Thomas Jefferson Cobb

Narrative:

     Thomas Jefferson Cobb was born on 5 Sep 1826 in Caldwell Co., Kentucky.^5,6,7
     He was probably one of the two males under age 5 listed in the household of his father, Caleb Clark Cobb, in the 1830 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., Kentucky.¹⁴
     His mother died on 11 Oct 1835, when Thomas was 9 years old.^15,16,17 According to family lore, after the death of his mother in the fall of 1835, Thomas went to live with the family of his mother's brother, Willis Benson Machen. But he apparently returned to his father's home by 1840.¹⁸
     He was probably one of the two males age 10 to15 listed in the household of his father in the 1840 Federal Census of Caldwell Co., Kentucky.¹⁹
     Thomas married Almeda Glenn, daughter of Col. Samuel Glenn and Nancy Langston, on 24 May 1848 in Caldwell Co., Kentucky.^5,8,9
     Thomas and Almeda appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of District No. 1, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, enumerated 18 Sep 1850, reporting real estate valued at $2,000, and 8 slaves, 4 male and 4 female. Their son Henry was listed as living with them, as well as a 21-year-old laborer, Thomas Smith, who may have been a hired hand on the farm.^20,21
     He was a farmer all his life.^20,22,23
     Thomas and Almeda appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Eddyville, Caldwell Co., Kentucky, enumerated 6 Jun 1860, reporting real estate valued at $5,000, personal estate valued at $8,900, including nine slaves in two slave houses, of which one, as 12 year-old male, was reported as a fugitive. Their children Henry, Samuel, Mary, Giles and Lucy were listed as living with them.^22,24

Enlarging His Land Holdings --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Thomas purchased 200 acres on the waters of Claylick Creek in Crittenden Co. from H. P. Williams on 26 Jan 1864. Williams had purchased the property from Thomas's uncle, Gideon Dyer Cobb Jr., on 1 Jan 1859 for $775, paid by two notes for $387.50 each, due one and two years later. Apparently he failed to pay the notes, and then endorsed the deed to Thomas who paid them off. But the title seemed to have been in question after Gideon's bankruptcy, so the assignee issued a new deed to Thomas 5 Apr 1872.²⁵ On 21 Oct 1874 Thomas sold two parcels of that tract, one to Harriett E. Morris for $50, and the other to Thomas Greenlee for $300. On 11 Feb 1875 he sold a third parcel to S. T. Greenlee, also for $300.²⁶ The size of these parcels is not stated in the deeds, leaving it unclear how much of the original parcel he may have retained. Curiously, after his death his widow sold the entire 200 acres, excepting only 60 acres conveyed to Mrs. Morris.²⁷
     Thomas was issued letters of administration on 14 Dec 1867 in Crittenden Co. for the estate of his father, who had died intestate (without leaving a will). He posted a bond with his uncle Gideon Dyer Cobb Jr. as surety.²⁸
     Thomas and Almeda appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky, enumerated 27 Jun 1870, reporting real estate valued at $2000 and personal estate valued at $800. Their children Henry, Samuel, Mary, Giles, Jefferson, Thomas and William were listed as living with them.²³

Selling Off Some of His Land --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     On 14 Oct 1869 Thomas sold 65 acres on Skinframe Creek in Lyon Co. for $650 to M. L. Scott, receiving $200 in cash and two notes for the balance.²⁹ On 18 Jul 1870 he sold 9 acres on the waters of Skinframe Creek in Lyon Co. for $700 to James M. Harver, receiving $400 in cash and a note due 1 Jan 1871 for the balance.³⁰ On 25 Sep 1871 Thomas sold a parcel on Livingston Creek in Lyon Co. for $600 to Wilson Ballentine, receiving $340 in cash and a note due 1 Jan 1871 for the balance.³¹ He sold 95 acres on Skinframe Creek in Lyon Co. to his eldest son, Henry, on 25 Sep 1871, for $800. He paid with two notes of $400 each, one due 1 Jan 1872 and the other a year later.³² No record has been found of how he obtained these parcels, but the timing suggests they may have come from his father's estate. His will mentions his "home place," the purchase of which has also not been found. Perhaps it too came from his father's estate, though it is quite possible the deed was never recorded, or simply has not been found in the records.
     Thomas purchased a parcel of unspecified size adjacent to his own property on 8 Jan 1872, for $100 from Catherine Eades.³³ He purchased 60 acres on the waters of Skinframe Creek in Lyon Co. on 13 Nov 1877, for $461 from Royal Bingham.³⁴

Putting His Affairs in Order --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Thomas left a will dated 14 Aug 1879, naming his wife, Almeda Glenn, to serve as executor, and also to receive all property of every kind. She was authorized to sell any landed property except the "home survey." As executrix, she was to be advised by their sons Henry and Giles, who were also to serve as alternates if she died.³
     Thomas and Almeda appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky, enumerated 14 Jun 1880, with their oldest son, Samuel, and his wife apparently living close by as they were listed next in the record. Their children Giles, Jefferson, Thomas and William were listed as living with them.³⁵
     Thomas died on 22 Feb 1881 at age 54.^10,11,12 He was buried in Glenn's Chapel Cemetery, Lyon Co., Kentucky.^13,4
     His will was proved on 28 Feb 1881 in County Court, Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky. It was much later, on 6 Apr 1918, recorded in Chrittenden Co. as well, for reasons unsaid.³