Family Lineage of Henry Cox
of Blount County, Tennessee
Summary of the Cox Family
There is an undocumented statement in the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-Day Saints Library that John Cox born about 1578 in
England was the father of William Coxe who came to Virginia in
June 1610. I have seen nothing to discredit nor substantiate
this statement.
However, the history of William Coxe, s/o John, is documented in
several documents such as the excerpts from the Hopkins of
Virginia and Related Families, chapter IV. In the list of
Adventurers as they were styled in the Charters of the Virginia
Companies, 1609 and 1620, the name was spelled Cock, Cocks, Cox,
Coxly. See Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. III, P.
282. William Coxe, age 12 years, came over on the ship Godspeed
in 1610 with the party of Thomas West, Third Lord De La Warr.
The fact that Robert West, brother of Thomas West, married
Elizabeth Coxe, d/o of Sir Henry Coxe of Brokburn,
Hertfordshire, suggests that William Coxe may have been of that
family.
Also a William Coxe was granted 100 acres of land in
Elizabeth City County, VA. on 28 Sept. 1628 by Governor West
per Land Book I, p. 89.
On 29 Nov. 1636 Governor John West
granted William Coxe 150 acres of land in Henrico County, VA.
situated about three and one half miles above Harrowattocks for
the transportation of three heads into the Colony viz: Thomas
Braxton, Richard Bird, and Richard Hewes per Land Book I, p.
403. Governor John Harvey granted William Coxe 150 acres of
land, being in the County of Henrico, above three and one half
miles above Harrowattock (Arrowhattocks), for transportation of
three persons into the Colony at his own expense; names of
persons not found, Land Book I, p. 492.
After the Indian Massacre of 1622, a muster was taken in Feb.
1624/5 and William Coxe was listed with Thomas Bouldinge at
Elizabeth City County. William Coxe was dead by 14 Dec. 1656
when Peter Lee patented 126 acres in Henrico County adjoining
the land “belonging to the orphans of William Coxe,” Patent Book
4, p. 44.
Planters at Arrowhattocks (a type written paper; New Orleans,
1964, p.50) in an unreferenced chart, shows William Coxe married
to Elizabeth Hutchins with four children, John, Thomas,
Elizabeth wife of Robert Porter and Mary Catherine wife of John
Burton. The great value of this work lies in a series of eight
maps showing land holdings in the Arrowhattocks area 1611-65.
See Adventurers of Purse and Persons, p. 212.
John Cox, s/o William Coxe of Arrowhattocks, on 29 March, 1665
patented 550 acres in Henrico County on the North side of
Harristocks, (Arrowhattocks), adjoining the land of Capt.
Edloe.
This must, of necessity, have joined the land formerly
owned by William Coxe and then by his orphans. On 5 Feb. 1685/6
he made a Deed of Gift to his son William Cox and on 11 July
1693 he gave 100 acres and a Negro girl to his son Bartholomew
Cox, his wife Rebecca and their son George. Henry Cox witnessed
both deeds. The Will of John Cox, 19 Feb. 1691/2- 1 Feb. 1696/7
named his wife Mary and six sons Henry, John, William, George,
Bartholomew, and Richard. On the day the Will was proved, Mary
Cox, widow of John Cox, deceased, entered a suit for her dower
against Henry, John, William, George, and Bartholomew, but not
Richard.
John Cox was married more than once. The first wife may have
been the daughter of Robert Cradock or Mary Elam, there is no
definitive answer. The wife who survived him was Mary Kennon
whom he married (license #22) Sept. 1682. On p.679 in the same
County Court Deed Book of Henrico County, VA. as the above will
was probated, appears the following item. “Mary Cox, widow of
John Cox Sr. Deceased, put in her place and stead, Bart Fowler,
her attorney, in all causes and actions in Henrico County
Court. Witness my hand this 26th day of Nov. 1696.” She must
have been unhappy with the silver spoon he willed her. William
Elam, of Henrico County, in his Will, dated 18 Feb. 1688/9 left
one Shilling to his son-in-law, John Cox, Sr. Issue: (by
earlier wife or wives) William, Bartholomew, Henry, John,
George, and (by Mary Kennon) Richard. See Adventurers of Purse
and Persons, pp. 212-213. Also see, for marriage of John Cox
and Mary Kennon, Virginia Magazine of History and Biographicals,
Vol. 37, p. 156.
Richard Cox I, s/o of John Cox, married by 8 Jan. 1700/1, to
Mary Trent, daughter of Henry Trent and his wife Elizabeth
Sherman. See: Wills Henrico County, VA “Colonial Wills, 1654 to
1737; Will of Henry Trent where he gives daughter Mary Cox wife
of Richard Cox, one gold ring.
Richard Cox held 300 acres of
land in Henrico County, VA 1704.
He left a will, 13 July,
1734- Feb. 1734/5 and his wife left an undated will, probated 2
Feb. 1735/6, see Henrico County Wills and Deeds 1725-37; for
Richard p. 466; for Mary p. 513.
Issue: John married Elizabeth____; Henry Trent Cox married
Judith Redford; Mary married ______ Fore; Elizabeth married
Strangeman Hutchins; Richard II; Obedience married Philemon
Perkins; Edith married James Whitloe; Martha married James
Ferguson. See Adventurers of Purse and Persons, p. 215.
