Scope and Content
The
Cocke-
ElliotFamily papers contain ca. 15,000
items (41 Hollinger boxes, ca. 17 linear feet and four
oversize folders), ca. 1773-1992, and consist largely of
personal and family correspondence, financial and legal
papers, memorabilia, bound volumes, and genealogical and
historical research material pertaining to the
Cocke,
Elliot, and related families from the
colonial period through the twentieth century, assembled by
John Page Elliot.
The correspondence consists chiefly of the letters of
Betty Page Cocke(1872-1973), a prominent
resident of
Charlottesville, Virginia, and those of
her sister,
Lucy Hamilton (Cocke) Elliot(1876-1969),
descendants of General
John Hartwell Cocke. The collection also
includes some correspondence of
John Hartwell Cocke(1780-1866), 1853 Mar
9, 1856 Nov 4; General
Phillip St. George Cocke(1809-1861),
John Bowdoin Cocke(1836-1889),
John Tucker Bowdoin Cocke(1871-1951),
Bettie Burwell (Page) Cocke(1841-1900),
Mary Louise Cocke(1868-1966),
Milton Courtwright Elliot(1879-1928),
John Page Elliot(1913-1992),
George H. Venable(1864 Mar 16), and other
members of the
Cockeand
Elliotfamilies.
Early letters of interest include many during the courtship
and marriage of
John Bowdoin Cockeand
Bettie Burwell Page(1860s-1870s);
Bettie Burwell Pageoffering her services
and those of a Miss Taylor to the Confederate Secretary of the
Treasury (1862 Oct 3); a letter to
Bettie Burwell Pageconcerning her
participation in a ceremony to honor the Confederate dead
(1866 Jul 18);
John Bowdoin Cocketo his wife Bettie
describing the release of
Jefferson Davisfrom prison (1867 May);
and
Betty Page Cocketo General
G.H. Bridgesconcerning the Civil War
record of her grandfather
Philip St. George Cocke(1892 Dec 2).
The letters of
Lucy Hamilton (Cocke) Elliotconsist of
correspondence with family and friends, and contain a series
of courtship letters written from about 1890 through 1906 by
several
University of Virginiastudents, including
Basil Jones,
Archibald Watson,
R.C. Blackford,
Richard S. Whaley,
Robert L. Parrish, and
Hermann Holst Swift, among others.
Several letters written between March and August of 1903
describe a tour of
Europeand the
Mediterraneanmade by
Lucy Hamilton Cockeand give her
observations on the sites she visited, including
Gibraltar,
Naples,
Pompeii,
Athens,
Constantinople,
Alexandria,
Cairo,
Giza,
Luxor,
Sicily,
Rome,
Venice,
Florence,
Switzerland,
Paris, and
London.
Also included are letters from
Robert L. Parrishwhich describe his
travels in July and August of 1905 to the
Grand Canyon,
Yosemite Valley,
California, the
Great Lakes,
Canada, and
Alaska. The majority of letters circa
1902 -1928 are written by
Milton Courtwright Elliotwho married
Lucy Cockein 1906. The correspondence
contains letters written to and from Lucy and Milton Elliot's
two sons,
Warren Grice Elliotand
John Page Elliot, as well as letters of
sympathy received on the death of
Milton Elliotin 1928. The later letters
of
Lucy Cocke Elliotare mainly to and from
members of the
Cocke family, especially her sister
Betty Page Cockewith whom she resided
after the death of her husband Milton, and also include a
continued correspondence with
Hermann Holst Swift.
The letters of
Betty Page Cockeare considerably more
extensive and pertain to her involvement in politics and
historic preservation while also containing letters to family
and friends. The collection includes letters which outline her
active involvement in such organizations as the
Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation, the
Woodrow Wilson Foundation, the
National Women's Liberty Loan
Organization, the
Women's Section of the State Council of
Defense, the
Albemarle County Historical Society, the
Albemarle County Chapter of the Red
Cross, the
Women's Organization for Prohibition
Reform, and the
Virginia War History Commission.
Other topics include letters concerning a trip made by
Betty Page Cocketo
Englandin 1937 to view the coronation of
King
George VIand a subsequent tour of
Europeduring which she injured her hip
and had to return home for a long convalescence.
