John K. Schlosser's Family Tree Homepage:Information about John Cox
I John Cox (b. Abt. 1620, d. 01 Feb 1696/97)
Notes for John Cox:[Suddath2.ged.FTW]
His will was proved Feb 1, 1696/7.
John COX settled on the James River near "Harrowattocks". Some notes call it "Harristocks" o r Arrowhattocks.On March 29, 1665 he patented 550 acres of land on the north side of the Ja mes River., adjoining the land of Capt EDLOE. This must also have joined the land formerly ow ned by William COXE, and then by his orphans.These land records have been accepted as evide nce that John COX was a son of William COXE (Order of First Families of Virginia, Adventurer s of Purse and Person, P. 212-213, Nell Marion Nugent, Cavaliers and Pioneers, P. 547.
He married twice.The first wife name unknown, is thought to be the mother of his five sons .She mayhave been the daughter of Robbert CRADDOCK, a neighboring landowner.His secon d wife was Mary KENNON, whom he married Sept 25, 1682. Information from Margaret Smith.
John COX was proably born in Virginia around 1620. There is a Jon COX who was listed as a hea dright of John DAVIS in Oct. 1642. If that was this same person, then he may have traveled t o England and returned.John DAVIS had land which adjoined the land of William COX and Isaa c HUTCHINS in 1638, he also was a witness to John COX's will in 1696. (Walter Lee Hopkins, Ho pkins of Virginia and Related Families, P. 114; Nell Marion Nugent, Cavaliers and Pioneers, 1 623-1800, Vol. I (1934 edition), P. 138, see entry for John DAVIS; Cavaliers and Pioneers, 16 23-1666, (1963 edition) P. 84 see entry for Robert CRADDOCK)
John COX was married twice. His first wife may have been a daughter of Robert CRADDOCK, a nei ghbor.CRADDOCK had, at some time, sold 600 acres to John COX, which John COX transferred t o John BURTON on March 22, 1665.John BURTON was John COX brother-in-law, husband to his sis ter Mary.John COX had six sons, and his first wife was the mother to the first five.He ma de several gifts to them by deed during his lifetime.On Feb. 5, 1685, he gave one tract o f land to his son William.On July 11, 1693, he gave 100 acres to Bartholomew.
John's second wife was Mary KENNON. In his will dated Feb 19, 1691/92 John COX named his wife , Mary and his six sons.He left land, slaves, and personal property to his sons, but only o ne silver spoon to his wife.He died and his will was proved Feb 1, 1696/7, in Henrico Co. , VA. That same day his widow filed suit against five of the sons, (all except Richard), fo r her dower in the 550 acres of land which he had patented in 1665 (Order of First Families o f Virginia, Adventurers of Purse and Person, P. 212-213; Nell Marion Nugent, Cavaliers and Pi oneers, P. 547; Walter Lee Hopkins, Hopkins of Virginia and Related Families, P. 114-115; Joh n Frederick Dorman, ed. The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 15, P. 165; Henrico Co. Deeds and Will s 1688-1697, P. 678-679; The Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 18, no. 4, P. 116- 119.)
From Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume 1, 1623-1666, Nell Marion Nugent, Virginia State Library , Richmond, Virginia, 1992, page 75 (Patent Book 1, Part 2):
Nathaniell Floyd, 850 acres, Isle of Wight Co., 20 Nov. 1637, page 498.600 acres being a ne ck about 4 miles up the maine creek running up the baye of Warwicksquike, the said neck lyin g between 2 creeks, &c.250 acres up towards the head of the maine creek over small creeks o r brookes.Transportation of 17 persons: Christ. Denn, Robert Leaderd, Wm. Moyses, Ambrose P roctor, Tho. Weare, Robt. Barton, Rober Joyce, Mathew Tomlin, Jon. Cox, Rich. Redock, David H opkins, Flug Floyd, Wm. Cox, Katherin Folder, Rich. Carter, Jon. Gillett, Christ. Thomas.
From Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume 1, 1623-1666, Nell Marion Nugent, Virginia State Library , Richmond, Virginia, 1992, page 137 (Patent Book 1, Part 2):
John Benton, 1,250 acres, about 15 miles up the Southward side of Rappahannock River, etc., r unning to the mouth of a navigable creek or branch, etc., Oct. 13, 1642, page 837.400 acre s by assignment from Samuell Davis, & the residue for transportation of himself, wife, and 1 5 persons: Saml. Davis, Sr. & Eliza. his wife, Saml. Davis, Junr., Jon. Davis, David Ellis, D avid Rice, Jon. Dreaton, Jon. Cox, Jon. Benton, Joane his wife, Jon. Benton, Isabell Benton , Alice Benton, Rich. Grey, Robt. Thomas, Wm. Barnard, Abraham Coate, Abigall Benton, Geo. Ha rgas, Tho. Craven, Jon. Gerey, Ralph Tatum, Tho. Hughes, Georg Gumer, Jon. Wells.
From Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume 1, 1623-1666, Nell Marion Nugent, Virginia State Library , Richmond, Virginia, 1992, page 138 (Patent Book 1, Part 2):
John Davis, 200 acres, Henrico Co., last of Oct. 1642, page 842.Adjoining his former paten t called the Longfield, extending northwest towards land of Cornelius de Hull.Due for trans portation of his wife Mary Davis, and 3 servants: Jon. Deall, Jon. Talbott, Jon. Cox.
From Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume 1, 1623-1666, Nell Marion Nugent, Virginia State Library , Richmond, Virginia, 1992, page 447 (Patent Book ):
John Cox, 550 acres, Henrico Co., on north side the River, known by the name of Harristocks , beginning next to land of Capt. Edloe, 29 March 1665, page 164 (44).Granted to Arthur Bay ly, who sold to Wm. Johnson, by whom it was assigned to said Cox.
From Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume 1, 1623-1666, Nell Marion Nugent, Virginia State Library , Richmond, Virginia, 1992, page 547 (Patent Book 5):
Jno. Burton, 700 acres, Henrico Co., 22 March 1665/66, page 479 (585).300 acres northerly o n a great swamp, southerly towards land of Alice Edlowe, Widdow, westerly over the river & ea sterly into the woods, called by the name of the old field; 300 acres another parte joyning o n the head of the Long field pattent, beginning at a white oake marked 4 wayes at the exten t of the deviding line of Jno. Burton & Jno. Davies, running along the greate slash southeas t by south &c.600 acres granted to Robt. Craddock & by Hoell Prise, his Attorney, sould unt o Jno. Cox, who assigned to said Burton, & 100 acres due for transportation of 2 persons: An n Coleman, Mark Wms. (Williams).
From Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume 2, 1666-1695, Nell Marion Nugent, Virginia State Library , Richmond, Virginia, 1977, page 12 (Patent Book 6):
John Wray, 240 acres, Gloster Co., Kingstone Parrish, upon head of Queens Creek, 15 March 166 6 [1667], page 41.Beginning Richard Carey, adjoining land formerly granted to Edward Welc h &c.Transportation of 5 persons: Tho. Miles, Tho. Chambers, Jno. Settle, Jno. Cox, Mary Sh arpe.
From Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume 2, 1666-1695, Nell Marion Nugent, Virginia State Library , Richmond, Virginia, 1977, page 15 (Patent Book 6):
Thomas Taylor, 631 acres, Henrico Co., north side of James River, commonly called Harrahadock es, over against Kingsland; 23 Sept. 1667, page 52.281 acres from the river a little belo w the Orchard from Mr. Arthur Bayly's land, &c. to the lower side of Harrahatoocks Creek mout h, &c.350 acres on north side of the Rowndaboute &c., to south side thereof at a corner o f Jno. Cox, &c., to 4 Mile Creek old path, &c.281 acres granted said Taylor 25 Sept. 1663 , & 350 acres for transportation of 7 persons: Francis Taylor, Dorothy Taylor, Jno. Young, Jn o. Bell, Jno. Steward, Symon Balms (or Balono), Will. Stanaway.
From Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume 2, 1666-1695, Nell Marion Nugent, Virginia State Library , Richmond, Virginia, 1977, page116-117 (Patent Book 6):
John Davis (Davies), 500 acres, Henrico Co., 1 Oct. 1672, page 426.300 acres adjoining Joh n Burton; including nigh half the long feild, over the brass Spring, &c.; half of pattent gra nted Robert Cradock, & by Howell Price, Attorney of said Cradock, sould to John Cox, who assi gned to said Burton; 300 acres due said Davis a ssonn & heire of his father, John Davis; 20 a cres for transportation of 4 persons: Abell Gower, Wm. Gower, John Clarke, Ann Malby.
From Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume 2, 1666-1695, Nell Marion Nugent, Virginia State Library , Richmond, Virginia, 1977, page 120 (Patent Book 6):
Robert Cardin, 46 acres in Sittingborne Parish, on south side of Rappahannock River, near Che stucson Creek, on line of Mr. John Cox, facing Ocapacee(?) Creek, &c.; 10 Oct. 1672, page 436 .Transportation of: Laurence Mount Stephory.
From Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume 2, 1666-1695, Nell Marion Nugent, Virginia State Library , Richmond, Virginia, 1977, pages 146-147 (Patent Book 6):
Hugh Lee, 2,000 acres, named Aberconaway, Charles City Co., south side Appamattock River on n orth side the 3rd branch of the Black Water; nigh Warrick Path, &c.; 8 April 1674, page 510 .Transportation of 40 persons: Richd. Sparkes, Hen. Neale, Jno. Crew, Andr. Crew, Richd. De nnis, Wm. Marsh, Morris Joyce, Hen. Allaman, Jno. Browne, Wm. Bernard, Tho. Clark, Tomasin Ha rris, Jno. Browne, Phill. Pledge, Mary Browne, Jno. Cox, Richd. Warren, Tho. Michell, Jno. Dr ennett, Barbara Petingall, Cha. Bartlett, Wm. Taylor, Jno. Floyd, Tho. Stanley, Joan Liswell , Sara King, Rebecka Love(?), Sara Swetland, Jacobus Jonson, Eliz. Cooper, Tho. Woods, Tho. D ance, Jno. Burges, Tho. Ory(?), Addam Bradshaw, Robt. Fydoe, Martha Gibbs, Robt. Hicks, Jno . Allen, Tho. Alford.
From Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume 2, 1666-1695, Nell Marion Nugent, Virginia State Library , Richmond, Virginia, 1977, page 184 (Patent Book 6):
Robt. Bullington, 244 acres, 1 R., 4 P., Henrico Co., north side James River, 10 May 1678, pa ge 642.At head of Capt. Jno. Farrar's land; along Capt. Davis' to Jno. Cox at the path goei ng to Harrahadox neigh the Spring; neare Baily's path; to the Roundabout, &c.Transportatio n of 5 persons: Richd. Page, Morris Akeron (or Aheron), Jane Case, Ben. Adams, Ann House.
From Henrico County, Virginia, Deeds, 1677-1705, page 33:
Page 364.John Cox, Sr. of Harryaddocks, planter, for love and affection to my son John Cox , Jr., land on road to Harryaddocks and Thomas Taylor.Dated: 5 Feb. 1685/86.Witnesses: Wm . Glover, Bartho. (b) Cox, Tho. Charles, Sr.Signed: John (COX) Cox, Sr.Recorded: 1 Apri l 1686.
From Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume 2, 1666-1695, Nell Marion Nugent, Virginia State Library , Richmond, Virginia, 1977, page 319 (Patent Book 7):
Thomas Taylor, Planter, 1,053 acres, Henrico Co., at Harahadocks (Harahadox); north side o f James River, 21 Oct. 1687, page 633.Beginning on the river, a little below the Orchard; b y land now, or late, John Cox's; along path to 4 Mile Creek; over the Roundabout Swamp; to la nd now or late Francis Redford's; to Burton & Taylor's river land; to Harahadox Creek mouth , at the river, &c.631 acres due Thomas Taylor (the uncle, late dec'd.) by pattent, 23 Sept . [no year] & descended to the abovenamed Thomas; 422 acres lying parte within & parte contig uous to said 631 acres; the the nephew Thomas for transportation of 9 persons: George Dick, T homas Lawrence, Ctsar. Guv. Abasse, George Cooke; one child Maria.Marginal Note: "Fees & Se ale Charged."
From Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume 2, 1666-1695, Nell Marion Nugent, Virginia State Library , Richmond, Virginia, 1977, page 329 (Patent Book 7):
Mr. Robert Yard & Mr. John Waters, 900 acres, on south side of Rappahannock River; on the poi nt of an island; adjoining Mr. John Cox; in a marsh at mouth of Lawson's Creek; 25 Oct. 1688 , page 693.Granted to Epaphraditus Lawson, 22 May 1650, which became the estate of Robert P aine as marrying the daughter of said Lawson; which land was deserted, & now granted by orde r &c.Transportation of 18 persons: Tho. Adams, James Robins, Judeth Morgan, James Bissett , Richd. Jones, Jane Richardson, Sarah Jones, Wm. Young, Jno. Ellis, Jno. Peugh, Richd. Jones , James Rookins, Abraham Bates, Sarah Huberd, Jno. Shrowsberry, Jno. Relfe, Jane Brooks, Ratc hell Jones.
From Colonial Wills of Henrico County, Virginia, Part 1, 1654-1737, page 27:
Page 110.Will of William Elam.To son in law John Cox, 1 shilling.All the rest to lovin g cozen Martin Elam and he to be executor.Dated: 18 Feb. 1688/89.Witnesses: John Worsham , Samuel Knibb.Recorded 1 Feb. 1689/90.
From Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume 2, 1666-1695, Nell Marion Nugent, Virginia State Library , Richmond, Virginia, 1977, page 341 (Patent Book 8):
Mr. Robt. Yard & Mr. John Waters, 179 acres, Rappahannock Co., on south side of Rappahannoc k River, 21 April 1690, page 39.Adjoining Mrs. Eliz. Cox & Leonard Chamberlin; by Hoskins C reek; to Thomas Pettis; & Thomas Green; down Piscataway Creek; to Mr. John Cox, & plantatio n of Henry White.Importation of 4 persons [not named].Note: W. Edwards' certificate to Co ll. Potter.
From Henrico County, Virginia, Deeds, 1677-1705, page 79:
Page 437, 11 July 1693.John Cox, Sr. of County and Parish of Henrico to his son Bartholome w Cox of same for love and affection, land he lives on in Henrico Parish, 100 acres, at the r iver, near Ware Bottom.Witnesses: James Cocke, Henry (X) Cox.Signed: John (COX) Cox.Rec orded: 2 Oct. 1693.
Page 439, 11 July 1693.John Cox, Sr. of County and Parish of Henrico, planter, for love an d affection to my son Bartholomew Cox and his wife Rebecker and their son George Cox, give t o my said grandson 1 negro girl Doll, 1 year old.Witnesses: Henry (X) Cox, Ja. Cocke.Sign ed: John (COX) Cox.Recorded: 2 Oct. 1693.
