Simeon E. Cobb1,2,3,4

Family Chart
ID# 15544, (1800 - 1866)
FatherCapt. Joshua Cobb5,6 (16 Jul 1751 - btn 1820 - 1822)
MotherHannah Edgerton5,6 (8 Sep 1765 - )

Key Events:

Birth: 1 Mar 1800, Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont7,8,9
Marriage: about 1827, Betsey Henryford (3 Jan 1808 - 15 Jun 1890)10,11,12
Death: 12 Oct 1866, Salt Lake City, Utah13,14
Burial: 18 Oct 1866, Salt Lake City Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Utah15,16,17
ChartsDescendants of Gideon Cobb
AncestryThe Cobbs of Pawlet, Vermont

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     
Simeon & Betsy Cobb Monument
in Whitewater but he was buried
in Salt Lake City
photo courtesy Cheryl Dooley
Simeon E. Cobb was born on 1 Mar 1800 in Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont.7,8,9 He was probably one of the two males under age 10 listed in the household of his father, Capt. Joshua Cobb, in the 1800 Federal Census of Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont.18 He was probably the male age 10 to 16 listed in the household of his father in the 1810 Federal Census of Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont.19

The Move to Vernon, New York --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Simeon moved to Vernon, in central New York, by 1820, apparently taking his parents with him. It appears they were joining his sisters Abigail and Polly and their husbands who had moved there previously.20,21 (See map.) Simeon appeared on the 1820 Federal Census of Vernon, Oneida Co., New York, with a household consisting of one male one aged 16 to 26 (himself), and one aged over 45, (his father, Capt. Joshua Cobb), one female aged 16 to 26 (perhaps his sister Hannah or Claracy?), and one aged over 45 (his mother, Hannah Edgerton.)22
     Simeon married Betsey Henryford, daughter of Sextus Henryford, about 1827.10,11,12
     Simeon appeared on the 1840 Federal Census of Lenox, Madison Co., New York, with a household consisting of one male aged 5 to 10 (son Henry) and one age 40 to 50 (Simeon), one female age 5 to 10, one aged 30 to 40 (wife Betsey), and one age 70 to 80 (his mother, Hannah.)23

The West Beckons --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     On 1 Jun 1848 Simeon and Abraham Sheldon Edgerton, his cousin, were granted a patent for 40 acres of land in Rock Co., Wisconsin, under the Cash Entry Act of April 24,1820. While the patent states that the grantees were "Simeon E. Cobb and Abram S. Edgerton of Walworth County Wisconsin," it appears that Simeon was still living in New York.24
     Simeon and Betsey appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Lenox, Madison Co., New York, enumerated 2 Aug 1850, reporting real estate valued at $8,300. Their children Henry, Ellen and Elizabeth were listed as living with them, as was Jacob Wolf, age 30, a laborer. They were apparently living quite near his sister Polly and her family, as they appear only three households away on the census record.2
     Simeon and Betsey moved their family to Wisconsin in 1853. They located at Whitewater, Walworth Co. in the southeast corner of the state, a few miles from where his brother Joshua and his daughter and her husband had located in Rock Co.25,26,27
     In 1857 Simeon began to acquire a substantial acreage of land, principally in Juneau Co. in the central part of the state. He purchased 80 acres in Juneau Co. under the Cash Entry Act of 1820 on 1 Apr 1857. He also acquired the rights of five soldiers to bounty lands granted to them under the Scrip Warrant Act of 1855, totaling an additional 560 acres, in 1857 and 1859. One of those conflicted with a prior grant, and a replacement parcel in Vernon Co. was granted in its place in 1861.28,29 He reported his occupation as a farmer, but it seems unlikely that he was farming the land he acquired in central Wisconsin while living in Whitewater.2,3
     Simeon and Betsey appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wisconsin, enumerated 25 Aug 1860, reporting real estate valued at $10,000 and personal estate of $8,000. Their children Henry, Ellen and Elizabeth were listed as living with them.3

