William Paxton: Timeline for My Brick Wall

 The Paxton family is the only family on my maternal grandmother's side that I have been struggling with for, well, 20 years. I knew that Emma Paxton was my grandmother's grandmother. Early on someone sent me her obituary and I found a few descendants of her siblings who had a family bible. From that we had her father Benjamin Paxton, (not Henry Benjamin as some have it), her mother Mary Douglas and the birth dates of her siblings. 

I also found his obituary, which said he came to the United States at age 8 and was born in Buckingham-shire. Records from the town where he enlisted listed his parents, William Paxton and Mary Brown and said he was born in Oxford-shire, around 1823. I still find no baptism record for him. His marriage to his third wife is recorded as taking place in a Methodist Episcopalian church, consistent with the Church of England. 

No matter how hard I searched for years, I just didn't get very far. We found Benjamin first in 1850 in Saint Lawrence County, listed as a cobbler with his wife Mary and first son, William H. (Henry) Paxton. In the household was a Martha Paxton who I took to be his sister. I was able to track William Paxton forward from there and all of his children, but still nothing on his parents. I am pretty sure folks have the Henry Benjamin because of the eldest son's name, but at the time of Benjamin's birth, it was rare to see middle names in any baptisms I have found among all my English ancestors.

About a year ago, I noticed some in common matches with my Paxton relatives (we have a lot of those) with my grandmother's sister and an Endersbee and a Paxton from Canada. Researching both lead me to discover that Martha Paxton, the sister in 1850 married a William Endersbee and is the ancestor of those Endersbee matches, who remained in Saint Lawrence county, New York. The Paxton came from King County, Ontario, and the 1851 and 1861 showed a William Paxton born in 1781 and 1796 (same guy with same family) in England. William's wife Catherine was Catholic and records in Quebec show the family lived there prior to locating to Ontario sometime between 1840 and 1851. The baptisms give her maiden name as Byran, but the marriage record from 1835 gives the name of Brown. The couple had four children, Mary, Eliza Ann, John P and George Paxton.

I decided to forgo the Brown for Benjamin's mother, but still had little luck. There aren't all that many William Paxton's born between  1781-1796, but there are fewer maybe 4 or 5 born in Buckingham or Oxford. I found one I like (and still do, despite the one tree I found that had that William) born in 1786 in Maid Moreton, the son of a John Paxton and Sarah. The reason I feel this one is the most likely, is that literally none of the others seem feasible as they are traceable in their village and county after the emigration of my William, where the Maid Moreton isn't there. Also the entire family were cobbler's, and given the time, I think this may be how Benjamin was trained in his train. It is my best theory, but it is by no means sure. I have spent a bit of time tracing these descendants out, but there aren't all that many and we have had no DNA matches to confirm it.

 I found an 1833 burial in the same church in Quebec for a Mary Paxton. Today I found in the same church in 1832 a burial for Mary Paxton, age 12, the daughter of William Paxton emigrant and Mary Adams. Both records are in the same church, a Church of England denomination in Quebec, as the marriage record found in 1835. Looking for marriage records, I find one William Paxton in England marrying a Mary Adams, in St. Paul's Weldon in Hertfordshire in 1821.  It is a little distant from where the Paxton's were supposed to live, but it does seem like this might be our family. Also, the sons of John Paxton did move away to practice their trade. Nowhere do I find baptisms for any of the three children, Mary, Benjamin or Martha Paxton. All of them were supposed to be born in England prior to emigrating to England around 1832. The religious history in the records (Canadian census, church records, and marriages) does not suggest they were non-conformists. There aren't any in there either anyhow.

By 1851, William moved to King, Ontario where he remained until his death in 1869. His sons and daughters from his second wife marry from there and some move to the states while other's remain in the same county in Canada. Canadian records just aren't at the same level as England or the States, so I haven't found much else to go on. I have not found any ship information for transportation which should be in 1832 to Canada based on what Benjamin Paxton said and the records in Canada. 

We have a similar brick wall for Mary Douglas. She is matching a Paxton from Saint Lawrence in 1850 who was born in 1794 in Canada, but he is a dead end. She also has several matching suggesting she is related to the Douglas family of Vermont who move to Clinton County. Some of their family did go on to Quebec, so that may be the connection. It does appear that she is either Canadian or American and not English.

