John William Cox (1880 – 1929)

Stilton Grocer, Butcher, Postmaster, Chairman - Parish Council, Chairman -Committee for the Aged and Sick People’s Tea, Secretary and Treasurer – Cricket Club, Trustee – Ancient Order of the Foresters.

John William Cox was born in Folksworth in 1880, the eldest child of Charles ‘Frederek’ Cox (1858 Holme – 1882 Folksworth) and Phoebe Jane Cox (nee Gee, 1 Jul 1855 Folksworth – 12 Mar 1943 Stilton) who had married in Folksworth in 1878. When the 1881 Census was taken on the evening of Sunday 3 April, 11-month-old John was living with his parents, Frederick, a 23-year-old Groom and Phoebe, aged 25, next door to William Cunnington 32, an Agricultural Labourer, his wife Mary and two young children, Benjamin 2 and John, 8 months.

John’s father, Charles died Q1 1882 aged 23 and his younger brother, Charles Frederick Cox was born after his father’s death, on the 19 June 1882 in Folksworth. The Peterborough Standard of Saturday 11 March 1882 (p6) reported that Scarlet Fever had been the most prevalent epidemic of the half year with cases reported at Farcet, Folksworth, Stilton and Yaxley resulting in three deaths, I have not seen Charles’ death certificate so unsure if his death was linked.

When the 1891 Census was recorded, ‘William’ was 10 and living in the home of his maternal grandparents, John and Hannah Gee, both 60, in Folksworth with his mother, Phoebe, 35, a shirt sempstress, his uncle John, 19, and younger brother Frederick aged 8.

By the 1901 Census, John’s maternal grandfather had died and the head of the household in Folksworth was his uncle, John Gee, a single 29-year-old labourer. The rest of the household remained as it had been in 1891. John 20 and Charles, 18 were both Grocers Assistants,

On the 19 June 1906, 26-year-old John married Mary Ann Cunnington, 24, in Folksworth Parish Church. John’s profession was recorded as ‘Grocer’ and witnesses were William Cunnington, Charles Frederick Cox, and Frances Emily Cunnington.

Ten months later, on the 18 April 1907, John and Mary had their only child, a daughter named Elizabeth Jane who was baptised in Stilton on 2 June 1907, John’s occupation was recorded as ‘grocer & postmaster’.

In the 1911 Census, taken on the night of Sunday 2 April, John was recorded as a Grocer and employer, working from home with his wife Mary assisting in the business and looking after their 2-year-old daughter. Mary’s sister, Bertha Cunnington, 17 is living in the house with them in Stilton which had four rooms. Two years later, Mary died aged 30 and was buried in Stilton Cemetery on 6 February 1913.

The Peterborough Standard of Saturday 12 April 1919 (p6) reported that John was one of 9 people to be elected to Stilton Parish Council. John had the most votes with 114, closely followed by Frank Woodward with 113.

On 19 June 1921, 41-year-old widower John was recorded as a Grocer and Butcher living in 8 rooms on High Street, Stilton. John’s mother, Phoebe, about to turn 66 in July was looking after the home and his daughter, Elizabeth, 14 was his assistant in the businesses.

John was very involved in village life and the Peterborough Standard of Friday 13 January 1922 (p12) reported on a social evening ‘The tea for the aged and sick of the village was held on Monday in the Foresters’ Hall, which was lent by the ex-service men. About 70 sat down, and 40 unable to attend had a plentiful supply sent them. After tea the ladies were presented with tea and sugar to take home with them, and the men with tobacco. The evening was passed with music, singing, recitations and dancing. On the following evening the ex-service men were provided with a meat tea, at which about 35 were present. Dancing and singing occupied the rest of the evening. The Committee responsible for the tea were; Madames, Davis, Chapman, Mayle, Hobbs and Wilkins, Miss Hill, Messrs J. Boon, S. Jobbs, G Neath and J.W. Cox.’

On the 25 August 1928, John’s daughter, Elizabeth married James William Hull (23/01/1900 – Feb 1990) and their first child, Violet Annie was born on the 13 August 1929. Sadness followed joy when John passed away on Saturday 28 December 1929 and was buried in Stilton with his wife on New Year’s Day 1930.

