Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the Theophilus Cocke Letter must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Theophilus Cocke Letter, Ms2008-057 - Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Acquisition Information

The Theophilus Cocke Letter was purchased by Special Collections in 1993.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Theophilus Cocke Letter occurred in August, 2008.

Biographical Information

Theophilus Cocke was born on January 8, 1825 in Carroll County, Virginia. Cocke served in the US Artillery during the Mexican War from November 28, 1845 to November 27, 1851 and was honorably discharged. After the war, Cocke married Rebecca Melton on May 5, 1870. Theophilus Cocke died on June 2, 1911 in Carroll County, Virginia.

Scope and Content

The Theophilus Cocke Letter is a request written to Dr. Brancomb Cabble, the Commissioner of Pensions, for increased pension benefits offered by the Service Pension Bill of 1907. The Letter issues from Carroll County, Virginia, on February 19, 1907 and discusses the provisions of the new pension bill, Theophilus's difficulty with living on his current $12 pension, and his former military service in the Mexican War.