John George Cox

Profile & Legacies Summary

1778 - 17^th Apr 1852

Claimant or beneficiary

Biography

Awarded the compensation for two enslaved people, identified as Louise and John on St Vincent.

In 1841 John George Cox aged 60 HP Army was living at Ford [sp] Cottage, Porlock Somerset with Sarah aged 52 born Somerset and two servants. In 1851 John Geo Cox aged 73 widower Capt Half Pay in the Army born St Vincent West Indies was living at East Street South Molton Devon with one servant.
The transcription of John George Cox's will dated 10/06/1851 on a genealogical site shows him leaving nothing to his daughters Jane Ann McLean or Frances Lydia Swire 'as they will succeed to the property of their mother', and £5 to his son Harry Alexander Cox 'for his disobedience and folly.' The sole legatee was his daughter Elizabeth Ann Smyth whose husband William Gould Smyth was made sole executor.
Death of John George Cox registered South Molton Devon Q2 1852.
The John George Cox gentleman of Trinidad whose will was made 04/01/1841 and proved 09/12/1853 must have been related to the John George Cox of the award, although the details of the will in 2 above are not entirely consistent with John George Cox of Trinidad being the son of John George Cox of Porlock and South Molton. In his will proved 09/12/1853, John George Cox 'about to proceed from the City of Bristol to the Island of Trinidad' 'declare[s] that I am the oldest son of John George Cox and Jane Ann Cox of St Vincent'. He left his estate to his step-son John Melville Guilding, the son of his wife Charlotte Lydia by her marriage with the Rev. Lansdown Guilding.

Sources

St Vincent no. 488. T71/1593 p 117 22/2/1836 letter to Capt J.G. Cox, H[alf]P[ay] 40th Regiment Porlock re award of this claim in response to his letter of 18/2/1836 in which he asked how much he could expect and how to proceed. 'This is a subject with which I am totally unacquainted.' NB also letter from John George Cox 7/10/1835: 'Having two apprentices in the island of St Vincent named Louise and John - for whom I claim compensation - may I be permitted to know how and how much?

1841 and 1851 census online.
Familysearch film number 004626943 - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939F-PXQ5-R [accessed 30/07/2020].
FreeUKGen, England and Wales Free BMD Database, Deaths, 1837-1983 [database online].
PROB 11/2182/109.

We are grateful to Peter Selley for his assistance with compiling this entry.

Further Information

Absentee?

British/Irish

Spouse

(1)? Jane Ann (2) Sarah

Children

At least 5

Will

Familysearch film number 004626943 - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939F-PXQ5-R [accessed 30/07/2020] - precis.

John George Cox of the town of South Mounlton [sic - Molton] in the county of Devon, a captain in half pay in Her Majesty's Army.

My body to be buried in the nearest churchyard to which I may die with as small an expense and as private as possible.

I leave nothing of my effects to my daughters Jane Ann McLean or Francis Lydia Swin as they will succeed to the property of thier mother.

To my son Harry Alexander Cox £5 for his disobedience and folly.

To my daughter Elizabeth Ann Smyth all monies and arrears of pay which I may possess or be due to me at the time of my decease together with all my household goods and furniture and other effects to which I might be entitled for her sole use and benefit.

Her husband William Gould Smyth to be sole executor.

Should my present servant Mary Taylor be living with me at the time of my decease that my wearing apparel may be given to her for her long and faithful service.

Signed 10/06/1851. Witnesses William Lock Brayley and John Brayley.

Proved by William Gould Smyth of Southmolton, Devon, Gentleman, stating that John George Cox died 17/04/1852 and proved 24/04/1852. Personal estate and effects in the Archdeaconry of Barnstaple and Diocese of Exeter under £100.

Occupation

Soldier