Cox

There was one distinct family of this name in the Stogurcey area during the 18th-9th centuries, although one has to include Stockland Bristol, Steart & Otterhampton in this place description. Indentifying was difficult due to much of the area coming within Huntspill parish, even though it was the opposite side of the river Parret. However,  we have Cox's farm at Steart inhabited by a William Cox, yeoman farmer his son William farmed at Whitewick farm. There also one Thomas Cox who was a customs and excise man at Warren House on Steart point. There are also others but relationships are not truly proved.

One map of the area shows an interesting structure named Cox's Folly but any other information has not yet been found. Its site looks to be on or quite near to where the remains of a WW2 pill box is?

My family line can be traced to one Arthur Cox who was sexton for St Andrews church 18th century, and caretaker of the chandlier that hangs from the roof in the centre of the aisle. His origin has not yet neen traced but family lore says that he and his wife Jane came to Burnham from Combwich. This being so may mean that he was of Irish origin?

There have been quite a few families of Cox in these areas, the first recorded are spelt Cok or Cock in the 17th century. Most have been farmers and farm workers.

To add to your collection of COX families there was also a COX family in Lympsham.  There is a fascinating book published in 1992 entitled "A Diary Discovered!"  edited by Peter Hokins and Cindy Tratt which purports to be a diary of a Thomas COX who was born in Lympsham in July 1823. Although the diary theme is a ploy to research the village,  the people and the historical events are accurately recorded and the book is good to read - with all sources quoted.

Using our transcriptions on this site you can find his baptism in August 1823 and trace his famliy back. - but as you say there are a lot of people called COX in this neck of the woods. 

Yes Pat - I have all the Lympsham Coxes and most of those living in the Levels. Without referring to my records, 'twas a Cox who was the builder at Lympsham who was responsible for quite a few of the dwellings there also for church repairs. A Benjamin Cox who rests in the churchyard, was a prolific painter and Herald.

Thanks for the book ref, I'll try and find a copy.