GRANDFATHER OF LITTLEBERRY COX -

104 Pages·2010·2.48 MB·English

GRANDFATHER OF
LITTLEBERRY COX
2 GRANDFATHER OF
LITTLEBERRY COX

GRANDFATHER OF
LITTLEBERRY COX

Our Link to the Revolution
By Floyd R. Cox
Published by
Floyd R. Cox, Publisher

1721 Mason Dixon Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47906

 Copyright, 2010, by Floyd R. Cox.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever
without permission, except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews. For
information, contact Floyd Cox, Publisher, 1721 Mason Dixon Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47906.

Printed in the United States of America
ISBN-10 0-9774 (pending)
ISBN-13 978-0-9774(pending)
Library of Congress Control Number (pending)
GRANDFATHER OF 3
LITTLEBERRY COX
Foreword About “Being Jewish”
The paper trail back to Littleberry Cox (my father’s grandfather’s grandfather) has had three Y-
DNA donors, which prove they belong to the J2 haplogroup.
It is my impression that the lab at FamilyTree DNA first arranged J2 as a "Jewish" haplogroup, J
standing for "Jewish". However, after thousands of other donors, the haplogroup has expanded to
include some living in Lebanon, Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Italy, Alsace Lorraine, Portugal and the
Netherlands. Julius Caesar captured Alsace Lorraine and probably took some Israelite servants and
soldiers from Italy to there. Allegedly, Lazarus, Mary the mother of Christ, Joseph of Arimathea
(Israel) settled in Cyprus, Leon (France) and Glastonbury (England).
It should be noted that Y-DNA does not pass a race down from father to son. If Solomon had
married wives from many nations and many races, each son would have Solomon's Y-DNA but not
necessarily his race. Allegedly, the Queen of Sheba was black and allegedly had a son of Solomon.
The son might have been black and still have Solomon’s haplotype.
Moreover, Gypsies and Hittites have often been mistaken as having "Jewish looking" noses and
other features.
About 400 years ago, France, Germany and much of Europe reserved Poland as the Jewish
"homeland" and evacuated them to there. French Huguenots were also too "Jewish" and were expelled
to "communes" such as the one in Sedan, France. Some of these escaped to Mannheim, Germany, and
near Amsterdam (the Netherlands), and many of them, eventually, joined William of Orange in
conquering all of England.
The Cox clan along the James River in Virginia became associated with Michaux, Noel, Sublett
and other Huguenot families from Sedan (France) and Amsterdam. The William Cox clan of
Amsterdam became associated with the Quaker Coxes in Pennsylvania who came from Berkshire and
Glocestershire, England. William Penn's mother, Margaret Jasper, lived in Rotterdam. George Fox,
founder of the Quakers, had followers in the Netherlands. Augustine Herman was from The Hague.
Colonial Americans honored William of Orange in naming their first college, "William and Mary
College" and in naming Orange Co., VA, Orange Co., NC, and Orange Co., IN.
Actually, the Revolutionary War could be renamed the “Presbyterian War” of the Church of
Scotland (led by John Knox). It was stimulated by clashes with the Church of England, which
collected "tithes" from all citizens to support the "Official Church".
Quakers often lived adjacent to and migrated with the Presbyterians into West Virginia and
Southern Virginia and North Carolina. Presbyterians were Indian fighters, frontiersmen and owned
slaves. Quakers avoided war and required that their own slaves to be set free after 1772.
Proof Needed: Search for Y-DNA Donors
Four theories are presented to identify the grandfather of Littleberry Cox. James, son of Valentine
Cox of Lynchburg, VA, removed to Monroe Co., MO, across the river from Valentine’s daughter,
Lucy Johnson, in Hancock Co., IL, in about 1830. Marriages of James and Lucy are in Hinshaws
Encyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy, Vol. VI.
Valentine had a brother, John Cox. Their parents were Henry Cox and Judith Redford who were
probably married before 1740.
Our John Cox, Littleberry’s father, was also born about 1740 and the marriages of his offspring are
also in Hinshaws Encyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy, Vol. VI, Lynchburg Twp. area.
4 GRANDFATHER OF
LITTLEBERRY COX
We could not prove that our John Cox was related to Valentine Cox until we found a male Y-DNA
donor, a descendant of Valentine Cox. Census records for the Coxes of Monroe Co. and Shelby Co.,
MO, helped us find male descendants of James Cox, son of Valentine. James married Elizabeth Gills.
The Y-DNA of Valentine Cox should determine the Y-DNA of all male Coxes who descend from
William Coxe, the 1610 immigrant to Jamestown, VA. I cannot express how important this was. I had
to trace the last Coxes living in Monroe Co. and Shelby Co., MO, in the census records.
The same could be done for the descendants of John Cox, son of Frederick (son of Bartholomew).
His Y-DNA should match the descendants of Valentine Cox. This John married Tabitha Price near
Farmville, VA, and their son, John, moved to Greenville, KY. He has relatives living in
Campbellsville, KY.
Moreover, the same could be done for the Coxes of Cane Creek, Orange Co., IN, who went to
