Drayton, Berkshire, England

As I study my genealogy I actually feel a move in my spirit...a deep connection to the past... the people.... the places... I am a Cox on my mother's side.... and our oldest known ancestor was THOMAS2 COX, b. 1641, London, England who married
CHRISTIAN MATHEWS .... however they settled in Drayton, Berkshire to have their family.. their son, William born (11 DEC 1692-d. Feb 1767) m. Catherina Kinkey in
1716 at Hockessin,New Castle Co.,Delaware....so I'd like to research a bit about Drayton Parrish..
Drayton, a village and a parish in Berks.
The village stands near the Berks and Wilts Canal, 1 1/4 mile W of tne river Thames, 1 1/2 N from Steventon station on the G.W.R., and 2 1/2 miles SW of Abingdon, and has a post and money order office under Abingdon ; telegraph office, Steventon. The parish comprises 1851 acres; population, 585. The Manor House is a chief residence. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Oxford; net yearly value, £132 with residence. Patron, Lord Wantage. The church is ancient, and has a curious Norman font. There are Baptist and Wesleyan chapels. Curios about the Norman font on the ancient church there... as it has been passed down through our family that we of Norman descent.



Drayton is two miles from Abingdon on the old A34, once in Berkshire, now in Oxfordshire. It is the centre of an agricultural area, and was once famous for its walnuts. On the village green stands a stone cross in commemoration of Queen Victorias Golden Jubilee.

Drayton has several fine houses, including Lime Close, parts of which are Elizabethan, which was visited by the diarist James Woodforde in 1763. Other houses of note are the Grange, Sutton Wick House, Gothic House and the Manor, opposite which is a cruck cottage.

Gothic House has a mural on the gable-end of St George killing the Dragon painted by Charles Sykes in 1949, the design taken from the original, smaller mural inside the house. Drayton people used to perform a mummers play of St George and the Dragon annually at one time. Charles was an artist and sculptor, and in 1911 he designed the Spirit of Ecstasy for the Rolls Royce motor company.
As a side note to this about St George Slaying the Dragon... it is amazing to me that I am completely enamored with the tale of St. George... used to read it to my classes... and when I was in Boston this summer actually bought a poster of the artwork by Cirelli.

It is thrillling to me to research my origins and connect with so many small details... It draws me right into the equation!

Roots!

It is always enticing for me to review the known facts of my lineage and origins... to begin one line of the Cox family originated in Drayton, Berkshire dating back to 1675.


Another branch of the family (Cox) hails from Gloucestershire,England circa 1657


.. The Baugess line from England circa 1753... The Higgins and McCarthy lines from Waterford, Ireland, 1755, 1770. The Mitchell line from Derry County Northern Ireland, circa 1682, and the Blairs from Scotland circa 1740s as well as the Lindsey's from Scotland there abouts the same..... Now with all this British blood circulating within me it is no wonder I walk with a jig, tell a tale tale, dream about the moors, and choose to tarry upon the stile..ummmm!

Fleur-de-Lys Pattern

I love to incorporate this beautiful scrolling pattern throughout my decor.

It really helps me connect with the past and appreciate my heritage all the more.

The Fleur-de-lis

The fleur-de-lys is what caught my eye about this backround.

Being representative of French royalty it has always attracted me. I suppose due to my Normandy roots. Although Fleurs-de-lis feature prominently in the Crown Jewels of England and Scotland as well. The tressure flory-counterflory (flowered border) has been a prominent part of the design of the Scottish royal arms and Royal Standard since James I of Scotland.

The treasured fleur-de-luce he claims

To wreathe his shield, since royal James.

.
–Sir Walter Scott, The Lay of the Last Minstrel.

If you have followed my blog for a while you probably know how enamored I am with all things Scottish because

of my Lindsay and Blair lineage. So the fleur-de-lys symbol resonates with me deep within!

(Thanks to Wikipedia for help with this post)

More Genealogy

My mother was a Cox and I am 10th generation. My earliest known ancestor was William Cox born in Gloucestershire in 1657. I know we were orginally from Normany and were traditionally seamen, but I also know we were Quakers. Upon doing some research I found that Gloucestershire is a beautiful, pastoral area of England west of London and known for its Quaker history. One quaker meeting house still stands in Chipping Campden in the northern Cotswolds of Gloucestershire.I found this beautiful pastoral scene in Gloucestershire.

Here is the Old Meeting House of the 1600's in Chipping Campden.
and the beautiful, quaint town.
No mention is given in the documentation which we have but William surely knew of these places.

When William's son, William, immigrated to America in 1716 he lived in New Castle, Delaware and the quaker assembly there often met in his drawing room. Our Cox coat of arms hosts a brilliant blue shield trimmed in gold with a strutting cock atop whose color again is repeated in this sign I found online.

Some Genealogy

As I am coming up on my 500th post I am wanted to share some tidbits of my genealogy. I'll begin with my paternal line. My ancestors immigrated here 10 generations ago from Baden Baden, Germany. I was priveleged to visit there in 1972 when Lynn and I lived in Germany while he was in the service. A beautfiul area, part of the famed Black Forest. Baden Baden today continues to draw thousands of tourists to their healing springs and spas. Known as the playground of the rich and famous it hosts a fabulous casino which we toured on our visit!

Above you see the casino - and it built in the early 1800's. It is truly opulent inside.

But my ancestors were not involved with the casino.
The environs around BadenBaden are beautifully situated on fertile slopes known also for their vinyards.
I wouldn't be surprised to learn they were concerned with vinerie. When I saw this figure several years go it spoke to me as if it were some long ago ancestor saying 'Here I am, take me home and celebrate your German heritage"
One thing of note our coat of arms is red and gold with a rampant lion on the shield. These flags are seen everywhere as a testament to the history of Baden Wuertemberg. I saw our colors on every street corner.I thank an anonymous commenter who corrected me in my geography and memory of my visit from 36 years ago. I have made a couple of corrections. Let me add I am very proud of my Baden Baden roots and am thrilled I got to experience it first hand.