John Cox I [Parents] was born about 1620 in Virginia. He died on 1 Feb 1696/1697 in , Henrico, Virginia. He married Craddock about 1660 in Virginia.
Other marriages:Kennon, Mary
His will was proved Feb 1, 1696/7.
John COX settled on the James River near "Harrowattocks". Some notes call it "Harristocks" or Arrowhattocks. On March 29, 1665 he patented 550 acres of land on the north side of the James River., adjoining the land of Capt EDLOE. This must also have joined the land formerly owned by William COXE, and then by his orphans. These land records have been accepted as evidence that John COX was a son of William COXE (Order of First Families of Virginia, Adventurers 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 may have been the daughter of Robbert CRADDOCK, a neighboring landowner. His second 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 headright of John DAVIS in Oct. 1642. If that was this same person, then he may have traveled to England and returned. John DAVIS had land which adjoined the land of William COX and Isaac HUTCHINS in 1638, he also was a witness to John COX's will in 1696. (Walter Lee Hopkins, Hopkins of Virginia and Related Families, P. 114; Nell Marion Nugent, Cavaliers and Pioneers, 1623-1800, Vol. I (1934 edition), P. 138, see entry for John DAVIS; Cavaliers and Pioneers, 1623-1666, (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 neighbor. CRADDOCK had, at some time, sold 600 acres to John COX, which John COX transferred to John BURTON on March 22, 1665. John BURTON was John COX brother-in-law, husband to his sister Mary. John COX had six sons, and his first wife was the mother to the first five. He made several gifts to them by deed during his lifetime. On Feb. 5, 1685, he gave one tract of 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 one 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), for her dower in the 550 acres of land which he had patented in 1665 (Order of First Families of Virginia, Adventurers of Purse and Person, P. 212-213; Nell Marion Nugent, Cavaliers and Pioneers, P. 547; Walter Lee Hopkins, Hopkins of Virginia and Related Families, P. 114-115; John Frederick Dorman, ed. The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 15, P. 165; Henrico Co. Deeds and Wills 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 neck about 4 miles up the maine creek running up the baye of Warwicksquike, the said neck lying between 2 creeks, &c. 250 acres up towards the head of the maine creek over small creeks or brookes. Transportation of 17 persons: Christ. Denn, Robert Leaderd, Wm. Moyses, Ambrose Proctor, Tho. Weare, Robt. Barton, Rober Joyce, Mathew Tomlin, Jon. Cox, Rich. Redock, David Hopkins, 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., running to the mouth of a navigable creek or branch, etc., Oct. 13, 1642, page 837. 400 acres by assignment from Samuell Davis, & the residue for transportation of himself, wife, and 15 persons: Saml. Davis, Sr. & Eliza. his wife, Saml. Davis, Junr., Jon. Davis, David Ellis, David 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. Hargas, 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 patent called the Longfield, extending northwest towards land of Cornelius de Hull. Due for transportation 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 Bayly, 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 on a great swamp, southerly towards land of Alice Edlowe, Widdow, westerly over the river & easterly into the woods, called by the name of the old field; 300 acres another parte joyning on the head of the Long field pattent, beginning at a white oake marked 4 wayes at the extent of the deviding line of Jno. Burton & Jno. Davies, running along the greate slash southeast by south &c. 600 acres granted to Robt. Craddock & by Hoell Prise, his Attorney, sould unto Jno. Cox, who assigned to said Burton, & 100 acres due for transportation of 2 persons: Ann 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 1666 [1667], page 41. Beginning Richard Carey, adjoining land formerly granted to Edward Welch &c. Transportation of 5 persons: Tho. Miles, Tho. Chambers, Jno. Settle, Jno. Cox, Mary Sharpe.
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 Harrahadockes, over against Kingsland; 23 Sept. 1667, page 52. 281 acres from the river a little below the Orchard from Mr. Arthur Bayly's land, &c. to the lower side of Harrahatoocks Creek mouth, &c. 350 acres on north side of the Rowndaboute &c., to south side thereof at a corner of 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, Jno. 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 John Burton; including nigh half the long feild, over the brass Spring, &c.; half of pattent granted Robert Cradock, & by Howell Price, Attorney of said Cradock, sould to John Cox, who assigned to said Burton; 300 acres due said Davis a ssonn & heire of his father, John Davis; 20 acres 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 Chestucson 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 north 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. Dennis, Wm. Marsh, Morris Joyce, Hen. Allaman, Jno. Browne, Wm. Bernard, Tho. Clark, Tomasin Harris, Jno. Browne, Phill. Pledge, Mary Browne, Jno. Cox, Richd. Warren, Tho. Michell, Jno. Drennett, 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. Dance, 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, page 642. At head of Capt. Jno. Farrar's land; along Capt. Davis' to Jno. Cox at the path goeing to Harrahadox neigh the Spring; neare Baily's path; to the Roundabout, &c. Transportation 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 April 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 of James River, 21 Oct. 1687, page 633. Beginning on the river, a little below the Orchard; by land now, or late, John Cox's; along path to 4 Mile Creek; over the Roundabout Swamp; to land 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 contiguous to said 631 acres; the the nephew Thomas for transportation of 9 persons: George Dick, Thomas Lawrence, Ctsar. Guv. Abasse, George Cooke; one child Maria. Marginal Note: "Fees & Seale 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 point 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 Paine as marrying the daughter of said Lawson; which land was deserted, & now granted by order &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, Ratchell 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 loving 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 Rappahannock River, 21 April 1690, page 39. Adjoining Mrs. Eliz. Cox & Leonard Chamberlin; by Hoskins Creek; to Thomas Pettis; & Thomas Green; down Piscataway Creek; to Mr. John Cox, & plantation of Henry White. Importation of 4 persons [not named]. Note: W. Edwards' certificate to Coll. 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 Bartholomew Cox of same for love and affection, land he lives on in Henrico Parish, 100 acres, at the river, near Ware Bottom. Witnesses: James Cocke, Henry (X) Cox. Signed: John (COX) Cox. Recorded: 2 Oct. 1693.
