Members of this generation (at least those whose dates are known to me) were born between 1756 to 1812, but most of them were born in the 1770s and 1780s. They were adults during the Era of Good Feeling when the political emphasis was on local conditions and opportunities. This was the "go-getter" time when getting ahead economically—through speculation, investments in western land and new technologies, and general hustle as well as hard work—seemed to be the dominant motivation. The Quakers lived through a bitter and difficult schism in 1827-'28.

        It seems that each generation not only gets bigger but also more geographically dispersed as individuals spread out across North America. As they moved, they lost touch with cousins, and even with siblings. Each succeeding generation tended to slough off connections with increasingly distant (both geographically and relationally) cousins. This is one of the challenges of genealogy. One of the joys is reconnecting with hitherto unknown distant relatives.

        This page is still under construction; some of the biographical sketches are very sketchy indeed. I am also lacking large chunks of information, so that if you are descended from one or more of these individuals and would be willing to share information with me, I would be delighted to update this page. Send me an e mail: I have also not yet constructed the citation page, so sources are abbreviated in [square brackets] until they can be properly done. Currently they are intended for my use, rather than to be intelligible to the general public. Sorry about that. There are lists of some children that are merely copied from other people, mostly on the web. I have not checked these out myself, and therefore warn readers to be wary. They are included more as research helps than as definitive information. I have tried to provide the sources so you can judge for yourselves their reliability. If you have more accurate information and sources I would be delighted if you'd be willing to share them with me.

        I think I now have all the individuals born into the Paxson families through the fifth generation, so that each of these individuals are numbered. See an explanation of the National Genealogical Society's numbering system used here. Although I know I do not have all the children of the Sixth Generation, I can begin to assign numbers to the Sixth Generation, but cannot complete it yet. Therefore I switch to an alternate method for identifying their children, by listing their lines. For those who want to trace an individual back, most have links to their father's entry. To make things a little easier I have made breaks for the descendants of men in the first two generations.

        There is an alphabetical index of all the individuals who were born with the Paxson surname that I have been able to find and include on these web pages. It does not include the names of wives or the names of those who married Paxson women. I am not using a genealogy program to construct these pages and therefore compile the index laboriously by hand using html. You can try using your browser's find command for spouses.

        I'd appreciate any help readers can offer in the way of additional information, preferably from primary sources. In the meantime, my apologies for errors, and for too much information that has been included without my checking primary sources.

        You can refer to previous generations: the Fourth, or Third, or Second, or First (the Immigrant Generation), or English Ancestors from 1640 to 1682. For more information about this web site, go to its home page.

“Paxson logo” copyright by Paxson Manufacturing Company, 1928

Descendants of William¹
and Mary (Packingham?) Paxson

Descendants of William² and Mary (Watson) Paxson

Grandchildren of William³ and Anna (Marriott) Paxson

119.     William⁵ Paxson, was born 27 March 1773, son of William⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Mary (Subers) Paxson. He married Mary JOHNSON after 1798.

        After the Revolutionary War, as a teenager William moved with his parents from Northampton Township in Bucks County to Bradford in Chester County in early 1789. They returned to Northampton in late 1792.

        William's attendance at the wedding of his sister, which was held out of unity with the meeting, was reported to Middletown Meeting on 9 June 1796. Friends treasured their marriage process as a witness to the importance of marriage and family and therefore to support a break with this tradition was considered a serious offense. A small committee visited with him, but they reported he was not fully sensible of his error. Two other Friends visited and spoke with him, but "William the younger" did not give them "satisfaction" and on 4 First Month 1798 a minute of disownment was signed. It was delivered to him, and he told Friends he did not intend to appeal to the Quarterly Meeting, as was his right. [Mid. MM Men's min., 6/7m/1797, 2:452-3, 455-7, 4/1m/1798, 2:459.]

        William was named executor for his grandmother Anna SUBER's will in 1802. It was proved in 1804. [Bucks Co. Will Book7:30.]

        In 1813 William was listed on the Middletown Township tax duplicate with no livestock or land, and only an unspecified occupation which was valued at $100. He owed county tax of $.20. In the 1815 Tax Duplicate he was still listed with no real estate, but three horses and two cows. He owed .21. Apparently at this time William did not own the farm.

        At the February 1827 term of the Bucks County court of common pleas, there was a partition of 208 acres in Southampton of Obadiah WILLET and his wife Esther. Partition #6 determined the land each of these parties received: Samuel JOHNSON, William Paxson and his wife Mary, Jane JOHNSON, Isaac SCOTT and his wife Elizabeth, and the guardian for Samuel HIBBS. I am speculating that these may have been siblings or in-laws of William's wife, Mary (Johnson) Paxson. More research is needed.

        William signed his will 12 February 1835, and it was proved 21 June 1841. He specified that his wife and children should continue to live in the house on the farm in Northampton Township with William's brother Samuel, and work the farm and continue to live together during their lives "as we have done heretofore." If it became necessary, the farm could be sold with the advice and consent of William's wife, when the youngest child became 21 years old. But it was obvious that William's preference was that it remain in their possession until the death of his wife and his brother. Then, he directed, the farm should be sold and the estate divided. William named his brother Samuel, his son Isaac, and his son-in-law Amos S. WORTHINGTON, executors and guardians of the younger children. There was no inventory or final settlement paper in the file in the Doylestown courthouse when I read the will in the 1980s. [Bucks County Will File #7557.]

        The 1850 federal census provides a snapshot of the household. William's widow Mary and his brother Samuel, both 69, lived there. Samuel was a farmer, as was 45 year old Isaac. The farm was valued at $6,400. Also in the house were William (41) listed as "idiot", Anna (29) "insane", and Edward (38) and Seth (36) who could neither read nor write. Their occupation was given as "none", suggesting they were incapable of helping out very much. There were no servants. I can't help but wonder what had happened to the four youngest children; a family tragedy.

        Children of William and Mary (Johnson) Paxson: (Names from William's will; may be incomplete) [Bucks County Will File #7557.]

326     i.     Isaac⁶, b. ca. 1805; named in 1835 as one of the executors of William's will. He was eventually to receive 1/6 of the estate. Listed as a farmer in the 1850 census. Unmarried.

327     ii.    Harriet, m. Amos S. WORTHINGTON, who was named in 1835 as one of the executors of William's will. She was eventually to receive 1/6 of the estate.

328     iii.   William, b. ca. 1809, considered a minor child in 1835, he was eventually to receive the income from 1/6 of the estate. Identified as an "idiot".

329     iv.    Edward, b. ca. 1812, considered as a minor child in 1835, he was eventually to receive the income from 1/6 of the estate. Couldn't read or write, unable to have an occupation in the 1850 census.

330     v.     Seth, b. ca. 1814, considered as a minor child in 1835, he and his siblings were to be permitted to remain on the farm with his mother and uncle Samuel, at least until Seth turned 21. He was eventually to receive the income from 1/6 of the estate. Couldn't read or write, unable to have an occupation in the 1850 census.

331     vi.    Anna, b. ca. 1821, minor child in 1835, she was eventually to receive 1/6 of the estate. Identified as "insane".

121.     Samuel⁵ Paxson, was born 13 October 1781, son of William⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Mary (Subers) Paxson. It seems likely that Samuel never married.

        As a child Samuel moved with his parents from Northampton Township in Bucks County to Bradford in Chester County in early 1789. They returned to Northampton in late 1792, shortly after his eleventh birthday.

        Samuel's father had been disowned for taking the affirmation of allegiance "under this present unsettled government" during the revolutionary war. His mother and older brother were disowned for supporting his sister's marriage out of unity with Friends. They all could have continued to attend meeting for worship with Friends, but it is possible that the family drifted away. In any event, in November 1808 it was reported that Samuel had paid a fine and exercised with the militia. Friends were appointed to speak with him, and they reported that he "appeared disposed to continue attending" militia activities. He was disowned 9 February 1809. [MMM men's min. 10/11m/1808, C:191-3; 9/2m/1809,C:197, 199.] There is no indication in the minutes before this date that 27-year-old Samuel had gotten married.

        Samuel lived on the farm with his older brother William. William specified in his will (signed in 1835) that William's widow Mary and children were to continue to live on the farm with Samuel, and that Samuel and Mary should be able to remain there the rest of their lives. [Bucks County Will File #7557.] There was no mention of a wife or children of Samuel, so if he did marry his wife and any children must have died early on.

 

125.    John⁵ Paxson, son of Joseph⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Sarah (Rodman) Paxson, was born 17 April 1773, at "Brookfield", Bensalem. He died 16 November 1850. He married on 12 May 1802 Sarah PICKERING in the Buckingham meeting house.[PA2, 9:266.] "Sally" was born 4 May 1782, the daughter of Jonathan and Mary (WILLIAMS) Pickering. Sally transferred her membership to Bristol Preparative Meeting of Middletown Monthly Meeting after the wedding.

        Although Sally was not active in the ongoing committee work of the Women's Meeting, John was quite active in the Men's Meeting. He served as assistant clerk from 1817 to 1823, and as Clerk from 1823, then as Overseer from 1832. After the 1827 separation both John and Sally were Hicksite Friends.

        In the 1810 federal census, which only listed the head of household by name, we can identify that in addition to John, Sarah, and their children, the farm in Bensalem was also home to a woman (aged between 16 and 26, and three black men, presumably farm hands.

        John was a farmer and was very interested in the progressive economic and technological ideas of his day. In an advertisement he testified to the virtues of a patented threshing machine. He also publicly attested to the qualities of a stud horse. John was involved in commercial agriculture, evidenced by having a dozen head of cattle in 1805, and ten in 1835. The tax returns in the latter year also indicated he had a dozen horses. In 1850 he was taxed on a "pleasure carriage".

        John was frequently asked to be the executor for estates, and he served as guardian for several minor children. Examples include executing the estate of John GOFORTH, whose land was adjacent to John's in Bensalem, in 1816 [Bk 9:86]; another neighbor, Harmon TITUS, of Bensalem, in 1822 [Will Bk 10:80]; and for Augustine WILLETT of Bensalem in 1824. [See Rosalie Fellows Bailey, "The Willett Family of Flushing, Long Island, with the Branch in Bucks County, Pennsylvania", as reprinted in Genealogies of Long Island Families, From The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, 2:741.] Notices in the Bucks County Patriot and Bucks County Intelligencer mention John settling the estates of additional people in several towns, as real estate or other assets were put up for sale. He served as guardian for Sarah Ann ALLEN, and for Jonathan, Elizabeth, and Sarah JOHNSON, the children of George Johnson, deceased. His name often was placed on the Whig ticket, but he never won elected office.

        John was one of the men who established the first bank in Bucks County. A century later a history of the Farmers National Bank of Bucks County described the situation out of which the bank was created:

    The bank was organized in troublous times. The expensive loans to the Government for carrying on the war of 1812 had almost paralyzed business. Suspensions and assignments were almost universal, and the city banks had been compelled to limit their discounts and in some cases stop loaning at all.
    In the summer of 1814 the British had sailed up the Chesapeake, attacked Baltimore and Washington, and burned the Capitol. Specie payments were suspended, causing great inconvenience. All the small change disappeared. To suply it, various kinds of small notes were issued by individuals, some as low in denomination as two cents. These, called "shinplasters," circulated widely, but were rarely redeemed.
    The Government was unable to pay its interest on the public debt at the close of 1814. The Treasury endeavored to negotiate a loan of $6,000,000 at 7 per cent, which was sparsely taken until Stephen Girard, of Philadelphia, came to its relief and subscribed the unsold balance, thus saving the National Credit.
    It was at this period that business men outside of the big cities, found that they were forced to "paddle their own canoes" or go down with the current. Consequently, the strong, enterprising men of Bucks County resolved that a bank should be organized in the county for the use and preservation of the business interests of the county. After weighing the matter carefully it was decided that such bank should be located at Hulmeville which was the seat of extensive mills and apparently better adapted as a site, than any other location. [Charles E. Scott, comp., Farmers National Bank of Bucks County, Bristol, Pennsylvania: A Century's Record, 1814-1914 (Bristol, Pa.: 1914), 7-8.]

        On 5 December 1814 John was elected to serve on its Board of Directors, which he did for the rest of his life. He helped oversee the Bank's move from Hulmeville to Bristol in 1823, and to purchase a building for it in 1830. In December 1838 he was elected President of the Farmers' National Bank of Bucks County, a post he held until his death in 1850.

 

The Farmers' National Bank of Bucks County moved to this building at 244 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, in 1833. It had been built as the private residence of Joseph CRAIG of Philadelphia in 1818. In 1914 (?) additions were built on either side. In 1956 Farmers' National Bank merged with Fidelity-Philadelphia Trust Company, and has since endured multiple mergers and name changes. Fortunately, the building continues to serve as a bank. John Paxson's portrait used to hang there. I don't know if it is still there.  The view to the right is from a postcard ca. 1900-1910 from the collection of Paul Flack of Furlong, Pa. The lower left photo is the bank as it appeared 10/18/1987, and the lower right is the rear of the building facing the Delaware River. Photos by Marie Reeder, used with her kind permission.

        John can be found in the tax records. In 1805 he was taxed on 280 acres and improvements, plus one horse and 12 cattle. In 1835 he had 336 acres, 12 horses, and 10 cows, and $6,900 in "money", owing a state tax of $12.13 and county tax of $40.04, plus $6.90 on the cash. In addition he had 18 acres in Bensalem with Lewis VANDEGRIFT, for which they were assessed .72 in state and $2.37 in county taxes. John also had 89 acres as a non-resident in Middletown Township for which he paid $2.40 to the state and $7.93 to the county. In 1850 he was assessed on 302 acres in Bensalem valued at $11,476, one pleasure carriage, six horses, and eight cattle, owing state tax of $35.88 and county tax of $18.37. The 1850 census valued the farm at $24,000 -- typically approximately half the tax assessment.

        Our last official glimpse of John was in the 1850 census in which he was enumerated as a farmer in Bensalem, with $24,000 of land. Sarah was 65. Four adult children still lived at home: John R., 33 was farming, Mary 45, Sarah 41, and Margery 24. African American Amaziah BOSLEY, 24 also farmed, and Margaret Rose, 40 helped with house work. [1850 federal census for Bensalem Twp., Bucks Co., Pa., roll M432_759, p. 33B, lines 9-16.]

        John died 16 November 1850. His estate was valued at $11,174.85 plus real estate which was sold for $4,788.44 in 1852. Sally declined administration of the estate, signing the waiver with a wobbily signature. Their sons Joseph, Jonathan, Samuel H. Paxson, and son-in-law Joseph CANBY filed the final settlement 9 August 1859

        Sally opened her home to her sister-in-law, Mercy, the widow of Charles #234. Mercy died there on 12 July 1852. Actually, the newspaper account is confusing. It gives the death of Mercy Paxson, widow of Charles late of Chester County, formerly of Buckingham, at the residence of her sister Sarah Paxson, in Bensalem, on 12 July. Two days later it reported the death of Mercy Paxson, of Wilmington, Delaware, ca. aged 60, while on a visit to her sister, the widow of John Paxson in Bensalem.[Bucks County Intelligencer.] Mercy (Pickering) Paxson, widow of Charles, is Sarah's sister. It seems highly unlikely that she had two sisters named Mercy, and she had no sister-in-law named Mercy.

        Sally died 19 August 1867.

        Children of John and Sarah (Pickering) Paxson:

332     i. Joseph, b. 12 Feb. 1803; d. 24 Sept. 1867; m. Elizabeth Hunter GALLAHER; res. in Bensalem; 11 children.

333     ii. Mary, b. 31 Oct. 1804; d. 17 June 1887; unmarried. Mary was moderately active in Middletown Meeting; res (in 1850 census) with her parents in Bensalem. In the 1880 census 75 year old Mary Paxson was keeping house with her sister "Margery" P. CANBY, a 54 year old widow, and sister-in-law "Sallie" Paxson, a 53-year old widow, in Langhorne. Mary's obit is in the Friends Intelligencer, 44:424. She was remembered in her sister-in-law Elizabeth (Knight) Paxson's will, pr. 4 June 1891.

334     iii. Anna, b. 17 Oct. 1806; d. 10 Oct. 1858; unmarried. She occasionally had a committee assignment in Middletown Meeting; resided (in 1850 census) with her brother Elihu next door to their parents; death notice in B.C. Intelligencer.

335     iv. Sarah, b. 6 July 1808; d. 20 May 1852; unmarried. She resided (1850 census) with her parents.

336     v.  Jonathan, b. 12 Aug. 1810; d. 1 May 1876; m. 21 Oct. 1835 in Bristol meeting house Elizabeth KNIGHT, daughter of Asa and [Grace?] Elizabeth Knight of Bristol. Elizabeth was born in 1804, and recorded as a minister in 1838. No children.

337     vi. Samuel Harrison, b. 8 Sept. 1812; d. 5 Nov. 1868; m. 12 May 1836 Sarah RICHARDSON; resided at "Mineral Spring Farm" in Middletown Township; 5 children.

338     vii. Elihu, b. 2 Dec. or 12 Feb. 1814; d. 1 July 1855; unmarried; resided (1850 census) on farm next to his parents; inactive in ongoing committee work of Middletown Monthly Meeting. His will is file #9811 on the list of the Register of Wills. [Bucks County Courthouse, Doylestown (seen 8/1987).]

339     viii. John, b. 3 Jan. 1817; d. 19 Mar. 1857; unmarried. He resided (1850 census) with his parents in Bensalem, where he was listed as a single man, occupation: laborer, but owning a carriage. John was not active in ongoing committee work of Middletown Monthly Meeting. John's mother was declared his heir at law, but she renounced executing it 28 Apr. 1857 in favor of Joseph CANBY and Samuel H. Paxson. An inventory was made on 22 Apr. and it totalled $2,445.35, including a silver watch, 6 colts, 1 mare, 1 horse, 1 ox, 1 bull, 7 cows, 1 calf, 25 sheep, 3 hogs, 4 plows, and a clover huller. There was $129.50 due in book accounts. A second collateral inventory was made 11 Sept listing real estate worth $1,000 and personal property valued at $1,570.75 for a total of $2,570.75. After Samuel's death, the estate was finally settled 14 Nov. 1868 by Joseph Canby, the surviving executor, with the payment of $132.37 collateral inheritance tax. I don't know why it took so long. [Bucks Co. Will file #10098, Doylestown.]

340     ix. Margaret, b. 19 July 1819; d. 27 Oct. 1861; m. 16 Nov. 1843 Joseph CANBY of Hulmeville. They had 6 children: Mary Hulme Canby, b. 29 Sept. 1845; d. 13 Oct. 1854; John Paxson Canby, b. 4 July 1847; Sarah P. Canby, b. 25 Dec. 1849; d. 5 Oct. 1850; Anna P. Canby, b. 26 Dec. 1851; Geroge H. Canby, b. 26 Jan. 1854; d. 3 Dec. 1856; Elizabeth T. Canby, b. 17 Sept. 1856; m. 14 Nov. 1875 George APPLETON, a farmer in Langhorne; they had a daughter, Margaret Canby Appleton, b. 29 Aug. 1879, m. Richard ABBOTT and had a son, __ Abbott. Margaret's obit in Friends Intelligencer, 18:584. Joseph m. (2) her sister Margery Paxson.

341     x. William H., b. 21 Dec. 1821; d. 29 Feb. 1850; m. 14 Apr. 1848 Sarah P. ROWLETT, daughter of John of Germantown, in Green Street Meeting. In the 1880 census "Sallie" Paxson, a 53-year old widow, was keeping house with her sister-in-law "Margery" P. Canby, a 54 year old widow, and 75 year old sister-in-law Mary Paxson in Langhorne. Sallie/Sarah d. 21 Mar. 1909 in her 83rd year; obit in Friends Intelligencer, 66:206. No children.

342     xi. Margery, or Marjorie, b. 25 Mar. 1826; m. 1867 Joseph CANBY, the widower of her deceased sister Margaret; before her marriage Margery resided (1850 census) with her parents in Bensalem. Margery and Joseph had a son, Joseph P. Canby of Hulmeville, b. 23 Aug. 1869, who m. 29 Apr. 1896 Maria OLDEN, and had three children: Peace Canby, Joseph Canby, and Edward Canby. Margery was remembered in her sister-in-law Elizabeth (Knight) Paxson's will, pr. 4 June 1891. [Mackenzie, Colonial Families of the USA, 8:3.]
    One day when her three-year old granddaughter Peace Canby HALL was visiting, the little girl looked out the third floor window and could see the George School campus in the distance. She just knew she had to go to school there. So she ran across the hayfield to Bridgetown and hailed a trolley car headed for Newtown, with Marjorie in hot pursuit. The little girl begged to be taken to George School, but Marjorie grabbed her hand and they returned to the old stone farmhouse where, the story goes, the 90-100 lb. grandmother gently spanked the little girl. [Letter to the Georgian Vol. 62, no. 2 (April 1991), p. 2, from Peace Canby Hall, class of 1916, Canyonville, Ore.]
    In the 1880 census "Margery" P. Canby was a 54 year old widow keeping house with her sister-in-law Sallie Paxson, a 53-year old widow, and 75 year old sister Mary Paxson in Langhorne. Marjorie's daughter, 28 year old Annie, and son, 10 year old Joseph were also living there. Three others lived in the house: 34 year old Cassandra RICE, 23 year old Maggie Rice, and 20 year old Annie Rice. Everyone in the house was born in Pennsylvania of Pennsylvania parents. I do not know if the three Rices were sisters, but the older two were school teachers. [1880 census as on www.familysearch.org]

126.    William⁵ Paxson, son of Joseph⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Sarah (Rodman) Paxson, was born 26 August 1779 and died 9 March 1858. He married Ann CANBY, the daughter of Samuel and Frances (LEA) Canby, on 20 Tenth Month 1803 under the care of Wilmington Monthly Meeting [Friends in Wilmington 1738-1938, (1938), as seen 10m/11/2007 on http://www.midatlanticarchives.com/db_de_new_castle_co/wilmington_quaker_marriages/pg002.htm.] Ann was the grand daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth (SHIPLEY) Canby, the great grand daughter of Thomas and Mary (OLIVER) Canby. Ann transferred her membership from Wilmington to Philadelphia in Twlefth Month 1803.

        As a fifteen-year old William removed in 1794 to Philadelphia where he was presumably apprenticed to become a hatter, and followed that line of work probably until 1825 or even until 1829. In 1825 William, Ann, and their daughter Frances removed from Western District of Philadelphia Meeting to Middletown.

        Four years later the three of them moved to Wilmington Meeting in Delaware where William worked as cashier at the Bank of Delaware. In this capacity his name occasionally appeared in Atkinson's Saturday Evening Post repudiating counterfeit bills perporting to be drawn on the Bank of Delaware. The $10 bills dated 10 April 1836 were poorly done, while the ones dated 8 Sept. 1837 were "well executed". [Atkinson's Saturday Evening Post, 15:802 (Dec. 12, 1836), p. 3; 17:894 (Sept. 15, 1838), p. 2. This magazine was the forerunner of the Saturday Evening Post still being published in the early 21st century.]

        Ann died in her 67th year on Sixth Day [Friday], 10 Eighth Month 1849 at the home of William KITE in Chester County. "She was favoured to endure many years of bodily suffering with exemplary Christian patience, leaving the consoling belief that her end was peace." [The Friend 22:50 (Sept. 1, 1849), p. 400.]

        In his final years William and his unmarried daughter Frances moved back to Philadelphia. They carried certificates of removal from Wilmington Meeting to the Orthodox Arch Street Meeting dated 8 April 1852, received 24 June that year. [Hinshaw 2:759] However, they seem to have gone to New York to live with Samuel. Frances died at her brother's house on 28 Fifth Month 1858. She was in her 52nd year, and still a member of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. [The Friend 32:5 (Oct. 9, 1858), p. 40.]

        William died 3 September 1858 in his 80th year, at the home of his son, Samuel C. The Friend noted that William was "an esteemed member of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting." [The Friend 32:5 (Oct. 9, 1858), p. 40.] He was buried on Long island. Interestingly, Hinshaw notes that William was no longer a member of Philadelphia Meeting (Orthodox) at that time. [Hinshaw 2:714]

        Children of William and Ann (Canby) Paxson: [Birth dates for Samuel C. and Fanny are given in Phila. Yearly Meeting's Birth, Death, and Burial Records, 1683-1826, p. 76.]

343     i.    Samuel Canby⁶, b. 30 Sept. 1804; d. 26 July 1860; m. 5 July 1827 Elizabeth DRINKER; 8 children. Samuel C. was a commission merchant in New York City.

344     ii.   Frances, called Fanny, b. 9 Mar. 1807; d. 28 May 1858, age 51 years and 2 months; bur. Prospect Park (in NYC? Long Island?); unmarried. In 1852 she and her widowed father removed from Wilmington, Del. to Philadelphia. It is possible that the two of them later went to New York to be with her older brother, since that is where they are both buried. [Hinshaw 2:759; 3:249; her obit is in The Friend, 32 (1859), p. 40.]

345     iii.  Anna, b. 16 May 1811; d. 25 May 1811.

346    iv.   Rodman, b. 26 May 1816; d. 25 Sept. 1818.

130.    Richard S.⁵ Paxson, son of Joseph⁴ and Sarah (Rodman) Paxson (William³, William², William¹), was born 14 December 1788 and died 24 September 1857. He married on 4 January 1813 at Mulberry Street Meeting in Philadelphia, Elizabeth SHOEMAKER. She was born 18 February 1792, daughter of Joseph and Anne (Williams). Elizabeth died 14 December 1855.

        Richard entered Westtown, the Friends boarding school in West Chester, as a student in Second Month 1801. He was the only one of his siblings to attend. [A Brief History of Westtown Boarding School with a General Catalogue of Officers, Students, Etc. 3rd ed. (Phila.: Sherman & Co., 1884), 108.]

        In 1804 Richard went to Philadelphia where he was apprenticed to his uncle Isaac Paxson. Richard became a successful hardware merchant.

        At the time of the separation within Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, the Paxsons were members of the Western District of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. That meeting was strongly Orthodox in sympathy, and the Paxsons no longer felt comfortable there. Richard was disowned Twelfth Month 1829 and Elizabeth was disowned First Month 1830. The children, being minors, continued to be carried on the Orthodox meeting's books. When the Paxsons moved to another part of the city, on 24 May 1832 an unrequested certificate of removal for Joseph S., Anna, Richard, Jr., Sarah Rodman, Charles Henry, Susan Shoemaker, and William L., the minor children of Richard, was received in Philadelphia Monthly Meeting (Orthodox), from Western District Monthly Meeting dated 25 April that year. [Hinshaw 2:759; WDMM records.] However, this does not mean that the children were active Orthodox. Several of the children were carefully disowned by the Orthodox as they came of age. When the family moved to Bensalem, a certificate for the remaining minor children was sent to the Orthodox Middletown Meeting, but there is no indication that any of them other than possibly Richard, Jr. were ever involved in the latter meeting.

        Typical of successful entrepreneurs of the day, in 1841 Richard purchased "Farley", a gentleman's farm on the banks of the Neshaminy Creek, adjoining "Flushing", the former residence of the Hon. William Rodman, in Bensalem between Hulmeville and Bristol. Richard and Elizabeth retired to "Farley" in 1843. [Notes on reverse of hollow silhouette of Joseph S. Paxson, in possession of MPB.]

        Richard was enumerated as a 61 year old farmer in the 1850 federal census. His farm in Bensalem Township was valued at $20,000, one of the most valuable in the area. Living with him were his wife Elizabeth (age 58), daughters Sarah R. (29), Susan (23), and Elizabeth (18). His sons were listed as farmers living there, too: Charles H. (26) and W. Lashbrooke (21). From Ireland came John BARBOUR, a 24 year old farmer, and Elizabeth McFETERS (23). Rounding out the house-hold was 14 year old W. H. LENBERGER, born in Pennsylvania.

        After his death in 1857 Richard's estate was inventoried at $26,033.50, not counting real estate.

        Children of Richard S. and Elizabeth (Shoemaker) Paxson: Birth dates of the four oldest children in Phila. Yearly Meeting's Birth, Death, and Burial Records, (Orthodox), p. 76.]

347     i.     Joseph Shoemaker⁶, b. 16 Jan. 1814 in Philadelphia; m. 2 May 1836 Deborah J. IDDINGS. Disowned by Phila. MM (Orth) 25 Aug. 1836 for marrying out of unity with Friends. [Hinshaw 2:759.] Removed to San Francisco. 1 son:

a.   Richard C. Paxson, b. 2/12m/1839; d. 15/3m/1864; unmarried.

348     ii.    Anna, b. 29 Apr. 1816 in Phila.; m. 13 Nov. 1839 Joshua PANCOAST; 3 children. After she became 21 "Anne" was disowned by Phila. MM (Orth) 28 Sept. 1837 for joining the Hicksite branch of Friends. Presumably she had worshipped with her parents in the Hicksite meeting ever since the separation.[Hinshaw 2:759.] Anna and Joshua had three children:

a.   Richard Pancoast, b. 12m/2/1840
b.   Henry B. Pancoast, b. 8m/18/1843
c.   Charles R. Pancoast, b. 12m/6/1854

349     iii.   Richard Jr., b. 9 Oct. 1818; d. 3 Feb. 1872; m. 2 Jan. 1844 Mary PICKERING; 1 son: Edward Paxson.

350     iv.   Sarah Rodman, or Sara, b. 24 Oct. 1820 in Phila.; d. 1905; m. 5 June 1856 Marmaduke W. ALLEN; 2 children. After she became of age, she was disowned by Phila. MM (Orth) 28 Apr. 1842 for being one of the Hicksite branch of Friends. [Hinshaw 2:759.]

a.   Dr. Thomas L. Allen, b. 4m/23/1857; mar. 18 Sara or Sarah Palmer, daughter of Joseph and Anna Richardson Paxson PALMER.
b.   Elizabeth Shoemaker Allen, b. 5m/15/1860; unmarried.

351     v.    Charles Henry, b. 26 Oct. 1824 in Phila.; d. 29 Feb. 1884; m. Ada BOWEN. Res. at "Farley" and in San Francisco; 1 son: William Laurence Paxson.

352     vi.   Susan Shoemaker, b. 30 July 1826 in Phila.; d. 6 Aug. 1865 in Brooklyn, NY; m. 19 Oct. 1854 Francis HATHAWAY; 3 children:

a.   Anna Hathaway, b. 14/7m/1855
b.   Nathaniel Hathaway, b. 25/2m/1858
c.   Elizabeth Hathaway, b. 25/4m/1861; d. 9/5m/1865.

353     vii.  William Lashbrooke, b. 30 Dec. 1828 in Phila.; d. 28 May 1871; m. 20 May 1858 Emily PICKERING. Res. "Oakley Farm" in Bensalem; 4 children.

354     viii.  Elizabeth, b. 27 Apr. 1832; m. Charles W. PICKERING; 2 children.

133.    Joseph Shaw Paxson⁵ was the son of Phineas⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Susanna (Shaw) Paxson, born about 1770. He married Caroline WILLETT, born in 1767 in Southampton Township, the daughter of Walter and his first wife Martha (HARDING) Willett. Caroline's great grandmother was Mary (RODMAN) Willett, the sister of Joseph Shaw Paxson's great grandfather John Rodman. [Information from Joan Paxson Bodnar, 11m/9/2003, and Familysearch (AFN: X3D3-JK).]

        Caroline's parents were married out of unity with Friends on 24 April 1766 at the "Dutch Church of North and Southampton" when Martha was already pregnant. The couple were disowned by Middletown Meeting. [Rosalie Fellows Bailey, "The Willett Family of Flushing, Long Island, with the Branch in Bucks County, Pennsylvania", as reprinted in Genealogies of Long Island Families, From The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, 2:734.] When war broke out Caroline's father, Walter Willett, was a loyalist and just before the battle of Germantown he joined the British Army under Sir William HOWE. His goods and chattels were considered forfeited, and appraised 9 August 1778. In 1784, after the war had ended, he was named on the list of those attainted of high treason in Pennsylvania. His wife, seven children, father, and brother-in-law all remained in Bucks County. By the laws of Pennsylvania, his wife, Martha (HARDING) Willett, was now considered her own mistress and able to purchase his personal estate, the same as if she were divorced. Two years later Walter was living in Granville, Nova Scotia, and applied for financial relief as a loyalist. Walter married Abigail __ and had ten children with her, born between 1787 and 1805. Martha (Harding) Willett died in 1815. Her will, dated 15 December 1814 and proved 25 January 1815 mentioned all six surviving children, including Caroline Paxson; the children of her deceased daughter Rachel BALDWIN; and a grandson, George Willett, the "natural" (i.e. illegitimate) son of Martha's deceased son Gilbert Willett. [Rosalie Fellows Bailey, "The Willett Family of Flushing, Long Island, with the Branch in Bucks County, Pennsylvania", as reprinted in Genealogies of Long Island Families, From The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, 2:734-5.]

        Joseph does not seem to have been particularly impressed with the Quaker way of life. He trained with a military body, and married out of unity with Friends to a non-Quaker. He was disowned by Middletown Meeting 4 October 1787. [PMMM 3:496.]

        Joseph lived in Bensalem. The 1795 tax duplicate listed him with 50 acres valued at £180, two horses valued at £12, and two cows valued at £7, for a total tax valuation of £199 and a tax bill of £0.7.4.

        For reasons that he did not specify, Joseph's father Phineas skipped over Joseph in his will, leaving substantial bequests to his other children that were not to be distributed until after the death of Joseph. Joseph had been disowned for military activity, but so had Phineas. Since Joseph was not a Friend, any misbehavior was not minuted, and we do not have any way of knowing if there were specific behaviors or a clash of personalities that set father against son. It is possible that Joseph was already enjoying possession of the bulk of his father's lands, and that is why nothing more was bequeathed to him. A little more research is needed here.

        Children of Joseph Shaw Paxson (the first five are in the will of their grandfather, Phineas Paxson). Since Joseph and Caroline were not Friends, information on their children is much more difficult to find.

355       i.      Walter Paxson, d. before 1850 census; m. 26 Feb. 1818 Hannah KIRKBRIDE, daughter of David and Mary (JONES) Kirkbride in Buckingham [IGI]; Walter and his brother Phineas were to inherit from their grandfather $2,000 between the two of them, but they were not to receive it until after their father died. [Bucks Co. Will Book 9:350, File #4607.] 2 daughters.

