Seventh Generation

189. Clarissa Loretta (Retta or Rett) Nichols^{2,25,33,44,45,46} was born on 27 May 1871 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Her birth date is given as 27 May 1872 in Hazel Cox's family history, but there is much other evidence that she was born in 1871. Some sources list her birth place as Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee. Her father was from Sevierville. But her father and mother were married in Jefferson County, and her death certificate says that she was born in Jefferson County.

She appeared in the census in 1880 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Loretta 9 niece f s w TN TN TN, she and her mother and siblings were enumerated in the household of her mother's aunt, Sarah Louise (Sallie or Sary) Reneau, and Sarah's husband, Thomas Jefferson Brimer.

She appeared in the census in 1900 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Retta N. 29 wife f m16 w May 1871 TN TN TN 6 children, 4 living.

She was missing from the census in 1910.

She appeared in the census in 1920 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Retta 48 wife f m w TN TN TN can R/W.

She appeared in the census in 1930 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Retta 59 wife m m@18 w sales lady, retail general store TN TN TN.

She died on 26 Feb 1950 in Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee.⁴⁷ Rett died in the home of her daughter Ethel Cox Harrison. Ethel's daughter Margaret Harrison reported to me that she was present at the time of Rett's death. (RGB)

Death Certificate:
1. Name Retta Nickols Cox
2. Date of death 2-26-50
3. Color or race W
4. Sex F
5. Single, married, widowed, divorced Widowed
6. Date of birth 5-27-1871
7. Age (in years last birthday) 78
8. Place of death: A. County Hamblen , B. Civil District 1 , C. Morristown , D. Length of stay in this place, E. Name of hospital or institution (if not Hospital or Institution, City Street Address and Location)
9. Usual residence of deceased, A. State Tenn., B. County Hamblen, C. Civil District 1, D. City or Town Morristown, Tenn., E. Street address 519 W. 6th North St.
10a. Usual occupation Housewife
10b. Kind of business or industry Domestic
12. Was deceased ever in U.S. armed forces? Specify yes, no, unknown No
13. Birthplace Jefferson County
14. Citizen of what country? U.S.A.
15. Father's name John Nickols
16. Mother's maiden name Martha Reneau
17. Informant Mrs. Dan Harrison, Morristown
22. I hereby certify that the ceceased died on the date and from the cause stated above H.B. Marble M.D., Morristown, Tenn 2/28/50
23a. Burial, cremation, removal (specify) Burial
23b. Date of burial, cremation, or removal 2-28-50
23c. Name of cemetery or crematory Wesley's Chapel
23d. Location Jefferson County, Tenn
24. Funeral Director Hortons, Morristown, Tenn
25. Registration Dist. no 23201
26. Date signed by Local Reg. 3-11-50
27. Registrar's signature Mary Love Smith

(The informant, Mrs. Dan Harrison, was Rett Nichols' daughter Mary Emily Ethel (Ethel) Cox who married Daniel Harrison. It was Ethel Cox Harrison's house where Rett died. The correct spelling of Rett's surname is "Nichols". It may only be unusual handwriting, but the name appears to be spelled "Nickols" on the death certificate. Rett's father was John H. Nichols and her mother was Martha P. Reneau.)

She was buried on 28 Feb 1950 in Wesleys Chapel United Methodist Church, Jefferson County, Tennessee. Tombstone: Cox -- George Jackson, Sept. 21, 1861 - June 12, 1838, Clarica Loretta N., May 27, 1871 - Feb. 26, 1950, In Loving Memory of Our Grandparents.

It is not known for a fact, but it has been reported that they were married on horse back. It is certainly possible, due to circuit riding preachers. (William Jackson Bryan) The age of 12 when she was married is correct, not a typographical error. The fact that she was married at such an early age is a part of family tradition. She still played with dolls after she was married, and her mother had to make her stop doing it. She was known as Loretta. Many family members called her Retta or Rett. She was called Aunt Rett by her nieces and nephews. FamilySearch IGI incorrectly lists her name as Clarsa.

Several of Rett's grandchildren reported to me at the 2000 Cox reunion that they particularly enjoyed going to Grandma Cox's house. Rett was very positive with all her grandchildren, giving each one of them praise and positive feedback. She was very organized and believed in "a place for everything and everything in its place". She instilled this ethic in her grandchildren.

The following is from "The Nichols Book" by Wyatt Nichols. Loretta was known to Wyatt Nichols as Aunt Loretta or Aunt Rett.

Loretta Nichols, oldest child of John and Martha Reneau Nichols, was born in Sevierville, Tennessee 1871. She like many other Nichols women folk was small, petite and very beautiful.

