Terry F on 7 Nov 2005  •  Link

Had been a schoolfellow of Pepys at St. Paul's; afterward was in business in the city until 1664. (d. 1665)

San Diego Sarah on 6 Oct 2023  •  Link

L&M Companion has no entry for Jack Cole.

I think Jack Cole was a better friend to Pepys than Pepys was to Jack. Consistently Jack stopped by or sought him out to bring Pepys up-to-date. Pepys calculates whether or not to continue their friendship, but makes no effort to do so. Here are a few things Pepys says about Jack:

1661
"So home, where I met Jack Cole, who staid with me a good while, and is still of the old good humour that we were of at school together, and I am very glad to see him."
https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…

1662
"Jack Cole, my old friend, found me out at the Wardrobe; ..."
https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…

"... met with Jack Cole in Fleet Street, and he and I went into his cozen Mary Cole’s (...), and drank a pint of wine and much good discourse. I found him a little conceited, but he had good things in him, and a man may know the temper of the City by him, he being of a general conversation, and can tell how matters go; and upon that score I will encourage his acquaintance."
https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…

1663
"... after dinner John Cole, my old friend, came to see and speak with me about a friend. I find him ingenious, but more and more discern his city pedantry; but however, I will endeavour to have his company now and then, for that he knows much of the temper of the City, and is able to acquaint therein as much as most young men, being of large acquaintance, and himself, I think, somewhat unsatisfied with the present state of things at Court and in the Church."
https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…

1664
"Mr. Cole (my old Jack Cole) comes to see and speak with me, and his errand in short to tell me that he is giving over his trade; he can do no good in it, and will turn what he has into money and go to sea, his father being dead and leaving him little, if any thing. This I was sorry to hear, he being a man of good parts, but, I fear, debauched.
"I promised him all the friendship I can do him, which will end in little, though I truly mean it, and so I made him stay with me till 11 at night, talking of old school stories, and very pleasing ones, and truly I find that we did spend our time and thoughts then otherwise than I think boys do now, and I think as well as methinks that the best are now. He supped with me, and so away, and I to bed.
"And strange to see how we are all divided that were bred so long at school together, and what various fortunes we have run, some good, some bad."
https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…

1665
"Here I met with one that tells me that Jack Cole, my old schoolefellow, is dead and buried lately of a consumption, who was a great crony of mine."
https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/…

Thank you, Jack, for trying to be a friend to Pepys. He needed you more than he probably let you know.