Jessie Bancroft Cox
1908–1982
Jessie Bancroft Cox (1908-1982) was the granddaughter of Clarence Barron, an immensely influential and successful businessman who became President of Dow Jones, a global-observed benchmark index of U.S. blue chip stocks, and was responsible for building the reputation of the Wall Street Journal. Cox enjoyed a privileged life and traveled widely. She participated in many sports and was a sailing and equestrian champion. She was very charitable. In Cohasset, she gave the nationally known carillon to St. Stephen’s Church. She bought the Bates Ship Chandlery building, then located at the top of the harbor, and paid for it to be moved into the village around 1957. It became the Maritime Museum, managed by the Cohasset Historical Society. Other noteworthy beneficiaries include Tufts Veterinary School, Children’s Hospital, Milton Academy, and a significant gift contribution to Massachusetts General Hospital for the establishment of the William C. Cox Cancer Center.
William C. Cox
1905–1970
Her husband William C. Cox (1905-1970) was a graduate of Milton Academy and Harvard College. As Senior Director of Dow Jones, he represented the Bancroft family on the Board. Like his wife, Cox was an active participant in equestrian activities and was a director of the U.S. Equestrian Team. The family sold their ownership of the Wall Street Journal to NewsCorp in 2007.
Jane Steele Cook
1912–2002
Jessie’s sister, Jane Steele Cook, (1912-2002) was also active in Cohasset. Her grandfather, Clarence Barron owned Oaks Farm on Sohier Street which included land where the current South Shore Music Circus and Deer Hill School are located.
