Children of Richard and Dorcas
Though there have been ongoing questions as to who were the parents of Dorcas Cox, wife of Richard Condra, across the years, we now have enough documentation to reach a conclusion: Dorcas was the daughter to Jacob Cox and Anna Coleman Cox, and was probably one of their oldest children.
We begin with the simple evidence of the usage of the name. Dorcas was the name of Jacob’s grandmother, Dorcas Hull Cox. Some records suggest that Richard and Dorcas Condra had sons named Jacob and Phillip. While not proven, Jacob would obviously be named after his grandfather, Jacob, and Phillip is the name of Jacob’s grandfather, and one of his children. John Elder Condra, son of Richard and Dorcas, also had a son named Jacob. However, the evidence grows from there.
Even though the Condra and Cox families were in various locations of Virginia in the mid 1700’s, we find them living near each other in what would become Tennessee, from around 1784 until at least 1795.
Richard is found in what is now northeastern Tennessee in 1779, with a land purchase of 100 acres from the estate of Daniel Wyatt. There is other recorded activity in the area in 1780, 1781, and 1788. Jacob Cox received a land grant in 1780 on the South Mayo River in Virginia; however, he disappears from the tax records for Henry County, Virginia, that same year. In 1784, he receives a land grant in Sullivan County, North Carolina (now Tennessee).
In 1788, Jacob sells the land on which he is living to his son, Samuel. The transaction is witnessed by Isaac White and John Tally. John is Jacob’s son-in-law. Isaac White becomes important to the Condra connection a bit later.
In 1790 Jacob Cox, Jr. buys land from John Craig, in the vicinity of where Jacob had sold land to Samuel. Richard Condre, Dennis Condre, and Matthias Miller (the son of a close friend of Jacob Cox’s family) were witnesses. It is the first time we have connected the family together.
In 1792, Richard Condrey buys land, then in 1794, he sells the land. In the first transaction, Isaac White, Jr., is a witness, and in the latter, Isaac White is a witness.
This seems to be clear evidence that Richard Condrey is living near, and is associated with the Jacob Cox family. Acting as a witness for Jacob Cox. Jr. would be a brother-in-law acting on behalf of the family.
When Samuel Cox died in 1808, there were several Condras at his estate sale, including, Benjamin, Dennis, Silas, and Eliphaz. Benjamin and Dennis are probably Richard’s brothers. Just as significantly, Dennis’ daughter, Sarah, married Matthias Tally. Matthias was the stepson of Rebecca Cox Tally, daughter of Jacob Cox, Sr., and he was an executor of Samuel Cox’s estate.
DNA Matches
However, the most convincing evidence is now scientific. DNA matches essentially confirm the relationships of these families.
Steve Cox, author of this article, is a descendant of Jacob Cox and either Anna or Mary Coleman. Dorcas Cox was a daughter of Jacob Cox and Anna Coleman, and she married Richard Condra. Steve shares overlapping DNA on Chromosome 8 with four people from one extended family who are descendants of John Elder Condra, son of Richard and Dorcas. The same overlapping DNA is also shared with a descendant of Sarah Condrey, who was a daughter of Abel P. Condra, son of Matthew, who we can now say was a son of Richard and Dorcas. Another matching DNA segment belongs to a descendant of Sirilda Condrey, daughter of Dennis Condrey, b. 1822, who was a brother of Abel. All these matches are through FTDNA. Steve and the descendant of Sarah Condrey are also on Ancestry, and there they match a descendant of Laura Condrey, sister of Sarah, both daughters of Abel P. Condrey. Since ancestry does not provide chromosome information, however, we can’t be sure it is overlapping DNA. At ancestry there are at least 6 more people who descend from various members of this family, all of whom trace back to Richard and Dorcas. Additionally, another person matches Steve and the Sarah Condrey descendant. This person has no Condra connection, but traces back to Jacob Cox’s parents. Another person who along with Steve descends from Coleman Cox also matches the person who matches Sarah Condrey. (Names for all these matches are known but have been removed in order to protect privacy concerns.)
The following information was provided by Idris Cox by email on June 17, 2017 and includes multiple emails. Note a mistake corrected within these emails regarding the parentage of Matthew (Mathias) Condray. Idris concludes he is a son of Richard and Dorcas Condrey.
