Cooke of Wheatley
Henry Cooke, second son of Sir Henry Cooke of Wheatley, Yorkshire, purchased the Owston Estate, near Doncaster in the West Riding of Yorkshire, in 1698 from John Adams. The Adams family had held the manor and estate for over a century, but the last two squires had indulged in great extravagance and the sale of the estate was apparently necessary to settle their debts. The Cookes continued to hold Owston despite the early deaths of several sons. In 1763 on the death of Anthony Cooke, the management of the estate devolved upon his widow, Mary, as Bryan the only surviving son was only 5 years of age. For the rest of her life, Mrs. Cooke devoted herself to safeguarding and increasing her son's inheritance, purchasing large areas of land in the adjoining parishes of Thorpe and Adwick-le-Street. She died in 1785 shortly after Bryan Cooke had returned home after a brief career in the Army. The following year he married Frances Puleston, the heiress of Hafod-y-Wern, Wrexham, and Gwysaney in Flintshire. Their son Philip Davies Cooke inherited all three estates. These the family retained until the sale of the Owston Estate in 1980 confined their holdings to the Welsh Estate.
Source:Visitation of Yorkshire, Sir.William Dugdale, A.D. 1665 and 1666
The estate of the Cooke family in Wheatley, Bentley and Arksey, near Doncaster, was established in the seventeenth century by Brian Cooke, alderman and mayor of Doncaster, (d.1653), Henry Cooke, of Coates, co. Lincs., and Brian's eldest son, Brian (1620-1660/1).
Brian Cooke supported the Royalist cause in the Civil War and had to pay the price in 1647, when he was fined £1,460. His second son, Sir George, was created a baronet at the Restoration (1660/1).
Will of Sir George Cooke, of Wheatley, bart. 6 Jan 1681/2
Confirms a settlement of 2 July 1679 between the testator, Henry Cooke, of Wheatley, his brother, and Christopher Ayscoghe, of Lincoln, esq., Sir John Micklethwaite, of London, Dr. of Physic, kt., relating to the testator's third part of his estate (under the legitim). To his friends, John Mawhood, of Arksey, D. D., and his nephew, Brian Nevile, of The Close, Lincoln, esq., an annual rent of £500, issuing from testator's manors of Bentley, Langthwaite and Wheatley, in trust to levy £6,000 to the following trusts: to pay executor's expenses; to dispose the residue for the benefit of the younger children of George Cooke, eldest son of the testator's brother, Henry Cooke, and then to other specified trusts. To testator's nephew, the same George Cooke: capital messuage called Clayton Hall in par. High Hoyland, which testator bought from Thomas Clayton, and the manor of Langthwaite and all lands in Bentley, Shaftholme and Balne bought by the testator from Sir Thomas Worstenholme and Sir William Adams. To Dr. Mawhood, Mr. John Ellaker, of Doncaster, and testator's nephew, Brian Nevile: 2 cottages which the testator bought from Mr. Jennings near the almshouse of Arksey with the house where John Flower now lives in trust to build a schoolhouse, with a legacy of £200 for its building. To the Corporation of Doncaster: £60 to buy a mare. To Sir John Micklethwaite: £50. To Dr. Mawhood, John Jackson, minister of Doncaster, John Ellaker, of Doncaster: £5 each. To Mrs. Ellaker and her daughter, Ann: 20s. each to buy rings. To his cousins, of London, John and Thomas Short: 20s. each to buy rings. To his sister Cooke: £20 to buy a ring. To his brother and sister, Mr. Ayscoghe and his wife: £100 to buy mourning and a horse for hunting. To his cousin, Brian Nevile and his wife: £50 for mourning. To his godson, Gervase Nevile: £100. To his cousins, Mr. Ramsden and his wife: £50 to buy mourning. To his godson, William Ramsden: £100. To all other nephews and nieces: 20s. each to buy rings. To his godson, George Cooke, son of John Cooke, of Sheere Lane, London: £50; and to his father: £10 for mourning. To Stephen Mason, of Lincoln: £10 to buy mourning and a legacy of £10. To Mr. Nusam, chaplain in the testator's house at Wheatley: £10 to buy mourning and a legacy of £10. To servants at Wheatley Hall: one year's wages as a legacy. £20 for a monument for testator's mother and decd. brother in Doncaster church. Testator to be buried quiety in Arksey church. Residue of personalty to testator's brother, Henry Cooke, who is made executor. Testator's seal and signature. Reference: CWM/1420