The name Obedience was interjected into the Trent family by the
marriage of Obedience Branch to Alexander Trent, brother of Mary
Trent, wife of Richard Cox. Obedience Branch, d/o John Branch
and Martha, surname is unknown, married first, in 1696 to John
Cocke; second, Alexander Trent; and third, Thomas Turpin, all of
Henrico County, VA, she died in 1746. This statement is made in
a deed from Thomas Turpin and Obedience, his wife, to James
Branch, dated April 2, 1716, in Henrico Records, Vol. 1714-18,
p. 75.
The additional proof that Obedience Branch married Alexander
Trent, is derived from the fact that Mrs. Obedience (Branch)
Cocke-Trent-Turpin in her will recorded in Goochland County, VA
June 17, 1746, mentions her son Alexander Trent. This fact
taken in connection with the Will of Alexander Trent, Probated
in Henrico County, VA, 1703, furnishes the evidence of this
marriage. See William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 25, p. 108.
John Cox, s/o Richard and Mary Trent Cox, was married to
Elizabeth ______, surname unknown. Regarding John Cox, s/o
Richard Cox and Mary Trent, Adventurers of Purse and Persons
Edition # 4 states that his brother Henry Trent Cox made a Deed
in 1753 mentioning the half acre where his brother, Richard II
and his wife and the children of his brother John are buried.
See Henrico County, VA Deeds 1706-1737, Vol. # 2 by Benjamin B.
Weisiger. The Will of John Cox of Goochland County, VA Parish
of Saint James Northam, written 13 March, 1785, probated 19
Sept. 1785 in Goochland County, VA. in this will John gave his
son Edward 100 acres of the land he lived on, which was one half
of the two hundred acres he had bought from Henry and Elizabeth
Richardson Cox in 1761. A comparison of the two survey plats,
of this property, verifies that this 100 acres is part of the
original Richardson survey.
Issue: Edward married Cecily Guillam 10 Dec. 1767 in Prince
Edward County VA; Obedience married John Hilton 24 Nov. 1757;
Glassre married Joseph Davis 16 Sept. 1759 in Goochland County,
VA; Henry married Elizabeth Richardson, no license was found;
John II married Phoebe Williamson 17 November, 1757 in
Cumberland County, VA; See: Marriages of Some Virginia
Residents, 1607-1800, by Dorothy Ford Wulfeck, Virginia Magazine
of History and Biographicals, Vol. 43, p. 23, Douglas Register
and William and Mary Quarterly Vol. 22, p.26.
Edward Cox’s, s/o John and Elizabeth Cox, will was probated in
Goochland County, VA Deed Book, # 21, p. 76. Written 3 May,
1805, Recorded 17 June, 1811, probated 2 Dec. 1813.
Issue: Henry married Susannah Jarrett 2 Jan. 1812; John married
Nancy______; Redford married Lucy Roundtree 1811; Claiborne
married Cynthia Hampton 1814; Trent married Rebecca, last name
not found; Elizabeth married Jesse Mullins 3 July, 1788; Sarah;
Mary; Ann/Anne married Tartlin Bagly 29 Dec. 1814; Glassre;
Obedience; Jesse married Polly Roundtree 1808. See Douglas
Register.
Glassre Cox married Joseph Davis 16 Sept. 1759 in Saint James
Northam Parish, Goochland County, VA. He was born 1710 and died
1790, she was born 1735 and died 11 March, 1816, Glassre and
Joseph are both buried in Wake County, North Carolina.
Issue: Elizabeth born 16 July 1762; John born 17 Nov. 1764;
Jesse born 21 July, 1768; Obedience; Glassre born 1772 Wake
County, N.C.; Edward; Polly; Sally; and Charity.
John Cox married Phoebe Williamson 17 Nov., 1757, in Cumberland
County, VA, she being the daughter of Thomas Ballard. She had
previously been married to George Williamson of Cumberland
County, VA. See William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 20, p. 26 also
Cumberland County, VA. land records.
As can be seen from the three generations, Richard, John,
Edward, and Glassre have used the unusual names of Trent,
Obedience, and Glassre. The odds that these unusual names were
used in unrelated families are astronomical; therefore, I have
to conclude that these people are of the same family.
John Richardson married, before Feb. 1739/40, to Mary Curd,
daughter of Edward Curd of Henrico County, VA who’s will of that
date proves it. Per Goochland County, VA Wills and Deeds;
1728-1736, p. 419, Deed of Edward Curd of Henrico County, VA
states that for love and good will and affection I give to my
daughter, Mary Richardson, 200 acres on North side of the James
River, 17 July 1733. In the will of John Richardson, he states
that I give and bequeath to Eliza Richardson, my daughter, three
hundred and twenty acres of land lying on Lickinghole Creek in
Goochland County, VA to her and her heirs forever. See
Cumberland County, VA Wills 1749-1782. The will was recorded in
Cumberland County, VA 24 Sept. 1753. Then Henry and Elizabeth
Cox are selling the same amount of land on 21 April, 1761, as
can be seen in the following two deeds.
A deed of conveyance from Henry and Elizabeth Cox, of Cumberland
Parish, for land being and lying in Lunenburg County, VA to John
Cox. The land being and lying on Branches of Lickinghole Creek
in Goochland County, VA. This parcel of land containing two
hundred acres more or less and is recorded in Goochland County,
VA Deed book #8, 21 April, 1761. A Deed of Conveyance from
Henry and Elizabeth Cox to Thomas Dawson, lying and being on
Lickinghole Creek containing one hundred acres, more or less,
in Goochland County, VA Deed Book #8, Recorded 21 April, 1761.
In the William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. # 20, Series # 1, p.
