COOKE, Edward (Grimwade p.470)

[buckler]

On 11 January 1764 Edward Cooke took Samuel Moulton as apprentice and turned him over the same day to Samuel Cooke, musician. (his brother)
However there is a superscription in the Goldsmiths Hall Apprentice Book interposed in a marginal note to the effect that Samuel Cooke's widow, Elizabeth, was Samuel Moulton's actual 'master . Samuel Cooke had died ! (Will of Samuel Cooke of St Leonards, Foster Lane Silver Smith -PROB 11/895 - proved 1st Feb 1764 at PCC).

Samuel Moulton obviously kept in touch as he was a witness to Cooke's will dated 23rd September 1773. Cooke and Moulton may have been negotiating for Cooke's business at the time.
A year later Edward died, his will and a codicil being proved at PCC on 22 September 1774. Samuel Moulton took over the business as he registered a mark as a smallworker on 22nd of July 1774 at 210 Borough (of Southwark) , Edward's old address.

Edward Cooke's will is long, complicated amnd the register copy difficult to read. Appears that he was a man owning property in Foster Lane in the City (he was in Southwark) , probably the one being lived in by Elizabeth Cooke his sister in law . No wife or children mentioned .
Some details of the will

MONEY BEQUESTS
my Nephews Thomas Barlow and Francis sons of my late deceased Sister Mary Barlow
my niece Ann Elizabeth ? Handysid ? Daughter of my said Sister Mary Barlow
said Thomas and Francis Barlow in trust to my nephew Francis ?Clapcott? son of my late Sister Susanna ?Nayler? deceased
Martha and Catherine Minshull daughters of my late nephew Doctor Francis Minshull
Francis Minshull and Elizabeth Rich also Son and Daughter of the said Doctor Francis Minshull
Elizabeth Rich and her husand John Rich (almost certainly the man now known mainly for wine labels and buckles)

my servant Elizabeth Holland provided she shall live with me at the time of my death the sum of two hundred pounds for her loving and faithfull service

PROPERTY
I give and devise unto my Sister in Law Elizabeth Cooke widow of my late brother Samuel Cooke deceased all those my two freehold messauages or tenements with their appertances in Foster Lane London with the rents issues and profits thereof. To hold the same to her Elizabeth Cooke for her natural life and from and immediately after her demise I give and devise the said two messauages or tenements with the appertances unto the above named Anne Elizabeth xxxxxxx for her natural life and from and immediately after her decease the said two freehold messauages or tenements to my said nephew Thomas Barlow his heirs and assigns for ever

OTHER BEQUESTS
my said sister in law Elizabeth Cooke a bedstead , a feather bed, a table and chairs and other things proper for the furnishing of a room
John Ramsbottom a Ring .

RESIDUE
my said nephew Thomas Barlow

EXECUTOR
Thomas Barlow sole executor

WITNESSES
Edward Henshaw
Samuel Moulton (his former apprentice for a day)
J ?Preston?

The codicil signed 15 July 1774, almost certainly in imminent anticipation of death is most interesting.
It makes additional bequests to "Elizabeth Holland now living with me as my servant ", mainly of furniture and household goods, including "a fluted silver mug marked EC/EH at the Bottom " One can only speculate who EC and EH were . Witnessed by a solicitor and his clerk, probably to avoid embarressment !