George was living in Birdingbury at the time of his first marriage. In the 1760s, he moved to Whitnash, where his third child was baptized in 1769, and where he appears on a list of voters in 1774. He left an estate at Whitnash in his will, but by 1800, at the time of his second marriage, he was living in the parish of St Mary’s, Warwick (where his first wife had been living at the time of her marriage to George.) He was still living in the parish, in West Street, at the time of his death in 1819. He is described as a “gentleman” in his will.
Events
Date of Birth: 1733.
If his age at death is given correctly in his burial record, it would imply a date of birth between 11 April 1733 and his baptism on 21 August 1733. George's age at burial is given as "85 years" in the Birdingbury parish register and in the St Mary's Warwick register.
Date of Baptism: 21 August 1733.
Place of Baptism: Birdingbury, Warwickshire.
His baptism is recorded in the parish register.
Date of Death: 10 April 1819.
Place of Death: unknown.
The date is given on his gravestone.
Date of Burial: 14 April 1819.
Place of Burial: Warwick, Warwickshire. (St Mary’s).
The date and place are given in his burial record in the St Mary’s parish register.
(Actual?) Place of Burial: Birdingbury, Warwickshire.
The date and place are given in his burial record in the Birdingbury register. George asked in his will to be buried in Birdingbury near to his first wife, and there is indeed a monument there.
Relationships
Father: George Cooke (1684/5 - 1755).
Mother: Anne Neale.
See the Commentary section.
Spouse: Jane Clement (about 1734 - 31 March 1799). Married 14 October 1753 at Ashow, Warwickshire.
The marriage is recorded in the parish register.
Spouse: Mary. Married 8 December 1800 at Warwick, St Mary’s. “Mary Cooke”. Mary being a widow, “Cooke” was presumably the surname of her previous husband. The marriage is given in the parish register.
Children (by Jane Clement):
(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project.)
George Cooke (baptized 16 June 1756 in Birdingbury - died 10 June 1819) married Martha Arnold 20 March 1783 in Southam.
Thomas Cooke (baptized 26 January 1762 in Birdingbury).
William Cooke (baptized 21 February 1769 in Whitnash) married Elizabeth Adcock 2 August 1792 in Painswick, Gloucestershire.
Evidence
George Cooke’s baptism record (1733, Marton and Birdingbury)
Aug. 21. was baptized George Son of George Cooke & Anne his Wife of Marton Parish
[image at FamilySearch]
Marriage record of George Cooke and Jane Clement (1753, Ashow)
George Cooke of Birdingbury & Jane Clement of St. Mary’s Warwick were married Oct: 14th
[image at FamilySearch]
Baptism records of George Cooke’s children:
[1756, Birdingbury]
June 16th George Son of George & Jane Cook was baptiz’d
[1762, Birdingbury]
Jan: 26th Thomas Son of George & Jane Cook was baptiz’d.
[Whitnash]
William Son of George Cook & Jane his Wife Was Baptised Feburary [sic] the 21st 1769
Marriage Record of George Cooke and Mary Cooke (Warwick St Mary’s)
No. 33.
George Cooke Widower of this Parish & Mary Cooke of the same Parish Widow were Married in this Ch.ch by License this Eighth Day of Decem.r in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and ----- By me Marmaduke Matthews Vicar
This Marriage was solemnized between Us George Cooke Mary Cooke
in the Presence of Wm Shaw Samuel Twycross(?)
[image at FamilySearch]
1811 census of Warwick
West Street
Geo: Cook: 1 house, 1 family, 1 male, 1 female, 2 persons in total.
George Cooke’s burial record (April 1819, Warwick St Mary)
No. 669.
Name: George Cooke
Abode: West Street
When Buried: 14
Age: 85
By whom the Ceremony was performed: A H Morrison
[image at FamilySearch]
George Cooke’s monument at Birdingbury (transcribed at Birdingbury.org)
In Memory of GEORGE COOKE (a Native of this place) who died April 10th 1819 AGED 83 YEARS ALSO OF JANE, his wife, who died March 31st 1799 AGED 65 YEARS Blessed are the dead which die in the LORD.