Page 439, 11 July 1693. John Cox, Sr. of County and Parish of Henrico, planter, for love and affection to my son Bartholomew Cox and his wife Rebecker and their son George Cox, give to my said grandson 1 negro girl Doll, 1 year old. Witnesses: Henry (X) Cox, Ja. Cocke. Signed: 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 1610. He arrived in the Godspeed on June 10, 1610, in the party of Thomas West, Third Lord De La Warr. He may have been a brother of Elizabeth Coxe, daughter of Sir Henry Coxe of Broxburn, Herfordshire, who was married to Robert West, brother of Lord De La Warr. When the muster was taken in February 1624/25, he was listed as William Coxe, age 26, at Elizabeth City, with Thomas Bouldinge. On Sept. 20, 1628, because he qualified as an "ancient planter" - that is, one who had been in the colony before April 1616, the time of departure of Sir Thomas Dale - he was granted a ten-year lease for 100 acres. This land granted to William Coxe, Planter, was located "within the precincts of Elizabeth City...bounded on the south by the maine [James] river."
On Nov. 29, 1636, William Coxe received a patent for 150 acres in Henrico County, for the transportation 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 headrights.
William Coxe and his wife, Elizabeth, made at least one return trip to England, and in 1637 were claimed by Mathew Edloe as headrights. Mathew Edloe, his mother Alice Edloe, and sister Hannah Boyes were all neighbors of William Coxe, owning property adjoining his in Henrico County. Sometime before Dec. 14, 1656, William Coxe and his wife had both died, for on that date, Peter Lee patented 126 acres in Henrico County adjoining the land belonging to the "orphans of William Coxe," and lying on the main (James) river and northeast of the land of Isaac Hutchins. (There is an unreferenced family chart which shows that William Coxe's wife was 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 Matthew Gough to William Cox and Isaac Hutchins, and assigned this interest to John Knowles on Aug. 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 then by his orphans. These land records have been accepted as evidence that John Cox [I] was a son of William Coxe.
John Cox [I] was probably born in Virginia around 1620. There was a Jon Cox who was listed as a headright of John Davis in Oct. 1642. It that was this same person, then he may have travelled to England and returned. John Davis had land which adjoined the land of William Coxe 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 brother-in-law, husband of his sister Mary. John Cox [I] had six sons, and his first wife was the mother of the first five. He made several gifts to them by deed during his lifetime. On Feb. 5, 1685 [1686?], he gave one tract of land to his son William. On July 11, 1693, he gave 100 acres to Bartholomew.
John Cox [I]'s second wife was Mary Kennon, whom he married Sept. 25, 1682. In his will, dated 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 his will was proved Feb. 1, 1696/97, in Henrico County. That same day, his widow filed a suit against five of the sons (all except Richard), for her dower in the 550 acres of land which 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 held 300 acres on the 1704 quit rent roll of Henrico County. His will was probated in Henrico 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 in 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 no 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 children. 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, daughter 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 Sheppey, 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 eight children. He held 300 acres in Henrico County in 1704. His will was probated Feb. 3, 1734/35, in Henrico County.From Kentucky Family Records, Volume 2, Mrs. Edgar L. Cox (editor), page 61 ("Early Virginia Ancestors of our Cox Family and Their Colonial Cousins," compiled by Mrs. David O. Reichlein, submitted by Mrs. Opal Cox Avant):
Matthew Edloe who had land that was next to land of William Cox in Henrico Co., brought 24 servants into the Colony and received 50 acres of land for himself and for each of the 24 servants. This made it an easy way for people to get free passage to the Colony. Thus one can find in the records that the wealthiest men in the Colony did bring in people to get 50 acres of land for each one. Indentured servants were those who had to work for their masters seven 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. The government gave him 50 acres of land. Some of the finest men came over that way, as many of the prominent families of England sent their younger sons, for their law in England of primogeniture favored the first son.
England's claim to possession of territory in the New World was based upon John Cabot's success in 1497 of being the first to reach the mainland of America. It was not until almost one hundred years later that their first attempt at an English settlement was started in America. Queen Elizabeth in 1583 gave Sir Humphrey Gilbert a proprietary patent to go forth and settle the New World. The project was a hopeless defeat and ended in Gilbert's death. Then Queen Elizabeth passed the patent on to Sir Walter Raleigh, half-brother of Sir Gilbert; again efforts to establish a colony were a failure, but Roanoke Island achieved fame as the birthplace of Virginia Dare in 1587 - the first white child of English parents born in the New World.
