FOX OF ST GERMANS/KEKEWICH OF ST GERMANS
Would be very pleased to have any additions or corrections to this account.
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FOX [753]
NOTE: The earliest account of the FOX family appears to be that given by Burke in 1838 (as below). This should be carefully compared with the later version in 1939 where "Dorothy Kekewich" is now referred to as "Dorothy (a connection of the family of Kekewich)". The 1939 account gives many dates not present in the earlier account. The sole evidence that the Mary Fox who married Andrew Ellicott was the daughter of Francis Fox and his second wife Tabitha Crocker is contained in these two accounts. [It remains unclear what the original source of this material was but it presumably came from a Fox family member. The possibility remains that Mary Fox was a daughter of Francis Fox's first wife Joan Smith]
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(1838)
The numerous families of Fox at present residing in different parts of the West of England, sprang from one common ancestor, Francis Fox, who, tradition represents, came from Wiltshire (it is said from the parish of Farley, or from that of Pitton), about the year 1645, during the commotions of the civil war, and settled in the parish of St. Germans, in Cornwall. He is stated to have been descended from the same family as the celebrated Stephen Fox, (afterwards Sir Stephen) [For an account of the origin of this gentleman, his loyalty, integrity, and good fortune, see Collins' Peerage.], the ancestor of the Earls of Ilchester, the Lords Holland, &c. He m. about the year 1646, Dorothy Kekewich, a relation of the family of Kekewich, of Exeter, whose house at Catchfrench, in St. Germans Parish, being then vacant, became his residence on first settling in Cornwall. This lady, it appears, had little or no dower, and his father, who continued to reside in Wiltshire, being displeased with the alliance, is said to have cut him off with one thousand pounds. Francis Fox and his family joined the Society of Friends soon after its first establishment in Cornwall. Some of them shared in the sufferings that awaited its early members, on account of the stand which they so resolutely and successfully made for liberty of conscience. It is handed down that he was the youngest of seven or eight sons, and that some others of the same family also came into Devonshire and Cornwall subsequently, and settled at Plymouth and Looe, but left no sons who survived.
He had issue.
I. Francis, who was baptized at St. Germans 6th June, 1647.
II. John, baptized there 18th August, 1650, and who d. in 1651.
ill. James, baptized there 10th June, 1653. He m. in 1673, Elizabeth Record, of Plymouth, and in 1686, removed with the whole of his family to Philadelphia, with many others, who, like himself, sought for religious liberty in tbe new State, then founded by William Penn. His descendants in the male line soon became extinct. [James Fox was a prisoner in the Bridewell at Exeter, in 1683, on account of his religious principles.]
Francis Fox died in 1670, and was s. by his eldest son,
Francis Fox, of St. Germans, who m. first, in 1671, Joan, daughter of Richard Smith, of Plymouth, gentleman, by whom he had three sons, who all d. young, and two daughters; the eldest, Rachael, m. George Hodge, and had issue; and the younger, Deborah, m. Samuel Croker, esq. of Plymouth, (of the family of Croker, of Lineham), and had issue. He m. secondly, 30th March, 1686, Tabitha [Tabitha Fox, a widow, was committed to the Sheriff's Ward, at Bodmin, in 1708, on the same account, and detained there from the month of April, 1708, to that of June, 1709. Philip Debell, of East Looe, the father of Anna Debell, the second wife of George Fox, was imprisoned in Bodmin gaol, and ultimately committed to the Fleet prison, in 1710, where he was confined a prisoner nearly three years, on a prosecution for tithes, at the suit of the Rev. F. Nailor, rector of St. Martin's, near East Looe. The greater number of the family are still members of the same religious society.], daughter of George Croker, gent, of Plymouth, also of the ancient family of Croker, of Lineham, in the county of Devon, being the eldest son of Francis, second son of Hugh Croker, of Lineham.* by whom he had three sons and four daughters, viz.
I. Francis (of St. Germans) m. in 1707, Mary, dan. of John Cogger, of St.
Austle, and had issue, with four daughters, Francis, who m. in 1738, Han-
nah Scantlebury, and had issue, beside two daughters, ----
II. George, of whom presently.
III. John, of Plymouth, m. first, Loval Appleby, and by her had issue, ---
I Mary, m in 1707, Andrew Ellicott, of Cullumpton, and the most of their descendants are in America, where they are residing in great respectability.
II. Sarah, m. in 1712, Philip Debell, merchant, of Looe, and had issue, ---
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(1939)
Francis Fox b 1606 whom tradition represents to have come from the neighbourhood of Farley, Wiltshire about the year 1645, during the commotions of the civil war. He m 1st 1635 Deanes Barrett, and 2ndly, about the year 1646 Dorothy, a connection of the family of Kekewich in Exeter whose house at Catchfrench, in the parish of St. Germans being then vacant was their residence on their first settling in Cornwall. Francis Fox and his family joined the Society of Friends soon after its first establishment in Cornwall. ... Francis Fox d in 1670 hanving had issue (with four daus) three sons.
