Mary “Polly” Vivion Cook 1795-1850

Birthplace-Brier Creek, Burke County, GA

Spouse: Elijah Cook in 1835 Harris County, GA

Mary “Polly” Walker married later in life at the age of 40. Elijah Cook was the Overseer of the William Walker plantation complex. This was highly unusual that a daughter of the “planter class” would break ranks to marry below her situation. The Cook family migrated from Putnam County, GA along with the Walkers sometime in the early 1820’s. However, Mary “Polly”’s family were not keen on the idea of their marriage as Mary had inherited substantial land and enslaved people when her father died in 1831. As such, her brothers required a prenuptial agreement in order for them to wed.