George Cooke’s Will
In the name of God Amen I George Cooke of the West Street in the Parish of St Mary in the Borough of Warwick in the County of Warwick Gentleman being of sound and disposing Mind memory and understanding praised be almighty God for the same So make ordain and publish this my last will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say first it is my desire to be interred near to my first Wife in the Church Yard of Birdingbury and that a large [...] Stone be laid over us with a proper inscription thereon and I will and direct that all my just Debts funeral expences and the charges of proving this my will be fully paid & satisfied and I give and bequeath unto my Son Thomas Cook the sum of Three hundred pounds to be paid to him by my Executor hereinafter named within six Months next after my decease (and the further sum of one hundred pounds) to be paid to him with two years next after my decease both the said sums to be paid out of my personal Estate also I give to my said Son Thomas Cook my wearing Apparel of all kinds also I give and devise unto my Son George Cooke all that my Messuage or Tenement Barns Stables Outbuildings Land Heredits and real Estate whatsoever situate and being at Whitnash in the said County of Warwick with all the Appurtenances thereunto belonging and now in the tenure or occupation of Nicholas Wright To hold the same unto and to the use of him my said Son George Cooke his Heirs and Assigns for ever subject nevertheless to and charged and chargeable with the paymt of the sum of Eight hundred pounds to my Grandson Thomas Cook Son of my late Son William Cook late of Studley deceased five hundred pounds part thereof to be paid to him my said Grandson Thomas Cook within six Months next after my decease and the remaining three hundred pounds to be paid to him within two years next after the payment of the said five hundred pounds and in case my said Grandson Thomas Cook shall happen to depart this life either before or after me and before either or both the said sums of Money shall become due and payable to him as aforesaid then I give such of the said sums of Money as shall not be due and payable unto all the Children of my said Son George Cooke and of my said Son Thomas Cooke in equal shares and proportions share and share alike & also I do hereby subject and make chargeable my said Messuage or Tenement Buildings Lands Heredits and real Estate at Whitnash aforesaid with the Appurtenances thereunto belonging with the payment of the further sum of one hundred pounds to each of the Children on my said Son Thomas Cook being all Daughters to be paid to them respectively by my said Son George Cooke his Heirs or Assigns within six Months next after my decease provided always and in case either or any of them the said Daughters of my said Son Thomas Cooke shall happen to depart this life either before or after me and before their said Legacy or Legacies shall become payable to them as aforesaid leaving issue of her or their body or bodies lawfully begotten then it is my will that the Legacy or Legacies left to her or them so Dying leaving issue as aforesaid shall go belong and be paid to such her or their issue if more than one in equal shares and proportions and if but one then to such only Child to and for his her or their own use and benefit to be paid to him her or them at his her or their age or ages of twenty one years and the Interest thereof in the meantime to be applied for his her or their use and benefit provided also and in case either or any of them the said Daughters of my said Son Thoms Cook shall happen to depart this life either before or after me and before their said Legacy or Legacies shall become payable to them as aforesaid without leaving issue of her or their body or bodies lawfully begotten then it is my will and I do hereby give the Legacy or Legacies left to her or them so dying without leaving issue as aforesaid unto the survivors or survivor of them the said Daughters of my said Son Thomas Cooke if more than one in equal shares and proportions and if but one then to such one so surviving to and for her or their own use and benefit to be paid to such so surviving to and for her or their own use and benefit to be paid to such survivors or survivors at the same time or times as her or their own Legacy or Legacies will be payable under this my will also I give and devise unto my said Son George Cooke all that my Messuage or Tenement with the Garden & Appurtenances thereunto belonging situate and being in the West Street. Aforesaid in the said Borough of Warwick and now in my own occupation To hold the same unto and to the use of him my said Son George Cooke his Heirs and Assigns for ever also I give and bequeath to my said son George Cooke all my Goods Chattels Monies securities for Money and all the residue and remainder of my real and personal estate and effects of all kinds & sorts whatsoever and wheresoever not by me hereinbefore given devised or bequeathed To hold the same unto and to the use of him my said Son George Cooke his Heirs Executors Admors & Assigns for ever and I do hereby appoint my said Son George Cooke sole Executor of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former and other will and wills by me at any time herebefore made and declaring ratifying and confirming this only to be my last will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said testator George Cooke to this my last will and testament written & contained on two sheets of paper to the first sheet thereof have set my hand and to the second or last sheet thereof my hand and seal the fourteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & eighteen George Cooke( LS) Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Testator George Cooke as and for his last will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses the above erasure and two small interlineations above appearing having been first made, Thos Hiron Wm Tibbit John Fairfields,
Proved at London 3 June 1819 before the Judge by the Oath of George Cooke the Son & sole Executor to whom Admon was granted having been first sworn by Commission duly to administer.
