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Nicholas Cooke (February 3, 1717 – September 14, 1782) was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations during the American Revolutionary War, and after Rhode Island became a state, he continued in this position to become the first Governor of the State of Rhode Island.
Nicholas Cooke (1717-1782) spent his early life as a sea captain, and later operated a distillery and a ropemaking business. He was twice elected for one-year terms as Deputy Governor of Rhode Island, in 1768 and in 1775. He became Governor in November 1775 after Tory sympathizer Joseph Wanton was deposed.
NICHOLAS COOKE was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He was a shipmaster and manufacturer and acquired landholdings in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Cooke won election six times between 1752 and 1759 as Assistant to the Rhode Island General Assembly, and served as Lieutenant Governor in 1768-69.
Brown Portrait Number: 152. Brown Historical Property Number: 446. Nicholas Cooke was a sea captain and merchant from Providence, Rhode Island. He sailed for and owned vessels with the town's wealthiest merchants.
On May 4th, 1776, Rhode Island, under Governor Cooke, essentially declared its independence from Great Britain by rescinding oaths pronouncing allegience to the King. This occurred a full two months before the Continental Congress formally declared Independence in Philadelphia.
Nicholas Cooke (February 3, 1717 – September 14, 1782) was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations during the American Revolutionary War, and after Rhode Island became a state, he continued in this position to become the first Governor of the State of Rhode Island.
Nicholas Cooke (February 3, 1717 – September 14, 1782) was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations during the American Revolutionary War, and after Rhode Island became a state, he continued in this position to become the first Governor of the State of Rhode Island.
