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Anybody have any Neff or Cook family from early to mid 1800 in the Augusta/Greenbrier Co. area.
My search has been for Mary Cook b. 1815. She married James Spencer in 1833 in Greenbrier Co. and the bondsman was a John Neff. According to census records John Neff was married to Nancy Cook….possibly a sister to Mary. Mary had a second family of 9 children with James Spencer and is last found on a 1860 Nicholas Co. census. After that she just disappears.
Last night I recieved an email from a woman that is searching a William R. Neff and they thought his mother was Clarinda Neff, however, on his death certificate his mother is listed as Mary Cook. ( Information provided by a Charley Neff )
This is email: Brenda – please do let me know. I to have the same type of problem. My William R. Neff was born in 1857/8 – the son of Clarinda Neff or so we thought. He was in the 1860 census with her and his brother Philip Neff. According to Williams Death certficate information given by a Charles Neff said his mother was Mary Cook.
Clarinda Neff married in 1861 Redmond Barrett and moved to Braxton Co so it is said, by 1870 Redmond had a new wife also named Clarinda (Claypool/Claypole).
Bill, can you add anything to this?
I found James and Mary (Cook) Spencer and family in 1850 Nicholas Co.,
(James marr’d 2) Mary Cook 12 Dec 1833 Greenbrier Co.)
I recall you had Thomas Spencer already.
Other Rev. War. Pensioners in Greenbrier Co and their ages on the 1835 Roll:
Zachariah Cook, 83. Served 3 yrs Va. Line.
John Spencer, 71. Va. Line.
Thomas Perry, 69, Md. Line – seems this was his age in 1818 – his pension was suspended in 1820.
…………………………………………..
A little comparison is necessary…..
1820 Greenbrier Co census has 4 Cook’s on it:
Frankfort, pg.169, Joseph Cook = 300110 – 23010 – 0 – 0.
Lewisburg, p.167, Zachariah Cook = 000012 – 02213 – 0 – 0.
……………., p.167, John Cook Sr = 020201 – 00201 – 0 – 0.
……………., p.168, Thomas Cook = 000010 – 00000 – 0 – 0.
(Zachariah may have moved to Pike Co., Ohio before 1840, so I don’t rule him out, but I didn’t find him yet in 1830))
1830 Greenbrier Co census has 2 Cooks, both Lewisburg, pg 168:
John Cook = 00001000001 – 00010001 – 0 – 0.
1 male 20 to 29.
1 male 80 to 89.
1 female 15 to 19.****
1 female 50 to 59 (suspect 60 to 69).
Joseph Cook = 11210001 – 0011001 – 0 – 0.
1 male under 5.
1 male 5 to 9.
2 males 10 to 14.****
1 male 15 to 19.****
1 male 50 to 59.
1 female 10 to 14.
1 female 15 to 19.
1 female 40 to 49.
1840 Nicholas Co:
p.7, Thomas Cook = 1100001 – 101001 – 0 – 0.
1 male under 5.
1 male 5 to 9.
1 male 40 to 49 (the 26 to 44 y/o Thomas of 1820 Greenbrier)
1 female under 5.
1 female 10 to 14.
1 female 30 to 39.
p.8, Mary Cook = 0 – 00000100001 – 0 – 0.
1 female 30 to 39.
1 female 80 to 89 (suspect 70 to 79).
p.8, Lewis Cook = 200001 – 040001 – 0 – 0.
2 males under 5.
1 male 30 to 39.
4 females 5 to 9.
1 female 30 to 39.
This Mary Cook, 84, Va, was living with the Rev. Archibald Campbell and his wife Sarah, in 1850 Greenbrier Co, Dist. 18., and is the widow of the John Cook Sr of 1820 & 1830 Greenbrier
In “West Virginians in The Revolution”, pg.62:
“Cook, John
The Greenbrier County court in 1847 certified to the War Department that the declaration of Mary Cook and a certificate from James E. Heath, first auditor of the state, showing the settlement of John Cook for services in the Revolutionary War had been approved by the court. James Cary and George W. Rank subscribed to it.
