ll34

LFGA Line 34.

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Line 34. Mary Guinivera Leigh/Layborn 16 Nov. 1816, in Whitley County,  KY. She married Fleming Trigg Cox on 30 May, 1830 in Whitley Co., and they had children: Samuel Hampton born 1831, Elizabeth (Cross), Andy Peace, Cynthia (Arthur), Martha (Edwards), Hannah (Carmack), Mary Angelena (Middleton), John F. T., George Washington, Sarah, and Norma Justine Cox. This family moved to Missouri about 1839 and then to Texas. Mary died in 1907 in Bell County, Texas.

CONTACTS

Lester E. Sutton -Lessutton@aol.com

E. Lester Sutton

Les Sutton grew up on a farm in Central Texas, rich in heritage and love, but "without much money". He went to school in Houston, and supported his mother and younger brother, during the drought of the 50's.

Les worked for fifteen years for Conoco Oil Company, eventually becoming Manager of Marketing Research and Economics. He left there to spend the next thirty-two years in the barge business, and served as president of three different barge lines.

Les is now doing consulting work for other barge lines, writing a book that includes family research on his ancestors, and his own family, and he and his wife "are enjoying the happiest, most productive years of their lives

They have a son who is an electrical engineer, and a daughter who is a Presbyterian Minister in Lewisburg, Tennessee. Both families have a two year old son. Les is looking for the parents of Mary Guinivera Lay, who he describes as a very strong lady

Child is Born and the Horses are Stolen

Fleming Trigg Cox and

Mary Guinevera Lay

Fleming Trigg Cox was born in Whitley County, Kentucky on November 24, 1811, the second son of Samuel Cox Jr. and Jane McClure. Fleming married Mary Guinevera Lay in Whitley County. Mary turned 15 on November 24, 1830 The 1830 Census shows Flemmon, age 15-20 and his wife, age 15-20 living in a different dwelling than his father, Samuel Jr.

Fleming T and Mary Cox were the parents of eleven children: Samuel, (1831) Elizabeth, (1835) and Andy Peace Cox, (1837) born in Whitley County, Kentucky; Cynthia, (1841) Martha, (1843) and Hannah, (1845) born in Johnson County, Missouri; Mary Angelena, (1850) born in Harrison County, Missouri; plus John, (1852) George Washington, (1854) Sarah, (1857) and Norma Cox, (1860) born in Bell Co. Texas

Fleming Trigg Cox died 19 October, 1890, in Bell County, Texas. On the application for a widow's Mexican War Pension Mary stated February 24, 1891, that her marriage date was May 30, 1830. Her name was spelled "Lay" throughout the application. Both she and her witness, Solomon B. Cox signed with an "x."

Mary Guinevera Lay's parents are not known. Whitley County is located in Southeastern Kentucky in the Cumberland Mountains.

In late 1839 or early 1840, Fleming moved his family from Whitley County, Kentucky, to Warrensburg Township, Johnson County, Missouri. His last entry on the Whitley County Tax Rolls, was 1839. and he and other relatives are listed on the Johnson County 1840 Census.

Fleming Trigg and Mary Cox later joined relatives in moving to an area along the Grand River in present day Harrison County, Missouri. They remained there until the birth of their daughter, Mary Angelina on 14 February, 1850.

The Story of Bell County, published in 1988 by the Bell County Historical Commission, in an article submitted by Eileen Cox Goldborer says, "Family Tradition says that the Fleming Trigg Cox family was traveling through Texas with the intention of going to California when a wagon broke down on South Nolan Creek. Fleming decided not to go on". It further states, "Flemings intention appears to have been to join his brother, Andrew McClure Cox and a second cousin, Benjamin Cox."

We are unable to locate Fleming in the 1850 census. The census was partially destroyed. His exact date of arrival in Bell County, Texas, and just how it happened is in question. Eileen Goldborers version in The Story of Bell County, indicates that the family arrived on Nolan Creek in 1850 and their wagon broke down and they decided not to go on.