Here is a 1790 deed between John Craig and Jacob Cox, (Jr.) which establishes the presence of the Condra’s in East TN along with dates:
John Craig to Jacob Cox-(Deed) Registered May 28, 1790.
This Indenture made this 13th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine between John Craig of the county of Hawkins and state of North Carolina and Jacob Cox of the County aforesaid of the other part, witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred pounds in hand paid at or before the unsealing and delivering of these presents the receipt whereof the said Craig doth hereby acknowledge have bargained and sold in fee simple and confirmed unto the said Jacob Cox his heirs Executors Administrators and assigns forever a certain tract of or parcel of land containing three hundred and forty six acres be the same more or less lying and being in the said county of Hawkins on the North fork of Holston River beginning at a post oak on the Virginia line thence up the river bank on the west side of said river north thirty six degrees east twenty six poles to a chesnut and beech on the river bank thence north fifty west two hundred and twenty eight poles to a beech and spanish oak on the bank of the river thence off No eighty five West eighty two poles to a gum north fifty two west, twenty poles to two white oaks thence No seventy poles to two white oaks on a Stoney Ridge thence due west one hundred and fourteen poles to a poplar and white oak on the dividing line or corner of the lands sold by said Craig to Mathias Miller thence along said dividing line south fifteen last one hundred poles to two white oaks on John Menefees line thence along the same north eighty four last sixteen poles to a Spanish oak and serves on the bank of the river thence down the river south five west sixteen poles to the corner bunch of lymn trees or where the same formerly stood thence along the said Virginia line crossing the river to the beginning together with all woods houses fences ways water and water courses orchards and all other appurtinances belonging or in any wise appurtaining with all rents revisions of rents and all other the estate right and title that may where ever hereafter may appertain to the same free from trouble hinderance of any person lawfully claiming the same to have and to hold all and singular the aforesaid land and premises with every part and parcel free from all incumberances of mortgage dowers and reversions by or from me the said John Craig or any other person or persons whatsoever and to be the only use of him the said Jacob Cox his heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns forever. Lastly I the said John Craig do hereby promise covenant and agree to and with the said Jacob Cox his heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns that I have full power and the only right title and lawful authority to sell and convey the aforesaid lands promise and will at any time at the reasonable request and proper charge of him the said Cox make and other conveyance of ????ance that shall by law be required to pass the fee simple estate of the said lands and premises from me to him the said Jacob Cox his heirs Executors Administrators and assigns forever in witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this day and date above written.
John Craig (Seal)
Barbara Craig (Seal)
Signed sealed and )
delivered in presence of us )
Dennis E. Condre ) March Session. 1790
Mathias Miller )
Rich’d Condre )
The within deed was proved in open court for the purpose within mentioned. Let it be registered.
Thos. Hutchings. C.M.C.
Then, we have the following earlier Land entries involving Richard Condray in Greene County, TN. (In the early days of TN being a State, Greene County encompassed all of East Tennessee down to and including Knox County).
Tennessee Land Entries: Washington County (Part 1)(1778-1796) 976.87McClung Collection:
Page 194, #1465.
June 28, 1779 Richard Condrey 100 ac in Washington Co; between Geo Martin & Garet Vanzant and on the new road; entered by Daniel Weyatt and transfered by Jno Weyatt, heir of D “Weatt” deceased, to R Condrey; warrant issued Sept. 14, 1781; 100 ac surveyed Aug 4, 1780 for Richard Condrey by James Stuart; 100 ac entered by Daniel Wyett on entry taker’s report; (for grant to Richard Condry see file #824 in Washington Co; MARS 12.14.20.827; survey on Christians war road).
Greene County, TN. Deeds Book 1, Page 120:
Indenture 4 Aug, 1788 Richard Condry and James Hust, both of Greene Co, NC, 60 pounds pd, 100 acres as set out. Wit: Moses Kennedy, Alexander McGentry. Reg 3 Aug, _.
Greene County, TN. Deeds Book 1, Page 144:
Indenture 26 Jan, 1792 David Foster and Richard Condry, 100 acres in Greene Co & Terr S of Ohio, adj James English. Wit: James Hays, Isaac White, Jr.
