A Newbie Says Hello to this Fascinating Group

W Brayton Cook · Post by **W Brayton Cook** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:23 am

Hello - I came upon this site while doing some other family research. My great grandfather was Arthur Borden Brayton, third child and second son of Isreal and Abby Brayton of Fall River.

As I understand it Lizzie was a relation of ours and our family history and lore has numerous references to her - including a story my grandmother told me about finding Lizzie burning red colored rags that she said were from painting.

My parents and grand parents have all now deceased and we have started going thru OLD family files that streatch back to the mid 1800's. I'd love to share anything that seems relevant with the group as we come upon it.

Thanks for letting me join -

nbcatlover · Post by **nbcatlover** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:47 am

Welcome! It's so exciting that someone with "real" connections is joining us.

theebmonique · Post by **theebmonique** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 1:18 am

Yes, indeed ! Welcome Mr. Cook !

Tracy...

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 1:19 am

Hello!
It's such a nice courtesy that you introduced yourself.
You've made our New Bedford genealogist very happy too, I see!

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:06 am

Welcome to the Forum, W. Brayton Cook! Wow, someone with Lizzie connections and fellow Leo to boot. Heres hoping that you dig up some neat stuff to share with the gang, I think we're all hungry for any new Lizzie tidbit we can sink our teeth into.

snokkums · Post by **snokkums** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:17 am

I think I would love to here some of things you got told growing up about lizzie.
Just curious as to where the relation is? (Grandmother has the same grandmother as lizzie? or something that's what I mean) My father does geneology too.
But I would still love to here what you were told! Anyway welcome to the forum.
Robin (snokkums)

W Brayton Cook · Post by **W Brayton Cook** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:32 am

Thank you all for being so welcoming. I am related to Lizzie thru my Grandmother Hazel Annie Brayton, daughter of Arthur Borden Brayton and Annie Evelyn Wilbur. I'll see if I can pull together a Borden/Brayton family tree and post it here.

I always wondered why my mother wouldn't let me play with knives (lol)

Also, one caveat - I am a terrible typist so please forgive errors in posts - I looked for a spell check here but didn't see one.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:14 am

Yes, welcome to the forum!

Any possible relation to the Charles C. Cook who ran some of the Borden's real estate?

Again, welcome.

W Brayton Cook · Post by **W Brayton Cook** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:28 am

Hi Harry - Interesting you should ask. My Great grand father on my father's side was Charles B. Cook - he was at one time head cashier and then President of the Metacomet Bank in Fall River. Not sure if they are related to Charles C Cook or not.

I have found numerous refernces to multiple properties in fall river in Arthur's Borden Brayton's old papers. He was also Town Clerk for awhile.

I'll see if I can come up witha list of the prorpeties - I'm not familiar with Fall River but maybe the addresses will have some meaning to the group.

Bill

snokkums · Post by **snokkums** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:04 pm

that's cute WB!! Mom won't let you play with knives-- wonder why!

Ad · Post by Ad » Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:43 pm

Nice to have you aboard Mr. Cook

sguthmann · Post by **sguthmann** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:47 pm

welcome. looking forward to hearing more about your family and genealogy. you've joined a very diverse and stimulating group!

nbcatlover · Post by **nbcatlover** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:21 pm

Mr. Cook--It's exciting to know your great grandmother is a Wilbur.

Did you know that 3 of the Borden jurors had the last name "Wilbur"?

From Rebello, pg. 201

12. John Wilbur (1833-1915), age 60, from Somerset, Massachusetts, farmer, housewright and road surveyor, Methodist with no interest in church, never served as a juror, married, not opposed to capital punishment.

13. Frederick Copeland Wilbur (1857-1928), age 36, from Raynham, Massachusetts, carpenter and cabinet maker, Republican, Congregationalist, married, children.

19. Lemuel Keith Wilbur (1832-1912), age 56, from Easton, Massachusetts, farmer, Democrat, no interest in religion, served as a juror prior to the Borden prior to the Borden case, married, three children.

A descendent of Frederick Wilbur named Cara L. Wilbur Jordan wrote a magazine article called "Memories of Lizzie Borden: The Stories Never Die."

How cool would it be if you were related to one of the jurors as well!

Audrey · Post by **Audrey** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:36 pm

stuartwsa · Post by **stuartwsa** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:17 am

Mr. Cook: Are you by chance related to Florence Cook Brigham as well?

Elizabelle · Post by **Elizabelle** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 4:09 pm

Hello!

Welcome!!!

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 4:42 pm

Welcome to the forum. You already have my interest just by the intriguing information you have posted thus far.

