Nancy Cox, daughter of Jacob Cox and, probably, Mary Coleman Cox, was born about 1771, in southern Virginia or northern North Carolina. Though most believe that she was born in Halifax County, Virginia, Jacob is listed on the Tithables list of Surry, North Carolina, in 1771 and 1772. This is just across the state line from where he had land in Virginia.
As one of the younger children, Nancy moved to what is now Tennessee with the rest of the family in about 1780. In about 1789, Nancy married Presley Buckner in Sullivan County, Tennessee. They moved to Morgan County, Indiana, near what is now Martinsville, by 1820. This move may have come as a result of disputes in the family over the estate of Nancy’s brother, Samuel, though that is not known for sure. We do know there were disputes following Samuel’s death, and for several years thereafter.
According to the book, “Pioneers of Morgan County,” (Indiana) Presley was one of 18 people who entered land in the new county on September 4, 1820. The family remained in the area for multiple generations. Their reputation is echoed in the following story taken from the book by Noah M. Major. The John Buckner mentioned in the story below is the son of Presley Buckner, and he had a son named Presley who is referenced in the story.
“Some time in the ’70’s he had a little experience in chasing a couple of bank debtors, who cut the biggest figure of the kind ever noted in this county. Presley Buckner, son of John Buckner, one of the most respected and substantial old settlers in the south part of Washington township, had been dealing in livestock, using the names of his father and father-in-law as endorsers. Young Buckner had borne a good name, and was counted one of the rising farmers and stock dealers in the south part of the county.
He had associated his brother-in-law, William Wiley Baker, in business, and the two made a lively brace of traders. Buckner had been a heavy borrower at the First National Bank, keeping his father and father-in-law on the bills as endorsers. The old gentlemen had become somewhat neglectful about endorsing, having all confidence in the boys’ honesty. Finally, Buckner and Baker bought a large drove of horses and mules, some on time, and of men with whom they had heretofore honorably dealt and who had
no suspicion of what was coming. They had borrowed heavily in bank and from private individuals. Bidding their families good-bye, they started South with the mules and horses.
Sufficient time elapsed for their return, but no word was heard from them; even their wives did not know where they were. Considerable excitement prevailed and people began to conjecture as to the fate of “Pres” Buckner and “Bill-Wile” Baker. Some thought they had been foully dealt with, as it would likely be known that they had money about them. Others hinted that they were engaged in some “self-sharpening” speculation, and would turn up all right. However, their long absence and profound silence were omens of no good and finally it became apparent that they had absconded, leaving their wives as much dumfounded as their creditors. The most remarkable thing about this heartlessness was that Baker’s wife was Buckner’s sister. So far as known there had never been any trouble or domestic infelicity in either family. Why they should have so cruelly deserted their wives no one can tell.”
(Pioneers of Morgan County, Indiana Historical Society, 1915, 977.2, “Memoirs of Noah J. Major”)
Before moving to Indiana, Presley Buckner, husband of Nancy Cox, was listed as an executor for the estate of Samuel Cox, Nancy’s brother, in 1808.
We wait for other researchers to fill out the family tree of Presley and Nancy, but they are reported to have had the following children: Nancy, John, George, Thomas, Ezra, Jehu, Rebecca, and William. Of interest in this list is the fact that none of the children appear to be named after Nancy’s parents or Presley’s mother.
There may be some dispute as to Presley’s mother. We have seen the name Elizabeth Munroe; however, the name we have seen more often, and one that fits with the Cox family is that of Anna Mustain. Anna’s father, Thomas Mustain, was a neighbor of Nancy’s father when they were in Halifax County, Virginia. In addition, a sibling of Anna married into the Bruce family, as did Nancy’s brother, Samuel. Aside for those connections, we have not done additional research to verify Pesley’s parentage.
Presley is said to have died in 1838, and Nancy died in 1836, both near Martinsville, Morgan County, Indiana, and both are buried in the Stitt Maxwell Cemetery.