COBB FAMILY Of
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, Virginia
by Richard McMurtry
November 2002

 


In the earliest days of the settlement of America, John Cobb left England, crossed the Atlantic, and settled on the north-eastern Virginia peninsula known as the "Eastern Shore".

There are references to the Cobb family in Northampton County,VA all the way from 1642 to 1830 - almost 200 years. And most of these references seem to be John's descendants.

There are also a number of loose branches in this family tree. One of John's sons seems to have left Northampton and gone to parts unknown. There are Cobbs in nearby Accomack County from 1787 to the 1860s (and possibly later) whose connection to the Northampton family has not yet been uncovered. There is a Cobb who disappears from Northampton around 1820 whose name appears in 1830 only in Maine.

To confuse things, one branch of the Northampton County family may have gone to North Carolina for a few years in the 1770s and then returned.

The biggest challenge in sorting out the family history is that the final generation of the Northampton County family may have migrated to Tennessee just before 1830, but finding proof has been impossible.

This report tells all that has been dug out of the local records in Virginia and Tennessee. Perhaps you, the reader, can help solve the remaining family history puzzles.

     First Generation

In 1642, a Mr. Cobbs arrived in Northampton County, Virginia from England. A letter from William Webb of London refers to "Mr. Cobbs intending towards your parts with Sir Edmund Plowden.. Please assist towards furnishing him in stocking his plantation.."  He is likely the John Cobb who appears in later records between 1650 to 1688.

John appears as a neighbor to John Major in 1650 and in 1661 secures a grant for 600 acres because of his role in the "transportation of 12 persons". (Most of the early grants in the Chesapeake region went to men who imported indentured servants into the colonies. Over 70% of the immigrants to the Chesapeake in this era were servants bound by some form of contract to serve from about 5 or 6 years to pay off their passage and earn a profit for all involved in the transaction - recruiting agent, merchant, ship owner, factor and planter.) This grant of John's was located in the uppermost reaches of Nassawadox Creek, extending from what is now the center of the town of Exmore to the west about one and a half miles, to the south to Nassawadox Creek and to the north to about 1/3 of a mile from the Northampton/Accomack County boundary. Nassawadox Creek flows westerly across the peninsula to Chesapeake Bay. He sold 100 acres of this land in 1687 and the remainder he distributed to his sons in his will.

John Cobb was married first to Debora whose maiden name is unknown. Their home was filled with the laughter and tears, joys and challenges of raising at least 6 and possibly 7 children: William, Samuel, Joseph, Joshua, Ingold, Alice, Debora, and Mary. (Since Joseph is not mentioned in John's will, he either died or his name is a misreading or misrecording of Joshua.) John lived to see his children grow to adulthood - some of them married and some had become grandparents. His first wife died after 1661 and he married a widow Mary Crabtree whose son John Crabtree is mentioned in his will. John died in 1688.

John's will begins with the typical preamble to wills of the era:
In the name of God Amen, I John Cobb of this County of Northampton in Virginia being sick and weak of body, but of perfect memory, I give god thanks for it. I do make this my last will and Testament in ....as follows: First, I bequeath my soul to God my maker and Jesus Christ his .. and my body to the Earth from whence it came to be buried in Christian manner according to the discretion of my executors.

He gives a token amount of cash to his son William who seems to have left the area to parts unknown. John distributes the rest by giving Samuel 200 acres, Joshua 150 acres, and Ingold 150 acres. He directs that the land for Ingold Cobb revert to his grandson John Green, if Ingold dies without children.

   Loose Ends

There is also a Henry Cobb mentioned as a neighbor to the grantee on a Northampton County grant in 1671. His connection to John is unknown, but he was born prior to 1650. He could have been a son who died early.

There is also a Richard Cobb b 1632 mentioned in a court order in 1662.

Neither Henry or Richard appear in other records I have discovered so far.

     Second Generation

The second generation of the family consisted of John and Debora's 4 sons and 3 daughters.

William Cobb was born probably around 1651-55, based on his appearance in a tax list in 1676. He received only a token amount from his father's will, suggesting that he had left the county for parts unknown.

Samuel Cobb was baptized in 1661 in Hungars Parish. He married Mary Copes, daughter of Giles Copes, prior to 1696 and appears in records between 1684 and 1714, including land sales in 1696 and 1714. He and Mary sold some of their land acres in 1696 and he alone sold the remainder of his land in 1714. Presumably Mary had died. He would have been 55 years old in 1714 and could have left the area or went to live with relatives.

Joshua Cobb was probably born around 1661-65 based on his appearance on a tax list in 1686. He may be the "Joseph Cobb" who was baptized in Hungars Parish in 1661. He married Susanna (unknown) and died a young man in 1694. By 1688, he had 2 daughters - one of whom, Susanna, was born ca 1683. His wife or daughter, Susanna Cobb, is mentioned in a will in 1709. The 150 acres he inherited from his father was "the northern strip" of the original grant. Joshua died intestate but since his land came into the possession of John Cobb (b ca 1690), it is assumed that John was his son.

Ingold Cobb was born about 1673, appears on a rent roll in Accomack County (just north of Northampton County) in 1704 and leaves a will there in 1709. He left everything to his wife Sarah, apparently having no children and left a shilling to his siblings' children and to his brother Samuel, presumably to assure that they made no claim on his estate. His land was in the possession of the Green family in later years; so it is assumed that after Ingold's death, it passed into the possession of John Green, as specified in the will of Ingold's father.

Alice married a John Green and had a son John Greene, Jr by 1688.

Debora married a Mr. Scott prior to 1688.

Mary married a Mr. Gladwin prior to 1688.

     Third Generation

John Cobb is the only member of the third generation about whom we have information.

John Cobb is assumed to be the son of Joshua Cobb because of John's coming into possession of the land which Joshua had owned.

In 1703, John asked the court to appoint a guardian until he reached the age to choose a guardian, but in 1704 he chose William Nichol as a guardian. Presumably he was 14 and therefore born ca 1690. -

John Cobb married Rachel (last name unknown) prior to 1723 - the date they sold 50 acres of their land. He appears in land records in 1723, 1728, 1749 and 1758 and in court cases in 1729, 1730, 1748, and 1752. The two earlier court cases involved an assault charge: "In the action of assault brought by John Cobb plaintiff against Isaac Murch defendant for that the said Isaac the nineteenth day of September 1729...with force and arms viz with swords staves knives and fists on him the said John an assault did make and him did beat wound and villey intreat so that his life it was despaired." The 1748 case involved John sueing Henry Scott (or Stott) complaining to the court that Henry Stott was damaging his ability to prove his debts or give evidence in a hearing by declaring, "you are a mulatto and I will prove it." Cobb argued that he could not have been a "mulatto" because he collected debts, gave evidence in controversies "between other white persons and free subjects," and possessed the good will and esteem of his neighbors. (See “A Constricted World” in Colonial Chesakpeake Society for more information.)

This case reflects the shift in colonial Virginian society that occurred between 1691 and 1723. By the late 1600s, the economy of Virginia had become less dependent on indentured white servants and more dependent on slaves. Laws passed at the turn of the century sought to restrict the freedom of free blacks and downgrade their status. Until 1691, white women and free black men could and did marry. Then, in 1691, intermarriage became a crime punishable by banishment from the colony. It also became forbidden to emancipate slaves even if their owners wished to. The legislature sought to undermine the notion that free blacks and whites could get along as free citizens and neighbors together and to undermine the notion that slavery could be undone. It was in this context that the accusation against John Cobb was a significant threat to his ability to function as a planter.

He and Rachel had sold 50 acres of their 150 acre tract in 1723. In 1758, he sold the remaining 100 acres. However, he may have continued to occupy the land because it was not until after his death, that his widow Rachel, in 1768, sold her dower interest in the 100 acres. At this point, all of the original 1642 Cobb land grant had passed into the hands of other families except the tract that John Green inherited when Ingold Cobb died.

John died in 1766. No land is bequeathed because it had all been sold. Most of his wealth consisted of 4 slaves worth 105 pounds out of the total estate value of around 150 pounds. He highly favored his youngest son Joshua bequeathing to him a Negro woman Dinah and her two daughters Rhoda and Candice (all worth a total of 80 pounds) and his new gun. To son Southey, he gave a negro man named Jack worth 25 pounds - less than a third of what he gave Joshua. He directed that the remainder of the estate be divided between Joshua and the four daughters. To Stratton's son John Cobb, he gave 10 shilllings - a token amount intended to prevent a claim against the estate. Apparently, this grandson was not much in his favor.

     Fourth Generation

The only branch of the fourth generation for which we have information is the line of John Cobb.

John lived a long life on the land we believe his grandfather had settled over 100 years before. Like his grandfather, he had a large family and lived to see some of his grandchildren.

John Cobb's children were:

1. Stratton, born ca 1715
2. Southy, born ca 1717
3. Joshua born after 1748
4. Susanna
5. Elishe
6. Sarah
7. Rachel

Stratton Cobb served in the military in 1756 and again in the Revolution. He served in the Continental Line and record of his service is reportedly in the papers of George Washington. On a Virginia Military Land Warrant,he is listed as "assignee of William and Lucy Cobb" suggesting a connection to a contemporary William Cobb.

Southey Cobb lived most of his life in Northampton County, and may have died between 1768 and 1770. There are deed records for a Southey Cobb in Pitt Co., NC in 1777 and 1779 but these may have been for a Southey Cobb that may have been his son. It is conceivable that Rachel Cobb's sale of the family homestead in 1768 was coincident with her migration with her son Southy Cobb to North Carolina where he may have died.

The 33+ year range of birth years between Stratton in 1715 and Joshua after 1748 suggests that John may have had a second family, though Rachel is given as his wife in 1723 and the 1766 will.

     Fifth Generation

There are three Cobbs in the fifth generation - John Cobb whose father was Stratton; Southey Cobb, parents unknown, but possibly Southey Cobb, Sr.; and William Cobb whose parents are also unknown.

There is a John Cobb who served in the Revolution and who was therefore born prior to 1760 and possibly much earlier. This John could have been the John Cobb, son of Stratton. There is a remote chance that this is the John Cobb who appears in the Bertie County, NC records and leaves orphans there by 1769.

A Southey Cobb married Ann Pratt in 1787. He is probably the Southey, born about 1760, who in 1770 was identified as an orphan and was bound to Thomas Rose, presumably as an apprentice. Southey appeared in tax lists between 1788 and 1838. He also took an oath of constable in 1796. Things seem to have deteriorated for him because he had several run-ins with the law - the last of which may have resulted in his leaving the county. The first, in 1802, was an action where he had to post a bond to commit to "keep the peace with Thomas Shady"; the second, in 1813, was for an assault on the body of George Mabe, the third, in 1827 was for "feloniously stealing a brass compass from the schooner Lucy Ann".

Southey Cobb is not in the 1830 census for Virginia suggesting he had died or left the state, but the tax lists show him as still in the county until 1838. No evidence of a will has been found.

   Loose Ends

There is a William Cobb who appeared on tax lists between 1782 and 1794. He appears in court records over money issues - some of which were dismissed because William died in 1795/1796. He was born prior to 1761 and possibly before that. He could be the William Cobb who reportedly had service in the Continental Line. He could be the William Cobb who received a Virginia Military Warrant and assigned it to Stratton Cobb. His identity is unknown, but possibly is another grandson of John Cobb d 1766. He could have been another son of Southey Cobb, Sr. Two years after his death, a Molly Cobb appeared on the tax lists and continued to appear until 1803. She could have been William's widow.

There is a James Cobb in the 1787 census for Accomack County. He would have been a contemporary of William and Southey and possibly another son of Southey Cobb, the elder.

     Sixth Generation

The sixth generation consists of the children of Southey Cobb and a possible cousin in Accomack County.

Southey Cobb is listed in the 1820 census as having 1 son and 1 or 2 daughters. His first wife does not appear in this sentence and presumably she had died. He may have had older children that don't appear in the census with him. His son was born 1802-1804; his daugher was born 1804-1810. The second older female was born 1794-1804 and could be an older daughter or a second wife.

A Wiliam Cobbb, son of Southey Cobb, married Betsy Peake in 1822. He was probably born after 1787 because Southey married Ann Platt in 1787. In 1827, he was accused of "receiving stolen property", but the court later that year indicated he was "not found" and issued a summons. The case was dismissed. But this action may have resulted in William leaving the county, as he does not appear in tax lists after 1827 nor in the 1830 census.

Elizabeth Cobb, daughter of Southey Cobb, married Thomas Wilson in 1824.

Loose ends

There is also a William Cobb in nearby Accomack County in 1810 and 1820 who could the William, son of Southy, or possibly son of the James Cobb who appears in the 1787 census for Accomack County. See discussion of this William in the "Documents" section of this report.)

     Whither William Cobb?

We do not have proof of where this William Cobb (or these William Cobbs) went to after they left Virginia. However, William Cobb of Northampton County who married Betsey Peake in 1822 and remained there until at least 1827 COULD BE the William Cobb who came to Blount County in 1830 and Monroe County in 1840 and COULD BE the father of William, James and Ailsey Cobb (born in VA between 1823 and 1827). More research is needed to prove or disprove this hypothesis as discussed in "Further Research" and "Notes on the Sixth Generation" below.

   Loose Ends

The William Cobb mentioned earlier as being in Accomack County in 1810 and 1820 was born close to 1790. He could have been a son of the James Cobb who appeared in the 1787 census. The Sally Cobb who appears in the 1810 census for Accomack could have been William's mother or, less likely, a sister-in-law. The census indicates he had 4 children: a son born 1804-1810, a son born 1810-1820, and two daughters born 1810-1820. There is a James Cobb born 1803 died 1859 in Accomack County that could be the son of this William. He seems to have left the county after 1820 and we have no idea of the fate of the rest of his family.

There is an Arthur Cobb who married Peggy Edmunds in 1803 and therefore was probably born in the 1780s or slightly earlier. He seems to have been highly respected in the community as he appears as a second to several marriages between 1810 and 1817. He was a land owner by purchases between 1812 and 1816. He is found in court records between 1805 and 1815. He could be a son of the William who died in 1795 since one of the court cases concerns Littleton Upshur in whose tax district William Cobb appeared in 1787. Arther Cobb does not appear in the 1810 or 1820 tax lists or census. The only Arther in the 1830 census is in Maine and too young to be this Arthur.

     Possible Seventh Generation

The records of north-central Tennessee suggest that three Cobb siblings arrived there just before 1850.

William Cobb married in Wilson Co., TN in 1847 to Martha Bartlett; an Ailsey Cobb married Patrick Burk in the same county in the same year and by the same Justice of the Peace as William. These similarities suggest they were siblings. Ailsey's parents were both born in VA, according to the 1880 census.

James F. Cobb married Nancy Jane Williams in 1848 in Smith County and moved to Putnam County by 1860 where he died without a will and without children in 1865. His estate was administered by William Cobb of DeKalb County and this William is the same William Cobb who was earlier in Wilson County. This suggests they were siblings also. William moved to Cannon County in 1860, but as early as 1856 he was buying property in DeKalb County. William is not mentioned in any records after 1865 and by 1870 his wife Martha is living in DeKalb County with his sons, but he is not in the household. He may have died (or left his family since no will or estate record has been found).

   Loose Ends

There is a James Cobb born in Accomack County in 1803 and died there in 1859. He could have been the son of William Cobb of the 1810 and 1820 census. This supports the contention that the William Cobb of Northampton and the William Cobb of Accomack are cousins, not the same person.

     Eighth and Ninth Generation

William and Martha Bartlett Cobb had four children: (1) Mary J. born 1848 who died young, (2) Robert A. b 1850, (3) Thomas b 1852, and (4) William Bartlett Cobb b 1854. In 1900, Martha, still living in DeKalb County, stated that she had only 1 child living. Robert seems to have died prior to 1870 and Thomas died sometime after that.

William Bartlett Cobb married Sarah/Sally Garner in Smith County in 1878. Their seven children were: William B., Jr. b 1880, Mary Lou b 1885, Eugene (Gene) Kunce Cobb b 1889/1891, John Bartlett b 1887, Jere Baxter b 1889, Lynn Cave b 1895, and Malley b1900.

Ailsa Cobb and Patrick Burke were in Davidson County in 1850, but by 1860 were back in Wilson County. Patrick was a painter (presumably a house painter, not an artist). They had 3 children by 1860: Alice born 1847, William born 1852, and Robert, born 1853.

By 1880, Patrick and Ailsa were in Nashville and were grandparents. Their son William E., also a painter like his dad, had married Margaret LNU and had children: James H. b 1875, Elizabeth,born 1873, and Sanders,b 1879. Their son, Robert C., working as an ice dealer, had married Annie LNU and had two sons: Harry, born 1876 and Allie, born 1879.

   Loose Ends

James Cobb of Accomack County (1803-1859) married Leah Stevens in 1843. His children included:
William born 1844
Mary, born 1846
Sarah born 1848
James born 1849
John born 1854
Samuel born 1856

So there may be descendants of John Cobb still living in the area where he settled two centuries before!

This concludes this chapter in our story of the 250 year history of the Cobb family of Northampton Co., VA. It is hoped that this report will inspire others to complete the search for more information about the early years and to write down the history of the more recent generations.

     Future Research

There are four major missing links in this lineage:
1. No evidence as to the identify of the parents of Southey Cobb (b 1760, md 1787)
2. No proof that William Cobb of Blount and Monroe Co,TN in 1830 and 1840 was the William Cobb who married Betsey Peake in Northampton Co., VA in 1822.
3. No proof the William Cobb b 1823 VA, James F. Cobb b 1826 VA and Ailsey Cobb b 1827 VA were the children of William and Betsey Peake Cobb or the William Cobb of Blount/Monroe Co.
4. No proof that Ailsey Cobb was the sister of William and James F. Cobb.
5. No evidence of the connection of the Accomack County family (1787-1830) to the Northampton County family. 6. No evidence as to the connection between the Pitt Co. and Bertie Co. NC Cobb family and the Northampton County family.

The future research to discover the hidden evidence would be:

1. Southey: When John Cobb's will was written in 1766, it appears that Stratton Cobb had died because he was not bequeathed anything, but Stratton's son John was disinherited with a 10 shilling bequest. Southey Cobb was still alive as was Joshua, but Joshua was under 18. So, it would appear that any Northampton County Cobb family members of the next generation would have to be son's of Southey. Hence, the Southey Cobb listed as an orphan in 1770 would have to be a son of Southey. Also, if there really was a Stratton Cobb who served in the Revolution, then he too must have been a son of Southey because Stratton Senior had died before 1766. The James Cobb who appears in 1787 in Accomack County would have been in this generation also and hence a son of Southey's.

There appears to be a connection with Pitt and possibly Bertie Co., NC since a Southey Cobb appears in the deed records in Pitt County in 1777 and 1779. At first it seemed that this Southey was likely to be the Southey b ca 1717, since the Southey b 1760 would be too young to have purchased land in 1777. However, the will of John Cobb suggests that Southey Cobb is alive in 1766, but if he is the father of Southey Cobb the orphan b 1760, then he died prior to 1770. In which case, the Southey Cobb of NC would have to be Southey Cobb, the younger. The film containing the record of Southey Cobb's appenticeship/orphan status in 1770 should be checked to see if the "10" years old was a misreading of "16" years old by comparing all the "0" and the "6" on nearby pages. If Southy was 16, then he would have been old enough to have owned land in Pitt County in 1777.

Checking all the records of Pitt County would be helpful.

There is a John Cobb who left orphan children in Bertie County in 1769 and 1770. It doesn't seem likely that this John Cobb is the son of Stratton, but it does sugggest that more research in the records of these North Carolina Counties would be warranted.

2. William Cobb of Blount/Monroe County. The records for these counties in the Mormon library have been checked. It remains to actually visit these court houses and local historical societies to see if there are references in local historical or family histories and in public records not copied by the Mormons OR not indexed. Since William was in these counties for over a decade or two, there should be some reference to him. A search would also be worthwhile for Jasper Gormley who married a Cobb daughter in 1841 in Monroe County. (See elsewhere for compilation of records that have been searched.)

3. William, James and Ailsey: The records for Wilson, DeKalb, Smith and Putnam Counties in the Mormon library have been checked. It remains to actually visit these court house and local historical societies to see if there are references in local historical or family histories and in public records not copied by the Mormons. (See elsewhere for compilation of records that have been searched.)

4. It might be fun to try to track down the Burke family in the 1900, 1910 and 1920 census and then locate current day descendants to see if they have any family traditions about their Virginia origins.

5. It might be fun to track down the Cobb family of Accomack County in the 1880 and later censuses. The 1880 census is free online at www.familysearch.com. The Accomack tax lists between 1782 and 1830 would be good to check also. Personal property tax lists, 1782-1814 Film # 2024439,1815-1832 Film# 2024440

Notes

Notes on the Third Generation

John's birth year of 1690 is four years before his father Joshua died and two years after his grandfather died in 1688. He didn't appear in his grandfather's will because he wasn't born yet.

Notes on the Fourth Generation

The age of Southy is inferred based on his witnessing of a deed in 1749 and being listed in a 1737 tax list.

