Name from “McCaul Family Scotland” compiled in 1991 by Marcia Barbara (Barbara) McCaul, Canada (b. 1932, d. 2002). Barbara was the great-great grandaughter of Gilbert McCaul (b. 1765) and Janet McFarlan (b. 1770). Brian of nzolivers.com is the great-great-great grandson of Gilbert and Janet.

Year and place of birth from:
http://www.firstfourships.co.nz/pics/othrppl.php?table=others&id=56

In August 2023 the above URL was found redundant. Please now see:
https://firstfourships.nz

Date and place of death from:
https://www.geni.com/people/James-Cox/6000000039929988207

The “Randolph” departed Plymouth Sound, England on Saturday, September 7, 1850, with about 217 passengers. She anchored at Lyttelton [under Canterbury Settlement] at 3.30pm on Monday, December 16, 1850.

According to:
http://www.firstfourships.co.nz/pics/othrppl.php?table=others&id=56
Both James and Louisa's death certificates state that their parents were unknown. According to the records of the Ottery St Mary Parish on IGI, a James George Cox was christened on 29th February 1832, the entry advising that he was the illegitimate son of Elizabeth Cox, Mill Street, and that the mother was single. The date would fit with James' statements of his age given at various points in his life.

There appears to have been a complete break with his parents. It is unlikely that James was brought up by his mother, and could have been brought up by other family or friends, or placed into an orphanage. In either case he would have had a lack of experience of family life.

James and Louise were married in London with their first child already on the way. Their marriage at Fleet Street sounds like a rushed job, perhaps without the normal parental approval for James. On the marriage certificate the Father's name is given as John Cox, a mason, and the bride's father's name is given as John Scarth, an artist. But given the circumstances, one wonders if the parent's names are real. The witnesses were not family members. John and Louise emigrated by themselves to NZ. Their residence on the ship's listing was Flat Street, St Dunstan, London. James was a grocer.

They sailed on the ship 'Randolph'. Only 17 days into the journey their first child, Laura Mary Louisa Cox was born, the third child to be born on board. The Randolph arrived on the 16th of December 1850, the second of the first four 'founding ships' of Canterbury who all arrived that December, the first having arrived earlier the same day.

James and Louisa did not stay in Canterbury to help with the founding of that province, but were attracted to the North Island, and within the next two years travelled to Wellington, where their next six children were born. In a letter written by a granddaughter, Enid Roberts, she states that Louisa did not like the weather in Christchurch. She also states that James opened a drapery shop on Lambton Quay.

In 1860 they moved to the Wairarapa, and lived in Featherson from then on. Their trip over the Rimutakas was an extremely arduous journey by packhorse over a rugged bridle track. Their second daughter was only 4 months old at the time, and taken on a pack saddle, the others having to walk. James built a two story general store and home there. The family lived in tents while it was being built. There were three more children born in the Wairarapa.

The first public school in Featherston was founded in 1863 with James as the teacher. He had worked hard to get the school established and no doubt his own children's education was one of his motivations. He was the first teacher in the Wairarapa. The return of schools contains the following entry: "Locality: Featherston, Teacher: JG Cox, size of classroom, 24 ft by 14 ft. No of Children on books - 31. no of children in attendance - 16." The fact of there being no public school, and the small number of children attending, indicate the very early stage of settlement in Featherston. James supported the present system of free and secular education when it was in its infancy. He continued to be the chairman of the School Committee for a lenthy period.

James was prominent in a wide range of local affairs. In 1867 he took over the duties of Postmaster, only to hand over the position the following year. He was the first town clerk, a position he carried out without pay. He was a Chairman of the Featherston Town Board, and also Treasurer. During his early days on the Board a water reservoir and high pressure water supply was set up. He was chairman of the local Roads Board, and a member of the Literary Institute, and the local Tennis Club. He also spent a lot of time to get the railway to Featherson.

He was strongly involved in St John's Anglican Church. For 40 years he was Vicar's Warden and Synodsman. He was a lay reader. In the "Parochial District of Featherston - a few highlights of its history" published by the church it states (pg5) "No account of church work in Featherston could be complete without a word of praise of the work that Rev T Porritt and Mr J G Cox did there for many years. It was impossible for the Vicar to be there more than once on a Sunday, and some Sundays he could not be there at all. Either Mr Cox or Mr Porritt would be there instead and no service was ever omitted." The church contains a pulpit in the memory of Mr J G Cox given by his daughter, Mrs C E Wilson. (pg 10) "On 13th July 1946 the memorial pulpit to the late James George Cox was dedicated, the vicar of Eastbourne, the Rev I H McCaul, was the preacher. It was fitting that a great-grandson of Mr Cox should preach the first sermon. The plaque on the pulpit reads "This pulpit is dedicated to the glory of God and in grateful memory of James George Cox. By his daughters. He was Synodsman and Churchwarden 1874 - 1914. Other men laboured and ye are entered into their labours."

