Our active research focus is Nancy Cochran, wife of Isaiah Pickett [1]. Isaiah, son of Micajah Pickett, eloped with Nancy. Nancy's parents are not known. These are notes for descendants of William Cochran, who was likely related (perhaps a brother) to Nancy Cochran based on DNA evidence.
1802 William Cochran was born on April 28, 1802, as reported on his grave marker. [2]
William Cochran married Rachel Jackson. Several researchers name Rachel's father as Gabrial Jackson and name Ephram and James Jackson as two of her brothers. Gabriel and Ephram interacted with Micajah Pickett and/or Thomas Cockerham. James Jackson sold land to William Cochran. It is plausible that William Cochran, spouse of Rachel Jackson, was a brother of Nancy Cochran, spouse of Isaiah Pickett. Perhaps both Nancy and William were children of Thomas Cochran/Cockerham.
1813 Micajah Pickett enters 300 acres in Rutherford County, North Carolina on both sides of Green R; bordered by Gabriel Jackson, Thomas Cockram, Isaac Alridge, Andrew Hambleton and his own lines. Dated August 12. [3]
1823 Thomas Cockerham was named on a payment list related to the court case brought by Kizannah versus Isaiah Pickett. There were similar entries for Richard Allen, Mary Herter, and Ephraim Jackson. [4]
Thomas Cockerham attendances in vallueing the property in North Carolina ?, Say the land on Green River all the negroes on said plantation in the possession of Mr. James McKiney ?
to wit January the 26th x 27th x 28th day three days at one dollar per day is $3.00
also his attendance at Greenville $2.75
Rec'd the above by the Hands of Mr Jas Pickett the above this 1st day of febuary 1825
Thos Cockerham (his mark)
Atest Jep'h Pickett
1800 Merryman Featherston proved a deed from Edmond Russell to Gabriel Jackson containing 50 acres, dated 28th Feby 1800. Rutherford court records, April. [5]
1801 Gabriel Jackson purchased land from Edmond Russell. The 50 acre tract was on the north fork of Brigts? Creek. [6]
1801 Letters of administration were issued by the Rutherford County court to Margaret Jackson for the estate of James Jackson, deceased. Robt Carruth & Thomas Millian also posted bond. April court. [7]
1801 Margaret Jackson petitioned the Rutherford County court for a sale of the estate of James Jackson, deceased. July court. [8]
1801 Margaret Jackson returned record of sale of the estate of James Jackson, to the Rutherford County court. October court. [9]
1823 Gabriel and Ephraim Jackson were witnesses at a court case involving the estate of Micajah Pickett. [10]
1824 Jeptha Cochran, perhaps a son of William Cochran and Rachel Jackson, was born in May, 1824 in North Carolina, as reported in the 1900 census. [11]
1830 William Cockeran lived in Rutherford County, North Carolina in a household with males: 1 (under 5 [David?]), 1 (5 thru 9 [Jeptha]), and 1 (20 thru 29); and females: 1 (under 5 [Mary]), 1 (5 thru 9), and 1 (20 thru 29). [12] Gabriel Jackson (Rachel's father), and James B Allen (see deed dated 1856) were listed on the same page of the census. Charles B Allen (perhaps the spouse of sister Mary May Cockrum) and Richard Allen (see 1823 court case above) were listed on the prior page.
1830 Mary Cockrum lived in Rutherford County, North Carolina in a household with females: 1 (60 thru 69). [13] William Cockran and several Jackson families were listed adjacent [same and prior page]. Could this be William's mother?
1832 William Cockrum and Ephraim Jackson were witnesses to the will of David Jackson Senior, of Bright's Creek, Rutherford County. [14] [15]
1840 Wm Cochran lived in Rutherford County, North Carolina in a household with males: 1 (5 thru 9), 2 (10 thru 14), and 1 (30 thru 39); and females: 2 (under 5), 1 (5 thru 9), 1 (10 thru 14), 1 (15 thru 19), and 1 (30 thru 39). [16] Several Jackson (including Ja's Jackson) families, Ja's Blackwell, John Morris, and Ambrose Mills Jr lived nearby.
