I have a copy of the "History of Adams County, Pennsylvania"
book and am willing to do lookups for others. The book contains the history of the county, townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries. Portraits of early settelers and biographies of prominent men are also included. The book was originally published in 1886 and reprinted in 1995.

I'd like to know if Jesse Cook & Ruth McMillan are listed. Jesse Cook owned "Cook's Mill" on Opossum Creek, north Bendersville between 1838 and at least 1855. I've heard rumors the mill was a station for the Underground Railroad.

Two of their children, Sarah A. Cook, (1844-1937) & Elmira Jane Cook (1839-1914) went south to Gettysburg Nov. 19, 1863, where they met and heard Pres. Lincoln. Is there any mention?

Nothing on Jesse Cook or Ruth McMillan. Did find a paragraph on a Jacob Cook.

"Jacob Cook, the original owner of the Dr. Mumma farm at Bendersville, was a cabinet maker. About 1813 he moved to East Berlin, where he kept a tavern, and in 1814 became associated with the robbers, Lewis Connelly, Parkhurst, and Howard. David Warren, the saw-miller of Mountain Creek, made this discovery some weeks after his first acquaintance with Cook."

Also found paragraph on the history of Bendersville.

"The actual settlement of the tract on which Bendersville (formerly called Wilsonville) stands dates back to 1811, when it was patented to John Schlosser by the State. Three years later the original occupier sold his patent to William Sadler, and in 1819 he sold to Henry Bender; and Henry, Conrad, Michael and Jonn Bender founded the village November 10, 1832. In this year, also, Jesse M. Hutton, the mail carrier, delivered letters here; and about this time George Wilson, Sr., was appointed postmaster. About 1847 he was succeeded by A.T. Wright. In 1832 the postoffice was called Wilsonville, and the sale of stamps for the year ending March, 1834, amounted oto $22.61. John Burkholder is now postmaster. John Schlosser kept a tavern (the first building there) prior to 1799, and not until 1834 was there anything more pretentious erected, when Peter Studebaker erected one. In 1836 C. Myers established a regular hotel, with office, stables, etc. This was six years after the establishment of the Gettysburg & Newville Road."

Let me know if you need anything else.

Donna

Thank you. I think the Jacob you mention is connected, but I haven't been able to put it together. I have a Mumma connection, Josiah Cook, b. 1847 mar. Julia Mumma, b. 1856, dau. of Edward W. & Sarah T. (Parker), in 1876 in Bendersville. I have several "Jacob's" but none in the right place at the right time.

One major problem with Jacob's connection is, my Cook family were devout Quakers, especially in this time frame. Owning a tavern and associating with criminals really goes against the grain. Though, anything is possible, so I try to keep an open mind.

Thank you for the Bendersville history, I have a copy of the diary kept by William B. Wilson between 1829-1871, in Bendersville. I think he is from the family where the name "Wilsonville" originated.

I have a post you might enjoy, the story of the Cook sisters who went to Gettysburg and saw Pres. Lincoln.

http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/news/recolle...

Bob,
Great article. I was looking through another book that I have, "Adams County Church Records of the 18th Century". On page 140 there is a transcription from the "Register of Births and Deaths of Menallen Monthly Meeting". Didn't know if this is your Jesse.

"Jesse Cook son of Isaac and Sidney Cook b.5-8-1796
Rebecca Cook dau of Wm. and Elizabeht Harvey b. 14-1-1791
Child: William H. Cook b. 1-1-1829"

Let me know if you want copies of any of the info I found.

Donna

One thing about my family, the same given-names were used generation after generation. I have Jesse Cook, son of Isaac & Sydney, in my tree, but he is not the Jesse who was the father of Sarah A. & Elmira Jane Cook who met Lincoln. Their father, Jesse Cook, was born 6/11/1801, the son of Henry Cook & Mary Way. Isaac & Henry Cook were brothers, sons of Jesse Cook & Mary Wierman, my 4th gr. grandparents.

William H. Cook, b. 1/1/1829, son of Jesse & Rebecca, along with my gr. grandfather, William Ramsey Cook (1852-1938) are the ones who unofficially added the "e" to their names (Cooke) in 1879, on Wm. H.'s deathbed. William H. Cooke (1829-1879) was a prominent doctor in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pa.

I have Margaret B. Walmer's book, "Menallen - Minutes, Marriages and Miscellany - Quaker Records 1780-1890," 1992, which lists the dates you listed. Jesse Cook & Rebecca Harvey were married Aug. 21, 1827 (from the Adams Sentinal), at the time they were not members of the society of friends, but became members later in 1832.

Sarah A. Cook (1844-1937), who met Lincoln, was the mother of Albert Cook Myers (1873-1960) a prominent Quaker author, historian and researcher.

There is no doubt, my family can be/is very confusing. Thank you for your efforts, if you have other sources, please let me know.

Dear Donna,

I would appreciate a look-up for the surnames DINWIDDIE (DUNWOODY) and BLACK. From the 1820 census I know that two Hugh DUNWOODYs lived in Adams Co. I'm searching for the Hugh that married Sarah Weems BLACK, and had a daughter Rosanna. Rosanna married John DUPHORN of Emmitsburg, MD.

Another question: The LDS catalog shows no probate records filmed for Adams Co. Can you suggest how I can search for a will.

Thank you, Cora

Cora,
I located some info on the Dunwoody's in two books. Will make copies of info for you. Can you send your snail mail address to gryphon1976@comcast.net

First book is the history of adams county
Second book is "adams county Church Records of the 18th Century"

Sonna

Thank you, Donna. Will send my snail mail address.
Best wishes, Cora

I would be very appreciative if you could do a lookup for me. I am trying to find any historical information on a "Henry Martzall" or his relatives who founded what was originally known as Pinetown in 1804. It then became known as Martzallville and finally Newchester which is what it is named today in Adams county. Besides the small bit of information I listed above I have virtually no information on this town or Henry Martzall (one of my relatives) to tie him into my family tree. Anything you could find would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

John Martzall