Individual Details

When WILLIAM HENRY COX was born on October 14, 1816, in Lexington, Kentucky his father, WILLIAM, was 34 and his mother, MARTHA, was 34. He was married four times and had eight sons and seven daughters. He died on July 5, 1891, in Uvalde, Texas at the age of 74.

William Cox was known as the great Indian fighter. He fought off a band of 25 marauding Indians after he had been wounded in the knee with an arrow. His bravery saved the entire settlement of three families that were living in the West prong of the Nueces River. The skirmish cost the life of his granddaughter Lutitia Cox.

Find A Grave note

There is a long account of his bravery and of his family in the book: Early Settlers and Indian Fighters of Southwest Texas
by Andrew Jackson Sowell
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Claim against Mexico....originals....
For wrongful death in the amount of $30,000.
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"Claimant is a citizen of the United States.
During 1869, claimant resided in Uvalde County Texas, on the Nueces River, between Uvalde and Eagle Pass; and having been greatly incapacitated by wounds received at the hands of Mexican raiders in 1865, was aided in his business of stock raising by his son, then fourteen years of age. On or about 22 Jan 1869, claimant's son, during a raid by a band of armed Mexicans, was wrongfully and feloniously attacked and willfully killed by said Mexican raiders.
WHEREFORE, claimant suffered loss in the amount of $50,000. gold dollars of the United States.

Henry W. Anderson
Agent for the United States
By
James R. Sloane
Assistant Agent

June 1935
Denial of claim
Papers sent to
Mrs. Ella Frazier, Carrizo Springs, Texas
Mrs. Mary Brockman, 3420 Ada Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas
Mrs. H. K. Kendall, Karnes City, Texas (sister to Mrs. Frazier)
Mr. Hugh Cox, Campwood, Texas
Response by:
Mrs. Mary Brockman, Box 143, Springerville, Arizona
Response to Mrs. H. K. Kendal Box 85 RFD 2, Robson, Karnes Co., Texas

Government reply:
The Agency has made a careful examination of the marginally indicated claim which is based on the alleged murder of a son of William Cox by Mexican and Indian raiders in Texas on January 22, 1869.
In a case of this type, the Agency, in the interest of economy of time and funds, desires to postpone consideration of such questions as evidence to the respect of nationality and interest of parties claimant, until there is some indication of some probability that evidence can be submitted to establish the basis for a valid claim against the Government of Mexico.
(continued but would not consider without further info.)


the court record when Wm Cox son was taken by the Indians & the court was shut down. It is found on page 294-295 in the Uvalde County Court Minutes. The date is January 23, 1869:
"The sheriff this morning ?(can't read) special ?(can't read) for grand jurors with 17 names-
But the Indians having come into the country and carried off a boy of William Cox, several of the jurors immediately left in pursuit and it being found impossible to get a petit jury to transact any business on account of the large body of Indians depredating through the country, it was therefore ordered that the court adjourn until the next regular term in court."
This date corresponds with the dates in the claim.
submitted by Michele Brooks

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From Ann Cox email submitted by Michele Brooks

I believe the Mousers were from Lucinda bunch, according to family history the Cox's left Fannin co and made their way down here both brothers, Wm. Jr. and Nathan ended up in Kinney co, Wm. Jr. didn't stay very long around the fort, but moved always down the road to what's called the west prong of the Nueces, which isn't all that far from Brackettville, he may have had to move out far away from the Ft. to have enough grazing for his cattle. That's where they family was when attacked by Indians, on the West prong of the Nueces. I had assumed they were attacked while on the Dry Frio.
A.J. (Sowell in his book) just didn't stumble on Serrilda, he was on the grand jury for Benjamin Franklins murder trial, his name appears in the minutes. And he was around for the scandel over Wm. Jr., will, I'm pretty sure he knew all the cast of characters, if you go according to the story alone, Serrilda was recounting this story from when she was 14 years old, she says her family moved to Brackettville in 1861 and on to the west prong by 1865, on the west prong is where the family was attacked by Indians and william was shot on the leg. in the story it says capt.Joshua Cox was 7 miles away on Elm creek, that creek is close to Ft. Clark. !!! After the attack was over they , started looking for the daug. of Henry Clay that was taken by the indians and found her dead, they took Wm. Jr. to Ft. Clark to have medical treatment, and then with the help of kin, and others plus calvary they went back to the site of the attack. I think also this is also the area where Thomas B. and martha Beckett would lose their lives later going back to the same ranch that Wm. own on the west prong. after they had been to visit Wm. and get supplies from Uvalde. Why Uvalde the rail road was there, making taking stock to market a lot easier, my personal thoughts on this, I think Thomas and Martha work the west prong ranch for Wm. Jr. they sold range stock to both the Ft.'s When Henry Clay and his family left to go to New Mexico they left from the west prong ranch.

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Will of William Cox Jr.

Aldine Texas,
Jany 9th 1889

Know all men by these presents that I William Cox of the County of Uvalde, State of Texas, being in a good state of health and of sound and disposing mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all wills by me at any time heretofore made,

First-I will and direct that all my just debts if any be paid and that the legacies hereinafter stated shall after the payment of my debts be paid out of my estate.

Second-I will to my son Isaac Cox One hundred and sixty acres of land it being the southern portion of a survey known as the John Striker survey and the place where he is now living to have and hold the same to him his heirs administrators executors or assigns forever, in consideration of his faithfully promising to take care of his father during his natural life.

Third-I will and bequeath to each of my children the sum of one dollar to be paid to them in property or money at or any time after my death, namely, Mary Logstone, Henry Cox, Archie Cox, Irvin Cox, Sarah Brown, Serilda Maples, Angelina Cox, and Jane Furr, the same to be paid to them by the executor of my estate as above stated.

Fourth-I will and direct that after the death of my beloved wife Margaret Ann Cox, each of the farms stated below be equally divided between my four children namely, John Cox, Hugh Cox, Hester Ann Cox, and Archie Cox, the following places be divided as above stated. The farm and house known as the Tom Blakeney place, the farm and house known as the Gwynn Neatherlin place, the farm and house known as the Jackson Furr place and the place of residence where I now reside all being situated on or near the Dry Frio prong of the Main Frio River, for them to have and to hold as their homes as long as they live and I further direct and request my wife Margaret Ann Cox to superintend said division of these places equally between the above named children, John Cox, Hugh Cox, Hester Ann Cox, and Archie Cox, that the same may be deeded them by her administrator.

Fifth-I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Margaret Ann Cox my whole and entire estate real and personal consisting of my residence where I now live houses and household furniture also all my horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats, also my wagons, hacks harness and all vehicles of whatever nature or kind, that I now or may possess at my death. I also will and bequeath to my beloved wife, all lands and farms and houses and the rents accruing from said farms and houses and all out building that is in my name or that I Possess or control to have and to hold the same to her, her heirs, executors administrators or assigns during her natural life, I also bequeath to my beloved wife, Margaret Ann Cox all my incomes of money for rents and interest on money loaned and all cash or monies that I possess at my death, also all and any property of whatever nature real or personal that I may possess at my death all lands in my name in the State of Texas to her to have and to hold the same, her heirs or assigns executors and administrators forever and during her natural life and at her death to provide as above stated in this will and testament to so direct that my children John Cox, Hugh Cox, Hester Ann Cox, and Archie Cox, shall equally share the above named farms and houses as their homes, namely the Tom Blakeney farm and house, the Gwynn Neatherlin farm and house, the Jackson Furr farm and house, and I further will that my wife Margaret Ann Cox shall be sole manager of said property receiving all benefits therefrom until her death.

I hereby appoint my beloved wife Margaret Ann Cox my executor without entering into
bond and who will attest this will at my request.

Given under my hand this 9th day of January 1889, using scroll for seal.
William Cox
Witnesses
John J. Smoot
F. C. Sawyer

C E R T I F I C A T E
The State of Texas
County of Uvalde
I, H. H. Carmichael, County Clerk of said Count and State, Do hereby certify that the
foregoing is a true and correct copy of
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
in Cause No. 113, Estate of William Cox, Deceased, as the same is filed in the County Clerk's office, and recorded in Volume 4, Pages 445-447, Probate Minutes, Uvalde County, Texas

Given under my hand and Seal of office this 17th day of February, A. D. 1947.

Signed H. H. Carmichael
County Clerk, Uvalde County, Texas

Birth	14 Oct 1816	Lexington, Fayette County, KY
Marriage	20 Feb 1858	Fannin County, TX - Sarah Jane YATES
Death	5 Jul 1891	Reagan Wells, Uvalde County, TX
Burial		Aldine Cemetery, Reagan Wells, Uvalde County, TX

Spouse	Sarah Jane YATES (1832 - 1866)
Child	Eliza Jane COX (1866 - 1948)

Father

Living