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Person Page 44

Family Explorer

George Jackson Cox

Male, born 21 September 1861, died 12 June 1938

Partner: Clarissa Loretta (Loretta, Retta, Rett) Nichols, (born 27 May 1871, died 26 February 1950)

DaughterMinnie Ann Cox+ (born 2 October 1885, died 20 October 1964)
DaughterThursa (Thursie) Cox (born 24 November 1887, died 8 January 1888)
SonJohn Anderson Franklin Cox+ (born 27 December 1888, died 4 July 1961)
DaughterMary Emily Ethel (Ethel) Cox+ (born 15 September 1892, died 3 May 1979)
DaughterMartha Cox (born 23 April 1896, died 8 December 1898)
SonJames Wyatt (Wyatt) Cox (born 2 February 1900, died 22 September 1901)
DaughterRuby Priscilla Cox+ (born 18 July 1903, died 9 August 1925)
DaughterEunice Cora Cox (born 3 December 1906, died 3 November 1910)
SonRobert McKinley Cox (born 21 February 1910, died 24 March 1930)
NoteGeorge was a farmer. Several of his grandchildren reported at the 2000 Cox reunion that their Grandpa Cox was very distant and aloof, and that they were a little afraid of him. He never said anything. With one exception he never sang, but when he was younger he had a beautiful tenor voice and had taught singing. The one exception is that he sometimes sang in his sleep. Grandma and Grandpa Cox had a wooden bench on their front porch, and Grandpa would lay his hat on the arm of the bench as a pillow so he could take a nap.

The following is from "This Nichols Book" by Wyatt Nichols.

George Cox, husband of Loretta Nichols Cox, born in Greene County, Tennessee, in the 1860's. He spent all of his life farming in either Greene County or Jefferson County, Tennessee.

In writing about my Uncle George Cox, I must say he was my favorite Uncle. He was a very mild natured and fine dispositioned and loved to tell a sly joke for the benefit of those around him. One of his greatest sports was squirrel hunting. I can remember well seeing him tamper his shot and powder in his muzzle loading shotgun with a ramrod. He used to kid his neighbors about their modern guns in shooting a squirrel out of the highest tree. He usually won. This old muzzle loading gun was a prize possession of his as it had belonged to his uncle who was killed fighting in the Union Army during the Civil War. (Note: this was George Washington Cox, older brother of John Tivis Cox. George Washington Cox was killed 29 Dec 1863. This was the same date as the Battle of Mossey Creek, so that is probably where he was killed. George Jackson Cox was probably named for his uncle George Washington Cox.)

