Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Papers of John Bowdoin Cocke, Accession #2433-aa, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

These items were given to the Library by John Page Elliott of Charlottesville, Virginia, on February 14, 1991.

Scope and Content

There are ten items, 1859-1893, chiefly pertaining to John Bowdoin Cocke (1836-1889), eldest son of Philip St. George Cocke, and "Belmead," Powhatan County, Virginia, the Cocke family home. There are electrostatic copies of four documents relating to Cocke. Among these are two military documents: a Commission for Major in the First Regiment of Cavalry of the 4th Brigade and First Division of the Virginia Militia, signed by Henry A. Wise, August 1, 1859; and, a Commission for First Lieutenant in the Provisional Army of the State of Virginia, May 24, 1861. Other documents include a Pardon and Amnesty, July 6, 1865, given by President Andrew Johnson to Cocke for his part in the rebellion against the government of the United States ; and, a summons sent to the Sheriff of Fluvanna County for various parties, including John Bowdoin Cocke and other members of the Cocke family , to appear at the Circuit Court in Henrico County on November 28, 1874, to answer a bill in Chancery exhibited against them by Robert Bright and Matilda Southall . Also included is an inventory, January 1860, of lands belonging to the Philip St. George Cocke family, "Beldale" Plantation, Powhatan County, Virginia, and "Silver Creek" Plantation, Yazoo County, Mississippi, including lists of slaves. In addition, there are five items, 1874-1893, pertaining to "Belmead." A copy of a letter, January 9, 1874, from Samuel M. Wilson to John Bowdoin Cocke, concerns the settlement of the Estate in Powhatan County [presumably "Belmead"]. On April 16, 1886, Charles Hartwell Cocke, Columbus, Mississippi, writes to his brother, John Bowdoin Cocke at "Belmead," an understanding and sympathetic letter concerning the impending loss of their family home and expressing hopes for a liberal purchaser. Other items pertaining to "Belmead" include a list of books belonging to John Bowdoin Cocke, sold by his wife, Bettie Burwell (Page) Cocke (1841-1900) in 1893; notes on the financial status of "Belmead," with information on the deed of trust; and, a newspaper clipping, 1893, concerning the sale of the estate.