COOKE, John (Grimwade p.364)

[buckler]

Son of Samuel Cooke of Crown & Sceptre Court, St James.
Samuel was a noted bucklemaker who had largely diversified into top quality sword fittings when the fashion for buckles declined markedly after 1785.

As John entered his first mark, as a goldworker, on 21 November 1816 it is likely that his father had died late in that year, although Samuel's will was not proved until 15 November 1817 (NA reference PROB 11/1598 ). John's elder brother, Samuel Cooke (Jnr) predeased him and his father.

John appears to have specialised in gold boxes and other top quality items at the upper end of the market. His sister, Susanna Cooke is also named as a silversmith with him in Sun insurance policies on No 2, Crown & Sceptre Court.

According to Pallots Marriage Index a John Cooke batchelor married Mary Anne Humphries in 1804 at St Georges in Boro (Southwark)
As a John Humphries was the executor of John Cookes will of 1827 this is probably his marriage.

John probably died around 1828 as the will of John Cooke of Crown and Sceptre Court St James Street dated 11 December 1827 was proved at PCC on 27 Jan 1829, after some delay probably due to legal complications as to the meaning and intention of the testator.
His sister Susanna Cooke and Mr John Humphries were appointed executrix and executor. There appears to have been prior instructions to the executors concerning the children, all of whom were probably under 21, but no mention of his wife.

[buckler]

Grimwade does not illustrate his registered mark of 21 November 1816 as a goldworker at Crown & Sceptre Court (page 364)

Below is an example, seen on a pair of "court" buckles dated 1820/1821 which were probably made for the coronation of George IV (19 July 1821).



Nice to see the business of bucklemaking at Crown & Sceptre Court continued under John, although his main business was probably gold boxes etc.