He was a fine singer, especially old harp songs. He died several years ago and is buried at Wesleys Chapel in the plot with his wife and some of his children.
General SourcesGeorge Jackson Cox.1,2,3,4,5
Birth
21 September 1861; Greene County, Tennessee. His death certificate lists his birth date as 23 Sep 1861, but other family records list his birth date as 21 Sep 1861.1,2
Parents
John Tivis Cox and Nancy Ann Pierce.2
Census
1870; Greene County, Tennessee. George J. 7 m w TN attended school.6
Census
1880; Greene County, Tennessee.
George J. 18 son, male, single, white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, cannot W.
Marriage9 December 1883; George Jackson Cox and Clarissa Loretta (Loretta, Retta, Rett) Nichols; Greene County, Tennessee. It is not known for a fact, but it has been reported that they were married on horse back. It is certainly possible, due to circuit riding preachers (information from William Jackson Bryan) The age of 12 when she was married is correct, not a typographical error. The fact that she was married at such an early age is a part of family tradition. She still played with dolls after she was married, and her mother had to make her stop doing it.1,3,7
Birth of Child2 October 1885; Minnie Ann Cox; Jefferson County, Tennessee.8,9
Birth of Child24 November 1887; Thursa (Thursie) Cox; [Jefferson County], [Tennessee].9
Birth of Child
27 December 1888; John Anderson Franklin Cox; Jefferson City, Jefferson County, Tennessee.10,2
Census1891; Jefferson County, Tennessee. Dist. 3, 1891 voters, George Cox.
Birth of Child15 September 1892; Mary Emily Ethel (Ethel) Cox; Tennessee.9
Birth of Child23 April 1896; Martha Cox.9
Birth of Child2 February 1900; James Wyatt (Wyatt) Cox.9
Census1900; Jefferson County, Tennessee.
Dist. 2, Jefferson County, Tennessee, 4 & 5 Jun 1900
page 15b, dwelling number 28, family number 28
Cox George J. 38 head male m16 w Sep 1861 farmer, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
Retta N. 29 wife, female m16 w May 1871, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, 6 children, 4 living
Minnia A. 14 daughter, female, single, white, Oct 1885, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
John F. 11 son, male, single, white, Dec 1888 farm laborer, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
Ethel E. 7 daughter, female, single, white, Sep 1892, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
James W. 3/12 son, male, single, white, Feb 1900, born in TN, father and mother born in TN.
Birth of Child18 July 1903; Ruby Priscilla Cox; Jefferson County, Tennessee.9
Birth of Child3 December 1906; Eunice Cora Cox; [Jefferson County], [Tennessee].9
Birth of Child21 February 1910; Robert McKinley Cox; [Jefferson County], Tennessee.9
1910 Census Missing1910.11
Census1920; Jefferson County, Tennessee.
Dist. 1, Jefferson County, Tennessee, 2 Jan 1920; p.5a, dwelling number 88, family number 92
Cox George 58 head male married white, farmer, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, can R/W
Retta 48 wife, female married white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, can R/W
Ruby 16 daughter, female, single, white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, can R/W, attended school
Robert 9 son, male, single, white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, attended school.12
Census1930; Jefferson County, Tennessee.
Old Dist. 1, Enumeration District 45-3, Jefferson County, Tennessee, 28 Apr 1930
Dandridge and Piedmont Pike, page 88b, family number 181, family number 190
Cox Georg J. 68 head male m@22 w miller, general mill, born in TN, father and mother born in TN
Retta 59 wife m m@18 w sales lady, retail general store, born in TN, father and mother born in TN.13
Death
12 June 1938; Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee.14,2
Burial13 June 1938; Wesleys Chapel United Methodist Church, Jefferson County, Tennessee.15,1
Burial Inscription
Cox, George Jackson, Sept. 21, 1861 - June 12, 1838.Same stone as Clarica Loretta N. In Loving Memory of Our Grandparents.15
Death RecordDeath Certificate: 12609
1. Died - Jefferson County, Dist. 1, Dandridge, resided in Dandridge 10 months
2. Name - George Jackson Cox, Dandridge #3
3. Sex - male
4. Race - white
5. Status - married
5a. Husband or wife - Retta Cox
6. Born - Sept 23, 1861
7. Age - 76 years, 8 months, 20 days
8. Occupation - farmer
12. Birthplace - Tenn.
13. Father - John T. Cox
14. Father born - Tenn
15. Mother - Nancy Pierce
16. Mother born - Tenn
17. Informant - Mrs. M. A. Slaton, Dandridge #3
18. Buried - June 13, 1938, Wesleys Chapel, Jefferson Co
19. Undertaker - Haiton Funeral Home, Morristown, Tenn.
20. Filed - July 10 1938, C.A. Reneau
21. Died - June 12, 1938
The informant was George's oldest daughter Minnie Ann Cox, wife of Port Slaton.

