"Edward and Nathan Cockram" - Patrick Co. VA Edward and Nathan Cockram In researching the Cockram family of Franklin and Patrick County, Virginia I have found evidence which leads me to believe Edward Cockram who died in Franklin County, Virginia between May and June 1816 was the son of a Nathan Cockram. Following is the evidence that has lead to this belief: The earliest to date I have found Nathan Cockram is a deed recorded in Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 5, page 102, dated 17 May 1764. In this deed Henry Lansford and his wife Catherine convey to Nathan Cockram 220 acres on the south side of Smiths River, in what is now present day Henry County, Virginia, for the sum of 40 pounds. The metes and bounds of the property are as follows: "Beginning at Dogwood on river, South 3 deg. East 102 poles to a white oak, West 226 poles, crossing the river to a white oak, North 4 deg. East 64 poles to a red oak, North 50 deg. east 309 poles crossing several branches to a white oak, north 70 deg. east 46 poles to a white oak, south 85 deg. east 88 poles crossing a branch to a white oak, south 65 deg. east 56 poles to Elkin's corner gum, south 33 poles to a hickory on the river, down the river as it meanders to the beginning." In Halifax County Plea Book 5, page 249, for the July term 1766, Robert Chandler is appointed surveyor of the road from Marrowbone Creek to Smiths River. It was also ordered that he with Elisha Harbour and his male tithables "do forthwith clear & keep the said road in repair according to the law." Among these tithables were listed ________ Cockram, Edward Cockram, William, Thomas, James, Thomas Jr. Edwards, Merry Webb and Preston Kendrick. In Halifax County Plea Book 5, page 400, in the February term of 1767, William Rice is appointed surveyor of the road leading from Goose Island Foard (possibly present day Morgan Ford) to Cascade Creek. The court further ordered Nathan Cockram, Edward Cockram, Preston Kendrick, Thomas, James and John Edwards among others to maintain the road according to law. Later the same year the portion of Halifax where the Cockrams lived was included in the formation of Pittsylvania County, which brought the court house a little closer to them, but still at a good distance. In Pittsylvania County Order Book 1, page 97, June term 1769, Peter Perkins, as assignee of Henry Lansford brings suit against Nathan Cockram for a debt, but the case is dismissed. Nathan Cockram brought a suit against the aforementioned Henry Lansford in the June 1771 term (Order Book 1, page 309) but it was dismissed it "for reasons appearing to the court". In Pittsylvania County Order Book 1, page 396, in the March term 1772, James Roberts brings a suit against Nathan Cockram for a debt Cockram owes his. Judgement is awarded Roberts, but no amount is given. In Pittsylvania County Deed Book 3, page 24, on 13 April 1772, Henry Lansford and his wife, Catherine, and Nathan Cockram, all of Pittsylvania County, convey to Isaac Basnett of the same a tract of 77 acres on the north side of Smiths River and bordering "the county line" for 50 pounds. The Lansfords sign by their marks, and Nathan signs his name. The source of ownership of this tract is not yet known. In the September 1772 term Nathan Cockram was again a frustrated plaintiff when his suit against William Frogg was dismissed and the judge ordered Cockram to pay Frogg's expenses (Order Book 2, page 71) In the March term of 1773 the Roberts vs. Cockram suit is listed on the docket again, but no information given (Order Book 2, page 140) In the September 1773 term, Charles Gallaway and Constant Perkins bring suit against James Rea and Nathan Cockram, who both fail to appear. Judgement for 2 pounds, 9 shillings is entered against them (Order Book 2, page 265) In January of 1777 the area in which the Cockram resided was separated from Pittsylvania and created as Henry County. Shortly there after Nathan Cockram died. The Order Books of the new county begin describing the settlement of his estate and apparently identify his wife. On 20 April 1778, Sarah Cockram is granted Administration of Nathan Cockram's estate, (Henry County Order Book 2, page 2) with William Taskell and Walters Nunn as her securities. An inventory of Nathan Cockram's estate is to be made by Humphry Scoggins, James Edwards and Joseph Rice. This inventory is filed on 7 July 1778 in Henry County Will Book 1, page 9. On 20 July 1778 the return of the inventory is