Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], A. B. Cox Manuscript, Ms1989-038, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The A. B. Cox Manuscript was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the A. B. Cox Manuscript commenced and was completed in January 2022.

Biographical Note

Dr. Aras Bishop Cox, son of Matthew and Mary Bishop Cox, was born in Floyd County, Virginia on January 25, 1816. He studied medicine under Dr. Mark Stoneman, then moved to Grayson County, Virginia, and taught school there. He married Phebe E. Edwards (1825-1893) on February 23, 1845; the couple would have five children. By 1849, the Coxes had moved to Ashe County, North Carolina, where A. B. Cox was elected clerk of the superior court. During the American Civil War, he served as a captain in Company I, 61st North Carolina Infantry. The Coxes moved to Iowa in 1869, then lived in Madison County, Nebraska, before settling in Buffalo Flats (Blaine County), Nebraska three years later. Aras Bishop Cox died in Nebraska on January 30, 1907, and was buried in Purdum Cemetery, Blaine County.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a photocopy of a typescript copy of Foot Prints on the Sands of Time: a History of South-western Virginia and North-western North Carolina . Comprising [v] and 77 leaves, the manuscript contains the following chapters on southwestern Virginia: [Montgomery, Pulaski, Wythe, and Smyth counties], Carroll County, Floyd County, and Grayson County; and on North Carolina: Alleghaney County, Ashe County, Surry County, Watsuga County, Wilkes County, Battle of King's Mountain, Dr. Aras B. Cox and Family. Each chapter provides a brief overview of the area and biographical sketches of a few of the inhabitants. The copy was typed from Cox's book by Mrs. Alfred Apple of Bedford, Indiana.

Related Material

Two additional photocopied typescripts of Foot prints on the sands of time : a history of south-western Virginia and north-western North Carolina may be found in the Rare Book Collection (F226.6 .C79 1900 Large Spec).

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Local/Regional History and Appalachian South
• Virginia, Southwest

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the A. B. Cox Manuscript by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).