![[logo]](http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaead/logos/wm.jpg)
Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary
Special Collections© 2001 By the College of William and Mary
Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Processed by: Special Collections Staff
Collection is open to all researchers.
Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Armistead-Cocke Family Papers, Manuscripts and Rare Books Department, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Gift: 296 items,
1958 .
Gift: ca. 150 items,
1997 .
Gift: 287 items,
1998 .
Maria Carter, daughter of Charles Carter of "Cleve," King George County, Virginia married William Armistead of "Hesse," Gloucester County, Virginia William Cocke, son of Elizabeth Fauntleroy Cocke and Bowler Cocke, married Jane Armistead. Their son, William Armistead Cocke had among other children, Thomas Lewis Preston Cocke who married Mary Booth Curtis.
Correspondence, 1756-1764, of Maria Carter Armistead; business papers, 1782-1828, of William Cocke of "Bremo," Henrico County, Virginia and of "Oakland," Cumberland County, Virginia; and letters, 1861-1863, of William Fauntleroy Cocke, Thomas Lewis Preston Cocke and Edmund Randolph Cocke concerning their service in the Confederate States Army (including the Battle of First Bull Run). Also included are five volumes of farm and account books, 1851-1863, of Richard P. Jones of "Land's End," Gloucester County, Virginia; copybooks on astronomy, [ca.1770-1780?], scrapbooks, and genealogical material. Includes letter, 1869, of Benjamin Stoddert Ewell concerning the connections between the Randolph and Preston families and the College of William and Mary.
Additions to the collection (1997.34 and 1998.45) include family letters, genealogical notes and poems of members of the Cocke family and to related branches of Throckmorton, Curtis, Sheldon, Jones, Preston, Byrd, Dandridge and Carter families living in Richmond, Virginia and Powhatan County, Virginia. Some letters are written from Richmond in the Reconstruction Era.
Collection is arranged chronologically.
OrganizationThe inventory has been divided into seven Series. Series 1 is the genealogical and donor material, Series 2 is photographs, Series 3 is material concerning houses and land, Series 4 is correspondence and other papers, Series 5 is the Jones Account Books, Series 6 is Accession 1997.34 and Series 7 is Accession 1998.45.
Press release, 1958. Initial list of the collection. Genealogical charts.
Re: Genealogical Column, about Carters and Armisteads.
Early Carter and Armistead families, containing copies of letters from this collection.
Genealogical material concerning the Curtis, Sheldon, Carter, and Cocke families by Maria C. Talcott.
From The Times-Dispatch , Richmond
Copy of the tombstone of Emanuel Jones, died 1739, made by P[eyton] H. Page.
Re: Major Robert Throckmorton and John Peyton Dixon, from Bible owned by Mrs. Fann Throckmorton Nicolson.
The Sun , Baltimore. Re: "The Throckmorton family of England and Virginia "by Jane Griffin Keys.
Photograph of painting in Alexandria. She married Bowler Cocke II, and their son was William Cocke who married Jane Armistead.
Photostat positive and negative of painting, owned by Mrs. Maria C. and [Nathan?] Talcott, of Maria Byrd, daughter of William Byrd II and wife of Charles Carter, with son Charles Carter and [Maria Carter Armistead?].
Thomas Lewis Preston Cocke, son of William Armistead Cocke, Oakland.
Mrs. Elizabeth Randolph Preston Cocke, with Sally Lyle Preston Cocke, eldest daughter of Edmund Randolph Cocke.
Mary Booth Curtis Cocke, wife of Thomas L. P. Cocke.
"Historic Mansion of Mathews County," Hesse.
"Oakland. "Short History on back.
"Mrs. Cocke, Mistress of Oakland and Hostess of the Lees at Derwent, "by Alice M. Tyler from The Times-Dispatch , Richmond.
"Derwent Must Be Saved "from The News Leader , Richmond, Virginia.
