Index to Early Fayette County Settlers:
Source: History of Fayette County (Morton, 1989)
(Legend: B=birth R=residence M=marriage D=death)
Henry COTTON (r) ? (r) Fayette Co., TN 9
John COTTON (r)? (r) Fayette Co., TN 9
Joseph COTTON (r) ? (r) Fayette Co., TN 9
Robert COTTON (d) 1836 (d) Fayette Co., TN 9
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Acts of Tennessee, 1796-1850
Last Name First Name Date Serial # Chapter & Section Description
Cotton Joseph 1825 30 102.2 Fayette County - Sommerville commission
Cotton Robert 1825 30 102.2 Fayette County - Sommerville commission
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Fayette County, Tennessee. Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions. 1824-1833. FHS
Microfilm 1003136, Court Minute Book A, Old Series: December 1824-April 1829

p. 21 Wednesday Morning, 12 May 1825. State vs. Henry M. Johnson: Indictment. This day comes as well the Solicitor General on the part of the State as the Defendant in proper person who being charged upon the indictment pleads not guilty and for his trial puts himself upon the county, whereupon came a jury of good and lawful men, viz: Thomas Estil, John Yeary, Hiram Morgan, John Head, Thomas Langham, Moses Ritchy, Edmund Price, ROBERT COTTON, Joseph Nail, Thomas Culbertson, JOSEPH COTTON, and John Powell who being elected tried and sworn the truth to speak upon the issue of traverse upon their oaths do say that the defendant is not guilty in manner and form as charged in this Bill of Indictment. It is therefore considered by the court that the Defendant depart here without day and that the Court pay the costs of this prosecution.
http://files.usgwarchives.net/tn/fayette/court/1824-1833.txt

p. 160 Thursday, 12 April 1827. Ordered by the Court that the following persons be summoned to attend at the Court Term on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in July next as jurors to said term to wit: Elias Caruth, Samuel Ralston, James McKee, William L. Sloss, Willis F. Ritchy, Leander Black, Robert Buford, William Bill, John Yeary, George Smart, Benjamin Ellis, William F. Henry, Isaac Reynolds, JOSEPH COTTON, Amos Koonce, John Jarman Sr., Clement Beloat, Tobias Dryden, Shadrack Gardiner, William Burrows, Robert Knox, William Allison, John H. Logwood, Enos Evans, James M. Steel, Hugh Blake, W. Clifft and L. Wallace as constable.

p. 166 Tuesday, 10 July 1827. Court met according to adjournment present the
worshipful Henry F. Steel, Daniel W. Head, Samuel Walkins and Wilkins Oldham,
Esqrs., Justices of the Peace for the County of Fayette. Sheriff returned into
Court a Writ of venisa fascia to him directed in the names following vi

State of Tennessee to the Sheriff of Fayette County. Greetings. You are hereby
commanded to summons Elias Caruth, Samuel Ralston, Willis F. Atchison, William Bill, Benjamin Ellis, JOSEPH COTTON...(others)

p. 167 Tuesday, 10 July 1827. On the back of which the following endorsement was made: Venisa facias County Court. LE. 14 May 1827. Came to hand the same day of Year. Joel S. Jones.
In obedience to the within Writ next, I have summonsed the within persons
freeholders and householders of this County and above the age of 21 years except Hugh Blake who has left the county. [Signed] Joel S. Jones, D. Sheriff
Of whom the following persons were elected charged and sworn as Grand Jurors to inquire for the body of said County viz. JOSEPH COTTON, foreman of the Grand Jury, (others)

p. 252 Tuesday, 15 July 1828. Court met according to adjournment in present the
worshipful Thomas C. Hudson, Henry F. Steel, Wilkins Oldham, ISAAC YEARY, and Laurance G. Evans Esqs., Justices of the Peace for Fayette County proclaimation being duly made, the Sheriff returned in open Court a writ of venia facias to him directed in the words following viz. State of Tennessee to the Sheriff of Fayette County. Greetings. You are hereby commanded to summons Joseph Choat, JOSEPH COTTON, ...(Others)
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Arkansas Gazette
1828 $10 REWARD

ESCAPED from the custody of the jailer of Crittenden County, Arkansas Territory on the night of the 26th inst. a Negro Man named Jess, about five feet two inches high, square made, black complexion; had on when he escaped, white pantaloons, and a light colored homespun coat - no shirt. Says that he belongs to JOSIAH COTTON, living in FAYETTE COUNTY, TENNESSEE. It is expected he went away in a large skiff, by water. Any person apprehending said negro, and delivering him to me, at Greenock, Arkansas Territory, or securing him in any jail so that I get him, shall have the above reward.
Horatio N. Ferguson, Dy. Jailer, Crittenden County, A.T.
Greenock, A.T. 27th June 1828
http://www.arkansasties.com/Gazette/1828/July.htm
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Acts of Tennessee, 1796-1850
Last Name First Name Date Serial # Chapter & Section Description
Cotten Joseph 1829 33 Private 158.2 Lagrange Female Academy lottery trustee
Cotten Robert 1829 33 Private 158.2 Lagrange Female Academy lottery trustee
http://tennessee.gov/tsla/history/misc/acts05.htm
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Arkansas Gazette
50 REWARD
RAN away from the subscriber, in June last, a Negro Man named Jesse; rather under size, about 25 years old, thinks he is witty when spoken to, and has a good deal of impudence. He left Memphis in company with another run away, belonging to John Grider, who was shot about Little Rock, and put in jail there, and has been brought home by a Mr. Montgomery. I have since heard that Jesse had surrendered himself, 75 miles above Little Rock.
I will give the above reward for the delivery of said Negro to Jonas J. Bell, in the town of Memphis, Tennessee, or Twenty Dollars if secured in any Jail, so that I get him.

JOSEPH COTTON, Fayette County, Tenn., February 13, 1829
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1830 Fayette Co., TN - US Fed. Census
(Note: Not living next to each other)
Robert Cotton: Males: 5-10=2, 10-15=1, 15-20=1, 30-40=1(1790 -1800)
Females: under 5=2, 20-30=1
Joseph Cotton: Males: under 5=2, 5-10=2, 20-30=1, 30-40=1 (1790-1800)
Females: under 5=1, 5-10=1, 20-30=1
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1840 Shelby Co., TN - US Fed. Census
(Living next to each other)
Joseph Cotton
Males: under 5=1, 15-20=1, 20-30=1, 30-40=1, 50-60=1, Females 10-15=1, 40-50=1
James M. Cotton
Males: under 5=2, 20-30=1, 30-40=1, Females: 15-20=1
(Note: Joseph had a total of 208 slaves, males and females, from the ages of under 10 to 56 & under 100)

