By Steve Cox
Updated: July 25, 2016
Phillip Cox, thanks primarily to his application for a pension following the Revolutionary War, left a significant amount of information about his life. Some of the specific dates get confused, but, aside from telling us the names of his parents, we have a good picture of him.
Phillip testified that he was born in September, 1755 on the Mayo River in Halifax County, Virginia. He also testified on October 1, 1832, that he was 76 years old, giving him a birth year of 1756. His son, Jacob R. Cox, testified in 1840, that Phillip was born September 25, 1757. The earlier date seems more likely since he married Jemima Taylor in 1772. That would make him 15 years old if born in 1757. Jemima was born in 1757, and their first child was born in February of 1773. The fact that Jemima was born in 1757 suggests the possibility that when Jacob R. Cox wrote down the birthdates for his parents, he simply made the mistake of attributing his mother’s birth year to his father. If born on September 25, 1755, he would have just passed his 77th birthday on October 1, 1832, and it is possible that the day he wrote the testimony was earlier than the day it was recorded, making it correct to say he was 76 years old. So, 1755 appears to be the better choice.
Phillip married Jemima Taylor at an early age. Their first child, Millie, ws born in 1773, while both Phillip and Jemima were still teenagers. A grandon, Francis Marion Treadaway remember that Phillip was a saddler. He believed that Jemima’s father was named Lewis Taylor, and that she had brothers Richard, and Zachary. Excerpts of his memories are included below.
Phillip appeared on the first list of tithables in Henry County (previously part of Halifax), Virginia, on the same line with Jacob Cox, in 1778. In 1779, he appeared on the list again, but in this case, his name was listed first, with Jacob and John following. It is not clear whether this now meant he was the head of the household, or if it is a mistake. By this time, Phillip was the father of 3 daughters. In 1780, both Jacob and Phillip had left the county. In both 1778 and 1779, however, Joseph Cloud was listed right next to Jacob and Phillip. According to later statements, Phillip served under Joseph Cloud in the Revolutionary War.
Apparently, Phillip left Henry County for Surry County, North Carolina, which was actually only a few miles to the south. He may have been living on land that was already owned by Jacob, since Jacob had owned land in North Carolina in the 1760’s. The Mayo River crosses the border between Virginia and North Carolina as it travels south to the Dan River. While in Virginia, it has two branches, the North Mayo and the South Mayo, that converge just south of the Virginia/North Carolina border. It is possible that Jacob owned land that was contiguous, but some was in one state while the rest was in the other.
Whatever the case, Phillip testified that he was living in Surry County, North Carolina, when he began serving in the Revolutionary War. He does not indicate in what years he served, but it is probably in the 1779-1781-time period.
Phillip said he left Surry County soon after the war and lived on Thickety Creek, South Carolina, for three years before moving to Rutherford County, North Carolina. Jesse Nevill, according to pension files, stated that he knew Phillip and Jemima in 1783 when they moved to Rutherford County. That would mean that Phillip moved to South Carolina in 1780, which is well before the fighting ended. Using this timeline, Jacob was in Rutherford County, North Carolina until 1787, then he moved to what he called the western country and the west Virginia for 1 ½ years. He stated that he lived on Horse Creek. Jacob Cox was living on Horse Creek at that time. If the same Horse Creek, then his description of the “western country” meant what is now Tennessee, where Sullivan, Hawkins, and Washington counties meet. It was an area that was disputed as either North Carolina, Franklin, Tennessee, or even Virginia along the northern in the late 1700’s. Interestingly, Jacob Cox sold his plantation, including the home in which he lived, to his son, Samuel, on November 22, 1788. (The land was said to be on the headwaters of Horse Creek and Lick Creek, which today would be on either side of Interstate 85 just a mile southwest of Fall Branch, Tennessee.) Could this be the reason Phillip left, or could it be Phillip’s leaving that caused Jacob to sell the land? Also of interest is that a William Cox, whose descendants have Y-DNA matching Jacob Cox’s descendants was said to have been born in 1773, but that he was in South Carolina. If William was a son of Jacob, as we suspect, this would have been the right time for William to leave his father’s home for the adventure of working with, Phillip, his significantly older brother. If so, it appears to have left Samuel as the only child still at home, and offers some explanation as to why he bought the land from his father. Phillip may have been taking a new hired hand home to work with him.
Phillip left Horse Creek to return to Rutherford County in (about)1789, and moved to Crow Creek, South Carolina in 1793. This coincides with Jesse Nevill’s assertion that Phillip was already in South Carolina when he arrived in 1794. Phillip was a witness to a land transaction on Thickety Creek in South Carolina in 1792, which could mean he arrived in 1792 Still, the timeline appears to hold together pretty well.
Phillip bought 200 acres of land on Crow Creek from William Moultrie in 1800; however, the land had been granted on September 3, 1793. Perhaps Phillip had been living on the land since that time. Phillip purchased 150 acres from Benjamin Whorton on Cain Creek in 1803. This may turn out to be the place where Phillip lived the rest of his life. He indicates moving from Crow Creek to his final home “upwards of 30 years” before making his pension application in 1832.
Why did Phillip move from place to place? Family may have a lot to do with it. From testimony by others, it seems that Jemima’s family was in Rutherford County, North Carolina. The western country on Horse Creek appears to be where Phillip’s family was living. Rutherford County is on the southern border of North Carolina, directly north of Thickety Creek in South Carolina, so when Phillip was moving between North Carolina and South Carolina, he may have been moving just a few miles. It was not unusual for people to move frequently during their lifetime as they used up the land and needed a better setting for farming.
Based on further information in Phillip’s Revolutionary War pension file, he died in 1834, and Jemima, his wife, died in 1844. They were still living in Pickens District, South Carolina. The family Bible lists the children as:
Milly, b. Feb 14, 1773,
Sally, b. September 12, 1776,
Nancy, b. Dec. 26, 1778,
Catey, b. Jan. 18, 1780 (married Thomas Collings),
Elizabeth, b. Jan 17, 1782 (married David Barton),
Matthew, b. July 12, 1786,
Jincey, b. Nov., 15, 1787,
Darkas, b. Feb. 5, 1789 (married William Treadaway),
William, b. Dec 5, 1791,
Jacob Ralston (Jacob R. is next on the list at the bottom of the page, but the scanned image does not show enough information to read the full name and date), [Jacob Ralston’s tombstone lists his birth as 1794, but dates of 1793 and 1795 have also been shown. His obituary said he was in his 83rd year on June 9, 1877. He married Jane Emaline Vandiver.)
Rebekah, b., May 16, 1799 (Married Martin Moss).
Were there other children? It is interesting to note that the last name on one page ends in about 1794, and the next child is not until 1799, and she is listed at the bottom of a page with other information/notes on it. Could there be a missing page between Jacob and Rebekah, or after Rebekah? We do find a John G. Cox, who witnesses a land transaction with Jacob R. Cox on behalf of Thomas Collings and Archibald Cameron. However, John G. Cox’s wife, Catherine Sharpe was born in 1785, and if he is her age, he doesn’t fit with Phillip’s family. Thomas Collings was married to Jacob R. Cox’s sister, and John G. Cox was married to Archibald Cameron’s sister-in-law, so the same surname may have been coincidental. No other children have come to light at this point.
Phillip and Jemima signed their names by mark, and they enlisted other people to fill in the names on the family Bible. However, their son, Jacob R. Cox was literate.
In 1840, Jesse Nevill, a person who had known Phillip and Jemima since 1783 described them this way, “Philip Cox and his wife were respected as good honest industrious citizens and there was few such men as Philip Cox, Peaceable, honest, punctual to perform contracts and ready to oblige.”
Who was Phillip’s Father?
Across the years, no one has been able to determine Phillip’s ancestral family, but we have now accumulated significant circumstantial evidence to suggest an answer. The most convincing evidence would be Y-DNA from a male descendant of Phillip. The first sample tested was from a person whose parental line appears to have been interrupted by an affair (most likely in the 1870’s), since his Y-DNA matches several people named Johnson, but none named Cox. In 2018, a possible Y-DNA match came in the form of a person who is confident he descends from Philip A. Cox, born 1818, in Georgia. Though the tester is a strong match to the descendants of Jacob Cox, we have not confirmed whether Philip A. Cox was a descendant of Phillip, b. 1755, or Thomas Cox. He could also possibly be a descendant of William Cox, though he did not appear to relate to that family. To be a descendant of Phillip, b. 1755,he would descend from one of Phillip’s sons. The most likely candidate is William Taylor Cox, but the evidence is not strong enough to consider it proven.
Here are some of the other reasons why we believe Phillip was the son of a person named Jacob Cox, who lived on the South Mayo River in Virginia about the time Phillip was born.
- The first reason is the one just stated. Jacob Cox bought land on the South Mayo River, Virginia, in 1759, but had land surveyed just north of that area on Horse Pasture Creek as early as 1755. Since Phillip says he was born there in 1755, Jacob becomes an eligible candidate.
- In 1778 and 1779, there was a Jacob Cox listed with a Phillip Cox (on the same line) in the list of Tithables in Henry, County, Virginia. Henry County was taken from Halifax County, and those listed appear to be in the area of the Mayo River.