"Lee's Hideaway Still Stands. "Reprinted from The Washington and Lee University Alumni Magazine by Dr. Leslie Lyle Campbell.
"Southerner Heard First and Final Shots of War Between States, was friend of Lee ", by Charles F. Preston.
Part of plat. Showing land on the Piantantan River of Lady Skipwith, George Curtis, Collonell [sic] Kemps, Augustin Horthus and William Marloe.
Sale of land in Kingston Parish, inherited from George Curtis, who bought the land from Edward Wyatt.
Thomas Curtis, Gloucester County to Charles Curtis, Middlesex County Re: Deed of same date was to fulfill Thomas' bond to Charles.
P. Beverly, Clerk of County Court. Re: Testimony of Nicholas Cobb, defendant; by his attorney, Thomas Gregson, in dispute over land purchased from George Curtis, now deceased.
Charles Curtis, Kingston Parish, Gloucester CountyHis will Gives all land to son Augustine, to daughters Sarrah [sic] Henry and Sous Anna [sic] Iveson, Negroes and linens
Plat of land. Charles Curtis on Piantatank River to Jno. West, Chisanassirk River, Accomack County Plat showing land surveyed by Jno. Smith. Shows location of the house.
Nicholas Foster. Re: Floor plan of a house.
Re: How to stay busy during the day. Published in 15 V 432.
Requests that the family visit her at Westover.
Bound in letter, April 14, 1792, from Christopher Pryor to Mrs. Maria Armistead, Hesse.
Cousin Maria Carter, daughter of Landon Beverley, gave birth to a son in October. Uncle William III and Aunt Mary Willing Byrd are going to tour through New York and Philadelphia. Health. Published in 10 V 178.
Pocket money for her visiting. Cautions against flattery. Publixhed in 10 V 178.
Coming marriages of Lucy Burwell to Edmund Berkeley, Rebecca Burwell to Jaquelin Amble and Jenny Burwell to Mann Page of Rosewell, and Miss Hannah Fairfax to Warner Washington. Published in 10 V 177-178 and 15 V 433-434.
Concerns Mr. William Armistead. Published in 15 V 435.
Family news.
Re: Her marriage to Mr. William Armistead. Published in 10 V 179-180 and 15 V 435.
Vote getting. Lewis' coming marriage. Launching of ship by the father of Lewis.
Suit against Clark Courtney and his mother Anne Mabry concerning land "at Eatons warehouse on Rappahannock River."
Virginians' reaction to Lord Dunmore as Governor Tryon is well received at New York, as is Col. Fanning. Family news. Part published in 10 V 180.
Accounts with William Jackson, James Clark, Major Thomas Boswell, John Robinson, Richard Hodges, Robert Matthewes, William Bentley Estate, Francis Elliot and John Hibble.
John New, John Fox and Danall New, Senior to William Armistead, Sheriff, Gloucester County Re: Bond of Indemnity.
Visit of Mr. William and Mrs. Armistead to their church. Route over Pudding Creek Bridge.
News about fighting in Norfolk and man of war near York. Sent cotton and worsted.
The Armisteads' moving North River to avoid the enemy. The Armisteads have kept prisoners.
The evils and hardships brought upon the people by persons without authority.
Submission to the catastrophies brought by man and God. News of the Russian General, and General Howe building on the Delaware.
Birth of Mrs. Armistead's child. Capt. Deane carried Major Skith in his ship. Resignation to the will of Providence.
Mr. Smith came to Elizabeth Town, N.J. but was denied a permit for New York. Lack of Negroes.
Accounts.
Accounts.
Memorandum of money received.
Copy book on Astronomy.
On reverse, John T. Griffin assigns the bond to Major William Lewis.
Account for the year.
Money payment in Half Joes. Land papers brought from Augusta.
"Invoice of Sundry Goods Shipped on board the Planter Capt. William Arthurs for Virginia..." Furniture, linens, carpets, dishes and silverware.