Will of Sir Henry Cooke, of Wheatley, bart. 10 Aug 1688
Confirms to his second son, Henry Cooke, those lands in Stainforth which testator had bought in his son's name. To Brian Nevile, of Lincoln, esq., John Mawhood of Arksey, D.D., and Thomas Mawliuerer, of Sprotborough, clerk: manor and lands in North Roston, co. Lincs., and Furhill, par. Camringham, co. Lincs., in trust to settle on Henry Cooke, junior, on his marriage, or, if Henry does not marry within five years, then to settle it on the testator's eldest son, George Cooke, esq., who will settle a rent charge or annuity of £160 for Henry's life. To the same:all testator's leases and lands not already settled on his son, George, in trust to pay to testator's third son, Anthony Cooke, £1,500 and a rent charge of £50 for Anthony's life. Provided that Henry and Anthony release George from any claim to legacies under the will. To Gervase Eyre and his wife, Catherine, testator's sister, Aysoghe with her husband, son and daughter and four children, testator's cousin, Ramsden, and his four children, a guinea each. To testator's servant, Thomas Smith: £10 annuity for life issuing from the Holmes Close, and if he dies within two years, £10 to his son, Henry Smith.
Testator's eldest son, George, appointed executor. Seal and signature of testator. Reference: CWM/1422
Marriage settlement (by way of a mortgage by demise to secure a portion)
15 Jun 1711
Priscilla Squire, eldest daughter and one of 2 co-heiresses of Robert Squire, late of York, esq., and his wife or widow, Priscilla Squire, both decd.; Sir George Cooke, of Wheatley, bart.; and his son and heir apparent, Bryan Cooke, esq. On the intended marriage of Bryan Cooke and Priscilla, Priscilla Squire leases to Sir George Cooke: a messuage (now divided into three tenements) with a kiln, outhouse, in Bridlington, co. Yorks., of annual rent of £24; farms in Ryther and Ossendyke, co. Yorks., of annual rent of £240 19s. 6d., besides the wood valed at £500; messuages and lands in Cloughton, co. Yorks., of annual rent of £60; a moiety of lands in Stowbrowe or Stainton Dale, co. Yorks., formerly leased by Edward Bower to Robert Squire with the alum works there for annual rent of £45; messuages and lands in Scawsby, Burniston and Stainton Dale, co. Yorks., of annual rent of £48; a messuage and kiln in Thursday Market in York and a stable and hay chamber in Middle Swinegate, York, of annual rent of £20 10s. The premises were conveyed to the use of Priscilla by deeds of lease and release of 8 and 9th July 1709 and 27th and 28th April, last past. For term of 600 years.
To secure £8,000 plus interest in the marriage portion of Priscilla.Reference: CWM/1424-1425
Marriage settlement - (by way of lease and release to make a tenant to the precipe)
15-16 Jun 1711
Sir George Cook, of Wheatley, bart., his son and heir apparent Brian Cooke, esq., and Brian Nevile, of Lincoln, esq., grantors. Priscilla Square, elder dau. and a co-heiress of Robert Squire, of York., esq., by his wife, Priscilla Squire, both now decd. Nicholas Hall, of Furnival's Inn, Holborn, London, esq., and William Rymer, of the Middle Temple, London, gent., tenants to the precipe. Henry Cooke, of Owston, co. Yorks., esq. and William Mawde, of York., gent. William Levinz, of Sandbeck, esq., and William Wentworth, of Wooley, co. Yorks., esq.