From Colonial Wills of Henrico County, Virginia, Part 1, 1654-1737, page 44:
Page 678.Will of John Cox, planter, 19 Feb. 1691/92.To son John Cox, plantation called "New Plantation" next to the river, Barth. Cox, William Cox, and Capt. Davis.To son Richard Cox, a negro named Robin.To son Henry Cox, the bed I lie on and negro child Molley.To son George Cox, the plantation I live on and all the Neck of Land at Jarretts Spring to mouth of Capt. Gardner's Creek, a bed, a negro woman Betty, and items.Son Henry to live with George and be a help to him.To wife Mary Cox, 1 silver spoon.All the rest to be divided equally between my 6 sons: John, William, Bartholomew, Richard, Henry, and George.Son George Cox to be executor.Witnesses: John Ironmonger, Toh. Taylor, John Davis.Recorded 1 Feb. 1696 /97.
From Colonial Wills of Henrico County, Virginia, Part 1, 1654-1737, page 46:
Page 710.Probate is granted George Cox of the will of his father John Cox, Feb. 1, 1696/97.
From Margaret L. Smith, 3209 Reba Drive, Houston, Texas, 77019, May 1998:
First Generation
William Coxe was born in 1598 in England, and was 12 years old when he came to Virginia in 16 10.He arrived in the Godspeed on June 10, 1610, in the party of Thomas West, Third Lord D e La Warr.He may have been a brother of Elizabeth Coxe, daughter of Sir Henry Coxe of Broxb urn, Herfordshire, who was married to Robert West, brother of Lord De La Warr.When the must er was taken in February 1624/25, he was listed as William Coxe, age 26, at Elizabeth City, w ith Thomas Bouldinge.On Sept. 20, 1628, because he qualified as an "ancient planter" - tha t is, one who had been in the colony before April 1616, the time of departure of Sir Thomas D ale - he was granted a ten-year lease for 100 acres.This land granted to William Coxe, Plan ter, was located "within the precincts of Elizabeth City...bounded on the south by the main e [James] river."
On Nov. 29, 1636, William Coxe received a patent for 150 acres in Henrico County, for the tra nsportation of three persons into the colony.This tract was also located on the James River , further west, and was about 2 miles northwest of "Harroe Attocks" (Arrowhattocks).On Oct . 29, 1637, he received a patent for 150 more acres in the same location, for three more head rights.
William Coxe and his wife, Elizabeth, made at least one return trip to England, and in 1637 w ere claimed by Mathew Edloe as headrights.Mathew Edloe, his mother Alice Edloe, and siste r Hannah Boyes were all neighbors of William Coxe, owning property adjoining his in Henrico C ounty.Sometime before Dec. 14, 1656, William Coxe and his wife had both died, for on that d ate, Peter Lee patented 126 acres in Henrico County adjoining the land belonging to the "orph ans of William Coxe," and lying on the main (James) river and northeast of the land of Isaa c Hutchins.(There is an unreferenced family chart which shows that William Coxe's wife wa s Elizabeth Hutchins, and it also names their four children.)
The children of William and Elizabeth Coxe:
1.Thomas - inherited as "son and heir" a right to 250 acres sold on Sept. 1, 1642, by Matt hew Gough to William Cox and Isaac Hutchins, and assigned this interest to John Knowles on Au g. 1, 1668.
2.John [I] - married twice and had six children.He died in 1696.
3.Elizabeth - married Robert Porter.
4.Mary - married John Burton.
After the first generation, the name was spelled "Cox."
Second Generation
John Cox [I], on March 29, 1665, patented 550 acres of land in Henrico County on the north side of the James River, known by the name of "Harristocks" (Arrowhattocks), adjoining the land of Capt. Edloe.This must also have joined the land formerly owned by William Coxe, and th en by his orphans.These land records have been accepted as evidence that John Cox [I] wa s a son of William Coxe.
John Cox [I] was probably born in Virginia around 1620.There was a Jon Cox who was listed a s a headright of John Davis in Oct. 1642.It that was this same person, then he may have tra velled to England and returned.John Davis had land which adjoined the land of William Cox e and Isaac Hutchins in 1638.He also was a witness to John Cox [I]'s will in 1696.
