a Thompson, from which union after three generations sprang Henry W. Grady, the South's great orator-journalist. It is also through this branch that the Cobbs first meet the Lamars at the marriage altar, Sarah Cobb Benning, still another daughter, becoming the wife of Colonel Peter Lamar, one of the largest planters of Lincoln county, Georgia, and father of Captain LaFayette Lamar, who surrendered his life in 1861 at Warrenton, Virginia.

Surviving all his children and most of his grandchildien, Granddaddy Cobbs was nevertheless surrounded by numerous generations still more remote and was probably at his death the patriarch of the largest tribe in Georgia. Even great-great-grandchildren played hide-andseek around his boots; while gray-bearded octogenarians were little more than youngsters in the shadow of this ancient pyramid. Under the terms of his will, which was made in 1831, most of his property went to Sarah Lamar, who seems to have been his closest lineal heir at the time of his death; while the remainder was divided between great-grandchildren. Colonel Cobbs called his home place Cobbham, which is the name it still retains. On the separation of McDuffie county from Columbia Cobbham became one of the landmarks of McDuffie; and the famous old Cobb homestead is not far from the present country-seat of the noted Tom Watson.

Colonel John Cobbs, who appears to have been the younger brother of Granddaddy Cobbs, settled temporarily at least in Middle Georgia, in what was then Washington county, and he may also have resided at an earlier time near Augusta in Richmond county, where one bear

ing his name held office, but he subsequently married Mildred, daug nter of Howell Lewis, of Granville, North Carolina, and this circumstance may explain his connection with the Tarheel State after his first appearance in Georgia. One of the interesting differences between the Cobb brothers is that John has told us who his wife was, but has left few records of his whereabouts; while Thomas has left abundant records of his whereabouts but tells us nothing concerning his wife. He probably outlived her so long that he forgot who she was.

John does not seem to have been as fortunate as Thomas in his financial investments, and lost rather heavily through speculative ventures. But he must have possessed unusual strength of mind and attractiveness of person. This is evident not only from the brilliant matrimonial alliance which he made, but also from the character of his immediate offspring. He became the father of two distinguished sons, Henry Lewis Cobb and John Addison Cobb, who appear to have been born in North Carolina. Colonel John Cobb, losing his first wife, married again and finally died in Columbia county at his brother's home. He seems to have died comparatively young.

Howell Lewis Cobb was an exceptionally strong man, and represented Georgia with distinguished credit in the halls of Congress. Just when he came to Georgia is not known; but John Addison Cobb came early and settled in Jefferson county on what may have been his patrimonial acres, since Jefferson lies between Washington and Richmond counties, where his father appears to have lived. John Addison Cobb possessed great force of character. He took deep interest in public affairs, but cared

nothing for political honors. He was at one time one of the largest planters of Middle Georgia, and wielded great influence on behalf of others; but he never used this influence to promote his own ends. John Addison Cobb married Sarah Rootes, daughter of Thomas R. Rootes, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and from this union came two of the most illustrious sons of Georgia, Howell Cobb and Thomas R. R. Cobb.

Howell Cobb became Speaker of the national House of Representatives, Governor of Georgia, Secretary of the Treasury in President Buchanan's Cabinet, president of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States, and major-general in the Confederate army. He married Mary Ann Lamar, daughter of Colonel Zachariah Lamar, of Milledgeville; and Judge Howell Cobb, Captain John A. Cobb, Major Lamar Cobb, Associate Justice Andrew J. Cobb, Mrs. Erwin and Mrs. Rucker were the offspring of this union.

Thomas R. R. Cobb was not less distinguished than his gifted brother. Before he was thirty-five he had written "Cobb on Slavery," one of the masterpieces of legal literature, and stood admittedly at the head of the Georgia bar. On the election of President Lincoln in 1860 hè entered politics for the first time, and became an uncompromising advocate of secession, arousing the whole State with his eloquence. Alexander H. Stephens characterized him as another Peter the Hermit. He organized Cobb's Legion at the outbreak of the war, and commanded it as colonel until made brigadier-general. He was killed by a shell at Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1862,

ing his name held office, but he subsequently married Mildred, daug nter of Howell Lewis, of Granville, North Carolina, and this circumstance may explain his connection with the Tarheel State after his first appearance in Georgia. One of the interesting differences between the Cobb brothers is that John has told us who his wife was, but has left few records of his whereabouts; while Thomas has left abundant records of his whereabouts but tells us nothing concerning his wife. He probably outlived her so long that he forgot who she was.

John does not seem to have been as fortunate as Thomas in his financial investments, and lost rather heavily through speculative ventures. But he must have possessed unusual strength of mind and attractiveness of person. This is evident not only from the brilliant matrimonial alliance which he made, but also from the character of his immediate offspring. He became the father of two distinguished sons, Henry Lewis Cobb and John Addison Cobb, who appear to have been born in North Carolina. Colonel John Cobb, losing his first wife, married again and finally died in Columbia county at his brother's home. He seems to have died comparatively young.

Howell Lewis Cobb was an exceptionally strong man, and represented Georgia with distinguished credit in the halls of Congress. Just when he came to Georgia is not known; but John Addison Cobb came early and settled in Jefferson county on what may have been his patrimonial acres, since Jefferson lies between Washington and Richmond counties, where his father appears to have lived. John Addison Cobb possessed great force of character. He took deep interest in public affairs, but cared

nothing for political honors. He was at one time one of the largest planters of Middle Georgia, and wielded great influence on behalf of others; but he never used this influence to promote his own ends. John Addison Cobb married Sarah Rootes, daughter of Thomas R. Rootes, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and from this union came two of the most illustrious sons of Georgia, Howell Cobb and Thomas R. R. Cobb.

Howell Cobb became Speaker of the national House of Representatives, Governor of Georgia, Secretary of the Treasury in President Buchanan's Cabinet, president of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States, and major-general in the Confederate army. He married Mary Ann Lamar, daughter of Colonel Zachariah Lamar, of Milledgeville; and Judge Howell Cobb, Captain John A. Cobb, Major Lamar Cobb, Associate Justice Andrew J. Cobb, Mrs. Erwin and Mrs. Rucker were the offspring of this union.

Thomas R. R. Cobb was not less distinguished than his gifted brother. Before he was thirty-five he had written "Cobb on Slavery," one of the masterpieces of legal literature, and stood admittedly at the head of the Georgia bar. On the election of President Lincoln in 1860 he entered politics for the first time, and became an uncompromising advocate of secession, arousing the whole State with his eloquence. Alexander H. Stephens characterized him as another Peter the Hermit. He organized Cobb's Legion at the outbreak of the war, and commanded it as colonel until made brigadier-general. He was killed by a shell at Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1862,