323; Cumberland County, VA Marriage Bonds, 4 Jan. 1764, Lewis
Jackson and Francis Richardson were married, with the consent of
Henry Cox, her guardian. Wit: Mary Richardson, Samuel Vawter,
Powell Hughes, Lewis Jackson, and Frances Richardson. Elizabeth
Richardson Cox, wife of Henry Cox, sister of Frances Richardson,
and daughter of Mary Richardson was not in attendance of this
wedding which would lead one to believe she was incapacitated or
some other compelling reason. It should be noted that Curd Cox
was born about 1762 on the Little Roanoke River, in Luenenburg
County, VA.
Will of Mary Richardson, w/w 2 Jan. 1788, w/r 3 Oct. 1791, named
Martha Dawson, Fanny Jackson, Agness Vaughter, Isham
Richardson, Anne Harvey, Susannah Gullian, and G. D. Lumkin; the
Court noted that Isham Richardson was dead at the time the Will
was recorded.
In his 1832 pension application Curd Cox, s/o Henry and
Elizabeth Cox, said that he was born in 1762, on the Little
Roanoke River in Charlotte County, VA as he was informed by his
parents. Curd Cox of Knox County, TN private in the company of
Capt. McDaniel in the Regiment of Col. Cocke in the Virginia
Line for nine months, was placed on the East Tennessee pension
roll at $30.00 per annum under the Act of 1832. Certificate #
19002 was issued 26 July, 1833. He joined the Army while living
in Halifax County, VA and fought at Guilford’s Courthouse, known
today as Greensboro, N.C. against General Cornwallis’ forces
during the Revolutionary War. Actually he would have been born
in Lunenburg County because Charlotte County was not formed out
of Lunenburg County until 1765. Curd named his fourth child
Richardson which indicates a strong connection between the
families of Cox, Curd, and Richardson.
Deed of Conveyance from Godfrey and Thomas Jones to Henry Cox,
all parties of Charlotte County, VA One hundred pounds pad for a
parcel of land in Charlotte County, VA on the branch of Ash Camp
Creek. Deed signed by Godfrey Jones, recorded 6 May, 1765.
Deed of Conveyance from Henry Cox to Elisha Almond, 75 pounds
for 75 acres, land Cox purchased of Godfrey Jones, except 40
square feet, lying on branch of Ash Camp Creek. This deed was
registered in Charlotte County, VA 2 June, 1777, Deed Book #4,
p. 16. Whoever is buried in the 40 square feet family cemetery
died after 1765 and before 1777. Elizabeth Richardson Cox would
have been dead by 1773 when Henry remarried; therefore Elizabeth
is probably buried in this family cemetery.
Henry Cox had to give his consent for Frances Richardson to
marry Lewis Jackson 4 Jan. 1764 with family witnesses of Mary
Richardson, who I believe was Mary Curd Richardson. It seems to
me that Elizabeth Cox would have attended her sister’s wedding
if she had not been incapacitated or some other compelling
reason.
By the preponderance of the evidence I believe that Henry Cox
married Elizabeth Richardson, the mother of Curd Cox; however,
there was no record found of this marriage. Henry Cox’s second
marriage was to Anne Madison, d/o Roger Madison, 5 April, 1773
per a license registered in Charlotte County, VA and witnessed
by Thomas Read and the bond was signed by Roger Madison, Anne’s
father.
An entry made in the Lunenburg County, VA Land Patent,1746-1916,
Book # 31, p. 326, 400 acres, 6-14-1853, to Henry Cox on Heather
Branch, neighbor Frances Rann. This probably is the land that
got Henry established in Lunenburg County, VA.
An entry in Lunenburg County Court & Order Book # 11, 1765-1766,
p. 160; Robert Haste & Company, Plaintiff, assignees Thomas Read
vs. Henry Cox, Clement Read & Paul Carrington, Defendants.
Plaintiff recovered 50 pounds except cost to be discharged by
the payment of 19 pounds, 3 shillings and 9 pence. There were
eight other court actions taken against or by Henry Cox during
the year of 1765 in Lunenburg County Court.
A Deed of Trust from Henry Cox to Neill Buchanan and Company, 19
Aug. 1767 Charlotte County, VA that Henry was indebted to the
said Neill Buchanan and Company in the sum of one hundred and
two pounds and four shillings and ten pence for which he
forfeited two Negro women slaves and one hundred and ninety six
acres in one tract of land and a second tract containing one
hundred and fifty acres. As can be seen by the last two entries
above Henry had fallen on hard times in Charlotte County. It
must be recalled that Charlotte County was formed from Lunenburg
County in 1765.
“Thomas Jefferson Squire Governor of the Commonwealth of
Virginia to all to whom these present shall come greeting known
ye that in consideration of the ancient composition of forty
Shillings Sterling paid by Henry Cox into the treasury of this
Commonwealth unto the said Henry Cox a certain tract or parcel
of land containing three hundred and seventy four acres by
survey bearing date the thirtieth day of May one thousand seven
hundred and sixty seven, lying and being in the county of
Halifax on Bull Run Creek”. This is a land grant from the
Commonwealth of Virginia to Henry Cox.
Next we find a Deed of Conveyance from Spelsby Trible to Henry
Cox, 2 Dec. 1777, Halifax County, VA. Spelsby Trible and his
wife Mary do grant, bargain, sell, and confirm unto the said
Henry Cox of Charlotte County, VA two hundred and two acres of
land for the consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds of
current money of Virginia.