356       ii.    Phineas Paxson, m. Martha BIRD; Phineas and his brother Walter were to inherit from their grandfather $2,000 between the two of them, but they were not to receive it until after their father died.

357       iii.   Mahlon Gregg Paxson, along with his sisters Susanna and Caroline, inherited $150 from their grandfather to be divided among them after their father died.

358       iv.   Susanna Paxson, along with Mahlon and Caroline, inherited $150 from their grandfather to be divided among them after their father died.

359       v.    Caroline Paxson, along with Mahlon and Susanna, inherited $150 from their grandfather to be divided among them after their father died.

360      vi.    Samuel Paxson,

361       vii.  Gilbert Paxson, d. before 15 December 1814 when his mother dated her will, referring to him as deceased. He had an illegitimate son named George Willett, who was mentioned in Gilbert's mother's will.

362       viii. Augustine Paxson,

135.    Charles⁵ Paxson was the son of Phineas⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Susanna (Shaw) Paxson. He was born 20 December 1782 and died 11 January 1852. He married Susanna MICHENER in 1811 when he was 29 and she was 21. Susan died shortly before Charles, the local newspaper listed her death on 3 January 1852.[BC Intelligencer]

        In 1819 Charles inherited his father’s farm of approximately 88 acres in Southampton. He and his wife sold it in four parcels on the first day of April, 1822, just three years after inheriting it.[Information from Joan Paxson Bodnar, 11m/9/2003.]

        There are fragments of information on Charles in the public record. For example, before 1823 he sold some land in Southampton to Jesse RANDALL (presumably one of the parcels mentioned above). In October 1834 he and Charles PARRY executed the estate of Philip Parry of Buckingham.[BC Intell., 10/1834.]

        There are also fragments of information about him in private, family records. Apparently Charles and Susanna took in Albert STEVENSON and the probably orphaned child Charles RUNNER (1826-1887). Charles's daughter, Emma Virginia (Runner) WHITE, later said of Charles Runner, that Charles Paxson's eldest daughter, Sarah Michener Paxson, was "the only mother he ever had". She was 14 years his senior, and very well may have assumed that role. Emma also reported that Annie Gregg Paxson was termed "aunt". Charles Paxson's son Phineas Paxson was Charles Runner's near contemporary, and they became good friends. Phineas's daughter Emily A. Paxson was regarded by Emma V. R. White as "cousin". Charles Runner in fact named his first-born child, a daughter who died in infancy, Susan Alice Paxson Runner (1854-1855). [Information from Carl Runner White, e mail 3m/5/2013.]

        Charles and Susanna sold their property in Southampton in 1840 and lived briefly in Northampton Township, or perhaps Wrightstown before moving to Elsinboro, New Jersey, which is where their son, Merritt, also lived. [Information from Joan Paxson Bodnar, 11m/9/2003.]

        The obituaries of Charles and Susanna were printed in the Bucks County Intelligencer, Doylestown, Penna., dated January 27, 1852:

Deaths: Near the City of Salem, New Jersey on the 3rd instance After a brief illness, Susan Paxson, formerly of Bucks County, aged about 60 years, and at the same place on the 11th instance, Charles Paxson, husband of Susan Paxson, aged about 70 years. They have left a large and affectionate family to mourn them in the loss of this sudden and unexpected visitation of the divine will but they must place their trust in the Lord and be comforted.

        Charles died without a will, indicating that he did not suffer a long illness, and death was unexpected. His son Merritt was appointed Administrator of his nominal estate.

        Children of Charles and his wife, Susanna (Michener) Paxson:[Information on the children from Joan Paxson Bodnar, 11m/9/2003. Davis, Hist. of Bucks Co., gives Charles's wife's name as Grace, which is an error, 3:693.]

363     i.   Sarah Michener Paxson, b. 3 Oct. 1812; d. 13 July 1891, age 79. [from the family Bible, e mail from Carl Runner White, 3m/6/2013. Joan Bodnar had offered a date of death of 6 Dec. 1838.] In the 1860 census Sarah was 46, living with her widowed brother John Hayhurst Paxson.

364     ii.   Merritt Hanson Paxson, b. 23 Sept. 1814; d. 6 Jan. 1886; m. 31 Dec. 1835 Hannah Larzalere KNIGHT; 9 children; res. Salem Co., NJ, then New Castle Co., Del.

365     iii.   John Hayhurst Paxson, b. 18 July 1816; d. 16 Feb. 1895; m. 3 Dec. 1840 Eleanor SHEARER; 2 children; res. Salem, NJ. [The family Bible confirms the date of death but calls him John Hurst Paxson, e mail from Carl Runner White, 3m/6/2013.]

366     iv.    Joseph S. Paxson, b. 17 Oct. 1818; d. 22 Aug. 1820.

367     v.     Anna Gregg "Annie" Paxson, b. 6 June 1821; d. 9 May 1884. In the 1860 census "Ann" was 25, living with her widowed brother John Hayhurst Paxson and sister Sarah; both women fudged their ages. Annie was living in Pilesgrove, Salem Co., NJ, with her widowed older brother John H. in the 1880 census. Annie was called "Aunt" by the children of Charles RUNNER, who spent part of his childhood in the Paxson home and was a best fried of Annie's brother Phineas. [The family Bible confirms the date of death but calls her Anna Grigg Paxson, e mail from Carl Runner White, 3m/6/2013.]

368     vi.   Gregg Paxson, b. 14 Jan. 1823; d. 5 Mar. 1823.

369     vii.   Phineas Paxson, b. 6 May 1825; d. 4 Mar. 1899; m. Rebecca TOMLINSON, and had 6 children.

370     viii.  Susannah (or Hannah) Paxson, b. 1819 ? [1829?]; d. 10 Aug. 1884;

371     ix.    Charles R. Paxson, b. 31 Mar. 1831; d. 6 Aug. 1831.

136.    Phineas⁵ Paxson, the son of Thomas⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Elizabeth (Randall) Paxson, was born 30 March 1776. He died 7 or 8 April 1850. Phineas married Rachel WOOLSTON, the daughter of Joshua and his second wife Mary (RICHARDSON) Woolston, on 17 April 1817. Rachel was born 7 September 1791 and died a widow on 5 November 1860, aged 69 years, 1 month, and 28 days. They resided in Middletown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

        Because his parents had been disowned, Phineas was not a birthright member of the Religious Society of Friends. However, it seems probable that his family were part of the Quaker sub-culture, and attended meetings for worship. In 1802 Phineas applied for membership and was taken under the care of friends. He was moderately active in Middletown Meeting.

        In 1805 Phineas was listed on the Middletown tax duplicate as a single man, engaged as a store keeper, and assessed a tax of $1.00. The 1813 tax duplicate listed him with a house & lot, one horse, and an unspecified occupation all valued at $1,670 on which he owed a county tax of $3.34. His firm of Walton & Paxson was also listed on the duplicate, with 1½ acres of land valued at $165, and a county tax of .33.

        Phineas appears to have been a respected member of the community because he was asked to witness wills from time to time. In 1814 he witnessed Joseph HAYHURST's in Middletown Township, and in 1820 he witnessed John HAYHURST's in Northampton Township. [Bucks Co. Will Abstracts.]

        However, in 1823 Middletown Preparative Meeting reported that Phineas was in "reduced circumstances", unable to pay his debts because he had launched into trade and business beyond his means. He converted part of his assets into a house on his father's land so that his creditors could not get it. This offended Friends' sense of honesty and fair dealing. Phineas acknowledged and condemned his action, which Friends accepted. A notice in the Penna. Correspondent & Farmers' Advertiser explained that the late firm of Walton & Paxson was dissolved in Fourth Month 1814, debts to be paid by Jonathan Walton. [Penna. Correspondent & Farmers' Advertiser, 25/6m/1823.]

        In May 1828 Phineas, his wife, and four children (Mary, Elizabeth, Thomas, and Lydia Ann) removed to Falls Monthly Meeting. It was probably not a coincidence that there was notice of a sheriff's sale 16 March 1829 of half of a 1 1/2 acre lot in Attleboro at the main intersection. It included a large stone dwelling house with a spacious store at one end, well and pump, frame barn, out buildings, and fruit trees.

        Phineas, Rachel, and their family were Hicksite Friends. Rachel served as clerk of the Women's Meeting in 1821 and was recorded as a minister. Both Rachel and Phineas signed anti-slavery petitions to Congress. [For more on anti-slavery petitions, now stored in the National Archives, see Judith Z. Thorne, "Earnest and Solemn Protest: Quaker Anti-Slavery Petitions to Congress, 1831-1865", in Quaker History, Vol. 88, no. 2 (Fall, 1999), pp. 47-50.]

        In 1839 Phineas and Rachel and their children (Mary, Elizabeth, Thomas, Joshua, and Sarah B.) removed from Falls to Indian Spring Monthly Meeting in Maryland. [Mid. MM minutes, 5/1828, 4/1839.]

        After Phineas's death in 1850, Rachel and her youngest daughter, Sarah, moved back to Middletown, on a certificate accepted Third Month 1851. [PMMM 4:988.] On 10 Fifth Month 1855, after careful deliberation, Middletown meeting issued her a travelling minute to visit Baltimore Yearly Meeting and the meetings composing it. [PMMM 4:1015.] Rachel died in Attleboro between 10:00 and 11:00 o'clock on 5 Eleventh Month 1861. Her cousin Joshua RICHARDSON went into Philadelphia the next day to invite people to the funeral. On 11m/7 her body was carried to the meeting house where Sarah HUNT from New Jersey "had a good deal to say", and Amos JONES also spoke. [Diary of Joshua Richardson, Historic Langhorne Assoc.] Rachel's obituary appeared in Friends Intelligencer 17:570. Her will is in file #10601 in Doylestown.

        Children of Phineas and Rachel (Woolston) Paxson:

372     i.    Samuel Paxson, b. 1 May 1818; d. before May 1828.

373     ii.   Mary W. Paxson, b. 17 Jan. 1820. In 1828 she removed with her parents from Middletown to Falls; she entered Westtown School as female student #3433 on 4m/1838 [A Brief History of Westtown Boarding School with a General Catalogue of Officeers, Students, Etc. 2nd ed. (Phila.: Printed by Sherman & Co., 1873), 240.]; in 1839 she removed from Falls MM to Baltimore, with her parents.

374     iii.   Elizabeth Paxson, b. 28 Aug. 1822; d. between 12/5m/1871 and 23/4/1880; m. 9 Jan. 1850 Blakey BUNTING; he res. in Middletown, they were m. at Fairhill MM [BC Intelligencer]. However the minutes of Sandy Spring Friends Meeting on First Month 9, 1850 cleared the couple to marry at her father's house. She entered Westtown School as female student #3519 in 10m/1838 [A Brief History of Westtown Boarding School with a General Catalogue of Officeers, Students, Etc. 2nd ed. (Phila.: Printed by Sherman & Co., 1873), 242.]Her obit in Friends Intelligencer 32(1876):281; his also in Friends Intelligencer 46(1889):714. In 1828 she removed with her parents from Middletown to Falls; in 1839 she removed from Falls MM to Baltimore, with her parents. In the 1880 census, the household in Middletown of Elizabeth's widower, Blakey BUNTING, and his second wife Tamar, included Elizabeth's uncle William #140, and Blakey's sister-in-law Sarah Paxson #378.

375     iv.   Thomas Paxson, b. 11 Mar. 1824; d. 10 Mar. 1849 at Sandy Spring, Md.[BC Intell.] In 1828 he removed with his parents from Middletown to Falls. He removed with his parents 10/1839 from Falls to Baltimore.

376     v.     Lydia Ann Paxson, b. before 5/1828; d. before 4/1939. In 1828 she removed with her parents from Middletown to Falls.

377     vi.   Joshua Woolston Paxson, b. 27 Dec. 1829; d. 30 Jan. 1842. [in Falls MM records] He removed with his parents 10/1839 from Falls to Baltimore.

378     vii.  Sarah B. Paxson, b. 27 May 1833, after the family removed from Middletown to Falls; in 1839 she removed from Falls MM to Baltimore, with her parents. In the 1880 census for Middletown, Sarah lived with her brother-in-law, Elizabeth's widower, Blakey BUNTING, and his second wife Tamar, and Sarah's uncle William PAXSON #140. [Birth in Falls MM records; 1880 census as seen on FamilySearch, NA film no. T9-1106, page no. 365A, as seen 3/16/2006.]

138.     Israel⁵ Paxson, the son of Thomas⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Elizabeth (Randall) Paxson, was born about 1783 when his parents were not members of the Religious Society of Friends, so he does not appear in Friends' records. In 1810 he and his four siblings were each bequeathed £25 in the will of Elizabeth BANES, their grandmother. [Will signed 1803, pr. 1810.]

        The 1850 federal census for Southampton enumerated Israel, a 67 year old farmer on a farm valued at $7,200. With him was Anna, age 76, Ann MITCHINER, age 57, and an English lad, twelve year old Frederic MOORE who attended school. It was also checked that Frederic was married within the year, which I suggest is an enumerator error. I note that several other obviously underage children on this same page also were checked as recently married. [1850 census for Southampton, Bucks Co, Penna., roll M432_759, p. 104A, lines 29-32.]

        Anna, the wife of Israel Paxson of Southampton, died on 14 January 1859 at the age of 85. [Bucks County Intelligencer.]

139.     John⁵ Paxson, the son of Thomas⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Elizabeth (Randall) Paxson, was born 26 December 1780. I am unclear who he married. One source says her name was Susan ___ who was born ca. 1794 (?); however, Hinshaw records her name as Sarah.

        In 1810 John and his four siblings were each bequeathed £25 in the will of Elizabeth BANES, his grandmother.[Will signed 1803, pr. 1810.] Elizabeth had married __ Banes after the death of her first husband, George RANDALL.

        The 1813 tax duplicate for Middletown listed John with no livestock or real estate, only an unspecified occupation valued at $200. He owed $.40 for county taxes. In the 1815 tax for Middletown John was listed with 50 acres, 4 horses, a cow and a gig. He was taxed $3.90. But then the bottom fell out of the agricultural market following the end of the Napoleonic wars and the War of 1812.

        In 1821 John, his wife, and their two children decided to remove to Frankford in Philadelphia County. The Women's meeting reported that there was no obstruction to his wife receiving a certificate of removal. The men's minutes report that after the removal of some (unspecified) obstruction, a certificate was signed for John, his wife, and their two children. [PMMM 4:869, 9/11m/1821.] The following year word was received from Frankford MM that John was "necessitous", and Friends there assisted him. In 1823 the family returned from Frankford to Middletown. But things never seemed to go really well for John, and in 1826 they moved to Mt. Holly, New Jersey.

        After the separation of 1827 John and his wife were so-called Hicksite Friends. As was the custom, Burlington Monthly Meeting (Orthodox) disowned John and Sarah for being Hicksites, Eleventh Month 1828. Sometime around August 1832 the family moved to Haddonfield, and the Orthodox officiously sent a certificate of removal for the two girls, even though it was obvious that they were of the Hicksite persuasion. [Hinshaw, 2:298.]

        The 1850 federal census for Haddonfield, New Jersey, enumerated a John Paxson, a 69 year old "turner of wood" living with Susan CARRALL (42) and her three children: Ann B. (11), William R. (9), and Charles (6), all of whom attended school within the past year. They and John were born in Pennsylvania, Susan in New Jersey. She owned $3,400 worth of real estate. [1850 census for haddonfield, Camden Co., NJ, roll M432_445, p. 150A, lines 22-26.] Twenty years later the 1870 census listed Susan and her family in Philadelphia. John Paxson was no longer living with them. Although no occupations were listed on the entire page, it appears that Susan Carrall may have been running a boarding house. [1870 census for 40th District, 14th Ward, Philadelphia, roll M593_1426, p. 390B, lines 5-15.]

        Children of John and his wife:

379     i.   Elizabeth Paxson, b. 17 July 1814; unmarried in 1871 when she was referred to as Elizabeth Paxson in her uncle William Paxson's will.

380    ii.   Rachel Paxson, b. 26 June 1818;

140.     William⁵ Paxson, the son of Thomas⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Elizabeth (Randall) Paxson, was born when his parents were not members of the Religious Society of Friends, so he does not appear in Friends' records. He was born ca. 1790 and died 29 July 1883 in his 94th year.

        William and his four siblings were each bequeathed £25 in the will of Elizabeth BANES, their maternal grandmother.[Will signed 1803, pr. 1810.]

        In the 1880 federal census for Middletown, William (age given as 90) is living with his nephew (brother Phineas's son-in-law) Blakey Bunting (age 56), Blakey's second wife Tamar (age 45), his daughter Mary Bunting (age 29, single), and Blakey's sister-in-law Sarah Paxson (age 46, single) [1880 census as seen on FamilySearch, NA film no. T9-1106, page no. 365A, as seen 3/16/2006.]

        There is a brief obituary for William Paxson in the Friends Intelligencer. He was a member of Middletown meeting and died in his 94th year on 29 Seventh Month 1883. He died at the residence of Blakey Bunting in Middletown. It was said at his funeral that "he had studied to be quiet, minding his own business." [Friends Intelligencer 40:26 (Aug. 11, 1883), p. 409.]

        William wrote his will 12 May 1871, and it was proved 13 August 1883. He left bequests to his deceased brother Phineas's children Sarah and Elizabeth P. BUNTING; to his deceased brother John's daughter Elizabeth Paxson and grandchildren Elizabeth KELLY, Mary GRAHAM, Rachel Kelly, and Alexander Kelly; niece Elizabeth P. BUNTING (wife of Blakey Bunting). He named Blakey Bunting of Middletown (with whom William was living) and Barclay KNIGHT of Lower Makefield as executors. The will was witnessed by James PALMER and Joseph FLOWERS. A codicil was witnessed by the same two men 23 April 1880 replacing the deceased Elizabeth P. Bunting with her daughter Mary. [Thomas G. Myers, Bucks County Pennsylvania Will Abstracts, 1870-1900 (Westminster, Md.: Willow Bend Books, 2002), 203, citing Bucks Will Bk. 22, page 116, file #158777.]

149.     Joseph W.⁵ Paxson, the son of Mahlon⁴ (William³, William², William¹) was born 8 July 1798 after his parents had been disowned by Middletown Monthly Meeting, so he does not appear in Friends' records. He died 7 September 1868. Joseph married 30 June 1824 Phebe KIRK, the daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (IREDELL) Kirk.

Joseph was named in 1823 as a co-executor of his mother's will, along with a brother-in-law Samuel PALMER. Joseph renounced his right to administer it on 28 April 1832, when the will was proved.[Bucks Co. Will File #6338.]

Phebe died 19 March 1866 in her son Alfred's home in Delaware. Her remains were buried in the Friends Burying Ground in Stanton, Del. [Suzanne P. Lamborn, The Paxson Family (Morgantown, Pa.: Masthof Press, 2008), p. 5]

Children of Joseph W. and Phebe (Kirk) Paxson:[Suzanne P. Lamborn, The Paxson Family (Morgantown, Pa.: Masthof Press, 2008), p. 5]

381     i.    Ann Elizabeth Paxson, b. 1825; d. 1842.

382     ii.   Alfred J. Paxson, b. 15 June 1826; d. in Staunton, Del.; m. 23 May 1889 Mary P. PHIPPS, the widow of Thomas WOLLASTON.

383     iii.  Sarah W. Paxson, b. 7 July 1828; d. 2 Feb. 1885; unmarried; bur. Mill Creek Hundred.

150.     Samuel W.⁵ Paxson, probably the son of Mahlon⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and his wife Sarah WALKER, was born after his parents had been disowned by Middletown Monthly Meeting, so he does not appear in Friends' records. It seems likely that it was this Samuel W. of Lower Makefield who was married in Attleborough on 18 March 1819 to Jane MERRICK of Middletown by Henry ATHERTON, Esq. [Bucks County Intelligencer, 30 Mar. 1819.] In response to my plea for a descendant out there who might have information, in April 2017 Jane Alexander wrote with the following data she had discovered.

        The 1840 Census in Kensington, Ward 1, has S.W. Paxson living with 14 people. In the household were a man and a woman aged 40-50 (consistent with Samuel and Jane), one girl 5-10 (Emily?), one girl 10-15 (Ann?), two females 15-20 (names unknown), 2 boys 15-20 (Joseph would have probably been 14, but the age is close, the other is unknown) and finally six men between 20-30 (unknown). Samuel and Jane, married in 1819, could have had several children over 20, but 6 is unlikely. However, the 1850 Census lists Samuel "Parson" with a young man living with them with a different last name. It was very common in those days to have apprentices and/or boarders. [My thanks to Jane Alexander for this information, from familysearch, 1840 census for Kensington Ward 1, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States; citing p. 7, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 488; FHL microfilm 20,556.]

        The 1850 Census in Kensington, Ward 1, has a three-generation family of Samuel (age 54), his wife Jane (56? ink blot), their daughters Ann M. (age 23) and Emily (age 17), and a Richard CHARLTON (20). Samuel and Richard were painters, son Joseph was a bricklayer. Also living with them was their son Joseph (24) and his wife Catharine (23) along with their two children Anna Eliza (4) and Maxwell (2). [Thanks to Jane Alexander for this, from familysearch, 1850 census for Kensington Ward 1, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Roll M432_806, p. 17B, lines 34-42.]

        Samuel W. Paxson died from "consumption of the lungs" on September 4, 1855, in Philadelphia, and this may be our man. Presumably that was tuberculosis.["Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915," database with images, FamilySearch, citing , Philadelphia City Archives and Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; FHL microfilm 1,928,346.]

        Children of Samuel W. and Jane (Merrick) Paxson (may be incomplete):

i.       Joseph Paxson, b. ca. 1826; m. Catherine JACQUETT 5 Aug. 1845 in Phila.; removed to Elmira, NY;

ii.      Ann M. Paxson, b. ca. 1827

iii.     Emily Paxson, b. ca. 1833

iv.      daughter, b. ca. 1843, d. at age 15 months of typhoid, 1844, in Kensington.

153.     Samuel Paxson, Jr., the son of Samuel⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and an unknown wife. We have not yet seen definitive proof that this man is the Samuel, son of Samuel, who left a daughter, with a family tradition. He has to be a twig on the tree somewhere. If you have information to help clarify his existence, please get in touch with me. There are at least three other potential Paxsons this man might be. There is a Samuel #121, son of William; Samuel W., #150, son of Mahlon Paxson; and Samuel Paxton #200, son of Jonas.

        A man named Samuel Paxson married March 13, 1805 to Sarah Pearson(?) at Old St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia. He may have been the Samuel Paxson, buried Dececember 14, 1856, in Phila.

        A man named Samuel Paxson married someone named Elizabeth __. She may have married Samuel W (#150), or Samuel (#121), although before 1809 and after 1835 the latter seemed to be without wife or children.

        It is possible, but by no means proved yet, that it was this man who was the Samuel who was a weaver in Upper Makefield. He died intestate in 1832. His widow Elizabeth signed a bond to administer his estate 18 August 1832. His estate inventory was valued at $696.41 3/4 and included a cow, 2 "shots" [shoats], scythe, shop stove, 2 weavers' looms, spools, "quil wheels", warping bars, spinning wheels, a watch, clock, small stove, kitchen stove, tin coffee pot, churn, 3 carpets, a looking glass, notes and interest worth $283.52, book accounts of $219.36, and $10 cash in his purse. [Bucks Co. Will File #6435, Doylestown.] Alternatively, the weaver husband of Elizabeth and father of Matilda—if they are the same man—living in Upper Makefield could be Samuel W (#150), or Samuel (#121).

        The Samuel Paxson living in Upper Makefield was on a township committee in September 1827 that was promoting Federal Republican candidates for the upcoming election. [Bucks County Patriot.]

        Daughters of Samuel Paxson (their mothers' names are not known, and they might not even be sisters—more research is needed):

i. Elizabeth Smith Paxson, m. Robert HUTCHINSON. Elizabeth and Robert had a son, Samuel Paxson Hutchinson, b. 18 Oct. 1838; d. 4 June 1928. Samuel was an Adjutant in the Civil War. He was captured at the Battle of Gettysburg. Somehow enroute to a southern prison he was able to send his father a Western Union wire telling him he would get in touch again when he could. Sam was a pack rat, according to his great granddaughters. He never could throw anything in the trash so his descendants have letters his mother and sisters sent him while he was in the prison, his receipt from The Union League when he first became a member, a booklet he received when he went to a reunion of his army friends at Gettysburg. In this photo he is standing at the left. Click on the picture to see a larger version.

ii. Matilda Paxson, daughter of the late Samuel Paxson, died in Upper Makefield 18 Aug. 1835. [Bucks County Intelligencer.]

154.     Edward S[hoemaker]⁵ Paxson, the son of Isaac⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and his second wife Elizabeth (Shoemaker), was born 9 June 1808.

155.    Isaac⁵ Paxson, the son of Joshua⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Mary (Willett) Paxson, was born 26 October 1788, and died 24 November 1872. He married first Sarah STACKHOUSE on 24 March 1825. She was born 28 October 1789, and died 8 January 1858 in Attleboro. Sarah was the daughter of John and Sarah (KNIGHT) Stackhouse and the granddaughter of Isaac and Mary (HARDING) Stackhouse. Sarah's obituary appeared in the Friends Intelligencer, 14(1858):712. Isaac Paxson married secondly Mary HAMELL. It was a Quaker ceremony held at his house in Attleboro. [B. C. Intelligencer.] Mary was buried on Wednesday, 8 March 1871, presumably dying a day or two earlier.

        While he was still a minor Isaac had a certificate of removal from Middletown MM to Falls MM 4/1808, then from Falls to Abington Monthly Meeting 28 Fourth Month 1823 [PMMM 4:876.] He removed from Abington 6/1823 to Middletown Monthly Meeting. He was a trustee for the Middletown Preparative Meeting property, and was occasionally named by the monthly meeting to small committees.

        The tax records give some indication of his economic status. In 1815 he was listed with 174 acres, 2 horses, 1 cow, and $1,000 in "money". His tax was $6.04. In 1825 he had 104 acres, 2 horses, 5 cows, no dog, and was billed $10.64 in county taxes. Ten years later, in 1835 he was again listed with 174 acres, 4 horses, 7 cattle, $750 in money, and a gig. His county tax was $18.03. The 1850 federal census listed his real estate with a value of $15,850. As befitting a prosperous farmer, he was asked to endorse a product, and his name, with that of Mary STACKHOUSE of Attleboro, among others, appeared in an ad for the Bucks Patent Wood Cooking Stove. [Friends Intelligencer, v. 1 #47, 2m/15/1845, p. 376.]

        In the 1850 federal census Isaac, Sarah, and three teens named VANDEGRIFT constituted their household. Isaac was listed as a farmer, with real estate valued at $15,850.00.

        In 1870 the US census Isaac was enumerated as an 82 year old "retired farmer" in Hulmeville, Middletown Township. Living with Isaac and his second wife Mary was Elizabeth Hamell, and domestic servant Caroline B. [1870 census, page 49, lines 12-15.] In 1871 he was listed as retired, in Middletown Township. [1872 Bucks Co. Directory, p. 158.]

        In March 1871 Isaac's brother Willett wrote to Willett's grandson, Burt Paxson:

Thy Uncle Isaac Paxson buried his wife on 4 day the 8th of this month and Isaac is very poorly. I don't think he will live long unless he gets better. [Letter of "3 Fri 20 1871" which I take to be March 20, transcribed from the original in his possession by David W. Paxson, and kindly sent to me 11m/15/2006.]

  

        Isaac died twenty months later, on 24 November 1872. He and his wives were interred in the Middletown Friends Meeting Burying Ground. He had written his will 10 March 1871, and it was proved 10 December 1872. It doesn't appear that Isaac and Sarah or Mary had any children, and he made a number of bequests to others. They include Elizabeth HAMMEL and Rebecca HAMMEL (his second wife had been Mary Hammel), Alice Smith/South [?], Alice NILEY (formerly BATEMAN), Mary MARTIN (formerly Bateman), Elizabeth (wife of Edward FLOWERS), his sister Anna (wife of Anthony BURTON), deceased brother Willett's children Mary (wife of Henry BROOKS), John W., and David; children of deceased brother Joseph, Elizabeth FITZWATER, the children of Mary Ann EDWARDS (she was deceased), the children of (deceased) [Joseph] Lukens PAXSON, brother Charles's children Sarah, Joshua, Anna, Josephine, and Charles; brother William's children Franklin, Eliza, and Anna; and sisters Deborah Paxson and Ann M. Paxson. The executors were his brother Charles and nephews John W. Paxson and Pierson MITCHELL. The witnesses were James FLOWERS and Henry L. VAIL. [Thomas G. Myers, Bucks County Pennsylvania Will Abstracts, 1870-1900 (Westminster, Md.: Willow Bend Books, 2002), 30, citing Bucks Will Bk. 18, page 332, file #13186.] There is a photograph of the home of Elizabeth and Edward Flowers, 213 S. Bellevue Ave., in the Langhorne Historical Society.

156.     Willett⁵ Paxson, the son of Joshua⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Mary (Willett) Paxson, was born 28 March 1790 and died 7 November 1870. He married first on 13 November 1817 in Abington Sarah WILSON. She was the daughter of David and Margaret (__) Wilson, born 9 December 1786.

        As a minor child Willett moved with his family from Middletown to Abington in 1808.

        Willett, Sarah, and their young son John W. transferred their membership from Horsham Meeting to Abington Monthly Meeting 6 Fourth Month 1820. Eventually they resided in Marple Township, Delaware County, Penna. Willett used the water power of Trout Run for a grist mill. Trout Run is a smaller creek that empties into Crum Creek, just below Paxson Hollow (as the area is known today). The earliest evidence of Willett's presence there is a real estate notice describing the property of one Samuel BLACK, deceased, that was "bounded by Willet and William Paxson, Isaac BOND, the Mill road and Crum Creek." [Delaware County Republican, December 7, 1838, kindly sent to me 3/14/2006 by David Paxson.]

        Willett also had a saw mill on a branch of Crum Creek. There was a disasterous flood in 1843 that swept out his saw mill dam. ["The Flood of 1843 in Delaware County, Pennsylvania", 1844 report reprinted in the Proceedings of the Delaware County Institute of Science, Vol. VI, No. I (October 1910), pages 1-46 and Vol. VI, No. 2 (January 1911), pages 54-86, kindly sent to me 3/14/2006 by David Paxson.]

        I don't know when Sarah died, and whether that combined with the loss of the mill dam to discourage Willett. But by the end of 1844 Willett was winding up his affairs, looking to pull out of the area. He offered his property for rent:

Real Estate FOR RENT. - A Saw and Grist Mill to rent on lease, situate in Marple township, Delaware county. The mill is furnished with one up and down, one circular saw, and a run of burrs, calculated for grinding corn, or plaster - plaster breaker, which will grind corn on the cob. Also, three Dwelling Houses, a blacksmith shop, stabling, and about SIX or EIGHT ACRES of land attached, all of which immediate possession will be given. TO LET ON A LEASE OF FIVE YEARS. A Water Power situate within ten miles of Philadelphia, in the same township adjoining the above, and with a head and fall of about 15 feet, well calculated for a Cotton, Wool or Paper Mill - there being a large quantity of woodland in the immediate vicinity. If the above is leased to a good tenant, it will be put in complete order and ready for machinery by the first of May next. FOR SALE - Building lumber, wheelwright stuff, post and rails, pails, &c., oak and hickory wood by the cord, or in lots to suit purchasers. WILLETT PAXSON [Delaware County Republican, December 20, 1844. My thanks to David Paxson, who sent this to me 3/14/2006.]

        Two years later Willett was still living there, but ready to sell out:

Real Estate FOR SALE. - The subscriber offers at private sale a farm of about 175 ACRES, in Marple township, Delaware county, about ten miles from Philadelphia. The improvements are a large dwelling house, large barn, wagon and carriage house and other outbuildings. On another part of the farm is a two story house, with two rooms on each floor, a good sized barn, wagon house, spring house, &c. This farm will be sold altogether, or divided into farms or lots to suit purchasers. There is on the property a cotton factory, saw and grist mill. The factory is 40 by 50 feet, four stories high, with dye house attached, all on the same stream, (a branch of Crum creek) with about 40 feet fall, a blacksmith shop, and nine houses of good size, from four to nine rooms in each, with cellars under the whole, and stabling to accommodate. All the buildings are new; the factory is subject to a lease of four years from next spring. There are about thirty acres of woodland; apple and peach orchards, and a variety of other fruit trees, grape vines, &c. The soil is of the best quality, and in a good state of cultivation, recently all limed and well watered. The above is a good situation for a store or a mechanical business of almost any kind, being situated on a public road. Conditions made easy. For further particulars apply to the subscriber, on the premises, or to J.W. & D. Paxson, near the nine mile stone, on the West Chester road, or to Patterson & Brooks, No. 21 North Second street, Philadelphia. WILLETT PAXSON. [Delaware County Republican, December 11, 1846. My thanks to David Paxson, who sent this to me 3/14/2006.]

        This was not a good time to be selling because in 1847 there was an economic depression in Europe that was mirrored in the U.S. Willett finally offered his place for public auction. The descriptions in the newspaper notices give a good idea of the equipment and lay out of mills and farms in the ante-bellum north.

Real Estate PUBLIC SALE - Will be sold at public sale on SECOND DAY, the 29th of 11th mo, (November) inst., the following valuable real estate, situate in Marple township, Delaware county, to wit: Tract No. 1. bounded by lands of Samuel Black, Garrett Williamson, and others, and the public road leading from the Marple road to Thos. C. Palmer mills, containing 110 ACRES, one rood and 35 perches. On this tract there is a large dwelling house, with three rooms and an entry on the first floor, five on the second, and the upper story divided and plastered - the building is finished in modern style, and supplied with water forced up by an Hydraulic Ram, and also a well with a pump in it covered by a wash house. Also, a double floored Barn, about 40 feet by 50 feet, stone as high as the threshing floor; the remainder frame, with stabling completely finished. There is also a good carriage and wagon house, blacksmith shop and all other necessary outbuildings on the premises, all of which are new. The land is of good quality, well watered, and all been recently limed. There is an apple and peach orchard, together with a variety of other fruit trees on this farm, about 15 acres of which is under timber. Tract No. 2, bounded by lands of Mordecai Markwood and others, and the aforesaid public road, containing 27 ACRES and 2 roods. There is on the premises a frame dwelling house, two stories high, with three rooms on each floor, and cellared under; a barn 22 by 30 feet, stone stable high, and thoroughly finished, wagon house and spring house over a never failing spring of good water. The land is of good quality, with sufficient timber for the use of the farm. Tract No. 3, bounded by lands of Isaac Bond and others, and the aforementioned public road, containing about 29 ACRES. There is on the premises three frame dwelling house, nearly new, a small barn and spring house. A good and substantial saw and plaster mill, with a pair of stones for grinding feed, situated on a branch of Crum creek, with about 26 feet head and fall. The land is of excellent quality, eight acres of which is under timber. Tract No. 4, situate on the aforesaid public road, containing 46 square perches of land, with a new and convenient frame dwelling house thereon, Also, a frame stable. Sale to commence at 1 o, on said day, when the conditions (which will be easy to the purchasers) will be made known by the subscriber. WILLETT PAXSON. [Delaware County Republican, November 12, 1847. My thanks to David Paxson, who sent this to me 3/14/2006.]