Correspondence concerning the involvement of
Betty Page Cockein the settlement of
several Cocke family estates include those of
Leila B. Cocke, ca. 1925-1930 where Betty
acted as the administratrix,
Rowena L. Cocke, ca. 1961, and
Mazyck Wilson Shields, ca. 1942. These
papers describe the sale of items from the plantation of "
Bremo, "
Fluvanna County, Virginia, at auction in
1926 and the proposed formation of the
Bremo Plantation Inc.from the property of
the late
Leila B. Cocke.
Milton C. Elliotacted as legal
representative during the disposition of the estate.
Other correspondents and subjects include:
Robert D. Ballantine, who was supposed to
have committed suicide partly because
Betty Cockerejected him (17 Nov 1896; 4
Jan and 6 Feb 1897; 25 Oct and 31 Dec 1901), letters
describing his travels in
Europefor education in music and German,
and in India with his family and friends; the illness and
death of
Bettie Burwell Page Cocke(Aug 1900);
lists of and letters by students who lived in the boarding
house run by
Betty Cocke(1961-1964); and
Thomas Nelson Pageto "Miss Cocke" (2 Dec
1902) concerning her request to "hear him read for her."
Letters concerning artwork include: several to
John Bowdoin Cockeabout the sale of a
Napoleon miniature by
Jean Baptiste Isabey(July-Oct 1879); and
the disposition of the equestrian portrait of General Scott
painted by
Edward Troyefrom Troye's widow,
Cornelia A. Troye(Dec 1874-May 1876);
letters from representatives of the
Virginia Military Instituteto
Betty Page Cockeconcerning the location
of the bust of General
Philip St. George Cockeby
Alexander Galt(Sept 30, Oct 7, 24, 31,
1938; and Nov 6, 1939); letters from
Bailey and Griffin Inc., "Importers of
Unusual Chintzes," to
Betty Cockeabout a loan of the heirloom
chintz quilt from "
Bremo" to have the pattern copied (Oct 25
and Dec 9, 1938; Mar 4, 1939; and Mar 4 and 13, 1940);
correspondence of
Betty Cockewith the
Virginia Museum of Fine Artsabout the
loan of 17th and 18th century silver utensils for an exhibit
(Oct 11, 28, and Nov 9, 1940; and Jan 15, 1941).
The letters of
Milton C. Elliotare chiefly concerned
with business matters, especially those to Betty regarding the
buying and selling of property and the
Leila B Cockeestate; but also include
letters to his sons,
John Page Elliotand
Warren Grice Elliotin the 1920s while
they were boarding students at the
Episcopal High Schoolin
Alexandria, Virginia, and letters to his
wife Lucy before and after their marriage (previously
mentioned in connection with Lucy's correspondence). Milton
was the toastmaster of the
Alfalfa Clubin
Washington, D.C.in 1919 and some menus
and invitations concerning the
Alfalfa Clubare mixed in with the
correspondence.
Other items of interest include letters to
Betty Page Cockewhich describe the
involvement of her friends in World War I, including: a French
soldier,
A. Murail, thanks
Betty Cockefor a Christmas gift (27 Dec
1916);
John Skelton Williams' telegram (6 April
1917) announces that the President had signed the declaration
of war; letters from Dr.
Hugh H. Youngdescribe his activities as
an army doctor, the morale of the soldiers, conditions in
France, and meetings with General
Pershing (26 Nov 1917; 26, 29 Mar, 10 Jun, and 3 Sep 1918);
Corporal
Marion S. Dimmockwrites to
Betty Cocke, describing conditions at the
front (June 1918 and 18 Nov 1918); Other letters (30 Aug, 12
Sep, and 30 Nov 1918) written by "Mary P." to
Betty Page Cockedescribe conditions in
Franceand her work in the offices of the
American Fund for French Wounded; and a
description of
Franceduring the Armistice (21 Nov
1918).
Correspondence in individual folders includes: circular
letters from the Rev.