1843 John Morris sold land to James B Allen by deed dated June 2. The land was on Panters Creek on Green River. Parts of the land had been owned by Wm Mills, A. Mills, and Wm Cockerham. Wm Cockerham had granted the land to John Morris by quit claim. Witnessed by James Jackson and R.J. Allen. [17]
1854 William Cockerham purchased land from James Jackson, both of the county of Rutherford. The tract was on prids [Brights?] Creek in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Jackson had purc[h]ased the tract from J.J Hoyt and John Ward, trustees of Isaac Raison & gold Hoyt & being part of there patent No 1028 bordered as followz beginning at a white oak corner of the uper end of sd tract which was sold to James B Alen and runs as south … it being the last corner of that part of the tract sold to Allen then with the Allen line East 24 poles to the beginning. … except two thirds of all mines ores & minerals with a right to enter on said land to serch for and work the same which two thirds with the rights mentioned is reserved to J.J. Hoyt & John Ware in trust for the heirs of Isaac Bronster & gold hoiyt of the city of New York … Witnessed by David Cockerham and J. B. Arledge. [18]
1854 William Cockerham, of Rutherford County, purchased land from James Jackson. The 100 acres of land was on the north fork of Biles [Bites?] Creek of Green River by land of John Arledge. Witnessed by Edison and Wm Lynek. [19]
1855 James Jackson sold land to the heirs of James B Allen deceased by deed dated January 2. The heirs were named as R.J. Allen, J.H. Allen, T.A. Allen, Elijah Allen, Wm R Allen, Elmira Gibbs wife of Henry Gibbs, Elizabeth wife of Benj Clark, Melissa wife of Robert W Clark, and Emily wife of Marvill young. The tract was part of a tract on Brids Creek that Jackson had purchased from Isaac Bronson & Gold Hoyt being part of patent 1028. [20] The heirs sold land to Elias L. Allen by deed dated December 5. [21] The heirs sold land to R.I. Allen by deed dated December 5. [22]
1856 John Aldredge was elected clerk of the court of Polk County. Bond was assured by Wm Cockerham and many other named residents. [23]
1856 William Cockerham Sen was named as a potential juror in Polk County. [24] [25]
1856 Jeptha Cockerham finalized a purchase of land from James B Allen, originally made in February, 1849. James B Allen died before the final payment was made on the land. Robert J Allen, administrator for James B Allen, transferred the land by deed registered in Polk County. The tract of 50 acres was in Polk County on the Green River. The subsequent deed acknowledged that J. B. Allen was bound unto Jeptha Cockerham for $200, regarding the land "containing 50 acres more or less known by the tract of land lying on the waters of brid [Brights?] Creek and known by the tract of land sold by Robert Wilker to John Shipman & since that time sold to Wm Cockerham to John W Meris and from sd Morris to J. B. Allen which tract of land I have bargained and sold my claim or in trust in said land for which I am to make a quit claim deed when paid for in anuel installments first payment thirty three dollars due Jan the first 1850 thirty four twelve months after and thirty three twelve months after the second and if the sd Cockerham shall fail to make the first payment … [26]
1859 Gabriel Jackson sold land to John Arledge. [27]
1860 Wm Cochran (age 58, born in North Carolina) lived in Cooper Gap, Polk County, North Carolina, in a household with Rachel Cochran (age 58), Martha Cochran (age 24), Rachel Cochran (age 22), Wm Cochran (age 26), and Alexander Cochran (age 6). [28] Jeptha Cochran (age 37) was listed adjacent. Johnithan Arlidge, Roweny Morris, and several Jackson families were listed nearby.
