Person Page 179

Maj. Robert H. Cobb^1,2,3

Parents:

Key Events:

Narrative:

Maj. Robert H. Cobb was born in May 1836 in Caldwell Co., KentuckyG.^4,5,6
      He consistently used Robert as his given name after the death of his father, and in some army records. But he was recorded as Robeson in most records while in Kentucky, or often just the initial R. A few records recorded his name as Robertson.^13,14,15,16
     He was probably one of the three males under age 5 listed in the household of his father, Robert Livingston Cobb, in the 1840 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., KentuckyG.¹⁷
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Trigg Co., KentuckyG, in the household of Marcus Marcellus Tyler and Sarah Jane Mims, his mother's sister and her husband, enumerated 2 Aug 1850.¹⁸ He also appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., KentuckyG, in the household of his parents enumerated 13 Sep 1850. Since his parents' household was enumerated over a month after his aunt and uncle's, perhaps he had moved back home. Or it may be that both households thought of him as living with them.^19,20

Maj. Robert Cobb
from Confederate Veteran²¹

     Robert attended the Trigg Male Seminary in Cadiz, KentuckyG, under the teaching of Quintus M. Tyler, and at the Western Military Institute in Georgetown, Kentucky, where the future Confederate General Bushrod Johnson was superintendent.^21,22
     Robert was issued letters of administration on 8 Nov 1858 for the estate of Marcus Marcellus Tyler, his uncle, who had died intestate (without leaving a will). His father acted as his surety.²³ He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Eddyville, Lyon Co., KentuckyG, in the household of his parents.^24,25

R L Cobb & Sons --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     With his brothers focused on mills and the iron business, Robert's father maintained the family mercantile business in EddyvilleG founded by his father.^26,27,28 Robert and his brothers Linah and Joshua joined their father in the family business as they came of age. It is not clear just when each joined the firm, but all were participating by 1859. The firm was then called R L Cobb & Sons.^29,30,31 Robert withdrew from the partnership 1 Jul 1861, leaving Linah, Joshua and their father operating the business.³²
     He apparently left the family firm to devote his time to his law practice. He studied law one term at the University of Virginia, where he was a member of the class of 1855-56, and reported his occupation as lawyer in 1860.^33,34
     He was appointed administrator of the estate of David Doom in 1859 and sold the deceased's lands in that role. But he apparently did not issue the deed before joining the Confederate Army. His father was named to replace him in 1864 and he then issued the deed.³⁵ Examples of his legal work are found in two occasions in Feb 1860, when clients appointed him as attorney to settle real estate matters. The heirs of Daniel Jarrett authorized him to auction Jarrett's Negroes and lands at the courthouse door. Alfred Doome authorized him to recover a livery stable from M. D. Wilcox.³⁶

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

     Robert enlisted 19 Aug 1861, as a Lieutenant in Company F, 3rd Kentucky Mounted Infantry, Capt. H. B. Lyon's Company. He reported for duty at Camp Boone, TennesseeG.^37,38,39 The company was made a light artillery unit, and by Dec 1861 he was commanding the battery in the absence of the Captain, who had been promoted. He was promoted to Captain 1 Mar 1862. The unit was known as Cobb's Battery after he took command, and gained recognition for its exploits at the battle of Chickamauga in Sep 1863. That battle was one of the most significant Union defeats of the War, and involved the second highest number of casualties in the War after the Battle of Gettysburg. It also served in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Vicksburg, and others.^40,41,42,43
     Robert was appointed Major of a battalion of artillery 7 Apr 1864, reporting to General Johnston. On 23 May 1864 President Jefferson Davis submitted nominations for artillery officers to the Second Confederate Congress which included Robert, nominated to the rank of Major, to be effective 10 Feb 1862. His nomination was confirmed 28 May.^44,45
     Robert was part of the Army of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana that was surrendered 8 May 1865 by Lt. General Richard Taylor to Maj. General Edward Canby. This was the last major Confederate force remaining east of the Mississippi River. He was paroled 16 May 1865 at Meridian, MississippiG.^46,47
     His cousin, Capt. Robert Linah Cobb, served for a few months in his unit. With similar names they were confused in wartime records, and continue to be confused by Civil War buffs today.^48,49,50

