REUBEN ROBERTS ( son of John Isaac ROBERTS and Willie HOLIFIELD ROBERTS), b. ca. 1743, Manchester, England, m. Mary Milly ASHER (daughter of John ASHER of Orleans, France. Lived in Orange Co., NC, d. 14 Mar 1847, Warren Co., TN) Aug 1785. Reuben ROBERTS was baptized 4 Jan 1744, in Manchester, England according to Lancashire baptismal records. His arrival to America was estimated at before 1764. He enlisted in the Continental Army at Hillsborough, NC, in Apr 1775, at age 31 and single. He was assigned to the Regiment of Sixth Corps of NC under the command of General Francis NASH (the person Nashville, TN was named after). His battles included Brandywine, Germantown, Kings Mountain, Guildford Courthouse, and Monmouth Courthouse. He was with the Sixth NC Corps when they followed General George Washington into winter quarters at Valley Forge Pennsylvania in Dec 1777. He was with General Washington when they engaged the British at Monmouth Courthouse, NJ on 28 Jun 1778, and won a decisive victory. He died 2 Aug 1841, Warren Co., TN and is buried at Asbury Cemetery. He is considered a true hero of the American Revolution. He was one of the first settlers in White County, Tennessee. He created a settlement in Warren County, Tennessee, known as Asbury. He is buried near where he lived and has a military stone.

Children:

  1. Elizabeth ROBERTS, b. ca. 1786, Orange Co., NC, m. Muzetta Mason Hunter FRANZARICK (Ref. DAR national application # 317068)
  2. William ROBERTS, b. ca. 1788, Orange Co., NC, m. Sarah "Sally" HUMPHREY (daughter of William HUMPHREY, of VA). They lived in White Co., TN. Children: Thomas E. ROBERTS m. Mary WEBB; Elizabeth "Betty" ROBERTS m. John SWINDELL; Joseph ROBERTS m. Sarah UNDERWOOD; James ROBERTS; Sarah ROBERTS m. William FISHER; Rutha ROBERTS m. Carson SWINDELL; Jesse ROBERTS m. Wennie BROWN; William ROBERTS m. Malinda COPELAND; Catherine ROBERTS m. William KNOWLES; Susannah ROBERTS m. Jesse WALLING; Mary Ann ROBERTS m. Deris Samuel CLARK; Malinda ROBERTS m. Dr. James DYKES. William died after 1842, White Co., TN.
  3. Thomas ROBERTS, b. 3 Mar 1789, Orange Co., NC, m. 1st Mary Jean COMER; 2nd Mary "Polly" CONKLIN, Sep 1854, Sandyville, Iowa. Children: John ROBERTS m. Unknown; James ROBERTS m. Emily Unknown; Mary Jane ROBERTS m. 1st ? OVERTON, 2nd Zachariah NICHOLSON; Thomas L. ROBERTS m. Mary Jane WORFORD; Milla C. ROBERTS; Samantha Matilda ROBERTS m. Daniel BACKER; Reuben Carl ROBERTS m. Mary Ann CACKLER. He was a veteran of War of 1812. Died 2 Jul 1867, Jacksonville, Iowa, buried Walker Cemetery.
  4. Mary Martha ROBERTS, b. ca. 1790, Orange Co., NC, m. 1st John HIBB; 2nd John COTTON (b. 1773, Hertford Co., NC, d. 1853, buried Cotton Cemetery Warren Co., TN). Children: John HIBB Jr.; Matthew R. COTTON; Shrilda COTTON; William Felson COTTON m. 1st Patunia LANDRUM, 2nd Elizabeth ROWLAND GRIBBLE; John McKelvey COTTON m. Mary CANTRELL; James COTTON; Sarah COTTON; Reuben Cervel COTTON m. Eleanor HUTSON; Stark "Starkey" COTTON m. Martha Jane Unknown; Margaret Ann COTTON; Thomas Alexander COTTON m. Freda Jerusela; Mary Lodema COTTON m. William M. CHISAM. Mary died 15 Nov 1850, buried Cotton Cemetery, Warren Co., TN
  5. John ROBERTS, 1792, Orange Co., NC, m. L. CORBIT (b. 1807). Only child John ROBERTS Jr. John Sr. Was in Monroe Co. MS in 1856.
  6. James ROBERTS, b. 29 Dec 1793, Orange Co., NC, m. G. Elizabeth "Betsy" TUNNELL (b. 1 Apr 1785, Fairfax Co., VA, d. 1830) in 1815. Children: Margaret Elmina ROBERTS m. William MCGIBONEY; Amanda Melvina ROBERTS; James Monroe ROBERTS; Sarah Elizabeth ROBERTS; Cynthia Caroline ROBERTS m. Louis Chappell MASON; William Parker ROBERTS m. Lucy BLACKBURN; Mary Elizabeth ROBERTS m. Wesley HASH Jr.; John Kelly ROBERTS m. Louise America RIVES; Manlow Woodbury ROBERTS.
  7. Emily "Milly" ROBERTS, b. ca. 1796, Washington Co. TN, m. Peter NICHOLS (b. 1787, VA) ca. 1826, Warren Co., TN. Children: Ezra NICHOLS; James Elisha NICHOLS m. Altha Susan BLACK; Caswell NICHOLS

