Person Page 152

Persis Clark Cobb was born on 23 Nov 1815 in KentuckyG.^4,5,6
     She was probably one of the two females age 15 to 20 listed in the household of her father, Gideon Dyer Cobb, in the 1830 Federal Census of Eddyville, Caldwell Co., KentuckyG.¹²
     Persis married George M. Marshall, son of George Marshall and Ann Rosewell, on 11 Feb 1834 in Eddyville, Caldwell Co., KentuckyG, with Rev. John Johnson officiating.^7,8,9,10
     She was probably one of the two females age 20 to 30 listed in the household of her husband George in the 1840 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., KentuckyG.¹³
     Persis and George appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Crittenden Co., KentuckyG, enumerated 29 Aug 1850, apparently living next door to where her brothers Gideon and Caleb lived when in the area to tend to their iron business. Their children John, Edwin, Ellen, Gideon, Henry, Mary, and Charles were listed as living with them, as was one slave, a 47 year-old female.^14,15
     On 16 Aug 1851 Persis' brother Gideon gave her and her children John, Edwin, Ellen, Gideon, Henry, Mary, and Charles the 185-acre parcel on the waters of Livingston Creek and the Cumberland River in Crittenden Co.G that he had purchased from Theophilus Killen and his wife Malinda on 2 Dec 1850, for which he had paid $550.¹⁶
     Persis and George appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Dycusburg, Crittenden Co., KentuckyG, enumerated 16 Jul 1860, reporting real estate valued at $4,000, and personal estate valued at $1,000. Their children Gideon, Henry, Mary, Charles, and Fanny were listed as living with them.¹⁷
     Persis apparently died in or before 1864, as her husband re-married in December of that year.¹¹

Caleb Clark Cobb was born on 25 Dec 1797 in Fair Haven, Rutland Co., VermontG.^4,5,6
     He moved from Pawlet to Eddyville, Kentucky, with his parents, in late 1799, wintering in New Geneva, PennsylvaniaG, then continuing in the spring.^15,16,17 For details, please see The Trek from Vermont to the Kentucky Wilderness.
     Life on the frontier was challenging to a young mother, though exciting to a young boy, if the story passed down through the family is true. Supposedly, while Caleb was still very young Indians who lived nearby would come and want to take him with them. Modena was afraid to let him go, but also afraid of offending the Indians, and the little boy always wanted to go. They gave him an outfit with a bright feathered headpiece, which he loved. One day his mother saw an Indian swimming out in the middle of the river with the child on his back, giving her a terrible fright. Later the Indians threw him in the river, and the little fellow kicked and stayed afloat, after which they returned him home supposedly saying "Him heap plucky." No doubt the story has been enhanced over time, if not invented outright, but it probably gives at least an idea of the perceived risks the families faced.¹⁸
     Caleb was probably one of the three males under age 10 listed in the household of his father, Gideon Dyer Cobb, in the 1810 Federal Census of Eddyville, Caldwell Co., KentuckyG, although he was actually 13.^19,20 He is probably the male age 16 to 26 listed in the household of his father in the 1820 Federal Census of Eddyville, Caldwell Co., KentuckyG.²¹
     Caleb married first Mary W. Machen, daughter of Henry Ballinger Machen and Nancy Tarrant, on 3 Dec 1822 in Caldwell Co., KentuckyG.^7,8,9
     Caleb appeared on the 1830 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., KentuckyG, with a household consisting of two white males under age 5 (sons Thomas and Robert), two between 30 and 40 (himself and another), one white female between 20 and 30 (his wife Mary), and four male and five female slaves.²²
     His wife died on 11 Oct 1835.^23,24,25
     Caleb appeared on the 1840 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., KentuckyG, with a household consisting of two white males between 10 and 15 (sons Thomas and Robert), three between 15 and 20 (probably including brother Giles), four between 20 and 30 (probably including brother Gideon), and one between 30 and 40 (probably Caleb, though he was about 43 by then), no white females, and 56 male and 6 female slaves.²⁶

