Terry & Nancy's Ancestors

Family History Section

Person Page 127

Elkanah Cobb1,2,3

ID# 1266, (1746/47 - 1795)
Family Chart

Parents:

FatherGideon Cobb (8 Jul 1718 - 25 Jul 1798)
MotherAbigail Dyer (10 Apr 1718 - 10 Jan 1808)
AncestryThe Cobbs of Pawlet Vermont
Chart MembershipDescendants of Gideon Cobb
Family IndexesThe Cobbs of Pawlet Vermont

Key Events:

Birth: 21 Jan 1746/47, Norwich, Connecticut,1,4
Marriage: abt 1772, Pawlet, Mary Willard (b. abt 1753, d. 2 Aug 1842)5,6,7
Death: 10 Aug 1795, Wells, Vermont,8,9,10
Burial: Pawlet Cemetery, Rutland Co., Vermont,11,12
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Narrative:

Elkanah Cobb was born on 21 Jan 1746/47 in Norwich, ConnecticutG.1,4 He was baptized on 5 Feb 1747 in First Congregational Church, Norwich, New London Co., ConnecticutG.13
     Elkanah moved to Pawlet, VermontG, about 1770 according to one source. Why he might have done so is unknown, and no documentation of him being there that early has been found. But it appears his future wife moved there with her father at about that time, which would explain how they met.14
     Elkanah married Mary Willard, daughter of Jonathan Willard and Sarah Loomis, about 1772, likely in PawletG. Their marriage is not recorded in the Pawlet vital records, but no marriages that early appear in the surviving records. Their marriage does not appear in the surviving records of Albany Co., New York, which appears to be the other possible marriage location.5,6,7

Moving to the Frontier on the Upper Hudson --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Elkanah and his four brothers, William and Mary, John, Ebenezer and Joshua, moved to the settlement of Stillwater, on the Hudson River in the Saratoga Patent in the Saratoga Tax District of Albany Co., New York. Elkanah may have been drawn there because his father-in-law had had business in the area before moving to Pawlet. We know that Elkanah was there by 1773 when his son Gideon was born. Ebenezer and Joshua evidently were there before 1777, but John may not have arrived until 1779.15,16,17 (See background and map.)
Elkanah Cobb's Tombstone
photo courtesy Janet Muff

     Elkanah and Mary evidently returned to Connecticut sometime between 1776 and 1778 with their two young sons, Gideon and Joshua. Their daughter Sarah is recorded as having been born there, and Elkanah does not appear with his brothers in the later records in Saratoga. No record of why they moved has been found, but it is easy to suppose that the war raging in the Hudson Valley in the summer and fall of 1777 might have provided reason enough for the young family to depart the area, as many did. The bloody battles in Sep and Oct that lead to General Burgoyne's ruinous defeat took place less than five miles from the village of Stillwater.18,19

Settling in Pawlet, Vermont --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Elkanah and Mary returned to Pawlet with their children, Gideon, Joshua, and Sarah, about 1780, joining his brothers, John, Ebenezer, and Joshua, and their father, Gideon Cobb.20,21,22 (See background and map.)
     Elkanah, and his bothers John, Ebenezer, and Joshua, all participated in Col. Ira Allen's Regiment during military actions in VermontG in 1780 and 1781. Surviving records show that all four were with Capt. John Stark's Militia Company "in defense of the Northern frontiers of this State" in Oct 1780, when Elkanah served for 12 days as a private. He served seven more as clerk in Capt. Samuel Willard's Militia Company.23
     Elkanah's first land purchase in PawletG for which we have record was on 18 Dec 1783, when he purchased lot no. 5, containing 50 acres, for £125.24 He apparently became an active member of the community, including serving as town Selectman in 1785.25,26
     Elkanah brought suit against Benjamin Willard, of Wolpole, New HampshireG, for "slanderous words." The exact nature of the offense has been lost. The suit was heard in the Rutland County Court at its Nov 1784 term. The defendant did not appear so Elkanah won by default, receiving a judgement of £50. The defendant petitioned the Vermont General Assembly 3 Oct 1785 for a new trial on the grounds he did not know of the case until afterwards. A committee of the Assembly found the facts set forth in the petition were "not supported" and recommended it be rejected. The Assembly accepted that recommendation on 24 Oct 1785 and dismissed the petition. How the defendant was related to Elkanah's grandmother, if at all, is unknown.27,28

The Mercantile Tradition Begins --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Elkanah kept a store near the center of PawletG, but just when is unclear.29 A newspaper advertisement that ran in Feb and Mar 1785 directed "Those gentlemen and ladies who would wish to subscribe for Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns, may apply to the undermentioned gentlemen, who have subscription papers lodged in their hands." Thirteen men are listed, including, in Pawlet, Elkanah. It is not clear whether he was participating personally or on behalf of his store, or perhaps at the time there was little difference. Dr. Watts was a pastor and noted hymn writer in England who died in 1748. His works are still being published in print and on the Internet today, but just what form they were being offered in here is unclear.30,31
     Elkanah joined his brothers John, Ebenezer, Joshua, and 45 other residents of PawletG in signing a petition to the General Assembly dated 6 Sep 1785, asking that the Assembly incorporate the Congregational Society of Pawlet. They wanted to tax themselves in order to support "a Minister of the Gospel of the Congregational Order" in the town. Apparently their request was granted.32

Buying and Selling Land --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Elkanah engaged in a series of land purchases and sales, apparently using borrowed money to finance the deals. On 17 Apr 1786 he purchased a 180-acre farm at the foot of and adjoining Wells Pond, in WellsG, from Joseph Lamb, paying £360.33 On 29 Sep 1787 he mortgaged that farm for £200, payable in six months, to Robert Henry, Robert McClallen and Robert Henry Jr., merchants of Albany, Albany Co., New YorkG.34
      On 6 Oct 1787 Elkanah purchased a 500-acre parcel in WellsG, known as Governor's Lot, from Ogden Mallory, for £100.35 He had apparently also purchased all or part of lot no. 4 in PawletG, although no record has been found, as on 9 Nov 1787 Elkanah mortgaged lot no. 5 and also half of lot no. 4, amounting to 25 ac., to secure his note for £400 York currency to the same parties.36 On 30 Apr 1788 Elkanah bought from his father-in-law, Jonathan Willard, lot no. 11, containing 50 acres, for £60. On the same day he sold his father-in-law for £3 15s a parcel which appears to be a part of lot no. 4. The size of the parcel is not stated in the deed, but measures to about 25 acres.37,38
Probable Site of Elkanah Cobb's Pawlet Farm
photo by author
     On 20 Jun 1789 Elkanah mortgaged lot no. 11 in PawletG to the same Albany merchants, this time to secure a note for £400 money of New York. The property was described as including a dwelling house, barn, potash work, and other buildings.39 Elkanah purchased, apparently on 4 Jul 1789, three parcels in PawletG totaling 111¾ acres, from Jonathan Lawrance and Melaeton Smith of New York city and Nathaniel Platt of Dutchess Co., New York. He paid £230 14s 8p, apparently paid with three notes equal notes payable on 2 Sep of that year and each of the following two years, giving them a mortgage to secure the notes.40
     Elkanah Cobb appeared on the 1790 Federal Census of Pawlet, Rutland Co., VermontG, (which was enumerated 4 Apr 1791, after Vermont became a state in Mar 1791) with a household consisting of five males under 16 (sons Joshua, Willard, Elkanah, John, and James) and four over 16 (himself, sons Gideon, and two others), and four females (his wife, Mary Willard, daughter Sarah, and two others.)3
      On 9 Jun 1791 Elkanah sold his 136-acre farm in PawletG to Robert Henry Jr. & Robert B Henry of Albany Co., New York, for £930 money of Vermont. Farm was composed of lot no. 5, which he had purchased in 1783, lot no. 11, which he purchased in 1788, and the remaining portion of lot no. 4, which he purchased before 1787.41
     In an advertisement in The Albany [New York] Gazette on 15 Sep 1791, the buyers offered it for sale, describing it as:
That valuable FARM, situate in the town of Pawlet, in the State of Vermont, now in the possession of Elkanah Cobb, adjoining the farm of Jonathan Willard, and containing one hundred and thirty six acres, of the best arable and meadow land, the greater part of which is presently highly improved. – There are on the premises a good dwelling house, store, barn, corn-house and oil-mill.–The dwelling house and store stand at the junction of two public roads, one of which is the main road to the lakes. From the richness of the soil, and its situation in a flourishing part of the country, this place is well calculated for a farmer or merchant.
Interested parties were to apply for details to Robert Henry Jr. and Robert R. Henry in Albany, New York, with possession to be delivered the following April. The same advertisement ran in the Vermont Gazette from Sep until Dec.42

Building the Mill --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

Location of Elkanah Cobb's Mill

      On 20 Sep 1791 Elkanah sold half the farm at the foot of Wells Pond to Simon Francis, for £150.43 About this time, in partnership with Francis, Elkanah constructed a mill dam and sawmill at the mouth of Wells PondG, now called Lake St. Catherine. Francis was well established in Wells, having been tax collector and other civic duties, a tavern keeper, and active in buying and selling real estate. It seems likely the dam was built on the farm Elkanah had purchased in 1786 and half of which he sold to Francis in 1791. A dam and sawmill had been built at the outlet of Well Pond in 1774 and operated until shortly before new dam was built, except for a period during the Revolutionary War when the owners had been driven off by the British. The new dam seems to have been of some substance, perhaps taller than the previous one, as it raised the water level for most of the length of Wells and into Poultney, the next town to the north.44,45,46
      On 10 Feb 1792 Elkanah sold what was apparently the last of his holdings in PawletG to Nathaniel Platt of Platt Borough, Clinton Co., New York, one of his lenders. The sale consisted of the three parcels he had purchased from Lawrance, Smith and Platt three years earlier, a total of 111¾ acres, which he sold for £270.47
     Elkanah and Mary moved their family to Wells, the next town north of Pawlet, evidently by 6 Mar 1792, when he was nominated for a tavern license at the meeting of town selectmen. He apparently continued to keep a tavern until his death, as he was again nominated for a license in Mar 1795.48,49
     It would appear that it did not take long for Elkanah to become involved in community affairs after he moved to WellsG. His home there, probably his tavern, was the location where the property of delinquent taxpayers was to be sold on 23 Dec 1793. The tax in question was at the rate of one half-penny per acre, set by the Vermont legislature in Nov 1791. In 1794 he was elected as one of the haywards and a petite juror. He was one of the three freeholders appointed in early 1795 to appraise property being taken to satisfy a court judgment.50,51

The Mill Dam Controversy --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     The dam Elkanah and his partner created built caused considerable controversy in the community. On 30 Sep 1794 over 100 residents of Wells and nearby towns petitioned the state Assembly, stating the dam was causing the following problem:
…a Large proportion of the inhabitants of Wells aforesaid, & the adjoining Towns have for two years past suffered extremely with the Fever & Ague & other distempers commonly attending the flowing, with dead water, such sunken lands. -- and it continues to be very sickly, in so much that there is not well persons enough to take care of the sick; whole families are infected; in almost every house may be few grown persons or children, as pale & distressed to be described. Some have already died, & others there are deemed incurable.
The petitioners asked that the Assembly order the dam demolished, or for other relief. Elkanah was summoned to appear before the Assembly on the second Thursday of October to "give reasons, if any he have" why the relief requested should not be granted. On 2 Oct his partner, Simon Francis, renounced all is right in the dam.52
     Elkanah's arguments seem to have been compelling. On 30 Oct 1794 the General Assembly passed an act that did not order the demolition of the dam, but required the owners to lower the pond to its natural level by 1 May each year, and not raise it until 1 Oct. In an interesting reflection on the value of mill construction in those times, the owners were entitled to file a bill in the County Court for the loss they incurred by this requirement. The Court was to determine a reasonable amount for these damages, and the restrictions would only be in effect if the petitioners then paid that amount.53
     Apparently the legislature's solution to the mill dispute was not satisfactory to all parties. The Vermont Gazette reported on 2 Jan 1795:
We hear from Wells, that a few days ago the mills at the head of Wells pond, so called, belonging to Mr. Elkanah Cobb, were entirely consumed by fire; from the circumstances, our informant says, the fire is supposed to have been kindled by design—the probability of which is heightened by the uneasiness which has long prevailed about the situation of the mills, and which lately occasioned legislative interference, on the petition of a number of the inhabitants of Wells, &c.54
     According to Elkanah's account, on the night of 27 Nov 1794 a group of men came to the mill and burned two sawmills, the dam, and 1,000 feet of good white pine boards valued at £1,500. The harassment continued for nearly a month as the men "with force and arms" returned to the mill and also to his Lathrop farm and "by tumultuous and offensive carriage threaten traduce and quarrel and challenge" him and thus "impead hinder and prevent" him from pursuing his business. At the farm they drove off his stock, killed a jack, wounded another and a horse valued at £200, and "did him other enormities and injuries."55
     Elkanah filed suit in Rutland Co. Court on 3 Feb 1795 naming 21 defendants, claiming £2,000 in damages and the cost of suit. They appeared in court 16 Mar 1795 and trial was set for 17 Nov 1795.55
     Undeterred, a group of men returned to the mill on 2 May 1795 and "did with force and arms pull down demolish and destroy a certain mill dam to the value of three hundred pounds."56
     Elkanah died on 10 Aug 1795 in Wells, VermontG, at age 48.8,9,10 He was buried in Pawlet Cemetery, Rutland Co., VermontG.11,12

Administering His Estate --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     His son Gideon and his brother Ebenezer, acting as Elkanah's administrators, pursued the case Elkanah had filed before his death for damages to his mill. The case came to trial 16 Nov 1795 and the jury found Roger Stevens, Gilbert Soper, Nathaniel Lewis, and John Shumway Jr. guilty and awarded judgment of £60 and costs. The other defendants were acquitted and awarded their costs of trial. In the meantime the administrators filed a second suit for damages to the dam naming 17 defendants, many of them the same as in Elkanah's suit but several new names, including Simon Francis, apparently Elkanah's former partner in the mill. They sought £200 in damages costs. That suit was tried the same day and the jury found all but one of the defendants guilty and awarded £49 in damages and costs. The defendants in both suits filed a motions appealing the decisions to the Vermont Supreme Court claiming that the administrators had no standing to prosecute the suits.57
     The appeals in the suits involving his estate were to be heard at the 30 Jan 1797 term of the Supreme Court but were not acted upon. The administrators filed a petition with the state Assembly on 20 Sep 1798, asking it to direct the Court to hear and determine the cases as though they had been prosecuted by Elkanah before his death. On 22 Oct 1798 the petition was read to the Assembly, and the petitioners granted leave to withdraw it, with no explanation provided by the record. No record of a decision by the Supreme Court has been found.58,59      On 13 Sep 1799 his executors exchanged halves of a 16½- acre parcel in Wells next to Pond Brook with James Dunscomb, declaring them to be of equal value.60 The same day they deeded three parcels, "the whole of the real estate of Elkanah Cobb in Wells," to Simon Francis, his former partner. The parcels were of 3 acres, 18 acres, and 50 acres, and excluded the property set off by the court to the widow. The purchase price was $450, the amount by which the debts of the estate exceeded the "moveable estate."61
     The controversy surrounding the dam continued for at least two decades after Elkanah's death. William Potter obtained title to the property from his estate and erected a new dam in 1805 which he sold to Joel Simons in 1817. John Shumway, whether the same one found liable in the prior case unknown, filed suit against Simons for trespass for flooding his land. Shumway won his case in the April 1826 term of the County Court. Simons appealed to the state Supreme Court which upheld the decision of the County Court.62
     The probate court ruled on 5 Aug 1799 that Elkanah's personal estate was insufficient to pay his debts, requiring his administrators to sell all his real estate. The court appointed three men to appraise the property, then a directed that if no purchaser appeared the property was to be sold at public auction. His son Gideon, as one of the administrators, was authorized to proceed with the sale, returning the results to the court on 7 Oct.63 The administrator then ran the following advertisement in The Vermont Gazette:
To Be Sold
At public Vendue, the real estate of Elkanah Cobb, late of Wells, deceased, to the highest bider, at the dwelling house of Mr. Simon Francis in Wells, on Friday the 29th day of September next, by order of Judge Probate.
Gideon D Cobb, Commissioner. Castleton, August 19th 1799.64
On 9 Oct 1799 his son Gideon, as commissioner to sell his real estate, deeded to his widow 21½ acres in Wells, next to the bridge that goes over Pond Brook, as set by order of the probate judge as her dower.65

Children:
      Children with Mary Willard

One source shows also a daughter, name unknown, born about 1772, who died young. No other record of her has been found. The migration of Elkanah and Mary's children can be seen on their Migration Map.66
  1. Gideon Dyer Cobb+ (11 Sep 1773 - 1 Mar 1834)
  2. Joshua Cobb+ (27 May 1776 - 27 Aug 1860)
  3. Sarah Cobb (16 Jul 1778 - 15 Mar 1795)
  4. Capt. Willard Cobb+ (17 Mar 1781 - 23 Jan 1855)
  5. Elkanah Cobb+ (13 Sep 1783 - btn Nov 1817 and Dec 1818)
  6. John Cobb+ (6 Apr 1786 - abt 1834)
  7. James Dyer Cobb+ (24 Sep 1789 - bef 1870)
  8. Mary W. Cobb (16 Feb 1791 - 25 Jan 1859)
  9. Sophia Cobb+ (15 Oct 1793 - )

