Mary Elizabeth McClure Cook was born February 20, 1813, in Tennessee - maybe Grainger County, though I have found no record of her birth or parents. In 1833, at the age of 20, she married Pharoah Cook in Grainger County, Tennessee. Some time between 1833 and 1840, they traveled with several other Tennessee residents to Greene County, Missouri, where they appeared in the 1840 census. By 1850, she appeared in Greenfield, Dade County, Missouri, where she lived her remaining 60 years.

Pharoah and Mary had either 15 or 16 children. The question lies with "Wiley" Cook, born 1834; and James "Wiley" born 1836. Are they the same person. No further record has been found for Wiley, but the 1850 census clearly indicates Wiley, age 16, and James, age 14. James was known throughout his life a "Wiley" - as was his grandson, who was named for him. No other records can be found for Wiley, only James Wiley.

Between 1870 and 1874, Mary's husband, Pharoah, had left her behind (9 children were still living at home according to the 1870 census); and ran off with a neighbor, Mary Ann Harris. They were married in August 17, 1874, in Lee, Mississippi; where Mary Ann Harris' family was located.

No record of a divorce has been found due to a fire at the local courthouse.

Mary lived for 35 more years in the Dade County area, surrounded by her many children.

I visited the home on the family farm. It had fallen into serious disrepair - but then it had been empty for decades. It was a small two-story home with a kitchen and living room on the main floor, and the upstairs had been divided into two bedrooms - presumably one for the boys, and one for the girls. How 18 people lived in that tiny space is truly a mystery. There was no running water, and heated with only a fireplace.

Children NOT listed below are

Sarah M. Cook - wife of (1) William Taylor Fanning and (2) James H. Moser
John Cook 1841-1865