On the marriage of Brian Cooke and Priscilla Squire. Manor of Bentley and the Lordships of Wheatley, Skinthorpe and Langthwaite; closes held by Wm. Broughton for annual rent of £60; a farm held by Joseph Cheshire for annual rent of £35, a close held by Samuel Bayly for annual rent of £9; closes held by Mrs. Crosby for annual rent of £18; closes held by Mr. Creakill senior for annual rent of £13 18s. 0d.; closes held by Mr. Creakill the younger for annual rent of £9; closes held by Mrs. Douglas Dickson for annual rent of £15; a close held by Mark Dawson for annual rent of £1; a close held by Mrs. Anne Ellerker for annual rent of £8; a croft held by Samual Foster for annual rent of £4 19s. 0d.; ½a. in a close held by Richard Fairham, alderman, for annual rent 9s.; closes held by Philip Gill for annual rent of £25 10s. 0d; a close held by Edward Halliday, alderman, for annual rent of £6; a house or close held by Thomas Jacklyn for annual rent of £4; closes held by William Leach the younger for annual rent of £37 10s. 0d.; closes held by Dr. Neale for annual rent of £15; a close held by Roger Perkins for annual rent of £5 10s. 0d.; a close held by William Wells for annual rent of £5 10s. 0d.; a close held by William Walker, alderman, for annual rent of £16 10s. 0d.; close held by Robert Copley, esq., for annual rent of £2 13s. 4d.; a cottage held by William Robinson for annual rent of 19s.; several closes held by Richard Shaw, alderman, for annual rent of £22; a cottage or garth held by Thomas Stansill, for annual rent of £1; the new close in Wood Ing of annual value £29; the Broom Close and Little Ing of annual value £9; the Parks of annual value of £30; the Hop Ground and lands belonging to it of annual value £30; the Pinfold Field and a close of annual value £20; the Twelve Acres Closes of annual value £8; the Five Intacks of annual value £58; the Sheep Walk, being 170a. and annual value £20, and the Moor, being 130a., both held by Sir George Cooke; all the aforesaid premises of annual value £520 and situated in the town fields of Wheatley and Doncaster, and are to be settled on Brian Cooke for term of his life and then to specified uses.
A close of arable held by Thomas Broughton for annual rent of £3 17s. 0d.; a farm held by Gervase Broughton for annual rent of £26 8s. 0d.; closes held by Benjamin Clark for annual rent of £8; closes held by John Coggan for annual rent of £6; a farm held by Wm. Daniell for annual rent of £26 15s. 0d.; a farm held by widow Daniell for annual rent of £70 11s. 0d.; a farm held by Samuel Eyre for annual rent of £20 7s. 4d.; a farm held by Thomas Green for annual rent of £71 4s. 8d.; a farm held by Richard Goodison for annual rent of £13 8s. 4d.; a cottage, mill and closes held by Mr. Kergarth, William Hind, and Thomas Hill senior, for annual rent of £40; a farm held by Wm. Hind for annual rent of £5; a farm held by Joseph Cotton for annual rent of £4 10s. 0d.; a farm held by Robert Heptonstall for annual rent of £8 8s. 4d.; a farm held by James Hall for annual rent of £17 5s. 0d.; a farm held by Wm. Hall for annual rent of £5 11s. 10d.; a farm held by John Jennings for annual rent of £42 10s. 0d.; several doses held by John Middleton and Wm. Holme for annual rent of £15; a close held by Wm. Stytham for an annual rent of £1 13s. 4d.; a farm held by Joseph Marshall senior for annual rent of £51 10s. 0d.; a farm held by Joseph Marshall junior for annual rent of £52 13s. 5d.; closes held by Peter Hudson for annual rent of £47 13s.; closes held by Mrs. Crosby for annual rent of £17; a farm held by Mrs. Mary Lee for annual rent of £54; a farm held by George Robuck for annual rent of £44; a close held by Thomas Rodwell for annual rent of £2 6s. 8d.; a farm held by Robert Smith for annual rent of £2 5s. 0d.; a close held by Wm. Robinson for annual rent of £2; closes held by Thomas Bayles, Richard Hool, and Edward Ellis for annual rent of £32; a farm held by Samuel Perkins for annual rent of £37; a farm held by Samuel Waice for annual rent of £15; a farm held by George Scolah for annual rent of £8 8s. 0d.; a close held by Mr. Twitty for annual rent of 15s. 0d.; a farm held by Wm. Elam for annual rent of £15; closes held by John Broughton for annual rent of £20; a farm held by Matthew Jackson for annual rent of £95 13s. 4d.; a farm held by Thomas Addiman for annual rent of £45 16s. 8d.; a close held by Addiman, for annual rent of £5; closes held by Wm. Tirwhitt and Mary Lee for annual rent of £15 8s. 4d.; a farm or meadow held by Mr. Tofield for annual rent of £3; all the foregoing are in Langthwaite, Arksey, Bentley and Doncaster. Several closes in par. Owston in the tenure of Thomas Harrott for annual rent of £18.
