Although born in Jefferson County in 1823, Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb is considered one of Athens’ “First Citizens” and also one of Athens’ most controversial figures. Lawyer, author, educator, politician, military leader, slave owner, defender and promoter of Southern Nationalism, Tom Cobb contributed much to the history of Athens, to Georgia, and to the South during a brief career in the mid-1800s. For more about Tom’s life, please visit the New Georgia Encyclopedia entry here.

When Tom died, the family owned 25 enslaved people that were included in his estate inventory: Americus & Phebe, Jack, Lucy, Susan, Vic, Fanny and infant Rosa, Marion & Lavinia, Caroline & two children: Lizzie & Biny, Tom & Callie, Sal & Dora, Phillis, Robbin, Howard, Americus Jr., Joe, Jesse, Sarah, and Kate. We are working on a database of the people enslaved by the Cobb-Lamar and other extended families at this time. For a sneak peak at this database, please check out the Swift Creek Plantation list.

With the return of the house from Stone Mountain, Georgia, and the restoration and construction complete, Watson-Brown Foundation, Inc.’s T.R.R. Cobb House is poised to serve a unique educational purpose for Athens and the surrounding region.