COOK GRAVEYARD Wood Co. WV Some Pioneer Graveyards of Wood Co. by John A. House Here birds sing unrestrained their raphsodies, Where yellow sunshine filters through the trees, And here the stars shine down at night While white moonlight weaves a pattern bright. (J. A. H.) The Cook Graveyard, which lies just below the mouth of a little run nearly a mile above the mouth of the Little Kanawha, and more than one hundred poles back from the bank of the Ohio. It is one of the old burial places of the settlement, but most assuredly not the oldest, as claimed by some. It would be impossible at this time to fix the date of the first burial. The first tombstone on which a date is still legible is that of John James, 1809. He was, says Mrs. Amiss, a brother of her grandmother, who was Bennett Cook's wife. Doubtless, there are many markers older than this, and many graves without any headstone, and even without any mound to show where they may have been. Joseph Cook, a New England Yankee, who had come to the Marietta colony, bought two hundred acres at this point, on April 2nd, 1802, or that is the date he received a deed for same. He may have bought and moved on to the land earlier. The Cook farm was a part of four hundred acres patented by William Smith, in 1785. Smith sold his claim to Stephen R. Wilson, in 1803, by Wilson to Spencer and Lord in March, 1804, and by them transferred to Cook. Spencer was also from Massachusetts. The original graveyard was on a low hill immediately east of the wide river bottom. It may have been at first a private burying ground of the Cook family, enlarged for the accommodation of the neighborhood, and finally developing into a city cemetery known as Riverview. The first legal title to the grounds for burial purposes is a deed made by Pardon Cook and Tillinghast A. Cook, to Trustees, for an acre of ground. Its exact site cannot be traced from the document, but it was the western end of the present cemetery. This deed was dated July 5th, 1843. The grounds were afterward extended to the west line of Julianna Street, about two hundred seventy-five feet farther. The ground occupies a little knoll sloping in all directions, a low hill with some nearly flat land at its base, and running into pretty steep banks in the eastern corner. (This is now - 1925 - being filled and cleaned up). The original burying ground was the knoll in the western corner. There is something more than two and a half acres now in the enclosure. The deed was made by Pardon Cook and his brother, Tillinghast, who received the home farm from their father, in 1824. The Trustees names were: John J. Jackson, Sr. Daniel C. Lovett William S. Cardner D. Wilkinson W. F. Coffer James Cook M. S. Williamson J. G. Stringer Henderson H. Phelps Alfred Neale John R. Murdoch Festus Hawks E. D. Safford (Dr.) James M. Glass W. H. Safford (Judge) Rebecca Beeson P. G. Vanwinkle Hugh P. Neal G. W. Saunders Bennett Cook D. R. Neal Pardon Cook G. J. Neal T. A. Cook S. H. Davenport Paul Cook (Twenty-six of the leading business men of Parkersburg and vicinity.) The new cemetery was out in a field near the "Sand Road", which had been built to Marietta, the first road along the river having washed away in places, and being too low after the clearing of the lands, had been moved over to the foot of the hill. The grounds were fine, though probably grown up and neglected at the time. The site would have been ideal for a suburban residence, but the slope is pretty sharp for a graveyard, but not more than is often met. Now the grounds are in good condition, well sodded, and shaded by magnificent elms, and enclosed by a substantial fence. It is the prettiest burying ground in the vicinity of Parkersburg, and, save the Mound Cemetery at Marietta, the best I have ever been in, having a decided advantage in the lay of the ground over the old graveyard at Ripley. The trees, unfortunately, have not been doing so well for a few years, and one of the best of the elms died during the summer of 1922 and 1923, and had to be cut away. I examined the stump the fall of 1924, and found that the tree had been perfectly sound, and that, though several inches in diameter, it had only ninety-five growth rings, which, allowing that it may have been in existence two years earlier than the rings show, and that there has been no growth to show for two years past, makes the date of its first appearance 1824 or 1825. These trees are all sprouts, seedlings which came up in an already comparatively old graveyard, which the people had the good sense and good taste to cherish, rather than destroy. The land in the graveyard is approximately three fifths on Pardon Cook's side of the division line, and two fifths on Tillinghast's. There was a run which headed at the high know on Pole Cat Hill, by the site of the old waterworks of the city, and flowed across Julianna Street, just east of the present cemetery, turning at right angles to the west, and cutting through the long point it created just north of the Catholic Seminary. The