Corn and wheat deliveries, requested by Mr. Lynham. Her son Charles Carter Armistead is placed with Mr. Waugh in Port Royal.
Account for nails and German steel.
"Invoice of Sundries shipped on board the Ann& Mary, Capt. John Wheeler..." Horses, tools, medical implements, riding equipment and spices.
Lucy's visit to home of Col. William Byrd III?. Published in 10 V 183.
Offers to send Negro girls to help her daughter.
Protests the manner of payment of bill of exchange. Includes copy of request for bill of exchange from William Cocke to Rowles Grymes and County, London, November 30, 1787.
Sends tobacco to be sold to cover cost of requested items. Draws a bill of exchange upon them.
Agreement about Negroes written by Mr. Page.
Return of Cocke's bill of exchange resulted from his not reporting it.
Return of Cocke's bill of exchange resulted from his not reporting it.
Children's education in spelling, Greek, and reading. The new Constitution will lead to a navy.
Her brother Charles [Carter] will send for her daughters. Plans to return to Hesse soon.
Shipment of tobacco sent by the ship Williamson under John Miers to Rowles Grymes and County
Shipment of tobacco and other goods.
Damages from a hurricane. A [legal] "execution". Aunt and Uncle [Lewis] Willis.
Arrival of tobacco and confusion of orders.
Accounts against Cocke. On Reverse, note from Mr. Weaver and W.A. Fry.
Receipt for tuition of Master [Charles Carter] Armistead.
"Invoice of Goods..." shipped care of P. Parker at Norfolk.
Travelling and illness. Mr. Page and Mr. Byrd may help her move.
Sends by Willis, a tobacco note for Mrs. Maria Armistead's travels.
Receipt for tuition of Master Charles Carter Armistead.
Receipts for money for Benjamin Harrison Jr.
Receipt of Cocke's draft through Alexander Donald.
Shipment of tobacco on the Brandon. Requests information on the most popular kinds of tobacco.
Items to be sent to the care of P.L. Grymes. Notes of exchange.
Account of work done around his house. Lists cost of items used.
Receipt for payment on coffee.
Dispute. Copy sent to Mrs. Maria Armistead.
Wife Sally Sarah desires news of her sister Jane Armistead Cole. One of Washington's sisters married Mr. Milton. Growth of the area. Advantages of this farm.
Sale of Cocke's tobacco which was of poor quality and "injured by the spot."
Account of sale of tobacco.
Account of sale of tobacco.
Account of sale of tobacco.
Account due John and Thomas Gilliat for sugar, salt and iron.
Death of partner James Rowles. Sale of tobacco.
Payment of a debt to prevent having to sell Negroes. His wife Betsy. Miss Nancy Armistead "is almost devoured by Sweet Hearts."
Supplies of tea, earthenware, cyder [sic] and herring from Mr. Gilliat. Mother Mrs. Elizabeth Hill Carter Cocke will visit soon.
Judy Armistead's ill health; suggests cures. Charles Carter Armistead is over the measles; Mr. Thomas Ryan praises him.
Sends all requested items except loaf sugar.
Wheat harvest. Possibility of a Spanish war; Spanish ships have been seen in New York and Virginia. Mentions brother Charles Cocke and his son Henry.
Confusion in the settlement of Cocke's account with Donald and Barton of London.
At Manchester, with Mr. Pankey, inquired after hogsheads of mother Elizabeth Hill Carter Cocke. Tobacco; one had been sent to William Mitchell.
Poor tobacco sales of the previous crop will prevent his getting out of debt. Present crop does well. People have started growing wheat.
John Hall brought a runaway Negro to Napier. The boy said he belonged to William Cocke of Cumberland.
Sends account of tobacco shipped in the Williamson.
His sister Elizabeth Adams wishes Cocke to sell her corn. Consulted Major Thomas Massie and William Fry.
Monies due from estate of Thomas Adams.
Account for carrying hogsheads to market.