1862 William Cochran sold land to David Cochran. The tract was near land that William had purchased from James Jackson. Adjacent land was owned by James B Allen. Witnessed by Wm Cochran Jr and Marthy Cochran (both names unclear, perhaps daughter and son of William?) [29]
1867 Wm Cochran Senior and Wm Cochran Jr posted bond at the December court session assuring the appearance of defendants John T. Cochram, Wm M Kuykendall [son of daughter Mary Cockerham?], and Sam'l Price [spouse of Martha Louise Cochran, daughter of Jeptha?] at court in May next (item 14 or 19). John T., Wm Cochram [Jr.?], and Wm M Kuykendall were found guilty. John T. Cochram paid a fine of one penny. Wm Cochram Sen was to pay securities. (items 20-22) [30] [31]
1868 Wm Cockerham signed a deed to Martha dated September 15 1868 for maintaining him and his wife through their life. The deed was registered on June 12 1882. [32]
1869 A homestead was laid off for William Cockerham on March 5 based on his old papers. The tract was on Brights Creek and was adjacent to land of Arlidge and J.M. Hamilton. [33]
1869 Martha Cockran, assignee of William Cockran, was granted 94 acres of land in Polk County on Brite's Creek, waters of Green River. The land was south of Wm Sentel's house and was adjacent to lands of William Cockran and of Blyth. [34] [35]
1870 William R Cochram (age 67, born in North Carolina) lived in Township 3, Polk County, North Carolina, in a household with Rachael Cochram (age 66), Martha Cochram (age 26), and Susan P Cochram (age 18). William R Cochram's occupation was farmer. Son-in-law Thomas Early was listed adjacent. [36]
1870 Wm Cochran, son of William and Rachel Cochran, married Beckan McComes, on January 19, in Polk County, North Carolina. [37]
1872 Martha Cockerham sold land to Thomas Early. The tract was adjacent to lands of Wm Sintle?, Blythe, Wm Cockerham and "Speculation" tract. [38]
1870-1880 Rachel Jackson Cochran died. Perhaps she was buried in the Earley Family cemetery. [39]
1880 Wm Cockerham (age 77, born in North Carolina, widower), father, lived in Coopers Gap, Polk County, North Carolina, in a household with Martha Cockerham (age 45), Corda Cockerham (age 6), Hayes Cockerham (age 4), and Esther Cockerham (age 8/12). Wm Cockerham's parents were both born in North Carolina. Nearby listings include the families of William Cockerham, Frank Cockerham, Thomas Early, and David Cockerham. [40]
1883 William Cockrum sold land to Thomas Early (son-in-law married to daughter Martha) on March 20 (note that William died on March 28). The tract was in Polk County on the north fork of Brights Creek and was known as the Ephraim Jackson land. It was adjacent to Gabriel Jacksons corner. Witnessed by Martha Cockrum. [41]
1883 William Cochran died on March 28, 1883 and was buried at the Early Cemetery, Polk County, North Carolina. William Cochran was born on April 28, 1802. [42] [43] The following note might confuse William Cochran with the spouse of Margaret Jackson (sister of Rachel Jackson), who was reportedly Cherokee.
Dickerson's Co. 3 N.C. Mil. Cherokee War
This means the Cherokee Indian Removal. It was not a war.
"William Cochran was part Cherokee and 'they made him help drive his kin to Oklahoma.' He came back with the Jacksons to Bright's Creek and never went back to Cherokee since he felt so bad about his part. - "The Cemeteries of Polk County, North Carolina," p. 48 as given by Sue Bell Earley Landis, the great-granddaughter of William Cochran
1923 Rachel Sentell died on October 29, at age 87, in Limestone, Cherokee County, South Carolina. She was born in 1836, daughter of William Cochran and Rachel Cochran. S. Sentell (perhaps son Shannon) of Gafney, S.C. was the informant. [44]
Research Notes:
We suspect that Kesiah Cockerham [45], spouse of John Price, might also be a daughter of this couple. We have no evidence for this relationship other than Kesiah being in the right place at the right time to fit into this family. She would explain one of the daughters in the 1830 and 1840 census records. A descendant of Kesiah has a DNA match with Robert and is a shared match with several other descendants and likely relatives of Nancy Cochran.
1847 Polk County, North Carolina was formed from part of Rutherford County in 1847. The notes above could refer to the same location, even though they are listed in two different counties.
