The original photo of John Cook [on right] came to me from his Gt Gt Grandson.
John Cook was born about 1785 or 1786 in Norfolk.
Hereinafter, referred to as "Our John Cook" was the son of Thomas Galliard/[Gallard Cook, who was the Parish Clerk in Wacton, Norfolk.
We know Thomas Galliard/Gallard Cook is Our John Cook's Father as he is named on the marriage certificate of Our John Cook to Mary Ann Levitt in 1867.
Various places of birth are shown on the census for Our John Cook: Can't seem to find Alymerton and Woolton is possibly Wootton, but not close to Wacton.
I have looked at some online parish records, other than those on Ancestry, and found a baptism in Aslacton, which is close to Wacton where Thomas Galliard Cook was Parish Clerk, parents: Thomas & Mary - so I think this most likely and that he was born in Aslacton.
Previously, it was thought that Our John Cook married Eliza Jarvis in 1816 in Marsham, Norfolk and that their first child John, born 1819, was christened in Marsham.
However, John Cook son of Our John Cook is the on 1881 Census living at 138 Romford Road, West Ham [we know this is the correct John Cook as this address is in Our John Cook's Will] was born in "Middx n.k.".
Note "n.k." abbreviation for not known. So, NOT Norfolk.
Our John Cook’s Father, Thomas Galliard [Gallard] Cook appears to have been a Worsted Weaver at one time [Worsted Weaving was a widespread industry in Norfolk since the 1400s]. It may be Our John Cook was also a Weaver when he first came to London
[baptism records for John and Francis]. Therefore, I think that the marriage of John Cook to Eliza Jarvis and birth of son John in Marsham, Norfolk is not Our John Cook. Rather that he was married to Elizabeth, surname unknown in London and the children born there.
Children of Our John Cook and wife Elizabeth:
Elizabeth born 1817.
John born 1819.
Susannah
Francis, born 3rd September 1823
Henry born 11th September 1825.
Elizabeth and John baptized at St Mary’s Whitechapel.
Susannah, Francis and Henry baptised at St Georges in the East, Stepney - which was near the Wapping Docks where Our John Cook worked.
St Mary's Whitechapel in the mid 1890s - and - St Georges in the East [below]
My Ancestor Susannah Cook , born 19th June 1821 at North Street, Stepney, Tower Hamlets.
This is confirmed as correct from family papers.
Baptised "St George Middlesex" Saint George in the East, Tower Hamlets in 1821 - Occupation of Father: Labourer. Address North Street.
Francis born 27th July and baptised "St George Middlesex" Saint George in the East, Tower Hamlets 3rd September 1823 - Occupation of Father: Weaver. Address Batty Street.
Henry born North Street baptised "St George Middlesex" Saint George in the East, Tower Hamlets in 1826 - Occupation of Father:
Address North Street.
In 1841 Our John Cook was aged 55 and his wife Elizabeth also 55. Children Henry age 15 and Thomas age 10. All living at 18 Jamaica Street, Stepney.
The 1841 Census gives little information. As to place of birth it is either Y or N in the column "born in county" in this Case, Middlesex.
However, I think this is the correct entry as Henry born 1826 ties up with the baptism of Henry, son of John and Elizabeth, born at North Street.
Thomas is the correct age to be Our John's Grandson: born 1831.
[son of Thomas Galliard Cook the second]
In 1851 Our John Cook is still at 18 Jamaica Street. Just with wife Elizabeth [born Rochester, Kent] no children or grandchildren. Place of birth for Our John Cook is: Norfolk, Woolton. Occupation: Foreman (docks).
By 1861 Our John Cook, this time just listed as born in Norfolk, is at 2 John Street, West Ham. He is now a Widower aged 75 with him are his Granddaughters Sophia and Louisa Rowland and servant Mary A Levitt age 17.
Next door at number 1 John Street is listed Mary Anne Cook described as a Fund Holder and her daughter Mary and Son Robert G. This Mary Anne Cook is believed to be the Widow of Thomas Galliard Cook, son of Our John Cook.
The 1871 Census shows Our John Cook, now at 4 John Street, West Ham. Listed as a Pensioner/Dividends and his place of birth Aslacton Norfok.
He is now married to Mary Ann nee Levitt and they have two children Charles age 3 and Ada just one year old.
1881 and still at 4 John Street. Our John Cook now 95 and a Pensioner L Docks born Ayelington with wife Mary A age 37 and Charles and Ada aged 13 and 11 respectively.
Our John Cook died in 1882. His Widow Mary Ann nee Levitt, listed as a dressmaker and daughter Ada, a Tie Maker to mark? are shown lving at 13 Ann Street West Ham in 1891. With them is John H Wallace an Accounts Clerk/Cashier?
1901 they have moved to 79 Albert Rd upper ? Romford where John Henry Wallace a railway clerk? is Head of Household, Ada nee Cook his wife and their one year old daughter Hilda. Mary Ann Cook is still with them listed as Mother in Law, Widow and now age 57.
It appears that Our John Cook was married three times. We know for sure that he was married to Elizabeth as mentioned above [Mother to Elizabeth, John born 1819, our Susannah, Henry and Francis] and to Mary Ann Levitt, his wife at the time of his death [Mother to Ada and Charles].
