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_Sir Stephen Fox._--I have seen it stated in some biographical
dictionary, that Sir Stephen Fox was a younger brother of "John Fox,
Esq.," who was a devoted Royalist at the time of the great Rebellion,
and fought at the battle of Worcester, {251} and after the Restoration
was Clerk of the Acatry, in the household of Charles the Second.
Mr. Suckling, in his _History of Suffolk_, claims for a family some time
seated at Stradbrook, in that county, a consanguinity with the
descendants of Sir Stephen.
On an altar-tomb in Stadbrook churchyard are inscribed notices of many
members of this family, but without dates. One is rather extraordinary,
making the lives of a father and son together to amount to 194 years.
Amongst them is this:--
"Here is hourly expected, Simon the next descendant, with his son
Simon, who died young, tho' still preserved to be interr'd with his
father at the earnest request of his pious mother the Lady Hart.
And also Major John Fox, with his issue, who during the late
rebellion loyally behav'd himself, undergoing with great courage
not only the danger of the field, but many severe imprisonments."
The arms on this tomb differ from those of Lords Ilchester and Holland,
being simply three foxes' heads erased.
Should this note supply a clue for your correspondent "VULPES" to
identify Major John Fox with the brother of Sir Stephen, on knowing that
he has found the scent I shall be able to assist him in unearthing the
whole litter.