Rev. Abraham Cook 1774-1854, VA>KY>MO

LOOKING FOR MORE DESCENDANTS OF THE GRAND PATRIARCH OF SHELBY CO., KY COOKS:Rev. Abraham Cook, aks “Abram”

Father: William Cook II
Mother: Margaret Jones
b. July 6, 1774, Pittsylvania Co., VA
d. Feb. 10, 1854, McFall, Daviess Co., MO
m. Sept. 7, 1795, Franklin Co., KY
Spouse: Sarah Jones

Children:

• Eunice Nica Cook, b. 1798, Shelby Co., KY; d. Abt. 1816; m. Hosea Dunn, July 19, 1814, Shelby Co., KY
• Elizabeth Cook, b. Sept. 9, 1799, Shelby Co., KY, d. Apr. 11, 1877, Gentry Co., MO; m. Israel Christie, Sr., Dec. 19, 1815, Shelby Co., KY
• Abraham Cook, Jr. b. Aug. 24, 1801, Shelby Co., KY; d. July 11, 1884, Shelby Co., KY; m. Hannah Miles Sept. 5, 1822, Shelby Co., KY
• William F. Cook, b. Abt. 1802, Shelby Co., KY; d. Abt. 1853, Shelby Co., KY; m. Lucy Flood, Mar. 25, 1833, Shelby Co., KY
• Prudence Cook, b. 1802, Shelby Co., KY; d. Nov. 1887, Shelby Co., KY; m. Jesse Johnson, Dec. 23, 1823, Shelby Co., KY
• (Infant) Cook b. Abt. 1805, Shelby Co., KY
• (Infant) Cook b. Abt. 1807, Shelby Co., KY
• Wesley B. Cook, b. 1809, Shelby Co., KY; d. Feb. 8, 1864, Shelby Co., KY; m. Sarah E. King, July 26, 1834, Shelby Co., KY
• Sarah Catherine Cook, b. Dec. 1, 1810, Shelby Co., KY; d. June 10, 1890, Shelby Co., KY; m. Abraham C. Cook, Jan. 28, 1832, Shelby Co., KY
• Ursula Cook, b. Jan. 15, 1813, Shelby Co., KY; d. Sept. 18, 1895, Payson, UT; m. William Miles, Jan. 31, 1829, Shelby Co., KY
• Eleanor Cook. b. 1815, Shelby Co., KY; d, Willows, CA; m. Daniel Boone Duncan, Oct. 10, 1833, Shelby Co., KY
• Hannah Cook, b. Aug. 2, 1818, Shelby Co., KY, d. Oct. 15, 1851, McFall, Daviess Co., MO

Biographical Sketch from: “A History of Kentucky Baptists”, Vol. 1, 1886 by J. H. Spencer, p. 432.

Abraham was born of pious Baptist parents, in Franklin County (Pittsylvania Co), Virginia, July 6th 1774. In 1780, (1784) his parents moved to the wilderness of Kentucky, and joined some half dozen families in forming a settlement at the Forks of Elkhorn, in what is now Franklin county.

In June 1788, Forks of Elkhorn church was constituted and Abraham Cook was baptized shortly afterwards and remained a member till 1796, when he married Sarah Jones and moved to the head of Six-Mile creek, in Shelby county. Here he entered into the constitution of Six-Mile (now Christianburg church), in1799. For a period of twelve years, he divided his time between laboring on his farm and studying the Bible. During this period, he suffered many conflicts and sore temptations. He felt strongly impressed with the duty of preaching the gospel. But being poorly educated, and having a very humble opinion of his natural gifts, he strove against the impression till his anguish became almost intolerable and, at last, he was compelled to yield.

In 1806, a church called Indian Fork was constituted near where he lived, and he became a member of it. Here he was licensed to exercise his gift, on the fourth Saturday in December 1808, and, on the fourth Sunday in September, 1809, was ordained to the work of the ministry. He was now thirty-five years of age. He was over six feet high, very straight, rather spare, dark, swarth complexion, large dark brown eyes, and black hair. He possessed a strong constitution, and was very energetic. His bearing was dignified and commanding, and his manners, gentle, affectionate, and persuasive. His voice was clear, strong, and musical, and could he heard at a great distance. His piety was of that sincere, frank and earnest type, that wins the respect of all, and the love of the godly.

His preaching talent was above the mediocrity of his times, and he soon became very popular and influential. He was chosen pastor of Indian Fork, Six-Mile, and Buffalo Lick churches, in Shelby county, and Mt. Carmel in Franklin. Like most preachers of his times he did, in addition to his pastoral labors, much preaching among the destitute, and very great success attended his labors. He supported his family by his labors on a farm, persistently refusing to receive any pay for preaching. He continued to labor as pastor, with the churches that first called him, until the feebleness of old age admonished him to retire; and then left them all strong and prosperous.

In 1851, he sold his possessions in Kentucky, and, with his wife and youngest daughter, moved to Missouri. His daughter took sick on the way, and died, a few days after they reached their new home. Nor did he, himself, have to wait long for the Master’s summons. On the 10th day of February, 1854, he passed out of the “mud-wall cottage” and went to join the saints and their Redeemer in the new Jerusalem.

Chas. L. Cook, 2nd great-grandson and 2nd great-grand nephew