Also we find a Deed of Conveyance from Minoah Dyer and Haman
Dyer and Frankey, his wife, of Halifax County, VA on the one
part and Henry Cox of the same county the other part.
In
consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds of current money
of Virginia to them in hand paid. They do grant bargain sell
and confirm unto said Henry Cox a certain tract of land
containing two hundred acres more or less lying and being in
Halifax County, VA. One of the witnesses was Roger Madison,
Henry’s father-in-law. At a court held in Halifax County, VA 19
Aug. 1779 this indenture was sworn to by both parts. The above
shown land Patent and two deeds show that Henry had established
himself in Halifax County, VA by the year 1779.
In the Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 32, p. 45; British Mercantile
Claims, 1775-1803; List of debtors to Buchanan, Haste, and
Company on 1 Jan. 1777 at their store in Charlotte, all of the
debtors were residents of Halifax County, VA. James Eastman
Agent’s Report 15 Aug. 1782. Henry Cox: indebted 80 pounds, 18
shillings and 9 1/2 pence, due 1776. Henry lives in Tennessee
and has a sufficiency of property. A list of debtors to the
Eilbeck, Chamber, Ross and Company, due 1 Jan. 1777, at their
store in Petersburg was compiled and all debts have been claimed
irrecoverable. All debtors are residents of Halifax County, VA
Special Agent James Eastman’s Report: Henry and John Cox,
indebted 20 pounds, Henry lives in Tennessee and is good; John
Cox lives in Mecklenburg County, VA. This is the earliest
report of Henry being in Tennessee.
This Indenture made this seventh day of January one thousand
seven hundred and eighty four between Henry Cox and Anne, his
wife, of the one part and James Broughill of the other part
Witnesseth that the said Henry Cox and Anne for and in
consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds current money of
Virginia to the said Henry Cox in hand paid the receipt whereof
is personally acknowledged before the Sealing and Delivering of
these presents hath granted, bargained Doth and by these
presents Doth grant bargain and sell unto the said James
Broughill his heirs and assigns forever one certain tract or
parcel of land lying and being in the County of Halifax,
containing by estimate two hundred acres the same more or less.
At this time Henry is trying to divest himself of his property
in Halifax County, VA.
The Personal Property Tax Lists for the year 1787 for Halifax
County, VA, Halifax County – Tax List “A” shows Henry Cox’s tax
was collected on 5/28 and Curd Cox’s tax was collected on 5/26.
Also Moses Overton, Susan Overton’s father, tax was collected on
5/28. The fact that Henry’s and Curd’s tax were collected on
different dates indicates that they were living in separate
residences. It is probable that Curd and Susan Overton were
married by this time, as Curd was not residing with Henry at
this time.
This Indenture made this 31st day of May in the year of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and ninety six between John Garrett
of the County of Jefferson and State of Tennessee of the one
part and Henry Cox of the County and State aforesaid of the
other part. Witnesseth that the said John Garrett for and in
consideration of the sum of six hundred and sixty six dollars to
him in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath
and these present doth grant sell alien Enfeoff and confirm unto
the said Henry Cox his heirs and assigns forever a certain tract
of land containing eighty seven acres being the same more or
less lying and being in the County of Jefferson and State of
Tennessee lying and being on the North Branch of the Nolichucky
River. This is the first and only property that a deed has been
found for Henry Cox in Tennessee.
This Indenture made this twenty fifth day of October in the year
of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven, Between
Henry Cox of the County of Jefferson and State of Tennessee of
the one part and John Cox of the County and State aforesaid of
the other part, Witness: the said Henry Cox for and in
consideration of the sum of six hundred and sixty six dollars to
him in hand paid the receipt thereof is hereby acknowledged both
and by these presents doth grant bargain sell alien Enfeoff and
confirm unto the said John Cox his heirs and assigns forever a
certain tract or parcel of land containing Eighty seven acres be
the same more or less lying and being in the County of Jefferson
and State of Tennessee on the North Branch of Nolichucky River.
This is the same property that Henry bought from John Garrett in
1796.
This Indenture made this twenty sixth day of January in the year
of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four, between John
Cox of the County of Jefferson and State of Tennessee of the one
part and Jesse Moore of the County of Cocke and State of
Tennessee ; Witnesseth that the said John Cox for and in
consideration of the sum of six hundred dollars to him in hand
paid the receipt thereof is hereby acknowledged and by these
presents doth grant bargain sell alien Enfeoff and confirm unto
the said Jesse Moore his heirs and assigns forever a certain
tract or parcel of land containing eighty seven acres be the
same more or less lying and being in the County of Jefferson and
State of Tennessee on the North side.
This is the same
property that John Cox bought from Henry Cox in 1797.
At this
time Henry and his family moved from Jefferson County, TN to
Blount County, TN, near the small village of Louisville.
Know all men by their presents that I, Henry Cox of the State of
Tennessee and County of Blount for sundry good causes and
considerations have nominated constituted acclaimed and
appointed William Jameson of the State of Virginia and Halifax
County my true and lawful attorney to act demand sue recover and
receive in my name and acclaim debt due by bond from Conrad
Botts to me the said Henry Cox and Martin Beard, a security
bond, granting to my said account my full and sole powers and
authority to collect the said debt and I do hereby verify and
confirm whatever my said Attorney shall do or cause to be done
in using measures to collect this said debt and Witness whatever
my said Attorney shall do shall be a binding and obligatory as
if I were personally present and set my own signature. In
Witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 31st
day of August one thousand eight hundred and five. This power
of Attorney proves that Henry Cox moved to Blount County before
1805.
