Two volumes of Cox family genealogy combined as one. The first volume contains information about the various early Cox families across America. The second volume deals specifically with the descendants of James and Sarah Cock of Killingworth upon Matinecock, in the township of Oysterbay, Long Island, New York.
David A. Hall, born on July 25, 1847, in Goldsboro, NC, recounts his life as a slave and his journey to freedom. His mother worked as a cook, and he faced limited educational opportunities but learned basic reading and writing. After the Civil War, a soldier named Kuhns helped him find work. Hall lived in Canton, Ohio, where he dedicated 70 years to the milling industry. Married with four children, he remained active in his church and noted societal changes, advocating for community and personal improvement.
Willis Williams, interviewed in Conway, South Carolina, recounts his experiences from slavery to freedom. He reflects on his childhood, the arrival of Union soldiers during the Civil War, and the harsh realities of life as a freedman. Williams describes his former owner, John A. Williams, and his interactions with Yankees, including receiving $35 after the war. He shares memories of working with cattle and the transition to freedom, highlighting the struggles faced afterward. He also touches on his relationships and personal hardships, revealing the complexities of his life.
John C. Bectom, born in 1862 in North Carolina, recalls his life as a slave and the experiences of his family. His father and mother were owned by different families, and he shares stories of harsh labor and limited freedoms, such as attending dances secretly and receiving meager provisions. Bectom also recounts the arrival of Union soldiers during the Civil War, which eventually led to his family’s freedom. He reflects on the injustices of slavery and expresses admiration for Abraham Lincoln, emphasizing the importance of living righteously.
Lizzie Baker, interviewed by T. Pat Matthews in Raleigh, North Carolina, recounts her family’s experiences during slavery. Born after the Civil War’s end, she shares her parents’ hardships, including beatings and hunger, and the fear of being sold or separated. She reflects on her father’s escapes and the harsh punishments for seeking education. The sale of her siblings, Lucy and Fred, deeply affected her and her mother. Lizzie expresses appreciation for Lincoln’s emancipation and a strong admiration for President Roosevelt, whom she feels has greatly impacted her life.
The Woccon Tribe, part of the Siouan linguistic stock and closely related to the Catawba, inhabited regions between the Neuse River and its tributaries, notably around present-day Goldsboro. First documented by Lawson in 1701, they had a vocabulary preserved, making them distinct among southern Siouan tribes. The Woccon participated in the Tuscarora Wars and likely faced extinction, with remnants merging into the Catawba or other Siouan groups. Their population is estimated at 600 in 1600, declining to 120 warriors by 1709.
Corporal Harvey L. Whitley, hailing from Wayne County and the son of W. R. and Elizabeth Whitley, entered military service on April 23, 1917. He trained at several camps before deploying to France on May 12, 1918. During his service, he participated in key battles including Ypres and the Hindenburg Line. Whitley returned to the United States on April 2, 1919, and was officially mustered out at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, on April 7, 1919.
1st Lt. Thomas A. Whitfield served in the Machine Gun Company, 119th Infantry, of the 30th Division during World War I. A resident of Wayne County, he entered military service on June 19, 1916. After training at various camps and deployment to France on May 29, 1917, he participated in several key battles. Promoted to 1st Lieutenant, he was gassed at Bellicourt in September 1918 and later served with the 3rd Division in Germany before being mustered out at Camp Dix.
Sergt. J. R. Whitley served in the 105th Sanitary Train of the 30th Division during World War I. Born to W. R. and Elizabeth Whitley in Wayne County, he enlisted on September 4, 1917, in Burlington, NC. After training at various camps, he deployed to France on June 4, 1918, and participated in key battles including Chateau Thierry and the Marne offensive. He returned to the United States on April 1, 1919, and was discharged on April 6, 1919.
1st Sergeant William C. Thomas served in Company D of the 30th Division, 119th Infantry, hailing from Wayne County. The son of Susan Thomas and husband to Daisy Thomas, he enlisted on July 15, 1916. After training at various camps, he deployed to France on May 11, 1918, participating in all engagements of his regiment. Additionally, he served six months on the Mexican border and returned to the United States on April 2, 1919, being mustered out at Camp Jackson on April 7.
