Rev. William Cooke

biography

From Find A Grave Memorial# 116546871

William Cooke was apparently born in Dorset, but his birth record has not been found. He attended Magdalen College, Oxford and graduated in 1587 with a masters degree. Cooke was a non-conformist. The Queen wrote a letter to the Fellowes of Magdalen, commanding them to elect Nicholas Bond as President. Twelve of the Fellows, including Cooke, petitioned the Archbishop of Canterbury on behalf of the non-conformist candidate, Ralph Smith, who was elected. This displeased the Queen and the election was overturned. In 1589, Cooke was a lecturer at Magdalen and was given a year's leave to preach in Wales.

In 1598, he resigned from the college and became the second vicar of Crediton, Devon. He had been the vicar's preacher for two years before that. He married Martha White of Stanton St. John, Oxford, daughter of John White, gentleman, on April 27, 1597 at Stockton, Wiltshire. The rector of Stockton was John Terry, husband of Martha's sister Mary. As vicar of Crediton, he became one of the twelve governors of Crediton. William and Martha had seven children, all probably born at Crediton.

William wrote his will on February 7, 1615 and it was proved on June 26, 1615. The parish register for that year is in very poor conition and the exact date of Williams' death is unknown. His successor as vicar was instituted on April 4, 1615 indicating William's death before that date. As vicar, William would have been buried in the churchyard of Holy Cross Church in Crediton.

Family

(5). Martha White (c.1580 - aft 1648) married twice. Firstly on 27 Apr 1597 at Stockton in Wiltshire to Rev. William Cooke MA (c1561/4-1615). (32).

Children

• 1 M Nathaniel Cooke Chris 1603, Crediton, Devon, England Burial20 Apr 1603, Crediton, Devon, England [605]
• 2 F Elizabeth Cooke Birthabt 1602, Prob. Crediton, Devon, England Death1682, Marblehead, Essex Co, MA [604] AFN4JDN-C4 SpouseRev. William WALTON Marriage10 Apr 1627, Holy Trinity Church, Dorchester, England [605]
• 3 M Samuel Cooke Christen13 Jan 1604/5, Crediton, Devon, England [605] Death? , Crediton, Devon, England
• 4 F Susannah Cooke Christen20 Jan 1606, Crediton, Devon, England [379] Deathaft 1637 Death MemoNamed in Aunt Mary’s will
• 5 M Nathaniel Cooke Christen18 Jun 1609, Crediton, Devon, England [379] Death-aft 1637 Death MemoNamed in Aunt Mary’s will
• 6 F Mary Cooke ChristenMay 1611, Crediton, Devon, England [379] Death1645-1650 [1049] SpouseAaron Cooke
• 7 F Martha Cooke Christen7 Feb 1614, Crediton, Devon, England [605] Deathbef 1637 Death MemoNot named in aunt Mary’s will

notes

• *“Rev. COOKE received his BA on Nov. 3, 1582 and MA on Jul. 22, 1587 from Magdalen College, Oxford. He became a fellow of Magdalen College, and on Sep. 20, 1595 was chosen to be vicar of the church of Crediton, Devonshire. Since Magdalen College fellows were not permitted to marry, he resigned the position prior to his marriage in 1598... (Will) names wife Martha, son Nathaniel, and daughters Elizabeth, Susan, Mary and Martha. Also named was "Mr. John White, my father in lawe," and an overseer was "Brother-in-law, Mr. John White, preacher in Dorchester.”” (Stephen Lawson, sml.simplenet.com/ancestries/terry.htm, ref Search for Mary and John [544])
  • Rev. William Cooke, was b. perhaps at Yorkshire; was Vicar of Crediton, Devon, England (NEHGR, 142:362); elected Forman-Chaplain from Yorkshire; was a Non-Conformist; Praelector of Hebrew, 1589; will dated 7 Feb. 1614/15, proved in Prerogative Court at Canterbury, 26 June 1615
  • "The surname of Martha's second husband was Moore whom she married prior to 6th Oct 1637 as she is named as Martha Moore under the will of her sister Mary Terry. I have not however managed to locate a marriage record. She was still alive in 1648 as she is also referred to as Martha Moore in John White's Will."

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• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~fordingtondorset/Files/Dor...
• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~amorrow/fg08/fg08_410.html
• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~ccridland/P61.htm