French Lick High School. The family claims to be descendants of Littleberry’s brother, Charles Cox &
Elizabeth Reese. Y-DNA tests should match descendants of Littleberry.
A descendant of George Cox Jr. (grandson of Bartholomew) needs to be tested, but information is
lacking on who his children and grandchildren were.
The Lemuel Johnson - Samuel Clemens – Cox Connections
There is evidence that favored John, the brother of Valentine Cox, as the father of Littleberry Cox.
The strongest evidence was the association among the Coxes, Clements, and other families of
Lynchburg, VA, Columbia, KY, and Monroe Co., MO. But a donor was found who failed to match a
the Y-DNA of Littleberry Cox’s descendant.
Adam Clement married Agnes Johnson in Bedford Co., VA, 2-7-1765. She was a Quaker from
Camp Creek, Louisa Co., VA. (She was a sister of Lemuel Johnson’s grandfather, Christopher
Johnson.) Their son, Samuel Clement, married Pamela Goggin in Bedford Co., VA, in 1797, a year
after Littleberry Cox married in Campbell County. Pamela was from Campbell County.
Their son, John Marshall Clements, was born in Lynchburg on 8-11-1798. He married Jane Casey
Lampton in Columbia, Adair Co., KY, on 5-6-1823. It is assumed that families living near
Clementsville are related to them. More research is needed. They moved to Florida, Monroe Co., MO,
where their son, Samuel Langhorn Clemens (better known as Mark Twain who wrote the Adventures
of Tom Sawyer) was born 11-30-1835, in the year Haley’s Comet appeared (and died when it
reappeared in 1910). (Dr. Haley saw the comet in 1682, as William Penn’s fleet crossed the sea headed
for the new world.)
Sam was twelve when his family moved to Hannibal, Marion Co., MO, on the Mississippi, where
he worked for his older brother’s Hannibal Journal newspaper.
Coincidentally, John Valentine Cox’s wife, Martha Howell, was also from Marion Co. (probably
Hannibal) and their son, John W. Cox, was born in Monroe Co. and published a newspaper there.
Samuel H. Cox (brother of John Valentine) had family in Hannibal and a sister, Mahala
Cox Tinsley, living in Columbia, Adair Co., KY. Research carefully done proved this line is
R1b1, that William Coxe, the 1610 immigrant to Jamestown, VA, was not my ancestor.
Disclaimer Statement
Some of the information in this book was obtained from others’ research found on the
Internet and has not all been checked for accuracy. This is a work still in progress. Hopefully,
a future version will be more comprehensive and will have more connections with the
grandfather of Littleberry Cox.
GRANDFATHER OF 5
LITTLEBERRY COX
GRANDFATHER OF LITTLEBERRY COX – PART I
After eliminating several other John Coxes born about 1740, there were four theories in trying to
identify the grandfather of Littleberry Cox. By covering each of these, perhaps we can rid ourselves of
false information on Rootsweb that says Littleberry's mother was Mary Harlan, Sarah Oldham, Sarah
Nunnally, Mary Ferguson, Mary Bryson, or Sally Tweedy now that recent Y-DNA technology is
available.
1. THE FIRST THEORY for finding the grandfather of Littleberry Cox was based upon John
Cox, father of Littleberry coming from Wales and settling in Campbell Co., VA, before the Revolution.
A family Bible is preserved in the William E. Parham Papers, McClung Collection in the Lawson
McGhee Library, Knoxville, Tennessee. It was passed down to Marie Cox Fahey Skinner, a descendent
of William Cox and his wife, Sally Stembridge Cox. Maria Skinner donated the Bible to the library.
The William Parham Collection:1
The following is a letter from Wm. Thomas Cox to Mrs. Minnie Martin, McKinney, TX, 1896:
Dear Minnie,
I [Dr. William Thomas Cox] expect I know more about our family than anyone now living
(in 1896). It came originally from Wales and settled in Campbell County, Virginia, as I have
heard my grandfather… often tell. Of his father’s [my grandfather’s] family there were five
sons: Thomas, Berry, Charles, William and James. Thomas was the only one old enough to
serve in the Revolutionary War. He did enlist, served his time, came home, and one day being
present when there was a draft for men, and when a poor neighbor was drafted, Tom could not
bear the distress of the family, but stepped up and told the officer to put his name in his place,
marched away and never returned. We read of Chevalier Bayard’s deed2 but it was never
anything like this.
The other members of the family emigrated to Wilson County, Tennessee, in 1808 but
Berry, Sr., having acquaintences in Green County, Kentucky, moved on and settled there. I
suppose you have heard of your grandfather’s people- Thomas, Billy, Anderson, John (my
father) and Berry. There was a sister, my aunt Lucy.3 She and her children came to Texas many
years ago and I think they are in Lano [Llano] or San Ano counties and some in New Mexico.
The members of my family are all dead except myself and my youngest brother, Jordan B.
Cox, at Franklin, St. Mary’s Parish, Louisiana.
Henry, the brother next to me, served through the war, came home demoralized and ruined.
He was murdered near his home near Homer, Louisiana. John, the next son, was a practising
physician at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He was assassinated there some years ago [end of quote].