I assume that Southey Cobb, Sr. is alive in 1768 when he is mentioned in his father's will, but deceased by 1770, when Southey Cobb is listed as an orphan. This would imply that the Southey of the 1777 and 1779 deeds in Pitt County, NC is Southey Cobb, Jr. despite the fact that Southey Cobb, Jr. would only be 17 or 18 years old in 1777. Suthy Cobb is listed as a testator on a North Carolina will ca 1781, but the reference to this does not indicate the correct county. It indicates McDowell County which was created in 1842.

The age of Stratton is inferred from his being second at a marriage in 1756 and a militia record indicating he was 41 in 1756. He is listed as Shattan Cobb deceased, assignee of Willam and Lucy Cobb in a Virginia Military Land Warrant. In one reference source, both William Cobb and Stratton Cobb are listed as serving in the Continental Line for Virginia. In another source, Stratton Cobb and John Cobb are listed as serving in the Revolution, based on the records of George Washington. One difficult fact is that the will of John Cobb mentions Southey Cobb implying that he was still alive and mentions Stratton's son John, but not Stratton himself. This suggests that John, the grandson, was alive, but that Stratton was not and that Stratton had no other male issue. If Stratton had died by 1766, then who was the Stratton of the Virginia Military Warrant and the Continental Line? If Stratton Cobb deceased was an assignee of William Cobb for a Virginia Military Warrant for Revolutionary Service, then Stratton Cobb must have been alive in 1776 and deceased sometime during or just after the Revolution. Or could the Virginia Military Warrant have been for service other than the Revolution? If Stratton served in the Continental Line is this a Stratton Cobb of the next generation? Could there be two Stratton Cobbs (one born 1717 and one born 1750s, just like there are two Southey Cobbs (one born 1716 and one born 1760)?

One synthesis of this confusing data would be: Stratton Cobb (b 1717) died after 1756 and before 1766. He had only one son John, acknowledged in the 1766 will. Southey Cobb (b 1716) may have had several children: Stratton b 1750s, Southey b 1760, and James b 1760s. This younger Stratton Cobb could have served in the Revolution, but died during or just after. Southey Cobb (b 1716) may have died after the 1766 will, but before 1770 when his son Southey was identified as an orphan. This younger Southey would therefore have to be the Southey Cobb who bought land in Pitt County, NC in 1777. (I had previously assumed that the Southey Cobb of NC had to be Southey, Sr., because Southey the younger was too young to have bought land.) Southey would have only be 17 or 18 at this point; so this doesn't match very well. One possible error is that the age of Southy Cobb in 1770 could have been 16, not 10. This record needs to be blown up and re-examined to see if the age has been read wrong in its published form. If Southey was born 1754 instead of 1760, then he would be 23, not 18, in 1777. James in this scenario is the the James who shows up in the Accomack County census in 1787.

There is too much contradictory evidence and too little total evidence to sort this out.

The age of Joshua is inferred from the will which indicated that he had not reached the age of 18 in 1766. The 33+ year range of birth years between Stratton and Joshua suggest that John may have had a second wife, though Rachel is given as his wife in 1723 and the 1766 will.

Notes on the Fifth Generation

This Southy was the age also to be a grandson of John Cobb, and presumably was the son of Southey, Sr. This is deduced based on who was named in the will and who wasn't: Southey Cobb, Sr. was mentioned in John's will, and therefore was alive and could have children not named in the will. Joshua was named in the will as too young to have children; Stratton was not named in the will, but his son was. This suggest Stratton had died, but had only one male heir, namely, his son John Cobb.

According to Pat Hoefer, "Southey and William Cobb are in the tax lists from 1824 until 1827. In 1828 only Southey Cobb is listed. His name disappears in 1839 when the name Nathan F. Cobb appears and continues until 1843." She also writes, "Southey Cobb is listed in the tithables in the 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837 and 1838 listings. Southey Cobb had nothing written by his name most of the time. Toward the end he was listed with 1 tithable and the amount of tax he paid."

This is difficult to harmonize with the conjecture that he went to Tennessee with his son William.

Notes on the Sixth Generation

There is no William Cobb in the 1830 census for either Accomack or Northampton County. We don't know whether the William Cobb of the 1820 Accomack Co. census and the William Cobb who married Betsey Peak in 1822 in Northampton County are the same individual or two different individuals; but neither are in the area in 1830. William of Northampton does not appear in the tax lists after 1827.

Where did he (or they) go?

First, let's try to establish the ages of the individuals in the families we'd be looking for in 1830.

As mentioned above, William who married Betsey Peake was probably born after 1787.

The William Cobb of Accomack Co 1810 and 1820 census was born close to 1790 and had a son born 1804-1810, a son born 1810-1820 and two daughters born 1810-20. Hence, this William was about the same age as the son of Southy. So, he could have married first just before 1810 and then married Betsey Peak in 1822. Or they could be two separate individuals of the same approximate age. I suspect this William is a son of the James Cobb who appeared in the 1787 census for Accomack County.

In any event, this William of the 1822 marriage (or these Williams) should appear in the 1830 census somewhere - one with a son 10-20 and the other with young children born after the 1822 marriage.

We have found a William Cobb in the 1830 census in Tennessee who could be the William of Northampton County.

William Cobb who appears in Blount Co, TN census in 1830 had 5 children born in the 1820s, was 40-50 years old (born 1780-1790). This William would match with a son of Southy born after Southy's marriage in 1787 and match with a marriage in 1822 around the age of 32-35. This William also had living with him an older man 80-90 years old (1750-1760) and an older woman 70-80 years old. This older couple could be his father-in-law and mother-in-law since his own father, Southey Cobb, still appears in the Northampton County tax lists until 1838.

This William appears in 1840 in Monroe County, TN, just south of Blount County. The census shows he is still living with his wife and has 7 or 8 children, but the older couple did not appear in the census and presumably had died.

Are there other William Cobb families that could be the William of the 1822 marriage?

There are 52 William Cobb listed in the Ancestry.com index to the 1830 census in all of the USA. Excluding those in the New England and Mid-Atlantic states (MA,ME,NY,PA), there are only 8 born 1780-1800:

Georgia
Hall Co. William Cobb b 1780-90)
Upson Co, William Cobb b 1790-1800

North Carolina
Lincoln Co., William Cobb, b 1780-90
Rockingham Co., William Cobb, b 1790-1800

South Carolina
Pickens Co, William Cobb, b 1780-90

Tennessee
Blount County, William Cobb, b 1780-90 and older male b 1740-50
Carrol County, William Cobb b 1790-1800
Hawkins, William Cobb, b 1790-1800

(See "documents" section below for ages of family members)

Presumably, one of these is the William Cobb who married Betsy Peak in 1822, but there is no way to tell because we don't know the ages of their children.

However, there is a group of three siblings in Tennesse who were born in Virginia in the 1820s and who therefore might be the children of this William. The three siblings are: William Cobb b 1823 VA, James F. Cobb b 1826 VA, and Ailsey Cobb b 1827 VA.

We note that only two of the Williams shown in the 1830 census in southern states had children of the ages of the above Wm.-James-Ailsey trio. William Cobb of Upson County, GA and William Cobb of Blount Co.,TN. However, the Georgia William Cobb and all his children were born in Georgia, not Virginia. So by process of elimination, the William Cobb of Blount Co., TN is the ONLY William Cobb in southern states to have a group of children of the ages of the William-James-Ailsey trio. This William appears appears in Monroe Co, TN in 1840, with five children, including three of the age of William, James and Ailsey. He doesn't appear in the 1850 census so we can't determine his other young children or his state of birth. And no record of William Cobb has been found in Blount or Monroe County other than the census records to shed light on the family.

So, all we can say is:
William Cobb of Northampton County who married Betsey Peake in 1822 and remained there until at least 1827 COULD BE the William Cobb who came to Blount County in 1830 and Monroe County in 1840 and COULD BE the father of William, James and Ailsey Cobb (born in VA between 1823 and 1827).

     Other Possibilities

There are other possibilities for the parentage of this trio. It is possible that after 1827 a Cobb family from Virginia went to KY, NC, SC or GA and their children came to TN. Excluding William Cobb familes, there are several Cobb families in the 1830 census for KY, NC, SC and Georgia who had children of the ages that could be Wm-James-Ailsey; however, all of the Kentucky families turned out to be different families and the families in the other states have not been investigated. So more research is needed to continue to narrow down the possibilites.

Possible Parents of William b 1823, James F., b 1826, Ailsey b 1827 The following 11 census entries in SC, NC, and GA are those families that have children that correspond to the ages of William, James and Ailsey and that we have not researched earlier or later records to determine if they could have come from Virginia after 1827. Kentucky census records identified several families with children of similar ages, but research showed that these were not families that were in Virginia in the 1820s.

SC:
SC: Edgefield Co. p 185: James Cobb 1221001-20121 (not in Edgefield in 1840)
SC: Greenville Co., p 289 Majr Wilson Cobb 1122201-1010001 (no 1820, no 1840)
SC: Laurens Co. p 201: John Cobb 2100001-10001 (not in Laurens in 1840)
SC: Pickens Co. p 263: Andrew Cobb 22002-10001 (only in Abbeville in 1840)
SC: Pickens Co. p 263: Roland Cobb 120001-11111 (not in 1840 census; in Maine in 1820?)

NC:
NC: Bertie Co: Elisha Cobb 1222001-210101
NC: Edgecombe Co: Frederick 285 11001-10001

GA:
(None of these appear in 1820 census except possibly John A. Cobb in Jefferson Co.)
GA: Clarke County p 326 John A. Cobb 110200100000 – 11030101000
GA: DeKalb County, p 51 Lemuel Cobb 112001000000 - 11100100000
GA: DeKalb County, p 52 Samuel Cobb 201001000000 - 10000100000
GA: Franklin County, p242 Ellison Cobb 210001000000 - 11111000000

KY:
All possibilities eliminated.

Documents

The following records are the sources for the information above.

Census Records

Virginia

Virginia Tax Payers 1782-1787: 1787, James Cobb, Accomack County; no Cobb in 1782 Northampton
1790 Virginia - Tax Lists of 1782-1785: Neither Northampton nor Accomack County tax lists were cited in this volume.
1810 Census, Accomack Co., VA, p41 William Cobb, 10010-001
1810 census, Accomack Co., VA p 41, Sally Cobb, 200000-00101
Column Headings for the 1820 census:
1=0-10;2=10-16;3=16-18;4=18-25;5=26-45;6=over 45;7=0-10;8=11-16;9=17-26;10=27-45;11=over45;11=freemen?;12=agriculturers;13=Commerce?;14=Manufacturers;8 columns of slaves=0-14; to 26; to 45 for males and then females
1820 Census, Accomack Co., VA William Cobb, 110010-201100
1820 Census, Northampton Co., Southey Cobb, 001101-01100-001
Note: Southey had no slaves. He was not listed under "agriculturers", but was listed under "commerce"(sp?). He was over 45 (i.e. born prior to 1775) and had four children - a male 16-18 (b1802-1804) and 18-25 (b 1795-1802) and a female 10-16 (b1804-1810) and a female 17-26 (b1794-1803).

