History never ceases to be exciting and another search is underway. Bruce Miller <[log in to unmask]> from MA stopped to ask me for directions to the family plot of Ransom Cook who was a very well known inventor, furniture builder and reforming prison warden. A lot is known about Ransom but I had not heard about his brother Nelson Cook until yesterday. Bruce introduced me to the website that has been created and asks that anyone who can direct him to anything known (paintings, correspondence and other information about Nelson Cook) would be greatly appreciated. Please visit and enjoy his work and the information that has been located to date. www.nelsoncook.com Bruce is on the road for a few days to photograph more portraits that have been located. He asks for help in finding anything more about Nelson Cook. Nelson Cook (rarely Cooke) was the son of furniture-maker Joseph Cook and Mary Ann Tolman, who moved to Ballston/Saratoga area around 1800 from Wallingford, CT. Nelson left Saratoga area around 1832 for Canada and spent several years as an itinerant painter. He painted for individuals and families of modest circumstances as well as the more affluent such as Lt. Governors, military figures and those associated with the growing canal industry. He returned to NYS about 1838-39 and continued portraiture in various Upstate cities including Buffalo and Rochester and taught at Temple Grove Seminary here in Saratoga Springs. Nelson was also described as an "occasional poet" and if any poems found that are accredited to him would also be of interest. Thanks in advance to any help that can be given in the search for Nelson Cook. God Bless Ruth Ann Messick [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask]