Thomas Nelson Cobbs1

b. 1830, d. 1895
Birth1830 Thomas Nelson Cobbs was born in 1830 in Bedford County, Virginia.1,2 
Marriage23 Nov 1864 He married Louisa Byars Taylor, daughter of Charles C Taylor and Ellen (?), on 23 Nov 1864 in Washington County, Virginia. Thomas was a widower at the time of this marriage.1 
WidowedFeb 1869  Louisa died in Feb. 1869. They had one son together, William Byars Cobbs. 
Cens-187016 Aug 1870  Following Louisa's death Thomas continued to live with William and Sarah Byars, who had raised Louisa and her sister from the time they were small children. The 1870 census listed Thomas' occupation as "superintendant". He was no doubt helping manage William Byars' large farm. The land alone was valued at $30,000 in 1870.3 
Marriage16 Oct 1871 On 16 Oct 1871 Thomas married Sarah T. Taylor, Louisa's older sister.2 
  They appear to have had one son together before Sarah died in 1874. 
Cens-1880Jun 1880  In 1880 Thomas and the two young boys (William Cobbs, 13 and Charles Cobbs, 7) were enumerated with William and Sarah Byars at their home in Glade Spring. In reality, William Byars was confined to a mental hospital at the time. It is reasonable to imagine that Thomas managed the farm in his absence.4,5 
Marriage He married 4th, Margaret Letitia Buford.2 
Death1895 Thomas died in 1895.2 
Thomas' burial location has not been previously identified. It is likely he was buried in the Cobb's Cemetery, where a large monument was erected in his son's memory. A small stone bear the initials T.N.C.
Other interments in Cobbs Cemetery

Family 1

Louisa Byars Taylor b. abt 1846, d. 8 Feb 1869
Child

Family 2

Sarah T. Taylor b. 23 Apr 1844, d. 18 Sep 1874
Child
Last Edited22 Oct 2011

Citations

  1. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 64. Thomas Nelson Cobbs, 34, wid, b. Bedford Co. VA, resid WCV, Soup. RR, s/o John L. & Judith Cobbs marr L. Byars Taylor, 19, sgl, b. Smyth Co., VA, d/o Charles C. & Ellen Taylor; 23 Nov. 1864.
  2. [S2619] Anne Leyden, "William B. Byars," e-mail to D. Powell, 15 Jan. 2011.
  3. [S635] Wm B. Byars household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring township, p. 1 (p. 54 stamped), dwelling 1, family 1, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug. 2008, image 1 of 49. Household includes: Wm B. Byars, 56, farmer, owns land val at $30,000 and pers. prop. of $8,115; Sarah A.P., 55; Thomas Cobbs, 38, Super in Tendant [sic]; Sally Tayler, 23; Wm B. Cobbs, 2; also 2 servants; all b. VA.
  4. [S163] Wm B. Byars household, 1880 U.S. Cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring district, ED 94, p. 24D, dwelling 212, family 213. March 2011. Household includes: Wm B. Byars, 64, insane; Sarah, wife; Thomas Cobbs, 48, farmer, wid; William Cobbs, 13, nephew; Charles Cobbs (no relation stated), 7; Frances Meeks, black female, 20, servant; Amelia Meeks, black, 8; William Meeks, black, 3; Lula Meeks, black, b. Oct.; William Sales, black servant, 15; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  5. [S2620] William B. Byars entry, 1880 U.S. Nonpopulation Census, Washington Co., VA, Defective, Dependent and Delinquent Schedule, Glade Spring District, p. 898, line 1, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March, 2011. The entry noted that Mr. Byars entry on the population schedule was on p. 24, line 45 (Glade Spring, VA). He was a resident of the Western Lunatic Asylum and had been for 7 months. He was 64 when his "attacks" began. This was his second attack; it had lasted for 7 months. He had spent a total of 8 months as a resident and at times was confined to a cell or apartment under lock and key.
  6. [S1020] Thomas Hockett and Shelia Steele Hunt, Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1892-1905, p. 26. Wm B. Cobbs, 29, b. Washington Co., VA, living Glade Spring, VA, s/o Thos N. & Lou, farmer; marr Augusta S. Hundley, 25, b. Louisa Co., VA, d/o Jno W. & V.M. Hundley; 26 Jun 1895.