America, a History of Two Countries, Not Just One

 2020, what a year. I was thinking how history will record this year, and really the last decade in American history. The politics, the divide in political ideology of our people. And then I got to thinking about the history I have learned in the 20 plus years of genealogy. How different some of what I have learned is from the narrative I was taught in high school or college. I was researching some Scottish and Irish history too because it relates to one of my families, and then again, I thought. My family history, and I think many American's is not a history of one country but two. And there is quite a bit of that narrative I did not necessarily learn accurately either. So will some far off descendant or relative learn our narrative the way we may see it today, or under a different lens?

In 1641 a rebellion in Ireland caused the death of a son of a Robert McCurdy. The rebellion also involved  Archibald Stewart in Ballintoy, Ireland. This rebellion is one of many skirmishes between Catholics and Protestants that occurred in Ireland for centuries. Archibald Stewart, a grandson of Ninian Stewart of the Island of Bute, was a steward of the Earl of Antrim. Antrim is home to many of the highlanders we Americans know as the Scots Irish, and the place we can trace our family history back to. It is these descendants of Ninian Stewart that are rumored to be the McCurdy connection to the royal house of Stewart of Scotland. (Contrary to the rumors, Margaret Stewart, the alleged connection is not descended from James Stewart the King of Scotland, but is connected rather to Robert the Bruce if the connection can ever be confirmed).

Meanwhile in what would become the United States of America, three Brownson siblings settled in Connecticut. The Brownsons community would become the Puritans we learned about in school. One branch, now under the name of Brunson would move to the Santee river in South Carolina. Joined by a settlement of Huguenots, the St. Mark's Parish Church would represent almost a century of the family history. All of the Brunson's in the south descend from this branch.

Nearby in Massachusetts and Vermont, settlers from the Wheelers, Hinds, Bent, Whittemore and many other families would also settle. My mother's maternal grandfather's family descends from many of these early settlers. As American's we were taught that the impetus for the journey to America was religious freedom. Ironically, that wasn't exactly the impediment that the new colonists faced.

Non-conformists, sometimes called dissenters, were prohibited from holding office until 1828, but the ability to practice the religion had been resolved long before the first shots of the American Revolution. I think rather, truth be told, it was other freedoms that drove colonists to the new country. In America, they could hold land, even if the cost of transport was indentured servitude. The poverty of the villages and a society based on land ownership of an entitled class system likely had as much or more to do with the desire to come to the wilds of America. 

My mother's maternal grandmother's family were late arrivals to America. As a consequence, it is more difficult to trace their lines back as far. Because, for the most part, common laborers are hard to find in records prior to 1700. The only reason we know anything about the Brownson's is that an archeological survey was done on the village they came from. Now, there are areas within America we also can't trace as well. Descendants of North Carolina, South Carolina, early Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia are often faced with a gap in records. Many due to Sherman's march across the south which burned those records, though to be honest, fire has cost us valuable documents regardless of the cause in many areas of the country. Particularly Alabama, which has 80% of it's counties having burned records in it's past.

There is one family line we can perhaps trace further back, the Dudley's of the midlands, descending from an illegitimate daughter of Edward Sutton, the 5th Baron of Dudley who died in 1642. By all accounts, the connection of Martha Dudley to Edward Sutton, through her grandmother Catherine Sutton, a daughter of Edward Dudley and his mistress, appears to be legitimate. The Dudley's can be traced back to a John Dudley born in 1413 who was a gentleman of Tipton, but it is her maternal line, that can be traced back to royalty of England. 

Unlike the McCurdy's whose claim to royal connections is fraught with barriers and obstacles, this is the one connection that appears to be legitimate. I have addressed these issues in a previous blog, but will expand on the connections again soon. Edward Sutton, the 5th Baron of Dudley's royal connections come through his paternal grandmother's family. His paternal grandmother's grandmother, Eleanor de Holland is a descendant of Edward Longshanks and his wife Margaret of France. She is also a descendant of Louis, King of France, Henry II, King of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry III, King of England and Llewyln the great. Though he is also descended from other aristocratic families, it is the descendants of Joyce Cherleton that gives his family line these connections. 

