*Archived * -Samuel Cook- Local agitator

[Northern Lass]

I have some posters that I will display in the Gallery from this guy they are great!
Bear with me whilst I get them loaded then I will link from this page to the posters.
I thought it would be interesting to know who he was, who he linked to and stick him on the tree!

The information below is supplied courtesy of Dudley Archives.

Samuel Cook
"Local agitator for reform in Industry, Politics and Church matters"

Born 15th July 1786 in Trowbridge
Died 8th December 1861 aged 75 years
On the 8th May 1819 he opened a drapery shop in High Street, Dudley
(founding what was to become F.W Cook Ltd).

He became politically active around 1815, having moved into Dudley from
Trowbridge where his father had settled. It is unknown when he actually
arrived into Dudley. His campaigning activities included trade union
demonstrations and negotiations, voting rights against Church rates (he was a
non-conformist so objected to paying church rates), equality of women, reform
in industry (abolition of the Truck and Tommy systems and installation of
safety systems in mines), housing and politics.
He was a man of very firm opinions on many subjects and he attacked social
injustices of his day in public speech and by circulating a great number of
handbills and posters stating his views in forceful and blunt terms. He was
never a trade unionist or paid agent of the workers whose battles he fought.
He was prosecuted several times for his activities, the first time in 1826 for
displaying "seditious" material (a political poster questioning the work of
ministers) in his shop window.
He was a devout Christian throughout his life (although an opponent of the
established church), and his posters and handbills frequently included Biblical
texts.
He helped form the Dudley Political Union, and he contested the
Wolverhampton seat for parliament in 1847. He also gave several speeches
on the equality of women in the 1855 general election. He continued his
political work until his death.

(Additional information on Samuel Cook can be found in the Local Information
Catalogue and there is also a collection of his posters and handbills in the
Archive collection.).

[linell]

Hi NL, I know a bit about the Cooks, Samuel I believe was originally from somewhere in Shropshire. Moving on in time, the family had a 'posh' Department Store in Dudley. Samuel's Grandson, Frederick I think, went to School with my Nan's Mother and the families were great friends. My Nan used to take me to Cooks Department Store as a child, Mr Frederick Cook was then the Store Manager, he would always come and speak to my Nan. His son Philip Cook had a TV and Electrical Shop in Halesowen circa 1960, in partnership with a Mr Fereday. Philip Cook was drowned about 1962, while Canoeing with a group of Scouts, he drowned while trying to save one of the lads. His father never got over the loss of his son and heir, he always looked so sad whenever we saw him again............

[mallosa]

1851: High Street, Dudley

Samuel Cook 64 Head Wid Draper TRowbridge, Wiltshire
Samuel L Cook 28 Son M Draper Dudley, Worc
Eleanor Cook 33 Dau In Law W M St Pancras, London
Eleanor Maria Cook 14 Mo Grandaughter Dudley, Worc
Jane Sheeker 23 Serv U Housemaid Wittington? Salop
Harriet Greed 13 Serv U KIngswinford, Staffs

1841: High Street, Dudley

Samuel Cook 50 Draper No
Hanna Cook 20 Yes
Eliza Cook 20 Yes
Maria Cook 15 Yes
George Cook 15 Yes
Maria Cook 10 Yes (born in county)

[mallosa]

SAMUEL COOK
Birth: 15 JUL 1787
Christening: 02 DEC 1787 Trowbridge, Wiltshire

Father: SAMUEL COOK
Mother: Amy

[mallosa]

1871: High Street, Dudley

(Son of above Samuel)

Samuel Carlus (Luarius) Cook 50 Head M Draper Dudley, Worc
Eleanor Maria Cook 52 Wife M Hail? Terrace St Pancras, London
Eleanor M C Cook 21 U Drapers Ass Dudley
Samuel Q Cook 19 Son Dudley U Railway Clerk Dudley
George Jones Cook 16 Son Solicitors Clerk Dudley
Fredk William Cook 10 Son (Here you are Linell)Scholar Dudley

[Northern Lass]

Ok who fancies putting this lot on!

[linell]

Yes that's Frederick he was the same age as my Gt Grandmother, thanks Mallosa. I will enter it tomorrow NL if know one else enters it up tonight. Best Wishes from linell.

[Northern Lass]

Thanks Linell....yes please!
apparently there are loads of posters from this guy at the archives...must get some more1

[linell]

Hi NL Dudley also have a small book on Samuel Cook, has a Red Cover with his picture on the front. His family is now on BCC. linell.

[peterd]

you putting a link in famous people of the black country ?

[Northern Lass]

Thanks Linell for doing that

Yes Pete think Mally is going to add Samuel Cook to the famous People section with links....MALLY!!!

In the meantime if you haven't seen these 2 in the Gallery you got to have a look at the style of writing and his passion!

French Invasion Poster- by Samuel Cook

Mine disaster poster- Samuel Cook

[linell]

Hi NL, thanks for the links, yes indeed his passion and sense of justice sounds profound doesn't it, had to laugh at his description of the French though 'Soup and Frog Eaters.' I know from other books I have read that the French were hated in the 19th Century, my Nan used to use the word 'Jackanapes' to describe someone undesirable, that term must have been passed down by her Grandparents. Perhaps we should research the Charterists movement, they took on the establishment and improved the lot of the working class. linell.

[Northern Lass]

I thought that was so funny on that Poster!

I would love to see a photo of him will have a look at dudley when I go.



this is now completed as far as I can see
So unless otherwise advised this topic will be moved to archived section within 24 hrs
the info is on Connections c/o Linell
and the posters are in the gallery
we will add Samuel to the famous people too!