Capt. Joshua Cobb1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 2230, (1751 - btn 1820 - 1822)
FatherGideon Cobb1,4 (8 Jul 1718 - 25 Jul 1798)
MotherAbigail Dyer1,5 (10 Apr 1718 - 10 Jan 1808)

Key Events:

Birth: 16 Jul 1751, Norwich, Connecticut6,7
Marriage: 17 Sep 1781, Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont, Hannah Edgerton (8 Sep 1765 - )8,9
Death: between 1820 and 182210,11
ChartsDescendants of Gideon Cobb
AncestryThe Cobbs of Pawlet, Vermont

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Capt. Joshua Cobb was born on 16 Jul 1751 in Norwich, Connecticut.6,7

Moving to the Frontier on the Upper Hudson --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Joshua and his four brothers, William and Mary, John, Elkanah and Ebenezer, moved from Connecticut to the settlement of Stillwater, on the Hudson River in the Saratoga Patent in the Saratoga Tax District of Albany Co., New York. We know that Elkanah was there by 1773 and that Ebenezer and Joshua evidently were there before 1777. John may not have arrived until 1779. Excepting Elkanah, the brothers remained in Stillwater at least until 1779.12,13,14 (See background and map.)

Revolutionary War Service at Saratoga --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Joshua and his brother Ebenezer were evidently engaged in work for the military during the Revolution. On 17 Apr 1777 they had a claim for £17 5s 4p approved for "repairing of Arms on the late invasion to the northward."15 They joined about 120 other residents of the Saratoga and Cambridge Districts in Albany Co. in signing a petition to Gov. Clinton, noting that Gen. Burgoyne's forces had penetrated the county and the people were being attaced by "Savages" and British and Canadian troops. They asked for "speedy and effectual measures for their relief." His reply, dated 24 Apr 1778, said he had few resources, had asked Gen. Washington for help, and would send what help he could.16 They and their brother John joined 51 officers and other residents of Saratoga Tax District in signing a second petition to Gov. Clinton dated 27 Apr 1779, citing "daily and hourly incursions of a numerous and savage enemy" and asking him to reverse his order to call men away from the local regiment and to provide relief as he might "judge right."17
     Joshua appeared on the 23 Oct 1779 tax list of in Saratoga Tax District, Albany Co., with real estate valued at $20.18 Joshua purchased lot no. 17 in Pawlet, Vermont, on 9 Nov 1779, while a resident of Stillwater, New York, paying 400£ in Continental currency and £25 in gold and silver (most lots were 50 ac., but the size of this one is not stated in the deed.)19

Settling in Pawlet, Vermont --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Joshua moved to Pawlet, Vermont, from Stillwater, New York, about 1780, joining his brothers, John, Elkanah, and Ebenezer, and their father, Gideon Cobb.20,21,22 (See background and map.)
     Joshua, and his bothers John, Elkanah, and Ebenezer, all participated in Col. Ira Allen's Regiment during military actions in Vermont in 1780 and 1781. Surviving records show that Joshua and John were with Capt. John Stark's Militia Company for seven days during the alarms at Sheensborough and Tyconderoga in Apr 1780, and were joined by Elkanah and Ebenezer "in defense of the Northern frontiers of this State" in Oct, when Joshua was out for 20 days.23
     Joshua married Hannah Edgerton, daughter of Simeon Edgerton and Abiah Hough, on 17 Sep 1781 in Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont.8,9
     Joshua purchased lot no. 19 in Pawlet on 19 Sep 1781, for £100.24 He evidently had made other purchases as well, because the following day he sold two parcels totaling 150 acres, for which no record of his purchasing them has been found, for £200.25
     Joshua and his brother Ebenezer exchanged two parcels of land on 20 Sep 1781. Ebenezer received the north half of lot no. 17, which Joshua had purchased in 1780, while Joshua received about 5 acres west of the new highway in lot no. 16, for which no purchase deed has been found.26 Joshua sold another parcel for which no purchase record has been found on 20 Apr 1782, lot no. 60, containing 60 acres, for which he received £100.27