Citations

  1. [S2204] Vital Records of Norwich Connecticut, pg 215.
  2. [S2395] Land Records, Wells, Vermont, B:99-100, deaths 1782-1811.
  3. [S1781] Elkanah Cobb household, 1790 U.S. Census, Rutland Co., Vermont.
  4. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial #28545418, Elkanah Cobb, shows he died 10 Aug 1795 in his 49th year, and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  5. [S7916] Probate Records, Rutland District Probate Court, 4:243-4, will of Jonathan Willard Senior, 14 May 1804, shows her as late wife of Elkanah Cobb.
  6. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial #54132130, Mary Willard]:ITAL] Remington, includes tombstone photo showing name as her as formerly his widow.
  7. [S1171] Hollister, Pawlet for One Hundred Years, pp 179. 261, shows married.
  8. [S2395] Land Records, Wells, Vermont, B:99-100, deaths 1782-1811, shows date.
  9. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial #28545418, Elkanah Cobb, shows date, and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  10. [S2222] "Register of Deaths," The Rutland Herald, 7 Sep 1795, shows town, as Pawlet.
  11. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial #28545418, Elkanah Cobb, shows cemetery, and includes tombstone photo.
  12. [S863] Cobb, History of the Cobb Family, pg 154.
  13. [S7897] Connecticut, Church Record Abstracts, vol 84, Norwich First Congregational Church, pg 92, citing vol 2 pg 126.
  14. [S1171] Hollister, Pawlet for One Hundred Years, pp 179, shows "from Connecticut, 1770."
  15. [S862] Births, Marriages and Deaths, Pawlet, Vermont, 1768-1856, pg 5, shows sons Gideon Dyer born 11 Sep 1773 and Joshua 27 May 1776, both in Stillwater, New York, and Sarah born 16 Jul 1778 in Canterbury, Connecticut.
  16. [S2226] Potter, "Re: Saratoga NYGenWeb Queries," e-mail to author, 20 Apr 2009, shows Ebenezer and Joshua had claim approved 17 Apr 1777 for repairing arms, citing "Committee of Correspondence" p. 724; , Ebenezer and Joshua signed 1778 petition to Gov. Clinton, citing " Public Papers of George Clinton" III:211 & IV:770; Ebenezer and John in 2 Mar 1779 Saratoga District tax List; and Ebenezer, Joshua and William on the 23 Oct 1779 tax list.
  17. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 1:266-7, John Fassett, commissioner for the state of confiscated land to Ebenezer Cobb of Stillwater, Albany Co., New York, dated 9 Nov 1779; 1:69-70, John Clark to John Cobb of Canterbury, Windham Co., Conicticut [sic], dated 9 Nov 1778; and 1:171, Peter Van Baurer to Joshua Cobb of Stillwater, Albany Co. dated 4 Feb 1780.
  18. [S862] Births, Marriages and Deaths, Pawlet, Vermont, 1768-1856, pg 5, shows Joshua as born at Stillwater in May 1776, and Sarah born in Canterbury in Jul 1778.
  19. [S2275] Sylvester, History of Saratoga County, pg 289, shows that many families returned to Connecticut for safety during the most dangerous period of the war.
  20. [S1171] Hollister, Pawlet for One Hundred Years, pg 178, shows Gideon was one of the earliest settlers from Connecticut; pg 40 shows he was a selectman in 1780; pg 39 shows John was a constable in 1780; and pg 179, shows Elkanah moved from Connecticut in 1770 [so apparently he and his wife returned there after their time in Saratoga and Connecticut].
  21. [S862] Births, Marriages and Deaths, Pawlet, Vermont, 1768-1856, pg 5, shows Elkanah's son Willard was born in Pawlet 17 Mar 1781; pg 32 shows Ebenezer's son Darick was born in Pawlet 11 Mar 1780; and pg 85 shows Joshua was married in Pawlet 17 Sep 1781.
  22. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 1:266-7, John Fassett, commissioner for the state of confiscated land to Ebenezer Cobb of Stillwater, Albany Co., New York, dated 9 Nov 1779; 1:69-70, John Clark to John Cobb of Canterbury, Windham Co., Conicticut [sic], dated 9 Nov 1778; 1:171, Peter Van Baurer to Joshua Cobb of Stillwater, Albany Co. dated 4 Feb 1780; 1:271-2, Joel Simonds to Joshua Cobb of Pawlett, dated 19 Sep 1781; 1:275-6, Ebenazer Cobb of Pawlett to Joshua Cobb of Pawlett, dated 20 Sep 1781; 2:37, Benjamin Petton to Elkanah Cobb of Pawlett, dated 18 Dec 1783; and 2:65, Nathan Niles to John Cobb of Pawlett, dated 27 Oct 1784.
  23. [S2230] Col. Allen's Regiment pay rolls, folder 7, Revolutionary War Rolls.
  24. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 2:37, Benjamin Petton to Elkanah Cobb, dated 8 Dec 1783, for lot no. 5 of first division, original right of Amasa Jones.
  25. [S1171] Hollister, Pawlet for One Hundred Years, pg 40.
  26. [S3451] Hemenway, Vermont Historical Gazetteer: A Magazine, embracing a History of each Town, Civil, Ecclesiastical, Biographical and Military, vol III pg 880, shows him as selectman and year.
  27. [S7905] Benjamin Willard to General Assembly of State of Vermont, petition, 3 Oct 1785, State Archives & Records Administration.
  28. [S2381] State Papers of Vermont, vol 8, General Petitions 1778-1787 (1952), pp 154-5, contains transcript of petition; vol 3, Journals and Proceedings of the State of Vermont 1784-1787 (1978), pg 202, shows dispostion.
  29. [S1171] Hollister, Pawlet for One Hundred Years, pg 98.
  30. [S2238] Notice, The Vermont Gazette, 6 Feb 1785, same notice also published in 14 Mar and 28 Mar 1785 editions.
  31. [S1265] Wikipedia, online, "Isaac Watts" article, viewed 8 May 2009, provides Watts' biography.
  32. [S2383] Inhabitants of Pawlett to General Assembly of State of Vermont, petition, 6 Sep 1785, State Archives & Records Administration.
  33. [S2395] Land Records, Wells, Vermont, B:317, Joseph Lamb to Elkanah Cobb, 18 Apr 1786.
  34. [S2395] Land Records, Wells, Vermont, B:306-7, mortgage deed, Elkanah Cobb to Robert Henry, Robert McClallen & Robert Henry Junr, 1 Oct 1787.
  35. [S2395] Land Records, Wells, Vermont, C:35, Ogden Mallory to Elkanah Cobb, 6 Oct 1787.
  36. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 2:155-6, mortgage deed, Elkanah Cobb to Robert Henry, Robert McClallin & Robert Henry Junr dated 9 Nov 1787, on lot no. 5 in the first division in Pawlett on the original right of Amasa Jones, and ½ of Lot no. 4 in the first division in Pawlett on the original right of Samuel Wright, the W end of that lot.
  37. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 2:198, Jonathan Willard to Elkanah Cobb, 20 Jun 1789; and 3:37-8 Elkanah Cobb to Jonathan Willard, 10 Dec 1791.
  38. [S2268] DeedMapper, computed size as 25.8 ac. based on metes and bounds from deed.
  39. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 2:199-200, mortgage deed, Elkanah Cobb to Robert Henry, Robert McClallin & Robert Henry Junr dated 9 Nov 1787, on Lot no. 11 in the first division in Pawlett, drawn on the orignal right of James Hudley.
  40. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 2:320-2, Jonathan Lawrance, Melaeton Smith, & Nathaniel Platt to Ekanah Cobb, dated 4 Jul 1788, for 46¾ ac. in Pawlett, beginning at the SE corner of home lot no. 47, set out for Timothy Winchell; also ½ of 30 ac. lot given to Williams Fairfield by the propriators of Pawlett on account of his being the second settler in the town; also, lot no. 45, laid out for Johathan Castle on the third division of original rights of Daniel Warner. Also 2:200-3, mortgage deed dated 4 Jul 1789 from Elkanah Cobb to same parties. Since both deeds were recorded 4 Jul 1789, and for the same amount, making it appear that the mortage was for the purchase transaction, it would appear that the date of the sale deed was mis-copied by the clerk.
  41. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 2:356-7, Elkanah Cobb to Robert Henry Jr. & Robert B. Henry, dated 9 Jun 1791, for home lot no. 11 laid out in the first division on the right of James Shedley, home lot no 5 in the first division on the right of Amasa Jones, and part of the home lot no 4 in the first division on the right Samuel Wright.
  42. [S2221] "For Sale," Albany Gazette, 19 Sep 1791, same advertisement has been found in The Vermont Gazette each week in 12, 26 Sep, 3, 10, 17, 24 Oct, 7, 14 Nov, & 5 Dec 1791.
  43. [S2395] Land Records, Wells, Vermont, C:442, Elkanah Cobb to Simon Francis, 14 May 1793.
  44. [S2376] Inhabitants of Wells to General Assembly of State of Vermont, petition, 30 Sep 1794, State Archives & Records Administration, shows dam had been in use two years.
  45. [S7903] John Sumway v. Joel Simons, Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of the the State of Vermont, vol 1 (1829): 53-57, January Term, 1827, Rutland Co., pg 53, shows prior dam, Elkanah erected new mill and dam within year or two of 1792.
  46. [S2395] Land Records, Wells, Vermont, vol B and C include many deeds with Simon Francis as grantor or grantee, C:442, Elkanah Cobb to Simon Francis, 14 May 1793; C:136, 11 Jan 1789 town meeting, shows him as "lister"; C:174, Mar 1790 town meeting, shows him as fence viewer; C:219, Mar 1791 meeting, shows him as collector; C:425, Mar 1793 town meeting, shows him as surveyor of highway; and B:423, Mar 1795 town meeting shows him as fence viewer.
  47. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 3:18-9, Elkanah Cobb to Nathaniel Platt, dated 10 Feb 1792, for 46¾ ac. in Pawlett, beginning at the SE corner of home lot no. 40, ½ of 30 ac. lot given to Williams Fairfield by the propriator of Pawlett on account of his being the second settler in the town, and lot no. 45 which was laid out for Johathan Castle on the third division of original rights of Daniel Werner.
  48. [S2395] Land Records, Wells, Vermont, C:272-3, notes of town meeting 6 Mar 1792 at the schoolhouse near Nathan Warram and meeting of authority & selectmen afterwards for the appointment of tavern or houses of intertainment, shows Elkanah nominated for license; C:425, town meeting 14 Feb 1793 at schoolhouse near Elkanah Cobbs does not mention tavern license; notes for 1794 meeting not found; B:423 notes of town meeting 10 Mar 1795 held at school house near Elkanah Cobb's, and meeting of authority afterwards for the appointment of tavern or houses of intertainment, shows Elkanah nominated for tavern license.
  49. [S863] Cobb, History of the Cobb Family, pg 154, shows that in probate proceedings he is called "Elkanah Cobb late of Wells.
  50. [S2223] Notice, The Farmers' Library, 28 Oct 1793, same notice appeared in The Vermont Gazette, 25 Oct 1793; a breif follow-up warning appeared 16 Dec and 30 Dec 1793 editions of the Farmer's Libary.
  51. [S2395] Land Records, Wells, Vermont, B:395-8 executions of judgement obtained by Eli Pettiborn and Joseph Randal against Abel Merriman, shows Elkanah as one of three appraisers, all shown as free holders; D:1, record of town meeting 17 Feb 1794, shows election of Elkanah as hayward and as pettit juror.
  52. [S2376] Inhabitants of Wells to General Assembly of State of Vermont, petition, 30 Sep 1794, State Archives & Records Administration, document contains petition, summons, Francis' release, and notes on committee action.
  53. [S2234] Notice of act of General Assembly, The Rutland Herald, 5 Jan 1795, provides the text of the act.
  54. [S2272] Untitled article, The Vermont Gazette, 2 Jan 1795.
  55. [S7906] Old Supreme Court Files Nos. 3222 to 3415, Rutland, Vermont, folder 211, paper 3286, summons of defendants in Elkanah Cobb vs. Abner Cone et al., 3 Feb 1795; and paper 3287, copy of County Court record in Elkanah Cobb vs. Abner Cone et al.
  56. [S7906] Old Supreme Court Files Nos. 3222 to 3415, Rutland, Vermont, paper 3287, copy of County Court record in Ebenezer Cobb & Gideon D. Cobb vs. Abner Cone et al.
  57. [S7906] Old Supreme Court Files Nos. 3222 to 3415, Rutland, Vermont, folder 211, paper 3287, copy of County Court record in Elkanah Cobb vs. Abner Cone et al.; paper 3287, copy of County Court record in Ebenezer Cobb & Gideon D. Cobb vs. Abner Cone et al.; and paper 3288, a second copy of County Court record in Elkanah Cobb vs. Abner Cone et al.
  58. [S2377] Ebn Cobb and Gideon D. Cobb to General Assembly of State of Vermont, petition, 20 Sep 1798, State Archives & Records Administration, recites history of prior proceedings.
  59. [S2381] State Papers of Vermont, vol 11, General Petitions 1797-1799 (1962), pp 208-10, contains transcript of petition; vol 3 part 8, Journals and Proceedings of the General Assembly of the State of Vermont 1797-1799 (1978), pg 295, shows dispostion.
  60. [S2395] Land Records, Wells, Vermont, D:386, Gideon D. and Ebenezer Cobb, administrators, to James Dunscomb, 8 Oct 1799; and D:367, James Dunscomb to Gideon D. and Ebenezer Cobb, administrators, same date.
  61. [S2395] Land Records, Wells, Vermont, D:386-7, Gideon D. Cobb to Simon Francis, 28 Nov 1799.
  62. [S7903] John Sumway v. Joel Simons, Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of the the State of Vermont, vol 1 (1829): 53-57, January Term, 1827, Rutland Co.
  63. [S2396] Probate Records, vol 3 pp 95-6.
  64. [S2269] "To Be Sold," The Vermont Gazette, 29 Aug 1799, same ad ran in the 12 Sep 1799 edition as well.
  65. [S2395] Land Records, Wells, Vermont, D:373, Gideon D. Cobb, commissioner, to Mary Cobb, 12 Nov 1799.
  66. [S4230] Cobb, Elder Henry Cobb Family, shows daughter Cobb, name unknown, born abt 1772, died young.

