The Cook Family

In 1832, the Maryland Colonization Society attempted to facilitate the return of free Blacks to Liberia. As a result, a special census was conducted for all free Blacks in every county, and about 1,200 Maryland Blacks sailed to Liberia. Among those listed in the 1832 special census for Somerset County was a woman named Nancy Cook, age 42, living in the Barren Creek District. Her household included six children:

  • Byard Cook, age 16

  • Stephen Cook, age 12

  • Lidda Cook, age 8

  • Rhody Cook, age 6

  • William Cook, age 3

  • Tempy Cook, age 2

Two of Nancy Cook's sons moved to Wetipquin: James Byard Cook and Stephen S. Cook.

James Byard Cook was born circa 1816 in Barren Creek, Somerset County, Maryland. He married Eliza Wright on August 21, 1843. Eliza was the daughter of Stephen and Methia Dutton Wright of Wetipquin. Their son, Steven W. Cook, was born in September 1844 in Wetipquin. Eliza Wright Cook died shortly after the birth of their son. Byard Cook remarried Gattie Robertson. They lived in Wetipquin for a while before moving to Sharptown and finally to Delaware. Gattie Robertson was the mother of twelve children.

Young Steven inherited property from his grandmother Methia Dutton Wright on May 11, 1867. On November 4, 1868, he married Hester Caroline Peters, who was born in April 1851 in Somerset County, Maryland. The 1880 census shows Steven Cook with his family living in the Drawbridge District in Dorchester County, Maryland:

  • Sarah J. Cook, age 8

  • Anne E. Cook, age 7

  • William H. Cook, age 5

  • Mary Cook, age 2 months (born April 1880)

According to the 1900 census, Steven Cook and his wife Caroline were living in the Drawbridge District of Dorchester County, Maryland. Most of their children were adults with families of their own. Caroline had twelve children, ten of whom were living at that time. Relatives John Peters, age 18, and Louisa Peters, age 14, were also in the household.

Nancy Cook's other son living in Wetipquin was Stephen S. Cook. He was born on June 30, 1820, in the Barren Creek District of Somerset County, Maryland. On October 11, 1847, he married Martha Jane Wright, daughter of Catherine Wright and George Wright. Martha Jane was born on March 12, 1831, in Somerset County, Maryland. Stephen S. Cook and his family moved frequently, and most of his children were born in different locations. Their children included George, Eliza, Joseph, Nancy, Stephen S. Cook Jr., Dennis, and Mary Louisa. Stephen S. Cook died on March 25, 1899, and was buried in Friendship Methodist Church Cemetery in Wetipquin. Martha Jane Wright Cook inherited property from her mother, Catherine Wright Moore, the first wife of Noah Moore. She sold the property to Uncle Sam Chase, which is the same property where the old lodge hall now stands and land formerly owned by the James H. Moore family. The Cooks were living in Sussex County, Delaware, when the property was sold. Martha Jane Wright Cook died on February 1, 1915, in Wetipquin, and was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Wetipquin.

George Cook was born circa 1850 in Somerset County, Maryland. Joseph Cook was born in February 1857 at Nanticoke Point, Maryland. His wife was Mary Reddell of Camden, New Jersey. She was born in March in Camden, New Jersey. Their children included Elizabeth, Lattice, George, Martha Jane, Isaac, George Stanley, Mary Alice, and Robinson Edward.

