Person:Edward Cook (25)

Born free. Half Mattaponi. Lived at 12 Potter Street, Buffalo, Erie, NY. 5/15/01 - Per Yahoo, Baltimore is located in Baltimore City County.

Per written history of C. Bruce Lee, Edward Cook came to Buffalo in 1834 and set up a barber shop.

1816 Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Church Baptisms 1812-1843, FHL film 2209348, p 305, Edward Cook, col’d, born October 11th, 1816, baptised the same day. His parents were Henry Cook and Patty Cook. Originally, his father was listed as Patrick, but that has been crossed out and Henry written on top. Sponsors were Mrs. Keenan and Rachel Greene. Signed by Enoch Fenwick.

1816 Certificate of Baptism, Edward Cook was born 10/11/1816, the child of Henry and Patty Cook, and baptized on 10/27/1816 at the Cathedral of the Assumption B.V.M. (Roman Catholic), 408 N. Charles St, Baltimore, MD. Edward was baptized by Rev. Enoch Fenwick, and sponsored by Mrs. Keenan and Rachel Greene. The certificate, dated 6/13/1958, signed by J. J. Gallagher, Asst Pastor, is per the Baptismal Register of the Church. The church is now know as The Basilica of the Assumption, same address.

1827 Matchett’s Baltimore Director for 1827, Archives of Maryland Online (http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000491/html/index.html :2013) p. 62, the following black Cooks: +Cook Wm. labourer, 57 E Baltimore +Cook Thos cooper, W Baltimore, S side near Pine +Cook Henry & Co scourers of clothes and intelligence office, North W of Baltimore

• • No idea if this is our Henry. More research is needed **

1829 Matchett’s Baltimore Director for 1829, Archives of Maryland Online (http://aomol.net/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000524/html/am524--70.html : 2013), p. 70, the following black Cooks: ++Cook Thomas, labourer, Pearce E of Cove ++Cook Nathan, labourer, Fayette w of Pearl ++Cook Delilah, Eager al n of Saratoga st n ++Cook Kitty, laundress, Hillen w of Ensor o t ++Cook Thomas, cooper, Run al s of Lexington st ++Cook C. labourer, Cider al betw Eutaw & Howard

1833 Matchett’s Baltimore Director for 1833, Archives of Maryland Online, (http://aomol.net/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000492/html/am492--46.html :2013) p. 46, the following black Cooks:1 CONT +Cook Delia, clothes dealer, Kimmell's alley
+Cook Thomas, Pratt st near the milestone
+Cook Thomas, barber, Franklin s1 CONC t near Cove
+Cook Charles, sawyer, Wagon alley
+Cook Wm. laborer, Chesnut lane
+Cook Thomas, carter, Franklin st extend1 CONC ed
+Cook Charlotte, Pine st
+Cook Henrietta, teacher, Baltimore st w of Cove
+Cook Moses, wheelwright, Gallows Hill
+Co1 CONC ok Delia, old clothes dealer, Kimmell's alley
+Cook Math, laborer, Baltimore st
+Cook Diana, Conway st near Howard
+Coo1 CONC k Andrew, laborer, Penn, av near city limits
+Cook Henry, waiter, 34 n Frederick st
+Cook Diana, w Conway st.

• • No idea if this is our Henry Cook **

1835 Matchett’s Baltimore Director for 1835, Archives of Maryland Online (http://aomol.net/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000493/html/am493--75.html : 2013), p. 75, the following black Cooks:1 CONT +Cook Thomas, porter, w end Baltimore st
+Cook John, cooper, w end Baltimore street
+Cook mrs. washer, Harford avenu1 CONC e n of church
+Cook Leonard, seaman, Spring st n of Gough
+Cook Thomas, carter, Peirce st E of Cove
+Cook Charlotte, wa1 CONC sher, Pine st w of Franklin
+Cook Henry, waiter, Centre st near Charles

• • No idea if this is our Henry Cook **

1837 Mathett’s Baltimore Director for 1837, Archives of Maryland Online, (http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000489/html/am489--96.html :2013), p. 96, the following black Cooks: +Cook Thomas, cooper, Market st extended +Cook John, cooper, Market st extended +Cook Henry, waiter, Pine st s of Pierce +Cook Thomas, carter, Pierce st e of Cove 96 +Cook Wm. drayman, Long si s of Ross st +Cook Charles, labourer, Short st s of Jefferson +Cook Moses, wheelwright, Brition st or Harford avenue +Cook Henry, coachman, Davis near Bath st +Cook Dinah, Conway w of Howard st +Cook James, labourer, 60 Strawberry alley

• • No idea if either of these Henrys is ours **

1837 State of Maryland Free Papers “Baltimore County, sct. [blank] I hereby certify, to all whom it doth or may concern, That it hath been proved to my satisfaction, that the bearer hereof, Edward Cook, aged about twenty years, of light complexion, five feet seven 3/4 inches high, has a _____ on the right side of his nose, near the eye, no other notable marks on ____, was born free, and raised in the County and State aforesaid. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of Baltimore County Court, this thirty first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.” Signature looks like Tho. Kell, clk, Baltimore Co.

