Second Generation

6. Riley Cox^1,2,20 was born on 2 February 1812 in Wilkes County, North Carolina.²¹ The death certificate of John Tivis Cox says that Riley Cox was born in Greene County. But Riley was born in 1812 and the family did not move to Tennessee until about 1836.

He appeared in the census in 1820 in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Age 00-09, enumerated in the household of his father Reuben Cox.

He appeared in the census in 1830 in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Age 15-19, enumerated in the household of his father Reuben Cox.

Riley appeared in the census in 1840 in Greene County, Tennessee.

p.69a, line 22, Greene County, Tennessee
Wily Cox 20001-00001

00-05 2 0 1835-1840 George Washington Cox, John Tivis Cox
05-10 0 0 1840-1835
10-15 0 0 1825-1840
15-20 0 0 1820-1825
20-30 1 1 1810-1820 Riley Cox, Frances (Franky) Price

He appeared in the census in 1850 in Greene County, Tennessee. 9th Subdivision, Greene County, Tennessee, 20 Nov 1850; p.239b, dwelling number 1499, family number 1499; Cox Riley 39 m w tenant NC; Frances 39 f w TN cannot R/W; George 13 m w TN attended school; John 11 m w TN attended school; Nancy 7 f w TN attended school; Susan 5 f w TN; Thursey 3 f w TN.

He appeared in the census in 1860 in Greene County, Tennessee. Dist. 7, Greene County, Tennessee, 17-18 & 19 Jul 1860, Couches Gap PO; p.257b, dwelling number 1509, family number 1509; Cox Riley 47 m w farmer $2600/$834 NC; George 22 m w farmer TN; John 20 m w farmer TN; Nancy 17 f w TN; Susan 15 f w TN; Thurson 12 m w TN; Abram 10 m w TN.

Riley appeared in the census in 1870 in Greene County, Tennessee. Dist. 7, Greene County, Tennessee, 29 Sept 1870, Romeo PO; p.242a, dwelling number 87, family number 87; Cox Riley 58 m w $2000/$500 NC blind; Mary M. 35 f w keeping house TN; Thuressia 21 f w house keeping TN attended school; Alexander 6 m w TN; Anderson 4 m w TN; Cordelia 1 f w TN.

He appeared in the census in 1880 in Greene County, Tennessee. Dist. 7, Enumeration Distict 49, Greene County, Tennessee, 14 & 15 Jun 1880; p.116c, dwelling number 218, family number 220; Cox Riley 68 head m m w farmer NC ?? ?? blind; Marinda 47 wife f m w keeping house TN TN TN; Thursey 31 dau f s w housekeeper TN NC TN; Alexander 16 son m s w works on farm TN NC TN attended school; Anderson 14 son m s w works on farm TN NC TN attended school; Delia Ann 11 dau f s w TN NC TN attended school, cannot W; James 8 son m s w TN NC TN attended school; Lollie E. 6 son m s w TN NC TN attended school; Martha A. 3 dau f s w TN NC TN.

He died on 2 May 1888 in Greene County, Tennessee.

Riley was buried about 3 May 1888 in Antioch Cemetery, Greene County, Tennessee.

Riley Cox was blind at the time of his second marriage. He refused to go to see a doctor in Louisville, Kentucky. This information is from the records that Omega Hankins Perrin has in her possession.

Riley Cox recruited a brother, nephews and sons to serve the Union in the 1st Tennessee Cavalry which affiliated with Ohio and Indiana units. (David H. Cox)

Riley Cox and Frances (Franky) Price were married on 6 February 1837 in Greene County, Tennessee.²² Frances (Franky) Price^1,2,20,23 was born on 16 May 1812 in Greene County, Tennessee.²¹ The death certificate of John Tivis Cox says that Frances Price was born in Greene County, Tennessee. However, it also says that Frances's husband Riley Cox was born in Greene County, and I believe that Riley Cox was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina before the family moved to Tennessee. So the conclusion that Frances Price was born in Greene County, Tennessee needs additional proof. She appeared in the census in 1840 in Greene County, Tennessee. Age 20-30, enumerated in the household of her husband Riley Cox whose name was recorded incorrectly as Wiley.

