Report on the State of the Union That Concerns Us All 1861-1961
David Allen II
In the little town of Facing, N.C., lived two young people who were
destined to lead a most adventurous pioneer life. One of these was Davie
A. Cobb, who was born in 1799. The other was a fair young lady named
Elizabeth Wilson. She was born in 1812. These two young people met, fell
in love, and were married in 1830, at Facing N.C.
To this couple, Davie Allen Cobb and Elizabeth Wilson Cobb, were born 4
boys and 2 girls. The boys were William, Zack, David Allen, and John.
The girls were Polly Ann and Suzen.
William Cobb served in the Civil War. He expired on his return home.
Zack Cobb married Frances Butteredge in 1872. To them were born four
girls and two boys. The girls were Effie, Emmer, Dora, and Alice. One
boy was still born, the other boy, Charles Young.
David Allen II married Nettie Butler, May 5, 1870. Their children were
Annie Bell, Jim, Dan, Bill, John, Eugene, and Bird.
Davie Cobb I, having freed his slaves, left Facing, N.C., in 1859, and
settled in Drew County, Arkansas. He purchased two sections of land, but
lived there only two years.
He was an out spoken abolitionist who believed slavery was morally wrong
and never failed to express his opinion in strong terms. His remarks so
offended some slave owners that it was feared that there would be
violent action against Davie Cobb. So one night, he left Drew County
with his family and what house hold goods he could get in 2 covered
wagons, one ox cart with wheels seven feet in diameter. He also carried
$12.00 in gold. He camped on a site near a spring of water west of
Ashdown, Arkansas, in December, 1861.
Two of Davie's boys were Zack and Dave, ages 16 yrs. and 14 yrs.
respectively. Like boys of that age, they were full of adventurous
spirit, and went exploring in the new neighborhood. In talking with some
neighbors, they told of their father having $12.00 in gold. A Mr. Henry
Daniel, hearing about all that gold, paid Mr. D. A. Cobb a visit and
while there, he mentioned that he would like to sell part of his land,
which he claimed was some of the finest in South West Arkansas. When
Davie asked what he wanted for it, Mr. Daniel, looking as innocent and
reliable as Henry Daniel could, replied that he thought a very
reasonable price would be $12.00 in gold. Davie Cobb's eyes were about as
wide open as they were the night he left Drew County, Arkansas. However,
there was no other alternative as he could not continue to live in a
covered wagon with growing youngsters. The land was purchased and the
young boys, who had had such exploring minds, began to help build a
three room log cabin. They felled trees and cleared ground to grow food
crops.
In a pen outside the chimney corner, they kept young pigs so as to
protect them from the bear which were so plentiful then. There was a
post hole that could be opened to watch and fire a gun, if need be. Even
so, one night while everyone was asleep, a bear succeeded in getting one
of the pigs.
Most of the time, some member of the family remained at home to watch
and care for their livestock. On Sunday afternoon while the rest of the
family was out visiting, Davie was reading and enjoying a good warm
fire, when he observed his fattening hogs were disturbed. He opened the
post hole near the fire board and who should he see but Henry Daniels
and his half brother driving the winter supply of meat away. Now if you
are a Cobb you know something about their determination. The best policy
in a case of this kind, would be to put a stop to this once and for all.
Davie poked his old muzzle loading shot gun through the post hole and
let her sound--not to kill, just to retrieve his supply of winter meat.
Many were their trials in life as all pioneers had. One day was to
forever be remembered. The day the slaves that Davie freed came walking up
to their cabin. They walked from Facing N.C. Their grand children are at
Ashdown, Arkansas now.
Davie Cobb's wife, Elizabeth, expired in 1866 and was buried on their
home land. Davie passed away in 1869. He, too, was buried on their home
land.
Zack Cobb left Ashdown, and went to Bryan, Texas with a young family.
He returned to Ashdown and expired. His children grew to adults in Bryan,
Texas.
David Allen II was about the most outstanding child of Davie and
Elizabeth Cobb. he was loved and enjoyed by all. For many years, he was
J.P. at Arden, Arkansas, and held many trials. his law ledgers are still
at Ashdown, Arkansas, also a trundle bed made of hard wood on a hand
turn lathe, a bread tray made by one of the slaves. Many an interesting
story has been told by the fire side during the long winter evenings of
Uncle Dave Cobb's life and his family. As a rule, he kept hired help to
clear land and grow row crops. His sons helped with the farm work, too.
One of his sons, Bill Cobb, was plowing a small mule and day dream along
when he heard an unusual noise. Looking up, he saw the little mule was
walking a foot log across an old abandoned dug well. All Bill could do
was follow the mule. He lifted the single stock and sprint across.
And then another incident of a dug well when William Cobb was about 5
years old. With the curiosity of any 5 year old boy, William was looking
down into the well trying to see its bottom. He suddenly lost his
balance and down he went. His little 3 year old brother went running to
their Mother shouting "Will in well!" "Will in well!" His Mother went
flying to the well and there sat William in the old oaken bucket yelling,
"Pull me out!" "Pull me out!", which the Mother did. William wasn't even
scratched, but he wasn't able to sit comfortably for a day or two. He
must have found out what the bottom looked like for he had a cap covered
with red clay.
And there was the story of the sons and nephews painting Chesters'
collar. Chester was a neighbor son who had been away for employment. He
returned, wearing glasses, a celluloid collar and a stove pipe hat. He
came to Dave Cobbs' to work. One night while Chester slept, his prized
celluloid collar changed color from white to black, by the use of common
shoe polish. Until this day, no one has learned who the "headless
horseman" was.
If there was any kind of disturbance in the community, Dave Cobb was
sent for. If there was illness, he was sent for. If school census was
taken, he did it. It is said, he would walk all day taking school census
with his bridle over his arm, leading his horse.
Most of the Cobbs played the violin or the fiddle, as it was called
then. Long winter evenings were spent fiddling and dancing, and Dave
Cobb was one of the favorite fiddlers.
Tis' fine to live so grandly that long after you're gone, the good and
fine things you did are remembered and recounted.
We salute your memory, Dave Cobb. Your and your Elizabeth helped to
make Arkansas the "Wonder State", the "Land of Opportunity".
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