John Cox [I] was married twice.His first wife may have been a daughter of Robert Craddock , a neighboring landowner.Robert Craddock had, at some time, sold 600 acres to John Cox [I] , which John Cox [I] transferred to John Burton on March 22, 1665.John Burton was his broth er-in-law, husband of his sister Mary.John Cox [I] had six sons, and his first wife was th e mother of the first five.He made several gifts to them by deed during his lifetime.On F eb. 5, 1685 [1686?], he gave one tract of land to his son William.On July 11, 1693, he gav e 100 acres to Bartholomew.
John Cox [I]'s second wife was Mary Kennon, whom he married Sept. 25, 1682.In his will, dat ed Feb. 19, 1691/92, John Cox [I] named his wife Mary and his six sons.He left land, slaves , and personal property to his sons, but only one silver spoon to his wife.He died, and hi s will was proved Feb. 1, 1696/97, in Henrico County.That same day, his widow filed a sui t against five of the sons (all except Richard), for her dower in the 550 acres of land whic h he had patented in 1665.
The children of John Cox [I] (the correct order of birth is unknown):
1.William - born before Feb. 1664/65.He married Sarah (-).They had seven children.He h eld 300 acres on the 1704 quit rent roll of Henrico County.His will was probated in Henric o County in June 1712.His widow's will was probated in Goochland County in Jan. 1747/48.
2.Bartholomew - born about 1665 in Henrico County, married Rebecca (-) before Oct. 2, 1693 .They had five children.He held 100 acres in Henrico County in 1704.He died in 1731 i n Goochland County, and his will was proved there in June 1731.
3.Henry - was left the home plantation and much personal property by his father.He had n o children.His will was probated Oct. 1, 1697, in Henrico County.
4.John - married Mary Baugh, daughter of William and Jane Hatcher Baugh.They had three chi ldren.He held 150 acres in Henrico County in 1704.His will was probated Jan. 1, 1710/11 , in Henrico County.His son, William Cox "the younger," married about 1710 Sarah Cocke, dau ghter of William Cocke.They had one son, John Cox of Bluestone Creek.
5.George - married Martha Stratton, daughter of Edward Stratton, Jr., and his wife, Martha S heppey, Oct. 22, 1697.They had four children.He held 200 acres in Henrico County in 1704 .His will, dated April 18, 1721, was probated Feb. 5, 1722 [1723?], in Henrico County.
6.Richard (probably the son of Mary Kennon, John Cox [I]'s second wife) - married by Jan. 8 , 1700/01, Mary Trent, daughter of Henry Trent and his wife, Elizabeth Sherman.They had eig ht children.He held 300 acres in Henrico County in 1704.His will was probated Feb. 3, 173 4/35, in Henrico County.
From Kentucky Family Records, Volume 2, Mrs. Edgar L. Cox (editor), page 61 ("Early Virgini a Ancestors of our Cox Family and Their Colonial Cousins," compiled by Mrs. David O. Reichlei n, submitted by Mrs. Opal Cox Avant):
Matthew Edloe who had land that was next to land of William Cox in Henrico Co., brought 24 se rvants into the Colony and received 50 acres of land for himself and for each of the 24 serva nts.This made it an easy way for people to get free passage to the Colony.Thus one can fi nd in the records that the wealthiest men in the Colony did bring in people to get 50 acres o f land for each one.Indentured servants were those who had to work for their masters seve n years, room and board, but no pay.
When his time was up, his master had to provide him with a new suit of clothing and tools.T he government gave him 50 acres of land.Some of the finest men came over that way, as man y of the prominent families of England sent their younger sons, for their law in England of p rimogeniture favored the first son.