A farm in Burghwallis held by Samuel Firth for annual rent of £31; these and the previous tenancies valued at £520 p.a., have a total annual value of £1,001 19s. 3d., and are to be settled on Brian Cooke for his use for the term of his life, then to the use of Priscella Squire for her life as jointure, then to specified uses.
All their messuages and lands in the town fields of Wheatley and Doncaster now held by Mr. Heaton, John Tim, Francis Smith, John Arthur France, Richard Hargrave, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Viccars, Philip Gill, John Sugden, Peter Hudson, Edward Martin, alderman, widow Wells, Rubens Hudson, and Roger Goffe, for a total annual rent of £104 15. 0d.; the great mansion house called Carlingliew Hall, par. Batley, and its lands now or lately held by Benjamin Beamont, Marmaduke Shepley, Jeremy Shepley, John Armitage, Joseph Scolefield, Joseph Marsden, Alvery and Thomas Wilby, Joshua Wormwall, widow Crabtree, John Wormwall, William Hartley, William Cooling, John Furnese, John and Joseph Mowburn, John Talbott, James Booth, Richard Firth, Stephen Tingle, John Lister, John Brooke, Samuel Scott, Francis Pashley, Robert Blakeley, Richard Mann, widow Copley, John Hardcastle, and John Wilby, for total annual rents of £257 12s. 6d.; their lands in Burstall, co. Yorks., now or lately held by Robert Webster, of Adwalton, and Joseph Dickinson of Gomersall, for a total annual rent of £13 12s. 0d.; all their lands in Barwick in Elmet, Potterton and Scoles, now or lately held by Benjamin Haist, George Haist, and John Barker for an annual rent of £100; 205a. meadow in Bentley let by Sir George Cooke to tenants in and about Doncaster for annual rents totalling £160; a farm in Barnby Dunn held by John Walker for annual rent of £12; all their lands in Norton and Stubs Walden in pars. Smeaton and Campsall now or lately held by John France, William Moor the younger, Anthony Crawshaw, John Winter, John Mitchell, William Moor, the elder, Thomas Wicstonsall, Richard Askron, Thomas Fletcher for annual rent of £120 18s. 0d.; a farm in Fenwick, par. Campsall, held by John Sheares for annual rent of £19; a farm in Bramwith, held by Thomas Stones for annual rent of £3 3s. 10d.; a messuage in Womersley held by Thomas Cawood and widow Birks for annual rent of £30; the afore-mentioned valued at £820 p.a. are to be settled to the use of Sir George Cooke for term of his life, then to specified uses. Hall and Rymer to suffer a common recovery, as tenants to the precipe, by Levinz and Wentworth, as demandants, to the specified uses. Reference: CWM/729-732
Copy of the will and codicil of Sir George Cooke, of Adwick le Street 1 Oct 1732
Will: £10 each to his eldest son, Bryan Cooke, esq., third son, Henry Cooke, youngest son, John Cooke, and youngest dau., Elizabeth, wife of Richard Acklow, esq., as they are already settled for; lands in Armthorpe (described) valued at £173 p.a. in exchange for lands in Norton, Fenwick and Bramwith sold by Bryan Cooke under the terms above; all his manor and lands of Adwick le Street to be sold by his trustees to pay legacies to younger children, viz. £2,500 to eldest dau., Diana, £1,250 to fourth son, Alexander: manor of Armthorpe and all lands in Armthorpe, the manor of Langthwaite and all its lands, a messuage in Bentley bought from Toby Swinden, clerk, 2 closes at Barnby Dun bought from Roger Gregory, esq., tithes at Barwick in Elmet bought from Mr. Stamper, closes in