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Descendants of Ransom Fox

Generation No. 1

1. RANSOM² FOX (ELIJAH¹) was born July 18, 1799 in North Carolina ¹, and died March 04, 1862 in Cocke County, TN. He married PENELOPE /?/ Abt. 1824 in Probably Cocke County, Tennessee. She was born 1797 in Tennessee, and died December 01, 1872 in Cocke County, Tennessee.

Notes for RANSOM FOX:
Due to the loss of records of the Cocke County, Tennessee Court by fire, many records have not survived. Anyone doing research in this part of the state is considerably hampered by the lack of official records for this time. Along with Delsie Fox Frazier and others, we have attempted to pull as much information together to make this possible.

There can be no proof that Ransom Fox was the son of Elijah Fox. This is purely supposition, as Elijah and Ransom are neighbors in the 1830 Census of Cocke County, Tennessee, both being from North Carolina, and the naming structure of the children. There can be no conclusive proof, but it appears almost certain. Elijah Fox and his wife were in their 50s in the 1830 Census of Cocke County, Tennessee and their neighbor was Ransome Fox and his wife both in their 20s. It would appear that any other Fox was miles away.

Found in the 1850 Census of Cocke County, Tennessee. #614-774. He was a farmer owning $400 in land. Ransom 48 was born in North Carolina, Penelope 52 was born in Tennessee. Children John M. 18, Telitha 16, Susan 15, Dorcus 12, Carter 11, Robert 9 all born in Tennessee. #615-774 was Rufus Fox 24 and wife Lavinia 23 both born in Tennessee.

Ransom Fox from North Carolina and his wife Penelope can be found in the 1860 Census of Cocke County, Tennessee at page 22 (152-152). The only two children remaining at home are Carter (20) and Robert (16). Only Penelope is found in the 1870 Censu at 174-174 Cocke County, Tennessee.

Without the help of Delsie Fox Frazier, this information could have never been complete. She has spent numerous hours with me walking cemeteries, interviewing people, showing photos, and calling on every person she knows to obtain as much information with me to make this part possible. Delsie Fox Frazier is also in possession of the family Bible of Ransom and Penelope Fox.

Ransom and Penelope Fox had four children in the Civil War, or "the war against northern aggression" as some would say. This was a true situation of divided loyalties as brothers were fighting brothers. Elijah, Carter, and Robert M. Fox all fought for the Union. John M. Fox fought for the Confederacy. It was not uncommon for a young man to be taken against will to fight on whichever side he was captured to fight for. John M. Fox was wounded in the Battle of Vicksburg by taking sick. A sickness from which he never recovered. In his pension application, he was asked if his children could support him, and his response was that they could not even support themselves.

This area of the country was never noted for great wealth, only men of courage and endurance, fighting the soil to be self sufficient. The Fox family, like most of their neighbors, were all similarly situated.

Minutes of Slate Creek Baptist Church 1812 - 1876 are available in the Tennessee State Archives. Slate Creek Church ceased to exist many years ago, but the old cemetery, though overgrown, still stands. This is where
Ransom and Penelope are buried.

There will always be an honest disagreement as to who the parents of Penelope Fox were. Many people think that Penelope was a Sister to John "Fod" Talley, but James B. Fox said his grandmother Fox was a sister to his grandmother Sarah Driskill Talley and not a sister to his grandfather John "Fod" Talley.

More About RANSOM FOX:
Fact 3: Slate Creek Church Cemetery

More About PENELOPE /?/:
Fact 3: Slate Creek Church Cemetery

Children of RANSOM FOX and PENELOPE /?/ are:

