John Blankenbaker's Germanna History Notes

Note 344

A reader suggests that I have not covered the Cook family who were members of the Second Colony.  Let's see, if by putting our heads together, if we can't make a few statements about them.  Michael Cook (Koch) was from Schwaigern, where he had married Barbara Reiner; however, in Virginia, his wife's name seems to have been Mary.  Whether Barbara and Mary are the same person is not proven, but Mary does appear to be a Reiner.  In fact, in the Hebron Register she is given as a "Steiner", which is surely a mistake for Reiner.  Another minor mystery is why Michael Cook and Jacob Crigler had a joint patent for land.

Michael and Mary Cook had four children in Virginia:  Margaret, Dorothy, Adam, and George.  The Hebron Church Register has many references to the families and their members, and it is possible to state that the four children and their marriage partners were (keeping the number 1 for Michael):

  1. George Cook, born before 1723, married first, Mary Sarah Reiner, his first cousin, and married second, Anna Maria Hoffman.  He died about 1802.  Mary Sarah Reiner came with her family about 1750.  Her father is believed to be the brother of Michael Cook's wife.
  2. Adam Cook, born before 1723 also, married Barbara Fleshman.
  3. Dorothy Cook, married John Carpenter, Jr.
  4. Margaret Cook, married Philip Snyder.  She died about 1795.

I have the following grandchildren of Michael.  Children of George Cook and his first wife, Mary Sarah Reiner:

  1. Mary Barbara Cook, b. 1751, married John Blankenbaker.
  2. Margaret Cook, b. 1753, married Christopher Tanner.
  3. Magdalena Cook, b. 1756, married John Huffman.
  4. Elizabeth Cook, b. 1758, d. before 1805, no marriage known.
  5. Dorothy Cook, b. 1762, no marriage known.
  6. Diana Cook, died at a young age.
  7. Lewis Cook, b. 1768, married Mary Yager.

All of the above children birth's are in the Hebron Register.  Children of George Cook and his second wife, Anna Maria Hoffman:

  1. Ambrose Cook, b. 1775, married Susanna Fleshman.
  2. Aaron Cook, b. 1776, married Leanna Garr.
  3. Sara Cook, b. 1777, married Andrew Huffman.
  4. George Cook, b. 1778, married Jemina Wilhoit.
  5. Rosanna Cook, b. 1779.
  6. Cornelius Cook, b. 1780, married Mary Wilkinson.
  7. Moses Cook, married in 1804, Elizabeth Grayson.
  8. ? Jemina ? (This may have been a daughter-in-law, not a daughter.)

Not all of the children of the second family are in Register.  Another source of information on the members of the family is the estate settlement of George Cook.  As we proceed with the discussion of the Cook family, perhaps readers can add or correct what is said.

Incidentally, I am always open to suggestions as to topics to cover here.  But remember that I may not know anything about your favorite topic.

We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.