From The Peopling of New York City
Charles Crooke has proven to be a real elusive immigrant. Apparently Charles was a very popular name in the Crooke family. During my search I have found that Crook is also a common spelling of the family name. It has been very difficult to find accurate information because every time I think I have found concrete information, I find something else to contradict my sources. This is the information I have been able to gather from my research.
Charles Crooke has been very difficult to find, but his family provided a basis for my search. The Crooke family originated in Oxfordshire, England.[1] The jobs they held included recorder of the city of London, speaker of the House of Commons, a judge and many lieutenants in the British army. [2] The first American ancestor was John Crooke. He first appears as a vestryman of Trinity Church and later as a warden. [3] He lived in New York City for several years, he later moved to Kingston New York. His will states he was a shopkeeper in Kingston. [4] John Crooke was the father of six children: John, William, Gertrude, Robert, Mary and Charles Crooke. I highly doubt that this Charles Crooke is the one I am looking for because he would be too young to have owned slaves in 1740. John Crooke states in his will, dated 1737, that he leaves enough money for his three youngest children to receive an education. [5] The slave conspiracy occurred in 1740, thereby eliminating this Charles as a possibility.
A second trip to the New York Public Library led to the discovery of records in the American Genealogical-Biographical Index that show a Charles Crooke was born in 1696 in New York. [7] I also found the will of Charles Crooke whom died in 1772. After many hours of trying to piece together this information I have come to the conclusion that this Charles Crooke was the brother of John Crooke, previously mentioned. The name of John Crooke and a Charles Crooke were amongst seven others whom signed an agreement to purchase land in Dutchess County, New York. It was known as "The Nine Partners". [8]
According to Lepore, Crooke was an English Bolter. He lived in the East Ward and had no party affiliation. His wealth was estimated at 10 pounds.[9] His will states that he owned two slaves. One of his slaves named York was accused of being a part of the slave conspiracy. York later confessed to Horsemanden about his involvement in the "slave conspiracy". As a result York was transported out of New York. I have not been able to find anything else regarding Crooke’s second slave.
Charles married Janettye van Valkenburg, (Janettjie orJanettie -spelled both ways in the will), also known as Jane. Together they had a son named Charles, a daughter named Anake and another child whom I have not found any information on but was also mentioned in his will. [10] The Records of Christ Church state that Charles Crooke's country home was near Hyde Park but he resided at Dutchess County.
Charles Crooke appears to have been a very religious man. He donated a lot of money to his church during and after his lifetime. The records of Christ Church mention him as "Being a strong Churchman , he was one of the earliest and largest contributors to Christ Church . . ."[11] Crooke also gave money to help build another church after his death in his will.
On November 25th, 1724 Charles Crooke registered an indenture servant. Francis Franciscow would be his indentured servant for seven years. In exchange Crooke would need to supply him with food, clothing and shelter as well as teaching him to read and write.
[13]
Charles Crooke died on December 1, 1772. In his will, he left to his wife his two slaves, some money and directs that all his debts be paid. He left the land he had purchased known as "Nine Partners" to his son Charles. As one of his executors he names his brother John Crooke. [14]
The trial for Charles Crooke has turned cold therefore I have decided not to pursue this case further. The information I have uncovered is very trivial. To my disappointment, I found that at least four Charles Crookes were alive during this time period, three of them even died the same year. The conclusions I have drawn may be incorrect, but with the information I gathered it was extremely difficult to provide more accuracy.
References
- ↑ Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Family History of New York, Vol. 2, 386
- ↑ Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Family History of New York, Vol. 2, 386
- ↑ Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Family History of New York, Vol. 2, 386
- ↑ Ulster County, New York Probate Records from 1665, 128
- ↑ Ulster County, New York Probate Records from 1665, 128
- ↑ New York City Wills, 1771-1776
- ↑ American Genealogical-Biographical Index, Vol. 37, pg 270
- ↑ Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Family History of New York, Vol. 2, 386
- ↑ Jill Lepore, New York Burning
- ↑ New-York Historical Society. Collections of the New York Historical Society for the Year.
- ↑ The records of Christ Church : Poughkeepsie, New York, Vol.1
- ↑ New-York Historical Society. Collections of the New York Historical Society for the Year.
- ↑ New-York Historical Society. Collections of the New York Historical Society for the Year.
- ↑ New-York Historical Society. Collections of the New York Historical Society for the Year.
