William Fletcher Cox^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7} son of William Cox and Millie Dowling was born on Feb 20, 1834 in Claybank Creek, Dale Co, AL.^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7}

William Fletcher Cox was listed in the household of William Cox in the census in 1840 in Dale Co AL. male 5-10.⁸

William Fletcher Cox was listed in the household of William Cox in the census in 1850 in Southern Div, Dale Co, AL. William F 16 AL.¹

William Fletcher Cox age 19 married Martha Ann Bush age 16 daughter of John Bush and Mary Frances Johnson on Dec 25, 1853 in Dale Co, AL.⁷

Early in 1857 they removed to Texas and settled in Newton Co near his father. However in a few years they returned to Alabama before the 1860 census and settled in a new home about five miles southwest of Ozark.

The family of William Cox moved from Dale Co, AL to Newton Co, TX c. 1857. Several of his married children also moved.

William Fletcher Cox was the Head of Household in the census in 1860 in Newton, Dale Co, AL. W F Cox 26 farmer AL, Martha 22 GA, Georga A 5 AL, Rosella 3 AL, Wm J 1 AL.³

William began military service on Aug 27, 1862 in Ozark, Dale Co, AL. as a private in Company E, the mounted Partisan Rangers (bring your own horse or mule), of the 53rd AL Cavalry Regiment and continued until paroled at Augusta GA on 4 May 1865. He served with General Joe Wheeler in the Army of Tennessee and was with General Nathan Bedford Forrest during some of his classic battles, including the pursuit and capture of Colonel Streight's Union Force in North Alabama. The Fifty Third participated in more than 85 various type engagements during its career. William F. was wounded at Athens AL on Jan 27, 1864. He was shot in the right shoulder, the ball lodged under the muscle of the shoulder. He carried it in his shoulder to his grave.

The following was provided by David Bagwell, Point Clear AL:'...William Fletcher Cox was the only man in Dale Co who had both wainscoting and lace curtains. He said that coming back from 'TheWar', Cox was injured or wounded, and rode his horse home, swimming him across the Tennessee River by holding on to his tail, and after the horse carried him home, Cox turned the horse loose out to pasture and never again worked him.'.

The year the war ended, on 19th Aug, he began helping on the job of rebuilding the South's churches by becoming a deacon of Union Baptist Church in Ozark. William served in the military in 1865 cw.

William Fletcher Cox was the head of household in the state census in 1866 in T5N R23N, Dale Co, NC. : males 2 <10 (Willie, John), 1 30-40(W F), 2 <10( 2 of Roszilla, Henrietta, or Martha), 1 10-20 (Georgia Ann), 1 20-30(Martha).⁹

William Fletcher Cox appeared in the agricultural census in 1870 in Dale Co, AL. Fletcher Cox: 75 ac improved land, 200 ac woodlands, farm value $700, implement value $30, 2 horses, 2 mules, 4 milk cows, 7 other cattle, 20 swine, livestock value $450, 300 bushels of Indian corn produced.¹⁰

William Fletcher Cox was the Head of Household in the census in 1870 in Beat 3, Dale Co, Alabama. Fletcher Cox farmer 34 $1200 $600, Martha 32,Roszilla 14, Georgia 18, Willie 13, Henrietta 10, Johnny 4, Eddy 3.⁴

In 1872.Though he was a farmer, he twice served as County Commissioner of Dale Co and was instrumental in the building of the first brick court house and was often called upon to do and manage and look after the important bridge work of the county. William and Martha Ann Bush appeared in the census in 1875.

William Fletcher Cox appeared in the agricultural census in 1880 in Dale Co, AL. rents 30 acres of tilled land: 1 milk cow, 1 calf, 10 lbs of butter produced, 12 swine, 10 barnyard fowl, 20 other fowl, 20 dozen eggs produced. 15 acres of Indian corn produced 175 bushels, 15 acres of cotton produced 4 bales of cotton, 1 acre of cane produced 60 gallons of molasses.¹¹

William Fletcher Cox was the Head of Household in the census in 1880 in Daleville, Dale Co, Alabama. Fletcher Cox 46 farmer AL SC SC, wife Martha 43 GA, son Henry J 8 AL, son Julius E 13 AL, dau Norah 11 AL.^2,12

His wife, Martha Ann Bush, died on Apr 27, 1896 in Ozark, Dale Co, AL at 58 years of age.^7,12

William Fletcher Cox age 62 married Matilda King Parker age 43 on Oct 22, 1896 in Dale Co, AL.¹³

William Fletcher Cox was the Head of Household in the census in 1900 in Daleville, Dale Co, Alabama. William Cox Feb 1834 AL NC SC farmer, wife Martha Apr 1853 47 GA GA NC.⁵

In 1907.In the 1907 Alabama census of Confederate soldiers, William F Cox was living in Ozark AL. He states that he entered the service as a private in 1862 in Ozark in Company E of the 53rd Alabama Regiment and was paroled at Augusta Georgia on May 4t5h 1865.¹⁴

On 4 Jul 1909 at age 75 while visiting Slocomb, he wrote a letter to'Miss Mat' (wife Matilda). Parts of the letter: He is at Eddie's(son Julius Edward Cox) and that they and Willie's family (son WilliamJ.) were all fine. He was so weak that he can't walk very far at a time. His legs hurt so badly that he can hardly rest and that the disease (?) seems to have gotton to his legs and they are hurting now some. Nolly (being Magnolia Cox, dau of William J) is getting married next Sunday (she married Walter Helms on 19 Jul 1909). She wants me to stay and wants you to come. If you do come, come on the train for there are too many automobiles in Slocomb and I am afraid for you to drive the mules. Says that he is still looking to buy a farm near Slocomb. Tells Matilda to see if Casey (probably William 'Big Bill' )will give him 12 cents a pound for cotton, if not to take 11 1/2 or 113/4 for it. He also mentions that his aunt (Nancy Cox wife of LemuelCasey) is not doing well.

William Fletcher Cox was the Head of Household in the census in 1910 in Dundee, Geneva Co, AL. William F Cox 76 AL, Mattie 58.⁶

William died on Oct 2, 1911 in Slocomb, Geneva Co, AL. age 77.⁷ William was buried in Pilgrim's Rest Bap Ch Cem, Dothan, Houston Co, AL. Find A Grave Memorial # is His tombstone reads: In loving remembrance of Fletcher Cox, died Oct 2 1911 - age 78 years. A precious one from us has gone - A voice we loved is stilled - A place is vacant in our home- which can never be filled - God in his wisdom has recalled the loan his love has given - And though the body slumbers here the soul is safe in heaven.

Martha Ann Bush^2,4,7,15,16 was the daughter of John Bush Sr (1787-1849) and Mary Frances Johnson (1801-1867). She and William Fletcher Cox had the following children: