Help finding information on Edward Cook, Islington

[hoolianama0508]

I have hit a brick wall in my genealogy research. My great-great-grandfather was Edward "Moody" Cook who was a cattle drover in Islington at Smithfield Market for many years. His wife was Mary but I do not know her maiden name. Together they had 9 children, George H., Charles, William Edward (my great-grandfather) who also became a drover as well, and some sisters - I only have their first initials.

I estimate Edward to have been born around 1856 or sometime close to it. I am pretty certain that he would have been born in Islington. At the time of their deaths, both Edward and Mary were listed at living in Ashburton Grove - where all their children were born.

I would like to find out what Mary's maiden name was, what his parents names were, and if he had any siblings.

I did see that on the 1881 census, an Edward Cook born in Drury Lane, however only 2 children are listed, and not my great-grandfather, so I do not want to assume that is the correct Edward.

Any help would be appreciated.

[keyboard86]

Hi could this be them on the 1901 Census:-

Edward Cook 45 occ Cattle Drover
Mary E 43
Ted 20 occ Cattle Drover
Rose 18
Jack 12
Polly 10
George 7
Charles A 4
Elizabeth C 10 months
Residing at 7, Albert Place Islington
Census Ref RG13/201/137/47
Keyboard86

[HeatherLynne]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat!  Could this be them in 1891?

Edward Cook 39 occ Market Dresser (?)
Mary 33 wife
Eliza 14 daur Flower Maker
Sarah 12 daur
Edward 10 son
Rosy 7 daur
John 2 son
Mary Mudge, 50, lodger, laundress
Residing at 7 Albert Place Islington
Census Ref RG12/0178/~F60

Heather

[keyboard86]

Hi the 1881 with Edward born Drury Lane you found is him ok

Keyboard86

[HeatherLynne]

Yes, I agree with Keyboard86, the 1881 you found looks right.  I think that Sarah's age of 16 should read 16 months as that would fit in with the ages on the other censuses.  It seems we've found all nine children   

Elizabeth C who was 10 months on 31st March 1901 would have been born around May 1900 and the most likely birth for her on FreeBMD is Elizabeth Cecilia Cook born Islington 1b 371 registered in September quarter.

There's an Edward Cook aged 12 on the 1871 census living at 25 Marlborough Terrace, Islington a General Servant that could be your man.  Something really odd occurs to me though, the Thomas Russell he is working for could well be my Great (x2) Great Uncle who I hadn't been able to find on the 1871!  If it is him, then his name was really Rassell, his age and place of birth fit, he'd been a grocer, annuitant, debt collector previously so it's possible he was a coffee house keeper in his old age!  The second person in the household John ?Turner? is his nephew and I can't place him at the moment but it's late and I'll look again tomorrow.

Heather

p.s. you didn't say when your Great Grandad was born - if it was 1880/81 or thereabouts then that would fit.

[keyboard86]

Hi again, this is a distinct possible, as his stated birth place is in the correct area for Drury Lane:-
1871 Census

Charles Cook 65 occ Coal Porter b Devon
Eliza 58 b Camden Town
Elizabeth Channel Daughter 30 b Camden Town
Rose Cook  Daughter 18 b Camden Town
Edward Cook 16  occ Drover b St Mary Le Strand
George Channel 11 Grandson b St Mary Le Strand
Edward Channel 6 Grandson b St Mary Le Strand
Charles Channel 4 Grandson b St Mary Le Strand

Residing at Rutland Place, St Mary Islington
Census Ref RG10/303/22/35

Keyboard86

[keyboard86]

Hi again this is the 1861:-

Charles Cook 51 occ Coal Porter now born St Mary Le Strand
Eliza 46
Elizabeth 20
John 16 occ Drover
James 12
Rosamond 8
Edward 6
George Channel 9 months Grandson b St Mary Le Strand
Residing at 3, Holwell Place Pancras middx
Census Ref RG09/112/81/67

All others now born St Pancras!
Keyboard86

[hoolianama0508]

Wow, I am so pleasantly overwhelmed with all the great responses, that I do not know where to start. 

My great-grandfather, "Ted" was born around 1880/81; only recently did we discover his first name was actually William. Which makes sense now since my mum recalls hearing people refer to him as "Bill" on occasion, however she forgot about that until the discovery.

The family seemed to remained in Islington/Holloway area for many years. It is strange how a large family like that did not remain in touch. Perhaps the 2 World Wars had something to do with that.

The names of the children seem correct since I have an obituary clipping (date not included since it was photocopied) that listed the chief mourners of Edward Moody Cook:

Mrs. S. Wood, Teddy Cook jr. (representing his father), Mrs. F. Whitaker, Mr. Jack Cook, Mrs. R. Stepney, Mrs. P. Wells, Mr. G. H. Cook, Mr. C. Cook, Mrs. L. Hyde.

For a long time I could not figure out any names, but from the information you all have provided, I can now make sense of the floral tributaries:

Polly and George, Florie and Arthur, Rose and Ted, Jack and Nell, Lizzie and Will, Charlie and Hetty, George and Olive, and Ted and Lou (my great-grands).

I will sit down with this information and try to get some more feedback from my mum.

[Eyesee]

St Mary Islington baptism
1881 Sep 25, Edward, s/o Edward & Mary Ann COOK, Queensland Rd, Butcher, born 1881 Sep 2
1884 Jan 20, Rosa, d/o Edward & Mary Ann COOK, Queensland Rd, Drover, born 1884 Jan 1

Ian C