Mary (Laws) McCool (abt. 1694 - abt. 1725)

Wife of John McCool Jr — married about 1717 in New Castle, Delaware [uncertain]

Descendants

Died about 1725 at about age 31 in New Castle, Delaware

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Biography

Very little is actually known about Mary. We speculate that she may have been born about 1694, possibly in Delaware or more likely in County Antrim.

Mary first married John Howie aka Houie. She is named in his will as wife and executor; he died about 1712^[1].

Mary then married her husband's close friend, John McCool (abt.1690-1761).

John and Mary are mentioned several times in Quaker meeting notes at Duck Creek MM:

• "1717 1 18 - John M'Cool and Mary Howie appeared before the meeting signifying their intentions of taking each other in marriage desiring Friends unity therewith in order to which William Cureton and John Hales are appointed to make inquiry concerning of said John M'Cool and make report to next monthly meeting."
• "1717 2 22 - John M'Cool and Mary Howie appeared before this meeting a second time........"
• "1717 3 9 - John Macoole of Georges Creek in Newcastle Co upon Delaware, cooper and Mary Howie of Georges Creek afsd widdow at Georges Creek." (Mary McCool signed the certificate with her mark. Among the attendees were: Ann Bolton (mother of Mary Laws Howie, Ann Laws Ashton, and Jane Laws Ireland) (sisters of Mary), Mary Ashton, William Cureton, Alexander Adams, John Hales, John Richardson, Vincent Caldwell, John Ashton, James Crawford, Samuel Kirk, George Harlan, and E. Hill Randolph.)

We believe, but are uncertain, that Mary bore the first three of john's sons:

• Adam
• Andrew
• Joseph

Their dates of birth, and birth order are uncertain, but estimated to start about 1717 up to 1725 or so.

We speculate that Mary died in childbirth, perhaps about 1725, in Georges Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware.

Sources

1. ↑ New Castle County, Delaware Wills, 1682-1800; John Houie/(Howie), Drayer (Drawyers) Crk., will dated 16 Nov 1711/12, probated 27 Dec 1712, Will Book B, page 180: Yeoman; Coozin, John NaCoole (McCoole); wife Mary Houie. Exc. wife, Mary.

• Quaker meeting notes at Duck Creek MM