After King James of Scotland mounted the English throne, he gave his approval for attempts to be made to colonize the New World, and granted charters to the newly organized London Company. The London Company offered each subscriber who would pay twelve pounds and twelve shillings the following: "Lord of 200 acres of land which would be given to him and his heirs forever." Several members of the Bailey family held large shares in this company. The fact that Temperance Bailey, at age 3, had 200 acres of land in her name, might have been her inheritance from her deceased father. Patent to Temperance Bailey, Sept. 20, 1620. The land of John 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 port 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 departed 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 deplorable 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 direction, 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 from England on July 12, 1637. William Cox died before 1656, for on Dec. 14, 1656, Peter Lee was granted 126 acres of land in Henrico County which adjoined "the land belonging to the orphans 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, in New Kent County, as owning 150 acres of land. It would appear that Thomas sold the land inherited from his father, William Cox, to John Knowles, for reference is made in a granted beginning 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 Oct. 1642 was probably a son of William Cox. On March 29, 1665, 550 acres of land was granted to Arthur Bayley (Bailey) next to land of Capt. Edloe, that Arthur Bayley sold to William Johnson, and William Johnson assigned this 550 acres to John Cox [I], also known as John Cox of Harrow Attocks. Thus, it might be assumed that the first wife of John Cox [I] might have been a daughter of William Johnson and the mother of his children. John Cox [I] married second Mary Kennon, Sept. 25, 1682.
William Elam's will, 1688, gives to "son-in-law" John Cox [I] one shilling. The rest to cousin Martin Elam. It is felt that William Elam married the widow of William Cox, who was either the mother or step-mother of John Cox [I], thus John Cox [I] was the step-son of William Elam instead of son-in-law.
In Feb. 1685/86, John Cox [I] of the 1679 Tithe List conveyed 300 acres to son William Cox the elder, and 150 acres to son John Cox, Jr. In 1679, John Cox [I] had five tithes, meaning that he had at lest four sons at age 21 and over, and was known as John Cox of Coxendale, the name of his home.
Will of John Cox [I], Book 2, page 678, Henrico County, Feb. 19, 1691/92, proved 1696, resided at Dutch Gap on the James. Witnesses: John Ironmonger, Thomas Taylor, and John Davis. Mentions 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 attorney Bartholomew Fowler, the case of her dower right in 550 acres, brought suit against the six step-sons for £100 sterling. Real and personal estate of John Cox [I] to be divided equally 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 Gardiner's Creek and Jarret's Spring adjoining land of brother William and Bartholomew Cox, bounded on Capt. Davis' land. John Cox, Jr. married Mary Baugh before 1685, daughter of William Baugh, 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," including a boat landing on James River up toward Culres. William Cox the elder has been confused with his nephew, William Cox the younger. William Cox the younger married Sarah Cocke, daughter of William Cocke; and William Cox the elder had wife Sarah (-) also, thought to have been a Sarah Cocke. (There is a marriage record of a William Cocke to Sarah Dennis, also, a statement that William Cox married Sarah Dennis. It is possible that both statements are correct.)
3. George Cox was left the plantation on which his father, John Cox [I], lived in Henrico County at Harroeattocks. George Cox married Oct. 20, 1697, Martha Stratton, daughter of Edward Stratton, Jr., and his wife, Martha Sheppy. Edward Stratton, Jr. died 1698 and his widow Martha (Sheppy) Stratton married second husband John Brown of Henrico County. George Cox died in Henrico County in 1720, leaving a will probated Feb. 1721. He had four children.
4. Richard Cox married Mary Trent, daughter of Henry Trent and wife Elizabeth Sherman. He left will dated July 13, 1734, probated Feb. 3, 1734/35, Henrico County, witnesses: Michael Turpin, Benjamin Burton, Sr. and Jr. Will of widow Mary (Trent) Cox is in Henrico County, 1735.
5. Bartholomew Cox, born before 1665. On Oct. 2, 1693, Bartholomew was given 100 acres of land by his father, John Cox [I]. Prior to 1693, he had married Rebecca (-), when he was given the land "that Bartholomew lives on" by his father, bounded by Capt. Davis' land. Bartholomew Cox patented 200 acres, Oct. 20, 1697, on Mahook Creek, which land was passed on in his family. Later this land was in Powhatan County. Bartholomew Cox died 1731 in Goochland County, leaving a will in Will Book A, page 215. Children of Bartholomew Cox and wife Rebecca (-) included:
A. George Cox married Martha Walton, daughter of Thomas Walton. George Cox left a will in Goochland County in Will Book 1, page 3, May 21, 1728, witnesses by Frederick Cox, his brother, and Henry Wood, husband of his cousin Martha Cox.
B. Frederick Cox married Elizabeth (-); left will dated May 4, 1754, probated Jan. 27, 1754/55, Cumberland Co., VA, in Will Book 1, page 90.
C. daughter, married Mr. Baugh and had a son, William Baugh, who was listed in the will of his grandfather, Bartholomew Cox.
D. John Cox [II] of Finneywood in Lunenburg County, was a neighbor to his cousin John Cox of Bluestone Creek, Mecklenburg County. John Cox married Mary (-). He was an old man in 1735, died ca. 1765 in Lunenburg County, leaving will in Will Book 2, page 232, Lunenburg County, dated July 16, 1764, proved 1766. Witness: Thomas Taylor. Children of John and Mary (-) Cox were:
i. John Cox, Jr. married Francinia Boulding, July 15, 1758, daughter of Thomas Boulding of Charlotte County. Will 1793/94 in Mecklenburg County.
ii. Bartley Cox married Mary Bouldin, daughter of Thomas Boulding.
iii. Frederick Cox married Millie Estes, daughter of Robert Estes of Lunenburg County, 1759. Later, Frederick and Millie Cox moved to North Carolina in 1781. Widow Millie Cox, administrator to Frederick Cox estate.
iv. Anne Cox, wife of Josiah Shipp.
v. Delitia Cox, wife of William Chandler.
vi. Edith Cox married Joseph Minor.
vii. Mary Cox married Micajah Smithson.
viii. Tabitha Cox married Isham Browder.
E. Mary Cox married Moses Wood, June 13, 1709.
F. William Cox married Elizabeth (-).
6. Henry Cox, the youngest brother, died in Henrico County, unmarried. His brother, George Cox, was administrator of his estate. Will was probated in Henrico County, 1697, proved by Joseph Tanner and Thomas Taylor; sureties: Henry Hatcher and Richard Ligon.From Hopkins of Virginia and Related Families, by Walter Lee Hopkins, J.W. Fergusson & Sons Printers, Richmond, Virginia, 1931, pages 114-117:
Cox Family of Virginia
In the list of "Adventurers," as they were styled in the Charters of the Virginia Companies, 1609 and 1620, the name is spelled Cock, Cocks, Cox, Coxe (Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 3, page 282). William Coxe, aged 26, came over in the Godspeed in 1610. It is most likely that this is the same William Cox whom Governor West granted 100 acres of land in Elizabeth County [City?], Virginia, Sept. 28, 1628 (Land Book I, page 89, Richmond, Virginia); also to whom Gov. John West, under date of Nov. 29, 1636, granted "one hundred and fifty acres of land, situate and being in the County of Henrico, about three miles and a half above Harrowattocks, west and by north upon main river, westerly upon the great Swamp, easterly into the woods, southerly towards Harrowattocks," for the transportation of three heads into the Colony, viz: Thomas Braxton, Richard Bird, and Richard Hewes (Land Book I, page 403). Also to whom Gov. John Harvey, under date Oct. 29, 1637, granted "one hundred fifty acres of land situate, lying and being in the County of Henrico, about three miles and a half above Harrowattocks," for the transportation of three persons into the Colony at his own expense; names of persons not found (Land Book I, page 492). (See Cox notes by Mrs. E.F. O'Gorman, Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 38, pages 157-159.)
John Cox [I] came from England with John Davis the latter part of Oct. 1642, and settled in Henrico County on James River near Harrowattocks. (See Patent Book I, Volume II, page 842, Richmond Land Office.) It is likely that he was closely related to William Coxe, above, probably son, as they settled in the same vicinity. The next record we have of John Cox [I] is a deposition of April 1, 1678, of John Barnfield as to "John Risbees' dog killing Mr. John Coxe's sheep." At a Court held at Varina, June 1, 1678-79 [?], showing that John Cox, Sen., was responsible for the poll taxes of five persons. In Deed Book I, page 364, there is a deed of gift, dated Feb. 5, 1685, from John Cox, Sen., of "Harryaddocks, Planter," to his son William Cox, which deed is witnessed by Bartholomew Cox.
John Cox [I]'s first marriage must have taken place as early as 1650, as his son, Bartholomew Cox, witnessed a deed of gift from John Cox [I] to his son William in 1685. Both William and Bartholomew must have been at least 21 years of age at that time. John Cox [I] must have been born as early as 1620. He left a will dated Feb. 19, 1691/92, which was probated Feb. 1, 1696 [1697?], of record in Book V, page 678, Henrico Co., VA, which the following is an abstract:To son John Cox plantation called by name "New Plantation." To Bartholomew Cox plantation "he now lives on"; to son Richard Cox a negro; to son Henry Cox "plantation I now live on" and a great deal of personal property; to wife, Mary Cox, one silver spoon. Balance of property to be equally divided between my six sons: John Cox, William Cox, Henry Cox, George Cox, Richard Cox, and Bartholomew Cox. Appoints son, George Cox, executor. Witnesses: John Ironmnger, Tho. Taylor, and John Davis.
In Voume I, page 225, Henrico County, is this record: "John Cox, Gent., for Marriage with Mary Kennon, Sept. 25, 1682." It is probable that she was a daughter of William Elam, whose will, dated Feb. 18, 1688 [1689], leaves his son-in-law, John Cox [I], 1 shilling, rest to cousin Martin Elam. William Elam seems to have borne no love towards John Cox [I]. Had any of John [I]'s children been grandchildren of William Elam, it seems that he would have remembered them in his will, instead of leaving practically all of his estate to his cousin. These facts would indicate that the mother of John Cox [I]'s children was not the daughter of William Elam, but that it was his last wife who was his daughter.
Bartholomew Cox, born ca. 1665, in Henrico Co., VA; died (will dated Jan. 14, 1730/31, of record in Goochland Co., VA, Will Book I, page 262). He appointed his wife, Rebeckah, sole executrix, and devised property to his grandsons George Cox and William Baugh; sons Frederick Cox and John Cox [II]. His will was witnessed by Anthony Morgan, Agnes Noulin, and Rebecca Wood. On June 13, 1709, license was granted Moses Wood to marry Mary, daughter of Bartholomew Cox. It is probable that she died without issue, prior to 1730.
In Book 6, page 439, Henrico County records, is a deed dated Oct. 2, 1693, as follows: "Know all men by these presents that I, John Cox, Sen. of the County and Parish of Henrico, planter, doe out of the love and affection for which I bear unto my son Bartholomew Cox and Rebecka his wife, and for ye advancement and promotion of their son George, have given, granted, aliened, assigned, and sett over and by these presents doe freely, clearly, and absolutely give, grant, alien, assign and set over unto my sd. Grandson, George Cox, ye son of Bartholomew Cox and Rebecka his wife, one Negro girl called Doll, being about a year old, to have and to hold the sd. girl and the issue of her body forever. As witness my hand this eleventh July, 1693." Signed: John Cox [I]. Witnesses: Henry Cox, Ja: Cocke.