        Apparently it did not sell, or insufficient sums were offered for it, but Willett left anyway. On September 16, 1850 the census enumerated him in Bristol Township, Bucks County, as a 60 year old farmer on land valued at $25,000. With him was his second wife Sarah, age 40, and two school children: 17 year old Elizabeth Kamide? and 10 year old George JOHNSON, an African American boy.

        On October 24, 1851 he tried again to sell his Montgomery County property. [Delaware County Republican, October 24, 1851.] He succeeded in either selling or renting, but the new occupants did not fare well. On 9 April 1852 the Co-partnership between George R. Pechin (residing at Paxson Mill, Marple) and John Horton Black, under the firm of PECHIN & BLACK, dissolved. [Delaware County Republican, April 9, 1852.]

        In 1850 Willett transferred his membership from Chester Monthly Meeting at Providence to Bucks County and was named as a member of Bristol Preparative Meeting (of Middletown Monthly Meeting) in the 1858 list. He married for a second time on 15 August 1849 Sarah CAREY from Makefield Meeting. She was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Carey. Sarah (Carey) transferred her membership from Makefield to Middletown 8 Third Month 1850 [PMMM 4:975; Mid MM minutes, 10/1m/1850, 8/3m/1850.] She was fairly active in Middletown Monthly Meeting. They had no children.

        The 1850 federal census in September listed Willett as a farmer on land valued at $25,000 in Bristol Township, Bucks County. With him were his wife Sarah, and Elizabeth HAMMEL, age 17, and George JOHNSON, an African-American lad of ten years.

        Willett's will is filed in the Bucks County courthouse in Doylestown, #12745. It was written 14 November 1868, and proved 14 December 1870. In it he described himself as living in Bristol Borough. He remembered his wife Sarah C., and three children: John W., David, and Mary (the wife of Henry BROOK). He named his son John W. as executor . The witnesses were Anthony BURTON and John BURTON. [Thomas G. Myers, Bucks County Pennsylvania Will Abstracts, 1870-1900 (Westminster, Md.: Willow Bend Books, 2002), 2, citing Bucks Will Bk. 18, page 8, file #12745.] Willett's daughter-in-law was Anna Burton.

        After his death Sarah transferred back to Makefield Meeting in Seventh Month (July) 1871. She was listed in Newtown Borough in 1894, living on Court St.[Bucks County Directory, 1894: containing the names of citizens . . . address, together with a general business directory, and appendix giving banks, churches, societies, etc. (Doylestown: James D. Scott, 1894), p. 157.]

        Children of Willett and his first wife Sarah (Wilson) Paxson: [Abington MM records.]

i.      John W. Paxson⁶, b. 27 Apr. 1819; his ashes were bur. 8 Jan. 1906 in Fair Hill cemetery, Phila.; m. Anna BURTON; 4 children;

ii.     David Paxson, b. 30 Oct. 1820; m. Ann EVANS; no children;

iii.    Mary Willett Paxson, b. 16 May 1822; m. Henry BROOKS, no children. Like her two brothers, "Mary W." was sent to Westtown School. She was female student #2923. [A Brief History of Westtown Boarding School with a General Catalogue of Officeers, Students, Etc. 2nd ed. (Phila.: Printed by Sherman & Co., 1873), 229.] Only if she married very late in life could she be the "Miss Mary Paxson" living on Court St., Newtown Borough in 1894.[Bucks County Directory, 1894: containing the names of citizens . . . address, together with a general business directory, and appendix giving banks, churches, societies, etc. (Doylestown: James D. Scott, 1894), p. 157.]

iv.     Sarah Ann Paxson, b. Aug. 1824; d. 13 Oct. 1826.

158.    Joseph⁵ Paxson, the son of Joshua⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Mary (Willett) Paxson, was born  7 December 1793. He married first Harriet LUKENS, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (FULMORE) Lukens. Joseph married secondly Maria T. SHAW. There were three children from the first marriage, and no children from the second.

        At one point Joseph resided in Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. But in 1850 the federal census enumerated him in Upper Dublin Township, Montgomery County. He was 55, a farmer on real estate valued at $27,000. With him was Mary LUKENS (68), and four others. Lawrence SOUNE? a 23 year old laborer from Germany, George AULD, a 25 year old German laborer with a sister? Theodora Auld, 15, born in Penna., and Samuel UILMER? (the handwriting is faint) rounded out the household. [1850 federal census for Upper Dublin Twp., Montgomery Co., Pa., M432_800, p. 70A, lines 16-21.]

        Children of Joseph and his first wife Harriet (Lukens) Paxson:

i.      Joseph Lukens⁶ Paxson, b. 20 Jan. 1822; d. 16 Feb. 1868; m. Dec. 1847 Anna Maria STEVENS; bur. Presbyterian lot, Moorestown, N.J.; 7 children.

ii.     Mary Ann Paxson, b. 1824; m. Charles C. EDWARDS; 1 child.

iii.    Elizabeth Paxson, b. 1827; m. George W. FITZWATER; 6 children; remembered in her uncle Isaac Paxson's will.

163.    Charles⁵ Paxson, the son of Joshua⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Mary (Willett) Paxson, was born 19 August 1803 in Middletown, and died 2 March 1880 in Upper Dublin; he was in his 77th year. On 4 January 1844 he married Agnes TYSON, the daughter of John and Sarah (Paxson) Tyson. Sarah was the daughter of Jacob Paxson and his second wife Mary (Shaw) Paxson. Jacob was the son of Thomas and Jane (Canby) Paxson. Agnes Tyson was born ca. 1821 and was 17 years younger than her husband.

        At the age of five, in 1808, Charles moved with his parents from Bucks County to Cheltenham Township in Montgomery County. In 1826 he moved to a "fine farm" in Upper Dublin Township, which his father had purchased. "Spring Farm" was bought from Spencer THOMAS; the house had been built around 1760. [History of Montgomery County (1884), 1099; letter from William L. Paxson II, 5/23/2005.] Charles extended the house to the north east, adding a living room and front hall, entrance, and stairs. The photograph to the right dates from about 1870.

        Charles was active in the anti-slavery movement. A glowing character sketch of him was published in Bean's History of Montgomery County, vol. 2, p. 1099.

He was a practical farmer, of advanced ideas, who pursued his chosen vocation with the intelligence, enterprise and industry, which seldom, if ever, fail to yield the return, which they gave to him,--that of abundant success. He possessed a firm will, a noble spirit and a genial nature. He ever gave his support to the wise reforms of his day, as opposed to traditional wrong and depredation, and he took especial delight in the eloquence of orators who, like Phillips, uttered what he termed sublime truths in advocacy of the righteousness which exalteth a nation. [Bean's 1884 History of Montgomery County as transcribed on usgenweb/pa/montgomery/history/local/mchb0068.txt, as of 6/18/2005.]

        In the 1850 census there were three additional unrelated people in the Paxson household: 25 year old Conrad RYNER, a farm hand; 15 year old Joseph OTTINGER, born in Germany; and 14 year old Anna WOOD. Joseph and Anna attended school while presumably also helping with chores.

        Charles divided his 285 acre farm between his two sons, with Dreshertown Road as the boundary line. The road may have been called Paxson Road in those days.

        Charles died 2 March 1880 at his residence in Upper Dublin. He was in his 77th year. His body was interred in the Abington Friends Meeting graveyard. [Friends Intelligencer, 37:4 (Mar. 13, 1880), p. 58; Bean's 1884 History of Montgomery County as transcribed on usgenweb/pa/montgomery/history/local/mchb0068.txt, as of 6/18/2005.] A tribute described him thus:

The deceased was possessed of traits of character that, wherever found, adorn human nature. He was a good neighbor, a kind friend, an affectionate husband and a kind, considerate father; beyond these he was a just man, a liberal Christian, a patriotic citizen and an earnest reformer; a lover and helper of every good work that was going on in the world, that came within his cognizance. He was one of a half-dozen noble men in his neighborhood who uplifted the banner of anti-slavery in the beginning, in the time that truly tried men's souls, and maintained it to the end, not aggressively, but patiently, steadfastly, and without a thought of consequences or of giving up the contest while the wrong existed. [Bean's 1884 History of Montgomery County as transcribed on usgenweb/pa/montgomery/history/local/mchb0068.txt, as of 6/18/2005.]

        In June the census enumerator found both Joshua and Charles Sumner living in the family home along with presumably unmarried Sallie and Josephine. Their labor was supplemented with that of 19 year old servant Lizzie MURRAY and 14 year old "farm laborer" Spencer HOFFMAN, who also attended school.

        Agnes continued to live at the farm until her death in Jenkintown on 26 Ninth Month 1902 in her 84th year. Her remains were interred in the Abington Meeting Burying Ground. Her obituary was in the Friends Intelligencer 59(1902):632.

        Children of Charles and Agnes (Tyson) Paxson: [Horsham MM records.]

i.     Sarah Tyson Paxson⁶ ("Sallie"), b. 28 Nov. 1844; d. 6 First Month 1905 in Jenkintown, aged 60 years; her remains were interred in the Abington Meeting Burying Ground; unmarried. She continued to live on the family farm. Her obituary was in the Friends Intelligencer 62(1905):27, 42.

ii.     Joshua Willett Paxson, b. 29 July 1846; had a son, Walter R. Paxson who married Ruth CHANDLEE; his obituary was in the Friends Intelligencer 54(1897):197.

iii.    Anna Burton Paxson, b. 17 July 1849, m. Thomas Howard HALLOWELL; 1 child: Agnes Paxson Hallowell. Anna's obituary was in the Friends Intelligencer 45(1888):553.

iv.     Josephine Paxson, b. 12 March or 7 Feb. 1850; d. July 1883; unmarried.

v.      Charles Paxson, died young.

vi.     Charles Sumner Paxson, b. 16 Aug. 1860; d. 4 Feb. 1935; m. 15 Oct. 1884 Tacy LUKENS; two children. His obituary was in the Friends Intelligencer 92(1935):157.

164.     Joshua⁵ Paxson, the son of Joshua⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Mary (Willett) Paxson, was born 18 October 1805. He died 5 May 1870. On 8 June 1848 Joshua and Anna W. ELY married by Quaker ceremony. [Bucks County Intelligencer] Anna was the daughter of Edward and Sarah Ann (Paxson) Ely, born 28 January 1824.

        Joshua had moved as a minor child with his parents from Middletown to Abington in 1808. After their wedding, Anna transfered her membership from Gwynedd Meeting to Middletown Monthly Meeting on 10 Eleventh Month 1848. Joshua transferred his membership from Abington to Middletown the same month. [PMMM 4:962, 965.] The two were moderately active in the Monthly Meeting. Anna was named a representative to Bucks Quarterly Meeting once.

        They lived in Bristol Township. In the 1850 federal census Joshua was listed as a farmer with real estate valued at $10,000. His 1864 tax was on an assessment of $1,388.

        Joshua died on 5 May 1870, and his remains were buried in the Fair Hill cemetery in Philadelphia. A year later Anna transferred her membership to Race Street Meeting in Philadelphia. It was received there on 24 May. [Mid. MM women's minutes, 5/5/1871; Hinshaw, 2:813, 907]

        Joshua and Anna W. (Ely) Paxson had one son:

i.     Edward Ely Paxson, b. 6 May 1849; d. 2 Jan. 1864.

165.    William Laurens⁵ Paxson, the son of Joshua⁴ #55 (William³, William², William¹) and Mary (Willett) Paxson, was born 29 February 1808, and died on 12 June 1878. He married 6 April 1839 Sarah Willet COMLY, the daughter of James and Eliza (AYRES) Comly. Sarah was born 29 December 1814 and died 11 April 1887. [Information on Sarah from Lea Buzby, e mail 12m/4/2002. Additional data on the Comly family can be found on http://genforum.genealogy.com/gilbert/messages/4680.html (as of 5/31/2005).]

        William and Sarah lived on her father's farm in Fox Chase until 1853 when they removed to "Beaver Farm" in East Brandywine, Chester County. In 1877 they moved to Oxford, Chester Co., where William died the next year.

        After the death of William L., Sarah removed to Philadelphia where, in the 1880 census, she was living on Twelfth Street with her son, two widowed daughters, and four grandchildren. [1880 federal census for Philadelphia, Pa., roll 186, ED 588, p. 279A, lines 13-22.] In 1885 she removed to Locust Ave. in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia, where she lived with her son and widowed daughter. In the winter of 1887 she went to nurse her brother, Franklin A. COMLY. After six weeks of tending him Sarah suddenly took ill and died within a few hours on 11 Fourth Month 1887. In less than a fortnight her brother died, too, and they were both buried in the Abington Meeting burying ground. Sarah Willet Paxson's will shows Edward E. Paxson as her only Paxson grandson. [My thanks to Richard James for this information, citing the Chester County Archives will file number 22920; the will was filed 9 July 1890.] An obituary in the Friends Intelligencer extolled Sarah as

truly an ideal mother and the centre of a family that was a high type of a thoroughly modest, cultured, and well ordered household, in the midst of which she dwelt as a Spirit of Peace, her daily life revealing that in the secret depths of her nature was the repose of a holy mind and a soul at peace with God.
        . . . to us she never seemed old--only a beautiful example of courageous and cheerful life in its decline, always equal to every emergency, keeping the same active place in the household, and by her ripe judgment and wise counsel directing and often controlling the interests of both children and grandchildren.
        She was the gentlest of women, yet her gentleness never degenerated into weakness, for she was above all things a strong character with an unfaltering genuineness "that spoke the truth in love;" full of sympathy and tenderness, yet controlled by the force of unyielding convictions. Amiable and long suffering, yet capable at the same time of righteous indignation in the presence of hypocrisy, deceit, and falsity. Reticent almost to a fault she concealed her own cares and sorrows, bore her own burdens with meekness and patience, yet bestowed her sympathies lavishly out of the abundance of her charity. . . . [Friends Intelligencer 44:25 (June 18, 1887), p. 393.]

        Children of William L. and Sarah W. (Comly) Paxson:

i.    Franklin Comly Paxson⁶, b. 16 Nov. 1839;

ii.   Eliza Ayres Paxson, b. 11 June 1842 in Lower Dublin Township, Philadelphia County; d. either 3-11 Mar. or 8-16 Sept. 1890, the latter date being deciphered from her headstone in the Abington Friends Meeting burying ground; m. Jacob C. PAXSON; one son; in the 1850 census for Lower Dublin Twp., she was listed as Elizabeth, age 8; in subsequent censuses she was given as Eliza. In 1880 Eliza and her son Edward were living in Philadelphia with Eliza'a sister Ann (Paxson) Dickey. [Information on Eliza kindly sent to me by Richard James, e mail 11/27/2006.]

a. Edward E. Paxson, b. 12 Dec. 1865; d. 26 Feb. 1899; m. Adelaide H. MORTON in 1887; 1 son.

iii.  Ann Willett Paxson, b. 1845; m. Samuel Hutchinson DICKEY; 3 children; in 1880 Ann's 3 minor children, mother Sarah, brother Franklin C., and sister Eliza and Eliza's son Edward E. Paxson, were living in Philadelphia with Ann; Ann was still alive in 1900.

iv. William Henry Paxson, b. 9 Sept. 1851; d. 1853.

168.     William Parker Paxson, the son of Israel⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Ann (Parker) Paxson, was born 27 July 1792, and died of "Pulmonary Consumption" on 26 November 1822, age thirty. His death was recorded in Philadelphia Monthly Meeting (Arch Street) records, p. 367, noting that he was a member of Mulberry St. Meeting. Mulberry was the older name for Arch Street.

173.     Thomas⁵ Paxson, the second son of Thomas⁴ #67 (William³, William², William¹) and Sarah (Blakey) Paxson, was born 25 March 1792. He was married to Elizabeth WALKER on 2 June 1813 by Isaac HICKS, Justice of the Peace. Elizabeth was the daughter of George Walker, who the year before had married Thomas's widowed mother, Sarah.

        Thomas had some personal difficulties. In November 1810 the 18-year old was reported to Middletown Monthly Meeting for taking strong drink to access, striking a man in anger, and using profane language. We may assume this may be "normal" teen behavior, but Friends expected someone who was a member of their Religious Society to have a relationship with God that would be manifested in very different behavior. The meeting, however, realized that because his father had died the year before, young Thomas needed the care of Friends. They continued to labor with him. But by the following spring Friends realized that Thomas was in no mood to change his behavior. So Friends disowned him 10 May 1811 [PMMM 3:759 and Mid MM minutes, 10/5m/1811.] Consequently, two years later when Thomas was ready to settle down and get married, he could not be married under the care of the meeting of which he was no longer a member. Apparently Thomas and Elizabeth continued as part of the Quaker sub-culture, and in November 1815 Thomas's paper acknowledging and condemning his behavior was accepted by the meeting and he was once again restored to full membership. [Mid MM men's minutes, 11m/1815.]

        Thomas was a farmer in Middletown Township and as such appeared on various tax duplicates. They give us a few snapshots of his economic situation. In an era of rising market capitalism, when the dominant culture was rife with the "go getter" attitude seeking rapid wealth, Thomas seems remarkably stable. In 1815 he was listed with 56 acres, 2 horses, 2 cows, and a gig. His tax was $1.79. Ten years later, the 1825 tax duplicate showed him with 58 acres, 2 horses, 2 cows, and a dog (on which the tax was $1.50), and a county tax bill of $6.55. In 1835 he was again listed with 56 acres (probably the 58 acres in 1825 was an error), and 2 horses and 2 cows. His county tax was $5.82 and state tax was $1.76.

        The 1850 federal census shows Thomas as a farmer, with his wife, on land valued at $3,000. There were also two children living with them, siblings of a woman living next door with Thomas's brother John. Thomas and Elizabeth had no children of their own.

174. Joshua⁵ Paxson, the son of Thomas⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Sarah (Blakey) Paxson, was born 29 September 1794, and died ca. 1836. He married on 8 September 1813 at the home of his brother Thomas, in Middletown, Elizabeth __.

        As their first child was born less than nine months after the wedding, the couple submitted a paper to Middletown Meeting acknowledging the truth of the Meeting's charges against them and condemning their fornication. Middletown Friends accepted it and retained them in membership. [Mid. MM minutes 12/1813, 5/1814.]

        But Joshua also had other problems. In Third Month 1819 Middletown Preparative Meeting reported to the Monthly Meeting that Joshua was in the habit of taking strong drink to excess. A committee was appointed to labor with him, but finally at the monthly meeting held 5 August 1819 it concluded his habit couldn't be broken, and he was disowned. [Mid MM minutes, 5/8m/1819]

        Joshua and Elizabeth lived on a farm three and a half miles east of Attleboro, and six miles west of Trenton, adjacent to the farms of John Paxson, Thomas Paxson, and Charles BROOK. It had a nearly new stone dwelling house with five rooms on the first floor and three above. It had a shed kitchen adjacent to it. There was a pump at the door, a good stone barn, and wagon house. There was a permanent stream, woodland, orchard, and meadow, with "pretty good" fencing. [description for his estate sale, on Thursday 20 Oct. 1836, B.C. Intelligencer.]

        After Joshua's death in 1836 the farm was sold. John CREQUE, his son-in-law, was resident at the time. H. M. JENKS, as agent, paid off the $1000 mortgage held by Jesse WHITE, gave Elizabeth her widow's dower bond of $500, gave George $400, and John $1.25. John Paxson purchased a little over 50 acres at $56 per acre for $2,837.80.

        Children of Joshua and Elizabeth (__) Paxson (this is conjecture, working notes, order uncertain):

i.     George W. Paxson, may be the man who m. 12 Mar. 1835 Lucretia B. HELLINGS, daughter of John Hellings of Bristol, at her father's house, by Elder Frederick PLUMMER. [Marriage Notice in the Bucks County Intelligencer.] This would not have been a Friends' wedding.

ii.     Sarah M. Paxson, m. Isaac BAILY;

iii.     Mary Ann Paxson, d. before June 1846; m. John M. CREQUE. Mary Ann's uncle John Paxson left a bequest of $50 each to the children of his deceased niece Mary Ann CREQUE (formerly the wife of John M.).

iv.     Beulah W., b. 27 Aug. 1819 and d. 24 Apr. 1907 of "old age, general disability" in Fallsington; m. John M. CREQUE. John Davis has very kindly sent me a death dertificate for Beulah W. Creque, father's name Joshua Paxon [sic], and mother's name illegible but not looking like Elizabeth Walker. Beulah was living with her son-in-law George at the time of her death. Beulah was not left anything by her uncle John Paxson, and contested the will. The jury found for the defendants—I assume Beulah was the plaintiff.[Bucks Co. will file #10079.]

v.     Thomas Paxson, was co-executor for his uncle John Paxson's will; had sons named John and Thomas.

177.     John⁵ Paxson, son of Thomas⁴ (William³, William², William¹) and Sarah (Blakey) Paxson was born 1 August 1801 and died 10 Dececember 1856, aged 55 years, 4 months, and 7 days. [notice in B.C. Intelligencer] John married on 16 December 1828 Susan KIRKBRIDE, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Willett) Kirkbride. Susan died in 1887. They were married before Isaac HICKS, justice of the peace.[B.C. Intelligencer, 18 Dec. 1828; Publications of Gen. Sos. of Pa., 12:165.] Since this was not in unity with Friends' praactice, they submitted to the meeting a paper acknowledging and condemning their action. Friends accepted it and retained them in membership. [Mddletown MM min.7m/1828.]

        When he was a child John moved with his mother to Falls in 1812, and then back to Middletown in 1820. [PMMM 4:52, 8/7m/1820.]

        The 1825 Middletown tax lists John (not yet married) with 90 acres, 2 horses, no cattle, and no dog (there was a separate tax on dogs). His county tax bill was $8.62.

        John signed his will 29 June 1846. He specified that his wife was to be paid $100 per year. Her brother Jonathan KIRKBRIDE and John's nephew Thomas Paxson were named executors. The will was filed 26 December 1856. John made the following bequests: to nephew George W. Paxson, $200; to niece Sarah BAILY, wife of Isaac, $200; to children of deceased niece Mary Ann CREQUE (formerly the wife of John M.) $50 each; to John, infant son of nephew Thomas Paxson, $100. The estate was to be sold at public sale and the residue divided between his widow and nephew Thomas Paxson. But there were difficulties. The will was contested by Beulah CREQUE. She claimed that it was obtained under duress and that John was not of sound mind when he made it. In a trial held 29 February 1857, the jury found for the defendant, evidently not finding Beulah's claims of sufficient merit. The estate inventory, made nine days before the trial, listed notes of bonds from 13 people to whom John had lent money at interest. They included George Paxson for $801.77 including principal and interest; Thomas Paxson, $184.27; and Jonathan Kirkbride, $394.81. John had also owned a horse, a cow, and a threshing machine listed in the inventory. The 80 (for reasons that are unclear, not the 90 acres listed in the 1825 tax duplicate) acres were sold for $9,401.72 1/2 and the total estate came to $17,498.18. [Bucks Co. will file #10079.]

        In 1850 the federal census enumerator listed Susan, her mother-in-law Sarah WALKER (Susan's step-father George Walker married the widowed Sarah (Blakey) Paxson as her second husband), Susan's sister Elizabeth KIRKBRIDE, plus two additional women.

        Susan died 8 Ninth Month 1887 in Langhorne. She was in her 94th year of age, a member of Middletown Monthly Meeting. [Friends Intelligencer, 44:38 (Sept. 17, 1887), 601; Bucks Co. will file #17041.] She had signed her will 8 December 1873, as a resident of Middletown Township. It was proved 16 September 1887. She left bequests to her nephews Jonathan KIRKBRIDE (and his daughter Hannah Emma), Thomas Paxson, John B. Kirkbride, and Thomas E. Kirkbride. She also remembered Mary Anna ALLEN (the daughter of Israel and Susan Allen—formerly Paxson), Israel J. Kirkbride (son of Thomas E.). She named her nephew John B. Kirkbride to be executor. It was witnessed by Friends Pierson MITCHELL and James V. NEWBOLD. [Thomas G. Myers, Bucks County Pennsylvania Will Abstracts, 1870-1900 (Westminster, Md.: Willow Bend Books, 2002), 285, citing Bucks Will Bk. 23, page 385, file #17041.]

        John and Susan did not have any children.

Descendants of William¹ #2
and Mary (Packingham?) Paxson

Descendants of William² #9 and Mary (Watson) Paxson

Grandchildren of Henry³ #24 and Martha (Shinn) Paxson

183.     Henry⁵ Paxson, son of Samuel⁴ (Henry³, William², William¹) and Beulah (ATKINSON) Paxson was born 21 January 1794. He was described as a merchant of Trenton when he married Caroline H. CLARKE, the daughter of David Clark of Stony Brook. The marriage took place at the Stony Brook Meeting House on 10 April 1828. She died at her father's home near Princeton on 15 July 1837, aged 28 years. The couple lived in Trenton. [Bucks County Intelligencer, 21 April 1828.]

For many years Henry served as an agent in Trenton for The Saturday Evening Post, selling subscriptions and collecting payments. [See, for example, list of agents, Saturday Evening Post 4:8 (Feb. 19, 1825), 3; 4:32 (Aug. 6, 1825), 4; Whole number 543 (Dec. 24, 1831), 4.] He was also agent for the Journal of Health, a relatively short lived publication from Philadelphia that folded in 1833 after 5 years. [Journal of Health 4:1 (Sept. 1832), 32.]

I'm guessing the couple had no children?

184. Stacy Atkinson⁵ Paxson, son of Samuel⁴ (Henry³, William², William¹) and Beulah (Atkinson) Paxson, was born 8 November 1797. On 24 April 1828 he was married to Mary VAN CLEVE.

From 1815 into the mid-1840s Trenton was a center of Middle Atlantic textile production, thanks to the Eagle Factory and other mills. Robert WALN (1765-1836), great grandson of Nicholas (ca. 1650-1721) bankrolled the Eagle Factory. [Robert was the nephew of Hannah (Waln) Hodges.] Stacy A. Paxson was one of the Directors. It hired a lot of women and children at low wages. The crash of 1837-1841 took its toll, as did occasional floods. Then when the economy was finally recovering a disasterous fire in 1843, followed by an even bigger one in 1845, brought the closure of the factory. [ Richard W. Hunter, Nadine Sergejeff and Damon Tvaryanas, "On the Eagle's Wings: Textiles, Trenton, and a First Taste of the Industrial Revolution", https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54eb7fcce4b0a4e937b40d71/t/5503376ae4b055a8f6540957/1426274154681/03016+Eagle+Cotton+Factory+Article.pdf, accessed 6m/3/2019.]

Stacy was one of the incorporators of the Mechanics Bank in 1834, and served on its staff as general clerk. [The Trenton Historical Society, A History of Trenton, 1679-1929, Chapt. XI, "Banks and Commerce in Trenton" by John H. Sines, at http://www.trentonhistory.org/His/banks.html.] He was one of three men deputized to sell "Government House", originally the official residence of the governor, that had become a white elephant that the state had been unable to sell. They succeeded, and the building was converted into a hotel. [http://www.trentonhistory.org/His/landmarks.html]

Stacy served as State Treasurer of New Jersey from 1845 to 1847.

Stacy had died by the time the 1850 census was taken. On July 26 Mary V. Paxson was listed as 41, living in the West Ward of Trenton, with Henry C., an 18 year old student, Stacy A. (10), Mary W. (8), Franklin V. (6) and Joseph W. VanCleve listed as 72 with no occupation, Charity VanCleve (67), Phebe S. Van Cleve (39) and Ann MURPHY (20, born in Ireland). All four Paxson children had attended school within the past year. [1850 census for Trenton, Mercer Co., NJ, roll M432_454, p. 228A, lines 21-29.]

Children of Stacy A. and Mary (VanCleve) Paxson: [ Mackenzie, Colonial Families of the USA, 7:536.]

i.      Beulah Paxson, b. 6 June 1829; d. 26 July 1830.

ii.     Joseph Paxson, b. 11 Oct. 1830; d. 11 Sept. 1831.

iii.    Henry Clay Paxson, b. 19 Dec. 1832; d. 25 July 1902; m. Myra C. G. OUTLAW.

iv.    James Olden Paxson, b. 14 Aug. 1834; d. 21 July 1863.

v.     Anna U. Paxson, b. 20 Mar. 1836; d. 12 Sept. 1838.

vi.    Uselma Paxson, b. 13 May 1838; d. 6 Aug. 1838.

vii.   Stacy Atkinson Paxson, b. 9 Jan. 1840; d. 1 Feb. 1875; m. Louise E. LATHROP.

viii.  Mary Willits [sic] Paxson b. 19 Oct. 1842; m. 9 Sept. 1861 Walter WALKER of Rochester, N.Y. (b. Petworth, Sussex, U.K., 20 Nov. 1836, son of John Godfrey Walker; he was a physician and surgeon. Had children: [Mackenzie, Colonial Families of the USA, 5:536.]

a) Edwin Robert Walker, b. 13 Sept. 1862;
b) Walter James Walker, b. 13 Mar. 1864; m(1) Myra Goodwin; m(2) Mildred St. Pierre;
c) Florence Agnes Walker, b. 31 Mar. 1868;

ix.    Franklin VanCleve Paxson, b. 28 Feb. 1844; d. ca. 1868; m. Emma WALKER.

x.     Caroline Paxson, b. 4 Aug. 1845; d. 9 Feb. 1846.

xi.    twin b. 15 May 1846; d. unnamed.

xii.   twin b. 15 May 1846; d. unnamed.

Descendants of James¹ and Jane (Gurden) Paxson

Descendants of William² Jr. and Abigail (Pownall) Paxson

Grandchildren of James³ and his two wives, Mary (Horseman) and Margaret (Hodges) Paxson

190.    George⁵ Paxson, the son of Thomas⁴ (James³, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and Mary (Hambleton) was named one of the executors of his father's will, which may indicate he was the oldest son. [Bucks Co. Will Abstracts as transcribed on usgenweb/pa/bucks/wills/willabstbk8.txt, 8:238.] He married Sarah BUSKIRK.

Children of George and Sarah (Buskirk) Paxson: [Suzanne P. Lamborn, The Paxson Family, 11.]

i.    Mary Paxson, m(1) William McNEAL and had a son, Asa McNeal; m(2) James COFFEE and had 3 children: Sarah Jane Coffee, Ann Eliza Coffee, and James Coffee.

ii.   Rachel Paxson, m. 18 Nov. 1830 Elihu BRODDERS;

191.    James⁵ Paxson, the son of Thomas⁴ (James³, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and Mary (Hambleton) was born 6 April 1756 and died 22 November 1846 in New York. He married at Kingwood Meeting in Quakertown, NJ, on 26 October 1780 Amy COATE, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (__). [Kingwood MM records; Penna. Archives ser. 2, 9:276.] Amy was born 17 July 1758 and died 13 December 1834 in New York.

The couple resided in Solebury. On 2 Fifth Month 1796 they received a certificate of removal from Buckingham Monthly Meeting stating that "They have settled their affairs to satisfaction . . . . we recommend them with their seven children to your care and oversight." It was signed by the clerks Thomas GILLINGHAM and Margaret GILLINGHAM. [Suzanne P. Lamborn, The Paxson Family, 11.] Their certificate was received 27 Eighth Month 1796 by Muncy Meeting in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. With them were their children Thomas, Mercy, Ahaz, Elizabeth, Abraham, James, and John. [Extracts from Catawissa Meeting minutes, Genealogical Records of Members of the Society of Friends Comprising Catawissa Monthly Meeting, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, comp. by John E. Eastburn, Jan. 1947, handwritten, bound mms., in Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (at HSP), p. 104.] All of their children's births and many of the marriages were recorded in the Muncy Meeting records. The records note that in time they all removed from Muncy Meeting.

In Sixth month 1812 James Paxson, Henry PARKER, Thomas LEWIS, and Amos EVANS were appointed to attend the indulged meeting at Pine Grove from time to time, and make a joint report to Muncy Monthly Meeting as to its state. [Muncy Monthly Meeting men's minutes, 17/6m/1812.]

Children of James and Amy (Coate) Paxson: [Extracts from Catawissa and Muncy Meeting records, Genealogical Records of Members of the Society of Friends Comprising Catawissa Monthly Meeting, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, comp. by John E. Eastburn, Jan. 1947, handwritten, bound mms., in Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (at HSP). See also Barbara Feeser Gill, "The Paxson Family from England to Edenbower, Schuylkill County Pennsylvania: The Ancestors of Iona Paxson Freeser" (unpublished mms kindly sent to me by the author, 6/2002, pp. 85-6.]

i.     Thomas Paxson, b. 19 Nov. 1781; d. 5 July 1837; m. 30 Sept. 1807 Elizabeth GREEN, daughter of James and Martha (FOULKE) Green. Elizabeth was b. 1 Nov., 1781. 9 children listed by Gill, p. 89.

ii.    Mercy Paxson, b. 7 Oct. 1783; m. __ BODINE.

iii.   Ahaz Paxson, b. 30 Oct. 1785; d. 20 Aug. 1825 in New York; m. 25 Oct. 1809 Peninah CHILCOT, daughter of Amos and Ann.

iv.    Elizabeth Paxson, b. 28 July 1787; d. 16 May 1844, in New York; m. 10 Nov. 1810 John WEBSTER, son of Samuel and Rachel of Kingwood, Hunterdon Co., NJ (John was b. 11 Dec. 1787, d. 9 Oct. 1860).

v.     Abraham Paxson, b. 12 Nov. 1789; d. 18 Sept. 1845 in New York;

vi.    James Paxson, Jr., b. 12 Feb. 1792; m. 26 Second Month 1817 Sarah CHILCOTT, daughter of Amos and Ann of Muncy. [Extracts from Catawissa and Muncy Meeting records, Genealogical Records of Members of the Society of Friends Comprising Catawissa Monthly Meeting, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, comp. by John E. Eastburn, Jan. 1947, 19.]

vii.    John Paxson, b. 25 May 1794; m. Abigail CHILCOTT; [The marriages of John and his two younger brothers, from Lamborn, The Paxson Family, 11.]

viii.   William Paxson, b. 10 Oct. 1796; m(1) Elizabeth WILLET; m(2) Martha DUNHAM; he may be the William age 53 farming $2,000 worth of land in Hamburg Twp., Erie Co., NY in the 1850 census. With him were Martha (45), Erastus B. (14), Serepta (8), Harvey D. (4), and Abraham B. (1). There was no live-in help. On the farm next door was Samuel (72) and Mary KESTER (70) and Peter Kester (43). [1850 census for Hamburg Twp., Erie Co., NY, roll M432_498, p. 25A, lines 8-13.]

ix.     George Paxson, b. 16 Apr. 1799; m. Abigail BROOKS; at age 15 he went to New York.