George Stanley Cook was born on April 17, 1903, in Wetipquin. He died in February 1967 in Salisbury, Maryland, and was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Wetipquin. Robinson Edward Cook was born on November 17, 1903, in Wetipquin. His first wife was Bessie Dashiell of Mardela Springs, Maryland. Her parents were Harley and Eva Jolley Dashiell. Robinson spent his childhood and was educated in Wetipquin public schools. As an adult, he moved to Salisbury, Maryland, where he owned and operated Cook's Hotel. He was also the first Black man to own and operate a radio-dispatched cab company, "Cook's Cab Company." He was a carpenter, master-certified electrician, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Salisbury, later reinstating his membership with Friendship United Methodist Church of Wetipquin. His fraternal affiliations included the Knights of Pythias, Past Noble Father of United Order of Odd Fellows No. 4472, a member of the Household of Ruth No. 3008, a Tyler of Queen City Lodge No. 1051, IBPOEW, Past Grand Exalted Ruler Council, Past State President Council, Past Exalted Ruler Council No. 78 of the Eastern Shore, Tri-State Association MD, Delaware, and District of Columbia, and a 33rd-degree Mason with membership in Lamach Lodge No. 30 FM and AM King David Consistory No. 284. He was also a Past Patron of Naomi Chapter No. 16. Evidence of his handiwork can be seen in many projects he undertook in the Salisbury area. Robinson was a strong, able, and concerned Christian who contributed spiritually, financially, and physically to his church and community. His second wife was Elnore Cook from Virginia, and they adopted Dinnett Cook LeSueur of Salisbury, Maryland.

Mary Alice Cook was born circa 1901 in Wetipquin. She died in July 1973 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was buried in Mt. Lawn Cemetery, Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. Her husband was William Harliston, who died in 1963 in Philadelphia, PA.

Nancy Cook, daughter of Stephen S. Cook and Martha Jane Wright Cook, was born circa 1858 in Somerset County, Maryland. Stephen S. Cook II, a local preacher, was born in March 1858. He died in December 1949 in Wetipquin and was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery. He preached and performed several weddings. His first wife was Lucinda Dixon, born in December 1858. She died on February 19, 1922, and was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Wetipquin. Her parents were John Dixon and Mary Lucinda Woodland Dixon. Their children were Willie Cook and Alice Dicherson. Stephen S. Cook II’s second marriage was to Louise Frances Morris, born circa 1875 to Ernest and Leah Jane Wright Cook of Wetipquin. She was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Their children were Ernest, Mary, Martha Morris, Alice Stevinia, Catherine Louise, and Stephen Cook Jr., who died in infancy.

Dennis Cook, a local preacher, was born in February 1870 in Sharptown, Maryland. He died circa 1946 and was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Wetipquin. He married Laura Wright in 1890. Laura was born in April 1875 in Wetipquin and died in October 1957. She was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Isaac Cook was born in March 1896 in Wetipquin. George Stanley Cook was born on April 17, 1903, in Wetipquin. He died in February 1967 in Salisbury, Maryland, and was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Wetipquin. Robinson Edward Cook was born on November 17, 1903, in Wetipquin. His first wife was Bessie Dashiell of Mardela Springs, Maryland. Her parents were Harley and Eva Jolley Dashiell. Robinson spent his childhood and education in Wetipquin. As an adult, he moved to Salisbury, Maryland, where he owned and operated Cook's Hotel and was the first Black man to own and operate a radio-dispatched cab company, "Cook's Cab Company." He was a carpenter, master-certified electrician, and a member of the First Baptist Church of Salisbury, later reinstating his membership with Friendship United Methodist Church of Wetipquin. His fraternal affiliations included the Knights of Pythias, Past Noble Father of United Order of Odd Fellows No. 4472, a member of the Household of Ruth No. 3008, a Tyler of Queen City Lodge No. 1051, IBPOEW, Past Grand Exalted Ruler Council, Past State President Council, Past Exalted Ruler Council No. 78 of the Eastern Shore, Tri-State Association MD, Delaware, and District of Columbia, and a 33rd-degree Mason with membership in Lamach Lodge No. 30 FM and AM King David Consistory No. 284. He was also a Past Patron of Naomi Chapter No. 16. Robinson was a strong, able, and concerned Christian who contributed spiritually, financially, and physically to his church and community. His second wife was Elnore Cook from Virginia, and they adopted Dinnett Cook LeSueur of Salisbury, Maryland.

Mary Alice Cook was born circa 1901 in Wetipquin. She died in July 1973 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was buried in Mt. Lawn Cemetery, Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. Her husband was William Harliston, who died in 1963 in Philadelphia, PA.

Nancy Cook, daughter of Stephen S. Cook and Martha Jane Wright Cook,