_James COBB _________+
                                            |                     
                       _James COBB _________|
                      | (.... - 1587)       |
                      |                     |_Johanna KNIGHT _____
                      |                                           
 _William COBB _______|
| (1587 - 1631) m 1598|
|                     |                      _William SMITH ______
|                     |                     |                     
|                     |_Edith SMITH ________|
|                                           |
|                                           |_____________________
|                                                                 
|
|--Thomas COBBES 
|  (1598 - ....)
|                                            _____________________
|                                           |                     
|                      _Edmund PELHAM ______|
|                     |                     |
|                     |                     |_____________________
|                     |                                           
|_Margaret PELHAM ____|
   m 1598             |
                      |                      _____________________
                      |                     |                     
                      |_Ellen DARELL _______|
                                            |
                                            |_____________________
                                                                  

[N2891] There appears to be a major conflict concerning the date of birth of Thomas Cobb. Or rather it appears a "missing generation" has been revealed.

In Chapter II of his book which details the Cobbs of Aldington, RS Cobb stated the following: "From James' second son, Thomas, the well-known family of Cobbs living at Mockbeggar near Rochester are said to have descended. This is given in a book published by the Faversham Club of Kent Families."

The book referred to, "The Faversham Farmers Club and its Members", authored by Prideaux George Selby, was published in 1927, by Gibbs and Sons in Canterbury. The book included the family tree of the club's members. The club was established in 1727; and is hailed as being possibly the oldest club in England.

A Canadian named John Young (now deceased) was the initial source of the information contained in this database, regarding the Cobbs of Mockbeggar. He referenced the Faversham Farmers Club book extensively.

To substantiate RS Cobb's statement, it is established that Henry Cobb (1763-1808), a grandson of Augustine Cobb, lived and died at Throwley. From "ARCHAELOGIA CANTIANA"; Kent Archaeological Society; Vol XXIII; Mitchell & Hughes, London; 1898; P. 122; Coats of Arms in the Church of St. Michael, Thowley --- 22-Arms. Argent, a chevron between three barnyard cocks gules, for COBB. Crest - Out of a ducal coronet a demi-leopard rampant proper." This very accurately describes the arms of the Cobbs of Kent; and indeed does show that the Mockbeggar Cobbs were descendants of John Cobb of Kent (c1324). This is further reenforced by the fact that DNA results of a great-great-grandson of the same Henry Cobb matches that of other descendants of John Cobb of Kent (c1324).

Young stated that Thomas was born about 1650. And indeed, when considering the birth information of his descendants, that would appear to be a reasonable estimate. However, Young also stated that Thomas was the son of William Cobb and Margaret Pelham. And therein lies the only major inconsistency found in Young's work.

William Cobb wrote his Will in 1619; and in it he named a son Thomas. Further, the impression given in that instrument is that Thomas was already of legal age (21 years) at that time; thus indicating a date of birth no later than 1598.

Further, a 1967 letter from one Mary Cobb, now in possession of Robert "Chris" Cobb, shows that William Cobb died in 1621, two years after writing his Will. Therefore, if correct, obviously son Thomas could not have been born in 1650.

It would appear that this Thomas (1650) was not actually the son of William Cobb and Margaret Pelham, but in fact probably a grandson; possibly the son of the son Thomas born in 1598.

See below.

Extract of Last Will & Testament of William Cobbes; March 13, 1619.
William Cobbes of Sellendge, County Kent, Esq.

My Wife: Son James Cobbes: Only daughter Margaret Cobbes (under 18) 2nd Son; Thomas Cobbes of Chilham: Cousin, John Finche of Grovehurste, County Kent, Esq: Sister, Mrs Elizabeth Collins, Wife of William Collins, Gentleman. One Dozen Apostle Spoons to be kept as an heirloom.

Godson and Nephew, William Collins, elder son of said sister:
Exor: Son James, Cousin and old servant John Edwards:

Cousin Mr John Wright of Allington, Gentleman, and his Wife: Cap Mess known as Goldwell in the Parish of Allington, in tenancy of John Wright Road, Brambly.

George Bealings, Robert Hope, Widower, Jeckey, John Friend, George Spurling, William Chittenden and Thomas Colman: My Manor of Hody Ford, in the Parish of Sellenge: Cottage where Widow Duckett now dwells: One Demense called Southerendge, in Parish of Lympne in tenancy of Thomas Redsole: One Demense called Cobbs or Cobbs Marsh, Cratherne, Gt Fragges and Gates Leaze in Parish of Ivy Church and Newchurch, in the level of Romney Marsh, County Kent. Marsh one Demense in occupancy of Thomas Colman: One Demense know as Lamdeyes in the Parish of Allington. One Demense near Allington Fryth, in the said Parish: Wood called Landry Wood, in the said Parish: House in High Holborn in Suburbs of London. Manor of Heyton. Cousin George Smythe of Standford County Kent (No Sig)