We are researching the unknown parents of Nancy Cochran [1], wife of Isaiah Pickett. Captain William Cockerham brought John Cockerham to Virginia. The relationship between the two is unknown. Matthew Cockerham may have immigrated to America about the same time. We are investigating the possibility that Nancy was a descendant of one of these immigrants. We show them as brothers only as a convenience to facilitate our navigation among their notes. We have no evidence that they were brothers.
1666 Capt Wm Cockerham was granted 850 acres in Surry County, Virginia for transport of 17 persons, including John Cockerham and Mary Cockerham and John Mayo. [2]
1672 The estate of Capt William Cockerham was administered by Robert Caulfield on October 29 (Will 2:20, Surry County?) [3]
The Emmett Cockrum genealogy suggests that William Cockerham of Virginia might have been the same person as William Cockeram of Dorset, England [4]:
1. George Cockeram of Hunington in Com. Devon.
a. George Cockeram of Collington in Devon.
b. William Cockeram of Purbeck in Dorset, (Isle of Dorset). m. Alice, daughter of Thomas Covall of Wichampton, Dorset.a. William Cockeram, son and heir, b. 1593, m. Anne, daughter of William Wall.
1. Catherine Cockeram b. 1617;
2. Mary Cockeram b. --
3. Dennis Cockeram.While the early generations are undated, computing 25 years to a generation pushes George Cockeram of Hunington in Devon back nearly to 1500 and clearly connects the Dorset Cockerams with those of Devon, who usually appear spelled Cockram. The same William Cockeram who registered the pedigree in Dorset in 1623 migrated to Virginia in 1639 from out of the Isle of Wight aboard the ship Robert Eley. His landing is recorded under Cockrum but thereafter he spells is Cockerham. He is listed as Captain William Cockerham, holding a county office in the Isle of Wight County, Virginia. In 1663 Lt. William Cockerham patented 1230 acres of land in Surry Co., Va. on Feb. 7, 1656, adjacent John Bland, William Caufield, to head of David Williams land thence to Nicholas Spencer's deer field, ll00 acres for transportation of three persons. On May 14, 1666 he and Charles Barham patented 850 acres for the transportation of 17 persons, among which were John and Marty Cockerham, children probably Williams children. (taken from Histrorical Southern Families, v.iii, Boddie, p. 184.) Since John is ignored in Captain William Cockerhams will, and a younger son by Ann Spencer, his second wife married in Virginia, was declared "eldest son and heir", John was not Williams son, but more likely a nephew or a cousin. Captain William Cockerham has two sons, William II (1659-1707) and Thomas and William II had a son William III.
A genealogy of Fifty Families reports, with some documented evidence, that Henry and William were brothers [5]:
Captain William Cockerham and his wife, Ann, had two sons, William and Thomas. They were minors on May 13, 1669 when … were appointed to administer the estate of William Cockerham until the boys were of age. Young William was declared of age on November 2, 1680, as "Eldest son and Heir of Captain William Cockerham and Anne, his wife." … In his will, dated July 22, 1706, probated 1706-07, he left clothes to his brother, Thomas, the remainder of his estate to his wife, Mary, and made his son, William, his executor. His brother, Thomas, whose will was probated May 15, 1717 left his clothes to his son, Timothy; his cows and pewter to his grandson, Samuel Benson; one shilling to daughter, Elizabeth; one cow to daughter, Ann; and all the rest of his estate to his wife, Elizabeth. At her death, the estate was to be divided equally between his daughters, Ann and Priscilla. There is no proof that William Cockerham, [son of William and] grandson of Captain William Cockerhamm married Mary (Winn) Wynne, daughter of Colonel William Wynne. It is a family tradition. However, it is known that Colonel William Wynne moved from Surry County, Virginia to Lunenburg County, Virginia and that in his household at that time were two under-age boys, William and Henry Cockerham. …
The Goforth account of the family of Captain William Cockerham fails to mention grandson Henry and argues that John Cockerham was not a son of Captain William Cockerham [6]:
Virginia Cockrums [Cockerhams]
In 1639 a William Cockrum arrived in Virginia from aboard the "Robert Eley", out of the Isle of Wight. His landing is recorded under "Cockrum" but thereafter he spells it "Cockerham".
