Dr. John Cobb1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 17631, (1789 - 1832)
FatherJohn Cobb4,5,6 (21 Oct 1744 - 16 Dec 1815)
MotherMary Fuller7,5,6 (25 Nov 1762 - 16 Mar 1849)

Key Events:

Birth: 25 Jul 1789, Pawlet, Vermont8,9,10
Marriage: 1814, Sarah Robbins (1 Sep 1789 - 27 Jul 1844)11,12,13
Death: 6 May 1832, Ogden, Monroe Co., New York14,15,16
Burial: Pioneer Cemetery, Spencerport, Monroe Co., New York17
ChartsDescendants of Gideon Cobb
AncestryThe Cobbs of Pawlet, Vermont

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Dr. John Cobb was born on 25 Jul 1789 in Pawlet, Vermont.8,9,10
     He was probably one of the four males under age 16 listed in the household of his father, John Cobb, in the 1790 Federal Census of Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont.18 He was probably one of the two males age 10 to 15 listed in the household of his father in the 1800 Federal Census of Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont.19 He was probably one of the two males age 16 to 26 listed in the household of his father in the 1810 Federal Census of Orwell, Rutland Co., Vermont.20
     Several sources show that he was a graduate of Castleton Medical College in Castleton, Vermont. However that school was not established until 1818 and its first graduates were in 1820, while Dr. Cobb was supposedly practicing in Ogden by about 1818. His name does not appear in a well-researched history of the college either as a graduate or as a non-graduating student. It seems more likely he learned medicine in the traditional way, studying under an established doctor, perhaps by one of the founders of the College who were known to take students individually before it opened.21,22,23,24
     John married Sarah Robbins, daughter of Nathaniel Robbins and Mary Coolidge, in 1814.11,12,13
     He was mentioned in the will of John Cobb, his father, dated 10 Sep 1815, his father stating that he had already received "all assistance which justice justified."25
     John and Sarah moved to Ogden, Genesee Co., in western New York, about 1818. This was in the same area where his brother Gideon had settled some years before. (See map.) John appeared on the 1820 Federal Census of Ogden, Genesee Co., New York, with a household consisting of two white males under age 10 (sons Carlos and Oscar), and one age 26 to 45 (himself); and one female age 26 to 45 (wife Sarah.)26
     He was a doctor, with an extensive practice in Ogden. But apparently he was also engaged in commerce, as that was what he reported in the 1820 census in Ogden, Monroe Co..27,28,29 The first meeting the county society of physicians and surgeons of Monroe Co. was held in Rochesterville on 9 May 1821. John was one of 15 whose credentials were approved at that meeting.30
     John appeared on the 1830 Federal Census of Ogden, Monroe Co., New York, with a household consisting of one white male age 10 to 15 (son Oscar), one age 15 to 20 (Carlos), and one age 40 to 50 (himself); and one female age 10 to 15 (daughter Sarah), and one 40 to 50 (wife Sarah.)31
     His home was described by a later owner when offering it for sale as "late the property of Dr. John Cobb. A large elegant house and all needful out buildings. A great variety of orchard and garden fruit, fine garden well, cistern, and every convenience desirable, near a church and school A good stead for a physician. 23 acres of excellent land attached to the premises."32
     John died on 6 May 1832 in Ogden, Monroe Co., New York, at age 42, after an illness of a few days, from "infected poison from a patient" according to one account, though none of his obituaries mention a cause.14,15,16 He was buried in Pioneer Cemetery, Spencerport, Monroe Co., New York. The cemetery was bulldozed in 1955 and all traces are now gone.17
     Statements of religious piety were common in obituaries of the time, but his devoted over half its text to that subject. After briefly discussing his profession and support of the Temperance movement, it continued:
His religious history is short. It was not until about a year before his death that he was brought under the transforming influence of the gospel. Though strictly moral in his life before, the change in him was great and apparent to all. The work of grace in his heart seemed to be deep and thorough. He commenced immediately the discharge of christian duties–consecrated his household to God, and exhorted his impenitent friends to repent and believe the gospel. He embraced the earliest opportunity of professing Christ before men, by uniting with the Congregational Church in this place, of which he remained an active and useful member, until he was called to join the church triumphant on high.33

Children:
     Children with Sarah Robbins:

Citations

  1. [S3256] Lautz application, The Empire State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, shows name as John Cobb M.D.
  2. [S863] Cobb, History of the Cobb Family, pp 154, 185.
  3. [S2607] Cleveland and Cleveland, Genealogy of the Cleveland and Cleaveland Families, vol 1 pg 45, shows title.
  4. [S2270] Muff, Extracts from early Vermont probate records, citing Part 1, pg 83, which cites 10:387-90, shows the boy named in his father's will as his son.
  5. [S863] Cobb, History of the Cobb Family, pg 154.
  6. [S3256] Lautz application, The Empire State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
  7. [S2270] Muff, Extracts from early Vermont probate records, citing Part 1, pg 83, which cites 10:387-90, shows the boy named in her husband's will as his son.
  8. [S863] Cobb, History of the Cobb Family, pp 154, 185, shows date.
  9. [S7750] Hughes, American Ancestry, XI:65, shows year, town, and state.
  10. [S2607] Cleveland and Cleveland, Genealogy of the Cleveland and Cleaveland Families, vol 1 pg 45, shows year and town.
  11. [S863] Cobb, History of the Cobb Family, pg 185, shows year.
  12. [S2607] Cleveland and Cleveland, Genealogy of the Cleveland and Cleaveland Families, vol 1 pg 45, shows year.
  13. [S7683] , "Pioneer Cemetery," copied from July 1934 tombstone reading by the Irondequoit Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, shows her as his wife.
  14. [S7683] , "Marriages and Deaths from Rochester Newspapers, Jan. 1, 1832 - June 30, 1832," 16 May 1832 Rochester Daily Advertiser, 22 May issue of Anti-Masonic Enquirer and Rochester Republican all show date, as 9th, and "after a few days illness." Rochester Observer 16 May issue shows 3rd (may be a transcription error) and May 23 issue shows date as 8th. "Pioneer Cemetery," copied from July 1934 tombstone reading by the Irondequoit Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, shows date as 8th.
  15. [S863] Cobb, History of the Cobb Family, pg 185, shows date, as 6th ,town, and state.
  16. [S2607] Cleveland and Cleveland, Genealogy of the Cleveland and Cleaveland Families, vol 1 pg 45, shows year, town, county, state, and cause of death as "from infected poison of a patient."
  17. [S7683] , "Pioneer Cemetery," copied from July 1934 tombstone reading by the Irondequoit Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
  18. [S1779] John Cobb household, 1790 U.S. Census, Rutland Co., Vermont.
  19. [S1522] John Cobb household, 1800 U.S. Census, Rutland Co., Vermont.
  20. [S1172] John Cobb household, 1810 U.S. Census, Rutland Co., Vermont.
  21. [S7809] Waite, The First Medical College in Vermont, pg 59, shows college opened Feb 1818; pg 62 shows first two graduates in the 1919-1920 term; pg 204, shows in list of all grauates John Cobb not included; pg 244, shows no Cobb in list of non-graduates; and pg 39, shows Dr. Selah Gidley a founder had many private pupils.
  22. [S863] Cobb, History of the Cobb Family, pg 185, shows him a graduate of Castleton (Vt.) Medical College.
  23. [S2607] Cleveland and Cleveland, Genealogy of the Cleveland and Cleaveland Families, vol 1 pg 45, shows him as a graduate of Castleton Medical Coll. of Rochester.
  24. [S7750] Hughes, American Ancestry, XI:65, shows graduate of Castleton Med. Coll.
  25. [S2270] Muff, Extracts from early Vermont probate records, citing Part 1, pg 83, which cites 10:387-90.
  26. [S2450] John Cobb household, 1820 U.S. Census, Genesee Co., New York.
  27. [S7683] , "Marriages and Deaths from Rochester Newspapers, Jan. 1, 1832 - June 30, 1832," Rochester Observer May 23 1832 shows he practiced 14 years.
  28. [S863] Cobb, History of the Cobb Family, pg 185, shows occupation as doctor.
  29. [S2450] John Cobb household, 1820 U.S. Census, Genesee Co., New York, shows one person in the household engaged in commerce.
  30. [S2466] Peck, Semi-Centennial History of the City of Rochester, pp 332, shows him accepted by the Monroe medical society.
  31. [S2451] John Cobb household, 1830 U.S. Census, Monroe Co., New York.
  32. [S7807] "A Cheap Situation," Daily Democrat, 1842.
  33. [S7683] , "Marriages and Deaths from Rochester Newspapers, Jan. 1, 1832 - June 30, 1832," Rochester Observer May 23 1832.
  34. [S863] Cobb, History of the Cobb Family, pg 185.
  35. [S2607] Cleveland and Cleveland, Genealogy of the Cleveland and Cleaveland Families, vol 1 pg 46.
  36. [S7806] Cobb obituary, The Buffalo Courier.
  37. [S7750] Hughes, American Ancestry, XI:65.
  38. [S863] Cobb, History of the Cobb Family, pg 186.