Sir Thomas Crooke, 1st Baronet of Baltimore, cork son of THOMAS CROOKE of Hampshire, established an English Colony at
Baltimore, Cork 1606. Baronet 1613/14 Sergeant at Law married MARY??????(died round about 1635). He died (will dated 17th Feb
1629 London. Proved 7/5/1630 (MY 9th gt gfr) His issue was


1.Samuel (Sir) of whom presently

2. James. Legatee of lands of Clonawley and Ballyinchyhane, educ. England Mar. and died probably before his brother Samuel, leaving
issue (no details, but possibly some on my site)

1. Judith md Sir Vincent Gookin

2 Mary md Arthur Jackson of Wood St London

A daughter md James Salmon, Provost of Baltimore Cork


Established an English colony at Baltimore in 1606. Made a knight in 1613.
SIR THOMAS CROOKE took part in the creation of a Plantation in Munster, Cork. He founded an English colony in BALTIMORE and
set up a fishing industry. In 1631 Barbary pirates plundered the town and took captive the inhabitants.
See LORD of DEREEN and THE BALTIMORE RAID 1631

BY HOOK OR BY CROOKE…………….. In1605, an Englishman, Thomas Crooke purchased a lease from Sir Fineen O'Driscoll at
Baltimore. At his own expense, he brought out a whole town of English settlers, and established a fishing industry, with the intention
of trading with pirates.

In 1608 he was called before Privy Council in London and charged with dealing with pirates. He was acquitted.

Baltimore was the port most frequented by buccaneers, and the colony flourished from illicit trade. King James I occasionally sent out
a man of war, but the pirates managed to elude them, in swift Dutch built ships. At one time the Dutch asked permission from the
Crown to search for miscreants, but Thomas Crooke told them to be off.

Thomas Crooke became a Baronet in 1624. His wealth and prosperity were entirely due to his enterprise and lack of scruples, but
then, were not a lot of titles gained that way? His son, Sir Samuel, married Sir George Shurley's daughter. This probably accounted
for the demise in free-booting as Sir George was the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.

Sir Thomas Crooke died in 1624 and the lease on Baltimore fell into the hands of Sir Walter Coppinger.

On14/4/1629 a deed of defeasance was signed by Sir Fineen and Sir Walter, so that English settlers remained in possession of their
leasehold property.

Sir Walter got possession of Fort Dun Na Sead (means fort of jewels)
Ref. Barnaby, 1969 and P.L.Wilson)

1624 THOMAS CROOKE late ESQ now KNIGHT OF BALTIMORE, Co.Cork, son of THOMAS CROOKE STD Minister of the Word
of God, in the Society of GRAY’s INN, was born about 1584, was admitted to GRAY’s INN 1st March, 1596/7. Established a
Protestant colony at Baltimore and procured a Charter of Incorporation for that town, being the first Sovereign, was MP thereof
1613-15, had large grants in Co.Cork, was knighted at Theobolds 4/3/1623/4 and was created a Baronet as above by patent 19th
April 1624 at Dublin. The Privy Seal being 5/3/1623/24 at Westminister. He married before 1615 Mary….daughter of…. He died
1630. Will dated 27 Feb 1629/30, proved by his widow on 7th May 1630 in the Commissary Court of London and on 6 May 1631 in
the PrerogativeCourt.

WILL of SIR THOMAS CROOKE of BALTIMORE, Co.CORK, Knight and Baronet

SOURCE GENEALOGICAL GLEANINGS IN ENGLAND by H.WATERS.Page 325.

of the age of 56 years or thereabouts, 17 Feb.1629. proved 7 May 1630. My wife DAME MARY CROOKE to have my whole estate
left to her sole managing and to remain henceforth as sole executive, and neither of my two sons, SAMUEL CROOKE or JAMES
CROOKE shall intermeddle with any part of my lands and goods, but shall wholly wait upon their mother for such supplies of
charges for their education as to her shall seem fit, who I doubt not, will be helpful to them according to her wisdom and ability. I
have likewise one daughter, JUDITH, divers years since married to VINCENT GOOKIN ESQ who I know need be no charge to my
late tattered estate, notwithstanding, as a token from her dear father, I would have her mother pay unto her ten pounds within a year
next after my decease. I have a loving brother called DOCTOR HELKIAH CROOKE betwixt whom and me there is an old account of
about thirty three pounds. My will is that my executive shall release that unto him. Another brother called RICHARD CROOKE who
had showed kindness to my children in my absence, to him ten pounds within one year. A loving son in law called ARTHUR
JACKSON, dwelling in Woodstreet, London from whom and from MARY his wife I have received so many kindnesses unto myself
being present at several times and unto my children in my absence that I am not able to requite them.Yet as a friendly gift at
parting, I bequeath to him the sum of 20 pounds and to Mary his wife the sum of ten pounds. Another brother called SAMUEL
CROOKE, RECTOR OF WRINGTON in SOMERSETSHIRE, where divers of my children have had their education for divers years,
who has wife my very loving sister JUDITH CROOKE, to them 30 pounds. My sister RACHEL ROSSE wife of HENRY ROSSE of
London, Goldsmith, much impoverished______ & a good old aunt, called AUNT HUDSON,______a yearly pension of forty shillings.
Wit HELKIAH CROOKE ARTHUR JACKSON DANYELL JOHNSON, the mark of ALEXANDER HAND. Reg Com Court of London
1629/34 fol.27

WILL OF SARAH EGERTON, sister of SIR THOMAS CROOKE. Source GENEALOGICAL GLEANINGS HENRY WATERS
P.1037.