Cobb, David (1748-1830) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.05072 Author/Creator: Cobb, David (1748-1830) Place Written: Taunton, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 July 1791 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 22.5 x 18.5 cm. Order a Copy
States this letter will be given to Knox by David Leonard Barnes, a lawyer and neighbor of Cobb's. Says that Barnes is going to Philadelphia on business and hopes Knox will show him whatever civilities and attentions he can.
David Cobb was a U.S. Congressman for the Third District of Massachusetts. Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, Cobb graduated from Harvard College in 1766. He studied medicine in Boston and afterward practiced in Taunton, Massachusetts. He was a member of the Provincial Congress in 1775; lieutenant colonel of Jackson’s regiment in 1777 and 1778, serving in Rhode Island and New Jersey; was aide-de-camp on the staff of General Washington; appointed major general of militia in 1786 and rendered conspicuous service during Shays Rebellion; Judge of the Bristol County Court of Common Pleas 1784-1796; member of the State house of representatives 1789-1793 and served as Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives; Elected to the Third United States Congress, replacing Elbridge Gerry who had been elected Vice President; Moved to Gouldsboro in the district of Maine in 1796 and engaged in agricultural pursuits; elected to the Massachusetts Senate from the eastern district of Maine in 1802 and served as president; elected to the Massachusetts Governor's Council in 1808; Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in 1809; member of the board of military defense in 1812; chief justice of the Hancock County (Maine) court of common pleas; returned in 1817 to Taunton, where he died on April 17, 1830.
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