John William Cox’s obituary was published by the Peterborough Standard on 3 January 1930. ‘A LOSS TO STILTON. Death and Funeral of Mr J W Cox. At the age of 49 years. Mr John Wm Cox, one of Stilton’s most prominent and high respected residents, passed away rather suddenly on Saturday (28 December 1929). Mr Cox had not enjoyed good heath for some years, and as a result of rheumatic fever was subject to heart attacks. Three weeks ago, he was taken ill, be he appeared to be getting well and was able to get about in the house. On Friday last, he had a relapse at about 9pm and died at 1pm the following day. Born at Folksworth, Mr Cox came to Stilton at the age of 12, and worked for the late Mr F Woodward in the grocery and butcher’s business in High Street. He became proprietor of the business about 24 years ago, and for over 20 years was the village Postmaster. Deceased took a keen interest in the welfare of the village, and was a familiar figure at all social events. He had served on the Parish Council for the past ten or eleven years, and he held the office of chairman. He was chairman of the committee for the aged and sick people’s tea, secretary and treasurer of the Cricket Club, and a trustee of the Ancient Order of the Foresters. He was popular with everyone, and was always one to help and advise. His death has been a great blow to the villagers, and he will be sadly missed. Mr Cox was a widower and leaves one daughter. The remains were laid to rest in Stilton cemetery on Wednesday, and the large gathering at the church and graveside and the magnificent display of floral tributes were testimony of the respect in which he was held. The tokens from the Cricket and Football Clubs were unique, being models of a cricket and a football ground. The Parish Council, the Foresters, Sports Clubs and the Ladies Sewing Party were all represented. The first part of the service was in the Parish Church, where deceased worshipped, the Rev T F Fisher officiating. Miss N Slane was at the organ, and the hymn was ‘Jesu. Lover of my Soul.’ The ‘Nunc Dimittis’ was sung at the conclusion of the service. ‘

On Friday 14 February 1930 (p12), the Peterborough Standard reported on the sale of John’s property. Mr Beck of Messrs Fox and Vergette acted on behalf of the executors and bidding was started by Mr A. Smart at £600 and increased to £760 before being withdrawn. It was later purchased privately by Mrs Smart.

Elizabeth and James’ second child, Eunice Minnie was born on the 29 October 1930, and so the Cox family grew. Three more children joined the family over the next eight years: Dorothy Elizabeth on the 28 November 1931, Gerald William on the 19 March 1933 and Coral Shirley on the 6 May 1937.

In the 1939 Census, Elizabeth was recorded as married but James was not in the home at the time. She was living on Church Street, Stilton, with her five children; Violet 11, Eunice 8, Dorothy 8, Gerald 6 and Coral 2.

The Peterborough Standard of 7 March 1943 reported on the funeral of John’s mother, Mrs Phoebe Cox – The funeral took place at Folksworth on the 17^th inst. of Mrs Phoebe Jane Cox who died on the 12^th aged 87. She had been a widow for 60 years, and for the last 16 years had made her home with her son, Mr C.F. Cox, Council Houses. The mourners were Mr and Mrs C F Cox (son and daughter in law), Mr & Mrs Gee (brother-in-law and sister-in law), Mr and Mrs C Cox, Mrs C Farrington, Mr H Reed (Grandchildren), Mr D Gee, Mrs D Gee, Miss M Gee (nephews and nieces), Mr and Mrs Slote and Mrs H Coulson (friends). Others at the church were Mrs Amps, Mrs Prior, Mrs Shelton, Miss Gant, Miss S Peat, Miss Jackson, and Mrs Hankins. Flowers were sent by Fred and Lizzie; Mrs and Mrs Gee and all at Yaxley; Chrissie and Cyril; Charlie, Hilda, Ann and Ronald; Olive, Harold and Phillip; all at Prudhoe; Hagar and Arthur; Polly and all at Thrapston’ Mr and Mrs Slote; Joyce and May; Jacqueline, Mrs Ovales, Ludborough and Mrs S Allen, Stilton.