	i.	JEREMIAH JAMES³ FOX, b. November 11, 1824, Tennessee; m. SUSAN SHEPPARD, October 05, 1864, Jefferson County, TN.
2.	ii.	RUFUS MORGAN FOX, SR., b. September 04, 1826, Tennessee; d. October 30, 1859, Tennessee.
3.	iii.	LUCINDA FOX, b. January 02, 1828, Tennessee; d. July 28, 1898, Tennessee.
4.	iv.	ELIJAH FOX, b. October 19, 1829, Tennessee; d. August 28, 1864, Civil War.
5.	v.	JOHN MCDUGGAL FOX, b. November 15, 1831, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. January 15, 1923, Cocke County, Tennessee.
6.	vi.	TELITHA JANE FOX, b. April 19, 1833, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. September 03, 1881, Jefferson County, Tennessee.
7.	vii.	SUSAN ADALINE FOX, b. August 08, 1836, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. October 03, 1900, Cocke County, Tennessee.
8.	viii.	DARCAS ELIZABETH FOX, b. April 13, 1837, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. May 16, 1903, Cocke County, Tennessee.
9.	ix.	BENONY CARTER TALLEY FOX, b. December 23, 1839, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. Cocke County, Tennessee.
10.	x.	ROBERT MARTIN FOX, b. February 22, 1841, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. January 18, 1890, Cocke County, Tennessee.

Generation No. 2

2. RUFUS MORGAN³ FOX, SR. (RANSOM², ELIJAH¹) was born September 04, 1826 in Tennessee, and died October 30, 1859 in Tennessee. He married LAVINA KELLY January 19, 1850 in Cocke County, TN, daughter of JOHN KELLY and MARY SMITH. She was born November 28, 1826 in Tennessee, and died May 10, 1903 in Tennessee.

Children of RUFUS FOX and LAVINA KELLY are:

	i.		NANCY PENELOPE⁴ FOX, b. September 25, 1850; d. February 23, 1937, Rankin, Cocke County, Tennessee; m. DAVID KINLEY; b. July 14, 1849; d. March 20, 1937, Rankin, Cocke County, Tennessee.
	ii.		JOSIAH JEREMIAH "JOE" FOX, b. May 27, 1852; d. October 12, 1943, Indianola, Illinois; m. ELLA WAUN; b. October 24, 1857; d. April 07, 1941, Indianola, Illinois.
	iii.		MARY ADELINE "POLLY" FOX, b. January 08, 1854, Cocke County, TN; d. June 01, 1951, Indianola, Illinois; m. LEVI GILROY; b. December 11, 1838, Jamestown, Ohio; d. April 03, 1891, Indianola, Illinois.
	iv.		SUSAN ELIZABETH FOX, b. April 11, 1857; d. June 22, 1936, Indianola, Illinois; m. (1) FRANK SMITH; b. Abt. 1850; m. (2) ROBERT CRADDOCK; d. Indianola, Illinois.
	v.		RUFUS MORGAN FOX, JR., b. August 21, 1859, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. March 07, 1944, Paris, TX; m. MARY JANE FOX; b. December 21, 1855, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. 1939, Paris, TX.

3. LUCINDA³ FOX (RANSOM², ELIJAH¹) was born January 02, 1828 in Tennessee, and died July 28, 1898 in Tennessee. She married ADEN SMITH, son of JOHN SMITH and SARAH MASON. He was born February 15, 1827, and died September 01, 1881.

Children of LUCINDA FOX and ADEN SMITH are:

	i.		FRANCIS ELIZABETH⁴ SMITH, b. July 14, 1850; d. March 22, 1931; m. ANDREW OTTINGER; b. August 05, 1835; d. October 20, 1911.
	ii.		CROCKET C. SMITH, b. April 28, 1852; d. January 25, 1853.

More About CROCKET C. SMITH:
Fact 3: Slate Creek Church Cemetery

	iii.		PENELOPE SMITH, b. 1854; m. SAMUEL REECE; b. 1853.
	iv.		GEORGE SMITH, b. January 20, 1856; d. October 20, 1858.

