CAPTAIN THOMAS COOK (1752-1841) A SOLDIER OF THE REVOLUTION EDITED BY HIS GREAT-GREAT-GRAND NEPHEW WILLIAM M. SWEENY \ s 9 LL9 008 110 ssBaoNoo do Adwaan CAPTAIN THOMAS COOK (1752-1841) A SOLDIER OF THE REVOLUTION EDITED BY HIS GREAT-GREAT-GRAND NEPHEW WILLIAM M. SWEENY 'f'. ev' ia 2 10); CAPTAIN THOMAS COOK commanded the Independent Com- pany, Light Horse, North Carolina Continental Line, during the War of the Revolution. All the papers relating to his application for a pension (which was granted) are of record in the Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C. In all, he submitted three separate statements of his services. As these three statements are substantially the same, I have selected the most complete one, noting any important variations or additions that appear in the other statements. Thomas Cook was born in Hanover County, Virginia, May 15, 1752, died in Henry County, Georgia, March, 1841, and is buried in the old Cook graveyard, eight miles from McDonough, Henry County, Georgia, on the line of the Atlanta and Covington ftaiiroad. My descent from Captain Cook is as follows: Francis Cook- Betty James Reagan — Nancy Cook Thomas Cook James Reagan — -Mary Dandridge Morrison Francis Washington Reagan — Sarah Cecelia Refo Thomas William Sweeny — Eugenia Octavia Reagan William M. Sweeny WILLIAM M. SWEENY. Astoria, Long Island, April 19, 1909. Georgia, Henry County: Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, Thomas Cook, who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively and exactly as to the precise time of his service, but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the period below and in the following grades : On July the tenth. Seventeen hundred and seventy-six (1776), I en- tered the service as a private soldier in Captain John Leek's company (Guilford Militia), Colonel James Martin's regiment, Griffith Ruther- ford, General ; marched to the Cherokee Nation to suppress the Indians ; burnt their town, killed and destroyed as many of the Indians as we could get hold of; remained in the nation as long as we could get provisions, and was compelled to return back again. On the 25th of November landed at our starting point, being out four months and fifteen days — 4 months and Yi. This was known as the "Cherokee Ex- pedition." This service was in an embodied corps, called out by competent authority by the State of North Carolina. On the 1st of September, Seventeen hundred and seventy-seven (1777), I was elected First Lieutenant of a company of Martin's regi- ment, company commanded as before by John Leek, and attached to the said brigade commanded by the same General (Griffith Rutherford). The intention of this service was to scout the country throughout, for the Tories were very mischievous, indeed, in the lower part of the State alongside the seaboard. We were raised as the protectors of our State; McCloud was the Tory General who headed the Tories in the Scotch settlements, as aforesaid. In this service I was out three months, when we returned back to our county and homes. This was known in that day as the "Scotch Expedition." About Christmas or the ist of January (1778), we were ordered out as before, to the lower parts of the State, to hunt for the same Tory commander (McCloud), for the Tories, as soon as we had left their particular section, commenced their mischief. Some time in the winter we came upon McCloud in the Scotch settlements at a bridge (name of the bridge not recollected), but near a swamp called "Drowning Swamp," where we had a fight and killed several of the Tories and caused McCloud to flee with the balance. Colonel Paisley commanded our regiment at this time — Colonel Martin, with some of the men, remaining in the upper part of the State. We consumed the whole of this year as we did the latter part of the former, backward and forward continually. This was likewise known as the "Scotch Expedition" — making in the whole in this kind of service fifteen (15) months. I was commissioned by Gov- ernor Caswell. Early in January, Seventy-nine (1779), I was elected Captain of a company in Colonel Martin's regiment composed of Guilford Militia, and was commissioned by Governor Caswell of North Carolina. Joined the regiment at Guilford Court House; marched immediately for South Carolina, General Rutherford still commanding. Went through South Carolina directly to the Savannah River; joined General Lincoln at a place called the "Smoking Camp," about seventy miles below Augusta. From the "Smoking Camp" marched up the river to a place known as the "Sisters Ferry." From the latter place a detachment was sent over under General Ashe into Georgia, where they had a fight with the British and got defeated. This is known as the "Brier Creek Battle," or "Ashe's Defeat." During this expedition I remained with the army under General Lincoln, and was upon guard at the time and could hear the guns. Immediately after the above fight, General Lincoln and General Moultrie marched the main army up the river to a place called "Turkey Hill," opposite to the place where the British main army were encamped on the Georgia side of said river. We