Bluebell Family History Research

Mary DRAYSON was baptised on 01-Mar-1818 in Worth, Kent, England to parents Charles DRAYSON and Mary DRAYSON.

John COOK was baptised on 14-Jun-1818 in Tilmanstone, Kent, England to parents William COOK and Sarah COOK. [Note surname incorrect in index].

John COCK born circa 1821 was living in the parish of Eastry and employed as an Ag Lab. The property address is Shingleton Farm which seems to be split into two households.

One where the farmer is living with his family and another with the head of household being an Elizabeth NETHERSOLE whose age given as 70. She appears to be looking after nine workers between ages of 13 and mid20s.

Mary DRAYSON born circa 1821 was living in the parish of Eastry and employed as a Female Servant. Similarly a property under address Sebon appears to split into two households.

One where the farmer is living with his family and another where she is the head of household with the other two persons being employed as Ag Labs. Presumably she worked for the farmer but also responsible for making sure that the two hands were looked after as well.

The marriage of John COCK and Mary DRAYSON was registered in Q4 1842 under Eastry District.

Edward COOK was baptised on 31-Mar-1844 in Tilmanstone, Kent, England to parents John COOK and Mary COOK. [Note surname incorrect in index].

Daniel COOK was baptised on 11-May-1845 in Tilmanstone, Kent, England to parents John COOK and Mary COOK. [Note surname incorrect in index].

Edward COCK was buried on 10-Jun-1846 in Tilmanstone, Kent, England with death age given as 2.

John COCK born circa 1819 is head and employed as an Ag Lab. His birth location given as Tilmanstone, Kent, England. His spouse is listed as Mary COCK born circa 1820 whose birth location is described as Word, Kent, England. They have a child Daniel COCK, aged six.

There are also two others lodging with them James SINCLARE, a widower at 28, along with his two year old daughter Eliza SINCLARE. James is also an Ag Lab who had been born in Hougham, Kent, England whilst she was born in Northbourne, Kent, England.

From this information I would presume that Mary looks after both children whilst the men go out to work which must be hard having lost her own child at a similar age to Eliza.

Sarah Ann COOK was baptised on 18-Jan-1852 in Tilmanstone, Kent, England to parents John COOK and Mary COOK. [Note surname incorrect in index].

John COOK born circa 1819 is head and employed as an Ag Lab and Retailer of beer. His birth location given as Tilmanstone, Kent, England. His spouse is listed as Mary COOK born circa 1819 whose birth location given as Worth, Kent, England. [Note surname incorrect in index].

Their daughter Sarah Ann COOK, aged 9, born circa 1852 is there with birth location given as Tilmanstone, Kent, England. Also as mother-in-law Mary’s widowed mother Mary DRAYSON, aged 72, born circa 1789 in Worth, Kent, England.

The address given as Lower Street Beer House and also in the property are two boarders. One is an unmarried Edward COOK, aged 41, and a William ABBOTT, aged 46 who was a widower. They are both born in Tilmanstone, Kent, England and work as Ag Labs.

From other research the Edward COOK is actually Edward COCK who is John’s younger brother and presumably who their first born that died was named after.

John COOK born circa 1819 is head and the family has now moved to Wingham where he is a Publican of the Eight Bells in Wingham Well. His birth location given as Tilmanstone, Kent, England. His spouse is listed as Mary COOK born circa 1819 whose birth location written as Word, Kent, England. [Note surname incorrect in index].

Also living there is Sarah A COOK, daughter who is employed as a dressmaker. She is 19 and unmarried. There is also another daughter noted called Clara M COOK who was born in Wingham Well and is just 7 months of age. It became clear from other research that this is actually Sarah’s daughter not Mary and John’s.

Another lodger is in the property. Charles F LUTTON is a Smiths Apprentice and was born in Barfrestone, Kent, England. He is 18 and unmarried. His name believe to actually be SUTTON.

Daniel COCK is elsewhere. ¹

Marriage of Sarah Ann COCK to John ELGAR took place in Eastry Registration District during Q3 1879.

John COCK born circa 1819 in Tilmanstone, Kent, England is found back in Tilmanstone but this time in Upper Street. He is in a property by himself, listed as married, and described as a Farmer of 3 Acres.

The question becomes where is his spouse at this date?

Mary COCK is found in Northbourne District at the property Beer House in Ashley. She is listed as Mother, married, born circa 1819 in Worth, Kent, England. Also, in this property are their two surviving children. Daniel COCK is unmarried, aged 36, and the head of household as the Beer House Keeper and Sarah A. ELGAR, aged 29.

Also, listed is Sarah’s husband John ELGAR as Brother (not Brother-in-law) and as nieces Clara A COCK, aged 10 and a scholar along with Fanny ELGAR who is just one month old and born in Northbourne, Kent, England. Presumably then Mary is there to help with the new baby.

A couple of lodgers also in the property who are employed as Ag Labs. The first a George NEWPORT of Eastry, Kent, England who is unmarried and aged 63. The other Richard WILLIAMS of West Langdon, Kent, England a 65 year old widower.

John COCK born 1819 was buried on 07-Apr-1891 in Tilmanstone, Kent, England.

Mary COCK born circa1819 with birth location Sandwich, Kent, England is living in Church Cottages in Tilmanstone. She is described as widowed and living on her own means.

Both living children are elsewhere.

Daniel COCK born 1845 was buried on 11-Dec-1894 in Tilmanstone, Kent, England. He never married or had a family of his own.

On the same page of the England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 we have both father and son’s probate details.

The entry for Daniel COCK says he was of Tilmanstone and a Yeoman. He died 09-Dec-1894 and administration in Canterbury on 02-Jan-1895 leaving effects of £213 16s 6d to Sarah Ann ELGAR (wife of John ELGAR).

The entry for John COCK says he was of Tilmanstone and a Labourer. He died 31-Mar-1891 and administration (with will) on 28-Jun-1895 leaving effects £351 to Sarah Ann ELGAR (wife of John ELGAR). There had been a former grant in May 1891.

Mary COCK born 1818 was buried on 11-Apr-1895 in Tilmanstone, Kent, England. I believe she had died about 06-Apr-1895.

Daughter Sarah Ann COCK had three children altogether and she lived until 1910, sadly dying aged 58. She is also buried at Tilmanstone. Her spouse remarried a lady with a daughter and he died in 1938.

Granddaughter Clara Mary COCK was married in 1888 and had three children before she died in 1912 about the age of 40. Her spouse appears to have abandoned her for a life in Canada. She is buried in Tilmanstone, Kent, England.

Granddaughter Fanny COCK married in 1902 and only had the one son. I have photograph in my possession of that wedding. She lived until 1970. She is buried in Wingham, Kent, England.

Grandson Edward John ELGAR had been born in 1882, he married in 1903 and had eleven children. He died in 1956. Not actually sure where he is buried.