When she was two or three years old her mother took her and the rest of the family to Missouri where, John, her father was employed. It seems as though the climate proved very unhealthy for the family particularly Loretta and her mother, as they became seriously ill while there. Martha, her mother, later brought Loretta and my father Wyatt who was just a baby back to Tennessee. John, her father, stayed on in Missouri at his work. Loretta grew up and attended school in Jefferson County, Tennessee in what is known as Muddy Creek Valley. She married George Cox of Greene County, Tennessee and they later moved back to Jefferson County, Tennessee.

Just one word about my Aunt Loretta. I loved to visit her and Uncle George and spent many a happy hour at their home when I was a child. Loretta died several years ago and is buried at Wesleys Chapel.

Clarissa Loretta (Retta or Rett) Nichols and George Jackson Cox were married on 9 Dec 1883 in Greene County, Tennessee.⁴⁸

George Jackson Cox^{1,25,44,46,49,50} (son of John Tivis Cox and Nancy Ann Pierce) was born on 21 Sep 1861 in Greene County, Tennessee. His death certificate lists his birth date as 23 Sep 1861, but other family records list his birth date as 21 Sep 1861.

He appeared in the census in 1870 in Greene County, Tennessee. George J. 7 m w TN attended school.

He appeared in the census in 1880 in Greene County, Tennessee. George J. 18 son m s w TN TN TN cannot W.

He appeared in the census in 1891 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Dist. 3, 1891 voters, George Cox.

He appeared in the census in 1900 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Dist. 2, Jefferson County, Tennessee, 4 & 5 Jun 1900; p.15b, HN 28, FN 28; Cox George J. 38 head m m16 w Sep 1861 farmer TN TN TN; Retta N. 29 wife f m16 w May 1871 TN TN TN 6 children, 4 living; Minnia A. 14 dau f s w Oct 1885 TN TN TN; John F. 11 son m s w Dec 1888 farm laborer TN TN TN; Ethel E. 7 dau f s w Sep 1892 TN TN TN; James W. 3/12 son m s w Feb 1900 TN TN TN.

He was missing from the census in 1910.

He appeared in the census in 1920 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Dist. 1, Jeffferson County, Tennessee, 2 Jan 1920; p.5a, HN 88, FN 92; Cox George 58 head m m w farmer TN TN TN can R/W; Retta 48 wife f m w TN TN TN can R/W; Ruby 16 dau f s w TN TN TN can R/W, attended school; Robert 9 son m s w TN TN TN attended school.

He appeared in the census in 1930 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Old Dist. 1, Jefferson County, Tennessee, 28 Apr 1930, Dandridge and Piedmont Pike, p.88b, FN 181, FN 190, Cox Georg J. 68 head m m@22 w miller, general mill TN TN TN, Retta 59 wife m m@18 w sales lady, retail general store TN TN TN.

He died on 12 Jun 1938 in Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tennessee.

Death Certificate
1. Place of death: County of Jefferson, Civil Dist.: 1, City (or town): Dandridge; Address of Place of Death: Dandridge, Tenn., Length of residence in city or town where death occurred _____ yrs.___10__mos.______days,
2. Full name: George Jackson Cox (A) Residence: Dandridge #3
3. Sex: Male
4. Race: white
5. Single, married, widowed, or divorced: married
5a. Husband or wife: Retta Cox
6. Date of birth: month Sept day 23 year 1861
7. Age: 76 yrs 8 mos. 20 ds.
8. Trade: Farmer
9. Industry:
10. Date last worked: (month and year)____
11. Total time spent in this occupation:
12. Birth birthplace: Tenn.
13. Father's name: John T. Cox
14. Father's birthplace: Tenn
15. Mother's maiden name: Nancy Pierce
16. Mother's birthplace Tenn
17. Informant signed Mrs. M.A. Slaton (address) Dandridge #3
18. Burial, cremation, or removal: date June 13 1938, cemetery Wesleys Chapel, place Jefferson Co
19. Undertaker: Haiton Funeral Home, Morristown, Tenn.
20. Filed: July 10 1938 C.A. Reneau
21. Date of Death: June 12, 1938
22. I hereby certify that I attended from June 1, 1938 to June 12, 1938 and that I last saw him alive on June 12, 1938 . Death is said to have ocurred on date stated above at 3:30 P.M. The principal cause of death and related cause of death and related causes in order of onset were Pe??t? Colites
23.
24. Signed T.R. French, M.D. (Address) Dandridge

The informant Mrs. M. A. Slaton was George's daughter Minnie Ann Cox who married Joseph Porter (Port) Slaton.

