In addition to her maiden name, the pieces of information for Elizabeth Cockayne which came down through multiple lines of her descendants include her birthdate (1 March 1808) and birthplace (England). While these statements are helpful, they need proof to support them and a more specific birthplace had to be determined before mounting a search for Elizabeth Cockayne in England.
Confirmation from Elizabeth’s US records
The earliest US record for the Elizabeth Duke known to be William’s wife is the 1830 Chenango Township, Broome County, New York census. That sighting of Elizabeth was followed by several subsequent federal and state census entries as noted in the table below.
| Census year | Age | Official census date | Est. birthdate | Birthplace |
| 1830[1] | 20-30 | 1 June 1830 | 1 June 1800-1 June 1810 | None given |
| 1835[2] | Under 45[3] | None stated-state returns destroyed but some copies remained in counties | Any date in or after 1790 | None given, but one person not naturalized had to be William. Women were not naturalized at that time but derived it from a husband or father. |
| 1840[4] | 30-40 | 1 June 1840 | After 1 June 1800 bef. 31 May 1810 | None given |
| 1850[5] |  The date was clearly overwritten | 1 June 1850 | 1 June 1814 to 31 May 1815 is very unlikely because Elizabeth would have been 15 at the birth of her eldest child (born 1830). | England |
| 1855[6] | 37 | 1 June 1855 | 1 June 1817 to 31 May 1818 is unlikely because Elizabeth would have been 12 at the birth of her eldest (born 1830). If it was intended to be 47 it would be correct. | England |
| 1860[7] | 52 | 1 June 1860 | 1 June 1807-31 May 1808 | England |
| 1865[8] | 57 | 1 June 1865 | 1 June 1807-31 May 1808 | England (also listed as alien) |
| 1870[9] | 62 | 1 June 1870 | 1 June 1807-31 May 1808 | England and parents of foreign birth |
| 1875[10] | 70 | 1 June 1875 | 1 June 1805-31 May 1806 | England |
| 1880[11] | 72 | 1 June 1880 | 1 June 1807-31 May 1808 | England, parents born in England |
Census analysis
As with most individuals enumerated in multiple censuses in the nineteenth century, Elizabeth’s age varied over the course of her appearance in six federal and four state censuses. Variations in census reporting can be caused by having different informants, or by informants misremembering or purposely misreporting specifics such as ages, or by writing or copying mistakes by enumerators.
By federal law, everyone over the age of 16 was instructed to cooperate with the enumerators, but there was no minimum age requirement for being a census informant, nor was there a requirement for the head of household to supply the information. Instructions for the 1850 census, and similar instructions for subsequent federal censuses, directed the assistant marshals to be civil, to inform individuals who were less than cooperative or purposely giving false information that there were penalties for that, and to make the enumeration at every dwelling house or by personal inquiry of the head of every family. It’s possible anyone at home who looked old enough to give census information could do it. If a responsible-looking individual was not at home when the census taker came, the assistant marshal could later find the head of household to get the information from him or her. The use of the word or in the instructions made them somewhat flexible even if they were being followed.
Whatever the exact particulars were or how well they were followed was up to the enumerators. The spirit of the instructions required the use of responsible informants who were old enough to know the answers to the census taker’s questions. But what happened when an answer wasn’t known? One other instruction given to the enumerators regarding the age category is enlightening. They were to record the specific age of each person on his or her last birthday before the first of June and if the exact age could not be ascertained they were to insert a number which would be the nearest approximation as determined by the census taker. Forms could not be submitted unless every individual on it had the age box filled. Between the wiggle room for gathering information, and the requirement for the census taker to make a best guess if no exact age was known or given, it is easy to see why precise age progression in the US censuses does not always happen.
Although Elizabeth’s birthplace of England was consistent throughout all the enumerations which called for it, her birth year(s) as determined by census reporting fell into the following categories:
- 1800-1810 (consistent with an 1808 birth)
- After 1790 (not particularly helpful)
- 1814-1815 (unlikely as her first child would have been born when she was 15)
- 1817-1818 (very unlikely as she would have been 12 at the birth of her first child)
- 1807-1808 (consistent through four censuses)
- 1806-1807 (off by only one year in the last state census made during Elizabeth’s lifetime)
Discounting the two highly unlikely ages from the 1850 and 1855 censuses, there is reasonable consistency between the other enumerations for an 1807-1808 birth. While it would be helpful to know who the informant was for each census, the head of household and most likely person to give the data for the 1850-1865 censuses was Elizabeth herself, though for 1850 and 1855 censuses, her age was significantly off. Did the census taker hear her incorrectly, or in the case of the 1850 census did he fill in one age and later overwrite it? Too much is unknown to depend on any one census, but the agreement between the 1830, 1840, 1860, 1865, 1870, and 1880 censuses together with other sources created after Elizabeth’s lifetime combine to make a strong case for an early 1808 birth.
