Mary Cox

Henrico County: Will of Mary Cox, 2 February 1735, of parish and county of Henrico. To loving son Richard Cox a steer and a mare, 4 sheep, 7 hogs, 3 sows, 4 barrows, and 240 lbs. of tobacco due to me by my son John Cox. To daughter Obedience Purkins two suits of my clothes; to my granddaughter Obedience Purkins my spinning wheel and card. Son Richard sole executor. Witnesses: Benjamin Burton and Benjamin Burton, Jr

————

John's first wife, the mother of five of his sons, may have been a daughter of Robert Craddock, his partner in "Longfield." However, this is only speculation. John married second Mary Kennon 22 September (license) 1682. & They were the parents of Richard Cox. On 5 February 1685/6 John Cox Sr. gave to John Cox Jr. land on the road to "Curles" at Arrowhattocks. & Thomas Taylor held adjacent land. John's will identified six sons, mentioned no daughters, and left his wife one silver spoon. Witnesses to his will were John Ironmonger, Thomas Taylor, and John Davis (will dated 19 Feb. 1691/2, & recorded 1 Feb. 1696/7 &).

There seems to be confusion as to who was Mary. Some people think she was Mary Elam, the daughter of William Elam; some believe her to be Mary Kennon.

———

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.

————

SOURCES: "Hutchins-Hutchens, Descendants of Strangeman Hutchins", "Born 1707, of the James River in Virginia and Surry (Yadkin) County, North Carolina", Vol. 1, Addenda, Appendix III.; 3 Vols; Compiled, edited, and indexed by Rita Hineman Townsend, 1606 N. 3rd St., Garden City, Kansas, 67846; Vol. I, © 1979 Gateway Press, Inc., Baltimore.