Greene County, TN. Deeds Book 1, Page 321:
Indenture 5 May, 1794 Richard Condrey and Richard Mullenex, both of Terr of USA south of the River Ohio, 100 pounds North Carolina currency pd, tr adj James English and including a high ridge, being 100 acres granted to Condrey by deed from David Forrister on 26 Jan, 1792, rec by John Stone, Register of Greene Co 9 May 1792, No 83. Wit: Isaac White, Lewis Conner. Reg 6 Jan 1795.
It now appears that we have more closely identified the death date and location of death of Jacob Cox, Sr. which would have been between 1808 when he was named an executor of the Estate of his son Samuel Cox and the 1810 tax roll for Grainger County, TN where there is a listing of Jacob Cox heirs, indicating that he was now deceased. So, his death would have been between 1808 and 1810 most likely in Grainger County, TN. The Benjamin Condry and Dennis Condry who were listed next to Jacob Cox heirs and Samuel Cox heirs, are most likely the brothers of Richard Condry\Condray who married Dorcas Cox (rather than Dorcas’s sons) as I will explain a little farther down.
Here is a brief history of the Condre’, Condra”, Condry, Condray’s as I remember them from studying this family in the past. In the mid 1500’s, their ancestor’s lived in Normandie, France, and in the late 1600’s, migrated to America and lived for many years in Northumberland County, Virginia. Of particular interest to us is one William Daniel Condra\Condray, b. 1738, Northumberland County, VA., d. 1807, Barren County, Kentucky. He married in 1752 in Northumberland County, VA., Mary Blankenship, dtr. of William Blankenship(wife Mary) of Henrico County, VA. (More on this family later.) The Condrays seemed very aggressive in seeking new opportunities and land as our country began to open up many new settlements. I believe that some of the children of this Condray family lived for a while in Chesterfield County, Virginia, then progressed to East Tennessee, primarily to the areas of present day Sullivan, Grainger, Greene, and Claiborne Counties(now) Tennessee. There were at least 10 children of which 4 in particular are of significant interest to us, which I will concentrate on.
William Daniel Condray, Jr. b.1753, d. after 1850, Claiborne County, TN.(wife-Betsy Furney), were the parents of Sarah Condray, b. 1784, Sullivan Co., TN, d. 1850, Crow Creek Vall, Jackson County, AL, who married Matthew (Mathias) Tally, b. 1782 Sullivan County, TN., d. 1821 in Stevenson, Jackson County, AL. Although Matthew (Mathas) Tally was the son of John Tally and his 1st wife(name unknown), He was raised by Rebecca Cox (Tally) who was John Tally’s 2nd wife, with Rebecca Cox being the dtr. of our Jacob Cox, Sr. This Matthew (Mathias) Tally became one of the executors of the Estate of Samuel Cox who died in 1808.
Richard Condray, b. abt. 1755, d. abt. 1810, in KY, just prior to or part of the War of 1812. Richard Condray had married Dorcas Cox b. abt. 1775-76 in VA, and they had moved from VA. to TN and on to Kentucky where they were living in 1808 and in 1810 when Richard died. There were at least 8 children by this marriage. The 2nd child being William Condray, b. 1778, VA, d. abt 1810, in KY, just prior to or part of the War of 1812. William Condray had married in Grainger County, TN. on 11/15/1804 (William Talley, Bondsman) to Nancy Stanley, b. 1782, Pittsylvania County, VA. and at the time of William Condray’s death had 2 small children: Isaac H. Condray, b. 11/17/1805, and Elizabeth Condray, b. 8/6/1807. After William Condray died, Nancy Stanley moved with her 2 small children from KY, back to Grainger County, TN. where on 10/9/1813, she married her 2nd husband, Josiah (Joshua) Smith, b. 1782, Pittsylvania County, VA. and together they had 7 more children, all born in Grainger County, TN. Josiah and Nancy both died in Grainger County, TN and are both buried in the Butcher Cemetery, Union County, TN. Isaac H. Condray married Rebecca Haynes on 4/9/1825 in Grainger County, TN and shared 10 children together. This couple along with several of their children are buried in the Ousley Cemetery, Union County, TN. Elizabeth Condray married Owen Dyer on 1/16/1823 in Grainger County, TN. who was a great-grandson of John S. Dyer II, and Priscilla Elizabeth Bluford of Antrim Parish, Halifax, VA. Owen Dyer and Elizabeth Condray along with several of their children are buried in the Carr Cemetery, Union County, TN. The 7 Smith children shared by Josiah Smith and Nancy Stanley married people by the name of Huddleston, one married Coleman Seymour, and 2 married Buckner’s who were descendants of Presley Buckner and Nancy Cox. Josiah Smith, Jr. married Almeda Hubbs and had a dtr. Ann Hazeltine Smith who married David A. Mann, a brother of Ida J. Mann who married John William Cox, b. 1845, who was the youngest child of Coleman Cox and Roxanna Foster. I believe that most of the rest of the children of Richard Condray and Dorcas Cox remained in Kentucky and West Tennessee where they and their descendants migrated to Indiana, Missouri and beyond.
