Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

Cook (or Cooke), George, came to New England in 1635 in the same vessel with Rev. Thomas Shepard. He was then twenty-five years of age. He and his brother, Joseph Cook, were registered as servants to Roger Harlakenden. The position, however, which they at once assumed in the community, shows that this was only a disguise, which enabled them the more easily to leave England. Such a disguise, at that period, was frequently adopted by prominent men; even Shepard embarked under a fictitious name and character, being styled ‘John Shepperd, husbandman.’ Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., XXVIII., 268. Immediately on his arrival, in connection with his brother, he purchased a large number of houses and lots, of those who were about removing to Connecticut. While he remained here, he was among the most active and energetic citizens, both in civil and military affairs. He was Selectman 1638, 1642, 1643; Deputy or Representative, 1636, 1642-1645, five years, and Speaker of the House in 1645. While a member of the House he was frequently placed on important committees, especially in relation to military affairs. In 1645 he was elected one of the Reserve Commissioners of the United Colonies. He was appointed in 1637 Captain of the first train-band in Camb.; became a member of the Artillery Co. in 1638, and its Captain in 1643; and when a similar company was incorporated in Middlesex, 14 May 1645, he was placed at the head of it. He was one of the Commissioners and Commander-in-chief of the expedition sent to Rhode Island, in 1643, to apprehend ‘Samuel Gorton and his company.’ He returned to England about the end of 1645, became a Colonel in Cromwell's army, and was ‘reported to be slain in the wars in Ireland, in the year 1652.’ （Mid. Court Files.) By his w. Alice he had, in Camb., Elizabeth, b. 27 Mar. 1640, d. July 1640; Thomas, b. 19 June 1642, d. 16 July 1642; Elizabeth, b. 21 Aug. 1644, m., in England, Rev. John Quick of London; Mary, b. 15 Aug. 1646, m., in England, Samuel Annesley, Esq., of Westminster; both the last named daughters were living in 1697, when they were prosecuting a suit for the possession of property formerly belonging to their father. The dau. Mary was not born until after her father returned to England; and the County Court, 5 Oct. 1652, empowered ‘Mr. Henry Dunster and Mr. Joseph Cooke to improve the estate of Col. George Cooke, deceased, for the good of Mary Cooke, the daughter of the said Col. George Cooke, deceased, as also to dispose of the said Mary Cooke for her education as they shall apprehend may be for her best good.’ Perhaps she was placed in the custody of John Fownell of Charlestown, millwright, as guardian or agent, who sold thirteen acres of land in 1655, describing it as the same ‘which I recovered by law from the estate of George Cooke, Coronell, for the education of his daughter.’ （Mid. Deeds, i., 109). Col. Cooke probably resided on the northerly corner of Brighton and Eliot streets.

2. Joseph, elder brother to George (1), came to New England in the same vessel with him, in the same disguise, and like him became a prominent citizen. His residence was on the east side of Holyoke Street, near Holyoke Place. Connected with his house were several acres of land, extending northerly to Mount Auburn Street, and southerly and easterly into the marsh; besides which he owned numerous other houses and lots. He was Selectman seven years, from 1635 to 1645, Town Clerk five years, from 1635 to 1641, local Magistrate or Commissioner, 1648 to 1657, and Representative six years, from 1636 to 1641. He also was a military man; and when his brother embarked for England, ‘the Court think meet,’ says the record, ‘to desire Mr. Joseph Cooke, to take charge of the Company in the absence of the Captain, and till the Court shall take further orders.’ He was the friend and patron of Mr. Shepard in England, and is affectionately noticed in his autobiography. He went to England in 1658, and in 1665 was residing at Stannaway, Co. Essex, at which date he conveyed his homestead and several lots of land to his son. It is not known that he returned here afterwards. By his w. Elizabeth he had Joseph, b. 27 Dec. 1643; Elizabeth, b. 16 Mar. 1644-5, m. Rev. Joseph Cawthorne of London; Mary, b. 30 Jan. 1646-7; Grace, b. 9 Dec.