Leta Bess Middleton Pate and Pat Pate in their article on Revenny Sutton in the same book, mention Mary Alice Cox who married John Middleton and tell the story that "Mary Alice was born in Missouri in 1850 and the following year accompanied her parents on their journey to Austin, to visit relatives. While traveling in the vicinity of Sugar Loaf community, their wagon broke down on Nolanville Hill. They were helped to a spring northwest of Nolanville; and while there, Indians stole their horses. The family decided to homestead on that site.

The Mary Alice mentioned in the story was Flemming Trigg and Mary's daughter, Mary Angelina Cox. Copies of her very comprehensive diary of the year 1901 are available. It gives a fascinating glimpse of frontier life.

Minnie Lee Cox great grand daughter and Tommy, grandson of Fleming Trigg Cox told Mary and Drexell that the reason the Fleming Trigg Coxs settled near the present day Nolanville was because Fleming and Marys ninth child was about to be born. They found a spring of water and stopped for the night. During the night the Indians stole their horses, and they could not continue. The ninth child was John Mackeys father, George Washington Cox. (It is more likely to have been John F. T. Cox who was born 19 February, 1852). The story may have been corrupted a little as it was passed down.

In 1980 Jesse Cox, a son of George Washington, who lived next door to Mother, told her the following story that was related to him by his daddy: "Sam (oldest) and George (youngest)and Daddy came to this country ( as they were coming by the Irwin water hole, and between the Rogers place as I know it), they broke down then went on to what was called the cove near the mountain northwest of Nolanville. They lost their horses but one, that was tied near the camp. Was taken by Indians. They had planned to go farther, but settled here."

There undoubtedly was a broken wagon and stolen horses, but in the immediate family, the controlling event seemed to be the birth of the child.

Flemings pre-emption certificate for the property he homesteaded was filed on November 23, 1853. This property was still owned by Flemings grandson, Tommy Vincent Cox in the 1950s. The property was sold by Tommys wife Mary after his death.

Fleming Trigg and Mary Magdalena Cox are buried in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Bell Co., Texas, on land they probably donated. Fleming Trigg and Mary's graves are just inside the gate.

LOL June 1996

( SECOND VERSION)

Child is Born and the Horses are Stolen

We know that in everything God works for good

with those who love Him,

who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

Fleming Trigg Cox was born in Whitley County, Kentucky on November 24, 1811, the second son of Samuel Cox Jr. and Jane McClure. Whitley County is in Southeastern Kentucky in the Cumberland Mountains. Even today, there is still a lot of the flavor of the Cumberland mountains in Whitley County.

The Story of Bell County, published in 1988 by the Bell County Historical Commission, in an article submitted by Eileen Cox Goldborer says: "Family Tradition says that the Fleming Trigg Cox family was traveling through Texas with the intention of going to California when a wagon broke down on South Nolan Creek. Fleming decided not to go on. Fleming, 38, when he moved to Texas was born November 24, 1811, in Whitley County, Kentucky, the son of Samuel and Jane McClure Cox. The article further states, Flemings intention appears to have been to join his brother, Andrew McClure Cox and Benjamin Cox, a second cousin who had lived in Navarro County since 1845. A second wagon train going west would have headed toward El Paso where Fleming had served in Company H of the 3rd Missouri Mounted Calvary during the Mexican War years of 1847-48.

Andrew McClure Cox later settled in Burnet County and operated a store that was a well known meeting place. He is buried in Haynie Flat cemetery, near Spicewood in Burnet County.

On May 30, 1830 Fleming married Mary Guinevera Lay in Whitley County. Other sources say this marriage took place "about November 1830" (Mary turned 15 on November 24, 1830), however the 1830 census shows Flemmon, age 15-20 and his wife, age 15-20 living in a different dwelling from his father Samuel Jr. The male 15-20 living with Samuel Jr. is probably Hampton. In Marys pension application dated February 24, 1891, Mary states that the date is May 30, 1830. Her name is spelled "Lay" throughout the application, however both she and her witness Solomon B. signed with an "x." Martha signed her own name.

In late 1839 or early 1840, Fleming moved his family to Warrensburgh Township, Johnson County Missouri. His last entry on the Whitley County tax rolls is 1839 and he and other relatives are listed in the Johnson County 1840 census. He later joined relatives in moving to an area along the Grand River in present day Harrison County, Missouri. He remained there until the birth of his daughter Mary Angelina on February 14, 1850.