“In the same court in 1853 it was shown that John Cook, a Revolutionary soldier, died on June 3, 1836, and that MARY COOK, the wife and widow, applied for a pension as a resident of Greenbrier County. It was further stated that said Mary Cook remained the widow of John Cook and that John Cook, Nancy Church, Thomas Cook, Malinda Thompson, Elizabeth Nicely, Sarah Campbell, Lewis Cook, Jesse Cook, Andrew Cook and Eli Cook are the children of John and Mary Cook.”
(I suspect Joseph Cook is also a son of John & Mary but might have died or moved away by the time of the 1853 court.)
That ties the Greenbrier and Nicholas Co. Cooks together.
Since these were the Greenbrier AND Nicholas Co COOKs, they are probably relatives of Mary Cook, b.abt. 1815. Two of these 1830 COOKs, Joseph & John Sr, had females in their households of Mary’s age of about 15 in 1830.
You may already have this…..
While working on Mary Cook, found the Elizabeth Perkins, b.1791, d. 1831, who Thomas Spencer m’d 1787.
From “West Virginia Estate Settlements, Greenbrier Co, pg.112:
“Perkins, James. Will 5-1825. App. 6-1825. Devisees:
Eliz., wife.
Sons: James, Thom., Sam., Levin, Masten, Will., And.
Daus: Eliz. SPENCER, *******
……….Sara Atha,
……….Marian Morison.
………………………………………….
I also ran across a David Cook, of 1778 “Cook’s Fort, Greenbrier, Va.” have you heard of this Fort before?
I’m still trying to develope the Mary Cook line and will let you know.
Bill
Bill writes: I recall you had Thomas Spencer already.
There is some debate as to the Thomas…..I believe James Spencer’s father’s first name was Thomas but perhaps not the Thomas that everybody has documented. After it has been put down in Rigsby’s book and published as such it is difficult to change people’s minds but I honestly don’t think it is the correct Thomas Spencer.
“In the same court in 1853 it was shown that John Cook, a Revolutionary soldier, died on June 3, 1836, and that MARY COOK, the wife and widow, applied for a pension as a resident of Greenbrier County. It was further stated that said Mary Cook remained the widow of John Cook and that John Cook, Nancy Church, Thomas Cook, Malinda Thompson, Elizabeth Nicely, Sarah Campbell, Lewis Cook, Jesse Cook, Andrew Cook and Eli Cook are the children of John and Mary Cook.”
I wonder if this could be my Mary Cook, a widow, who in 1833 married James Spencer?? The bondsman for that marriage was John NEFF so perhaps her maiden name was Neff. I have sent for a true copy of that marriage record and hopefully it will give me a clue.
No, John Cook’s widow Mary is the 84 yr old living with Rev. Archibald Campbell in 1850 Greenbrier Co.
James Spencer’s wife Mary was 35 and with him in 1850 Nicholas Co. – James was listed as 65 yrs old.
I’ll see what I can find on Thomas Spencer, too.
Bill
Bill,
I descend from Washington Spencer b. 1844 . He had a twin Franklin that I have never been able to spot. Washington married Marietta Williams. In one Nicholas County WV census I find james living with Washington but Mary is not there.
I found Mary Spencer in the 1860 Nicholas co. VA census.
#437
James Spencer 76
Mary 50
George 22
Samuel 21
Washington 16
Frank 16
McNeil 8 all born in VA
#436
Alexander Spencer 27
Maria A 25
1870 Adams Co., McKee, Ill
#28
George Spencer 33 farmer b VA
Levinia? 23 b Ill
James 3 b Ill
Samuel 2 b Ill
James 84 b VA Mary Cook must have died between 1860 and 1870. Ill or VA?
