BIO: Cornelius COX, Dauphin County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, page 185.
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  COX, COL. CORNELIUS, son of John Cox and Esther -----, was born about 
1750 in the city of Philadelphia.  His father was a native of England, 
a physician of prominence in Philadelphia, in which city he died.  He 
laid out Estherton, on the Susquehanna, in 1761, supposing at the time 
it would become an important place.  Dr. Cox was twice married - first 
to Sarah, widow of William Edgell, of Philadelphia; second to Esther --
---, of the same place.  We know nothing further, save that their son 
was the subject of this sketch.  Cornelius Cox received a good 
education in his native city.  Some time prior to the Revolution we 
find him at Estherton in management of the estate left him by his 
father.  He early espoused the cause of the Colonies, was present at 
the meeting at Middletown which passed the patriotic resolutions of 
June, 1774, and when the people were called to arms was commissioned 
major of Col. James Burd's battalion of Lancaster county associators.  
Was appointed assistant commissary of purchases, and also issuing 
commissary July 7, 1780.  Until the close of the Revolution he was 
actively engaged, whether it was in the collecting of flour for the 
French fleet, the gathering of blankets for the half-clad army at 
Valley Forge, or the superintending of the erection of bateaux for the 
use of General Sullivan in his expedition against the Six Nations.  In 
1792 he was chosen one of the State electors for president in favor of 
General Washington.  Governor Mifflin appointed him one of the 
associate justices of the courts of Dauphin county, but preferring 
quiet, he declined the honor.  He died February 3, 1803, at Estherton, 
aged about 53 years.  Colonel Cox married Mary Foster, born 1767; died 
August 2, 1810; daughter of John Foster and Catherine Dickey.