User Home Page Genealogy Report: Eight Generations of Rooke - Rook - Rooks Family, September 9, 1999
Eight Generations of Rooke - Rook - Rooks Family,September 9, 1999
2.GEORGE "THE QUAKER MINISTER"2 ROOKE (THOMAS "THE ELDER"1) was born 1652 in Boltonwood, Cumberland, England, and died December 07, 1742 in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland.He married JOAN COOKE 1686 in Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland, daughter of JOHN COOKE.She was born Abt. 1653 in Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland, and died September 17, 1737 in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland.
Notes for GEORGE "THE QUAKER MINISTER" ROOKE:
Sources:Description in Quaker records of George Rooke.
Born 1652 in Cumberland, England.
Apprenticed to Thomas Drewry, a carpenter and joiner
Joined the Society of Friends and became a minister.
Moved to Ireland in 1686. Died in Dublin, 1742.
Research by Patricia C. O'Donnell, archivist at Swarthmore College, Quaker Collection (tel(610-328-8496)
Ref: PA Magazine, vol. 32; pp 67-68
Myers Immigration, p. 296
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Christened: Wigton, Cumberland, October 31, 1675
From Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Records of Quaker Church: Thomas Rooke, a grandson of George Rooke, received on certificate from Dublin (monthly meeting), Ireland dated 1739/40 1,12.
(Immigration of the Irish Quakers, pg. 296)
THOMAS ROOK, unmarried, "Granson to our ancient and Esteemed Friend George Rook of this City." Dated 1 Mo. 12, 1739-40, from Mtg. in Dublin, Ireland.
George Rooke, an eminent Quaker minister of Ireland, son of Thomas, was born at Boltonwood (parish of Boulton) in Cumberland, England, in 1652. He lost his father when he was eleven years old, and his mother was left with several small children to support. At sixteen he was apprenticed to Thomas Drewry, a carpenter and joiner, one of the Society of Friends, and became a member of society. At about the age of twenty-five he appeared in the ministry and travelled much in that service. In 1686, he removed to Limerick, Ireland, and married Joan the daughter of John Cooke. In 1693, he settled in Dublin. His wife died there, 7 Mo. 17, 1737 and was buried in the Friends' burial ground on Cork Street, aged eighty four. He spent his declining years with his widowed daughter Rachel Carlton and her children, and died 12 Mo 7, 1742. --Rutty 334-7; Leadbeater, 212-226.
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Quaker Records Dublin: Abstracts of Wills
Edited by P. Beryl Eustace and Olive C. Goodbody
Published by Stationery Office, Dublin, 1957
Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah
British941.5P28q
165 Rooke, George, Earl Street, Liberty Thomas Court and Donore, timber merchant.
To my son George Rooke one guinea and no more; to his son Robert Rooke two guineas and no more. To my daughter Rachel Carlton, executrix, all the residue. John Bramery of Cole's Alley, linen weaver and Thomas Biker of Meath Street, overseers.
Dated 5 Dec. 1737
Witnesses: William Westbery, William Taylor, William Cuthbert.
D. 5. 153
Quaker Records Dublin: Abstracts of Wills
Edited by P. Beryl Eustace and Olive C. Goodbody
Published by Stationery Office, Dublin, 1957
Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah
British941.5P28q
George Rooke references in Wills:
Will of Fletcher, Peter, Corke Lane, Dublin, tanner.
...Indenture dated 7 June 1698 whereby Peter Fletcher of Corke Lane in parish of St. Katherine's in suburbs of Dublin, tanner, granted all his real and personal estate upon trust to George Rooke, Meath Street, baker, George Newland, Meath Street, clothier and Amos Strettle, Back Lane, Dublin, linen draper, for his natural life. D. 4. 79
Will of Maddock, Joseph, senior, late of Chester, England, now of Meath Street, liberty of Thomas Court, Dublin, yeoman.
... To friends George Rooke, Meath Street, Liberty of Thomas Court, Baker, Abel Strettell of same, merchant, Amos Strettell, Dublin, merchant, Joseph Maddock, junior, Dublin, merchant, Samuel Traford, Chester, England, marchant, and nathaniel Aishbrook, Boughton, Chester, wheelwright, all real and personal estate "within the Kingdom of Ireland, England or elsewhere." To hold to said trustees to use of said Joseph Maddock, senior, for life and after his death for the payment of debts and special charges, and then all residue to my wife Amy Maddock. Dated 27 Feb. 1702.