In Book 5, page 437, Henrico County, there is a deed of gift from John Cox [I] to his son Bartholomew Cox, dated July 11, 1693, in part as follows: "This indenture, made this eleventh day of July in ye fifth year of ye Reign of our Sovereign, Lord and Lady, William and Mary, by the Grace of God of England of France and Ireland, King and Queen defenders of ye faith, etc., and in the year of our Lord God, 1693, between John Cox, Sen., of ye county and parish of Henrico, planter of one part and his son Bartholomew Cox, and for ye better living of him in this world as well as for divers other good causes and considerations," etc., doth grant him 100 acres therein described, etc.From William Hutchins of Carolina, by Jack Randolph Hutchins, Gateway Press, Inc., Baltimore, MD, 1995, pages 634-647:
...used in the Howchins family of St. Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia, where some assume John obtained his bride. New Kent records do not show a Rachel of the age to be the wife of John Burton but some assume that Edward Howchins, father of Rachel baptized in 1686 in St. Peter's Parish, might have had an unknown sister named Rachel, who married John Burton.
Moreover, it was then the custom to name the eldest daughter after the mother. If they followed this custom the wife of John Burton was named Mary. The Burton families and the Coxe families were intermingled in land transactions along the James River which presents the good possibility that Mary Coxe, daughter of William Coxe of Strawberry Banks and probably granddaughter of Robert Hutchins, was the wife of John Burton. If she were his wife it would account for the use of the Hutchins Burton name for the grandson of John Burton.
The setting for the Coxe-Burton-Hutchins story is near a place frequently mentioned in the old records as "Arrowhattocks." In one of its various spellings it was mentioned in the writings of Captain John Smith and was some twelve miles from the "Fales" on a small neck of land on the north side of the James River. The new town of Henrico was planted in 1611 on the large neck of land, also on the north [side] of the river, just to the south of Arrowhattocks. The town was burned by the Indians in 1622, and was never rebuilt. The land is now in the Richmond National Battlefield Park, 1 miles below Fort Hoke, near the intersection of the Osborne Pike and the Kingland Road.
To the north and east of Arrowhattocks was an area known as "Longfield," which was first mentioned in records of 1635, however, the owner's name is not listed. As its location coincides with part of the old "College Plantation" of 10,000 acres between the Falls and the Neck, which belonged to the Virginia Company of London, it is possible that the occupants were tenants. George Thorpe was appointed manager of the College Plantation in 1619. Seventeen people were killed there in the massacre of 1622.
To the northwest of Arrowhattocks on the south side of the James River was Falling Creek, where the first iron furnace in America was established as early as 1610. In 1622, Captain John Berkley was among the 22 people killed at the iron works and others were killed at nearby plantations. In 1635 the place was called Fallen Creek. The massacre of 1622 desecrated the land around Arrowhattocks, and life was slow to return to the area.
Although the Arrowhattocks area is the later setting for the Coxe-Hutchins-Burton family history, it actually begins when William Coxe, then a lad of twelve years, arrived in Virginia on Sunday, June 10, 1610, in the ship Godspeed, which formed part of the convoy headed by Thomas West, Lord De La Warr. Lord De La Warr or Thomas West (1577-1618) was the third of his family to carry the title.
Thomas West had a younger brother, Francis West (1586-1633) who came to America about July 1609 but went to England early in 1610 to return to Virginia the same year. He was involved in a quarrel with Captain John Smith, who is said to have conspired with Powhatan to kill West. Smith, however, was injured by a gunpowder explosion and returned to England on the 5th of October 1609 where he defended his actions. In 1612, Francis succeeded George Percy as commander at Jamestown. The Third Lord De La Warr also had a brother Robert West who married Elizabeth Coxe. It is assumed that the 12-year-old lad William Coxe was related to Elizabeth and came to Virginia in the care of one of his numerous kinsmen. In the muster of 1624 William Coxe was then 26 years old and the only "Ancient Planter" from the Godspeed who was then surviving.
On September 10, 1628, William Cox, planter, received his "Ancient Planter" grant of 100 acres on the north bank of the James River, as recorded in Land Book 1, Part 1, page 89. The location is identified as in Harwoods Neck, bounded on the west by Deep Creek, on the south by the James River, to the east by other patents, and a smaller creek known as Water's Creek. Later this area was known as the Strawberry Bank community. It is south of Blunt Point in Elizabeth City County not far from the present site of the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company. In 1636 he left the Strawberry Bank community and moved up the James River to land in Henrico County near Alice Edloe, probably his sister.
When William Coxe arrived in Strawberry Bank a near neighbor south of Water's Creek was Robert Hutchins, the mariner. Robert had received a patent to these 100 acres below Blunt Point in May 1625. His lands on the Strawberry Bank are mentioned as abutting the land granted on 14 March 1638 to Robert Sweete.
Robert Hutchins was a mariner, ship captain, and has a long but obscure history in the Virginia colony. He is first mentioned in 1611 when George Percy, commander at Jamestown, was indebted to Robert for 25 shillings (VA Hist. Mag., Vol. 57, p. 240). His land patent was dated in May 1625 and in 1628 his land was adjacent to lands then granted to Robert Sweete on Strawberry Bank. Captain John Smith in his 1630 book mentions obtaining from Master Hutchins, in London, the latest information concerning the affairs in Virginia. On July 5, 1656, a land record of Captain Christopher Calthropp mentions as bounds the Strawberry Bank land of Robert Hutchins.