original burying ground appears to have included the fifth and tenth rows of graves, from the southern boundary up to the division line. On the fifth row, I find - First next to the hedge, a space for one or more graves, probably occupied, but nothing to show. Then, a grave with a thin, crumbling sandstone slab, with inscription - In memory of James S. Barrett, a son of John and Mary Barrett, 1819 - 1842. John Barrett was one of the leading business men of early Parkersburg. He owned Lot Thirty-Four, on the west side of Third Street, below alley. Somewhere, I think, in Riverview cemetery. Mary, wife of John Barrett, February 1819, in twenty-fifth year. Jacob Miller McKinney, 1840 -1903. Agnes Dils McKinney, 1843 - 1900. J. W. Hiteschew, 1820 - 1890. Next is a fine old tree, and by its side the Buckley plot, with one marked tombstone, set at a later grave - Thompson Leach Buckley, the dates 1882 -1 897. There is a head stone with the name John Buckley, the dates and balance of inscription are crumbled away. There are other graves - or spaces - but the next legible inscription is marked - George Alexander Creel, born January 18th, 1806, died August 17th, 1891. His age would be eighty-five years and six months. Creel was a son of Thomas Creel, and lived the most of his time on a lease on his father's land, at the mouth of Spring Run, just above Claysville. His wife was Prudence Spencer Cook. She is buried by the side of her husband. She was born February 28th, 1806 and died October 27th, 1865, aged fifty-nine years and seven months. Next is a lot, name Houltz, no dates. Then, Lucy F. Kincheloe, wife of George W. Kincheloe. She was a daughter of John P. Mayberry, was born July 28th, 1817, married July 3rd, 1834, died July 24th 1835 (lacking four days of being eighteen years old). By her side is the grave of a child. Next grave is George W. Kincheloe, born March 26th, 1806, died May 22nd, 1840, age thirty-four years and one month. He was the son of Major Robert Kincheloe. On June 13th, 1837, he was married a second time. He was in the mercantile business in Parkersburg and dealt in real estate. Next, Hannah R. Pennybacker, wife of George W. Kincheloe, born July 23rd, 1816, died March 10th, 1891. She lived a widow over fifty years, and was seventy-seven years old when she died. Next, Elizabeth Neal, wife of Derrick Pennybacker, and daughter of John Neal. She was born January 7th, 1799, died March 12th, 1875, age seventy-eight years and two months. Her husband was from Virginia, and was probably a cousin to the Belleville Pennybackers and to John P. Mayberry. He was in business with his father-in-law until his death. After Mrs. Pennybacker, there are two unmarked graves, one perhaps that of her husband. Next, a child of a Chevalier. Next, "Our beloved daughter", Maria Chevalier, died 1853, at the age of twenty-three. Next, David Chevalier, died 1866, in his sixtieth year. He was a steamboat man of early days, and married Susan in 1825. Was she a daughter of J. J. Sr. This completes the row of graves which probably reaches the division line at this point, and the newer part of the cemetery. It is cut across here by the Jackson lot, which lies in the northern annex to the original burying ground, and is not subdivided into lots in uniformity with the first plot. The sixth row - The first grave is Mary E., wife of John Barrett, died February 25th, 1819, in the twenty-fifth year of her age. Next, Mary E., daughter of J. S. & M. E. Barrett, a five month old child. James S. Barrett is buried at the head of these graves. The next graves are those of - Dr. E. D. Stafford, 1819 - 1895, aged seventy-six. Annie H. Stafford, wife of E. D. Stafford, died Easter Sunday, 1876. There is a marble shaft seven feet high. Next, Ann T., wife of Dr. E. T. Stafford, died July 21st, aged twenty-seven. Next, Dr. E. T. Stafford, died March 16th, 1840, aged forty-seven. (One of the Smiths, Channing or Thomas, married a Safford, daughter of Dr. E. T. Mrs. Waterman, of Honeysuckle Lodge, is her child.) Next, a lot with ivy covered graves, but no headstones. Next commences the Cook "Family graveyard", with John Cook, born April 20th, 1778, died March 27th, 1827, aged forty-eight years, nine months. Margaret, wife of John Cook, born October 12th, 1783, died June 26th, 1864, aged eighty years and eight months. Then a daughter, inscription not readable, and a vacant space, unoccupied or graves not visible. Tillinghast A. Cook, born in Bristol County, Massachusetts, January 23rd, 1790, died August 20th, 1869, aged seventy-nine years, six months. Elizabeth, wife of T. A. Cook, born in Washington County, Ohio, May 30th, 1799, died July 31st, 1863, aged seventy-nine years and two months. (Was she a Dudley?) Joseph Dudley, son of T. A. & E. Cook, 1828 - 1839. Caroline B., wife of Rev. E. Bing, died 1818. She was a daughter of Tillinghast Cook, was twenty-five years and eight months. She was a Cook, but if she died in 1818, was not Tillinghast's daughter.) Next, a Bing child - 1813 - 1819. The next