Isaiah Cobb, Jr.

Term of Office, 1851-1855, 1860-1861

Isaiah Cobb, Jr. was born in 1821. His birth year was determined via Census records, yet no place of birth was given. Little information is available regarding his early years. According to relatives, who still reside in Santa Rosa County, Cobb did marry and had three daughters and one son.

Much like other sheriffs of Santa Rosa County, Cobb was interested in civic matters and politics. In 1842, he signed a petition to create Santa Rosa County. Cobb was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #16 in Milton. Cobb served as the sheriff for Santa Rosa County from 1851-1855 and again for a partial term from1860-1861. In 1856, Cobb was responsible for collecting special fees under the fee system. He collected $82.10 as payment for taking the census of the county’s children. He also collected other fees as assigned by the comptroller. During this same year, Cobb sold his residence to James Chaffin for $1,150.00. The Chaffin House became a renowned residence in Milton.

In some writings, Cobb is listed as a pre-eminent confederate from Santa Rosa County. Feeling the fervor of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Morton Confederates on September 13, 1861 at Montgomery, Alabama. He served at the rank of 1st lieutenant. Military records show that he resigned in 1862 and later re-enlisted in (New) Company F, 1st  Florida Infantry at Milton. While fighting in northern Georgia, during the 100 Days Battle, Cobb received a shoulder wound as his group retreated from the union soldiers. Cobb died from the wound sustained in 1864 and is buried in an unmarked grave near Stone Mountain, Georgia. Approximately fifty-one sheriffs served during the Civil War.