Living in Mississippi, then Back to Kentucky --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Robert married Sarah Virginia Walker, daughter of John Allen Walker and Mary Boone Grimes, on 3 Aug 1865 in Monroe Co., MississippiG.^7,8,9
     Robeson purchased two parcels of land in in Lyon Co.G in 1866. On 7 May 1866 he bought a 238-acre parcel on the waters of Eddy Creek at a sheriff's sale at the courthouse door. On 8 Dec 1866 he bought the undivided interest of Elizabeth Upchurch and her husband (their share not stated) in another parcel in the same area. It would appear he spent a short time in Lyon Co.G after the war, before settling in Mississippi with his wife's family.⁵¹
     Robert and Virginia lived in Loohatan, a train stop a mile south of Muldon, Monroe Co., Mississippi, for several years after their marriage. At least part of that time they lived at her parent's mansion, where he worked to reorganize the interrupted plantation life at the vast Walker estates. Their first three children were born in Mississippi.^{52,53,54,55,56}
      About 1870 they and their three young children moved to his home state, Kentucky, settling with his parents in Paducah. They and their children, Robert, Virginia, and Cornelia, appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., KentuckyG, in the household of his parents.⁵⁷
     Robert was issued letters of administration on 11 Jan 1872 for the estate of John Allen Walker, his wife's father, whose will did not name an executor. Robert was named in response to a petition by the three daughters, the husbands of the two married daughters, and John T. Jameson, husband of the deceased daughter. Robert posted a bond of $30,000, with Jameson, Louisa's husband, Susanah, and G. W. Grimes as sureties.⁵⁸
     Robert was for a time part of the firm of Kay Cobb & Selser, though details are unknown. He reported his occupation in 1870 as a clerk in a tobacco warehouse. Whether that was in connection with this firm is unclear. He withdrew from the firm in Sep 1873.^59,60
     On 26 Apr 1878 Robert filed a petition of bankruptcy at the U.S. District Court in PaducahG. He reported about $6,000 in debts, about $1,400 of that dating to his involvement with R L Cobb & Sons, and another $1,300 related to his involvement with Kay Cobb & Selser. He reported no assets other than a small amount of personal property: wearing apparel worth $200, books worth $300, and a cow worth $10. He sought exemption from the bankruptcy of the clothing, $200 worth of books, and the cow. He said he held a one-fifth interest in the estate of his late mother, but that it had debts likely to exceed the value of the estate. He reported that the household property belonged to his wife, and she had paid for a $300 life insurance policy.⁶¹ (For further details of the bankruptcy proceeding see the extracted Case Files.)
      On 13 Apr 1880 Robert sold the two parcels in Lyon Co.G that he had purchased in 1866, receiving $450. They are not listed among his assets in the bankruptcy filing, and it is not clear how he retained title to them through that process.⁶²
     Robert and Virginia appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Paducah, McCracken Co., Kentucky, at Broadway St. G, enumerated 1 Jun 1880. Their children Robert, Virginia, Cornelia, Greta, Ethel, and Percy were listed as living with them.⁶³
      He apparently returned to the practice of law by 1880, and continued in that profession after moving to Texas.^64,65,66