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Francis Fox of St Germans, Cornwall "gentleman" c1606-1670
b c1606 ? Farley, Wilts
m1 1635 Deanes Barrett; (? but had no chn)
m2 c1646 Dorothy ----- (a connection of the family of Kekewich of Exeter and
"Catchfrench" in St Germans); d 1693
d 1670
(of "Catchfrench" in St Germans, lived in the house belonging to the Kekewich family); (with his three sons, joined Society of Friends)
chn: Francis Fox c 6 Jun 1647 St Germans below
John Fox c 18 Aug 1650 St Germans; d in infancy
James Fox c 10 Jun 1653 St Germans; m 1673 Elizabeth Record; (and had chn:
James, George, James, Dorothy, Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Sarah, Francis): He
(emigrated to Philadelphia, USA) 1686
[? 4 daus]
Francis Fox of St Germans, Cornwall "gentleman" 1647-1704
c 6 Jun 1647 St Germans
m1 1671 Joan Smith dau of Richard Smith of Plymouth; d 1684
m2 30 Mar 1686 .....: Tabitha Crocker dau of George Crocker of Plymouth, Devon
"gentleman" 1628-1697 and Anstice (Tripe); b 22 Jun 1664 Plymouth [IGI, ?source];
d 1730
d 1704
(member, Society of Friends); ("had a store in St Germans")
chn: Francis Fox b 16 Nov 1672; d 1686
Rachel Fox b 28 Jun 1674; m 14 May 1693 St Germans: George Hodge of Plymouth,
Devon ....-1703; (and had chn: George, John, Elizabeth)
John Fox b 6 Dec 1677; d 24 Jan 1692
Joshua Fox b 14 May 1679; d 11 Sep 1698
Deborah Fox b 2 Aug 1682; m 27 Jan 1701 Samuel Crocker of St Germans; (and had
chn: George, Francis)
[2] Mary Fox b c1687 below
Francis Fox b 16 Dec 1688; m 1707 Mary Cogger dau of John Cogger of St Austell;
(and had chn: Francis, Tabitha, Mary, Ann, Tabitha)
Sarah Fox b c1689; m Philip Debell of Looe; (and had chn: Rachel, Ann, Philip)
George Fox b 25 Jul 1693; m1 1719 Mary Bealing dau of Edward Bealing of Penryn
merchant; (and had chn: Elizabeth, Rachel, Edward, Elizabeth): He m2 1726 Anna
Debell dau of Philip Debell of East Looe merchant; (and had chn: George,
Joseph, Tabitha, Henry, Sarah, Francis, Anna, Rachel): He (of Par, Fowey,
Cornwall)
Dorothy Fox b c1693; m Joseph Collier of Plymouth; (and had chn: Hannah,
Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary, Joseph, Jenny, Benjamin, John, Amy, Thomas, Jonathan,
Elizabeth, Ann, Rachel, Frederick)
John Fox b c1695; m1 Lovall Appleby; (and had chn: John, Jane, Charles, James);
He m2 Lydia Berry; (and had chn: James, Berry, Elizabeth); He (of Plymouth)
Rachel Fox b c1697; unm.; d 1706
(1 Jun 1725) General release and quitclaim. (1) Francis Croker, jun., of St. Germans, to (2) his uncles Francis Croker of Liskeard borough, gent., and Francis Fox of St. Germans, mercer [Cornwall Record Office X 568/20] [WHO IS THIS FRANCIS JNR]
(1701) Lease (release missing) (1) Charles Coade of St. Cleer, yeoman. 2. Francis Crocker of St. Germans, gentleman. Premises: Bokinnow or Bokennow and Tretharropp.. [Devon Record Office, ANSTEY AND THOMPSON OF...] [NATIONAL ARCHIVES 1926 B/K/T/6/1]
Francis next married Joan Smith, daughter of Richard Smith and Unknown, in 1671. Joan died in 1684. They had five children: Francis, Rachel, John, Joshua and Deborah.
Francis Fox was born on 16 Nov 1672 and died in 1686 aged 14.
Rachel Fox was born on 28 Jun 1674 and died in 1703 aged 29.
Rachel married George Hodge in 1686. George died in 1703. They had three children: George, Ann and Elizabeth.
George Hodge
Ann Hodge
Elizabeth Hodge
John Fox was born in 1677 and died on 24 Jan 1692 aged 15.
Joshua Fox was born on 14 May 1679 and died on 11 Sep 1698 aged 19.
Deborah Fox was born on 2 Aug 1682 and died in 1703 aged 21.
Deborah married Samuel Croker. They had two children: George and Samuel.
George Croker
Samuel Croker
John Fox died in 1651 in Dsp.