remained at said hill three weeks in full sight of the British army. In this time we frequently had intercourse by conversation with the British. We marched from this latter place under our aforesaid Generals, still higher up the river to a place called "Black Swamp." The day before we left "Turkey Hill," General Lincoln had a road cut from the hill directly into the country for about six miles. This was done in sight of the British army, and, as I thought, was done for a feintj but I now know the intention of our Generals in cutting said road, for the day they quit the road we directly marched up the river to "Black Swamp." Staid a few days. General Lincoln took the whole body of the regulars from the main army and marched for Stono. The balance of the army, con- sisting of North and South Carolina militia, was left under the care of General Moultrie at "Black Swamp," at which place I remained until the relief came from North Carolina, which was about the first of June in said year. This was a six months' expedition with no particular designation but that of "The United States Expedition against the British." At this time I received a written discharge from General Moultrie to march my company home, and in our proper county to be discharged. During our travel we had, from the hand of our General, orders to draw provisions for my company at the various commissaries as we passed on. This brought about the middle of June, 1779. After our return home we were instructed by our General to hold ourselves in readiness to meet any emergency that might arise. From June, 1779, until the first of September, 1780, I was not in any embodied corps doing service, but was frequently called out by our Colonel, who at this time was Paisley, to suppress large bodies of Tories. During this interval of time it is impossible to relate fully the kind of service performed, for it was of a very unsettled nature. We did not remain at home at any one time longer than about two weeks before we would receive orders to scout the country and restore peace and quiet for a while. In September, 1780 (vSeventeen hundred and eighty), I was ordered to raise a Horse Company consisting of about 30 (thirty), or as many as I might think necessary for the occasion — known as "Rangers." I marched out and met Davie and Brisbane in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. From this county we marched in a body to and joined General Davidson on the Catawba River, where we remained scouting the country and harassing the British until Davidson was killed. He was killed by the fire of a cannon across the river from the British side and by the British. After the death of Davidson we dispersed and fled over the Yadkin. We were in a very distracted state after the death of our General, until Greene came to take charge of us. All this service was confined to the State of North Carolina. As General Greene passed through our State with his regulars for the South, we were required to join him and march with him to the South until he could or should intercept Cornwallis. We marched from Guilford towards Camden in South Carolina, where we supposed the British to be. We met him about the Catawba, and General Greene's forces being too feeble, he retreated before him into Virginia. Now I received orders from General Greene to go back to my State and county to raise more men and meet him as speedily as I could, which I did, and met him at the High Rock Ford on Haw River and continued with him marching and counter-marching through the country, until we met the British at Guilford. In the battle of Guilford I bore a part under General Greene, but our forces being too weak, we were forced to flee and give the ground. The British did not follow us one yard — just took our cannon and fired it upon us. I rode off with Greene from the battle-ground. According to our agreement (if it should be necessary to give them the ground), we were to flee to the Iron Works — 7 miles — which we did. The second day, including the battle-day, Cornwallis sent to the General to come and bury his dead, which he did. From Guilford Court House we pursued Cornwallis to Ramsey Mills, on Deep River, where we came in sight of them, but the river being high and rising, General Greene considered it not safe to undertake to cross, for the British were on the opposite bank. I think the British used about two thousand rails in the formation of a floating raft to pass over upon, and after they had passed over destroyed, as much as was in their power, the means they had used in crossing. General Greene considered it safest and best for our common country to retrace his steps and push for the Eutaw Springs. Upon our arrival near the place, we discovered the British. We halted and prepared for battle. I think this battle was in September, 1781, but will not say certainly. General Greene gave Lord Rawdon a fight and compelled him to retreat with his British subjects and flee the country. During this battle I and my company and several others were reserved by orders of the commander-in-chief to cover his retreat, should he deem it necessary for the safety of his country