Ambrose COBBS / Ann WHITE

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[9526]

In 1633, Ambrose and Ann sold their lands in England, possibly as thepreliminary preparation for their immigration to the Virginia Colony.It is believed they made the voyage in 1635, most likely landing atJamestown. Their party consisted of Ambrose and Ann; children Ambrose,Robert, and Margaret; and Richard Barker, Hugh Barker, and ThomasHarding. It is not known positively, but probably safe to assume, thatthe latter three men had indentured themselves to Ambrose, in order togain free passage to the New World. It is known that under the LandGrant laws of the day, Ambrose as a "Headright" was entitled to 50acres of land for each person for whom he had paid the transportationcharges to Virginia. The ultimate fate of the Barkers and ThomasHarding, and the length of their association with Ambrose Cobbs, isunknown.

The Virginia Colony had only been established in 1607, when our Cobbsfirst came to America. Jamestown, though the center of commerce,government, and protection from indians, was nonetheless a veryunhealthful place, being situated on a low, swampy, mosquito infestedisland. Sweltering heat, disease, starvation, the lack of potablewater, and occasional Indian attack took a heavy toll on all newarrivals. In fact, ample records exist that indicate it was theannoyance of having to constantly 'swat' Mosquitoes that motivated theestablishment of Williamsburg several miles inland. But it was mostlikely here that Ambrose situated his family in temporary quarters,while he no doubt began an immediate exploration of the area for theland he would claim as a Headright.

On July 25, 1639, Ambrose patented 350 acres on the Appomattox River,near its confluence with Swift's Creek, about nine miles from presentPetersburg, about fifty miles upriver from Jamestown, and adjacent toproperties owned by Abraham Wood and John Baugh. One can onlyspeculate as to the first project Ambrose took on...the constructionof a house for his family, or to start preparing the land for thefirst planting? It was already mid-summer; rather late in the seasonto be breaking previously untilled soil to start a crop. Conditionswere primitive to say the least. The location was isolated and thesituation with the indians was always tenuous. Ann could have been butlittle help, her hands full with four children under the age of twelve(see the following).

Two more children had been born to Ambrose and Ann after their arrivalin Virginia. Ambrose was born within a year, about 1636. He livedhis entire life within 15 miles of Jamestown, and died in probablylate 1683, in what is now York County. He fathered two known childrenby his wife Mary Ann; sons William in 1655, and Robert in 1660.Ambrose died intestate, but his was estate inventoried and appraisedand recorded in February 1684. Following his death, his widow marriedone George Glasscock.

Thomas, the sixth and last child born to Ambrose and Ann, was born in1637 in Charles River County, Virginia (In 1643, the county name waschanged to York.) He lived his entire life in York County, Virginia,and died there in 1702. He never married and died without issue. HisWill was probated 24 February 1702... "To cousin William Cobbs, myhouse and lot where I now live", and if he died then the same to go toThomas Cobbs; "to Isaac Sart a black mare running now at Powhatan; twosows to Alice Newman; to Robert Cobbs, son of Ambrose Cobbs; all theremaining part of my estate to cousins Ambrose Cobbs, Robert Cobbs,Otho Cobbs, and Robert Kerle (related through the Thorpe-Cobb familyconnection), to be equally divided between them." (It is common toalso find him and the Kerle family credited as descendants of JosephCobb of Isle of Wight County.)

Cobbs Hall

No doubt, the first home Ambrose built was a temporary structure,intended just to get a roof over their heads. With the passage oftime, to provide additional "creature comfort", he may have added ontothis dwelling, or started over again with a permanent house nearby.Whatever the case, one thing does seem logical; that it was of anarchitecture one would expect to find in England...thatch roofscovering outer walls whose supporting inner beams are exposed. It wasthe style that was known by those early colonists. And certainly, withconditions being as harsh as they were, one was hardly ever of a mindto experiment.

