Florence Cooksley papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: 2019-013

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection documents the research and writing work of Florence Cooksley, a librarian and author operating in Rochester, N.Y. The collection includes manuscript notes, typescripts, and published articles from Cooksley. The collection also includes original and transcribed letters, legal documents and business documents from Azel Backus and from her husband's ancestor, Thomas Cooksley. The relationship of the Backus material to the rest of the collection is unclear; it may come from Florence Cooksley's research into Rochester's medical history.

Dates

Creation: 1809-1961; Undated
Creation: Majority of material found within 1812-1874
Creation: Majority of material found in 1960-1961

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Biographical Note

Florence Cooksley was born in Rochester, N. Y. and attended the University of Rochester, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1923 and Master of Arts in 1924. She spent some time as a medical writer and editor, and also, for several years, published a weekly Sunday column on famous Rochesterians in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. Ms. Cooksley ultimately served as the librarian for the Rochester Academy of Medicine from 1936 to 1950, during which time she also worked on her history of Rochester. With her husband, Frederick S. Cooksley, Florence moved to Washington, D. C. in 1950. She passed awaay in Sulver Spring, Maryland on February 15, 1970, and was buried in Rochester.

Florence Cooksley's husband, Frederick, was a decendant of Thomas Cooksley. Born in England in 1803, Thomas emigrated to Canada as a young man before coming to Rochester in the early 1820s. Thomas Cooksley became a master carpenter and a prominent builder, and was a notable member of the congregattion at Christ Church (Episcopal). He married in 1824 and had four children: James Cooksley, William T. Cooksley, Mrs. Sarah Saunders and Mrs. Jerome Taylor. Thomas Cooksley passed away on August 13, 1882.

Azel Backus was born in Norwich, Connecticut on October 13, 1765. He He attended Yale College as a young man, and taught school at Wethersfield, Connecticut after graduation. Influenced by his uncle, the Reverend Charles Backus, Azel became a Christian and entered into ministry in 1789. In 1791, he took up a post as minister at Bethlehem, Connecticut, where he also ran a successful school. In 1810, Backus received an S.T. degree from Princeton. At the foundation of Hamilton College (Clinton, N.Y.) in 1812, Azel Backus was offered the position of college president. He was inaugurated on December 3, 1812, and remained in the position until his death on December 9, 1817. Azel Backus' son, Frederick, moved to Rochester, N. Y. to work as a physician in 1816. Frederick would name one of his sons Azel in 1827, and this second Azel would practice medicine in Rochester until his death in 1902.

Extent

0.26 Cubic Feet (1 legal document box.) ; 15 x 10 x 5

.26 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of three groups of material, all assembled by Florence Cooksley. The first group consists of notes and typescripts related to a "History of Rochester" that she authored, mostly undated. Other material includes letters from Azel Backus, dated between 1812 and 1859, and legal documents from Thomas Cooksley, dating from 1846 to 1874.

Arrangement

This collection consists of a single box arranged as in a single series.

Bibliography

”Backus, Azel.” Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography. Edited by James Grant Wilson, John Fiske and Stanley L. Klos. Six volumes, New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1887-1889.

”Full of Years and Good Works.” Rochester Democrat & Chronicle September 3, 1902, page 10.

”Mrs. Florence A. Cooksley.” Rochester Democrat & Chronicle February 17, 1970, page 9.

”Thomas Cooksley.” Rochester Democrat & Chronicle August 14, 1882, page 4.

Condition Description

Fair to good. Florence Cooksley's notes and typescripts are in good condition. Nineteenth century documents range from fair to good, with many displaying typical foxing and fading. Some are torn or frayed.