She appeared in the census in 1850 in Greene County, Tennessee. Frances 39 f w TN cannot R/W Frances died on 1 April 1860. She was buried about 3 April 1860 in Antioch Cemetery, Greene County, Tennessee.

Riley Cox and Frances (Franky) Price had the following children:

37
i.
George Washington Cox^1,2,24 was born on 16 December 1837 in Greene County, Tennessee. He appeared in the census in 1840 in Greene County, Tennessee. Age 00-04, enumerated in the household of his father Riley Cox whose name was recorded incorrectly as Wiley. He appeared in the census in 1850 in Greene County, Tennessee. George 13 m w TN attended school. George appeared in the census in 1860 in Greene County, Tennessee. George 22 m w farmer TN. He died on 29 December 1863 in Mossy Creek, Jefferson County, Tennessee.¹⁰ He died on the same date as the Battle of Mossy Creek, so it is likely he died in that battle. His cousin Lewis was with him when he died from bullet wounds. George served in the 1st Tenn. Cav. (Union), and he was an officer. (David H. Cox)
The regiment, in pursuit of Longstreet, had a sharp engagement at Hay's Ferry near Dandridge, Tennessee on December 24, and another at Mossy Creek on December 29. In these engagements Major Thornburgh and Lieutenant Paul Sturm were killed, and Captain E. J. Cannon and Lieutenant George W. Cox mortally wounded. Colonel Edward M. McCook, reporting on the fight at Mossy Creek, wrote: "The gallant 1st East Tennessee Cavalry, and their brave young commander, Lieutenant Colonel Brownlow, added new laurels to their brilliant reputation by the splendid sabre charge they made." The tribute would seem to have been well deserved, for the division had been entirely surrounded by Confederate forces under Generals Martin, Armstrong and John T. Morgan, and the charge of the 1st Tennessee enabled it to break the ring and escape. It should be stated that from the time the regiment reached Nashville the regiment had been under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Brownlow. Colonel Johnson was never in command of the regiment when it was in active service. (TN Genweb Project)
+38
ii.
John Tivis Cox.
+39
iii.
Nancy Emily Cox.
+40
iv.
Susan Cox.
41
v.
Thurs (Thursey) Cox¹ was born on 16 October 1847. She appeared in the census in 1850 in Greene County, Tennessee. Thursey 3 f w TN. She appeared in the census in 1860 in Greene County, Tennessee. Thurson 12 m w TN. Thurs appeared in the census in 1870 in Greene County, Tennessee. Thuressia 21 f w house keeping TN attended school. She appeared in the census in 1880 in Greene County, Tennessee. Thursey 31 dau f s w housekeeper TN NC TN.
+42
vi.
Abraham Foy Cox.
43
vii.
Mary (Polly Ann) Cox^1,2 was born on 12 April 1854 in Greene County, Tennessee.

Riley Cox and Mary Marinda (Marinda) Pierce were married on 11 September 1862.

Mary Marinda (Marinda) Pierce^1,2 was born on 8 June 1835 in Tennessee. She appeared in the census in 1850 in Greene County, Tennessee. Mary M. 16 f TN.

She appeared in the census in 1860 in Greene County, Tennessee. Marind 24 f w TN Mary appeared in the census in 1870 in Greene County, Tennessee. Mary M. 35 f w keeping house TN.

She appeared in the census in 1880 in Greene County, Tennessee. Marinda 47 wife f m w keeping house TN TN TN.

She died on 31 December 1902. Mary was buried about 2 January 1903 in Antioch Cemetery, Greene County, Tennessee.

Riley Cox and Mary Marinda (Marinda) Pierce had the following children:

+44
i.
Lawson Alexander (Alexander) Cox.
45
ii.
Florrane Cox^1,2 was born on 22 March 1865.
+46
iii.
Anderson Cox.
47
iv.
Anna Cox¹ was born on 29 March 1866. She died on 29 March 1866. Twins.
+48
v.
Cordelia Ann (Delia) Cox.
+49
vi.
James Nelson Cox.
+50
vii.
Lollie Henrietta Cox.
+51
viii.
Martha Albina Cox.