(1) Francis Cooke, born about 1582 probably in England, died 7 April 1663 in Plymouth, Plymouth co., Massachusetts; married 20 July 1603 (intention made June 30, 1603) in Leiden, Holland, Hester le Mahieu, born between about 1582 and 1588, probably the daughter of Jacques & Jenne/Jeanne Mahieu. She was a French Walloon whose parents had initially fled to Canterbury, England; she left for Leiden sometime before 1603. Their marriage occurred in six years before the Pilgrim church was established there, so it is likely that he was living there long before and joined them afterwards.
        In 1606, the Cookes left Leiden and went to Norwich, Norfolk for a time (for what reason is not known), but returned to have their first son, John, baptized at the French church in Leiden, sometime between January and March, 1607. In Holland, Francis was a woolcomber.
        Francis and his oldest son, John, originally departed for the New World in the Speedwell but were later transferred to the Mayfolwer, landing at Plymouth in 1620. came on the Mayflower to Plymouth in 1620. His wife Hester and their other children Jane, Jacob, Elizabeth and Hester came to Plymouth in 1623 on the ship Anne.
        Francis Cooke was among the signers of the Mayflower Compact, a purchaser in the rights of the London "Adventurers," a freeman, and was frequently appointed to various committees. He was a juror on several occasions, and was on the coroner's jury that examined the body of Martha Bishop, the 4-year old girl who was murdered by her mother, Alice. He received some modest land grants at various times throughout his life.

Children (not a complete list):

1. Jane, born 1610 in Leiden, Holland, died 8 June 1666 in Plymouth, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts; married Experience Mitchell, born 1609 in Leiden, Holland, died 4 September 1689 in Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts.
2. John, born about March 1607 in Leiden, Holland, died 23 November 1695 in Dartmouth, Bristol Co., Massachusetts; married 28 March 1634 in Plymouth, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts, Sarah Warren, born about 1614 in England, died after 15 July 1696 in Plymouth, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts.