From ANDERSON, COCKRILL, MOFFETT, SMITH & Allied Families of Northern Virginia -- VOLUME 1: Cockrill Families of Northern Virginia, by James A. Burgess (James A. Burgess, Arizona: 2002), CHAPTER 6, William COCKRELL and Sally PURKINS, p 91 - 92:

William COCKRELL died 15 Feb 1853 in Fauquier County, Virginia of typhoid fever. Thomas COCKRELL his son reported the death...

From the early census records found later in this chapter we learn the following:

a. Sally probably died 1825 - 1830 as she is not listed in the 1830 census.

b. William raised several young children by himself after Sally passed away.

c. William raised several young children by himself after Salley passed away.

d. William COCKRELL and Sally PURKINS had at least 7 sons and 5 daughters.

e. It may be possible because of William COCKRELL's age that he was married before.

f. Wonder why he did not remarry?

It must have been quite a task for a man to raise children alone in those early days.

From the 1810 census we see that Sallie was born before 1784. If Sally passed away about 1828 she would have been about 44 when she died. Perhaps she died at child birth. It was not uncommon to see a woman die at an early age after having giving birth to so many children.

What happened to the sons that were born between 1800 and 1810. They must have passed away or left Fauquier County, Virginia at an early age. Some may have gone west to West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, Kentucky, or Tennessee...

We can see from his appraisement that like his father William did not accumulate a lot of earthly possessions.

Fauquier County, Virginia Will Book 25 page 350 dated 28 May 1853. William is not listed in the 1850 Census; therefore, he must have died in 1849 or early 1850 before the census taker came around.

Wm. COCKRILL's appraisement 28 May 1853 deceased

$793.00

1 Horse

John Combs

$27,00

1 Horse

J. T. MOFFETT

$22.00

1 Saddle

Payton BALL

$ 4.00

1 Cow & Calf

Thomas COCKRELL

$16.00

1 Bull

P. H. SMITH

$16.00

1 Steer

Thomas COCKRELL

$ 5.75

1 Negro Woman

John COCKRELL

$35.00

Thomas COCKRELL son Administrator of William COCKRELL estate.

William COCKRELL 9 Sep 1854, 13 Jan 1855 Sales $926.70 for horses, plantation, utensils, stock & slaves, unnamed woman $135.00 & David $705 sold to John COCKRILL.

Administrator John COCKRILL received by Wm. J. Jennings Will Book 25 page 350.

Members of the family have told us that John Thomas COCKRILL could look at a steer and guess it's weight within 5 pounds. From the appraisement we see that his father inherited a Steer from his grandfather.

Fauquier County Deed Book 25 page 350 - 9 Sep 1854, 13 Jan 1855 Sales $926.70 for horses, plantation, utensils, stock & slaves, unnamed woman $135.00 and David $705 sold to John COCKRILL. Administer John COCKRILL received by Wm. J. Jennings.