This information was taken from the Blount County Court House,
Maryville, TN, Deed Book “B”, p. 370. In a Deed of Conveyance
from John Cox to Phillip Fouth 7 Sept. 1818, paid $700.00 for
165 acres of land, where Henry Cox lived. This deed also proves
that Henry Cox lived in Blount County, TN and establishes that
he was living on property owned by his son, John Cox.
Will of Henry Cox was written 21 July, 1807, Will Probated 8
May, 1809, in Blount County Court. In this Will, Henry gave and
bequeathed unto his beloved wife, Ann Cox, all my Estate both
real and personal during her widowhood. Also he states that
Margaret Matison, Ann’s sister, shall have constant maintains
out of my Estate while she continues to live with my family and
at the decease of my wife Ann Cox.
He gave and bequeathed
sixty cents to sons Jack, Curd, Tolliver, Clemmons, and Samuel.
He states that all the rest of my Estate real and personal after
the decease of my wife to be equally divided between my three
children namely Betsey Saffell, Ambrose, and Nancy Cox. With
the exception that Nancy Cox shall have a good bed and furniture
extra ordinary. He appoints Jack Cox and Samuel Saffell
Executors of his Last Will and Testament. The will was
witnessed by: George Moore, Harry McAnnaly, and Matthew
Whittenburger.
Henry Cox and Anne Madison, his wife, and her sister Margaret
French Madison are buried in the Middlesettlement Cemetery in
Blount County, TN., adjacent to the grave of Dr. Henry Madison
Cox.
Henry died before 1809; Anne died before the 1840 census
was taken, and Margaret died before the 1850 census was taken.
Henry and Cury Cox and Moses Overton appeared in 1782 tax
records for Halifax County, Virginia as “Heads of Families –
Virginia 1782” - Halifax County: Henry Cox, 6 whites, & 3
blacks (1782), Curd Cocks (Cox) 2 whites, (1785), Moses Overton,
7 whites (1785). Curd married Susan Overton, and I think it is
safe to assume Moses is Susan’s father.
In his application for a pension, Curd (X) Cox, s/o Henry and
Elizabeth Cox, on 23 August, 1832 in Knox County, TN at age 70,
declared he lived in Halifax County, Virginia. There was a call
for men to resist the British Army of Cornwallis who was close
on the Virginia Line in the fall of 1790. He volunteered for
eighteen months under Captain William McDaniel in Col. Cock’s
regiment and General Stephenson’s Brigade, they rendezvoused at
Halifax’s old courthouse and joined General Green’s army. They
marched across the Dan River into North Carolina and followed
Cornwallis until they came to Guilford Courthouse, March 15,
1781. There 1,900 seasoned British troops led by Gen. Charles
Cornwallis defeated 4,400 Continentals, many of them militia and
raw recruits, led by Gen. Nathaniel Greene. Both sides suffered
heavy casualties, which on the British side led to a decision to
abandon the Carolina Campaign. About the time Cornwallis took
shipping or shortly after Curd was discharged. He requested
Commissary Officer Ambrose Madison, who was the uncle of Ann
Madison or her brother, to keep his discharge papers. He served
over nine months because he entered service in November, 1780
and was discharged in September of 1781.
Curd (X) Cox, on the
24th of May, 1833, Knox County, Tennessee of said county
declares he was born in Charlotte County, Virginia on Little
Roanoke River in 1762 as he was informed by his parents, the
month and day not recollected. Actually he would have been born
in Lunenburg County, VA because Charlotte County was not formed
out of Lunenburg County until 1765.
Curd Cox of Knox County, Tennessee, private in the company of
Captain McDaniel in the regiment of Col. Cocke in the Virginia
line for nine months, was placed on the East Tennessee pension
rolls at $30.00 per annum under the Act of 1832.
Certificate #
19002 was issued 26 July, 1833. (Information obtained from “The
Southside Virginia”.) Curd Cox’s name is in an incomplete
listing of the officers and men that participated in the King’s
Mountain Campaign. (Information obtained from “The Overmountain
Men” by Pat Alderman, published by the Overmountain Press,
Johnson City, Tennessee).
Curd and Susan had four children born in Virginia; James married
Elizabeth “Betsy” Gammon, Sarah “Sally” married William Conner,
Jr; John married Alice Gammon, and Richardson married Mary
“Polly” Julian, then they came to Knox County, Tennessee. Other
children born in Tennessee were Mary “Polly” married John Roads,
Henry married Elizabeth Giving, Moses married Mary “Polly”
Conner, Milly married Marvel Hill, and Elizabeth married John
Manuel Jett. Curd’s property in Knox County, Tennessee was
purchased in a Deed of Conveyance from Walter Alvis to Curd Cox,
400 acres on Bull Run Creek, Lot E, for $500, dated 10 June
1809. Curd and Susan are buried on this property in a private
cemetery where Pedigo Road crosses Bull Run Creek. His
tombstone said he had 2000 acres of property, but I can find
only this one deed for 400 acres in Knox County.
Curd Cox’s will was probated in Knox County Court in the
December Session 1853. “I will and bequeath to my sons, to wit,
John, James, Richardson, Moses Cox and daughters Sally Conner
and Milly Hill, all my effects, real and personal, to be equally
divided between the above six heirs; with the exception to
bequeath to Henry Cox a certain tract of land where he now
lives”. And he named five slaves to be given to other
children.