By the time of the American Revolution (almost a century and a halflater), a great plantation mansion was standing on the land AmbroseCobbs had claimed as his Headright in 1639. A painting of it now hangsin the Library of the University of Virginia. Also, even during hislifetime, the entire locale had become known as 'Cobbs' or 'CobbsHall', a name that was used to identify the entire surrounding areauntil well after the Civil War. Although Ambrose is popularly creditedwith being the hand that built this mansion, a basic examination offacts and circumstances indicates this is unlikely.

The reasons for this position are (1) Ambrose lived only anotherseventeen years after obtaining title to the land, and apparently dieda widower. (2) His heirs did not continue to live there, (3) themansion seen in the popular painting is clearly of southern antebellumarchitecture, a style that did not take root until into the 18thcentury, long after Ambrose's death and the property had passed out ofCobb family possession, and (4), the issue of family finances has tobe considered. By the time the first crop was in, the Cobbs had beenin Virginia at least five years. It would hardly seem unreasonable toassume that by then the family purse was near empty, if indeed itwasn't already and they were living on credit or barter. Certainly,Ambrose was mainly occupied with the clearing and cultivation of theland; and with the planting and harvesting of the corn, rice, andtobacco that he produced. And this alone, was more than a full-timejob. Further, the size of the family had increased by only two sincetheir arrival in Virginia, the last being born in 1637, two yearsbefore they ever occupied those 350 acres that became Cobbs Hall.Therefore there was no need to greatly enlarge the accommodationsAmbrose originally provided. As long as the dwelling they did occupyheld up, it seems most likely that the construction of an extravagantmansion would have been the last priority.

As mentioned earlier, Ambrose may have simply added onto the originaltemporary dwelling, or he may have begun construction of a new housenearby. But the essential point being made is that the project ofbuilding that large home probably proceded in phases (as time andmoney permitted), as did many of the early colonial plantations...andthat the mansion in the painting was only barely begun in Ambrose'slifetime --- if he had anything to do with it at all.
Immediately after Ambrose died (no later than January 1656), his sonRobert, acting as administrator of the estate, sold the property toone Michael Masters, who then sold it to John and Thomas Burton, inthat same year. In 1704, a son of Thomas Burton sold "Cobbs" to JohnBolling, and though the plantation and entire area continued to beknown as "Cobbs", the property remained in Bolling family possessionfor over a hundred years. Bolling was the son of Colonel RobertBolling and his wife Jane Rolfe, daughter of Thomas Rolfe andgranddaughter of Pocahontas. A more thorough study of the Bollingfamily than what is done here gives rise to the belief that it wasprobably that family that built the mansion in the painting. Duringthe Revolution, the property was raided by the British. The crops andoutbuildings were burned, but the main house was left untouched.During the War Between the States however, the entire property wasoverrun and burned to the ground by Federal trooops, in 1864.

The land settled by Ambrose and Ann Cobbs is now partially occupied by"Point of Rocks Park", a 188-acre athletic complex operated byChesterfield County (Chesterfield was created from Henrico in 1749.).The park is located on Enon Church Road, about 1.5 miles south ofInterstate Highway 295. An archeological survey was done of theproperty prior to development, and those plats and maps are availablein the Virginia State Archives. A historical marker identifies thepark as being the original location of Cobbs Hall. Ambrose and Annwere most likely buried in the small cemetery that is located at theextreme northeast corner of the tract. In 1864, invading Union troopsdestroyed all the headstones but one (a woman not related to the Cobbsfamily who died in 1801). Some years later, Wyndham Robertson(1803-1888), a Bolling descendant and one-time governor of Virginia,and the (debated) only great grandson of Pocahontas, was buried at"Cobbs", and his grave is prominently marked. The cemetery is notaccessible directly from the park. It can only be reached by a publicstreet that runs parallel to the northern park boundary. It is locatedin a cul de sac and is surrounded by a rock wall approximately fourfeet in height.

[9527] At the time of her marriage, her parents were both deceased and shewas living in Willesborough, under the government of Thomas Cobbs, thebrother of her groom Ambrose. Thomas had married her sister SusanWhite in 1619.