Tennessee

1830 Census, Blount Co, TN,p262, William Cobb 13000010001- 1010010001
1840 Census, Monroe Co., TN,p152, William Cobb, 01130001- 0110101

William Cobb in 1830 census in southern states

Georgia: Hall Co. P 93: Cobb, William 0101001-211111 b 1780-90)
Georgia: Upson Co, p 95: Cobb, William A. 210011-130001011 1790-1800

NC: Lincoln Co., p 156: Cobb, William 0131001-0001101 1780-90
NC: Rockingham Co., p 295: Cobb, William G. 000011- 1790-1800

SC: Pickens Co, p 267: Cobb, William 0010001- (1780-90)

TN: Blount County, 262: Wm Cobb, 13000010001- 1010010001 1780-90 and 1740-50
TN: Carrol County, p 164: William 100001-10001 1790-1800
TN: Hawkins, p 18: William 0000001- 10001001 1790-1800

1850 Accomack Co., VA, p 101-102
James Cobb, 43, b Accomack Co.
Leah Cobb, 31,
Wm, 6
Mary, 4
Sarah, 2
James, 1
Jno Stephens, 16, laborer
Alice Phillips, 16
Mary Parker, 34
Thomas Parker, 8

James Cobb, m. Leah Stevens 16 Feb., 1843, per email from Jeanne G. Taylor (wdtaylor@shore.intercom.net)
James Cobb died 1859 per mortality schedule, aged 5X
Born to James and Leah Cobb after 1850 in Accomack County, per Fridley, Beth. Accomack County, Virginia, Birth Records, 1853-1865. [database on-line] Orem, UT: Ancestry, Inc., 2000
COBB JOHN JUN 1856
COBB SAMUEL 16 SEPT 1854

1850 Wilson County,TN, p 78

William Cobb, 27, b VA
Martha Cobb, 21, TN
Mary J., 2, TN
Robert A.,6/12, TN
P. Nicholi, 26

1850 Smith Co, TN census page 57 or 711

James Cobb 23 born Virginia
Jane Cobb 20 born TN

1850 Davidson County, TN, p 380/746

Patrick Burke, 23,TN
Ailsy Burke,23, TN
Alice E., 2, TN

1860 Cannon County, TN, p 100

Wm Cobb, 37, VA, miller
Martha Cobb, 30, TN
Robert, 10, TN
Thos., 8, TN
William, 6, TN

1860 TN Putnam Co., 110-46

J. F. Cobb aged 34 farmer b TN
Jane 28, b TN
Andrew Williams,25 farmer b TN
Andrew Amer?/Amonett, 18, b TN
Arrena Williams 7, b TN

1860 Wilson County, TN, (118-339), p

P.H.Burk,34, painter b TN
Ailsa,33, b VA
Alice,13, b TN
William,8 bTN
Robert,7, bTN

1870 DeKalb County, TN, p 117 (District 1 near Alexandria)
Martha Cobb, 40, Keeps house, B TN
Thomas, 18, farm hand b TN
William, 16, b TN

1880 DeKalb County, TN, p 109
Martha Cobb, aged 50, widowed, father born NC, Mother born TN

1880 Davidson County, TN, Nashville
p194a
Patrick H. BURKE Self M M W 53 TN Painter Fa: VA Mo: TN
Ailsee BURKE Wife F M W 52 VA Keeps House Fa: VA Mo: VA
p 187c
William E. BURKE Self M M W 28 TN Painter Fa: TN Mo: TN
Margaret BURKE Wife F M W 25 TN Keeps House Fa: TN Mo: TN
James H. BURKE Son M S W 5 TN Fa: TN Mo: TN
Elizabeth BURKE Dau F S W 3 TN Fa: TN Mo: TN
Sanders BURKE Son M S W 10M TN Fa: TN Mo: TN
p 186a
Robert C. BURKE Self M M W 25 TN Ice Dealer Fa: TN Mo: TN
Annie BURKE Wife F M W 22 TN Keeps House Fa: TN Mo: VA
Harry BURKE Son M S W 4 TN Fa: TN Mo: TN
Allie BURKE Son M S W 1 TN Fa: TN Mo: TN

1880 Smith County, TN, Gordonsville, p 17
Wiliam B. Cobb, Sr, House Carpenter, 27, b TN, father born VA, mother born VA
Sallie F. Cobb, 22, TN father born TN, mother born TN
William B. Cobb, Jr., 3/12, TN

1900 DeKalb County, TN
Martha Cobb, born Mar 1829, age 72, TN, 4 children, 1 living,
Note: Need to check for number of years married.)

Northampton Marriage Records

1756: Stratton Cobb is second to marriage of Arther Addison to Tabithe Joyne
1787: Marriage of Southy Cobb to Ann Pratt; William Rippin is second.
1792: Southy Cobb is second to marriage of Samuel Cullin to Polly Rippin
1803: marriage of Arther Cobb to Peggy Edmunds, Dickie Dunton second.
1810-1817: Arther Cobb second to several marriages.
1822: William H. Cobb, son of Southy Cobb marries Betsey Peake, Sally Pratt and Siller Peake testify as to age of Betsey. John Bull second.

Records of Early Northampton County

1642: A Mr. Cobbs arrives in Northampton. A letter from William Webb of London refers to "Mr. Cobbs intending towards your parts with Sir Edmund Plowden.. Please assist towards furnishing him in stocking his plantation.."

Land Records

Virginia's Eastern Shore by Ralph T. Whitelaw, 1951, p556-558's area N126:
Map is on www.esva.net/Ghotes
1661 Patent to John Cobb for 600 acres.
1687 He and wife Mary sold 100 acres in the lower part of the tract to Simon Teague.
1688 John bequeathed the 200 acre strip north of the Teague strip to Samuel Cobb, the 150 acre strip north of the Samuel Cobb strip to Ingold Cobb, and the northernmost 150 acre strip to Joshua Cobb. Joshua died intestate but was succeeded by a son John.

1723 John and Rachel Cobb sold 50 acres to William Bell.
1758 John and Rachel sold their 100 acre home place to Littleton Ward.
1768 The widow Rachel again sold her interest in the 100 acres, but to Bartholomew Pettit who assigned it to Thomas Addison who reassigned it to Littleton Ward.

Samuel Cobb and wife Mary sold the eastern 70 acres of their parcel in 1696 to John Downinge. In 1714, Samuel alone sold his balance of 130 acres to John Bowdine.

Ingold Cobb died without issue and the land went to grandson John Green as directed in John Cobb's will. The land was not mentioned in the will of John Green (wife Alice), but in 1736 George Green, eldest son and heir of John, sold the 150 acres to Thomas Bell.

Whitelaw makes reference to Nugent, 410, for the patent for the 600 acres by the elder John Cobb in 1661. "Nugent" is a reference to Nell Marion Nugent's research called "Cavaliers and Pioneers." This is the only reference that Whitelaw makes but he must have taken some info from the original and/or transcriptions of the deeds/wills/court orders from the Shore.

Whitelaw on page 558 quotes Nugent,410 as source that John and Rachel Cobb sold land in 1723. (email from Dr. Bill Burton)

Excerpts from Colonial Chesapeake Society, ed. Lois Green Carr
Most of the early grants in the Chesapeake region went to men who imported indentured servants into the colonies. Over 70% of the immigrants to the Chesapeake in this era were servants bound by some form of contract to serve from about 5 or 6 years to pay off their passage and earn a profit for all involved in the transaction - recruiting agent, merchant, ship owner, factor and planter.

Until 1691, white women and free black men could and did marry. Then, in 1691, intermarriage became a crime punishable by banishment from the colony. It also became forbidden to emancipate slaves even if their owners wished to. The legislature sought to undermine the notion that free blacks and whites could get along as free citizens and neighbors together and to undermine the notion that slavery could be undone.

FHLF#032795 Northampton County Virginia Index to Deeds Grantors A-L 1733-1917
p. 163
John and Rachel Cobb to Littleton Ward 1758 Book 19 page 401
Rachel Cobb Sr. to Bartholomew Pettit 1768 Book 20 page 408
Nathan F. Cobb to John Nelson 1839 Book 31 page 114
Same to Elkeney C. Bracket 1840 book 31 page 155
Same to henry Doans 1840 Book 31 page 156
Same to Peter S. Bowdoin 1841 Book 31 page 414
Same to Esther Fletcher 1843 Book3 2 page 79

FHLF3032796 Northampton County Virginia Index to Deeds Grantee A-L 1733-1917
p. 131
Arthur Cobb from William Bell 1810 Book 25 page 342
same from Seth Harrison 1812 Book 25 page 561
same from Teagle Robert 1816 Book 26 page 250
Nathan F. Cobb from William Fitchett 1839 Book 31 page 66
Nathan F. Cobb Jr from Elkanah C. Bracket 1849 Book 33 page 439
Same from Joseph K. Weisiger 1852 Book 34 page 239

Probate Records

Accomack County Probate Records
Will Book part 2, p376, Film # 599212
I Ingowld Cobs of the County of Accomack..give unto my brothers and sisters children..one shilling ..also my brother Samuel Cob one shilling. It is my will and desire that my loving wife Sarah Cobb should be my whole execreticks and to have the disposall of my good and chattles..10 December 1708. Witnesses: Thomas Jenkinson, William Flear, Simon Smith. Recorded 19 April 1709.