Will of Tayler, William, Meath Street, Liberty of Thomas Court, Dublin, cordwinder.
...To friendsRoger Roberts, Thomas Street, and George Rooke, Meath Street, baker, as trustees, all real and personal estate in Ireland, England or elsewhere. Dated 22 July 1703
Will of Jackson, Nicholas, Caven Street, Dublin, shopkeeper.
...My friends George Rook, Meath Street, baker and Gabriel Shepard, Bride's Alley, hosier, overseers of my settlement in trust. Dated 19 Nov. 1705.
Will of March, Dorothy, Dublin, widow.
...Settlement whereby said Dorothy March assigns to her friends George Rooke, baker and Anthony Sharp, clothier, both of Dublin, all her household and shop goods, leases, etc...... Dated 17 May 1706.
Will of Thomas, Joseph, Mill Street, Liberty of Thomas Court and Donore near Dublin, tanner.
...My friend Abel Strettell, Meath Street, merchant, and George Newland, of same, clothier, executors. George Rooke, Earl Street, wood merchant, overseer. Dated 11 Jan 1710.
Will of Bell, Thomas, Newmarket, Liberty of Donore, County Dublin, carpenter.
...Legacies to Jane Bell and Esther Bell, sisters of my cousin John Bell, bricklayer; to my wife's brother Thomas Wilkinson; to Margaret Earl wife of Thomas Earl, tailor, and sister to my former wife; to my friends George Rooke, Thomas Wilson, Mary Barlow and Elizabeth Jacob. My friends George Rooke, Abel Strettell, Joseph Fade and Joseph Maddock trustees......To my friend George Rooke my field near Roper's Rest which I hold from the Earl of Meath, said field after said George Rooke's decease to Mens Meeting in Dublin to made use of in grazing the horses of our Friends travelling to or from Dublin or such other use as they think fit. Dated 8 Feb. 1710
Will of Ostell, John, Pill Lane,Dublin, merchant.
...To my friends George Rooke and Joseph Gill both of Earl Street, Dublin, I grant all my real and personal estate to hold for my use during my lifetime, and after my decease subject to payment of my debts, funeral expenses and legacies. Dated 30 May 1711.
Will of Spuret, William, Cavan Street, Dublin, weaver.
...To friends George Rooke of Earle Street, wood merchant, and Amos Strettell, Dublin, merchant, all my estate and effects to hold to my use for my life and after my decease subject to payment of my debts and funeral expenses. Dated 15th day of 8th month called Oct. 1713.
Will of Braithwaite, Samuel, Pimlico, in the Liberty of Thomas Court and Donore, clothier.
...Overseers George Rooke and John Stevens. Dated 24 April 1727. Proved in Prerogative Court 5. 8. 1728.
Will of Inman, Joseph, Thomas Court, Dublin, clothier.
...My sons Joseph Inman of Pimlico, clothier and Daniel Bewley of Lazars Hill, timber merchant, executors. Overseers George Rook, Earl Street, timber merchant, and John Stevens, Meath Street, woollen draper, my kinsman Edward Fawcett of Pill Lane, linen draper, all of Dubin, and Joseph...... Dated 17 July 1729. Proved in Prerogative Court 8 Dec. 1729.
Will of Strettell, Abel, Dublin, merchant. Dated 17 Feb. 1730. Proved in Prerogative Court, 17.9.1732.
Will of Martin, Phillip, Pimlico in the suburbs of Dublin, clothier.
...To my niece Sarah Clibborn my holding in Cole's Lane now set to Henry Astick, leased from George Rooke. Dated 14 Sept. 1737.
Will of Bewley, Mary Dublin, widow
...To my friend George Rook "one Moydare." Dated 21 Dec. 1739. Proved in Prerogative Court 11 Jan. 1739.
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BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS WHO WERE RESIDENT IN IRELAND.
By Mary Leadbeater. Printed by Harvey and Darton, Gracechurch Street, London, 1823
Family History Library, Salt Lake City Utah
British, 941.5, K2lm
GEORGE ROOKE.