The Mysterious Relationship with Louisa Long --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     The relationship between Caleb and Louisa seems beset with mysteries. First, there is a series of transactions involving land left by her late father to his widow and children. The purchases started about the time of the birth of their first son, while she was still apparently living on the property with or near her mother. It seems Caleb set about acquiring the rights of all the heirs, apparently expending some effort to do so. On 15 Jul 1836 he purchased from Louisa's sister Maria and her husband, for $50, their right as "one of the legatees of Griffin Long desc'd." to 400 ac. on Spring Creek and the waters of Livingston Creek. On 26 Oct 1836 he purchased from Sarah, Long's widow, her right of dower on the same property, for $100, noting that she then lived there. On 26 Oct 1836 he purchased Louisa's rights as one of the legatees, for $70.²⁷
     On 17 Jul 1841 he sold five acres of apparently the same 400-acre parcel to Daniel Jarrett for $25. He sold half the property to his two brothers as part of the 2 Aug 1841 sale of 18 different parcels, and a week later sold the other half to Louisa for $200, in neither case mentioning the previous sale of five acres. Then, on 8 Dec 1843, he obtained for $80 what appears to be further title to the same property, the rights of Thomas Long, of Sangamon Co, Illinois, which he had obtained from Louisa's sisters Eliza and Melvilla and their husbands. In that deed the tract was described a on the head of Spring Creek, belonging to heirs of Griffing Long desc'd.," the proper boundaries not known to the parities and undivided," reserving the one-third part which was the widow's right of dower. Was Caleb clearing the title to the land he had already sold, as he would have been required to do if the title became questionable? Why did he go to such trouble obtain the land then sell half of it back to Louisa? Was the other half valuable for the iron operations? Did she want it to return to her home place, or perhaps because her mother was still living there?²⁸
     Caleb and his brother Gideon 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. Caleb appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Crittenden Co., KentuckyG, in the household of his brother, Gideon. They are shown as living with a group of young men whose occupation appears to be laborer, perhaps in the iron works.^29,30
     Caleb appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., KentuckyG, enumerated 7 Sep 1850, reporting real estate of $1,000. His son Gideon was listed as living with him, as well as Louisa Berry Long, the child's mother, but whom he didn't marry until three years later. Also living there were her mother, Sarah Graham, John C. Cobb whose relationship is unknown, and David Lackman, Sarah's 18-year-old grandson.³¹
     Caleb and Louisa's relationship seems to have been awkward for the family. A well-researched family history by Caleb's granddaughter-in-law, based on extensive contacts with older family members as well as written sources, states that after his first wife's death he "moved to Dycusburg and married Louisa Long, and had by her one son Gideon. They then moved to Crittenden Furnaces..." The account ignores the fact that this son predated the marriage by seven years, and that they had apparently been living together in Caldwell Co. for some years before the marriage. It also omits mention of their eariler son and their daughter Belle, who was born after the marriage, but who may have died young.³²
     Caleb married second Louisa Berry Long, daughter of Griffin Long and Sarah Graham, on 30 Jan 1853 in Crittenden Co., KentuckyG, with Collin Hodge officiating.^10,11
     Caleb and Louisa appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Dycusburg, Crittenden Co., KentuckyG, enumerated 13 Jul 1860, reporting no real estate, but $500 in personal estate. Their children Gideon and Belle were listed as living with them, They were apparently living near his brother Gideon as his household was listed second preceding in the record.^33,34

Public Service --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     While not as prominent as his father, Caleb did take part in community affairs. His first recorded office was held only briefly, and at the young age of 23. He was appointed Constable on 28 May 1821 in place Samuel C. Clark, who was apparently a relative of his mother, who had resigned. But for reasons not stated, he too resigned less than two months later, on 23 Jul 1821.³⁵
     He clearly had standing in the community despite his young age. He several times acted as security for others. For example on 22 Oct 1821 he was security for the bond of Matthew Lyon Jr. as executor for Aurelea Skinner, Caleb's aunt. On 17 Apr 1826 and again on 19 Apr 1830 he acted as security for his father's bond in connection with the renewal of his tavern license.³⁶ On 20 Feb 1826 he was named one of three commissioners to let bids for building a bridge across Lick Creek on the road from Eddyville to Smithland and Salem, to be "built of wood with stone abutments, in a substantial manner." On 18 Oct 1830 he was appointed one of five commissioners to settle with the administrator of the estate of George Marshall.³⁷
     At the time roads were established and maintained by citizens appointed by the County Court. Caleb was one of five men appointed 16 Apr 1827 to view the road from Eddyville to Walker ferry on Cumberland River, "it being referenced that the road may be changed so as to be of more public convenience." Road viewers recommended the routes of new or relocated roads. On 21 Feb 1831 Caleb was appointed surveyor of the section of the road from Eddyville to Smithland, beginning at a hill about 250 yards from Joshua Hammond's plantation to opposite Hammond's dwelling. A road surveyor was responsible for inspecting roads and arranging repairs by the appointed citizens. Caleb was one of five men appointed 16 Jan 1832 "to view the several roads from Eddyville to Smithland continuing to the county line and report the most convenient of them."³⁸
     After he moved to DycusburgG he continued to serve his community. In 1851 he was appointed as one of five men to view a way for a road to commence at Dycusburg and extend to Clay Lick Creek.³⁹

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

     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. We have evidence that Robert joined his father's business at age 21, and we can assume that Caleb did before him. It appears that by the time of their father's death in 1834 the sons had taken over active management of the businesses. Through a series of partnerships among themselves and with others they engaged in mercantile, real estate, and iron businesses.⁴⁰
     By 1826 he had formed a partnership with Chittenden Lyon, doing business as Lyon & Cobb.⁴¹ By 1829, Caleb and Chittenden had expanded their partnership to include Caleb's younger brother, Robert, now calling the partnership Lyon, Cobb & Co.^42,43
     Caleb formed a separate partnership with Willis Benson Machen by late 1833 which appears to have been engaged primarily in the iron business, under the firm name Cobb & Machen.^44,45
     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 Gideon. Caleb continued to be involved as manager of the furnace after he sold it, while Gideon was apparently more involved with other ventures.^46,47,48
     For details about all these partnerships, please see The Cobb Brothers in Business.

