Captain Thomas Cocke

Captain Thomas Cocke of Surry County was a military officer who served during the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763). The portrait descended in the Cocke family. It is possible that the portrait was painted in Maryland or Pennsylvania while Cocke was serving and traveling with the militia.

Dimensions: 35 x 38 in. (88.9 x 96.52 cm.)

The subject wears his military uniform. The jacket is black with red lining and silver trim. A silver-trimmed hat with cockade is tucked under his left arm. His right hand is tucked into his jacket. His cuffs are lace. A ribbon is visible at his neck. He is turned three-quarters to his right. The canvas is an unusual size.

See: Alabama Portraits Prior to 1870 (National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Alabama, 1969), 63.