FHL975.515 P28m Abstracts of the Wills and Administrations of Northampton County Virginia 1632-1802 compiled by James Handley Marshall
p. 67
A true account of such persons as have been born, baptized, married and buried in Hungars Parish from ye 25th of March ano 1661 unto ye 25th of March ano 1662 page 113 [134]
Samuel and Joseph sons of John and Debora Cobb - May 12
p. 135
XV Number 12 1683-1689, p 391
Will of John Cobb 23 June 1688 proved 28 September 1688...In the name of God Amen, I John Cobb of this County of Northampton in Virginia being sick and weak of body, but of perfect memory, I give god thanks for it. I do make this my last will and Testament in ....as follows: First, I bequeath my soul to God my maker and Jesus Christ his .. and my body to the Earth from whence it came to be buried in Christian manner according to the discretion of my executors. Secondly, I give unto my son William Cobb Telve ? pounds, Thirdly, I give unto my son Samuel Cobb two hundred acres of land to be laid out where my new dwelling house and orchard standeth? to him and his heirs for ever only my wife Mary Cobb to have the? dwelling house and Thirds? of orchard and Land for her life and after my d..(decease?) if him please to take her son John Crabtree to live with her ?? Fourthly, I give unto my son Joshua Cobb one hudnred and fifty acres of land where he now liveth?Joyning on the lands of Mr Jackson to him and his heirs for ever. Fifthy, I give unto my son Ingould Cobb one hundred and fifty acres of land Joyning on Simon Poagus, Thomas Maddox, John Co(sp?)to him and his heirs for ever. Sixthly, I give unto my Wife Mary Cobb two cows and calfs, one (six?) Namd kibbles, the other named Stays ?? and two year old Horse with a white faw Named Protty, and two sows and two barrens and a fith share of all the Rusl of Shotsu Hoggs and Piggs and all the Hornfelt (Corn?) and flax that is growing and what is in the house spained and Spurmis and us Gsd and furniture where we now live, I give to her for her lifetime and not to abut et, Seventhly I give unto Joshua Cobb's two daughters, two two year old Heifers ?. Eightly, I give unto Mary Green the daughter of John Green, one Cow calf. Ninthly, After my final? and all charges is paid and all my debts are paid, order all the rest of my estate to be divided equally between my son Ingold Cobb who I make my Exectuor and my daugher Alice Greene, and my daughter Debra Scott and my daugther Mary Gladwin and my son Samuel cobb and witness my hand this 23rd day of June 1688.

After the signing and sealing of this my within written will, I have ordered it further that if my son INgold Cobb should dye without issue lawfully begotten of his body that the hundred and fifty acres of Land that I give to him, I give to John Green, Junr, my grandson, to him and his heirs for ever. Further, I do give my Horse/House mill to my son Samuel Cobb wholly to himself and only he shall grind his mother-in-law's ground as long as he shall live that is his mother-in-law Mary Cobb. Further I do acknowledge to have sold to Edmond Joyne .. warranty and hand .. full satisfaction for three hundred acres of land which land was formarly given by Mr. Stephen Charleston to Richard Stevens and by the sd Stevens sold to me the said JOhn Cobb as witness my hand and seal the 3rd day of July 1688.

Ingould executor ...witnesses Capt Arthur Robins, Edmond(X) Joynes, Giles Copes and John Henderson...codicil 3 July 1688 p. 150
Joshua Cobb 28 February 1694...administratrix Susanna Cobb widow...securities Thomas Johnson, John Barker...appraisers Thomas Bell, Thomas Parramore, George Dewey and Edmund Joyne page 303 Book XVII Book 13 1689-1698
p. 156
Will of Giles Copes...to my daughter Mary Cobb wife of Samuel Cobb...dated 23 July 1696 page 412
p. 180 Appraiser to estate of Scarbrugh Robins 28 May 1709...lists Samuel Cobb.
p. 192 Will of John Scott dated 17 January 1708...to Susannah Cobb
p. 325 Will of Edmund Pitts dated 20 December 1748...whereon I now live bounded by John Cobb and Michael Ward,...witnesses Benjamin Dingly Gray, Southy (X) Cobb, Sarah (X) Cobb...Book XXVII Number 19 1740-1750 page 409
p. 329 Will of George Green dated 18 November 1750...legatees Rachel Cobb
p. 400 Will of Francis Roberts Jr dated 14 January 1763...to my loving wife my boy Kendall Cobb until 21 (she to pay his freedom dues)...
p. 412 Book XXXII Number 24 1766-1772 page 42 John Cobb - 20 August 1766 proved 12 November 1766...youngest son Joshua...son Southy...grandson John Cobb son of Stratton Cobb...wife Rachel...four daughters, Susanna, Elishe, Sarah and Rachel Cobb...Major Joyne to care for my son Joshua until 18...wife and Major Joyce executors...witnesses Peggy (X) Benthall, Major (X) Joyne, Bartholomew Pettitt.
p. 450 witness to will of Rachel Darby dated 19 November 1776...Sarah Cobb page 88 p. 511 Orders XXXVIII Number 32 1789-1795
William Cobb dated 14 September 1795 administrator William Smith...appraisers William Christian, Richard Bull, Israel Bradford and Laban Beloat page 497

North Carolina Testator Index
Cobb, Suthy, County Code 064, c 1781, WillBook 1, page 77. (County Code 064 is McDowell County created in 1842; so this seems to be an erroneous reference.)

FHLF#032793 Northampton County Virginia General Index to Wills 1632-1733
John Cobb 1688 Volume XV page 391
#2 1733-1950
p. 75 John Cobb 12 November 1766 Volume 24 page 42
Nathan F. Cobb 13 June 1881 Volume 39 page 221

     Colonial Residents of Virginia's Eastern Shore, 1985

Cobb, Ingold, son of John, age 15 on 4 October 1688,from Northampton Orders and Wills, 1683-1689,p 387
"Third day, Ingould Cobb brings nominated Executors in the last will and Testmt of his father John Cobb, decd and but fifteen years of age, this fourth of October next and therefore a minor and incapable of ..therein who ..accordingly made choice of Capt Arthur Robins.. as his Guardian"
Also, a reference on page 388 to "Petition of Mary Cobb, widow, Capt Arthur Robins, Giles Copes, Ed.. Joynes, and John Henderson are requested and appointed by the court to make division of the estate of John Cobb decd according to his last will and testament..." Cobb, Richd, age 30, Jan 1662/3, Northampton Orders, 1657-64,f154
Cobb, Southy, aged 10, in June 1770, Northampton Minute Books, vol 27, p 370
At a court held for NOrthampton County by adjournmt on Wednesday the 9th day of May 1770: Pitt Godwin vs I. Taylor Joyne Wm Hyslop Spl bail and impart:..ordered that Souty Cobb orphan aged 10 years next June be bound to Thomas Rose according to Law."
It looks to me like the age is 16, not 10.
Cobb, Susanna daughter of Josuha, aged 14, Nov 1697, Northampton Orders and Wills, p 452

     Land Grants

1650, grant to John Major, refers to neighbor John Cobb, at Great Naswattocks Creek
1661,To John Cobb, 600 acres, Northampton County, 8 Jun 1661, P 479, Bounded on East by Land of Elizabeth Charlton, on West by land of Occahannock and Nuswattocks Creek, Northerly by land of William Taylor and Southerly by a right line runing from the Otterdams to the seaboard side, the said land being (due) unto the said John Cobb by and for the Transportation of twelve persons .. 8 June 1661.
1671, Henry Cobb referred to as a neighbor in a grant.
1728, To William Jacob, William Major, George Turner, Margaret Bagwell, adjacent to Nathaniel Bell, 754 acres, on main branch of Neswaddux Creek, called Otterdam Branch, on lines of Thomas Addison and John Cobb, surplus granted to Thomas Leatherbury and Alexander Maddux, 1661

     Military Records

List of Colonial Soldiers of Virginia, H.J. Eckenrode, 1980
Cobb, John, Washington Manuscripts, 112, 116
Cobb, Stratton, Washington Manuscripts, 1477

Revolutionary War Records of Virginia, Brumbaugh, 1967
Virginia Military Land Warrants: (Ohio)
5244, Sam'l Cobb, dec'd, Lt, 6 years plus 2 months
5285, Shatton Cobb, dec'd, assignee of William and Lucy Cobb

Bounty Land Warrants
William Cobbs
William Cobb

Virginia's Colonial Soldiers, Loyd Dewitt Bockstrick, 1988
p 60, List of Men out of Northampton Enlisted 24 May 1756 (enlisted by John Kendall)
Stratton Cobb, age 41, b. Virginia, brown complexion, barber, 5'5-1/2"
Note: a similar volume lists occupation as "planter", not "barber".

Virginians in the Revolution
Stratton Cobb, 9CL (Continental Line)
William Cobb, 4CL nbii (or nbll)

     Tax Records

Accomack Rent Roll, 1704, Ingold Cobb, 150 acres

ACCOMACK COUNTY VIRGINIA

COURT RECORDS

FHLF#030013 Accomack County Virginia Complete Record District Court for Accomack and Northampton Counties 1789-1791
nil for Cobbs

FHLF#030014 Accomack County Virginia Complete Record District Court 1791-94
nil for Cobbs

FHLF#030015 Accomack County Virginia Complete Record District court for Accomack and Northampton Counties 1794-1797
nil for Cobbs
#2 1798-1809 and 1804
nil for Cobbs

FHLF#030016 Accomack County Virginia Land Causes Complete Record District Court 1806-27
nil for Cobbs

FHLF#030020 Accomack County Virginia Order Book District Court for Accomack and Northampton Counties 1789-1797
nil for Cobbs
#2 1805-1816
nil for Cobbs

FHLF#030116 Accomack County Virginia District Court Order Book 1797-1805
nil for Cobbs

FHLF#030132 #1 Northampton County Virginia Complete Records 1827-1830
no index
#2 1827-1830
no index
part index means some of the records are indexed, others aren't

PROBATE RECORDS

FHLF#030001 Accomack County Virginia Wills Etc. 1692-1715
p. 480 Ingould Cobb of Accomack County Virginia...brothers and sisters children...my brother Sammwell or Lammwell Cob...wife Sarah Cobb...executor...dated 10 December 1808...signed I C Ingold Cobb...witnesses Thomas Jenkinson, William Hear or Haar or Heear and Simon Smith...proved 6 April 1709...recorded 19 April 1709.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY VIRGINIA

CHURCH RECORDS

FHL975.515 K2m Vestry Book of Hungar's parish Northampton County Virginia 1757-1875 transcribed by Dr. Howard Mackey and Candy McMaham Perry
nil for Cobbs

COURT RECORDS

FHLF#032748 #3 Northampton County Virginia Minute Book 1765-71
p. 370 copied

FHLF#032749 #1 Northampton County Virginia Order Book 1657-64
p. 154 Judgement difference and spending both ___ ___ Robert Pitt ye assignee of said Samuell Boyd against Mr. Devon Bro____ attorney of Mr. Thomas Webb, ____________ servant _____ John Dishton _____ by the said Pitt on Court ye _____ Js ________ _______ to ye Court by the deposion of Richard Cobb boat and servant of ye said shipp that ye said servant was shipped on board ye said shipp by ___ Robert Pitts order and for his ____: but his passage all said goes to be paid by Mr. Thomas Webb, Jt's _____ _____ ordered that Mr. Robert Pitt pay to Mr. De____ Brown attorney of ye said Webb for ye passage of the said servant and that Mr. Brown for that _____ the said servant to Mr. Pitt on his order and pay Court charges ____ ex____.
#2 Order Book Wills and C Number 10 1674-79
nil for Cobb
#3 Order Book Number 11 1678-83
nil for Cobb
#4 Number 12 1683-89
copied pages 387, 388, 391-2