Gideon Dyer Cobb Jr.1,2,3

ID# 1269, (1817 - 1871)
Family Chart

Parents:

FatherGideon Dyer Cobb (11 Sep 1773 - 1 Mar 1834)
MotherModena Chittenden Clark (4 Oct 1779 - 7 Oct 1837)
AncestryThe Cobbs of Pawlet Vermont
Chart MembershipDescendants of Gideon Cobb
Family IndexesThe Cobbs of Pawlet Vermont

Key Events:

Birth: 3 May 1817, Caldwell Co., Kentucky,4,5,6,7
Marriage: 11 Dec 1848, Eddyville, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, Frances Conn Webb (b. 12 Aug 1829, d. 7 Oct 1849)8,9
Death: 10 Dec 1871,10,11
Burial: Riverview Cemetery, Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky,3
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Narrative:

Gideon Dyer Cobb Jr. was born on 3 May 1817 in Caldwell Co., KentuckyG.4,5,6,7
     He was probably the male under age 10 listed in the household of his father, Gideon Dyer Cobb, in the 1820 Federal Census of Eddyville, Caldwell Co., KentuckyG.12 He is probably the male age 10 to 15 listed in the household of his father in the 1830 Federal Census of Eddyville, Caldwell Co., KentuckyG.13
     His father died on 1 Mar 1834, when Gideon was 16 years old.14,15
     He was probably one of the four males age 20 to 30 listed in the household of his brother Caleb, in the 1840 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., KentuckyG.16
     Gideon married Frances Conn Webb, daughter of Dr. Charles Henry Webb Jr. and Cassandra Ford, on 11 Dec 1848 in Eddyville, Caldwell Co., KentuckyG.8,9
     His wife died on 7 Oct 1849 in Eddyville, Caldwell Co., KentuckyG.17,18,19
     Gideon and his brother Caleb both appear twice in the 1850 census, living together in Crittenden Co., and separately in Caldwell Co. It seems likely that they were enumerated at their iron operations in Crittenden, but did not consider it their regular home. Gideon appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Crittenden Co., KentuckyG, enumerated 29 Aug 1850, reporting real estate of $30,000, with his brother, Caleb. They are shown as living with a group of young men whose occupation appears to be laborer, perhaps in the iron works. Gideon reported owning 53 slaves, all males, ages ranging from 14 to 74, apparently working in the iron works.20,21 He also appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., KentuckyG, in the household of his brother Robert his wife, reporting real estate valued at $6,000 and personal estate of $2,000.22,23
     Gideon appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Dycusburg, Crittenden Co., KentuckyG, enumerated 12 Jul 1860, reporting real estate valued at $41,000, personal estate valued at $40,000, and 25 slaves, about equally male and female, ranging in age from 4 months to 80 years., Also listed as living with him are his sister Mary; her husband, James G. Clark; their children, Modena, Henry, Giles, and Elizabeth; Ruben and Belle Shannon, who would appear to be Elizabeth's children; and an "overseer."2,24 They was apparently living near his brother Caleb as his household was listed second following in the record.25,26

The Cobb Brothers in Business --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

Great Western Furnace - similar to those operated by the Cobb family
photo by authors

     Four of the Cobb brothers, Caleb, Robert, followed by Gideon, and later Giles, were very active in business ventures in EddyvilleG and the surrounding area, following in their father's footsteps. Through a series of partnerships among themselves and with others they engaged in mercantile, real estate, and iron businesses.27
     In Aug 1836, at the age of 18, Gideon became a partner in the family business, with his brother Robert, William Gray, and David Bell. The partnership was known as Cobb, Gray & Bell. It appears the firm operated solely as a mercantile business.28
     The partnership of Cobb, Gray & Bell was replaced by what turned out to be a short-lived partnership of the remaining partners, Robert, Gideon, and David R. Bell, using the name of Cobb Bell & Co.29 Caleb seems to have decided to dispose of most of his real estate in 1841, selling the bulk of his holdings to Cobb Bell & Co. The sale included 18 parcels containing over 4,628 acres, mostly in Caldwell Co. but two in Livingston Co. With this transaction the mercantile and iron interests of the Cobb brothers were joined in a single business for the first time. Robert seems to have focused on mercantile interests, including mortgages to secure creditor accounts at the store, while Gideon was more focused on the iron business.29,30,31,32,33
     With the loss of Bell, Robert and Gideon operated their business under the name of R. L. & G. D. Cobb.34 Their first order of business was to significantly expand their iron operations with a major purchase from John and Samuel Stacker and Thomas T. Watson, well known entrepreneurs in the local iron industry. The purchase included the Eddyville Furnace and 13 other parcels apparently obtained for their ore and coal deposits, a total of over 3,800 acres.35
     Six years later, on 12 Aug 1850, they sold much of their iron operations to William and John F. Kelly, another set of famous iron masters. The sale included the Eddyville Furnace and about 8,000 acres of land in 37 parcels in Caldwell Co.G, and another 1,118 acres in Crittenden Co., including the site where "Cobb & Machen's old forge stood."36,37
     It appears that the R. L. and G. D. Cobb partnership was dissolved in late 1850, with the sale of most of its properties. Robert and Gideon then joined in a new partnership with their younger brother Giles and Charles M. Jackson, known as Cobb Jackson & Co. This new partnership was located in Dycusburg, Crittenden Co., and was primarily a mercantile business, making only a few land purchases and sales. It appears that even though his two brothers were involved, this was primarily Giles's business.38
     It was apparently Caleb who built the Cobb's Crittenden Furnace two miles north of Dycusburg, Crittenden Co.G, in 1848, and then sold it to his younger brother, Gideon. Caleb continued to be involved as manager of the furnace after he sold it, while Gideon was apparently more involved with other ventures.39,40,33
     About the same time as Cobb Jackson & Co. was formed, Gideon and Giles formed a separate partnership known as Giles L. Cobb & Co., apparently involving just the two of them. It too was based in DycusburgG, and again Giles seems to have been the lead partner. It was apparently formed in 1851, and dissolved by early 1857.41
     By 1860 Gideon had formed a partnership with John Gallatly, operating a mercantile business in Dycusburg, Crittenden Co.G, The business also engaged in a few real estate transactions. It would appear the firm failed after eleven years of operation.42,43
     For details about all these partnerships, please see The Cobb Brothers in Business.
     The stores operated by the Cobbs and their partners extended credit to their customers, in some cases taking mortgages to secure those accounts. Many of the mortgages list all the borrowers' crops, livestock, tools and household goods, and thus provide an interesting insight on the lifestyle of those farmers. See Accepting Mortgages for some examples.

Transactions Involving Family --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Among the Cobb brothers' extensive real estate transactions were a number that involved members of their extended family, some apparently adversarial in nature.
     At least one relative, George M. Marshall, husband of their sister Persis, seemed to be perennially in debt to the Cobb's businesses. In 1842 he signed a mortgage to Robert and Gideon, and then another two years later. In 1851 he signed a new mortgage, to Robert and Giles. Then in 1855 he signed another mortgage to Gideon, and in 1860 he yet another mortgage to Gideon, this time with his new partner John Gallatly.44
     A pair of apparently related suits brought the Cobb brothers, including Gideon, into conflict with their brother-in-law, John Hallick, in 1846.45 Then, after John's death, Robert and Gideon brought a suit against his heirs in 1851, winning six town lots and a large parcel outside town.46
     In 1851 Gideon gave a 185-acre parcel to his sister Persis, whose husband had signed all those mortgages, and her children John, Edwin, Ellen, Gideon, Henry, Mary, and Charles.47
     In 1852 Robert and Gideon's firm bought a tract from the partners' cousin, Elijah George Galusha Jr., with provisions allowing him and his wife to continue living there for the rest of their lives.48,49
     Robert and Gideon bought lot no. 51 in EddyvilleG from their sister Mary and her husband James G. Clark in 1857 for $1,000. They sold it five years later for the same price.50
     Gideon sold a 21-acre parcel in Crittenden Co.G to Persis's husband George Marshall in 1858, for $105.51
     For details about all these family transactions, please see The Cobb Brothers' Transactions with Family.

The Perils of Dealing in Land --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Land titles were often less then clear, and sometimes disputed. Two cases among Gideon's transactions illustrate some of the perils of investing in land at that time.
     On 29 Feb 1848 Gideon purchased, for $444.45, one half, less one ninth, of a 1000-acre tract from the heirs of Mr. Jennetta Gordon, who were all in Henrico Co., Virginia. The one-ninth share not sold belonged to "infant" (i.e. under age) heirs. The sellers stated that one half of the tract had been sold years before to "one Crenshaw" and they did not know whether a division had ever been made, but if so, this sale was for the other half. Gideon paid for the property with notes. No further record of this property has been found, so we do not know whether the tangled title was ever cleared.52
     In May 1852 Gideon sold to Charles B. Stacker, for $1,200, the 2,000-acre tract on Long and Fowlers Creeks on the South side of the Cumberland River that he and Thomas Smith had acquired in a grant in 1839. He purchased it back from Stacker for the same price in Dec the same year, apparently because of a boundary dispute with another grant. Such disputes were common because no central maps were kept. Grantees simply directed surveyors to mark off a parcel of the designated size in the general location they desired and the resulting survey were filed away. In the large tracts of wooded land was easy for boundaries of different patents to overlap and go unnoticed for years.53
     In Feb 1853 Gideon sold, for $350, a part of that tract above a specified line to Daniel Hillman. Then in March of that year he received title from Hillman, "in consideration of a compromise" and $1, for that part of a parcel lying within the Cobb and Smith grant that was below the same line. Finally, in May he sold the part of his original grant lying below that line to John Stacker for $1,150.54

Cobb Gallatly & Co. --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     By 1860 Gideon had formed a partnership with John Gallatly, operating a mercantile business in Dycusburg, Crittenden Co.43,55
     The business also engaged in a few real estate transactions. On 22 Sep 1860 it purchased a house and lot in DycusburgG from Phillip and Catharine Grasham, for $500.42 Six years later, on 7 Feb 1866, it sold the same lot to Isaac Shelby for the price they had paid.56 On 13 Nov 1866 the firm purchased lot no. 20 in Jacobs addition to the town of DycusburgG for $100. This lot was apparently later transferred to Gideon alone, as it appears as his property in their bankruptcy filing in 1871, when is sold for $50.57,58
     On 28 Sep 1867 they bought Y. E. Steel's crop of tobacco, some 4 acres, for $74.50.59 Only one mortgage taken by the firm has been found, in 1860 from Gideon's brother-in-law, George M. Marshall. He mortgaged his thirty acres of corn, thirty head of hogs, five head of cattle, and a cow and calf to secure $200 he owed in notes and on account.60

Gideon's Dealings Outside the Partnerships --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Gideon, like his brothers, had extensive real estate transactions separately from his partners, although his were mainly in Crittenden Co.G Only one parcel, other than those mentioned above, as been found in Caldwell Co., a 45-acre parcel he purchased in Jan 1845 and sold in Nov 1848.61 In Lyon Co.G he purchased the estate of Daniel Jarrett from the heirs in three transactions in 1861 and 1866, for a total of $1,850.62
     Records have been found of 14 purchases of tracts of land from individuals in Crittenden Co.G from 1849 to 1864, totaling 1,530 acres, for which he paid over $13,700. One of these transactions was the purchase in 1857 from William and John Kelly of the two parcels totaling 1,118 acres, including the site of Cobb & Machen's old forge, which Gideon and Robert had sold to them in 1850 for $2,000. Gideon paid $5,650 for it, so we must assume that the Kellys had made substantial improvements while they owned it.63 Gideon lived and operated a farm on this property, located on the Cumberland River, near DycusburgG, for many years afterwards. He described it in 1871 as "well improved, in residence, out building cleared land & fences & a valuable farm."64
     Besides buying existing tracts of land, it appears that Gideon, like his brother Robert, took full advantage of the legislation passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1835 allowing counties to sell warrants authorizing the buyers to survey and patent tracts of public land. Each of them patented nearly 3,000 acres in Caldwell Co. in a number of patents obtained over many years.65 Gideon purchased warrants that resulted in three grants totaling 2,968 acres in Caldwell Co., KentuckyG, the first surveyed 21 Apr 1838, and continuing until 1864.66,67 Of that, one 2,000-acre patent was obtained jointly with Thomas Wood. Gideon bought his partner's interest 23 Mar 1852, for $300.68
     Records have been found for Gideon's sale of 15 tracts of land in Crittenden Co.G from 1853 to 1869, totaling over 9,500 acres.69 He purchased four lots in DycusburgG between 1848 and 1865. They were lots no. 3, part of no. 15, part of no.16, and one with the number unreadable, where the Cobb Jackson & Co. store house was located. Five sales of lots have been found between 1853 and 1866, no. 3, part of no. 13, no. 14, part of no. 15, and one not identified by number.70
     In late 1871 he listed his holdings, consisting of three large tracts and three lots in DycusburgG. He held 3,650 acres known as Cobb’ furnace land in Crittenden Co., on the Cumberland River near DycusburgG, which he described as "tolerably improved, and has valuable iron banks & timber on it." He had two farm tracts, his home place mentioned above and 700 acres known as the Lynn place on Livingston Creek in Lyon Co. The latter was described as "tolerably well improved for a farm & residence & is good land." He held two lots in Jacob's Addition to the town of DycusburgG, one with an old building and the other unimproved. And he held a brick ware house and lot in DycusburgG known as Cobb’s ware house, which he described as "a valuable business stand besides a roomy & convenient ware house there is also under same roof a good store room."71
     For details of all the records that have been found for land transactions involving Gideon, see the extracted Caldwell Co. Deeds, Crittenden Co. Deeds and Lyon Co. Deeds.)

Retiring to Farming --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Gideon seems to have regarded himself as equally involved in the mercantile and iron businesses during much of his business life. He seems to have given up the iron business by 1860, and retired to farming.72,73,74 In his later years he operated his1,100-acre "home place" near DycusburgG, which he called the "Livingston Farm," and also a 700-acre farm known as the "Lynn Place," on Livingston Creek in Lyon Co. The farms were apparently successful; in Oct 1871 he reported he had 500 bushels of corn in the crib worth $200, 90 acres of corn in field worth $350, and $50 worth of hay in the barn.75
     Gideon appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Dycusburg, Crittenden Co., KentuckyG, enumerated 16 Jul 1870, reporting real estate valued at $25,000 and personal estate valued at $2500. The household included two white males, likely farm workers, and a black couple in their early thirties, likely farm or household workers. There was also a 35-year-old black woman, Eda Webb, and five black children aged 3 to 16, all with the surname Webb, perhaps former slaves of his late wife's family.76

His Business Collapses --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Despite his apparent focus on farming, his partnership with John Gallatly remained intact, although how active it was is not clear. He and the firm both seem to have felt the disruptions of the War. There are signs of financial difficulties for Gideon in the late 1860's, which deteriorated into bankruptcy in late 1871.
     He sold a number of properties in late 1869 and 1870. They included part of lot no. 16 in Dycusburg, a 95¾-acre parcel in Crittenden Co., lot no. 50 in Eddyville, and a 200-acre parcel in Lyon Co, raising nearly $3,000.77,78 In at least two cases he took steps to clear title to parcels he had acquired years earlier in order to sell them. In 1862 he had been appointed commissioner to sell a parcel in settlement of a lawsuit in Crittenden Circuit Court, and ended up selling it to himself, for $500. Apparently no deed was ever issued, so in the Dec 1869 term the court appointed another commissioner to issue the deed, which was done 9 Dec 1869. On 31 Dec 1869 he sold the parcel, a lot in DycusburgG with the Johnson and Steel house, for $750.79 On 28 Mar 1870 Gideon sold lot no. 2, on Second and Bridge Sts. in EddyvilleG to Martha Love, accepting a note in payment. The note was later transferred to Frederick Henry Skinner. The deed was never recorded, so the bankruptcy assignee issued one 25 Aug 1875. But the note was never paid, and on 10 Jul 1876 Skinner took possession of the property.80
     It appears that both the partnership and Gideon personally were raising cash by borrowing to keep the business afloat. Their bankruptcy filing lists nearly $27,000 in notes owed by the partnership to 16 individuals in Crittenden and Caldwell Counties, and two firms in Louisville and Nashville. Gideon borrowed about $46,000 more to 16 mostly different individuals in Crittenden and the surrounding counties. Gideon's debts also included $2,500 owed to his brother Joshua in Clarksville, Tennessee.81
     Some records suggest that Gideon was optimistic about salvaging the business. On 4 Jun 1870 he sold a one-acre parcel to the local school district for what appears to be the bargain price of $5. There is also evidence that he entered the field of oil prospecting during this period. On 24 Mar 1870 he and twelve partners obtained a lease on a parcel in Crittenden Co.G prospect for "petroleum, salt, lead, and other minerals." The lease ran for 15 years, continuing afterwards as long as they continued to operate, and gave them the right to erect buildings and create roads, and to take timber, coal, and wood for derricks, mills, and refineries, and for fuel. They paid only a nominal $2 for the lease, but were to deliver one-twelfth of any oil, salt, or other minerals found to the land owners, who were responsible for removing their share.82

Bankruptcy --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Ultimately, the efforts to save the business were not successful. On 13 Oct 1871 Gideon and his partner, John Gallatly, filed for bankruptcy for the partnership and themselves individually in the U.S. District Court in PaducahG. The petition appears to have been filed in haste. The debts owed were itemized, but in each case their dates were shown as "forgotten" and most of the amounts were listed as "about," even though Gideon reported that he had books of account which would have listed these details. The notes and accounts due them were not listed but their worth estimated in bulk with the note "I have notes all in one bundle at home & will hand them over with schedules of same to my assignee." It appears they did not want to take the time to obtain and list the details.83
     The firm reported it owed about $27,000 in unsecured notes due. Its assets consisted of about $4,000 in notes and about $3,000 in open accounts due it. Neither the firm nor Gellatly reported holding any land. Gideon reported an additional $46,000 in unsecured debts, and notes for $3,840 secured by a mortgage to his brother-in-law, Dr. James Dodd Kirkpatrick. He listed as assets six parcels of land which he estimated as worth nearly $47,000 (but which later sold for about $16,000), which were encumbered by a court execution for $5,000 in favor of one unsecured creditor and the mortgage held by his brother-in-law. Other assets listed were notes due him of about $1,000, personal property worth $2,400, and a $10,000 life insurance policy, with his sister Aurelia beneficiary of half of it.84
     There may have been other debts. On 12 Nov 1891 S. Hodge, Master Commissioner of the Crittenden Circuit Court from 1857 until 1879, published a statement refuting allegations of misconduct in office. In it he described, among other issues, a $1,000 loan he had made 14 Dec 1863 to J. N. Sutcliff and G. D. Cobb from funds collected in his duties. He recalled that in 1866 they took advantage of the bankruptcy law, that they promised to repay the debt and he did not file proof of it with the commissioner, and that they died before repaying him. No record can be found of a bankruptcy filing involving Sutcliff, nor any for Gideon in 1866, so it appears the reference was to this filing. But the filing makes no mention of Sutcliff nor this debt.85
     On 16 Oct 1871 the two partners and the firm were adjudged bankrupt, and they surrendered all their property. Their creditors met on 29 Nov 1871 and selected F. W. Clements of Dycusburg as assignee. All their property, except that exempt under the law, was transferred to him by the Court, and he then proceeded to liquidate it.86,87 The assignee initially sought to avoid using newspaper advertisements for the sale of Gideon's land and use only handbills because of the large number of parcels he had divided the land into for better sale, and because there was no newspaper published in the county. But that request was apparently not granted, as he did advertise in the Paducah Kentuckian in addition to posting handbills throughout the county and adjoining counties. He held a public sale of Gideon's properties on 25 Nov 1872 on Main St., Dycusburg. He sold 21 parcels in Crittenden Co. and two in Lyon Co. The sales totaled over $12,700 for about 2,600 acres. The terms required one third in cash and the balance in two payments six and 12 months later.88,89,90 He separately sold additional properties in Livingston and Crittenden Counties, including two parcels apparently overlooked before which were sold as late as 1 Mar 1875, and a grave yard lot sold for $5.50.91,92 (For further details of the bankruptcy proceeding see the extracted Case Files.)