List of monies due Cocke.
"Appraisement and Inventory of stock and plantation tools and utensils on Mrs. Elizabeth Adames' plantation in Amherst County."
Acting for James Brown, sends coffee, and iron by Mr. Fenwick. Prices given.
Sends account and asks it be paid up, to enable the settlement of the estate of James Grymes.
Sends account and asks it be paid up, to enable the settlement of the estate of James Grymes.
Sent corn. Hired a new overseer, Smith. Sale of wheat. The trial of a Negro.
Accounts, from November 1790 to date, for salt, iron, wheat, leather, waggonage of tobacco, pork and draft on Donald and Burton.
Agreement that Moore will cultivate land for 5 years and then become the owner.
Accounting of money.
Bill for carrying tobacco of Mrs. Adams to the canal.
William Creacy (or Cresey) took too large and order of money on Weaver.
Account for women's clothing. On reverse, account of items furnished Mrs. Maria Armistead and for tuition for Charles Carter Armistead.
Exchange of servants. Harry's death.
Agreement for building a house, "with a plain Cornice."
Death of Mrs Elizabeth Adams, settlement of part of the estate between her daughter Sally Sarah and William Cocke [her son].
Schooling of her son Charles Carter Armistead.
Account for money lent.
Agreement to rent Negroes and plantation on Rockfish River, Amherst County, part of estate of Thomas Adams, deceased.
Family accounts and death of [William]'s mother [Mrs. Elizabeth Fauntleroy Cocke Adams].
Sends account.
Sale of slaves and horses. Crops.
His fall from a horse.
Repaying William Cocke for building a bridge across Knockbuckle Stream, by wheat growers.
Wheat receipts.
Account of sale of tobacco and settlement of bonds.
Shipment of tobacco from Tappahannock.
Clothes and family news.
Sale of Negro living at house of Thomas Taylor Byrd [husband of Mary, dau. of William Armistead], Frederick.
Money due on a draft.
Family matters. Marriage of daughter Nancy [Ann Cleves] to Mr. [John P.] Pleasants.
Account.
Case of Powell v. Armistead's Executors, concerning William Armistead's will.
Case of Powell v. [Armistead's] Executors. Mr. [John] Warden is an able friend. Consulted Tho[ma]s Tabb.
Death of Godfrey; consolation. Illness in the family.
Sarah Daingerfield to Mrs. Maria Armistead, Hesse. Health, the phaeton and chocolate.
Account.
Death of Mrs. [Maria] Armistead. Her papers in the [Powell v. Armistead] lawsuit.
Family reunion. Marriage of Mrs. Randolph. The coming marriage of her brother Phil to Miss Betsy Page.
Family news. The Hesse estate.
Leasing Hesse house to Mr. Van Bibber and the house's burning down. Living in Matthews County
Deed for property in Gloucester County on Piankatank River.
Arranging insurance for insurance for Cocke's barn.
Flour business.
Settlement of account.
Receipt for flour.
Bishop [James] Madison's draft on Hollins, for his son, [Peyton Randolph].
Agreement that Ashton will be an apprentice miller.
Account sheet.
Agreement to hire Powers as overseer.
Hessian fly affecting the wheat. His cousin, John Coles, has nervous fever. Asks for money.
Report on son William [A. Cocke] in Chemical and Moral classes.
Portfolio subscription. Requests news of Mr. R. H. Atkinson.
Drought. Acquiring Burnett seeds for Peter Bowdoin of Hungais, Northampton County, [Virginia] and Genl. Nathaniel Carzell of Sussex County, [Virginia].
2 receipts for payment on a debt.
Promissory note.
Treatment of a Negro girl.
Travelling. Family news. Character of Napoleon.
Receipt for interest paid on a bond.
Partitions land and describes how he wishes to be buried.
The E.F. Academy, Eternity and God. Father appointed to Port Gibson.
Family news. Hot Spring resorts.
