Stories and Recipes

Family Stories and Recipes

Family Stories

Nicknames - The Cook family has had a particular affinity for nicknames over the years. It is quite entertaining to encounter them during genealogical research and useful to know them since many appear on legal documents in place of their official names. Here are a few of them:

Marshall Bryant Cook

Amos Alexander Cook

Joel Julian Cook

Ray Vaughn Cook

Dorcas Cook

"Boss"

"Aleck"

"Jule"

"Varney"

"Dark"

Gearthrich Cook

William Franklin Cook

George Levi Cook

Martha E. Payne Cook

"Geece"

"Ranter"

"Levy"

"Mat"

Old Time Doctoring Remedies - "Ma Nina (Nina Mae Cook, daughter of Marshall Bryant Cook) had her own pharmacy at home for cuts and scrapes. She would always go get the kerosene can. Then take an Irish potato off the top and pour it right on the wound. She had lots of remedies for whatever was wrong. Most of all she had love for everyone and especially her grandchildren. That was the best medicine of all." - Submitted by Edd Stuckey, grandson of Nina Mae Cook Hilliard

George Levi Cook - , son of Marshall Bryant Cook, was one of the last actively-engaged blacksmiths in the state of Georgia. His daughter, Mattie Clara Cook Durham, remembers, "I used to love to watch my Daddy shoe horses and make wagon wheels. He used to let me turn the forge sometimes."

The Preacher - "I'm sure many of you can relate to a story like this. Back when I was a kid and they had 'Protracted Meetings' at the church, now called a revival, the preachers always had their meals with different families within the church. At one particular time it was our families' turn to feed the preachers. I'm sure one of the preachers had to be Rev. O. A. Grant since he was our pastor for over 20 years. It always seemed like they would eat forever and while Edison went to play with friends he had me to climb up in a nearby Chinaberry tree so I could get a good view of when they were finished eating. When they were finished and went to the front porch to sit I would yell as loud as I could, 'Edison they're done eating'. There was always fried chicken but when we got there all that was left was wings and necks. It took a long time to realize that a chicken had better pieces to eat!" - Howard Evans, son of Quida Gladys Cook

Cooks in the Military

Thomas W. Cook, son of William Marion Cook, served as a Confederate soldier during the Civil War. He was probably in the 49th Regiment of the Georgia Infantry. He was killed during battle in Wilderness, VA on May 6, 1864. His uncle, Elias Vann, was killed in the same battle on the same day.
Lt. O.C. Cook, son of Marshall Obed Cook, was a bombardier on B-25's during WWII. He flew 46 missions over New Guinea, was shot down near the Deboyne Islands and remained unaccounted-for for 30 days behind enemy lines before rescue. For this he was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. Later he was awarded The Pacific Theatre Ribbon and The American Defense Medal. He died on a training mission while flying a B-29 Superfortress from McDill Air Force Base in Florida to Chicago, IL. The plane crashed into Clingman's Dome in Tennessee on June 12, 1946.
Grady Quinnon Cook, son of William Grady Cook, served in WWII and was a prisoner of war. (seeking more details)
Gearthrich Cook, son of Amos Riley Cook, was a soldier in WWI. (seeking more details)
Joseph M. Cook, son of Amos Cook, was a Confederate soldier in the Civil War, died during battle and is buried in Richmond, Virginia. (seeking more details)

Cook Family Recipes

Mayonnaise Rolls - Submitted by Alene Quarrier, granddaughter of Amos Earnest Cook
2 cups self-rising flour 1 cup sweet milk 2 tbsp mayonnaise	Combine the flour, mayonnaise and milk. Grease and flour a muffin tin and spoon in the batter to about 3/4 full. Bake at 450 until golden brown (usually about 15 minutes).

Been Out To The Garden Casserole - Submitted by Joyce Fussell Peacock, granddaughter of Amos Earnest Cook
2 cups green beans 2 cups shoe peg white corn 1/2 cup chopped celery, onions and bell peppers 1 cup grated cheese 1 can celery soup 8 oz sour cream	Sprinkle top with crushed Cheezits and almonds. Melt butter and pour over the top. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Vidalia Onion Casserole - Submitted by Mary Anne Evans
2-3 cups of sliced Vidalia Onions 1 tbsp oil salt and pepper to taste 1/2 stick margarine 1/2 package Saltine crackers 2 eggs 3/4 cup milk 1 cup grated cheese	Sauté onions until tender. Spray non-stick spray in a casserole dish and add margarine. Microwave just until melted. Crush Saltines by had down into the margarine. Toss with fork and spread out. Layer sautéed onions. Pour milk/egg mixture over and sprinkle cheese on top. Bake at 325 for 30 minutes.

Tomato Gravy - Submitted by Sheila Cook as a recipe of Susan Cook, wife of Ray Vaughn Cook

Collect meat drippings and add a small amount of flour, cook on low. Heat until browned and add tomatoes and their juice. Continue to cook and stir until desired consistency. Delicious when served with hot biscuits!

Chicken Pie With Self Crust - Submitted by Conelle Walker Tucker, daughter of Mattie Mae Cook
3 lb Fryer 1 1/4 cup Chicken Broth 1 Can Cream of Celery Soup 2 Hard Boiled Eggs 1/2 stick Margerine 1 cup self-rising flour 1 cup sweet milk 1/4 tsp pepper	Cook fryer until done and cut into bite size pieces. Blend until boiling the broth and soup. Place chicken into 9x13 Casserole dish. Sprinkle eggs over this and pour sauce over mix. Make crust with the remaining ingredients and pour over dish. Do not stir and bake at 425 for 30 minutes.

Tomato Pie - Submitted by Betty Campbell, daughter-in-law of Bessie Adell Cook
1 9" deep dish pie shell unbaked 5 large tomatoes peeled and sliced thick 1/2 tsp salt 3 tsp basil garlic powder to taste 3/4 cup mayonnaise 1 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese	Bake pie shell 10 min at 375 and remove from oven. Layer tomatoes in shell sprinkling each layer with salt, pepper, basil and garlic powder. Combine mayonnaise and cheese and spread over tomatoes. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until brown. Let pie stand for 5 minutes before serving.