Mossy Oak Mudslinger · Fri Jan 27, 2006 7:03 am

Welcome,Welcome
How very interesting. And it's a great pleasure to have you here. Hope to hear some very interesting stories. I'm from Mass. too,but I'm not related to the Bordens.

Gramma · Post by **Gramma** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:54 am

Welcome to the group, Mr. Cook. I grew up knowing a Henry and Emily Cook as Uncle Henry and Aunt Emily. Any realtion?

Gramma
(I am a terrible typist, too! Notice the edit feature to help those of us with "fat fingers")

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 6:53 pm

Paul D. Hoffman, in his book Yesterday In Old Fall River, 2000, has 6 "Cooks."
Charles C. Cook
Charles H. Cook
Everett M. Cook
Samuel H. Cook
Weston L. Cook
William S. Cook

murder1 · Post by **murder1** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 3:39 pm

Hi,

I too am a "newbie," just joined today. I am really excited to be a part of this wonderful group. I am a crime historian living in Cambridge. I wrote my Master's thesis at Harvard Extension on the Parkman murder (1849) with the late Dr. William Gienapp. I have also published on the Parkman case and the Mary Anne Bickford murders here in Boston. Commonwealth Editions asked me to write a short book on Lizzie, scheduled for release this June!

I look forward to lively discussions and hopefully I can add something meaningful to the discussion.

Sincerely,

Karen

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 8:25 pm

Hi Karen, welcome to the Forum! It will be interesting to hear your take on Lizzie and the murders.

mbhenty · Post by **mbhenty** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:09 pm

To add to Kat's List of Cooks, I came up with:

In the North End: In the South End:
Taylor Cook Co Inc William A Cook
Sumner R Cook Robert H Cook
Robert W Cook Marian E Cook
John T Cook Howell R Cook
Everett M Cook Edwin T Cook
E. F. Cook Charles C Cook
(Insurance)Charles B Cook
Charles H Cook Cook Bros.
Charles N Cook (Trucking)
B. E. Cook
T. J. Cook In the East End
Benjamin Cook Jr William A Cook
(lawyer) Robert H Cook
George R Cook
Arther R Cook

All these "Cook's" were taken from the Fall River Telephone directory from 1925 (Yes, I do have Lizbeth Borden of French Street's Telephone Number.)

In New Bedford It lists 25 Cooks.

I use to collect, "Fall River", but sadly sold many of my books, ephemera, maps, etc. You must be proud of where you live or what's the purpose of staying. And, in doing so try to know as much as possible about it's past, and of course it doesn't hurt to be a collector of things past, such as books, post cards, etc. Mournfully I have become very discouraged by all the changes in Fall River and all the property the city allowed to be demolished. In my disgust I sold much of my Fall River stuff. But, but not my Lizzie books.

mbhenty · Post by **mbhenty** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:12 pm

Sorry about the list of Cooks in my last post. I tried to place them in 3 colums north end, south end and east end, but something went wrong. Lets see Now???????????????????????

mbhenty · Post by **mbhenty** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:57 pm

SO SORRY EVERYONE FOR THE ERROR 2 POSTS BACK. HERE ARE THE CORRECTIONS:

NORTH END

Taylor Cook Co. Inc
Sumner Cook
Robert W Cook
John T Cook
Everet M Cook
E. F. Cook
Marian E Cook
Benjamin Cook Jr. Lawyer
T. J. Cook
Charles N Cook
Charles H Cook
Charles B Cook
Albion Cook
B. E. Cook

THE SOUTH END

Robert H Cook
Howell R Cook
Edwin T Cook
Charles C Cook Insurance

THE EAST END

Arther R Cook
George R Cook
Cook Bros. Trucking
William A Cook

SORRY, once again, as I mentioned above, this was taken from the 1925 Fall River, Telephone book in my collection. It shows just the Cook families which had telephones. I'm sure there were still others without Phones.

mbhenty · Post by **mbhenty** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:57 pm

SO SORRY EVERYONE FOR THE ERROR 2 POSTS BACK. HERE ARE THE CORRECTIONS:

NORTH END

Taylor Cook Co. Inc
Sumner Cook
Robert W Cook
John T Cook
Everet M Cook
E. F. Cook
Marian E Cook
Benjamin Cook Jr. Lawyer
T. J. Cook
Charles N Cook
Charles H Cook
Charles B Cook
Albion Cook
B. E. Cook

