William Andrew Cook
MSA SC 5496-51927
Biography:
William Andrew Cook was born around 1831. He was one of
about a dozen slaves belonging to Dr. Levin Hodson in
William Andrew Cook was about 25 years old when he ran away from his owner on April 26, 1856. He was not alone in his escape; Cook also ran with slaves belonging to Isaac H. Wright and John G. Houston. The names of the individuals Cook ran away with have been lost, since neither Isaac Wright nor John Houston advertised for their slaves' return.
Cook was about five feet six or seven inches tall, with broad shoulders, a thin face, pronounced cheekbones, a bright complexion, and overlapping front teeth. According to Hodson's description he stooped when he walked. He took a black petersham overcoat with him, likely to protect himself from the cold of early spring and as a valuable article of clothing that could be sold.
Levin Hodson advertised for three weeks in the American Eagle for Cook's return. He offered a $300 reward to
anyone he would deliver Cook to the
2. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Levin Hodson Collection) Levin Hodson diary and ledger 1838-1845, MSA SC 2765.
Researched and written by Emily Huebner, 2014.
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