England's claim to possession of territory in the New World was based upon John Cabot's succe ss in 1497 of being the first to reach the mainland of America.It was not until almost on e hundred years later that their first attempt at an English settlement was started in Americ a.Queen Elizabeth in 1583 gave Sir Humphrey Gilbert a proprietary patent to go forth and se ttle the New World.The project was a hopeless defeat and ended in Gilbert's death.Then Qu een Elizabeth passed the patent on to Sir Walter Raleigh, half-brother of Sir Gilbert; agai n efforts to establish a colony were a failure, but Roanoke Island achieved fame as the birth place of Virginia Dare in 1587 - the first white child of English parents born in the New Wor ld.
After King James of Scotland mounted the English throne, he gave his approval for attempts t o be made to colonize the New World, and granted charters to the newly organized London Compa ny.The London Company offered each subscriber who would pay twelve pounds and twelve shilli ngs the following: "Lord of 200 acres of land which would be given to him and his heirs forev er."Several members of the Bailey family held large shares in this company.The fact tha t Temperance Bailey, at age 3, had 200 acres of land in her name, might have been her inherit ance from her deceased father.Patent to Temperance Bailey, Sept. 20, 1620.The land of Joh n Rolfe and Pocahontas, on the south side of the James River, bordered that of Samuel Jordan , Temperance Baley (Bailey), and Capt. Woodlief in 1620.
It was late in December 1606 when the first charter was signed and three little ships left po rt for America.They were the Susan Constant, the Godspeed - on which William Cox came to America - and the Discovery, commanded by Capt. Newport.On board these three ships were 150 adventurers.On May 6, 1607, they entered Chesapeake Bay, and eight days later decided that the big peninsula off the River they had named "James" for King James would make a suitable place to live, and they called it "Jamestown."One hundred and five remained when the boats de parted for England.
After reaching America the working contracts were opened and it was then that the colonists found that the London Company had imposed a serious handicap on them, directing that "all should work for a common store."The majority of the colonists were of the "gentlemen" type; only a few of the people knew the meaning of work.For this reason, the Colony did not prosper at the beginning.
In 1609 after a tempestuous voyage, Sir Thomas Gates arrived and found the Colony in a deplor ble condition.At this point he gave each man five acres of his own.A constant menace were disease, starvation, and massacres by the Indians, which eventually reduced the number to 60 people.In desperation, Sir Gates and the colonists started to return to England, but a short distance out, they met Lord Baltimore with 500 people and provisions.With renewed courage and perseverance, they worked together to make this a permanent settlement.
Before explaining who the settlers were prior to 1700, we give this background history as to the difficulties and hardships in the establishment of the Jamestown Colony.From this sturdy stock we descend.
The earliest and most successful colony under the Crown was Virginia.The 20 shilling per 100 acres reserved by the London Company in 1618 did not become payable until 1625, a year after the Colony came under Royal control.No exemptions, no special rates allowed; even the Indians were obligated to render some small acknowledgement for their lands.
The Assembly in Virginia placed all expenditures of the collected quit rents under its own di rection, and provided that payments be made in tobacco at 3 pence per pound.In 1662, the payments in tobacco were at the rate of 2 shillings per pound.
The quit rent system of the American colonies was that the Corporations held their lands of the King by a kind of tenure, and no rent was demanded by their charters, because the latter were in origin instruments of trading companies and not of feudal lords.
The following is a list of the Quit Rent, April 1705, Henrico County, of the five sons of John Cox [I] of Dutch Gap, Coxendale or Harroeattocks:
John Cox, Jr. - 150 acres.
William Cox - 300 acres.
George Cox - 200 acres.
Richard Cox - 300 acres.
Bartholomew Cox - 100 acres.
The first Cox in our family appears to have been William Cox, Planter, who came to Virginia before 1628, and could have been the same William Cox, age 26, who came over in the Godspeed .A land grant of 150 to William Cox, Oct. 29, 1637 in Henrico County, about 2 miles above Harrow Attocks, was granted for transportation of three persons, one of which was Richard Byrd .William Cox appears to have purchased additional land adjoining this patent and owned land on both sides of the James River: Coxendale on one side, and Dutch Gap on the other side .William Cox acquired by lease 100 acres of land in Elizabeth City on Sept. 20, 1624.