By naming his third son Richardson, Curd has made a
strong connection between the families of Cox, Curd, and
Richardson.
Dennis Cox of Lakewood, Colorado sends an inventory of Curd’s
Estate. Money on hand $398.16, outstanding notes $510.75 and
one share of stock in the East Tennessee & Georgia Railroad,
valued at $50.00. And a long list of household and farming
items but no value has been assigned to them. Curd has a
multitude of descendants in Knox and Anderson Counties, and they
are documented by several different people.
I believe that Taliafarro is the first child of Ann & Henry Cox
because Roger Madison in his will leaves his daughter Ann Cox
one negro boy named Isaac and to his grandson Taliafarro Cox one
negro girl named Phanny. Also Ann Madison’s mother is named
Elizabeth Taliafarro therefore holding with the custom of naming
the children after the mother’s family members we have the name
Taliafarro. Roger Madison, the son of John Madison II, wrote
his Will on the 28th of April, 1789, in Halifax, VA and it was
probated on the 25th day of January, 1802 in Halifax County,
VA. I have received a copy of a Deed of Conveyance from Toliver
Cox to Elijiah Lyon, Edgefield District, South Carolina, Book
31, pp 91-92, dated 14th day of April, 1812 and also the Last
Will and Testament of Toliver M. (Madison-?) Cox.
It was
submitted by oath of Charley I. Hammon the 5th day of February
1828 in the District of Edgefield in the State of South
Carolina, wife Honor Cox but no issues named.
I believe that Clement was the second child of Henry and Ann,
and I also believe he was named after Clement Read who was a
prominent attorney in Charlotte County at the time the Cox’s
were there. Also in Charlotte County, VA, Wills there was a
Francis Clement who named Josiah Cox, his brother-in-law as
Executor therefore his wife must have been Elizabeth Cox. This
does not follow any of the customs of family names. Both
Toliver and Clement settled in Edgefield County, S.C. Toliver
had no issue, he married Honor Cox the widow of Joseph Cox of
Augusta, GA. Clement Cox, married _____Bowers and they had
Henry, Madison E., and Caroline. Also I have a Deed of
Conveyance from Clem Cox to David Bowers of Edgefield District,
State of South Carolina, Bk. 45, p. 312. Also the Last Will and
Testament of Clement Cox, Bk. “D”, p. 420, Box No. 21, Pkg. No.
760, Edgefield District, State of South Carolina, names two sons
Henry and Madison Cox. In the 1850 Census records Henry had six
children, Nathaniel, Cornelius, Anna, Abraham, Caroline, and
Susan; also Henry was dead by 1848. In the 1850 Census of the
Barnwell District, Madison had five children Eliz, Carolina,
Emma, Willam, and Clement. These families could not be found in
the 1870 census. Therefore it must be assumed that the Civil
War displaced these family members. (Information pertaining to
the location of the wills was supplied by Dennis Cox, Lakewood,
Colorado).
John Madison Cox was next in order and the custom was that the
fourth son was named after the father’s elder brother; see
British Mercantile Claims, Henry & John were debtors jointly,
therefore this John was probably Henry’s elder brother or his
father.
John Madison Cox was born 4 June, 1777 in Charlotte County, VA
and married Susannah H. Kelly 21 Oct. 1799, Jefferson County,
TN; Bond was signed by Charles Porter. Susannah was born 1783,
Halifax County, VA. Both are buried in the Middlesettlement
Cemetery, Blount County, TN. John Cox sold property he bought
from Henry Cox to Jesse Moore on 13 July, 1804, Jefferson
County, Tn. Registered in Bk. “G”, p. 35. Then I find John
bought property from David Lowe on 17 June, 1809, Blount County,
TN., Bk. “A” p. 161.
John and Susannah had four children
Sarah M. who married Andrew Singleton, James Kelly who married
Sarah Elizabeth Miers, Dr. Henry Madison who married(1) Eliza
Russell, (2) Margaret H. Farland, (3) Janes C. Cannon, and Nancy
S. who married Hugh Singleton. In the W. E. Parham Papers,
Blount County Library, in regard to the John Cox Estate,
deceased, 10-1842, bond to administer the estate is signed by
James K. Cox, Alexander McNutt, David Tedford, and Major
Reeder. In the file of the Blount County Court House, his
administrator had to make a bond of $10,000. Beside his real
estate property he left about $1,160 to be divided among his
heirs. He must have been a well read man, for in the inventory
of his estate, he had books on Latin, English Grammar, Algebra,
Geometry, several on Philosophy, Commentaries of the Old
Testament, Volumes of Locke’s Essays, and others.
Nathaniel Hall Cox I, “Major”, was the fourth child of Henry and
Ann, and I believe he was named after a minister, Nathaniel
Hall, in the area when the Cox’s were in Charlotte County; and
he may have performed the marriage ceremony of Henry and Ann.
I can not find any other Nathaniel Hall in this Cox line.
Nathaniel Hall Cox I was born 4 July 1780, in Virginia and
married Elizabeth Smith Talbot on 11 April 1811 in Jefferson
County, TN. There is a Deed of Conveyance from John White to
Nathaniel Cox registered 11th Dec. 1813, Bk. “L” , pg. 61,
Jefferson County, Tennessee for $950 a parcel of land lying in
Jefferson County, Tennessee, situated on Mossy Creek containing
three hundred acres.