1 Source for: Parham Genealogy This first letter of William Thomas Cox is invaluable because it prevents a lot of
conjecture made from other sources. The children of Charles, William, Littleberry and James were first cousins of
the father of William Thomas Cox. Their grandchildren were cousins of William Thomas Cox.
2 In chapter six, Chevalier Bayard is linked with Huguenots and Labadists of France and Holland as well as with
Augustine Herman and Labadist settlements in New York, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.
3 Offspring of John Cox's son, William Cox
6 GRANDFATHER OF
LITTLEBERRY COX
CHART 1. Descendants of William and Littleberry Cox

John Cox b: 1740
of Campbell Co., VA
Family of Welsh descent
m: ~1762 Polly

William Cox Thomas Cox b: ~1762 Littleberry Cox
b: ~1772 (Berry Cox b: ~1774) b: ~1774
d: 12-1845 Lebanon, TN Charles Cox b: ~1776 d: 7-20-1846 KY
m: Sally Stembridge (William Cox b: ~1772) m: 10-20-1796 Massilda Ready
b: ~1774 d: Bef 1845 James Cox b: ~1778 Campbell County, VA

John Cox Thomas Cox William Cox
b: 1797 Campbell Co., VA (William “Billy” Cox) b: 1817 KY
(raised in Wilson Co., TN) Lucy Cox (m: James Cox d: 10-11-1852
m: Elizabeth Palmer Jr) m: 1-24-1839 Adair Co., KY
(dau of Isham Palmer of Anderson Cox Caroline Christenson
Halifax Co., VA, bro of m: Sally Palmer b: Abt 1822 Casey Co., KY
Martin Palmer. (John Cox m: Eliz.
These 2 went to Edwards Palmer)
Depor, Hinds Co., Miss.) Berry Cox

Dr. William Thomas Cox (Dr. William Thomas John Cox
(who wrote the two letters Cox) b: 3-13-1849 Casey Cr., KY
Henry Cox d: 8-29-1895
(d: Homer, LA) Davidsonville, Randolph Co., AR
Dr. John Cox m: 6-24-1868 Mary Goode
(d: Pine Bluff, AR) Casey Creek (Roley) KY
b: 4-17-1846 KY
d: 2-12-1893 AR