192.    Stacy⁵Paxson, the son of Thomas⁴ (James³, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and Mary (Hambleton) married 30 Ninth Month 1812 Elizabeth (BUNTING) HARTLEY?, the daughter of David Bunting of Falls Meeting and his deceased wife Martha. The marriage certificate was signed by the following Paxsons: Thomas, Elizabeth, Ahez, Peninnah, James, James, and Amey; Elizabeth Price, and lots of Hartleys. [Extracts from Catawissa and Muncy Meeting records, Genealogical Records of Members of the Society of Friends Comprising Catawissa Monthly Meeting, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, comp. by John E. Eastburn, Jan. 1947, handwritten, bound mms., in Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (at HSP), p. 14. An alternative is given by Suzanne P. Lamborn, without citations, that Stacy married Elizabeth Hartley, and on 25 December 1793 Exeter Meeting received a certificate for him from Buckingham MM.]
Is there a descendant who can give me any more information?

193.    Thomas⁵ Paxson, the son of Thomas⁴ (James³, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and Mary (Hambleton) was mentioned in his father's will signed September 1811 and proved February 1812. I have not found anything else on Thomas. If there is a descendant out there who can help me, I'd be much obliged.[Bucks Co. Will Abstracts as transcribed on usgenweb/pa/bucks/wills/willabstbk8.txt, 8:238.]

It may be this Thomas Paxson who was sued in 1822. Other possible men of this name who might have been the defendant include Thomas #193 whose deceased father had lived in Middletown, and less likely, Thomas #229 who lived in Solebury rather than Buckingham. The Saturday Evening Post picked up the story from the Doylestown Democrat about the case that "interested the feelings and excited the strong curiosity of the Farmers—of the Millers—indeed of the community at large." William WILLIAMS of Buckingham brought suit against Thomas Paxson for "obstructing the water on his own premises; diverting it from its natural course, and using it to the injury of said Williams."

     The principal facts are these:—Williams owns a Grist Mill, turned by a slight stream of water, which passes thro' the plantation of Paxson, immediately before it falls into Williams's mill pond. Some 3 or 4 years since, the predecessor of Paxson pulled down his old barn, thro' the yard of which the stream in question was conveyed, and erected a new barn, a few rods distant from the old one, but on the opposite side of a public highway. —Paxson changed the course of the water, conducting it across the highway, thro' the yard of the new barn, for the convenience of watering his cattle, &c. and occasionally, by damming, flowed part of the water over his meadow: delivering the surplus into its natural channel, where it passed the line of his own land, on its passage to the mill of Williams.
     An intelligent Jury received the Judge's charge, and after an absence of about two hours, returned into court with a Verdict for the Defendant. [Saturday Evening Post, 1:34 (Mar. 23, 1822), 2.]

199.     John⁵ Paxton, son of Jonas⁴ (James³, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his first wife Mary (Kester) Paxton was born 4 November 1766, and died between 12 July and 3 August 1796. He married Rachel FELL, daughter of John and Elizabeth (HARTLEY) Fell of Solebury. Rachel was born 10 October 1770.

John's father changed the spelling of his surname from Paxson to Paxton and John may have followed. Since his parents were not Friends at the time of John's birth, he is not included in Quaker records.

Although one source says they removed "west", John's will was filed in Bucks County. He signed it 12 July 1796 and it was proved 3 August 1796. John is identified as a weaver in Solebury Township. He named his wife Rachel and brother-in-law George FELL as executors. He gave his daughter Marian, who was under ten years of age, a lot purchased of Thomas CAREY, Jr. The will was witnessed by Samuel Paxson and Edmund SMITH. [Bucks Co. Will Abstracts, Book 5, file 495, as seen on usgenweb/pa/bucks/wills/willabstbk5.txt, 2/9/2004.]

Child of John and Rachel (Fell) Paxson, as mentioned in John's will (may be incomplete):

i.    Marian, b. between ca. 1786 and 1796;

200.     Samuel⁵ Paxton, son of Jonas⁴ (James³, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his first wife Mary (Kester) Paxton, was born 15 January 1769. He was buried in Wrightstown. More research needs to be done on Samuel because it appears he may have married and fathered a daughter who married James CARVER in 1818, and died in 1823.

Samuel's father changed the spelling of his surname from Paxson to Paxton and Samuel may have followed his example. Since his parents were not Friends at the time of Samuel's birth, he is not included in Quaker records. He could have joined, however.

In the Wrightstown Monthly Meeting records there is a Harriet, daughter of Samuel, who died 26 April 1819; and Elizabeth, the wife of Samuel, who died 4 June 1854. Then in Makefield Meeting [included in the Wrightstown MM records] there is Samuel who died 1 August 1832, and Matilda, daughter of Samuel, who died 17 August 1835. There is also a Robert who died 9 Feb. 1855, but with no family members named. What the connection may be to our Samuel #200 is not yet proved. If a reader has additional information I would be delighted to hear from you.

203.    Joseph⁵ Paxton, the son of Jonas⁴ (James³ #30, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his second wife Mary (Broadhurst) Paxton, was born 3 February 1786 near New Hope, Bucks County. He died in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, on 21 August 1861. Joseph married 24 April 1809 Catherine RUPERT, the daughter of Leonard and Sally (BRIGHT) Rupert, originally of Reading. Catherine was born there on Christmas Day 1786, and died 13 November 1887.

Joseph moved as a child with his family to Catawissa, in Columbia County on the upper Susquehanna River. He was educated by his mother, and then became a tanner.

In keeping with the ambitious and enterprising attitude of his times, Joseph experimented with iron works, and was said to be the first to undertake the manufacture of iron on a large scale in Pennsylvania, although I have been unable to find corroboration of this family tradition. He also was named executor of many estates, and acted in some respects as a private banker.

As a young man, he participated in the War of 1812, earning commissions as Major, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Colonel of Pennsylvania troops.

Joseph served as postmaster from 3 November 1821 to 22 June 1829. In 1816, he was appointed with others to a committee to promote the erection of a bridge across the Susquehanna River. Eight years later this committee was augmented with Jacob RUPERT and John BARTON, who were (or became) related to him by marriage. The committee succeeded in raising sufficient funds, and the bridge opened 15 January 1833. In 1846 five spans were destroyed by a flood, and it was rebuilt the following year.

Joseph was interested in "improvements", and on 3 May 1826 was on board the maiden voyage of the steamer Susquehanna from Baltimore. She was 80 feet long and could hold 100 passengers.

As she neared Nescopec Rapids all but a score of her more prominent passengers were invited to walk the shore and watch her battle the tumbling waters. As they did so, they were horrified to see the boiling current stop the laboring boat and drive her back on a rock with such force that her boiler burst, killing four dignitaries.

Joseph was one of many injured in the accident.

Joseph recovered and the next year he helped organize on 17 May 1827 the Catawissa Fire Company, the first in the County, and became president of it. Jacob RUPERT was among the 54 original members. The organization dissolved in February 1832 amid acrimonious discussions around building a new town hall and market house on the site of an old dilapidated market house which had been declared a public nuisance and was mysteriously blown up one night.

Appleton's Cyclopaedia reported that Joseph succeeded in interesting Nicholas Biddle, President of the United States Bank in Philadelphia, in the establishment of a railroad from Philadelphia to Columbia County. The resulting Catawissa Railroad (which, it claims, became the Reading Railroad) did much to encourage the development of the mineral and agricultural region between Pottsville and Williamsport. However, other sources do not paint such an important role for Joseph. To describe the Catawissa as the parent of the Reading is a a bit misleading, since the Reading was chartered first, and grew by buying up a number of smaller railroads and canals. There were apparently dozens of small railroads in the coal areas in the decades before the Civil War. Gradually they were bought out by larger interests. In 1828 legislation was passed for a survey for a railroad between the Schuylkill Canal at Pottsville and the Susquehanna River between Catawissa and Sunbury. The Catawissa public was rallied with a public meeting, Christian A. BROBST in the chair, and Joseph Paxton and Dr. Isaac PICKERING as secretaries. The state project fell through. An 1830 book touting railroads suggested two potential routes along Catawissa Creek. On 21 March 1831 a charter was granted to a private company to build a railroad. Joseph was one of fourteen commissioners appointed to sell stock. By 1835 sufficient funds had been collected to begin work. But in 1838 the bank panic and failure (a regular feature of the unregulated, speculative mixing of banking and investment that was halted by the Glass-Steagall Act, and is now being repeated) forced the work to stop. It was not resumed until 1853 under a new corporation, the Catawissa, Williamsport, and Erie Railroad Company, chartered in 1850. The route connected to the Little Schuylkill Navigation and Railroad Company at Tamanend. Joseph owned the farm at the mouth of Fishing Creek and he wanted the railroad to go to Danville by way of his farm. He succeeded in getting the legislature to pass a rider to the incorporation bill which granted the Catawissa, Williamsport & Erie Railroad the right to extend its line to Williamsport, "Provided That any road located under authority of this section shall not diverge more than one mile distant from the mouth of Fishing Creek". It was built as specified, and the village of Rupert sprang up and prospered at the site. The first train ran from Port Clinton to Catawissa on 16 or 17 July 1854, where it connected with the Reading Railroad. In 1860 the Catawissa, Williamsport & Erie was sold at public sale to a new corporation formed for the purpose, named the Catawissa Railroad Company. By 1868 the Catawissa Railroad, consisting of 65 miles of track, 21 locomotives, and 290 cars, was under lease to the Western Central and Atlantic and Great Western Railroad Companies. Joseph's son Charles R. Paxton sat on its board of directors. In 1871 the line was extended from Milton to Williamsport. By 1882 it was reported that the 93 miles of track of the Catawissa Railroad (between Tamanend and Williamsport) were part of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad.

By 1840 Catawissa had 800 people, 150 more than Bloomsburg. It had a foundry, paper mill, and several tanneries. Germans predominated in the population. Joseph was a considerable landowner in Catawissa, and owned a fertile farm in Bloom Township, where it is said he introduced some of the first short horned cattle in the County. The 1850 census lists him as an iron master, age 64, with real estate valued at $35,000. His wife Catherine, four years his senior, lived with him, along with five unrelated people aged 14-33. Son Bright and his family lived nearby, and son Charles, superintendent of the ironworks, lived in Bloom Township with real estate worth $20,000.

Joseph was a Whig, an advocate of a protective tariff. It is said he was a personal friend and correspondent of Henry CLAY, Daniel WEBSTER, and other prominent men of the day, although I have been unable to find letters to or from him in the published correspondence of either of those figures.

In spite of (or perhaps because of) Joseph's participation in the War of 1812, it is said that he was so filled with regret and sorrow at the outbreak of the Civil War that it hastened his death. Whatever the cause, he died in Columbia County on 21 August 1861. His widow then moved to the old Rupert Homestead in Montour, which she had inherited from her grandfather Michael Brecht. He had purchased it in 1774. Catherine died there 14 November, 1887, a little over one month short of her one hundred and first birthday. At the time of her death she was believed to be the oldest person in Columbia County.

Children of Joseph and Catherine (Rupert) Paxton:

i.     Benjamin Franklin⁶ Paxton, b. 10 June 1810 in Catawissa; d. 26 Oct. 1820 in Catawissa.

ii.    Harriet Paxton, b. 10 Feb. 1812 in Catawissa; d. 26 Feb. 1844 in Williamsport; m. Thomas Jefferson VASTINE, a physician of St. Louis, Mo. He d. 1872; 6 children: Mary Vastine, who res. with her uncle Charles Rupert Paxton in the 1850 census; Charles Vastine, Joseph Vastine, Sarah Vastine, Hannah Vastine, and Catherine Vastine.

iii.    Bright Rupert Paxton, b. 3 Feb. 1814; d. 28 Mar. 1903 in Los Angeles; m. 27 July 1837 Emmeline BARTON; 10 children.

iv.    Charles Rupert Paxton, b. 2 Mar. 1816; d. 1888 in Leesburg, Va.; m. 27 Nov. 1843 Rachel A. CHARLES. She was b. 11 Feb. 1827 in N.Y.; d. 30 Dec. 1921 in Leesburg; 1 daughter.

v.     Mary Paxton, b. 15 Aug. 1818; d. in Catawissa; m. George SCOTT of Catawissa; 3 children: Catherine Scott, Charles Scott, and George Scott.

vi.    Sarah Catherine Paxton, b. 7 May 1821; d. 4 Feb. 1846 in Philadelphia; m. 1840 Charles Henry BALL, the son of Joseph and Esther (HEWSON). Charles was b. 1 Jan. 1817; d. 29 Oct. 1852; 3 children: Harriet Ball, Mary Ball, and Sarah Spencer Ball.

vii.    Benjamin Franklin Paxton, b. 4 Oct. 1823; d. in Philadelphia; m. 15 Jan. 1858 Susan M. LLOYD; 1 daughter.

viii.   Joseph Rupert Paxton, b. 2 July 1827 in Columbia Co.; d. 20 Aug. 1867 in Galveston or Houston, Texas; m. 21 Jan. 1849 Sarah C. WHIPPLE; 4 children.

ix.     Thomas Lloyd Paxton, called Lloyd, b. 22 Sept. 1829; d. 13 Feb. 1900 in Rupert. In 1850 res. with brother Charles, as a "clerk"; unmarried.

208.     Amos Clossen⁵ Paxson, son of James⁴ (James³, William Jr.², James¹) and his wife Sarah (LETCH) Paxson, was born in 1768. He married Cynthia BEALL.

It seems likely that he was the Amos Paxon [sic] who Fairfax Monthly Meeting reported "drinks to excess", 25 May 1790. Friends labored with him for many months and finally he acknowledged his mistake, and said he would promise to try to do better; this was accepted 24 March 1792. But with no understanding that Alcoholics Anonymous brings to excessive drinking today, by 27 September 1793 he was reported "again drinking to excess & gaming & frequenting places of diversion". In addition he had "gone a long distance away" without a certificate. He was disowned 25 April 1795. [Fairfax MM records from Hinshaw, 6:542-43, as transcribed in Frank Paxton, Jr., The Paxtons: An American History, First through Fourth Generations (Kansas City, MO: pub. by the estate of Frank Paxton, Jr., 2007), 55.] At that point Friends stopped carrying him in their records, so it is difficult to track the rest of his life. Presumably he died before the 1850 census.

In the 1850 federal census for Beaver Creek, Green County, Ohio, Cynthia was listed as aged 76, born in Pennsylvania, living with her grandson Aaron, a 30-year-old farmer. Her son Aaron, a 53 year old farmer, lived nearby. [From the 1850 census FHC film #444,676 p. 449, District 206 Beaver Creek, taken 13 Sept. 1850. I am grateful to Dianna Privette for sending this to me, 1m/7/2005.]

Children of Amos and Cynthia (Beall) Paxson (order uncertain):

i.      Aaron Paxson⁶, b. ca. 1797; d. 11 Dec. 1884; m. three times; listed as a 53 year old farmer in the 1850 census.

ii.    Amos Clossen Paxson, Jr., b. 1 Dec. 1804; d. 15 Jan. 1886; m. 13 Mar. 1828 Nancy BOWSER; m(2) 16 Sept. 1865 Sarah Deyarmond CROWLEY; 8 children. [Information on Amos and his descendants has been kindly sent to me by Mary Louise Giles and Bonnie Paxton Ross.]

iii. eleven additional children, including, probably Sarah who m. David DEYAROMOND; and William who m. the widow Margaretta (SCHRACK) ST. JOHN. If a reader has documentation it would be very much appreciated.

209.     Joseph⁵ Paxson⁵, son of James⁴ (James³ #30, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Sarah (Letch) Paxson, was born in Virginia. He married Mary LESTER of Maryland. They were married in Virginia and then moved to New Lisbon, Ohio.

Joseph and Mary had seven children, and then Joseph died while they were still young. Mary was forced to find homes for the children "among strangers." [B. Paxson Drury, A Fruitful Life: A Narrative of the Experiences and Missionary Labors of Stephen Paxson (Philadelphia: The American Sunday-School Union, 1882), 16.]

An alternate account provided by son Joseph (IF this is the correct son for Joseph and Mary) offers that the family migrated from Loudon County, Virginia, to Columbiana County, Ohio in the early spring of 1808. In about 1810 Mary (if she is the unnamed mother in Joseph's narrative) instituted family prayers, insisting that the children get on their knees. On 16 May 1812 Mary took young Joseph by the hand and led him to Nathan HEALD's house where he was bound out for eight years and three months. When this was completed at age sixteen, the boy's father bound him out to Thomas MORGAN in East Fairfield, Ohio, to learn the blacksmith's trade. [Biographical sketch of the late Rev. Joseph Paxson, furnished by himself to his son Josiah. My thanks to Gerald Hobson, e mail 5/29/2011 for sending me a transcription.] The accounts of the two sons could be made to complement one another if Joseph's mention of a father was actually a step-father, or if Stephen's account of his father's death when Stephen was quite young, actually happened after he was indentured.

Mary, wife of Joseph Paxson died 15 August 1849, age 74, and was buried in Mount Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Columbiana County. Her tombstone is pictured. [My thanks to Gerald Hobson, e mail 5/29/2011 for sending me the link.]

Children of Joseph and Mary (Lester) Paxson:

i. 
ii. 
iii. 
iv.  Joseph, b. 10 Aug. 1804 in Loudon Co., Va. is a possible son, but not yet proved; Joseph m. Rebecca CROW [My thanks to "mamaw" May 27, 2011 reply on boards.ancestry.com/surnames.paxson.].
v. 
vi.  Stephen Paxson⁶, b. 3 Nov. 1808; d. 22 Apr. 1881; m(1) 1830 Sarah PRYOR (1809-1889); Stephen m. (2) __.
vii. 

Descendants of James¹ and Jane (Gurden) Paxson

Descendants of William² Jr. and Abigail (Pownall) Paxson

Grandchildren of Thomas³ and Jane (Canby) Paxson

212.    Joseph⁵ Paxson, son of Joseph⁴ (Thomas³, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and Mary (HESTON) Paxson, was born 30 October 1759, and died 7 May 1827. On 12 March 1788 at Sadsbury Meeting, he and Phebe COOPER were married. She was born 28 May 1766 in Sadsbury, the daughter of George and Susannah (TRUMAN) Cooper of Sadsbury, Lancaster County. [Chester and Delaware Counties, 429; Miranda S. Roberts, comp., Genealogy of the Descendants of John Kirk. Born 1660, at Alfreton, in Derbysire, Eng. Died 1705, in Darby Twp., Chester (now Delaware) County, Pennsylvania, ed. by Gilbert Cope (Doylestown: Press of the Intelligencer Co., 1912-1913), 92.]

Joseph served as one of the directors of the poor when a farm was purchased by the County near West Chester. He kept a general store for a number of years on the Lancaster Pike in Sadsbury, which was later carried on by his two sons. Phoebe was "considered a nice housekeeper." [Chester and Delaware Counties, 429; Roberts, comp., Genealogy of the Descendants of John Kirk, 92.]

I am guessing that this was the "Joseph Paxon" who owned land in Colerain Township, Lancaster County, "adjoining Joseph WALKER, MILLINORS and others" in the 1815 Direct Tax list. [http://www.pa-roots.com/~lancaster/court/tax/1815coleraintownship.html]

Joseph died on 7 May 1827, aged sixty-eight years.

Children of Joseph and Phebe (Cooper) Paxson: [Unless otherwise marked, data from Barbara Feeser Gill, "The Paxson Family from England to Edenbower, Schuylkill County Pennsylvania: The Ancestors of Iona Paxson Freeser" (unpublished mms kindly sent to me by the author, 6/2002), p. 86.] The children were all born at "Cedar Park Farm", Sadsbury Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. ["Houstons of Pequea and Allied Families" on worldconnect.rootsweb.com, seen 7m/27/2005.]

i.     Edward Paxson, b. 8 Oct. 1789; d. 29 Aug. 1791.

ii.    Joseph Paxson, b. 3 June 1792; d. Mar. 1850; m(1) Apr. 1839 Rachel YARNALL, m(2) 11 Sept. 1846 Mary Ann MARSH. ["Houstons of Pequea and Allied Families" on worldconnect.rootsweb.com, seen 7m/27/2005; and http://www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.]

iii.    Jacob Paxson, b. 17 Mar. 1795; d. 23 May 1813.

iv.    Susanna T. Paxson, b. 20 Jan. 1799; d. 17 Nov. 1862; m. 19 May 1825 in Sadsbury Mtg. Hiram T. COOPER; he was b. 23 Feb. 1801, d. 10 Apr. 1861, the son of John and Jane (YARNALL) Cooper of Sadsbury Township; they had six children:

a) Moore Paxson Cooper, b. 21 Jan. 1826;
b) Joseph Paxson Cooper, b. 1 Feb. 1828);
c) John Cooper, b. 18 Aug. 1830; m. 18 Mar. 1858 Sarah Jane OLDHAM, and had four children;
d) Phebe J. Cooper, b. 26 Dec. 1833; m. 26 Feb. 1874 William D. JEFFRIES; no children;
e) Susanna H. Cooper, b. 3 May 1835; d. 19 Feb. 1919; considered "peculiar";
f) Hiriam K. Cooper, Jr., b. 25 Dec. 1838; d. 11 Mar. 1926; m. 25 Feb. 1871 Ruth Anna KENT; 2 children. [Names and birth dates from "Houstons of Pequea and Allied Families" on worldconnect.rootsweb.com, seen 7m/27/2005. Dates of marriage and death and names of spouses, from Suzanne P. Lamborn, The Paxson Family (Morgantown, Pa.: Masthof Press, 2008), 31-32.]

v.     Timothy Paxson, b. 20 Dec. 1800; d. 28 Mar. 1863; m. 22 May 1834 Martha Rakestraw LIPPINCOTT; 5 children.[Data on Timothy from Cynthia Montgomery Grossholz, mostly from the Chester Co. Historical Society's newspaper clip file, e mail to me 3/26/2003.]

213.    Benjamin F.⁵ Paxson, son of Joseph⁴ (Thomas³, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and Mary (Heston) Paxson, was born 11 October, 1761, and died 28 June 1828 near Winona, in Columbiana County, Ohio. [Roberts, comp., Genealogy of the Descendants of John Kirk, 92. Middle initial "F" supplied by Jan Paxson, 5m/8/2006.] On 9 June 1784 he and Jane Magill ELY, the daughter of George and Sarah (Magill) Ely of Solebury Township, Bucks County, were married under the care of Buckingham Monthly Meeting.[Penna. Archives, ser. 2, 9:266.] Jane was born 5 January 1764, and died 13 August 1837 in Columbiana County [Jane's middle name of Magill supplied by Jan Paxson, 5m/8/2006. Gill, p. 86 sez Jane d.1857; "The Paxsons", compiled by Helen Dinius Paxson (Mrs. Frank Paxson), typescript, copied for me 3/2005 by Tom Irey, sez she died in 1837.]

The couple took a certificate of removal from Buckingham Meeting to Sadsbury, dated 7 April 1788. [Roberts, comp., Genealogy of the Descendants of John Kirk, 92.]

On 3 June 1823 Benjamin, Jane, and their youngest daughter Rachel received a certificate of removal from Sadsbury Meeting in Pennsylvania to New Garden Meeting in Columbiana County, Ohio. Although the "parent" Monthly Meeting was Sadsbury, it appears that they actually lived in Columbia County and attended Muncy Preparative Meeting.

Children of Benjamin and Jane (Ely) Paxson: [Birth dates from extracts from Catawissa and Muncy Meeting records, "Genealogical Records of Members of the Society of Friends Comprising Catawissa Monthly Meeting, Columbia County, Pennsylvania", comp. by John E. Eastburn, Jan. 1947, handwritten, bound mms., p. 53, in Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (at HSP); rest of the data is from Gill, 86; "The Paxsons", compiled by Helen Dinius Paxson, 7-8, copied and sent to me by Tom Irey, 3/2005. Muncy records include Isaac but not Rachel; Gill has Rachel but not Isaac. Muncy records have Jan. for b. or twins Mary and Martha; Gill has either Jan. or Apr.]

i.     Isaiah Paxson⁶, b. 24 May 1785 in Solebury Twp., Bucks Co.; d. 3 May 1850 in Jay Co., Ind.; m. 16 April 1806 Lydia MENDENHALL (she was b. 27 Aug. 1780, d. 24 Apr. 1863 in Jay Co., Ind.

ii.    Matilda Paxson, b. 16 June 1786 in Solebury Twp., Bucks Co.; d. 2 Oct. 1802 in Lycoming Co., Pa.; unmarried.

iii.   William Paxson, b. 23 Aug. 1788 in Solebury Twp., Bucks Co.; d. 3 Mar. 1877 in Pennsville, Iowa; m. 30 Sept. 1818 Maria MORGAN (b. 4 July 1796, d. 24 Feb. 1852, bur. Woodsdale Cemetery, Ohio). Alternatively, her name is given as Sarah MORGAN. [from http://www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.]

iv.    Benjamin Ely Paxson, b. 11 Nov., 1790; d. 6 Sept. 1862; m(1) 22 Dec. 1814 [marriage date from http://www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.] Sarah MITCHELL (she was b. 27 May 1795, d. 6 July 1835; m(2) 10 May 1838 Abigail McNeely [or NEELEY from http://www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.] (she was b. 25 Apr. 1802, bur. in Pennsville Cemetery, Jay Co., Ind. [Cope, Genealogy of the Smedley Family, 650-51; "The Paxsons", compiled by Helen Dinius Paxson, 7.]

v.     Sarah Paxson, b. 6 Oct. 1792 in Sadsbury Twp., Chester Co.; d. 17 Feb. 1871, bur. in Oak Grove Cemetery, Carrol Co., Ind.; m(1) 14 Jan. 18134 Joshua MENDENHALL, who d. 1823; m(2) 18 Feb. 1816 Ellis or Elias DAVIS in Columbiana Co., Oh., who d. 4 Dec. 1855, bur. in Pennsville Cemetery, Jay Co., Ind. Sarah had no children with either husband, but Ellis had children by his first wife.

vi.    Martha (or Mary) Paxson, twin, b. 4 Jan. 1795 in Sadsbury Twp., Chester Co.; d. 13 Jan. 1795 or 1796 in Lycoming Co., Penna., aged 9 mo., 12 days. [I am unclear which twin died at birth and which died at 9 months. It appears that the birth date of April and the death in Jan. 1796 is more accurate, but I have not been able to check primary sources.]

vii.    Mary (or Martha) Paxson, twin, b. 4 Jan. 1795 in Sadsbury Twp., Chester Co.; d. at birth.

viii.   Jane Ely Paxson, twin b. 31 May 1796 in Sadsbury Twp., Chester Co.; d. 2 Sept. 1883 in Columbiana Co., Oh.; m(1) 5 Feb. 1816 at West Chester, Pa., Edward Heston HALL, son of Eber and Ann (SPICER) Hall; they removed to Columbiana Co. in 1820; Edward d. 10 Apr. 1831. Jane m(2) Abraham HESTON; Jane had 10 children with Edward: Sarah P. Hall (b. 17 Nov. 1817), Mary Hall (b. 1 Jan. 1821), Rachel Hall (b. 2 June 1822), Mahlon Hall (b. 21 Sept. 1823), Thomas H. Hall (b. 11 Sept. 1825; d. 25 Aug. 1897; m. 1/11m/1854 Lydia H. COX; he was clerk in the Bank of Chester Co. for ca. ten years, then treasurer of West Chester & Philadelphia RR for about a dozen years; then rem. to Swarthmore ca. 1889 and sold real estate; Lydia was editor of The Children's Friend and ass't ed. of the Friends Intelligencer and Scattered Seeds; 5 children including Alice Hall who m. 25/11m/1897 Charles Paxson), John Hall, George E. Hall (b. 21 Apr. 1829; d. 15 July 1879), Albert P. Hall (b. 17 Oct. 1830), and Edward H. Hall (b. 9 July 1831). Jane had 3 children with Abraham: Adaline Heston (m. Moses VOTAW), Eliza Heston, and Benjamin Heston. ["The Paxsons", compiled by Helen Dinius Paxson, 7; and Gill, "The Paxson Family from England to Edenbower, Schuylkill County Pennsylvania", p. 90.]

ix.    Isaac Paxson, twin b. 31 May 1796 in Sadsbury Twp., Chester Co.;

x.     Joseph [Jefferson] Paxson, b. 4 Jan. 1798 in Sadsbury Twp., Chester Co.; m(1) 26 Oct. 1820 Jane IREY, the daughter of Eli Philip Irey of Harrison Co., Va. (now Barbour Co., W. Va. [Tom Irey has land records from Harrison Co. indicating Eli Philip Irey, Jr's presence there - e mail 4m/7/2005.]; m(2) 13 Sept. 1838 Elizabeth TIDRIC or TEDRIC. [Alternate birth date given for Joseph in "the Rumple-Haworth Family History", worldconnect.rootsweb.com, updated 26 July 2003, as 14 Jan.; it also supplies a date of d. on 16 Apr. 1872 in Penn Twp., Jay Co., Ind.; Jane PARRY given as his wife's name in http://www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.]

xi.    George Paxson, twin b. 1 Aug. 1805, or b. 20 Feb. 1800;

xii.   Heston C. Paxson, b. 18 Feb. 1802 in Sadsbury Twp., Chester Co.; m(1) Rachel INGLEDUE; m(2) Mary PIERCE; removed from Sadsbury to New Garden MM June 1823; he joined another church, and was disowned by New Garden Meeting 25/3m/1824.

xiii.   Rachel Paxson, twin? b. 1 Aug. 1805 in Sadsbury Twp.; d. 17 Aug. 1870 in Hartford Co., Mich.; m(1) 18 Nov. 1824 out of unity with Friends, Eli Philip IREY, for which she was disciplined 26/8m/1824, but not disowned (he was b. 5 Jan. 1800 in Harrison Co., Va., brother of Jane Irey who m. Rachel's brother Joseph J.; d. 28 July 1883 in Hartford Co. Mich.); both are bur. in Pioneer Cemetery, Hartford Co. They resided for a while in the Balbec area of Jay Co., Ind., before removing to Hartford Co., Mich. They had 6 children. ["The Paxsons", compiled by Helen Dinius Paxson, 8, 10. See her p. 55 for their descendants.]

214.    Jacob⁵ Paxson, son of Joseph⁴ (Thomas³, William Jr.², James¹) and Mary (Heston) Paxson, was born 4 March 1763 in Solebury Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and died in 1839 in Ohio. On 9 November 1797 he and Elizabeth PETITT were married at Sadsbury Meeting. Elizabeth was the daughter of William and Sarah Pettit of Sadsbury. [Roberts, comp., Genealogy of the Descendants of John Kirk, 92.]

The Petitts were among the first families in New Garden Meeting (later known as Winona) in Columbiana County, Ohio, which was established in October 1808. Jacob and Elizabeth received a certificate of removal from Sadsbury meeting on 8 August 1815 and following her parents moved west to New Garden Meeting (Ohio). Their children Sarah, Edward, Mary P., Ann, and Matilda accompanied them. [William Wade Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy (Richmond, Ind., 1946), Vol. IV, The Ohio Quaker Genealogical Records, 795, 837.]

At the time of the separation among Friends in Ohio in 1828 Jacob and Elizabeth went with the so-called Hicksite branch. They and their children (as each came of age) were disowned by the Orthodox Meeting which they had already left, starting with Elizabeth on 20 Eleventh Month 1828 and Jacob on 22 First Month 1829. [Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy 4:837.]

Children of Jacob and Elizabeth (Petitt) Paxson:

i.     William Paxson⁶, b. 1798 [from http://www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.]; moved from Sadsbury Meeting to New Garden, (Ohio) handing in his certificate 13/8m/1818. Two months later he was reported married to Maria MORGAN. They were Hicksites, so both were disowned by the Orthodox 263m/1829. [Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy 4:837.]

ii.    Sarah Paxson, b. 1801 [from http://www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.] on 24/12m/1818 Sarah was reported married to David GALBRAITH. [Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy 4:837. "The Paxsons", compiled by Helen Dinius Paxson, 9.]

iii.   Edward Paxson, b. 1804 [from http://www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.] joined the Hicksite branch with most of the rest of his family. [Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy 4:837.]

iv.    Mary P. Paxson, b. 1806; [from http://www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.] joined the Hicksite branch at the time of the separation; m. out of unity to David HOOVER, for which she was condemned 23/1m/1840, but not disowned. [Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy 4:837; his first name from "The Paxsons", compiled by Helen Dinius Paxson, 9.]

v.      Ann Paxson, or Anna B. b. 25 Jan. 1810; d. Aug. 1899; m. 28 Oct. 1830 Hoopes BAILY [from http://www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.] joined the Hicksite branch with most of the rest of her family; reported on 25/11/1830 m. to Hoopes BAILEY. [Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy 4:837.] The marriage was 28 Oct. 1830. ["The Paxsons", compiled by Helen Dinius Paxson, 9.]

vi.     Matilda Paxson, b. 1813 [from http://www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.] joined the Hicksite branch, m(1) Abner HAWLEY; m(2) Marsh HICKLAN or HICKLEN. ["The Paxsons", compiled by Helen Dinius Paxson, 9, has the latter spelling.]

vii.    Jacob Canby Paxson, b. 1817; d. 1893 or 1894; m. Sarah Ann YOCUM. ["The Paxsons", compiled by Helen Dinius Paxson, 9.]