Beverley D. Tucker, 1958-1961, describing
his missionary work in
Japan, travels to
Russia, his personal affairs, and
pamphlets about the 1960 construction of
St. Michaels Churchin
Sapporo, Japan;
John Skelton Williams, 1917-1921, about
World War I, and his resignation as Comptroller of the
Currency, excluding personal letters to the
Cocke familychiefly of a social nature
which are interfiled in the general correspondence;
Edith Bolling Wilsonto
Lucy Cocke Elliot, 1924-1928, including
letters of sympathy on the death of Milton;
Woodrow Wilsonand
Edith Bolling Wilsonto
Betty Cocke(Edith was a girlhood friend
of Betty), including some letters from White House
secretaries, 1919-1955, and undated, chiefly of a personal
nature except for a transcript of a letter from
Woodrow Wilsonto the Rector and Visitors
at the
University of Virginiavoicing his
opposition to the proposed moving of the Medical School to
Richmond(1921 May 30); and letters from
Napoleon Drewand family, a former slave
at "
Belmead. " For photographs of Napoleon
Drew see Box 32.
Financial and legal papers includes information about court
cases and petitions involving the
Cocke family; letters from
Betty Cocke's stockbrokers,
John L. Williams and Sons, concerning
stocks in the
Seaboard Syndicate,
Warner Bros, and the
2nd Bank of the United States; letters
about leases, sales of property, deeds, permits, building
contracts and other papers regarding the real estate dealings
of
Betty Cocke;
Lucy Elliot's correspondence with
S.C. Chancellor,
Redland Corporation, and the
Xi chapter of the Theta Chi Fraternity; a
permit for liquor purchase during Prohibition (22 Jan 1921);
funeral expenses and the finances of the
Elliot familyafter the death of
Milton C. Elliotin 1928;
Atlantic Coast Railroad Companyliens and
garnishments, 1933-1938 (separately foldered); specifications
for houses by
Eugene Bradyfor
Milton Elliotin
Charlottesvilleand
Washington, D.C.(which was never built);
correspondence regarding the proposed creation of parking
spaces in front of the
Rotundato which Betty was bitterly
opposed (5 Dec 1941-12 July 1946); and some information about
the sale of items from "
Bremo, " the settlement of the estate of
John Bowdoin Cocke, and the move of his
wife and children after his death to
Charlottesville(1889-1892). There are
also original financial and legal documents from the
Browne familyand the
Blow familyin this collection, 1773-1948.
The
Blow familydocuments, 1884-1948, chiefly
pertain to property belonging to
George Blowin
Norfolk, Virginia. The
Browne familydocuments, 1773-1813 and
undated, consist of accounts and receipts of Colonel
William Browneof "
Four Mile Tree Plantation, "
Surry County, Virginia, with
John Hay & Company,
Kilmarnock Carpet Company, and
John Hyndman & Company; stud fees;
and promissory notes.
The genealogical and historical research files were
assembled by
John Page Elliot(1913-1992), son of
Milton C. Elliotand
Lucy Cocke Elliot, and include
correspondence, notes, genealogical charts and diagrams,
photographs of portraits and individuals, printed material
from magazines, newsclippings, copies and transcripts of
letters, and miscellaneous related material. Most of the
original letters have been filed with the correspondence
series.
Several original items pertaining to the
Cocke familyhave been interfiled with the
rest of the
Cocke FamilyPapers in 640, etc., including:
"
Belmead" building plans, Box 182 (n.d.);
a letter from
Buller Cocketo
John Hartwell Cocke, August 23, 1820 (Box
32); a bank book of
John T. Bowdoin, 1817-1819, with the
Bank of the United States,
Norfolk(Box 25); a bank book of
Philip St. George Cocke, 1838-1839, with
the
Exchange Bank of Virginia,
Richmond(Box 93); a drawing of a
carriage, Box 182 (n.d.); two appointments of
Philip St. George Cocketo Visitor of
V.M.I. (1850 May 25 and 1858 May 25), Box 132, and an
appointment as an "aide de camp," Box 131, (1850 Feb 22);
pedigree for a horse owned by
John Hartwell Cocke, Seagate, Box 182
(n.d.); a list of valuables, Box 172, (1865 Mar 13); and a
drawing of an "Overseer's Cottage" at "
Four Mile Tree Plantation, "
Surry County, possibly by
Philip St. George Cocke, Box 93
(1838).
