John Fox (1611–1691)

John Fox (1611–1691) was Clerk of the Acatry to King Charles II,[2] which below stairs department was responsible for meat destined for the royal tables.

[3] He was the eldest surviving son of William Fox, of Farley, in Wiltshire, a yeoman farmer, by his wife Margaret (or Elizabeth) Pavey.

[2] His younger brother was the politician Sir Stephen Fox (1627–1716), the "richest commoner in the three kingdoms" and ancestor of the Earls of Ilchester and Barons Holland.

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".

[4] He married Elizabeth Smart (buried on 2 January 1707),[2] by whom he had progeny including:[2] His gravestone survives in the north cloister of Westminster Abbey, inscribed: "Here lyeth interrd the body of John Fox Esq.

Canting arms of Fox: Ermine, on a chevron azure three fox's heads and necks erased or , as seen on his ledger stone in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey. [ 1 ] His brother Sir Stephen Fox , and his descendants, were granted an augmentation of honour in the form of On a canton azure a fleur-de-lys or by King Charles II