Will of John Cooke
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The Last will and Testament of John Cook of the town of Dartmouth in the County of Bristoll:
I being weake of Body but of sound and Perfect memory, have Disposed of my Estate which God hath been pleased to bestow upon me in manner following: that is to say In the first place I give to my Son in-law Arthur Hathaway & his wife Sarah my Daughter all my land in the point at or Near the Burying place in Dartmouth the which I bought of John Russell to them their heires and Assignes for Ever: And also I give unto my Son in-law Stephen west and his wife Mercey my Daughter one full Third part of a whole Share of lands in the Township of Dartmouth with all my houseing and Orchards "hereunto belonging: with all the priviledges & appur=ces belonging to the same to them their heires & Assignes for ever They to possess the same after the Decease of my wife Sarah Allso I give unto Jonathan Delano. one Third part of a share of meadow Caled the ffreemens Meadow Lyeing within the Township of Rochester to him his heires & assigne for Ever: Allso I give to my Grandson Thomas Taber my little Island Caled & Known by the Name of Ram Island Lying in Cushnat River in Dartmouth with one third part of my Share of Meadow Called the ffreemens Meadow Lyeing in the Township of Rochester. to him his heires & assignee for Ever and I give to my said Grand son my Gun & sword Allso I give to my Grand Daughter Hester Perry One feather Bed & Bolster, All the Rest & Residue of Estate Goods & Chattles of what Sort or Kind so ever I Give & bequeath uto my Loveing wife Sarah to use. & Dispose of the same as she shall see good And I make my said wife Sole Executrix of this my Last will & Testament: In witness whereof I the said John Cooke have hereunto sett my hand & seale this Ninth Day of November 1694 in the presence of
Aaron Savory O his mark
John Cooke (seal) Thomas Taber
memorandum that on the 16th of Aprill 1696
Then appeared Aaron Savory & Thomas Taber both of Dartmouth, Before John Saffin Esqr Judge of Probate ot wills &ca and made Oath that they were present & did see John Cooke late of Dartmouth Decd Signe seale & publish this Instrument to be his last will & testiment and yt he was of a Disposeing mind when he so did to the best of their apprehensions
Jno Saffin John Cary Registr
Thus Entered & Engrosed may the: 8 th 1696 By Jno Cary Registr
December the 7 th 1696 A true Inventory of the Estate Goods & Chattels of John Cooke late of Dartmouth Deceased
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John COOKE died on 23 Nov 1695 in Dartmouth, MA. (609) John Cooke Will:
34 The Will and Inventory of John2 Cooke (Francis1)
Transcribed from the original records,
BY GEORGE ERNEST BOWMAN.
John2 Cooke (Francis1) died at Dartmouth, Mass., 23 November (3 December, new style), 1695, and his will and inventory are found in the Bristol County, Mass., Probate Records, Volume 1, pages 139 and 140. But one original paper remains in the probate files-the bond of the executrix, Sarah Cooke, daughter of Richard Warren. The date of this bond, 15 July, 1696 (25 July, N. S.), is the latest on which I have found any mention of the widow Sarah.
36 Yarmouth, Mass., Vital Records.
The Condition of this present obligation is such that whereas the above Bound Sarah Cooke is made Executrix of the Last will & Testament of John Cook of Dartmouth aforesd Deceasd Bearing Date the Ninth Day of Novemb, 1694 & hath Never Legally proved the same, Iff therefore the sd Executrix shall with all Conveinient Speed bring into the Registrs Office for the County of Bristoll afforesd A true & perfect Inventory of the Estate of the Estate of the said Decd And shall well & truely Administr upon & Duely Dispose of all & Singular the Goods Chattels, Credits & Estate left by the said Decd according to the Tennor & true meaneing of his sd will. & as the Law directs And also shall Render a true & plaine account of her Administcon and Doings therein to the said office at or before the Sixteenth Day of Aprill 1697 without ffraud or farther Delay then this Obligation to be voyde & of None Effect or Els to stand abide and Remaine in full force strength & Vertue
Signed sealed & Delivered the mark of Sarah S Cook
in the presence of
Thomas Delano Thomas Taber
the mark of + Hannah Savery Jonathan Delano
enteth and fourth day of feburary: He was born prob late 1606 in prob Leyden, Holland.(610) Wood: Babtized in Leyden between 1 January and 31 March 1607. John came with his father on the Mayflower. Parents: Francis COOKE Mayflower and Hester LE MAHIEU.
He was married to Sarah WARREN on 28 Mar 1634.(585) (611) Children were: Sarah COOKE, Elizabeth COOKE, Hester/Esther COOKE, Mary COOKE, Mercy COOKE.