John Fox (1611–1691)


John Fox was Clerk of the Acatry to King Charles II, which below stairs department was responsible for meat destined for the royal tables. In 1660 the department comprised a clerk and a sergeant, appointed by royal warrant, a yeoman of the salt stores, yeomen and grooms, appointed by the Lord Steward's warrant.

Origins

He was the eldest surviving son of William Fox, of Farley, in Wiltshire, a yeoman farmer, by his wife Margaret Pavey. His younger brother was the politician Sir Stephen Fox, the "richest commoner in the three kingdoms" and ancestor of the Earls of Ilchester and Barons Holland.

Career

His position at court was obtained on the recommendation of the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire, and it was John who first introduced his younger brother Stephen Fox to the royal court, specifically to the household of the royal children, as "supernumerary servant and play-fellow".

Marriage and progeny

He married Elizabeth Smart, by whom he had progeny including:
His gravestone survives in the north cloister of Westminster Abbey, inscribed: Here lyeth interrd the body of John Fox Esq. who departed this life the 19 day of Novemb. 1691 in the 80 year of his age.