Balne bought from William Cooke of Askern, and lands in Bentley, Arksey, Bramwith, and Blacker Green, to testator's second son, George Cooke, with contingent reversions or remainders to the eldest surviving of three youngest sons, Henry, Alexander and John, and then contingent remainder to eldest son, Bryan Cooke, in trust to raise specified legacies; to second son, George Cooke, houses in St. George Gate near the church yard and in French Gate, and butcher stalls, all in Doncaster, held on lease from Doncaster Corporation; to the same son, the over plus of all money raised from the sale of the manor and lands of Adwick after the payment of trusts; to the same son, £500 which Bryan Cooke is to pay to the executors of the will; to same son, all other leases from Doncaster Corporation and all effects, to acquit all debts and funeral charges of the testator; £10 to the poor of Adwick, £10 to the poor of Bentley and Arksey, £10 to the poor of Armthorpe.
Codicil: revised contingent reversions and remainders for the residue of the estate bequeathed to George Cooke. George Cooke appointed executor. Will 22nd September 1731; Codicil. Reference: CWM/736.
Will of Sir Bryan Cooke, of Wheatley
30 Mar 1734
Direction for the division of £1,200 to be raised for children of his marriage with Priscilla (née Squire), viz. his son, Bryan, and three daughters, Priscilla, Katherine and Elizabeth; bequest of his wife's jewels and dressing place to his daughters Priscilla and Katherine according to his wife's wish before her death; 4 closes in Wheatley Lance, par. Doncaster, bought by testator since his marriage to his eldest son, George in trust to raise £400 to be paid to the executors of the will; a rent for 21 years from alun mines, partly held in the right of his wife and part purchased from his sister-in-law, Mrs. Jane Squire, under a lease to the late Duke of Buckingham, to be collected by the executor to pay an annuity to Mrs. Squire for her life; the part of the alum mine bought by testator from Mrs. Squire to pass after the expiration of the lease for 21 years to testator's eldest son, George Cooke, charged with the £40 annuity to Mrs. Squire and with £1,000 to be paid to the executor; £300 to testator's brother, Alexander Cooke, Doctor of Physic; £20 each to buy mourning to his brothers, George Cooke, Esq., Reverend Henry Cooke, Alexander Cooke, John Cooke, and his sisters, Diana Cooke and Mrs. Acklom, wife of Richard Acklom, esq., and to his aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth Wombwell, widow; £10 to the poor of Doncaster, £10 to the poor of Bentley and Arksey; £500 to his brother George Cooke; testator's brother, appointed executor and granted the rents from the lease for 21 years of the alum mine to acquit £500 owed to George Cooke by the testator by a bond due to George Cooke as executor of the will of the testator's late father, Sir George Cooke, bart. George Cooke and Mrs. Wombwell appointed guardians of the testator's children. Reference: CWM/737-738.
Copy of the will of Sir Bryan Cooke
30 Mar 1734
Sir Bryan declared that £12,000 should be raised out of the lands already settled on his eldest son George, to be paid equally among his younger children, Brian, Priscilla, Katherine and Elizabeth. Money to be paid to Brian when he reached 21, and to Priscilla, Katherine and Elizabeth whenever they marry or reach 21, whichever is first. In the meantime, the interest is to be paid them as maintenance.
