Sarah Sally Cook (Kincaid)

Birth: Jul. 6, 1793 Bath County Kentucky, USA Death: Aug. 22, 1889 Lebanon Collin County Texas, USA

Daughter of Andrew Kincaid and Martha Townsley. Wife of Henry Cook, married March 6, 1825 in Carrollton, IL.

Sarah "Sally" Kincaid Cook

Sarah Sally Kincaid's early life prepared her well for the life she would live as the wife of Henry Cook.

Sarah's Grandfather George Kincaid, came to America with his three brothers in 1746. He located first near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and later settled in what in now Allegheny County, Virginia near Falling Springs. Here in 1756, he was killed in an Indian raid, and his wife and three sons, (including Sarah's father, Andrew Kincaid) were captured by the savages. In 1764, after 7 years with the Indians, they were returned to civilization under the terms of the Bouquet Treaty. George's son, William and his two younger brothers, Andrew born in 1748 and Archibald born in 1750 grew to manhood in the Kincaid settlement along Jackson River in Virginia. William married Elizabeth Wilson and with his family and his two brothers moved back to Pennsylvania. Soon afterward both Andrew and Archibald Kincaid enlisted for service in the Revolutionary War, and were in the Pennsylvania Militia. After the war Andrew and Archibald married sisters, Martha "Mattie" Townsley and Janet Townsley respectively. Andrew and Archibald with their wives Mattie and Jannette, lived in the same stone house (to which additions were made) until there was born to each of them at least ten children. They farmed. After cropping season, Archibald teamed to Philadelphia while Andrew had charge of the families and farm affairs. Janette took charge of the manufacturing, weaving, spinning and sewing, while Mattie did the general housekeeping and domestic duties of the large family. About 1795, both families moved to Kentucky settling on adjoining farms in Bath Co., near Sharpsburg. It was here that Sarah "Sally" Kincaid was born to Andrew Kincaid and Martha "Mattie" Townsley Kincaid on the 25 June 1798 in Kentucky. Growing up in a family of 20+ children taught Sarah a lot about how large families worked together and about frontier life in a combined and loving family.

On March 6, 1825, Sarah married Henry Cook in Greene Co., Illinois. Six children were born to Sarah and Henry (Martha, Elizabeth, Rachel, Lewis Franklin, Daniel, and Sarah Jane) and she treated Henry's five children by Alcy Nix (Henry, David, William, Jacob and Mary Ann) as her own. They came to Texas by wagon caravan and claimed land as Peter's Colonists in 1846.

The following story describes their life in Texas.

From: "Lebanon on the Preston" by: Adelle Rogers Clark; 1959

The Henry Cook home was known as the "Lone" or "Lonesome" house. The house of this farm was a trail marker by day and a light-house by night, visible in all directions. It was located on a little crest from which this family saw great herds of buffaloes roaring across the prairie. Located on a crest which overlooked one of the most extensive views along the old north-south Preston Trail, an old house nestled like an orphan bird in the grass, attracting travelers across the prairie. Its silhouette by day and its dim lights after nightfall beckoned many to stop to visit, to camp, to spend the night and enjoy its hospitality. Here on the coals of the rock fireplace could often be found beef, deer, antelope, prairie chickens, or wild turkeys being roasted to a golden brown. Sometimes cowboys lingered to attend church services in the house, which gained the name of the "lonesome house". Even though it was a happy place for the white man, redskin visitors often struck terror into the hearts of the family residing there. All of North Central Texas was a vast wilderness. Dallas had only thirty-nine inhabitants, when Henry Cook, age 75, took up a headright of 640 acres in Peters Colony. With him he brought a large family in 1845, and built a small home for them. Mr. Cook could not have known then that his house was to become almost a legend and would become known in that vicinity as the "lonesome house." His first house was two big rooms built of logs with two rock fireplaces --- one at each end of the house. For several years the Cook family lived in this small house. In the summer they spent much time in the dog trot, as the open hall was called. Although one room was practically filled with beds, the boys had to sleep in the kitchen. Later, a side room was built and given the boys. In this additional room were beds across one entire side with ropes to support the straw ticks instead of wooden slats. On top of the straw ticks were soft feather beds. In the cook house, the Liberty Church was organized, a school was conducted, and dances were held. One of the gayest evenings of all according to Mrs. Rachel Cook Baccus, was the wedding supper. In contrast to the happy carefree atmosphere inside, the animals outside were always herded into a "pen" of wagons which provided some protection against the Indians who often swooped across the prairies to capture or steal as many good horses as possible. The Indians who molested the white settlers usually were after either horses or food. Nevertheless, Indians riding across the prairie toward a little log house were enough to put cold fear in the heart of any housewife. One day, Mrs. Henry Cook (Sarah Kincaid Cook), was alone with her children in their house on Preston Trail when she saw a group of redskins riding in her direction. Quickly she got the frightened children out of sight under the beds, and then went to answer the scratching at the animal skin that served as a door. Although Sarah was so frightened she could hardly think she suddenly remembered that a friend had told her that if the Indians were offered food they might not do any harm. Luckily the pioneer housewife was cooking a big pot of beans that day. Grabbing up the pot of steaming beans she set it outside for the unwanted visitors to eat, and even gave them spoons to eat with. To Sarah's great relief, the Indians ate the beans, looked around for a good yearling, which they drove off with. But they had not harmed anyone.

Sally was left a widow in 1862 when Henry died. She applied for a widow's pension based on his service in the War of 1812. When she finally collected her $8.00 a month for about 7 years in a lump sum she promptly purchased a large zinc monument for Lt. Henry Cook's grave and it looks as good today as it did then. Sarah passed away in 1889 and is buried next to Henry in the Baccus Cemetery which was formerly called the Cook Cemetery located on Henry and Sarah's land. Daughter Rachel Cook Baccus deeded the cemetery to the Cook heirs and descendants are continuing to be buried there to this day.

Family links:

Spouse:

 Henry Cook (1775 - 1862)*

Children:

 Martha Cook Martin (1826 - 1906)*

 Elizabeth Cook Heustis (1828 - 1920)*

 Rachel Cook Baccus (1830 - 1912)*

 Lewis F. Cook (1834 - 1919)*

 Sarah Jane Cook Dudley (1839 - 1928)*

• Calculated relationship

Burial: Baccus Cemetery Plano Collin County Texas, USA Plot:

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Maintained by: Sandra Belt Grimes Originally Created by: TJM Record added: Oct 17, 2004 Find A Grave Memorial# 9627620