Raised stamp on document, however, is stamped 1817.

1837 Edward Cook Passport, as follows: “Mayor’s Office Balto. Augt 31, 1837 Permission is hereby Granted to Edward Cook, coloured man to pass after Ten Oclock but not later than 12 Oclock at night, he behaving himself in an Orderly manner.” Signature looks like LSmith Mayor.

1837 Baltimore County Certificates of Freedom, MSA CM 821, CR 12,262, p 151, states as follows: “Edward Cook raised in Baltimore ... on this 31st day of July 1837 before me Clerk of Baltimore County Court appears Charles Keenen and makes oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God that negro Edward Cook aged about twenty years of light complexion five feet seven and three quarter inches has a mole on his right side of the nose near his eye, no other visible mark or ____ was born free and raised in Baltimore County and State of Maryland.” Signed by Thos. Kell, Clk Baltimore County Court.

1840 - Unable to find an Edward Cook in Erie Co, NY. Also unable to find a matching Edward Cook in Baltimore, MD.

1842 Matchett’s Baltimore Director for 1842, Archives of Maryland Online (http://aomol.net/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000490/html/am490--428.html), p. 427-428, list of colored householders named Cook:1 CONT Cook Thomas, Raborg st e of Pine
Cook Henrietta, washer, Centre st w of Charles 
Cook W. H. porter, Pierce st e of Cove1 CONC 
Cook “————” labourer, Pierce ste of Cove 
Cook Thomas, cooper, Baltimore st e of Gilmer
Cook Sarah, washer, Short s1 CONC t s of Short alley 
Cook David, labourer, St Peter st e of Scott 
Cook Kitty, washer, Eutaw st n of Lee 
Cook Lemuel, l1 CONC abourer, Lombard st w of Canal
Cook Levin, Happy alley s of Fleet st 1 CONT Cook James, labourer, w side Strawberry alley n of Gough st
Cook Samuel, brickmoulder, s side German st e of Sharp
Cook John, blacksmith, w side State st s of Mulberry

1844 Walker’s Buffalo City Directory (Lee & Thorp’s Press), no Edward Cook.

1845 Per C. Bruce Lee, Phoebe Lansing and Edward Cook were married at Vine Street AME Church, Buffalo, Erie, NY.

1849-50 The Commercial Advertiser Directory for the City of Buffalo (Jewett, Thomas & Co. Publishers, p. 143) Cook, Edward, barber, h. Potter near William.

1850 US Census (NY, Erie Co, Buffalo, 4th Ward, pg. 277), Edward 33, B, barber, b. MD, real estate valued at $600. “Phebe” 30, b. NY, Henry 3, Ellen 1, Emma 5 mos, all b. NY.

1855 NY State Census (Erie, Buffalo, 5th Ward, no page nos, dwelling 753, ln 14 (familysearch.org no source info) Edward Cook 37, bl, b. MD, barber, owned his brick home, worth $200, had been in the city 11 years. His wife, Pabea 35, bl, b. NY, had been in the city 11 years. Their children, all bl, b. Erie County, had been in the city all their lives: Henery 0; Elen 7; Emly 5; and Joseph 3. Also living with them as a servant, Mary Heahman 25, wh, b. Germany, single, had been in the city nine mod.

1860 US Census (NY, Erie Co, Buffalo, 5th Ward, pg. 701), Edward 42, B, barber, b. MD, Real Estate valued at $2,000, personal property valued at $300. Phoeve, 40, b. NY; Henry 14, Ellen 12, Emma 10, Joseph 8, Anna 4, Frances 2 (f), Elizabeth 2 mos, all b. NY. Also living with them, Orlando Dover, 9, B, b. NY.

1861 Buffalo Business Directory (pub. R. Wheeler & Co, Buffalo, NY), p. 143, Edward Cook listed as barber, at 9 Exchange; home Potter near William.

1862 Thomas’ Buffalo City Directory (books.google.com : 2011), p. 175, Edward Cook, barber, Mansion house, h. Potter n. William.

1869 Buffalo City Directory (p. 258) Edward Cook, barber, 11 Exch. h. 12 Potter. From scanned image on distantcousin.com/Directories/NY/Buffalo/1869/, no information as to publisher of directory.

1870 US Census (NY, Erie Co, Buffalo, 5th Ward, pg. 487), Edward 52, B, barber, b. NY, RE valued $1,000, pers prop valued $400. “Phebe” 49, Henry 24, barber; Alex 22 (no sex mentioned, unable to tell if this should actually be ELLEN), musician (?); Emma 20, unable to discern occupation; Joseph 18, barber; Lizee 10. All b. NY.