These genealogical files are arranged alphabetically by the
name of the family, individual, or subject. Some files also
include information about children and wives under the name of
the father. Folders which include photographs, notable
correspondents, etc. are listed here:
Barraud FamilyPortraits -
Daniel Cary Barraud(1725-1784?);
Ann Barraud Cocke(1785-1816);
Ann Blaws Hansford Barraud(1760-1836);
Dr.
Philip Barraud(1758-1830);
Catherine Curle Barraud;
Courtney Bowdoin Cocke Barraud; and
Philip Barraud&
Courtney Barraud.
"
Belmead, "
Powhatan County-Copies of correspondence
re the sale of the plantation in 1892 and copies of
correspondence with
Fiske Kimballconcerning "
Belmead"; early photographs, including
the house, furniture, furnishings, grounds, the mill, fields,
barnyards and barn; a folder concerning "
Belmead" after it was sold and became the
St. Emma Military Academyfor black
men.
Blow Family-Photographs of
Margaret Blow Elliot(1849-1910); Judge
George Blow(1813-1894); and
Elizabeth Taylor Allmand Blow.
Bowdoin Family-Photographs of
John Tucker Bowdoin(1787-1821); and
Sally Elizabeth Courtney (Bowdoin)
Cocke(1815-1872).
"
Bremo, "
Fluvanna County-Photographs of "
Bremo"; copies of correspondence with
Fiske Kimball; and material pertaining to
the auction sale of 1926.
Browne Family-Photographs of Mrs.
John Tucker Bowdoin(
Sarah Edwards Browne, 1794-1815); and
Mrs.
William Browne(
Elizabeth Ruffin, 1771-1799?).
Burwell Family-Photograph of
Edmond Bradford Burwell.
Carter Family-Photographs of Mrs.
Robert Carter(
Judith Armistead) and Colonel
Robert Carterof "
Corotoman. "
Betty Page Cocke-Photographs of
Betty Cockeand friends; a
University of Virginiagraduation scene;
St. Paul's Memorial Church, at the
University of Virginia; "Winnie, the
colored maid, cook, mammy & friend of
Betty Page Cockeand
Mary Louise Cocke"; UVA students; the
boarding house; and Dr.
Charles Minor.
John Bowdoin Cocke-Photographs of
Betty Burwell Page Cocke(1841-1900);
John Bowdoin Cocke(1836-1889); and the
Rev.
John Cosby; the commission of
J.B. Cockein the
Virginia Militia; and the marriage
license of Betty and
John Bowdoin Cocke.
John Tucker Bowdoin Cocke(1871-1951)
-Photographs of himself and the
Gas Works Crew,
Savannah, Georgia.
John Hartwell Cocke-Photographs of
John H. Cocke;
Sally Cocke Faulcon;
Sally Faulcon (Cocke) Brent;
Anne Blaws Barraud Cocke(1784-1816).
Mary Louise Cocke-Photographs of herself
and a trip to the West Coast.
Norborne Page Cocke(1878-1940)
-Photographs of himself.
Philip St. George Cocke-Photographs of
Sally Elizabeth Courtney (Bowdoin) Cocke;
Philip St. George Cocke(1809-1861); Miss
"Bunny" Cocke;
Philip St. George Cocke(1844-); and
copies of correspondence with
Douglas Southall Freeman.
Richard Cocke-Photographs of
Richard CockeIV (1707-1772); Colonel
Nathaniel Cocke(1746-1813).
Corbin Family-Photograph of [
Henry Corbin?].
Napoleon Bonaparte Drew-Photographs.
Elliot Familyfolders with photographs
include:
Allmand Elliot(1881-1908);
Elizabeth Preston (Elliot) Wilson(1887
-?) and Dr.
Gordon Wilson;
George Blow Elliot(1873-1948);
Esther Ellery Elliot Sparkman(?-1955);
Ellery Sparkman;
Gilbert Elliot;
Charles G. Elliot;
Lucy Hamilton (Cocke) Elliot;
Margaret Elliot(1884-1966);
Milton C. Elliot(1879-1928) and his sons,
John Page Elliotand
Warren Grice Elliot;
Warren Grice Elliot(1848-1906);
Margaret Blow(1849-1910); and
Warren Grice Elliot, Jr.(1875-1930).