George Rooke was born at Boltonwood in Cumberland, in the year 1652, of parents who were religious characters. He lost his father when he was eleven years old, and his mother being left with several children, a widow, and in narrow circumstances, he got but little school-learning. At sixteen he was apprenticed to Thomas Drewry, a carpenter and joiner, one of the society of Friends; whose conduct in his family was exemplary, and who treated his apprentice with kindness. Being invited, he accompanied his master to a meeting, in which the ministry of John Graves had such an effect on his mind, that he felt it right for him to take up the cross, to become one of the despised people called Quakers, and to adopt their simple language, habit and manners.
In the time of his apprenticeship, and soon after he joined Friends, he met with an accident which endangered his life. Returning home on a dark night, he fell into a coal-pit, twenty-seven yards deep. From this perilous situation he could not, by his own efforts, extricate himself; and there, in the spring of life, with the unimpaired gifts of health and strength, he was likely to perish miserably by a lingering death. But his race was not to end so soon: warfare and trials were not to be thus escaped. His moans were heard by some persons, who came that way for water to a neighboring pit. They called to him, and on his answering, brought a light; and one of them, who was let down, fastening a rope to a belt aroung his body, the youth was drawn up almost exhausted, with two ribs broken, but otherwise uninjured. He soon recovered.
On the expiration of his apprenticeship, he commenced business on his own account, working either in his own shop, or with his neighbours; constant in his attendance on meetings, both on first and other days of the week. About the twenty-fifth year of his age, he appeared as a public minister, acceptably to his friends; the more so, as he was cautious and fearful of himself. Thomas Trafford coming from Ireland, to visit Friends in the north of England, desired to have his company. He was unwilling to give up to this service, being sensible of his own weakness, till encouraged by his elder friends to consider the proposal. He did so; and in consequence, united himself with this Friend in the work of the gospel. And thus an attachment was formed between them which continued through life; for their friendship was built on the sure foundation, which the storms incident to this state of being could not shake. They had meetings in many places, which afforded satisfaction: "For," says George Rooke, "in those early days, the Lord's power did mightily break in upon the people, to the tendering of many hearts, and refreshing his heritage." This was George Rooke's first journey; his next was with Peter Fearon. They acquainted George Fox with their concern to visit Scotland, who gave them advice, and recommended it to them to travel on foot, as the warfare between the Scotch covenanters and the army of Charles II.commanded by the duke of Monmouth, made it probable that they would be deprived of their horses by one party or the other. The first meeting they had was at Kelso, the day of the battle at Bothwell Bridge, wher the covenanters were routed. George Rooke mentions a meeting which they held at the lord (perhaps, laird) Swinton's, who, with his wife and some of their servants, had joined Friends. And a brother of this lord, a military man, protected them from disturbance, when they had a meeting at Leith, wher meetings had been much interrupted, and Friends abused. They left Edinburgh with peaceful minds, and on their road from thence met with several parties of soldiers, who, George Rooke relates, "carried very civilly to us; for we, keeping in the innocency of the truth, were preserved following our Master's business, as it is written; 'Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of tht which is good?'"
After paying a second visit to Scotland, in 1681, he went from thence for Ireland. At Portpatrick, finding the people, on the first day of the week, sauntering about, and attending no place of worship, because their pastor was in prison for debt, he had a meeting with them, much to their satisfaction and his own. He landed in Ulster province, and the first meeting he had in Ireland, was in Lurgan. From thence he went to Dublin, to the national meeting; "where, " says he, "there were a great many of the ancient Friends, from several parts of the nation, come there to worship God, and to manage the affairs of truth in a godly discipline, which I greatly rejoiced at; and they were very loving and respectful to me, which was great encouragement to me, I being then but a youth."
After visiting the meetings in this land, with his countryman, William Carter, they attended the half-yearly meeting, held at Dublin in 3d month; where they met several from England, who came to visit their brethren. "Now, " he ads, "the yearly meeting in London approaching, after I had staid some meetings in Cjmberland, I went up, in company with several Friends, who were appointed representatives for that county, to attend it; where I was glad to see several of the first stock, both ministers and elders, the remembrance of whom is comfortable to me to this day." After this meeting was over, (a confirming one to him,) he travelled through several parts of England, and met with the Separatists at Hull, where the mouth of the gainsayers were stopped by the power of truth. Friends suffered much from these people; being, at some places, kept out of their meeting houses by them, and obliged to hold their meetings in the open air, sometimes in frost and snow. Government was also severe upon them at this time.
