Luisa "Lula" Lake Cockrill
Wife to Will Cockrill
Picture Courtesy of Mary Barnett
The Pillars of Our Shared History
Our story did not begin with slavery. It did not begin in chains, nor in the darkness of ships that crossed the Atlantic. Our story began long before that—on lands rich with culture, power, and identity. Before we were displaced, our ancestors were kings and queens, leaders of nations, builders of civilizations, owners of land, and entrepreneurs of thriving communities. They lived with purpose, dignity, and pride. That truth lives within us still. We were, and remain, royalty.
Our family name did not begin as Cockrill. It was something greater, something rooted in a history that existed long before it was changed. And as we continue to explore our past and dig deeper into the depths of our heritage, we move closer to discovering our true name.
This is not the beginning of our story—it is the continuation of it.
Our Legacy Through the Years
First Reunion
The Family Name
The name Cockrill—whether spelled with an “i” or an “e”—has roots that trace back to England. But our story does not begin there. Like many families, we have taken what history handed us and made something meaningful from it.
The information shared here is part of our history. It is not intended to glorify or give undue attention to those who enslaved our ancestors, but rather to acknowledge the truth of where we come from.
“Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”
— Winston Churchill
Through research, we have learned that our ancestors were enslaved by a man named Mark R. Cockrill a reality that reminds us of the strength and resilience carried through generations.
Cockrill was known in his time as a prominent figure in agriculture and livestock, earning the nickname “Wool King of the World.” He was born to John and Ann Robertson Cockrill, the latter being the sister of James Robertson.
John Cockrill was among the original settlers of Nashville, establishing his home on land that is now part of Centennial Park.
In 1822, Mark R. Cockrill married Susan Collinsworth, from a well-known Tennessee pioneer family. Together, they established a large 5,600-acre farm called “Stock Place,” located about six miles from Nashville on Charlotte Pike. He also owned a cotton plantation in Mississippi and, in 1854, purchased an additional 1,000 acres known as Tulip Grove.
This history, including connections to places like Tulip Grove Road, is part of the path that ultimately leads to us. By understanding it, we honor those who came before us, not for what was done to them, but for what they endured and what they made possible.
He Paved the way
Our story continues with Edward Cockrill.
Edward was born to Charles and Ruthy, in Richmond, and later raised in Franklin County, AL alongside his two siblings, Sampson and Mary.
Edward, often recorded in historical documents as “Ned” was a Reverend, known to be a strong and wise man despite the harsh realities of his time.
He married Carolyn Wherry in Sumner County on May 7, 1866, just after the end of slavery in America, a powerful beginning to a new chapter of freedom and family.
In April of 1877, Edward (Ned) Cockrill officially purchased four acres of land on Tulip Grove Road for two hundred dollars. Think about that for a moment. Our ancestors, once enslaved, having the courage, determination, and vision to own land during that period in history. That same strength flows through your veins today.
According to census records, Edward and Carolyn had seven children: Mary, Jessee, Willie, Frank, Sheppard, Viney, and Johnson. Research is ongoing, and there may be additional children not yet fully documented.
For the purpose of tracing our immediate family lines, we will focus on three of the brothers: Benjamin Frank, Willie (Will) and Jessee Cockrill. If you are part of the Cockrill family, there is a strong possibility that your lineage connects to one of these three.
As you continue through this history, take a moment to explore each branch and discover which path leads to you.
2026
William (Willie) Cockrell Sr
William (Willie) Cockrell Sr was born 1871 and passed away in 1921.
He married Lula Lake (1868-1962) both of their remains rest at Scotts Chapel Cemetery.
To this union 12 children were born.
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Avery Cockrill Bradley 1891-1967
Married Joesph Bradley Sr
Children: Joesph Jr, Enlow, William Bradley
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Richard (Dee Dat) Cockrill 1893-1988
Married Ella Dodson
Children: (3) Sons: Ira, Garfield (Buck) Wilson (Snook), (2) Daughters: Lena Cockrill Bradley & Cora Cockrill McClain
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William M. Cockrell Jr 1897-1937 served in the United States Army World War I.
Married: Annie McClain
Children: Willa Dean Cockrill Manery
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Turner Cockrell 1898-1973
Married: Irene Dibble (Passed Away) Remarried Alice
Children: John Wesley Cockrill, Lula Mae Cockrill Bradley &Geraldine Cockrill Greene and Clarence Cockrill
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Early Cockrell 1899-1924 No record of marriage or children
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Lester Cockrill 1902-1970
Married Oneida Thompson Cockrill
Children: (3) Daughters: Lucille Birdsong, Juanita Eddie, Cora Cockrill, (7) Sons: Willie, James Charles, Roosevelt, Thomas, John and Robert.
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Webster Cockrell- 1904-1960
Married: Willa Mae (Box) Thompson Cockrill No children were born
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Etha Cockrell Hockett 1906- deceased
Married: Joe Pettagrew
Children: Roy Lee Hockett & Joe Pettagrew Jr
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Samuel Cokrell 1908- Deceased
Married Blance Cockrill – No children
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Rufus Cockrill 1911-1969
Married Arilla Cokrill
Children: (3) Daughters: Pearline, Zora, Sheryl, (4) Sons: James, Doyle, Johnny, Wils,
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Edgar Cockrell 1914-1987
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Thomas Cockrell 1915-1941
Married Pauline Brown
Children: Darlene Cockrell
Grandchild- Suprenia Bond
Benjamin Frank Cockrill Sr
Benjamin Franklin (Papa Frank) Cockrill was born 1869-1935.
Married Louella Finley 1876-1955 both are buried at Scotts Chapel Cemetery.
To this union 8 children were born.
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Mamie Cockrill
Married: Charles Alums
Children: Joesphine, Helen, Charles Jr, Alene, Richard (Sugar) Etter, Vicki, Nancy Lee, & Irene
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Benjamin Frank Jr Cockrell
Married: Marie Jenkins Cockrell
Children: Kenneth Cockrill, Harry McClure, Florence Cockrill Robert, & Virginia Cockrill Nibbs
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Major Dewey Cockrill- 1900
Children: Helen Cockrill Washington Merriweather & Douglas Cockrill United States Navy World War II, died while serving
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Elias Cockrill-
Children: Earl Cockrill
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Viola Cockrill Brown-
Married: Cecil Brown- No children
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Pearl Cockrill Buntin
Married: Vernon Buntin- No biological children
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Clinton J Cockrill Sr
Married Lillian McClain Cockrill (Passed away) Remarried Gustavia Lillian Cockrill
Children: Clinton Cockrill Jr
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RD (Bit) Cockrell
Married: Suzy Lee Shannon, remarried Beatrice Cockrell
Children: Nathanial (deceased) Vanorian (Catherine) Cockrell Searcy, Rue D Love, Renita M.Hardee
Jessie Cockrell
Jessie Cockrill was born __
Married: Mae Francis Bradley
To this union 2 children were born.
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Mary Elizabeth Cockrell Coleman
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Shirley Cockrill
Future Horizons
As we gather for this year's reunion, we look forward to making new memories that will one day become the cherished history of those who follow.