He was also a member of the Featherston Masonic Lodge, one of its founders, and also a member of the Royal Arch Chapter and other Masonic bodies. The Masonic service was conducted as part of his funeral.

In 1875 the store was sold to a friend, William Toogood, so James could buy land at Tinui.

In 1906 James returned to England for a visit and was given a citizens farewell evening by the citizens of Featherston, held at the Empire Hotel. At that evening he was presented with a portmanteau and a travelling rug (the latter being symbolic of the citizen's esteem for him). At the valedictory he stated that he had not made up his mind to go for his trip until a week before, and had intended to keep it quiet. His purpose had been found out however, and the gathering and presentation had been the result. He saw many of his old friends assembled and trusted that when he returned he would find the same faces about him again. He had given a good deal of his time to public institutions of Featherston and district. There was not a single public institution except for the bowling green, that he hadn't been involved in "as they call that an old man's game I felt too young to go in for it."

Louisa died on the 3rd of June 1892 aged 66 from Chronic Bronchitis and Pneumonia. James lived for a further 22 years and died from Prostatic Disease on the 3rd of December 1914. His funeral was held at St John's Anglican Church in Featherston, taken by Rev JGS Bartlett, and was one of the largest that had been seen for years in the district. He was buried on the 6th of Dec, in the Featherston cemetery alongside his wife’s grave. They had three male children and five female children who were alive at the time of James' death. Two others had died while young.

Their children were:
Laura Mary Louisa Cox, b.24th September 1850, on board the Randolph. d. 9th March, 1916.
James George Coleridge Cox, b 28th May 1852, Wellington; d. 4th May 1918, Pahiatua
William Cox; b. 15th August 1853, Wellington; d. Aug 1879, Christchurch
Samuel Stanley Cox; b. 4th October 1854, Wellington; d. 1953
John Duke Cox; b. 10th Jul 1956, Wellington; d. 5th may 1928, Blenheim
Charles Cox, b. 24th October 1858, Wellington; d. in infancy
Elizabeth Annie Cox; b. 15th March 1860, Wellington; d. 14th Jun 1948, Karori, Wellington.
Florence Amelia Cox; b. 11th April 1862, Wairarapa.
Charlotte Emily Cox; b. 2nd December 1867, Greytown.
Clara Alice Cox; b. 2nd December 1867, Greytown

by Brian Brandon - a great-grandson of James George Coleridge Cox.

- -
Brian Brandon is a x2 great-grandson of James George Cox, and being descendant through James' son, James George Coleridge Cox.
Brian of nzolivers is also a x2 great-grandson of James George Cox, but descendant through James' daughter Elizabeth Annie Cox.

- -
Full date of baptism found online in March 2022:
Name: James George Cox
Gender: Male
Baptism Date: 29 Feb 1832
Baptism Place: Ottery Saint Mary,Devon,England
Mother: Elizabeth Cox
FHL Film Number: 0962974, 0962975

Name of street of wedding found in March 2022:
Name: James George Cox
Gender: Male
Marriage Date: 7 Apr 1850
Marriage Place: Saint Bride, Fleet St, London, England
Spouse: Louisa Scarth
FHL Film Number: 380157, 380158, 380159, 380160, 380161, 380162, 380163, 380164

Entry in 1851 England Census found in March 2022 for the Parish of West Bromwich, the Ecclesiastical District of St James, Staffordshire, England:
James Cox, Head, age 27, Labourer. Born: Bristol
Louisa Cox, Wife, age 24. Born: Bristol
Joseph Hawkins Lodger, age 30, Chain Maker. Born: Bristol
William Lavender Lodger, age 52, Chain Maker. Born: Warwickshire
[NOTE: In August 2023, Brian of nzolivers determined the above Census was not of our James and Lousia because, the 1851 Census for England was taken on the night of 30 March 1851. James and Lousia Cox were already in New Zealand, having arrived on the “Randolph”, on 16th December 1850. And, their ages do not tally with dates we know].

Death notice found online in March 2022:
PERSONAL MATTERS
Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 14151, 4 December 1914 page 4
The death occurred at ' Featherston yesterday afternoon of Mr James G. Cox, a very old resident, who had filled many public offices and was much respected. Mr Cox was generally known as the father of Featherston.

--
Result from death search on New Zealand BDM website in March 2022:
1914/7664. Cox, James George, died age 82Y

Full date of death of 3 December 1914 confirmed from further searching in March 2022 on BDM Search by incrementally changing the date range for the death.

