Enoch Cobb

Enoch T. Cobb (December 26, 1797 – February 26, 1876) was an American farmer, businessman, and philanthropist from Barnstable, Massachusetts. He is known locally for bequeathing in his will land that would help to benefit public school students of the town.

Biography An attendant of the public school system, he married a local woman and had 4 children. Three of the children died in infancy, while the fourth became a Harvard University graduate and a surveyor. His son died at age 24 and two wives predeceased him.

Cobb was a local businessman and farmer, and he co-ran the local general store. He also owned eight woodlots in town which he would later leave to the town upon his death. There are over four million dollars left in the fund, and the income of the trust is used for grants. The monies from the fund are not to be used for regular budgetary things, otherwise the use of the fund would be defeated. In 2003, the trust offered over $125,000 in grants to the children of the school district alone.