COCKE-CATESBY
CHRONICLE
February 2006
DESCENDANT NOTE
For the Cocke-Catesby line of births and deaths, the
relationships are based on the children of Dr. William Cocke
and Elizabeth Catesby Cocke who came to the Virginia
Colony in 1710 and 1712 respectively. Most Catesby births
and deaths are based on Sasfrid de Catesby, known alive in
1086, and generally are those living outside America. Some
Catesby births are based on as yet unconnected Catesby lines.
BIRTHS
Woodford Kuster Ragland was born 25 Feb 2005 in
Louisville, KY. He is the 8th great grandson of Anne “Nanny”
Cocke.
William Lawrence Montgomery was born 20 Mar 2005 in
Columbus, OH. He is the 7th great grandson of Catesby Cocke.
Ava Danielle Montgomery was born 2 Oct 2005 in Seattle,
WA. She is the 7th great granddaughter of Catesby Cocke.
Nelson Catesby Gagnet was born 02 Nov 2005 in New
Orleans, LA. He is the 7th great grandson of Elizabeth “Betty”
Cocke.
Kloey Sharon Lucille Moore was born 29 Nov 2005 in Lapeer,
MI. She is the 8th great granddaughter of Anne “Nanny”
Cocke.
Eric William Rapids was born 13 Dec 2005 in Westminster,
MD. He is the 7th great grandson of Catesby Cocke.
Sarah Howell Shelburne was born 18 Jan 2006 in Houston,
TX. She is the 7th great granddaughter of Elizabeth “Betty”
Cocke.
Cooper Lee Funderburk was born 24 Jan 2006 in Oregon. He
is the 7th great grandson of Catesby Cocke.
Harrison Dieter Catesby was born 27 Feb 2006 in Brisbane,
Australia. He is the 27th great grandson of Sasfrid de
Caatesby.
Ian Michael Browning was born 1 Mar 2006 in Royal Oak,
Oakland Co., MI. He is the 8th great grandson of Anne
“Nanny” Cocke.
DEATHS
Lisa Browning died 27 Mar 2005 in Mt. Sterling, KY, and was
buried in Machpelah Cem., Mt. Sterling, KY. She was the 6 th
great granddaughter of Anne “Nanny” Cocke. Lisa was our
treasurer for several years.
Catesby ap Catesby Jones died 5 Feb 2005 in Wilmington,
NC. He was married to Halle Townes and was the 4 th great
grandson of Elizabeth “Betty” Cocke.
Edith Elizabeth Bloom died 8 Apr 2005 in Gadsden, AL. She
was married to James Skelton McDowell and was the 4 th great
granddaughter of Catesby Cocke.
Thomas Richard Miller, Jr. died 14 Oct 2005 in Demopolis,
AL, and was buried in Demopolis Mem. Gar., Demopolis, AL.
He was married to Brenda K. Hill and was the 6th great
grandson of Elizabeth “Betty” Cocke.
REUNION HELD IN FRANKFORT, KY
A splendidly planned and executed reunion was held
September 1,2, and 3 in Frankfort, KY. What a wonderful
genealogical experience once again for cousins to meet and
greet – some for the first time at a reunion, and some meeting
each other for the first time. A bountiful committee headed up
by Catesby Woodford and Jim Browning and a supportive cast
of dozens did a magnificent job. Sadly missing was the late
Lisa Browning who had served as the family treasurer for a
few years and who had been an integral part of the committee.