Promotion. Departure from Camp Bejara. Genl. Cushing coming to visit. Friends in Santa Anna are Bob Hughes, Major Kenly, Dr. Tilghman and Dr. Field.
Love letter. Hopes she rejects the suit of Mr. Nelson.
Preaching at the Poplars and at Mr. Taliaferro's. Dined at Airville.
[Marriage?] Witt's injuries.
Account for money paid and received.
Illness, and death of Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Snow. Their school, composed of Mann Jones, John Dixon, and John and William Fox. Cousin Francis Tomkies is coming to Gloucester.
Family news and weather. Farming.
Minister Cole Hodges and Mr. Rodher. Sending a package for the Judge.
Tobacco shipping. On second sheet, printed list of merchandise and marketing information.
Certificate that account of Richard P. Jones, written by W[illia]m H. Allmand, is correct.
Settlement of a suit. His cruise to Madiera and the Canary Islands.
Requests medical attention for his man Jonah.
"Papers connected with the suit of Gov. Thomas of Maryland and his unfortunate wife Sally McDowell. "[A Genl. Jones was counsel for Thomas.]
Sale of property in Highland and Adams counties. Traveling.
Sends supplies. Wheat shipment.
"Horses bought in Ohio. . ."
Tobaco sales. "I hear the distant thunder rumbling in our own beloved country." quoted Virgil on the war in Europe.
"Sale of Forkes Plantation," planned with Rush Floyd.
C[harles] Le Baron, Mobile [Alabama] to Richard P. Jones, Gloucester County [Virginia] [brother of Harriet who married Charles Curtis and their daughter married Charles Curtis and their daughter married Thomas L.P. Cocke.] Settlement of estate of Mr. [George L.] Fauntleroy.
Miss Booth. As Dr. Booth had few debts, the sale of a slave should settle the account for his own services.
Sale of tobacco.
Settlement of [estate of Dr. Booth]. Money is to be left wtih Mr. Curtis if she is not at Wareham.
Troubles sent by God, especially the death of Mr. Langhorn. Mr. [Jacob C.] Sheldon is sick. Family news.
Contract made with R.F. Northern for carrying mail.
Projected celebration at Yorktown. Patriotism. Preservation of the Republic.
Payment on a mortgage assumed from T.L. Phillips.
Form for monthly return of the captain.
Upon Genl. Taliaferro's orders, collected guns in the county. Guns of Col. Hayes and Col. Taylor. Completion of arsenal. Asks for job on Taliaferro's staff.
Family news and agriculture. Formation of a company in Cumberland.
Edmund [R. Cocke, writer's brother] sent news about obstructing roads and fords. Promotion of officers. Cousin Robert Preston. War maneuvers.
Movement toward Alexandria. Expects an attack. Thomas [L.P. Cocke] is needed at home. "Most officers, as they make more money by their offices than they did by their professions or trades get less credit for patriotism." Agriculture.
Fight at Manassas. Cally Heath came down.
Family news. His description of Battle of Bull Run.
Politics of the artillery company. Behavior of Pendleton. Clothing.
The members of his mess. Food is of fine quality. Family news.
Troop movements. Housing. Family news.
Troop movements near Winchester and Harrisonburg. Uncle [J.T.L.] Preston is well.
Flanking McClellan's force. News of his brothers.
Flanking McClellan's force. News of his brothers.
Edmund [R. Cocke] was well after the recent battle.
Hot weather. Cousin Charles Moncure. Edmund leads a relaxed life.
Philadelphia press reports movements of Yankee forces inaccurately. Will fall back to Richmond before fighting. Tom [L.P. Cocke]'s company is near Port Royal. Furloughs.
Their man Abner. Troop movements in the rain. Vaccinations. Shoes and clothing. Wheat.
Work on breastworks. Furlough of Dr. Weymouth.
Attempts to get a discharge from a hospital. Getting a substitute.