When not engaged in religious services, George Rooke was diligently employed at his trade, careful not to be burdensome to his friends. Of his second visit to Ireland, he gives this account: "I felt drawings in my mind to visit Ireland again, having my true friend, Thomas Wilkinson, for my companion. We landed in Dublin, where we were kindly received by Friends; and after having had some meetings to good satisfaction, we travelled to the north, and visited Friends in that province, and the most, or all the meetings of Friends in the nation; the Lord's goodness going along with us, and giving us utterance and skill to divide the word and testimony that we were called to bear. And finding our spirits clear, we parted with friends in great love, and returned home in peace."
He proceeds: "After I had staid some time about home, I found drawings to visit Friends in Westmorland and Durham: and at Stockton, where I had a meeting, the mayor of the town sent one of his own officers to the meeting, to bring me before him; and when I came he tendered me the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, and because I refused to swear, for conscience sake, (because it was abreach of Christ's command, who said, 'Swear not at all,') then he would have me enter into bonds for my good behavior, and to appear at the next Quarter Sessions. But I told him I was bound to good behaviour already. 'What,' said he, 'have you been before some justice of the peace, that has bound you already?' 'No,' said I; 'but I am bound by principle, to behave myself towards the king, and all his subjects, as becomes a Christian.' 'But, for all that,' said he, 'you must enter into bonds.' 'I cannot,' said I; 'for I believe thou and I will differ in that: thou wilt call that a breach of good behaviour, which I think is good behaviour.' 'What is that?' said he. 'I suppose thou wilt call it a breach of good behaviour, if I go to one of our meetings before the sessions.' He said, sure enough he would. 'Then,' I said, 'I would not bring any of my friends into that snare, to have them bound for me.' He said it was but a month to the meetings so long? 'No,' said I; 'if the Lord spare me health, I can no more forbear going to meetings, than Daniel could forbear praying to his God, although the decree was but for thirty days.' So he committed me to the custody of a sergeant that night, and the next day he sent to know if I was in another mind than I was in the day before. I sent him word I was in the same mind that I was in before, and that I could not enter into bonds. And then he wrote a mittimus, and got a man to convey me to Durham jail; where I was kept prisoner till the sessions, when I was called before the justices, who tendered me the oaths again, and asked me if I would swear. I told them I did not know that I had ever sworn an oath in my life. 'It may be,' said they, 'he knows not how to swear: read the oath over to him.' So they read the oath, and I told them that I could not, for conscience sake, swear, because our Savior had said, 'Swear not at all.' So they committed me again to the custody of the jailer. About a month after, our friend Robert Wardell came to the city, and stirred himself pretty much, and spoke to several of the justices for my liberty, and obtained it, that I should go home, and stay till they sent for me, which they never did."
About the year 1686, George Rooke, being at a meeting at Haverfordwest, a widow, who was present, being affected by his ministry, offered him the parish called St. David's Head, she having the advowson of it, which he conscientiously refused.
