My 5th great grandfather was Robert Fielding Cooke, born in St. Mary's county. One of his brothers was James Cooke, who remained in St. Mary's county. In a letter from 1827, Robert F. Cooke, in writing to James' son William H. Cooke, writes:       " In them days it was the custom of the time to amuse themselves with playing cards; and many that knew nothing of letters -- or the use of the pen could play cards with great dexterity. It so happened that these good friends John McPhearson and Alexander Cooke [ Alexander was the uncle of Robert F. Cooke ] chanced to meet -- perhaps at my father's house, a civil game at cards was propsed for amusement and to pass off the time. This happened to be on the 2nd day of September in the evening, in the year of our Lord 1752, the two lads so pleased with their game they continued at play the whole night. The next day being the first day of the new stile, was the 13th day of September in the first year of my life;  I being then not six months old. thus I recollect hearing the old men talk of their long game at cards from the 2nd till the 13 of the month. Mr. McPhearson married Miss. Rachel Evans, had 2 daughters and a son, and then died when your mother was very small; tho the same friendly disposition  continued from the Cookes to the Widdow and orphans of their friends, which increased as their children came to the years of maturity. Your father sealed the friendly acquaintance by marrying your mother, ..... "          Does anyone have any idea of the name of William H. Cooke's mother? I know quite a bit about the family, but am not yet able to locate it. If anyone wants a scan of the actual letter, which comes from the Maryland Historical Society, I'll be happy to send it by e-mail.                                                                                                                      John Cook