Death Soon After --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Gideon died on 10 Dec 1871 at age 54.10,11 He was buried in Riverview Cemetery, Eddyville, Lyon Co., KentuckyG, in the Cobb family plot, next to his parents.3 He died less than two months after filing for bankruptcy. Did he file for bankruptcy because of ill health? Did the stress of financial failure lead to his death? Or was it simply coincidence? No records have been found that might provide insight.
     Gideon died intestate (without leaving a will) and letters of administration for his estate were issued on 13 Dec 1871 to F. M. Clement, who was also assignee in the bankruptcy proceeding. He posted bond with James Kirkpatrick as surety.93
     Gideon had requested that $1,250 in personal property be exempted from the bankruptcy proceeding as provided by state law or "as necessary for business & family comfort." This included furniture and bedding, kitchenware, his shotgun, 12 "family relic" silver spoons, the family Bible, some books, farm equipment, a saddle horse, 500 bushels of corn, and $50 worth of hay in the barn.94
     An inventory of his estate was filed on 29 Dec 1871. Most, if not all, he requested was apparently granted. The personal property in his estate was appraised on 29 Dec 1871, for a total of $826.25, and later sold for a total of $738.22. The property included furniture - a bureau selling for $16, a bed stand and bedding for $23.25, and many items like chairs selling for a dollar or two; the silver spoons for $13.00, livestock, including a horse mule selling for $144.50, a yellow mule for $142.50, a sorrel horse for $76; and farm produce including 450 bu. of corn for $130 and 400 lb. of pork for $23.60.95
     The settlement of the estate was filed on 17 Nov 1873. The administrator reported receipts of only the $738 from the sale of personal property. He listed debts and fees paid totaling $343, the largest of which was to Gideon Dyer's brother-in-law, James Kirkpatrick. After payment of debts $390 remained. Of this, $119 was paid to his sister Mary, $44 to his sister Aurelia, and $40 to Robert A. Mansfield, husband of the daughter of his late sister Hannah. The reasons for these payments were not stated but it seems likely that they included nursing, housing, or like personal services. A balance of $188 remained to be distributed to heirs.96

Children:
      Children with Frances Conn Webb:

Gideon and Fannie left no children.97

Citations

  1. [S2303] Kilbury-Cobb, "RE: Cobb Ancestry," e-mail to author, 15 Jun 2001, citing hand-written pages titled "From Joshua Cobb's Family Bible," provided by Lillian W. Sprout, granddaughter of Joshua Cobb, with notarized statement 5 Dec 1931, Montrose, Pennsylvania, that they were from a Bible in her possession, shows name as Gideon Dyer Cobb, Jr.
  2. [S1697] Gideon D. Cobb household, 1860 U.S. Census, Crittenden Co., Kentucky.
  3. [S2090] Gideon D. Cobb grave marker, Eddyville Cemetery.
  4. [S2303] Kilbury-Cobb, "RE: Cobb Ancestry," e-mail to author, 15 Jun 2001, citing hand-written pages titled "From Joshua Cobb's Family Bible," provided by Lillian W. Sprout, 5 Dec 1931, Montrose, Pennsylvania, shows date, with year as 1817.
  5. [S2090] Gideon D. Cobb grave marker, Eddyville Cemetery, shows date, with year as 1818.
  6. [S1820] Robert L. Cobb household, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, shows age 30, county, and state.
  7. [S578] Gideon D. Cobb household, 1850 U.S. Census, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, shows age 32, and state.
  8. [S727] Caldwell Co. Marriage Bonds, Book B, no. 82, G. D. Cobb to Miss F. C. Webb, 11 Dec 1848, shows date.
  9. [S3997] Kyle, Our Ancestral Plots, pg 215, shows her as his wife.
  10. [S2090] Gideon D. Cobb grave marker, Eddyville Cemetery, shows date.
  11. [S900] Inventory and Sale Books, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, C:328-31, G. D. Cobb Inventory and account of sale, 25 Apr 1872 shows appraisal was done 29 Dec 1871.
  12. [S576] Gideon D. Cobb household, 1820 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky.
  13. [S1789] Gideon Cobb household, 1830 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky.
  14. [S2092] Gideon D. Cobb grave marker, Eddyville Cemetery, shows date.
  15. [S49] Freeman, Family File "David and Deborah.GED," 31 Jul 1998, shows date, town, as Eddyville, county, and state.
  16. [S574] C. C. Cobb household, 1840 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky.
  17. [S49] Freeman, Family File "David and Deborah.GED," 31 Jul 1998, shows date, town, county, and state.
  18. [S3997] Kyle, Our Ancestral Plots, pg 215, shows date.
  19. [S3388] Web, Descendants of Sir Henry Webb, shows date.
  20. [S578] Gideon D. Cobb household, 1850 U.S. Census, Crittenden Co., Kentucky.
  21. [S1681] Gideon D. Cobb, owner, 1850 U.S. Census, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, slave schedule.
  22. [S1820] Robert L. Cobb household, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky.
  23. [S1745] Robert L. Cobb, owner, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, slave schedule.
  24. [S841] Gideon D. Cobb, owner, 1860 U.S. Census, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, slave schedule.
  25. [S819] Caleb C. Cobb household, 1860 U.S. Census, Crittenden Co., Kentucky.
  26. [S1697] Gideon D. Cobb household, 1860 U.S. Census, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, is listed with only one household between his and his brother's.
  27. [S1977] Cobb, Exit Laughing, pg 25, citing ledger and day books of the business, shows Robert taken into the business at age 21.
  28. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, H:236-7, Robert L. Cobb to William Gray dated 2 Aug 18, $1500 for 1/3 interest in lot on Water and Main Sts. purchased by Chittenden Lyon, Caleb C. Cobb & Robert L. Cobb where they erected a two-story brick house occupied by Cobb, Gray & Bell as a store and ware house; and I:72-3, John F. Veid mortgage to Robert L .Cobb, William Gray, David R. Bell & Gideon D. Cobb “merchants & copartners trading under the name and style of Cobb, Gray & Bell” dated 23 Jun 1838.
  29. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, K:249-52, C. C. Cobb to Robt. L. Cobb, David R. Bell & Gideon D. Cobb "trading under the style & firm of Cobb Bell & Co.," 16 Sep 1841.
  30. [S1795] R. L. Cobb household, 1840 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, shows the only person employed, apparently Robert, as employed in commerce.
  31. [S1820] Robert L. Cobb household, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, shows Robert's occupation as merchant.
  32. [S1811] Robert L. Cobb household, 1860 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky, shows Robert's occupation as merchant.
  33. [S578] Gideon D. Cobb household, 1850 U.S. Census, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, shows Gideon and Caleb living with a group of young men whose occupation appears to be laborer, apparently in the iron works, with Caleb's occupation as iron maker and Gideon's as merchant and iron maker.
  34. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, M:127-8, Edward T. Walkins, Commissioner in Chancery to Robert L. Cobb and Gideon D. Cobb of the firm of R. L. & G. D. Cobb dated 4 Feb 1845, $1500 for the interest of Elijah Shepardson in a house and lot in Princeton in settlement of debt owed Robert L .Cobb & Gideon D. Cobb, surviving partners of Cobb Bell & Co.
  35. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, L:454-9, John Stacker of Missouri, Samuel Stacker of Tennessee & Thomas T. Watson of Trigg Co. to Robert L. Cobb & Gideon D. Cobb dated 20 Jul 1844, $10,000 for several parcels of land, on which Eddyville Furnace stands and adjacent thereto: 1st 100 ac. survey made for Christopher –-?–- , conveyed to John Jones and by him to grantees, where Eddyville [Furnace?] stands; 2nd 100 ac. on –?– Ck., purchased of John Hammonds; 3rd 50 ac. on Cumberland River immediately below the Furnace; 4th 30 ac. purchased of C. C. Cobb upon which the Furnace landing sits; 5th 2 surveys of 400 ac. each purchased of Randolph Doom; 6th 300 ac. bought of Henry Doven; 7th 480 ac. survey made in name of Saml. & John Stacker & Thomas T Walter on Cumberland River; 8th 260 ac. survey made in name of Samuel & John Stacker & Thos T Walter; 9th 700 ac. survey made in name of Samuel & John Stacker & Thomas T Walson; 10th 100 ac. survey in name of Stacker & Watson on Cumberland River; 11th [blank] ac. survey; 12t 300 ac. survey for Slacker & Watson on Cumberland River; 13th 124 ac. survey in name of Daniel Glenn on Goat Ck.; 14th 400 ac. survey made for E. S. Galusha conveyed by him to Stacker & Watson; and 15th 90 ac. survey made in name of Joshua Hammond purchased of him.
  36. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, P:47-58, Robert L. Cobb, merchant, & wife Cornelia, & Gideon D. Cobb, merchant, doing business under the style and firm of R. L. & G. D. Cobb, acting individually and as surviving partners of Cobb, Bell & Co. to William Kelly & John F. Kelly, iron masters, doing business under the style and firm of Kelly & Co., dated 12 Aug 1850, $20,000 for 37 parcels, including 100 ac. "on which Eddyville Furnace stands," other parcels identified as containing 7404½ acres, and seven parcels of unstated size; and P:19-20, same to same dated same, $2000 for 2 parcels in Crittenden Co. [apparently recorded in Caldwell Co. because the clerk obtained Cornelia's release of dower and certified it to Crittenden Co. to save her having to travel to that county].
  37. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, B:593-5, Robert L. Cobb & Cornelia his wife, and Gideon D. Cobb, merchants doing business as R L & G D Cobb, to William Kelly and John Kelly, iron masters, doing business as Kelly & Co., two parcels in Crittenden Co., 21 Oct 1850.
  38. [S3055] Travis, "A Thriving Town in the 1800s", shows Jackson & Cobb were selling goods along with shipping tobacco in 1851.
  39. [S1999] Lesley, The Iron Manufacturer's Guide, pg 128, shows "Crittenden Steam Cold-blast Charcoal Furnace" owned by G. D. Cobb and managed by C. C. Cobb, year built, and location, as 2 miles west of Dycusburg.
  40. [S849] "Kentucky Historical Marker Database,", Marker Number 1210, 2½ miles north of Dycusburg, viewed Jun 2005, describes Crittenden Furnace, shows location as one mile west of marker.
  41. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, B:878-9, G. B. Dycus to Giles L. Cobb & Co., dated and recorded 17 Oct 1857; and E:270-1, Giles L. Cobb and Gideon D. Cobb, late partners of Giles L Cobb & Co, and Marion Cobb, wife of Giles to Ann Duvall, dated 12 Feb 1857 and recorded 19 Mar 1858.
  42. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, F:316-7, Phillip Grasham & Catharine Grasham his wife to G. D. Cobb and John Gallatly, merchants trading as Cobb Gallatly & Co., 20 Nov 1860.
  43. [S3055] Travis, "A Thriving Town in the 1800s", shows Cobb & Gillathy as one of the businesses operating in the town.
  44. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, K:425-6, George M. Marshall mortgage to R. L. Cobb, D. R. Bell & G. D. Cobb of the firm of Cobb Bell & Co. dated 16 May 1842; N:246, George M. Marshall mortgage to Robert L. Cobb & Gideon D. Cobb, merchants trading under name & style of R L & G D Cobb, and surviving partners of Cobb Bell & Co., 21 Aug 1847; B:727, George M. Marshall mortgage to Giles L Cobb & Charles M Jackson of Crittenden & Gideon D Cobb of Caldwell, trading as Cobb Jackson & Co., 14 Apr 1851; D:72, George M. Marshall mortgage to Gideon D. Cobb, 27 Jun 1855; and F:247, George M. Marshall mortgage to Cobb Gallatly & Co. of Dycusburg, 21 Jun 1860.
  45. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, F:269-70, James Loftus of Christian Co. executor for George Loftus to Caleb C. Cobb, 8 Jan 1831; K:249-52, C. C. Cobb to Robt. L. Cobb, David R. Bell & Gideon D. Cobb, 16 Sep 1841 item #1; N:184-5, Rezin H. J. Davidge, Commissioner in Chancery, to Robert L. Cobb and Gideon D. Cobb,
    17 May 1847: and N:185-6, same to John Hallick, recorded same day.
  46. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, Q:238-9, John H. Rackerby, commissioner in chancery to John Stacker, 15 Mar 1853;
    R:158-9, same to William A Brooks,14 Jul 1852; Q:2-4, same to Gideon D. Cobb, 23 Sep 1852; Q:138-40, same to William H. Calvert, 24 Sep 1852; and Q:241-3, same to Robt. L. Cobb, 6 Apr 1853.
  47. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, B:754-5, Theophilus Killen & wife to Gideon D. Cobb, 29 May 1851; and B:893-4, Gideon D. Cobb to Persus C. Marshall & her children John C. Marshall, Edwin M. Marshall, Ellen A. Marshall, Gideon D. Marshall, Henry B. Marshall, Mary E. Marshall & Charles U. Marshall, 15 Dec 1851.
  48. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, Q:102-3, Elijah G. Galusha to R. L. & G. D. Cobb dated 8 Sep 1852; and P:87-9, Elijah G. Galusha mortgage to R. L. & G. D. Cobb, merchants of Eddyville, dated 24 Aug 1850.
  49. [S826] Lyon letter to Witherell, 5 Apr 1828, describes Galusha as "a poor farmer."
  50. [S3152] Deeds, Lyon Co., Kentucky, A:428, James Clark & wife to R. L. & G. D. Cobb, 1 May 1857; and B:556-7, Robt. L. Cobb & Gideon D. Cobb to Jacob T. Young, 24 May 1865.
  51. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, E:357, Gideon D. Cobb to George M. Marshall, 29 Jul 1858.
  52. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, N:350-2, Jennetta M. Gordon, in her own right and as executrix for J. M. Brown dec'd, Mary Gordon, Sillias T. Grodon, Catherine M. Seabrook & N. B. Seabrook her husband, & James C Gordon, heirs of Mr. Jennetta Gordon decd., by Christopher Chinn, their represented attorney in fact, to G. D. Cobb dated 29 Feb 1848, $444.45 for ½, less 1/9th of undivided 1000 ac. tract, patented 8 Apr 1786 to James Curry.
  53. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, P:574-5, G. D. Cobb to Charles B. Stacker dated 19 May 1852, $1200 for 2000 ac. on waters of Long & Fowlers Ck., S side of Cumberland River, patented by G. D. Cobb & Thos. Smith 20 Sep 1839; Q:88-9, Charles B. Stacker to G. D. Cobb dated 1 Dec 1852, $1200 for same.
  54. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, Q:208-9, Gideon D. Cobb to Daniel Hillman dated 22 Feb 1853, $350 for part of tract patented to Cobb & Smith, above a line from corner to J. F. Kingsolving running due E & W to original line of Cobb & Smith survey; Q:205-6, Daniel Hillman of Trigg Co to Gideon D. Cobb dated 15 Mar 1853, $1 part of parcel known as Abarmin survey, within a survey for Cobb & Smith, below a line from corner to J. F. Kingsolving running due E & W to original line of Cobb & Smith survey; and Q:545, Gideon D. Cobb to John Stacker dated 12 May 1853, $1150 for a portion of patent to Cobb & Smith, beginning corner Jefferson B Kingsolving, to lines of original survey.