The evidence indicates that Robert, in the earlier years, probably kept his family in England but spent much of his life in Virginia where he probably had tenants on his land. His family has not been identified but land records indicate that he probably had two children who came to Virginia about 1633: a daughter Elizabeth Hutchins, born about 1612, who probably married William Coxe; and a son Isaac Hutchins. The headrights for Isaac's transport, along with those for Robert Craddock, were claimed in 1637 by Captain Thomas Osborne. In the same year Matthew Edlow, Jr. claimed headrights, due his father, for transporting 24 people including William Cox and his wife Elizabeth. These headrights were probably based on the Coxes returning to Virginia after a visit to England. Alice Edlow, the step-mother of Mathew, was probably a sister of William Coxe.
The headrights for the original arrival of Elizabeth Hutchins in Virginia were claimed in 1642 by William Warren. This patent for several hundred acres included the present "Yorkby" near the mouth of the York River. Among the rights exchanged for the land was that of Elizabeth Hutchins. Although the patented land was on the York River, William Warren in 1633 was a near neighbor to both Robert Hutchins and William Coxe on Strawberry Bank. The dates noted for the headrights are difficult to correlate with the actual arrival of the people in the colony. Headrights were bought and sold, and even resold, and also often held for several years to accumulate sufficient rights to exchange for the desired acreage. This system was subject to abuse and consequently was abandoned soon after.
William Coxe and Elizabeth were probably married about 1633 and had at least four children, two daughters and two sons: Thomas and John [I]. Thomas was mentioned in records of May 6, 1665, when it is noted that he had previously sold land at "Warrick" to Mr. John Knowles. This was part of the land on "Fallen Creek" belonging to the orphans of William Coxe. The son John [I] probably married Robert Craddock's daughter and was the only one of William's children known to have left issue. John Cox [I] was born about 1635 and died in Henrico in 1676; he had a son Richard Coxe who died about 1735 in Virginia. Richard married Mary Trent, the daughter of Henry Trent and Elizabeth Sherman, and the granddaughter of Henry Sherman and his wife Cisley, who was the widow of Isaac Hutchins. Mary Trent and Richard Coxe had a daughter Elizabeth Cox, born February 25, 1713. About 1731 their daughter Elizabeth married Strangeman Hutchins, son of Nicholas Hutchins and Mary Watkins.
The Coxe-Hutchins-Burton families are first recorded around Arrowhattocks starting on November 10, 1635, when Alice Edloe, widow, obtained 350 acres in Henrico County, between "Harrow Attocks" and the Falls on the same side of the river that "Harrow Attocks" lyeth. The Great Swamp was on the east side of her land. The Falling Creek was "over against," across the river and opposite "The Great Field" lands of Alice. Her land was in part of the old "College Plantation." These lands are located on the James River about nine miles below the present Richmond. Her daughter Hannah Boyce also patented lands joining her mother.
The lands patented in 1635 by Alice Edloe, widow, were in the area of Henrico County destroyed by the Indians in 1622. Alice Edloe was the widow of Luke Boyce who arrived in the colony on the Edwin in May of 1619. His wife Alice and their daughter Hannah, born about [date cut off on photocopy] in England, arrived in 1622 on the Bona Nova. Luke died on the 21st of June 1625 and Alice then married Mathew Edloe, who died about 16[remainder of year cut off on photocopy]. When Alice and Hannah moved north, her step-son Mathew, Jr. stayed on his father's land in James City, but records referred to Alice as the owner.
About a year later William Coxe with his wife Elizabeth and Isaac Hutchins, who probably was his brother-in-law, obtained land in Henrico next to Alice Edloe. William probably lived in the Varina community from which he represented Henrico as a Burgess in 1646. He is at times confused with the prominent Richard Cocke family which arrived in the colony about 1635 but who had no William of the age of Willam Coxe.
William Coxe retained his 100 acres "Ancient Planter" seat on Strawberry Bank, although presumably his 10-year lease had expired in 1638 but was probably renewed, for in 1642 he was still recorded as the owner of these lands. William and Alice both recorded their Henrico patents on the same day, November 29, 1636. In 1638 William Coxe and Isaac Hutchins had joint ownership of land in the "Lilly Valley" area of Henrico next to Alice.
About 1652 John Burton probably married Mary Coxe, daughter of William Coxe and Elizabeth Hutchins. Their first child, Mary Burton, was born in 1654, about two years before the death of William Coxe. After his death his widow, Elizabeth (Hutchins?) Coxe married William Elam, whose will dated 1688 mentions his son-in-law John Cox [I] (son-in-law then meant step-son). She died in 1665 and John Coxe [I] and Mary (Coxe) Burton, children of William and Elizabeth Coxe, probably settled her estate.
Alice (Coxe?) Edloe's daughter Hannah Boyce on the 11th of November 1635 also obtained 300 acres near Arrowhattocks joining upon the north side of the land of Alice Edloe, her mother. This claim was renewed on the 13th of July 1637. The land on the north side of Hannah's property was acquired on June 1, 1636 by James Place when he was granted 550 acres. James Place's land was later found to escheate to his Majesty as by inquisition dated September 5, 1663, and was then re-granted on December 30, 1663 to John Brown and Edward Hatcher. James Place was also assigned an additional 60 acres to the north of his new land on June 14, 1636 by Christopher Branche. These 60 acres were later acquired on April 10, 1638 by John (or Thomas) Barton.
On the 29th of November 1636, William Coxe obtained 150 acres on the east side of the Great Swamp which separated his land from the land of Alice Edloe. He also must have acquired additional lands to the east, for in 1637 he assigns these easterly lands to Robert Craddock and John Davis. Robert Craddock's daughter was later to marry William's son John Coxe [I], and John Davis was later to marry Mary Burton, daughter of John Burton and Mary Coxe, and granddaughter of William Coxe. John Davis, the husband of Mary Burton, named the land he acquired from William Coxe as "Longfield."