FHLF#032750 Northampton County Virginia Orders, Wills and C Number 14 1698-1710
p. 165 Jo[h]n Cobb orphan made application to this Court ye he is not capasiated to choose a guardian prays ye Court would take care of him and his estate unbill [sic] at age to choose a guardian ye Court taking same into consideration In doth request and impower one William Nichokon to take care of ye said orphan and estate until at age to choose a guardian and then ___ ___ ___an age Court thereof. dated 28 of 7: [month] 1703.
p. 212 This day John Cobb made choyes of Mr. William Nichol senior ___ _______ of is impowered of by this court and alsso ordered ye said Nichol senior be invested of and whole estate belonging to ye said A C__hanl and do all ye next court hold en for the county give an accounting of ye same and be answerable for every part and ____ to ye said Cobb at ye ____ when he shall be _____ of ye said guardian. dated 28 November 1704
#2 Number 15 1710-16
nil for Cobb
#3 Number 16 1716-1718
nil for Cobb
#4 Number 17 1719-22
nil for Cobbs
#5 Number 18 1722-29
no index

FHLF#032751 Northampton County Virginia Order Book Number 19 1729-1732
p. 8 In the action of assault brought by John Cobb plaintiff against Isaac Murch defendant for that the said Isaac the nineteenth day of September 1729...with force and arms viz with swords staves knives and fists on him the said John an assault did make and him did beat wound and villey intreat so that his life it was despaired ...to the great damage of the said John and against the peace...the defendant appearing by his attorney pleadded not guilty...a jury was impanneled and sworn to try the matter...find for the plaintiff seventeen shillings and six pence...and costs dated 12 February 1729.
p. 9 In the action upon the case brought by Samuel Cobb plaintiff against Poles executors on the defendants motion an impartance is granted til next court. dated 12 February 1729.
p. 13 In the action upon the case brought by Samuel Cobb against John Robins and Thomas Cable executors of Godfrey Bole or Pole deceased the defendants confess judgement...bond...sattisfied for two pounds seventeen shillings and four pence...plaintiff to recover of...defendants...out of the estate of the aforesaid Godfrey deceased the...sun=m of two pounds seventeen shillings and four pence and costs...dated 11 March 1729.
p. 23 In the action upon the case brought by John Cobb plaintiff against Andrew Turner defendant neither party appearing the same is dismissed. dated 12 May 1730.
p. 32 In the action of trespass and assault brought by John Cobb against Daniel Eshon for fifty pounds...defendant...no appearing...judgement is granted him against John Potter gentleman sheriff of the county... dated 14 July 1730.
p. 36 In the action upon the case for trespass and assault brought by John Cobb plaintiff against Daniel Eshon defendant for fifty pounds....Daniel the twenty seventh day of June 1730...with force and arms viz and swords fists and staves an assault upon...John he did make and him did beat wound...so that...his life it was despaired and other harms to him...did do to the great damage of the said John and against the peace etc. judgement being last court granted against John Potter gentle sheriff of this county unless the defendant should appear at this court and answer the aforesaid action...if he does not appear...plaintiff recover of the aforesaid John Potter fifty pounds and his costs. dated 11 August 1730.
p. 43 In the action of trespass and assault brought by John Cobb plaintiff against Daniel Eshon defendant the same being agreed is dismissed. dated 8 September 1730
p. 111 In the action of assault and battery between John Cobb Plaintiff versus William Punn [sic] defendant the plaintiff and defendant being called and neither party appearing the same is dismissed. dated 14 September 1731
#2 Number 20 1732-42
nil for Cobbs
[one column of surnames is cut off so it was impossible to read them]

FHLF#032752 Northampton County Virginia Order Book Number 21 1742-48
nil for Cobbs

FHLF#032753 Northampton County Virginia Order Book Number 22 1748-51
p. 24 dated 11 October 1748. John Cobb plaintiff against Henry Stott defendant...plaintiff by William Young his attorney and the sheriff...the defendant is not found within his bailiwick...the King's writ of alias capias is awarded him against the defendant.
p. 37 dated 16 January 174_. John Cobb plaintiff against Henry Scott defendant. Discontinued being agreed by the parties.
p. 387 dated 15 May 1751. John Cobb plaintiff against Benjamin Darby and Rachel his wife defendants. Plaintiff by George Holden his attorney and...defendant by Mitchel Scarburgh their attorney...defendant... has leave to imparl til the next court and then plead.
p. 407 dated 12 June 1751. John Cobb plaintiff against Benjamin Darby and Rachel his wife defendants... came the parties by their attornies...defendants sayeth nothing...of the plaintiff's action...court...entered for the plaintiff against the defendant what damages the plaintiff hath sustained by occasion of the trespass.
p. 420 dated 14 August 1751. John Cobb plaintiff against Benjamin Darby and Rachel his wife defendant...came the parties by their attornies...Rachel is not guilty in manner and form as the plaintiff against them hath complained...the plaintiff agrees that the defendants may give the special matter in evidence at the tryal [sic] which is referred til the next court.
#2 Number 23 1751-53
p. 4 dated 11 September 1751. John Cobb plaintiff against Benjamin Darby and Rachel his wife defendants...continued at the motion and costs of the plaintiff till the next court.
p. 18 dated . John Cobb plaintiff against Benjamin Darby and Rachel his wife defendants...came the parties by their attornies...came also a jury...being elected tryed and sworn the truth to speak upon the issue...went out of court to consult of their verdict and returning...the plaintiff was...called but came not...the defendants go hence without day and recover against the said plaintiff five shillings damages according to law.
p. 101 dated 15 April 1752. John Cobb plaintiff against Benjamin Darby and Rachel his wife defendants. came the plaintiff by George Holden his attorney and the defendants by Mitchel Scarburgh their attorney and the said defendants pray...to impart til the next court and then to plead.
p. 121 dated 10 June 1752. John Cobb plaintiff against Benjamin Darby and Rachel his wife defendants. came the parties by their attornies and the defendant sayeth nothing in bar...whereby the plaintiff is against them remaineth altogether undefended...it is considered by the court. judgement shall be entered for the plaintiff against the defendant for what damages the plaintiff hath sustained by occasion of the trespass.
p. 147 dated 16 July 1752. John Cobb plaintiff against Benjamin Darby and Rachel his wife defendants...Jonah Jackson a witness for the plaintiff made oath that he was going to sea and therefore could not attend at the tryal of the cause...a commission to examine and take a deposition...give... defendants reasonable notice...of executing such commission.
p. 157 dated 11 August 1752. John Cobb plaintiff against Benjamin Darby and Rachel his wife defendant...defendants say that they are not guilty...defendants may give the special matter in evidence at the tryal which is referred to next court.
p. 177 dated 19 September 1752. John Cobb plaintiff against Benjamin Darby and Rachel his wife defendants...continued...til next court.
p. 205 dated 15 December 1752. In the action of trespass brought by John Cobb plaintiff against Benjamin Darby and Rachel his wife defendants...came the parties by their attornies...cause is continued ...tried at the next court.

FHLF#032754 Northampton County Virginia Order Book Number 24 1753-58
no index

FHLF#032755 Northampton County Virginia Order Book Number 30 1883-87
p. 52 dated 13 November 1783. William Cobb versus Charles Carpenter Esquire of Adicl [sic] Milby Deceased In case discontinued by the plaintiff.
#2 Number 31 1781-89
nil for Cobbs

FHLF#032756 Northampton County Virginia Order Book Number 32 1789-95
p. 5 dated 10 September 1789. William Cobb plaintiff against Jacob Fathery defendant, on petition dismissed for reasons appearing to the court.
p. 156 dated 12 August 1791. John Upshur senior plaintiff against William Cobb defendant, In Case. Dismissed.
p. 313 dated 19 August 1793. Laban Johnson plaintiff against William Cobb defendant. came the parties by their attorneys...also came a jury...who being chosen tried and sworn the truth to speak...say upon their oaths that the defendant did assume upon himself in manner and form as the plaintiff against him hath complained within five years next before the exhibition f the plaintiff's bill and they do assess the damages of the plaintiff by occasion of the defendant's breach of that assumption to forty six pounds twelve shillings an five pence half penny...plaintiff to recover against the defendant his damages...and also his costs.
p. 358 dated 12 June 1794. William Satchell administrator of Jonathan Mathews deceased plaintiff against William Cobb defendant...discontinued it having abated by the plaintiff's death.
p. 425 dated 11 March 1795. George Ross, Samuel Galt and John S. Kerr plaintiffs against William Cobb defendant. In debt. discontinued it having abated by the death of the Defendant.
p. 497 dated 11 September 1795. On the motion of William Smith...having given bond with security...taken oath of administrator...is granted...letters of administration on the estate of William Cobb deceased.

FHLF#032757 Northampton County Virginia Order Book Number 33 1796-1800
p. 29 dated 12 April 1796. Southy Webb took the oath of a constable for the upper part of this county.
Ordered that Pirchards Dunton junior, Thomas Parramore junior and Richard Ball or any two of them do audit and settle the estate of William Cobb deceased and make report to me at the next court.
p. 40 dated 9 May 1796. An inventory and appraisement account of sales and audit and settlement of the estate of William Cobb deceased was returned by William Smith his administrator and ordered to be recorded.
#2 Number 34 1801-07
p. 83 dated 12 January 1802. Southy Cobb and Isaac Nottingham...acknowledged themselves indebted to...James Monroe Esquire Governour of the commonwealth of Virginia...Southy Cobb in he sum of 30 pounds...Isaac in the sum of 15 pounds...levied on their lands and tenaments, goods and chattels...condition of this recognizance is such that...Southy Cobb shall keep the peace and be of good behavior...more particularly with Thomas Shady for the space of six months than this recognizance to be void.
p. 341 dated 13 May 1805. Court appoint Arthur Cobb to be overseer of the road in the place of Thomas Jacob Jr in the 29th precinct.

FHLF#032758 Northampton County Virginia Order Book Number 37 1822-26
nil for Cobbs
#2 Number 38 1826-31
p. 92 dated 11 June 1827. The Grand Jury returned into court and made the following: present William Cobb of Northampton County labourer for receiving stolen property knowing the same to be stolen... ham and bacon the goods of William S. Floyd on the 18 May 1827...by information of Henry B. Kindall.
p. 93 ...Also Southy Cobb for feloniously stealing...a brass compass from off the schooner Lucy Ann, the property of William W. Redley...on or about the 10 March 182_, by information of John D. Turpin and William W. Redley.
p. 126 dated 11 September 1827. Commonwealth versus William Cobb. On a rule to shew cause. the summons to shew and in this cause being returned "not found" on motion of the commonwealth attorney an alias summons is awarded him returnable here to.
p. 147 dated 12 November 1827. Commonwealth plaintiff versus William Cobb defendant. The attorney prosecuting for the commonwealth, by consent...will not further prosecute...against William Cobb...be dismissed.

