John W. Cobbs (abt. 1859 - 1906)

Born about 1859 in Wilcox, Alabama, United States

Husband of Sarah E. (Davis) Cobbs — married about 1885 in Mississippi, United States

Died 28 Jul 1906 at about age 47 in Mound Bayou, Bolivar, Mississippi, United States

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Biography

John W. Cobbs is a part of US Black heritage.

This profile is part of the Mound Bayou, Mississippi One Place Study.

Original Settler of Mound Bayou

John W. Cobbs was born about 1859 to Annie N. Nelson in Wilcox, Alabama, United States. ^[1]

In 1882 he moved to Macon, Noxubee County, Mississippi and was married to Miss Sarah E. Davis there in 1885.^[1]

He came to Mound Bayou in 1891. He succeeded Isaiah Montgomery as mayor and remained the mayor until his death in 1906.

In the 1900 census John (age 52) was the married head of household in Bolivar, Mississippi, United States.^[2]

John died on 28 Jul 1906 in Mound Bayou, Bolivar, Mississippi, United States, aged 46 as described by witnesses to his death. John's estate passed probate on 15 August 1906 in Bolivar, Mississippi, United States. A nuncupative will was dictated and written down by witness, Lula Stringer.^[3] Dying words of Mr. Cobb - "The home seat belongs to Hattie Cobbs, and the other lot belongs to Mrs. Sarah Cobbs, lot between Fisher and Hibbler."

The Negro at Mound Bayou

"He was considerably above the average of intelligence, and a man of much force of character. He was well read and kept thoroughly posted on matters of current development and especially things affecting the welfare of Negro people. The influence of his life will be felt at Mound Bayou in the years to come."^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Hood, Aurelius P. The Negro at Mound Bayou: being an authentic story of the founding, growth and development of the "most celebrated town in the South," covering a period of twenty-two years , (1909). John W. Cobbs, page 62. Available at https://hdl.handle.net/2027/emu.010002630190
2. ↑ 1900 Census: "United States Census, 1900"
   citing Affiliate Publication Number: T623; Line: 23; FHL microfilm: 1240801; Record number: 38661;
   FamilySearch Record: M968-8QF (accessed 4 June 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: S3HT-6Q73-JFG Image number 00811
   John Cobb (52), married head of household in Bolivar, Mississippi, United States. Born in Alabama.
3. ↑ Probate: "Mississippi, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1780-1982"
   Will Records of the 2nd District, 1900-1924; Author: Bolivar County (Mississippi). Chancery Clerk; Probate Place: Bolivar, Mississippi
   Ancestry Record 8995 #1144641 (accessed 26 May 2023)
   John W Cobbs probate on 15 Aug 1906 in Bolivar, Mississippi, USA.