220.    Aaron⁵ Paxson, son of Joseph⁴ (Thomas³, William Jr.², James¹) and Mary (HESTON) Paxson, was born 6 November 1773, and died 26 September 1858 at Hamburg, Erie County, New York. [Roberts, comp., Genealogy of the Descendants of John Kirk, 93. For alternate b. dates of 11 or 16 November, see www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.] On 23 October 1805 he married Susanna HAMBLETON. She was born 29 July 1783 in Solebury, Bucks County, the daughter of Jonas and Anne (KESTER) Hambleton. Susannah died 4 May 1871 at Hamburg. [Roberts, comp., Genealogy of the Descendants of John Kirk, 93; pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.]

Susanna's father, Jonas Hambleton, was often compared in family legend to his contemporary, Daniel BOONE. Jonas brought his family through the wilderness of western New York to the shores of Lake Erie where they settled in 1809. Soon other Hambletons and Paxsons joined them in what came to be Erie County, New York. By mid-century the little villages of Webster's Corners, East Hamburg, and East Aurora, all not far from the growing town of Buffalo, were full of Paxsons and Hambletons. [Excerpt from Chapter 1, William Edgar Paxson, Jr., E.S. Paxson: Frontier Artist (Boulder, Colo.: Pruett Co, c 1984) kindly sent to me by Eileen Talamantez, e mail 4/28/2007. Paxson cites Hambleton family history published privately in 1887, by Chalkley J. Hambleton and an unpublished family history began by Edward Heston Paxson completed by Joseph P. Paxson in 1918. I have not seen any of these things.] About 1817 Aaron and Susanna moved to East Hamburg, settling there for the rest of their lives. [Roberts, comp., Genealogy of the Descendants of John Kirk, 93.]

The family were members of the Orthodox branch of Friends, Collins Monthly Meeting. [James E. Hazard Index to The Records of New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends at http://www.swarthmore.edu/Library/friends/hazard/fhlresults.php. This appears to be a list of the Orthodox members, taken after the separation. Aaron, his wife Susanna, and their children Rachel, Sarah, Gulia, Job, and William were listed 29/4m/1829, citing Vol. 1, p. 426.] The Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends of Collins was established in 1820 in Hamburgh [sic]. Today it is a pastoral ("programmed") meeting at 2345 Main Street, Route 39 near Route 62, in Collins, NY.

In 1850, in the first US federal census in which each member of a household was named, Aaron shows up as a 77 year old farmer on real estate valued at $2,000. His wife Susannah was 66. Both had been born in Pennsylvania. Living with them were their son Job, 28, a farmer owning land valued at $630, Ann, age 21, Julianna [sic] aged 35, and Rachael, aged 40. [1850 census for Hamburg Twp., Erie Co., NY, p. 26. My thank to Joyce Hambleton Whitten for sending me a copy of the Paxson part of her "Descendants of Stephen HAMBLETON & Hannah PAXSON", which included this information; e mail 5/31/2007,]

After Aaron's death 26 September 1858, Susannah continued to live on the farm. The 1860 census found her there, aged 77, with her farm valued at $2,500, and personal property worth $250. With her were Rachel SMITH, age 49 and Gulillma [sic] age 45. [1860 East Hamburg, Erie, NY, pg 348, taken on 16 Aug., as noted in "Descendants of Stephen HAMBLETON & Hannah PAXSON".] In the 1870 census, after the Civil War, "Susan" Paxson was only 84 years old, and Rachael SMITH was 57. Susannah's real estate was valued at $1,870, her personal property at $200. [1870 East Hamburg, Erie, NY, pg 177, taken on 17 June, as noted in "Descendants of Stephen HAMBLETON & Hannah PAXSON".]

Children of Aaron and Susanna (Hambleton) Paxson: [Roberts, comp., Genealogy of the Descendants of John Kirk, 191-192.]

i.     Mary Ann Paxson⁶, b. 13 July 1806; d. 6 July 1874; m. 5 Feb. 1825 Levi B. MATHEWS, a farmer in East Hamburg, NY; had 5 children: Mary Jane Mathews (m. Lester WOODRUFF); Joseph C. Mathews; Phebe S. Mathews (m. Lewis NORTHRUP); Sarah E. Mathews (m. Jacob HODGKINS); Gulielma Mathews (m. Hiram LITZAN).

ii.    Jane Paxson, b. 22 Apr. 1808; m. 25 June 1836 Rodney SAWYER, farmer of East Hamburg; had 6 children.

iii.    Rachel C. Paxson, b. 6 Sept. 1810; d. 18 Apr. 1882; m. 15 Jan. 1837 Rufus SMITH; no children.

iv.    Sarah C. Paxson, b. 25 Apr. 1813; m. 7 Aug. 1830 Benjamin DALBY, blacksmith; removed to Goodrich, Mich. They had 8 children: Amos Dalby (b. 11 July 1831; m. Kate MILLER); Angeline Dalby (b. 20 Feb. 1833; d. 29 Sept. 1872; m. Joseph GOULD); Irwin Dalby (b. 11 Mar. 1835; m. Rachel CAREY); Almira Dalby (b. 6 Apr. 1837; m. Stephen NORTHRUP); Susan Dalby (b. 30 July 1839; m. Edward CUMMINGS); Samuel Dalby (b. 12 July 1841; d. 14 Nov. 1896; m. Libbie DELLENBACK); William P. Dalby (b. 13 Mar. 1845); Ellen L. Dalby (b. 23 May 1852; d. 8 Apr. 1896; m. Amos CARPENTER); Joseph Cornelius Dalby (b. 16 Mar. 1854; d. 3 Apr. 1863); Morrill Eugene Dalby (b. 3 May 1857; m. Ada RICHARDS).

v.     Gulielma Paxson, or Julia E., b. 21 June 1815; d. 26 Sept. 1866; m. William JONES, a farmer; no children.

vi.    Jonas H. Paxson, b. 9. Nov. 1817; d. 7 Aug. 1822.

vii.   Job V. Paxson, b. 8 Feb., 1822; d. 27 Sept. 1881, a farmer; m. Lydia Ann HAMBLETON; res. Orchard Park, Erie Co., NY; no children.

viii.  William Hambleton Paxson, b. 15 Apr. 1825; m. 1850 Christina HAMBLETON, and had 4 children.

221.    Jonathan⁵ Paxson, son of Joseph⁴ (Thomas³, William Jr.², James¹) and Mary (HESTON) Paxson, was born 26 May 1775 in Solebury or Buckingham Township, Bucks County, Penna. He died 14 September 1841 in Chester County. On 4 May 1804 he married Catherine BEECHER, daughter of John and Mary (ALBRECHT) Beecher.

Catherine was born in Bern Township, Berks County, on 11 May 1784, and died 5 December 1855 in Sadsbury Township. Catherine's father, John Beecher, was born 13 April 1759, and died 22 March 1819. He was buried in Epler's Church in Bern Township, Berks Co. He began his will as "I, John Beecher" but signed his will as "Johannes Bücher" which was his original German surname, pronounced similar to Beesher, and the surname from which the majority of Pennsylvania Beechers are derived. Y-DNA testing has identified five early 1700s ancestors who are related to John but has not yet identified the original immigrant. Catherine's mother, Mary Ann Albrecht (Albert was not used by her during her life; some later generations adopted Albright or Albert in lieu of the original Albrecht), was born 3 December 1755, and died 11 November 1837. It is believed that she is buried at the Pequea Church, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, near where her son was living. For more on Catherine's parents, see the Bucher Beecher Research Site. Proof that Catherine Beecher Paxson was the daughter of John and Mary can be found in a revolutionary war pension application:

"In 1854, Jacob Nyswender and Henry Carpenter stated in Columbus, Ohio, that the following were the children and only heirs of said John and Mary Ann Beecher:

  John Beecher, of Berks County, Pa.
  William Beecher and Barbara Nyswender, both of Franklin County, Ohio.
  Margaret Mulliner, of Philadelphia, Pa.
  Benjamin Beecher, Jacob Beecher, and Catherine Paxon [sic], all of Chester Co., Pa.
  Samuel Beecher, of Lancaster Co., Pa.
  Lydia Cook, of Clark Co., Va.

[My thanks to Jonathan Beacher, of [email protected] for providing the information on Catherine's parents, and definitively putting to rest the myth that Catherine was related to Lyman Beecher, father of Henry Ward Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe. e mail Jan. 3, 2006.]

Jonathan and Catherine lived on a farm they called "Brook Haven", near Atglen, Pennsylvania. [http://user.mc.net/~cherokee/paxpage/paxson.htm]

According to Suzanne Lamborn, Jonathan's will was written in 1841 and he died 17 September 1844. The will provided that his widow, Catherine, be provided two rooms, upstairs, rent free, with supplies of fruit, hay, also one bushel of potatoes planted, dug, and stored in the cellar for her, firewood to be stacked for her, furniture, and one cow. The executors were to dispose of the rest of the estate, which was to be shared among the children. [Suzanne P. Lamborn, The Paxson Family (Morgantown, Pa.: Masthof Press, 2008), 39.] It was not unusual for a will to spell out such specific details for the care of the widow by her children; it should not be taken as a commentary on relationships within this specific family.

Children of Jonathan and Catherine (Beecher) Paxson: [Barbara Feeser Gill, "The Paxson Family from England to Edenbower, Schuylkill County Pennsylvania: The Ancestors of Iona Paxson Freeser" (unpublished mms kindly sent to me by the author, 6/2002, p. 88.]

i.     John Jefferson⁶ Paxson, b. 21 June 1805 in Altglen, Pa.; d. 26 Mar. 1873 on Sweetbriar Farm in South Manheim Township, Schuylkill Co., Penna.; m. 3 Mar. 1831 Louise HESTON.

ii.    Ruth Ely Paxson, b. 3 Mar. 1807 in Altglen, Pa.; d. 22 Jan. 1900; alternatively, she d. 22 Nov. 1900; m. 5m/1835 Baker OTTEY; had 5 children including Jonathan P. Ottey who inherited the Paxson homestead in Chester Co. [The Kirk Family, 192.] Alternatively, she d. 22 June 1900; m. 14 May 1835 Baker ATTY. [http://user.mc.net/~cherokee/paxpage/paxson.htm]

iii.    Joseph Franklin Paxson, b. 26 May 1808 in Altglen, Pa.; d. 21 Sept. 1890; Alternatively, he d. 28 May 1808; m. 9/1828 Susanna SIMMONS. [ http://user.mc.net/~cherokee/paxpage/paxson.htm]

iv.    Eliza Ann Paxson, b. 15 Jan. 1810 in Altglen, Pa.; d. 24 July 1880; m. George Washington DEAN or BEAN;

v.     Jacob Epler Paxson, b. 22 Aug. 1811 in Altglen, Pa.; d. 2 May 1880; m. Caroline MULBERRY;

vi.    George Washington Paxson, b. 18 Jan. 1813 in Altglen, Pa.; d. 20 Dec. 1894; m. Elizabeth CARNAHAN.

vii.    Mary Alvert Paxson, b. 8 Oct. 1814 in Altglen, Pa., d. 21 Oct. 1888; m. John MILLER; no children. [The Kirk Family, 192, says Mary Alwert was b. 18 Oct. 1814; she and John res. in Parkesburg, Penna.]

viii.   Oliver Hazard Perry Paxson, b. 5 Dec. 1816 in Altglen, Pa., d. 29 Sept. 1889 in Honey Brook, in western Chester County, Pennsylvania; m. Letitia HUTCHINSON.

ix.     Rachel Heston Paxson, b. 9 June 1819 in Altglen, Pa.; d. 26 June 1820; or d. 22 June 1820, [http://user.mc.net/~cherokee/paxpage/paxson.htm]

x.      Rachel Louisa Paxson, b. 7 Apr. 1821; m. ___ McCLELLAN. Alternatively, Rachel C., b. 11 July 1821; m. 1841 James McCLENNEN who d. 6 Apr. 1895; had 4 children. [The Kirk Family, 192.] or, Rachel Louise, d. 1822. [http://user.mc.net/~cherokee/paxpage/paxson.htm]

xi.     Jonathan V. Paxson, b. 9 Jan. 1824; d. 20 July 1827. [The Kirk Family, 192.]

xii.    Levi Paxson, b. 22 Mar. 1827 or 1829; d. 11 Apr. 1909 in Reading, Penna.; m. 1851 Mary KRAFT [http://user.mc.net/~cherokee/paxpage/paxson.htm] Alternatively, m. Mary A. KNIGHT; Levi B. was a brakeman in 1853, then a machinist for the Reading RR; by 1888 he was a manager/supervisor. [Suzanne P. Lamborn, The Paxson Family (Morgantown, Pa.: Masthof Press, 2008), 41.]

xiii.   Mathilda Paxson, b. 19 Feb. 1830; m. Isaac WILDE [http://user.mc.net/~cherokee/paxpage/paxson.htm] Alternatively, Mathilda Louisa Paxson, m. Isaac T. WILDE, and had a daughter Kate Elizabeth Wilde who was b. 28 Dec. 1857, m. 1882 George H. Porter, grandson of Sarah Paxson (Porter). [Jim Houston, e mail 10/16/2009.] Another possibility is Catharine M. Paxson, b. 19 Feb. 1830; m. 1851 Isaac WILDE, who d. 10m/1889; 2 children. [The Kirk Family, 193.] Or, is she one girl, Catherine Matilda? [Lamborn, The Paxson Family, 41.]

227.     Timothy⁵ Paxson, son of Benjamin⁴ (Thomas³, William, Jr.², James¹) and his first wife Deborah (Taylor) Paxson, was born 27 May 1764, and died 21 April 1839. Timothy and Ruth JOHNSON were married under the care of Buckingham Monthly Meeting on 7 October 1790.[Penna. Archives, ser. 2, 9:266.] Ruth was the daughter of Ruth (POTTS) and her first husband, William Johnson. Ruth Sr. later married Oliver Paxson, son of Thomas #31 and Jane (CANBY) Paxson. So Timothy's mother-in-law was also his first cousin by marriage. Ruth (Johnson) Paxson died in Philadelphia 29 July 1827. [Death notice in The Souvenir 1:6 (Aug. 8, 1827), 47. The Souvenir was published only from 1827 to 1829.]

Timothy and his brother Benjamin were bequeathed 1000 acres in Harrison County, Virginia by their father, Benjamin. [Bucks Co. Will Abstracts, 8:385.] However, Timothy made his permanent settlement at 158 N. Front Street in Philadelphia.

In 1818 the land that is now owned by Friends Select School on the Parkway in Philadelphia, was purchased. It had originally belonged to the Penn family, but was confiscated from them as Tories, during the Revolution and sold. After several changes of ownership Friends bought it for a burial ground, and named Timothy Paxson and Eden HAYDOCK as trustees. ["Uncovered Assets: The Story of a Log Cabin Two Squares from City Hall", ca. 1924.]

At the time of the Separation among Friends in 1827 Timothy identified with the Orthodox faction. One of the uncomfortable obligations laid on him by his monthly meeting was visiting Friends who identified with the Hicksite faction. Thomas Hamm tells the following story about Timothy who was charged with speaking to Thomas Pryor.

Thomas W. Pryor was somewhat mollified by the moderation of Timothy Paxson, the North Meeting overseer who encountered him on the street and asked to call on him. 'I told that I respected him as a Citizen and as a Gentleman but to hold any conversation with him as an overseer of the North Meeting was beneath my dignity.' Paxson replied: 'I have no doubt but what thee has taken the ground thee has on principle and I am not about to say but that the ground is not a good one.' Of course, this did not stop the North Meeting from disowning Pryor. Informed of it, he wrote in his diary: 'The Testimony they have served me with disuniting me from their Society will be an ample passport and a good certificate for me in any part of the globe I may have occation to travel.' [Hamm, Chapt. 2, citing Pryor Journal, 11th Mo. 6, 1827, 3rd Mo. 19, 1828.]

By Fifth Month 1830 Timothy was an active member of the board and of the visiting committee of the Friends Asylum for the Relief of Persons Deprived of the use of their Reason. [The Friend, 3:31 (15 May 1830), 244; 3:37, 296; 4:9, 68; 4:13, 104 and thereafter for many years.] It had opened its doors for its first patients in 1817. Timothy also became active in the Bible Association of Friends in America. [His name was listed on the acting committee, as given in the First Annual Report, The Friend, 3:33 (29 May 1830), 262.] He signed the proposal to establish a Friends Central School, which three years later changed its name to Haverford School, and eventually became Haverford College. [The Friend, 4:4 (6 Nov. 1830). 31; 6:31 (11 May 1833), 248.] He was an elder in Northern District Monthly Meeting.

Timothy's lengthy obituary in The Friend included the following information about his life:

His benevolent and cheerful disposition, his honesty of purpose, his love of truth and justice, gained for him the confidence and respect of the community, which was continued through life; . . . it was his constant aim, always to do that which was right. His sound and discriminating judgment, with his superior abilities and extensive knowledge, eminently qualified him for a peace maker and arbitrator, which services he was often called to perform by contending parties, and it is believed he gave such general satisfaction, that no one seemed to question the impartiality and integrity of his decisions.
      He was useful as a citizen, and served the public in various situations. In early manhood he was elected a member of the city councils, over one branch of which he presided. He was also a zealous promoter of the water works at a period when their success seemed extremely problematical. In the year 1798, when pestilence invaded our city and swept away many of its most respectable inhabitants, he, as a member of the board of health, steadily pursued the path of duty, in succouring the needy and helpless, and in alleviating the distress attendant upon that awful calamity. He escaped not the epidemic, but after a short and severe attack was happily restored to future usefulness.
      For more than thirty years he was annually elected a director of the Bank of North America. And it is a striking acknowledgment of the estimate of his qualifications and integrity, that he was selected by the late Stephen Girard (the possessor of the largest estate in the community), a trustee of his bank, and an executor of his estate, chiefly left for public purposes.
      . . . He was a gifted and faithful elder of the meeting to which he belonged, and attended to the duties thus devolved upon him as long as the state of his health permitted . . . .
      For the last four months of his life, he was mostly confined to his house, gradually wasting by disease, but he was enabled to bear his sufferings with patience, to sustain the trials and conflicts of nature with resignation, and finally, to experience the consolation . . . .[The Friend, Vo. XII, no. 43 (27/2m/1839), 342.]

The Fairmount Water Works supplied Philadelphia with clean drinking water until upstream pollution became too bad and in 1909 they were closed. The classical-styled building opened two years later as an aquarium, which operated for at least a half century. In 2003 it became home to the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center. I have not yet had an opportunity to visit it to see if Timothy Paxson is mentioned.

Children of Timothy and Ruth (Johnson) Paxson: [Birth dates from Suzanne P. Lamborn, The Paxson Family (Morgantown, Pa.: Masthof Press, 2008), 43.]

i.    Edward Paxson, b. 20 June 1791; m. Lucy Ann LONG;

ii.   William Johnson Paxson, b. 16 Feb. 1793; m. his first cousin Eliza JOHNSON

iii.  Charles Paxson, b. 18 Feb. 1799; m. Mary Potts BROOKE;

229.     Thomas⁵ Paxson, son of Benjamin⁴ (Thomas³, William, Jr.², James¹) and his first wife Deborah (TAYLOR) Paxson, was born 2 September 1769. He died 7 June 1843 in his 74th year. On 26 April 1814 he married Hannameel CANBY, who had been born on 13 January 1787, and died 13 May 1857 in her 71st year. [Buckingham MM records.] They lived in Solebury. She was the daughter of Thomas and Beulah (__) Canby. [Suzanne P. Lamborn, The Paxson Family (Morgantown, Pa.: Masthof Press, 2008), 43.

Thomas was an elder in Solebury Meeting.

Hannameel died in her residence in Bucks County on 13 May 1857 in her 71st year. She was a member and elder of Buckingham Monthly Meeting. She "possessed a meek and gentle spirit, which, added to a sound judgment, and much discretion, rendered her eminently qualified for the service in the meeting of which she was an esteemed and valuable member. . . ." [Obituary in The Friend, 30:37 (23 May 1857), 296.] Hannameel was of the Orthodox branch of Friends, and there were too few Orthodox to have a monthly meeting in Solebury. Instead they belonged to the Orthodox Monthly Meeting in Buckingham.

Children of Thomas and Hannameel (Canby) Paxson: [Buckingham MM rec at PHS & GS, pp. 81, 95, 98, 110.]

i.      Deborah Paxson, b. 23 Apr. 1815; d. 25 Aug. 1894. The date of death seems to be in error, since her will (written 10 Dec. 1881) was proved 6 Oct. 1893. Deborah left bequests to her brothers Elias E. (and his daughters Sarah H. [sic: W.?] and Hannah), Oliver (who was deceased so his daughter Margaret Ely Paxson inherited), and Richard R. (and his daughters Harriet F. and Anna L.). She named her brother Elias as executor. One of the witnesses was Richard Elias ELY. [Thomas G. Myers, Bucks County Pennsylvania Will Abstracts, 1870-1900 (Westminster, Md.: Willow Bend Books, 2002), 421, citing Bucks Will Bk. 26, page 201, file #18946.]

ii.     Elias Ely Paxson, b. 25 Oct. 1817; d. 28 Apr. 1901 [Buckingham MM rec.] m. Margaret WILSON, the daughter of Samuel and Hannah Wilson of Buckingham. They had four children.

iii.    Oliver Paxson, b. 18 Mar. 1820; d. 15 Feb. 1876; m. Ruth Anna ELY of New Hope in 1861; 4 children.

iv.     Beulah Paxson, b. 2 Dec. 1823; d. 9 Oct. 1826, aged 2 years, 10 months, and 7 days.

v.      Ruthanna Paxson, b. 25 Oct. 1826; d. 2 Apr. 1827, aged 5 months and 7 days.

vi.     Richard R. Paxson, b. 30 Mar. 1828; d. 5 Sept. 1898; m. Eleanor ELY and had a son Oliver, a physician.

230.     Benjamin⁵ Paxson, son of Benjamin⁴ (Thomas³, William, Jr.², James¹) and his first wife Deborah (Taylor) Paxson, was born 22 April 1776 and died 2 September 1846. He married Sarah WHITE of Shrewsbury, New Jersey. Sarah was born 11 November 1784 in Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (WILLIAMS) White. [Sarah's birth date and parents on www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam38418.html]

With his brother Timothy, Benjamin was bequeathed 1000 acres in Harrison County, Va., by his father. [Bucks Co. Will Abstracts, 8:385.] However, like his brother Timothy, Benjamin did not move to Virginia, but to Philadelphia, where he was a merchant. It is possible that in the first few years of the nineteenth century it was this Benjamin Paxson who was a member of the Tullians, a social club of sixteen young Quaker men, including William DARLINGTON (who was then studying for his medical degree) who amused themselves with "sophisticated debates". [Dorothy I. Lansing, That Magnificent Cestrian: Dr. William Darlington, 1782-1863, being a short introductory biography (Paoli, Pa.: The Serpentine Press, 1985), 64.]

Three days after his death, Benjamin's remains were interred in the Cherry Street Burial Ground, Ninth Month 5, 1846. It was noted that he was not a member of Newton Mo. Mtg. (Camden, N.J.), Orthodox. He was 71 years old. Sarah's remains were buried there Tenth month 31, she was 61 years old, and she was a member. ["Record of Interments", Newton Mo. Mtg. records; see also Aaron Wunsch on the use of the Cherry Street burial ground by both branches, and their disagreements over its ownership.]

Children of Benjamin and Sarah (White) Paxson: [Birth dates from Phila. Yearly Meeting's Birth, Death, and Burial Records, 1683-1826, p. 76. Other info from www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam38418.html, as seen 2m/11/2006.]

i.     Susan Paxson⁶, b. 30 Oct. 1810 in Solebury; d. 12 July 1892; m. 1 Sept. 1831 [this date from the Pennock web site may be incorrect] Edward WRIGLEY. He was b. 1808 in Knowl, Yorkshire, and d. ca. 1842 when Susan was only 32, leaving her with 8 minor children (1 had d.y.). Jeanne A. Dunn has done extensive research on the Wrigley family, and graciously shared with me pages 38-40 from her unpublished mms "The Wrigleys of Broadhead"; also e mail of 4/16/2007. Edward Wrigley immigrated from Saddleworth, Yorkshire to Philadelphia when the textile manufacturing in the former area slumped. He built the Good Intent Woolen Mill at Farragut and 46th Street in West Philadelphia. After Edward's untimely death Susan arranged for her two young daughters to be taken in by relatives, and for her two youngest sons to be enrolled in the newly opened Girard College. Susan's uncle Timothy Paxson had been one of the executors of Stephen Girard's will, and presumably because of his contacts (Timothy had d. 4/1839) Susan obtained a position as one of the first seven governesses—though Girard College's policy was not to hire mothers of current students. After she stopped working at Girard College, Susan lived with her son William and his family. Susan lived until 1892 and passed many family stories to Alma Wrigley who passed information to younger generations. Susan and Edward's children:

a)   Joseph Wrigley, b. 1830 in Philadelphia; d. there 1841.

b)   Edmund Wrigley, b. 1831 in Philadelphia; d. there after 1880. Unmarried sister Susan living with Edmund and his family on Green St. in the 1870 census.

c)   William Mills Wrigley, b. 7 Nov. 1833; d. 27 Oct. 1909; m. 3 Dec. 1860 Mary A. LADLEY. In the 1880 census his unmarried siblings Ellen and Henry were living with him. William was a prominent business man in Philadelphia. He was appointed to the Phila. Board of Education in 1893. His son William founded the Wrigley Chewing Gum company in Chicago.

d)   Ellen Wrigley, b. 1834 in Philadelphia; in the 1850 U.S. Census, "Helen" [sic] was living in Philadelphia with Elizabeth G. KENDERDINE and her two sons, and Frances Paxson, age 28. In the 1860 US Census, Ellen was living with her siblings in Philadelphia. In 1880 she was unmarried, living with brother, William.

e)   Susan Wrigley, born 1837 in Philadelphia; in the 1850 U.S. Census, Susan was living in the home of Ely GRIFFITH and his wife, Sarah S. Four other apparently unrelated girls were also in the home. In the 1860 US Census, Susan was living with her siblings in Philadelphia. In 1870 she was living with brother Edmund and his family on Green Street in Philadelphia. There is no record of Susan living with Edmund or with any other sibling in the 1880 US Census. She was probably either deceased or married.

f)   Benjamin Paxson Wrigley, b. 21 Feb. 1838 in Philadelphia; d. there between 1876 and 1880.

g)   Sarah Jane Wrigley, b. 1839 in Philadelphia; d. between 1881 and 1890 in Worcester, Massachusetts.

h)   Henry E. Wrigley, born 28 Jul 1840 in Philadelphia; was among the first 95 students to attend Girard College in Philadelphia, entering on December 28, 1847. The official opening of the College was January 1, 1848; 1860 US Census, living with siblings in Philadelphia. Occupation Architect; Military: Civil War: Three-Year Regiments; The Great Central Fair for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware opened June 7, 1864, centered near what is now Logan Square where the temporary buildings and exhibits were located. Henry Wrigley was architect for a number of the buildings in the area. In the 1880 US Census, he was unmarried, living in the home of his brother, William, in Philadelphia, occupation architect.

i)   Horatio N. Wrigley, born 1842 in Philadelphia; d. after 1862. In the 1860 US Census, he was living with siblings in Philadelphia. Occupation: Conveyancer. Enlisted as a Private in the Union Army on September 17, 1862 in the Regiment of Wrigley's Engineers and served with "Distinguished Service." Horatio was discharged honorably from the Union Army but no further census records have been found beyond that of 1860. [e mails from Jeanne Dunn, 4/15, 4/16/2007; and Dunn, "The Wrigleys of Broadhead", 38-40. Used with permission.]

ii.     Ruth Paxson, b. 23 Feb. 1812; "youngest daughter of Benjamin" was married to Robert G. WARREN on 7 Dec. 1835 at Grace Church by the Rev. Mr. LUDDARD. [Atheneum Saturday Evening Post 14:750 (Dec. 12, 1835), 3.]

iii.    Alfred Paxson, b. 22 Nov, 1813;

iv.     Benjamin Taylor Paxson, b. 23 Nov. 1815; d. 25 Nov. 1854 in Philadelphia, bur. in the Odd Fellows Burial Ground. He was 39 and apparently unmarried.

v.      Edmund Paxson, b. 3 Feb. 1818;

234.   Charles Paxson⁵, son of Benjamin⁴ #92 (Thomas³ #31, William Jr.², James¹ #3) and his first wife Deborah (TAYLOR) Paxson, was born 16 November 1787, and died in 1851. Charles married Mercy PICKERING, the daughter of Jonathan and Mary. Mercy was born in 1786 and died in 1852. [Hinshaw] As a widow Mercy's mother, Mary (WILLIAMS) Pickering, became the third wife of Charles's father, Benjamin Paxson.

Charles Paxson was enumerated in the 1830 census as head of the household in Oxford Township, Philadelphia County. There were two boys between the ages of 5 and 9 Frederick and Charles), and one between 10 and 14 (Louis), and one each age 20-29 (probably a farm hand), 40-49 (Charles himself, age 43), and 50-59. There were two girls under 5 (Rebecca and Sarah), and one each 10-14 (Ruthanna), 15-19 (Ellen), 20-29 (a domestic servant?), 40-49 (Mercy), 70-79. [1830 census in Oxford Twp., Phila. Co., Pa.]

The family was enumerated in the 1850 federal census. Charles was a 62-year old merchant with property valued at $9920 (if I read the handwriting correctly). Mercy was 68, and Sarah T. 31. Ann PERRY, age 49, and school children George and Loisa WILLIAMS, age 13 and 11, rounded out the household. All of them were born in Pennsylvania.

Charles was active in New Garden Monthly Meeting, as evidenced by getting his share of the usual small tasks assigned to Friends to accomplish the functioning of a congregation with no paid staff. [see, for example, New Garden Mo. Mtg. Men's minutes, 2 random months: 9/8m/ and 6/9m/1848.]

Mercy died on 12 Seventh Month 1852 in the 66th year of her age. She was the "relict" of Charles Paxson, late of New London Township, Chester County, a member of New Garden Monthly Meeting.[Death notice in The Friend, 25:45 (24 July 1852), 360.] She died at the home of her widowed sister, Sarah (Pickering) Paxson, in Bensalem. [Bucks County Intelligencer.]

Children of Charles and Mercy (Pickering) Paxson: [Buckingham MM records, at PHS & GS, p. 81; information from George Paxson.]

i.     Ellen Paxson⁶, b. 27 Sept. 1813; d. 1888; m. Edward SHARPLESS. [Marriage notice in The Friend, 80.]; had 5 children. Ellen is in the center of this photo, taken in the 1830s. One of the others may be her sister Ruthanna. [My thanks to Chris Erb for the photo.]

ii.    Louis Paxson, b. 13 Sept. 1815; m. Louise SPENCER; 3 children.

iii.   Ruthanna, or Ruth Anna Paxson, b. 2 Dec. 1817; d. 31 Third Month 1848; m. 1841 Caleb TAYLOR. "Ruth Anna" entered Westtown School from Frankfort as female student #2704 in 10m/1830. [A Brief History of Westtown Boarding School with a General Catalogue of Officers, Students, Etc. 2nd ed. (Phila.: Printed by Sherman & Co., 1873), 109.]; [Marriage notice spelled her name Ruthanna, and death notice spelled her Ruth Anna, both in The Friend, 14: (Dec. 31, 1841), 21:29 (8 Apr. 1848), 232.] She had 5 children.

iv.    Mary Paxson, b. 1819; d. ca. age 8.

v.     Frederick Paxson, b. 1821; d. 1886; m. 6 Dec. 1848 Lydia BETTS of Wilmington, Del., daughter of Mahlon and Mary (SEAL) Betts. [Cope, Genealogy of the Smedley Family, 453; and information from Chris Erb, e mail 21 Mar. 2004.]

vi.    Charles Paxson, Jr., b. 16 Feb. 1824; d. 16 May 1894; m(1) 1851 Sarah CHAMBERS and had 2 children; Sarah d. 1857. Charles m(2) Mary J. WILLIAMS. She was b. 12 Aug. 1835; they had 8 more children.

vii.    Rebecca Paxson, m. 17 Sixth Month 1847 Dr. William S. THOMPSON of Fulton Township, Lancaster Co. The wedding took place at the Friends meeting house at "London Britain".[The Friend, 20:41 (3 July 1847), 328.] They had 5 children.

viii.   Sarah T. Paxson, b. 1829; m. William H. SEEDS; they removed to Manchester, Iowa in the late 1850s or 1860s probably about the same time that her brother Louis and Charles moved there. Sarah and William had 3 children:

a) Edward Paxson Seeds, b. 1855;
b) Charles Seeds, b. 1860;
c) Mary Seeds, b. 1868. [My thanks to Chris Erb for information on Sarah, e mails 3/26 and 31/2012.]

239     Joshua Paxson⁵, son of Jacob⁴ (Thomas³ , William Jr.², James¹) and his first wife Lydia (Blakey) Paxson, was born 22 April 1770. He died in 1846. Joshua and Mercy COMFORT brought their intentions to marry to Abington Meeting 23 Second Month 1796, and the Men's and Women's Meetings appointed a few Friends to look into their clearness from other entanglements and that they had the permission of their parents. The couple and their respective committees appeared a second time the following month, and the couple were given liberty to proceed with their intentions. The marriage was held within the month, as on 26 Fourth Month 1796 it was reported that their marriage had been accomplished in good order. Mercy was the daughter of Ezra and Alice (FELL) Comfort. [Abington MM Women's minutes, 2m/23, 3m/22, and 4m/26/1796.

Joshua and Mercy moved to Gwynedd, and their certificate of removal wassigned by Abington Monthly Meeting on 25 Third Month 1802.

When the Separation of 1827 split Abington Meeting, Joshua and Mercy and their children identified with the Hicksite majority. Plymouth Preparative Meeting had 57 Hicksites and only nine Orthodox, including Mercy's father Ezra Comfort. Part of the tragedy of the Separation was the division of families. It was exacerbated when the Orthodox faction carefully disowned each of the 57 Hicksites. Mercy was disowned in 1828, most of the rest in 1829, and William in 1832. [Abington MM (Orth) Membership Records, 1830-1887; Plymouth PM (H) records.]

