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THE STORY AS I KNOW IT

James Foe or Foee was born at Etton, England in 1630. He was the youngest of four children born to Daniel Foe, yeoman and Rose. The family had moved to Etton from Peakirk some years before James was born. This is all recorded in the book Defoe's Early Life by F. Bastian.

In the Introduction by Anthony Burgess of Daniel DeFoe's A Journal of the Plague Year, Mr. Burgess gives a short bio of Mr. DeFoe. He refers to relatives in Northamptonshire where the Foee family first came from. Perhaps Peakirk is in Northamptonshire.

 James married Alice, last name unknown, about 1655. The London IGI state that she was born about 1635 in St. Giles Cripplegate section of London. They had at least three children. Bastian's book lists them as:
1. Mary born not christened Nov. 13, 1657 married Frances Barham, jr.
2. Elizabeth born not christened June 19, 1659 married Mr. Maxwell.
3. Daniel born about 1660, who became Daniel Defoe the author.

James is listed in various places with different occupations. The Bastian book reflects his occupation when his daughter Mary was born as a Tallowchandler. It also states that James was a cut above the average small tradesman.

By march 1666/7 the Foe family were living in Jones Rents off Swan Alley, in the parish of St. Stephen on Coleman St. This was a bit south of St. Giles and within the city walls. They continued here until at least Feb.19, 1668/9. These dates are in the Corporation of London Record Offices in Assessments Boxes 25/MS1, 56/18 and 7/12. There is a Great Swan Alley that starts on Coleman St. about where the church would have been.

St. Stephen's church was burned in the Fire of London 1666. It was not rebuilt. The Museum of London has a map that shows London just before the fire. St. Stephen's is shown on left side of Coleman St. when walking north, midway of first block. There is another map that shows London after the fire. St. Stephen's is not there anymore. The whole area is given over to large bank buildings at this time.

The Compton 1997 Interactive Encyclopedia has a section of Daniel Defoe. It states that James Foe, Daniel's father was a butcher. We know he was a member of the Butcher's guild. Mr. Burgess states in the Introduction noted above that James Foe was a tallow chandler before the plague and fire of London. Afterwards he became a butcher.

Mr. Burgess also states that James Foee was a strong Presbyterian. The Encyclopedia named them Dissenters, nonconformist who did not believe in certain practice of the Church of England. Daniel was brought up, and we assume Mary and Elizabeth as well, in the strict yet independent beliefs of the dissenters.

Daniel adopted the Defoe name, which may have been the original Flemish family name.

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Date Last Edited: 2/8/2002