Note: The following is a section of a family history compiled by Herbert Armstrong Poole between 1905 & 1960, transcribed by AAA Maitland 1998. Subject numbers are HAP's originals. HAP's page divisions are shown: after subject page numbers are complete document page numbers in brackets and issue dates. The original text had generations indented in turn: here, generation numbers are added to each individual: the children of the title subject are "1/--". Subject 1388. 25/4/51 P1 (416) THOMAS COOKE. The following is from "Ten Generations of the Briggs Family" by Pearl Leona Heck, 1932. Thomas Cooke was born at Earls Colne, England, in 1603, and died at Portsmouth, R.I., in 1677. His ancestor, from a pedigree in Miller's History of Dorchester, England, was Edward Cooke, born about 1450 who was Mayor of that place in 1509. The Arms of this Cooke family were:- Head, argent, ducally gorged. Argent, a lion rampant, sable, over all a chevron, ermine. Crest:- A wolfs head, argent ducally gorged. Thomas Cooke emigrated to America in 1635-6, settling first at Boston, then Plymouth, Then to Taunton, Mass., in 1637 where he became a proprietor. He was called Captain when he came to America and was probably in the English army. At Plymouth he was honored with a Commission to survey the west line of Rhode Island Colony. In 1637, he with 54 others purchased land known as Taunton from the Tetiquet Indians, situated on Taunton River, an Indian village. He removed to Portsmouth, R.I., in 1643, than called Pocasset, and his first homestead was about six miles from Newport, R.I., opposite Fogland Point in Tiverton on 200 acres of superior farm land. The estate remained in the Cooke family until 1804, when it became the property of Samuel Clarke: it was known as the Glen Farm until 1886. Thomas Cooke married, 1st, in 1620, Mary --, born in England in 1605. He married, 2nd, Mary --, who survived him, and married, 2nd, Jeremiah Browne. Thomas had no children by his second wife. Thomas Cooke's will, dated May 2/1677, left his wife Mary, the mansion house and land belonging to it, she to enjoy the whole estate of moveables, cattle, &c, and household stuff. To son Jacob, a cow, and to all his other children, one shilling each. To deceased son Thomas' two youngest daughters, Phoebe and Martha, œ15 a piece at 18 years of age or at marriage. To grandson John, son of Thomas deceased, my house, and land adjoining orchard at death of my wife, and that grandson, when we pass, is to pay his brothers George, Stephen and Ebenezer, forty shillings, and the youngest son of Thomas to have said estate, or if he die, then to George, and if he die, then to Stephen. To Sarah Parker, wife of Peter Parker, five shillings, and to Sarah's three children, Penelope, Peter and Sarah, five shillings each, at the age of 18. If son George comes for his legacy from his father's estate, five shillings. Thomas' widow in 1678 took receipt from John Cooke for his legacy from his father, he calling her mother in law, instead of step mother, as was customary in those days. Witnesses were his wife Mary, overseers were Obadiah Holmes and Joseph Tony. Issue:- (by his first wife Mary ---) 1. Thomas Cooke. Born in England in 1628, died in Rhode Island in 1676. He married Mary ---. Issue :- 2/1. John Cooke, born 1652. He was captain in the Tiverton Colonial Army. 2/2. George Cooke, born 1655. 2/3. Stephen Cooke, born 1657. 2/4. Ebenezer Cooke, born 1659. 2/5. Phoebe Cooke, born 1661. She married Oliver Arnold. 2/6. Martha Cooke, born 1665. She married John Woodstock. 2. John Cooke. Born in 1631 in England, died 1691 at Portsmouth, R.I. He was made freeman in 1655. He and David Wilcox ran a ferry at Pocasset on June 3/1668. He was Deputy Governor in 167O. He married Mary Borden, baptized in England January 13/1632, daughter of Richard Subject 1386. (417) P2. and Joan (Fowle) Borden, see subject 1390. See subject 394 for issue and further particulars. 3. Sarah Cooke. Born in 1633 in England. She married Peter Parker, son George and Frances Parker of Portsmouth, R.I. Issue:. 2/1. Penelope Parker. 2/2. Peter Parker. 2/3. Sarah Parker. 4. George Cooke. Born in 1635 at Boston or Taunton, Mass. Name of wife unknown.