Adventurers of Purse and Person Virginia 1607-1624/5
Order of First Families of Virginia, 3rd Ed, 1987, p 90
In 1672 hs referred to himself as of "Pick-thorn Farm in the Co of Henrico". He later lived at "Malvern Hill", one of his father'a plantations operating the flour mill there, canneries, and looms for weaving both woolens and linen. For a specimin of linen he recieved an award in 1695. He served as justice of Henrico, 1678, sheriff, 1680, 1688, coroner, 1680 and Burgess 1677.
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The Henrico County Historical Society Magazine, December 1976, Malvern Hill" by John Francis Speight, pp 61-66
About 15 miles below Richmond in Henrico County, on a high hill overlooking Route 5 and the James River, stand the vine-covered ruins of a charming old traditional house known as "Malvern Hill", for many generations the home of the Cocke family.
Built of brick about 1710, it replaced a timber-framed medieval structure believed to have been erected by Thomas Cocke I about 1663. It's history dates back to 1640, or before, when the immigrant, Richard Cocke, was granted 1,700 acres upon the head of Turkey Island Creek. The first house was probably erected soon after Thomas Cocke I married Margaret Jones, a widow, in 1663. By the particular stipulation in his father's will in 1665 in which he states "That she (his second wife) lay no claims to any part of that land formerly given by me to my son Thomas Cocke, but they may enjoy the same entirely to them and their heirs." We know that Thomas Cocke was in possession of "Malvern Hill" by 1665.
Near here at the "curls" of the James was the home of Nathaniel Bacon, who in 1667, led a rebellion against the arbitrary governor, Sir William Berkeley. Records show that 40 men were stationed at Mr. Cocke's, "which is near the Henrico-Charles City line", to prevent plundering by the rebels. This could have meant Richard Cocke, of "Bremo", although "Malvern Hill" is nearest the Henrico-Charles City line.