to make one. From the above place I was sent back with my company and several more to our proper county and State to protect it and defend it and our women and children from the plunderings of the Tories and British ; for they were scattered over the whole country, and distress and dismay covered our whole land. I was, by General Greene, ordered not to disband my company upon our return home, but to be ever vigilant and scout the whole upper country of our State until he should require our assistance, and if he should, we would be immediately informed of it and ordered to march. I did as ordered, until I received instructions from Headquarters that peace was made and there was no more use for us. Upon which news I was discharged from the service and ordered to discharge my company; I did so, which ended my labors. I think it was in the Spring of (1783) that we were discharged as above stated. In this declaration, amendatory of my former, I have endeavored to be as particular and definite in relation to my service as was in my power. I know one thing, that, if I cannot satisfy the War Depart- ment of my service, my country is enjoying the fruits of my labor for six years spent in her service. In all of the above service, I was called upon regularly and legally by my country, and for the periods above mentioned. I was in the field as a regular embodied militia soldier as above stated. As I have formerly stated, I w^as not, during the above periods of time, engaged in any civil or other lucrative employment or pursuit. There is some difference in respect to duties in this declaration and the former, but I believe the latter to be as near right as my memory can serve. It is impossible for me to be strictly correct in the relating the whole of the events and occurrences which took place during the war. I am a poor old man and desire the assistance of my country now that she is willing to pay me for my service rendered to her fifty years ago, but if I cannot do all the War Department requires me to do, I have made the best statement in my power, and if this will not suffice, my case must suffer. The Searcher of all hearts knows that what I have said is true, and far be it for me, in the very smallest degree, to endeavor to practice a deception upon my country. I have looked at the requests contained in the letter from the De- partment and have endeavored, as far as my memory and the notable events would enable me, to give a satisfactory account of my service. Y In that I served as a private soldier o 4 months 15 days in 1776 o 3 months as ist Lieutenant 1777 12 months as ist Lieutenant 1778 4 as Captain, ist Jan. 1779-80-81-82-83. 1 know the circumstances, occurrences and events as above detailed to be true, but there may be error as to the dates. I have proved my service by the respectable witnesses, both of whom served under me, one for 2 years, the other 4. To Mr. Theodosius Cook and the Rev. Henry Hardin, the latter of whom is now receiving his pay for the very service performed while a soldier under me. Sworn to before me the 7th August, 1833, Thos. Cook. Wm. Camp, /. P. Georgia, Henry County: I, Alexander G. Murray, Clerk of the Inferior Court for said county, do certify that William Camp whose name appears to the within as a justice of the peace is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County and that full faith and credit are due his official acts as such. Given under my hand and private seal there being no county seal, this loth day of August, 1833. Alexander G. Murray, [seal.] EXTRACTS FROM FIRST DECLARATION OF THOMAS COOK. States that he joined the main army under General Rutherford in Rowan County, North Carolina, and marched to the Cherokee Nation, where they burnt and destroyed seventeen towns and villages and as many Indians as they could get hold of. Says the commission of Captain issued to him by Governor Caswell of North Carolina, "I have long since lost, taking no care at all of it, for I never expected to receive any pay for that I had at this late day. Time has nearly worn me away, but, thank God, my mind continues vigorous and sound." Refers to the following as witnesses to his service in the Revolu- tionary War: Charles Gales^ of Walton County, Georgia. Theodosius Cook^ of Pike County, Georgia. "References in county in which I live — Tand W. Key, Postmaster, Col. Oliver W. Cox, Judge Russell, Judge Spencer, Rev. James Gamble, Rev. Joshua Calloway, Rev. Benj. Wilson and the Hon. Wiley Thomp- son, of Elbert County." States that he was born in "Hanover County, Virginia, May 15, 1752," and that he has a record of his birth "at home transcribed from my father's Bible." Says he "removed from North Carolina to Wilkes now Elbert County, where I remained until 1830, when I removed to Henry County, where I now live." EXTRACTS FROM SECOND DECLARATION OF THOMAS COOK. In the year 1777, in September, I was elected a Lieutenant of a company in Martin's regiment attached to the same brigade as before and in this year I served three months in actual service in the lower part of the State of North Carolina in pursuit of the Tory commander, McCloud, who was protected