Jurors List for the District of Port Nicholson, Province of New Munster, for the year 1853, found in March 2022:
Cox, James George, Lambton quay, shopman

Jurors List for the Province of Wellington, for the year 1854, found in March 2022:
Cox, James George, Lambton quay, warehouseman

Jurors List for the Province of Wellington, for the year 1856, found in March 2022:
Cox, James George, Thorndon-quay, draper

Jurors List for the Province of Wellington, for the year 1859, found in March 2022:
Cox, James George, Thorndon quay, Draper

New Zealand Electoral Rolls found in March 2022:

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wellington Province Roll for 1855
Cox, James George, Thorndon-quay, Draper, Household, Thorndon-quay

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wellington Province Roll for 1856
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Thorndon-quay, Calling or Business: Draper; Household, Thorndon-quay

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wellington Province Roll for 1858
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Thorndon-quay, Calling or Business: Draper; Household, Thorndon-quay

New Zealand Electoral Roll - The Wellington Country Districts Roll for 1859
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Lambton-quay, Qualification: Freehold, Property Place: Wadestown 1/2 acre

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1863
[Second Roll for same period]
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: Household, Property Place: Fitzherbert Street, house

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1865/66
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: Household, Property Place: Featherston, Fitzherbert Street, house

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Province of Otago [?] Roll for 1866/67
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: Household, Property Place: Featherston, Fitzherbert-street, house

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa West Electoral Roll for 1866/67
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: Household, Property Place: Featherston, Fitzherbert Street; Description: house
Cox, Lottie E, Featherston, spinster, residential [Daughter]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1867/68
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: Household, Property Place: Featherston, Fitzherbert Street, house

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1868/69
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: Household, Property Place: Featherston, Fitzherbert Street; Description: house

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa West Roll for 1868/69
[Second Roll for same period]
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: Household, Property Place: Featherston, Fitzherbert Street; Description: house

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1870/71
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: household, Property Place: Featherston, Fitzherbert Street, house

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1871/72
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: household, Property Place: Featherston, Fitzherbert Street; Description: house

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1873/74
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: (1) freehold, Featherston town sections Nos 308, 312; (2) leasehold, Mataikona 5000 acres
Cox, James George Coleridge, Mataikona, household, Mataikona, house [Son]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1874/75
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: (1) freehold, Featherston town sections Nos 308, 312; (2) leasehold, Mataikona 5000 acres
Cox, William, Mataikona, household, Mataikona, house [Son]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1875/76
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: (1) freehold, Featherston town sections Nos 308, 312; (2) leasehold, Mataikona 5000 acres
Cox, William, Mataikona, household, Mataikona, house [Son]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Electoral Roll for 1876/77
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: (1) freehold, Featherston town sections Nos 308, 312; (2) leasehold, Mataikona 5000 acres
Cox, Samuel Stanley, Mataikona, household, Mataikona, house [Son]
Cox, William, Mataikona, household, Mataikona, house [Son]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1877/78
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: (1) freehold, Featherston town sections Nos 308, 312; (2) leasehold, Mataikona 5000 acres
Cox, Samuel Stanley, Mataikona, household, Mataikona, house [Son]
Cox, William, Mataikona, household, Mataikona, house [Son]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1878/79
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: (1) freehold, Featherston town sections Nos 308, 312; (2) leasehold, Mataikona 5000 acres
Cox, Samuel Stanley, Mataikona, household, Mataikona, house [Son]
Cox, William, Mataikona, household, Mataikona, house [Son]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1879/80
Cox, James George, Place of Abode: Featherston. Qualification: (1) freehold, Featherston town sections Nos 308, 312; (2) leasehold, Mataikona 5000 acres
Cox, Samuel Stanley, Mataikona, household, Mataikona, house [Son]
Cox, William, Mataikona, household, Mataikona, house [Son]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Electoral Roll for 1880/81
Cox, James George, Qualification: freehold, Place of Residence: Featherston; Occupation: settler; Featherston town sections Nos 308, 312
Cox, Samuel Stanley, residential, Mataikona, settler [Son]
Cox, Thomas William, residential, Mataikona, settler [Son]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1880/81
Cox, James George, Qualification: freehold, Place of Residence: Featherston; Occupation: settler; Featherston town sections Nos 308, 312; Mataikona 6000 acres

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa North Roll for 1880/81
Cox, James George, Qualification: freehold, Place of Residence: Featherston; Occupation: settler; Mataikona 6000 acres
Cox, Samuel Stanley, residential, Mataikona, settler [Son]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa North Roll for 1882/1884
Cox, James George, Qualification: freehold; Residence: Featherston; Occupation: settler; Qualification: Mataikona, 600 acres

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa South Roll for 1882/1884
[Second Roll for same period]
Cox, James George, Qualification: freehold; Residence: Featherston; Occupation: settler; Qualification: Featherston town sections Nos 308, 312

