Feb 1, 1939
Mrs. W. E. Bach BA-J/ILL
163 Ball Court West James Cox
Lexington, Kentucky R. 2412
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War Record of Captain John Cox, born July 25, 1739 and buried in Ashe County, North Carolina, also, the record of James Cox, pension claim R. 2412.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file which was made to the United States based upon service in the Revolutionary War of the John Cox cited by you. The record of James Cox is furnished herein as found in the pension claim cited by you (R 2412)
James Cox, son of John Cox, was born February 24, 1763 at “Fort Chisel”, Botencourt County, (later Montgomery and Grayson Counties), Virginia. The name of his mother is not shown.
While a resident of Montgomery County, Virginia, James Cox volunteered about the year of 1778 and served over a period of four years on numerous expeditions in North Carolina and Virginia, principally under his father, Captain John Cox, and Major William Love, but a part of the time under Captains William Nalle and John Chirk(?); some of the expeditions were ordered by Colonels Walter Crocket, Hugh Tinning, John Taylor and Benjamin Cleveland. During the above noted period of service, he assisted in building a fort on New River near the mouth of Peach Bottom Creek, acted as Indian spy and guide on expeditions against the Indians, went to Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, who was stationed on the Yadkin River, to advise him of Tory gatherings in Montgomery County, Virginia, and on the North Carolina line; upon his return, he was taken prisoner by said Tories, made his escape when Colonel Benjamin Cleveland surprised them at Big Glades in Virginia, following which he went in pursuit of the Tories; at a later time, he led his father’s company, during the absence of his father, on an expedition to North Carolina, routed the enemy and took some prisoners.
He applied for a pension September 24, 1832, at which time he resided in Grayson County, Virginia; he had lived there ever since the Revolutionary War. The Act of Congress under which he applied required service of six months in a regularly organized military corps. His claim was not allowed as the kind of service rendered by him was not provided for in that Act.
James Cox married January 4, 1815, in Grayson County, Virginia, Sarah or Sally Fielder.
The soldier died April 17, 1841 or 1842, in Grayson County, Virginia. His widow, Sarah Cox, was a resident of Independence in said Grayson County, in 1856, at which time she gave her age as seventy five years. The date and place of her birth are not shown.
Joshua Cox, the soldier’s brother, was born March 3, 1772, and resided in 1858 in Ashe County, North Carolina.
Very truly yours,
A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
