Nellie Weldon Cocroft

Ellen Weldon Cocroft (November 4, 1885 – June 27, 1986) was an American musical composer. Early life Ellen Estelle Weldon was born on November 4, 1885, in Quitman, Georgia, the daughter of Richard Weldon and Virginia (Massey) Weldon. She was the eldest of three daughters, including Jeanivieve (b. 1893) and Minnie (b. 1896). Nellie Cocroft was a church organist and choir director in Thomasville. Her husband ran a music store, and published her compositions to sell in the shop under the name “N. Weldon Cocroft”. Published works by Nellie Weldon Cocroft included “When the Birds are Singing in the Springtime” (1909), “Pinywoods Rag” (1909), and “I’se Gwine to Highball” (1910). After a lengthy divorce in 1923-1924, and upon losing custody of her son, Cocroft’s “Georgia Cracker”, performed by pianist Nora Hulse (d. 2020), was included in Hulse’s 2002 compilation Ragtime refreshments: 25 rags by women composers. Music by Nellie Weldon Cocroft is played at the “Jazz & Swing Club” at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. References External links * * Nellie Weldon Cocroft at WorldCat.