1875 NY State Census (Erie, Buffalo, 1st Dist, 5th Ward, penned sh 4 [familysearch.org, no source info], family 36, ln 4) Edward Cook 59, mu, b. MD, barber, owned his brick him, worth $4500, was a native voter. His wife, Ellen 54, mu. b. MD. Their children, all mu, b. Buffalo: Joseph 26, barber, was a native voter; Libbi 23 (dau); Mary 15; and Ellen 5.

• • David Lee was living down the street, family 41 **

1880 US Census (NY, Erie, Buffalo, 5th Ward, ED 127, pg 226B, ln 40), they were living at 12 Potter Street, Edward, 61 (b. MD, both parents b. MD), was a barber. His wife, Pheebe, 59 (b. NY, both parents b. NY), their son Joseph, 28 (b. NY, father b. MD, mother b. NY) was also a barber, and their daughter Elizabeth, 20 (b. NY, father b. MD, mother b. NY). Living with them were two families: (boarder) William B. TAYLER, 32 (b. VA, both parents b. VA), waiter, and his wife “Allen”, 32 (b. NY, father b. MD, mother b. NY). She must have been Edward’s daughter, Mary Ellen; Frank LEONARD, 34 (b. NC, both parents b. NC), and his wife Alice, 34 (b. NY, both parents b. NY). Unable to discern Frank’s occupation.

1880 Buffalo City Directory, p. 315, Edward Cook, barber, 11 Exchange, home 12 Potter.

1887 Buffalo Address Book and Family Directory (http://www.wnylegacy.org/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/VTP003&CISOPTR=1813&REC=4) No Edward Cook (p. 236). Reverse directory, Potter Street not listed at all. What gives?

• • • This directory was for “prominent” Buffalo familes only **

1890 Buffalo City Directory, p. 367, Edward Cook, Mansion House barber shop, home 12 Potter. Same page, COOK, Emily, hairdresser, b. 12 Potter.

1892 NY State Census (Erie, Buffalo, 7th Ward, ED 2, penned sh 23 (familysearch.org) Edward Cook 74, colored, b. U.S., citizen, barber. His wife, Pheba 72, colored, b. U.S.

1900 US Census (NY, Erie Co, Buffalo, 7th Ward, ED 53, sh 5A, ln 33), Edward, B, 82 (b. Oct 1817 MD), both parents b. MD; Phebe, B, 79 (b. Feb 1821 NY), both parents b. NY. They had been married 55 years, total kids = 8, living kids = 2. Harriet E., 50 (b. Feb 1850 NY), hair dresser, married 28 years, kids = 2/2; Edward (grandson), B, 22 (b. Jul 1877 NY), clerk in drugstore, single, father b. Canada, mother b. NY. All could read and write, and they were living at 12 Potter Street, Buffalo, Erie, NY, a home they rented.

1905 NY State Census (Erie, Buffalo, Ward 7, ED 1, Block C, penned sh 10, ln 30, familysearch.org) Edward Cook 87, bl, b. U.S., no occupation, lived at 12 William Street. Living with him, his daughter, Emma Lee 53, bl, b. U.S.; and her son, Edward Lee 28, bl, b. U.S., grocery clerk. Also living with them as a lodger, George Richardson 34, bl, b. U.S., railroad porter.

1906 Mar 3, 1906 - NY Bureau of Vital Statistics, Death Cert of Edward Cook, Registered No. 257, states place of death as 12 Potter Street, 7th Ward, Buffalo, Erie, NY. Father is listed as “Jno Cook” and mother as “June Cook”. Informant is D. M. Lee of 37 Williams Street. Edward died of heart failure, 88 years old, had been a barber, was a widower, was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery on March 6, 1906. Undertaker was F. J. Knufbosen(?), 31 Elmhurst.

1906 His Obituary from the Buffalo Evening News (or Buffalo Courier Express), Monday, March 5, 1906, headline read “He Had Shave Webster, Clay, and Other Great Men. Death of Edward Cook, for Fifty Years at the Mansion - Famed as a Barber” “Edward Cook, one of the best known negroes in Buffalo, died on Saturday at his home, No. 12 Potter Street. He was 89 years old and one of the foremost men of his race in the community. He cam to Buffalo from Baltimore when he was a young man. Before that, he was a slave. Being a barber by trade, he came here and took charge of the shop in the Mansion House. Mr. Cook was worth a snug little fortune at one time from which he built his home on Potter Street. His funeral will be held from his late home on Tuesday afternoon. During his connection with the Mansion House, which was about a half a century, Mr. Cook had met and worked on Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, and many of the notable men of their time. His shop was a meeting place for the elder Rumseys, Carys, Albergers, Dr. Lord and all the prominent men of the county of Erie and the city of Buffalo. He was one of the oldest settlers and was an encyclopedia of information on the growth and development of Buffalo.”

1. ↑ Possibly 7/31/1815-16
2. ↑ Forest Lawn Cemetery