Early Life and Family Origins
William Ervin Cook was born in December 1809 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina, during a time when the young United States was still finding its footing as a nation. He was the son of Daniel Cook Sr. (1770-1815) and Ruth Moultrie (1775-1830), both of whom had lived through the Revolutionary War era and witnessed the birth of American independence.
William's father, Daniel Cook Sr., was born in 1770, making him a child during the Revolutionary War. His mother, Ruth Moultrie, was born in 1775, the same year the war began. The Moultrie name carries significance in South Carolina history, as it's associated with the famous Fort Moultrie in Charleston Harbor, suggesting the family may have had connections to the region's colonial and revolutionary history.
Childhood and the Move West
William's childhood was marked by the typical challenges of frontier life in the early 1800s. When he was just six years old in 1815, his father Daniel passed away, leaving Ruth to raise William and his siblings alone. This loss occurred during the difficult years following the War of 1812, when many American families were struggling to rebuild and establish themselves.
The family's westward migration began when William was still young. By 1824, when William was about 14 years old, the family had moved to Stewart County, Tennessee. On September 30, 1824, his mother Ruth executed a deed of gift involving William, indicating he was beginning to take on adult responsibilities at a young age—common for frontier families where children often had to mature quickly.
Young Adulthood and Brothers in Business
William had at least two brothers: John Cook and Martin Cook. The three brothers worked together in various business ventures as young men. In 1832, when William was about 22 years old, he joined his brothers John and Martin in a significant land transaction with Isaac Futrell in Trigg County, Kentucky. This deed, recorded in Deed Book 10, page 82, suggests the Cook brothers were establishing themselves as landowners and businessmen in Kentucky.
This period of the 1830s was significant in American history, as it marked the era of westward expansion and the beginning of what would later be called "Manifest Destiny." The Cook family was part of the great migration of Americans seeking new opportunities in the frontier territories.
First Marriage and Family
On April 20, 1840, at age 30, William married Levisa Downs in Trigg County, Kentucky. Levisa was born around 1822, making her about 18 years old at the time of their marriage. She was the daughter of Benjamin T. Downs and Elizabeth Stubblefield, connecting William to other established Kentucky families.
This was a time of great change in America, with the presidency of Martin Van Buren giving way to William Henry Harrison, who famously died after just 31 days in office. The country was grappling with economic depression and the growing tensions over slavery that would eventually lead to civil war.
William and Levisa welcomed two sons:
Benjamin Franklin Cook (1841-1927) - Named after the famous founding father, reflecting the patriotic sentiment of the era
John Thomas Cook (1842-1879) - Possibly named after William's brother John
Tragically, Levisa died sometime before 1845, leaving William a widower with two young sons to raise. Her burial place remains unknown, which was unfortunately common for many women of this era whose graves were poorly marked or lost to time.
Second Marriage and Growing Family
On July 12, 1845, William married Naomi Calhoun (sometimes recorded as Cohoon), the daughter of David G. Calhoun and Rebecca Futrell. Naomi was born around 1817 in Kentucky, making her about 28 years old at the time of their marriage and about eight years William's junior.
This marriage brought William into connection with the Futrell family, which appears to have been significant in the area, as evidenced by the earlier land transactions and the fact that there was a place called "Futrell" in Trigg County where the family later lived.
William and Naomi had three children together:
David Cook (1848-1852) - Sadly died at just four years old
Sarah Jane Cook (1850-1890) - Later became Sarah Jane Cook Beaty
James Daniel Cook (1854-1936) - Lived to be 82 years old
Life During the Civil War Era
The 1860 census provides a snapshot of the Cook family during a pivotal moment in American history. William, age 51, was living in Trigg County, Kentucky, with his wife Naomi (45) and their children. The household included James Thomas Cook (19), Benjamin Franklin Cook (17), Sarah Jane Cook (11), and James Daniel Cook (5).
Kentucky's position during the Civil War was particularly complex. Though officially neutral at first, the state was deeply divided, with families often split between Union and Confederate sympathies. Trigg County, located in western Kentucky near the Tennessee border, saw significant military activity throughout the war.
William would have been in his early 50s during the Civil War years (1861-1865), making him too old for military service but certainly affected by the conflict. His older sons, Benjamin Franklin and John Thomas, would have been of military age, though specific military records are not mentioned in the family documents.
Post-War Years and Later Life
The years following the Civil War brought significant changes to Kentucky and the nation. Tax records from 1866-1871 show that William continued to be a property owner in Trigg County, paying taxes during the difficult Reconstruction period when many families struggled financially.
The 1870 census, taken five years after the war's end, shows the family living in Futrell, Trigg County. At age 60, William was still the head of household, with Naomi (56), their daughter Jane (20), and son James D. (15) still at home. This was during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, as the nation worked to heal from the devastating civil war.
By 1880, family circumstances had changed significantly. The census shows William's son James Daniel Cook had become the head of his own household in Calloway County, Kentucky, with William listed as "Father" in the household, indicating he was likely living with his son in his later years.
Final Years and Legacy
William Ervin Cook passed away on June 5, 1892, at the impressive age of 82 in Calloway County, Kentucky. He was buried in Hooper Cemetery in Calloway County, where his tombstone records his birth in December 1809 and death on June 5, 1892. The inscription on his memorial reflects the religious faith that sustained many families through the trials of the 19th century: "I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT. I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE. I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH" (2 Timothy 4:7).
William had lived through some of the most significant periods in American history: the War of 1812, westward expansion, the Mexican-American War, the California Gold Rush, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. His life spanned the presidencies from James Madison to Benjamin Harrison—a period that saw the United States transform from a young, uncertain nation to a continental power.
Historical Context of William's Lifetime
During William's 82 years of life (1809-1892), America underwent dramatic changes:
1809-1820s: The era of westward expansion and the Missouri Compromise
1830s-1840s: The Indian Removal Act, the rise of Manifest Destiny, and the Mexican-American War
1850s: The Compromise of 1850, Kansas-Nebraska Act, and growing tensions over slavery
1860s: The Civil War and early Reconstruction
1870s-1880s: The completion of the transcontinental railroad, the end of Reconstruction, and rapid industrialization
William's family was part of the great migration patterns that helped settle Kentucky and the broader Ohio River valley. Their moves from South Carolina to Tennessee to Kentucky reflected the typical path of many American families seeking better opportunities on the frontier.
Family Legacy
William's descendants continued to thrive in Kentucky. His son James Daniel Cook lived until 1936, spanning nearly the entire 19th century and well into the 20th. The Cook family became established members of their Kentucky communities, with several generations calling the Bluegrass State home.
The Find a Grave memorial for William includes the touching inscription: "TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE YOU LEAVE BEHIND, IS NEVER TO DIE," suggesting that his memory remained cherished by his descendants long after his passing in 1892.
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Note: Claude Sonnett 4 created this biography using an Individual Summary sheet from my RootsMagic Genealogy software. All research was done by the author of Carolinafamilyroots.
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