Other sources
Elizabeth’s tombstone transcription on FindAGrave has her birthdate as 1 March 1808.[12] The images of the stone are too difficult to read on the website, but family sources from multiple lines of Elizabeth’s descendants have also retained 1 March 1808 in their records.
Minard’s history of Allegany County, New York stated Elizabeth’s birthdate was 1 March 1808.[13] That book was published in 1896, eight years after Elizabeth died. Based on how much data was included on the Duke family in general, the informant(s) for the book were likely Elizabeth’s immediate family members.
Using family composition
In addition to the age information for Elizabeth in the 1830 census, it appears from the enumeration that she was married to William and had a young son as well.[14] Many family sources record the eldest son’s birth as 26 April 1830. If William and Elizabeth married not long before immigrating in 1829, or on the way to America, Elizabeth must have been born in 1808 or before.[15] By English law, William Duke and Elizabeth Cockayne had to both be twenty-one years old to marry in England without written parental permission. It was also customary or traditional to wait for age twenty-one to marry, and many in the United States did as well. If William and Elizabeth’s son was conceived after they married, and if Elizabeth was at least age twenty-one at marriage, that places her birthdate as some time before late July 1808.
Elizabeth’s obituary
Elizabeth’s obituary listed her age as eighty-two when she passed away in October 1888 and named her birth month and date as 1 March.[16] Obituaries of older adults have possibilities for mistaken ages from informants misremembering and typesetters inserting incorrect information. In the case of Elizabeth’s obituary, the birth date is consistent with other sources, but her age should have been eighty if she was born in 1808.
Where in England?
Research for Elizabeth in England could not begin without targeting an approximate location for her origin. In the early 1800s, the Church of England was the primary record keeper for most English families, but clerks did not routinely record birthdates for children, rather church baptism dates were entered into parish records. Non-conformist churches more often recorded birthdates, but to search those records a location still had to be chosen.
Narrowing the location
Historically in England, couples were most likely to meet in their local area. There were several ways that could happen. They might attend the same church or chapel, live near each other, work together, be introduced at a social gathering such as a dance, meet through family connections or mutual friends, or serve together at the same charity. There are other ways, but the point is that they were likely in the same place at the same time long enough to become acquainted. Long distance relationships were a rarity for most of the population, so William and Elizabeth were unlikely to have met at an extravagant ball in London.
There is no family tradition for how they met, other than the incorrect one that Elizabeth, who was twelve years younger than William, (the youngest of William and Ann Duke’s children) was the family governess and William was disowned for marrying her. That is just one of the fairy tales Americans have used over the years to explain how their ancestors met whenever there is an absence of proof. Because neither William Duke nor Elizabeth Cockayne was likely to travel a great distance to meet, we can reasonably assume they were living in the same general area before their marriage. We can use William’s location in Derby as a logical place for both his and Elizabeth’s pre-marriage residence. We know that was his location in 1829 because William stated in his own words that he lived in the city of Derby prior to immigrating.[17]
William’s petition for naturalization reads, “William Duke of the said County [Broome] being duly sworn says that he is a native of the City of Derby in England in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in which place he resided until the year 1829 when he came to the United States and landed at the City of New York…” This is proof in the strongest terms that William lived in Derby before moving to Broome County, and it follows that he was likely born in or near there. That doesn’t mean he did not travel within England or make a visit to the United States, only that he considered his home to be Derby prior to immigrating.
In addition to Willam’s own statement, the tradition passed down through at least two lines of descent from William and Elizabeth that they were from Derby or Derbyshire. Mott’s and Minard’s short biographies of Duke family members both mention William was native to Derbyshire.[18] In addition, a transcription of a letter written by William Duke during an 1837 visit to his mother was penned in Alvaston, a suburb of Derby.[19] There were multiple sightings of Duke family members in the Derby Mercury, the local Derby paper, and in business directories. More sources can be cited, but none contradict William’s residence as Derby, so the logical quest to undertake was a search for Elizabeth Cockaynes born/baptized in the Derby area.
Possible Elizabeths
Given the consistency of sources which state Elizabeth’s birthdate as 1 March 1808, it is likely she was born on that date. There is, however, no way to know who supplied that information. It could have been from the same person, from a written document, or from multiple sources. To be cautious, the search for Elizabeth’s birth or baptism record was widened to 1806-1810. These years also took in minor variations in her age in some of the US censuses and her obituary.
