The Cooks

Colonel Edward Cook and His Historic Residence

 

The Col. Edward Cook House in Washington Township near Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, is one of the earliest and most important frontier homes in western Pennsylvania. Built between 1772 and 1776, it still stands today and represents the life and influence of Colonel Edward Cook, an early settler, military officer, landowner, and political leader in the region. (Wikipedia)

Below is a complete historical overview of both the man and the house.

1. Early Life of Colonel Edward Cook

Edward Cook (c. 1738–1796) was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the eastern part of the colony. (SAH ARCHIPEDIA)

During the mid-1700s, western Pennsylvania was still a frontier region, largely unsettled by European colonists. Cook moved west in 1770, seeking opportunity in land, trade, and politics. (SAH ARCHIPEDIA)

Frontier Entrepreneur

After arriving in the Monongahela Valley, Cook:

• Built a log cabin and trading store

• Began acquiring large tracts of land

• Became one of the largest landowners in southwestern Pennsylvania

He eventually owned about 3,000 acres across the region. (Freepages)

His property sat along an important frontier corridor near the Monongahela River, making it ideal for trade and settlement.

2. Construction of the Cook House (1772–1776)

Cook began building his permanent home in 1772, finishing it around 1776, the year of American independence. (Wikipedia)

One of the First Stone Houses West of the Alleghenies

The house was remarkable for its time:

• Built from limestone quarried on Cook’s own land

• Considered one of the first stone houses west of the Allegheny Mountains

• Extremely large for a frontier dwelling (Wikipedia)

Architectural features included:

• Two-story rectangular stone structure

• Four bays across the front

• Central hallway floor plan

• Kitchen wing added to the rear

• Interior fireplaces and large cooking hearth

• Outbuildings including a smokehouse and washhouse (Wikipedia)

Many original elements remain, including early window glass and masonry.

For the frontier period, it was essentially a frontier mansion.

3. Role in the American Revolution

Cook was an important patriot leader.

Military Role

He served as a colonel in the Revolutionary War, helping organize and lead local militia units in western Pennsylvania. (SAH ARCHIPEDIA)

These militias defended the frontier against:

• British forces

• Native American raids allied with the British

• Frontier unrest during wartime.

Political Role

Cook was also active politically.

He served as a member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Congress in 1776, which helped establish the revolutionary government of Pennsylvania. (HMDB)

4. Friendship with George Washington

Cook was known to be personally acquainted with George Washington.

Historical records indicate that Washington stayed at the Cook residence at least twice during his travels through western Pennsylvania. (Wikipedia)

At the time, the house was an important stopping point for political and military leaders traveling through the frontier.

5. The Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

Cook also played a role during the Whiskey Rebellion, a tax protest in western Pennsylvania.

The rebellion occurred when farmers protested the federal tax on whiskey.

Cook:

• Served as a moderate voice

• Urged restraint and negotiation rather than violent resistance. (SAH ARCHIPEDIA)

His influence helped prevent escalation in his local area.

6. Life as a Frontier Landowner

Cook’s estate functioned as a large agricultural and economic center.

His property included:

• Farmland

• Trading operations

• Outbuildings and barns

• A springhouse and kitchen structures

The farm was important to the developing local economy.

He became known as:

• A judge and political figure

• A community leader

• One of the most prominent men in early Fayette County.

7. Death and Legacy

Colonel Edward Cook died on November 27, 1796. 

By the time of his death:

• His landholdings were extensive.

• His home had become a regional landmark.

• His descendants continued living on and maintaining the property.

The Cook family maintained ownership for generations.

8. Preservation of the Cook House

The house had survived for over 250 years.

Historic Recognition

In 1978, the property was added to the National Register of Historic Places. (Wikipedia)

This designation recognizes it as an important historic structure in American history.

Current Condition

The house still retains:

• Original stone construction

• Early architectural features

• Historic outbuildings

• Portions of the original farm

The property has been preserved largely through family stewardship and restoration efforts. (SAH ARCHIPEDIA)

9. Architectural Significance

The Cook House is historically important because it shows how frontier leaders lived in the 18th century.

Important features include:

Construction

• Limestone masonry

• Early colonial stonework patterns

Interior design

• Central hall plan

• Large cooking hearth

• Interior end chimneys

Layout

• Four main rooms per floor

• Kitchen wing

• Farm outbuildings

These design elements were typical of eastern Pennsylvania homes, showing Cook brought architectural ideas westward. (SAH ARCHIPEDIA)

10. Historical Importance

The Cook House represents several major themes in American history:

Frontier settlement
Early expansion beyond the Allegheny Mountains.

The American Revolution
Leadership of local militia officers.

Early American politics
Participation in the Provincial Congress.

The Whiskey Rebellion
Political conflict in the new United States.

Because of this, the house is considered one of the most important surviving 18th-century homes in western Pennsylvania.

 11. Bicentennial Farm

The Cook Farm received Bicentennial Farm recognition in January of 2026. 

Today 

The farm is still owned by the Cooks and it is still run as a small farm.  Mark and Alicia have a small farmers market where they sell fresh flowers and seasonal vegetables and fruits, eggs and nursery plants.