Francis Billing Cook

b. 25 March 1845, d. 26 January 1920
  • Francis Billing Cook was born on 25 March 1845 in Autauga (later Elmore) County, Alabama.
  • He was known as Frank.
  • Andrew Jackson Cook and Sarah Juliet Evelina Mitchell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Coosa County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Francis Billing Cook, Thomas Mitchell Cook, Conrad Evelyn Cook and George William Cook. Also in the household was teacher David Williams, age 27.
  • Sarah Juliet Evelina Mitchell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Montgomery County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Francis Billing Cook, Thomas Mitchell Cook, Conrad Evelyn Cook, George William Cook, Eason Thweatt Cook, Mary Wood Cook, Caroline Catherine Cook and Sarah Juliet Cook.
  • Frank Billing Cook first entered military service in April 1862, Elmore Cunty, Alabama, as a private in Company A, 34th Alabama Infantry, CSA, and continued until May 1863, when he was discharged on account of sickness. He reinlisted in Montgomery County as private in January 1865, Watts Guards, and continued until paroled in May 1865.
  • Sarah Juliet Evelina Mitchell Cook wrote on 12 June 1864, in a letter to her son Conrad Evelyn Cook, "Frank and Georgie caught some fish at the river for our dinner. The ones we caught in the creek were too small. "Mary" caught the largest one that day. "Easie" the greatest number - he is so quiet & steady - never plays like the others."
  • Sarah Juliet Evelina Mitchell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Wetumpka PO, Elmore County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Francis Billing Cook. But where are her young daughters Mary, Caroline and Sally? Perhaps they were away at school, or since the household is recorded at the bottom of a page, it is possible that in some re-copying process the remainder of the household was omitted (?)
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1870 census.
  • For most of his adult life, Frank Cook worked for the Meriwether family, beginning with Thomas Meriwether whose daughter Nancy was the wife of Frank's first cousin Joseph Augustus Mitchell (Joseph's father Columbus White Mitchell was the brother of Frank's mother Sarah Juliet Mitchell Cook).
  • Thomas Meriwether appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Pike Road, Montgomery County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Francis Billing Cook, Joseph Nicholas Meriwether, Rebecca Louise Gilmer, Thomas Meriwether and Frank Valentine Meriwether.
  • He was a servant in the household of Thomas Meriwether, according to the 1880 census.
  • Thomas Meriwether appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Pike Road, Montgomery County, Alabama, with his wife Mary and eight children, not yet recorded.. Other members of the household included Francis Billing Cook.
  • He was a servant in the household of Thomas Meriwether, working on the farm, according to the 1900 census.
  • Frank Billing Cook appears in the 1907 Census of Confederate Soldiers Residing in Alabama, residing in Mathews, Montgomery County.
  • Thomas Meriwether appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Pike Road, Montgomery County, Alabama, with his wife Mary and six children, not yet recorded.. Other members of the household included Francis Billing Cook.
  • He was boarding in the household of Thomas Meriwether, according to the 1910 census.
  • Thomas Meriwether appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Pike Road, Montgomery County, Alabama, a widower with his son L. W., not yet recorded.. Other members of the household included Frank Cook. Frank Cook is identified as a boarder.
  • Francis Billing Cook died on 26 January 1920 at age 74 in Montgomery County, Alabama, at his residence on Pike Road.
  • He was interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery, Alabama.
  • The following appeared on 27 January 1920 in The Montgomery Advertiser: Mr. Frank D. Cook died at his residence at Pike Road Monday evening at 7 o'clock following a brief illness. He was 77 years old and is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Mary W. Blue of Montgomery, Mrs. H. R. Adams of Birmingham and Mrs. T. W. Graff of Robinson Springs and one brother, George W. Cook of Montgomery. Funeral services will take place from the Leak-McCarty chapel Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock and interment will follow at Oakwood.
  • Last Edited: 29 Jun 2014