Elizabeth could have been born in Derby or moved there later in her life, so the geographic radius had to be wide as well, covering Derby and parishes within approximately 40 miles. Professional researcher Celia Renshaw conducted the search for possible Elizabeth Cockaynes in baptismal records and found the following. This table is a section of the records and notes which can be seen in full in this link.
| Name | Record | Entry date | Entry | Source |
| Elizabeth COCKIN | Baptism, Ockbrook (5 mi. from Derby) | 1806, 15 Mar | Elizabeth Daught (illegitimate) of Wm COCKIN & Hannah HITCHCOCK | Image from PRs (Ancestry) |
| Eliza COCKAYNE | Baptism, Sheffield St Peter & St Paul Cathedral (33 mi.) | 1806, 30 Mar | Eliza D of Dennis & Ann COCKAYNE Grinder born March 5 1806 | Image from PRs (Ancestry) |
| Elizabeth COCKAIN | Baptism, Leicester St Margaret (27 mi.) | 1807, 19 Dec | Elizabeth dau of William & Sarah COCKAIN, bn 13 Dec 1807 | England Select Births & Christenings 1538-1975 (ANC) |
| Elizabeth COCKIN | Baptism, Ilkeston St Mary (25 mi.) | 1808, 4 Jan | Elizabeth (dau) of Joseph & Ruth COCKIN | Image from PRs (Ancestry) |
| Elizabeth COCKAYNE | Baptism, Turnditch All Saints (14 mi.) | 1808, 17 Apr | Elizabeth Dau: of John & Mary COCKAYNE | Image from BTs, photod at LJRO, 2015 |
| Elizabeth COCKAYNE | Baptism, Sheffield St Peter & St Paul Cathedral (33 mi.) | 1808, 4 Dec | Elizabeth Dr of Wm & Betty COCKAYNE Flax Dresser born 13 Nov 1808 | England Select Births & Christenings 1538-1975 (ANC) |
| Eliza COCKAYNE | Baptism, Sheffield St Peter & Paul Cathedral (33 mi.) | 1809, 2 Apr | Eliza Dr of James & Mary COCKAYNE Grinder, born 30 Jan 1809 | Ancestry |
| Elizabeth COKANE | Baptism, Nottingham St Mary (15 mi.) | 1809, 6 Dec | Elizabeth D of William COKANE & Ann | Image from PRs (Ancestry) |
| Eliza COCKAYNE | Baptism, Sheffield St Peter & St Paul Cathedral (33 mi.) | 1810, 23 Dec | Eliza dau of Francis & Ann COCKAYNE, bn 17 Nov 1810 | England Select Births & Christenings 1538-1975 (ANC) |
With these possible Elizabeths identified, the next step was to narrow the list and identify the best candidates for William’s Elizabeth for additional scrutiny. To do that, multiple factors needed to line up. Those born after 1 March 1808 were considered more likely, though earlier baptisms were not ignored. Those who were baptized closer to Derby were also considered more likely. The distances in miles rounded to the nearest whole number appear in green after the location in the chart’s record column. Those closest to Derby occurred in Ockbrook, Turnditch, and Nottingham.
One other detail needed to match: Elizabeth’s father had to be alive in 1837, the year William Duke visited England. His letter to Elizabeth stated he visited her father.[20] Although it cannot be stated with certainty, William’s mention of seeing Elizabeth’s father during his visit, but not her mother or parents plural, could indicate Elizabeth’s mother was deceased by 1837.
Narrowing the baptism list
The next step was to determine which Elizabeths closest to Derby could be eliminated as a possibility for Elizabeth (Cockayne) Duke. Searches were made in marriages and burials. Any Elizabeth with a proven marriage to someone other than William, any who died young and any who died after 1829/30 without marrying could not be a candidate for William’s wife.
Elizabeth Cockin bap. 15 March 1806 in Ockbrook – According to many trees on Ancestry, Elizabeth Cockin/Hitchcock of Ockbrook married William Lewsley on 6 December 1826 in St. Peter in the city of Derby.[21] Though online family trees have mistakes and inconsistencies, several of the 59 trees for this Elizabeth are well documented so this marriage appeared to be correct.
Elizabeth Cockayne bap. 17 April 1808 in Turnditch– There was no obvious marriage in or near Turnditch or Derby for this Elizabeth Cockayne. There was a marriage for an Elizabeth Cockayne in St. Werburgh in Derby on 14 December 1826 to Joseph Rigby, but that marriage needed no parental permission, or at least none was filled in. For a woman born/baptized in 1808 and marrying in 1826 at age 18, permission of a parent or close relative or friends would have been necessary.[22] In addition, the Elizabeth who married Joseph Rigby can be traced to the 1851 census of Sandiacre, where she and Joseph lived with their two children, plus Mary Cockayne (a niece) and a lodger.[23] Elizabeth Rigby’s age in 1851 was 51 and her birthplace was Sandiacre. Unfortunately, no baptism for an Elizabeth Cockayne could be found in Sandiacre records from 1799 to 1805. This Elizabeth’s family may have been non-conformist or the census taker may have recorded her place of birth incorrectly, but she was also eight years older than Turnditch Elizabeth and age-wise more likely to have married Joseph Rigby.