George Rooke visited Ireland four times before he settled in this country. In 1686 he married Joan, the daughter of John Cooke, and settled in Limerick; but still continued diligent in the exercise of his gift, to the edification of the churches. Happy was it for him that his heart was fixed on more enduring substance than the perishable things of this life, when national calamities involved him, as well others, in deep distress! During the first siege of Limerick, military men were stationed in his house; and his wife was abliged to watch over the provisions she had prepared for her family, lest the soldiers should make a prey of them. One day, just after she had been thus engaged, a cannon-ball entering the house, dashed to pieces the seat she had quitted beside her kitchen-fire. The soldiers were disposed to be turbulent, and planned how they should intimidate the family. They conversed in Irish, not suspecting that Joan Rooke, who was present, understood them. She heard them out, and then calmly told them, that she knewwhat they said, and would inform their officer of their purpose, if she perceived any attempt to execute it. this alarmed them: they became submissive, and were no longer troublesome. Yet, suspicion resting on the protestant inhabitans of the city, they were subjected to militay oppression; and, at two several times, George Rooke and other citizens were imprisoned, (not knowing on what account,) on pain of death if submission was refused. These imprisonments were but for a short time, the longest not exceeding two days; and were probably intended more to show the power vested in the governor, than to exert that power to the injury of the peaceable inhabitants. After the first siege was raised, the governor informed George Rooke, that, if he chose to remove into the enemy's quarters, he must agree with him for a pass. There were great preparations for another siege; their house had been shot through in many places by cannon balls; friends had written to them from Dublin, advising them to quit Limerick, though they should leave all their property behind. They concluded on taking their departure. It was but little of value they were able to take with them, in comparison of what they gave up: their house was well stocked, and their furniture excellent. So far from ever again desiring to possess such accommodations, Joan Rooke, from that time, aspired to nothing in her house but what was simple, whole, and clean. She left the place of her birth, with her husband and three little children, to undertake a long and perilous journey, accompanied by a guide, on whose fidelity their lives appeared to depend, through a country exposed to contending armies, and what was still worse, to the depredations of the pitiless Raparees, who lay in wait to plunder and destroy. The distress and alarm with which they were surrounded, increased when they saw one of their neighbours lying murdered by the way-side. That strength which is gained by a reliance on the protection of Providence, was their support, in those dismal days of tedious travel, in which they were obliged to use caution to avoid the banditti; and this caused delay on the road. Their guide was faithful, and his integrity was remembered and repaid by them, when in his old age, he stood in need of a friend. Their friends in Dublin, rejoicing in their preservation, welcomed them with a tender and affectionate reception.
From Dublin they sailed for Cumberland, where they remained about two years, George Rooke steadily obeying the divine command to go forth, when he believed it was issued to him. In a journey to Scotland, he was accompanied by a valuable elder, Jonathan Bowman, and they were usefully engaged in stirring up the few Friends there, to support the testimonies of their religious profession: a duty which had been too much neglected. He thus relates a circumstance which occurred on their return; "Comming to a place called Killy, on the borders of England, we lodged there, and having some victuals dressed for supper, we sate down to refresh ourselves; and waiting upon the Lord to feel the motion of life, I was opened to give thanks to Him for his providence, that had attended our travel, as also for the mercies that we were about to receive. And the woman of the house, being a Presbyterian, seemed to be mighty well pleased that such men were come to her house; but her husband said he never heard so much from any of our people. 'What people are they?' said his wife. 'They are Quakers,' said he, 'Nay,' said she, 'they are Presbyterians.' 'Nay,' said he, 'but they are Quakers.' 'But are you Quakers?' said she. 'Yea,' said I, 'they call us so.' 'Then,' said she, 'I will not eat with you.' She then began to run out against us. So, after we had done supper, I began to talk with her very mildly; and she was so far reached, that she became very loving. Thus the Lord makes way for his truth, in those that seem to oppose it."
In 1693, George Rooke settled in Dublin for the remainder of his life. He and his wife sold their estate in Limerick, to enable them to follow business; and though diligent in providing for the maintenance and education of an increasing family, he slackened not in his zeal for the promotion of piety. He was much concerned on account of the affirmation, which the legislature, kinkly yielding to their religious scruples, had granted to the people called Quakers, to be accepted instead of an oath. The first form of this was not easy to the minds of many Friends, because the sacred name wa mentioned therein: they were, therefore, not satisfied to avial themselves of it, and this exposed them to a continuance of suffering. However, in course of time, such a one was granted as was to the satisfaction of all. In his travelling by the sea-coast, George Rooke was earnest in advising Friends "against any clandestine way of dealing, whereby the government is defrauded, and the fair dealer is hurt."
In 1737, George Rooke lost his beloved wife, of whom he gives the following testimony: "She was a careful and loving wife, and good help-meet, both in things temporal and spiritual; always willing and ready to help me forward, when I found a concern and drawings to travel abroad in truth's service; and in my absence, was very diligent in taking care of the family and prudent management of our outward affairs, as also in a circumspect conversation, and tender, motherly advice to our children, for their good; and was troubled when she saw any of them, or others, who descended from religious parents, and were educated in the profession of truth, take liberty in conversation, habit, or speech, contrary to the holy principle we profess; exhorting them to mind the truth in themselves, whereby they might be preserved from the hurtful conversation, and foolish fashions of the world, in apparel or otherwise. She was visited with a lingering sickness for several months before she died, and preserved in much patience and innocency, as a child; and was glad to see honest Friends, who came in love to visit her, though at sometimes so weak of memory, that she could not distinguish them by name. And as she died in his favour, and is at rest from all her troubles, and various exercises which had attended here.
