Cox Family History

One of the amusing background stories of our Revolutionary pioneers was told by Judge Otto Cox, native of Mason Illinois now of Indiana. The Cox family came from the Wax Haws Settlement of the Carolinas, noted as the boyhood home of Andrew Jackson. Henry Cox, who later came to the Oskaloosa area and is the ancestor of the Coxes here, was a hatter making the tall plush hats for the "gentlemen." But many in the population were moonshiners. The state line was convenient, however, for this hazardous business. When the "revenoors" came from North Carolina, everybody packed up his stills and crossed over into South Carolina. Likewise, when "revenoors" from South Carolina came the population moved over or back to North Carolina.

James Cox, father of Henry, was a Revolutionary War soldier. In the summer of 1780, at the age of 17 or thereabouts, he enlisted in Halifax, Virginia under General Daniel Morgan and was marched to Carter's Ferry on the James River . . . later marched to Staunton, remained for a time, then returned to Carter's Ferry where they remained until he was discharged, ending his three-month duty.

Again in the summer of 1781, he enlisted in the troops of the Virginia line and was placed under the command of General "Mad Anthony" Wayne. He was marched immediately through North Carolina to Charleston at which place they joined General Nathaniel Greene and his army, and continued on to Savannah, where they defeated the British and Indians in battle.

The Cox family came to Clay County in the early 1840's having spent some time in Indiana after leaving the Wax Haws. Those of the Cox line in this area are Mrs. Dora Ort, the late Letta Schoenberg, Mrs. Gertrude Owston, Mrs. Evelyn Liggett, the late Ray Cox and their descendants.

Dear Bessie,

Yes, I have the 1830 census of Henry Cox and I am sure that is where my Julia Ann was born as she says she was born in Indiana.

1830 Jefferson Co. Indiana

Henry Cox

Males - 1 age 5 to 10 Females - 1 under 5

1 age 10 to 15 2 age 5 to 10

1 age 30 to 40 1 age 10 to 15

1 age 40 to 50

1840 Jefferson Co., Indiana

Henry Cox

Males - 1 age 5 to 10 Females - 1 age 5 to 10

2 age 10 to 20 2 age 10 to 15

1 age 40 to 50 1 age 15 to 20

1 age 20 to 30

1 age 30 to 40

I do not believe the Henry Cox family were in Hendricks Co. ever tho Thomas J. enlisted from there. He could have left home etc. and then decided to enlist. I think Hardin Cox was the eldest but no proof and he ably went ahead to Clay County and the others followed.

I got a copy of DAR papers Vol. 159 p. 6 No. 158017

Mrs. Anna Cox Wilson b. Greene County MO. Wife of T.A. Wilson Descendant of James Cox as follows: I am dau. Of Thomas J. Cox b. 1837 m. Phoebe Cain (1835-1914) son of Henry Cox b. 1796 - d. 1886 m. Prudence Simmons d. 1850 son of James Cox b. 1762 - d. 1847 m. Rebecca Ann Cox.

James Cox pension 1833 - served in Virginia troops. He was born in Kings and Queen County Virginia died Stokes County North Carolina.

Hardin Cox m. Malinda Rakestraw Apr .18 ,1844 in Clay County, Illinois. Hardin Cox died May 4, 1856, age 34 years, 10 months, and 19 days . James M. Cox married Maranda Helm, February 1, 1849. Henry Cox and Prudence Simmons married in the Wax Haw settlement in 1820. Hardin was born Feb. 15, 1821 in Indiana, James was born in 1829 in Indiana, Julia Ann was born in 1827 in Indiana, Eli was born on September 23 in 1831 or 32 in Indiana, Henry was born in 1835, Thomas J. was born in 1837, and Annie was born in 1841. Henry Cox married Nancy Daniel, February 27, 1855.

I have enclosed a lot of odds and ends, in case you do not have them and let me hear from you again.

Judge Cox was wrong on the name of Henry Cox's wife as was Prudence Simmons on D.A.R. papers filed by Anna Cox and I feel sure she would know her grandparents names.

                                                   Love,

                                                   Marge

Dear Miss Bessie,

I have where Henry Cox was supposed to have died in Clay County Illinois in 1886 so I wonder if any newspapers of Clay County as he was a quit buyer of land and I feel sure he would have had some notive in the paper. Or would there be a death notive in the Court records?

I have found Henry Cox in Indiana in the 1830 and 1840 census in Jefferson County Indiana. No names of children but he has quite a few that I have no record of but have felt all along if Hardin Cox his son and born 1821 there must be others before Julia Ann born 1827, then James 1829, Eli 1832, Henry 1835, and Thomas J. 1837.

1830 Census gives Henry Cox 30 to 40 Females 30 to 40

Hardin ? 10 to 15 1 age 10 to 15

1 age 5 to 10 2 age 5 to 10

1840 Census Henry Cox 40 to 50 Female 30 to 40

2 age 15 to 20 1 age 20 to 30

1 age 5 to 10 1 age 15 to 20

2 age 10 to 15

1 age 5 to 10

Also Prudence was in 1850 census so she probably died last part of that year.

Since Andrew J. Alldridge was in 1850 census but died before his third son was born in February 1856, I figure he died between June and December in 1855. Would there be any record of his death in Clay County Illinois?

I have written Posey County Indiana about Alldridges as it seems that county has the most and I have checked Jefferson County Indiana and there were no Alldridges there so Julia Ann and Andrew J. Alldridge must have met in Clay County Illinois. I still wonder about the Elizabeth Alldridge age 15 in the 1850 census, with Andrew J. Alldridge age 35, Julia Ann age 20, and Peter age 5 months. (Made on June 7) was Elizabeth his daughter by earlier marriage or his younger sister? Could be either.

Let me know if you find anything about Henry, Prudence, Andrew etc.

                                               Sincerely,

                                              Marjorie Fraser

( This information was found in the Helen Matthes Library in Effingham, Illinois in the family history file, Thanks to Marge Fraser Fitzsimons.)