FHLF#032759 Northampton County Virginia Order Book Number 35 1808-16
p. 235 dated 14 October 1811. Nathaniel Holland and Charles West to whom we referred such orphan account...made report that the account of John Johnson against Richard Smith, Arthur Cobb ag[ainst]: Peggy Scott...[more listed] received by the court and ordered to be recorded.
p. 304 dated 9 November 1812. Arthur Cobb assignee against Littleton Upshurs administrator...judgement set aside...
p. 346 dated 17 June 1813. Arthur Cobb assignee plaintiff against Littleton Upshur's administrator defendant...by the consent of the parties...continued.
p. 356 dated 13 September 1813....jury...returned into court with a bill of indictment against Noah Fasier for petit larceny and a presentment against Southey Cobb for an assault on the body of George Mabe on the 19 June 1813 on the testimony of George Mabe, William Michael and Elijah Brittenham...
p. 361 dated 14 September 1813...Arthur Cobb plaintiff against William Dunton defendant...discontinued it being agreed between the parties.
p. 365 dated 15 September 1813. Arthur Cobb plaintiff against Littleton Upshur's administrator defendant ...cause is discontinued it being agreed by the parties. p. 475 dated 11 April 1815. The court do approve of Elias Dunton as security to Arthur Cobb under the execution law ads. Thomas Lytt Savage's Exr.
p. 505 dated 11 September 1815. The court do approve of Thomas Smith and Elias Dunton as securities to Arthur Cobb under the execution law ads. John Custis and Hezekiah Pitts.

FHLF#032784 #2 Northampton County Virginia Superior Court Complete Record 1819-1823
nil for Cobb
#3 Will Book Number 33-A 1811-1830
nil for Cobb

FHLF#032797 #1 Northampton County Virginia Complete Records 1819-1828
no index, but only 14 pages; saw no Cobb or Cobbs listed
LAND RECORDS
FHLF#032782 #1 Northampton County Virginia Land Causes 1754-71
nil for Cobb

FHLF#032794 Northampton County Virginia Index to Deeds Grantor A-Z 1632-1732
p. 8 John Cobb to Simon Teague 1687 Book XIV page 157
same to Edmund Joynes 1689 Book XIV page 182
Samuel Cobb to John Downinge 1696 Book XVI page 111
same to John Bowdine 1714 Book I-R page 77
John Cobb to William Bell 1723 Book II-R page 185
#2 Grantee
nil for Cobb

PROBATE RECORDS

FHLF#032749 Northampton County Wills and C. Number 23 1763-65
nil for Cobb
#2 Number 24 1766-72
p. 42 John Cobb of Northampton County Virginia...to my youngest son Joshua Cobb myu Negro woman Dinah, her children Rhoda Candice and their increase...son Southy Cobb one negro man called Jack as his full share...grandson John Cobb son of Stratton Cobb one shilling...wife Rachel Cobb and my four daughters Susanna, Elishe, Sarah and Rachel Cobb and my son Joshua Cobb to share in the remainder equally divided...if Rachel Cobb should marry, that my trusty friend Major Joyne shall take care and possession of my son Joshua his negroes and other esate until Joshua arrives at the age of eighteen..Rachel Cobb and Major Joyne executors... dated 20 August 1766...signed John (I) Cobb...witnesses Peggy (X) Benthall, Major (I) Joyne and Bartholomew Pettitt...proved 12 November 1766...inventory follows.

Inventory of 13 Jan 1767
Dinah 50 pounds
Rhoda 20 pounds
Candice 10 pounds
Jack 25 pounds
18 barrels of corn 9 pounds
bay horse 5 pounds
white horse 4 pounds
two cows and a calf 3 pounds 5 shillings
50 or so other items

p. 150 Account of sales of the estate of Joshua Cobb orphan of John Cobb...dated 9 January 1767...
exhibited by Major Joyne his guardian.

TAX RECORDS

FHL975.515 R4L An Original List of Taxable Property Within the County of Northampton Virginia For 1796 transcribed by Frances Bibbins Latimer
p. 5 Southey Cob

FHL975.515 R4b Volume 2 Northampton County Virginia Tithables, 1662-1677 by John Bell
p. 3 1662 John Cobb 2
1663 nil
1664 nil
1665 nil
1666 nil
1667 nil
1668 nil
1671 nil
1674 nil
1675 nil
1676 nil
1677 nil

FHLF#032736 Northampton County Virginia Tithables 1662-1664 and 1675-1677
1662 John Cobb 02
1663 nil for Cobb
1664 nil for Cobb
1675 nil for Cobb
1676 nil for Cobb
1677 nil for Cobb
Above per researcher; below per GHOTES web site
Tax List 1663, tithes,Jno. Cobb, 1
Tax List 1667, Jno. Cobb, 1
Tax List 1674, Jno. Cobb, 1
Tax List 1676, Wm. Cobb, 2
Tax List 1681, Jno Cobb, 2
Tax List 1682, Jno Cobb, 2
Tax List 1684, Samuel Cobb, 1
Tax List 1685, Samuel Cobb, 1
Tax List 1686, John Cobb, 1
Tax List 1686, Joshua Cobb, 1
Tax List 1686, Samuel Cobb,1
Tax List 1687, Joseph Cobb, 1
Tax List 1687, Samuel Cobb, 1
1688-1695 nil for Cobb

FHLF#032736 Northampton County Virginia Tithables 1662-1664 and 1675-1677
1662 John Cobb 02
1663 nil for Cobb
1664 nil for Cobb
1675 nil for Cobb
1676 nil for Cobb
1677 nil for Cobb

FHL975.515 R4b Volume 1 Northampton County Virginia Tithables, 1720-1769 by John Bell
p. 11 List of tithables taken by Henry Blair 10th June 1720, John Cob 1 tithe
p. 22 taken by Luke Johnson 1721, John Cobb 1 tithe
1722 nil
p. 45 taken by Luke Johnson 1723, John Cobb 1 tithe
p. 49 the list below is the only survivor of the census of tobacco plants of 1723. columns for the numbers of tithables and minors are unreadable.
family #44 name of taxpayers __?__ Cobb plants 8047
p. 63 taken by Luke Johnson 1724, John Cob 1 tithe
p. 96 an account of tobacco plants in our precint [sic] for the year 1725. At the bottom of page 3 it is signed Thomas Marshall and William Stakes. John Cobb 1 tithe
p. 113 take by Luke Johnson in the upper presinct [sic] 1726, John Cobb (mul) 1 tithe
p. 126 taken by Luke Johnson 1727, John Cobb
p. 142 taken by Thomas Marshall 1728, employed in crop John Cobb, persons above 12 under 16 Stratton Cobb
p. 154 tobacco list by Daniel Luke and Jonathan Bell returned 3 August 1728, John Cobs
p. 175 List of John Potters 1729. Number of squirrel's heads omitted. John Cob
p. 182 List of tobacco plants by Joseph Tollman and Bennet Scarburgh 1729. Plants omitted. John Cob
1732 is missing.
p. 245 List of John Roberts constable. 1734. Masters only. John Cob 2 tithes.
p. 263 11th June 1737 per Joacim Michael. Squirrel heads omitted. John Cobb and Southy Cobb.
p. 271 Peter Bowdoin's List 10 June 1738. Southy Cobb [listed as other tithable-not a master]
p. 274 Joachim Michael's list 10 June 1738. John Cobb, Stratton Cobb [listed as masters]
p. 289 Joachim Michael 10 June 1739. Stratton Cobb as master and John Cobb as mast with Southey Cobb as other tithable.
p. 299 John Robart's presinct [sic] 1739. Masters only. Stratton Cob and John Cob.
p. 312 Thomas Marshall 1740. John Cobb master and Stratton Cobb master.
p. 314 Southey Cobb as other tithable.
p. 326 Thomas Marshall 1741. John Cobb master, Southey Cobb other tithable, Stratton Cobb master
p. 336 John Marshal 1741. John Cobb and Stratton Cob masters
p. 347 Thomas Marshall 1743. John Cobb master, Stratton Cobb and Southey Cobb other tithables
p. 364 Thomas Marshall 1744. Southey Cobb other tithable
p. 365 John Cobb and Stratton Cobb masters.

