William Cox
submitted by John W. Cox
This is some history of one of Jackson Countys early settler families. Mr. Cox wrote, "The Cox family were early settlers of Jackson County, and my great grandfather was one of the second generation folks there." Thank you for sharing this.
William traveled from East Tennessee for his bride (Nancy Ann Ruddick). After the wedding, they returned to Tennessee where they attended Lost Creek MM. They were early members of the meeting, and served as overseers for several years. It is possible that the family moved to Knox County, Kentucky, about 1810, but resided there for only a very short time. William and his brother-in-law Solomon Cox made land entries near Paoli, Indiana Territory in May of 1811.
It appears that William moved still further north to what would become Jackson County, but after the murder of cousin Hinton, he took his family back to Paoli for safety. While living here, the family attended Lick Creek MM.
In the Spring of 1814, the Cox families made their home in Jackson Township, Jackson County. William and Ann settled on160 acres a few miles southeast of present day Seymour. They belonged to Blue River MM in Washington County, which was quite a distance to travel, and before long, they were granted permission (April 4 1816) to hold meetings in their own home. As the Quaker population grew in that area, the Cox homestead became crowded so a meetinghouse and a school were built on a creek nearby in the Summer of 1816.
On Tuesday, May 7, 1816, William was appointed Overseer of the Poor in Jackson Township. He and Ann were very active in community affairs and helping those in need. They were, with the Ruddicks, the most prominent members of the early Driftwood MM and served as elders for many years. On September 29, 1819, they sold the meetinghouse property (3 1/2 acres) to trustees of the Society of Friends for 12 dollars. In the Fall of 1831, William and Ann sold their place to the Lancasters and took their younger children West to Vermillion MM and served as elders. It is very likely that they moved again in the Spring of 1844, settling at Pleasant Plain MM (Jefferson County), Iowa.
- Genealogical records from Lost Creek MM,TN; also from Lick Creek MM,IN; also from Blue River MM,IN
- Parentage per Ruddick data furnished by Lewis M Ruddick
- Lost Creek MM, Jefferson co, TN on 30 Jun 1804 William received on request
- Lost Creek MM on 24 Nov 1804 the 5 children received on request of their father William; on same date his wife Ann received
- Lost Creek MM on 28 Dec 1805 William chosen Overseer
- Lost Creek MM on 26 Feb 1814 William & family granted certificate to Lick Creek MM,IN
- Lick Creek MM, Orange co, IN on 25 Jun 1814 William & 6 sons received on certificate from Lost Creek MM,TN
- Lick Creek MM on 30 Dec 1815 William & family granted certificate to Blue River MM
- Blue River MM, Washington co, IN on 3 Feb 1816 William & hw Ann & 10 children received on certificate from Lick Creek MM
- Blue River MM on 6 Apr 1816 William's home chosen for holding indulged meeting for Friends in Driftwood area [Jackson co, IN]
- Blue River MM on 1 May 1819 William appointed an Elder at Blue River
- Driftwood MM set off from Blue River MM,IN in 1820
- Driftwood MM, Jackson co, IN on 30 Aug 1820 William appointed on committee
- Driftwood MM on 10 Sep 1831 William & sons Frederick & Thomas granted certificate to Vermilion MM,IL
- Vermilion MM, Vermilion co, IL on 3 Dec 1831 William & 2 minor sons Frederick & Thomas received on certificate from Driftwood MM,IN
- Vermilion MM on 6 Apr 1844 William granted certificate to Pleasant Plain MM, Iowa Territory
- Pleasant Plain MM, Jefferson co, IA on 26 Jun 1844 William received on certificate from Vermilion MM,IL dated 6 Apr 1844