Elizabeth Cockayne bap. 6 December 1809 in Nottingham-Though it’s not 100% certain, 1809 Elizabeth Cockayne of Nottingham was likely buried in 1814 at age five. The parish register stated an Elizabeth Cockin of Wool Pack Lane was buried December 15th that year, but parents’ names were not listed.[24] No other Elizabeth Cockayne was baptized in the Nottingham area in or near 1809, nor was any marriage record found for her. Additionally, no family tree on Ancestry, Family Search, My Heritage, nor Find My Past had an Elizabeth Cockayne born in Nottingham in 1809, making it likely she did not live long enough to have descendants.
The preliminary conclusion reached after a search for the three Elizabeth Cockaynes found closest to Derby is that the Elizabeth Cockayne baptized 17 April 1808 in Turnditch is the most likely to have married William Duke unless later events could prove otherwise. All other Elizabeth Cockayne baptisms found were approximately thirty or more miles away from Derby, making them less likely than a geographically-closer possibility. However, before Elizabeth of Turnditch could be fully accepted, marriage records had to be checked to ensure she did not marry someone other than William Duke and burial records had to be searched to be sure she did not die before marrying.
Eliminating other possible marriages
Other women named Elizabeth Cockayne/Cockin(g) who married within a few miles of Derby were researched. Those marriages included Elizabeth Cockaynes marrying:
- 17 October 1826 in Ilkeston, Derbyshire to Jacob Beardsley[25]
- 22 January 1826 in Barlborough, Derbyshire to Samuel Watson[26]
- 7 November 1829 in Marston upon Dove, Derbyshire to John Hoose[27]
- 26 February 1833 in Chesterfield to John Procter[28]
- 1 April 1834 in Derby All Saints, Derbyshire to James Harrison[29]
The 1826 Ilkeston marriage was deemed most likely to apply to the Elizabeth Cochin baptized in Ilkeston 4 Jan 1808.[30] She was found in multiple family trees on Ancestry with husband Jacob Beardsley and parents Joseph and Ruth Cockayne. A few of the trees were sourced with original records which were checked. Jacob and Elizabeth’s marriage was by banns so the congregation was informed of their intention even if Elizabeth was under age, which she may not have been if her baptism was delayed. It’s most likely this marriage applies to an Elizabeth baptized in the same parish rather than an Elizabeth from Turnditch. The burial records of Ilkeston have the death of an Elizabeth Beardsley on 1 September 1840 at age thirty-three, an indication of an 1807 or 1806 birth.[31]
The 1826 Barlborough marriage was more than thirty miles from Derby and nineteen from Sheffield so it likely belonged to an Elizabeth born/baptized north of Derby. Online trees match this Elizabeth with one baptized in Chesterfield on 23 May 1803, which made her twenty-three at the time of her marriage.[32] The marriage was by banns and required no consent. The parental consent line was crossed out by the recorder on the marriage entry, a way of stating it was not needed. Elizabeth Watson appeared in multiple census records with Samuel and in the 1851 census her age was forty-nine and her birthplace was Clowne, Derbyshire, less than two miles from Barlborough.[33]
The 1829 Marston upon Dove marriage was approximately ten miles from Derby, but the Elizabeth who married John Hoose/Huse was born about 1801, according to her entry in the 1851 census, which had her at age fifty and born in Duffield, Derbyshire.[34] That made her a good candidate for the Betty Cockayne baptized in Duffield 16 May 1802, with parents John and Hannah Cockayne.[35]
The 1833 Chesterfield marriage of Elizabeth Cockayne to John Proctor was by license.[36] The license stated she was over twenty-one and of Chesterfield.[37] The 1851 census of John and Elizabeth Proctor in Walton, a suburb of Chesterfield, showed Elizabeth was born approximately 1805-06 in Walton.[38] The Elizabeth Cocking, daughter of William and Sarah Cocking who was baptized 27 October 1805 in Chesterfield was an excellent candidate for the Elizabeth who married John Proctor.
The 1834 Derby marriage of Elizabeth Cockayne to James Harrison was by banns and “with consent of” was crossed out, meaning Elizabeth was born in 1813 or before. The 1851 census of Elizabeth with husband James Harrison listed her age as thirty-five and birthplace as Broughton, a village approximately thirteen miles west of Derby.[39] The 1861 and 1881 censuses also record her birthplace as Broughton.
None of the five marriages for Elizabeth Cockaynes in the general area of Derby and Turnditch could be traced back to the Elizabeth baptized in Turnditch in 1808. Each of the five had one or more records proving their birthplaces and/or birth years and none were a reasonable match for the 1808 Turnditch Elizabeth.
