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Cox, Francis Blakemore and William Cox

Fred Stahl

Fred Stahl

proper brummie kid
I am researching William Cox (b. 1847-8 -- d. 1907, New York) and his relationship (if any) with Francis Blakemore Cox, or possibly some other scientific instrument maker in the Birmingham area from that period.
William Cox emigrated to the US in 1890. My records from the US show that William's father was John Cox and his mother was Elisabeth Parker.
I believe (not sure) that Francis Blakemore Cox was William's uncle.
It is my hunch that Francis Blakemore Cox either had other children of his own whom, eventually, inherited his business, or the Francis' company was sold to someone outside the family, forcing William to leave the Birmingham area. If that is the case I would like to know this, including associated people and dates.
When William arrived in the US he immediately entered the scientific instrument trade working with Keuffel & Esser Co.(K&E) a scientific instrument maker in New York. William must have been trained in the engineering trades (he used the title of C E for either Civil Engineer or Consulting Engineer). Information on his education would be helpful also.

I also have information that in the 1860s Wilhelm J D Keuffel, (born in Germany) founder of K&E. worked in the Birmingham area. He emigrated in 1866 to New York and went into the scientific instrument trade, initially importing to the US from Europe. Do you show any information on him and his activities in Birmingham? If William Cox and Keuffel knew each other in Birmingham that would be a great piece of information to learn.
 
October 1882 FBC, 50 Camden St, was at Bankruptcy Court, petition for liquidation.

(Another article says rule Manufacturer)
 
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March 1859 Partnership dissolved in silver and electroplating business in Camden St. (Cox, Russell and Potter), this was carried on by FBC.
 
There appear to be 4 men called Francis Blakemore Cox.

A Francis Blakemore Cox b1816 Bham (died young) a Francis Blakemore Cox b1824 Bham, both sons of a Francis Blakemore Cox b1783 Wolverhampton, son of a Francis Blakemore Cox b1749.

Francis b1824 was a Rule Maker in Bham but appears to have had only sisters apart from his namesake who died young.

Francis b1783 was also a Rule Maker in Bham (1841) appears to have had 2 brothers - George Skinner & Joseph. George was a brewer in Bham and had at least 4 sons, none named John though. Joseph a little less sure but possibly never married.

Back to Francis b1824. He had at least 3 sons (2 possibly die young) and a step son and whilst in 1881 they are listed as Rule Makers on later censuses they are both listed as Commercial Travellers in the Grocery Trade.
 
In 1853 there was the death of Francis Blakemore Cox, rule-maker of Camden St. Maybe the father of the above mentioned FBCs ?
 
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Thank you for the quick reply with so much information. I think it is reasonable to suggest that the F B Cox born in 1824 is the individual that may have had an association with William Cox.
I also think the question, now, is whether there is a record of a William Cox born around 1847 +/- 1 year with parents John Cox and Elisabeth Parker? Do we have a birth record for him? Next, to see if John is related to Francis in some way. If William apprenticed as a youth to him, that would have been somewhere in the 1860s. Where would William have gone to school to get a CE certification? Was there an institute in Birmingham at that time?
 
The Institute of Mechanical engineers, which I suppose is the most relevant institution, was founded in 1847. But Quqlifications around that time were, I believe, sometimes assumed and what is claimed is not always backed up.
 
Between 1847 and 1849 there are 4 people named William Cox whose births are registered in Birmingham. None have mmn Parker.
 
Fred Stahl said:
Thank you for the quick reply with so much information. I think it is reasonable to suggest that the F B Cox born in 1824 is the individual that may have had an association with William Cox.
I also think the question, now, is whether there is a record of a William Cox born around 1847 +/- 1 year with parents John Cox and Elisabeth Parker? Do we have a birth record for him? Next, to see if John is related to Francis in some way. If William apprenticed as a youth to him, that would have been somewhere in the 1860s. Where would William have gone to school to get a CE certification? Was there an institute in Birmingham at that time?
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had a quick look but i cant find any baptisms in birmingham for a william cox with parents john and elizabeth

lyn
 
You are showing me baptisms for 1861. The William Cox am looking for was born about 1847-8. Perhaps that is why you are not finding parents of John and Elisabeth.
 