Moving to Texas --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Robert and Virginia moved their family to Wichita Falls, TexasG, then a frontier village, in 1884.⁶⁷ They appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas G, enumerated 14 Jun 1900, reporting that the family was renting its home. Their children Robert, Virginia, Greta, Ethel, and Percy were listed as living with them, as were Richard Hyde, a farmer, and his wife Sarah who are listed as boarders.⁶⁸
     Robert and Virginia moved to HoustonG for a period, before returning to Wichita Falls. They appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Houston, Harris Co., Texas G, in the household of their daughter Greta and her husband, Robert Donaldson Thorburn.⁶⁹
     Robert applied for an indigent pension on 22 Jul 1913, in Wichita Co., TexasG, based on his Confederate military service under a 26 Mar 1909 act of the Texas legislature. As required he certified that he had been a resident of the state prior to 1 Jan 1900; had no income over $300 per year; had no property over $1,000 in value; was receiving no aid from another state, the Federal government, or a Confederate Home; nor was he able to practice his law profession. Two witnesses swore that they served with him, and the county assessor certified that neither he nor his wife had any real estate. After verifying his service with the War Department his pension was approved 1 Sep 1913, effective 1 Dec.⁷⁰
     Robert died on 20 Jul 1914 in Wichita Falls, TexasG, at age 78.^10,6,11 He was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., TexasG, with his wife, their sons Robert Jr. and Percy, and daughters Ethel and Greta, and her husband.¹²

Citations

1. [S949] Cobb - Thorburn tombstone, Riverside Cemetery, shows name as Major Robert Cobb.
2. [S569] M. M. Tyler household, 1850 U.S. Census, Trigg Co., Kentucky, shows name as R. H. Cobb.
3. [S3276] R. H. Cobb, Compiled Service Records, Confederate, Kentucky.
4. [S948] Robt. Cobb household, 1900 U.S. Census, Wichita Co., Texas, shows month, year, age 64, and state.
5. [S1820] Robert L. Cobb household, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, shows age 14, county, and state.
6. [S949] Cobb - Thorburn tombstone, Riverside Cemetery, shows year.
7. [S8642] Virgina Cobb, Widow's Application for Pension, 28581, Texas, Confederate Pension Applications, 1899-1975, application, shows date, county, and state.
8. [S64] International Genealogical Index, record for Virginia Walker marriage, citing FHL film #886908 v. 3, Monroe Co. Mississippi marriage records, white , v.3.
9. [S948] Robt. Cobb household, 1900 U.S. Census, Wichita Co., Texas, shows married, 35 years.
10. [S3018] "Major Robert Cobb Dies," The Dallas Morning News, 21 Jul 1914, shows date, city, and state.
11. [S951] Virginia Cobb household, 1920 U.S. Census, Wichita Co., Texas, shows her as a widow.
12. [S949] Cobb - Thorburn tombstone, Riverside Cemetery.
13. [S3152] Deeds, Lyon Co., Kentucky, B:147-8, W. B. Machen and others to Robeson Cobb, 1 Feb [Mar?] 1860; C:181-2 , John Boyd, sheriff to Robeson Cobb, 30 Jul 1866; C:218, Elizabeth Upchurch & husband to Robeson Cobb, 26 Jan 1866 [s/b 1867?]; D:2-3, Robert L. Cobb to Columbus Doom, shows Robeson Cobb originally appointed administrator, 8 Apr 1869; and F:521-3, Rob Cobb & wife to Mrs. Mary Grimmer, acknowleded to McCracken Co. clerk by Robert Cobb & Virginia Cobb, 16 Apr 1880.
14. [S1820] Robert L. Cobb household, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, shows name as Robertson H. Cobb.
15. [S1811] Robert L. Cobb household, 1860 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky, shows name as Robeson Cobb.
16. [S628] Robert L. Cobb household, 1870 U.S. Census, McCracken Co., Kentucky, shows name as Robertson Cobb.
17. [S1795] R. L. Cobb household, 1840 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky.
18. [S569] M. M. Tyler household, 1850 U.S. Census, Trigg Co., Kentucky.
19. [S1820] Robert L. Cobb household, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky.
20. [S1745] Robert L. Cobb, owner, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, slave schedule.
21. [S3376] "Commander of the Famous Cobb's Battery", pg 309.
22. [S1265] Wikipedia, online, "Western Military Institute," viewed 2 Oct 2011, shows location of school and identifies Gen. Johnson.
23. [S7589] Administator's Bonds, Lyon Co., Kentucky, 1:117, bond of Rob Cobb, with waiver of widow included.
24. [S1811] Robert L. Cobb household, 1860 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky.
25. [S1675] Robert L. Cobb, owner, 1860 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky, slave schedule.
26. [S1795] R. L. Cobb household, 1840 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, shows the only person employed, apparently Robert, as employed in commerce.
27. [S1820] Robert L. Cobb household, 1850 U.S. Census, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as merchant.
28. [S1811] Robert L. Cobb household, 1860 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as merchant.
29. [S3265] R. Cobb, bankruptcy, case no. 972, 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, shows debt created in 1859 by R L Cobb & Sons, and that Robert and R L Cobb, L M Cobb, and J C Cobb were doing business as a partnership.
30. [S3266] J. C. Cobb, bankruptcy, case no. 250, 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, shows debt created in 22 Aug 1859 by R L, L M, and JC Cobb, firm of R L Cobb & Sons.
31. [S1950] Battle, Kentucky - A History of the State, pg 291, shows Joshua's first venture was with his father in Eddyville, where he engaged in the tobacco trade.
32. [S3265] R. Cobb, bankruptcy, case no. 972, 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.
33. [S3376] "Commander of the Famous Cobb's Battery", pg 309, shows his studies at University of Virginia and beginning his practice.
34. [S1811] Robert L. Cobb household, 1860 U.S. Census, Lyon Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as lawyer.
35. [S3152] Deeds, Lyon Co., Kentucky, D:2-3, Robert L. Cobb, administrator, to Columbus Doom, shows Robeson Cobb appointed administrator 13 Sep 1859 after named excutors declined, replaced by Robert L. Cobb 28 Mar 1864, 8 Apr 1869.
36. [S3152] Deeds, Lyon Co., Kentucky, B:147-8, W. B. Machen and others, heirs of estate of Danl Jarrett, decd., to Robeson Cobb, 1 Feb [Mar?] 1860; and B:146, Alfred Doom to R. Cobb, 28 Feb 1860.
37. [S3276] R. H. Cobb, Compiled Service Records, Confederate, Kentucky, card for company muster-in roll, shows unit, rank, date, and place.
