Cooke, Joseph Platt, 1730-1816

COOKE, Joseph Platt, a Delegate from Connecticut; born in Stratford (now Bridgeport), Conn., on January 4, 1730; was graduated from Yale College in 1750; from 1763 to 1783 he represented the town in about thirty sessions of the general assembly; justice of the peace in 1764; appointed colonel of the Sixteenth Regiment of Militia in 1771; during the Revolutionary War accompanied General Wolcott's forces to New York in 1776; was in command of Continental forces when the British burned Danbury on April 26 and 27, 1777; resigned his colonelcy early in 1778; member of the council of safety in 1778; member of the State house of representatives in 1776, 1778, 1780-1782, and 1784; Member of the Continental Congress 1784-1785 and 1787-1788; judge of the probate court for Danbury district 1776-1813; served as one of the Governor's council in 1803; died in Danbury, Conn., on February 3, 1816; interment in North Main Street Cemetery.

<p>Joseph Platt Cooke (January 4, 1730 – February 3, 1816) was an American military officer in the Revolutionary War, a Connecticut politician, and twice a delegate to the Congress of the Confederation. He was born in Stratford, Connecticut and graduated from Yale College in 1750. He died in Danbury, Connecticut.</p>

<p>He was the son of Reverend Samuel Cooke, and Elizabeth Platt. His grandfather Joseph Platt, also served in the Connecticut House of Representatives for many years.</p>

<p>In 1771, he was appointed colonel of the Sixteenth Regiment of the Connecticut militia, and during the Revolutionary War he accompanied General Wolcott's forces to New York in 1776. He was in command of the state forces when the British burned Danbury on April 26 and April 27, 1777. His own home, which he had built at 342 Main Street in 1770, was partially destroyed by fire. He resigned his colonelcy early in 1778. In 1781 his home served as a meeting place for George Washington and the French military leaders, the Comte de Rochambeau and the Marquis de la Fayette.</p>