Lisa lost her battle against cancer earlier in the year. Members
and guests attending are listed below:
Don & Claire Blancher, Plano, TX-Marcia Jean Bower,
Tempe, AZ-Diane Karnes & Louis H. Brink, Lawrenceburg,
TN-Jane Venable Brown, Winchester, KY-James W. & Irene
Browning, Mt. Sterling, KY-J. Perry & Debbie Browning,
Georgetown, KY-Elizabeth P. Browning, Georgetown, KYWilliam W. Browning, Louisville, KY-W. Thomas & Virginia
K. Buckner, Lexington, KY-Dudley & Sophia Burwell,
Huntsville, AL-Jackson Parker Burwell, Huntsville, ALEmily Burwell, Huntsville, AL-Mary Burwell, Huntsville, AL
Tony & Andrena Catesby, Otley, Ipswich Suffolk, UK-Larry
& Judy Chambers, Burke, VA-Catesby W. & Elizabeth Clay,
Paris, KY-Catesby W. Clay, Jr., Paris, KY-James E. Clay,
Paris, KY-Joseph Clay, Paris, KY-Susan Clay, Paris, KY
Joseph B. & Mary Lynn Cocke, Clemson, SC-Linda Cocke,
Clemson, SC-Lucille Hannah Cocke, Franklin, NC-Walker &
Donna Cocke, Semenole, FL-Bud Cocke, Semenole, FLElizabeth F. Comstock, Spring Grove, IL-Rebecca Moore
Copeland, Atlanta, GA-Lucy & Mike Cooper, Paris, KY-Abby
Roberson Couch, Nashville, TN-Betty Catesby Woodford &
Dan Duty, Georgetown, KY-H. Waldo & Binky Forster, Jr.,
Richmond, VA-Jean Greene Gorman, Greenwood, SCBuckner & Anne G. Hinkle, Jr., Lexington, KY-Sally Hinkle,
Paris, KY-Dr. Nancy & Dr. Phillip Holland, Nicholasville, KY
Betsy & Ted Kuster, Paris, KY-Betsy Woodford Lankford,
Paris, KY-Trey Lankford, Paris, KY-Carol Pilkinton Martin,
Lexington, KY-Taylor Martin, Lexington, KY-Joan P. Mayer,
Lexington, KY-Ollie W. & Elizabeth W. McCormick, II, Mt.
Sterling, KY-Sarah Burwell Moore, Atlanta, GA-Peggy
O’Steen, Florence, AL-Leslie K. Overstreet, Alexandria, VA
(Leslie has been made an honorary member.) Lila Ware
Palmer, Richmond, VA-Lucy Blanton Park, Paris, KY-Cheryl
Pilkinton, Lawrenceburg, TN-Sarah Donnally Ramage,
Greenwood, SC-Suzanne Cocke Ramage, Greenwood, SCCaroline A. Riely, Memphis, TN-Joe & Judy Roberson,
Columbia,
TN-Barb
Shain,
Spring
Grove,
IL
Catesby Spears Simpson, Paris, KY-Lawrence & Chris
Westover Simpson III, Lexington, KY-Pat & Lad Simpson,
Paris, KY-Clare Sipple, Winchester, KY-Hannah Cocke &
Mike Sullivan, Raleigh, NC-Melanie Thomas, Chagford,
Devon, UK-John O. Venable, Winchester, KY-Joseph L. &
Helen S. Ware, Dunnsville, VA-Anne Ritchie Waring,
Dunnsville, VA-Catesby & Pam Woodford, Mt. Sterling, KYSarah Chenault Woodford & Nik Fegenbush, Mt. Sterling, KY
Chenault & Donna Woodford, Mt. Sterling, KY-Lalla &
George Zima, Kingsport, TN (Especially pleasing was the
visit by English cousins Tony and Andrena Catesby and
Melanie Thomas.) Hopefully, I have not omitted anyone.
Leslie Overstreet of the Smithsonian in Washington
added a unique pleasure to our reunion. She came to see firsthand Cocke-Catesby family members since she is very
interested as a researcher of Mark Catesby, the naturalist and
our great uncle. It seems she has come across recently
discovered drawings which beg to be understood. Following
is a first-hand report by Leslie:
“As Curator of Natural-History Rare Books at the
Smithsonian Institution Libraries, I have been investigating an
unusual copy of Mark Catesby’s Natural History of Carolina,
Florida and the Bahama Islands (London, 1731-1747) that we
hold. My research focuses on the actual printing of the book,
about which very little is known as almost none of Catesby’s
papers or documents seem to survive.
The Natural History Museum in London was
recently given another unusual copy of the book - the first one
known that's uncolored. I hope to get over there next Spring
to examine it and see what it can tell me about the technical
aspects of the book's production.
For the past year or two I've been involved as a
consultant to a film project: a PBS-style documentary about
Catesby, his explorations in South Carolina, and the book he
produced. It's the brain-child of Dave Elliott and the nonprofit Catesby Commemorative Trust that he founded
www.catesbytrust.org – please visit this website) and runs on a
shoe-string. Dave has produced a fascinating DVD to
introduce people to Catesby's story. (Joe Cocke has copies of
the DVD if you'd like to get one.)
I met Joe Cocke this past spring in Charleston in
connection with the film project and was delighted to be
invited to join the reunion in Frankfort. I had a thoroughly
wonderful time at the reunion and want to thank all of the
family for their welcome and interest - I'm thrilled to be an
honorary "member" of the family and would welcome, in my
turn, any Cocke-Catesby folks who'd like to see their
ancestor's book in the rare-book room at the National Museum
of Natural History. Call me at (202) 633-1176 or e-mail
overstreetL@si.edu .”