FHLF#1870180 Northampton County Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists 1782-1823
1793 April Southey Cob; nothing listed
1782 nil for Cobb
p. 2 An __ act Account of the manner the publick Taxes of Northampton County is paid in and for the year 1782
William Cobb, 1 Tythe 1 slave 3 horses and 6 Cattle; 1.7.6; paid in tob[acc]o; 110.0.0
1783
p. 8 William Cobb 1 free male 21 years; 2 horses; 7 cattle; amount 0.15.9
1784 nil for Cobb
1785 nil for Cobb
1786 nil for Cobb
1787 A List of Taxable Property within the district of Littleton Upshur commissioner in the County of Northampton for the year 1787.
p. 2 June 23 William Cobb 1 white male above 16 and under 21; 2 horses and mares; 4 cattle
1788
p. 3 April 9 William Cobb 1 white male above 16 and under 21; 1 slave above 16; 2 horses and mares
List of Taxable Property within the District of Nath[anie]l Gothigon commissioner in he Countie of Northampton for the year 1788
Southey Cobb; nothing listed
1789 Upshur district
p. 3 William Cobb 19 March 1 slave above 16; 1 slave above 12; 3 horses and mares
1790 Upshur district
p. 3 William Cobb 1 May 2 slaves above 16; 2 horses and mares
1791 Upshur District
30 April William Cobb 2 males above 16, 4 horses
1791 Nathaniel Gothigon District
nil for Cobb
1792 Upshur Distric
t 12 May William Cobb 3 males above 16, 3 horses
1792 Gothigon District
nil for Cobb
1793 William Snead Commissioner
20 April William Cob 2 slaves above 16, 1 slave above 12, 3 horses or mares etc
1793 Matthew Guy Commissioner
nil for Cobb
1794 Guy Commissioner
March Southey Cob nothing listed
1794 Snead Commissioner
22 April William Cob 1 white male 16 and under 21, 3 slaves above 16, 3 horses and mares etc
1795
Southy Cobb nothing listed
1796
Southey Cob nothing listed
1797
Southey Cob nothing listed
Molly Cob 1 white tythes, 3 horses and mares [not on same page]
1798
Southey Cob nothing listed
Molly Cob 1 white tythe, 2 horses and mares [not on same page]
1799 Golding Ward District
16 August Southey Cobb nothing listed
9 July Molly Cobb 1 white tithes, 2 slaves above 16, 2 horses and mares
1800 Golding Ward District
17 Mary Southy Cobb nothing listed
12 August Molly Cobb 1 white tithe, 1 slave above 16, 2 horses and mares
1801 Golding Ward District
9 May Southy Cobb nothing listed
8 August Molly Cobb 1 white tithe, 1 slave above 16, 2 horses and mares
1802 Golding Ward District
13 July Southy Cobb nothing listed
9 August Molly Cobb 1 white tithe, 3 slaves above 16, 2 horses and mares
1803 Golding Ward District
12 August Southy Cobb nothing listed
19 May Molly Cobb 2 slaves above 16, 3 horses and mares
19 May Arthur Cobb nothing listed [none are on the same page]
1804 Golding Ward District
26 May Southy Cobb nothing listed
10 September Arthur Cobb 2 slaves above 16, 1 slaves above 12 and under 16, 3 horses
1805 Golding Ward District
9 April Southy Cobb nothing listed
8 April Arthur Cobb 2 slaves above 16, 1 slave above 12 and under 16, 3 horses and mares
1806 Golding Ward District
11 August Southy Cobb nothing listed
24 May Arthur Cobb 3 slaves above 16, 2 horses
1807 Golding Ward District
10 August Southy Cobb nothing listed
9 August Arthur Cobb 3 slaves above 16, 3 horses
1808 missing
1809 Levin Y. Winder District
1 March Southy Cobb nothing listed
11 March Arthur Cobb 1 white tithe, 3 slaves above 16, 4 horses and mares, 2 carriage wheels or chairs [by each entry under carriage wheels is the word chair]
1810 Levin Y. Winder District
17 March Southy Cobb nothing listed
10 March Arthur Cobb 3 slaves above 16, 1 slave 12 to 16, 3 horses and mares, 2 riding carriage with 2 wheels
1811 Levin Y. Winder District
11 March Southy Cobb nothing listed
9 May Arthur Cobb 2 slaves above 16, 1 slave 12 to 16, 4 horses and mares, 2 wheel riding carriage
1812 Levin Y. Winder District
16 March Southy Cobb nothing listed
9 March Arthur Cobb 4 slaves above 16, 4 horses and mares
1813 Levin Y. Winder District
17 April Southy Cobb 1 white tithes
9 March Arthur Cobb 1 white tithes, 4 slaves over 16 years, 3 horses, 1 two wheeled charriage, 50 tax on carriage
1814 Levin Y. Winder District
14 March Southy Cobb 1 white tithe
22 March Arthur Cobb 1 white tithe, 3 slaves over 16, 2 slaves 12 to 16, 3 horses etc.
1815 Levin Y. Winder District
14 March Southy Cobb 1 white tithe, 7 black cattle, 1 chest of drawers with or without a desk of mahogany, 33 ˝ cents
4 March Arthur Cobb 2 white tithes, 4 slaves over 16, 1 slave from 12 to 16, 1 slave from 9 to 12, 4 black cattle, 4 horses, mules etc, 30 two wheeled riding carriage and their value, 67 tax on carriage, 1 chest of drawers with or without a desk of mahogany, 1 dining table or separate part thereof of mahogany, 6.25
1816 Levin Y. Winder District
10 April Southy Cobb 1 white tithe
4 March Arthur Cobb 1 white tithe, 4 slaves over 16, 1 slave 12 to 16, 4 horses and mules, two wheeled riding carriage with their harnesses not exceeding in value 20, 4.72 tax
1817 Levin Y. Winder District
23 April Southy Cobb William Eyres land 1 white tithe
10 March Arthur Cobb 1 white tithe, 3 slaves over 16, 1 slave 12 to 16, 3 horses and mules,40 two wheeled riding carriage and their value, 3.84
1818 Levin Y. Winder District
6 March Southy Cobb 1 white tithe
7 March Arthur Cobb 1 white tithe
1819 Levin Y. Winder District
10 April Southy Cobb 2 white tithes
13 March Arthur Cobb 1 white tithe
1820 Levin Y. Winder District
1 March Arthur Cobb 1 white tithe
25 March Southy Cobb 2 white tithes [next to each other]
1821 Levin Y. Winder District
5 February Southy Cobb nothing listed
1822 Levin Y. Winder District
2 February Southy Cobb nothing listed
2 February William Cobb nothing listed
1823 Levin Y. Winder District
5 April Southy Cobb nothing listed
5 April William Cobb nothing listed

FHLF#1870181 Northamption County Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists 1824-1843
1824 Levin Y. Winder District
17 March Southy Cobb nothing listed
17 March William Cobb nothing listed
1825 Levin Y. Winder District
8 April Southy Cobb nothing listed
8 April William Cobb nothing listed
1826 Levin Y. Winder District
1 February Southy Cobb nothing listed
1 February William Cobb nothing listed
1827 Levin Y. Winder District
10 March Southey Cobb nothing listed
10 March William Cobb nothing listed
1828 Levin Y. Winder District
7 February Southy Cobb nothing listed
1829 Levin Y. Winder District
7 April Southy Cobb nothing listed
1830 Levin Y. Winder District
1 April Southy Cobb 1 white tithe
According to Pat Hoefer, Southey and William Cobb are in the tax lists from 1824 until 1827. In 1828 only Southey Cobb is listed. His name disappears in 1839 when the name Nathan F. Cobb appears and continues until 1843.
Also, according to Pat Hoefer, "Southey Cobb is listed in the tithables in the 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837 and 1838 listings. Southey Cobb had nothing written by his name most of the time. Toward the end he was listed with 1 tithable and the amount of tax he paid."

FHL975.515 R4L An Original List of Taxable Property Within the County of Northampton Virginia For 1796 transcribed by Frances Bibbins Latimer
p. 5 Southey Cob

From Email from BJAtkiknson:
John Cobb, born say 1705, was a "mul" taxable in his own household in Northampton County, Virginia, in 1726. Perhaps his brother was Southy Cobb, a taxable in his household in 1737 [L.P. 1726, 1737].
NOTE of Richard McMurtry: Southy Cobb was the son of John, not his brother.

On 10 January 1748 John sued Henry Scott in a Northampton County Court case which was discontinued when both parties agreed [Orders 1748-51, 37]. In October 1748 he complained to the court that Henry Stott was damaging his ability to prove his debts or give evidence in a hearing by declaring, "you are a mulatto and I will prove it." Cobb argued that he could not have been a "mulatto" because he collected debts, gave evidence in controversies "between other white persons and free subjects," and possessed the good will and esteem of his neighbors [John Cobb v. Henry Stott (Northampton County Loose Papers, 1748) cited by Douglas Deal, "A Constricted World" in Colonial Chesapeake Society, ed Lois Green Carr].

In 1764 he was a "molattor" Bertie County, North Carolina taxable in Edward Wilson's household in the list of Jonathan Standley and a "free Mulattor" taxable in Wilson's household in 1767 [CR 10.702.1, box 2]. He was the father of i. Lewis, born about 1754, fifteen-year-old "orphan of John Cobb," bound to John Barnes to be a shoemaker on 27 September 1769 in Bertie County. ii. Nathan, born about 1754, a sixteen-year-old "orphan of John Cobb," bound to James Prichard to be a cooper on 29 March 1770 [CR 10.101.7 by NCGSJ XIV:34, 35]. He was a "Malletor" taxable in James Prichard's household in 1770. He married Winney Mitchell, 9 August 1779 Bertie County bond, Jesse Prichard bondsman. He gave security in Bertie County Court in May 1787 for a bastard child he had by Christian Kale [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, V:646]. She was probably the daughter of Mary Cales, a "Mulatto" taxable head of a Bertie County household with (her son?) Moses Cale in the 1761 list of John Hill. Nathan was counted as white in Bertie County, head of a household of 4 females, 4 males, and a slave in 1790 [NC:12].

NOTE: It appears that the connection above between the John Cobb of Northampton Co., VA and the John Cobb of Bertie Co.,NC was made because of the "mulatto" associations and the time correlations. The sons Lewis and Nathan were born ca 1754; John is in the tax lists in 1764 and 1767, and the sons Lewis and Nathan were orphans of John Cobb by 1769, 1770. Supporting this is the observation that Joshua, the youngest son of John Cobb of Va, was born ca 1750, 35 years later than his first son Stratton (b 1715), but John seems to have had only one wife (Rachel). Is it possible John had an illegitimate son Joshua that he acknowledge as his son? Is it possible he fathered a second family in North Carolina? Both of these seem unlikely, but not impossible. It seems more likely that this John Cobb is an unrelated John Cobb.

Marriage records of Cobb in Tennessee W.B. Cobb 25 Apr 1878 Sally Garner Smith County
Miss Alsey Cobb 14 May 1847 Patrick Burke Wilson County
William
Cobb 14 October 1847 Martha A. Bartlett Wilson County
James
Cobb 23 Nov 1848 Nancy Jane Williams Smith County

Notes on William Cobb of Accomack County

There is a William Cobb in Accomack Co census in 1810 and 1820. We don't know if he is the William, son of Southy, or another individual.

In 1810, he is a young married man probably born in the late 1780s with a similar aged wife and a young son under 6 years old. Living nearby was a Sally Cobb. In Sally's household was an older woman (over 45, born prior to 1765), a young woman (either a teenager or a woman in her early twenties) and two young boys. The census is ambiguous - Sally could have been the older woman (over 45) and therefore the age to be William's mother or Sally could be the youg woman (a widowed sister-in-law of William) living with her two sons and her mother or mother-in-law. By 1820, William has another son and two daughters. Sally is not in the 1810 census and William is not in the 1830 census.

It is unknown where this William went, what became of his children, and what was his relationship to the Northampton family.

We note that the William Cobb of Blount-Monroe does not have children born around 1810 or between 1810-1820. So, this suggests that the William of Accomack and the William of Northampton are two different individuals unless the older children had simply left home as young men.

We also note there was a Fountain Cobb who married in 1840 in Wilson County and then moved to Kentucky in just before 1850. He was born in 1815 in VA and so is the right age to be the son of the William of Accomack County. So maybe we have two branchs of the Northampton/Accomack County family in Tennessee - the William-James-Ailsey family and the Fountain family.

North Carolina

Pitt County, NC Deeds:
John Munden to Southey Cobb, Book F, p 199, 1777: Wheelers Swp
Southey Cobb to Anthony Whichard, Book F, p 540, 1779, Wheelers Swp


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