Priscilla Cooke (wife of Sir Bryan) devised that, after the death of Sir Bryan, her jewels should be left to Priscilla, and her dressing plate to Katherine.
4 closes of land which Sir Bryan bought of Mr. Stamper, which he in Wheatley Lane, Doncaster, and cost upward of £600, are bequeathed to George Cooke, provided he pay the executors £400 within 1 year of Sir. Bryan's death, else the bequest is void, and the closes are bequeathed to Bryan Cooke.
All rents and profits accruing from the contract made with the Dukes of Buckingham, re alum mines, viz. £400 p.a. are devised to Brian Cooke. From this, an annuity of £40 is to go to his sister-in-law Mrs. Jane Squire.
Legacies are bequeathed to his brothers and sisters, viz. George, Rev. Henry Alexander, John, Diana and Mrs. Acklom, and to his aunt Mrs. Eliz. Wombwell.
The remainder of his personal and real estate to his brother George, to be held in trust for his son Bryan.Reference: CWM/822
Probate with will annexed, of Sir Bryan Cooke of Wheatley
Reciting that his eldest son George was well provided for in the marriage settlement of himself and his wife Dame Priscilla, but reciting that the lands settled on George were charged with £12,000 to provide portions for his children - Bryan, Priscilla, Katherine and Elizabeth. In this will, he states how the money is to be divided. His wife's jewels are devised to Priscilla, and her dressing plate to Katherine (as his wife had wished.)
4 closes of land in Wheatley Lane are devised to his son George provided George pay the executors £400 within a year of his father's death if this is unpaid, then the bequest is revoked and the lands go to Bryan Cooke.
All rents and profits due him under an agreement made with the Duke of Buckingham lasting 21 years, and concerning alum mines are devised to his son George, but chargeable with an annuity to Sir Bryan's sister, Jane Squire.
Various legacies and bequests to family and friends. His son George is appointed sole executor.Reference: CWM/1090
Probate copy of the will and codicil of Sir Brian Cooke, of Pontefract
Probate 1759
His body to be buried in the parish church of Arksey, near to his brother, Sir George Cooke, bart., decd; £200 to his wife, Dame Mary; coach and horses and household effects to the same for her life, then to his uncles, George Cooke, of Doncaster, esq., Alexander Cooke, of Ripon, Doctor of Physic, and John Cooke, of Doncaster, esq., in trust to the use of his daughter, Mary, and any other children to come; to the same trustees, his messuage in Pontefract (part freehold, part copyhold, part leasehold), in trust for the use of his daughter, Mary, and any other children to come; to the same trustees, all his personalty for the same trust; the same uncles made his executors.
20th November 1756.
Codicil: provision for his wife, Dame Mary, as part of the furniture has been removed and part sold; as one trustee, Alexander Cooke, has died, and the testator wishes to appoint 2 new trustees, he appoints William Simpson, of Stainforth, esq., and Richard Frank, of Pontefract, esq., as trustees and executors; he places a charge of £30 p.a. to his wife on his alum works at Scawsby; and a charge of £400 on 4 closes in Wheatley, in trust for his daughter, Mary, and any children to come, which power of charge he has under the will of his late father, Sir Brian Cooke, bart., of 13th March 1734/5.
3rd May 1759. Reference: CWM/201
Bryan Cooke M P - for Malton 1795-1812 , he became Colonel of the 3rd West Yorkshire Militia in 1803, having been Lt. Col. of the Doncaster Troop of the Yeomanry Cavalry.
Anthony, son of Bryan Cooke died of fever on board H.M.S. Liffey in Ceylon aged 21 in 1823
Despite the many family and marriage settlements in the eighteenth century, the estate remained virtually intact into the twentieth century, and was called the Wheatley Hall Estate. The Wheatley Hall Estate was finally sold to Doncaster Corporation in 1933 for £60,000.
In the All Saints' Church, Owston, there are two marble monuments of Bryan Cooke and his wife, he is sitting with his face on his hand; she is kneeling on a pedestal, her head bowed, her arms crossed.