The Will of Thomas Cooke of Rugby (the brother of George’s father)
In the Name of God Amen I Thomas Cooke of Rugby in the County of Warwick yeoman being of Sound and Disposing mind and memory Do make this my last Will and Testament as follows, viz I give and bequeath unto Thomas Cooke George Cooke William Cooke Edward Cooke Mary Cooke Elizabeth Cooke and Esther Cooke children of my nephew John Cooke of Birbury in the said County yeoman and to their several Executors and adm[inistrat]ors the sum of Thirty pounds apiece the sume to be paid by my Executors to the said Thomas George and William at the End of Twelve Months next after my Decease and to the said Edward at his Age of Twenty one years and to the said Mary Elizabeth and Esther, at their Several Ages of Twenty four years or respective days of marriage whether first shall happen I also Give unto the said Elizabeth Cooke the principal sum of Twenty pounds Due to me from Thomas Chamberlain of Hillmorton and his son on theire Bond and all Interest due and to Grow due thereon Item I Give to Humfrey George John and Mary Children of my late Sister Emmeria Wheatley Deceased and to their Several Executors and Adm[inistrat]ors the Sum of Ten pounds apiece to be paid by my Executors at the End of Twelve Months next after my Decease Item I Give to Jonathan Hopkins Son of my niece Mary Hopkins Deceased his Executors and Adm[inistrat]ors the Sum of Ten pounds to be paid at the End of Twelve months after my Decease Item I Give to George and Thomas Cooke Children of my nephew George Cooke of Whitnash in the said County and to their Several Executors and Adm[inistrat]ors the sum of Thirty pounds apiece to be paid at their Several Ages of Twenty one years and to William Cooke son of my said nephew George Cooke I Give the Sum of Ten pounds to be paid at his Age of Twenty and one years. Item I Give to my nephew John Cooke the Sum of Ten pounds. Item I Give to Jane Daughter of my late sister Mary Hobley Deceased and to her Executors and Adm[inistrat]ors the Sum of Ten pounds to be paid at the End of Twelve Months after my Decease. Item I Give to Elizabeth Daughter of my nephew John Cooke my best Bed with the pillows Bolster Blankets Bedstead Curtains and Valence thereto belonging and also three pair of sheets and one Petticoat being the best of the two remaining undisposed of Item I Give to my said nephew John Cooke all my Wearing Apparel Item All the residue of my personal Estate And all my messuages Lands Tenements Hereditaments and real Estate whatsoever I Give Devise and bequeath unto and to the use of my said nephew George Cooke and to John Cooke Son of my said nephew John Cooke and to their several heirs Executors and Adm[inistrat]ors equally to be Divided between them and Tenants in Common And I do hereby Charge all my messuages Lands Tenements hereditaments and real Estate whatsoever in aid of Personal Estate with the payment of the several Legacies herein before bequeathed And I Do appoint my said nephew George Cooke and the said John Cooke son of my said nephew John Cooke Joint Executors of this my Will And I do hereby revoke all former Wills and Do publish and Declare this to be my last Will and Testament in Witness whereof I the said Testator Thomas Cooke have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty Third Day February in the year of our Lord One thousand and Seven hundred and Sixty nine the mark of Thomas Cooke signed sealed published and Declared by the said Testator Thomas Cooke as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto Subscribed our names as Witnesses -- the words "Petticoat being the best of the two remaining undisposed of" being first Interlined -- Thos. Harris, Thos. Harris ?? Jere. Taylor
(proved 31 March 1769)
Commentary
George’s parentage
George’s 1819 burial record gives his age at death as 85. His gravestone gives 83. George’s first two children were baptized in Birdingbury and he and his wife were buried there. This information enables us to identify George’s baptism: 21 August 1733 in Birdingbury. The baptism entry records his parents as “George Cooke & Anne his Wife of Marton Parish”.
