John Cooke (1607-1695)

Mayflower Pilgram at age 13 with his father and early settler of Plymouth Colony. He is frequently listed in Plymouth records as John Cooke, JR. to distinquish him from another John Cooke who is unrelated.

Vital Statistics

 * Son of Francis Cooke (1583-1663) and Hester Mahieu
 * Born 1607 in Leiden Holland
 * 1620 - Voyage to America on Mayflower
 * 28-Mar-1634 - Married to Sarah Warren
 * 23-Nov-1695 - Death in Dartmouth

Biography
Baptized at Leiden between January and March 1607/1608.

He became a deacon of the church in Plymouth in the 1630s in the Pilgrim Church. He probably became a Baptist at around the time he was excommunicated from the Seperatists (ca. 1657).

A local deputy of the community as he is listed frequently in Plymouth records for juries and other special assignments.

In 1664, he is granted 20 acres of land in Dartmouth and had other land dealings in the area. In 1666 becomes a deputy for Dartmouth and an advisor in the local defense against the Indians.

Children of John Cooke and Sarah Warren
John married Sarah Warren, daughter of Mayflower passenger Richard Warren, and had five children.

Famous Descendants

 * President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Franklin D. Roosevelt > Sara Delano > Warren Delano > Deborah Church > Deborah Perry > Samuel Perry > Ebenezer Perry > Esther Taber > Esther Cooke > JOHN COOKE > FRANCIS COOKE
 * Abel Head Pierce - A notable Francis Cooke descendant was Abel Head "Shanghai" Pierce,1834-1900, of the Rancho Grande. A Texas cattleman he introduced the Brahman cattle breed into Texas.
 * (George) Orson Welles,1915-1985

Bradfords Passenger List
In 1651, fellow Pilgrim William Bradford wrote of him:

"Francis Cooke, and his sone John. But his wife and other children came afterwards."

"Francis Cooke is still living, a very old man, and hath seen his children's children have children. After his wife came over with other of his children; he hath three still living by her, all married and have five children, so their increase is eight. And his son John which came over with him is married, and hath four children living."