Burials
For a burial to eliminate 1808 Turnditch Elizabeth as the wife of William Duke that event had to take place in Turnditch, Derby, or a nearby parish between 1808 and 1829 or a later burial would need to belong to an Elizabeth with enough information to tie her to the 1808 Turnditch baptism. For burials, the search area was not as wide as the baptism and marriage searches since any Elizabeth buried outside Turnditch, Derby, and nearby parishes, particularly if she died young, would likely belong to a different family. Searches in databases of Derbyshire burials covering 1808-1830 were made on Ancestry, Family Search, FindMyPast, and MyHeritage. Only three entries for an Elizabeth Cockayne were found.[40] One was buried in Duffield in 1820 at age 3 months two were buried in Derby with ages in the registers which calculated to births 1748 and 1777.[41] None of these match an 1808 birth/baptism.
There were two later Elizabeth Cockaynes who were buried in Derby. One was in 1853 at age 44 (born 1809) and one was in 1876 at age 70 (born 1806).[42] The Eliza Cockayne buried in 1853 lived in Bridgegate in St. Alkmund parish. A search of the 1851 census for St. Alkmund parish in Derby found an Eliza Cockayne, the wife of Charles Cockayne, who was born in 1806 in Tavistock, Devon, England.[43] She was not in the 1861 census and other researchers have linked the Elizabeth in the 1851 census to the 1853 burial and an 1834 marriage in Duffield of an Eliza Ellis to a Charles Cockayne.[44] Her birth and marriage information eliminates her as the 1808 Turnditch Elizabeth.
The Elizabeth who was buried in 1876 in St. Peter parish in Derby was found in St. Werburgh parish in the 1871 census.[45] She was the only Elizabeth Cockayne born around 1806 living in any Derby parish that census year. She was the wife of Samuel Cockayne and was born in Burton, Staffordshire, England, so she was also not a match for an Elizbeth baptized in 1808 in Turnditch.
The role of Shottle
Although Elizabeth was baptized in Turnditch, that village was probably not the Cockayne family’s residence. We know from later census records for Elizabeth’s family that all her siblings, both younger and older than her, were born in Shottle.[46] Turnditch was the closest Church of England chapel to Shottle which performed baptisms so it was natural the family would go there. Though Elizabeth’s baptism does not state the family’s residence was Shottle, it’s very likely she was born there. More on the family’s residence in Shottle will be included in another post.
Help from DNA?
For an ancestor who lived as long ago as Elizabeth (Cockayne) Duke, it is extremely time-consuming to track down living descendants of her siblings or her parents’ siblings to see if some would take a DNA test. Additionally, any relationship beyond second cousins can share little or no DNA, so even if willing testers were found their kits might not be helpful. An easier avenue for providing DNA backup is Ancestry’s DNA ThruLines. However, caution must be used because ThruLines is dependent on the accuracy of the online trees tied to the DNA test results.
ThruLines matches DNA test takers who have posted family trees with their DNA matches who have the same individuals in their posted trees. This service points the way to possible ancestors in common to both the test-taker and matches who share some DNA with them. There is no guarantee of finding common ancestors this way, but it is an acceptable starting point.
In the case of Elizabeth Cockayne, there are five testers on Ancestry who descend from Elizabeth’s siblings, all of whom match a US descendant of Elizabeth Cockayne.[47] The chart below shows the testers by number, their relationship to Elizabeth’s descendant, how many centimorgans they have in common, and which sibling of Elizabeth they come through. Centimorgans (cM) are a unit of DNA measurement which shows how much DNA the testers have in common. The higher the number, the more genetic material is shared. Twenty-three centimorgans is close to average for fourth cousins and is high enough to show an unquestionable connection of some kind.[48] Below ten centimorgans is considered questionable because the number is small, but many testing companies still consider lower numbers significant if they are all on the same segment.
| Tester # | Relationship to Elizabeth’s descendant | Number of centimorgans in common | Sibling of Elizabeth |
| 1 | 4th cousin twice removed | 23 on 1 segment | Phoebe (Cockayne) Webberley |
| 2 | 4th cousin once removed | 22 on 1 segment | Phoebe (Cockayne) Webberley |
| 3 | 4th cousin | 11 on 1 segment | James Cockayne |
| 4 | 4th cousin | 9 on 1 segment | Andrew Cockayne |
| 5 | 4th cousin once removed | 9 on 1 segment | Andrew Cockayne |
To simplify the listed relationships, readers need only think of all the testers as cousins who are approximately four generations down from Elizabeth Cockayne and her siblings.
