Mary Grewell

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Birth surname has also been reported to be Cooke.

Date and place of birth have also been (erroneously?) reported to be:

• 1697 in Kent County, Delaware
• December 18, 1698 in Charles Parish, York County, Virginia

Date and place of marriage have also been (erroneously?) reported to be 1709 in Kent County, Delaware.

Date and place of death have also been (erroneously?) rpeorted to be April 13, 1748 in Murderkill Creek Hundred, Kent County, Delaware.

content to clean up

Mary Cook is believed to be the daughter of John Cook and Mary Simcock. She was born c.1690 in Little Creek, Kent County, Delaware and died on April 13, 1748 in Little Creek, Kent County, Delaware. She married John Grewell (or Gruwell)in 1710 in Kent County, Delaware. Seven children have been identified.Three are named in her will.

Not much is known about Mary's early life. The first recorded mention of Mary is in her husband John Gruwell's Last Will and Testament, dated 23 January 1733/4. Mary is left the bulk of John's estate and is also named as the Administrator. The second mention of Mary is her appointment as Administrator in the probate record for William Cook, administered on 15 March 1733/4. William died intestate, leaving behind no Will, and therefore the exact relationship between William Cook and Mary is not stated nor is Mary directly mentioned as an heir. One interesting aspect of William's Letter of Administration is that it makes reference to "Mary Gruwell, widow" reflecting the death of Mary's husband, John Gruwell, just a few months prior.

Some researchers believe that May was the daughter of this William Cook because she was named his Administrator. There is no proof that he was her father. There is only family lore that John Cook was her father.

There are several other Cook Wills probated in Kent County during this period, however, no connection has yet been made to Mary. The inventory of both John Gruwell's and William Cook's estates were made by the same two gentlemen on the same day. William's estate inventory reveals that he owned very little personal property; one horse, a gun barrel and lock, one loom, several items of clothing, a bible, and some carpentry tools (broad axe, knife, chisel, compass, etc). William Cook appeared on the Kent County tax rolls in 1730 in Dover Hundred.

Even though she inherited "Aberdeen" upon her husband John's death in 1734, Mary is not listed on the Kent County tax lists. In fact, Mary is only referenced in 5 official records; three Wills including husband John Gruwell's, William Cook's, and her own; and two land deeds including the settlement of property by sheriffs deed from David Robinson in 1738, and the sale of property to Benjamin Brown in 1744. In the case of the latter, a mortgage for this land was made to Mark Manlove, a loan officer. Later, Mary paid off the loan and in 1744 she sold what must have been a portion of "Aberdeen" to Benjamin Brown. An excerpt from the original document can be found at the end of this overview.

Mary's nuncupative will (deathbed wishes communicated to and recorded by a witness present at the bedside) was dated March 27, 1748 and was probated on April 13,1748. The following is an excerpt from that document:

"The verbal noncupitive will of Mary Grewel late of Little Creek Hundred in the County of Kent on Delaware -- John Wade aged thirty five years or thereabouts being sworn on the Evangelist of Almight God saith that on Sunday the Twenty Seventh Day of March last he was at the House of Mary Grewel in Little Creek hundred with a certain Mary Collins at which time said Mary Grewell was very sick and Weak in Body but to his belief of sound mind and memory and same time she desired them to notice what she had to say as to the disposal of some things after her Death which was as followeth -- First. That she gave unto her Daughter Mary Grewel one Feather Bed the Largest, one Earthen Dish two Pewter Plates, one pair of Wool Combs, one Spinning Wheel, one Cow, one Ackles and a Box Iron and heaters and Wool Cards to be divided between her and her sister Elizabeth Grewel -- Secondly. That she gave to her Daughter Elizabeth Grewel one Small Feather Bead and Bolster, one White Mare, one Heifer, one small Pewter Dish, two Pewter Plates, one Spinning Wheel, one grid iron -- Thirdly. That it was her Will that her son Jacob Grewell should have all the remainder of her Estate that is not before given or bequeathed by her to her Aforesaid Daughters, he paying her just Debts and discharging the Expenses of her Funeral and further he saith not -- John Wade

Mary Collins aged about Twenty three years being also sworn saith that she was required by said Mary Grewell to take notice with John Wade of what she said as to disposal of what she had after her Death and agrees Exactly with John Wade as to what he above Wrote only she dont remember of said Mary Deceased giving to her said Daughter Mary one Cow and further she saith not"

• Taken at Dover in County Aforesaid this 13th Day of April 1748 before me, John Housman - Register

The estate inventory of Mary Gruwell, taken on 20 April 1748, reveals household goods including one table, eight spoons, six plates, two pewter dishes, a looking glass, several beds with bedstead and bolster, a wollen wheel, two little wheels, and a few other items. Several farm animals are also listed, including one heifer, one mare, and one cow.

