Nicholas Cooke

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Nicholas Cooke (1717 - 22 February 1782) was the first Governor of Rhode Island after it became a state of the United States of America, holding that office from November 1775 to May 1778.

Cooke had been a sea captain and operated a distillery and a ropemaking business. He was a member of Beneficent Congregational Church from 1747 to his death. In 1768 and 1775, he was elected Deputy Governor of Rhode Island; he became Governor in the latter year when Tory sympathizer Joseph Wanton left office.

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Preceded by
Darius Sessions
Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island
1768, 1775
Succeeded by
William Bradford
Preceded by
Joseph Wanton
Governor of Rhode Island
1775 - 1778
Succeeded by
William Greene