“It [the Cox family] came originally from Walesand Samuel Green Cox
settled in Campbell County, Virginia, as I have b: b: 2-28-1872
d: 11-3-1920 Randolph Co., AR
heard my grandfather… often tell.” “We are of
m: Virginia Harden
Welsh descent. My great-grandfather [John Cox]
b: 1878 d: 1955
settling in Campbell County, Virginia, prior to the
Her burial: Calumet, IN
Revolution.” So what was meant? Thomas Jeff erson

spoke six languages, and his family came originally
John Henry Cox
from Wales and eventually settled in Albemarle
b: 9-01-1902
County long after the original immigrant. From
Randolph Co., AR
census records, one can surmise that Little-berry
d: 11-11-1985 Kokomo, IN
arrived in Kentucky, when a son, John, was born, in m: Anna
1805 (age 45 in 1850).
GRANDFATHER OF 7
LITTLEBERRY COX
Also preserved with the collection in Knoxville4 from Wm. Thomas Cox, June 30, 1898:

Dear Arthur,
In a letter I wrote to you a few days ago I promised to write again soon and tell you about
our family. My cousin Henry C. Cox of Monterey, Putnam County, Tennessee had the old
Family Bible and promised to send me a copy of the record, but has failed to do so. I hope he
will fulfill his promise.
We are of Welsh descent. My great-grandfather settling in Campbell County, Virginia,
prior to the Revolution. I have often heard my grandfather say that the eldest son, Thomas Cox,
the only one of his brothers old enough served out a term of enlistment in the Continental
Army, came home and one day on going to a public gathering where men enlisted; and being
moved by the distress of a family whose husband and father had been drafted, took the man's
place and marched away-never to return.
About the year 1808 the other sons, Berry Cox, Charles Cox, William Cox (my
grandfather) and James Cox left Virginia where my father was born in 1797-and came to
Wilson County, Tennessee near Lebanon. Berry Cox not liking Tennessee went over into
Green County, Kentucky where no doubt many of his descendants are. William Cox (my
grandfather) and Sally Stembridge his wife lived and died in Wilson County, Tennessee.
She was a woman of strong character and well known in the country in her day. Superior
to the old man, who was however a good man and a very religious farmer. They had seven
children- Thomas, William, Lucy, Anderson, John (my father), Henry and Berry.5 They were
all farm people. My father, John Cox, tho born in Virginia was raised on the old farm in
Wilson County, Tennessee and married Elizabeth Palmer, my mother, the daughter of Isham
Palmer, a farmer from Halifax County, Virginia. I have often heard my mother say she was
born there. My grandfather and his brother Martin Palmer left Tennessee and came to Hinds
County, Mississippi near what was called Edwards depor afterwards, lived and… (end of
quote).
Much of the speculation I am making here is based upon what William meant by saying of the
family, “It came originally from Wales and settled in Campbell County, Virginia”, and “We are of
Welsh descent”. Thomas Jefferson spoke six languages, and his family came originally from Wales and
eventually settled in Albemarle County… long after the original immigrant.
From census records, one can surmise that Littleberry arrived in Kentucky, when a son, John was
born, in 1805. John was age 45 in the 1850 Census, which shows he was the first born in Ky.
William and Berry are named as heirs of John Cox in Campbell County in 1821.
In summary, here are the four generations down to William Thomas Cox who wrote the letters:
John Cox (Littleberry’s father)
v
William Cox (Littleberry’s brother)
v
John Cox (Littleberry’s nephew)
v
William Thomas Cox
Aunt Lucy Reese Cox