marked grave is much later, a monument inscribed John R. Ebert, died in 1893, aged fifty-five. There was a blank for his wife, Frances V. Probably the grave next adjoining is that of Letitia Cook, wife of George H. Gordon, born 1848, died 1898, aged fifty years. In the same plot, Julia Maria, wife of Bennett Cook, born March 28th, 1819, died May 8th, 1898, aged seventy-nine years. Bennett Cook, Jr., born February 8th, 1812, died September 23rd, 1889. "Brother Charles" (no dates). Nancy Devol, born July 18th, 1796, died January 17th, 1888, aged ninety-one years, five months. She was Bennet Cook's wife's mother. The Devols lived at Devol's Dam, on the Muskingum River (See History of Washington County). They were of strong Union sentiment, and Bennett Cook, Jr. went with his wife's people and counter to his brothers and Uncle Tillinghast. Next was the Jackson lot, fenced in and completely crossing rows four, five, six and seven, in the old graveyard. On the seventh row adjoining the outside is a massive monument for H. H. Dils. There are no dates, and no inscriptions visible on the tall column. On this lot are two graves - S. T. Dils, 1852 -1903. H. H. Dils, 1850 - 1895. This would be the son of Sheriff H. H. Dils. Next are two vacant spaces, and then James G. Laidley, died September, 1821, balance crumbled away. Corinnal, daughter of James G. and Harriet Laidley, died 1816, balance crumbled. After a space for about four graves, we next come to the primitive Cook grounds again, with inscriptions for - Elizabeth, daughter of Paul Cook (no dates) aged sixty-nine. Paul Cook, born September 19th, 1746, died February 10th, 1826, aged seventy-nine years, four months. He was a brother of Joseph and uncle of Bennett Cook. (One note says his will was recorded July 28th, 1824.) Joseph Cook, died July 28th, 1824, in his seventieth year. (Born 1755.) Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Cook. Died February 29th, 18--, (balance crumbled) in sixty-first year. (Joseph Cook's will was admitted to probate November term, 1824. Her maiden name was given as Parker, but it was Barker, probably a typographical error.) This Joseph Cook and wife were the owners of the farm on which the graveyard is situated, and parents to the family at Parkersburg. One author says he came to Wood County in 1787. "Mr. Joseph Cook", died August 3rd, 1833, aged thirty-eight. Clarisssa, wife of Joseph Cook, died in her sixty-eighth year. Maria D., daughter of J. and C. Cook, 1845, in her thirtieth year. The Paul Cook is probably a son of this Joseph. This Mr. Joseph Cook, born in 1795, would necessarily be a twin brother of Pardon Cook. Horace Cook, 1831 - 1899. Anna Rhoades, wife of Horace Cook, born 1829, died 1893. He was a son of Tillinghast Cook, his wife a sister of Rhoades, the editor. Next are four vacant spaces, the boundary line of the old cemetery and a walk extending into the new. In the eighth row - The first eight grave spaces now not showing former use. Then, John Henry, a son of David and Elizabeth Blair, died in 1825, a child of ten years. Next a mouldered sandstone monument with inscription gone. Then another one on which can be traced "In Mi--", "John He--", "son of Jacob", and on the footstone the date 1821. By the side of this child's grave is one marked Jacob Beeson, died September 3rd, 1823, in his forty-ninth year. Elizabeth, relict of Jacob Beeson, born April 3rd, 1773, died August 4th, 1836, aged eighty-nine years, four months. Next an ornamental monument of sandstone for Elizabeth Blair, died February 28th, 1835, in her fortieth year. Next in the row come three apparent vacancies, then - Thomas James, May 29th, 1809, in his twenty-eighth year. (Nancy Cook married a James. Probably this is he.) Henry C. Cook, born May 11th, 1839, died January 25th, 1864. He was a son of Paul Cook and was killed in the Southern Army. Near by this is an inscription - Julia A., consort of Paul Cook, born August 12th, 1812, died November 1st, 1868. Paul Cook, October 2nd, 1809, May 28th, 18--. He was a son of Bennett Cook, and lived on the western side of the old Lyons farm. His wife was a daughter of Robert Kincheloe. Next, one vacancy, and then three infant children of Bennett and Hannah Cook. One died in 1811, when nine months old. His name was James, as was also another son, born 1814, who grew up (see below). Next are three graves covered by slabs of sandstone - Hannah, daughter of Bennett and Hannah Cook, July 7th, 1807 - October 30th, 1823, aged sixteen years. Bennett Cook, born October 3rd, 1776, died October 6th, 1845. (Aged sixty-nine years and three days.) Hannah, consort of Bennett Cook, born December 8th, 1771, died May 2nd, 1813. She was a daughter of John James, married a Johnson, and after his death, married Cook, in 1806. There would seem to be a mistake about the date of death of Hannah Cook, for James Cook was born in 1814. Last in the row are three short graves, an infant, Bennett, Laura, and Jeptha, children of James and Sophronia Cook. The ninth row - There are