Willoughby Beresford Fox was a ship owner who lived at 871 Denman Street in 1912.
Family Background
Willoughby Beresford Grant Arbuthnot Fox was born on December 9, 1865, at Pear Tree House in Derby, England (He later provided dates that suggested he was somewhat younger.)
Willoughby’s father was Willoughby George Fox (about 1828-1885), who was the chief police constable of Derbyshire.
Willoughby’s mother was Eliza Anne Jane Ottley, the daughter of Captain William Ottley.
Willoughby was christened in St Peter’s Church in Derby on February 1, 1866.
- Ancestry.com. Derbyshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, 1813-1916 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017. Derbyshire Record Office; Matlock, Derbyshire, England; Diocese: Diocese of Derby; Reference Number: D 1792/2/4. Name: Willoughby Beresford Grant Arbithnot Fox; Baptism Date: 1 Feb 1866; Baptism Place: Derby, St Peter, Derbyshire, England.
Early Life
In 1871, Willoughby was living with his parents in Litchurch, Derbyshire.
In 1881, he was a student at Norton House College in Luton, Bedfordshire.
To United States
Willoughby moved to the United States on June 22, 1889. He was married to Jane, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland (some sources say she was born in England) in February 1865.
On June 28, 1894, in New York City, he became a naturalized United States citizen.
In the London electoral registers in 1909, there is a listing for Willoughby Beresford Fox at 2 Pandora Road, but it is not certain that this is the same person.
To Vancouver
Willoughby and his family arrived in Vancouver in the summer of 1909. They lived briefly in Glencoe Lodge.
Willoughby first appeared in the Vancouver directories in 1909. He was a ship owner, living at 768 Granville Street.
In 1910 and 1911, he was at 1402 Barclay Street.
In April 1910, Willoughby performed on the cello at a concert in Victoria, British Columbia.
Willoughby and Jane were in the 1911 Canada census, along with their daughter, Henrietta, who was born in February 1890 in the United States. They also had a maid named Agnes Perutt (or Pruett), who was born in Scotland in August 1883.
In 1911, “W. Beresford Fox” and “Mary Jane Muir Fox” applied to the government of British Columbia to purchase land near Chilco Lake.
In 1911, “Willoughby Beresford Fox, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada” applied for a United States patent for a Suspender-Clasp for Waistbands. He received the patent on March 11, 1913.
In 1912, the names portion of the Vancouver directory showed Willoughby at 1497 West Seventh Avenue (which was the “Chester Rooms”). The streets portion of the directory said that he was at 871 Denman Street.
He did not appear in the Vancouver directories after 1912.
Later Life
In November 1912, “Jane Mary Muir Fox” and her daughter “Henrietta Elsa Fox” sailed from Liverpool, England, to New Orleans, Louisiana. Jane was going to meet Willoughby at San Diego, California. Henrietta was going to stay with her uncle, “Mr. C. B. Fox” at 1302 State Street in New Orleans. It is likely that this was Crichton Beresford Fox, Willoughby’s brother, who lived in New Orleans until the 1930s.
Jane Fox died in England on September 29, 1920.
In 1920, Willoughby was living in Nogales, Arizona, and he was in the cattle business. He applied for a United States passport to travel to Mexico. The purpose of his trip was “personal business,” apparently related to the cattle conditions in Mexico.
In 1922, “Willoughby Beresford Fox, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California” applied for a patent for a Garment Supporter. The United States granted the patent on October 28, 1924.
Marriage to Geneva Barton
On December 17, 1924, in Pasadena, California, Willoughby married Geneva Penn Barton. She was born about 1867. Her parents were Henry W. Davidson and Louisa McMillan.
At the time of the marriage, Willoughby was living at 1950 Whitmore Avenue in Los Angeles. He gave his occupation as “musician.” Geneva described herself as widowed.
In 1930, he and Geneva were living in Newport Beach, California.
In 1935, they were in Corona Del Mar, California.
In 1940, they were in East Pikeland Township, Chester, Pennsylvania.
No further information is available at this time for Willoughby and Geneva.
Willoughby and Jane had a daughter.
Henrietta Elsa Fox
Henrietta Elsa Fox was born in 1890, probably on February 13, in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1901, she and her mother were boarding in the house of Francois J La Lanque, in Wimbledon, Surrey.
In 1912, Henrietta and her mother sailed from Liverpool, England to New Orleans.
It appears that Henrietta never married, and that she died in England on March 18, 1978.
Sources
Willoughby George Fox (father of Willoughby Beresford Fox)
Willoughby George Fox (1828–1885); Birth: ABT 1828, Tyrone, Ireland; Death: JUL 1885, Fulham, London, England (ancestry.ca).
Willoughby George Fox, http://www.thepeerage.com/p36141.htm.