Washington 24 b VA labor
Andrew 19 b VA labor
Mary 22 b VA
Gordon 3 b Ill
John 8/12 b Ill
Also Elizabeth Patterson 35 housekeeper b VA
Carolina 8 b VA
This was in the order listed. George and Washington were brothers.
I believe 1870 Washington alsoshowes up in the Nicholas Co. WV census so they couldn’t have been in Adams Co. Ill for very long. James pension application says he lived a while in Ill.
1850 Nicholas Co., Va census, at 118, 118:
James SPENCER,, 65, m, – , farmer, $240, Va.
MARY, 35, f, – , Va.*******
Elizabeth, 18, f, Va.
James, 18, m, Va.
Alexander, 16, m, Va.
George, 13, m, Va.
Samuel, 12, m, Va.
Washington, 4, m, Va. (noted as twin)
Franklin, 4, m, Va. (noted as twin)
Sarah, 3, f, Va.
Abraham, 23, m, Va.
………………………………..
Abraham is James’ son by Elizabeth Haptonstall (m’d 11 Dec 1808)in Greenbrier Co., Va. (Maybe the children Elizabeth & James are Elizabeth Haptonstall Spencer’s kids, too.)
Abraham m’d Mary Comer, 19 Nov 1857, Greenbrier Co., Va.
………………………………..
On the 1860 Nicholas Co., Va census, James Spencer’s family is at 587, 437.
The house just before that is one of his sons, at 586, 436:
Alexander Spencer, 27, m, – , farmer, $200, $200, Va.
Maria A., 25, f, – , wife, Va.
…………………………………
Didn’t find them in 1840 yet.
…………………………………
1830 Greenbrier Co., Va; pg. 200:
(This census has been recopied and alphabetized, so I don’t know how close together these two Spencers lived. Elizabeth would be the 40 to 49 female.
Spencer, James = 1131101 – 1100001 – 0 – 0.
household contains:
1 male under 5.
1 male 5 to 9.
3 males 10 to 14.
1 male 15 to 19.
1 male 20 to 29.
1 male 40 to 49.
1 female under 5.
1 female 5 to 9.
1 female 40 to 49.
Spencer, Abraham = 110001 – 11001 – 0 – 0.
household contains:
1 male under 5.
1 male 5 to 9.
1 male 30 to 39.
1 female under 5.
1 female 5 to 9.
1 female 20 to 29.
…………………………………….
In 1820 Greenbrier are the following Spencers which I’m still sorting thru:
James Spencer
Sharp Spencer
John Spencer
Shelton Spencer
………………..
Still working on the COOKs.
Bill
Bill writes:
Abraham is James’ son by Elizabeth Haptonstall (m’d 11 Dec 1808)in Greenbrier Co., Va. (Maybe the children Elizabeth & James are Elizabeth Haptonstall Spencer’s kids, too.)
Abraham m’d Mary Comer, 19 Nov 1857, Greenbrier Co., Va
___________
Elizabeth and James were the set of twins born 1831. Mother Elizabeth Hopenstal died at their birth and Mary Cook raised them. I have always thought that a wet nurse was brought in and it appears that Mary might have brought the child Marie Ann into the marriage that didn’t take place til 1833.
James fathered 11 children by Elizabeth Hopenstal and 9 more by Mary Cook.
1. JAMES3 SPENCER was born 1785 in Greenbrier Co. Va., and died 1880 in Nicholas Co. WVa.. He married (1) ELIZABETH HOPTONSTAL 1808 in Greenbrier Co. Va., daughter of ABRAHAM HOPTONSTAL and RACHEL PRICE. She was born 1791, and died 1831 in Greenbrier Co. WVa.. He married (2) MARY COOK 1833 in GreenbrierCo.Va.. She was born 1815 in Va..
Children of JAMES SPENCER and ELIZABETH HOPTONSTAL are:
i. MARGARET4 SPENCER, b. 1810, Greenbrier Co. Va/WV; m. FRANSIS TINCHER, 1826.