Family trees for each tester were studied, and none had other lines in common with Elizabeth’s descendant, nor were there any geographic locations in common for any generation. Elizabeth’s descendant’s ancestry was exclusively in the United States for at least four generations, whereas the other testers’ stated ancestry was exclusively in England, with one having a branch in Australia. There is very little chance these Cockayne descendants could be related in any way other than through the Cockayne line.
Elizabeth’s parents
The Elizabeth baptized in Turnditch in 1808 was the daughter of John and Mary Cockayne.[49]
By following Elizabeth’s parents’ lives through recorded births, deaths, and marriages of their children and other local records, it is clear Elizabeth’s parents stayed in Shottle (Duffield St Alkmund parish) for a while then moved to nearby Kirk Ireton between 1823 and 1835. A burial for Elizabeth’s mother, Mary Cockayne, is in the Kirk Ireton parish records on 13 December 1835.[50] Kirk Ireton is four to five miles from Turnditch and the small village of Shottle where Elizabeth was almost certainly born.
Elizabeth’s father, John, was in the 1841 census for Kirk Ireton and was buried there in 1845.[51] This finding matches the 1837 letter written by William Duke when he visited England. He wrote about seeing Elizabeth’s father, who was alive in 1837, but made no mention of her mother, who died in 1835.[52]
In conclusion
There is little likelihood any Elizabeth other than the one baptized in 1808 in Turnditch could be the wife of William Duke. We can see that she was born and lived not far from William and could also have worked as a young woman in Derby. Her family would certainly have visited Derby frequently for markets and other occasions, especially as her sister Hannah lived in the town for some years after marriage to Samuel Walker in 1826. There is also the possibility of connection through a shared faith such as the Primitive Methodists, who had an early chapel in Normanton by Derby where William lived in the 1820s.
Elizabeth’s US records were consistent in stating her birth was in March of 1808 which is a good match for an April baptism in 1808. The Elizabeth baptized in Turnditch did not die in England before her likely marriage to William Duke in 1829 and no evidence was found that she married anyone other than William.
Though their marriage has not been found, and may not have been recorded, the proof argument provided here – including the strong DNA evidence – demonstrates there can be little doubt 1796 William Duke’s wife was the Elizabeth Cockayne baptized in Turnditch on 17 April 1808, the daughter of John and Mary Cockayne.
[1] 1830 U.S. census, Broome County, New York, population schedule, Chenango Township, p. 12 (penned and stamped), William Duke, imaged, “1830 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 March 2024.
[2] 1835 New York state census, Broome County, population schedule, Conklin Township, unpaginated (2nd page of township), William Duke, imaged Family Search (www.familysearch.com : accessed 5 March 2024), film 806801/IGN8956097, image 87/290.
[3] This was the only age category for married females. There was no category for over 45.
[4] 1840 U.S. census, Broome County, New York, population schedule, Conklin Township, p. 3 (penned), William Duke, imaged, “1840 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 March 2024).
[5] 1850 U.S. census, Allegany County, New York, population schedule, Scio Township, p. 104 (stamped), dwelling 196, family 197, Elizabeth Duke; imaged, “1850 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 February 2024).
[6] 1855 New York state census, Allegany County, population schedule, Bolivar Township, unpaginated, dwelling 159, family 195, Elizabeth Duke, imaged, “New York, U.S., State Census, 1855,” Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 March 2024).
[7] 1860 U.S. census, Allegany County, New York, population schedule, Scio Township, p. 30 (penned and 200 stamped), dwelling 253, family 253, Elizabeth Duke, imaged, “1860 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 March 2024).
[8] 1865 New York state census, Allegany County, population schedule, Scio Township, p. 23 (penned and 200 stamped), dwelling 173, family 177, Elizabeth Duke, imaged, “New York, U.S., State Census, 1865,” Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 March 2024).
[9] 1870 U.S. census, Allegany County, New York, population schedule, Scio Township, p. 26 (penned), dwelling 221, family 220, Elizabeth Duke, imaged, “1870 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 March 2024). Elizabeth was living in the home of William & Louise Knight.
[10] 1875 New York state census, Allegany County, population schedule, Scio Township, p. 37 (penned), dwelling 340, family 339, Elizabeth Duke, imaged, “New York, U.S., State Census, 1875,” Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 March 2024). Living in household of daughter, Mary Applebee.
[11] 1880 U.S. census, Allegany County, New York, population schedule Scio Township, enumeration district (ED) 24, page 16 (penned) dwelling 170, family 175, Elizabeth Duke, imaged, “1880 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 March 2024).
[12] Find A Grave, database with images (www.findagrave.com/memroial/67538370/elizabeth-duke : accessed 15 Jul 2024), “Elizabeth Duke” d. 17 Oct 1888) memorial created by “nmbdls” with tombstone image by Brian Newark: citing Knights Cemetery, Scio, Allegany, New York. The image is not good, but date for William can be made out from the image.