[5] He was the third son named in his father's Will to share gavelkindfrom his estate.

[192] This date is speculative. Ann was not mentioned in her husband'sestate, and immediately after Ambrose's death the property was soldout of Cobb family possession. Therefore, it seems logical to assumethat by then Ann was deceased.

[6] This was the date of his christening.

[158] Robert came to Virginia with his parents when he was about eight yearsof age. He lived with them in Henrico County, probably at Cobbs Hall.After he grew to manhood he moved to Marston Parish in York County,Virginia, making his home on Queen's Creek, and became one of the mostprominent men in that county. He was a dedicated Christian man andserved as church warden of Marston Parish from 1658, until MarstonParish was absorbed into Bruton Parish in 1674, then he became amember of the vestry of Bruton Parish Church at Williamsburg. In1655, Robert Wilkinson of York County made his will, in which hedirected that Robert Cobbs was to have charge of his children.Following Bacon's Rebellion, Robert was appointed Justice of YorkCounty on the recommendation of the clerk, John Baskervyle, who wrotethat Robert Cobb was a "loyal and honest subject." The petition wasgranted and Robert was appointed Justice by the Rt. Honorable SirWilliam Berkeley, Governor, on 23 March 1676. In 1679, Daniel Parke,Secretary of State, died and Robert was appointed Administrator ofParks's Virginia estate. In 1682, Robert was appointed Sheriff ofYork County by Sir Henry Chicheley. Robert Cobbs, "late HighSheriff", was reported dead to the court on 29 December 1682.

[165] The estate of Ambrose Cobbs was inventoried and appraised, and thereport received in February 1684.

[166] In 1643, the county name was changed to York.

[167] Thomas Cobbs lived and died in York County. He never married and diedwithout issue. His Will was probated 24 February 1702... "To cousinWilliam Cobbs, my house and lot where I now live, and if he died thenthe same to go to Thomas Cobbs; to Isaac Sart a black mare running nowat Powhatan; two sows to Alice Newman; to Robert Cobbs, son of AmbroseCobbs; all the remaining part of my estate to cousins Ambrose Cobbs,Robert Cobbs, Otho Cobbs, and Robert Kerle (related through theThorpe-Cobb family connection), to be equally divided between them."

[168] In 1643, the county name was changed to York.

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Frank BURTON / Bertha B. PENN

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James Ellis COBB / Elizabeth LNU (COBB)

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[9641] This based on the birthdate of the first known child of this marriage.

[39] At that time, his family was living in the Tugalo Township, WalhallaPost Office. His mother Isabella and sister Sarah were living withhim.

[40] He was erroneously listed as John E. Cobb on this enuemeration.

[1203] This is calculated by the fact her husband married his second wife inthat year.

[1204] He was listed as an infant less than one year old on the census takenthat year in Oconee County, South Carolina.

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Percy Arthur MUNOZ / Jacqueline Louise MURPHY

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Andrew MCBRAYER / Sarah JOHNSON

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John LASSETER / Susannah Ann COBB

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James COBB / Sarah "Sally" BEACH

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[2278] In the July 1805 session of the County Court of Pleas, a Letter ofAdministration was granted to Sarah Cobb, the widow, who qualifedaccordingly and gave bond and Phillip Pierce security in the sum ofthree hundred pounds. In the January 1807 Session of the County Courtof Pleas, Enoch Beach (Sarah's father) was appointed Guardian to NancyCobb, Judy Cobb, Henry Cobb, Lollah Cobb and Enoch Cobb- "orphanchildren of James Cobbs, deceased".

[2279] This based on the fact his wife was listed as the head of her ownhousehold on the 1840 census of Lincoln County, North Carolina.

[2307] This is based on the fact his wife was listed as a widow on the 1830census of Gwinnett County, Georgia.

[2308] At that time in his household was one male under 10 years of age, onemale 16-26 years of age (himself), one female under 10 years of age,and one female 16-26 years of age (his wife Elizabeth).

[2310] This based on the fact she was not listed with her husband on the 1860census.