2. ii. WILLIAM HAMILTON SPENCER, b. 1813, Greenbrier Co. VA/WV; d. 1890, Nicholas Co. WV.
3. iii. ALLEN SPENCER, b. 1807, Greenbrier Co. Va.; d. 1881, Nicholas Co. WV.
iv. JESSIE SPENCER, b. 1820.
v. MADISON SPENCER, b. 1820.
vi. RACHEL SPENCER, b. 1822.
vii. SMITH SPENCER, b. 1824.
viii. ABRAHAM SPENCER, b. 1827.
ix. SI SPENCER, b. 1829.(Josiah)
x. ELIZABETH SPENCER, b. 1831.
xi. JAMES SPENCER, b. 1831.
Children of JAMES SPENCER and MARY COOK are:
xii. LYDIA4 SPENCER.
xiii. MARIE ANN SPENCER.
xiv. MCNIEL SPENCER.
xv. ALEXANDER SPENCER, b. 1836.
xvi. GEORGE SPENCER, b. 1837.
xvii. SAMUEL SPENCER, b. 1838.
4. xviii. WASHINGTON SPENCER, b. June 01, 1844, Nicholas Co WVa.; d. January 18, 1921, Lewis Co. Wash..
xix. FRANKLIN SPENCER, b. 1844.
xx. SARAH SPENCER, b. 1847.
Know all men by these present, that we JAMES SPENCER and JOHN NEFF of Greenbrier County are held and firmly bound unto JOHN FLOYD ESQ, Governor of Virginia and his successors, for the use of the Commonwealth, in the sum of One Hundren and Fifty Dollars, to which payment well and true to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals and dated this 10th day of December 1833. The condition of the above Obligation is such. that wheras a marriage is shortly intended to be solemized between the above JAMES SPENCER and MARY COOK of Greenbrier County, if therefore, these shall be no lawful cause to obstruct the said marriage, then the above Obligation to be void, else to remainin full force and virtue.
Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of
JAMES SPENCER, JOHN MATTHEWS and JOHN NEFF
This was the year 1833 . If it cost $150.00 to get married no wonder so many of my relatives “took up with”. They couldn’t afford to get married!
The Bond wasn’t actually paid unless the marriage didn’t take place due to “cause” and/or the bride’s marriagable status was found to be illegal or immoral – the main “cause”. That’s the reason Bondsmen were usually close relatives of the bride who could “vouch” for her status. However, there may have been a fee for the marriage license.
The main difficulty of getting “officially” married was living in the middle of no-where.
I’m just now reading “Annals of Augusta County Virginia” where many Scots-Irish settled (1720s-1760s) who were mostly Presbyterians which under the “Tolerance Acts” of Great Britain and the Colony of Va, were allowed to worship freely but their Ministers were forbidden from marrying anyone under severe penalty. In the early days, only Ministers of the Church of England had that authority and the nearest one of those in the 1720 to 1750 period was way over in Hanvoer/Spotsylvania Co., resulting in very few “legal” marriages, as we understand them today. “Took up with” probably applied alot, too 🙂
Originally posted by Brenda Collins Dillon
Anybody have any Neff or Cook family from early to mid 1800 in the Augusta/Greenbrier Co. area.
Hi Brenda,
I haven’t come across the COOK/NEFF names that you mentioned; however, I just found out that Henry C. COOK (b. 1806) and Jane Susan NEFF (b. 1813) are my 4GGrandparents. Henry’s parents were John COOK (b. 1782) and Mary Ann (possibly SIMMONS) (b. 1786). They were from Pendleton/Culpeper Counties, Virginia. They came to Rush County, Indiana sometime before the 1830 census. Jane’s parents are Daniel NEFF (b. 1786) and Unknown. Daniel and Jane were both born in New York. Some of these families may have passed through Franklin County, Indiana before settling in Rush County, Indiana.
Stacey
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