[13] John S. Minard, author: Georgia Drew Merrill: editor, Allegany County and its People (Alfred, NY: W. A. Ferguson & Company, 1896), 403-405.
[14] 1830 U.S. census, Broome County, New York, population schedule, Chenango Township, p. 12 (penned and stamped), William Duke, imaged, “1830 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 March 2024).
[15] New York Petition for Naturalization, Broome County, Box 1: image 387/962, 1840, William Duke, “New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980,” imaged, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org: accessed 5 Mar 2024).
[16] “Death of Mrs. Elizabeth Duke,” Wellsville [New York] Reporter, 18 October 1888, page 4, column 2; imaged, Newspaper Archive (www.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 2 April 2024), Elizabeth Duke.
[17] New York Petition for Naturalization, Broome County, Box 1: image 387/962, 1840, William Duke, “New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980,” imaged, FamilySearch.
[18] Edward Harold Mott, Between the Ocean and the Lakes: The Story of Erie (New York, New York, John S. Collins, Publisher, 1899), Men of Mark in Erie Towns, William Duke, 103.
John S. Minard, author: Georgia Drew Merrill: editor, Allegany County and its People, 403.
[19] William Duke (in Alvaston, Derbyshire, England) to “My very Dear Wife” [Elizabeth Cockayne Duke], letter, 10 August 1837; transcription in Norton Family Papers, 1929-2019, privately held by Keri-Lynn Kendall, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE] State College, Pennsylvania, 2023. [Transcription was passed to Keri-Lynn by Oak Duke Norton Jr.]
[20] William Duke (in Alvaston, Derbyshire, England) to “My very Dear Wife” [Elizabeth Cockayne Duke], letter, 10 August 1837; transcription in Norton Family Papers, 1929-2019.
[21] “Derbyshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials 1538-1812,” database with images Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 October 2024), search term: “Elizabeth Cockayne” born “1806 Ockbrook”; citing Derbyshire County Council.
[22] “Derby St. Werburghs parish register marriages 1813-1827,” unpaginated, 14 December 1826 marriage of Elizabeth Cockayne and Joseph Rigby; imaged, FSL microfilm 4450941> item6, FamilySearch Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, image 560/700; citing Derbyshire County Council.
[23] “1851 England Census,” database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 October 2024) database entry for Elizabeth Rigby (age 51), Sandiacre, Derbyshire, citing The National Archives HO 107/2141.
[24] “Nottingham St. Mary parish burial register 1814-1815,” unpaginated, 15 December 1814 burial of Elizabeth Cockin; imaged, FSL microfilm 107048490> item1, FamilySearch Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, image 29/344; citing Nottinghamshire Archives..
[25] “General Register of the parish of Ilkeston,” p. 139, 17 October 1826 marriage of Elizabeth Cockayne and Jacob Beardsley; imaged, FHL microfilm 4452735> item 1, FamilySearch Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, image 75/765; citing Derbyshire County Council.
[26] “England, Derbyshire, Church of England Parish Registers, 1537-1918,” database without images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 1 October 2024), search term: Elizabeth Cockayne marriage 1825-1830; citing Derbyshire County Council.
[27] “Register of Marriages in the parish of Marston upon Dove,” p. 36, 7 November 1829 marriage of Elizabeth Cockayne and John Hoose; imaged, FHL microfilm 4452735> item 5, FamilySearch Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, image 236/658; citing Derbyshire County Council.
[28] “England, Derbyshire, Church of England Parish Registers 1537-1918,” collection with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 4 October 2024), search terms: “Elizabeth Cockayne” and “1833” marriage to “John Proctor.” Possibly in Chesterfield Marriage Records image 660/925.
[29] “England, Derbyshire, Church of England Parish Registers 1537-1918,” collection with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 7 October 2024), search terms: “Elizabeth Cockayne” and “1834” marriage to “James Harrison.” Possibly in Derby All Saints Marriage Records image 623/654.
[30] “General Register of the parish of Ilkeston,” unpaginated, 4 Jan 1808 baptism of Elizabeth Cochin; imaged, FHL microfilm 4172616> item 1, FamilySearch Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, image 34/964; citing Derbyshire County Council
[31] “Derbyshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials 1538-1812,” database with images Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 October 2024), search term: “Elizabeth Beardsley” buried “1840 Ilkeston”; citing Derbyshire County Council.
[32] “Derbyshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials 1538-1812,” database with images Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 October 2024), search term: “Elizabeth Cockayne” born “1803 Clowne”; citing Derbyshire County Council.
[33] “1851 England Census,” database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 October 2024) database entry for Elizabeth Watson (age 49), “Cloun”, Derbyshire, citing The National Archives HO 107/2147.