George and Ann had also had a daughter baptized at Birdingbury, in 1731. A 1729 marriage bond and allegation record the intended marriage of “George Cook of Burdenbury” and “Anne Neal of Burdenbury”.
The will of “George Cooke of Burbury”, made in 1742 and proved in 1756, names his son George Cooke. In his 1769 will, Thomas Cooke of Rugby names his nephew George Cooke of Whitnash (the George Cooke of this page) and George’s sons George Cooke, Thomas Cooke, and William Cooke.
References
Census of Warwick, 1811. Digital images on FamilySearch.org.
George Cooke baptism registration, parish registers for Marton and Birdingbury, Warwickshire 1701-1750; digital image Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 March 2014) citing Warwickshire County Record Office; Warwick, England; Warwickshire Anglican Registers; Roll: Engl/2/1019; Document Reference: DR0 53.
George Cooke - Jane Clement marriage registration (14 October 1753), parish register for Ashow, Warwickshire 1733 - 1807; digital image Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 24 March 2014) citing Warwickshire County Record Office; Warwick, England; Warwickshire Anglican Registers; Roll: Engl/2/1053; Document Reference: DR 156.
The Poll of the Freeholders of Warwickshire: Taken at Warwick on the 20th, 21st, 22d, 24th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, and 31st of October, 1774 (Coventry: J.W.Piercy and J. Sharp, 1775). Page 94.
Warwickshire County Record Office; Warwickshire Jurors' Lists; Reference Number: QS76; Microfilms: PG3283, PG3284; digital images Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 March 2014)
Warwickshire County Record Office; Warwickshire Gamekeepers' Records; Reference Number: QS15; Microfilm: PG3173; digital images Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 March 2014)
George Cooke - Mary Cooke marriage registration (8 December 1800), parish register for Warwick St Mary, marriages 1800-1824, no.33; digital image Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 24 March 2014) citing Warwickshire County Record Office; Warwick, England; Warwickshire Anglican Registers.
George Cooke burial registration (14 April 1819), parish register for Warwick, St Mary, 1813-1824, page 84, no. 669 ; digital image Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 March 2014) citing Warwickshire County Record Office; Warwick, England; Warwickshire Anglican Registers; Roll: Engl 09000 105; Document Reference: DR 447.
Digital image of the gravestone of George Cooke at Birdingbury at www.Birdingbury.org.
URL: http://www.birdingbury.org/?page_id=704&nggpage=5
[Photographs 19m-a and 19m-b. If you hover your mouse over the photographs, their numbers will appear.]
Will of George Cooke, Gentleman of Saint Mary, Warwickshire, in Church of England. Province of Canterbury. Prerogative Court.Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Probate Records, 1384-1858, PROB 11/1617/6.
Will of Thomas Cooke, Yeoman of Rugby, Warwickshire , in Church of England. Province of Canterbury. Prerogative Court.Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Probate Records, 1384-1858, PROB 11/946/359.