"
Four Acres, "
Charlottesville, Virginia
"
Four Mile Tree Plantation, "
Surry County
Grice Family-Photographs of
Charles Grice(1762-1832); and
Joseph Grice.
"
Lower Bremo" and "
Bremo Recess"
"
Mount Pleasant, "
Surry County
Nelson Family-Photographs of
Elizabeth Burwell Nelson(1718-1793);
William Nelson(1711-1772);
Margaret Reade Nelson;
Lucy Nelson; and
Jane Byrd Nelson(engraving).
Page Family-Photographs of Colonel
John Page;
Jane (Byrd) Page; "
Rosewell" ruins; Colonel
Matthew Page(1659-1703);
Mary Mann Page(1672-1707);
Mann PageI (1691-1730);
Judith Carter Page;
Mann PageII (1749-1803);
Anne Corbin Tayloe Page;
Lucy Landonia Page Booker;
Charles Carter Page;
William Armistead Page;
John Page;
Hamilton Page;
Norborne Thomas Page, Jr.;
Betty Burwell Page Cocke;
St. Paul's Church,
Petersburg;
Mary Louise Jones Page;
Norborne Thomas Nelson Page; Mrs.
Lewis Booker,
Betty Booker& Mrs.
Lily Booker Cole.
Photographs -Miscellaneous -
Woodrow Wilson;
Petersburg Mathematical & Classical
Institute;
Fitzhugh Lee;
University of Virginia Rotunda;
Thomas H. Carter;
George Ben Johnston;
Wilson Howe(1903 -?);
Helen Johnstonand
Anne Roy Johnston;
University of Virginiastudents and
buildings;
Herman H. Swift;
William Lancaster;
Joe Cox;
Maria Garnett Venn;
Ellen Douglas; Burton,
Archibald Hendersonand
Jean Craige;
Vicksburgseawall;
Bloomfield Academy,
Albemarle County; French ruins
Belleau Woodsand
Chateau-Thierrygravesite.
Tayloe Family-Photographs of Mr. & Mrs.
John TayloeI.
Edward Troye-Printed Material &
Photographs -Horses "Utilitarian," "Roebuck," "Cleveland."
The bound volume, memorabilia, and oversize material series
is listed in detail at the end of this guide. Any bound
volumes not in folders have been assigned a number to
facilitate location in the box. Memorabilia consists of
membership cards, annual tickets of admission, and railroad
passes belonging to
Betty Cocke,
Lucy H. Cocke Elliotand
Milton C. Elliot; calling cards; a
Democratic National Conventionsouvenir;
U.S. Government Thrift Card; Six
Great BritainCoronation commemorative
stamps, 1937 May 12; War Ration Book;
Jamestown Expositionsouvenir; autograph
of
Fitzhugh Lee; and
University of Virginiamemorabilia,
including ribbons and pins from various ribbon societies (see
Box 39 and Mini-Tray 40). The bound volumes are chiefly those
of the
Cocke familyand
Milton C. Elliot, and include school
notebooks, annuals and autograph albums; travel journals;
memoranda books; a ledger; address books; a scrapbook of
newsclippings; diaries; visitation and wedding invitation
books; an account book; and a photgraph album of
University of Virginiascenes, belonging
to
Lucy Hamilton Cocke Elliot[ante
1906?].
Oversize material includes a pardon to
John Bowdoin Cocke(1865 Jul 6);
photographs of Dr.
Norborne Page Cocke,
George Blow Elliot,
William Gibbs McAdoo, and members of the
Federal Reserve Board; certificates of
membership and career advancements of
Milton Elliotin law practice in
Virginia,
Pennsylvania, and
Washington, D.C.;
Sons of the American
Revolutioncertificate of
John Tucker Bowdoin Cocke(1926 Jun 1);
architectural drawings for residences and outbuildings of M.C.
and
Lucy Elliotand
John Page Elliot; and genealogical
material pertaining to the
Cockeand
Pagefamilies.