William Cooke, b. Lydbrook (?) 1799-1800 (General)

by Greg Manning, Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 23:33 (6032 days ago)

William Cooke (1799/1800-c.1878) was my gx2 grandfather.

When he married Eliza Rosser (sister of Anne, who was scandalously married to Edward, Vct Lascelles) at St James's Westminster on 27th July 1824, the Hereford Journal for August 18th noted that he was "of Lidbrook, Glocestershire (sic)". That is all I have to go on for his place of birth.

He was a cornfactor and subsequently a timber merchant in Hereford, until in 1838, with Anne and Edward both dead and the Lascelles connection defunct, he forged bills worth about £1500, and was transported for life. So I am Australian. Had he committed his crime ten years earlier, he would have swung and I would not be anything.

He arrived at Sydney on the vessel Theresa on February 1 1839, aged 39.

During his trial at the Hereford Assizes, the judge referred in scathing terms to Cooke's betrayal of his birth, education and class. This once eminent man must be traceable, but I've never been able to find him before 1824.

I know that the name Cooke was prominent in the Forest about the time of the Civil War, but have no link to the C18th. (Of course, he may not be connected, and his line may have added the 'e' later.) The complex history of the Lydbrook parishes doesn't help matters: I'm not certain what "of Lidbrook" might have meant in 1824.

Any assistance will be very gratefully received -- and I have plenty of good stories about the Australian side of the family for distant relatives.

Many thanks