Thomas G. Cockerill
Thomas G. Cockerell, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of William S. and Anna Cockerell, who were natives of Virginia. They emigrated to this state, in 1812, and settled near where the Hocking River empties into the Ohio, but a short distance below Marietta. In 1821 they removed to this county, and settled on the waters of the Wabash; where in about one year Mrs. Cockerell died. They were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters: Elizabeth, married and now is deceased; William, married and now is deceased; Milly, married and now is deceased; Samuel, married and lives in Iowa ; Eldridge, died when quite young; three died in infancy.
Mr. Cockerell married for his second wife Phoebe Mooney, by whom he had nine children, two sons and seven daughters: Mary A., married but is deceased; James, married and lives in the neighborhood; Lydia J., married and lives in the neighborhood; Harmanus, married and is deceased; Amanda, married and lives in the vicinity; Eliza, married but is now a widow, living near Washington; Hannah, married and is deceased; two died in infancy.
In 1855, Mrs. Cockerell died. After remaining a widower for two years, Mr. Cockerell married for his third wife, Eliza Mooney, sister to his second wife; she lived but five years, and died. Mr. Cockerell remained single for two years, when he married Mrs. Doster, a widow lady of the neighborhood for his fourth wife; she lived nine years and died. Mr. Cockerell died December 19, 1879, having lived more than ninety years.
Thomas G., our subject, was born in 1812, consequently was by the first wife, and was married September 29, 1831, to Miss Silvitha Cochran, daughter of Barnabas and Charlotte Cochran, who were of the pioneers of this state, coming to this county from New Jersey in 1806. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran have long since died; honored and respected by all who knew them.
Mr. and Mrs. Cockerell have nine children, seven sons and two daughters: William Newton, married and lives on his grandfather's old homestead; Martha J., now a widow, living in the county; Edward Estell, (named after Rev. Edward Estell,) married and lives in the neighborhood; Jacob, married and lives near his father; Thomas, married and lives on the home farm; Samuel S., married and lives near Jeffersonville, this county; James W., married and lives on the old homestead; Amelia O., single and remains at home; Eldridge W., single and remains at home.
Four of the sons were in the army during the late war, two serving three full years. Four of the sons removed west and remained awhile, and then returned back to this county. Mr. Cockerell and wife feel that they have been highly favored in life. They have seen their family of nine children grow up to manhood and womanhood; one son and daughter remaining at home with them. Seven of their children are married, and have families, all well to do in life, and living in the same county with their parents.
Mr. Cockerell owns and lives on a fine farm of four hundred and fifty acres, situated on the pike leading from Washington to Martinsburg.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County