Josias Cooke and Elizabeth Ring Dean

Josias Cooke was born around 1610, based on the age stated in his will. He arrived in Plymouth in 1633. He was admitted as a freeman in January 1636/7. He is not related to Francis Cooke, at least not closely.

In September of 1635, Josias married Elizabeth Dean, widow of Stephen Dean (who is also one of our ancestors) and daughter of widow Mary Ring. Her parents may have been William and Mary Ring of Ufford, Suffolk. Elizabeth already had three children with her first husband (we're descended from their youngest child, Susanna). She and Josias had three more: Anna, who married Mark Snow; Bethia, who married Joseph Harding; and Josiah, our other ancestor, who married Deborah Hopkins.

Both Josias and Elizabeth may have been educated. Josias had enough education to serve as town clerk. Both he and his wife had books mentioned in their estates at their times of death.

Josiah was a tavern keeper. He served on a number of juries, surveying and land purchase committees, and as constable of Plymouth in 1640. He moved to Eastham by 1647, when he served as the Eastham deputy to the Plymouth general court, and given a license to sell wine at Nauset (Eastham) in June 1648. He was on the 1643 list of men allowed to bear arms. He must have been well respected, given the number of times he served as deputy, selectman, or notary. He was not above spats, however. In March 1633, he was fined for fighting with Edward Doty (another of our ancestors). Doty, apparently, drew blood. He also involved in a number of petty lawsuits.

He died in Eastham in October 1673. Elizabeth outlived him. She died in Eastham in May 1687. At his death, his estate was worth 104 pounds, 17s, not including the real estate.

Josias Cooke -- Elizabeth Ring
- Josiah Cooke -- Deborah Hopkins
  - Deborah Cooke -- Moses Godfrey
     - Moses Godfrey -- Martha Collins
        - Joseph Godfrey -- Mehitable Hamilton
           - Sarah Godfrey -- Isaac Kenney
              - Mehitable Kenney -- Israel Doane
                 - Olive Doane -- Simeon Kinney
                    - Thomas Kinney -- Mary Elizabeth Houghton
                       - Julia Kinney -- Ernest Hancock

References:

Anderson, Robert Charles 1995 The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633. New England Historic Genealogical Society.