Also there is a bill of sale from
Alexander T. Outlaw to Nathaniel Cox registered 11 June 1818,
Bk. “O”, pg. 291, for a Negro boy named Lewis. Also there is a
Deed of Conveyance from Nathaniel Cox to Edward Humston,
registered 1 Sept. 1820, Bk. “P”, pg. 339 Jefferson County,
Tennessee, 300 acres, for $1200. This deed is witnessed by
Williston Talbot, who was the father of Elizabeth Talbot.
Nathaniel and Elizabeth moved to Blount County, TN after 1820
where they established a mercantile business in a building on
Hill Street that was built by James and John F. Henry, and they
ran a stage stopover in their home on Main Street. He became
the second postmaster of Louisville in 1822 after W. E.
Gillespie was the first when Louisville was known as Gillespie
Landing. Nathaniel and Elizabeth had 13 children, Hester Ann
married Jefferson P. Brown, Henry Talbot married Lucy Ann Nance,
Williston Madison married Mary Jane King, John Raines never
married, Clement Featherstone never married, Juliette Enlentine
married Christerfer C. Hanby, Jackson LaFayette married Rosa
Mead, Augusta Magnolia married William H. Rector, Octavia
Adelaide married Alex McGee Wallace, Cordelia E. Wright married
Jesse A. Pierce, Leonora Patton married Mr. Smith, Tennessee
Virginia married Mr. Bell, and Nathaniel Hall II died as an
infant. Nathaniel Hall II was born after the father’s death, and
Mrs. Cox married Dr. George Heart Chaffin on 26 Jan. 1842.
Nathaniel and Elizabeth are buried in the Louisville Cemetery.
Son Henry Talbot Cox went into the mercantile business with his
father, and he became the third postmaster at Louisville in
1839. Henry Talbot married Lucy Anne Nancy on 28 Dec. 1847 by
Fielding Pope in Knox County, Tennessee. They had nine
children, Mary P. died as an infant, Nathaniel Hall married Lula
Laurance, Eliza Octavia married William Baxter, John Clement I
married (1) Nora Gorely and (2) Adria George, Mary Pryor
married Horace D. Smith, Sarah Ellen married Alfred Nathaniel
Jackson, Jr., Charles C. died as an infant, Kittie Talbot never
married, and Henrietta never married. Only two males lived to
adulthood, Nathaniel Hall and John Clement I. John Clement I
married: Nora Gorley on 22 February, 1876, and they had two
children (Lucy Ann married Joseph Lloyd Prater and Ransen
Badgett died as an infant) and Adria D. George on 28 February
1881. Of this second marriage four children were born, Eliza
George married Clarence Norman, Wright George died as an infant,
Ruby Aline died as an infant, and John Clement II married Evelyn
Willie Scott and entered the banking business and later, in
1936, became President of the Bank of Knoxville. As President
of the Chamber of Commerce he worked to form a strong working
relationship between the University of Tennessee and the
Tennessee Valley Authority.
Williston Madison Cox was the third child of Nathaniel and
Elizabeth Cox, and he was born 23 May 1816 and married Mary Jane
King 7 Dec. 1844.
Williston and Mary had six children,
Isabella McNeill never married, Eliza T. married C. L.
Carpenter, Caroline Stair married Hugh M. Wilson, James King
never married, Richard LaFayette married Melinda White Williams,
and Fanny C. never married, and only one son lived to adulthood,
Richard LaFayette.
During the Civil War Williston was a
Commissary Officer for the Confederate Army, & the family have
passes issued to him to pass through the Confederate Army lines
to perform his duties. During the latter days of the War,
Williston was confronted and killed on 16th Aug. 1865 in the
Fessenden & Co. store per Thomas A. Pope, who was present. The
store was on Gay Street in Knoxville, and Cox was killed by the
son of a Federal Loyalist. Williston and Mary Jane were buried
in the Old Louisville Cemetery and when T.V.A. impounded Fort
Loudon reservoir, the bodies were moved to Highland Memorial
Cemetery in Knox County, TN. This information is from The
Blount Journal, Fall 2005, p. # 7 and “Brownlow’s Knoxville
Whig”, published by William Brownlow, these papers are preserved
in the McClung Historical Collection of the Lawson-McGhee
Library, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee, Microfilm roll Nov.
16, 1864 thru March 25, 1868, roll # 7 dated: Wed. Sept. 13,
1865, number 31, p 2.
Richard LaFayette Cox married Melinda White Williams 19 Dec.
1876 in Knoxville, TN. They had three daughters and three sons,
Williston Madison I married Helen Gordon Mead, Morgan Williams
married Ella Lee Chandler, Mary Jane King married Guido De
Janes, Rufus Williams married Etta Marie Clemens, Anne Belle
married Fredrick Elmore, and Fanny McNeill married Thomas
Callaway Carson. Richard and Melinda are buried in the Old Gray
Cemetery in Knox County, Tennessee. Williston Madison I was
born in Louisville, Tennessee, 10 Oct. 1877. He graduated from
the University of Tennessee with a degree of L.L.B. in 1901.
Admitted to the bar in all state and Federal Courts in 1901, he
was employed in the law department of the Louisville & Nashville
Railroad and in 1905 formed a law partnership with James G.
Johnson, a member of the State Bar Association. Williston Cox
was appointed to the Board of Regents, of the University of
Tennessee by Governor Hill McAlister. He married Helen Gordon
Mead 15 June 1905, and they had two sons and a daughter. Homer
Mead I married Helen Griffitt, Williston Madison II married
Edwine Watkins Powers, and Marjorye C. married Frank Hier.