Brights Creek joins the Green River just upstream from Lake Adger. Coopers gap is an area on the North side of Green River. The Earley family Cemetery is west of NC 1138 (Silver Creek Road) on Palmer Road, perhaps off of Palmer Road on a dead end road to the north where Palmer Road crosses Brights Creek for a second time.
Some researchers show William Cochran, spouse of Rachel Jackson, as a son of Robert Cochran and Letitia Reed. However, we suspect that William Cochran, son of Robert Cochran and Letitia Reed, had spouse Jane Allen [see our notes for Lincoln County John Cochran]. [46] Was James Allen, named in the 1856 deed above, related to Jane Allen?
1820 William Cockrum, Town, lived in Rutherford County, North Carolina in a household with males: 2 (Under 10) and 1 (16 thru 25); and females: 1 (16 thru 25). [47] The ages of the parents match this couple, but they would need to have married young to have 2 children by this time.
1830 Philip Hinson, Benjamin Hinson, Ambrose Mills, and Charles Cockerham were listed on one page of the census for Rutherford County, North Carolina. All of these persons likely interacted with the Pickett family, of which Robert is a descendant. [compare to 1840 census with Wm Cochran] [48]
1808 Micajah Pickett purchased two tracts of land, in Rutherford County, North Carolina, from Ambrose Mills on October 31. The land was on both sides of Panther Creek, of Green River. Witnessed by Richard Allen and William Riddle. [49] [50]
1855 Ambrose Mills sold land to W. H. C. Staton. The land was in Rutherford County on Green River. [51]
1855 Polk County was formed in 1855 from parts of Rutherford and Henderson counties, North Carolina.
James B Allen, named in deeds above, was perhaps James B Allen (1784-1853). James B Allen had son Robert Irvin Allen (1813-1892). "Born in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States of America on 18 December 1784. James B Allen married Kerron Happuch Braden and had 12 children. He passed away on 17 May 1853 in Brights Creek, Rutherford, North Carolina, United States."
North Carolina land grants: https://nclandgrants.com/
DNA
Jeptha Cochran, Mary Cochran, Martha, and Rachel Cochran were children of William Cochran and Rachel Jackson. Robert Wolfe's family has DNA matches with descendants of each of them. Jeptha Cochran has descendants who have DNA matches with Robert and with other descendants of Nancy Cochran and Isaiah Pickett, but we have not yet found any documentation linking these DNA matches to Nancy Cochran's family.
Jeptha Cochran, by different wives. One descendant of Jeptha Cochran also matches a descendant of William R Cochran: [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60]
Mary Cochran (no spouse): [61] [62]
Martha, spouse of Thomas Earley: [63] [64] [65]
Rachel Cochran (daughter of William and Rachel Cochran and spouse of William Sentell): [66] [67] [68] [69] [70] [71]
DNA Robert Wolfe, and several other descendants of Nancy Cochran, have DNA matches with a descendant of Annie Cockerham (1775) of Surry County, North Carolina, spouse of Henry Norman. [72] Other researchers report her as a daughter of Humphrey Cockerham and Jamima.
[1] Janet and Robert Wolfe, Genealogy Page for Unknown Father of Nancy Cochran, [JRWolfeGenealogy].
[2] Find A Grave Memorial 146611038, [FindAGrave].
[3] A. B. Pruitt, Abstracts of Land Entries: Rutherford Co, NC, May 1826-June 1834 (1994), 73, citing page 147.
[4] Greenville County, South Carolina, Equity Court Rolls, Roll 8, image 121, Kisannah Pickett vs Isaiah Pickett, [FamilySearchImage], [FSCatalog].
[5] Rutherford County, North Carolina, Minutes, pleas and quarter sessions, 1779-1868, image 63, [FamilySearchImage], [FSCatalog].
[6] Rutherford County, North Carolina, Deed 17-238, [FamilySearchImage], [FHLCatalog].
[7] Rutherford County, North Carolina, Minutes, pleas and quarter sessions, 1779-1868, image 102, [FamilySearchImage], [FSCatalog].
[8] Rutherford County, North Carolina, Minutes, pleas and quarter sessions, 1779-1868, [FamilySearchImage], [FSCatalog].
[9] Rutherford County, North Carolina, Minutes, pleas and quarter sessions, 1779-1868, [FamilySearchImage], [FSCatalog].
[10] Greenville County, South Carolina, Equity Court Rolls, Roll 8, image 121, Kisannah Pickett vs Isaiah Pickett, see the cover envelope with listing of costs, [FamilySearchImage], [FSCatalog].
[11] United States Federal Census, 1900, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[12] United States Federal Census, 1830, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[13] United States Federal Census, 1830, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[14] North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970, Will D-178, [FamilySearchImage].
[15] North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970, Wills 1823-33, page 152, [FamilySearchImage].
[16] United States Federal Census, 1840, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[17] Polk County, North Carolina Deeds, 1-16, [FamilySearchImage].
[18] Polk County, North Carolina Deeds, 1-49, [FamilySearchImage].
[19] Polk County, North Carolina Deeds, 1-50, [FamilySearchImage].
[20] Polk County, North Carolina Deeds, 1-18, [FamilySearchImage].
[21] Polk County, North Carolina Deeds, 1-19, [FamilySearchImage].
[22] Polk County, North Carolina Deeds, 1-21, [FamilySearchImage].
[23] Polk County, North Carolina Deeds, 1-37, [FamilySearchImage].
[24] North Carolina Polk County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Minutes, 1847-1848, 1866-1868, [FamilySearchImage].
[25] North Carolina Polk County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Minutes, 1847-1848, 1866-1868, person 26, [FamilySearchImage].
[26] Polk County, North Carolina Deeds, 1-43, [FamilySearchImage].
[27] Polk County, North Carolina Deeds, 282, [FamilySearchImage].
[28] United States Federal Census, 1860, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[29] Polk County, North Carolina Deeds, 4-35, image 591, [FamilySearchImage].
[30] North Carolina Polk County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Minutes, 1847-1848, 1866-1868, items 19-22, [FamilySearchImage].
[31] North Carolina Polk County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Minutes, 1847-1848, 1866-1868, item 24, [FamilySearchImage].
[32] Polk County, North Carolina Deeds, 5-443, [FamilySearchImage].
[33] Polk County, North Carolina Deeds, [FamilySearchImage].
[34] file 57, grant #55, Book 165, page 555, see Loose papers frames 512-519, [URL].
[35] Loose papers frames 512-519, [URL].
[36] United States Federal Census, 1870, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[37] North Carolina Marriage Records, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[38] Polk County, North Carolina Deeds, 4-428 (alternate number 363), image 790, [FamilySearchImage].
[39] Find A Grave Memorial at Ancestry.com, [AncestryRecord].
[40] United States Federal Census, 1880, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[41] Polk County, North Carolina Deeds, 6-219, [FamilySearchImage].
[42] Find A Grave Memorial 146611038, [FindAGrave].
[43] Find A Grave Memorial at Ancestry.com, [AncestryRecord].
[44] South Carolina, Death Records, 1821-1965, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[45] Janet and Robert Wolfe, Genealogy Page for Kesiah Cockerham, [JRWolfeGenealogy].
[46] Janet and Robert Wolfe, Genealogy Page for William Kerr Cochran, son of Robert Cochran and Letitia Reed, [JRWolfeGenealogy].
[47] United States Federal Census, 1820, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[48] United States Federal Census, 1830, [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[49] Rutherford, deed 25-253, [FamilySearchImage].
[50] USGenWeb Archives, [USGenWeb].
[51] Polk County, North Carolina Deeds, 1-49, [FamilySearchImage].
[52] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, Shared David Cockerham (spouse of Sarah Jane Coward), [Link].
[53] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[54] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[55] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[56] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[57] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[58] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[59] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[60] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[61] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[62] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[63] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[64] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[65] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[66] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[67] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[68] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[69] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[70] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[71] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert's family suggests a lineage to this sibling of Robert's ancestor. The lineage is through a descendant shown on our website, [Link].
[72] The family tree of a person who has a DNA match to Robert shows a lineage to Annie Cockerham, spouse of Henry Norman.