This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: redrowdy2003 Surnames: Cooke Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.virginia.counties.culpeper/4569/mb.ashx Message Board Post: In 1855, John Oliver Cooke, younger brother of my 4th great grandfather James Watson Cooke, wrote a narrative. Here is an extract: " I was born in St.Mary's County, Maryland, in the neighborhood of Chaptico, on the 25th of May, 1782, where my parents remained until about the first of December following; which time they removed to Culpepper County in the state of Virginia, where they obtained a temporary residence a few miles south of Chester's Gap., a noted crossing place of the Blue Ridge. Having obtained a lease on poor land from the agent of the heirs of Lord Halifax for ninety-nine years, and in which he stipulated to pay one thousand pounds of tobacco annually, to be delivered at Falmouth, 60 miles distant. " Does anyone have any comment on, or corrections of, the above extract? Thank You; John Cook Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.