Mary is said to be buried in the Quaker's Little Creek Cemetery, Kent County, Delaware. Quakers of that era did not use gravestones, so this is not proven. No other birth, baptism, immigration, marriage, church, or court records have been discovered to shed light on Mary's life in early America.

Primary References:

1. Probate Record, Kent County, Delaware, John Gruwell, 23 Jan 1733/4, Archive Vol A20, page 146, Register of Wills, Liber H, folio 63
2. Probate Record, Kent County, Delaware, William Cook, 15 Mar 1933, Register of Wills, Liber H, folio 108
3. Land Deed, Kent County, Delaware, Mary Gruwell, 10 Jan 1738
4. Land Deed, Kent County, Delaware, Mary Gruwell, 15 Nov 1744
5. Probate Record, Kent County, Delaware, Mary Gruwell, 13 Apr 1748, Archive Vol A21, page 28, Register of Wills, Liber I, folios 215-216

Excerpt from sale of property to Benjamin Brown in 1744:

• "To all Christian people to whom these presents should come I Daniel Robinson High Sheriff of Kent county on Delaware sends greeting Whereas Mark Manlove surviving trustee of the General Loan Office of the county of Kent aforesaid lately in our Court of Common Pleas to wit the eighth day of August Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred thirty seven before the Justices of said court did recover against Mary Gruel administrator of all and singular the goods and chattle rights and creditts of John Gruel late of the said county deceased as well sixty pounds currant money of America debt as of thirty eight shillings and three pence like money costs And Whereas by a Writ of Levari Yaicas of our Sovareign Lord the King to me directed bearing date the Twenty fourth day of November in the Eleventh year of the reign of our said Lord the King I was Commanded that of the lands and tenements of John Gruel of the county aforesaid deceased otherwise called John Gruel of the county of Kent on Delaware in the hands and possession of Mary Gruel of the county aforesaid administrator to all and singular the goods and chattle rights and creditts which were of the said John within my Bailywick which he the said John mortgaged in his life time unto Mark Manlove and Richard Richardson Trustees of the General Loan Office for the County of Kent as appears by his deed in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty I should cause to levyed as well sixty pounds currant money of America debt which the said Mark Manlove surviving trustee had lately recovered in the said Court of Common Pleas before the Justices at Dover against her the said Mary Gruel administrator as aforesaid as of thirty eight shillings and three pence like money which to him in or said court were adjudged for his damages which he has sustained as well by the detention of that debt as for his costs and charges by him about his suit in that behalf expended whereof she was convict as of record it did appear and that I should have the money before the Justices of Dover aforesaid at Court of Common Pleas there to behold for said court the second Tuesday in February next ensueing the sale of the said land to sattisfie unto the said Mark Manlove of his debts and damages aforesaid And Whereas I did then action that I had seized and taken in execution one hundred acres of land lately belonging to John Gruel in the hands of Mary Gruel in the said Writt named to sattisfie unto said Mark Manlove of his debts and costs in the said Writt mentioned which said land I had exposed to sale by way of publick vendue according to law where the same was sold for thirty five pounds eleven shillings unto the said Mary Gruel which said money I had in court to render unto the said Mark of his debts and costs in the said Writt mentioned as thereby I was commanded And further that I did affix notice of the sale of the same at the most publick places in the county of Kent aforesaid as the law directs Now This Indenture Witnesseth that I the said Daniel Robinson Sheriff as aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of thirty five pounds eleven shillings like money as above said to me in hand paid by the said Mary Gruel I have (as far as in me lyes in my power by virtue of the Act of Assembly my office and Writt of Levari Yaicas aforesaid) granted bargained and sold and by these presents do grant bargain and sell unto the said Mary Gruel her heirs and assignees forever all the aforesaid one hundred acres of land and premises thereon with the appurtenances there unto belonging it being part of a greater tract called Aberdeen situate in Jones Neck Beginning at a marked hickory standing on the south side of the main road leading down to the Neck and running from thence north east and by east one hundred and eighty perches to a marked old oak by a line of marked trees to a corner marked white oak standing near a swamp then south east by south eighty perches to a marked red oak being a corner tree between this land and where Peter Larou and Moses Givens and running from thence south west by west one hundred and eighty perches to a marked red oak standing in the north side of the aforesaid road then binding with the said road eighty perches to the place beginning containing one hundred acres as aforesaid together with all the improvements and hereditaments to the same in any way appertaining To Have and to Hold the said one hundred acres of land and premises hereby granted with the appurtenances unto the said Mary Gruel her heirs and assignees to the only proper use and school of the said Mary Gruel her heirs and assignees forever (as far as I have authority by virtue of the power aforesaid) under the yearly Quit Rents now due and hereafter to grow due to the Chief Lord of the fees for the premises In Witness whereof I have set my hand and seal hereunto the fifth day of September Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred thirty and eight Dan Robinson sealed and delivered in presents of Ceasar Rodney David Recs

I hereby certifie that the within deed was acknowledged according to law in open Court of Common Pleas held at Dover in and for the said county the eighth day of September in the twelfth year of our Reign Anno Domini 1738 In Testimony witness I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county

Dan Rodeney Clerk John Housman Recorder"

Very little is known about Mary Cook, namely her birth date and place, her exact parentage, or where she may have spent her early years.

