Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
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from L&M Companion
Capt. George Cocke (c.1617-76). Baltic merchant and navy contractor, of London and Greenwich; a native of Newcastle upon Tyne (which played an important part in trade to Scandinavia). He was an influential member of the Eastland Company, dealt extensively in hemp and owned a tannery in Limerick. He had served in the Marquess of Newcastle’s royalist army and had been taken prisoner 1643-4. His claim to have been in the confidence of Charles I (v.335) may, if true, have related to the King’s stay in Newcastle. Pepys found him a lively companion, though inclined to talk and drink too much. He had a wide range of interests and was elected F.R.S. in 1666. He had a sinecure post in the Newcastle customs service, was a farmer of the hearth-tax and served on the commission of enquiry into the Chatham Chest. As Treasurer of the Commission for Sick and Wounded Seaman (1665-7) he ran into trouble with his accounts and had to face trial in 1670. There are several indications in the diary of his being regarded as untrustworthy. He was never employed on any of the Council committees for trade.
His house in London was in the parish of St Peter-le-Poer and was taxed on ten hearths. His (first) wife was Anna Maria Solomons of Danzig (where he live in 1656 as an agent of the Eastland Company). He had five sons at his death. Bounncker was given a ring at his funeral.
Captain Cocke
Had much to do with the Guinney Company in 1663.
Coventry (who was secretary) says…
“The Company being much steered by Sir Richard Ford, Captain George Cocke and Mr. Gray of the Court Party as they called it”
(Man of War…Ollard)