Of Rich Hill in Charles County, he was a hard working, educated planter that proved to be a leader in the region. The son of Hugh and Margaret Cox was educated at home until age fifteen, when he was sent to Charlotte Hall School in St. Mary's County. He returned home to farm and in 1842, married his cousin Walter Ann Cox, the daughter of Walter Cox, Esquire. Samuel Cox was an innovative and award winning farmer. In 1849, he inherited Rich Hill from his father, and it prospered from his acumen and earnest endeavor. He was decorated for his mules, horses, cattle, sheep and pigs. He also won for the highest yield of corn from one acre, 18 bushels. Walter Ann was known for her quilts, flannel, wheat bread, parsnips, carrots and butter. She also was awarded for her pickles and wine. Samuel Cox was a Freemason. He was very tall and slender with gray hair. He was opinionated, forthright, and stood for no foolishness. In 1854, he was commissioned a Captain in the Maryland Militia. In 1859, he formed his own Charles County Mounted Volunteers. In June of 1861, his company was forced to surrender their arms and disband by the Federal Army, which had sent 100 soldiers to Rich Hill to see to it. Cox served as chairman of the Board of School Commissioners. He also was a road supervisor, responsible for the maintenance of the highway in his district. He was popular among his friends and acquaintances. Horse racing was their sport. In 1850, Cox was elected President of the Port Tobacco Jockey Club. He was a Whig in politics, supporting the Union until hostilities broke out. His sympathies were deeply Southern. At 1 A.M., Easter Sunday, April 16, 1865, assassin John Wilkes Booth arrived at Rich Hill. Booth and accomplice David Herold had left Dr. Samuel Mudd's home earlier, after Booth had his broken leg set. Samuel Cox briefly harbored them at Rich Hill, before having them led to a nearby pine thicket for concealment. Booth was cared for there for five days before crossing the Potomac into Virginia. Following Booth's capture, Cox was tried and convicted of aiding Booth, receiving a light sentence.
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Sent in;
Suggested edit: Samuel Cox is my great-great grandfather. Contrary to the rosy portrayal of Cox presented here, that merely alludes to his deep Southern sympathies while also highlighting his standing as a "leader," Cox was a violent enslaver and murderer.
An enslaved man owned by Cox reported to Federal forces that Cox kept Confederate weapons in his house. As reported by The Albany Statesman, Cox tortured and murdered the man when he was returned to Cox's custody. This account is also included in Edward Steers, Jr.'s book Blood on the Moon: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Please update the biographical information about my great-great grandfather to include this information.
Contributor: Lucy Neale Duke (51250411)
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Sent in;
Suggested edit: Samuel Cox is my great-great grandfather. Contrary to the rosy portrayal of Cox presented here, that merely alludes to his deep Southern sympathies while also highlighting his standing as a "leader," Cox was a violent enslaver and murderer.
An enslaved man owned by Cox reported to Federal forces that Cox kept Confederate weapons in his house. As reported by The Albany Statesman, Cox tortured and murdered the man when he was returned to Cox's custody. This account is also included in Edward Steers, Jr.'s book Blood on the Moon: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Please update the biographical information about my great-great grandfather to include this information.
Contributor: Lucy Neale Duke (51250411)
Of Rich Hill in Charles County, he was a hard working, educated planter that proved to be a leader in the region. The son of Hugh and Margaret Cox was educated at home until age fifteen, when he was sent to Charlotte Hall School in St. Mary's County. He returned home to farm and in 1842, married his cousin Walter Ann Cox, the daughter of Walter Cox, Esquire. Samuel Cox was an innovative and award winning farmer. In 1849, he inherited Rich Hill from his father, and it prospered from his acumen and earnest endeavor. He was decorated for his mules, horses, cattle, sheep and pigs. He also won for the highest yield of corn from one acre, 18 bushels. Walter Ann was known for her quilts, flannel, wheat bread, parsnips, carrots and butter. She also was awarded for her pickles and wine. Samuel Cox was a Freemason. He was very tall and slender with gray hair. He was opinionated, forthright, and stood for no foolishness. In 1854, he was commissioned a Captain in the Maryland Militia. In 1859, he formed his own Charles County Mounted Volunteers. In June of 1861, his company was forced to surrender their arms and disband by the Federal Army, which had sent 100 soldiers to Rich Hill to see to it. Cox served as chairman of the Board of School Commissioners. He also was a road supervisor, responsible for the maintenance of the highway in his district. He was popular among his friends and acquaintances. Horse racing was their sport. In 1850, Cox was elected President of the Port Tobacco Jockey Club. He was a Whig in politics, supporting the Union until hostilities broke out. His sympathies were deeply Southern. At 1 A.M., Easter Sunday, April 16, 1865, assassin John Wilkes Booth arrived at Rich Hill. Booth and accomplice David Herold had left Dr. Samuel Mudd's home earlier, after Booth had his broken leg set. Samuel Cox briefly harbored them at Rich Hill, before having them led to a nearby pine thicket for concealment. Booth was cared for there for five days before crossing the Potomac into Virginia. Following Booth's capture, Cox was tried and convicted of aiding Booth, receiving a light sentence.
----
Sent in;
Suggested edit: Samuel Cox is my great-great grandfather. Contrary to the rosy portrayal of Cox presented here, that merely alludes to his deep Southern sympathies while also highlighting his standing as a "leader," Cox was a violent enslaver and murderer.
An enslaved man owned by Cox reported to Federal forces that Cox kept Confederate weapons in his house. As reported by The Albany Statesman, Cox tortured and murdered the man when he was returned to Cox's custody. This account is also included in Edward Steers, Jr.'s book Blood on the Moon: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Please update the biographical information about my great-great grandfather to include this information.
Contributor: Lucy Neale Duke (51250411)
----
Sent in;
Suggested edit: Samuel Cox is my great-great grandfather. Contrary to the rosy portrayal of Cox presented here, that merely alludes to his deep Southern sympathies while also highlighting his standing as a "leader," Cox was a violent enslaver and murderer.
An enslaved man owned by Cox reported to Federal forces that Cox kept Confederate weapons in his house. As reported by The Albany Statesman, Cox tortured and murdered the man when he was returned to Cox's custody. This account is also included in Edward Steers, Jr.'s book Blood on the Moon: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Please update the biographical information about my great-great grandfather to include this information.
Contributor: Lucy Neale Duke (51250411)
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