4 This second letter of William Thomas Cox is invaluable because it prevents a lot of conjecture made by other
sources. The children of Charles, William, Littleberry and James were first cousins of the father of William
Thomas Cox. Their grandchildren were cousins of William Thomas Cox.
5 Offspring of John Cox's son, William Cox
8 GRANDFATHER OF
LITTLEBERRY COX
Will of John Cocks, Will Book 4, Page 344, Campbell County, VA, May 22, 1821
In the name of God, Amen, I John Cocks of Campbell County and state of Virginia being sound in mind but
infirm in my health do make this my last Will and Testament revoking all others heretofore made.
Item 2nd, Having given to my children, Charles Cocks, William Cocks and James Cocks their respective
parts of my Estate I give in addition to each one dollar.
Item 3rd. I desire and hereby direct that one half of the tract of said in value on which I at present reside be
laid of by Commissioners at the south ends of the tract from my residence in such form and direction as shall
appear to said Commissions best and most convenient for the remaining tract and sell the same on such credit as
may seem to them most advantageous and divide the money equally between my son Berry Cocks and my
daughter Sally Hazlewood.
Item 4th. The residue of my Est(ate), which consist of the other half or moiety of land on which I reside at
present stock of ? hogs, cattle, household and kitchen furniture etc, etc. I give to my daughter Mary Hazlewood
after all my Just debts are paid and for which I give the following reason: my said daughter Mary brought into
my Estate several cattle and the greater part of my household and kitchen furniture and loaned me some money
which I never have returned and have lived with me for upwards of twenty year last past and to her industry
economy etc. I am indebted. I consider fully if not more than the difference which may appear in her favour
without this explanation- and which I hope all my beloved children will be satisfied.
Item 5th. I make and constitute Martin Hancock and Samuel Armistead my Ex(ecutors) to my last Will and
Testament. Given under my hand and seal this 22nd May 1821.
John Cocks
Witness Robert D. Nash, Thomas Sublett, Nancy Jordan at a court held for Campbell County August 13th
1821. The within Last Will and Testament of John Cock deceased was proven by the oaths of Robert D. Nash
and Thomas Sublet witness thereto subscribed and ordered to be recorded and the Executors in said Will named
having in open court refused to qualify. John Alexander, Cl(er)k
Will of Littleberry Cox
Will of Little B. Cox
Oct. 2, 1841
In the name of God amen, I Little B. Cox of Green Co., state of Kentuckey, I am going the way of all the earth
do commit my soul to God who gave it, and my body to the earth from where it came, and for my debts, I want
property sold to pay my debts. And then what is left I want my wife, M Cox to have her lifetime, and at her death
what is left then be divided among my children. This is my Last Will and Testament, and want Caleb Cox to
attend to my business.
Signed By Little B. Cox
Asa Brack, Hiram Sublett, Jesse Briges
At a county court commenced and held for Green County at the courthouse in Greensburg on the 20th day of July
1846. The foregoing instrument of writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of Littleberry Cox,
decd, was produced into court, and… by the oaths of Asa Brack, Hiram Sublett and Jesse Briges the three
subscribing witnesses thereto to be sealed and acknowledged by the said Littleberry Cox as his Last Will and
Testament. And at the time of signing the same they believed him to be in his perfect mind and memory. And the
same was… of the court; and ordered to be recorded. Where upon same with this certificate are duly recorded in
my office.
Given under my hand this 1st day of August, 1846. Signed by John Barret, Clerk
GRANDFATHER OF 9
LITTLEBERRY COX
John Cox
b: ~1740 d: will 5-22-1821 1810 Census (Campbell Co., VA) living consecu-
m: Polly tively, in a row, as follows: Elizabeth & Thomas
Walker, William Farris (El izabeth’s dad), Jacob
Thomas Cox ~1763 Key, James Cox, Erasmus Jones (Judith’s father),

Molly Cox ~1766 Robert D. Nash (married Littleberry’s wife’s sister,

Sabra Ready).
Sally Cox ~1768
Littleberry Cox m: Massey Ready 1820 Census (Campbell Co., VA) as follows: John
Fore, Jacob Key, Thomas Walker, William Faris,
Charles Cox ~1772
John Cox (James’ father), Robert Nash (in John
William Cox Cox’s will 1821), Sam. Armistead, Peter Fore.
James Cox ~1776---------- m:1 Elizabeth Farris Robert D. Nash m: Sabra Ready
m:2 Judith Jones Robert witnessed the will of John Cox in 1821.