James Fox was born in 1653.
James married Elizabeth Record.
(1 Jun 1725) General release and quitclaim. (1) Francis Croker, jun., of St. Germans, to (2) his uncles Francis Croker of Liskeard borough, gent., and Francis Fox of St. Germans, mercer [Cornwall Record Office X 568/20]
Mary Fox c1687-1759
m 10 Feb 1706.7 Liskyeard FM: Andrew Ellicott of Cullompton, Devon woollen-
manufacturer 1683-....
d 19 Mar 1759 Cornwall; i 21 Mar 1759 East Looe
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KEKEWICH
George Kekewich of "Catchfrench", St Germans, Cornwall c1527-1582
m Catherine Courtney dau of Edward Courtney of Lanrack
chn: George Kekewith b c1557; (aged 24) 26 Jun 1581
John Kekewith
Peter Kekewith
Edward Kekewith
Francis Kekewith
Catherine Kekewith
Grace Kekewith
Ann Kekewith
Mary Kekewith
Margaret Kekewith
George Kekewich of "Catchfrench", St Germans, Cornwall 1556-....
m1 Blanche dau of Sir Francis Godolphin of Godolphin
m2 ----- -----
(aged 24) 26 Jun 1581
chn: John Kekewith
William Kekewith c 20 Nov 1595 St Germans below
William Kekewich of "Catchfrench", St Germans, Cornwall c1595-1634
c 20 Nov 1595 St Germans
m 27 Jan 1613 Morval: Jane Coode dau of William Coode of Morval, Cornwall; i 7 Dec
1668 St Germans; Will (Exeter) 16 Feb 1667/25 May 1669
i 15 Apr 1634 St Germans; Will (PCC) 31 Mar 1634/23 Sep 1634 [below]
chn: George Kekewich c 13 Nov 1614 Morval; (aged 6) 1620 [VIS] below
Loveday Kekewich b c1616; (aged 4, 1st daughter) 1620 [VIS]; c 27 Oct 1618[sic,
on IGI] Morval; m 15 Aug 1633 St Germans: Joseph Jane
Sarah Kekewich b c1617; (aged 5 [?recte 3], 2nd daughter) 1620 [VIS]
William Kekewich b c1618; (aged 2) 1620 [VIS]; d young
Jane Kekewich c 26 Mar 1620 St Germans
Wilmot Kekewich c 11 May 1623 St Germans; m 6 Apr 1641 St Germans: Philip Sprey;
(and had chn: Nicholas, Jane, Blanche, Philip, George, Margaret, Christopher)
Alice Kekewich c 24 Apr 1625 St Germans; m 5 May 1647 St Germans: Edward
Ameredith; (and had chn: Jane, William, Ames, Alice, Mary)
Blanche Kekewich c 22 Jul 1627 St Germans; m 19 Oct 1647 St Germans: William
Stroude
William Kekewich c 8 Sep 1630 St Germans; Will of Tregleigh in Egloshayle
(Cornwall) 16 Nov 1693/14 Mar 1719
(Will) I give to my daughters unmarryed fower hundred pounds apeece ... my two[sic] younger sonnes three hundred pounds apeece ... to Jane my wife and her heires for ever ... lands ... the inheritance of Peter Warden of St Germans... to Mr Solomon Carswell now preacher ... [residue to wife] ... [last day Marche 1634]
NOTE: No evidence has been seen to support the claim that Dorothy wife of Francis Fox of St Germans was a daughter of William Kekewich and Jane (Coode). Burke in 1838 calls her "Dorothy Kekewich, a relation of the family of Kekewich, of Exeter, whose house at Catchfrench, in St. Germans Parish, being then vacant, became his residence on first settling in Cornwall. This lady, it appears, had little or no dower ..." but Burke in 1939 calls her "Dorothy, a connection of the family of Kekewich in Exeter ...". William Kekewich in his will (above) mentions none of his children by name but does leave £400 to each unmarried daughter. His children's christening and marriages are mainly well documented.
George Kekewich of "Catchfrench", St Germans, Cornwall 1614-
c 13 Nov 1614 Morval; (aged 6) 1620 [VIS]
m 10 Apr 1634 St Stephens by Saltash: Alice Buller dau of Sir Richard Buller of
Shillingham Knight; d 26 Jan 1645
Will (PCC) 18 Sep 1661/27 Oct 1662
chn: William Kekwewich d young
Richard Kekwewich
Alice Kekwewich d young
George Kekwewich c 8 Sep 1639; Will 2 Sep 1673/12 May 1674
William Kekwewich c 8 May 1642 St Germans
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Ann Kekewich
m 16 Jul 1641 St Germans: Jonathan Chapman
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Peter Kekewich
m Ruth .....
chn: Ann Kekewich c 13 Mar 1715 Lanteglos-by-Fowey, Cornwall