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.
     Caleb purchased property from his father in 1823, and from Samuel C. Clark, apparently a relative of his mother, the next year. In 1826 he purchased the property where his uncle John Cobb lived.⁴⁹
     A pair of apparently related suits brought the Cobb brothers, including Caleb, into conflict with their brother-in-law, John Hallick, in 1846.⁵⁰
     For details about all these family transactions, please see The Cobb Brothers' Transactions with Family.

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

     Caleb's earliest recorded land purchase was in his mid twenties. On 31 Mar 1822, at the age of about 25, he purchased 666 2/3 acres on Livingston Creek, in Livingston Co.G, from James Fitzhugh for $580.⁵¹ However, in 1821 Caleb began declaring as his on the tax rolls a 400-acre parcel on the Cumberland River that had been granted to his father some years before. Dut the deed was apparently not made until 3 Aug 1823, showing that Caleb had paid $160 for it.^52,53
     While he was engaged in the various partnerships he continued to deal in real estate outside of them. Records have been found of four purchases by Caleb in Caldwell Co.G from 1829 to 1841. Except for one river-front lot in Eddyville, they were tracts of land, totaling about 1400 acres.⁵⁴ He seems to have taken advantage of bargains when they were available. In 1831 he purchased 200 acres for $20 and in 1832 a lot in Eddyville for $8, both at auctions on the courthouse steps. In each case the property was being sold to satisfy court orders in suits brought to collect debts, in the first case owed to Caleb. In 1841 he obtained 200 acres for $2.37½ owned in back taxes on apparently abandoned property.⁵⁵
     Apparently at least some of his land holdings were used as mill sites. On 19 May 1828 he obtained a writ of ad quod damnum to build a water grist mill and saw mill on Hammond Creek, about a half mile from its mouth. The process was simplified since he owned the land on both sides of the creek. On 16 Apr 1832 he was granted a writ for similar mills on Livingston Creek, about 50 yards from its mouth. In this case, even though he again owned the land on both sides, he was ordered to pay James Currey seven dollars for unspecified damages.⁵⁶
     Caleb seems to have decided to dispose of most of his real estate in 1841. On 2 Aug 1841 he sold the bulk of his holdings to his brothers Robert and Gideon and their partner David R. Bell, for the considerable sum of $20,000. The sale included 18 parcels containing over 4,630 acres, mostly in Caldwell Co. but two in Livingston Co.⁵⁷ No records have been found for the transfer of the slaves engaged with the iron works, but it appears they were also transferred about this time.^58,59
     Caleb did sell at least one lot of slaves separately. On 7 Aug 1841 he sold a group of slaves to the father of his late wife, Henry Ballinger Machen, for $4,006. They included a Negro man named Dick, age 26 years; Edey and her two children, Silas a boy about age 11, and Ataeian a girl age 3; Dolly and her three children, John a boy about 4, Rose a girl age 2, Lewis an infant boy about 2 weeks; Nelly and her child Henry age about 6 mo.; and a man Anderson age about 35.⁶⁰
     Even after selling the large number of properties to his brothers, Caleb apparently still has substantial holdings. Between 1842 and 1846 he sold off seven parcels in Caldwell Co.G totaling almost 1700 acres, realizing about $3600.⁶¹ With his focus shifted to Crittenden Co.G, he took a bit longer to dispose of his properties there. He sold three parcels between 1847 and 1854, totaling 227 acres, for $575.⁶² On 26 Apr 1856 Caleb purchased 50 acres in Lyon Co.G at the courthouse door for $50, it having been sold to satisfy a suit he had won in Lyon Co. Circuit Court against L. D. Parks. He lost that land when it was sold at the courthouse steps 28 Dec 1857 to satisfy an execution against him in favor of the Planters Bank of Tennessee.⁶³ On 1 Sep 1866 Caleb sold 50 acres in Lyon Co.G to William H. Grubbs, for $300.⁶⁴ (For details of all the records that have been found, see the extracted Caldwell Co. Deeds for Caleb Clark Cobb, Crittenden Co. Deeds and Lyon Co. Deeds for Second Generation Cobbs.)

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

     We do not know how long Caleb continued to participate in the iron business. He reported his occupation in 1850 as iron master, but by 1860, at age 63, he seems to have retired to farming.^65,66
     Caleb died on 19 Nov 1867 at Crittenden Furnaces, Crittenden Co., KentuckyG, at age 69.^12,13,14
     Caleb died intestate (without leaving a will) and letters of administration for his estate were issued on 14 Dec 1867 in Crittenden Co.G to Thomas Jefferson Cobb, his son. He posted a bond with his uncle Gideon Dyer Cobb Jr. as surety.⁶⁷
     An inventory of his estate was filed on 9 Jan 1868 listing furnishings, livestock, and farm produce. His widow, Louisa, took items valued at $534.25, with the balance of the personal property valued at $291.50. Those items were sold the same day, for a total of $181.20, with many of the furnishings being purchased by his widow.⁶⁸
     The settlement of the estate was filed on 28 Jan 1870. The administrator reported receipts of only the $181 from the sale of personal property, and payment of debts and fees of $208, leaving the estate owing him $27.⁶⁹