First Generation
1. William [Cockrum] Cockerham, Captain, born 1593 of Purbeck in Dorset, England; died 1669 in Virginia, the son of William Cockeram and Alice Covell of Wichampton in Dorset, and grandson of George Cockeram of Hunington in Com. Devon, England; married 1st to ANNE WALL, dates unknown; the daughter of William Wall; married 2nd to ANN [or MARY] SPENCER, dates unknown; the daughter of William Spencer. Ann's sister, Elizabeth, married Major Robert Sheppard, Burgess for James City 1648-1650.
Many notes have been found on Captain William Cockerham from various records, some are as follows: Capt. William Cockerham, tithable and appointed Justice, Surry County, Virginia. [William and Mary Quarterly], Vol.. 8, p. 1652; 4 tithables in his return -Died 1669, leaving two sons; William and Thomas.
Mrs. Elizabeth Shepherd [married a Robert Shepherd 1st; married 2nd 1654 to Thomas Warren] wrote a letter to her brother- William Cockerham, Surry Co. 1654, Va. Court Records 6-156. William Cockerham witnessed the marriage agreement with Edward Ffolliett- "Indenture between Thos. Warren and Mrs. Eliz. Sheperd, widow of Robert Sheperd of Surry, September 23, 1654. Names her children by 1st husband; Anne Sheperd, John, Robert, Priscilla-" [See also, Tyler's Magazine 1 - Va. Historical Magazine Vol. 29; Wm. and Mary Quarterly. Vol. 8, II; Va. Court Records, Volume 6. From Va. Wills and Administration - Torrence; p. 341 "Lieut. William Cockerham 1230 acres in Surry Co., Feb. 27, 1656 S.W. side of James River. He married the daughter of Nicholas [William?] Spencer, and so also had 1100 acres more - granted to Nich. Spencer. In 1662 this was also recorded in Cockerham's name and 150 acres for bringing 3 person into the community" [p. 562 -Capt.] "William Cockerham, and Charles Barham were granted 850 acres in Surry Co., May 14, 1666 for transporting 17 persons, including Mary Cockerham, John Cockerham, Edward Tanner."
Notes from Surry County, Va. records at Virginia State Library in Richmond, Va.; "September 6, 1654 Captain William Cockerham Witnessed Bond of Jacob Dibdall, Adm. Estate of John Fisher". "Sept. 7, 1654 - Rec'd letter signed 'Yr loveing sister Elizabeth Shepard'. She was a widow with 6 Shepard [Sheppard] children and on Sept. 23, 1654, married her 2nd. husband -Thomas Warren. Capt. Wm. Cockerham gave his consent and witnessed the agreement relating to the new marriage".
Book 1, page 287, May 14, 1667; "Nicholas N.S. Spensor Jr. of Lawnes Creek Parish, Surry County, sells Capt. Wm. Cockerham all my right, title, claim and interest that I have or hereafter may have to any part or parcell of land that were formerly my unkle Wm. Spensors, dec'd, which he, the said Mr. Wm. Spensor hath bequeathed unto me by will or what right falleth me by descent from him, etc., Witness; Nicholas Spencor Senior N. David Williams."
Book 1, page 305, October 24, 1667 "Nicholas N. Spencor Sr. binds to Capt. Wm. Cockerham, his son, John Spencor [with the consent of John Spencor] for seven years and gives his farm, livestock etc. to take care of the said Nicholas Spencor if he lives so long as seven years, if not as long as he lives."
Children:
Daughter who married Charles Amry, [Gdn. Bk. 1, page 1; June 10, 1672; "Chas. Amry married the daughter of Capt. Cockerham, and is appointed guardian of the Cockerham oprhans, it being above three years since his decease Amry is ordered to bring in accounts of their estates."]
