A Guide to the Robert Lewis Cobbs Letters, 1817

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Robert Lewis Cobbs Letters, 1817, consist of correspondence used as evidence in the Lynchburg, Va., Chancery cause styled John Motley & wife, Etc. vs. John P. Cobbs, Etc. which excuses William Cobb, Robert's brother, of inadequately fulfilling his role as executor to Robert Cobbs, their father's, estate.

Letter are sent from Robert Lewis Cobb when he was living in Tennessee to his father Robert Cobbs in Campbell County, Virginia.

Letter dated June 14, 1817, written from Nashville, Tennessee in which Robert L. Cobbs informed his father of the hardships he's encountered in starting a law practice in Tennessee. He explained to his father why he moved to Tennessee giving a brief description of the area where he lived.

Letter dated November 28, 1817, written from Pulaski, Tennessee in which Robert L. Cobbs provided a brief description of the "western country" in an attempt to convince his father to move to Tennessee from Virginia. He cited the cheap land that produced bountiful cotton and would rapidly appreciate in value within ten to fifteen years.

Biographical / historical:

Robert Lewis Cobbs was born on December 25, 1789, in Virginia. He attended Hampden-Sydney College. Cobbs moved from Virginia to Tennessee in 1813. He resided in Columbia, Maury County, Tennessee where he practiced law. Cobbs moved back to Virginia in 1819 where he continued to practice law. He died in 1856.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from the City of Lynchburg.
Physical description:
8 pages [Photocopies]; Digital Images