noted in court (Order Book 2, page 13) and the same three appraisers, Scoggins, Edwards and Dunn, are directed to divide the estate, unfortunately this division does not seem to be documented. Then on 28 October 1779, the court appoints the three aforementioned appraisers to "lay off the dower of Sarah Harris in the land that Nathan Cockram died seized of and make a report." (Order Book 2, page 59) Apparently Sarah Cockram was Nathan Cockram's wife, who had remarried to a Harris by late 1779. It is likely only a wife would have a dower interest in real estate. No marriage bond for Sarah and a Harris has been found, and there is no further direct information regarding Nathan Cockram or his estate in Henry County. However, in Pittsylvania County there was a suit in the September 1779 term brought by Merry Webb against Nathan Cockram, which was dismissed because of the plaintiff's (Webb's) death (Pittsylvania Order Book 4, page 270). This leads me to believe there may have been more than one Nathan Cockram in the area at the time. Regarding the lack of any written record of Sarah Harris's dower being laid off, there does appear in the Henry County docket beginning 26 July 1783 through 16 May 1788 the case "Harris vs. Cockram" which does not identify the parties involved or the purpose. The case is repeatedly continued and at one point seems to involve a related case "Cockram & Tacket & Co. vs. Sandridge" The final entry in Order Book 4, page 257 indicates the plaintiff (Harris) had died and the suit abated. If the above suit did involve Sarah Cockram Harris and Edward Cockram a relating entry on the docket could be made from Order Book 3, page 105: On 25 July 1783: "Edward Cockram came into court and with John Man his security/ Acknowledged themselves severally indebted of / Virginia that is to say, the said Edward Cockram in the sum 90 pounds and his security in the Sum 10 pounds to be levied on their respective goods/ & chattels Lands & Tenemants on condition the Said Cockram be/ of good Behaviour one year and a day." The tax records of Henry County give us a few clues to the Cockrams and their property during the time of the revolution. In 1779 both Sarah Cockram and Edward Cockrams names appear sequentially on the tax list followed by numbers indicating their holdings and the amount of tax they owed. A notation by Edward Cockrams name indicated he was to be taxed double, an apparent indication of his refusal to take the oath of allegence to Virginia. The 1780 list of John Fontaine lists Edward Cockram with one tithable, along with Preston Kendrick, Thomas Edwards, Jr., William Edwards, Sr., William Edwards, Jr., Isham Edwards and John Hall. "Edward Cookesham" also appears on "A List of Tax in the County of Henry for raising a supply of money for the Service of the United States 20th day of February 1780" Sarah Cockram does not appear after 1779. There is one listing for him in the Henry County Grantee Index: in Deed Book 3, page 251, on the 7th day of an unrecorded month in 1785 Charles Cox of Henry County coveys Edward Cockram 135 acres on Turkey Pen Branch. for 100 pounds. This deed is acknowledged and recorded on 28 September 1786. Charles Cox apparently continues to live on the property after the transaction. As grantor Edward Cockram sells land four times in Henry County: Deed Book 3, page 225, on 24 May 1786, Edward Cockram and his wife, Mary, convey Preston Kendrick 50 acres on the south side of Smiths River for 15 pounds. The property description being: "Beginning at the Loer Small pond in the lo ground of the river thence north to the back line thence east to Edwards line thence along Edwards line to the river, down Smiths river to the beginning." Both sign by a mark "X". With the witnesses being Gabreal Roberts and Joseph Goodwin, deed recorded 27 July 1786. Deed Book 3, page 266, 17 October 1786, Edward Cockram of Henry County conveys to John Grogen of Rockingham County, North Carolina, 170 acres on the south side of Smiths River on which he then lived, described as Beginning at Preston Kendrick's line, at the river, north to the back line as it meanders cornering on a gum thence running on the old line as it meanders to the Countrey line, corning a whight oak, running east on county line as it meanders to the river thence up the river to Preston Kendrick's line, to the first station", for 150 pounds. Edward Cockram signed by a mark "E" and the witnesses were Henry Grogen, John Alexanderl (sic) and David ("X") Alexander. Recorded 26 October 1786. These two conveyances total 220 acres, the amount Nathan Cockram was conveyed in 1764 by the Lansfords. Edward Cockram conveys no further acreage south of the Smith River. Between 1792 and 1799 Edward Cockram is taxed for 70 acres he owns in Henry County, although he owns approximatly 300 acres. Following these transactions, and the abatement of the suit "Harris vs. Cockram", Edward and Mary Cockram move to Franklin County, Virginia. On (?1) July 1788, William Edwards conveys Edward Cockram 200 acres on Shooting Creek and Turkey Cock Creek, part in Franklin and part in Henry Counties, (the Henry part now probably a part of Patrick County) for 50 pounds (Franklin County Deed Book 2, page 43) The deed was witnessed by Nathan Hall, Abdone Edwards, Isham Edwards and James Edwards, there is no recordation date given. It is interesting that Edward Cockram would again be found among the Edwards family. Others who have researched this family have claimed Edward Cockram's wife, Mary, was an Edwards and sometimes an Isham, although never with any documentation for this claim. Perhaps undocumented oral tradition provided a like, and it certainly seems likely. There is no listing for Edward Cockram in the Franklin County grantor's index until 1824, apparently his son. However in Henry County he continues to sell property: Deed Book 6, page 71, on 19 January 1798, Edward Cockram and Mary, his wife, of Franklin County conveys to John Grogen, now of Henry County, the 135 acres on which Charles Cox was apparently still residing for 100 pounds. Edward Cockram signed by the mark "E" and Mary by the mark "X". Witnesses were Isham Edwards, Lettia ("X") Grogen and Henry Pedigo. Deed was recorded 26 March 1798. Deed Book 6, page 656, on 26 September 1805, "Edward Cocrum" of Franklin conveys to Elijah Pedegoy (?Pedigo) of Montgomery County, Virginia a tract of 165 acres on the south side of Stuarts Creek, bordering Edwards and on the County line. The source of this property is unclear. But the location of Stuarts Creek can easily be found on today's maps, less than two miles from the North Carolina border, which would have been the closest "county line". Edward Cockram signed by the mark "X" and witnesses were John Hall, Nathan Hall, Jnr., John Hall, Jnr. and James Ingrum. Deed was recorded 30 December 1805. Following this Edward Cockram appears in Franklin County Order Book 5, page 154, in the September 1807 term, and is declared exempt from any future county or parish levies, apparently due to advanced age. If he were born as early as 1740, he would have been about 67, which would have been old for that time. The 1810 census lists Edward Cockram, Edward Cockram, Jr. Isham Cockram and Nathan Cockram all on the same page in Franklin County. Edward the elder had one male over 45, presumably himself, two females between 10 and 16, one female between 16 and 26 and one female 45 or older, presumably Mary. Edward Cockram's will, recorded in Franklin County, Virginia Will Book 2, page 148, was dated 26 May 1816 and admitted to the record 1 July 1816. It directs that his beloved wife Mary is to have his estate for her lifetime and then it is to be sold at public auction after her death. The proceeds were then to be distributed to his ten children: Leah Pedigo, Nathan Cockram, Isham Cockram, Rachel Wood, Lydia Cockram, Preston Cockram*, Mary Cockram, Edward Cockram, Charlotte Cockram and Sarah Proffitt. I feel that given this evidence that Nathan Cockram who died about 1778 in Henry County and Edward Cockram who died in 1816 in Franklin County were obviously related. I feel it is a strong possibility that Nathan was Edward's father, given that he died some 38 years prior. Edward Cockram also had children named Nathan and Sarah. Edward and Nathan the elder could have been brothers, but there seems to be a bit of age between the two, given what Nathan accumulated by his death and given that he would have been in a better position being around 35 in 1764 to buy 220 acres of land than say at age 25. I also feel given that there is no earlier mention of Nathan Cockram in the Virginia Counties and the physical proximity of his land holdings to the North Carolina State Line, it is possible he originated in North Carolina. Truman Adkins Fieldale, Virginia 26 May 1999 *Some sources list his child's name as Preston Kendrick Cockram. 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