The first recorded mention of Mary is in her husband John Gruwell's Last Will and Testament, dated 23 January 1733/4. Mary is left the bulk of John's estate and is also named as the Administrator. The second mention of Mary is her appointment as Administrator in the probate record for William Cook, administered on 15 March 1733/4. William died intestate, leaving behind no Will, and therefore the exact relationship between William Cook and Mary is not stated nor is Mary directly mentioned as an heir. Given so little information it is speculated that William Cook was Mary's father. One interesting aspect of William's Letter of Administration is that it makes reference to "Mary Gruwell, widow" reflecting the death of Mary's husband, John Gruwell, just a few months prior. There are several other Cook Wills probated in Kent County during this period, however, no connection has yet been made to Mary. The inventory of both John Gruwell's and William Cook's estates were made by the same two gentlemen on the same day. William's estate inventory reveals that he owned very little personal property; one horse, a gun barrel and lock, one loom, several items of clothing, a bible, and some carpentry tools (broad axe, knife, chisel, compass, etc). William Cook appeared on the Kent County tax rolls in 1730 in Dover Hundred. Even though she inherited "Aberdeen" upon her husband John's death in 1734, Mary is not listed on the Kent County tax lists. In fact, Mary is only referenced in 5 official records; three Wills including husband John Gruwell's, father William Cook's, and her own; and two land deeds including the settlement of property by sheriffs deed from David Robinson in 1738, and the sale of property to Benjamin Brown in 1744. In the case of the latter, a mortgage for this land was made to Mark Manlove, a loan officer. Later, Mary paid off the loan and in 1744 she sold what must have been a portion of "Aberdeen" to Benjamin Brown. The following is an excerpt from the original document:

"To all Christian people to whom these presents should come I Daniel Robinson High Sheriff of Kent county on Delaware sends greeting Whereas Mark Manlove surviving trustee of the General Loan Office of the county of Kent aforesaid lately in our Court of Common Pleas to wit the eighth day of August Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred thirty seven before the Justices of said court did recover against Mary Gruel administrator of all and singular the goods and chattle rights and creditts of John Gruel late of the said county deceased as well sixty pounds currant money of America debt as of thirty eight shillings and three pence like money costs And Whereas by a Writ of Levari Yaicas of our Sovareign Lord the King to me directed bearing date the Twenty fourth day of November in the Eleventh year of the reign of our said Lord the King I was Commanded that of the lands and tenements of John Gruel of the county aforesaid deceased otherwise called John Gruel of the county of Kent on Delaware in the hands and possession of Mary Gruel of the county aforesaid administrator to all and singular the goods and chattle rights and creditts which were of the said John within my Bailywick which he the said John mortgaged in his life time unto Mark Manlove and Richard Richardson Trustees of the General Loan Office for the County of Kent as appears by his deed in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty I should cause to levyed as well sixty pounds currant money of America debt which the said Mark Manlove surviving trustee had lately recovered in the said Court of Common Pleas before the Justices at Dover against her the said Mary Gruel administrator as aforesaid as of thirty eight shillings and three pence like money which to him in or said court were adjudged for his damages which he has sustained as well by the detention of that debt as for his costs and charges by him about his suit in that behalf expended whereof she was convict as of record it did appear and that I should have the money before the Justices of Dover aforesaid at Court of Common Pleas there to behold for said court the second Tuesday in February next ensueing the sale of the said land to sattisfie unto the said Mark Manlove of his debts and damages aforesaid And Whereas I did then action that I had seized and taken in execution one hundred acres of land lately belonging to John Gruel in the hands of Mary Gruel in the said Writt named to sattisfie unto said Mark Manlove of his debts and costs in the said Writt mentioned which said land I had exposed to sale by way of publick vendue according to law where the same was sold for thirty five pounds eleven shillings unto the said Mary Gruel which said money I had in court to render unto the said Mark of his debts and costs in the said Writt mentioned as thereby I was commanded And further that I did affix notice of the sale of the same at the most publick places in the county of Kent aforesaid as the law directs Now This Indenture Witnesseth that I the said Daniel Robinson Sheriff as aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of thirty five pounds eleven shillings like money as above said to me in hand paid by the said Mary Gruel I have (as far as in me lyes in my power by virtue of the Act of Assembly my office and Writt of Levari Yaicas aforesaid) granted bargained and sold and by these presents do grant bargain and sell unto the said Mary Gruel her heirs and assignees forever all the aforesaid one hundred acres of land and premises thereon with the appurtenances there unto belonging it being part of a greater tract called Aberdeen situate in Jones Neck Beginning at a marked hickory standing on the south side of the main road leading down to the Neck and running from thence north east and by east one hundred and eighty perches to a marked old oak by a line of marked trees to a corner marked white oak standing near a swamp then south east by south eighty perches to a marked red oak being a corner tree between this land and where Peter Larou and Moses Givens and running from thence south west by west one hundred and eighty perches to a marked red oak standing in the north side of the aforesaid road then binding with the said road eighty perches to the place beginning containing one hundred acres as aforesaid together with all the improvements and hereditaments to the same in any way appertaining To Have and to Hold the said one hundred acres of land and premises hereby granted with the appurtenances unto the said Mary Gruel her heirs and assignees to the only proper use and school of the said Mary Gruel her heirs and assignees forever (as far as I have authority by virtue of the power aforesaid) under the yearly Quit Rents now due and hereafter to grow due to the Chief Lord of the fees for the premises In Witness whereof I have set my hand and seal hereunto the fifth day of September Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred thirty and eight Dan Robinson sealed and delivered in presents of Ceasar Rodney David Recs