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


     Joshua joined his brothers John, Elkanah, Ebenezer, and 45 other residents of Pawlet in signing a petition to the General Assembly dated 6 Sep 1785, asking that the Assembly incorporate the Congregational Society of Pawlet. They wanted to tax themselves in order to support "a Minister of the Gospel of the Congregational Order" in the town. Apparently their request was granted.28
     Joshua was a captain of the cavalry company of the local militia in Pawlet, which was formed before the close of the Revolution. At least some of the duties of the unit were ceremonial, as evidenced by his orders in connection with the election on the second Tuesday in Oct 1790:
That captain Joshua Cobb, of Pawlet, receive his excellency governor Robinson at capt. Willards, with a proper escort composed of his own company of cavalry, and wait upon him to the council chamber at Castleton–then to take his place with the other companies of cavalry in major Clark's division; who are desired to give their attendance on the parade, at said Castleton, on the day before election. The artillery company, and the light infantry companies belonging to said brigade, are hereby required to give their attendance at the same time and place: the whole to be under the immediate command of lieutenant colonel Lee, who is hereby appointed to superintend and direct the several manoeuvres and exercises to be performed upon the occasion.29,30

The Blacksmith --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     Joshua took in apprentices, evidently in his blacksmith trade. Apprentices usually were indentured, or bound to their masters, for a period of years. During that time they were to work for their masters in exchange for being taught a trade and their room and board. It was not uncommon for apprentices to run away from their masters before their term expired, as 16 year-old Johnson Story did while apprenticed to Joshua in Apr 1791. He apparently was found, as he ran away again in Jul 1793. Joshua offered a six pence reward for his return in advertisements each time.31,32,33
     Joshua appeared on the 1790 Federal Census of Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont, (which was enumerated 4 Apr 1791, after Vermont became a state in Mar 1791) with a household consisting of four males over age 16 (Joshua and three unknown others) and five females (probably wife Hannah Edgerton and daughters Abigail, Abiah, Polly and Drusilla.)3
     Joshua purchased one half of a 40-acre pitch in Pawlet on 12 Aug 1791, from John Stark of Pawlet, paying £12. Curiously, another deed with the same date, but not recorded until 1799, shows him purchasing 27 acres for $40 from John Stark, this time identified as of South Hero, Chittenden Co., Vermont. Differences in the wording of the document, currency, and the stated location of the seller suggest the second deed was actually written later and back-dated.34 It may have been an attempt to clear a title, since it appears that Joshua had sold 17½ of that parcel to Joseph Bradford on 17 May 1796 for £50.35 On 3 Mar 1798 Joshua and his brother Ebenezer exchanged small parcels of land, with Ebenezer receiving one acre, 10 rods, while Joshua received half an acre, 10 rods. It would appear they were re-aligning the boundaries between their neighboring properties in preparation for Ebenezer's sale of his land.36 On 20 Apr 1800 Joshua sold 42 acres to Ezra Sheldon, curiously for $1. On 28 Apr 1803 he sold another 35 acres to Joel Simon Jr., for $30.37
     Joshua appeared on the 1800 Federal Census of Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont, with a household consisting of two males under age 10 (probably sons Joshua D. and Simeon E.), two between 16 and 25 (unknown), and one over 45 (Joshua); and two females under 10 (daughters Hannah and Wealthyann), three between 10 and 15 (daughters Abiah, Polly and Drusilla), one between 16 and 25 (daughter Abigail), one between 26 and 44 (wife Hannah), and one over 45 (probably his mother, Abigail Dyer.)38
     Joshua appeared on the 1810 Federal Census of Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont, with a household consisting of one male age 10 to 16 (son Simeon E.), one aged 16 to 26 (Joshua D.), and one over 45 (himself), one female under age 10 (daughter Claracy), two aged 10 to 16 (Hannah and Wealthyann), and two aged 26 to 45 (wife Hannah and another). The census also recorded, that the family had four wheels and a loom, with which they produced 80 yards of woolen cloth and 100 yards of linen, and had 25 sheep.39
     Joshua seems to have taken out a series of increasing larger mortgages on his farm before finally selling it in 1815. On 18 Feb 1807 he mortgaged 50 acres to Timothy Leonard of Pokipsey [Poughkeepsie ?], Dutchess Co., New York, for $150. The note, written in Grenvill, New York, was payable in 1809. On 16 Jan 1809 he mortgaged 61 acres where he was living, in the center of town, including all his buildings, to Caleb Paris of Danby Co., Vermont, for $800. This note was due in one year, but was apparently repaid, with interest, on 16 Jan 1812, after Joshua gave a new mortgage to the same person that day. This mortgage was for $1,500, and covered 111 acres, the whole farm where he was living, and was payable in three years. It was paid off "by the hand of Ezias Clark" 17 Jul 1817, after Joshua had sold apparently the whole farm to Fitch Clark, on 14 Apr 1815. He received $2,775, apparently including assumption of the mortgage, although the deed does not say that.40 (For details of all the records that have been found, see the extracted Cobb Deeds in Pawlet Vermont.)