[2303] She was counted in the household of her husband Ambrose McGinnis.

[2304] The transcription of this census report, as with her husband,erroneously shortens her age by about ten years.

[2305] This enumeration also gives an erroneous report for her age, statingshe was born in 1807. Since her father died in 1805, this is ofcourse impossible. It is entirely possible Judith simply did not knowher exact date of birth, explaining the consistent errors on censusreports.

[2309] At that time in his household was two males under 5 years of age, twomales 5-10 years of age, one male 20-30 years of age (himself), andone female 20-30 years of age (his wife Susannah). He was living nearhis sister in law Elizabeth "Betsy" Cobb and her brother PeterShitley.

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Norton C. PEEL / Eula COWAN

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Richard C. FAIN / Mary A. HUNTER

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[3170] At that time, she was living in the household of son Radford Fain, aswas her son Nathan and two daughers Lucy and Luranda.

[3222] At that time, he was living in the household of brother Radford Fain.

[3223] This child died at birth.

[3225] At that time, she was living in the household of her brother Radford,as was her mother, brother Nathan, and sister Luranda.

[3224] At that time, she was living with her brother Radford, alone with hermother, sister Lucy, and brother Nathan.

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Charles Edward COBB / Amye Jewel JAMES

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[3455] This person is presumed living.

[3451] This person is presumed living.

[3456] This person is presumed living.

[3457] This person is presumed living.

[3458] This person is presumed living.

[3459] This person is presumed living.

[3460] This person is presumed living.

[3461] This person is presumed living.

[3462] This person is presumed living.

[3463] This person is presumed living.

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Ernest Flemming CHITTUM / Mattie Jane MALLORY

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[3546] This person is presumed living.

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Lon COLEY / Lessie LNU (COLEY)

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Silas W. WALDROP / Nancy C. YARBROUGH

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[4072] He was the son of W.W. Waldrop and wife Jane of Sanford (now Lamar)County, Alabama.

[5831] [NOTE: Due to the difficulty in reading the 1880 census for LamarCounty, Alabama, this individual may actually have the person known asElloa Waldrop who married Toliver Shelton.]

[5832] She was a twin with brother Samuel.

[5833] He was a twin with sister Sarah.

[4075] Due to the difficulty in reading the 1880 census for Lamar County,Alabama, this individual made actually have been the person listed inthis database as Delia E. Waldrop.

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William Clyde WHITTEN / Pauline CANNON

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[4425]

[4428]

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John M. NEAL / Martha C. BOZEMAN

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Keith Edward WHITFILL / Linda Annette LYLES

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[4786] This person is presumed living.

[4784] This person is presumed living.

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(Unknown) / (Unknown)

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A.J. "Jack" GOODSON / Martha DUKE

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Grover Cleveland BURKHART / Ida Ruth SMITH

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Edmund Dexter BUGG / Julia Clementine THOMPSON

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[10354] There were four children produced from this marriage, but only one ispositively identified at this time.

[6079] During the War Between the States, he served in Company E, 31stLouisiana Infantry Regiment. He was captured near Vicksburg,Mississippi, in May 1863.

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William Harvey COBB / Mary Alice FARMER

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[10403] Another source gives this date as May 16, 1898.

[6317] His sister Eleanor was living with him at that time.

[6318] She was living with her brother at that time.

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FNU COLEMAN / FNU GAULT

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Thomas Polk ROTHROCK / Zelma KING

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Lamar C. RUCKER / Nita H. BLACK

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Ambrose MATNEY / Martha LNU (MATNEY)

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Rufus HULSEY / Esther PETTY

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[6572] His sisters Docia and Cora were living in a separate household nextdoor.

[7941] Social Security records indicate a birth date of 25 April 1918.

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John W. HOLT / Ella Jane SCRUGGS

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Thomas SHETLEY\SHITLEY\SCHOETTLE / Mary Jane COBB

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Samuel Love GILBREATH / Nancy Jane COBB

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[8720] At that time she was living with her mother and step father SpencerBeavers.

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