Citations

  1. Death Certificate: Bryan, Ruby P.; Certificate 280; Hamblen County, Tennessee, 1925; ancestry.com (Tennessee, Death Records, 1908-1958); viewed 18 Dec 2014.
  2. Cox, Hazel; Slaton and Cox Family History; unpublished manuscript; page 1.
  3. Obituary: Bryan, Ruby P.; Gazette and Mail [Morristown, Tennessee], 10 Aug 1925, page 3.
  4. Wyatt M Nichols, Sr., The Nichols Book, Some Early Nichols Families in America, Their Origins and Histories (First Edition, 1962, To Be Copyrighted, Bloch Printing Company, Cleveland 5, Ohio), pp.68-69
  5. William Jackson Bryan
  6. U.S. Federal Census: 1870, Greene County, Tennessee, page 238a, ancestry.com (1870 U.S. Census) viewed on 12 Apr 2017.
  7. Obituary, John Nichols
  8. Wyatt M. Nichols Sr.; The Nichols Book: Some Early Nichols Families in America, Their Origins and Histories; Cleveland, Ohio; Block Printing Company, 1962; page 69.
  9. Cox, Hazel; Slaton and Cox Family History; unpublished manuscript; page 2.
  10. Death Certificate: Cox, John Franklin; Certificate 61-17511; Jefferson City Memorial Hospital, Jefferson City, Jefferson County, Tennessee, 1961; ancestry.com (Tennessee, Death Records, 1908-1958); viewed 10 Nov 2021.
  11. Bryan, Robert Gerald: research log: search for census records in 1910 for George Jackson Cox family, 27 Nov 2015.
  12. U.S. Federal Census: 1920, Jefferson County, Tennessee, Dist. 1, Enumeration District 65, page 22a, sheet 5a, ancestry.com (1920 U.S. Census) viewed on 26 Nov 2015.
  13. U.S. Federal Census: 1930, Jefferson County, Tennessee, Old Dist. 1, Enumeration District 45-3, page 88b, ancestry.com (1930 U.S. Census) viewed on 1 Jun 2015.
  14. Death Certificate: Cox, George Jackson; Certificate 12609; Jefferson County, Tennessee, 1938.
  15. Grave marker: George Jackson Cox and Clarica Loretta N; Wesleys Chapel Cemetery, Jefferson County, Tenn; viewed 23 Dec 2005 by Jerry Bryan.
Family Explorer

Clarissa Loretta (Loretta, Retta, Rett) Nichols

Female, born 27 May 1871, died 26 February 1950

Partner: George Jackson Cox (born 21 September 1861, died 12 June 1938)

DaughterMinnie Ann Cox+ (born 2 October 1885, died 20 October 1964)
DaughterThursa (Thursie) Cox (born 24 November 1887, died 8 January 1888)
SonJohn Anderson Franklin Cox+ (born 27 December 1888, died 4 July 1961)
DaughterMary Emily Ethel (Ethel) Cox+ (born 15 September 1892, died 3 May 1979)
DaughterMartha Cox (born 23 April 1896, died 8 December 1898)
SonJames Wyatt (Wyatt) Cox (born 2 February 1900, died 22 September 1901)
DaughterRuby Priscilla Cox+ (born 18 July 1903, died 9 August 1925)
DaughterEunice Cora Cox (born 3 December 1906, died 3 November 1910)
SonRobert McKinley Cox (born 21 February 1910, died 24 March 1930)
NoteSeveral of Rett's grandchildren reported at the 2000 Cox reunion that they particularly enjoyed going to Grandma Cox's house. Rett was very positive with all her grandchildren, giving each one of them praise and positive feedback. She was very organized and believed in "a place for everything and everything in its place". She instilled this ethic in her grandchildren.

The following is from The Nichols Book by Wyatt Nichols. Loretta was known to Wyatt Nichols as Aunt Loretta or Aunt Rett.

Loretta Nichols, oldest child of John and Martha Reneau Nichols, was born in Sevierville, Tennessee 1871. She like many other Nichols women folk was small, petite and very beautiful.

When she was two or three years old her mother took her and the rest of the family to Missouri where, John, her father was employed. It seems as though the climate proved very unhealthy for the family particularly Loretta and her mother, as they became seriously ill while there. Martha, her mother, later brought Loretta and my father Wyatt who was just a baby back to Tennessee. John, her father, stayed on in Missouri at his work. Loretta grew up and attended school in Jefferson County, Tennessee in what is known as Muddy Creek Valley. She married George Cox of Greene County, Tennessee and they later moved back to Jefferson County, Tennessee.

Just one word about my Aunt Loretta. I loved to visit her and Uncle George and spent many a happy hour at their home when I was a child. Loretta died several years ago and is buried at Wesleys Chapel.
General SourcesClarissa Loretta (Loretta, Retta, Rett) Nichols.1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Photographs
Birth
27 May 1871; Jefferson County, Tennessee. Her birth date is given as 27 May 1872 in Hazel Cox's family history, but there is much other evidence that she was born in 1871. Some sources list her birth place as Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee. Her father was from Sevierville. But her father and mother were married in Jefferson County, and her death certificate says that she was born in Jefferson County. She went by her middle name of Loretta, and she was known both as Retta and as Rett. Her nieces and nephews called her Aunt Rett.2,3
Parents
John H. B. Nichols and Martha P. Reneau.3
Census1880; Jefferson County, Tennessee.
Loretta 9 niece female single white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, she and her mother and siblings were enumerated household of her mother's aunt, Sarah Louise (Sallie or Sary) Reneau, and Sarah's husband, Thomas Jefferson Brimer.
Marriage9 December 1883; Clarissa Loretta (Loretta, Retta, Rett) Nichols, and George Jackson Cox; Greene County, Tennessee. It is not known for a fact, but it has been reported that they were married on horse back. It is certainly possible, due to circuit riding preachers (information from William Jackson Bryan) The age of 12 when she was married is correct, not a typographical error. The fact that she was married at such an early age is a part of family tradition. She still played with dolls after she was married, and her mother had to make her stop doing it.1,4,6
Birth of Child2 October 1885; Minnie Ann Cox; Jefferson County, Tennessee.8,9
Birth of Child24 November 1887; Thursa (Thursie) Cox; [Jefferson County], [Tennessee].9
Birth of Child
27 December 1888; John Anderson Franklin Cox; Jefferson City, Jefferson County, Tennessee.10,3
Birth of Child15 September 1892; Mary Emily Ethel (Ethel) Cox; Tennessee.9
Birth of Child23 April 1896; Martha Cox.9
Birth of Child2 February 1900; James Wyatt (Wyatt) Cox.9
Census1900; Jefferson County, Tennessee.
Retta N. 29 wife, female m16 w May 1871, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, 6 children, 4 living.
Birth of Child18 July 1903; Ruby Priscilla Cox; Jefferson County, Tennessee.9
Birth of Child3 December 1906; Eunice Cora Cox; [Jefferson County], [Tennessee].9
Birth of Child21 February 1910; Robert McKinley Cox; [Jefferson County], Tennessee.9
1910 Census Missing1910.11
Census1920; Jefferson County, Tennessee.
Retta 48 wife, female married white, born in TN, father and mother born in TN, can R/W.12
Census1930; Jefferson County, Tennessee.
Retta 59 wife m m@18 w sales lady, retail general store, born in TN, father and mother born in TN.13
Census1940; Hamblen County, Tennessee.
Household of her son-in-law Daniel Harrison. Ward 1, Dist. 1, Morristown, Enumeration District 32-2, Hamblen County, Tennessee, 8-9 Apr 1940, page 23b.
Cox Retta C. 68 motherL f w w 5 years school, born TN, lived 1935 same house.14
Death
26 February 1950; Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee.
Rett died in the home of her daughter Ethel Cox Harrison. Ethel's daughter Margaret Harrison reported that she was present at the time of Rett's death.2,3,15
Burial28 February 1950; Wesleys Chapel United Methodist Church, Jefferson County, Tennessee.16,2
Burial Inscription
Clarica Loretta N., May 27, 1871 - Feb. 26, 1950.Same stone as George Jackson Cox. In Loving Memory of Our Grandparents.16
Death Record50-05319
1. Name Retta Nickols Cox
2. Date of death 2-26-50
3. Color or race W
4. Sex F
5. Single, married, widowed, divorced Widowed
6. Date of birth 5-27-1871
7. Age (in years last birthday) 78
8. Place of death: A. County Hamblen, B. Civil District 1, C. Morristown, D. Length of stay in this place, E. Name of hospital or institution (if not Hospital or Institution, City Street Address and Location)
9. Usual residence of deceased, A. State Tenn., B. County Hamblen, C. Civil District 1, D. City or Town Morristown, Tenn., E. Street address 519 W. 6th North St.
10a. Usual occupation Housewife
10b. Kind of business or industry Domestic
12. Was deceased ever in U.S. armed forces? Specify yes, no, unknown No
13. Birthplace Jefferson County
14. Citizen of what country? U.S.A.
15. Father's name John Nickols
16. Mother's maiden name Martha Reneau
17. Informant Mrs. Dan Harrison, Morristown
22. I hereby certify that the ceceased died on the date and from the cause stated above H.B. Marble M.D., Morristown, Tenn 2/28/50
23a. Burial, cremation, removal (specify) Burial
23b. Date of burial, cremation, or removal 2-28-50
23c. Name of cemetery or crematory Wesley's Chapel
23d. Location Jefferson County, Tenn
24. Funeral Director Hortons, Morristown, Tenn
25. Registration Dist. no 23201
26. Date signed by Local Reg. 3-11-50
27. Registrar's signature Mary Love Smith
---
The informant, Mrs. Dan Harrison, was Rett Nichols' daughter Mary Emily Ethel (Ethel) Cox who married Daniel Harrison. It was Ethel Cox Harrison's house where Rett died. The correct spelling of Rett's surname is "Nichols". It may only be unusual handwriting, but the name appears to be spelled "Nickols" on the death certificate. Rett's father was John H. Nichols and her mother was Martha P. Reneau.

