Joseph Moultrie Cook was born about 1790 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina. He was the 2nd born child of Daniel Cook and Ruth Moultrie. He has an older sister, Alice, and nine younger siblings; 5 brothers and 4 sisters.
‘His father is said to have died in the War of 1812. I know that he died before 20 March 1815 but have no proof of him serving in the War of 1812 or any war.
After his death, Ruth (Moultrie) Cook and several of the older children and spouses packed up the family and moved to Christian County, Kentucky.
On 9 October 1816, Joseph Moultrie Cook married Martha H. “Patsy” Lindsay, age 18, daughter of James Carlton Lindsey in Christian County, Kentucky. Family folklore says that Ruth M. Cook was there for that wedding.
Martha H. "Patsy" Lindsey, age 18, was a daughter of James Carlton Lindsey, was born about 1798 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Patsy died on 25 May 1862 at the age of 64 in Choctaw County, Mississippi.
On 25 September 1821 we find Joseph Moultrie Cook and James Lindsey purchasing over 600 acres of land in Trigg County, Kentucky from Spencer Griffin. Ruth Moultrie Cook is there in Trigg County with her son and daughter-in-law. James Lindsey is either Martha H. (Lindsey) Cook’s brother or her father.
Sometime before 22 Mar 1830 at the age of 40 in Hinds County, Mississippi. Joseph Moultrie Cook was murdered by a man named Thomas Lee. The document I found came from his probate file. No newspaper accounts of this murder had been found. It is not known what caused the altercation that took the life of James Moultrie Cook. His estate probated in Oct 1836 at Probate Folder #43.
Probate Document#1
Thomas B Taylor's voluntary information is as follows - - Mr. Taylor states that from the first time he heard that Lee had got Cook he said Lee ought to be hung.
Mr. Taylor further states that he did Not recollect Now whether he was sworn in Court to answer questions or Not - - Will C Williams states on oath that the day before Circuit Court commence that he heard Thomas B Taylor state that he had heard William Williams one of the witnesses against Lee state how and in what manner Lee killed Cook And Mr. Taylor stated that if he was one of the jury to try him he should hang. Mr. Williams was asked by the justice of the peace whether or Not he heard Mr. Taylor sworn in Court or Not Mr. Williams states that he did
Not hear Mr. Taylor sworn in Court.
Mr. Joel Pagin states on oath that a few days before Lee tried he was at Mr. Taylors house and heard Mr. Taylor say from what he had heard Mr. William Williams say Lee ought to be hung. Mr. Taylor was asked by the justice of the peace whether Mr. Taylor was sworn in Court Mr. Taylor said yes and heard Mr. Taylor sworn in Court Mr. Taylor stated on oath that he had Not formed or Expressed an opinion Relative to the innocence or guilt of Lee - - - -
Mr. Green Young testifies on oath that some time before the trial of Lee he heard Mr. Taylor say he thought Lee ought to be hung - -
Mr. Young was asked by the justice of the peace did you hear Mr. Taylor sworn in Court to answer questions Mr. Young state he did - and Mr. Taylor did answer
Say that he had Not formed or expressed an opinion Relative to the innocence or guilt of Lee –
Mr. Wm Neely states on oath that sometime in March Last he heard Mr. Taylor say that he thought Lee ought to be hung for he being spoke Mr. Cook was bound (should be hung) for it Mr. Neely was asked if he heard Taylor sworn in Court. Mr. Neely testifies he did Not Mr. Jesse Clifford states on oath that some time before Court he heard Mr. Taylor say Lee ought to be hung. Mr. Clifford was Not in Court on the trial of Lee.
"Mr. Toney states on oath that Mr. Taylor he was at Mr. Alfred's some time before the Circuit Act in April last. And in conversation with Mr. Taylor he heard Mr. Taylor say, that if he was one of the juror on the trial of Lee he would say hang him.
Mr. Toney was asked by the justice were you present in Court when Mr. Taylor was sworn Mr. Toney answer I was and heard Mr. Taylor sworn to answer questions and he was asked have you formed or expressed an opinion relative to the guilt or innocence of the prisoner Lee and Mr. Taylor stated that he did not so that he had and then the question was put to answer in the positive. And Mr. Taylor stated that he had not.
State of Mississippi
Hinds County
I certify that the above contains a true copy of all the proceedings had before me. Given under my hand and Seal this 4th day of September 1838.
James R. Satterfield J.P. [with seal]"
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3HV-N3TX-5?view=fullText&keywords=Cook%2CThomas%20B%20Taylor%2CTaylor%2CThomas%20B%2CMississippi&lang=en&groupId=TH-909-88756-100121-59
Document#2
State of Mississippi to any Lawfull officer to Execute
Hinds County and Return - Greeting -
Whereas Joseph C. Williams hath this day Complained on oath before me James W. Satterfield an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County that he hath just Cause to suspect and doth suspect that Thomas B. Taylor of said County hath been guilty of willful and Corrupt perjury in Swearing and Swaring in the trial of the State Against Thomas Lee for murder when Called Upon as juror in the Circuit Court of said County in April term thereof that as oath that he had not formed or Expressed an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of said Lee whereas in truth And in fact Said Thomas B. Taylor had before that time formed and Expressed an opinion as to the guilt of said Lee and hath prayed process against Said Thomas B. Taylor.