Return to Top

Mary Martha ROBERTS, b. ca. 1790, Orange Co., NC, m. 1st John HIBB; 2nd John COTTON (b. 1773, Hertford Co., NC, d. 1853, buried Cotton Cemetery Warren Co., TN). Mary died 15 Nov 1850, buried Cotton Cemetery, Warren Co., TN. John Cotton is thought to be the son of the John Cotton that came to Fort Nashboro with James Robertson. The John Cotton at Fort Nashboro is the one who kept the well known journal of their trip to Tennessee.

Children:

  1. John HIBB Jr.; b. ca. 1810, Anderson Co., TN, data unknown.
  2. Matthew R. COTTON; b. 1813, Warren Co., TN, died as infant.
  3. Shrilda COTTON; b. 20 Mar 1814, Warren Co., TN, died as infant.
  4. William Felson COTTON, b. 27 Apr 1815, Warren Co., TN, m. 1st Patunia LANDRUM, 2nd Elizabeth ROWLAND GRIBBLE (widow) on 27 Apr 1863, White Co., TN. Children: John P. COTTON m. Artemis WILKERSON; William A. Cotton m. Mary LUNA or Mary LOONEY; Mary Frances COTTON m. 1st William H. CANTRELL, 2nd Lucien Lafayette MCDOWELL; Amanda COTTON m. George James BLANKENSHIP; Thomas COTTON m. Dora JOHNSON; Samuel S. COTTON m. Mary Jane FISHER; Henry Clay COTTON m. 1st Mary RICE; 2nd Nettie A. Baldwin; Margaret Eugenia COTTON m. Andrew Jackson "Jack" PASSONS; Sarah COTTON; Louise COTTON m. James "Bud" GREEN; Robert L. COTTON m. Celete ROLAND; Joseph Edward COTTON m. Celia Louisa Josephine BLANKENSHIP; Albert Prince COTTON (twin) m. Mary SEALS; Alfred COTTON (twin) m. Thelia Harlie Ann Sparkman.
  5. John McKelvey COTTON m. Mary CANTRELL (b. 19 Sep 1830, d. 12 Sep 1859, Warren Co., TN). Children: Shrilda COTTON; William Calvin COTTON; Martha "Sallie" Lodema COTTON; James Alvin COTTON. He died 12 Sep 1859, buried Cotton Cemetery, Warren Co., TN.
  6. James COTTON; b. 10 Jun 1818, Warren Co. TN.
  7. Sarah COTTON; 5 Feb 1820, Warren Co., TN, died as infant.
  8. Reuben Cervel COTTON m. Eleanor HUTSON (b. ca. 1819, White Co., TN, daughter of Isaiah HUTSON and Elender KNOWLES HUTSON) 27 May 1848, White Co., TN. Children: Mary COTTON; Isaiah COTTON m. Elizabeth COTTON; John M. COTTON m. Parlee GUNTER; James M. COTTON m. Eliza AKERS. Reuben died 1820, Warren Co., TN.
  9. Stark "Starkey" COTTON, b. 2 Apr 1823, Warren Co., TN, m. Martha Jane Unknown; on 30 Jun 1857, DeKalb Co., TN. Child: Benjamin D. COTTON
  10. Margaret Ann COTTON; b. 22 Apr 1825, Warren Co., TN, may have died as infant.
  11. Thomas Alexander COTTON, b. 16 Aug 1828, Warren Co., TN, m. Freda Jerusela (b. 1836). Children: John COTTON; Lodema COTTON; Deltha S. COTTON; Calhoun COTTON; Harriet COTTON; m. Harper BARNES; Sarah COTTON; Julius COTTON.
  12. Mary Lodema COTTON m. William M. CHISAM