Private 1st Class Willie B. Thompson served in Company F, 30th Division, 120th Regiment, hailing from Wayne County. He was the son of A. P. and Mrs. B. Thompson, and husband to Mary J. Thompson. Thompson entered the military on April 5, 1916, and was deployed to France on May 17, 1918. He participated in all company engagements until wounded by shrapnel during the Hindenburg Drive on September 29. He returned to the U.S. on March 24, 1919, and was mustered out on May 23, 1919.
W. G. Smith, Jr. was born in Wayne County and enlisted as a 1st Class Private in the infantry on July 31, 1918, in Syracuse, New York. He was later transferred to Washington, D.C., on September 12, 1918, where he performed clerical duties for the U.S. Army’s general staff. Smith was mustered out of service at Camp Meiggs, D.C., on December 18, 1918.
1st Class Private Paul B. Smith served in the 317th Ambulance Company, part of the 305th Sanitary Train in the 80th Division during World War I. Born in Wayne County to J. E. Smith and his wife, he volunteered for military service in Raleigh, North Carolina, on September 17, 1917. After training at Camp Lee, Virginia, he sailed to France on May 25, 1918, participated in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, and returned to the United States on June 1, 1919, being discharged on June 12, 1919.
Private Curtis C. Suggs served in Company C of the 30th Division, 119th Infantry during World War I. Born in Wayne County to M. M. and Ella Suggs, he was married to Annie C. Suggs. Enlisting on July 9, 1916, he trained at several camps before deploying to France on May 11, 1918. Suggs participated in key battles including Ypres and Bellicourt, returning to the U.S. on April 2, 1919. Afterward, he served six months on the Mexican border before being discharged on May 19, 1919.
Jurney L. Short served as a 1st Class Private in Company M, 116th Regiment, 42nd Division during World War I. Born in Wayne County to J. R. Short and his wife, he enlisted on July 1, 1917, and trained at Camps Jackson and Sevier in South Carolina. He was deployed to France on July 1, 1918, where he was wounded in battle on October 13, 1918, and succumbed to his injuries just four days later. He was laid to rest in France.
Corporal Henry V. Sasser served in the Field Signal Corps, Company 306, attached to the 81st Division during World War I. A resident of Wayne County, he entered the military in May 1918, progressing through various camps before sailing to France on July 31, 1918. He participated in significant battles, including at Vosges Mountains and Meuse-Argonne, before returning to the United States on June 29, 1919. Sasser was promoted to Corporal in April 1919 and was mustered out in July.
Herman Paul Shackelford, a corporal in Company G of the 120th Infantry, 30th Division, was born in Wayne County to J.H. Shackelford and his wife. He enlisted on April 2, 1918, in Fremont, N.C., and underwent training at Camp Jackson and Camp Sevier before deploying to France in May 1918. He participated in battles across Belgium and France, ultimately losing his life on the Hindenburg Line on September 29, 1918. He was laid to rest in Bellicourt, France.
Major Edgar A. Simkins, born to John and Elizabeth Simkins in Wayne County, served in the North Carolina National Guard’s 30th Division, ascending through ranks from Sergeant to Major between 1905 and 1914. He served on the Mexican border from June 1916 to March 1917 before returning to duty until January 1919. A graduate of Davidson Military College, Simkins was married to Sarah Alice Simkins and was mustered out at Camp Greene after his military career concluded.
S. A. T. C., a Private born in Wayne County to Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Short, entered military service on October 1, 1918, in Fremont, North Carolina. He was trained at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he was mustered out on December 12, 1919.
Leon J. Simmons served as a Wagoner in the Medical Corps of the 317th Ambulance Company, 80th Division, during World War I. Hailing from Wayne County, he was the son of N. D. and Addie Simmons. He entered military service on September 17, 1917, at Mt. Olive, North Carolina, was trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, and deployed to France on May 25, 1918. After participating in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, he returned to the United States on June 1, 1919, and was mustered out on June 12, 1919.