John "The Butcher" COOKE (COOK)
John Cooke's will dated 15 May 1691, proved 25 May 1691 (Portsmouth TC 2:266).

Although of sound memory and understanding, yet being aged and calling to mind the brevity and uncertainty of this life not knowing how soon the Lord may call me from hence especially considering the sore visitation of the smallpox wherewith many are now visited and many have been taken away.

To my son John Cook I leave the land at Puncatest Neck, it being about 150 acres, together with the housing thereon, 4 acres of saltmarsh meadow at Sapowet in Little Compton, together with one-half of the upland, 8 head of neat cattle, the feather bed and bedding in the house John, Jr. now lives in at Puncatest, and 20 sheep. From this bequest 15 head of cattle at Puncatest reserved for Joseph Cook during his lifetime to keep and to harvest hay there for the wintering of those cattle.

To my son Joseph Cook the housing where John now lives in Portsmouth, together with all the land and outbuildings, 4 acres of saltmarsh meadow at Sapowet and one-half of the upland there. If Joseph should die without male heirs this property then goes to son Thomas and his male heirs. Within a half year of my decease, Joseph is to pay his sister Mary, wife of William Manchester, £10 and to deliver to her 10 sheep. To his sisters, Elizabeth, wife of William Briggs, Sarah, wife of Thomas Wait, Hannah, wife of Daniel Wilcox, and Martha, wife of William Cory, Joseph is to pay £10 apiece. Sister Deborah, wife of William Almy, is to have only one shilling. Sister Amy, wife of David Clayton, is to be paid £10 in money, and to each of his other sisters being six of them he shall deliver to each of them a cow. Elizabeth Briggs also to receive a feather bed, bedding and furniture. To Joseph I leave my Negro man called Jack who is of service for time of his Life and my Indian woman Maria to be his servant for ten years and then to be freed, and my Indian boy Goan Francisco to serve with him until he be twenty-four years old, at which time Joseph is to put him in good apparel and give him corn and a horse. Joseph also to receive feather bed and bedding.

To son Thomas Cook I leave the 16th lot in Pocasset Purchase, divided or undivided, and 4 acres of salt marsh.

To son Samuel Cook I leave the 19th lot in Pocasset Purchase, but Samuel is to have the disposal of this without the advice and consent of the executor and overseers of the will.

To son John Cook I bequeath my Negro woman Betty and to son Thomas 20 sheep, 3 cows and a mare.

Joseph Cook was named whole and sole executor of the will and Request and Intreat my Loving friends and neighbours George Sisson and Isaac Lawton to be my overseers to do their utmost that all Things may be managed aright according as I do hereby dispose. Moreover I will and bequeath to my Granddaughter Sarah Manchester a cow to be delivered her at the day of her marriage.



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