George Grimston Cookman
Encyclopedia
George Grimston Cookman was a Methodist clergyman who served as Chaplain of the Senate.
George Grimston Cookman was born in Kingston-on-Hull, Yorkshire
, England
, on October 21, 1801, to George and Mary Cookman. He joined a Methodist society in 1820 and in 1821 he visited the United States for the first time, on business for his father. Later, upon the advice of minister friends, he determined to go to the United States to minster, a step he took in 1825.
, but this did not happen. Following his marriage in the spring of 1827, he was appointed to the Lancaster, Pennsylvania
, circuit (comprising Lancaster, Columbia and Reading), the Cookmans lived in Columbia, Pennsylvania
, along the Susquehanna River
, during this time. In 1828 he was stationed at New Brunswick, New Jersey
, where his preaching drew much public acclaim.
In 1829 he was sent to the circuit in Talbot County, Maryland
, where a long-held dream of preaching to the black population was first realized. His ministry and avocaty of emancipation garnered the praises of Frederick Douglass
. His next appointments were to St. George’s in Philadelphia, for two years and then to Newark, New Jersey
for a year. Cookman was then transferred to the Baltimore
conference where he served all of the congregations in that city except Fells Point. Then he was called to Carlisle, Pennsylvania
, just as the Methodists were revitalizing Dickinson College
.
In 1838 he was sent to Wesley Chapel in Washington, D.C. His preaching there led to his being proposed as Chaplain of the Senate (1839). While serving there, he was able to bring about a renewed commitment to Christian faith in former President Franklin Pierce
. In 1840 he took charge of the Alexandria, Virginia
, church.
Rev. Cookman was lost at sea when the steamship SS President
(then the largest passenger ship afloat) departed on her third and final westward crossing on March 11, 1841, to England, never to be heard from again. The liner was last seen from the Packet Ship ‘’Orpheus’’ in a terrific gale on March 12th; all 136 of the crew and passengers perished.
, Yorkshire; their six children included sons Alfred, George, and John Emory.
George Grimston Cookman was born in Kingston-on-Hull, Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, on October 21, 1801, to George and Mary Cookman. He joined a Methodist society in 1820 and in 1821 he visited the United States for the first time, on business for his father. Later, upon the advice of minister friends, he determined to go to the United States to minster, a step he took in 1825.
Ministry
His first year in the United States, he served St. George’s Church in Philadelphia. In 1826 he was appointed to the Kensingtion and St. John churches in Philadelphia. At this point in his life, he hoped to go as a missionary to AfricaAfrica
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, but this did not happen. Following his marriage in the spring of 1827, he was appointed to the Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
, circuit (comprising Lancaster, Columbia and Reading), the Cookmans lived in Columbia, Pennsylvania
Columbia, Pennsylvania
Columbia, once colonial Wright's Ferry, is a borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 28 miles southeast of Harrisburg on the left bank Susquehanna River across from Wrightsville and York County. Originally, the area may have been called Conejohela Flats, for the many islands and islets in the...
, along the Susquehanna River
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
, during this time. In 1828 he was stationed at New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, USA. It is the county seat and the home of Rutgers University. The city is located on the Northeast Corridor rail line, southwest of Manhattan, on the southern bank of the Raritan River. At the 2010 United States Census, the population of...
, where his preaching drew much public acclaim.
In 1829 he was sent to the circuit in Talbot County, Maryland
Talbot County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*81.4% White*12.8% Black*0.2% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.6% Two or more races*2.7% Other races*5.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, where a long-held dream of preaching to the black population was first realized. His ministry and avocaty of emancipation garnered the praises of Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, orator, writer and statesman. After escaping from slavery, he became a leader of the abolitionist movement, gaining note for his dazzling oratory and incisive antislavery writing...
. His next appointments were to St. George’s in Philadelphia, for two years and then to Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
for a year. Cookman was then transferred to the Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
conference where he served all of the congregations in that city except Fells Point. Then he was called to Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle is a borough in and the county seat of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The name is traditionally pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable. Carlisle is located within the Cumberland Valley, a highly productive agricultural region. As of the 2010 census, the borough...
, just as the Methodists were revitalizing Dickinson College
Dickinson College
Dickinson College is a private, residential liberal arts college in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Originally established as a Grammar School in 1773, Dickinson was chartered September 9, 1783, five days after the signing of the Treaty of Paris, making it the first college to be founded in the newly...
.
In 1838 he was sent to Wesley Chapel in Washington, D.C. His preaching there led to his being proposed as Chaplain of the Senate (1839). While serving there, he was able to bring about a renewed commitment to Christian faith in former President Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
. In 1840 he took charge of the Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
, church.
Rev. Cookman was lost at sea when the steamship SS President
SS President
SS President was a British passenger liner that was the largest ship in the world when she was commissioned in 1840, and the first steamship to founder on the transatlantic run when she was lost at sea with all 136 on board in March 1841....
(then the largest passenger ship afloat) departed on her third and final westward crossing on March 11, 1841, to England, never to be heard from again. The liner was last seen from the Packet Ship ‘’Orpheus’’ in a terrific gale on March 12th; all 136 of the crew and passengers perished.
Personal life
On April 2, 1827, Cookman, who had returned to England, married Mary Barton at DoncasterDoncaster
Doncaster is a town in South Yorkshire, England, and the principal settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster. The town is about from Sheffield and is popularly referred to as "Donny"...
, Yorkshire; their six children included sons Alfred, George, and John Emory.