More About GEORGE SMITH:
Fact 3: Slate Creek Church Cemetery

	v.		SARAH SOPHRONIA SMITH, b. April 20, 1858; d. March 09, 1896; m. FRANK M. PALMER; b. 1856; d. 1934.
	vi.		AMANDA SMITH, b. January 21, 1861; d. March 28, 1902; m. P.M. RADER.
	vii.		JOHN ROSECRANS SMITH, b. July 07, 1863; d. November 04, 1931; m. KATHERINE E. BASINGER; b. 1869; d. 1920.
	viii.		RACHIEL MALINDA SMITH, b. July 23, 1866; d. June 25, 1882.
	ix.		CHARLES H. SMITH, b. April 21, 1869; d. January 13, 1951; m. ELIZABETH KILGORE; b. September 16, 1869; d. October 08, 1941.

4. ELIJAH³ FOX (RANSOM², ELIJAH¹) was born October 19, 1829 in Tennessee, and died August 28, 1864 in Civil War. He married CAROLINE BOSWELL July 01, 1849 in Cocke County, Tennessee. She was born 1830 in South Carolina, and died March 08, 1907 in Cocke County, Tennessee.

Notes for ELIJAH FOX:
Elijah Fox was killed during the Civil War fighting on the side of the Union.

Children of ELIJAH FOX and CAROLINE BOSWELL are:

GILFORD⁴ FOX, b. October 03, 1851, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. July 23, 1915, Cocke County, Tennessee; m. SARAH ELIZABETH HOLDWAY; b. November 07, 1857; d. November 25, 1883.

More About GILFORD FOX:
Fact 3: Joseph's Chapel, Cocke County

More About SARAH ELIZABETH HOLDWAY:
Fact 3: Joseph's Chapel, Cocke County

	ii.		RANSOM "RANCE" FOX, b. May 12, 1853; d. 1921; m. JULIA ADELINE REESE; b. September 02, 1846; d. 1929.
	iii.		BENONY CARTER FOX, b. July 12, 1858.
	iv.		LAURA FOX, b. Abt. 1862.
	v.		ELIJAH FOX, JR., b. May 19, 1863; m. (1) KATHERINE DAWSON; m. (2) CORDIA /?/.

5. JOHN MCDUGGAL³ FOX (RANSOM², ELIJAH¹) was born November 15, 1831 in Cocke County, Tennessee, and died January 15, 1923 in Cocke County, Tennessee. He married MARTHA "PATTIE" TALLEY June 10, 1852 in Cocke County, TN, daughter of JOHN TALLEY and SARAH DRISKILL. She was born July 06, 1833 in Cocke County, Tennessee, and died May 04, 1921 in Cocke County, Tennessee.

Notes for JOHN MCDUGGAL FOX:
John and Martha Fox can be found in the 1860 Cocke County, Tennessee Census at 246-246, along with children Sarah E., Mary J., John, and Benonia C.. For the 18870 Census see Cocke County page 386. The 1880 Cocke County Census John M. Fox can be found on page 23 of District 4 of Cocke County, Tennessee.
The John Fox family (118-119) and James Fox Family (119-120) can both be found in the 1900 Census of Cocke County, Tennessee in District 4, page 196A.

A letter found in the Tennessee State Library and Archives:

"The Adjunt General
War Department, Washington, DC
1469049
War Department
The Adjutant General's Office
Washington, December 31, 1908
Respectfully returned to the
President,
Tennessee Board of
Pension Examiners
Nashville,

It is shown by the records that John _ Fox, private, corporal and sergeant, Company I, 62nd Tennessee Infantry (later mounted), Confederate States Army, enlisted September 10, 1862, and that he was captured July 4, 1863, at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and paroled at that place, - date not stated.
The Adjutant General."

Next letter:

"January 6, 1909
Official Copy
FURNISHED TO Hon. Nathan W. Hale, House of Representatives.

Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 8th, 1863.

To All whom it may Concern, Know Ye That:
I John Fox a 5th Sergt of Co. (I) 62 Reg't Tenn. Volls., C.S.A. being a prisoner of War, in the hands of the United States Forces; in virtue of the capitulation of the City of Vicksburg and its Garrison, by Lieut. Gen. John C. Pemberton, C.S.A., Commanding, on the 4th day of July, 1863, do in pursuance of the terms of said capitulation, give this my solemn parole under oath --
That I will not take up arms again against the United States, nor serve in any military police or constabulary force in any Fort, garrison or field work, held by the Confederate States of America, against the United States of America, nor as guard of prisons, depots, or stores, not discharge any duties usually performed by Officers or soldiers, against the United States of America, until duly exchanged by the Proper authorities.

John (his X mark) Fox
Test.
W.A. Robinson

Sworn to and subscribed before me at Vicksburg, Miss., this 8th day of July, 1863.
Wm Cuncan 11th Reg't Ills Vols,
Captain and Paroling Officer."

For Pension application see Roll #35, S. Pension Confederate #4830, Tennessee State Library and Archives. He states that he was injured by chronic diarrhea at Vicksburg, which he has suffered from to date. He says he is a farmer unable to work and his children can't support themselves, much less him and his 70 year old wife. He also states that he is a farmer, born in Jefferson County, Tennessee, and that his holdings are a farm of Eleven acres of land, worth $150.00 a mule worth $40, and a cow worth $20, and that his wife held no estate at all in her own right.

Private C Co 8th Tn Inf; April 1, 1863 - July 1, 1864, Driskill Post Office, confederate. His brother Elijah also served in the same regiment and was shot and killed. Also, served with Isaac Fowler, Alexander Fowler, and Alex Fox.

John M. Fox, Co. ? 39 Tennessee Mounted Infantry. Col. W.M. Bradford's Reg't Vols. 31 Tenn Inf. Known as 31 Tenn Inf until June '63 when officially designated 39 Tenn Inf. Reg't was mounted in Nov 63, and served as cavalry, Confederate, Private. This last document was located at the National Archives, Washington, D.C.

According to the memories of Delsie Fox Frazier she says that her dad said her grandfather was kidnapped and forced to serve in the Confederate forces. No doubt about it, Tennessee was a border state, and the Fox family, not unlike most, had sons on both sides of Battle.

Executor's Book, Cocke County, Tennessee, Book #3, page 391.
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JOHN M. FOX, deceased.
I, John M. fox of cocke county Tenn do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me any time made.
1st
I will all my just debts and funeral expenses shall be paid out of any money may be on hands at the date of my death, or out of the first money that may come to the hands of my executor, hereinafter named.
2nd
I, will and bequeath to my beloved wife Martha Fox all the real estate of which I may die seized and possessed for and during her natural life with the remainder to my heirs at law to be disposed of and held as hereinafter provided. I also will and bequeath to my said wife all of my personal property which I may die seized and possessed.
3rd
I will and bequeath to my son John Fox one dollar. I will and bequeath to my daughter Mary Jane Fox one dollar. I will and bequeath to my son Cal Fox one dollar. I will and bequeath to my daughter Jaley Keasling one dollar. I will and bequeath to my daughter Sallie Sawyers one dollar. I will and bequeath to my son James Fox all my real estate and personal property nothing to be sold off of the place from now on. James Fox is to care for us in sickness, pay our Dr. bills and is to give us decent burial and put tomb rocks to graves. If the said James Fox fails to comply with this will it is null and void. I nominate and appoint my son James Fox executor of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand. this 21 day of Feby, 1920.
John (his X mark) Fox
Witness
C.W.Scott
C.W.Wise
Then was the last will and testament of John M. Fox, deceased proven in open court, by the oaths of C.W.Scott and C.W.Wise subscribing witnesses thereto, and the court being satisfied that said will was properly proven the clerk was ordered and directed to record said will in the will book for Cocke County, Tennessee. This January 18th, 1923. P.A. Valentine, Clerk

John M. Fox and Martha "Pattie" Talley Fox are buried under a tree about 50 yards from the old Six Forks Christian Church in Cocke County. They were Carmelite religiously. The church property is now claimed by the First Christian Church of Morristown, Tennessee, but the graveyard has been neglected for many years. John and Martha Fox's graves had a small barbed wire fence around then just inside the pasture fields adjoining the church. That area too has now overgrown.

More About JOHN MCDUGGAL FOX:
Fact 3: Six Forks Camelite Church

Notes for MARTHA "PATTIE" TALLEY:
John and Martha Fox are found in the 1900 Cocke County Census, page 196A, District 4, household 118-119. They state that they have 9 children, 5 living.

More About MARTHA "PATTIE" TALLEY:
Fact 3: Six Forks Camelite Church

Children of JOHN FOX and MARTHA TALLEY are:

SARAH ELIZABETH⁴ FOX, b. September 10, 1853, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. July 27, 1884, Cocke County, Tennessee; m. JACOB C. SAWYER, June 14, 1877, Cocke County, TN; b. 1849.

More About SARAH ELIZABETH FOX:
Fact 3: Joseph's Chapel, Cocke County

	ii.		MARY JANE FOX, b. December 21, 1855, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. 1939, Paris, TX; m. RUFUS MORGAN FOX, JR.; b. August 21, 1859, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. March 07, 1944, Paris, TX.
	iii.		JOHN MCDUGGAN FOX, JR, b. September 04, 1857, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. January 31, 1886, Cocke County, Tennessee.
	iv.		BENONY CARTER FOX, b. January 31, 1859, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. January 03, 1942, Cocke County, Tennessee; m. PARYLEE H. TALLEY, July 26, 1881, Cocke County, TN; b. May 14, 1860, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. May 19, 1926, Cocke County, Tennessee.

More About BENONY CARTER FOX:
Fact 3: Rankin, Cocke County

More About PARYLEE H. TALLEY:
Fact 3: Rankin, Cocke County

	v.		JALIA FOX, b. July 27, 1860, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. Cheyenne, MO; m. WILLIAM A. KEASLING, August 02, 1881; b. 1862; d. Cheyenne, MO.
	vi.		ROBERT MILLER "BOB" FOX, b. June 13, 1864, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. October 25, 1937, Cocke County, Tennessee; m. (1) HANNAH MARTIN; b. April 22, 1883; d. November 24, 1965, Cocke County, Tennessee; m. (2) FRANCIS CALFEE, September 27, 1883, Cocke County, TN; b. April 11, 1869, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. June 02, 1901, Cocke County, Tennessee.
	vii.		WILLIAM HOWARD FOX, b. January 17, 1866; d. September 10, 1888.

More About WILLIAM HOWARD FOX:
Fact 3: Joseph's Chapel, Cocke County

viii.

LEVINEY FOX, b. January 14, 1867, Cocke County, Tennessee; d. February 15, 1885, Cocke County, Tennessee.

More About LEVINEY FOX:
Fact 3: Joseph's Chapel, Cocke County

ix.

JAMES BRECKENRIDGE FOX, b. May 02, 1870, Cocke County, TN; d. September 13, 1949, Cocke County, TN; m. ALICE SAMPLES, May 10, 1889, Cocke County, Tennessee; b. June 12, 1872, Cocke County, TN; d. September 18, 1939, Cocke County, TN.

Notes for JAMES BRECKENRIDGE FOX:
James B. Fox was the father of the Fox family that was to serve in differing capacities at the Point Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church of Cocke County, Tennessee. James Fox was a song leader for years, as his daughter Annie Fox Gouge played the pump organ. Most of the years since that time, the pianist and/or song leader has come from the ever growing Fox family. But, by profession, James Fox like his family before him was a farmer.

From an article in the Cocke County Banner, Friday, July 2, 1976:
History of Point Pleasant Baptist Church

... in the third district of Cocke County, Point Pleasant Baptist Church sits on a hill in a community by the same name. Established about 1848, the fist building was made of logs, and was used as a school

The present building was built in 1888. It was one large room with wood stoves and oil lamps around the walls. An oil chandelier hung in the middle of the room. church members would come and chop wood so they could fire up the stove for worship services. Most services were held during the day, and farmers would stop plowing or cleaning fence rows to come to church. by this time, the school house had been build across the rod, and the teachers would turn out school and bring their pupils to church. Many of the elders in the community were saved at these services and can still remember them... Baptizing s were held about a mile from the church in the Nolachucky River.

.... Many people have entered this life and left it, but Point Pleasant Baptist Church remains a lighthouse to those in search of the truth."

Another article appearing in the Newport Plain Talk on September 9, 1988 said:

Over Half Century of History of Church Recalled
By: Nancy L. O'Neil, Lifestyles Editor

Members of the Point Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate their centennial homecoming Sunday, September, 11, with a day filled with preaching, good fellowship, singing, and "a dinner on the ground."

Although Point Pleasant Church was organized circa 1848, the earliest church minutes available begin about 1886. That was the year the log church, which was situated where the picnic pavilion is now, burned. The current building was built in 1888, and is one of the oldest church buildings in the county.

George Talley donated the land for the church and community cemetery. The fist pastor noted in the minutes was Rev. J. B. Bundren.

With the loss of the early minutes, it is impossible to know who were charter members. Names appearing frequently in the 1880's minutes show that many Talleys, Calfees, Foxes, Smiths, Overholts, Fowlers, and Solomons to name only a few, were early members.

Mae Calfee, who has lived in the community all her live, remembers walking to Point Pleasant church when she was a child. Mrs. Calfee, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Fox, and ten brothers and sisters attended either Point Pleasant or Redwine (now New Home) where her mother and maternal grandparents were members.

Sundays were special days. After the family attended preaching or Sunday School, the children would bring friends home to play and enjoy a big Sunday dinner."

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JAMES FOX, DECEASED.
The last will and testament of James Fox, Newport, Tenn. March 1st, 1946. I James Fox of Newport Tennessee and of Cocke County, being on this date of sound mind and disposing memory, do make and publish this my last will and Testament, hereby revoking any and all will by me heretofore made.
FIRST - That after the Executor hereinafter appointed has paid my debts and funeral expenses out of my personal estate.
SECOND - I will and devise to my daughter Mae Calfee wife of Garrett Calfee who is now deceased, all my household and kitchen furniture except One bed which shall consist of a bedstead and bed clothes enough to make bed comfortable, also One shot Gun, the above mentioned articles I will and devise to my son Connie Fox.
THIRD - I will and devise all of my real estate to Mae Calfee, herein before named, which consists of (21) acres of land situated in the 3rd, civil district of Cocke County, on the Leepers Ferry road, I also will Mae Calfee my Personal Property, consisting of my farming tools, etc. I will and devise the above mentioned things to Mae Calfee because of the favors she has shown me in my old and declining years, by staying and caring for me, when I was unable to care for myself.
FOURTH - I herein appoint my Son Connie Fox Executor of this my last will and testament, and demand that he shall not have to give bond for being same.
Signed: James Fox: Testator

Made, written and signed as the last will and testament of James Fox, by the testator in our presence and in the presence of each other, we the undersigned have subscribed our names hereto as subscribing witnesses, on
this the 1st day of March 1946 at Talley memorial School House.
Witnesses: Stuard Dawson, Ben Calfee

I, F.W. Parrott, County Court Clerk of Cocke County, Tennessee, do hereby certify that the foregoing paper witting dated March 1st, 1946, and witnessed by Stuard Dawson and Ben Calfee, was this day presented to the probate, and upon the sworn testimony of Stuard Dawson and Ben Calfee, the two subscribing witnesses thereto be said writing was declared by the Court, to be the last will and testament of James Fox, deceased, and the same was ordered to be admitted to probate and entered in the proper will Book of this County and it was ordered Letters Testamentary issue to him.
Witness my hand at office, this 20th, day of September, 1949.
F.W. Parrott, County Court Clerk.

More About JAMES BRECKENRIDGE FOX:
Fact 3: Point Pleasant Church

More About ALICE SAMPLES:
Fact 3: Point Pleasant Church

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