THE SOUTH END

Robert H Cook
Howell R Cook
Edwin T Cook
Charles C Cook Insurance

THE EAST END

Arther R Cook
George R Cook
Cook Bros. Trucking
William A Cook

SORRY, once again, as I mentioned above, this was taken from the 1925 Fall River, Telephone book in my collection. It shows just the Cook families which had telephones. I'm sure there were still others without Phones.

mbhenty · Post by **mbhenty** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:58 pm

SO SORRY EVERYONE FOR THE ERROR 2 POSTS BACK. HERE ARE THE CORRECTIONS:

NORTH END

Taylor Cook Co. Inc
Sumner Cook
Robert W Cook
John T Cook
Everet M Cook
E. F. Cook
Marian E Cook
Benjamin Cook Jr. Lawyer
T. J. Cook
Charles N Cook
Charles H Cook
Charles B Cook
Albion Cook
B. E. Cook

THE SOUTH END

Robert H Cook
Howell R Cook
Edwin T Cook
Charles C Cook Insurance

THE EAST END

Arther R Cook
George R Cook
Cook Bros. Trucking
William A Cook

SORRY, once again, as I mentioned above, this was taken from the 1925 Fall River, Telephone book in my collection. It shows just the Cook families which had telephones. I'm sure there were still others without Phones.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 12:16 am

You went to a lot of trouble to fix that *Cook* list and we thank you for it.

mbhenty · Post by **mbhenty** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 1:11 am

Thanks Kat: I purchased that telephone book almost 15 years ago. I considered it an addition to my Lizzie book collection since it had Lizbeth Borden's telephone number in it. Cool!

(I'm afraid to dial it in case someone answers.

) There is a Charles B Cook in it so perhaps that is of some interest to Mr Cook above.

I just finished reading your article in the Hatchet. Excellent essay on an illusive lady from whom little is known. (I always though Emma looked just like her mother.) (in photos) And, I know you agree that critics and history have not been very kind to her. I always sort of felt sorrow for her, submissive to her sibling, and more than likley, dominated by her father and plagued by the rules of victorian social family values, not to mention the events of the trail. Poor old sod.

Great research! Enjoyed it Kat. kudos.

W Brayton Cook · Post by **W Brayton Cook** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 4:11 pm

Thank you for the very interesting list of Cooks - I suspect the "Charles B Cook" is my great grandfather - do you have the address for him as well as the number?

I am going back up to Mass. this March and plan to start going thru old papers, wills. etc. I know both sides of our family owned a number of various lots in Fall River. It will be interesting to see if any of them are significant to Lizzie.

mbhenty · Post by **mbhenty** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 7:43 pm

Yes, Hello Mr. Cook. To your question pertaining to the 1925 Fall River Phone book:

The Charles B Cook that is listed gives his address as 622 High Street. It lists his phone number at that time as: 187. Yes, just 187. In the same book there is one fellow in the next town over, Assonet, who's telephone number is 1.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:15 pm

W Brayton Cook @ Fri Feb 24, 2006 4:11 pm wrote:Thank you for the very interesting list of Cooks - I suspect the "Charles B Cook" is my great grandfather - do you have the address for him as well as the number?

I am going back up to Mass. this March and plan to start going thru old papers, wills. etc. I know both sides of our family owned a number of various lots in Fall River. It will be interesting to see if any of them are significant to Lizzie.

I have a Charles B. Cook in the 1920 Federal census as living in Fall River.
Is this your man?
The "B." of the midle initial looks like they are not sure, the way it's written within the census itself...

COOK, CHARLES B (1920 U.S. Census)
MASSACHUSETTS , BRISTOL, 8-WD FALL RIVER
Age: 69, Male, Race: WHITE, Born: MA
Series: T625 Roll: 684 Page: 261

Please note: his occupation was unreadable, so I left it out.
Also, this man lived on North Main, not High St.

If the picture is cut off, please click on the picture within the box and it will open on a new page.

Wordweaver · Post by **Wordweaver** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 1:51 am

murder1 @ Fri Feb 17, 2006 12:39 pm wrote:Hi,

I too am a "newbie," just joined today. I am really excited to be a part of this wonderful group. I am a crime historian living in Cambridge. I wrote my Master's thesis at Harvard Extension on the Parkman murder (1849) with the late Dr. William Gienapp. I have also published on the Parkman case and the Mary Anne Bickford murders here in Boston. Commonwealth Editions asked me to write a short book on Lizzie, scheduled for release this June!

I look forward to lively discussions and hopefully I can add something meaningful to the discussion.

Sincerely,

Karen

Aha! I've been looking with eagerness at your book on Amazon. Niceto meet you!