Willoughby George Fox; http://www.geni.com/people/willoughby-Fox/6000000013466664455: [questionable death date]
“Ireland Civil Registration Indexes, 1845-1958,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FT14-9M2 : accessed 15 September 2015), MARRIAGES entry for Willoughby George Fox; citing Cavan, 1853, vol. 3, p. 572, General Registry, Custom House, Dublin; FHL microfilm 101,244.
“Ireland Marriages, 1619-1898,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FG6N-3M3 : accessed 15 September 2015), Willoughby George Fox and Elizabeth Annette Jane Ottley, 22 Nov 1853; citing Tomregan, Cavan, Ire, reference 2:3F77QW2; FHL microfilm 101,344.
“England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2J63-KLH : accessed 15 September 2015), Willoughby George Fox, 1885; from “England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, Fulham, London, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
Eliza Anne Jane Ottley (mother of Willoughby Beresford Fox)
Elizabeth Annette Jane Ottley (1835–1925); Birth: ABT 1835, Tyrone, Ireland; Death: 18 NOV 1925, Dippenhall Grange, Farnham, Surrey, England (ancestry.ca).
William John Ottley, Capt.; http://www.geni.com/people/capt-william-ottley/6000000021094912211
Eliza Anne Jane Ottley, http://www.thepeerage.com/p51621.htm#i516201.
Eliza -Ann Jane Fox (Ottley); http://www.geni.com/people/eliza-ann-Fox/6000000013466500714 [questionable birth and death dates]
“Ireland Civil Registration Indexes, 1845-1958,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FT14-9M2 : accessed 15 September 2015), MARRIAGES entry for Willoughby George Fox; citing Cavan, 1853, vol. 3, p. 572, General Registry, Custom House, Dublin; FHL microfilm 101,244.
“Ireland Marriages, 1619-1898,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FG6N-3M9 : accessed 15 September 2015), Willoughby George Fox and Elizabeth Annette Jane Ottley, 22 Nov 1853; citing Tomregan, Cavan, Ire, reference 2:3F77QW2; FHL microfilm 101,344.
Willoughby Beresford Fox
Willoughby Beresford Grant Fox (1866–); Birth: 9 DEC 1866, Pear Tice [sic: Tree], Derbyshire, England; Death: Unknown (ancestry.ca).
“England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2X9N-S2Y : accessed 13 September 2015), Willoughby B G Fox, 1866; from “England & Wales Births, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Derby, Derbyshire, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.
“England, Derbyshire, Church of England Parish Registers, 1537-1918,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KBFP-CS5 : accessed 13 September 2015), Willoughby Beresford Grant Arbithnot Fox, 01 Feb 1866; citing Christening, St Peter’s Church, Derby, Derbyshire, England, Record Office, Matlock; FHL microfilm 2,082,436.
“England and Wales Census, 1871”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VBXJ-BBF : accessed 13 September 2015), Willoughby B G Fox in entry for Willoughby G Fox, 1871.
“England and Wales Census, 1881,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X3JM-XSM : accessed 13 September 2015), W B G A Fox in household of John Thurnham, Luton, Bedfordshire, England; from “1881 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 40, PRO RG 11/1649 / 108, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 1,341,394.
“New York, Naturalization Index (Soundex), 1792-1906,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVT7-JNC6 : accessed 13 September 2015), Willoughby B G Fox, 1894; citing , New York, New York, United States, Index to Naturalization Petitions filed in Federal, state and local court in New York, 1792-1906, NARA microfilm publication M1674 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 71; FHL microfilm 1,420,224.
“England, London Electoral Registers, 1847-1913”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJFP-K5FL : accessed 13 September 2015), Willoughby Beresford Fox, 1909. (possible connection)
W. Beresford Fox and Mary Jane Muir Fox, applications to purchase lands near Chilco Lake, Vancouver Daily World, February 22, 1911, page 28.
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-MYTR : accessed 13 September 2015), Willoughby Fox, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 1-18, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,661; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=63817&highlight=25&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Willoughby+Fox; http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1911/pdf/e001940197.pdf.
“United States Passport Applications, 1795-1925,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV5B-WWM9 : accessed 13 September 2015), Willoughby Beresford Grant Fox, 1920; citing Passport Application, Arizona, United States, source certificate #61796, Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 – March 31, 1925, 1280, NARA microfilm publications M1490 and M1372 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,639,361.
“California, County Marriages, 1850-1952,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8NC-FBY : accessed 13 September 2015), Willoughby B Fox and Geneva Penn Barton, 17 Dec 1924; citing Los Angeles, California, United States, county courthouses, California; FHL microfilm 2,074,513.
“United States Census, 1930,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCDK-475 : accessed 14 September 2015), Willoughbey Fox, Newport Beach, Orange, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 0049, sheet 17B, family , line 55, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 180; FHL microfilm 2,339,915.