Return to Top

WILLIAM FELSON COTTON, (4th child of John COTTON and Mary Martha ROBERTS COTTON), b. 27 Apr 1815, Warren Co., TN, m. 1st Patunia LANDRUM, 2nd Elizabeth ROWLAND GRIBBLE (widow) on 27 Apr 1863, White Co., TN.

Children:

  1. John P. COTTON, b. Jan 1840, Warren Co., TN m. Artemis WILKERSON (b. Oct 1839, DeKalb Co., TN, daughter of John Marion WILKERSON and Syrina CANTRELL WILKERSON from SC) 1 Nov 1858, DeKalb Co., TN. Children: William E. COTTON m. America FARRELL; Charles H. COTTON; Myra L. COTTON m. H. S. LANE; Harvey COTTON m. Collista GRIBBLE; J. B. COTTON. John died between 1900 and 1910. Artemis moved to TX with a son after John's death.
  2. William Alexander Cotton, b. 20 May 1841, Warren Co., TN, m. Mary LUNA or Mary LOONEY (b. 1841, d. 1938) 30 Dec 1859 at DeKalb Co., TN. Children: James COTTON; Patunia COTTON; Andrew COTTON; William COTTON Jr.; Martha COTTON; Perry COTTON; Mary COTTON; William Grover COTTON; Zerah COTTON; Elizabeth COTTON; Sally COTTON (possibly Amanda COTTON). William died 11 Mar 1905, Warren Co., TN. Buried at Cotton Cemetery.
  3. Mary Frances COTTON, b. 6 Apr 1843, Van Buren Co., TN, m. 1st William H. CANTRELL (b. 1842, DeKalb Co., TN, d. 5 May 1865, during Civil War at Point Lookout, MD), 2nd Lucien Lafayette MCDOWELL; (b. 1843, TN, d. 1883, TN. Buried in Upper Cherry Creek Cemetery, White Co., TN). Children: Samantha CANTRELL; Florence MCDOWELL; Willie MCDOWELL, She died 1883, TN. Buried Upper Cherry Creek Cemetery, White Co., TN.
  4. Amanda COTTON, b. 5 Jun 1844, Warren Co., TN m. George James BLANKENSHIP (son of Rowland BLANKENSHIP and Jane COUCH BLANKENSHIP. She died 3 Jan 1887, DeKalb Co., TN. Buried in Fisher Cemetery.
  5. Thomas COTTON, b. 1846, Warren Co., TN m. Dora JOHNSON 1 Mar 1881.
  6. Samuel S. COTTON, b. 1848, Warren Co., TN, m. Mary Jane FISHER (b. 1846, White Co., TN, daughter of James FISHER and Susannah S. HUTSON FISHER. Children: N. M. COTTON; T. J. COTTON. Samuel was thought to have moved to Dallas, TX.
  7. Henry Clay COTTON, b. 26 Mar 1850, Warren Co., TN, m. 1st Augusta RICE, 11 Jun 1881; 2nd Nettie A. Baldwin (b. 13-Dec 1870, NY, her parents were from Scotland. d. 8 Jul 1902). Children: Lora COTTON; Walter COTTON; Cordelia COTTON; Samuel Baldwin COTTON; Lester COTTON; Infant COTTON. Henry died 18 May 2924, Van Buren Co., TN. Buried Cotton Cemetery, Warren Co., TN.
  8. Margaret Eugenia COTTON, b. 8 Feb 1853, Warren Co., TN, m. Andrew Jackson "Jack" PASSONS (son of Tilford PASSONS and Sarah HUTSON PASSONS) 16 Jul 1871. Children: William Tilford PASSONS, b. 8 Feb 1853, Warren Co., TN, d. 13 Sep 1874, buried Cotton Cemetery, Warren Co., TN; Mary E. PASSONS (twin), b. 6 May 1874, White Co., TN, d. 9 May 1874. Buried Cotton Cemetery , Warren Co., TN; Sarah A. PASSONS (twin), b. 6 May 1874, White Co., TN, d. 5 Aug 1874. Buried Cotton Cemetery, Warren Co., TN; Arminda "Mindy" Louella PASSONS, b. 19 Jun 1875, Van Buren Co., TN, m. Robert BOYD, 15 Apr 1900, Laurelburg, Van Buren Co., TN. Children: Bessie BOYD, Elbert BOYD, Edney BOYD, Jane BOYD, Margaret BOYD, Eugenia BOYD, Rayburn BOYD, Cecil BOYD; Nancy A. PASSONS, b. 20 Jul 1877, d. 26 Aug 1878, as infant; Evaline "Eva" Louise PASSONS, b. 27 Jul 1879, Spencer, Van Buren Co., TN, m. William Clinton BAKER (b. 26 Apr 1876, Sparta, White Co., TN, d. 13 Sep 1953 Rome, GA, buried Myrtle Hill Cemetery), 5 Sep 1894, Van Buren Co., TN. Children: Alma BAKER, Willie BAKER, Margaret Eugenia BAKER, Ella BAKER, Hurshell Reeves BAKER, Ethel BAKER, Pearl Hester BAKER; Augusta PASSONS, b. 19 May 1881, Spencer, TN, m. 1st John Duncan SULLIVAN (b. 10 Dec 1868, Warren Co. TN, son of James and Lucinda Jane BLACK SULLIVAN. Died 2 Sep 1927) 26 Nov 1899, Van Buren Co., TN; 2nd Daniel Rogers (son of Ephrael ROGERS and Isabell ROGERS); 3rd George HIDGON; 4th Thomas WITLOW. Seven SULLIVAN children; Violet Ann PASSONS, b. 25 Oct 1883, Van Buren Co., TN, m. Claude Marshal HILLIS (son of Robert HILLIS and Carlee CURTIS HILLIS. Died 26 Apr 1959, Van Buren Co., TN), 15 Aug 1883. Child Clarence HILLIS, b. and d. between 1901 and 1903. Buried White Hill Cemetery, Van Buren Co., TN; James "Henry" PASSONS, b. 16 Mar 1885, Van Buren Co., TN, m. 1st Effie SMITH (b. 28 Apr 1897, Floyd Co., GA); 2nd Zelma M. SAUERBRIER (Philadelphia, PA) between 1930 and 1932. Died 28 Aug 1937, Philadelphia, PA, hit by a car and killed. Buried in National Cemetery Philadelphia, PA. Child Stella May "Cleo" PASSONS (b. 30 Jan 1914. d. 1 Feb 1915); Daisy Ether PASSONS, b. 16 Nov 1887, Van Buren Co., TN, d. 20 Oct, 1905, Van Buren Co., TN. Buried in Long Cemetery.
  9. Louise COTTON, b. 1865, DeKalb Co., TN m. James "Bud" GREEN (b. 1855) 24 Nov 1881. Child: William Felson GREEN m. Mary MOUNCE.
  10. Robert L. COTTON, b. 1867, Warren Co., TN, m. Celete ROLAND, 5 Nov 1888, Warren Co., TN. Child: Ray COTTON m. Grace WILLIAMS.
  11. Joseph Edward COTTON, b. 1 Nov 1869, Warren Co., TN, m. Celia Louisa Josephine BLANKENSHIP (b. 28 Apr 1870, d. 30 Feb 1937) in Warren Co., TN 1 Sep 1903. Children: Vera COTTON m. John LAWSON; William Sears COTTON m. Mary PEOPLES; Arabelle COTTON m. Fred Irvin; Josephine COTTON m. Robert LOGAN. He died 24 Nov 1939, White Co., TN. Buried Mt. Pisgah.
  12. Albert Prince COTTON (twin), b. 27 Oct 1876, Warren Co., TN, m. Mary SEALS (8 Feb 1884, d. 20 Dec 1974) on 20 Sep 1903. Children: Allen Clay COTTON m. Myrtle JACO; Edith Mai COTTON m. Charley STEAKLEY; Narine COTTON; Cassie COTTON m. Frank BRIDGEWATER; Vaughn Brandsford COTTON; Ora Gladys COTTOIN m. Arthur MAXWELL; Jennie Jewell COTTON m. Charlie Miller; Chester Ray COTTON; Albert Kenneth COTTON m. Geneva ENGLAND; Mildred Leona COTTON; Paul Lambert COTTON m. Marie SMITH; Ernest Wilford COTTON m. Fanabelle COOPER. He died 1 Feb 1950, buried at Mt. Pisgah, White Co., TN.
  13. Alfred COTTON (twin), b. 27 Oct 1876, Warren Co., TN m. Thelia Harlie Ann SPARKMAN (d. 10 May 1947) on 18 May 1901. Children: Jewell COTTON m. Alta BLAIR; William Felson COTTON II m. Lillie SHERILL; Euclid COTTON m. Bessie LONES. He died 22 Oct 1945, buried Mt. Pisgah, White Co., TN

Return to Top

MARGARET EUGENIA COTTON (8th child of William Felson COTTON and Patunia LANDRUM COTTON), b. 8 Feb 1853, Warren Co., TN, m. Andrew Jackson "Jack" PASSONS (son of Tilford PASSONS and Sarah HUTSON PASSONS) 16 Jul 1871.

Children:

  1. William Tilford PASSONS, b. 8 Feb 1853, Warren Co., TN, d. 13 Sep 1874, buried Cotton Cemetery, Warren Co., TN;
  2. Mary E. PASSONS (twin), b. 6 May 1874, White Co., TN, d. 9 May 1874. Buried Cotton Cemetery , Warren Co., TN;
  3. Sarah A. PASSONS (twin), b. 6 May 1874, White Co., TN, d. 5 Aug 1874. Buried Cotton Cemetery, Warren Co., TN;
  4. Arminda "Mindy" Louella PASSONS, b. 19 Jun 1875, Van Buren Co., TN, m. Robert BOYD, 15 Apr 1900, Laurelburg, Van Buren Co., TN. Children: Bessie BOYD, Elbert BOYD, Edney BOYD, Jane BOYD, Margaret BOYD, Eugenia BOYD, Rayburn BOYD, Cecil BOYD;
  5. Nancy A. PASSONS, b. 20 Jul 1877, d. 26 Aug 1878, as infant;
  6. Evaline "Eva" Louise PASSONS, b. 27 Jul 1879, Spencer, Van Buren Co., TN, m. William Clinton BAKER (b. 26 Apr 1876, Sparta, White Co., TN, d. 13 Sep 1953 Rome, GA, buried Myrtle Hill Cemetery), 5 Sep 1894, Van Buren Co., TN. Children: Alma BAKER, Willie BAKER, Margaret Eugenia BAKER, Ella BAKER, Hurshell Reeves BAKER, Ethel BAKER, Pearl Hester BAKER;
  7. Augusta Rice PASSONS, b. 19 May 1881, Spencer, TN, m. 1st John Duncan SULLIVAN (b. 10 Dec 1868, Warren Co. TN, son of James and Lucinda Jane BLACK SULLIVAN. Died 2 Sep 1927) 26 Nov 1899, Van Buren Co., TN; 2nd Daniel Rogers (son of Ephrael ROGERS and Isabell ROGERS); 3rd George HIDGON; 4th Thomas WITLOW. Seven SULLIVAN children;
  8. Violet Ann PASSONS, b. 25 Oct 1883, Van Buren Co., TN, m. Claude Marshal HILLIS (son of Robert HILLIS and Carlee CURTIS HILLIS. Died 26 Apr 1959, Van Buren Co., TN), 15 Aug 1883. Child Clarence HILLIS, b. and d. between 1901 and 1903. Buried White Hill Cemetery, Van Buren Co., TN;
  9. James "Henry" PASSONS, b. 16 Mar 1885, Van Buren Co., TN, m. 1st Effie SMITH (b. 28 Apr 1897, Floyd Co., GA); 2nd Zelma M. SAUERBRIER (Philadelphia, PA) between 1930 and 1932. Died 28 Aug 1937, Philadelphia, PA, hit by a car and killed. Buried in National Cemetery Philadelphia, PA. Child Stella May "Cleo" PASSONS (b. 30 Jan 1914. d. 1 Feb 1915);
  10. Daisy Ether PASSONS, b. 16 Nov 1887, Van Buren Co., TN, d. 20 Oct, 1905, Van Buren Co., TN. Buried in Long Cemetery.

Return to Top