The Cobbs of Lincoln County, North Carolina
(And the surrounding area)
Chapter Four 1870
Contents (In Chronological Order)
1870 Census Lincoln County, North Carolina
1870 Census Catawba County, North Carolina
1870 Census Burke County, North Carolina
1870 Census Cleveland County, North Carolina
1870 Census McDowell County, North Carolina
1870 Census York County, South Carolina
1870 Census Union County, South Carolina
LINCOLN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
21 July 1870 Ironton Township Lincolnton Post Office
Samuel P. Sherrill
Age
36
Born
NC
Barbara M.
35
NC
William L.
10
NC
Betty L.
08
NC
Mary H.
03
NC
Theodore H. Cobb
15
NC
Charles C. Cobb
11
NC
Thomas Cobb
09
NC
Barbara M. Henderson was married twice. Her first husband was Bartlett Y. Cobb, son of John Cobb and Elizabeth Slade of Caswell County, North Carolina. Bartlett and Barbara married 11 October 1853 in Lincoln County, and then joined his parents in Caswell County. They are found there on the 1860 census. There is no record of Bartlett after the birth of son Thomas in 1861, and it is possible he was a casualty of the War Between the States. In either case, Barbara and her children were back in Lincoln County by 1866, as she married Samuel Sherrill there on 03 July of that year.
Bartlett Cobbs second son John, born 1857, is missing from this enumeration, and is presumed to have died young. Son Thomas died in 1876, and is buried at St Lukes Episcopal Church in Lincolnton. Barbara and Sam Sherrill were still living in Lincoln County as late as 1900. She was deceased by 1910, and he reportedly died 27 January 1913. Their burial locations are unknown at this time.
Theodore H. Cobb was born 20 August 1854. He married Ellen V. Johnson in 1879 in Lincoln County. They eventually moved to Buncombe County, North Carolina, where he died 29 August 1905. He is buried in the Riverside Cemetery at Asheville. Ellen moved to Los Angeles, California, and died there in 1933.
Charles Cotesworth Cobb was born 15 March 1859. He was an attorney by profession, and by 1920 was practicing law in Dallas, Texas, where he died on 07 April 1930. He is also buried in the Riverside Cemetery at Asheville, North Carolina.
22 July 1870 Ironton Township Lincolnton Post Office
Robert Cobb
Age
50
Born
NC
Luanna
46
NC
Lawson H.
22
NC
Harriet
26
NC
Wesley
14
NC
Georgianna
12
NC
John
05
NC
This was Robert Cobb Jr, son of Robert Cobb Sr and Elenor Phillips, grandson of James Cobb and Sarah Beach, and great grandson of Ambrose Cobb (Sr) from the 1790 census of Lincoln County. He married Leanah Hope on 14 December 1841 in Lincoln County. Since the last census in 1860, one child has married and left home. She was daughter Sarah Frances who married 06 February 1866 in Lincoln County to John W. Lemaster. They were living not far from Robert and Leanah at the time of this enumeration.
By the time of the next census in 1880, Robert had moved to Gaston County, and two more of the children had married ... Lawson Henry in 1871 ... and Georgianna about 1877.
22 July 1870 Ironton Township Lincolnton Post Office
Margaret A. Heim
Age
49
Born
NC
James B.
15
NC
Jane E.
15
NC
William W. Cobb
23
NC
Margaret Adline Cline married twice. Her first husband was William W. Cobb, son of William Halsey Cobb and Jane Connely, and grandson of Clisby Cobb and Margaret Halsey Young. William W. died in 1845, and Margaret married Jacob Frederick Heim sometime between 1850-1855, probably in Lincoln County. By the time of the next census in 1880, William Jr had married Adelaide Cansler and moved to Oconee County, South Carolina. His descendants moved to Oregon.
07 June 1870 Lincoln Township Lincolnton Post Office
Joseph C. Cobb
Age
47
Born
NC
Occ: Merchant
Margaret
42
NC
Beverly C. (m)
21
NC
Occ: Lawyer
John L.
16
NC
This was Joseph Cameron Cobb, son of William Halsey Cobb and Jane Connely, and grandson of Clisby Cobb and Margaret Halsey Young. He married Margaret Eliza Butts on 25 October 1847 in Lincoln County. There has been no significant change in this family since the last census in 1860. By the next enumeration, however, son Beverly will have married his first wife Jennie McBee Justin and left home.
12 July 1870 Rhodesville Township Lincolnton Post Office
Rufus Cobb
Age
26
Born
NC
Carolina
36
NC
Robert H.
02
NC
Ella E.
