Benjamin1 Cooley

Notes:

According to research completed in 2000 by Eleanor L. Cooley Rue, circumstantial evidence links the Benjamin Cooley christened in Tring, Hertfordshire, England (chr 1615) to the Benjamin Cooley of Springfield through the posited marriage of Richard Sikes and Phebe Cooley (chr 1609), Benjamin's sister. The only evidence found by Cooley-Rue was in Benjamin Cooley's will which used the phrase "cousen Sikes". She concluded that "cousen" meant brother-in-law which it did not. Cousen was primarily used to refer to neices and nephews. A major problem with Cooley-Rue's logic is that Richard and Phebe Sikes's church activities, and his becoming a freeman are well documented* while there is no record of Benjamin and Sarah Cooley's church activities prior to 1643 (to become an accepted member of Massachusetts Bay Colony church membership was mandatory). Assuming unaccompanied women seldom made the voyage from England to New England and further assuming Phebe Cooley and Benjamin Cooley traveled together, it appears to me that information about Benjamin and Sarah must be uncovered before a link can be made between Phebe Sykes and Benjamin Cooley. *Richard Sykes joins Dorchester church 4 Nov 1639; he becomes a freeman 13 May 1640 in Cambridge; Richard marries Phebe Sykes 13 May 1640 also the date she joined the Dorchester church. Their first child Rebecca born 6 Dec 1640 in Roxbury (Pynchon's hometown).

(Research):Early Massachusetts Bay Colony political organization.

The four original counties all formed 10 May 1643 were:
o Middlesex
o Essex
o Suffolk
o Norfolk (now a part of SW Maine)
Formed in addition were
o Non-County Area 1
o Non County Area 2
Agawam Plantation (later Springfield) was founded in 1636 by William Pynchon. At that time it was simply a village in the Connecticut River basin under the jurisdiction of Connecticut Colony. Pynchon changed the name of the village to Springfield in 1641. On 10 May 1643, Non-County Area 1, was formed comprising the western portions of Massachusetts Bay Colony of which Springfield was a part (Winthrop expanding his power base). The area had no western boundary and extended an indefinite distance westward into the ill-defined "Western Country". On 7 May 1662 Hampshire County was formed (towns of Springfield, Northampton, Hadley, and all territory within 30 miles), effectively covering the entire western part of the province. (Mass. Recs., vol. 4, pt. 2:52) On 1 Aug 1812 Hampden County, containing Springfield, was created from Hampshire County (Mass. Acts 1812, ch. 137/p. 291). Springfield remains in Hampden County to this day.

Benjamin1 married Sarah (wife of Ensign Benjamin Cooley) [?] about 1642 in Probably in the New World. Sarah was born about 1621 in Probably England; died on 23 Aug 1684 in Springfield, Hampshire Co, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Bethia Cooley was born on 16 Sep 1643 in Springfield, Non-County Area 1, Massachusetts Bay Colony; died on 9 Dec 1711 in Springfield, Hampshire Co, Massachusetts.
2. Obadiah Cooley was born on 27 Jan 1645/46 in Springfield, Non-County Area 1, Massachusetts Bay Colony; died on 3 Sep 1690 in Springfield, Hampshire Co, Massachusetts.
3. Eliakim Cooley was born on 8 Jan 1647/48 in Springfield, Non-County Area 1, Massachusetts Bay Colony; died on 1 Dec 1711 in Springfield, Hampshire Co, Massachusetts.
4. Daniel Cooley was born on 2 May 1651 in Springfield, Non-County Area 1, Massachusetts Bay Colony; died on 9 Feb 1726/27 in Springfield, Hampshire Co, Massachusetts.
5. Sarah Cooley was born on 27 Feb 1653/54 in Springfield, Non-County Area 1, Massachusetts Bay Colony; and died.
6. Benjamin Cooley was born on 1 Sep 1656 in Springfield, Non-County Area 1, Massachusetts Bay Colony; died on 29 Nov 1731 in Springfield, Hampshire Co, Massachusetts.
7. Mary Cooley was born on 22 Jun 1659 in Springfield, Non-County Area 1, Massachusetts Bay Colony; and died.
8. Joseph Cooley was born on 6 Mar 1660/61 in Springfield, Non-County Area 1, Massachusetts Bay Colony; and died.

Notes:

CooleyThis surname was variously spelt Cooley, Coley, Colley, Coalye, and Coolye.
William's probable birth year range was 1578-1586 as estimated by Debrett Ancestry Research. Unfortunately, records from that period are missing.
William was described as a glover* by occupation when his youngest son Joseph was baptised in 1618.
*Glover - a person who makes or sells gloves. Origin: 1350-1400; Middle English, gl

William married Joan Arnott on 25 Feb 1607/08 in Tring Parish, Hertfordshire, England. Joan was buried on 9 Aug 1630 in Tring Parish, Hertfordshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

ArnottVariations of this name in 16th century England included: Arnyatt or Arnyott, Arniott, and Arnett - Debrett Ancestry Research, 2009