In 1786, Russell County was formed from Washington County, Virginia. In the first court of Russell County, held on 9 May 1786, Charles Cocke was appointed to the position of Major in the county militia. He was later made a Justice as well.

In 1787 and 1790, Charles Cocke appears in the Personal Property Tax List for the Lower District of Russell County. Based on the amount of personal property in the 1787 List, Charles Cocke is one of the wealthiest people in the County (or the most honest). This could have been property that was given to him by John Ewing for safekeeping until Alexander Ewing reached the age of majority.

Charles Cocke was involved in a few land transactions in Russell County, including the receipt of 358 acres under Treasury and Preemption Warrants and the sale of 112 of those acres to William Daniel. This land was all located in the Powell Valley. The 1793 Real Estate Tax List shows Charles Cocke as having 400 acres in the lower district of Russell County.

Interestingly, although both Charles Cocke had "moved" to Lee County in 1792, he is not officially recognized as leaving Russell County until 1797. It could be that he still owned some land in Russell County.

The First Court of Russell County.
On 9 May, 1786, the first court of Russell County was held in the Castles Woods settlement at the home of William Roberson. Governor Patrick Henry issued commissions to Justices to preside. The Justices were Alexander Barnett, Henry Smith, Daniel Ward, Andrew Cowan, Samuel Ritchie, Thomas Carter, Henry Dickenson and John Thompson.
Andrew Cowan and Thomas Carter were chosen to represent the county in the General Assembly (House of Delegates).
Appointed as county officers were: David Ward, Sheriff; Henry Dickenson, Clerk of Court; Samuel Ritchie and Patrick Porter, Commissioners of Revenue; Harry Smith, County Surveyor; Francis Browning, Coroner.
Appointed as county militia officers were: Colonel Henry Smith, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Cowan, Major Charles Cocke, Captains David Ward, William Thompson, William Dorton, Charles Bickley, Francis Browning, James Davidson, Samuel Ritchie, Josiah Fugate and William Martin. Lieutenants were: Alexander Barnett, John Bowen, Charles Hays, John Tate, James Osborn, Samuel Roberson, Elisha Farris, Thomas Carter, Moses Skeggs and John Van Bebber. Ensigns were: Samuel Young, John Thompson, Robert Tate, Henry Hamblin, Solomon Litton, William Byrd, Benjamin Nichalson, Joseph Johnson and William Ewing.
Soon after the first court meeting, additional Justices were added. They were: Charles Bickley, William Martin, Richard Price, Christopher Cooper, John Bowen, John Tate, James Wharton, Charles Cocke and John Frazier.

Ordered that a License be granted Charles Cocke to keep an ordinary at his house in Powell's Valley for one Year, he with William Robinson, his security, having entered into bond in the penalty of fifty pounds as the law directs.

December 14, 1790 - William Trotter - 98 ac - part Land Office Warrant 1245 dated December 29, 1780 - corner to Charles Cocke - corner Joshua Butcher.

December 23, 1790 - William Daniel, assignee of Charles Cocke - 30 ac - part Treasury Warrant 11343 dated March 11, 1782 - on both sides of Powels River - corner Ann Campbell. [Sold that day]

March 26, 1791 - Charles Cocke - 76 ac - part Treasury Warrant 14187 dated September 12, 1782 - in Powels Valley on both sides Indian Creek.

April 20, 1791 - William Daniel, assignee of Charles Cocke - 82 ac - part Treasury Warrant 11343 dated March 11, 1782 - on both sides of Powels River - corner to Anne Campbell.

Charles Cocke - 170 ac - part Preemption Warrant 2014 dated January 25, 1782 - in Powels Valley - spur of the poor valley ridge corner to Elizabeth Priest - corner Alexander Steward.

On the motion of Isaac Mullins.
Charles Cocke is appointed guardian of the said Isaac Mullin therefore he with William Neal his security entered into bond in the penalty of one hundred pounds with condition as the law directs.

October 31, 1792 - John Arthur, assignee of Alexander Steward - 42 ac - part Treasury Warrant 14585 dated September 1, 1782 - in Powels Valley on both sides of Indian Creek - corner Charles Cocke - corner to Alexander Steward - corner Cockes 170 ac tract.

February 23, 1793 - William Trotter - 100 ac - part Land Office Warrant 993 dated May 18, 1780 - in Powels Valley on the waters of Trading Creek - west side of a spur of the poor Valley Rige - corner Charles Cocke - corner Cocke's 300 & 400 ac tracts.

160 - February 27, 1793 - George Tackett - 88 ac - part Treasury Warrant 14585 dated September 1, 1782 - in Powels Valley on both sides Trading Creek - on the south side of the poor valley ridge - corner to Charles Cocke 400 ac tract.

Cocke, Charles - 23 Dec 1793 - Russell County - 76 ac in Powells Valley on both sides Indian Creek. [This may be the same as 111, above]

Cocke, Charles - 23 Dec 1793 - Russell County - 170a in Powells Valley adjoining his own and the land of Alexander Steward &c. [This may be the same as 116, above]

Pursuant to a direction of the worshipful Court of Russell county, I do hereby certify that the following Gentlemen are in Commission of the peace in and for the county of Russell. Those that now act are as follows, to wit: Henry Smith, David Ward, Andrew Cowan, Samuel Ritchie, Thomas Carter, John Thompson, Charles Brickley, Richard Price, John Tate, James Gibson, Samuel Robinson, John Smith, Samuel Ewing, and James Dickinson, Gentlemen. Those that have removed are: Alexander Barnett, John Frazer, Charles Cocke, Joshua Ewing, and Christopher Cooper, Gentleman. James Wharton, Gentleman, is dead. James Scott refuses to qualify.
Given under my hand his 20th day of November, 1797.
Henry Dickinson, C.R.C.