Elizabeth’s last child Elaine Joy was born on the 18 April 1943, her 36^th birthday, and baptised on the 27 May; the baptism records her mother Elizabeth as deceased. The Peterborough Standard dated Friday 21 May 1943 reported on Elizabeth’s death on Friday 14 May and her funeral on the 18 May. ‘Death of Mrs Hull – On Friday, Mrs Elizabeth Jane Hull passed away at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, after a short illness, at the age of 36. She leaves six children, the youngest being only a month old. Mrs Hull was the only child of the late Mrs and Mr William Cox, grocer and butcher, Stilton. The funeral took place on Tuesday, the Rev T. F. Fisher officiating, and the mourners were Mr J.W. Hull (husband), Mr and Mrs W.H. Hull, Mrs B.A. Hull, Mrs Munton, Mrs P Hill, Mrs Davis, Mrs B Cunnington, Mrs F. Cox (aunts), Mrs Spriggs, Mrs C Farrington (cousins), Mrs A Hunt, Mrs R Jinks, Mrs Roham, Mrs Davis, Miss Gant, Mrs T Henson, Mrs Brown, Mrs Jake, Mrs Perkins, Mrs P Mayes and Mrs Smith’.

The Peterborough Standard (4 June 1943) reported that Elizabeth and James’ eldest child, Violet was knocked down in Church Street on the 31 May 1943 by an American ambulance and suffered lacerations to her face, head and knees. Later the same year, James and Elizabeth’s second eldest, Dorothy, died aged 11 and was buried on the 15 November. Peterborough Standard, Friday 19 November 1943 (p8). ‘STILTON. RAN INTO LORRY – How an eleven-year-old girl ran into a lorry and was killed was told at an inquest on Dorothy Elizabeth Hull, of Church St at the Stilton Cheese on Saturday. Mr Lionel Abrahams, Coroner for Hunts, returned a verdict of Accidental Death. It appeared from the evidence that the child was running along the footpath in the centre of the village, and suddenly began to cross the road at an angle. She ran into the lorry, which weighed three tons and was loaded with vegetables. It was driven by Edward Cassidey, 101 Westwood St, Peterborough, and witnesses agreed it was impossible for him to avoid her. Evidence was given by James William Hull, the girl’s father; Phyllis Marjorie Wooler, of the Jetty, a friend who saw the accident; Ernest Robert Ellis, Post Office P.S. Stopper; Frances Ethel Greeen, Main St; and the driver, Edward Cassidy. The funeral took place at Stilton cemetery on Monday. The mourners were the father, Miss Violet Hull (sister), Mr and Mrs B Hull (uncle and aunt); Mr W Hull (grandfather), G Hull (brother), and Bernard Barnes (friend). Mr Coborne (headmaster) was present; with the following schoolchildren; Dorothy Rootham, Pearl Sansby, Betty Hart, Molly Evans, Grace Allen, Marcel Colbert.’

More tragedy followed in February 1946 when Elizabeth and James’ only son, Gerald died aged 12 and was buried on the 22 February. On Friday 8^th March 1946 the Peterborough Standard ran an article, ‘STILTON – CHILD’s DEATH – Gerald William Hull, aged 12, only son of Mr. J.W. Hull, Church St., died on the way to Huntingdon County Hospital. The funeral was at Stilton on Friday, the Rector officiating. The mourners were:  Mr. Hull and Miss Violet Hull (father and sister), Mr and Mrs J.A. Hull (uncle and aunt), Mr. B.A. Hull (uncle), Mr and Mrs W Hull (grandparents), Mr Cobourne (headmaster), Mrs Woolner, Mrs Hill, Mrs Jakes, Mrs Farrington, Mrs Ruff, Ronald Prior, Archie Barnes and Alan Everitt. The bearers were four of his school friends. Senders of flowers included the staff and scholars of Stilton School and friends at Thorpe Hall.’

James William Hull remarried in 1946 to Beryl Daisy Croft (14/02/1918 – Dec 1998 Cambridge, aged 82), they never had children together and he died in 1990.