Busy in legislature. Horses and mules being vulnerable to Yankee theft. Problems with Negroes. Marital attachment of a Negro couple.
"In the event Tho[ma]s L.P. Cocke is not sent into the Army" from Elizabeth R[andolph] Cocke, Robert D. Brown, John Hatcher and Nath[anie]l Walton.
Bill for horses and corn.
Management and/or sale of property in London.
Letter describing place of Randolphs and Prestons at the College of William and Mary, part of a program for raising the endowment.
Mother visiting her son in Washington. Plans for Christmas. [Plus, Ms. note from Mrs. Maria C. Talcott.]
Obituary taken from the Southern Churchman of Mrs. Elizabeth Randolph Cocke. [Ms. notes by Mrs. Maria C. Talcott].
Obituary, Mrs. Harriet Sheldon, wife of Jacob C. Sheldon, daughter of John Dixon.
Death of Uncle [J.T.L.] Preston. Family news.
A present for Miss Martha.
Devoted to Robert E. Lee.
"Descendants of Gentlemen-Adventurer will celebrate Henrico Grant of 1636. "
Engraving of letter from G[eorge] Washington, Mount Vernon, to Fran[ci]s Hopkinson, May 16, 1785; "for the Port Folio ."
Recent death of her husband [Mann Page.] Visitors Sophia and Lizzie Tompkins.
Carbon copy of "Third Regiment Virginia Calvalry, Roll of Company G, Cumberland County."
Religious poem.
Made by C.S. Laboratory, Richmond, [Virginia].
Copy book of poems.
Account books and a scrapbook of poems.
Re: Scrapbook of poems.
Later family letters, genealogical notes, and poems, 1839-1916, of members of the Cocke family and to related branches of Throckmorton, Curtis, Sheldon, Jones, Preston, Byrd, Dandridge, and Carter families. Includes letters kept by Elizabeth R.P. Cocke, daughter of T.L.P. Cocke and letters of Mary B. Cocke, mother of Maria C. Talcott.
Includes letters of the Cocke, Curtis, and Preston families of Richmond, Virginia, particularly correspondence between Harriet Throgmorton Jones Curtis and her children Charles ("Barney"), Mary Boothe, Harriet, Maria, and Martha Curtis. Also includes correspondence between Mary Booth Curtis and her husband, Thomas Lewis Preston Cocke, as well as letters from Thomas L.P. Cocke's mother, Elizabeth R.P. Cocke, to himself and his brothers, William, Edmund, and Preston Cocke.
Family news.
Letters are to her sons William F. Cocke, Thomas L.P. Cocke, Edmund R. Cocke, and Preston Cocke, and her daughters-in-law and grandchildren.
Correspondence early in their marriage when they were apart. Includes letters from their children Maria, Harriet, Charles and William Cocke, living in Powhatan County, Virginia with their mother, to their father.
Letters are to brother Charles Curtis, her sisters Mary Boothe, Maria and Martha Curtis, and her brother-in-law, Thomas L.P. Cocke.
Letters from Martha Throgmorton Curtis James to her sisters Mary Boothe Curtis Cocke, Maria Greenhough Curtis JOnes, Harriet Curtis Cringan, Fanny Throgmorton Curtis, and her mother Harriet T.J. Curtis, about family news.
Letters are to sisters Harriet T.J. Curtis, her brother-in-law, Thomas L.P. Cocke and her niece, Harriet Cocke.
Letters to her sisters, mother and Mary Booth Curtis Cocke and Thomas L.P. Cocke.
Letters from family and friends just prior to her wedding to Thomas L.P. Cocke.
Letters to Curtis (also called "Barney") from friends and family.
From family and friends.
Includes one photograph of Annie Page.
From Washington College and the University of Virginia. Also includes Vol. 1 (March 1839) of the Collegian, published by the students of the University of Virginia, and a program of the Baccalaureate Exercises at the College of William and Mary in 1935.
Written to her children before the Civil War.