Citations

  1. Death Certificate: Bryan, Ruby P.; Certificate 280; Hamblen County, Tennessee, 1925; ancestry.com (Tennessee, Death Records, 1908-1958); viewed 18 Dec 2014.
  2. Death Certificate: Cox, Retta Nichols; Certificate 50-05319; Hamblen County, Tennessee, 1950; www.ancestry.com (Tennessee, Death Records, 1908-1958); viewed 23 Dec 2015.
  3. Cox, Hazel; Slaton and Cox Family History; unpublished manuscript; page 1.
  4. Obituary: Bryan, Ruby P.; Gazette and Mail [Morristown, Tennessee], 10 Aug 1925, page 3.
  5. Wyatt M Nichols, Sr., The Nichols Book, Some Early Nichols Families in America, Their Origins and Histories (First Edition, 1962, To Be Copyrighted, Bloch Printing Company, Cleveland 5, Ohio)
  6. Obituary, John Nichols
  7. William Jackson Bryan
  8. Wyatt M. Nichols Sr.; The Nichols Book: Some Early Nichols Families in America, Their Origins and Histories; Cleveland, Ohio; Block Printing Company, 1962; page 69.
  9. Cox, Hazel; Slaton and Cox Family History; unpublished manuscript; page 2.
  10. Death Certificate: Cox, John Franklin; Certificate 61-17511; Jefferson City Memorial Hospital, Jefferson City, Jefferson County, Tennessee, 1961; ancestry.com (Tennessee, Death Records, 1908-1958); viewed 10 Nov 2021.
  11. Bryan, Robert Gerald: research log: search for census records in 1910 for George Jackson Cox family, 27 Nov 2015.
  12. U.S. Federal Census: 1920, Jefferson County, Tennessee, Dist. 1, Enumeration District 65, page 22a, sheet 5a, ancestry.com (1920 U.S. Census) viewed on 26 Nov 2015.
  13. U.S. Federal Census: 1930, Jefferson County, Tennessee, Old Dist. 1, Enumeration District 45-3, page 88b, ancestry.com (1930 U.S. Census) viewed on 1 Jun 2015.
  14. U.S. Federal Census: 1940, Hamblen County, Tennessee, Ward 1, Dist. 1, Morristown, Enumeration Distrit 32-2, page 23b, sheet 6b, ancestry.com (1930 U.S. Census) viewed on 2 Feb 2022.
  15. Margaret Harrison, Letter, 7 Aug 2000
  16. Grave marker: George Jackson Cox and Clarica Loretta N; Wesleys Chapel Cemetery, Jefferson County, Tenn; viewed 23 Dec 2005 by Jerry Bryan.
Compiler: Jerry Bryan
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