Our John Cook and Mary Ann Levitt were married on 11th June 1865.
She was 58 years his junior and Ada was born when he was 85 years old.
Correspondence from the Docks Museum, obtained by family members , confirms his employment and that he retired as Foreman on 5th August 1857 with a pension of 14 shillings per week.
He was living at 4 John Street, West Ham, Essex at the time of making his will in 1878.
He left about 1,500 pounds altogether to members of his family.
Will transcription at end of post [scroll down].
Our John Cook died 30th April 1882 aged 96 years and is interred at "Bow Cemetery"
[Tower Hamlets Cemetery].
Other children of Our John Cook, born before Elizabeth in 1817, have yet to be fully researched.
Maps:
North Street where my Ancestor Susannah was born in 1821, was re-named Fairclough Street in 1869. Perhaps more Whitechapel than Stepney, but near St Georges in the East Church.
On this Stanford 1862 map, North Street is shown south of and parallel to the Commercial Road. I think this is the correct North Street – there were several North Streets – because the address on the baptism record for Francis is Batty Street and there is a Batty Street next to this North Street. [There is also a North Street parallel to Wade Street on the Alan Godfrey map below]. As it is too early for the census to check surrounding roads this is the most likely, given the limited information available.
Note also Lambeth Street, running North South just to the right of the S in GOODMANS FIELDS and Langley Place fronting onto the North side of the Commercial Road – think this is the address on the 1861 Census for John Cook born 1819.
This 1886 map of West Ham shows the early days of John Street located just to the right of the Leather Cloth Works and under the "WEST" in WEST HAM. This is confirmed as being the correct street by looking at the adjoining streets on the Census eg Myra Street.
On this 1908 map John Street is below the " W" in WEST HAM.
Cook John. Personal Estate 1,422 pounds 10s 2d. 28 June 1882. The Will of John Cook late of 4 John-street West Ham in the County of Essex Gentleman who died 30 April 1882 at 4 John-street was proved at the Principal Registry by John Cook of 138 Romford-road Stratford in the said County Gentleman the Son and Thomas Cook of 435 Hackney-road in the County of Middlesex Corn Merchant the Grandson the Executors. This is the last will and testament of me John Cook of No 4 John Street West Ham in the County of Essex Gentleman first? I direct that all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses and the expenses of proving this my will be fully paid and discharge by my executors hereinafter named out of my personal estate and subject thereto I give and bequeath all my household furniture and other effects of a personal nature which shall be in and about the house in which I shall be residing at the time of my death together with a legacy of five hundred pounds sterling unto my dear wife Mary Ann Cook for her own use and benefit absolutely. I also give and bequeath to my said wife a further sum of two hundred and fifty pounds in trust for my two youngest children Charles Cook and Ada Cook to have when and as they come of age in equal shares the interest to be applied for their use and benefit during their minority and if either shall die under age the survivor to have the whole and if both shall die under age the Mother to have the whole. I give and bequeath to my Grandchildren the following legacies that is to say to George Charles Harding the sum of thirty pounds sterling to Thomas Cook and Elizabeth Mary Ann Newland fifteen pounds each to Martha ? Fifteen pounds to Elizabeth Amy Pearce and Sophia Rowland fifteen pounds each I give and bequeath the sum of thirty pounds to be equally divided between all the children of my late son Francis Cook as shall be living at the time of my decease share and share the shares of each of them as shall be under the age of twenty one years to be paid and payable to the Mother of such last mentioned children and shall be applied by her for their benefit as she shall think proper I direct that any legacy or portion given or accruing to any female or females under this my will shall be paid to her or them for her or their own use and benefit independent of any husband or husbands and her or their receipt alone shall be a sufficient discharge for the same and as to all the rest and residue of my property and effects I give an bequeath the same to my sons John Cook and Henry Cook share and share alike and I appoint my son John Cook and my Grandson Thomas Cook executors of this my will and I appoint my said dear wife guardian of my said two youngest children during their respective minorities I revoke all former will and wills and declare this only to be my last in witness whereof I the said testator John Cook have to this my last will and testament contained in this sheet of paper set my hands this twenty fourth day of May One thousand eight hundred and seventy eight John Cook signed by the said testator John Cook as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto – Ann Saunders 11 Ann Street Plaistow Grove West Ham & - Thomas Willis The Grove Stratford Essex Solicitor. I John Cook now ad this Codicil to my will as follows I give my two youngest children a further sum of fifty pounds in addition to what I have stated in my will for them the said Charles and Ada Cook to have when and as they come of age to be held by their Mother in trust and added to that sum all ready mentioned in my will for them to have and under the same instructions this I do so that they may have an even sum of 150 pounds each to take as they come of age this is written by myself this 7th day of September 1880 and to which I set my name – John Cook – signed in the presences of us 7th day of September 1880 – Ann Saunders 11 Ann Street Plaistow Grove – Maria Ahern 8 Ann Street Plaistow Grove. Affidavit of due execution of codicil filed Proved at London with a codicil 28th June 1882 by the ? oaths of John Cook the son and Thomas Cook the Grandson the executors to whom admon was granted.