He was buried on 13 Jun 1938 in Wesleys Chapel United Methodist Church, Jefferson County, Tennessee. Tombstone: Cox -- George Jackson, Sept. 21, 1861 - June 12, 1838, Clarica Loretta N., May 27, 1871 - Feb. 26, 1950, In Loving Memory of Our Grandparents.

George was a farmer. Several of his grandchildren reported to me at the 2000 Cox reunion that their Grandpa Cox was very distant and aloof, and that they were a little afraid of him. He never said anything. With one exception he never sang, but when he was younger he had a beautiful tenor voice and had taught singing. The one exception is that he sometimes sang in his sleep. Grandma and Grandpa Cox had a wooden bench on their front porch, and Grandpa would lay his hat on the arm of the bench as a pillow so he could take a nap.

The following is from "This Nichols Book" by Wyatt Nichols.

George Cox, husband of Loretta Nichols Cox, born in Greene County, Tennessee, in the 1860's. He spent all of his life farming in either Greene County or Jefferson County, Tennessee.

In writing about my Uncle George Cox, I must say he was my favorite Uncle. He was a very mild natured and fine dispositioned and loved to tell a sly joke for the benefit of those around him. One of his greatest sports was squirrel hunting. I can remember well seeing him tamper his shot and powder in his muzzle loading shotgun with a ramrod. He used to kid his neighbors about their modern guns in shooting a squirrel out of the highest tree. He usually won. This old muzzle loading gun was a prize possession of his as it had belonged to his uncle who was killed fighting in the Union Army during the Civil War. (Note from RGB: This was George Washington Cox, older brother of John Tivis Cox. George Washington Cox was killed 29 Dec 1863. This was the same date as the Battle of Mossey Creek, so that is probably where he was killed. George Jackson Cox was probably named for his uncle George Washington Cox.)

He was a fine singer, especially old harp songs. He died several years ago and is buried at Wesleys Chapel in the plot with his wife and some of his children.

Clarissa Loretta (Retta or Rett) Nichols and George Jackson Cox had the following children:

+226	i.	Minnie Ann Cox.
227	ii.	Thursa (Thersie) Cox2,25,44 was born on 24 Nov 1887. She died on 8 Jan 1888. She died in infancy in her sleep. She was buried about 9 Jan 1888 in New Hill Cemetery, Jefferson County, Tennessee.
+228	iii.	John Anderson Franklin Cox.
+229	iv.	Mary Emily Ethel (Ethel) Cox.
230	v.	Martha Cox2,25,44 was born on 23 Apr 1896. She died on 8 Dec 1898. She was buried about 10 Dec 1898 in Wesleys Chapel United Methodist Church, Jefferson County, Tennessee.
231	vi.	James Wyatt (Wyatt) Cox2,25,44 was born on 2 Feb 1900. He appeared in the census in 1900 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. James W. 3/12 son m s w Feb 1900 TN TN TN. He died on 22 Sep 1901. He was buried about 24 Sep 1901 in Wesleys Chapel United Methodist Church, Jefferson County, Tennessee.
+232	vii.	Ruby Priscilla Cox.
233	viii.	Eunice Cora Cox2,25,44 was born on 3 Dec 1906 in [Jefferson County, Tennessee]. She was missing from the census in 1910. She died on 3 Nov 1910 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. She was buried about 5 Nov 1910 in Wesleys Chapel United Methodist Church, Jefferson County, Tennessee. The following is from "The Nichols Book" by Wyatt Nichols. Eunice died when she was eight or nine years old. I just want to say something about this sweet little thing as I remember her so well. She had the nicest disposition of any child I have ever known, and I like to remember her sandy reddish hair, laughing and jabbering with me when I would visit their home. Note from RGB: I have Eunice born 3 Dec 1906, died 3 Nov 1910 at age 3. There is something inconsistent between these birth and death dates, and the recollections of Wyatt Nichols.
234	ix.	Robert McKinley Cox25,44,51 was born on 21 Feb 1910. He was missing from the census in 1910. He appeared in the census in 1920 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Robert 9 son m s w TN TN TN attended school He died on 24 Mar 1930. He was buried after 24 Mar 1930 in Wesleys Chapel United Methodist Church, Jefferson County, Tennessee. The following is from "The Nichols Book" by Wyatt Nichols. Robert McKinley Cox, youngest son of George and Loretta Nichols Cox. I do not know too much about Robert as I left Tennessee and was in the north all during his childhood and young manhood. I would see him along with the others when I visited there. My son Wyatt McKinley Nichols, Jr. and Robert resembled each other very much in looks as they were both fair and carried their baby faces even after they were young men. Robert farmed with his folks and was very quiet and never had too much to say. His untimely death as a young man was a shock to all of us and he is buried at Wesley's Chapel where the rest of his immediate family is buried.