Davis increased his land on October 31, 1642, when he acquired an additional 200 acres adjacent to his Longfield patent extending northwest towards the lands of Cornelius de Hull. At this time John Davis was given credit for the transport of his wife Mary Davis and her three servants and also John Cox [I] and others.
The plantation "Longfield" was sold by John Davis to John Coxe [I] in 1665, about the time of the death of Elizabeth Coxe, mother of John Coxe [I]. John Coxe [I] then assigned the 700-acre plantation "Longfield" to John Burton, husband of his sister Mary Coxe, probably as her share of her mother's estate. John Coxe [I] then acquired for himself a plantation of 550 acres at Arrowhattocks.
William, who died about 1656, also had 250 acres of land across the river at the mouth of Falling Creek obtained in partnership with Isaac Hutchins on the 1st of September 1642. These lands belonged on December 14, 1656, to "the orphans" (then meaning heirs, not minor children) of William Coxe. On that date Peter Lee acquired 126 acres called "Worricke" bounded on the southwest by a small run, at a place called London Bridge, which divided his land from land belonging to the orphans of William Coxe, bounded on the southeast by the main river and on the northeast by Isaac Hutchins.
Isaac Hutchins also obtained his 378-acre grant of land in "Worricks" on the 14th of December 1656. It was lying next to land of Peter Lee, southeast on the main river and northeast to a place called "Porringers Spring." Isaac was probably the son of Robert Hutchins, the mariner, and brother to Elizabeth Coxe, wife of William Coxe. Isaac had other lands on the south side of the river near "Worricks," for on the 1st of September 1642, he bought 250 acres in partnership with William Coxe at the mouth of Falling Creek.
The "Worricks" land was in addition to land Isaac had on the north side of the James River near "Lilly Valley" as noted when on May 29, 1638, Robert Craddock acquired 300 acres in Henrico County, bounding northly on a little creek towards "Lilley Valley" upon land of William Coxe and Isaac Hutchins and south bounding on land of John Davis. This puts the land of Isaac east of the "Great Field" of Alice Edloe.
Isaac Hutchins probably came to Virginia about 1633 prior to the 16th of June 1637 when Captain Thomas Osborne was given credit for Isaac's headrights. Isaac married Cicely "Sisly" and had one child, a son Robert, who was mentioned in Isaac's will of February 23, 1656. In April 1714 the Henrico court concluded that Robert, son of Isaac, died under age and without issue, and thus the lands of Isaac reverted to his wife Cicely. She had married Henry Sherman after the death of Isaac. Her granddaughter, Mary Trent, married Richard Coxe, the grandson of William Coxe. Mary Trent and Richard Cox had a daughter Elizabeth Cox, born February 25, 1713, who about 1731 married Strangeman Hutchins, son of Nicholas Hutchins and Mary Watkins of Henrico County.
On the same day, November 29, 1636, that William Coxe was awarded his claim for land east of the Great Swamp of Alice Edloe, she obtained an additional 50 acres of land on the north side of the river about halfway between "The Great Field" and and the Arrowhattocks neck. The north edge of this land adjoined "Longfield." Also, because of a land dispute on June 1, 1637, Alice Edloe, widow, renewed her claim for the 350 acres of "The Great Field" between Arrowhattocks and the Falls, and on the 14th of July in the same year she claims the 100 acres of the swamp between "The Great Field and the lands of her brother, William Coxe, to the east.
On the 8th of December 1653 Mathew Edloe, her step-son (we now use the term step-son but at that time it was called son-in-law), was granted 281 acres near "Harrahatocks." He assigned this land to Thomas Taylor on the 20th of March 1662.
On August 15, 1637, the 600 unoccupied acres south of the old "Longfield" and north of the river between the lands of William Coxe and the 50 acres she just acquired were acquired by Robert Craddock and John Davis. This acquisition included 300 acres which were assigned by William Coxe and Richard Carpenter. Part of the 600 acres of Craddock and Davis was on the south side of the river "over against" the lands of William Coxe. John Davis, the husband of Mary Burton, granddaughter of William Coxe, named the land he acquired from William Coxe as "Longfield." Craddock later sold this land to John Cox [I], who assigned it to John Burton. Burton also obtained 100 additional acres for transporting two people.
In 1637 came the advent of large plantations near Arrowhattocks when on February 6, 1637, Captain Thomas Osborne established the 1,000-acre plantation "Fearing" over against (across the river and opposite) Arrowhattocks. Thomas Osborne was given credit for transporting Robert Craddock, Isaac Hutchins, and others. On the 16th of June 1637, Thomas Osborne, Jr. also obtained 500 acres, which he called "Batchelers Bancke," adjoining the north side of "Fearing."
On September 24, 1638, Alice Edloe increased her 50-acre "lot" just above Arrowhattocks to 150 acres (probably based on a resurvey of the land). In 1642 the land east and south of "Mrs. Edloe's Swamp" was acquired by Cornelius de Hull. The creek on the north of his land, which feeds into the swamp, he named "Lilley Valley." Later the name was changed to Cornelius Creek. This was the same land acquired in 1637 by William Coxe, but the book Cavaliers and Pioneers does not record the acquisition by de Hull. On October 31, 1642, de Hull extended his land known as Lilley Valley by 502 acres beginning next to Mrs. Edloe's Swamp, near his own land and southeast upon John Davis and southwest to the river. Part of this land, 250 acres, was in the grant to William Coxe in 1637.