38. [S3018] "Major Robert Cobb Dies," The Dallas Morning News, 21 Jul 1914, describes his enlistment, change of company to artillery, and his promotions.
39. [S4543] Battle, Kentucky - A History of the State, pg 859, shows battery later known as Cobb's Battery.
40. [S3277] R. Cobb, Compiled Service Records, Confederate, Kentucky, card for muster roll, 30 Sep to 31 Dec 1861, shows him as Lt., commanding in absence of the Captain; card for list of commissioned officers, shows rank as Capt. and date of commission.
41. [S3018] "Major Robert Cobb Dies," The Dallas Morning News, 21 Jul 1914, describes change of company to artillery, and his promotion.
42. [S3019] "Civil War Soldiers & Sailors System," National Park Service, record for R. H. Cobb, citing NARA microfilm M377-3, shows unit as Capt. Cobb's Co., Kentucky Light Art'y., rank in as 1 Lieutenant, rank out as Captain; record for Cobb's Company, Kentucky Light Artillery shows engagements.
43. [S1265] Wikipedia, online, "Battle of Chickamauga," viewed Jul 2011, described battle.
44. [S3278] Robert Cobb, Compiled Service Records, General and Staff Officers, card for register of appointments, shows rank, dates of appointment and confirmation.
45. [S2965] United States Congressional Serial Set, Senate Doc. No. 234, 58th Congress, 2nd session, Journal of the Congress of the Confederate States of America, 1861-1865, vol 4, 24 May 1864, pp 86-7, shows R. Cobb of Kentucky nominated; pg 100, Congress consented; pp 216-7, same group consented to again without explaination, appearently in error.
46. [S3278] Robert Cobb, Compiled Service Records, General and Staff Officers, parole.
47. [S1265] Wikipedia, online, "Richard Taylor (general),"viewed Aug 2011, shows generals, date of surrender.
48. [S8940] Robert L. Cobb, Compiled Service Records, Confederate, Confederate Government, Robt. L. Cobb to G. A Henry, 16 Jan 1864, addressing confusion between himself and his cousin.
49. [S1265] Wikipedia, online, "1st Kentucky Artillery," viewed Nov 2019, shows Robert L. Cobb as captain after Lyon.
50. [S8943] Walden, "A Post War Memoir", includes transcript of typescript based on information from Julian F. Gracey, husband of Robert L. Cobb's sister, in which he consistently shows captain of the bragaide as R. L. Cobb.
51. [S3152] Deeds, Lyon Co., Kentucky, C:181-2 , John Boyd, sheriff, to Robeson Cobb, 30 Jul 1866; and C:218, Elizabeth Upchurch & husband to Robeson Cobb, 26 Jan 1866 [s/b 1867?].
52. [S3376] "Commander of the Famous Cobb's Battery", pg 310, shows they lived a year a the Walker estate, and his work there.
53. [S3266] J. C. Cobb, bankruptcy, case no. 250, Bankruptcy Case Files, Act of 1867, Records of the U.S. District Court, Record Group 21, Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Term, Schedule B-3, Choses in action, lists him as having an outstanding account and located in Loohstan, Mississippi.
54. [S1270] Robert Cobb, Jr., Standard Certificate of Death, shows he was born in Mississippi.
55. [S3011] Virginia Leoma Harding, Certificate of Death, shows she was born in Mississippi.
56. [S628] Robert L. Cobb household, 1870 U.S. Census, McCracken Co., Kentucky, shows Cornelia as born as Mississippi.
57. [S628] Robert L. Cobb household, 1870 U.S. Census, McCracken Co., Kentucky.
58. [S2017] Inventory Record Chancery Court, Monroe Co., Mississippi, 1:232-5, will of John A. Walker.
59. [S3265] R. Cobb, bankruptcy, case no. 972, 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, shows debt incurred Jul 1873 by firm, and that he withdrew from it in Sep 1873.
60. [S628] Robert L. Cobb household, 1870 U.S. Census, McCracken Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as a clerk at a tobacco warehouse.
61. [S3265] R. Cobb, bankruptcy, case no. 972, Bankruptcy Case Files, Act of 1867, Records of the U.S. District Court, Record Group 21, Western District of Kentucky, Paducah Term.
62. [S3152] Deeds, Lyon Co., Kentucky, F:521-3, Rob Cobb & wife Virginia to Mrs. Mary Grimmer,16 Apr 1880.
63. [S1668] Robert Cobb household, 1880 U.S. Census, McCracken Co., Kentucky.
64. [S1668] Robert Cobb household, 1880 U.S. Census, McCracken Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as lawyer.
65. [S948] Robt. Cobb household, 1900 U.S. Census, Wichita Co., Texas, shows occupation as lawyer.
66. [S3018] "Major Robert Cobb Dies," The Dallas Morning News, 21 Jul 1914, shows he engaged in the practice of law in Paducah after the war, and that he practiced law "until he became too old."
67. [S3018] "Major Robert Cobb Dies," The Dallas Morning News, 21 Jul 1914.
68. [S948] Robt. Cobb household, 1900 U.S. Census, Wichita Co., Texas.
69. [S950] R. D. Thorburn household, 1910 U.S. Census, Harris Co., Texas.
70. [S8641] Robert Cobb, Soldier's Application for Pension, 22204, Texas, Confederate Pension Applications, 1899-1975.