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


     Joshua and Hannah moved to Vernon, New York, shortly afterward, apparently with their son Simeon, since they lived with him there afterword. It appears they were joining their daughters Abigail and Polly and their husbands who had moved there previously.41,42 (See map.)
     On 20 May 1817, before leaving Pawlet, Joshua and Hannah sold her inheritance from David Edgerton, for $110. He was presumably her brother who had died in 1813. On 21 May 1823, after they had moved to Vernon, they sold their interest in the two acres in Pawlet left to her mother from her father's estate to Simeon Edgerton, presumably her brother of that name, for $36.43
     Joshua was probably the male age over 45 listed in the household of Simeon E. Cobb, his son, in the 1820 Federal Census of Vernon, Oneida Co., New York, probably with his wife, Hannah, being the female over age 45 in the household.44
     Joshua died between 1820 and 1822.10,11

Children:
     Children with Hannah Edgerton

The migration of Joshua and Hannah's children can be seen on their Migration Map.

Citations

  1. [S2204] Vital Records of Norwich Connecticut, pg 215.
  2. [S862] Births, Marriages and Deaths, Pawlet, Vermont, 1768-1856, pg 85, and repeated pg 115, marriage record.
  3. [S1778] Joshua Cobb household, 1790 U.S. Census, Rutland Co., Vermont.
  4. [S1171] Hollister, Pawlet for One Hundred Years, pg 178.
  5. [S863] Cobb, History of the Cobb Family, pg 117.
  6. [S2204] Vital Records of Norwich Connecticut, pg 215, show date.
  7. [S863] Cobb, History of the Cobb Family, pp 117, 155, shows date, town, and state.
  8. [S862] Births, Marriages and Deaths, Pawlet, Vermont, 1768-1856, pg 85, and repeated pg 115, shows date.
  9. [S3257] Stoddard application, The New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, supplemental application as descendant of Captain Simeon Edgerton, shows date, town, and state.
  10. [S1174] Simeon Cobb household, 1820 U.S. Census, Oneida Co., New York, shows household includes a male and a female over age 45, apparently his parents.
  11. [S4239] Abigail Pearl, Chittenden District, Vermont, probate records, note 4 Apr 1822 by Ebenzer Cobb, says he is her only surviving brother.
  12. [S862] Births, Marriages and Deaths, Pawlet, Vermont, 1768-1856, pg 5, shows sons Gideon Dyer born 11 Sep 1773 and Joshua 27 May 1776, both in Stillwater, New York, and Sarah born 16 Jul 1778 in Canterbury, Connecticut.
  13. [S2226] Potter, "Re: Saratoga NYGenWeb Queries," e-mail to author, 20 Apr 2009, shows Ebenezer and Joshua had claim approved 17 Apr 1777 for repairing arms, citing "Committee of Correspondence" p. 724; , Ebenezer and Joshua signed 1778 petition to Gov. Clinton, citing " Public Papers of George Clinton" III:211 & IV:770; Ebenezer and John in 2 Mar 1779 Saratoga District tax List; and Ebenezer, Joshua and William on the 23 Oct 1779 tax list.
  14. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 1:266-7, John Fassett, commissioner for the state of confiscated land to Ebenezer Cobb of Stillwater, Albany Co., New York, dated 9 Nov 1779; 1:69-70, John Clark to John Cobb of Canterbury, Windham Co., Conicticut [sic], dated 9 Nov 1778; and 1:171, Peter Van Baurer to Joshua Cobb of Stillwater, Albany Co. dated 4 Feb 1780.