"She quietly departed, the 17th of the 7th month (Sept.), 1737; and was decently interred in Friends' burying place at Cork-street, the 20th of the same, aged near eighty-four years; and may friends and neighbours accompanied her corpse to the burial, among who she had lived in love and good esteem. "George Rooke. "Earl Street, in Dublin, the 20th of the 12th month (Feb.), 1737."
With this, the testimony given forth by the women's meeting of Dublin fully concurs; mentioning her as a mother of the church, whose exhortations in meetings of discipline were weighty and lively, recommending to faithfulness in support of our ancient testimony; for truth, she said, was the same as ever.
At this time, his only daughter, Rachel Carleton, a widow, lived with George Rooke, and with her children, comforted his declining years, while he waited patiently for the termination of his long journey through this world. Beloved by all ranks, and all ages, he was often surrounded by the little children of his neighbours; who, accosting him as a grandfather, looked up with delight to his benign countenance. If it happened, which it seldom did, that he was treated with unkindness, he bore it calmly, forgave, and seemed to foget that such a circumstance had occurred.
Thus he lived, in the enjoyment of tranquillity, till, in his ninety-first year, a pleurisy,in a few days, put an end to his long and exemplary life.
Extract from the Testimony from the Quartely Meeting of Leinster province, concerning George Rooke.
"He was a very diligent attender, not only of meetings for divine worship, where he was particularly exemplary in observing the hour appointed, but also of those for discipline; and was scarce ever absent (unless when engaged in travelling elsewhere in truth's service) from the province and quartely meetings, until disabled by infirmity of body.
"He was a man of good understanding, though but little school learning; of a sweet temper; in conversation pleasant and affable; an affectionate husband and father; a frequent and sympathizing visitor of the sick. He was a diligent and faithful minister, and his labours were often crowned with success, to the convincement of many, (some of whom proved serviceable and eminent in the church,) and to the edification and establishment of others.
"in the exercise of his gift he was clear, solid, and lively, even unto extreme old age; in prayer, living reverent, weighty, and concise; in his deportment, meek and humble, not elevated by his gifts and good services; a diligent reader of the holy scriptures, and in his preaching, a faithful quoter of them; tender of the glory of God, and of the honour of our holy principle.
"He retained his integrity, as well as understanding and memory, to the last; and expired the 7th of the 12th month, and was buried in Friends' burying place, in Dolphin's-barn Lane (also called Cork Street), Dublin, the 10th of the same, in the year 1742, being the ninety-first year of his age, and about sixty-seventy of his ministry."
From "Rutty's Rise and Progress;" from "Testimonies of public Friends;" and from George Rooke's Journal, in MS.
From George Faulkner's Dublin Journal, 1742.
Last Monday night died, much lamented, in the ninety-first year of his age, Mr. George Rooke, senior; and on Thursday his corpse was conveyed from his own house, to the Quaker's meeting-house in Meath-street, with great solemnity, and from thence to their burying place in Dolphin's-barn Lane, attended by great numbers of his friends, and other people. He was an eminent preacher among the Quakers, about seventy years. The evenness and sweetness of his temper; his uniform, steady, virtuous life; the excellence and purity of his manners, and his universal goodwill to mankind, made him not only esteemed and beloved by those of his own persuation, throughout Great Britain and this kingdom, but by all others who had the happiness of his acquaintance.
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The Journal of the Friends Historical Society
Edited by Norman Penney, F.S.A.,F.R.Hist.S.
Volume X, 193
Headley Brothers, 140 Bishopsgate, E.C. London
Herman Newman, 1010 Arch Street, Philadelphia
David S. Taber, 144 East 20th Street, New York
Pg 161,FRIENDS TRAVELLING IN IRELAND
1692, 1st month (March) Robert Barrow a Mason of Kendall. Randal Bulman, Husbandman of Cumberland. George Rooke Carpenter of Cumberland.
1693, 3rd month (May) 21st day George Rook from Dub. settling there after ye war.