four graves of later date, Stephens children. Next, three spaces, which, if ever occupied, the mounds are not now discernible. Then an old crumbled sandstone, with the inscription - "Sarah, wife of James Minneare, who departed this life, January 17th, 1826, in the twenty-eighth year of her age." "It is but a moment, a pang and no more, A struggle, and then to be free 'Tis the spirits last look, in a journey that's sore, Oh! Death has no terrors for me." James Minear married Eliza Ruble, in 1828. Next, a child's grave with an old sandstone marker, broken off at the ground. Then two children's graves, with faces crumbled off of headstones, probably Minear's children. Next a large ornamental sandstone marker with both faces gone. (before this, spaces for three graves.) After the defaced sandstone, there is room for three graves, perhaps occupied, but not showing any sign now. Next, an old mouldered sandstone, at grave of a child of Barker and Mary Cook. Next two spaces. Next, a broken mouldered slab with part of an inscription, ----------, son of Bathsheba --------, --------parted--------. Next, three or four spaces with no (visible) graves. Then, Sophia, daughter of James and Sophia Cook, 1858 - 1869, seventeen years old. James Cook, born January 18th, 1814, died May 4th, 1870. Then, Sophia Kincheloe, wife of James Cook, born April 2nd, 1815, died May 26th, 1886. Mary J., daughter of James and Sophia Cook, born April 6th, 1855, died September 21st, 1906. Then two spaces apparently unoccupied. Then at the end of the row of graves, one of the finest of the many magnificent elm trees in the cemetery. Beyond this tree, and outside the original graveyard, probably across the division line, is the Van Winkle lot, fenced across this row of graves in the old cemetery. Tenth row - The first four spaces have at least two old unmarked graves. Then Mary E., wife of Samuel Bacon, born at Edenton, N. C., June, 1812, died April, 1892. Next, Samuel Bacon, born at Norfolk, Va., December, 1807, died August, 1875. Then an old unmarked grave. Then an old crumbled stone with an old fashioned snow ball bush growing on the grave at the head of the stone. A monument at the foot is inscribed William L. Howard, born at Sheperdstown, Va., 1833, died 1897, and - Sarah S. Howard, died 1872, aged fifty-seven years. Then several spaces unmarked or unoccupied. Then an old grave with unreadable inscription. Next, set farther down slope from the ninth row, Jonas Beeson, Esq., born June 10, 1770, died February 16th, 1842, aged seventy-two. Rebecca Beeson, April 30th, 1786, July 20th, 1874, "In her eighty-ninth year". She was a Tomlinson, daughter of Benjamin. The next three spaces without visible graves. Then, Mary Kinnaird, September, 1785 - March, 1873. John A. Kinnaird, born in Culpepper County, Virginia, born September 1st, 1777, died May 2nd, 1850. Then three Kinnaird children's graves. Next an unmarked grave by a big elm tree. Then the fence of the Van Winkle lot. There are three other rows of graves, reaching to the foot of the hill, with dates largely in the forties, fifties and sixties. The first grave in the twelvth row of graves is that of "The faithful old sexton"., Matthew Gatewood, died May 11th, 1890. On Decoration Day, 1924, there was a flag at Gatewood's grave. John P. Mayberry, died November 15th, 1866, aged seventy-six years, eight months. Lucy Fearing, his wife, born October 2nd, 1796, died June 15th, 1886. "This mortal hath put on immortality". George Mayberry (a son) July 14th, 1819 - July 19th, 1870. Frances E. Kincheloe, his wife, May 19th, 1823 - September 16th, 1865. Lucy Fearing Mayberry, married George W. Kincheloe, 1834. She was born July 28th, 1817, died July 24th, 1835. John P. Mayberry was a leader of the Whig party in Wood County, a prominent attorney, and kept store in the old brick at the corner of Court and Julianna Streets, where the Smith Brothers now are. Isaac Mayberry, who died a few years later, was a brother, a prominent and respected citizen of old time Parkersburg. It was once said John P. Mayberry was as good a man as ever lived in Parkersburg. Nimrod Saunders' grave lies to the west of the driveway, and near the outside of the cemetery. He came from Prince William County, with the Creels. He was born in 1774, died in 1843, aged sixty-nine. Sarah Creel, widow of Captain N. Saunders, born in Prince William County, Virginia, October 16th, 1783, died April 19th, 1883, aged ninety-nine years, six months. She was a daughter of George Creel. She lacked less than six months of living one hundred years, and lived a widow for forty years. Mary A. Welles (a daughter of Paul and Julia Cook) Born October 31st, 1841, died December 28th, 1881. Edward Lyman Welles, Decemer 26th, 1838 - December 28th, 1868. Hattie, wife of George Welles, died 1865, aged thirty-two. George A. Welles, February 15th, 1865, aged thirty-two. Harriet was a daughter of Paul Cook. Her husband died with tuberculosis shortly after marriage, and his wife with the same several years later.