FAYETTE COUNTY, TN - MISC - Notices from the Somerville Reporter
From the Somerville Reporter, Saturday, February 12, 1842:
"DIED - IN Shelby County at his plantation 4 miles east of Raleigh, on the 26th ult., Major Joseph COTTON, aged 50 years."
http://files.usgwarchives.net/tn/fayette/newspapers/smrvlrpt.txt
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Received from Tennessee State Library and Archives
Probate Court of Shelby County, Will Record C-1, 1830-1847
Prepared by The Tennessee Historical Records Survey, Division of Community Service Programs, Work Projects Administration, Nashville, Tennessee, The Tennessee Historical Records Survey, March 1941
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'Index to Tennessee Wills & Administrations, 1779 - 1861, by Byron & Barbara Sistler, Nashville, Tennessee, 1990.
(Transcribed, Typed Will), P-213
JOSEPH COTTON DECEASED WILL
In the name of God Amen. I Joseph Cotten of the State of Tennessee & County of Shelby being feeble in body but of sound and disposing mind do make and publish this the following to be my last Will & Testament hereby revoking and annulling all others before made by me. It is my desire that all my property personal & real shall be Kept together and worked undividually untill all my debts are paid except my Goodwood plantation which I order to be sold as the expiration of Twelve Months.
Should my Estate be pressed for means to discharge my debts in that case I empower my executors hereinafter appointed to sell forty Such negroes as they my Select or to make any other arrangement for the purpose of liquidating my debts as I myself might properly do if liveing. Item It is my desire that all my landed property remaining after the payment of my debts be Equally divided among my Sons. It is my desire that all my personal property except what is here after bequeathed to my beloved wife Elizabeth H Cotton be equally divided among my Children except my dear daughter Mary Ann Mayes who is hereinafter provided for I give to my beloved wife Elizabeth H Cotton my Carriage and Carriage horses together with a child's part of my personal estate in fee simple forever I give unto my Son Jos. A. Cotton in trust not for his benefit but for the benefit of my beloved daughter Mary Ann Mayes and the heirs of her body an equal dividen with my other children in all my negro property that may belong to my estate after the final settlement of all my debts should my dear daughter Mary Ann Mayes die leaving no heirs of her body (then in that case striked through) the property herein bequeathed to Jos. A. Cotton for her benefit and the benefit of the heirs of her body to revert to my Estate and be equally divided among my Sons.
(P-214) I give unto my son Jos. A. Cotton the gold watch which I now ware and order that my executor whenever my estate is released from debt give unto each of my younger sons a good Gold watch should a further sale of property become absolutely necessary besides wat is heretofore ordered I direct a further sale of as many and no moore than may be requisite to liquidate remaining Claims- I appoint my friend M D. Cooper of New Orleans La and my two Sons James N. Cotton & Joseph A. Cotton Executors to carry into fect the purposes and intentions of this my last Will & Testament it is my desire that no security shall be required of them either Jointly or individually. It is my desire that this will be properly aranged and prepared for probate and registration in West Felicianna Paris_ La wherein my lands newly purchased of James C Leake lie In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this 23rd Jany. A D 1842
W. Christian Washington Bond Joseph Cotton (Seal)
Samuel Bond, State of Tennessee)
Shelby County Court) Feby. Session A D 1842
A Competent Court present
A paper perporting to be the last will and testament of Joseph Cotton deceased was produced in open Court Washington Bond and Samuel Bond Subscribing witnesses thereto after being duly sworn depose & Say that the testator acknowledged the same in their presence to be his last Will & Testament and that he was of sound mind and disposing memory at the time of acknowledging the same which is order to be recorded Recorded Feby. 24th 1842 John W. Fuller Clk

Early Settlers of Alabama, Originaly published New Orleans, 1899, page 270
"The fourth child of Norfleet Harris and Mary Hunter married James Cotton, in North Carolina, moved to Memphis, and after a few years moved to Louisiana. Their children were James, Joseph, Mary and Lucy. Mrs. Cotton is dead."
(Note: The children of Norfleet Harris and Mary Hunter are not listed in birth order. Lucy is listed first and was probably the youngest.)
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Baton Rouge Gazatte, 1843, Deaths
29 July, Cadmus Watkins Cotton on the 12th at the residence of his mother in West Feliciana; Cotton of Tennessee
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~brgazette/deaths.htm

Home in 1850: West Feliciana, Louisiana
Elizabeth H Cotton 43, $38,000., NC
James N Cotton 34, Planter, NC
Joseph A Cotton 32, Planter, NC
Lucy M Cotton 18, TN
Margaret Y Cotton 29, VA
Eliza P Cotton 4, LA
(Note: Elizabeth (Harris) Cotton's age is off by probably about 7 years)

1850 Slave Schedules, West Feliciana Parish, LA: Elizabeth Cotton = 8 slaves
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Findagrave.com
Elizabeth Hunter "Mother Cotton" Harris Cotton
Birth: Aug. 28, 1798, North Carolina, USA
Death: Apr. 14, 1871, Port Gibson ,Claiborne County ,Mississippi, USA
Married Joseph Cotton in 1813.
Inscription:
"She walked with God and was not For God took her."
Burial: Wintergreen Cemetery, Port Gibson ,Claiborne County, Mississippi, USA
Plot: Section B, Lot 51
(Note: Birth, death, marriage and husband, Joseph Cotton, insribed on headstone. There is another entry under 'Cotten' with a photo of the headstone. Comments, by Fred Downs, are that she married Joab Harrison Cotten)
She is buried here along with her daughter Lucy M. Cotton Jones