BIOGRAPHY: Jesse Cox

WRITTEN BY ELDER MILTON LILLARD: Elder Cox, a native of Sullivan County, born July 19, 1793. He was somewhat of a scholar, writing the well-known "Exposition of the Revelation," circulated widely throughout the country. He fought under General Andrew Jackson, and when he was 23, he married Elizabeth Brown. He first joined the church at Antioch, moving to Williamson County within two miles of Big Harpeth Church. Elder McConnico encouraged his ministry; one of his last endeavors was making the appointment for Jesse Cox to preach. He served the church as pastor for sixteen years, also serving other nearby congregations. His daily journal is preserved in the Archives in Nashville, with a microfilm copy available at Williamson County Library. In this daily record, Elder Cox tells of weather and snow and rainfall and of his regular preaching services each weekend. He describes the death of many family members and close friends and of the "Yankees" coming during the war and taking his meat from the smokehouse and his last horse. He recorded his personal feelings with the Biblical expression "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." He died on the fourth Saturday in August 1880, and was buried in the McConnico Church Cemetery, which remains. He left a very noted family, having several doctors among his descendants.