I hereby certifie that the within deed was acknowledged according to law in open Court of Common Pleas held at Dover in and for the said county the eighth day of September in the twelfth year of our Reign Anno Domini 1738 In Testimony witness I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said county Dan Rodeney Clerk John Housman Recorder"

Mary's nuncupative will (deathbed wishes communicated to and recorded by a witness present at the bedside) was dated 27 March 1748 and was probated on 13 April 1748. The following is an excerpt from that document:

"The verbal noncupitive will of Mary Grewel late of Little Creek Hundred in the County of Kent on Delaware -- John Wade aged thirty five years or thereabouts being sworn on the Evangelist of Almight God saith that on Sunday the Twenty Seventh Day of March last he was at the House of Mary Grewel in Little Creek hundred with a certain Mary Collins at which time said Mary Grewell was very sick and Weak in Body but to his belief of sound mind and memory and same time she desired them to notice what she had to say as to the disposal of some things after her Death which was as followeth -- First. That she gave unto her Daughter Mary Grewel one Feather Bed the Largest, one Earthen Dish two Pewter Plates, one pair of Wool Combs, one Spinning Wheel one Cow, one Ackles and a Box Iron and heaters and Wool Cards to be divided between her and her sister Elizabeth Grewel -- Secondly. That she gave to her Daughter Elizabeth Grewel one Small Feather Bead and Bolster, one White Mare, one Heifer, one small Pewter Dish, two Pewter Plates, one Spinning Wheel, one grid iron -- Thirdly. That it was her Will that her son Jacob Grewell should have all the remainder of her Estate that is not before given or bequeathed by her to her Aforesaid Daughters he paying her just Debts and discharging the Expenses of her Funeral and further he saith not -- John Wade Mary Collins aged about Twenty three years being also sworn saith that she was required by said Mary Grewell to take notice with John Wade of what she said as to disposal of what she had after her Death and agrees Exactly with John Wade as to what he above Wrote only she dont remember of said Mary Deceased giving to her said Daughter Mary one Cow and further she saith not" Taken at Dover in County Aforesaid this 13th Day of April 1748 before me John Housman - Register

The estate inventory of Mary Gruwell, taken on 20 April 1748, reveals household goods including one table, eight spoons, six plates, two pewter dishes, a looking glass, several beds with bedstead and bolster, a wollen wheel, two little wheels, and a few other items. Several farm animals are also listed, including one heifer, one mare, and one cow. Mary is said to be buried in the Quaker's Little Creek Cemetery, Kent County, Delaware. No other birth, baptism, immigration, marriage, church, or court records have been discovered to shed light on Mary's life in early America.

Primary References:

• Probate Record, Kent County, Delaware, John Gruwell, 23 Jan 1733/4, Archive Vol A20, page 146, Register of Wills, Liber H, folio 63
• Probate Record, Kent County, Delaware, William Cook, 15 Mar 1933, Register of Wills, Liber H, folio 108
• Land Deed, Kent County, Delaware, Mary Gruwell, 10 Jan 1738
• Land Deed, Kent County, Delaware, Mary Gruwell, 15 Nov 1744
• Probate Record, Kent County, Delaware, Mary Gruwell, 13 Apr 1748, Archive Vol A21, page 28, Register of Wills, Liber I, folios 215-216