  55. [S3264] Cobb Gellatly & Co., bankruptcy, case no. 505, Bankruptcy Case Files, Act of 1867, Records of the U.S. District Court, Record Group 21, Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Term.
  56. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, H:107, G. D. Cobb and Jno Gellatty to Isaac Shelby, 14 Feb 1866.
  57. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, H:360, M. D. Hughey & wife Margarett to Cobb, Gallattey & Co., 18 Dec 1866.
  58. [S3264] Cobb Gellatly & Co., bankruptcy, case no. 505, Bankruptcy Case Files, Act of 1867, Records of the U.S. District Court, Record Group 21, Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Term, Report A, report of assignee on sale of estate of G. D. Cobb, 1 Jan 1873.
  59. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, H:622, Y. E. Steel to Cobb Gellatty & Co., 30 Sep 1867.
  60. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, F:247, Geo M Marshall to Cobb Gallatly & Co., 21 Jun 1860.
  61. [S1975] Deeds, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, M:21, William P. George & wife Heter to Gideon D. Cobb, 20 Jan 1845; and O:52, Gideon D. Cobb to Joseph K. Asbridge, 5 Jan 1849.
  62. [S3152] Deeds, Lyon Co., Kentucky, B:294, John Gabral Jarrett to G. D. Cobb, 5 Oct 1861; B:304, George M. Jarrett to same, 25 Feb 1862; and D:456-7, W. B. Machen to G. D. Cobb & Stephen Tisdale, interest conveyed to grantor by Wm. Jerritt & Eliza Hill, 1 Dec 1871.
  63. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, B330-1, B G Dycus to G. D. Cobb, 5 Sep 1849; B:324, John Brasker to same; 22 Aug 1849; B:342, John Brasher to Gideon D. Cobb; 29 May 1849; B:343-4, Bennett Crounch to same, 29 May 1849; B:754-5, Theophilus Killen & wife to same, 29 May 1851; B:759-61, Sumner Marble, commissioner in chancery to same, 31 May 1851; C:208-9, David W. Patterson & Rebecca B. to same, 24 Jun 1853; C:97, Wilson Travis to G. D. Cobb, 22 Jan 1853; C:355-6, Collen Hodge & W. N. Hodge to same, 28 Jan 1854; C:376-7, Nathaniel W. Thompson to Gideon D. Cobb, 2 Feb 1854; C:497-9, C. C. Cole, commissioner in Chancery to same, 28 Aug 1854; E:83, Enoch P. Evans to G. D. Cobb, 1 Aug 1857; E:187-9, William Kelly & wife and John Kelly to same, 9 Dec 1858; E:633, John S Pace & Rebecca his wife to same, 19 Aug 1859; F:472, Phillip Grassham to same, 7 Apr 1862; and G:115, R E Perkins & wife Lavina to Gideon D. Cobb, 19 Feb 1864.
  64. [S3264] Cobb Gellatly & Co., bankruptcy, case no. 505, Bankruptcy Case Files, Act of 1867, Records of the U.S. District Court, Record Group 21, Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Term, Schedule D-1, lands, shows location, that he lived there, and description; Report F of Assignee, shows he resided there many year.
  65. [S838] Kentucky Secretary of State, Land Office, online, describes legislation enabling sale of warrants, and a search of the County Court Order Series for "Cobb" finds 10 grants for Robert, totaling 2987 acres, and 3 for Gideon, totaling 2968 acres.
  66. [S839] Kentucky Land Patents, County Court Order Series, Patent No. 1285 (Bk. 4, pg 159), warrant no. 19, dated 21 Apr 1838, surveyed 18 May 1838, granted 20 Sep 1839, 2000 ac. on Long Creek and Fowler Creek, jointly with Thomas Smith.
  67. [S838] Kentucky Secretary of State, Land Office, online, record for Patent No. 21016, citing Bk. 38 pg 744, shows surveyed 16 Apr 1852, granted 1 Apr 1853, 744 ac. on Crab Creek; and record for Patent No. 35485, citing Bk. 64, pg 171, shows surveyed 18 Dec 1844, granted 8 Mar1864, 224 ac. on Little Carmack Creek.
  68. [S3152] Deeds, Lyon Co., Kentucky, B:236-7, Tho. Smith to G. D. Cobb, 19 Jan 1861.
  69. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, D:192-3, G. D. Cobb to Oswald Bennett, 5 Sep 1855; D:261-2, same to W. B. Johnston & E. Steele, 31 Jan 1856; E:106, same to Bram W. Williams, 22 Aug 1857; E:106-7, same to J. F. Bennett, 22 Aug 1857; E :249-50, Gideon D. Cobb to Wm Redd & Edward Daugherty, 5 Mar 1858; E:298, same to Wm Redd, 27 May 1858; E:595-6, G. D. Cobb to D. D. Moore & Phillip Grassham, 26 Aug 1859; E:455, same to William W. Williams, 10 Nov 1858; E:456, same to Thomas Hardin, 11 Nov 1858; E:566-7, same to George Jarrett, 31 May 1859; G:248-9, Gideon D. Cobb to Barnett G. Perrin, 8 Jul 1864; F:390, G. D. Cobb to R. S. Perkins, 9 Feb 1861; G:259, same to Adam B. Perkins, 12 Jul 1864; and I:252 26, same to Martin Asbridge, May 1868.
  70. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, B:256-7, Greenburg B. Dycus to G. D. Cobb, number unreadable, 23 Sept 1848; E:329-30, Sumner Marble & Eliza Jane to same, part of no. 15, 18 Jun 1858; E:580-1, Wm Piatt & Mary L. his wife, and Simon S. Bucklin & Mary Francis his wife to same, part no. 16, 30 Apr 1859; H:305-7, W. Cleareralian, Sheriff, to Gideon D. Cobb, no. 3, 3 Oct 1866; C:195, Gideon D. Cobb to David D. Moore, not identified by number, 20 Jan 1853; E:486, G. D. Cobb to T. W. Wilson, part of no. 15, 18 Dec 1858; F:33-4, Gideon D. Cobb to Joseph M. Clark, no. 14, 2 Jul 1859; F:217, G. D. Cobb to C. H. & W. M. Bennett, part of no. 13, 7 Jun 1860; and H:312, G. D. Cobb to Claiborn Rice, no. 3, 16 Nov 1866.
  71. [S3264] Cobb Gellatly & Co., bankruptcy, case no. 505, Bankruptcy Case Files, Act of 1867, Records of the U.S. District Court, Record Group 21, Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Term, Schedule D-1.
  72. [S1820] Robert L. Cobb household, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, shows Gideon's occupation as merchant.
  73. [S1697] Gideon D. Cobb household, 1860 U.S. Census, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, shows Gideon's occupation as merchant and farmer.
  74. [S1693] G. D. Cobb household, 1870 U.S. Census, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, shows Gideon's occupation as farmer.
  75. [S3264] Cobb Gellatly & Co., bankruptcy, case no. 505, Bankruptcy Case Files, Act of 1867, Records of the U.S. District Court, Record Group 21, Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Term, Schedule D-1, describes properties; Schedule D-2, lists produce on hand.
  76. [S1693] G. D. Cobb household, 1870 U.S. Census, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, shows no occupations for members of the household other than Gideon.
  77. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, J:56-7, G. D. Cobb to W. P. Maxwell, part of no. 16, 10 Oct 1869; and J545-6, Gideon D. Cobb to John T. Wyatt, 13 Jan 1871.
  78. [S3152] Deeds, Lyon Co., Kentucky, D:491, Gideon D. Cobb to Leri Wood, a free man of color, 4 Jan 1872; and D:359-60, G. D. Cobb to W. D. Crider & A. C. Crider, 8 Apr 1871.
  79. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, J:95-6, heirs of Johson & Steel by J. Randolph Finley, commissioner, to G. D. Cobb, 20 Dec 1869; J:186, G. D. Cobb to R. H. Brown, 11 Mar 1870.
  80. [S3152] Deeds, Lyon Co., Kentucky, E:534-5, F. M. Clements, assignee of Gideon D. Cobb, a bankrupt to Martha Love, 13 Jul 1876; and E:535-6, Martha Love to F. H. Skinner, 13 Jul 1876.
  81. [S3264] Cobb Gellatly & Co., bankruptcy, case no. 505, Bankruptcy Case Files, Act of 1867, Records of the U.S. District Court, Record Group 21, Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Term, Schedule A-3, unsecured debts of the firm, and Schedule C-3, unsecured debts of G. D. Cobb.
  82. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, J:289-90, G. D. Cobb to Trustees of No. 9 School District of Crittenden Co., 14 Jun 1870; and J:246-8, Sarah B. Gandall and Dr. W. S. Graves as her trustee, John A Gandall her husband, and Dr. W. S. Graves to W. S. Graves, G. D. Cobb, J. R. Hughs, R. W. Brown, James C. Cardin, James M. Klapp, Samel H. Cassidy, Isaac Shelby, W. E. Dycus, G. F. C. Clement, Mrs. C. V. Gordon, J. T. Williams, Clay Rice & W. L. Smith, 27 Apr 1870.
  83. [S3264] Cobb Gellatly & Co., bankruptcy, case no. 505, Bankruptcy Case Files, Act of 1867, Records of the U.S. District Court, Record Group 21, Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Term, Copartnership Petition and schedules.
  84. [S3264] Cobb Gellatly & Co., bankruptcy, case no. 505, Bankruptcy Case Files, Act of 1867, Records of the U.S. District Court, Record Group 21, Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Term, Schedule A, debts of the firm; Schedule B, assets of the firm; Schedule C, debts of G. D. Cobb; Schedule D, assests of G. D. Cobb, Schedule E, assets of John Gellatly: and Report A, Report of Assignee on Sale of Estate of G. D. Cobb, 1 Jan 1873.
  85. [S3421] "The Records," Crittenden Press, 12 Nov 1891.
  86. [S3264] Cobb Gellatly & Co., bankruptcy, case no. 505, Bankruptcy Case Files, Act of 1867, Records of the U.S. District Court, Record Group 21, Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Term, certification of bankruptcy.
  87. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, K:199, Charles P. Marshall, Register in Bankruptcy to F. W. Clements, Assignee, [no recording date]; details of bankruptcy proceedings in L:282-3, F. W. Clements, Assignee of G. D. Cobb a Bankrupt to William S. Graves, 9 May 1873, and repeated in many following deeds.
  88. [S3264] Cobb Gellatly & Co., bankruptcy, case no. 505, Bankruptcy Case Files, Act of 1867, Records of the U.S. District Court, Record Group 21, Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Term, petition of Assignee to dispense with advertising except by handbills, 20 Nov 1872.
  89. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, L:282-3, F. W. Clements, Assignee of G. D. Cobb a Bankrupt to William S. Graves, 9 May 1873; L:284-5, same to R. H. Brown, 9 May 1873; L:286-7, same to William S. Graves, 13 May 1873; L:297-8, same to Thos C. Campbell, 10 Jun 1873; L:299-300, same to James W. Brasheir, 10 Jun 1873; L:300-2, same to C. H. Bennett, 12 Jun 1873; L:302-4, same to Wm S. Graves, 13 Jun 1873; L:304-6, same to Joseph C. Cassidy, 13 Jun 1873; L:306-7, same to A. J. Rutherford, 14 Jun 1873; L:307-9, same to Wm Reed, 14 Jun 1873; L:309-11, same to C. H. Bennett, 16 Jun 1873; L:311-2, same to William M. Bennett, 17 Jun 1873; L:376-8, same to Wm B. Bennett, 19 Jul 1873; L:378-80, same to Wm H. Ramage, 19 Jul 1873; L:380-1, same to William B. Bennett & James P. Moore, 21 Jul 1873; L:382-3, same to W. B. Bennett of Lyon Co., 21 Jul 1873; L:427-9, same to W. E. Dycus & Samuel H. Cassidy, 30 Sep 1873; and L:653-4, same to John Tiner, 17 Mar 1874; M:26-8, same to James H. Clifton, 22 Jul 1874;M:540-2, same to Presley C. Stublefield, 24 Mar 1876; and N:454-6, same to Samuel H. Cassidy & Thos. J. Numm 16 Jan 1878.
  90. [S3152] Deeds, Lyon Co., Kentucky, E:128-31, F. M. Clements, assignee of Gideon D Cobb, a bankrupt, to Wm. E. Dycus & Saml. H. Cassidy, 18 Sep 1873; and E:131-3, same to Wm. E. Dycus, Saml. H. Cassidy & W. S. Perkins, 19 Sep 1873.
  91. [S2793] Deeds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, L:461-3, F. W. Clements, Assignee of G. D. Cobb a Bankrupt to to W. E. Dycus & S. H. Cassidy, 23 Oct 1873; M:332-4, same to W. S. Graves, 30 Aug 1875; and M:334-5, same to Thomas Dodd, 30 Aug 1875.
  92. [S3264] Cobb Gellatly & Co., bankruptcy, case no. 505, Bankruptcy Case Files, Act of 1867, Records of the U.S. District Court, Record Group 21, Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Term, Report A, report of Assignee on sale of estate of G. D. Cobb, 1 Jan 1873, lists a grave yard lot.
  93. [S7245] Administrator, Executor and Curator Bonds, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, 1865-1876:123.
  94. [S3264] Cobb Gellatly & Co., bankruptcy, case no. 505, Bankruptcy Case Files, Act of 1867, Records of the U.S. District Court, Record Group 21, Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Term, Schedule D-4, exempt property.
  95. [S900] Inventory and Sale Books, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, C:328-31, G. D. Cobb Inventory and account of sale, 25 Apr 1872.
  96. [S7246] Settlements, Crittenden Co., Kentucky, 2:66-7.
  97. [S2529] Ruth Garrett Cobb, "Cobb-Garrett Family History", pg 5.

 

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