12. William Cockerham born 1659; died 1706.
13. Thomas Cockerham born 1665; died 1717 to 1719.
…
Since John Cockerham is ignored in Captain Cockerham's will, and a son by Ann spencer, his 2nd wife, married in Virginia was declared "eldest son and heir", John is not Captain William's son, but more likely a nephew or cousin. [7]
The Murff genealogy reports [8]:
The first known Cockerham to America was a Capt. William Cockerham, who came into James City, Va., 1639, from England, settling in what later became Surry Co., Va. A William Cockerhan, age 30 in 1623, registered his pedigree with the Heralds in their Visitation of Dorset, England, in that year. He had two daughters, Catherine - age 6, and Mary a age 4. (from Harle, Vol. 2, p.29 - also Hutchins Dorsett,1-697.)
The James City Va. records are destroyed, Surry Co., was formed from James City in 1652. William Cockerham given as "Lieut. William Cockerham", patented 1230 acres of land in Surry Co., Feb. 27, 1657, on S. W. side of James River, behind, Meg Island Marsh. 1100 acres was due as marrying the daughter Mr. William Spencer, and 130 acres for transporting three people from England to America. On May 14, 1666, he and Charles Barham patented 850 acres for transporting 17 people from England to America. Among these being a John and Mary Cockerhams, probably William's children. (C. P. 562).
Willian Spencer, Ancient Planter, came over with Captain Christopher Newport in the ship "Sarah Constant", in 1607 (from Colonial Surry, p. 47). Ann-Spenser, daughter of William Spencer, married William Cockerham. Her sister Elizabeth had married Robert Sheppard. On Sept. 7, 1654, Elizabeth wrote a note to her,"Dear Brother Cockerham", asking him to represent her in court, signing it,"Your sister Elizabeth". (A.pp.314). William Cockerham started as a Lieut. of Militia and rose to Col. of Surry Regiment. He was Burgess of Surry Co., 1661—1665. He died May 13, 1669, at which time Robt. Spencer and others gave Bond for guardian—ship of his orphans, namely, William Ceckerham, and Thomas Cockerham.
William Cockerham, son of Capt. Wm. Cockerham, was b.1659, d. 1707. This William, or William, 2nd., declared to be of full age Nov. 2, 1689, as eldest son and heir of Capt. William Cockcrhan and Ann his wife. Wm. Cockerham, 2nd. married prior to July 3, 1686, 1st Hannah, who joined him in a deed of that date, and 2nd. William m. Mary _?. William, 2nd. wi11 - dated July 22, 1706, probated March 4, 1707, mentions his brother, Thomas, his wife Mary, and son William under age in 1706 (Davis wills, and J. B. Boddie's Southern Historical Families, Vol.3, p.184-187).
DNA We show John Cockerham with wife Ann Brambley as a descendant, although we little documentation for this link. We seek documentation about that family. [9]
[1] Janet and Robert Wolfe, Genealogy Page for Cochran, father of Nancy Cochran Pickett, [JRWolfeGenealogy].
[2] Cavaliers and Pioneers. Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1666, Vol. I, [AncestryImage].
[3] Mary Louise Donnelly, Jamestown, Southern Virginia Counties, Northampton County, North Carolina, Then Westward: Hart and Cousins Galore, 16, [URL].
[4] Emmett E. Cockrum, A History and Genealogy of the Cockrum Family in America, (1979), 7, [FHLBook].
[5] Nancy Chambers Underwood, Fifty Families A History (1977), 394, [FHL Library], [GoogleBooks].
[6] George T. Goforth, Cockerham Genealogy, (self-published), 2-5, [FHLBook].
[7] George T. Goforth, Cockerham Genealogy, (self-published), 5, [FHLBook].
[8] Paul B., Murff, Cockerham Family History, (self-published), 1, [FHLBook].
[9] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, Reports unknown John Cockerham married to Brambly, Shared Micajah Pickett, but not Nancy Cochran, [Link].