A Wagon Train Trip Through Indian Country --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Simeon joined a wagon train that departed Whitewater for Montana on 18 Apr 1866. It seems to have been quite an impressive affair, with 30 wagons, "very large and strong, capable of carrying safely from fifty to sixty hundred pounds of freight." The travelers were men "among the very best class of our younger people, mainly, there being two or three men in middle life, who go solely for their health. At age 60, Simeon was evidently among this latter group.30 The train traveled across Wisconsin and Iowa, reaching Nebraska City, on the eastern edge of Nebraska Territory, on 30 May 1866. A smaller party, including Simeon, broke off from the main train there, leaving for "Mormondom" on 9 Jun with four wagons.31 (See map.)
     Simeon's party arrived at Fort Kearny, Nebraska Territory, in mid June, where, because of the danger of Indian attack, they were required to wait a day until a train of 30 wagons could be assembled. They arrived in Julesberg, Colorado on 28 Jun 1866, where they learned it was unsafe to take the new cut off by Ft. Reno, so decided to take the Bitter Creek route to remain south and west of the disputed territory.32 The party continued to Fort Laramie, and then to Fort Casper, both in present-day Wyoming. Along the route they encountered a particularly severe rainstorm, which one night flooded the tent occupied by "Uncle Simeon Cobb" and three other men with several inches of water. At Fort Casper they were again detained by the army until a train of sufficient size was assembled, leaving on 20 Jul 1866.33
     The party continued to Fort Bridger, finally arriving in Salt Lake City on 13 Aug 1866, after a journey of a few days short of four months. Simeon had become quite ill before they arrived. It was reported that his "digestion got down very weak about ten days before we got in, and he got very weak and nervous. He is under medical attendance and growing better."34
     Simeon's objective for the trip may have been to reach California. On 4 Sep 1866 he was reported as "improving in health very rapidly, and will undoubtedly be ready to travel to California soon. But shortly thereafter he was reported as well, and intending to start for home in about ten days.35 But he died unexpectedly on 12 Oct 1866.36
     Simeon died on 12 Oct 1866 in Salt Lake City, Utah, at age 66.13,14 He was buried on 18 Oct 1866 in Salt Lake City Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Utah, in a pauper's grave.15,16,17
     His name is inscribed with his wife's on the monument in the family plot in Hillside Cemetery, Whitewater, Wisconsin, and a prominent member of the town recorded in his journal is intention to go out west and bring "Uncle Simeon" back. But there seems to be no record in the Salt Lake City Cemetery records of his remains being removed, and there is no "Father" stone matching her "Mother" stone in Whitewater, so it appears his remains are still in Salt Lake City.37,38

Children:
     Children with Betsey Henryford

Only three of Simeon and Betsey's five children, are known.42
  • Henry H. Cobb39,40,41 (28 Nov 1831 - 20 Jan 1907)
  • Ellen M. Cobb39,40 (Aug 1841 - 1911)
  • Elizabeth Lydia Cobb39,40 (18 Sep 1845 - 24 Feb 1884)