1695, 2nd month (April) 12th day George Rook, to Bandon & the West then back to the Province Meeting.
1696, 1st month (March) 28th day Thos Trafford, George Rook, Joshua Bunion, ye later an Ipswich man (a Comber) who went to Bandon & the West, he died at Bally-hagan in ye North of Ireland.
4th month (June) 27th day George Rooke from Dublin.
1699,10th month (December) George Rooke, Richard Sealy, from Dublin were at ya sd P.M.
1702, 7th month (Sept.) 10th day George Rook came from ye Prov. Meeting at Clonmell.
1703, 7th month (Sept.) 17th day Wm. Edmondson, George Rooke, to the Pro. M. & retuned by way of Limerick, Wm was very weighty & tender opening things to the States & conditions of Friends.
1705, 2nd month (April) 9th day George Rooke, Richard Sealy, at a 3 days Meeting & went to Bandon on the 4th day.
1706, 5th month (July) 22nd day George Rooke, Richard Sealy came by way of Limerick had a Meeting at Mallow of ye towns People on a first day. Several friends of Corke & Elsewhere went there. They also went to Band. Castle Salem and ye West and had three Meetings then to ye P.M. at Clonmell, having had in their way a Meeting at Capperquin among ye People of ye Town.
1713, 7th month (Sept) 19 day George Rooke, Paul Johnson, of Dublin, came to our Pro: Meeting at Limerick, the first
Notes for JOAN COOKE:
LEADBEATER PAPERS: A Selection from the
MSS. AND CORRESPONDENCE of
MARY LEADBEATER
Vol I
Mary Leadbeater's Annals of Ballitore
with a Memoir of the Author
London: Bell and Daldy, 186 Fleet Street, 1862
Gen. Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
British, 921.415, L469l
"...Forming an angle with Sarah Fuller's house was the abode of my grandmother Rachel Carleton and her daughter Deborah. Rachel Carleton was daughter of the Venerable George Rooke, a man whose sweet and gentle disposition made him as much beloved as his peity commanded respect. He was a native of Cumberland; he joined the Society of Friends when a youth, and became a public preacher amongst them, in which capacity he frequently travelled from home. In one of his journeys to Ireland he became acquainted with Joan, daughter of John Cook of Limerick. She had married early in life a person of the name of Clarke, who afterwards went abroad, and was reported to have died. Many lovers then made suit to Joan, who besides being very beautiful, was a wealthy heiress. Her mother, a widow, had suitors of her own, but on assuring them she would on a second marriage make over her property to her daughter, she was freed from further importunity. The lovely Joan would hearken to no addresses till she was better assured of her husband's death, of which doubts hung about her mind, though letters were brought to her naming the exact time when the event took place. At length, however, return he did, but in ill-health, and lived but a few days, leaving his widow at liberty to form a connection with one more deserving of her than he had been.
Her beauty and her wealth were not the charms which secured the affections of George Rooke; he met in her a kindred mind, and her virtue and piety determined his choice. As he rode to Limerick with intent to make the tender of his hand, he was joined by another young man, who opened his heart to him, and told him he was onhis way to address the fair widow, requesting his interest on the occasion. George's alarm at finding he had a rival was great, and his emotions occasioned such agitation, that one after another the buttons of his waistcoat burst open. However, he proved the successful candidate, and was married to Joan in 1686. They were accounted the handsomest pair that had been married in the meeting-house for a long time, and they lived in comfort and plenty in Limerick, till the horrors of war broke in upon their domestic quiet.
When Limerick was besieged by William the Third, officers and soldiers of the Irish army were lodged in their house, and cannnon-balls passed through every room but one. On one occasion Joan Rooke sate on her chimney-hob, watching the pot in which her dinner was boiling, lest the Irish soldiers should make a prey of it. The pot was removed, and she had left her seat when a cannon-ball dashed through the hob where she had sat. We had also a family tradition that she had stooped her head to let a ball pass over it. That she was a woman of courage was evident from her having threatened the soldiers who were quartered in her house, to complain to their officers of the ruffianly conduct which they declared their intention to pursue. They had spoken in Irish before her, believing her ignorant of the language; she understood it, but heard them out before she let them know that she did so, and then awed them into good behaviour.
