Nicholas Cooke

(1717-1782)

American politician

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Nicholas Cooke (February 3, 1717 – September 14, 1782) was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations during the American Revolutionary War, and after Rhode Island became a state, he continued in this position to become the first Governor of the State of Rhode Island. Born in the maritime town of Providence, he early in life followed the sea, eventually becoming a Captain of ships. This occupation led him to become a slave trader, becoming highly successful in this endeavor, and he ran a distillery and rope-making business as well. He is depicted as one of the affluent merchants in John Greenwood's satirical painting from the 1750s entitled Sea Captains Carousing in Surinam.

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Born	3 February 1717 Providence, Colony of Rhode Island, British America
Died	14 September 1782 (aged 65) Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Zodiac	Aquarius
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