Upon the death of his mother, about 1665, John Coxe [I] bought "Longfield," of 700 acres, on March 22, 1665, from John Davis and assigned it to John Burton, husband of Mary Coxe his sister, probably as her share of her mother's estate. Burton called the estate "Oldfield." However, many writers now refer to the Burton family of "Longfield." At the same time John Coxe [I] acquired his 550-acre plantation at Arrowhattocks. John Cox [I]'s new plantation and John Burton's "Oldfield" were separated by the 150 acres of land which Captain Mathew Edloe obtained in 1653.
John Burton (1632-1689) and his wife Mary (Coxe) Burton had seven children, among them Robert Coxe [?] of "Longfields." Robert (1665-1724) married Mary, probably a Nowell, and have five children, one being named Hutchins Burton (1694-1763). Hutchins Burton married Susannah Allen and became the progenitor of numerous Hutchins Burtons, one a governor of North Carolina, long after the source of the name had been forgotten.
Although Simon Oliver Coxe (1877-1955) did extensive research on the Coxe family of Arrowhattocks, he is a descendant of William Coxe through John Burton who married Mary Coxe, daughter of William Coxe. His own Coxe paternal line is an entirely different family not associated with the James River Coxes.
Craddock was born about 1640. She died before 25 Sep 1682 in , Henrico, Virginia. She married John Cox I about 1660 in Virginia.
They had the following children:
M i Bartholomew Cox
Benjamin W Edgar Smithson [Parents] was born in 1839 in Alabama. He married Elizabeth Jane Maxwell.
1 NOTE !INDIVIDUAL GENERAL SOURCE NOTES: 1850 CENSUS JEFFERSON,AL
Elizabeth Jane Maxwell.Elizabeth married Benjamin W Edgar Smithson.
Henry Kelby Byars 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 was born on 5 Jun 1829 in , Jefferson, Alabama. He died on 11 Apr 1911 in , Jefferson, Alabama. He was buried in Union Hill Cemetary, Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama. He married Laura E Massey on 8 Jan 1851 in , Jefferson, Alabama.
Laura E Massey [Parents] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 was born on 9 Jul 1833 in , Jefferson, Alabama. She died on 19 May 1904 in , Jefferson, Alabama. She was buried in Union Hill Cemetary, Homewood, , Alabama. She married Henry Kelby Byars on 8 Jan 1851 in , Jefferson, Alabama.
1 NOTE !INDIVIDUAL GENERAL SOURCE NOTES: 1850 CENSUS-JEFFERSON CO
They had the following children:
F i Mary Jane Byars M ii James Nathan Byars F iii Rebecca Byars 1 was born on 16 Mar 1855 in Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama. She died in 1855. M iv Thomas Joshua Byars M v Sum Eugene Byars F vi Harriette Andora Byars F vii Rhoda Eva Byars F viii Laura L. L. Byars 1 was born on 13 Jan 1867 in , Jefferson, Alabama. M ix Henry Merrell Byars M x Almoth Walter Byars M xi Jesse Judson Byars F xii Rosaleen Byars "Ros" 1 was born on 15 Mar 1875 in , Jefferson, Alabama. She died on 2 Dec 1901.
Ethan Allen Smithson [Parents] was born about 1851. He married Sarah Glenn.
1 NOTE !INDIVIDUAL GENERAL SOURCE NOTES:
!INDIVIDUAL GENERAL SOURCE NOTES: BESSEMER,,AL
Sarah Glenn.Sarah married Ethan Allen Smithson.
Conrad Smithson [Parents] was born about 1854. He married Nancy Glenn.
1 NOTE !INDIVIDUAL GENERAL SOURCE NOTES:
!INDIVIDUAL GENERAL SOURCE NOTES: BESSEMER,,AL
Nancy Glenn.Nancy married Conrad Smithson.
1 NOTE !INDIVIDUAL GENERAL SOURCE NOTES: BESSEMER, ,AL
Henry King.Henry married Mary E Smithson.
1 NOTE !INDIVIDUAL GENERAL SOURCE NOTES:
!INDIVIDUAL GENERAL SOURCE NOTES: McCALLA,,AL
Mary E Smithson [Parents] was born about 1859. She married Henry King.
1 NOTE !INDIVIDUAL GENERAL SOURCE NOTES:
!INDIVIDUAL GENERAL SOURCE NOTES: McCALLA,,AL
Walter Smithson [Parents] was born about 1865. He married Fannie Vance.
1 NOTE !INDIVIDUAL GENERAL SOURCE NOTES:
!INDIVIDUAL GENERAL SOURCE NOTES: McCALLA,,AL
Fannie Vance.Fannie married Walter Smithson.
1 NOTE !INDIVIDUAL GENERAL SOURCE NOTES:
!INDIVIDUAL GENERAL SOURCE NOTES: McCALLA,,AL
Edward Everette Smithson [Parents].Edward married Mary E Jennings.
John Smithson Jr [Parents] 1 was born about 1710 in , Louisa, Virginia. He married Jennie in 1749 in Albemarle, Virginia.
Information about John Jr. provided by Mildred Fournier
Jennie 1 was born about 1712 in Hanover, Virginia. She married John Smithson Jr in 1749 in Albemarle, Virginia.
They had the following children:
M i Samuel Smithson M ii Drummond Smithson
Jasper William Smithson [Parents] was born on 3 Feb 1835 in Alabama. He died on 3 Mar 1906. He married Sarah E Cardwell on 9 Oct 1861 in Jefferson, Alabama.
Sarah E Cardwell.Sarah married Jasper William Smithson on 9 Oct 1861 in Jefferson, Alabama.
They had the following children:
M i James A Smithson was born in 1848 in Alabama. M ii John Smithson. F iii Rhoda Smithson.