Fred Stahl said:
You are showing me baptisms for 1861. The William Cox am looking for was born about 1847-8. Perhaps that is why you are not finding parents of John and Elisabeth.
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the baptisms are all dated 1861 but if you look in column 2 it gives us the dates of birth of the children...ie william was born may 31st 1847
 
Okay, I see that. Thank you for pointing that out. So, the conclusion is that William in the parish record does not have John and Elisabeth as parents. Might there be other records from Birmingham outside the Parish church?
 
Fred Stahl said:
Okay, I see that. Thank you for pointing that out. So, the conclusion is that William in the parish record does not have John and Elisabeth as parents. Might there be other records from Birmingham outside the Parish church?
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there could be but william cox is a common name and without more definate info its like looking for a needle in a haystack..however you could join ancestry (world wide if you dont live in the uk) to access our records here
 
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There couldn't be many William Cox's who were born in Birmingham between 1847 and 1848 and the parents were John and Elisabeth.
 
There appear to be no William Cox born in the mid to late 1840s listed (baptism or census) in the Bham area whose parents were John & Elizabeth. There is a William son of John & Eliza but her maiden name wasn't Parker.

On the 2 records which I think are his (immigration & 1900 census) I can't see anything to suggest that he was born in the area.
 
GRO
William Cox b 3rd qtr 1844 St James Clarkenwell mmn Parker
I can't find any other William Cox with mmn Parker

1845 Thomas Cox b Birmingham mmn Parker
1859 Henry Cox b Birmingham mmn Parker
 
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Fred Stahl said:
What births for William Cox do you see for that time period? Who were the parents?
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Parents names only visible if you buy birth certs.

William Cox b Birmingham
1847 1st qtr mmn Warry
1847 2nd qtr mmn Lines
1848 2nd qtr mmn Hawkins
1849 4th qtr mmn Warbrick
 
When did the William born to John and Eliza occur?
You are correct. We have no way to tie him to Birmingham other than his complete knowledge of the slide rule trade.
There was a William Cox in Devon, but I have ruled him out as a possible parent.
There may be others in the UK but it is getting very unlikely.
 
As far as I can make out there was only one crossing from Le Havre to New York by La Champagne in the month of October 1890. The is a passenger list for the La Champagne when it sailed on the morning of the 27th Setember, but none for October.

When the ship sailed in September it arrived belated around 6th October and was back passing the Lizard on the 18th October. I think it would be reasonable to assume that the only crossing in October would be the 25th. There is no information concerning William, but he would have crossed the Pond with Messrs O'Brian and Dillon.

These gentlemen had escaped from Ireland and spent reportedly six days on a yacht before reaching Le Havre, They would take part in fund raising for the cause of Home Rule for Ireland. Mr O’Brian said that when he returned to Ireland he would be proud to be proclaimed a criminal.

So why did William travel to Le Havre when there were opportunities to sail from England?
 
I believe (I have the passenger list) that he landed in NY on Nov. 3, meaning he had to leave in Oct.
I believe he traveled from Le Havre because he was living in France then.
 
pjmburns said:
Parents names only visible if you buy birth certs.

William Cox b Birmingham
1847 1st qtr mmn Warry
1847 2nd qtr mmn Lines
1848 2nd qtr mmn Hawkins
1849 4th qtr mmn Warbrick
Click to expand...
I am concentrating on the William Cox born in the 2nd qtr of 1847 with mmn Lines. Can you walk me through the process of getting the birth certificate or any other information I might need about this birth and how I can pay for it?
 
Register for free here

When you are logged in you will get this screen
1740047368578.png
Click on "search the GRO indexes"
1740047493712.png
click on "birth"
Use the drop down menu to find 1847 and you get
Enter the details
1740047620011.png
You will then see his birth reg details.
1740047664980.png

click in the circle on left side and you get a choice.
If all you want are the details then, if available as it is here. click on "digital image" (this gets you the centre details from the full certificate).
You will then be guided through payment by card. Once paid the information will change and you will see the option to view. Click there and the details open - you can view and download.
Digital image is instant and only £3.
PDF or full cert take a while and are more expensive.

Good luck and let us know how you get on. Thanks
 
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