John Cox Jr. Descendants Family Tree
Our Founding Elders
Remembering the people at the roots of our family story—and preserving what relatives, photographs and records can still tell us about their lives.
The roots of the matter
Lives remembered, connections preserved
This page brings together family testimony, representative portraits and the records currently available for John Cox Jr.—known to the family as Johnny—and the women reported as important members of his family story.
Family memory is valuable evidence, but it is not always the final word. Names, dates and relationships will continue to be reviewed and refined as documentary records and original photographs become available.
At the root of this tree
John Cox Jr. — “Johnny”
John Cox Jr. is the forebear whose descendants form the central focus of this family tree. The project follows the branches connected to him across The Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the generations that later travelled farther afield.
Family testimony connects Johnny’s story with Theresa Hamilton, Elizabeth Gardner and Clara Williams. Their individual cards below preserve the relationship descriptions most often supplied by relatives while making clear that documentary verification remains in progress.
A shared Caribbean heritage
Origins, Family and Legacy
John Cox Jr., affectionately known as Johnny, stands at the root of the descendants represented by this family tree. Family accounts connect his origins to the British West Indies, particularly the Turks and Caicos Islands and The Bahamas. His life and the journeys of the generations that followed form an important part of our family’s shared Caribbean heritage.
Johnny was the son of Pastor John Cox Sr., who holds a significant place in the family’s history. He is remembered as the founder and pastor of Paradise Baptist Church in Five Cays Settlement, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. His religious and community leadership left an enduring mark upon the family and the wider community.
Family testimony consistently identifies Elizabeth “Lizzie” Gardner as Johnny’s second wife and Clara Williams as his partner. The information currently available attributes six of Johnny’s children to his relationship with Elizabeth and two children to his relationship with Clara. These reported relationships and family groupings remain subject to documentary verification as civil, church and other historical records are located.
The lives, journeys and accomplishments of these children—and of the many descendants who followed—contribute to the continuing story of the John Cox Jr. family. Each verified name, memory, photograph and record helps us understand how its different branches were formed.
If these names or family lines are familiar to you, if you are a descendant, or if you know someone who may be connected, please share what you know. Together, we can strengthen the family tree and ensure that every branch is represented with care, accuracy and respect.
At the heart of this tree
Our foremothers
Their names and reported relationships help us understand how the earliest branches of the John Cox Jr. descendants tree were formed.
Theresa “Tessa” Hamilton
Theresa is remembered in family testimony as Johnny’s first wife. More information, original photographs and records are welcomed so that her life and place within the family story can be documented more fully.
Profile in preparation
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Gardner
Elizabeth is remembered in family testimony as Johnny’s second wife. Research into her biography, family connections and supporting historical records is continuing.
Profile in preparation
Clara Williams
Clara is remembered in family testimony as Johnny’s partner and as an important connection within the wider descendants story. Further records and family recollections are being gathered for her profile.
Profile in preparationBuilding a dependable archive
What the family record still needs
Even one labelled photograph, remembered name or document may provide the lead that confirms another part of the story.
Original photographs
The portraits shown here are representative images. Clearly identified family photographs are especially valuable.
Records and dates
Birth, marriage, church, census, death, burial and newspaper records can help confirm names, places and relationships.
Memories with sources
Please share who told you a story, how they were connected and whether a detail is certain or remembered approximately.
Frequently asked questions
Understanding this page
Are these confirmed portraits of the four elders?
No. They are representative portraits used while original, clearly identified family photographs are sought. They should not be treated as verified likenesses.
Are the reported relationships confirmed?
The descriptions are reported consistently by several relatives and are preserved as family testimony. Documentary verification is still ongoing, so wording may be refined if stronger evidence becomes available.
How can I trace my direct branch?
Begin with yourself, your parents and grandparents, then work backwards one generation at a time. Include maiden names, nicknames, places and approximate dates where known.
What should I do if I find an error or missing person?
Share the correction together with its source, explain how you are related and identify anything that remains uncertain. Every submission can then be reviewed before the family record is changed.
Every contribution matters
Help us turn family memory into a stronger record
If you recognise a face, remember a family connection or hold a document that may relate to these elders, please share what you know—even when the information is incomplete.
Share Stories & Records
I would like to open this conversation by warmly inviting every member of our family to help us preserve and expand the stories of our Founding Elders.
If you remember a family story, a saying, a place, a relationship, or even a small detail passed down through the generations, please consider sharing it here. You are also welcome to offer a respectful correction or add information that may be missing. You do not need to know every date or be certain of every detail—sometimes one person’s memory provides the missing piece that helps another story come together.
No contribution is too small. What may seem like an ordinary memory to you could become a treasured part of our shared family history.
I hope this space grows into a warm and meaningful conversation between relatives, connecting generations and helping us preserve our heritage together.
With love,
Patrice
Founder, Genealogist & Family Historian