and supported by what was then called the "Highland Scotch Tories." All the aforementioned service was by lawful and competent authority of the State of North Carolina. This last expedition was known by the name of the "Scotch Expedition." Out three months. Colonel John Paisley was our Colonel in this affair. In the Fall or ist September (1780), I was ordered to raise a com- pany of horsemen for three months, commanded by Davie and Brisbane. The main object of this expedition was to keep the British in check until the northern army came, — Gates having been defeated. Marched to the Catawba River — Davidson was killed. In this tour I was out three months in actual service. I joined General Greene on his retreat from Cornwallis and went into Virginia, and as soon as General Greene thought himself strong enough for Cornwallis, we marched back into North Carolina to Hills Boro. From there we went to Guilford Court House. 8 PAPERS ACCOMPANYING DECLARATION OF THOMAS COOK. GEORr.iA, Henry County: Affidavit of Theodosius Cook that he served under Thomas Cook and has known him 50 years. "I was born in the same State, and am upwards of 70 years of age. I am now living in the adjoining county." Sworn to "December 18, 1832." Monroe, Walton County, Georgia: Rev. Henry Hardin deposeth and saith that he has been acquainted with Thomas Cook "ever since and before the commencement of the Revolutionary War." and that he served under Captain Thomas Cook. He states that in all his acquaintance with Thomas Cook "he was a true friend to his country and maintained the character of an officer and soldier and has borne that character ever since, as also the character of an honorable and upright man as an individual." Sworn to "June 15, 1833." Letter dated "Tucker's Cabin, Ga., Sept. 21, 1844," asking for a copy of the declaration made by Thomas Cook when he applied for a pension. (Signed) "Francis Cook, an heir and administrator." Certificate dated "Chambers County, Alabama, July 31, 1850," of Fenton Cook, son, and Elizabeth Faulkner (Russell) granddaughter of Captain Thomas Cook, and William Russell, husband of Elizabeth Faulkner, that they believe themselves entitled to dues from the pen- sion office. Letter dated "Lafayette, Chambers County, Alabama, Jan. 26, 1852," from Richards & Faulkner, to the Commissioner of Pensions, Wash- ington, D. C, requesting in the name of the heirs of Thomas Cook information regarding any commutation pay, etc., that may be due them as his heirs. Power of Attorney of Samuel Cook, son of Thomas Cook and acting administrator of Thomas Cook, deceased, to an attorney at Washing- ton, D. C, empowering him to collect any moneys due the heirs of Thomas Cook. Dated February 19, 1852. Afifidavit of Benjamin Cook that he knew Captain Thomas Cook "and was v/ell acquainted with him during the Revohitionary War and know that he served as a soldier and for a considerable length of time as a Cavalry officer." (Dated) "Pike County, Georgia, 29 July, 1852." Georgia^ Spalding County: William Moseley deposeth and saith that he knew Captain Thomas Cook "from my earliest recollection and have often heard him say that he was Captain of a company of moimted men of the North Carolina line of Continental soldiers in the Revolutionary War and that he was guide to General Greene at the battle of Guilford. I have also heard my uncle Henry Moseley, who served, as I have learned, in Captain Literal's regiment of mounted men, say that Thomas Cook was a Captain of a mounted company, and I have never heard it disputed by anyone." (Dated) July 31, 1852. (Signed) Wm. Moseley. Affidavit of Elizabeth Burch that she was born, raised and lived in the immediate neighborhood of Thomas Cook in North Carolina and knew him from 1777 to the time he moved to Henry County, Georgia, about 1830. (Headed) "Elberton, Georgia." (Dated) "Henry County, Ga., 7 Dec. 1852." 10 State of North Carolina, Comptroller's Office, July 13, 1854. I, William J. Clark^ Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the State aforesaid, certify that it appears of record in my office among the payments made by said State to sundry persons for military services in the Revolutionary War as follows, to w^it: Thomas Cook Indent or Army Certificate T\^o. 1530 issued by the auditors of Salis- bury District August 9, 1782, £36 specie Book No. 5, p. 4, £ 20 S. 4 specie Aug. 12, 1782 Book No. 5, p. 5, f 2 S.18 " June 14, 1782 Book No. 5, p. 42, £ 7 '" Aug. 8, 1782 Book No. 5, p. 44, £ 10 " Aug. 8, 1783 Book No. I, p. 39, £ 6 S.19 " June 12, 1783 Book No. 23, p. 86, £ 56 " Vol. E.G. £374 S.I o — May, 1779 Indent No. 141 5 issued by Auditors of Salisbury District, August 8, 1782, Captain Thomas Cook, £2"] S.io specie Book E, p. 69, £25 S.14 currency February, 1779, Lieutenant. Book E, p. 71, £30 " September, 1779, Captain. Vol. A, entry 8399, Captain Thomas Cook, for services (Militia) of self and company, £228 S.17 d.6 specie. Same vol., entry 8404, £ 36 S.15 specie for ditto to ditto. Same vol., entry 8406, £179 S. 9 for ditto to ditto. Same vol., entry 8735, £ 33 S. 8 for ditto to ditto. The four last payments were allowed by the Auditors of