These are therefore to Command you to take said Thomas B. Taylor and have him forthwith before me at my office to answer the above Charge and be further Dealt with as the Law Directs.
Given under my hand and Seal this the 16th day of August 1836 -
James W. Satterfield J.P. [Justice of the Peace.
[Note: This document was found by a fellow researcher Julie Hampton, Thank you, Julie and transcribed by Claude.ai on 5 April 2025]
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3HV-N3L8-2?view=fullText&keywords=Cook%2CThomas%20B%20Taylor%2CTaylor%2CThomas%20B%2CMississippi&lang=en&groupId=TH-909-88756-100121-59
Based on two documents/circumstances, The birth of his last daughter, Josephine Ann Cook, on 7 October 1830 and a probate document dated on 22 Mar 1830, I believe he was KILLED between 1 Jan 1830 and 22 March 1830. That's based on Josephine Ann Cook being a daughter of Joseph Moultrie Cook.
Joseph Moultrie Cook and Martha H. Lindsey had the following children:
i. Mary Eliza Cook, born 7 Oct 1823, Christian, Kentucky; married John Jackson Hunt; died 6 May 1909, Burrton, Harvey, Kansas.
ii. Daniel Moultrie Cook, born 1828; married Sarah Jane Henderson, abt 1849; died 17 Feb 1863, Greenwood, Mississippi.
iii. Missouri Cook, born 19 May 1827; married Thomas Gray, 19 Dec 1844; died 25 Dec 1890.
iv. Josephine Ann Cook, born 7 Oct 1830; married Meredith Wilson; died 25 Jan 1911.
Joseph Moultrie Cook is my 1st Cousin 6X Removed.
_______________________________________
1. Trigg County, Kentucky, Deed Book "A": page 138 & 139, Spencer Griffin to Cook and Lindsey; Register of Deeds, Cadiz, Trigg County, Kentucky.
2. Trigg County, KY, "Trigg County Tax Year - 1827, 1822, Joseph C. Cook; Page 5 Line 7, County Tax Collector, Cadiz, Trigg County, KY.
3. Trigg County, Kentucky, Book "A", Pages 433.
4. Trigg County, Kentucky, Deed Book A: page 439.
5. Trigg County, Kentucky, Deed Book "A": Pages 438.
6. Joseph M Cook, 9 March 1825, Document Number: 765, Accession Number: MS0090__.249; Mississippi General Land Office Records, 1776-2015 Land Grants, Land Office, Jackson, Mississippi.
7. Joseph M. Cook, 9 March 1825; Land Patents; Land Office, Jackson, Hinds, Mississippi.
8. Joseph M. Cook, 15 March 1825, Mississippi.
9. Trigg County, KY, "Trigg County Tax Year - 1827," Image 76 of 378, Line 19--Joseph M. Cook, Joseph C. Cook.
10. Trigg County, KY, "Trigg County Tax Year - 1827," Image 115, Last Line Joseph M. Cook, Joseph C. Cook.
11. Mississippi, Deed Book Vol 2: page 233, Joseph M Cook and Martha his wife to James Lindsey; Register of Deeds, (Raymond, Rankin County, Mississippi; accessed https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLL-BS84).
12. "Kentucky, Marriages Record, 1785-1979," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: online January 2025), Marriage: Joseph M. Cook & Patsy Lindsay, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWRS-B8X.
13. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com: accessed 2 December 2018); Memorial page for Martha H. “Patsy” Lindsey Cook; (about 1798–25 May 1862); Find a Grave memorial # 22136945, Citing Poplar Creek Nations Cemetery; Kilmichael, Montgomery County, Mississippi, USA.
14. "Kentucky, Marriages Record, 1785-1979," database, Ancestry>, Marriage: Joseph M. Cook & Patsy Lindsay.
15. 1850 U. S. Census, Choctaw County, Mississippi, population schedule, Western Division, Choctaw, Mississippi, Page: #36B (Stamped); Line: #19, Dwelling: #495, Family: #496, Household of Martha COOK; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: 0nline January 2025); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll.
16. 1860 U. S. Census, Township 20, Choctaw County, Mississippi, population schedule, Township 18, Choctaw, Mississippi, Page: 311/121 (penciled); Line 38, Dwelling 870, Family 837, Household of Martha COOK; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.Ancestry.com: viewed 3 June 2020); citing NARA publication M653, Roll: 579.
17. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Martha H. “Patsy” Lindsey Cook (about 1798–25 May 1862), Memorial # 22136945.