  15. [S2226] Potter, "Re: Saratoga NYGenWeb Queries," e-mail to author, 20 Apr 2009, citing "Committee of Correspondence" p. 724.
  16. [S4238] Public Papers of George Clinton, pp 210-212.
  17. [S4237] Public Papers of George Clinton, pp 769-770.
  18. [S2226] Potter, "Re: Saratoga NYGenWeb Queries," e-mail to author, 20 Apr 2009.
  19. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 1:171, Peter Van Baurer to Joshua Cobb of Stillwater, Albany Co., dated 4 Feb 1780, referring to deed recorded at 1:170-1, John Deming & Justis Ashman to Peter Van Burer, dated 2 Jul 1766, where it is described as Lot no. 17 in the first division, Gideon Wright was the first grantee.
  20. [S1171] Hollister, Pawlet for One Hundred Years, pg 178, shows Gideon was one of the earliest settlers from Connecticut; pg 40 shows he was a selectman in 1780; pg 39 shows John was a constable in 1780; and pg 179, shows Elkanah moved from Connecticut in 1770 [so apparently he and his wife returned there after their time in Saratoga and Connecticut].
  21. [S862] Births, Marriages and Deaths, Pawlet, Vermont, 1768-1856, pg 5, shows Elkanah's son Willard was born in Pawlet 17 Mar 1781; pg 32 shows Ebenezer's son Darick was born in Pawlet 11 Mar 1780; and pg 85 shows Joshua was married in Pawlet 17 Sep 1781.
  22. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 1:266-7, John Fassett, commissioner for the state of confiscated land to Ebenezer Cobb of Stillwater, Albany Co., New York, dated 9 Nov 1779; 1:69-70, John Clark to John Cobb of Canterbury, Windham Co., Conicticut [sic], dated 9 Nov 1778; 1:171, Peter Van Baurer to Joshua Cobb of Stillwater, Albany Co. dated 4 Feb 1780; 1:271-2, Joel Simonds to Joshua Cobb of Pawlett, dated 19 Sep 1781; 1:275-6, Ebenazer Cobb of Pawlett to Joshua Cobb of Pawlett, dated 20 Sep 1781; 2:37, Benjamin Petton to Elkanah Cobb of Pawlett, dated 18 Dec 1783; and 2:65, Nathan Niles to John Cobb of Pawlett, dated 27 Oct 1784.
  23. [S2230] Col. Allen's Regiment pay rolls, folder 7, Revolutionary War Rolls.
  24. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 1:271-2, Joel Simonds to Joshua Cobb, dated 19 Sep 1781, for Lot No. 19 in township of Pawlett, drawn on right of Richard Webard.
  25. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 1:272-4, Joshua Cobb to Samuel Butt, dated 20 Sep 1781, for two lots in township of Pawlett, 100 ac. lot second division of land, on the original right of Gidion Wright, and 50 ac. lot, third division, belong to the same Wright.     
  26. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 1:274-5, Joshua Cobb to Ebenezer Cobb, dated 20 Sep 1781, for the north half of Lot no. 17 in the first division, the original right of Gideon Wright; and 1:275-6, Ebenazer Cobb to Joshua Cobb, dated 20 Sep 1781, for part of Lot no 16 in the first division in township of Pawlett, beginning on the S line of said lot on west of the new highway.
  27. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 2:113, Joshua Cobb to Stephen Pearl, dated 20 Apr 1782, for lot no. 60 in the fourth division in Pawlett, on the original right of Gedion Right.
  28. [S2383] Inhabitants of Pawlett to General Assembly of State of Vermont, petition, 6 Sep 1785, State Archives & Records Administration.