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa North Roll for 1885/1886
Cox, James George, Qualification: freehold; Residence: Featherston; Occupation: settler; Qualification: Mataikona, known as Temai, 600 acres
Cox, James George Coleridge, Qualification: residential; Residence: Te Mai; Occupation: settler [Son]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa South Roll for 1885/1886
[Second Roll for same period]
Cox, James George, Qualification: freehold; Residence: Featherston; Occupation: settler; Qualification: Featherston town sections Nos 308, 312

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Masterton Roll for 1887
Cox, James George, Qualification: freehold; Residence: Featherston; Occupation: settler; Qualification: Mataikona, known as Temai, 600 acres

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1887
[Second Roll for same period]
Cox, James George, Qualification: freehold; Residence: Featherston; Occupation: settler; Qualification: Featherston, town sections Nos 308, 312

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1890
Cox, James George, Qualification: freehold; Residence: Featherston; Occupation: settler; Qualification: Featherston, town sections Nos 308 and 312

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Masterton Roll for 1890
Cox, James George, Qualification: freehold; Residence: Featherston; Occupation: settler; Qualification: Mataikona, known as Te Mai, 600 acres
Cox, James George Coleridge, residential, Te Mai, settler [Son]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Masterton Roll for 1893
Cox, James George, Te Mai Place of Abode: Featherston; Occupation: settler; Qualification: freehold; Mataikona, known as Te Mai, 600 acres
Cox, James George Coleridge, Te Mai, settler, residential [Son]
Cox, Thomas William, Te Mai, settler, residential [Son]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1893
Cox, James George, Featherston, Occupation: settler, freehold, sections 308 and 312, Featherston
Cox, Lottie E, Featherston, spinster, residential [Daughter]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1894
Cox, James George, Featherston, Occupation: settler, freehold, sections 308 and 312, Featherston
Cox, Lottie E, Featherston, spinster, residential [Daughter]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1896
Cox, James George, Featherston, Occupation: settler; Qualification: freehold; Qualification: sections Nos 308 and 312 Featherston

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1897
Cox, James George, Featherston, Occupation: settler, freehold, sections 308 and 312, Featherston
Cox, Lottie E, Featherston, spinster, residential [Daughter]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1899
Cox, James George, Featherston, Occupation: settler, freehold, secs. 308 and 321, Featherston
Cox, Lottie Emily, Featherston, spinster, residential [Daughter]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa South Roll for 1900
Cox, James George, Featherston, settler; freehold, sections Nos 308, 312 Featherston
Cox, Lottie Emily, Featherston, spinster, residential [Daughter]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1903
Cox, James George, Featherston, Occupation: settler, freehold, sections 308 and 312, Featherston
Cox, Lottie Emily, Featherston, spinster [Daughter]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1908
Cox, James George, Featherston, Occupation: settler
Cox, Lottie Emily, Featherston, residential, spinster [Daughter]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1908
Cox, James George, Featherston, Occupation: settler

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1911
Cox, James George, Fitzherbert Street, Featherston, settler
Cox, Lottie Emily, Fitzherbert Street, Featherston, spinster [Daughter]

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Wairarapa Roll for 1914
Cox, James George, Fitzherbert Street, Featherston, settler
Cox, Lottie Emily, Fitzherbert Street, Featherston, spinster [Daughter]

- -
Wise’s New Zealand Post Office Directories found in March 2022:

Wise’s New Zealand Post Office Directory 1872/73
Featherston
Cox, James George, storekeeper

Wise’s New Zealand Post Office Directory 1875/76
Featherston
Cox, James George, store

Wise’s New Zealand Post Office Directory 1878/79, 1881, 1883/84, 1886, 1887/88, 1891, 1898/99
Featherston, Wellington
Cox, James George

Wise’s New Zealand Post Office Directory 1892/93, 1895, 1897
Featherston
Cox, James G, JP

Wise’s New Zealand Post Office Directory 1901, 1902, 1903
Featherston, Wellington
Cox, James G, JP

Wise’s New Zealand Post Office Directory 1904
Featherston, Wellington
Cox, Jas G, JP

Wise’s New Zealand Post Office Directory 1910, 1913
Featherston, Wellington
Cox, Jas Geo, JP

- -
Passenger List found in August 2023 from:
https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~nzbound/genealogy/fourships.htm#Randolph
Randolph, arrived 16th December 1850
Steerage Passengers
Cox, James George - Age 18. Occupation: storekeeper
Cox, Louisa - Age 24

Mention of baby born on board, last residence and occupation of James found in August 2023 from:
https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~nzbound/genealogy/randolph.htm#Passengers
Date of birth: 1850, Sept 24
Name: Laura Mary Louisa
Parents: Jas' George & Louisa Cox
Later Residence: St Dunstan, Flat Street, London
Occupation: Grocer