The children of Alexander and Sarah Helms Cockrell were:
1. William Mordecai Cockrell b. 1821 Indiana
2. Moses William Cockrell b. Oct. 6, 1821 twin brother of William Mordecai
.........................................m. Margaret Craig in 1845
.........................................d. unknown
3. Elizabeth Jane Cockrell b. April 2, 1825 Indiana
........................................m. Henry Stipp
.........................................d. 1864
4. Celia Ann Cockrell b. Nov. 14, 1826 in Washington Co. IN.
..................................m. #1 James Shelton
..................................m. #2 William Blair
..................................d. unknown
5. Thomas Jefferson Cockrell b. July 6, 1827 Washington Co. IN
..............................................m. Keziah Church
..............................................d. unknown
6. George Washington Cockrell b. Sept 7, 1828 Salem IN.
.................................................m. Eliza Jane Pickel
.................................................d. July 21, 1904 Perkins, Payne Co. OK.
7. Simon Boliver Cockrell b. Oct. 9, Washington Co. IN.
........................................m. Margaret Mann
........................................d. Unknown
8. Julia Ann Cockrell b. ca. 1841 IL.
.................................m. William Craig
.................................d. unknown
9. Felix Grundy Cockrell b Dec. 7, 1836 IL.
......................................m. Sarah Morgan
......................................d. unknown
10. Ester V. Cockrell b. 1841 Il.
.................................m. Buel Fuller
11. Alexander Cockrell b. Dec. 18 1843
....................................m. Elvira Hutchinson ca. 1867 Newton Co. MO.
....................................d. 1915 Union, OR.
12 Francis M. Cockrell b. 1844 Il.
The parents of Alexander Cockrell were Rev. Simon Cockrell and Mary Magdalena Vardman. Simon Cockrell was a Baptist minister in Virginia and he also served in the Virginia Legislature for several terms representing Russell Co. He was granted bounty land in Montgomery Co. Letters written by him during the Revolutionary War are on record at Washington D. C. At 80 years of age he served one term on the Missouri Legislature representing Clay County.
He was born ca. 1745 in Prince William County, VA. probably to Thomas and Deborah Cockrell of Fredrick Co.
Magdalena Vardeman was born ca. 1744 in Bedford Co. VA, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Morgan Vardeman.
Simon Cockrell had a brother, Moses who had an unsettling encounter with a fierce Indian named Benge during the early history of VA. W.VA. and KY. This story is from the unpublished manuscript "Indian Atrocities Along the Clinch, Powell, and Holston Rivers," by Emory L. Hamilton. We will read more about these attacks which affected our family in other parts of this book.
ENSIGN MOSES COCKRELL ATTACKED AND TWO OF HIS MEN KILLED
On April 9, 1793,Andrew Lewis writing from Ft. Lee (Rye Cove,) to the Governor of VA. states:
"On sunday week (March 31, 1793) Ensign Moses Cockrell and two men were passing from this (Clinch Valley) into Powell's Valley with several horses loaded. On top of Powell Mountain, (perhaps Maple Gap) about twelve miles from the Rye Cove they were fired on by 12 indians. The two men were shot dead on the spot - himself pursued to the foot of the mountain, two of the horses killed, and all the loads lost. The enemy being in the rear of him obliged him to run to the valley. No person from there (Powell Valley,) had no infformation here for several days. Captain Neal raised some men and is in pursuit of them. I am in hopes that if my Ensign gets the intelligence in time, as he is stationed in the lower end of the valley, will meet with them on their return."
"Some day last week 14 persons were killed on the Kentucky Road near the Hazel Patch KY. A few days past on the head of the Clinch, or rather Bluestone, six horses were stolen and one man killed; this I cannot assert, as I have just received the information. It is with difficulty I could prevail on the people not to break up. Now I fear without more troops - go they will."
"When I came out Captain (Simon) Cockrell had discharged the scouts under him. The New Garden Settlement was about to break up - some had moved. To prevent it, I appointed 2 scouts to be continued until more men came into service; that with assurance that you would allow them men, they agreed to live at home. No companies allowed to the (Powell) valley, I was compelled to send an Ensign's command there - a Sergeant and 12 men to Dumps Creek; a Sergeant and 7 to Rye Cove; some at St. Mary's with the french, which leaves not more than 20 men at Ft. Lee, which I think too few. If Indians came in, I cannot take out more than 15 men and have any to keep the garrison."