Dennis Condray, b. abt. 1762. d. abt 1850. Tazewell, Claiborne County, TN. To my knowledge, no record of a marriage has been found for this person, yet, he had several children, so, he must have gotten married somewhere. [His son, Matthew (Mathias) Condray, b. abt. 1788 married on 1/5/1812 in Grainger County, TN.(Bondsman-James Seamore\Seymour) to Rebecca Anderson—See correction to family of Richard Condra below]. A dtr, Sandel Condray, b. abt 1792, Grainger County, TN married on 12/25/1813, Grainger County, TN(Bondsman-Dennis Condray) to Henry Spencer Sullivan, Jr., a son of Henry Spencer Sullivan, Sr. and Mary Buckner, b. abt 1762, VA, who was a sister to Presley Buckner, b. 1769, who married Nancy Cox, b. 1771, dtr. of Jacob Cox, Sr.. Presley Buckner was another of the executors of the Estate of Samuel Cox who died in 1808. This Dennis Condray was in a lawsuit in Rutledge, Grainger County, TN. in Feb., 1827, with Samuel Cox, b. 1803 who was the youngest brother of Coleman Cox. In a letter (the original which I have in my possession) to Coleman, then living in Stokes County, NC, Samuel states that he expected to lose everything that he owns, and that if he does he planned to move to the Chicasaw Puntas, below Muscle Shoals in Alabama and would never be heard of again. He stated that no good honest man could live in the county anymore, that all people wanted to do was lying, cheating, whoring, and stealing and he wanted no part of it anymore. I have no idea what the lawsuit was over, but, would love to get copies. I don’t know what the outcome of the lawsuit was, but, Samuel Cox died the next year in 1828.
Benjamin Elijah Condry\Condray, b. abt 1763, d. abt 1832, Jefferson County, AL, married in Grainger County, TN abt. 1794, Christina Lyons. While I know nothing about this family, I suspect that he is the Benjamin Condray who along with Dennis Condray , Jacob Cox heirs, and Samuel Cox heirs were on the tax roll for Grainger County, TN. and that this Benjamin and Dennis Condray were at the Estate Sale of Samuel Cox who died in 1808.
William Blankenship(above), b. abt 1691, Henrico County, VA and wife Mary (LNU), were also the parents of Wilmoth Blankenship, b. abt 1735, Chesterfield County, VA. who married Thomas Hatcher, b abt 1735. They were the parents of William Hatcher, b. abt 1760(wife Joana Judith), who were the parents of Thomas Hatcher, b. abt Thomas Hatcher, b. abt 1784, Sullivan County, TN(wife Sarah LNU), who were the parents of William Hatcher, b. 1816, d. 1873, Knox County, TN and is buried in Old Gray Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, TN. who married Mary (Polly) Booth, b. abt 1816. They were the parents of Cordelia Ann Hatcher, b. abt 1856, who married Andrew J. (Andy) Cox, b. abt 1855, who was the son of Samuel J. Cox, b. 1827, Stokes County, NC (wife Darthula Skaggs), who was the son of Coleman Cox and Roxanna Foster. Mary (Polly) Booth’s youngest sister Margaret E. Booth, b. 1821 married in 1841, Knox County, TN George Washington Campbell Cox, b. 1808, Knox County, TN. who was the only son of Samuel Cox who died in 1808 and his 2nd wife, Margaret Crippen..
While Samuel Cox who died in 1808, left a rather large estate when he died, the heirs of the estate who were all minors (except John) at the time may have received very little for their part. While some of the estate may have been spent on paying guardians, dower rights, settling lawsuits, court costs, and the like, it seems that the executors may have squandered and/or claimed a large portion for themselves. After settling the estate, Presley Buckner permanently moved his family to Martinsville, Morgan County, Indiana, and Matthew Tally permanently moved his family to Franklin County, Tennessee, never to return. It would be interesting to see an accounting of the Estate (if there is one) and see how the estate was disposed of.