On Thursday evening family members arrived and
were registered by the very able reception committee. Then
we had a social event to meet and greet with a chance to
update genealogy. On Friday we visited Buffalo Trace
Distillery in Frankfort, which has been in business of making
bourbon for many decades. A guided tour of the distillery did
much to educate us about the all-natural process which
produces Kentucky’s favorite and utterly unique beverage.
While there, many took advantage to purchase clothing,
souvenirs, and super-premium bourbon whiskey which is
simply not available anywhere else (so they say). Later we
toured Three Chimneys Farm, owned by “Cousin” Robert
Clay. Three Chimneys hosts many of the finest thoroughbred
stallions in the world, notably including “Smarty Jones.” This
was an “up close and personal” tour of an equine operation
which does not ordinarily open its gates for tour groups – truly
an unforgettable opportunity was had at a quintessential
Kentucky thoroughbred horse farm.
Finally, we enjoyed afternoon refreshments at
“Runnymede Farm,” owned and operated by “Cousin”
Catesby Clay and his wife, Biz. Founded in 1867, Runnymede
is the oldest continuously operating thoroughbred farm in the
Commonwealth of Kentucky, and is never opened for tours.
Because of family kinship and the hospitality of Biz and
Catesby, we enjoyed refreshments in this fine home, and
relished the rare privilege of being a guest on one of
Kentucky’s most historic locations.
Saturday found us having a family business session
in the morning with a sound historical presentation by James
Browning, our treasurer, featuring the Kentuckians who
descended from Dr. and Mrs. William Cocke. Joe Roberson,
genealogist for the family, presented by power point some
forty photographs and sketches covering chronologically the
period from 1086 to 2005. Featured on the English side of the
pond were Catesby Village; the 1485 will of William “The
Cat” Catesby, knight and chief counselor for King Richard III;
Ashby St. Ledgers Church where our ancestors attended in the
medieval period and which contains the tombs and brasses of
William and wife Margaret; All Saints Church at Seaton
where ancestors also attended in the medieval period and
which contains a chalice probably used by our ancestors and
an early Catesby crest on the wall; Catesby Manor where the
Gunpowder Plot was hatched by Robert Catesby in 1605;
Whiston Church built by our ancestral cousin Michael Catesby
in 1534 which also has an early family crest high near the
ceiling and which contains busts of Sir John Catesby, the
Justice of Common Pleas, and his wife; Queen’s College of
Cambridge where Dr. Cocke received his medical degree in
1693; and Sudbury Church where Dr. Cocke and Elizabeth
Catesby married in 1699. Then on the American side of the
pond we saw a plat of Colonial Williamsburg showing where
Dr. Cocke and Elizabeth lived; Bruton Parish Church in the
floor of which is buried Dr. Cocke and where on the wall
hangs a tablet about him; a letter written by Elizabeth to
daughter Betty about 1754; painted portraits of Major William
Woodford and his son, Brigadier General William Woodford
and Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones, Commander of
the Pacific Fleet in 1842; a letter from President George
Washington to General Woodford; “Belmont”, the home built
by Catesby Cocke in the 1700’s; a list of at least six ancestors
who lived beyond 100 years; and, finally, a map showing the
location of Catesby, Oklahoma. A surprise photo of Joe and
Mary Lynn Cocke appeared on the screen, marking their 58 th
Wedding Anniversary on 3 September 1947. Congratulations
to them again.
REUNION IN ENGLAND
Tony Catesby and Andrena committed (maybe?) to
working up a reunion in 2007 in England. They did a super
job in 2002 and we continue to compliment them for their
efforts. As world affairs shape up between now and then, we
hope travel will be safe and that a reunion is possible. It is an
experience that will enrich your lives as you see first-hand the
accomplishments of our ancestors in England.
THE CROWN ESTATE BUYS THE ASHBY ST
LEDGERS ESTATE IN THE LATEST
EXAMPLE OF INVESTMENT STRATEGY
19 October 2005
The Crown Estate has purchased the Ashby St
Ledgers estate in Northamptonshire, an outstanding diverse
agricultural, sporting and residential estate. This important
acquisition is the latest deal in the implementation of The
Crown Estate’s investment strategy, which is seeking to
maximise the potential of existing core holdings and making
judicious disposals and acquisitions to secure good long-term
financial performance across its £5 billion portfolio. The
Ashby St Ledgers estate lies between Daventry and Rugby,
covers around 945 hectares (2,337 acres) and comprises
conventional and organic arable farming, an organic dairy
farm, woodland, eleven residential properties and a game
business marketing under the ‘Ashby St Ledgers’ brand.