[34] “1851 England Census,” database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 October 2024) database entry for Elizabeth Proctor (age 45), Walton, Derbyshire, citing The National Archives HO 107/2147.
[35] “Duffield Register of Baptisms and Burials 1795-1812,” unpaginated, 16 May 1802 baptism of Eizabeth Cockayne; imaged FHL microfilm 4452019 > item 4, FamilySearch Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, image 245/689; citing Derbyshire County Council.
[36] “Birth, Marriage, & Death, England, Derbyshire, Church of England Parish Registers, 1537-1918 Collection,” database with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 1 October 2024), search terms: “Elizabeth Cockayne” married “1833 Chesterfield”; citing Derbyshire County Council.
[37] “Staffordshire, Diocses of Lichfield & Coverntry Marriage Allegations and Bonds, 1636-1893,” database with images, Find My Past (www.findmypast.com : accessed 7 October 2024), search terms: “Elizabeth Cockayne, John Proctor, 1833,” citing Lichfield Record Office.
[38] “1851 England Census,” database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 October 2024) database entry for Elizabeth Huse (age 50), Winshill, Derbyshire, citing The National Archives HO 107/2012.
[39] “1851 England Census,” database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 October 2024) entry for Elizabeth Harrison (age 35), Anslow, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, citing The National Archives HO 107/2011.
[40] “All England, Select Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991,” database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 1 October 2004), search term: “Elizabeth Cockayne born Derbyshire 1806-1810”; citing Derbyshire County Council.
“Birth, Marriage, & Death, England, Derbyshire, Church of England Parish Registers, 1537-1918 Collection,” database with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 1 October 2024), search terms: Elizabeth Cockayne buried 1808-1830, born 1808 in Derby and Turnditch areas; citing Derbyshire County Council.
[41] “Birth, Marriage, & Death, England, Derbyshire, Church of England Parish Registers, 1537-1918 Collection,” database with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 1 October 2024), search terms: “Elizabeth Cockayne” died “1808-1830 Derbyshire”; citing Derbyshire County Council.
“Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records,” database with images, Find My Past (www.findmypast.com : accessed 8 October 2024), search terms: “Elizabeth Cockayne,” death “1820” +/- 20 years, “Derbyshire.”
[42] “Birth, Marriage, & Death, England, Derbyshire, Church of England Parish Registers, 1537-1918 Collection,” database with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 1 October 2024), search terms: “Elizabeth Cockayne” died “1830-1890 Derby”; citing Derbyshire County Council.
“England and Wales Deaths 1837-2007,” database with images, Find My Past (www.findmypast.com : accessed 9 October 2024), search terms: “Elizabeth Cockayne” died in “Derby, 1837-1890.” Died 1876 4th quarter.
[43] “1851 England Census,” database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 October 2024) entry for Eliza Cockayne (age 45) St. Alkmund, Derby, Derbyshire, citing National Archives HO 107/2142.
[44] “England, Select Marriages 1538-1973,” database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 October 2024), search terms: “Elizabeth Cockayne,” died “1853, Derby.”
[45] “1871 England Census,” database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 October 2024) entry for Elizabeth Cockayne (age 64) St. Werburgh, Derby, Derbyshire, citing National Archives RG10/3572.
[46] Elizabeth’s own baptism entry did not have Shottle listed and she left England before any census which asked for birthplace was taken.
[47] William and Elizabeth Duke’s youngest child, Emmer, married Lucius Norton in 1870. One of their descendants was the DNA test taker (William and Elizabeth’s 2nd great grandson).
[48] See the Shared cM Project on DNA Painter (https://dnapainter.com/tools/sharedcmv4).
[49] Turnditch Bishop’s Transcripts (Derbyshire, England), Baptisms 1783-1906, pages unknown, Lichfield Record Office, Lichfield, UK. Photograph taken by Celia Renshaw.
[50] “Birth, Marriage, & Death, England, Derbyshire, Church of England Parish Registers, 1537-1918 Collection,” database with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 17 October 2019), search terms: “Mary Cockayne” burial “Kirk Ireton, 1830-1840”, citing Derbyshire County Council.
[51] “1841 Census for Englandand Wales Census,” database with images FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org: accessed 20 September 2019), entry for George Cockayne (age 25), Kirk Ireton, Derbyshire; citing RG 107/198/1, no folio, p. 8.
“ Birth, Marriage, & Death, England, Derbyshire, Church of England Parish Registers, 1537-1918 Collection,” database with images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 17 October 2019), search terms: “John Cockayne” burial “1841-1851, Kirk Ireton,” citing Derbyshie County Council.
[52] William Duke (in Alvaston, Derbyshire, England) to “My very Dear Wife” [Elizabeth Cockayne Duke], letter, 10 August 1837.