The 1830 federal census for Cheltenham listed Joshua Paxson as head of the house with one boy under the age of 10 (son William), two young men in their 20s (probably farm hands) and one between the ages of 70 and 79. This seems to be in error as Joshua was only 60. There were only two females credited, one age 15-19, the other age 20-29. That doesn't compute, either. Perhaps there was some other Joshua Paxson? Or the enumerator was particularly careless? {1830 census for Cheltenham, Montgomery Co., Pa., series M19, roll 154, p. 422.

Mercy d. 29 Ninth Month 1852, aged 80 years.

Children of Joshua and Mary (Comfort) Paxson: [Abington Mo. Mtg. (H) Membership Rec., 1809-1935, p. 63.]

i.    Emily Paxson⁶, b. 10/9m/1822
ii.   William Townsend Paxson, b. 4/3m/1824; d. 17/9m/1837, 13 years, 6 mo., and 13 days old.
iii.  Harriet J. Paxson, b. 12/11m/1828

243.    Isaiah Paxson⁵, son of Jacob⁴ (Thomas³, William Jr.², James¹) and his second wife, Mary (SHAW) Paxson, was born 8 February 1785, and died 29 August 1827. He married on 15 May 1811 Elizabeth LONGSTRETH, at Buckingham Meeting. Elizabeth was the daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (FUSSELL) Longstreth, born 9 July 1787 in Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania. She died on 16 May 1862. [from http://www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.]

According to Suzanne Lamborn, Isaiah was disowned from Northern District Monthly Meeting on 22 Tenth Month 1822 for disunity. However, the family seemed to be members of Abington Monthly Meeting and when the separation came in 1827, the family sympathized with the Hicksites. Consequently, Jacob having conveniently died in August that year, Elizabeth was disowed by the Orthodox faction in 1828. The following year all her underage children were officiously transferred from Abington (Orthodox) to Northern District of Philadelphia (Orth.) whereas in reality the family were members of Green Street (Hicksite) Meeting. [Abington MM (Orth) Membership Records, 1830-1887.]

Isaiah ran several mills, including one on Paxson Island and one on the Westtown campus. [Suzanne P. Lamborn, The Paxson Family (Morgantown, Pa.: Masthof Press, 2008), 48.] I do not know what happened to these mills after Isaiah's death on 29 August 1827. The widowed Elizabeth and four children (Sarah, William L., Mary, and Elizabeth) transferred their membership from Green Street Meeting to Race Street Meeting. The certificate was dated 23 July 1829 and received 26 August. [Hinshaw 2:907.]

To make ends meet, economic opportunities for women included opening shops, establishing small schools, or taking in boarders. Elizabeth must have been a good cook, and she chose to open a shop selling pork products. The following advertisement appeared in mid January 1829 in the Saturday Evening Post:

Elizabeth Paxson, widow of Isaiah, took a house at 175 N. 4th above Noble, for sale hams, lard, sausage & of her own manufacturing--N.B. A person desirous that friends and acquaintances of E. Paxson should possess the above information, has, without her knowledge, called and paid for the insertion of this notice.[Saturday Evening Post 8:390 (Jan. 17 1829), p. 4.]

When her daughter Mary married in 1842, Elizabeth was living in Montgomery County, just north of Philadelphia. On 17 November 1858 Elizabeth and her daughter Elizabeth (Mary's twin) were granted certificates of removal from Race Street to Green Street Monthly Meeting. [Hinshaw 2:907.]

Children of Isaiah and Elizabeth (Longstreet) Paxson: [from http://www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.]

i.    Jacob Longstreth Paxson⁶, b. 17 June 1812; d. 12 May 1889; m. Caroline SHOEMAKER;

ii.   Sarah Paxson, b. 13 Sept. 1815; d. 5 Mar. 1891; m. ___ BEDFORD. She was condemned by Race Street Meeting in Philadelphia 14 Feb. 1838 for marrying contrary to discipline. [Hinshaw 2:907.]

iii.   William Longstreth Paxson, b. 5 Aug. 1817; d. 16 May 1884; m. 25 Nov. 1841 in Norristown Sarah Ann KIRK. It was reported to Race Street Meeting 21 Sept. 1842 that he had married out of unity with Friends, but was not disciplined. The following year he was granted a certificate of removal, dated 18 Jan. 1843, to Gwynedd Meeting. [Hinshaw 2:907.]

iv.   Elizabeth Paxson, twin, b. 18 Aug. 1821; d. 16 May 1903. She transferred her membership with her mother in late 1858 from Race Street to Green Street Monthly Meeting. [Hinshaw 2:907.]

v.     Mary Paxson, twin, b. 18 Aug. 1821; d. 23 May 1887; m. 2 Feb. 1842 David FURMAN, son of George M. and Margaret, at the Race Street Meeting house. [Hinshaw 2:907.]

vi.    Benjamin Paxson, b. 15 Mar. 1825; d. 15 Oct. 1828.

244.     Jonathan⁵ Paxson, son of Jacob⁴ (Thomas³, William Jr.², James¹) and his second wife, Mary (Shaw) Paxson, was born 28 February 1787, and died 28 Tenth Month 1859. He married Margaret PRICE, the daughter of Philip and Rachel Price, on 23 Ninth Month 1819 under the care of Birmingham Monthly Meeting. [250 Years of Quakerism at Birmingham 1690-1940, (West Chester, Penna.: Birmingham Friends, 1940), as seen 10m/11/2007 on http://www.midatlanticarchives.com/db_pa_delaware_co/birmingham_mm_marriages/pg006.htm; Jonathan's birth date from http://www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06522.html]

Jonathan purchased the homestead of Margaret's parents in East Bradford, Chester County, and moved there. For some 30 years he improved the soil and introduced some of the earliest "agricultural experiments in Chester County." However, he may not have purchased the farm at first. The 1826 tax return for East Bradford listed Jonathan as living on the farm belonging to Philip Price. It consisted of 140 acres worth $40 each. The buildings (house, barn and any other "out" buildings) were valued at $1,000. Jonathan had one $30 horse (a moderately priced steed) and three cows averaging $12 each. His tax that year came to $17.88 plus fifty cents for his dog. [The tax rates by township are viewable on microfilm at the Chester County Archives.]

The 1850 federal census for East Bradford enumerated Jonathan as a 60 [sic] year old farmer with real estate valued at $18,000. With him were Margaret (55), Philip (22), Henry (21), Rachel (18) and also Ann DULWORTH (40), Rachel A. PITT (15, Strickland Pitt (10) and John W. LYNCH (13). [1850 federal census for East Bradford Twp., Chester Co., Pa., roll M432_764, p. 224A, lines 20-28.]

Jonathan was "a faithful and consistent" Friend. He attended Quarterly Meeting at Darby, rode home in the evening, and retired early to rest, "bidding his wife farewell". He quietly, quickly, and painlessly died 28 Tenth Month 1856. His obituary in the Friends Intelligencer noted the following:

      Energetic in business, he exacted not more of others than of himself, and rather led than drove forward the business of his farm, while all under his care or control felt that they were sure of just and parental treatment. He pursued his employment unpretentiously, but a steady success attended his economical management and well adapted labors.
      With his neighbors and friends he was always social, cordial in his welcome, and freely interchanged views and reciprocated acts of neighborly kindness.
      While independent in feeling and decided in his opinions, he was innately kind and respectful of others. . . . in social intercourse his lively imagination made him cheerful, and at times sportive. [Friends Intelligencer, 13:39 (Dec. 13, 1856), p. 616.]

Margaret was "an esteemed elder" in Birmingham Meeting. She died at her residence in West Chester in her 89th year of age, on 15 Seventh Month 1880. [Friends Intelligencer, 37:23 (July 24, 1880), p. 361.]

Children of Jonathan and Margaret (Price) Paxson: [http://pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam32319.html 5/28/2005]

i.    Philip Price Paxson, b. 6 Aug. 1821 in East Bradford Twp., Chester Co.; d. 7 Apr. 1877; m. 5 Oct. 1852 Phebe SPEAKMAN.

ii.    Henry Paxson, b. 5 Mar. 1823; d. 11 Oct. 1894; m. 29 Apr. 1852 Harriet A. HARLAN.

iii.   Hannah Paxson, b. 6 Aug. 1825; d. 18 Feb. 1903 at 444 N. Walnut St., West Chester, of paralysis, after one week's illness. She was unmarried. [West Chester County Death Register, 1893-1907, Vol. 2, p. 201, as transcribed on http://courses.wcupa.edu/jones/his480/ seen 5/22/2009.]

iv.   Rachel Paxson, b. 11 Oct. 1827, although death certificate says 4 Oct.; d. 25 July 1915; unmarried. She was 87. To the right is her death certificate, so that readers may glean from it the information about Rachel being an invalid and the cause of her death as understood by the medical profession at that time.

246.     Thomas⁵ Paxson, son of Jacob⁴ #95 (Thomas³, William Jr.², James¹) and his second wife, Mary (SHAW) Paxson was born in 1793 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He died in April 1881 at the age of 88 years. He married Ann JOHNSON, daughter of Samuel and Martha (HUTCHINSON), on 22 October 1817 in Buckingham. Ann was born 23 January 1792 and died in March 1883.[Buck MM rec.] Samuel was the son of William and Ruth (POTTS) Johnson. [Dorothy Marty Reibold, The Life of Matthias Harvye and Family (Baltimore,, Md.: Gateway Press, Inc. 1998), 54.]

Thomas and Ann settled on the homestead in Abington. But two years later they moved to Buckingham, purchasing a portion of Ann's father's estate. [Davis, History of Bucks Co., 3:155-6.] The 1850 census found them in there on a farm valued at $3,240. Thomas was 57, Ann 58, his widowed son Albert 28, and granddaughter Mary 4. Three children in school also lived there, Susan SMITH (15), John HAMPTON (13), and James MOORE (18). James was also listed as a laborer. The census taker came by on August 6. Four days earlier an 18-year old James MOORE was enumerated as a hostler in Doylestown. I suspect they were the same lad? [1850 federal census for Buckingham Twp., Bucks Co., Pa., roll M432_758, p. 86A, lines 28-34. Taken Aug. 6, 1850.]

Thomas was an active member and elder of Buckingham Meeting.

In 1871 Thomas was listed as retired, living in Buckingham Township. [1872 Bucks Co. Directory, p. 76.]

Davis describes Thomas with the following praise: "He took an active part in the affairs of his neighborhood, and had strong convictions of right and wrong. He was conservative in his views, and the old landmarks of Friends that had distinguished them as a people were held in reverence by him; while an earnest advocate of all true reforms for the improvement of mankind, he believed the religious society of which he was an earnest member had a mission to fulfill with the Christian religion as a enduring basis." [Davis, 3:156, perhaps quoting an obit??]

Thomas died 19 Fourth Month 1881, in his 88th year. [Friends Intelligencer, 38:17 (June 11, 1881), p. 266.] He had written his will 22 January 1880, locating himself in Buckingham Township. It was proved 4 March 1882. I don't know why there was an eleven month delay. Thomas made bequests to his wife Ann J., and children Albert S. and Edward M., and to his grand daughters Mary P. (the widow of Robert Howell BROWN), Helen (wife of Hart BYE), Caroline (wife of Watson MALONE). He named as executors his two surviving sons, Albert S. and Edward M. It was witnessed by Jno. W. GILBERT and Joseph FOULKE, MD. [Thomas G. Myers, Bucks County Pennsylvania Will Abstracts, 1870-1900 (Westminster, Md.: Willow Bend Books, 2002), 176, citing Bucks Will Bk. 21, page 394, file #15534.]

Ann died on Fourth Day [Wednesday], 21 Third Month 1883 at her residence in Buckingham. She was in her 92nd year, and had been "for a number of years an elder in Buckingham Monthly Meeting." [Friends Intelligencer, 40:7 (Mar. 31, 1883), p. 106.]

Children of Thomas and Ann (Johnson) Paxson:

i.      Samuel Johnson Paxson, b. 21 Dec. 1818 in Montgomery Co.; d. 28 June [Abington MM Memb. Rec., p. 63 and Buckingham MM rec; Davis sez May; I'll go with the Meetings' records.] 1864 in Buckingham; m. 15 Apr. 1840 Mary BROADHURST; 3 children. [Davis, 3:156]

ii.     Albert S. Paxson., b. 8 Nov. 1820 in Buckingham; d. 18 Oct. 1902[Buck MM rec]; m(1) 1844 Mercy BEANS, daughter of Dr. Jesse Beans. Mercy d. 1849 leaving a daughter, Mary. Albert m(2)1854 Lavinia ELY, daughter of Aaron Ely of Buckingham. They had 2 sons.[Davis, 3:156]

iii.    Edward M. Paxson, b. 3 Sept. 1824 in Buckingham; d. at "Bycot" 12 Oct. 1905 [NY Times, Oct. 13, 1905, p. 9]; m. 30 Apr. 1846 Mary Caroline NEWLIN of Phila., daughter of Nathaniel and Rachel H. Newlin of Delaware Co. She died at "Bycot House" 7 June 1885, and was buried at Laurel Hill. Edward m(2) 1 Dec. 1886 Mary Martha (S__) BRIDGES, widow of Hon. Samuel A. Bridges of Allentown. No children. [Davis, 3:156-57.]

247.     Jacob Paxson, son of Jacob⁴ (Thomas³ #31, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his second wife, Mary (Shaw) Paxson was born on 31 December 1798 (or 1794 according to a handwritten record from Abington MM in the FHL). He married first Mary J. TOWNSEND. She was born 20 September 1794, the daughter of William and Grace (LOLLER) Townsend. Mary J. died 14 Seventh Month, 1854. They were members of Abington Monthly Meeting, and Mary requested a certificate from her home meeting, Birmingham, on 4 Seventh Month 1822, to Abington. [C. Walter England, comp., Joseph England and his Descendants: An Historical Genealogy of the England Family as Descending from Joseph England 1680-1748 A Quaker Family of Cecil County, Maryland (prior to 1767 Chester County, Pennsylvania) Since 1723 . . . (Boyce, Va.: Carr Publishing Company, Inc., 1975), 72.] Jacob married a second time, Maria __. [Information kindly sent to me by Richard James, e mail 12m/1/2006, from a typed copy of Abington Mo. Mtg. rec. from the Montgomery County Historical Society, corrected with a handwritted record of Abington Mo. Mtg. from the Friends Hist. Library.]

Jacob, Mary, and their children were members of Abington Monthly Meeting at the time of the 1827 Separation, and they identified with the Hicksite majority. Therefore the Orthodox faction disowned them and Jacob's father in 1828. Four children were listed for them, but there might be slight inaccuracies as they were members of the "other branch". The children listed were Mary, Emila, William, and Harriet. [Abington MM (Orth) Memb. Rec.]

Jacob's second wife, Maria, obtained a certificate of removal from Deep Creek Monthly Meeting dated 24 Tenth Month 1857, received at __ Meeting on 26 Eleventh Month, and Jacob got around to having his certificate from Abington, dated 29 Eleventh Month the following year. Then on 23 Eleventh Month 1865 Jacob and Maria were granted a certificate of removal to Birmingham Monthly Meeting, south of West Chester. In the 1870 federal censuses for West Chester County, Jacob and Maria were enumerated, aged 72 and 70 in 1870. [My thanks to Richard James for sending this information from Hinshaw, and the census. E mail 12m/1/2006.]

In the 1880 census for the North Ward of West Chester, Jacob was listed as an 82 year old retired farmer living with his wife Maria T., age 80, who was "keeping house", his 18 year old granddaughter Nettie TAYLOR who was in school, and a 19-year old "domestic" servant from Ireland, Mary HAMILTON. [US federal census for 1880, North Ward, West Chester, Chester Co., Penna., NA Film no. T9-1113, page 73D, as transcribed on FamilySearch.org, and seen 6m/2/2009.]

Jacob's will mentions his wife Maria and daughters Emily MARSHALL and Harriet TAYLOR, as well as Harriet's husband Robert M. Taylor. [My thanks to Richard James for sending this information, citing Chester Co. estate file 23,102, e mail 12m/1/2006.]

Children of Jacob and his first wife Mary J. (Townsend) Paxson: [Complete dates and names of spouses kindly sent to me by Richard James, e mail 12m/1/2006, from a typed copy of Abington Mo. Mtg. rec. from the Montgomery County Historical Society, checked with a handwritted record of Abington Mo. Mtg. from the FHL, Swarthmore College.]

i.     Emily Paxson⁶, b. 10/9m/1822; m. Thomas MARSHALL;

ii.    William Townsend Paxson, b. 4/3m/1824; d. 17/9m/1837.

iii.    Harriet Townsend Paxson, b. 12/11m/1828; m. Robert M. TAYLOR; had at least one daughter, Nettie Taylor, b. ca. 1862.

248.     Oliver Paxson, son of Jacob⁴ (Thomas³ #31, William Jr.², James¹) and his second wife Mary (Shaw) Paxson, was born in 1799, and died on 11 December 1865 in his 66th year. He married 15 February 1837 Jane RANKIN. She was born 7 April 1807 in East Bradford Township, Chester County, the daughter of William and Sarah (HAMMOND) Rankin. [Data on Jane from Suzanne P. Lamborn, The Paxson Family (Morgantown, Pa.: Masthof Press, 2008), 50.] The assumption is that Oliver was named for his father's brother (Oliver #93), who was probably named for his maternal grandmother's maiden name--she was Mary (Oliver) Canby. [My thanks to Richard James for all the information on Oliver and his family, except where noted, e mails, 11/2006.]

Before he was married, Oliver taught school: in 1818 at Plymouth Friends School; in 1822 at Sandy Springs; in 1826 at Darby Friends School; and in 1828 at Buckingham Friends School. That year he took over his father's mills, which he sold to buy Seth TYSON's farm near Willow Grove. The 1850 census enumerated him on a farm worth $8,800 in Moreland Township, Montgomery County. He was listed as a 50 year old farmer, with Jane (43), Jacob C (10) in school, two young women, and Henry Black, a 28 year old laborer. [1850 census for Moreland Twp., Montgomery Co., Pa., roll M432_800, p. 374A, lines 8-13.]

From there Oliver moved to Philadelphia, and then in East Brandywine Township in Chester County. [Suzanne P. Lamborn, The Paxson Family (Morgantown, Pa.: Masthof Press, 2008), 50.] The 1860 census enumerated him there as a 60 year old farmer with real estate valued at &14,500 and personal estate of $1,700. Jane was listed as 53, and Jacob C. as 20. The household also included Catharine A. TITUS, 27 year old "Hired Girl", a 13-year-old male whose name is too difficult for me to read, and 8 year old Susanna Granger(?). All six were born in Pennsylvania. [1860 census for East Bradford, Chester Co., Pa., M653_1091, p. 118, lines 38-40, and p. 119, lines 1-3.]

Oliver Paxson's will is on file in the Chester County Archives, estate file #15197. In it he names his wife Jane and his son Jacob Canby Paxson. Oliver and Jane Paxson are buried in the Birmingham Friends cemetery south of West Chester. [My thanks to Richard James who has copies of death notices published in the Village Record for Oliver and Jane Paxson, obtained from the Chester County Historical Society in West Chester. According to the death notice he was in his 66th year when he died Dec 11 1865 which places his date of birth in 1799. Dick hasn't visited the Birmingham cemetery so doesn't know if day and month are on the stone. The death notice for Jane Rankin indicates she was in her 60th year when she died on Sept 18 1866. No will is on file for her. E mails, 11/2006.]

Children of Oliver and Jane (Rankin) Paxson:

i.     William Henry Paxson⁶, b. 1838; d. 13 Nov. 1842 in Abington, aged 4 years and 11 months, bur. in Abington Mo. Mtg. Burying Ground. [Abington MM (H) Memb. Records.]

ii.    Jacob Canby Paxson, b. 6 June 1840 in Montgomery Co.; d. 2 Apr. 1892 in Chester Co.; m. Eliza Ayres PAXSON, daughter of William Laurens Paxson;

 

250.     Shaw Paxson, son of Jacob⁴ (Thomas³ #31, William Jr.², James¹) and his second wife, Mary (SHAW) Paxson was born on 29 May 1802 and died 2 February 1826, aged 23 years and 9 months. His body was buried in the Abington Meeting graveyard.

260.     Jonathan⁵ Paxson, I don't know for sure, but am just guessing that he is the son of Jonathan⁴ (Thomas³ #31, William Jr.², James¹) and his wife, Rachel (BILES) Paxson. Anyway, this particular Jonathan was born 21 August 1781 and died 4 February1876. He was unmarried. His dates and those of his sisters, Betsy (1782-1876) and Esther D. (1789-1881) are in Makefield Meeting records.

Jonathan had three years of schooling at Westtown School (Philadelphia Yearly Meeting's boarding school) beginning when he was twelve. His widowed mother lived with him until her death in July 1842. They lived in Dolington Village in Upper Makefield Township. Jonathan was a member of the Hicksite branch of Friends.

Jonathan served as "auditor" settling the estate of Joseph HUTCHINSON of Falls, January 1835. [BC Intelligencer] and performed the same service for the estate of Richard WORSTALL of Bristol Township in March that year. [BC Intell.]

The 1850 census enumerated Jonathan as a 58 year old farmer with real estate valued at $4,350. With him lived Betsey (61) and Esther (59) along with three others, presumably help. Edward MARTINDELL was 15. Maria HATFIELD (33) and her daughter Lucy (6) were listed as Black. [1850 census for Newtown Twp., Bucks Co., Pa., roll M432_758, p. 29A, lines 4-9.]

Jonathan signed his will 13 September 1873 and it was probated 14 February 1876. He left all his real estate to his sisters Betsy and Esther if they wanted to live there. If they chose not to, then it was to be sold and the proceeds divided. John S. WILLIAMS of Solebury was named executor. The estate inventory listed $6,360 worth of paper assets, and such items as three stoves, one mare, the clock, and a lot of chickens. The total value was $6,467.75, with real estate adding an additional $1,600. After the debts were paid the estate came to $5,467.46. Betsy died in April. The final settlement was filed 25 April 1877. [Bucks Co. will file #14028.]

Descendants of James¹ and Jane (Gurden) Paxson

Descendants of William² Jr. and Abigail (Pownall) Paxson

Grandchildren of Reuben³ and Alice (Simcock) Paxson

261.     Reuben⁵ Paxson, son of William⁴ (Reuben³ #32, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and Rachel (JOHNSON) Paxson, was born the First Day of the week [Sunday], 2 Fourth Month [April] 1758 in Kingwood, New Jersey, and died ca. May 1800. Reuben married widow Elizabeth (Kester) HAMBLETON on 8 September 1791. She was born 30 July 1768 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, the daughter of Samuel and Susannah (WEBSTER) Kester. [Wayne Paxson, 30/7m/2003; and http://pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam24464.html, as of 5/31/2005.] Elizabeth had first married Benjamin HAMILTON (b. 7 Dec. 1757, d. ca. 1811, son of William Hambleton); Elizabeth and Benjamin had three children: Samuel, Amy d. 1820, and Benjamin b. 1788, m. Letitia Hutchinson. Benjamin, Sr. and most of his descendants seemed to spell their name Hamilton. [Chalkley J. Hambleton, Genealogical Record of the Hembleton Family, Descendants of James Hambleton of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who Died in 1751 . . . (Chicago: Published for the Author, 1887), 35-36.]

A Reuben Paxton who served in the Hunterdon militia in 1792, was probably this man. ["The Hunterdon Militia, 1792", in The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey Vol IX No.3 (July-Oct 1934), p. 95. My appreciation to Dianna Privette for e mailing me this information, Aug. 3, 2004.]

Reuben died intestate. His estate was inventoried on 12 February 1800 by John CLARK and Benjamin KESTER; the inventory came to £40.13.6. His widow Elizabeth was named administratrix 8 May 1800, with Samuel KESTER and Benjamin KESTER serving as fellow bondsmen, all of Kingwood Township and Hunterdon County. Samuel and Benjamin were either Elizabeth's father and brother or two brothers. The estate was finally settled 20 February 1801 when the Adm'x gave in her account. [New Jersey Archives, Abstracts of Wills, 38:276.]

Elizabeth's father, Samuel KESTER, signed his will 5 March 1804, identifying himself as a yeoman of Kingwood Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It was proved 2 April 1804. Samuel left one third of his moveable estate and the profits of his farm to his wife during her life for the maintenance of herself and their daughter Rebecca. The remainder was to be sold and divided among his seven elder daughters: Ann HAMBLETON, Rachel HAMBLETON, Sarah PALMER, Elizabeth PAXSON, Susannah STEVENSON, Hannah HAMBLETON, and Amy KESTER. Amy was also to get "articles" she claimed plus £25. Son Benjamin got the farm after his father's [second?] wife died. Meanwhile Samuel was to put £100 at interest to support Rebecca (I infer that she was in some way disabled). After Rebecca's death the money was to be divided among her seven sisters. Samuel was also to pay them £150 to be divided among them. Since Amy had taken care of the infant daughter of Samuel's deceased daughter Mary HAMBLETON, Samuel was to pay £50 extra. The inventory only came to a total of $588.54, so one hopes the land was worth enough to support all these legacies. [New Jersey Archives, Ser. 1, Vol. XXXIX, Calendar of Wills, vol.10 (1801-1805), pp. 256, citing File 2110 J.]

Reuben and Elizabeth (Kester) Hamilton Paxson had the following children:[MARIS Genealogy Home Page http://www.gendex.com/users/RayMaris/maris/maris.htm or gencircles.com/users/marisgen/ and gencircles.com/users/paxlincoln/, and http://pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam24464.html]

i.    Rachel Paxson, b. 16 Mar. 1793

ii.   Samuel Paxson, b. 5 Sept. 1794

iii.  Nancy Ann Paxson, b. 6 May 1796 in NJ; d. 10 Nov. 1884 in Pa; m. Thomas B. KIRKPATRICK; had 4 children: Joseph B. Kirkpatrick, Elipa P. Kirkpatrick, Keziah Kirkpatrick, and Letitia P. Kirkpatrick. Nancy Ann m(2) George WHITE and had 2 sons: Thomas K. White and John Paxson White.

iv.  William Paxson, b. 1 Oct 1798

263.     John⁵ Paxson, son of William⁴ (Reuben³ #32, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and Rachel (Johnson) Paxson, was born 30 March 1763 in Kingwood, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He married in about 1785 ___ STOUT. It seems likely, but is not yet proved, that John died intestate in Morris County, New Jersey. His estate was inventoried 9 March 1798 and valued at £26.19.16. His widow Mary was named executrix. [NJA, 38:276, citing Lib. 37, p. 476, and file 984N for the inventory.]

Children of John and Mary (__) Paxson:[MARIS Genealogy Home Page http://www.gendex.com/users/RayMaris/maris/maris.htm]

i.     Ezekiel Paxson, b. ca. 1786; signed the 11/12m/1800 marriage certificate of Samuel ADAMS and Sarah HAMPTON at Kingwood Meeting. [James W. Moore, Records of the Kingwood Monthly Meeting of Friends, Hunterdon County, New Jersey (Flemington, NJ: H. E. Deats, 1900), 16.]

ii.    Joseph Paxson, b. ca. 1788

iii.   William Paxson, b. ca. 1790.

264.     William⁵ Paxson, son of William⁴ #98 (Reuben³ #32, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and Rachel (Johnson) Paxson, was born 25 December 1765 in Hunterdon Co., and died in March 1820 [gencircles.com/users/paxlincoln and /marisgen] or in 1829. He and Elizabeth PAXSON married on 9 August 1792 in Kingwood. [James W. Moore, Records of the Kingwood Monthly Meeting of Friends, Hunterdon County, New Jersey (Flemington, NJ: H. E. Deats, 1900), 11.] They had a daughter: [MARIS Genealogy Home Page http://www.gendex.com/users/RayMaris/maris/maris.htm]

i.    Rachel Paxson

William married secondly Ann PARLEE, the daughter of Edward. Ann's father signed his will 29 August 1812 in Amwell Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and it was proved 17 December 1816. He mentioned his wife Elizabeth and granddaughter Elizabeth Parlier/Parlee. They were to have Edward's house and lot where he lived, and eleven acres of woodland and swamp, plus Elizabeth was to have whatever moveable estate she chose, for life and until their granddaughter married, at which time Elizabeth was to decide if the young couple would continue to live with her. A five-acre swamp was to be sold along with other moveable property, and bequests given to the five children of his daughter Abigail TRACKSLER, to his daughter Sarah RIARSON, and to his wife's son Samuel HOLCOMBE, with the residue to his daughter Ann PAXON [sic]. Edward signed with his mark. [New Jersey Archives, Ser. 1, Vol. XLII, Calendar of Wills, vol.13 (1814-1817), pp. 323-214, citing File 2892J.]

Children of William and Ann (Parlee) Paxson: [MARIS Genealogy Home Page http://www.gendex.com/users/RayMaris/maris/maris.htm]

ii.    John Paxson, b. 1798; m. Nancy STOUT and had 4 children.

iii.   Reuben Paxson, b. 7 Jul 1801; d. 15 Feb. 1826; m. 19 Sept. 1820 Mary CASE; and 5 children.

iv.    Sarah Paxson, b. 21 Nov. 1803; d. 7 May 1882 in Lambertville, NJ.

v.     William Paxson, b. 4 Nov. 1809; d. 5 Jan. 1866; m. Elizabeth LAMBERT; 1 son, William Paxson.

266.     Jacob⁵ Paxson, son of William⁴ (Reuben³ #32, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and Rachel (Johnson) Paxson, was born 9 June 1777 and died 22 June 1847. Jacob married Sarah STEELE

By 1850 widowed Sarah was considered "insane". She and her unmarried daughter Rachel lived with Sarah's son James S. on his farm in Little Britain Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. [1850 federal census for Little Britain Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa., rollM432_787, page 6B, lines 13-22.]

Children of Jacob and Sarah (Steele) Paxson: [MARIS Genealogy Home Page http://www.gendex.com/users/RayMaris/maris/maris.htm and gencircles.com/users/paxlincoln]

i.      William Paxson, b. 17 Aug. 1811

ii.     Elizabeth Paxson, b. 18 Oct. 1813

iii.    Rachel Paxson, b. 7 May 1815

iv.    James Steele Paxson, b. 11 Mar. 1817; d. 17 Mar. 1876

v.     Joseph F. Paxson, b. 17 Nov. 1821; d. 19 Nov. 1872

vi.   Jacob Johnson Paxson, b. ca. 1827; m. Mary E. __; 3 children.

267.     William⁵ Paxson #267, son of Jacob⁴ #100 (Reuben³ #32, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Mary (WEBSTER) Paxson, was born 15 September 1764 [paxlincoln and marisgen] or 25 December 1765. He died in March 1820 or on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1846 in Loudoun County, Virginia. [paxlincoln and marisgen] In 1792 or 1793 William married Jane GRIFFITH in Waterford. William was a Friend at the time, Jane was not. [Janet Paxson Stepp, in a 1998 Loudon Co., Va. query on https://sites.rootsweb.com/~valoudou/1998.htm] She was born 15 September 1770 and died 8 March 1854 in Loudoun County, Virginia.

Children of William and Jane (Griffith) Paxson: [paxlincoln and marisgen]

i .      Samuel Paxson, b. 1 Apr. 1793; d. 1 Mar. 1871; m. Martha Ellen WRIGHT on 12 Mar. 1814 in Loudon Co., Va. (She was b. 16 Aug. 1791); had 11 children.

ii.     William Paxson, d. Feb. 1826; m. Diademia LACEY and had 3 children.

iii.    John Paxson, b. ca. 1797; d. before 1841; m. 14 Sept. 1818 Ann SHAWEN or SAWEN; had two sons.

iv.    Mary Ann Paxson, b. 1801;

v.     Jacob G. Paxson, b. 1805; m. Mahala J. POTTS; had 3 children.

vi.    Griffith W. Paxson, b. Mar. 1811; d. 16 July 1889; m. 26 Mar. 1839 Duanna RICKARD; had 11 children.

vii.   Rachel Paxson

268.     Benjamin⁵ Paxson, son of Jacob⁴ (Reuben³ #32, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Mary (WEBSTER) Paxson, was born 17 May 1766. He married first on 24 May 1792 at Goose Creek Meeting in Bedford County, Virginia, Ruth PIGEON. She was the daughter of William and Rachel (__) PIGEON of Goose Creek Monthly Meeting in Bedford County (Lynchburg) Virginia. William Pigeon had emigrated with his father Charles from Ireland to Pennsylvania. In time William moved his family to Loudon County, Virginia, and then after a number of years to Bedford County, Va. Finally he removed to Belmont County in Ohio where he died at "a good old age". Rachel had "a small but lively gift in the ministry." Ruth's sister, Hannah PIDGEON married Joseph FISHER 13 Tenth Month 1796 at Goose Creek Meeting house and Benjamin and Ruth signed their certificate.[Journal of Joseph Fisher. My thanks to Bruce Sonner for bringing this to my attention, e mail 4/4/2011.]

Benjmin was granted a certificate from Fairfax Meeting dated 28 March 1789, received by South River Meeting on 19 September 1789. His marriage to Ruth PIGEON was reported 16 June 1792. [South River MM records from Hinshaw, 6:335, as transcribed in Frank Paxton, Jr., The Paxtons: An American History, First through Fourth Generations (Kansas City, MO: pub. by the estate of Frank Paxton, Jr., 2007), 56.]

As members of Goose Creek Monthly Meeting the family of Benjamin and Ruth with their children William, Mary, John, Rachel, and Sarah received a certificate of removal to Westland Monthly Meeting, where their certificate was received 24 Ninth Month 1803. [William Wade Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy (Richmond, Ind., 1946), Vol. IV, The Ohio Quaker Genealogical Records, 53, 651.] Westland Monthly Meeting in Washington County, Pennsylvania was opened in the late fall of 1785 and included most of western Penna. and parts of Ohio and Virginia (now West Virginia). Just before the Paxsons arrived in the area, on 5 Ninth Month Redstone Quarter set off Middleton Meeting in Columbiana County, Ohio. [Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 4:17, 603.] Since that is where the Paxsons settled, Westland Meeting endorsed their certificate over to Middleton, which received it 8 Tenth Month. [Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 4:651.]

In the spring and summer of 1810 Ruth was "languishing" with consumption, so her sister, Rachel (Pidgeon) FISHER came to nurse her. Ruth, however, died.[Journal of Joseph Fisher. My thanks to Bruce Sonner for bringing this to my attention, e mail 4/4/2011.]

