John Cox was born circa 1714 possibly in Chester County, Pennsylvania. His birth date is an estimation. He is often confused with other Cox members of the Society of Friends. Even with excellent Society of Friends Records there appears to be some question about the various John Cox’s. The Cox Family In America written by George William Cocks in 1912 attributes children to John Cox and Mary Harlan Cox that were born many years prior to that marriage. This compiler will focus on our direct ancestry concerning John Cox and his marriage to Mary Harlan.

John Cox married Mary Harlan 09 October 1735 at New Garden Monthly Meeting, Chester County Pennsylvania. Mary was born about 1713 the daughter of Moses Harlan and Margaret Ray Harlan. New Garden Monthly Meeting was set up in 1718 by the Chester Quarterly Meeting. The meeting house was built on land patented by William Penn. Monthly Meetings alternated between Nottingham and London Grove until 1792. The meeting was named in remembrance of New Garden Meeting in County Carlow, Ireland.

Their daughter Dinah was born 27 April 1737. The Society of Friends of Menallen Township in York County was under the Warrington Quarterly Sessions. John and his wife Mary Harlan had at least two other children Jacob and a sister. Mary Harlan Cox was living when her father, Moses Harlan wrote his will in 1747. Moses provided two hundred acres for grandson Jacob Harlan on the north side of Conewago Creek, Menallen Township stating that if Jacob were to die without issue the lands were to go to the next male heir of his mother Mary Cox "and male heirs failing, then to his sisters."

There is much speculation about other children of John and Mary Harlan Cox. Alpheus H. Harlan states one daughter Rebecca was disowned 10.11.1760 for accompanying her sister Dinah in her marriage. This is probably the other sister referenced in the will of Moses Harlan. There are assumptions about the death of Mary Harlan Cox and there is much incorrect information via the internet in 2005. We are lucky to have documentation concerning daughter Dinah, our ancestor.