01
NC
Elizabeth Cathey
60
NC
Rufus was the son of Henry Cobb and Nancy Hilton / Helton, grandson of Robert Cobb and Elenor Phillips, great grandson of James Cobb and Sarah Beach, and great-great grandson of Ambrose Cobb (Sr) from the 1790 census of Lincoln County. In 1860, Rufus was still living with his parents in Catawba County. He married Frances J. Caroline Cathey about 1868, and despite the difference in their ages there is no record of Caroline having been married previously. There were two more children born after this census ... George in 1872, and Obidiah Harrison in 1874. By 1880, Rufus had moved back to Catawba County.
CATAWBA COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
09 July 1870 Hamilton Township Catawba Station Post Office
James Cobb
Age
56
Born
NC
Barbara
32
NC
Adline
19
NC
Laura
15
NC
Albertus
11
NC
Andrew
08
NC
Wally
04
NC
The ancestry of James Cobb is not yet known. He was married twice. (1st) Frances Hilton / Helton who he married in 1838 in Lincoln County, and who died in 1857, after giving birth to eight children. (2nd) Barbara Ann Ford who he married in 1858, in Cleveland County, by who he had three more children, the three youngest listed on this enumeration.
There have been significant changes in this family since the last census in 1860. Son Columbus died during the War Between the States, while Sylvester and Leroy utterly disappeared. While omitted from this enumeration, James must have still been living with his parents. He died 27 January 1883, and was buried at Wesleys Chapel Methodist Church in Catawba County. His headstone gives a birth date of 10 March 1856. Son Robert married Matilda Falls in 1862, and moved to Burke County.
James Cobb died after this census was taken, and by 1880 his widow Barbara Ford Cobb had moved to Cleveland County with sons Albertus, Andrew, and William Eugene Wally.
01 June 1870 Jacobs Fork Township
Rufus Cobb
Age
43
Born
NC
Sophia
30
NC
Luther L.
18
NC
James
16
NC
Minta
14
NC
Avery
06
NC
Susan
04
NC
Ella
02
NC
William Rufus Cobb was the son of Robert Cobb and Elenor Phillips, grandson of James Cobb and Sarah Beach, and great grandson of Ambrose Cobb (Sr) from the 1790 census of Lincoln County. By his first wife Martha Linebarger who died in 1862, he had five children ... Luther, James, and Minta above being the youngest three. Then on 20 July 1862, Rufus married Sophia P. Abernathy in Catawba County.
Since the census of 1860, two daughters have left home. Charlotte Virginia married Miles Theodore Sanders on 03 May 1869 in Catawba County. She died 12 February 1870, and was buried at Concord Methodist Church in Catawba County. Her headstone indicates a birth date of 06 October 1849. Miles remarried and died in 1929 in Gaston County.
Daughter Nancy was born 01 February 1854, and died 06 March 1869. She was also buried at Concord Methodist Church.
Before the next census in 1880, Rufus and Sophia produced four more children ... Henry in 1871, Lucy in 1873, Ina in 1877, and Junius William in 1879. Daughter Araminta Minta married in 1879 to Lewis Franklin Reinhardt.
28 June 1870 Mountain Creek Township Sherrills Ford Post Office
John Cobb
Age
69
Born
NC
Sarah
68
NC
Robert
23
NC
John was the son of Benjamin M. Cobb and Violetta Morris, and the grandson of Clisby Cobb and Margaret Halsey Young. He married Sarah Sally Bumgarner on 18 April 1821 in Lincoln County.
John and Sarah had seven children, Robert above being the youngest. The eldest Dr. Benjamin Morris Cobb died in York County, South Carolina in 1868. Daughters Rhoda and Lavina left home before 1860. Malinda married Peter Stroup in 1851. At the time of this enumeration, son Caswell Moses Cobb, who was deaf and dumb, was living in the household of one William Darnell in Mecklenburg County. Son Calvin was living next door to his parents with his family.
On 21 December 1870, son Easton Robert, shown above, married Margaret Catherine Dellinger in Lincoln County. She was the daughter of Solomon Dellinger and the widow of one James Ward who she married on 18 September 1860. There were three children produced from that marriage: Laura in 1861, Charles in 1864, and Alice in 1866.
28 June 1870- Mountain Creek Township Sherrills Ford Post Office
Calvin Cobb
Age
26
Born
NC
Caroline
25
NC
Patrick
02
NC
Calvin McKelvin Cobb was the son John Cobb and Sarah Bumgarner, above. He married Martha Caroline Sigmon in 1867 in Catawba County. They had five children ... Patrick Vann, the first, in 1868, Epsy Louvina in November 1870, Alora Violetta in 1875, John Alexander Jacob in 1881, and Eva Lee in 1886. This family was still in Catawba County in 1880.
BURKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
21 June 1870 Morganton Township
Robert A. Cobb
Age
30
Born
NC
Matilda
30
NC
Charley
07
NC
Theodore
03
NC
Lilla
06M
NC
Robert Alexander Cobb was the son of James S. Cobb and his first wife Frances Hilton / Helton. He married Matilda Maxine Falls on 27 July 1862. They had one more child after this census, daughter Millie in 1878. They were still in Burke County in 1880.
CLEVELAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
27 June 1870 Township 4 White Plains Post Office
William Cobb
Age
65
Born
NC
Occ: Shoemaker
Catherine
35
NC
L.M.A. Howell (f)
14
NC
Larkin Howell
11
NC
Rebecca E.
08
NC
William was the son of John Cobb, and grandson of Clisby Cobb and Margaret Halsey Young. He married his first wife Martha Harmon on 15 February 1827 in Lincoln County. That marriage produced ten children. Martha died 13 Sep 1868 in Cleveland County. William married his second wife, the widow of Thomas Howell, Catherine Collins about 1869, probably in Cleveland County. He had two children by her ... Florence in 1872, and Thomas in 1875.
There have been significant changes in this family since the last census in 1860. The last of Williams children by his first wife have left home. Son John Harmon married Vianna McDuffy Gardner on 20 December 1860 in Cleveland County. John would be deceased by the next census in 1880. Daughter Nancy has moved out or died. Daughter Martha married Andrew Costner shortly before this enumeration. Son William Wilson married about 1868 to Frances Barnes. Son George Scott married about 1869, and moved to Union County, South Carolina. Son Richard Jerry Cobb had simply disappeared.
William and Catherine were still living in Cleveland County in 1880.
29 June 1870 Township 4 White Plains Post Office
John G. Cobb
Age
56
Born
NC
Rachel E.
38
NC
Mary L.
25
SC
Daniel J.
19
SC
John L.
16
SC
William L.
14
SC
Joseph M.
12
SC
This family was living in York District, South Carolina in 1860. This is the man that is commonly found erroneously grouped with James Cobb and George Washington Goforth Cobb as brothers and sons of William Cobb and Elizabeth Goforth (see Chapter Two). It is the descendants of this man whose DNA shows a common ancestry with Ambrose Cobb (Sr) from the 1790 census of Lincoln County, North Carolina.
On this enumeration, John is shown with his second wife, Rachel E. Last Name Unknown. She was born 07 May 1830, and died 17 February 1905 in York County, South Carolina. She is buried there in the Enon Baptist Church Cemetery in York County. She and John produced no children.
The only noteworthy changes in this family that have occurred since 1860 are the death of Johns first wife Rocinda / Lucinda, and his marriage to Rachel. Also, daughter Martha has evidently married and moved out.
By 1880, John will have moved back to York County, South Carolina, and all four sons ... Daniel James, John L., William L., and Joseph M. will have married and started their own families.
01 August 1870 Township 6 Shelby Post Office
W.H. Moore
Age
60
Born
NC
Martha
56
NC
Mary E.
38
NC
Caroline
26
NC
Brianna
14
NC
William
10
NC
Andy
05
NC
Ellen Cobb
80
NC
The elder Ellen Cobb was the widow of Robert Cobb, son of James Cobb and Sarah Beach, and grandson of Ambrose Cobb (Sr) from the 1790 census of Lincoln County. Martha Araminta Moore was Ellen and Roberts daughter. She married Wesley Hill Moore on 31 December 1831 in Lincoln County. They had twelve children. Two sons were named William.
In 1860, this family was living in Catawba County. At that time nine of those children were still living at home. Since then son Adolphus has married his second wife Millie Ann Mooney. The first son William R., born 1839, has married and moved out. Daughter Laura has apparently married and moved away. Son Philo is gone, as are daughters Nancy and Eleanor Emeline.
Most of this family will utterly disappear before 1880. It is presumed that Wesley and Martha were both deceased by then. Mary Emeline married William Sherrill. The first son William R. was living in Lincoln County.
McDOWELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
20 July 1870 Jamestown Township #5 Dysartsville Post Office
Thomas Barnes
Age
46
Born
SC
Mary J.
37
NC
Sarah S.
15
NC
James L.
13
NC
Robert H.
