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, he was elected an officer of the Philadelphia Militia, and cannons were cast at his iron works for Patriot forces. In 1775 he was major in Colonel Reed's Pennsylvania Regiment and in 1776-77 served as lieutenant colonel at the Battle of Princeton. After his return to private life, he moved, in 1790, to Philadelphia, John Cox died in 1793, and is buried at Christ Church.

Peale painted this portrait in 1792-1793 which is a companion portrait to Ester Cox and is one of three extant pairs.