtless he is the
same as William COX, Planter, who patented 100 acres of land within the
"precincts" of Elizabeth City, 20 Sept 1628.)
.....+11237 Jane CLARKE m: 1678 Father: Lt Col Daniel Clarke
(Genalogies of Va Families, Vol II, Genealogy of the COCKE Family in
Virginia, by James C Southall, p 109)
.*2nd Wife of [2] 11053 William COCKE:
.....+11238 Sarah FLOWER b: in of James City Co, VA m: Abt. 1689
(Genalogies of Va Families, Vol II, Genealogy of the COCKE Family in
Virginia, by James C Southall, p 109)
.2 11054 Richard COCKE, The Younger b: Abt. 1657 in Settled at "Old
Man's Creek", Charles City Co d: 1720 in Bremo, Henrico Co, VA (will
presented in court Oct 1720 by Ebenezar Adams) (Was living on SS of Turkey
Creek at "Old Man's Creek", in Charles City Co., Genalogies of Va Families,
Vol II, Genealogy of the COCKE Family in Virginia, by James C Southall, p
109)
.....+11058 Anne BOWLER b: January 23, 1674/75 d: April 24, 1705
Father: Thomas Bowler, Esq
.2 1089 Elizabeth COCKE b: Aft. 1658 in (Only dau and youngest child)
(Genealogies of VA Families, Vol II, Concerning the Origin of the Cockes of
Henrico, pp 34-40, Henrico records, 1678: "Elizabeth Cocke, Mary Randolph and
Anne Isham are witnesses to Eliz. Eppes Will.".)
.2 11056 Edward COCKE b: Unknown in (His relationship is proven by
will of his uncle, Walter Aston, Jr) (His relationship is proven by
will of his uncle, Walter Aston, Jr)
=========================================
Documents that I have transcribed:
Genealogies of VA Families, Vol II, Concerning the Origin of the Cockes of
Henrico, pp 34-40

The original seats of the COCKEs of Henrico were at BREMO and MALVERN HILLS
which were adjacent to each other on the JAMES RIVER (Id., III, 283, 284,
407, 410; V, 71-72; XXXVII, 158, 355, 357). It is doubtful whether Richard
COCKE himself bestowed the names on these places. The origin of the name
BREMO (Or BREMOR as it seems to have been originally) is not known, but it
was apparently in use in 1636 when Capt Thomas Harris lived near the "Bremoes
dividend". The place was situated in a little bend of the river between
Turkey Island and the Curles Estate where James COCKE lived after his
marriage with Elizabeth PLEASANTS (Id, IV, 89). In the old grave-yard at
BREMO "two badly shattered stones", with the inscriptions partly illegible,
may still be seen (Wm & Mary C Q, II, 204; VA M H & B, IV, 91-2; V, 71;
XXXVII, 231). One of them marks the grave of Richard Cocke, the elder and
tells us that he was the "Son of Richard of B...." (the last word cannot be
deciphered, but it was evidently 'Bremor'); while the other stone was erected
to the memory of Anne (Bowler) COCKE, wife of Richard COCKE (the Younger) of
"Bremor", as is plainly inscribed upon it.
(The name was sometimes spelt "Breemer" (VA M H & B XIV, 30) which may give a
clue to the correct or colloquial pronunciation. In the Acts of the Grand
Assembly, November, 1647, as recorded in the Norfolk co manuscript book, we
find an allusion to "Bremers land" adjoining Mulberry Island Parish (Id.,
XXIII, 247). An individual named Thomas BREMOR seems to have lived in York
Co in 1647 (Id., XII, 452); and this "Bremers land" may have belonged to him
or to a kinsman by the same name.)

Richard COCKE, who settled at Bremo in 1639 or earlier became an influential
man in that neighbourhood and was County Commandant or Lieutenant-Colonel of
Henrico. He was a member of the Grand Assembly or House of Burgesses from
Weyanoake [Gen of the COCKE Family in VA, Gen. of VA Fam. Vol II, p 104], and
in 1644 and 1654 for Henrico Co, and he was sheriff in 1655 (VA. M H & B,
III, 282, 405).

