Francis Cooke

  Noted events in his life were:

• Background Information. ⁵⁷⁵
There are no records to tell anything of the childhood of Francis Cooke. His name first appears in records in Lyden in 3 Apr 1603 where is described as a woolcomber from England. He appeared as a witness to marriage of another woolcomber named Raphael Roelandt. Months later, 30 Jun, in the same year, Francis Cooke was married to Hester le Mahieu. Raphael Roelandt was now the witness for Francis at his marriage. Again in 1603, the 6 of November, there is a baptismal witness for the baptism of Hester's sister's child Philippe. Hesters sister, Marie Mahieu was married to Jan de Lannoy.

Mentioned as a note in the Walloon Library of Leyden, Francis and his wife left Leyden for Norwich, England on 8 Aug 1606. Similar mention is made for their return from England to Leyden in order to have their son baptized within the Leyden Walloon congregation, and to have family memembers as godparents. The church records also names the couple on 1607 for the baptism of their son John, in 1608, New Year's Day another note tells that the Cooke-Mahieu couple had lived in Norwich among the Walloon group also living there. Their daughter Elizabeth baptism of 26 Dec 1611 is also recorded in the Walloon's church records.

~Francis Cooke, The Mayflower, pp. 1-3

• Dates & Events. ⁵⁷⁵
Francis Cooke and his son John left Delfshaven Holland aboard a ship named Speedwell. Their journey began in July of 1620, and continued when they transfered to the Mayflower which set sail on 16 Sep 1620. On 21 Nove 1620, Francis Cooke, along with my other ancestors, John Alden, William Mullins & Richard Warren, signed the Mayflower Compact before stepping ashore on what was to become Massachusetts.

• Will: The inventory of Francis's Will can be found at the Pilgrim Hall Museum's Website.
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 ffrancis Cooke

Witnes John Alden, John Howland

• The Great Migration Begins. ⁴⁴⁶
Information for the Great Migration Begins by the New England Historic and Genealogical Society on Francis Cooke:

On a list dated 1633, his listed as freeman, admitted on 1 Jan 1632/33. He again shows up on a 7 Mar 1636/37 and 1658 list of freemen.

The books he had in his inventory are 1 great Bible & 4 old books valued at 10s.

He was on committees to lay out land grants. He served on the Plymouth petit jury, grand jury and Cornoner's jury. He surveryed highways and was an arbitrator in land dispute between Thomas Pope and William Shurtleff, 2 August 1659. He was also among those listed to bear arms on a list dated 1643.

Sources:
Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, Nathaniel B. Shurtleff and David Pulsifer, eds., 12 volumes in 10 (Boston 1855-1861)

A Quote from William Bradford: "Francis Cooke is still living, a very old man, and hath seen his children's children have children. After his wife came over with other of his children; he hath three still living by her, all married and have five children, so their increase is eight. And his son John which came over with him is married, and hath four children living"

• Web Reference: Francis Cooke from Wikipedia.

Signing the Mayflower Compact 1620, a painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris 1899

• Web Reference: Francis Cooke from the Pilgrim Hall Museum.

Francis married Hester le Mahieu, daughter of Jacques le Mahieu and Jeanne, on 4 Jul 1603 in Leyden, Holland.⁵⁷⁵ (Hester le Mahieu was born in 1582-1588 in Canterbury, Kent, England,⁵⁷⁵ died between 8 Jun 1666 and 18 Dec 1666 in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, British American Colonies ⁵⁷⁵ and was buried in Burial Hill, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Marriage Record. ⁵⁷⁵
Francis Cooke is recorded in the Leiden Municipal Archives as "Franchoijs Couck, bachelor form England with the occupation as woolcomber." His witnesses were Phillippe de Veau and Raphael Roelandt. Hester's wistnesses were her mother and sister who were both named Jeanne Mahiel.

~Francis Cooke of the Mayflower, p. 2