- In the 1778 and 1779 list of Tithables where we find Jacob and Phillip listed, we find that Joseph Cloud was listed next to them. Phillip stated that he served under Joseph Cloud during the Revolutionary War. Additional information about Joseph Cloud, by Cloud researchers, says that he later surveyed land for individuals and the government in what would become Tennessee, along the borders of Sullivan and Hawkins counties. This is precisely where Jacob Cox and his younger children lived after Jacob received a land grant in 1784. This is the location of Horse Creek, and Phillip testifies that he lived on Horse Creek.
- Y-DNA and historical evidence points to the high likelihood that Jacob Cox was the grandson of a man named Phillip Cox and a woman named Dorcas Hull. Not only is the Phillip name repeated, but the younger Phillip also named a daughter, Dorcas.
- Phillip, b. 1755, named a son, Jacob. Phillip’s daughter, Dorcas, named a son, Jacob.
- Y-DNA evidence also suggests that Jacob Cox, b. 1727 had sons named William and Thomas, who lived for several years within 20 miles or so of where Phillip was living. William was in South Carolina near Phillip, married a woman named Phoebe, moved to Hall County, Georgia, and died prior to 1830. It is not proven, but there are hints that the Phoebe who married William was a Barton, and Elizabeth, daughter of Phillip, married David Barton. Thomas settled first in Franklin County, Georgia (across the state line from Phillip, but less than 20 miles away), before eventually settling in Gwinnett, County, Georgia.
- In 1850, Jacob R. Cox, son of Phillip, and Frederic Cox, son of Thomas, were living next door to each other in Murray County, Georgia. David and Elizabeth Cox Barton, daughter of Phillip, were also living in the same general area, but in a different county. Malone Cox, another son of Thomas, was also living in Murray County, though in a different census sub-district than Frederic and Jacob R. Cox. So, in 1850, at least two sons of Thomas and two children of Phillip were living in close proximity to each other, with one from each family literally living next door to each other.
- As mentioned, Elizabeth Cox, daughter of Phillip, married David Barton. Near the end of David’s life a young man who was a descendant of Jacob’s family in northeastern Tennessee was named David Barton Cox.
- Phillip, in his pension application, stated that at one point he moved to the western country and lived on Horse Creek. He also stated that his brother had taken the family Bible to the western country. It is not entirely clear what he meant as the “western country,” though he added that he lived in the west Virginia. Jacob lived on Horse Creek, in northeastern Tennessee, at the meeting point of Sullivan, Hawkins, and Washington counties. Prior to 1784, this was North Carolina, though it was very near the Virginia border, and the line was often disputed.
- Phillip had connections with the Isbell and Palmour families in South Carolina, and these families were also connected to other parts of the Jacob Cox ancestral family.
- Jacob settled in northeastern Tennessee with his younger children. We are finding more and more travel between the descendants who settled there and northwestern Georgia/Chattanooga, Tennessee, area where at least two of Phillip’s children had settled. Though we have not proven the connection yet, there was a William H. Cox, called Billy, who was in the northwestern Georgia region in 1850, near Phillip and Thomas’ children mentioned above, and moved to Union County, Tennessee, to live in the same district of Union County as some of Jacob’s great-grandchildren. One of Jacob’s gg grandchildren left Union County and settled in Jonesboro, Georgia, near a person named Terry L. Cox in the 1870’s. Before that time, Terry had been living near Billy Cox in northwestern Georgia, and was married to the daughter of William Hayes. William Hayes was buried in the Hayes Cemetery (likely named after him), as are David and Elizabeth Cox Barton.
- The person compiling this information, Steve Cox, and at least two other known descendants of Jacob Cox, share autosomal DNA with two descendants of Jacob R. Cox who are second cousins of each other. No other likely source for this DNA has been found beyond the Cox line.
If each of the above items is considered in isolation, it is little more than a circumstantial event. Interpretation as to whether the heaping of circumstantial evidence eventually leads to a convincing case has to be determined by each of us. There is, at least, no information found to date that would tend to demy the relationship, making it a stronger case than is often required for a name to go on the family tree.
Phillip Cox Revolutionary War Application
The information below was written in 1855 by the grandson of Phillip Cox and Jemima Taylor. It says Phillip was a saddler, and it says that Jemima was the daughter of Lewis Taylor. Some information is confused. For example it is unlikely that Jemima’s brother was the father of President Zachary Taylor. The President’s family appears to be well documented and had a different level of wealth. However, it is a first-hand recollection of the family and is written within 20 years of the death of Phillip and about 10 years after the death of Jemima. We have included excerpts..
Memories of a grandchild of Phillip Cox and Jemima Taylor
Genealogy of Francis Marion (Frank) Treadaway as written by him in 1855, and recorded in his own handwriting in Personal Record Book, pages 72 — 76. This book now property of R. L. Treadaway, his son, residing; in 1939 at Jacksonville, Alabama.
