Portrait of Colonel John Cox

Colonel John Cox was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey in 1732 and lived for most of his adult life in Bloomsbury, New Jersey, while maintaining business and social connections in Philadelphia. He acquired the Batsto Iron Works in Burlington County, New Jersey in 1767. At the outbreak of the Revolution Cox was elected an officer of the Philadelphia militia, and cannons were cast at his iron works for patriot forces.

In 1778 Cox was commissioned Assistant Quartermaster of the Continental Army in Valley Forge where Peale painted a miniature of him. After his return to private life, Colonel Cox moved in 1790 to Philadelphia. Peale painted two bust portraits of Cox--one in 1792 and this replica in 1792-3. The sitter died in 1793 and is buried at Christ Church.