After the first siege of Limerick, George and Joan Rooke thought it would be presumptuous to await the issue of the second. My great-grandmother quilted some of her broad pieces of gold into the tucks of her under petticoats, and filled false heels in her shoes with the remainder. They melted their plate into wedges, and abandoned their comfortable house and costly furniture, which had once been the objects of Joan's nice housewifely care; and ever after she was perfectly indifferent how simple her furniture was, if it were only kept whole and clean. They hired a guard to convey them to Dublin, and it was uncertain what might have been their fate had he not been faithful to them. This man, when old and poor, was tenderly cared for by George Rooke, so true is it that "honesty is the best policy." They lay the first night in a place surrounded by Rapparees. My careful great-grandmother lay awake watching their property. Her husband forgot all care in a sleep so refreshing that in the morning he congratulated his wife with, "My dear, we have had a fine night;" she had not found it so, and notwithstanding all her care had lost her riding-hood. After a short stay in Dublin they embarked for England with their three little children. My grandmother, who was then about three years old, never forgot her great affliction at letting her doll fallout of the cabin-window, and seeing her treasure swallowed by the waves. They staid till this land was freed from disturbance, sold their estate in Limerick, and then settled in Dublin.
George Rooke dealt in timber, and kept a timber-yard in Earl-street. He outlived his wife, who was eighty-four at the time of her death. The old man possessed remarkable sweetness of temper. He often smiled, but never laughed, and though a friend to innocent cheerfulness was wounded by noisy mirth. He rose early, as all long-livers, I believe, do, and was often in his timber-yard at four o'clock. Little children flocked around him, and called him "daddy," and he was seldom unprovided with good things for them. His neighbors called him "the bishop." A collegian seeing him among his timber called out, "See the priest in the wood!" "It is better," answered the pleasant old man, "than to be a wooden priest!" Although universally beloved, he unitentionally gave offence to one family by some familiar chat. His daughter Carleton, who lived with him after she became a widow, resented their touchiness, and wished him not to call at the house; but her sweet-spirited father could not harbour resentment, he visited there as usual, and when his daughter enquired where he had been, he used to reply with a smile,"In a house." William Penn, grandson to the great legislator, had George Rooke's likeness taken by stealth, my aunt assisting. This picture is now in my possession, with a lock of the beautiful silver hair that curled naturally around a face which extreme old age could not deform. He loved to have the Scriptures read to him, especially "the Little Prophets," as he was wont to call the books at the end of the Old Testament. He died of a pleurisy at the age of ninety.
Children of GEORGE ROOKE and JOAN COOKE are:
| 3. | i. | RACHEL3 ROOKE, b. August 06, 1687, Limerick, Ireland; d. 1766, Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. | |
| ii. | JOANNA ROOKE, b. December 09, 1688, Limerick, Ireland; d. 1695. |
| Notes for JOANNA ROOKE: Research by Patricia C. O'Donnell, archivist at Swarthmore College, Quaker Collection (tel (610-328-8496) Ref: PA Magazine, vol. 32; pp 67-68 Myers Immigration, p. 296 Birthplace for George and Joan's first three children, as Limerick,is found in Mary Leadbeater's biography of George "The Quaker Minister" Rooke. |
| 4. | iii. | GEORGE "THE MERCHANT" ROOKE, b. December 15, 1690, Limerick, Ireland; d. 1750, Dublin, Ireland. | |
| 5. | iv. | ANNE ROOKE, b. 1693. | |
| v. | JOHN ROOKE, b. August 06, 1694; d. February 08, 1731/32, Dublin, Ireland. |
| Notes for JOHN ROOKE: Deathdate information from research packet of Patricia O'Donnell's Rooke file from Swathmore College, PA. Birthdate from LDS US/CAN Film area microfilm: 0567026 called "Notes on English Quakers" |
| vi. | BENJAMIN ROOKE, b. May 11, 1698, Dublin, Ireland; d. November 17, 1729, Dublin, Ireland. |
| Notes for BENJAMIN ROOKE: Mentioned in will of John Tristrem, see notes of George "the merchant" Rooke. Birthdate and deathdate from research in packet of Patricia O'Donnell's Rooke file. Birthdate from LDS US/CAN Film area microfilm: 0567026 called "Notes on English Quakers" . |