Death of William Cox, Son of Berry Cox in 1852, Casey Creek, Adair Co., KY
At the Kentucky Historical Society, Frankfort, KY, the following card was found stored in a drawer:

Cox, William. DEATHS
Age –35 years. Casey
Place of birth-Green River.
Place of death-Adair, Co

Time of death-Oct 11, 1852
Cause of death-Typhoid Fever
Parents-Berry&MariaCox

The Reese Connection
William’s first letter says, “There was a sister, my aunt Lucy. She and her children came to Texas [from
Wilson Co., TN] many years ago [before 1898] and I think they are in Lano [Llano] or San Ano counties and
some in New Mexico.”
This infers that her husband had died before this. Family tradition says Lucy Reese Cox married her first
cousin, James Reese Cox. I suppose he could have been the son of Littleberry’s brother, James, who was in the
1810 census of Campbell Co., VA, living adjacent to William Farris, Erasmus Jones and Robert D. Nash. This
James married neighbors, first Elizabeth Farris and, secondly, Judith Jones. In the 1820 census, John Cox was
living adjacent to Robert Nash and Samuel Armistead.
What happened to James in 1820? On 4-6-1820, Erasmus Jones (James’ father-in-law) bought 226 acres in
Wilson Co., TN, from Robert Bumpus. On 1-29-1852, Judith (Jones) Cox received 50 acres adjacent to 100 acres
of “James Cox now deceased”, conveyed to him by “Erasmus Jones now deceased”, in Cannon Co., TN.
A Cox tradition in Orange County, Indiana says James’ brother, Charles Cox, married Elizabeth Reese.
Surety at the wedding was Herod Reese.
Littleberry’s brother, Charles Cox, married Elizabeth Reese and is often viewed as the father of James Reese
Cox who married his cousin, Lucy Reese Cox, in Wilson Co., TN. They assume Charles’ brother, James Cox, not
having a wife named Reese, would not have a son named James Reese Cox. But William Cox, not having a wife
named Reese, had a daughter named Lucy Reese Cox. See the following chart on the common use of Reese.
10 GRANDFATHER OF
LITTLEBERRY COX
TABLE 2. Cox and Reese Families in Hinshaw’s Quaker Encyclopedia
Littleberry’s brother, William, married Sally Stembridge. Sally’s father, John Stembridge came to
Virginia from England with two brothers, William and Thomas Baker Stembridge. Perhaps this
indicates that Littleberry’s grandparents were also born in England. We also find these allied families
in Wilson Co., Tennessee and Kentucky, where Littleberry’s family moved. Reese or Rees is Welsh.

Mary (Reese?) Polly (Reese?) Herod Reese Sr. b: Abt 1765
b: Abt 1733 b: Abt 1745 1787 in Dinwiddie Co., VA
m:1 Judith Weaver
m: Abt 1757 William Stembridge m: Abt 1762 John Cox 5-30-1789 in Charlotte Co.
b: Abt 1732 Bridport, Dorset, Eng. b: Abt 1740 5-25-1789 in Campbell Co.
m:2 Frances Cobbs
11-5-1810 Surety Wm Weaver
(11-5-1810 Wm Weaver also marries)

John H. Sally Thomas Mary Sarah Sally
Stembridge Elizabeth Cox 1763 Polly Cox 1767
b. Abt 1758 Mary Cox
Bridgport, Eng. Martha 1765
d: 6-20-1811 William A. Charles Littleberry James
in Lebanon, Thomas Cox 1770 Cox 1772 Cox m: 1- Cox 1776
Wilson Co., TN Stembridge m: 1792 m: 10-1791 m:1 1800
m: Abt 1780 Sally Elizabeth Martha Elizabeth
Mary B. Stembridge Reese Buckner Farris
Sammons b: ~1775 in Dinwiddie m:2 1815
in Lunenburg Surety, m: 1796 Judith
Co., VA Herod Massey Jones
Reese Ready

John Henry Lucy Henry James Herod
Stembridge Reese Reese Cox Reese Cox Reese Cox Reese Jr.
1780 Stembridge b: 1806 1803 b: 1806 was b: Abt
Charlotte Co., m: James m: Lucy 1790
VA Reese Cox Reese Cox m: ~1815
Frances W.
Walker

Henry Reese Thomas Henry N ote: Ja mes Reese Cox Henry
is likely the son of
Stembridge Reese Cox Clifton Reese
James Cox. Some have
b: 2-22-1809 1829 Cox
alleged he is a son of
Wilson Co., TN
Charles.

James
Reese Cox
1876