Samuel Cochran (abt. 1722 - 1772)

Husband of Sarah (Woods) Cochran — married about 1744 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania [uncertain]

Descendants

Died 9 Oct 1772 at about age 50 in Rowan, North Carolina

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Skip McDonald [send private message]

Biography

Samuel Cochran was born about 1722. There has been no evidence brought forward to state with certainty that the birthplace was Londonderry, Ireland. There are also references that claim he was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, so for now, let's continue to search for proof! In the book, "Carolina Cradle: Settlement of the Northwest Carolina Frontier, 1747-1762" by Robert W Ramsey there is reference to "pioneers from Lancaster County (PA) who acquired grants or deed in the Irish settlement were...before 1740, members of the Woods, Cochran, Little and Patton families settled variously in ...Paxtang-Hanover district of Lancaster County."

He married Sarah Woods, the daughter of Andrew Woods about 1744. In the early census of Rowan County 1759, there are no Cochrans listed. A 1762 deed for Samuel for 446 Acres on the Coldwater Creek assures us this family was in Rowan County by that year. Perhaps not enough research has been done in Lancaster County, PA to verify if the Cochran/Woods marriage took place there and if any of their children were born there.

Samuel and Sarah had at least 7 children; Andrew Cochran b c 1745 and married Mary Ann Woods on 17 Sept 1785 in Rowan Co, NC. John Cochran b 1746 and married Margaret Frances "Fanny" Scott on 20 Aug 1783 in Lincoln Co, VA (now Madison County, KY) Samuel Cochran b 1748. Sarah Cochran b c 1751 and married Andrew Mc Clanahan 12 May 1772 in Rowan County, NC Margaret Cochran b c 1752 and married John Wilson William Cochran b 15 May 1753 and married Sarah Margaret Gamble on 13 Mar 1789 James Cochran b c 1757 married Jannet Unknown before Sept 1779 in Rowan County, NC.

John Cochran and James Cochran served under General Francis Marion in Revolutionary War battles. John and James also came to Boonesboro with Daniel Boone and acquired land on the headwaters of Silver Creek in what is now Madison County, KY.

Samuel Cochran died 9 Oct 1772 in Rowan County, North Carolina and his wife Sarah died c 20 Aug 1776 in Rowan County, North Carolina. In the 1778 taxlist, the Cochran males living in Rowan County, NC were Andrew, James, William, Samuel and John. John moved to KY prior to 1783, the other four after that and by 1790, none of the Cochran males remained in Rowan Co, NC. Sarah Cochran McClannahan and husband Andrew moved before 1797.

Research Notes

It seems that a hasty connection has been made between this Samuel Cochran and a father by the name of Stephen Cochran. More research may provide sources and citations to support the idea but a connection without proof seems hasty.

Samuel Cochran who m Sarah Woods MAY BE the son of Stephen Cochran 1699-1790. Stephen may be the son of Thomas Cochran (1663-1735) and wife Catherine (1667-?). Thomas may be the son of John Cochran (1635-?) and wife Margaret Elder (1639-1679). However, there is a son of Thomas, William born same year 1699. Unlikely William and Stephen were twins. If the naming pattern of our Samuel Cochran family is looked at, you will find the same names used over and over but there are not Stephens, Richards or Susans. I hope some sources will be brought forward before we jump to conclusions. Of course, the problem with prematurely linking our Samuel to Stephen is that then no one is looking for the father of Samuel any longer. I hope more researchers will share their sources here, adding what they can.

Sources

• 4 April 1761 Rowan Co, NC deed Samuel Cochran purchases Buffalo Creek adj to Andrew Beard & Robt Barkley
• 28 Aug 1762 Rowan Co, NC on McCutchens Crk adj to Thomas Lytle
• 25 Jan 1765 Rowan Co, NC adj to Robt Rogers on McCutchens Crk of Cold water Creek.
• 7 Sept 1769 Rowan Co, NC 250 AC to John Cochran on Coldwater Crk adj Samuel Woods SR & Samuel Cochran
• Probate: "North Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998"
  Rowan > Wills, Vol A-F, 1757-1807 > image 118 of 777
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Image (accessed 24 January 2022)