10
NC
William W. Cobb
27
NC
Francis Cobb
22
NC
Thomas Cobb
03
NC
Alice Cobb
01
NC
William Wilson Cobb was the son of William Cobb and Martha Harmon. As explained in an earlier chapter, it is my belief that the elder William was the son of John Cobb, and grandson of Clisby Cobb and Margaret Halsey Young.
William W. was born 29 April 1842, and died 08 July 1927. He married Francis Barnes about 1866, probably in McDowell County. She was born 16 January 1848, and died 25 February 1926. They had two more children after this enumeration ... Sarah in 1873, and Larah in 1878.
Previously William had lived in his parents household in Cleveland County. By 1880, he had moved back to Rutherford County where he spent the remainder of his life. He and Francis are buried at Mountain Creek Baptist Church in Rutherford County.
YORK COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
06 July 1870 Sub Division #1 York Post Office
Charles C. Cobb
Age
23
Born
NC
Mary A.
21
NC
Charles was the son of Benjamin Morris Cobb and Catherine Lonergan, grandson of John Cobb and Sarah Bumgarner, great grandson of Benjamin M. Cobb and Violetta Morris, and great-great grandson of Clisby Cobb and Margaret Halsey Young. Marys maiden name was Frew. They had only one known child, son Morris Cobb born 23 August 1879, and died January 1963.
Charles was born 23 April 1848 in Catawba County, North Carolina. He died 22 June 1885 in York County, South Carolina. He is buried in the Rock Hill Cemetery in York County. Mary Ann apparently never remarried. She died in 1922 and is buried beside Charles.
02 August 1870 Sub Division 103 Yorkville Post Office
James Cobb
Age
63
Born
NC
Jane
48
SC
James M.
22
SC
George T.
18
SC
John M.
16
SC
David H.
12
SC
Cynthia Ramsey
26
SC
William G. Ramsey
06
SC
This is the James Cobb that is popularly grouped with George Washington Goforth Cobb as brothers and the sons of William Cobb and Elizabeth Goforth (See Chapter Two). James was married twice. As he was already widowed by 1850, his first wifes name is unknown, although some researchers allege her name was Ramsey. James had six children by his first wife ... Martha M. (born 1833) and who has apparently married since the last census in 1860; William Goforth Cobb (1835-1864) was apparently a casualty of the War Between the States; Margaret Caroline (1837-1900) who married Ross Van Buren Bolin in 1859; Elizabeth J. (born 1840) who married in 1866 to John Franklin Summit; Cynthia Rosalinda, above with her son William G. (1844-1884) who married Andrew Pickens Ramsey, and James Melton (above) who would marry Margaret S. Hoffman before the next census in 1880.
James had four children by his second wife Jane, who was reportedly also a Ramsey ... Lowry about 1851, and the George John and David shown above. James and Jane were still living in York County in 1880.
01 June 1870 Sub Division #2 Yorkville Post Office
Lucinda Wilkerson
Age
58
Born
SC
Sarah J.
26
SC
William C.
24
SC
John L.
22
SC
Mary E.
02
SC
Nancy F.
18
SC
James A. Cobb
27
SC
Occ: Shoemaker
James was the oldest son of George Washington Goforth Cobb and Margaret Caroline Childers. He completely disappeared after this enumeration.
UNION COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
31 July 1870 Gowdysville Township Unionville Post Office
G.S. Cobb age 22 born NC Shoemaker
Rachel 22 SC
This was George Scott Cobb, son of William Cobb and Martha Harmon, grandson of John Cobb, and great grandson of Clisby Cobb and Margaret Halsey Young. Due to their youthful age and the fact there were no children as yet listed in their home, it is safe to assume they were newly married at this time. They would eventually have five children ... Avlona in 1871, William in 1873, Smith Auston in 1875, Lula in 1877, and George in 1879. By 1880, this family was back in York County, South Carolina. George S. Cobb was still living in York as late as 1920.
31 July 1870 Gowdysville Township Unionville Post Office
Hiram Moss
Age
30
Born
SC
Sarah
25
SC
George
04
SC
Ellen
03M
SC
Rachel Cobb
18
SC
Sarah Moss and Rachel Cobb were the daughters of George Washington Goforth Cobb and Margaret Caroline Childers of York County, South Carolina. The father George is one of the three men popularly grouped as brothers and given as sons of a William Cobb and Elizabeth Goforth (See Chapter Three). By 1880, this family had moved to York County and increased in size with the addition of three more children.
In 1870, there were no Cobbs in either Gaston County, North Carolina or Cherokee County, South Carolina. There were Cobbs in Greenville and Spartanburg counties that are identified and not associated with this study.
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