In 1637, William Cox, Elizabeth & ux, were among headright to Matthew Edloe on their return f rom England on July 12, 1637.William Cox died before 1656, for on Dec. 14, 1656, Peter Le e was granted 126 acres of land in Henrico County which adjoined "the land belonging to the o rphans of William Cox."Orphans of William appear to have been Thomas Cox and John Cox [I].
Thomas Cox appears to have moved to New Kent County, for on June 8, 1658, in a land grant to George Austin, reference is made to land surveyed for Thomas Cox in New Kent County.Thomas Cox appears to have left a son, William Cox, who is listed in the Quit Rent Roll, 1704, i n New Kent County, as owning 150 acres of land.It would appear that Thomas sold the land in herited from his father, William Cox, to John Knowles, for reference is made in a granted beg inning at a corner of Peter Lee to "land he purchased of Thomas Cox."
John Cox [I] who seems to have settled on James River near Harrowattocks the latter part of O ct. 1642 was probably a son of William Cox.On March 29, 1665, 550 acres of land was grante d to Arthur Bayley (Bailey) next to land of Capt. Edloe, that Arthur Bayley sold to William J ohnson, and William Johnson assigned this 550 acres to John Cox [I], also known as John Cox o f Harrow Attocks.Thus, it might be assumed that the first wife of John Cox [I] might have b een a daughter of William Johnson and the mother of his children.John Cox [I] married secon d Mary Kennon, Sept. 25, 1682.
William Elam's will, 1688, gives to "son-in-law" John Cox [I] one shilling.The rest to cous in Martin Elam.It is felt that William Elam married the widow of William Cox, who was eithe r the mother or step-mother of John Cox [I], thus John Cox [I] was the step-son of William El am instead of son-in-law.
In Feb. 1685/86, John Cox [I] of the 1679 Tithe List conveyed 300 acres to son William Cox th e elder, and 150 acres to son John Cox, Jr.In 1679, John Cox [I] had five tithes, meaning t hat he had at lest four sons at age 21 and over, and was known as John Cox of Coxendale, th e name of his home.
Will of John Cox [I], Book 2, page 678, Henrico County, Feb. 19, 1691/92, proved 1696, resid ed at Dutch Gap on the James.Witnesses: John Ironmonger, Thomas Taylor, and John Davis.Me ntions wife Mary,gave her a silver spoon, and six sons: John, Jr., William, George, Richard , Bartholomew, and Henry.
Widow Mary Cox demanded her one-third share of her deceased husband's estate; through her att orney Bartholomew Fowler, the case of her dower right in 550 acres, brought suit against th e six step-sons for £100 sterling.Real and personal estate of John Cox [I] to be divided eq ually among six sons, with son George Cox as his executor.
The six sons of John Cox [I] of Coxendale on James River were:
1.John Cox, Jr. was given 150 acres of land by his father called "New Plantation" on Gardine r's Creek and Jarret's Spring adjoining land of brother William and Bartholomew Cox, bounde d on Capt. Davis' land.John Cox, Jr. married Mary Baugh before 1685, daughter of William Ba ugh, Jr. and wife Jane (Hatcher) Branch Baugh Gower.
2.William Cox, the elder, was given 300 acres of land, Deed Book 1, page 364, April 1, 1686 , Henrico County, by his father, John Cox [I]: "land adjacent to Thomas Taylor," includin g a boat landing on James River up toward Culres.William Cox the elder has been confused with
More About John Cox:
Record Change: 16 Mar 200078, 79
More About John Cox and Craddock:
Marriage: Abt. 1660, Virginia.80
Children of John Cox and Craddock are:
- +Bartholomew Cox, b. Bef. 166580, d. Bef. 15 Jun 1731, Goochland, Virginia80.