Cox - William - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

William COX, Darlington, was born in Richmond, Wayne County, July 23, 1814, his parents, Jeremiah and Catharine (MORRISON) Cox, being natives of North Carolina, and settled in Wayne County at an early date, subsequently removing to Randolph County, this state, where his father died in 1829. In the fall of 1829, the four boys, Robert, William, Samuel, and John, accompanied by their widowed mother, emigrated to Montgomery County, locating on the present site of Darlington, the land having been bought by their father, who made a trip to this vicinity previous to his death. Here they endured all the privations incident to pioneer life, and assisted largely in laying the foundation of the present prosperity of this part of the County. The subject of our memoir received his education at the pioneer log school-house of the period, and spent the greater part of his life in agricultural pursuits. The original piece of land left him by his father, consisting of 160 acres, has been steadily added to, until now he owns nearly 500 acres of splendid farming land in the County. He is also owner of the large flouring-mill west of Darlington which stands on the site of the first mill erected in this vicinity; this occurred in 1831. The present mill building is 30 X 50 feet, three stories in height, the grinding being accomplished by two run of burrs driven by water power. In 1835 he married Miss Hannah PICKETT, a daughter of one of the early pioneers, and has two sons Ira and Albert, one daughter Emily, a talented and accomplished young lady. Mr. Cox is essentially a self-made man, and fitly represents that class of which this County has so many honorable examples of starting out with little but his own strong arms, yet by persevering industry and good management he has acquired a position in the front rank of business men. During all his life he has been a member of the society of Friends, and has taught his family the same practical christianity and morality. In politics he is attached to the republican party. It would be impossible to give the actual history of this family without detailing the history of all this neighborhood, so the further particulars will be found in the general history of Franklin township. - typed by kbz