Williston Madison II piloted a plane that was shot down during
World War II, and he was captured and held in a Japanese prison
camp until the end of the war. He and his wife, Edwine, lived
on the Cox plantation, Mead Haven, which was located in
Louisville on Gilbert Street.
Elizabeth was the first daughter of Henry and Ann, and she
married Samuel Saffell I on 9 Dec. 1802 in Jefferson County,
TN. She and Samuel had ten children. Henry Cox Esq. never
married, Nancy Madison married George S. Gilbert, John Samuel II
married Clementine Augusta Meredith, Learner Blackman married
Sarah Alexander Wallace, Elizabeth Tolliver married Thomas
Melton Rooker, Thomas Fletcher married Minerva Case Bryant,
Clement Hale married Elisa California Caroline Bennit, James
Clark died as an infant, Samuel Floyd died as an infant, and
Charles Paley married Mary E. Gamble. Samuel and Elizabeth are
buried in the Louisville Cemetery, Blount County.
Ambrose Cox married Mary Ray, and they had ten children; Samuel
Thompson married Ann Maria Earnest, Ursula married John B.
Frost, Elizabeth married Clement S. Orr, Henry Madison married
Phebe Hunter, Martha Jane married Dr. Josiah T. Love, John
Benson married Ann Maria Earnest, Sarah Ann (Sally) married
James A. Mitchell, James B. married Sheila Copeland, Cirus
Saffell married Nancy Meyers, and Pleasant C. died as an
infant. Ann Maria Earnest, who was a descendant of John Sevier,
married (1) John Benson Cox and (2) Samuel Thompson Cox.
John
died and had no issue; after his death, Ann married Samuel
Thompson Cox, John’s older brother, and they had eight
children. John Benson married Lucy M. Wallace, Mary Louisa
married Jesse R. James, Thomas Ambrose married Eliza Mooney,
Emma Sarah married Edward Pines, Homer Meade died as an infant,
Eliza Gertrude married James Harden Smith, Samuel King died as
an infant, , and Earnest Sevier never married. A Deed of
Conveyance from Henry Whittenburger and John Cox to Ambrose Cox
was registered in the Blount County, TN by James Houston 16th
September 1816 in Book “D” pp 245-246. Ambrose was working on
an adjacent farm, building a barn, and a heavy timber fell on
his leg breaking it in three places. He died three months
later, 26 Aug. 1836. Ambrose and his wife Mary Ray Cox are both
buried in the Middlesettlements Cemetery, TN. There is a James
Ray buried in this same cemetery who is believed to be a Rev.
War Vet and the father of Mary Ray; he was born 1741 and died 27
Nov. 1836.
Henry and Ann Cox had a son Samuel who was born approximately
1804, and the only thing known about him was a newspaper article
found in the “Genealogical Abstracts from Tenn. Newspapers,
1821-1828”, compiled by Sherida K. Eadlemon, “Knoxville
Register”, and published by F.S. Heiskill and H. Brown. 6 Feb.
1821, Vol. 5 p 237”: “One dollar reward, runaway from
Subscriber on the 28th Jan. four bound boys, viz. Robert and
Alexander Crockett & John McGhee, apprentices to the Tanning
business, and Samuel Cox, an apprentice to the Blacksmith
business. The two Crocketts are about 18 years of age, M’Ghee
and Cox about 16 or 17. Signed Robert & W.M. Lindsay,
Knoxville, 6 February 1821.” Samuel was named in honor of
Samuel Saffell who married Elizabeth “Betsy” Cox , daughter of
Henry and Ann. He was a very prominent land owner and business
man in the Louisville area.
Henry and Ann’s last child, Nancy, was born in Blount County
circa 1805; and she was never married. She owned a blacksmith’s
shop, which was run by Joe Cox, a former slave. Amy Love said
in his “History of Louisville” that Joe got his share of the
business. Also I found in Blount County Court House, Mr. James
A. Greer, Clerk of the County of Blount, “I hereby make the
suggestion that the estate of Nancy Cox (deceased) is insolvent,
of which I am the Administrator. This 1st Sept. 1873, W.L.
Singleton, Administrator of the Estate, submitted it to the
Blount County Court.” I have no idea for whom Nancy is named,
however, she was Henry’s last child and was born afer 1804 in
Blount County, TN. I could not find a burial record for Nancy.
Her Estate was filed for probate on 4 April 1873, and the Estate
was declared insolvent.
In the Early Tennessee Tax Records, Blount County, 1801 listed
Henry Whittenbarger who owned property on Lackey Creek near
Louisville, TN. Where he sold land to the Middlesettlements
Methodist Episcopal Church and Campground to build a church.
The deed to this property was made 22 February, 1820, and the
trustees were Samuel Saffell, Charles Warren, John Norwood,
Henry Whittenbarger Jr., Ambrose Cox, Benjamin Bonham, and Henry
Whittenbarger Sr. Deed was found in the Blount County Court
records in Bk. II, p 303.
The above summary is written in an attempt to outline the
material gathered, and assumptions drawn by the authors
pertaining to this line of the Cox family. A positive
connection has been made between Henry Cox and William Coxe of
Colonial Virginia. If anyone can be of help in this endeavor or
can discredit any of the assumptions drawn, I will be glad to
receive any and all information that is available on this
family.
Compiled by:
Betty Jo Jones (dec)
Allen K. Jeffries
Revised: March 6, 2008
Email: geoffries@knology.net