John Cook

John Cook (1730 - October 27,1789) was an American farmer and politician from Smyrna, in Kent County, Delaware. He served in the Delaware General Assembly and as President of Delaware.

Early life and family

Cook was born in 1730 in Duck Creek, now Smyrna, Delaware, son of John and Margaret Cook. He married Elizabeth Collins, the sister of later State President Thomas Collins and they had five children: Sarah, Margaret, Elizabeth, Michael, and Robert. He was a prosperous farmer and tanner and gradually acquired a considerable amount of land in the area. Included in the property at one time was Belmont Hall, the home of Thomas Collins. The Cook home, however, was probably to the west of the present U.S. Highway 13, across the road from "Belmont Hall." They were members of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Smyrna.

Political career

Cook was Sheriff of Kent County just before the American Revolution. Like many of his Anglican neighbors in Kent County, Cook was fundamentally opposed to the break with Great Britain and was counted among the conservatives whose loyalty to the new government was suspect. However, he was popular, and was elected to the more conservative Delaware Constitutional Convention of 1776 and to the first State House for the 1776/77 session.

In July 1777 Cook was named one of the associate justices of the new State Supreme Court. Before he was allowed to take office, however, the appointment was blocked and David Finney, the cousin of Thomas McKean, was given the seat. At the height of the American Revolution, no one lukewarm to the cause would be able to get such a position easily.

Regardless, he was popular enough in Kent County to be elected again to the House of Assembly for the 1778/79 session, and in the 1780/81 session he began a term in the Legislative Council, later known as the State Senate. Cook was Speaker in the 1782/83 session when President John Dickinson resigned, thereby becoming President of Delaware himself. His succession was controversial, however, and was not generally agreed to until he agreed to serve only until a special election could be held to select a President. He served as President from November 4, 1782 until February 1, 1783 when the special election was held. He was back in the State House for a term in 1783/84, and again in 1786/87, and finished his legislative career with two years in the Legislative Council, beginning with the 1787/88 session. He was still in office when he died.

During his tenure as President the noted loyalist Cheney Clow was brought to trial for treason. The trial was presided over by two ardent revolutionaries, William Killen and David Finney. During the proceedings Clow was able to produce papers to prove his claim to have had a British commission, and the jury acquitted him. In spite of this, his enemies insisted on continuing to hold him in prison for reimbursement of damages caused.

President of Delaware
Previous		Service Dates		Successor
John Dickinson		November 4, 1782 - February 1, 1783		Nicholas Van Dyke

Delaware General Assembly (sessions while President)
Year	Assembly		Senate Majority	Speaker		House Majority	Speaker
1782/83	7th		non-partisan	John Cook		non-partisan	Simon Kollock

Death and legacy

Cook died October 27, 1789 in Duck Creek, now Smyrna, Delaware and was buried in an unmarked grave at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Smyrna. His daughter, Sarah, married future Governor John Clark.

No known portrait of John Cook exists.

Almanac

Elections were held October 1st and members of the General Assembly took office on October 20th, or the following weekday. Legislative Councilmen had a three year term and Assemblymen had a one year term. The General Assembly chose the State President for a term of three years.

Public Offices
Office	Type	Location	Term began	Term ended	notes
Sheriff	Judiciary	Dover			Kent County
Delegate	Convention	Dover	August 27, 1776	September 20, 1776	State Constitution
Assemblyman	Legislature	New Castle	October 20, 1776	October 20, 1777
Assemblyman	Legislature	Dover	October 20, 1778	October 20, 1779
Councilman	Legislature	Dover	October 20, 1780	November 4, 1782
State President	Executive	Dover	November 7, 1782	February 1, 1783	acting
Assemblyman	Legislature	Dover	October 20, 1783	October 21, 1784
Assemblyman	Legislature	Dover	October 20, 1786	October 21, 1787
Councilman	Legislature	Dover	October 20, 1787	October 26, 1789

Delaware General Assembly service
Dates	Assembly	Chamber	Majority	Governor	Committees	District
1776/77	1st	State House	non-partisan	John McKinly		Kent at-large
1778/79	3rd	State House	non-partisan	Caesar Rodney		Kent at-large
1780/81	5th	State Council	non-partisan	Caesar Rodney		Kent at-large
1781/82	6th	State Council	non-partisan	Caesar Rodney		Kent at-large
1782/83	7th	State Council	non-partisan	Nicholas Van Dyke	Speaker	Kent at-large
1783/84	8th	State House	non-partisan	Nicholas Van Dyke		Kent at-large
1786/87	11th	State House	non-partisan	Thomas Collins	Speaker	Kent at-large
1787/88	12th	State Council	non-partisan	Thomas Collins		Kent at-large
1788/89	13th	State Council	non-partisan	Thomas Collins		Kent at-large

References

• Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company. 
• Hancock, Harold B. (1977). Loyalists of Revolutionary Delaware. Newark. 
• Martin, Roger A. (1984). History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press. 
• Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, DE: Roger A. Martin. 
• Racino, John W. (1980). Biographical Directory of American and Revolutionary Governors 1607-1789. Westport, CT: Meckler Books. ISBN 0-930466-00-4. 
• Rodney, Richard S. (1975). Collected Essays on Early Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Delaware. 
• Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co. 

External links

• Find a Grave
• Delaware’s Governors
• Cheney Clow

Places with more information

• Delaware Historical Society website, 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
• University of Delaware Library website, 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965