Cox, Simon (1837-1910)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1910

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by John W. Gregory

Mr. Simon Cox for fifty years was a member of the Hucknall Torkard Church. The son of Primitive Methodist parents, he was led by them in his very early days to give himself to the service of God, and when quite a youth joined our Church at Codnor in Derbyshire, where as a Sunday School worker he spent thirteen years, five years as superintendent. 

In 1876 he removed to Hucknall Torkard, joined our Church, and for twenty years filled the important position of Sunday School Superintendent. As Trust Treasurer he devoted much of his time and energy to the erection of our present commodious church and school buildings. 

Elected to various public offices, for many years he was a member of the Hucknall Burial Board. For the last four years of his life he was practically an invalid, and passed quietly away on July 22nd, 1910. He was interred July 25th, in the Hucknall Cemetery. His family are valuable members of the Church.

Family

Simon was born on 6 February 1837 at Codnor Park, Derbyshire, to parents Thomas, a coal miner, and Mary. He was baptised on 31 March 1837 at Belper Primitive Methodist.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Simon.

  • 1851 coal miner
  • 1861 coal miner
  • 1871 coal miner
  • 1881 coal miner
  • 1891 colliery deputy
  • 1901 colliery machine clerk

He married Sarah Smedley (abt1838-1885) in early 1861 in the Belper Registration District, Derbyshire. Census returns identify six children.    

  • William John (1863-1928) – a locomotive foreman (1911)
  • Mary Ann (1865-1947) – a housekeeper (1901); dressmaker (1911)                 
  • Sarah Agnes (1867-1943) – a dressmaker (1901)          
  • Elizabeth Hannah (1869-1883)
  • Simon Smedley (1872-1954) – a shopkeeper (1911)
  • Edith Gertrude (1873-1943) – married Charles Frederick Flatt, a colliery deputy (1911), in 1898

Simon died on 22 July 1910 at Hucknall Torkard, Nottinghamshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1911/655

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

Comments about this page

  • The reason for Simon Cox moving from Codnor to Hucknall was because he was one of the 11 miners who were sacked by the Butterley Company in 1874 after the Great Derbyshire Miners’ Strike. Despite Sir John Alleyne’s promise that there would be no ‘marked men’ 11 of the ringleaders were sacked over the dispute, including Simon Cox.

    By Steve Smith (03/05/2022)

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.