Salisbury District in the years 1782 and 1783. Book E, p. 71. "Captain Thomas Cook, Company £1782 S.8 currency September, 1779." Specie value £84 S.17 D.6. An original roll is in my office entitled "A Return of the nine months' service from Guilford County, commanded by Lt. Thos. Cook, Feb. 22, 1779," signed "Thos. Cook, Lieutenant." XI LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF FRANCIS COOK, OF ELBERT COUNTY, GEORGIA, FATHER OF CAPTAIN THOMAS COOK. In the name of God, amen. This eleventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four, 1, Francis Cook, of the County of Elbert, being of sound mind and memory calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed once for all men to die, do make, constitute and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form as follows (to wit) : First, I recommend my soul to God who gave it and intreat Him through the righteousness of Christ to receive it in mercy, and my body to the dust to be buried in such manner as my executors, whom I shall hereafter name and appoint, shall think fit, and as for my worldly goods with which it has pleased God to bless me, I do order and dispose of in the following manner, viz. : Item. I desire that all my just debts be paid. Item. I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Betty, two hun- dred acres of land to be divided off the west or upper end of the land on which I now reside, in such manner as to give her the Dwelling House and Garden and is to be divided by a straight line to proceed from a new made corner pine on John Willis' line on the side of the old road and to extend through my land to Walker Richardson's line, thence on the line of the land at present claimed by him the said Walker Richardson, and on lines at present claimed by Josiah Cook and John Willis to the place of beginning, as also the Bed and Furniture that I got with her ; one Chest and one trunk, one Horse equal in value to the mare I got with her, and one Saddle and Bridle and five Hundred dollars in money, which Legacy is to my wife Betty her heirs and assigns forever. Item. I give and bequeath to my two Grandsons James Ragans* and Charles Ragans five Hundred acres of Land in Franklin County, on Hunters Creek, which said Legacy is to my said two Grandsons their heirs and assigns forever, which said five Hundred acres of land is one- half of a tract granted to Thomas Gregg and William Moss. Item. I desire that the Balance of my estate of whatsoever name or quality be equally divided amongst all my children and the children of Dudley Cook my son deceased I desire to inherit their father's equal part, and the children of my daughter Nancy Ragans, deceased, I desire shall inherit their mother's equal part, so that this clause in my will stands thus : my sons Thomas Cook, John Cook and the children of my son Dudley Cook, my sons Josiah Cook, Joshua Cook, Benjamin Cook and Elisha Cook, and the children of my daughter Nancy Ragans, de- *Reagan, 12 ceased, my daughters Sarah Long and Elizabeth Moseley, which said Legacies are to my said children, their heirs and assigns forever. Lastly, I appoint my two sons Thomas Cook and Joshua Cook and my trusty friend Richardson Hunt executors and my well beloved wife Betty executrix of this my last will and testament. In Witness Whereof I do hereby set my hand and seal the day and year first written. Signed, sealed and pronounced by the testator to be his last will and testament in presence of Francis Cook, Jnr., Wni. Lane, Jnr., W. Woods. Francis Cook. [L.S.] Court of Ordinary, March Term, 1813. Georgia, Elbert County: Personally appeared in open court Francis Cook, Jnr., and William Woods, two of the subscribing witnesses to the within will of Francis Cook, Senr., deceased, and made oath that they saw the said deceased sign his name to the within will and also heard him acknowledge the same as his last will and testament and at the time of executing the same he was of sound mind, memory and understanding, and that they did in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other subscribe their names as witnesses of the same and that William Lane, Jnr., did at that time and in the presence of the Testator and at his request subscribe his name to the same as a witness. Sworn to in open court, this first day of March, 1813. Test. Jas. Banks, J. L C. Francis Cook. William Woods. And the same being approved it is ordered to be Recorded. Attest Wm. Woods, Clerk, C. O. EXECUTOR'S OATH. Georgia, Elbert County: We, Thomas Cook and Joshua Cook do solemnly swear the writing produced in Court and herewith shewn is the last will and testament of Francis Cook, deceased, so far as we know or believe, and that we will well and truly execute the same, by paying first the debts and then the Legacies contained in the said will, as far as the goods and chattels will hereunto extend and the law charges us with and that we will make a true and perfect Liventory of such goods and chattels. Sworn to in open Court this first day of March, 1813. Attest Wm. Woods, C. C. o. Thomas Cook. Joshua Cook. Recorded the i6tli March, 181 3. Wm. Woods, Clerk, C. O. 13 3 X Adoo LLO' 9Z.Z a