[Note from Gen of VA Families, Vol II, Gen. of the Cocke Family of VA, p 104:
The Presence of Richard COCKE in this Assembly was inadvertently overlooked
in referring to the matter in our article in the January number. The record
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
(3000 a in 1636) was for the bringing 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 which we shall advert to again hereafter.]

As Richard COCKE's eldest son was not born until 1638, it may be reasonably
inferred that he did not marry until after he came to Virginia, but we do not
know who was his first wife. Probably about 1646 he married his second wife,
Mary ASTON. She was the daughter of Lt Col Walter ASTON of Charles City Co,
who came to VA from Staffordshire in 1628 and was a prominent personage in
the colony until his death in 1656 (Id, III, 405; V, 313; especially
XXIV, 67-68). It is not unlikely that the families of COCKE and ASTON were
connected in England. (Id, V, 313; Wm & M C Q, 2nd ser, IX, 55, 56, 57; X,
160). It is significant to note that in 1637 Theodore MOYSES patented 2000 a
of land in James City Co for the transportation of 40 persons, one of whom
was Robert ASTEN (possibly a kinsman of Walter ASTON) and another was named
Richard COCKE (VA M H & B, VI, 297; Wm & M C Q, 2nd ser, IX, 57; Greer's
Early VA Imm, 14 etc). Who was this Richard COCKE who came to VA with Robert
ASTEN in 1637? If he was Richard COCKE of BREMO, it must have been another
Richard COCKE who (as we saw above) had patented 3000 a of land in Henrico co
the previous year (unless we suppose that Richard COCKE received a grant of
land in 1636 before his arrival in VA in 1637; which seems doubtful in view
of the other evidence. {Note by JPC: We have discovered in research of
other families that it was rather common for some to be the transported
immigrants - headrights - more than once. Some did it several times. This
means to me that we should look at more headrights and patents searching for
Richard COCKE.}

In this same source are several theories about where different COCKE
immigrants came from, but nothing to prove if this Richard was either one of
the earliest Richards or if he was kin. In conclusion, a comment is made at
the end of the article:
"Richard COCKE was just a plain country gentleman who made a home for himself
on the James River, where he became a person of some consequence in the
uplands of the Tidewater country. He was certainly far from conspicuous and
not particularly noteworthy. In one sense the question of his origin and
identity is apparently of little importance and is no more than an ordinary
genealogical puzzle. Nevertheless he was a typical representative of his
class and one of the early settlers in VA;; and for that reason, if for no
other, it is desirable and worth while to get a picture of him if possible.

Columbia University
New York, NY
December 12, 1930
=============================================================
Genealogies of VA Families, Vol II, Genealogy of the COCKE Family in VA, p
104:

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 VA from
Charles City (1619); his plantation was called in the alliterative style of
that day, "Jordan's Journey."

Thomas Jordan was Burgess for IOW Co, VA 1629, 31, 32. Richard Jordan was a
Burgess in 1676 and sheriff of Nansemond in 1718.

George Jordan was a Burgess from James City Co in 1644.

The name JORDAN was also a prominent one at the beginning of the eighteenth
century in Bristol Parish (Pr 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.

Will:
"In the name of God Amen., 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 my last will and testament hereby
revearsing 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 a to each of his sons and £100
to his daughter, and divides his personality equally among his children
(except 2 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 caske p. Annum" [equal to about $700 a year at present
(whenever this comment was made-JPC)
=============================================================
Genalogies of Va Families, Vol II, Genealogy of the COCKE Family in Virginia,
by James C Southall, p 109

His children lived on NS and SS of Turkey Creek, and 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 NS 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 NS, is
Malvern Hills, which is separated from the river by the estate of Turkey
Island (William Randolph's and afterwards owned by Bowler Cocke). On the
river above Turkey Island plantation was Curles, where James Cocke lived, and
Bremo in a little loop (the river makes a tremendous bend) lies just between,
about two miles from Malvern Hills.

(ibid), p 112
"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 othre, 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."
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Sources for these generations: