I was under necessity to appoint 2 scouts to the valley (Powell) 2 to the Rye Cove, and 2 at Ft. Lee, 2 at Dumps Creek, which is 4 more than I was authorized to appoint...."
Ensign Moses Cockrell was married to Mary Chadwell of the Lee County Chadwell family. They had two children, David and Elizabeth Cockrell.
Tradition states that Moses lived someplace on the North Fork of Holston in the vicinity of Saltville, and that he met his death by falling in a salt well and drowning.
Charles B. Coale, in his book, "Wilburn Waters" tells the following story of Moses Cockrell.
"One of these rangers of the Holston was a man named Cottrell. (Author's spelling) He was famous for his size, activity and handsome person. Benge and himself were rivals in manhood and woodcraft, each jealous of the others prowess and courage, and both anxious to meet in single combat. Not many months before Benge's last incursion, they met on the top of Powell's Mountain in what is now Lee County, each with a band of followers. The Indians were in ambush, having observed the approach of the whites, who were not aware of their proximity and Benge instructed his companions not to kill Cottrell so he himself might run him down and capture him. At the crack of indian's rifles, the two or three of Cottrell's companions fell, seeing which, and at once comprehending the folly of a combat with a dozen savages, he sprang away down the mountainside like an antelope, with Benge in close pursuit." "Two miles away in the valley on Wallen's Creek was the cabin of a pioneer, in reaching which Cottell knew was his only chance of escape. Having two hundred dollars in specie in a belt around him, he found he was carrying too much weight for a closely contested race; and that Benge was gaining on him." (Our family lore states that at this point Moses removed his belt and threw it aside. This account has been passed from Emma Cockrell to her grandchildren)
"Making a desperate effort, however, he increased his speed a little, and as he leaped the fence that surrounded the cabin, Benge's tomahawk was buried in the top rail before Cottrell reached the ground. Benge, seeing that he had missed his aim and not knowing how many men and rifles might be in the cabin, fled back to his companions, sadly disappointed."
"A few years after this Cottrell died on the North Fork in this county, and during the wake while his body lay in the cabin, an old comrad who had been in many a hard pinch with him, thus gave utterance to this thoughts and feelings as he paced the puncheon floor in great sorrow: 'Poor Cottrell, he is gone! He was a noble fellow after injuns and varmits, and I hope he has gone to where there is as much game and as desperate good range as he had on Holston!"
Coale's story was evidently gathered from local tradition, but it varies little from the told in Captain Andrew Lewis' letter to the governor.
Our family lore states that Moses later returned to the spot where he had jumped the fence and searched for his money belt. It, and the two hundred dollars, were gone...lost forever!
(this account has been reprinted with the permission of Rhonda Robertson)
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THE SIBLINGS OF LOLA NELLIE ROBERTSON
1. Izora Sophia Robertson b. March 3, 1878 Riley KS.
........................................m. Amos Matthew Brock Nov. 24, 1894
........................................d. Nov. 9, 1959 Roswell, NM
2. William Mordecai Robertson b. March 9, 1881 Riley KS.
.................................................d. June 12, 1907 Lamon, Grant Co. OK.
William was a veteran of the Spanish American War and later ran a livery stable at Okeene, Indian Territory. He was electrocuted by a bolt of lightening in a field near Lamont. My father was born the following year, and grandma named him in honor of this brother. Although we had always thought that dad's name was Charles Mordecai, I found a penciled inscription on the back of his baby picture, visible only in a bright light that reads, in my grandmother's handwriting, WILLIAM Charles Mordecai Newland.
William Mordecai Robertson; reverse side of photo
3. Amanda Octavia Robertson b. Sept. 22, 1883 Concordia KS.
...............................................m. Aljanon McBride Feb. 2, 1899 Pond Creek, OK.
...............................................d. Oct 15, 1970 Lamont, OK.
4. Lula Nelvie Robertson (twin of Lola Nellie Robertson)
........................................b. Feb. 28, 1886 Concordia, KS.
.......................................m. Geroge Dyas 1902 Blackwell, Kay Co. OK.
........................................d. 1956 Blackwell OK.
Lula Dyas with son Dee and husband George. Dee was killed in action in France WW2 shortly after this picture with his parents.
5. Lola Nellie Robertson b. Feb. 28, 1886 Concordia KS.
.....................................m. Charles Arthur Newland July 4, 1907
......................................d. Aug. 6, 1945 Blackwell, OK.
6. Celia Ann Robertson b. Sept 6, 1888 in Concordia KS.
....................................m. John D. Wells 1906 Pond Creek OK.
7. James Ocie Robertson b. June 20, 1893 Caldwell, Sumner Co. KS.
.......................................m. Stella Elsie Kirby Nov. 9, 1900
.......................................d. Nov 22, 1979 McClave, Co.
James Ocie Robertson and Stella Elsie Kirby, their wedding day.
