Herbert Palmer COX (1748 - 1824)

Herbert Palmer COX was christened 29 September 1748 at Saint-Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, London, England. His father was John George COX and his mother was Prisca. Her surname has been given as PHILPOT by other researchers, but research in 2007 points to the possibility that it was RANDALL. Herbert's brothers and sisters were:

• Henrietta COX was christened on December 15, 1732 at Saint Paul Covent Garden, Westminster, London, England. She married John LE ROUSSAU on December 24, 1757 at Saint Martin in the Fields, Westminster, London, England. They had at least one child, John George LE ROUSSAU, christened on May 13, 1759 at Saint Paul Covent Garden, Westminster, London, England.

• Peter COX, born between 1732 - 1748, probably in London.

• Theodoria/Theodosia COX, born between 1732 - 1748, probably in London.

• Henry Andriese COX was christened on October 31, 1733 at Saint Paul Covent Garden, Westminster, London, England.

• Thomas Holt COX, was christened on December 27, 1735 at Saint Paul Covent Garden, Westminster, London, England.

• Harriott Holt COX was born about 1737, probably in London. She married James JEUDWINE (Judevin/Jeudvine) on February 14, 1763 at St. Margaret, Canterbury, Kent, England.

• Anna Wilhelmina COX was christened on February 28, 1740 at Saint Lawrence, Exeter, Devon, England. She married Robert ATKINS on March 16, 1762 at Saint Clement Danes, Westminster, London, England.

• Margaretta COX was christened on May 06, 1744 at Saint Martin In The Fields, Westminster, London, England. She married Francis LAWSON on May 03, 1763 at Saint Paul Covent Garden, Westminster, London, England.

• George Lloyd COX January 29, 1746, likely twin with John Philpot COX.

• John Philpot COX January 29, 1746, likely twin with George Lloyd COX.

It's not yet known what led Herbert Palmer COX to leave England for St. Vincent, between 1770 and 1774. He was married on St. Vincent on 06 August 1774 to Jane ALEXANDER, the daughter of the Hon. Harry ALEXANDER and Lydia MARTIN. Alexander was from Aberdeen, Scotland, while Martin was a native of Antigua. COX was a prominent individual on St. Vincent, serving as the Clerk of the Court, and also listed as a member of a "Friendly Club" in 1785. His name (H. P. COX), and those of the other members, was found engraved on a silver snuff box owned by James HAZELL.

COX held several ranks in the St. Vincent Island Militia from at least 1789 until his death. His name is found in the St. Vincent Militia Commanders lists as Ensign in 1789, serving under Lieut. Colonel John GREATHEAD. In 1799, he is listed as Adjutant H. P. COX, in 1806 as Captain Herbert Palmer COX, in 1814 as Captain H. P. COX, and in 1821 with the "Light Horse", as Captain Adjutant H. P. COX. An 1816 newspaper notice in the Times of London notes him as Clerk of the Assembly of St. Vincent in 1815. Since it is known from St. Vincent vital records that he owned slaves, it is speculated that he owned at least one sugar plantation in addition to his governmental duties. Herbert Palmer COX is believed to have lived in Queen's Bay, St. Andrew's Parish, St. Vincent. While his burial place is unknown, his death is recorded in the records of St. George's Anglican Cathedral in Kingstown, St. Vincent as 08 April 1824.

The children of Herbert Palmer COX and Jane ALEXANDER were:

• Lydia Prisca COX (twin), christened 20 August 1775 in St. George's Anglican Cathedral, Kingstown, St. Vincent. She married Hugh Mill/Mills BUNBURY on 06 August 1791 in St. Vincent.

• Margaret Jane COX (twin), christened 20 August 1775 in St. George's Anglican Cathedral, Kingstown, St. Vincent. Her christening record lists her name as Margaret Jeana Cox. She was married 29 August 1796 to Dr. Alexander MELVILLE, a former Army Surgeon.

• John George COX is believed to have been born about 1777 but has no christening record at St. George's Anglican Cathedral in Kingstown, St. Vincent. The lack of the record is likely attributed to the unstable times between the First Carib War and the French takeover of 1778. He married before 1798, likely during the Second Carib War, to Jane Ann, maiden name unknown. They had at least three children: John George COX, Frances Lydia COX, and Herbert Palmer COX and Jane Ann COX. He married again and had more children.

• Harry Palmer COX was born between 1778 & 1780 in St. Vincent. While there is no christening date found in the the records there, a burial date is given as 30 December 1780. Listed in the burial records as Harry PALMER, son of Herbert and Jane, his wife. His last name being listed as PALMER is a suspected transcription error and that he was in fact, Harry Palmer COX.

• Francis James COX, christened 09 January 1785 in St. George's Anglican Cathedral, Kingstown, St. Vincent. He also lived on the nearby Island of St. Lucia, likely as part of his military assignment. He was married sometime before 1813 to Mary, a free woman of colour.

• Anne Elizabeth COX, christened 02 August 1787 in St. George's Anglican Cathedral, Kingstown, St. Vincent. She James GRANT.

• Paul Greathead COX, christened 18 October 1789 in St. George's Anglican Cathedral, Kingstown, St. Vincent. He died 04 December 1789.

• Douglas Leith COX christened 27 December 1792 in St. George's Anglican Cathedral, Kingstown, St. Vincent. He married in St. Vincent on 17 March 1821 to Magdalen SUTHERLAND, daughter of George SUTHERLAND and Margaret MELVILLE of Montrose, Scotland and St. Vincent.