We are unable to locate Fleming in the 1850 census. The census was partially destroyed. His exact arrival is Bell County and just how it happened is also in question. Eileen Goldborers version in the Story of Bell County, infers that the family arrived on Nolan Creek in 1850 and their wagon broke down and they decided not to go on.

Leta Bess Middleton Pate and Pat Pate in their article on Revenny Sutton in the same book, mention Mary Alice Cox who married John Middleton and tell the story as follows; "Mary Alice was born in Missouri in 1850 and the following year accompanied her parents Fleming T. on their journey to Austin to visit relatives. While traveling in the vicinity of Sugar Loaf community, their wagon broke down on Nolanville Hill. They were helped to a spring northwest of Nolanville; while there Indians stole their horses. The family decided to homestead on that site.

Marys middle name was actually Angelena. Copies of her very comprehensive diary of the year 1901 are available. It gives a fascinating glimpse of frontier life and since she is related to both the Coxes and Suttons, mentions many of our relatives. The entry for March 27, 1901 reads, "Wednesday Nannie, Dora and the baby came over and stay all day today. John M. planted corn over." The baby was obviously Mother.

Minnie Lee Cox great grand daughter and Tommy, grandson of Fleming Trigg Cox told Mary and Drexell that the reason the Fleming Trigg Coxs settled near the present day Nolanville was because Fleming and Marys ninth child was about to be born so they found a spring of water and stopped for the night. During the night the Indians stole their horses and they could not continue on. The ninth child was John Mackeys father, George Washington Cox. It was more likely to have been John F. T. Cox who was born Feb. 19, 1852. Mary Angelena was born in Missouri on Feb. 14, 1850. The story may have been corrupted a little as it was passed down. George Washingtons wife Francis Arkansas Jones was also born on the way to Texas in 1860.

In 1980 Jesse Cox, a son of George Washington, who lived next door to Mother, told her the following story that was told him by his daddy: "Sam (oldest) and George (youngest). Daddy came to this country (as they were coming by the Irwin water hole and between the Rogers place as I know it) they broke down then went on to what was called the cove near the mountain Northwest of Nolanville. They lost their horses, but one that was tied near the camp. Was taken by Indians. They had planned to go farther, but settled here."

There undoubtedly was a broken wagon and stolen horses, but in the immediate family, the controlling event seemed to be the birth of the child.

Assuming the date was February 1852, it is interesting to speculate whether Joseph Cox and his family was already here when Fleming arrived. Probably not, or Flemings family would have likely stayed with them during the time of birth of their child. Joseph and Amy, Solomon B. and Martha had "set out for Texas" from Missouri in 1851. Anderson Sutton, son of Benjamin Coxs wife Elizabeth may have also been here by the time Fleming arrived.

Flemings preemption certificate for the property he homesteaded was filed on November 23, 1853. The chain carriers for the survey were S. B. Cox, probably Solomon B. Who, at this time, is married to Fleming Triggs sister Martha, and S. H. Cox is undoubtedly Flemings oldest son, Samuel Hampton.

This property was still owned by Flemings grandson, Tommy Vincent Cox in the 1950s. He took Mary and Drexell to where the spring had been. It had not flowed since Tommy was a young man. The property was sold by Tommys wife Mary after his death in the late 1950s or early 1960s.

There was always some controversy over which side of the family donated the land for the cemetery. I am not sure if any of our relatives knew that it was probably named after the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Whitley County, Kentucky.

Fleming Trigg died on October 1, 1890 and is buried in Pleasant Hill on land he probably donated. His and Marys graves are just inside the main gate. The first known grave is that of J. Carmack circa 1855. Another early marked grave is that of Revenny Sutton Middleton Craighead who died on March 2, 1860. She was the mother-in-law of Flemings daughter Mary Angelena.

The cemetery was probably expanded in 1882. In January of that year, Samuel Hampton, Flemings oldest son received a deed from A. P. Cox, Flemings brother which exempted "two acres reserved for graveyard.

Lay of the Land 6/96

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