The years from 1807 thru 1810 had to have been very hard on the survivors of these families, and then they still had to live thru the War of 1812 and its effects. Take for instance Dorcas Cox, whose father-in-law William Daniel Condray, Sr. b. 1738 had moved to Kentucky and died there in Barren County, KY on 11/11/1807. Like the Cox’s, all of his children were grown and had families of their own. His son Richard Condray, b. 1755 & Dorcas Cox, his wife and their son William Condray, b.1778(husband of Nancy Stanley) and their children were all living nearby. As part of the frontier land, it was probably a very dangerous place to live at the time and both Richard Condray and his son William Condray were killed there in 1810, perhaps in separate skirmish’s. I don’t know what happened to Dorcas, but, we know Nancy Stanley returned to Grainger County, TN with her 2 small children. Dorcas Cox had lost her father-in-law in 1807, her brother Samuel Cox, in 1808, her brother Jacob Cox, Jr. in 1809, her father Jacob Cox, Sr. prior to 1810. her husband Richard Condray in 1810 and her son William Condray in 1810. There was just no way that she could have been an executor of the Estate of Samuel Cox. All of her remaining brothers and sisters were now scattered to South Carolina, Georgia, Franklin County, TN, and Nancy Cox(Buckner) was the only one left in East TN and she later moved to Indiana. Dorcas probably turned to her children who were nearby in KY. for support and comfort in her old age as she had no other family left.
Since my 2nd reply above, I discovered that I made a mistake in listing Matthew (Mathias) Condray, b. abt. 1788 married on 1/5/1812 in Grainger County, TN.(Bondsman-James Seamore\Seymour) to Rebecca Anderson as a son of Dennis Condray. In reality, this Matthew (Mathias) Condray b. abt. 1788 was actually a son of Richard Condray & Dorcas Cox instead of Dennis. I apologize for the mistake.
Children of Richard and Dorcas
We now know of 10 children of Richard Condray and Dorcas Cox as follows: (There could be more?)
- John Elder Condray, b. 4/2/1777, d. 8/7/1838, 1st wife Margaret Larimore(1780-1809), 2nd wife Rebecca Alderson(1781-1862)
- William Condray, b. 1778, d. abt. 1910, wife Nancy Stanley(1782-1847)
- Elizabeth Nancy Condray, b. 2/20/1782, d. 1869, spouse John Garton(1773-1865)
- Eliphas/Aliphaz Condray, b. Before 1788, d. 1872, 1st wife Christina Widener(1798-before 1840), 2nd wife Anna Maxwell(1804-1852), 3rd wife Mary (Polly) Griffin(1802-1875) Note: Christina Widener was the dtr. of Henry (Heinrich) Widener(1750-1847) and Margaret Click(1768-1845) and granddaughter of Lewis (Ludwig) Weidner(1730-1809) and wife Barbery Boyer.
- Matthew (Mathias) Condray, b. 1788, d. 1843, wife Rebecca Anderson(1794-1850)
- George Condray, b. 6/4/1792, d. 12/26/1852, wife Rebecca Browning(1794-1878)
- Rhoda Condray, b. 1796, d. 3/1840, spouse Josiah McClelland(1785-1854)
- Polly Condray(no dates), spouse Jack Little(no dates)
- Jacob Condray(no dates) (perhaps named after Jacob Cox, Sr.-father of Dorcas Cox-Speculative on my part)
- Phillip Condray(no dates)(perhaps named after Phillip Cox-brother to Dorcas Cox-Speculative on my part)
I believe Steve Cox now has DNA proof for many of these families which he can share at a later date when he is ready.
I noticed today that the 1790 deed (above) was witnessed by Dennis E. Condre. which made me wonder what the middle initial E. stood for. Would anyone suspect that it might have been Eliphas? We now know of two people with the name Eliphas, one being the son of Richard Condray and Dorcas Cox. The other a Martin Eliphus Condray, who was a son of William Daniel Condray, Jr. and Betsey Furney. I would almost rule out the E. as standing for Elijah, since Dennis had a brother Benjamin Elijah Condray. Maybe, I should not speculate further, because it could be any name beginning with an E.
Idris
End of Information sent by email on June 17, 2017, by Idris Cox