John Cox was born in Collingham, Nottinghamshire in 1807, but the names of his parents are currently unknown.

By 1833, John was living at Carlton-le-Moorland in Lincolnshire, 16 miles east of Collingham, and on 4th July 1833 he married Sarah Smith at All Saints’ Church, at Canwick, also in Lincolnshire. The parish register records that Sarah was living at Canwick, and that their marriage was witnessed by Mary Cox, Edward Cox, Mary Lintin, and Thomas Smith.

Sarah Smith was born in Washingborough, Lincolnshire, in 1813. Her parents have not yet been identified.

After their marriage, John and Sarah lived at Carlton-le-Moorland, with John working as a labourer. On 2nd March 1834 they had their first child, Thomas, baptised at St Mary’s Church. However, Thomas died within 24 hours and was buried the following day in the churchyard.

Their second child was born on 16th February 1836 and was named John. He was baptised in the neighbouring village of Thurlby on 18th March at St Germain’s Church.

Between 1836 and 1838, John, Sarah, and their son moved 18 miles south to the village of Bottesford, then part of Leicestershire, where John continued to work as a labourer. They lived at Belvoir Inn Farm, and on 7th July 1838 their third child Charles was baptised at St Mary’s Church. However, Charles died within a few days and was buried in the churchyard on 10th July.

A year later, their first daughter Eliza was baptised on 6th July 1839 at St Mary’s Church, Bottesford. Eliza was followed by another child who was born towards the end of 1840. Like their first son, he was named Thomas, but he also died in infancy.

At the time of the 1841 census, John was working as a ground keeper, and the family were living at Belvoir Road in Bottesford.

Their next three children were all baptised at St Mary’s Church: Sarah Ann was baptised on 9th November 1841, another son, again named Thomas, was baptised on 3rd December 1844, and William was baptised on 13th January 1846. Each record shows that John was working as a labourer of Belvoir Inn Farm, Bottesford.

Between 1846 and 1848 the family moved again, this time 35 miles west to Swarkestone in Derbyshire, where John continued to work as a labourer.

John and Sarah’s next child was born on 23rd November 1848, who they named Charles. He was baptised at St James’ Church, Swarkestone, on 31st December, but died at 7 months old. John and Sarah buried their son in St James’ Churchyard on 11th July 1849.

Their tenth and last child, Charlotte, was baptised on 25th August 1850, also at St James’ Church. John was still working as a labourer at this time.

In April 1851, at the time of the census, John and Sarah were still living at Swarkestone, together with their children Eliza, Sarah Ann, Thomas, William, and Charlotte. John was now working as a farm bailiff. Their son John recorded in the family Bible that his father was a bailiff to Lowes Farm at Swarkestone. Lowes Farm was originally built as racing stables by Sir Harry Harpur in 1777 as part of the Harpur-Crewe estate, and converted into a house in the 1800’s. John was still employed as a farm bailiff ten years later in April 1861, and living with Sarah at Swarkestone.

John Cox died on 20th February 1864 aged 57, and was buried in the churchyard at St Wilfrid’s Church, Barrow Upon Trent, on 25th February.

After her husband’s death, Sarah moved to Ashby Road in Melbourne, Derbyshire. In 1871 she was working as a seamstress and living with her daughter Charlotte and grandson William Bailey Cox. By 1881 Sarah was working as a glove stitcher, still living at Ashby Road with her daughter Charlotte and three grandchildren.

Sarah Cox died on 16th May 1883 aged 63 and was interred on 19th May in a grave close to her husband’s in the churchyard at St Wilfrid’s Church.

Memorials for John and his wife Sarah (left)

John and Sarah Cox were my great-great-great-grandparents.