Rev. James Harrison Cookson, Jr

Cookson Roots a Brief History
by Cousin Sandra Patterson

Our great-great-great grandfather Rev. James Harrison Cookson, Jr. came to Canada in the spring of 1819. He was the rector of St. Paul's Anglican Church, Hampton Parish, New Brunswick, Canada. He gave his first sermon on June 17,1819. His wife was Mary L. Arney. One of their sons, George Bryan, is our great-great grandfather.

George Bryan was married to Jane Mariah Jones, whose family were loyalists. Their son was our great-grandfather Albert Ernest, born September 1,1850 in Kars, formerly Springfield, King County, New Brunswick, Canada. He married Leah Susanna Appleby on January 6,1875 at Hampton, Kings County, New Brunswick. They were married by Rev. W.A. Corey, Baptist minister. Witnesses were Fred M. Sproul and Lizzie (Elizabeth) Appleby, Leah's sister. (NBA microfilm 15487, Kings County Marriages, Vol. III (1867-1884), pg. 230.

Leah Susanna (Appleby) Cookson's parents are Benjamin Henry Appleby( son of Peter and Jane (Napier), both loyalists) and Margaret Susanna Wanamaker (daughter of Margaret Munger and William Wannamaker also loyalists). In a strange twist of fate, Margaret was baptized by Rev. James Cookson at St. Paul's Anglican Church on February 8, 1824, he would become the great-grandfather of our grandfathers.

The Wannamaker’s and Applebys came to Canada after the Revolutionary War. There are records of their land grants at the National Archives in New Brunswick. There is also a record of the land grants of Rev. James Cookson dated 1822, 800 acres land 300 acres and a small land grant of 10 acres dated 1874. The land of Rev. James is the homestead that John Cookson now lives on and farms.

The Applebys and Wannamaker’s both were loyal soldiers of the crown. You can check out the website of Todd Braistead at: www.royalprovncial.com/military/musters/4njv/nj\vrutten1.htm. There are Wannamaker’s listed in Captain Ruttan's Company Henry, Peter, John, and Nicholas who were all taken prisoner on December 29, 1776.

Then in Captain Van Allen's Company we see a Corporal Benjamin Applebee, and more importantly a Peter Appleby, who is listed as being taken prisoner by January 8, 1778. Jessie believes that this Peter is the father of the Peter Appleby who got the 330 acre land grant in Hampton and married Margaret Susanna Wannamaker.

There are so many little details, which I will try to add to the papers that I'll send you. This gives you a kind of a historic view of the Cooksons and the Applebys and Wannamaker’s. I will included a pedigree chart and family group reports.