“United States Census, 1940,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQFM-LTR : accessed 13 September 2015), Willoby B Fox, East Pikeland Township, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 15-32, sheet 1A, family 6, NARA digital publication T627 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012), roll 3464.
Jane Mary Muir Fox (wife of Willoughby Beresford Fox)
“England and Wales Census, 1901,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X9XX-FMJ : accessed 15 September 2015), Jane M M Fox in household of Francois J La Lanque, Wimbledon, Surrey, England; from “1901 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing Wimbledon subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
“Louisiana, New Orleans Passenger Lists, 1820-1945,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KTRY-8F8 : accessed 14 September 2015), Jane Mary Muir Fox, 1912; citing New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States, Ship Alexandrian, NARA microfilm publication T905 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,454,900.
“England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2JCN-H4G : accessed 15 September 2015), Jane M M Fox, 1920; from “England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, Epsom, Surrey, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
“Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL7T-276F : 12 August 2019), Jane Mary Muir Fox, 1920; Burial, Epsom, Epsom and Ewell Borough, Surrey, England, Epsom Cemetery; citing record ID 178047674, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178047674: “Mrs Jane Mary Muir Fox; Birth: 1862; Death: Dec 1920 (aged 57–58); Epsom, Epsom and Ewell Borough, Surrey, England; Burial: Epsom Cemetery, Epsom, Epsom and Ewell Borough, Surrey, England; Plot: A621; Memorial ID: 178047674, Burial-2 October 1920.”
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966, Wills, Probates, Land, Tax & Criminal; Ancestry.com; Jane Mary Muir Fox; 1920 – Middlesex, England; – London, England.
“England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPL8-JNXT : 17 September 2018), Jane Mary Muir Fox, 13 Jan 1921; citing Probate, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, Great Britain.; FHL microfilm .
Geneva Penn Davidson (wife of Willoughby Beresford Fox)
“United States Census, 1910,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLQK-KVY : accessed 14 September 2015), Genevia Barton in household of John Barton, Perry Ward 3, Noble, Oklahoma, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 153, sheet 18B, family 164, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,375,277.
“United States Census, 1920,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJ96-4K6 : accessed 14 September 2015), Geneva P Barton in household of John W Barton, Perry, Noble, Oklahoma, United States; citing sheet 4B, family 15, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,821,472.
Henrietta Elsa Fox (daughter of Willoughby Beresford Fox)
“England and Wales Census, 1901,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X9XX-FMV : accessed 13 September 2015), Henrietta E Fox in household of Francois J La Lanque, Wimbledon, Surrey, England; from “1901 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing Wimbledon subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
“Louisiana, New Orleans Passenger Lists, 1820-1945,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKNP-TGTC : 13 March 2018), Henrietta E Fox, 1903; citing Ship European, affiliate film #093, NARA microfilm publications M259 and T905 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 200,234.
“Louisiana, New Orleans Passenger Lists, 1820-1945,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KTRY-8FD : accessed 14 September 2015), Henrietta Elsa Fox, 1912; citing New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States, Ship Alexandrian, NARA microfilm publication T905 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,454,900.
“England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVZS-28LQ : accessed 14 September 2015), Henrietta Elsa Fox, 1978; from “England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death Registration, Alton, Hampshire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
Ancestry.com. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data: Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England. London, England © Crown copyright. Name: Henrietta Elsa Fox; Death Date: 18 Mar 1978; Death Place: Hindhead Sy; Probate Date: 21 Jul 1978; Probate Registry: Winchester.
Norton House School (College)
Former Norton College, Hat Factory, Feather Sorting Factory, Luton Heritage Forum, http://www.lutonheritageforum.org/site_record_0146.html: “Address : 36 Havelock Road, Luton; Site Description : On the corner of Havelock Road is a house and premises that were occupied by Roland Allen and Co’s catering equipment centre. The building had previously been Norton House School (or Norton College) from 1881-1909. It is shown on a circa 1900 OS map as Norton College. In 1933 the part fronting onto Havelock Road appears to have been Norton House Hotel. By 1938 the site was a hat factory – listed as Battersby & Co’s Norton Works (in the 1938 directory). In the 1950s the building was occupied by Glaser & Harris’s feather sorting factory (these feathers are likely to have been used in the hat industry). In 1965 the buildings are listed as being occupied by Bent A.W. (Luton) Ltd clothing manufacturers and Moss Mark Ltd. millinery manufacturers. It is currently Roland Allen’s Catering Equipment Centre.”
Crichton Brooke Beresford Fox (brother of Willoughby Beresford Fox)
“England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NJJS-G2L : accessed 14 September 2015), Eliza Annette Jane Fox in entry for Crichton Brooke Beresford Fox, 04 Jul 1868; citing Derby, Derbyshire, England, reference 15; FHL microfilm 2,082,204.
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