Francis Cooke Biography

Francis Cooke traveled on the Mayflower with his eldest son John in 1620 and as such was one of the signers of the Mayflower Compact. He was also listed on the original list of freemen for Plymouth and was found on this list again in 1633, 1637 and 1658. As a freemen he had several duties which were thrust upon him. He served twice on the Grand Inquest, once in 1638 and the second time in 1640. Cooke also served on numerous juries from the years 1638-48. His major service to the community, however, seemed to come in the highway realm. In 1637 he was appointed to the committee to lay out highways. He followed this appointment with the job of surveyor of the highways for Plymouth in 1641, 1642 and again in 1645. He even served on a committee to find the best route for a new road.

There is no record or what kind of work Cooke was engaged in. He did have and apprentice, John Harmon, for seven years starting in 1636. Cooke was also on the Plymouth list of those who were able to bear arms.

The will of Francis Cooke, dated Oct 7, 1659, leaves all his possessions to his wife Hester with Hester and his son John as joint executors of the will. John Aldin and John Howland were witnesses to the will. Francis Cooke passed away on April 7, 1663 at the age of approx 80. An inventory was taken of his possessions by Ephraim Tinkham and William Crow on May 1, 1663. His total net worth at that time was 86 pounds, 11 shillings, and 1 pence.

Francis and Hester had lived in Leiden as early as 1603, about five years before the Pilgrims fled there from England. in 1606, they left Leyden to live at Norwich, England where they joined a French Walloon church; however, they did not stay long in England - probably because of religious persecution - and by 1607 were back in Leyden as members of the French Ealloon church there."