1776-1784 Henry Co., VA Henry Co. emerged from Pittsylvania Co. in 1776 (Scroggins1-Cook File, p. 4) At a Virginia Court in Henry County on Jan. 21, 1777, William Cook II was recommended to the governor as a fit person to serve in the Commission of Peace for Henry Co., VA. Feb. 17, 1777 he presided with others over the Court Session and on July 21, 1777 he was sworn in again with others as Justice of the Peace. (Scroggins1-Cook File, p. 8)

Feb. 21, 1777 Sold 20 acres, being part of the 210 acres where William Cook II lived now on the Pigg River in Henry Co. (Our Ancestors, manuscript by Merlyn Joseph Cook, p.17)

On Mar. 16, 1778 William Cook II was appointed with others, to appraise the estate of Robert Hill, deceased. (Scroggins1-Cook File, p. 8)

Apr. 20, 1778 Sold 50 acres in Henry Co. on the Pigg River. (Our Ancestors, manuscript by Merlyn Joseph Cook, p.17)

Sept. 6, 1779 Sold 12 acres in Henry Co. on the Pigg River. (Our Ancestors, manuscript by Merlyn Joseph Cook, p.17)

Jun. 1, 1782 Patent granted for 107 acres on the North Fork of Pigg River. Patent granted for 187 acres on Hatchett Run Both transactions located in Henry Co. (Our Ancestors, manuscript by Merlyn Joseph Cook, p.18)

The 1782 Henry County, VA Personal Property Tax List has William Cook II with 1 tithe, no Negroes, 4 horses and 13 cattle. (http://www.is.netl~newriver/VA/henr1782.htm)

July 22, 1784 Sold 67 acres, 100 acres, 187 acres on the Pigg River at the mouth of Hatchet Run and both sides of river and said Run in Henry Co. The date of this sale taken with other evidence indicating the Cook’s intention to leave Virginia, as well as the extent on the sale, 354 acres, would indicate the Cook’s were selling off all their Virginia land just before moving. (Our Ancestors, manuscript by Merlyn Joseph Cook, p.18)

1784 Migration to KY - Helen Cook and her husband John Bohannon went to Kentucky in October 1779 where they settled at Wilson’s Station, which was also known as Fort Liberty. Rhoda Cook and her husband Joshua Bohannon may have gone out to the frontier about the same time. (Scroggins1-Cook File, p. 10)

William Cook and Margaret Jones and the rest of the children followed Helen and Rhoda to Kentucky. It has been reported that William and Margaret moved there in 1780, but they were still in Virginia in 1784. On September 26,1783 a group of their neighbors and associates in Virginia wrote a letter of recommendation for William, which was addressed to those with whom he might settle. (Scroggins1-Cook File, p. 10)

Henry County, Virginia: Sept. 26, 1783

This is to certify that William Cook has been resident in this place for near Thirty years; and has always behaved himself unblameable; and demeaned himself as a good Citizen, Patriot; and friend; to his Country & has faithfully Acted in the Civil department - and now being disposed to move to the Western Waters, we recommend him to the Inhabitants of that Country hoping he will meet with as warm a reception as the Merits of his Character intitles him to.

Test

Joseph Anthony Jesse Heard J.P.

A. Hughes J.P. John Hall

Peter Saunders Col William Hall

John Dillard J.P. Swinfield Hill J.P.

Saml Hairston James Calloway Cty.

Lt. Moses Greer (Jr.?) Campbell County

Thos Cooper Thos. Hale Captn.

Jno. Rentrfro J.P. Acquilla Greer

Robt. Jones Senr. Jesse Rentfro

Robt. Jones Junr. Abraham Penn Colo.

Thos. Jones Junr. Henry Jones

It seems likely that the Cook’s entered Kentucky through the Cumberland Gap that was about 250 miles from their Virginia home. After crossing the Gap, they would follow Daniel Boone’s trail by Boonesboro, Lexington, and settling on a farm on the Forks of the Elkhorn, about four miles east of Frankfort, KY (Woodford Co., now Franklin Co.). This was approximately 300 mile trip from the Gap. (Our Ancestors, manuscript by Merlyn Joseph Cook, p.22)

When the Cook’s came to the Forks of the Elkhorn, there were only half a dozen families in the whole area. According to tradition, William’s death occurred within a few months after their arrival, and left Margaret with a large family responsibility. The remaining children ranged in age from nine to about twenty-two. Margaret had her hands full, with very little income and all the dangers of daily living on this frontier outpost. (Our Ancestors, manuscript by Merlyn Joseph Cook, p. 23)

In 1785 Franklin Co., VA, was organized from parts of Henry and Bedford counties with part of Patrick county being added to it later. (Scroggins1-Cook File, p. 4)

Since Franklin Co. was formed shortly after the Cook’s left from Virginia, they usually in after years, identified their place of abode in Virginia as Franklin Co. (Our Ancestors, manuscript by Merlyn Joseph Cook, p. 6)

Submitted: Chas. L. Cook, cookstuff@aol.com 3rd great-grandson

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Other related pages: Descendants of William Cook - Seth Cook - Rev. Joshua Flood Cook - Morgan's Raider's - William Miles Cook - Captain Smith Cook - Shelby Co, KY - Abraham C. Cook - Rev. Abraham Cook - William Cook I - Issac Marion Cook - The Indian Massacre of Hosea and Jesse Cook, April 28, 1792, KY - Will of William Cook - Will of Margaret Cook - Will of Seth Cook  - William Cook Pilgrimage - Battle Hymn of the Cook's