Andrew L. Cobb

The earliest records of the COBB family in America tell of Henry COBB, born in 1596 in county Kent, England, and coming in the ship Anne to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1629.

His great-grandson, Ebenezer COBB, was a resident of Taunton, Massachusetts, where he took a prominent part in public affairs. He married Mehitable ROBINSON, daughter of Increase and Mehitable (WILLIAMS) ROBINSON, granddaughter of Increase and Sarah (PENNIMAN) ROBINSON, and great-granddaughter of William ROBINSON, born about 1615, in Canterbury, England, whence he came to Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1635. Sarah (PENNIMAN) ROBINSON was a daughter of James and Lydia (ELIOT) PENNIMAN, the latter of whom was a sister of John ELIOT, the "apostle to the Indians".

Edward COBB, youngest son of Ebenezer and Mehitable (ROBINSON) COBB, was born in Massachusetts, in 1731, died in 1813. He removed from Massachusetts to New Jersey, locating near Parsippany, where he conducted a farm from which he derived a goodly livelihood. He married Elizabeth BOWERS, born in 1746, died in 1788, and among their children was Lemuel.

Colonel Lemuel COBB, son of Edward and Elizabeth (BOWERS) COBB, was born at his father’s home near Parsippany, New Jersey, May 15, 1762, died April 1, 1831. He was a man of indomitable energy of character, surmounting all obstacles in the way of his early advancement, and thus developed those qualities which fitted him for his subsequent successful career, and which were in turn inherited by his son. He devoted the greater part of his time to civil engineering and surveying, in which he was highly proficient in the development of the locality. For a number of years he served as judge of the court, and also filled other places of trust. He was a member of the board of proprietors of the eastern division of the State, and for many years was surveyor-general of that division. He married (first) Mary SMITH, daughter of Benjamin SMITH, of Troy, whose only surviving child, Elizabeth, became the wife of Benjamin HOWELL. He married (second) Susan FARRAND, daughter of Ebenezer and Rebecca (PARROTT) FARRAND, by whom he had three children, of whom two only survived him, namely: Julia A., wife of W. C. H. WADDELL; and Andrew Bell. He married (third) Elizabeth Lindsley SHAW, by whom he had no children. Ebenezer FARRAND, aforementioned, was a descendent of Nathaniel FARRAND, who resided in Milford, Connecticut, in 1645, coming there from Yorkshire, England, and earlier still from Montpelier, France. They were a titled family, said to be of Huguenot origin. Nathaniel FARRAND’s great-grandson, Ebenezer, born 1734, died 1807, married Rebecca PARROTT, born 1740, died 1783, and they were the parents of Susan, aforementioned. Rebecca (WARD) FARRAND, above mentioned, was a descendent of Robert WARD, of Northhamtonshire, England, a family of Norman descent, the name originally being De La WARDE. Her ancestors came to New England in 1630, and settled in Wethersfield, Connecticut, in 1635.

Hon. Andrew Bell COBB, son of Colonel Lemuel and Susan (FARRAND) COBB, was born at Parsippany, New Jersey, June 7, 1804, in the house where he resided until his death, January 31, 1873. He received an excellent academic education. His youth was spent in assisting his father in the care of his landed estate, and upon the death of the latter, April 1, 1831, he came into possession of a large portion of that estate, including the homestead at Parsippany, and to the management and cultivation of the same he devoted the greater part of his time. He was deeply interested in mining and development of the iron interests of the county, and at a late period of his life was an extensive iron manufacturer. He also erected and operated a furnace at Spit Rock. Mr. COBB took an active part in public and political affairs. He was a man of extensive information and a good citizen. Of unquestionable integrity and with high sense of honor, he had many earnest and devoted friends and was several times chosen to fill offices of public trust. In politics he was first a Whig, becoming an adherent of the Democratic party about the year 1853. In 1838 he was appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Morris county, faithfully performing the duties thereof for about five years. In 1849-50 he was a member of the general assembly from this county and was again elected in 1853, although his party was not in the majority in his district, and this was an eloquent testimonial to his character and worth. He was a leading member of the house in the session of 1854, and was one of the active factors in promoting the legislation of that session which resulted in the limitation of the monopoly of the "Joint Companies" to January 1, 1869. In 1856 he was elected to the State senate, where he served efficiently during three sessions. For a number of years he was a member of the board of proprietors of East New Jersey. Judge COBB was a man of marked individuality and to a natural dignity of manner he added a geniality that won him hosts of friends and made him welcome everywhere. He was hospitable, charitable, generous, with a ready sympathy for those in affliction or need. A keynote to his success in his many undertakings was his executive force and mastery of detail in whatever engaged his attention.

Mr. COBB married (first) Elizabeth KIRKPATRICK, daughter of Captain David KIRKPATRICK. She died December 11, 1857, leaving a daughter, Julia KIRKPATRICK, who died September 15, 1894. He married (second) Frances E. CONDIT, daughter of Nathaniel Ogden CONDIT. Their children are: Andrew Lemuel and Elizabeth C.

Andrew Lemuel COBB, son of Andrew Bell and Frances E. (CONDIT) COBB, was born in Hanover township, Morris county, New Jersey, September 5, 1867. He attended the schools of South Williamstown, Massachusetts, graduating in the years 1887. His entire active career since the completion of his studies had been devoted to the administration of the estate left to the family at his father’s death, which was not only extensive but extremely valuable, owing to the excellent management of his father. Mr. COBB has inherited in marked degree many of the characteristics of his ancestors, and is therefore one of the leading and representative agriculturists of his section of the State, the general appearance of his broad acres indicating the interest he manifests in their development. Scrupulously honorable in all his dealings with mankind, he bears a reputation that is to be envied, and being sociable and genial has a host of friends, who appreciate him for his many noble qualities.

Mr. COBB married, September 15, 1892, Mary RIGHTER, daughter of George E. RIGHTER. They have three children: Andrew Lemuel, Marion, Frances Condit.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)