  29. [S1171] Hollister, Pawlet for One Hundred Years, pg 35, shows him as captain, and that the unit was formed before the Revolution.
  30. [S2240] "State of Vermont," The Vermont Gazette, 20 Sep 1790, shows orders.
  31. [S2225] Advertisement by Joshua Cobb, The Vermont Gazette, 25 Apr 1791.
  32. [S2224] "Six Pence Reward," The Vermont Gazette, 16 Aug 1793.
  33. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 5:86, Joshua Cobb to Ebenezer Cobb, 20 Mar 1798, mentions on corner as Joshua's blacksmith shop.
  34. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 3:268-9 John Strark of South Hero to Joshua Cobb, 12 Aug 1791, date written as "this twelfth Day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred ninety one," witnessed by Mary Adams and Gideon Adams; and 5:207, John Strark of Pawlett to Joshua Cob, 20 Jun 1799, date written as "this 2th Day of August Anno Domini 1791," witnessed by Gideon Adams and James Hall.
  35. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 5:148, Joshua Cobb to Joseph Bradford, 18 Nov 1799.
  36. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 5:86, Joshua Cobb to Ebenezer Cobb, 20 Mar 1798; and 6:210, Ebenezer Cobb to Joshua Cobb, 29 Jan 1805, each for consideration of £10.
  37. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 5:244, Joshua Cobb to Ezra Sheldon, 12 Apr 1800; 6:165, Joshua Cobb to Joel Simons Junr, 28 Apr 1804.
  38. [S581] Joshua Cobb household, 1800 U.S. Census, Rutland Co., Vermont.
  39. [S1521] Joshua Cobb household, 1810 U.S. Census, Rutland Co., Vermont.
  40. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 6:19, Joshua Cobb to Timothy Leonard, 18 Feb 1807; 6:412, Joshua Cobb to Caleb Paris, 16 Jan 1809, includes notation of payment; 7:61-2, same to same, 19 Feb 1812, including notation of payment; and 7:344, Joshua Cobb to Fitch Clark, 14 Apr 1815.
  41. [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.
  42. [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.
  43. [S2267] Land Records, Pawlet, Vermont, 7:607 Joshua Cobb & Hannah Cobb of Pawlet to Simeon Edgerton, 20 May 1817, her right as one of heirs in law of David Edgerton; and 8:347, Joshua Cobb & Hannah Cobb of Vernon, Onieda Co., New York, 8 Oct 1823, all interest in the 2 ac. set off to Abiah Edgerton as her dower from the real estate of her late husband.
  44. [S1174] Simeon Cobb household, 1820 U.S. Census, Oneida Co., New York.
  45. [S862] Births, Marriages and Deaths, Pawlet, Vermont, 1768-1856, pg 38, birth record.
  46. [S1171] Hollister, Pawlet for One Hundred Years, pg 245.
  47. [S1171] Hollister, Pawlet for One Hundred Years, pg 229.
  48. [S862] Births, Marriages and Deaths, Pawlet, Vermont, 1768-1856, pg 38.
  49. [S863] Cobb, History of the Cobb Family, pg 156, citing Pawlet Town Records.
  50. [S3257] Stoddard application, The New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, supplemental application as descendant of Captain Simeon Edgerton.
  51. [S2417] Warriner, The Warriner Family of New England Origin, pg 123.
  52. [S862] Births, Marriages and Deaths, Pawlet, Vermont, 1768-1856, pg 184.
  53. [S2607] Cleveland and Cleveland, Genealogy of the Cleveland and Cleaveland Families, vol 1 pg 44.
  54. [S862] Births, Marriages and Deaths, Pawlet, Vermont, 1768-1856, pg 185.