Benjamin, living in Columbiana County, Ohio, married secondly on 18 September 1811 at Elkrun Mary WALKER, daughter of James and Elizabeth of Columbiana County. On 13 Tenth Month 1817 Middleton granted them a certificate to Plainfield Monthly Meeting, Belmont County, Ohio. It was received there on Christmas Day 1817. The family now consisted of Benjamin and Mary, with children John, Rachel, Samuel, Isaac, Charles, Sally, and Ruth.

At the time of the 1828 Separation in Ohio Yearly Meeting, the family identified with the so-called Hicksite branch. Benjamin and Mary were disowned by the Stillwater Orthodox Meeting on 24 First Month 1829. So were their children Isaac (disowned 24 First Month 1829), Sally (disowned 28 Seventh Month 1831), and Charles (disowned 26 Fifth Month 1833), as they came of age. [Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 4:428.] In October 1833 Benjamin and Mary, with children Ruth, Aaron, Lydia, and Webster were granted a certificate of removal to Milford Monthly Meeting. [Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 4:345, 651 (see also p. 428, where the Orthodox Stillwater Mtg wrote a certificate for the younger children who had left that meeting for the Hicksite one in 1828, but whose names the Orthodox continued to carry until they moved or became of age at which point the Orthodox would formally disown them. This habit did nothing to heal the breach between the branches.]

Children of Benjamin and Ruth (Pigeon) Paxson: [Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 4:17, 345, 651; gencircles.com/users/paxlincoln/]

i.     William Paxson, disowned for marrying out of unity, 21/8m/1820.

ii.    Mary Paxson, m. __ SPENCER contrary to discipline, 12/8m/1816.

iii.   John Paxson, b. 20 Feb. 1797; m. 1821 Fanny FEESE contrary to Friends' discipline, but he was not disowned; granted a certificate of removal to West Grove MM in Ind. 21/11m/1822; they had 8 children. Alternatively, http://pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam24464.html sez that John m 1821 Rachel BRANDT. Is there a descendant out there who can help me?

iv.    Rachel Paxson m. 3/12m/1818 Richard HAWLEY in Plainfield Meeting. He was granted a certificate from Middleton Meeting 23/11m/1818 for this purpose. [Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 4:651.]

v.     Sarah Paxson

Children of Benjamin and his second wife, Mary (Walker) Paxson:

vi.    Samuel Paxson, disowned 26/9m/1833 by the Hicksite meeting for marrying contrary to discipline.

vii.   Isaac Paxson, disowned 20/6m/1833 by the Hicksite meeting for marrying contrary to discipline.

viii.  Charles Paxson, a member of Hicksite Stillwater MM

ix.     Sally Paxson, m. __ EVANS; she was disowned 22/11m/1832 by the Hicksite meeting for marrying contrary to discipline.

x.      Ruth Paxson

xi.     Aaron Paxson

xii.    Lydia Paxson

xiii.   Benjamin Webster Paxson, b. 1 Feb. 1827 in Belmont Co., Ohio; d. Dec. 1865 near Huntsville, Ala.; m. 24 Feb. 1854 Beulah STEWART.

269.     John⁵ Paxson, son of Jacob⁴ (Reuben³ #32, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Mary (WEBSTER) Paxson, was born 16 July 1768 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and died in February 1826 in Walton County, Georgia. He married first, on 18 April 1793 Nancy MOORMAN. She was born 18 March 1775 in Bedford County, Virginia, the daughter of Micajah and Susannah (CHILES) Moorman. Nancy died in June 1794. John married for the second time on 27 March 1799 in Wilkes County, Georgia, Elizabeth GRIFFIN. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (RAY) Griffin, born 27 April 1776. She died in 1861. [The information on this family was very kindly sent to me by Rollie Taylor, 5m/2005, and used by permission.]

As a child John moved with his widowed mother and four siblings from Kingwood Meeting in New Jersey to Buckingham Monthly Meeting in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The certificate was dated 11 Second Month 1779. [James W. Moore, Records of the Kingwood Monthly Meeting of Friends, Hunterdon County, New Jersey (Flemington, NJ: H. E. Deats, 1900), 31.] In 1787 with his brother William, John was granted a certificate from Buckingham to Fairfax Monthly Meeting in Loudoun County, Virginia dated 5 March 1787. It was received by Fairfax Meeting 28 July 1787. The next year he was granted a certificate from Fairfax to South River Monthly Meeting, near Lynchburg, dated 22 Mar. 1788, and he moved to Campbell County, Virginia. On 20 April 1793 John's marriage to Nancy MOORMAN was reported to South River Meeting as having been accomplished. She died the next year.

After the death of his first wife, Nancy, John moved to Georgia. On 8 July 1797 it was reported to South River Meeting that John had removed, remote from Friends, without a certificate. John married for a second time, Elizabeth GRIFFIN (b. 1776, d. 1861). On 10 August 1799 it was reported that not only had he "removed a considerable time past without a certificate", now he had lately accomplished his marriage out of unity with Friends. He was disowned by South River Meeting. [Fairfax MM records from Hinshaw, 6:335, as transcribed in Frank Paxton, Jr., The Paxtons: An American History, First through Fourth Generations (Kansas City, MO: pub. by the estate of Frank Paxton, Jr., 2007), 56.]

In 1820 the federal census taken in Morgan County listed John "Paxton" heading the household that consisted of 2 males under 10 (Benjamin F., Joseph G.), 1 male of 10 and under 16 (James A.), and 1 male of 45 and over (John himself), 2 females under 10 (Mary Ann, Martha S.), 2 females of 10 and under 16 (Malissa W., Susan R.), 1 female of 16 and under 26 (Eliza G.) , and 1 female of 45 and over (his second wife Elizabeth). [Page 349 (or 85), line 9, sent to me by Rollie Taylor, 5m/2005.]

John signed his will on 13 July 1820. It was recorded 1 May 1826. Since most of his children were still minors, he left specific instructions as to their education. The gender difference, typical of the understanding of John's time, is painfully obvious to twenty-first century eyes.

Item 1st It is my Will and wish for all property to be kept together for the benefit of my wife Elizabeth Paxson and her children, for the children to be raised and Educated out off (sic) the ordinary incomes of the same and my Sons given good Educations and my Daughters what may be deemed Sufficient.
Item 2nd It is my will that when any of my children comes of age or Marries that So much be given to them as my Executor may think can be spared from my property with propriety So as not to injure the Same in any manner that will prevent the remainder of My children from Receiving an Education Equal to the others if their capacity will admit. ["Walton County, State of Georgia, Court of Ordinary, Wills & Records, 1839-1843", pp. 106 & 107, LDS Microfilm 262232. The will of John Paxson is recorded on pages 106 & 107. Copy sent to me by Rollie Taylor, and used by permission.]

He named Elizabeth, his "worthy friend" Charles KENNON [?] and William DAVENPORT and Nathan HACKNEY as executors. Provision was made for the possibility of the death or remarriage of Elizabeth, and the death of any of the children without issue.

In the 1830 federal census for Georgia, the family was living in Walton County. Eldest son James A. "Paxon" headed the household composed of 2 males age 10 and under 15 years (Benjamin F., Joseph G.), 1 male age 20 and under 30 (James A.), 1 female under 5 (Syntha Jane), 1 female age 5 and under 10 (Elizabeth G.), 1 female age 15 and under 20 (Mary Ann L.), 1 female age 20 and under 30 (Susan R.), and 1 female age 50 and under 60 (Elizabeth"Paxon"). [Line 21, sent to me by Rollie Taylor, 5m/2005.]

The 1840 census found the family still living in Walton County. Elizabeth "Paxon" now headed the household with 2 males of 20 and under 30 (Benjamin F., Joseph G.), 2 females of 15 and under 20 (Elizabeth G., "Syntha" Jane), 1 female of 20 and under 30 (unidentified, perhaps a servant?), and 1 female of 60 and under 70 (Elizabeth "Paxon"). [Page 125, line 23, sent to me by Rollie Taylor, 5m/2005.]

Child of John and his first wife, Nancy (Moorman) Paxson:

i.   Dosha Paxson, b. 12 May 1794 in Va.; d. 22 Mar. 1868 in Oskaloosa, Mahaska Co., Iowa; m. 1811 in Ohio Thomas Pamphlin MOORMAN; 13 children. After her mother's death her father apparently sent her to live with her maternal grandmother, Susanna MOORMAN. On 9 Sept. 1809 Dosha, a minor under the care of her grandmother, was granted a certificate to Center Monthly Meeting in Ohio. [South River MM records from Hinshaw, 6:335, as transcribed in Frank Paxton, Jr., The Paxtons: An American History, First through Fourth Generations (Kansas City, MO: pub. by the estate of Frank Paxton, Jr., 2007), 56.] Rollie Taylor told me that although some folks think Dosha was a nickname for Theodocia, the former is the only way her name seems to appear in primary records. Her father's will specified, "It is my will and wish that my Daughter Dosha Moorman have five dollars as her legacy She having rec'd all her mothers property Nancy Paxson my first wife." ["Walton County, State of Georgia, Court of Ordinary, Wills & Records, 1839-1843", pp. 106 & 107, LDS Microfilm 262232. The will of John Paxson is recorded on pages 106 & 107. Copy sent to me by Rollie Taylor.] The following biography was sent to me by Rollie from Jesse Bryan's book: Johnson - Moorman Families, p. 41:

PERSONAL NOTICES. Thomas Pamphlin MOORMAN, when 12 years of age, taught subscription school in Virginia. When 14 and 16 he wrote in the office of the clerk of Campbell County Court, being an excellent penman. After the death of his grandfather, Micajah MOORMAN, he attended his grandmother's business for her. He was called "Little Tommy" to distinguish him from his father. He was short and chunky, well muscled and active; could jump as high as the top of his head, and was a swift runner. He retained his physical and mental vigor up to old age. He had blue eyes and light brown hair with an auburn cast, pleasant features. He was quiet, studious, deliberate and exact, pleasant and conscientious. After marriage (to Dosha PAXSON) he followed surveying for some years; was land agent and surveyor for firms who owned bodies of land in Greene and Fayette counties, and he divided this land into smaller tracts for farms. Later, he taught district school; also wrote all deeds and such papers for the neighborhood, and did a great deal of settling estates. He studied the Thomsonian system of medicine that he might treat his own family. His neighbors called upon him frequently for medical attention and he became the trusted family physician of the neighborhood, which service was rendered as a neighborly kindness. He was thoroughly imbued with his religious principles, and acted as clerk of Dover Friends Monthly Meeting, held four miles north of Wilmington, Clinton Co., for 25 years, failing in attendance but three times. As presiding officer he used his influence for harmony, which prevailed throughout his service, and Dover was one of few Friends meetings which had not split at the time of the general division [of 1828].

Children of John and his second wife, Elizabeth (Griffin) Paxson:

ii.     Edna Paxson, d. at the age of 3 years [Rollie Taylor, citing Rusha Wesley, "Our Quaker Ancestors" (1941).]

iii.    Eliza Griffin Paxson, b. 3 Jan. 1804 in Gwinnett Co., Ga.; d. in 1851; m. 10 Sept. 1821 Robert B. ECKLES (b. 13 Dec. 1794 in S. Car.; d. 14 Dec. 1861 in Gwinnett Co.) had 9 children .

iv.    James A. Paxson, b. 21 Dec. 1805; d. before 1900; m. 1835 Elizabeth OLIVER; 1 son.

v.      Malissa Webster Paxson, b. 22 Nov. 1807; d. in 1886 in Stevens Co., Tex; m. 7 Mar. 1826 John SCOTT, son of James and Martha (BARBER) Scott. John was b. ca. 1802 in Ga., and d. Sept. 1869 in Cleburne, Johnson Co., Tex. Malissa and John had 9 children.

vi.    Susan R. Paxson, b. 3 Mar. 1810; m. 23 Jan. 1838 Garland W. PRINCE; had 2 daughters.

vii.   Martha S. Paxson, b. 27 July 1812 in Morgan Co., Ga.; d. 11 July 1880 in Roanoke, Randolph Co., Ala.; m. 24 Dec. 1829 Moses PARK, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (PHELPS) Park. Moses was b. 4 May 1800 and d. 22 July 1893. They had a dozen children, the youngest one was Josephine Estelle Park.

viii.  Mary Ann Leverette Paxson, b. 11 Oct.. 1814 d. before 1870; m. 14 Jan. 1835 William Davis HIGHTOWER, son of William and Rebecca (DORSEY) Hightower. William D. was b. 27 Oct. 1812. They had 8 children.

ix.     Benjamin Franklin Paxson, b. 10 Sept. 1818, twin; d. 28 May 1902; m. Sarah Elizabeth CARTER; 13 children.

xi.     Joseph G. Paxson, b. 10 Sept. 1818, twin; m. 6 Feb. 1840 Martha S. DEANE (b. July 1820; d. after 1900); 2 children.

xii.    Elizabeth G. Paxson, b. ca. 1822; m. 29 Sept. 1842 in DeKalb Co., Ga. John N. SWIFT (b. ca. 1815 in Ga.); had 9 children

xiii.   Cynthia Jane Paxson, b. ca. 1826; d. 23 Apr. 1886 in Johnson Co., Tex.; m. 27 Nov. 1845 Dr. Samuel Lott HAMILTON, son of John and Mary Posey (HEARN) Hamilton. Samuel was b. 9 Nov. 1824 in Coweta Co., Ga.; d. 6 Jan. 1885 in Old Town, Johnson Co., Tex.; 10 children.

271.     Reuben Paxson, son of Jacob⁴ (Reuben³ #32, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Mary (Webster) Paxson, was born 24 December 1772. Reuben's father died in February 1777. Two years later the widowed Mary and five children, including Reuben, removed on certificate from Kingwood Meeting in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, to Buckingham Monthly Meeting in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

On 6 Eleventh Month 1797 Buckingham Preparative Meeting reported to Buckingham Monthly Meeting that "Reuben Paxson hath accomplished his Marriage with a Woman not in Membership, by the Assistance of a Majistrate; And Robert Eastburn & John Kinsey are appointed to treat with him, and report their judgment of his Disposition to next Meeting." [Buckingham MM minutes, 11m/6/1797, p. 235.] The name of Reuben's wife was not mentioned, although some sources call her Mary. For some time the two Friends tried to talk with Reuben to discern if he was willing to condemn his action of going against Friends' witness. But Reuben left town, moving to Loudoun County, Virginia. Buckingham Mo. Mtg. authorized the committee "to write to the Monthly Meeting, within the Limits of which he resides, and request that Meeting to treat with him relative to his Misconduct, and report to future Meeting." [Buckingham MM Men's Minutes, 6m/4/1798, p. 260.] Fairfax Monthly Meeting received the letter and month after month continued the case. Finally Ninth Month 28, 1799 Fairfax Mtg "reported the service is performed" and Reuben was disowned. [Fairfax Mo. Mtg. men's minutes, 6m, 7m/27, 8m/24, 9m/28/1799.]

I've been unable to determine the number and names of her children and how long she was married. It is quite likely that Mary may have died in childbirth. Reuben's second marriage was to Anna KING. They were married by the Rev. John HELMS on 15 April, 1809, the banns having been published in the Methodist Church. Helms served many small Methodist churches in Botetourt County, Virginia. [Letters between Ruth Cartmell and Dorothy S. Kessler, Researcher, 1984, in the Fincastle library, citing "Minister's Returns", Records of Marriage Books, Botetourt Co., Va., p. 25. My thanks to Pam for sharing this information with me, e mails Nov. 2011.]

In about 1826 the family moved to Montgomery County, and then in October 1829 moved on to Wythe County, then in October 1832 came to Smyth County and then to Chatham Still in Scott County, where according to one source he lived the rest of his life.

The 1850 census for the Western District of Scott County, Virginia, listed Reubin (77) and Ann (61) as paupers. "Reubin" had "None" for his occupation. According to family notes, he was apparently a cripple. Living with them were Casandra (20) and James (4 months). Reubin was born in New Jersey, all the rest in Virginia. [1850 federal census for the Western District of Scott County, Virginia, roll M432_975, p. 385B, lines 1-4.]

According to granddaughter Clara (Hill) CARNER, Reuben and Ann went to live with their daughter Letty in Kentucky, and Reuben died there.

Children of Reuben and his first wife, Mary (__) Paxson/Paxton:

i.     Lucinda Paxson⁶, b. __; she burned to death when her clothes caught fire. I do not have proof that she was the daughter of Reuben's first wife -- or if there were additional children who may have d.y.

Children of Reuben and his second wife, Anna (King) Paxson, birthdates from the census:

ii.   Rachel Paxson, b. ca. 1812 in Virginia; m. William "Wiley" R. CARTER in 1836 in Smyth Co. VA. They had children, all b. in Virginia: Frances Ellen Carter b. 1836 in Scott Co., Charity Carter b. abt 1838, Mary Carter b. abt 1839, Isaac Carter b. abt 1842, Nancy Carter b. 1845, Sarah Carter b. 1848, Andrew Carter b. 1850. Rachel and Wiley Carter and children were living very near Reuben and Ann and Cassandra Paxton in Smyth Co. in 1850. In 1860 Rachel, 49, now a widow, was living with children in Lewis Co. KY. Also in 1860 Thomas Loper and wife, Letitia Paxton were in Greenup Co. Pam has been to the site of their land, and it is on the border of Greenup and Lewis Counties. [My thanks to Pam for this, e mails 10m/6/2019.]

iii.   Isaiah Paxton, b. ca. 1813, m. Nancy FULCHER in Va. and moved to Missouri where he died.

iv.   Matilda Paxton, b. ca. 1815; m(1) in 1833 to Abram BETTS, m(2) in 1846 to Alfred DAVIS in Kentucky. In the 1840 census in Greenup Co., KY there is a Matilda Paxton with a female child of the age of 5 or under. Matilda was not listed in the Smyth Co. files, but had a son identified as a nephew of Thomas Jefferson LOPER. Letitia Paxton married Thos. Jeff. Loper at the home of Alfred Davis in 1843 -- before he became a brother-in-law.

v.   Arthur Webster Paxson, b. 17 June 1820 near Amsterdam in Boutetot Co., Va.; d. 5 May 1896; m(1) Jane FULCHER Aug. 2, 1842; m(2) Nov. 29, 1859 Nancy R. SNAVELEY; had 19 children.

vi.   Letitia Paxson, "Letty" b. Dec. 1823 in Botetourt Co., Va.; d. ; m. 1843 Thomas Jefferson LOPER. From the Portsmouth Times, 30 Dec. 1893, Quincy, Lewis Co. KY. "Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Loper Celebrated their fiftieth anniversary, their golden wedding, last Sunday, Dec. 21st, by giving a grand dinner and inviting their children, grandchildren, neighbors and friends in to partake of the bounteous repast. The children were all present except one son and his two daughters. Those present were J.C. Loper and family, William Loper and family, and Mrs. John Richards and family, numbering all three children and their wives and husbands, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Total present fifty-three. Several presents were received. Mr. Loper is 71 years of age, was born in Lewis County, Kentucky in 1822. His wife was born in Virginia, Botetart county, in 1826 (? 1823?). Her maiden name was Letitia R. Paxton. They were married in Greenup Co. KY. Dec. 24, 1843 and now reside in Quincy. They wish to thank their friends for their kindness." [My thanks to Pam for this information, e mails 10m/6/2019.]

vii.     Cassandra Paxton, "Cassie" b. 1829; d. 1893; m. 1851 Joseph BAILEY in Scioto Co., Ohio. She was 20 years old, unmarried, living with her parents in the 1850 census. It seems likely that the 4 month old boy, James Paxson, was her son. He has not been found in later censuses.

viii.     William J[ohn?] Paxton, b. ca. 1834 According to information from Clara Hill, he also went to Kentucky.

272.     Arthur Paxson, son of Jacob⁴ (Reuben³ #32, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and his wife Mary (Webster) Paxson, was born 8 Aug. 1775. On 6 Eleventh Month 1797 he requested a certificate from Buckingham Monthly Meeting to remove to Fairfax Meeting in Loudoun County, Virginia. [Buckingham Mo. Mtg. minutes 11m/6/1797, p. 235.] It was received by Fairfax Monthly Meeting on 26 Fifth Month 1798. [Fairfax Mo. Mtg. Men's minutes, 26/5m/1798.] He and Pamelia, or Permelia MYERS brought their intention to marry to Fairfax Meeting on 27 Ninth Month, 1800, and the following month, "no objections appearing" they were given permission to proceed with their intentions. They were married at the Fairfax Meeting house probably within the next month. [Fairfax MM Men's minutes, 17/9m/1800; William Wade Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 6:542-43; http://pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam32004.html, as of 5/31/2005] "Pamelia" was the daughter of Elijah and Mary (BALL) Myers. [Janet Paxson Stepp, in a 1998 Loudon Co., Va. query on https://sites.rootsweb.com/~valoudou/1998.htm]

On 28 Ninth Month 1809 it was reported in Fairfax Meeting that Arthur Paxton had "absconded leaving debt". He was disowned for this display of dishonesty, 23 Twelfth Month 1809. [Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 6:542-43]

Child of Arthur and his wife Pamelia (Myers) Paxson:

i. Elijah Paxson, m. 15 Feb. 1827 Elizabeth NORWOOD; [Janet Paxson Stepp]

274.     Reuben Paxson, son of John⁴ (Reuben³ #32, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and Mary (__) Paxson, was married to Mary RICHARDSON on 13 August 1799 by George QUISENBERRY in Grayson County, Virginia. On 22 March 1800 it was reported to Westfield Meeting that Reuben had married contrary to Friends' discipline, out of unity with Friends. He was either not disowned, or made acknowledgment and was reinstated because on 28 August 1811 he presented a certificate of removal in an Ohio meeting. [Mary's surname, and marriage data from descendant Anne Thompson Payne, e mail 27 May 2005, and her posting of Feb. 25, 2005 on the Paxson Family Genealogy Forum. I believe Anne got it originally from Kay Walton, who gleaned it from county marriage records. I have not checked this myself. Hinshaw, American Quaker Genealogy 1:987. Roberta Lake, "Chandler, Bell, Paxson Descendants", typescript, 1954. My thanks to Candi McDonald for sending me a copy, 7m/2/2009.]

Mary's parents are not yet proved; there are several theories, one being that she is the youngest daughter of John Richardson, Sr. (born about 1779). [Danette Richardson Oliver on Paxson Family Genealogy Forum, posted Mar. 19, 2006.]

Reuben, his brothers John and Jacob, and their father John Paxton were in the 8 October 1811 Poll Tax List for Wayne Township, Champaign County, Ohio. The sons were electors, and father John a judge. [Information from Diana Privette, e mail July 2, 2004, from Joshua Antrim, The History of Champaign and Logan Counties: from their first settlement (Bellefontaine, Ohio: Press Print. Co., 1872), p. 277.]

Reuben was named co-executor of his father's will with his brother John, each of them only receiving $1.00; perhaps they had already received farms when they married.

Children of Reuben and Mary (Richardson) Paxson:[Wayne Paxson's gencircles; MARIS Genealogy Home Page http://www.gendex.com/users/RayMaris/maris/maris.htm] [Notice that these same five children have been attributed to Reuben #271 and his wife Mary (__).]

i.     Lydia Paxson, m. Jeptha DAVIS

ii.    Margaret Paxson, b. 1801 in Va.; d. 1878; m. James M. PEARCE. I am grateful for the following information sent to me by Anne Thompson Payne, 5/26/2005: There has been some confusion around Margaret because the name on her tombstone looks like PARSONS and is written as Parsons in the Center Friends MM, Vol. V of Hinshaw. Jerry Richmond on the Quaker Roots Web list found the Paxson/Pearce marriage for her. Then when she was in Ohio, she stopped at Earlham College, Richmond, Ind., where their researcher looked up the records. On the census the spelling "Paxton" is used. James's last name is listed as Pearce, Pierce and Peirce. He was b. in 1791 in Va. Their daughter Eliza Helen Pearce (b. 11 June 1820 in Logan Co., Oh.; d. 12 May 1893 in Miami Co., Oh.) m. 5 Nov. 1837 James Hunter CRATTY.

iii.   Nancy Paxson, m. James ROWELL

iv.   James Paxson, b. in Oh., as was his wife, Ruth RICHARDS; 6 children.

v.    Mary Ann Paxson, m. Henry MOON [she is supplied by Dean Paxson's Notes to Wayne]

276.     Jacob Paxson, son of John⁴ (Reuben³ #32, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and Mary (__) Paxson, was born 29 December 1781, and died in 1862. He married Sitnah RICHARDS 25 October 1806 in Warren County, Ohio, at Miami Meeting in Waynesfield. The meeting records include this:

Jacob Paxson of Warren County, Ohio, son of John Paxson of Grayson county, Virginia and Sidney Richards, Daughter of Rolen Richards and his wife Lidia of Warren County, Ohio, having declared their intentions of marriage with each other before several meetings of the people called Quakers at Miami and having the consent of parents, they prepared to marry, which was allowed at said meeting. On October 25, 1808, the said Jacob Paxson, taking the said Sidney Richards by the hand and in solemn manner openly declared that he took her the said Sidney Richards to be his wife and she openly declared in solemn manner she took the said Jacob Paxson to be her husband. [My thanks to Candi McDonald, e mail 6m/17/2009 for this transcription.]

The certificate was signed by 38 witnesses. There is a lack of clarity about the bride's name: Sitnah, Sidney, or Sydney. It is entirely possible that she was named Sitnah, but it may have been pronounced "Sitney", and "t" can morph into "d". In any event, she was born in 1790 on Nantucket Island, although her family moved from Virginia to Ohio in 1802. She died in 1853.[Roberta Lake, "Chandler, Bell, Paxson Descendants", typescript, 1954. My thanks to Candi McDonald for sending me a copy, 7m/2/2009.]

Jacob was named co-executor of his father's will with his brother Reuben, each of them only receiving $1.00; perhaps they received farms when they married.

It is possible that Jacob came to Ohio in 1805 with one or another Pickrell. Jacob settled on a farm near Pickrelltown in Logan County, Ohio, in 1814. [Roberta Lake, "Chandler, Bell, Paxson Descendants", typescript, 1954. My thanks to Candi McDonald for sending me a copy, 7m/2/2009.]

Children of Jacob and Sitnah (Richards) Paxson:[William Wade Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy (Richmond, Ind., 1946), Vol. IV, The Ohio Quaker Genealogical Records, 1288; Wayne Paxson's gencircles; MARIS Genealogy Home Page http://www.gendex.com/users/RayMaris/maris/maris.htm]

i.     Reuben, b. 27 Oct. 1807; d. 18 Aug. 1862, both in Champaign Co., Ohio; m. Rachel THOMAS and had 3 children.

ii.    Lydia, twin, b. 21 Mar. 1812 in Logan Co., Ohio; m. Jefferson MARSH; (Lydia is not named in Hinshaw); had children [Children given in Lake, although she names their father "Mash"]:

a)   Clarisa Marsh, m. James STANLEY;
b)   Julia Marsh, m. Elisha PELLETT
c)   Nancy Marsh, m. John PRINCE
d)   Mary Marsh, m. Newton WILLIAMS
e)   Milton Marsh

iii.   Susanna, twin, b. 21 Mar. 1812 in Logan Co., Ohio [Wayne has birth date 21 Mar.; Lake sez 31 Mar.]; m. Samuel HIATT; lived in Pickrelltown; no children [Lake].

iv.    Sarah, b. 19 Jul 1814; d. 9 Feb. 1893 Logan Co., Ohio; m. Ira STANLEY; [Hinshaw gives her date of birth as 9 July. Children given in Lake]:

a)   Ruth Stanley, b. 1840; m(1) John WHITE; m(2) Robert WYNN;
b)   Rachel Stanley, b. 1840; m. Henry OUTLAND; had 2 children: Leroy Outland and a daughter;
c)   Alfred Stanley, b. 1841; m. Elizabeth BEBB; had a large family;
d)   Townshend Stanley, b. 1843; had 2 daughters and 1 son;
e)   Milton Stanley, b. 1846
f)   Angeline Stanley, b. 1849;
g)   Newton Stanley, b. 1853;
h)   Joseph Stanley, b. 1855; m. __ HATCHER; 2 sons and 1 daughter;

v.     John Townsend, or Townshend, b. 19 Dec. 1816, in Logan Co, Oh; d. 2 Mar. 1890 Jefferson Co., Iowa; m. Hannah BELL; 10 children.

vi.   Joel Cheshire, b. 15 Mar. 1819; d. 7 Jul 1891 in Jefferson Co., Iowa; m(1) Nancy BELL; 7 children; m(2) 13 Oct. 1875 Leah J. HINSHAW, 1 daughter.

vii.  Rowland R., b. 5 May 1821; d. 14 Apr. 1885 in Logan Co., Oh; m. Phebe WOODS,

viii. David [not named in Hinshaw]

ix.   Joshua [not named in Hinshaw]

x.    Milton, b. 18 Apr. 1827; m. Hannah RICHARDSON on 31 Oct. 1850 in Logan Co., Ohio,.

xi.   Mahlon, b. 6 May 1830; m. 31 Oct. 1850 Eliza LOUDON in Logan County, Ohio. [Data on this family is from Wayne Paxson's website on gencircle, 9/2003.] Mahlon isn't included in all the secondary sources.

278.     John⁵, son of John⁴ (Reuben³ #32, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and Mary (Cheshire?) Paxson, was born 21 February 1787 in Virginia. He died 4 August 1863 in Logan County, Ohio. John married Anna BRIEN on 27 August 1812 in Champaign County, Ohio. She was born 13 May 1793,[www.gencircles.com/users/paxlincoln/] and died 4 August 1863, as recorded in Goshen Meeting records. [Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy 4:1288.]

John and Anna, with their two youngest children, William and Asaph, transferred from Goshen Monthly Meeting to Fairfield by certificate dated 20 Tenth Month (October) 1849, received 15 Twelfth Month (December). Two years later, William, Anna, and Asaph returned to Goshen Meeting (Fairfield granting them a certificate 19 Seventh Month [July] 1851). William followed them with a certificate dated 21 Second Month [February] 1852. [William Wade Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy (Richmond, Ind., 1946), 5:269-70.]

Children of John and Anna (Brien) Paxson, as members of the Orthodox Goshen Monthly Meeting, which was one mile east of Zanesville, Logan County, Ohio: [William Wade Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy (Richmond, Ind., 1946), Vol. IV, The Ohio Quaker Genealogical Records, 1288.]

i.      Achsah, b. 6 Jan. 1813 in Logan Co., Oh.; d. 11 Feb. 1867; Elias GREEN was granted a certificate by Fairfield Monthly Mtg., Highland Co., Ohio to Goshen Monthly Mtg. on 26 Aug. 1841 to marry her. [Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 5:269.] They had one daughter.

ii.     James, b. 20 June 1814;

iii.    Camilia, b. 10 Feb. 1816 in Logan Co., Oh.; d. 13 Jan. 1847, bur. Westland.

iv.    Alice, b. 10 Oct. 1820 in Logan Co., Oh. (Written as Dilce in Hinshaw, which appears to be incorrect); Jesse GREEN was granted a certificate by Fairfield Mo. Mtg., Highland Co., Ohio to Goshen Monthly Mtg. on 24 Aug. 1843 to marry Alice. She then transferred to Fairfield from Goshen on a certificate dated 16 Mar. 1844, received 23 May of that year. They had 3 children named in the Fairfield Mtg. records: Anna P. Green (b. 11/9m/1844), John G. P. Green (b. 26/6m/1846), William P. Green (b. 9/2m/1848).[Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 5:269, 241.]

v.      Reuben, b. 10 Feb. 1824 in Logan Co., Ohio; m. Sarah GREEN; had 8 children. Year of birth is given as 1823 in Hinshaw.

vi.    John, b. 4 Apr. 1828; d. 30 Sept. 1893; m. 24 Oct. 1849 in Fairfield MM, Highland Co., Ohio Amy Ellen SMITH; 11 children.

vii.   William, b. 10 Aug. 1830; m. 14 Apr. 1853 Clinton Co., Ohio Ruth GREEN; 6 children

viii.  Asaph, b. 2 May 1836; m. 18 May 1854 Chester, Ohio Margaret LUNDY; 6 children. Birth year 1833 in Hinshaw.

282.     William Paxson, son of John⁴ (Reuben³ #32, William Jr.² #16, James¹ #3) and Mary (__) Paxson, was born 10 August 1797 [Kay Walton's chart sez 1795; Wayne Paxson sez 1798] in Grayson, Virginia, and died 21 April 1879 in Cassopolis, Michigan. [My thanks to Bruce Jones for the date and place of death. He got it from Nancy (Waggoner) John, a great granddaughter of Fannie Paxson. E mail 5/24/2008.] William married Margaret Jenkins RICHARDSON on 27 October 1824 in Champaign County, Ohio. Margaret was born 9 July 1804, and died in 1879 in Cass County, Michigan.

The 1870 federal census enumerated them in Cassopolis, Porter Township, Cass County, with no occupation. They were at the home of their daughter, Sarah, who was married to John JACKSON. Sarah had "Ray" surname children living with her—probably from a former husband. [My thanks to Bruce Jones for this information, e mail 4/29/2008.].

William died 21 April 1879 at the home of his daughter Achsah EDDY, "after a week of severe illness, of typhoid pneumonia, aged 82 years." [My thanks to Bruce Jones for this information, e mail 4/29/2008. There were two notices of the death in the Cassopolis Vigilant, on 24 April 1879 and again the following week on 1 May.].