Citations

  1. [S862] Births, Marriages and Deaths, Pawlet, Vermont, 1768-1856, pg 185, shows name as Simeon Cobb.
  2. [S2434] Simeon E. Cobb household, 1850 U.S. Census, Madison Co., New York.
  3. [S2435] S. B. Cobb household, 1860 U.S. Census, Walworth Co., Wisconsin.
  4. [S2607] Cleveland and Cleveland, Genealogy of the Cleveland and Cleaveland Families, vol 1 pg 44, shows name as Simeon Cobb.
  5. [S862] Births, Marriages and Deaths, Pawlet, Vermont, 1768-1856, pg 185.
  6. [S863] Cobb, History of the Cobb Family, pg 156, citing Pawlet Town Records.
  7. [S862] Births, Marriages and Deaths, Pawlet, Vermont, 1768-1856, pg 185, shows date. Absence of information about the place when other entries include the names of other places suggests a local birth.
  8. [S2434] Simeon E. Cobb household, 1850 U.S. Census, Madison Co., New York, shows age 50 and state.
  9. [S2511] Simeon E. and Betsey Cobb cemetery monument, Eddyville Cemetery, shows year.
  10. [S2491] "Died," Whitewater Register, 19 Jun 1890, shows married, when she was 19.
  11. [S2434] Simeon E. Cobb household, 1850 U.S. Census, Madison Co., New York, shows them apparently living as husband and wife.
  12. [S2511] Simeon E. and Betsey Cobb cemetery monument, Eddyville Cemetery, shows her as his wife.
  13. [S4486] Simeon E. Cobb, Register of Deaths, shows date.
  14. [S2492] "Obituary," Whitewater Register, 19 Oct 1866, shows "one week ago today" and city; "Died," pg 2 same issue shows date and city.
  15. [S2438] "Cemetery and Burial Database," , record for Cobb, Simoon E, shows cemetery, date of death as 10/12/1866 and burial as 10/9/1866, comments say "Pauper."
  16. [S2524] Interview, Sexton's office, 10 Sep 2009, reported original record shows name as Simoon E. Cobb, place of death appears to be "Bron Susil, medical attendant," date 12 Oct 1866, no burial date, recorded as a stranger in pauper's grave.
  17. [S2492] "Obituary," Whitewater Register, 19 Oct 1866, shows he died "one week ago today" and city, and was buried there the Sunday following.
  18. [S581] Joshua Cobb household, 1800 U.S. Census, Rutland Co., Vermont.
  19. [S1521] Joshua Cobb household, 1810 U.S. Census, Rutland Co., Vermont.
  20. [S1174] Simeon Cobb household, 1820 U.S. Census, Oneida Co., New York, shows Simeon, and apparently his parents in Vernon, and a female age 16 to 26 who could be Hannah or Claracy.
  21. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 7:607 Joshua Cobb & Hannah Cobb of Pawlet to Simeon Edgerton, dated and recorded 20 May 1817; and 8:347, Joshua Cobb & Hannah Cobb of Vernon, Onieda Co., New York, dated 21 May 1823, recorded 8 Oct 1823.
  22. [S1174] Simeon Cobb household, 1820 U.S. Census, Oneida Co., New York.
  23. [S2439] Simeon E. Cobb household, 1840 U.S. Census, Madison Co., New York.
  24. [S2441] Cobb and Edgerton, cash sale land patent, 1 Jun 1848, Bureau of Land Management, Brookville Land Office.
  25. [S2491] "Died," Whitewater Register, 19 Jun 1890, shows year, as 1855.
  26. [S8496] Henry H. Cobb obituary, The Whitewater Gazette, shows year, as 1853.
  27. [S2435] S. B. Cobb household, 1860 U.S. Census, Walworth Co., Wisconsin, shows the family in Whitewater.
  28. [S2442] Simeon E. Cobb, cash sale land patent, 1 Apr1857, Bureau of Land Management, Stevens Point Land Office.
  29. [S2443] Cobb, bounty land patents, Bureau of Land Management, Stevens Point Land Office, 2 Apr 1857, warrent No. 222, John Miller, 120 ac.; No. 456, James Woodbury, 120 ac.; No. 1528, Harris Ricker, 120 ac.; 15 Apr 1859, warrent No. 67594, Andrew Byers, 120 ac.; No. 34590, Fanny L. Chamberlain widow of George Chamberlain, 80 ac., cancelled because of conflict with a prior grant and replaced with warrent No. 34590, 1 Jul 1861, La Crosse Land Office.
  30. [S2505] "Off for Montana," Whitewater Register, 20 Apr 1866, describes train, show it departed Wednesday, and lists S. E. Cobb among the participants.
  31. [S2506] "Correspondence," Whitewater Register, 18 May 1866, describes trip across Wisconsin and Iowa at the rate of 75 to 100 miles per week, mentioning passing Grinnell and Newton on "Saturday"; "Register Correspondence," 15 Jun 1866, pg 2, letter dated at Nebraska City, 31 May 1866, signed "D. B. B[eemer]." reports the train had arrived "yesterday morning"; and "Nebraska City and Missouri River," 29 Jun 1866, pg 1, dated at Salt Creek, N. T. 13 Jun 1866 signed "J. C. B[irge]." shows a party of 11, including S. E. Cobb, left the city 9 Jun for "Mormondon."
  32. [S2507] "Register Correspondence," Whitewater Register, 6 Jul 1866, describes arrival at Ft. Kearney and requirement to assemble into larger train; "Register Correspondence," 13 Jul 1866, letter dated at Julesberg, Col., 30 Jun 1866 signed by same, describes arrival at Julesberg and planning from there.
  33. [S2508] "Ft. Laramie to Fort Caspar," Whitewater Register, 24 Aug 1866.
  34. [S2509] "Register Correspondence," Whitewater Register, 31 Aug 1866.
  35. [S2510] "The City of the Saints," Whitewater Register, 5 Oct 1866, reports Cobb's recovery being ready to go to California; "Register Correspondence," 19 Oct 1866, pg 4, dated in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sep 1866, reports he was well and and intended to start for home in about ten days.
  36. [S2492] "Obituary," Whitewater Register, 19 Oct 1866.
  37. [S2511] Simeon E. and Betsey Cobb cemetery monument, Eddyville Cemetery.
  38. [S2512] Dooley, "Re: Simeon Cobb," e-mail to author, 8 Oct 2009, reports she had been contacted by a person related to the Birge family, who donated the large old fountain to the city of Whitewater, stating that in a journal, a member of that family had said
    he was going out west to bring back Uncle Simeon.
  39. [S2434] Simeon E. Cobb household, 1850 U.S. Census, Madison Co., New York, shows them apparently living as parent and child.
  40. [S2435] S. B. Cobb household, 1860 U.S. Census, Walworth Co., Wisconsin, shows them apparently living as parent and child.
  41. [S8496] Henry H. Cobb obituary, The Whitewater Gazette.
  42. [S2491] "Died," Whitewater Register, 19 Jun 1890, shows two of her five children survived her.