To those acquainted with geography it is known that in the mountains in the northern part of Georgia in the’ northeast corner of Rabun County rises a small stream called Persimmon Creek, which winds its way through the hills until it empties into the Saluda River. Sometime, perhaps in the year 1808 or 1810, my father emigrated from South Carolina, then Pendleton, now Pickens District, to Rabun County, and settled on the creek above mentioned; where he resided for several years. But before I proceed further I will give the reader a short history of my genealogy.
My father’s name was William who was the son of Daniel Treadaway, and if my memory is correct, was his oldest son.
My mother’s name before marriage was Dorcas Cox, daughter of Philip Cox, They settled early in South Carolina and was a saddler by trade. I can trace his genealogy no further. He lived many years a member of the Primitive Baptist Church and died a member of the same. I hope one day seeing him in the Fields of Glory, which, if I do, will be my first sight of him for I never saw him on this earth; if so I do not recollect it.
My grandmother (my mother’s mother) before marriage was Nina Taylor and her father’s name was Lewis Taylor, She had a brother named Zachry Taylor and also one named Richard Taylor, The latter was probably the father of the late President Zachry Taylor, the twelfth President of the United States. But about this I am not so very certain as the names Lewis and Richard were very common names in the connections and so was the name Zachry. Richard Taylor emigrated from- North Carolina to some of the western States many, many years ago and died, I believe, in the State of Kentucky not far from Boon’s Lick.
My uncle Ezekiel Treadaway became an invalid when a young man but he soon recovered only to become again stricken after his marriage. He was still stricken in 1855 and of no service to his family. He has a son who is a Methodist Minister, and two others living in the city of Rome, Georgia in 1855, and one son William Treadaway who was killed in the Mexican War in Mexico.
Those who are still surviving of this family I am happy to say are doing well and it is an honor to my poor uncle that these children are doing so well, as he has been unable most of his life to do anything for his family. They all,
I believe, are members of the Methodist Church. Young William, who died as above mentioned in the Mexican War, professed awhile before he closed his eyes in death and exhorted his fellow soldiers to prepare to meet him in a better world, and he no doubt is now enjoying the pleasure and bliss of that world.
My uncle Thomas Treadaway was first aroused from his slumber in wickedness by the preaching’ of that eloquent man, to wit, Robert J. Cowart when’ riding, if I mistake not, the Rome, Georgia Circuit, my uncle was converted, as I say, under his preaching, and joined the Methodist Church but afterwards joined the Missionary Baptist Church.
My uncle Richard was a member of the Methodist Church when he died, if I mistake not.
My uncle Ellis was also a Methodist.
My great uncle, Osborn Buffington, before alluded to, was never a member of any church that I know of. He settled many years ago on the Oconee River in Hall County, Georgia, where he lived and died. His children who are yet living – for several are dead – are living still in the sane settlement.
My father, some years after his marriage, joined the Primitive Baptist Church of which he continued a member as long as he lived.
I was born in the year of our Lord 1832. I cannot ‘recollect what year my father emigrated from South Carolina to Rabun County, Georgia but suffice it to say that he was one of the early settlers in that county; perhaps it was about the year 1808 or 1810.
Daniel Treadaway, R. S., over U5 – I8IO Census; of Pendleton District, S. C. married Mary Buffington (over US – I8IO Census), of Pendleton District, S. C.
Children:
Willian Treadaway b, abt 1771, m. Dorcas Cox, dau of Philip Cox, R.S.
Ezekiel ” b. abt 1773; n. Mary Ann Treadaway 27 Sept l8Uii
Ellis “• b. abt 1775
Richard ” b. 13 September 1777
Thomas ” b. 1799; n. Nancy Bell
Ruth ” b. abt 18O1; n. a LIr. Frost
Elizabeth ” b. abt 1803
William Treadaway, b. abt 1791; of Anderson Co., S. C.; m. Dorcus Cox, dau.
of Philip Cox, R. S., and Jemima (or Nina) Taylor Cox
Children:
- Francis Marion Treadaway, b. 1832 in S, C. d. 1903; m. Mary Spence
- Jacob (Jake) Treadaway, b. 1831; d. 190I4; n. Josephine Richardson
- Daniel Treadaway, b. abt 1836;
U. Washington Treadaway, b. abt 1838 – killed in Mexican War
5, Toliver Treadaway, b. abt I810; died in youth
- Polly Treadaway, b. abt 18h2; n. John Bates
^;-7. Sarah Treadaway, b; 17 May 1826; n. I6 I’by l8ii8, William Pullen