Children of William and Margaret Jenkins (Richardson) Paxson:[From MARIS Genealogy Home Page http://www.gendex.com/users/RayMaris/maris/maris.htm and from Wayne Paxson.]

i.    Henry⁶, b. 1 Dec. 1827; m. Mollie PRINCE; 3 children.

ii.   Nancy, b. 1829 in Hardin Co., Ohio [Wayne]; m. Noble STEWART; 6 children of whom 4 died in infancy; [Roberta Lake, "Chandler, Bell, Paxson Descendants", typescript, 1954.]

a) Cherry Stewart, m. Samuel TERRILL;
b) Clara Pearl Stewart
c) Nellie Melissa Stewart
d) Thomas Isaac Stewart
e) Margaret Stewart, m. Able Thomas REAMES;
f) child d.y.

iii.   Frances, "Fannie", b. 10 Aug. 1829 in West Liberty, Logan Co., OH; d. 22 Dec. 1901 near Elbing, Butler Co., KS, and was bur. in Elbing; m. 2 Sept. 1847 in Hale Twp, Hardin Co., Ohio, Ananias JONES. He was b. 20 July 1824, son of Jonathan and Ellender "Nelly" (PUGH) Jones. Ananias and Fannie lived in Mt. Victory, Oh. until 1865, when they moved to Cedar Co., Iowa. In 1876 they moved near Elbing, in Butler Co., Kansas. The photo to the right shows Ananias and Fannie seated, with their daughter Almira holding a book. Standing behind them, from the left, are Jonathan (with mustache), Emma, Margaret, Henry B. (with large dark beard). This photo seems to have been taken in a studio against a painted backdrop. But they got off-center so some extra scenery was sketched in on the left. They had 6 children, one d.y. [The information on this family is from Bruce Jones, e mail 5/24/2008.]

a) Almira Jane Jones⁷, b. 4 Dec. 1849 in Mt. Victory, Hardin Co., Oh.; d. 22 Jan. 1944 in Wichita, Sedgwick Co., Kansas; buried in Family plot, Elbing, Kansas; married Octavius M. DILLEY.
b) Henry Beacom Jones, born on 12 Feb. 1852 in Mt. Victory, Hardin, Oh.; died 19 Jan. 1932 in Wichita, Sedgwick, Kansas; buried in Wichita; m. Cornelia Catherine WHITMER; moved from Marion, Ohio, to Butler Co. Kansas in 1875; moved to Wichita in 1892. He was a member of the College Hill Methodist Episcopal Church and the I.O.O.F.
c) Margaret Ellen Jones, born 2 Nov. 1853 in Mt. Victory, Hardin Co., Ohio [According to family bible of Maude Johnston Baxter, 1888, she was b. in La Rue, Oh, 2 Nov. 1854.]; died in 1920 in Chickasha, Okla.; buried in Rose Hill Cem., Chickasha; m. Amasa JOHNSTON.
d) Jonathan H. Jones, born 1 May 1857 in Mt. Victory, Hardin Co., Ohio. Middle initial added when he went into business. He died 3 Feb. 1926 in Wichita, Sedgwick Co., Kansas; buried Pleasant View Cemetery in Elbing, Butler Co.; m(1) Sarah Luvina COPE; m(2) 26 Aug. 1916 Florence FULLER, who had a daughter Helen Fuller from previous marriage.
e) Emma Dora Jones, born on 30 Sept. 1862 in Mt. Victory, Hardin Co., Oh.; died 7 June 1939 in Wichita, Kansas; m(1) John R. SAUNDERS and had a daughter who m (1927?) J. H. Irvin of Wichita. Emma Dora m(2) Milton MILLER.
f) Albert Jones, born 20 Nov. 1864 in Mt. Victory, Hardin Co., Oh.; died 30 Sept. 1867 in Cedar Co., Ia.; buried in Dille Cem., Mt. Victory, Ohio, or bur. in "Oakdale Cemetery Iowa, Aug 1866".

iv.   Rebecah, b. 1835 in Hardin Co., Ohio; m. Silas ROBINSON; had children: [Roberta Lake, "Chandler, Bell, Paxson Descendants", typescript, 1954.]

a) Minter Robinson,
b) William Henry Robinson,
c) Louise Robinson, m. __ CALIHAND (spelling?)
d) Hattie Robinson, m. Don FERRIS:
e) Abner Robinson

v.   Achsah, "Axie", b. 22 Feb. 1831 in West Liberty; d. 7 June 1901 in Penn Twp., Cass Co., Michigan; m. Jacob James EDDY on 5 July 1849 in Hardin Co.; Achsah was in the 1880 census in Cass Co., Mich.; had 7 children: [My thanks to Kelly Nawrocki for these photos of Achsah and J.J. Eddy, e mails 12/2018, 6m/24/2019; Roberta Lake, "Chandler, Bell, Paxson Descendants", typescript, 1954.]

a) James Eddy, b. ca. June 1850; d. before 1860 (as seen in 1850 census but not in 1860)
b) William Clinton Eddy, b. 30 Nov. 1851; d. 19 Feb. 1931; m. Mary Effie DILLE; resided in Hardin Co., Oh.
c) Jonathan "Jont" Eddy, b. Aug. 26, 1854; d. 20 Oct. 1941; m. Mary OGLESBEE;
d) Lawrence Eddy, b. 1857; d. 12 July 1890; m. Rosette LUNDY;
e) Alvoretta "Allie" Eddy, b. 3 Apr. 1859; d. 21 Oct. 1942; m. Abijah H. BRITTON;
f) Lillian L. Eddy, b. Dec. 1863; d. after 1940; m. Isaac Bonine JONES;
g) Margaret "Maggie" Eddy, b. 15 Feb. 1868; d. 24 Aug. 1950; m. George JONES;
g) Henry Eddy, b. 8 Jan. 1862, in Ridgeway, Hardin Co., Oh.; d. 20 Jan. 1950, Martinez, Contra Costa Co., Calif.; m. Lillie May ARNOLD on 9 Sept, 1894 in Cassopolis, Mich.

vi.   John [not included by Wayne]

vii.  Sarah Ann, b. 1839 in Logan Co., Ohio; m(1) __ RAY; m(2) John JACKSON; had children with both men: [Roberta Lake, "Chandler, Bell, Paxson Descendants".]

a) Rosetta RAY
b) Mary RAY
c) Emma RAY
d) Josie JACKSON

viii. Margaret Jane or Mary Jane, b. 1841 [Wayne & Lake]; unmarried.

ix.    Harriet "Hattie", b. 1843 in Hardin Co., Ohio; m. Solomon REAMES; had children: [Roberta Lake, "Chandler, Bell, Paxson Descendants".]

a) Charles Reames, d. in infancy.
b) Leroy Reames, m. __ BOLEN; lived in Zanesville, Oh.;
c) Oswald K. Reames, m. Ella SMITH; lived in Zanesville; 2 children

x.     Susan, b. 8 Aug. 1845; m. Manuel BUNSON; 3 children: Clarence Bunson, Louis Bunson, and Edna Bunson who m. John HEPBURN.

Descendants of James¹ and Jane (Gurden) Paxson

Descendants of Henry² and Ann (Plumley) Paxson

Grandchildren of Henry³ and Elizabeth (Lupton) Paxson

284.     Asher Paxson, son of Mahlon⁴ (Henry, Jr.³, Henry², James¹) and his wife Jane (Parry), was born 4 March 1776. He died 23 March 1869, aged 93 years. He was born as the Revolutionary War was beginning and died after the Civil War ended. Asher married on 10 June 1833 Martha HARDING. She died 10 June 1833. They were members of Solebury Meeting.

Asher was a farmer in Solebury. In 1834 he produced on his farm, from a single grain of wheat, 28 well grown ears.[The Farmer & Gardener, and Live-Stock Breeder and Manager 1:17 (Aug. 26, 1834), 135.] In the 1863 Penna. tax list of occupations, Asher was listed as a farmer.

Children of Asher and Martha (Harding) Paxson:

i. John H., b. 7 May 1807; d. in Solebury, 16 April 1850, age 42 years, 11 months, and 9 days; [Death Notice in the Bucks County Intelligencer.] unmarried

ii. Sarah H., b. 23 Aug. 1808; d. ca. early summer 1890; unmarried; in the 1880 census she was enumerated living with her unmarried brother Hugh and nephew Alfred. She and her sister Grace W. were listed, without any occupation, on the 1863 Pennsylvania tax duplicate for occupations. Sarah wrote her will in Solebury Twp. 12 July 1890, and it was pr. 2 June 1900. She left bequests to her nephew Alfred Paxson and Joseph P. WILDMAN and Martha E. Paxson. She mentioned her brother Hugh P. Paxson (who had d. in 1893). Nephew Alfred was named executor. [Thomas G. Myers, Bucks County Pennsylvania Will Abstracts, 1870-1900 (Westminster, Md.: Willow Bend Books, 2002), 567, citing Bucks Will Bk. 29, page 231, file #21172.]

iii. Howard H., b. 20 Sept. 1810; m(1) 24 Mar. 1842 Elizabeth ELY; 3 children; m(2) Mary ELY.

iv. Alice P., b. 28 Jan. 1812; m. 28 Mar. 1846 Paxson WILDMAN of Buckingham, at the home of John Barnsley, Esq., Newtown, "by Quaker ceremony". [Bucks Co. Intelligencer].

v. Hugh P., b. 31 Mar. 1813; d. 17 Nov. 1893, of "old age"; unmarried. Hugh was born, died, and buried in Solebury Twp. [Register of Deaths, Bucks County Courthouse, Doylestown (seen 8/1987).]

vi. Grace W., b. 1 July 1814; unmarried. Interestingly, she and her sister Sarah H. were listed, without any occupation, on the 1863 Pennsylvania tax duplicate for occupations.

285     Phineas Paxson, son of Mahlon⁴ (Henry, Jr.³, Henry², James¹) and his wife Jane (Parry), was born 27 July 1778 and died 7 September 1802.

287. Ely Paxson⁵, son of Isaac⁴ #105, (Henry³ Jr., #43, Henry² #18, James¹ #3). Is there a reader who can give me any information on Ely?

289.     Joseph Paxson⁵, son of Henry⁴ (Henry³ Jr., #43, Henry² #18, James¹ #3) and Matilda (KEMBLE), was born in 1779. He married twice. His first wife was Hannah HARLAN. They had two children, Henry and Hannah. Hannah and her baby Hannah died 24 June 1806. Joseph was left with a two-year old toddler Henry. Joseph married in New Garden Monthly Meeting, on 16 February 1809, Sarah (WALTER), the widow of __ DUTTON. Sarah was born in 1783 and died 26 February 1862.[My thanks to Jan Hall who researched these marriages in the Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College, and sent them to me 10/13/2005.]

The marriage of Joseph and Hannah took place in a public meeting in Eastland. The marriage certificate was signed by those present, and later copied into the records of Nottingham Monthly Meeting, which is shown here. This quasi legal document was developed in the 17th century in England when only marriages performed by clergy of the established church were recognized. As Friends refused to accept that, this is the form they developed which is still in use among some Friends today. The right column was traditionally reserved for members of the immediate family. There are the signatures of both fathers, both mothers, paternal aunts and uncles Thomas and Hester WEBB, and in other columns, John Paxson, Elizabeth & Joseph DOAN, and cousins Hannah Harlan, and more. Readers may enjoy trying to match names with various relatives or members of the Friends Meeting.

Joseph's mother died in the late summer of 1825, and named Joseph her executor. She also left him her 8-day clock, with instructions that at his death it should go to his son Henry. [sites.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/chester/willabs/wills1824-5.txt, seen 10m/6/2007; when checked 2m/23/2008 this link no longer worked.]

Joseph was an active member of East Land or Eastland Particular Meeting of Little Britain Monthly Meeting. He was an Elder in Eastland for many years. [Notice of his death as an Elder, in Little Britain Monthly Meeting of Women Friends minutes, 8m/17/1867.]

The 1860 federal census for Colerain Township, Lancaster County, enumerated Joseph as an 80 year old farmer with real estate valued at $9,350 and personal estate of $300. Sarah was 76. With them lived their youngest daughter Letitia (36) and her husband Samuel MASAY [sic] (37) and their children Sarah (11), Addalade [sic] (9), Hannah (7), Emma (5), Carrie (3), and Mary (2 months, as of July 6). There was also a 16-year old Black girl, Margaret CLEMENS. All were born in Pennsylvania, and the three oldest girls had been to school within the year. [1860 census for Colerain Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa., roll M653_1122, p. 79, lines 6-16.]

Joseph died 20 Sixth Mo. 1867, aged 88, in Colerain and his remains were interred in the Eastland Friends Burying Ground. Due to all the lichen, it is not easy to read the inscription on his stone. Sarah died 26 February 1863 in her 79th year. Her stone is no easier to read.

Children of Joseph and his first wife Hannah (Harlan) Paxson:[My thanks to Diane Mortensen for her generous permission to access her private ancestry.com Paxson Family Tree, 6/27/2019. Much of the information of this brach of the Paxson tree comes from her.

i.     Henry⁶, b. 12 Aug. 1804; d. 1865; m(1) 1827 Rachel Brown JOB, and had 9 children; m(2) Merab JOHNSON (1815-1900) and had 2 more children.

ii.    Hannah, b. 20 June 1806; d. the same day as her mother, who d. 24 June 1806.

Children of Joseph and his second wife, Sarah (Walter) Paxson

iii.   Phoebe Jane, b. 11 June 1810; d. 8/6m/1813. [Little Britain MM List of Burials, p. 59.]

iv.   Elwood H., b. 11 Nov. 1811; d. 2 Feb. 1858; m. 25 July 1833 Elizabeth WHITE.

v.    James W., b. 28 Feb. 1813; d. 7 Nov. 1857 [Little Britain MM List of Burials, p. 59.]; m. Margaret R. WHITE; 3 children.

vi.   Matilda, b. 3 Feb. 1816; d. 9 or 19 June 1846; m. Robert RUSSELL (1815-1887);

vii.  Sarah, b. 16 Feb. 1818; d. 10 Jan. 1822. [Little Britain MM List of Burials, p. 59.]

viii. Louisa, b. 21 May 1820 in Little Britain; d. 3/7m/1847.

ix.   William, b. 28 Apr. 1822 in Lancaster Co.; d. 8 Oct. 1883; m. Mary BUNTING (1824-1883); had 13 children.

x.    Letitia Dixon, b. 10 May 1824; m. Samuel MASSEY;

292     John Paxson⁵, son of Henry⁴ (Henry³ Jr., #43, Henry² #18, James¹ #3) and Matilda (KIMBLE), was born 21 January 1786 and died 29 September 1820 in Chester County, Pennsyslvania. He married Abigail MERCER, who was born 18 March 1787 and died 23 February 1868. [I am indebted to Tom O'Conner, e mail 2/23/2008, for information on this family; his source is Gilbert Cope, Genealogy of the Sharpless Family: descended from John and Jane Sharples, settlers near Chester, Pennsylvania, 1682.]

John borrowed $1,200 from his father, the debt then being covered by his father's bequest to John. John died before his mother wrote her will in July 1825. She left bequests to his children.

Abigail was found in the 1860 Census in East Marlborough, Chester County, Pennsylvania, at the home of her son-in-law Joseph PYLE.

Children of John and Abigail (Mercer) Paxson (from Gilbert Cope, Genealogy of the Sharpless Family):

i.     Matilda K., b. 21 Dec. 1809; d. 19 Feb. 1879 m Nathan BROSIUS; 12 children.

ii.    Henry M., b 7 Sept. 1811; m. Jane PYLE;

iii.   Abigail S., b 1 Oct. 1813; d. 22 Oct. 1862; m. William YOUNG;

iv.   Sarah L., b. 11 Oct. 1815; m. Abram P. BENNETT;

v.    Julianna, b. 17 Sept. 1817; m. Joseph PYLE;

vi.   Phebe W., b. 4 Nov. 1819; d. 12 Aug. 1881;

vii.  John S., b 27 Mar. 1821; m. Lavina JAMES;

297     Isaac Paxson⁵, son of Henry⁴ (Henry³ Jr., #43, Henry² #18, James¹ #3) and Matilda (KIMBLE), was born 12 June 1798 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He died in Richmond, Indiana on 25 January 1850. Isaac and Sarah HARLAN were married about 1818. Sarah was born 12 June 1798, the same day as Isaac, in the same County. She died 12 August 1835 in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana. Both were interred in the Friends' Old Burying Ground there. [Alpheus H. Harlan, History and genealogy of the Harlan family: and particularly of the descendants of George and Michael Harlan who settled in Chester County, Pa., 1687 (Baltimore, Md.: Lord Baltimore Press, 1914) as cited by Tom O'Connor, e mail 2/24/2008. He has my thanks for this information.]

At the time of their marriage Sarah was residing near Red Lion, in Chester County, and Isaac in Lancaster. They lived in Lancaster, then, until April 1835, when they decided to try their fortunes in the west, and accordingly they set out for Wayne County, Indiana. Settling on a tract of land two miles south of Richmond, they lived in a log cabin and were obliged to endure the many hardships of frontier life. After four months Sarah died of typhus fever. Isaac survived until 1850. "He had learned the butcher's business in his early manhood and followed it, in connection with farming, as long as he lived. In his political views he was a Whig, and in religious faith he was an adherent to the creed of the Society of Friends." [Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana (Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1899) as cited by Tom O'Connor, e mail 2/24/2008. My thanks to him for this information.]

Children of Isaac and Sarah (Harlan) Paxson: [Harlan, History and genealogy of the Harlan family, as cited by Tom O'Connor.]

i.     Mary Swayne⁶, b. 16 Oct. 1819; d. 17 June 1882; m. Marcutia C. LEWIS, 30 Nov. 1841.

ii.    Henry James, b. 24 Apr. 1821; d. Feb. 1823.

iii.   Hannah Harlan, b. 8 July 1823; d. 19 Mar. 1864; m. Edwin PARKS, 24 Aug. 1845.

iv.   John Milton, b. 7 May 1825; m(1) Nancy WARREN, 1847; m(2) Elizabeth BATTERY, 1860.

v.    Rebecca Jane, b. 6 May 1827; d. 7 May 1844; unmarried.

vi.   Sarah M., b. 18 Mar. 1829; m. Oliver P. WHITE, 26 Apr. 1849.

vii.  Isaac Harlan, b. 15 Aug 1834; m. Ellen C. THOMAS on 27 Oct. 1855.

302.     Ely Paxson⁵, son of John⁴ (Henry³ Jr., #43, Henry² #18, James¹ #3) and Mary (Ely) Paxson, was born 5 September [or 8 May, per Duncan Morrow] 1791 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He died in Hancock County, Ohio on 6 April 1879. He married twice, first on 12 December 1816 to Letitia MORTON, youngest daughter of Michael Morton who had died in 1807, and his wife Sarah (__). The marriage was held at the Indian Queen Inn in Doylestown, officiated by Robert SHEWELL, Esq. They apparently had no surviving children. One might speculate that Letitia died in childbirth. A Letitia was interred in the Solebury Friends Meeting burying ground, section A-47-3. Secondly, Ely married Ann BENNETT of Buckingham, called Nancy (a common nickname for Ann in the 19th century), at Solebury on 7 July 1821, by Josiah Y. SHAW, Esq. [Twila Jean Gunn, "The Paxson Family" typed mms, citing "Bucks County (PA) Newspaper Marriage Notices: 1804-1834", a copy kindly sent to me 7/2012 by Marvin Paxson.]

In 1833 Ely, Nancy, and their four children removed to Findlay, in Hancock County, Ohio. A fifth child, Bennett, was born there. [Gunn, "The Paxson Family" typed mms, copy sent to me by Marvin Paxson. Also information on the Mortons from Duncan Morrow, e mail 11/25/2014.]

The 1850 census listed Ely in Findley Township as a 60 year old farmer with an $8,000 farm. With him were his 49 year old wife Nancy, son Henry 26 also a farmer, son William M. a 21 year old brick maker, and son Bennet a 9-year old school boy. All but Bennett were born in Pennsylvania. [1850 federal census for Findley Township, Dist. no. 48, Hancock Co., Oh., roll M432_692, p. 18A, lines 25-29.]

In 1860 he was enumerated as "Eli Paxon" on a farm now worth only $1,200, but with personal estate of $800. He was 69, Nancy was 59, and their son Bennett, 19 was living with them, having attended school during the year. [US federal census for 1860, Findley Township, Hancock Co., Oh., roll M653_982, p. --, lines --, accessed 11/26/2014.]

In 1870 "Eli", 79, was a retired farmer with $7,000 of real estate and $5,000 personal estate. Nancy, 68, was still "Keeping house". Next door their son Bennett was a Day Laborer with his family. [1870 federal census for Findlay Township, Hancock Co., Roll M593_1218, p. 127A, lines 31-32, accessed 11/26/2014.]

Ely died intestate 6 April 1879. The court appointed Lemuel McMANNIS as administrator. He reported to the court that valid debts, funeral expenses, and the "allowance to the widow for her years support" came to over $700 plus about $100 for administering the estate. Ely's real estate consisted of part of "Out-Lot numbered One in S & P Carlin's Addition to the Village of Findlay". Nancy was entitled to dower in the premises. [United States Census, 1880," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M8M2-VKM : accessed 27 July 2012); Gunn, "The Paxson Family", sent by Marvin Paxson.]

In the 1880 census Nancy was living on South Street in Findlay with her youngest son, Bennett, who was marked as single rather than married/divorced (presumably an enumerator error) and her 18-year old grandson Firmin. She died 27 January 1884 at the home of her third son William in Marion Township, Hancock County. [1880 federal census for Findlay Township, Hancock Co., Roll 1021, ED 189, p. 585C, lines 34-36, accessed 11/26/2014; Gunn, "The Paxson Family", from Marvin Paxson.]

Children of Ely and Ann (aka Nancy) Bennett Paxson: [Children from Gunn, "The Paxson Family", from Marvin Paxson; and from censuses.]

i.     Henry Paxson⁶, b. 7 Oct. 1823 [or 17 Oct., per Duncan Morrow]; m. 18 Apr. 1855 in Findlay, Oh., Mariah LEADER; in 1850 he was unmarried, living at home, and working as a farmer; 12 children.

ii.    Morris Paxson, b. 26 Sept. 1825; d. Jan. 1893; m. 12 Mar. 1846 Mariah SHIPMAN.

iii.   William Maurice Paxson, b. 22 July 1828; d. 31 Mar. 1913 in Marin Twp.; m. after 1850 Elizabeth Ann LEADER, b. 16 Mar. 1828 in Penna., sister of Mariah; Elizabeth d. 19 Mar. 1913 in Marion. In 1850 William worked as a brickmaker; 3 children.

iv.   Sarah Ann Paxson, b. 22 Nov. 1831; d. 17 Jan. 1903 aged 71 years, 1 month, and 26 days; m. "within the year" 1850 in Findlay, Oh., John BECHTEL of Penna.; Sarah Ann and John are bur. in the Akinsville Cemetery. In the 1850 census John, 24, was a farmer but did not own a farm, his wife Sarah A. was 18, and son Bennett was 6 months, born in Ohio. [United States Census, 1880, for Findley, Hancock Co., Oh., Roll M432_692, Page 18A, lines 18-20, accessed 11/26/2014.] They had 4 children:

a) William Bechtel, b. ca. Mar. 1850 in Ohio;
b) Amos Bechtel
c) Caroline Bechtel
d) Charlie Bechtel

v.   Bennett Paxson, b. in 1840 in Findlay; m(1) Hannah HANIBLE; m(2) Emilie YOCUM; Presumably Emilie had d. by the 1880 census when Bennett was marked as "single"; 3 children from second marriage.

Descendants of James¹ and Jane (Gurden) Paxson

Descendants of Henry² and Ann (Plumley) Paxson

Grandchildren of Thomas³ and Sarah (Harvey) Paxson

306.     Elias⁵ Paxson, son of Abraham⁴ (Thomas³ #45, Henry², James¹) and Elizabeth (Brown) Paxson, was born 22 September 1776 and died on 12 March 1815. On 10 October 1798 Elias and Catherine Rice were married in Buckingham Meeting. [PA2, 9:266.] Catherine was born in 1780, the daughter of Joseph and Letitia (HARTLEY) Rice.

Children of Elias and Catherine (Rice) Paxson:[Buck MM rec]

i. Elizabeth Paxson, b. 11 Nov. 1799; m. 13 Oct. 1818 Thomas HARTLEY, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (SIMCOCK) Hartley; moved to Baltimore County, Md.

ii. Abraham Paxson, b. 17 July 1802; m. 15 Mar. 1825 in Solebury Meeting Evelina WALTON, daughter of Jacob and Hannah.

iii. Howard Paxson, b. 30 Sept. 1808; d. 5 Apr. 1886; m. in Solebury Meeting 14 May 1835 Mary SMALL, daughter of Jonas and Ann of Oxford Township, Philadelphia County. She was b. 28 Feb. and d. 17 May 1896; 9 children.

316.     Eliada⁵ Paxson, Jr., son of Aaron⁴ (Thomas³, Henry², James¹) and Letitia (Knowles) Paxson, was born 2 March 1782. He married on 13 November 1804 in Woodbury, NJ, Mary COOPER, the daughter of Amos Cooper. According to tradition Mary was the first female teacher in Bucks County, Penna. She died 29 August 1835.

Eliada was listed in the 1827 tax duplicate for Solebury. It is handwritten, with many scratch-outs and is difficult to comprehend, but it looks like he owed only 19¢. He did not have a dog.

Children of Eliada and Mary (Cooper) Paxson (may be incomplete):

i. Amos C. Paxson, b. 17 Sept. 1805 in Solebury; d. there 20 Mar. 1888; bur. at Solebury Mtg.; m(1) Rachel ELY, 9 children. Rachel d. 30 July 1857; Amos m(2) 30 Apr. 1860 in Trenton Rebekah SMEDLEY, daughter of Eli and Elizabeth (HAMBLETON). Rebekah was b. 13 Dec. 1822. They settled on Amos's farm in Solebury, but after his death the family moved to Philadelphia, at 1951 N. 31st St. Two children: Elizabeth Smedley Paxson, b. in Bucks Co., 16 Dec. 1864; unmar., telegraph operator, living with her mother; Dora Paxson, b. 3 Feb. 1866, m. 10 Oct. 1894 Joseph Edward FABIAN, son of James L., ex Rep. of Bucks Co. After mar. they settled in Phila., living with her mother. Not members of any religious society; no children. Dora taught school; was a member of the Women's Auxiliary of Bucks Co., connected with the World's Fair. [Cope, Genealogy of the Smedley Family, 438-39.]

ii. Josiah Paxson, b. 17 Feb. 1807; d. 7 Nov. 1826 while gunning in the woods.

317.     Aaron⁵ Paxson, Jr., son of Aaron⁴ (Thomas³, Henry², James¹) and Letitia (Knowles) Paxson, was born 13 May 1785, and died 20 August 1843. He married 12 May 1807 under the care of Buckingham Monthly Meeting at Solebury Meeting Elizabeth PHILLIPS. She was born on 5 December 1786, and died on St. Patrick's Day, 17 March 1843. She was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah (EASTBURN) Phillips. [Date of marriage from Penna. Archives, ser. 2, 9:266. Elizabeth's parents from http://www.pennock.ws/surnames/fam/fam06928.html 5/27/2005.]

Aaron inherited lot # 9 of the Pike Tract in Solebury, which is where he raised his family. He was on the 1827 Solebury tax duplicate for 98 acres valued at $45 each. He had three horses and four cattle, with valuations at $4,410, 10, and 48 respectively, for a total of $4,548 on which he was charged $8.62 county tax. For his dog he owed 50¢.

Children of Aaron and Elizabeth (Phillips) Paxson:

i. Thomas Paxson, b. 15 Feb. 1807 or 1808; d. 29 Apr. 1840; unmarried.[Death Notice in the Bucks County Intelligencer, which described him as about 30 years old. The year is given as 1808 in Dorothy Marty Reibold, The Life of Matthias Harvye and Family (Baltimore,, Md.: Gateway Press, Inc. 1998), 397.]

ii. Sarah Paxson, b. 27 Oct. 1811; d. 11 May 1849; m. 17 Nov. 1836 Canby SMITH at the Friends meeting house in Solebury. [Marriage Notice in the Bucks County Intelligencer, that called the groom Cary Smith.]; 2 children: Richard Smith and Sara Elizabeth Smith.

iii. Letitia Paxson, b. 26 Nov. 1809 or 1814; d. 9 Apr. 1893; m. 15 Feb. 1838 Simeon P. HAMPTON of Buckingham, at the Solebury meeting house. [Marriage Notice in the Bucks County Intelligencer.] He was the son of Joseph and Rebecca (QUIMBY) Hampton. Simeon bought in 1847 the part of the Pike Tract that his brother-in-law Ezra Paxson had inherited. [Reibold, The Life of Matthias Harvye and Family, 398.] Simeon d. 1855 in Kansas. Had at least 2 sons, mentioned in Letitia's sister Mary's will: Joseph HAMPTON and Thomas P. HAMPTON

iv. Aaron P. Paxson., b. 26 Sept. 1816 or 1813; d. 4 May 1862 in Newark; m. 2 Feb. 1843 Sarah Ann PICKERING, daughter of George. He sold his half of his father's farm in 1847 to Simeon P. Hampton [Reibold sez it was Ezra that sold his part]; went to Kendall Co., Ill., where he had a grocery store. Was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War.

v. Mary Paxson, b. ca. late fall 1818; d. 1899; unmarried. Mary Paxson was enumerated in the 1880 census as a 62-year old widow keeping house in Newtown, Bucks County, with the help of a 10-year old servant, Mary WORTHINGTON. They were both were born in Pennsylvania of Pennsylvanian parents. [ NA Film no. T9-1106, p. 459A, as transcribed on familysearch.org, seen 5 July 2005.] I don't know how to reconcile her status of unmarried with the census enumerator listing her as a widow; the nieces and nephews seem to point to this Mary Paxson. Mary wrote her will 5 Sept. 1895, well advanced in years, located in Newtown Borough; it was pr. 13 Dec. 1899. She remembered her nieces Catherine BURGESS, Jane S. TWINING, Zoeanna P. BRIGGS, Mary P. SMITH, and Achsah P. STACKHOUSE; her nephews Joseph HAMPTON, Thomas P. HAMPTON, Alvin PAXSON, George Paxson, William H. S. Paxson. She named her nephew William H. S. Paxson of Upper Makefield Twp. her executor. [Thomas G. Myers, Bucks County Pennsylvania Will Abstracts, 1870-1900 (Westminster, Md.: Willow Bend Books, 2002), 556, citing Bucks Will Bk. 29, page 108, file #20919.]

vi. Ezra Paxson, b. 28 Feb. 1820; d. 30 Apr. 1855 in Kansas City, Mo.; m. 15 Feb. 1849 Jane W. EASTBURN. She was b. 4 Nov. 1828 and d. 1 June 1856.

vii. Jane D. Paxson, b. 1829; d. 1856 age 27.

318.     John K.⁵ Paxson,  son of Aaron⁴ (Thomas³, Henry², James¹) and Letitia (Knowles) Paxson, was born 12 December 1794, and died in 1868. On 31 July 1828 he married Achsah L. DENNIS of New Jersey. Achsah was born ca. 1798 and died in Lambertville on 10 January 1852, aged about 54 years.[Death Notice in the Bucks County Intelligencer.]

John inherited lot #10 of the Pike Tract from his father. Later he sold it to his oldest son. [Dorothy Marty Reibold, The Life of Matthias Harvye and Family (Baltimore,, Md.: Gateway Press, Inc. 1998), 398.]

In September 1831 John served on a jury in Bucks County considering the case of John REYNOLDS. They decided that Reynolds had not died intestate and without heirs, and therefore the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania could not escheat his estate.[Hazard's Register of Pennsylvania 8:13 (Sept. 24, 1831) 197.]

John K. was listed on the 1863 Pennsylvania tax duplicate of occupations as a farmer.

John was buried in the Solebury Friends Meeting graveyard, beside the stone for his young son Eugene, and near his mother Letitia (Knowles) Paxson. Their stones were photographed in December 2006.

Children of John K. and Achsah (Dennis) Paxson:

i.    William Wallace, b. 11 May 1829; m. on 17 January 1855 to Mary BRITTAIN of New Jersey by the Rev. Dr. STUDDIFORD;[Marriage Notice in the Bucks County Intelligencer.]

ii.   John Lambert, b. 29 Mar. 1833; m. 1872 Jennie MANN; removed to Mobile, Ala.

iii.  Eugene, b. 8 Feb. 1839; d. 22 Oct. 1844.

319     Charles Paxson⁵, son of Moses⁴ #117 (Thomas³, Henry², James¹) and his first wife, Mary (Pownall), was born 28 August 1781. He married Anna SMITH on 16 February 1803 in Wrightstown Meeting. She was the daughter of Stephen and Phoebe.[Wrightstown MM recs; see also Penna. Archives as transcribed on http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/bucks/church/wrightstownmm01.txt ]

Charles was named by his brother Robert to be the executor of his estate in the winter of 1813. Robert died in Solebury, but had been a merchant in Cincinnati, Ohio.

This may be the Charles Paxson who, beginning in December 1830, became an active member of the visiting committee of the Friends Asylum. Charles lived "opposite" the Asylum, which was in Oxford Township near Frankford in northeast Philadelphia County.[The Friend, 4:9 (11 Dec. 1830), 68; 4:13 (8 Jan. 1831), 104 and thereafter for some years.]

Children of Charles and Ann (Smith) Paxson: (may be incomplete)

i.    Stephen S. Paxson

321.     Robert Paxson⁵, son of Moses⁴ (Thomas³, Henry², James¹) and his first wife, Mary (Pownall), was born 27 April 1788. He was unmarried when he died in February 1813. Robert signed his will 5 January 1813, describing himself "late of Cincinnati, Ohio, Merchant". He named his brother Charles his executor. The witnesses were Elias Paxson and Robert LIVEZEY. The will was probated 1 March 1813. He mentioned his father Moses, his [step] mother Mary, his brothers and sisters Charles, Ann HESTON, Hannah LIVEZEY, Thomas, Mary, and Moses; his nephew Stephen S. Paxson, son of Charles.[Bucks Co. Will Abstracts, 8:323.]

322.     Thomas⁵ Paxson, son of Moses⁴ (Thomas³, Henry², James¹) and his first wife, Mary (Pownall), was born 30 Dec. 1790. He died 6 April 1817 at New Albany, Indiana, or perhaps it was Louisiana. Thomas was not married.

324.     Moses Paxson⁵ Paxson, son of Moses⁴ (Thomas³, Henry², James¹) and his first wife, Mary (Pownall), was born 18 September 1801 and died 14 September 1822 at New Orleans. He was unmarried.

This page is still (and perennially) under construction. If you have additional information, particularly about your ancestors who are or should appear here, I would be delighted to hear from you at
 

You may go on to the (not quite complete) Sixth Generation.

Return to the Fourth Generation.

Review the First through Third Generations.

Go to the home page.

Check out the Index of Collateral Lines (many of which are not yet posted).

Or see the alphabetical index of all the names that I have of individuals born into the Paxson family, although this does seem to get outdated from time to time, and may not have the latest additions. One explanation is that from late July 2017 until May 2019 I was unable to upload additions or corrections to my web pages, thanks to rootsweb freepages combining with the for-profit ancestry.com.

If you have corrections or additions, please contact me at

Updated 3m/27/2021.

 

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