Ironically, the Lords and Earls of Dudley would own the very ironworks that their descendants would one day work as common laborers who toiled in the dangerous work of the villages of Staffordshire. Descendants who would die in workhouses and lie buried in unmarked graves. I never understood the appeal of linking oneself to royalty but many find it worthwhile. Though to be honest, it does make it a bit easier to find a trail if you have that connection. 

While my grandmother's paternal family were early colonists in American, her maternal family were early non-conformist in the villages of the midlands. My grandfather's American ancestor's cannot be traced nearly as far, but the Trahern's were among the first Methodist Episcopalians in Maryland and Virginia, though they appear to have had strong connections to the Quakers if they did not start out as such. Though religion does seem to take a prominant place in this blog, it is I think the context of understanding the motivations and path religion has had in the history of not just our country, but of England and my ancestors. 

I think that to understand a bit of the early foundations of the United States, takes an understanding of English history of the same time. King James II, his son Charles, Cornwall. This is the history that drove many of the Scottish to Ireland, and then to the United States, but it also impacted our non-Scottish ancestors as well.

Some Deeds and Notes for Hardy of Pitt County

 There is no doubt that my Hardy family goes back to Pitt County, North Carolina. With the new deeds online I have found some. There were two Isaacs. One had no children, and his brother, Abraham filed for land as his heir under service in the American Revolution. The other, married Nancy Williams. This is the deed I found confirming the marriage (Nancy was from neighboring county).

Other deeds I found were for Robert, Isaac's father to his brother Josiah, brother John, brother-in-law William Moore. 

There is a deed from Isaac Hardee to John Simpson January 23, 1784. This does not mention release of dower, so, it may be the Isaac Hardee that is a nephew of Robert, or it could mean that Nancy and Isaac married between January 23, 1784 and Feb 24, 1784. Both deeds mention John Simpson's land. John Simpson was married to a daughter of John Hardee. 

There is a deed from 1783 from and Isaac Hardee to a William Morris or Moore (hard to read). This one is witnessed by John Hardee (likely son of Robert) and Abraham Hardee. I suspect his is the Isaac who is the brother of Abraham. 

Finally, on July 29, 1763 Isaac Hardee sold to Robert Hardie land he had purchased of John Hock earlier that year. This is witnessed by John Hardee, and I believe this is the Isaac Hardee who is a son of Robert. 

August 31, 1762, Robert Hardee gave his son John a negro boy, Solomon age 3 or 4. This is witnessed by John Hardee and William Moore. 

February 4, 1762 Robert Hardee gave his son-in-law William Moore a negro girl named Afrika. Witnessed by John Spiers Jr and William Jones.

August 26, 1766 Robert Hardee deeds land to his son Josias Hardee, witnessed by John Simpson

October 24, 1770 Robert Hardee deeds  land to  George McGround. Witnessed by Edward Williams and Ben King

April 23, 1782 Robert Hardee deeds further land to Josias Hardee.

Notes:

In 1760 their is a noted death of an Isaac Hardee. This would be a brother/cousin to John Hardee and Robert Hardee. 

The Isaac Hardee with a deed in 1791 is the brother of Abraham Hardee (I believe the other died the year previous).

Some older wills (I haven't been able to locate)

Feb 1761, Abraham Enloe, admin Susannah widow, John Hardee, and securities George Moye and John Simpson

1761 Thomas Hardee (1767 estate John Simpson)

May 1762 Joseph Hardee, admin John Simpson

Feb 1765 John Dixon (neighbor)- wife Ann admin (his deed witnessed by Isaac Hardee and George Moye)

Aug 1766 Mary Moye, admin George Moye

Feb 1767  John Spier, Admin Eliza Spier, securities John Hardee and John Simpson

Jan 1781 Charles Hardee, Admin Dorothy Hardie, Securities John Hardee and George Moye

 

Some American Revolution paperwork. Both Isaac Hardee's were officers under Capt William Burney who served under John Simpson.

THE MEMORIAL OF THE OFFICERS OF THE 10TH N. C. REGIMENT.

[From Executive Letter Book.]

To his Excellency Richard Caswell Esqr Governor, Captain, General, and Commander in chief, in and over the State of North Carolina.

The Memorial of the Lieut. Colonel, Major and other Officers, of the 10th Regiment of North Carolina Forces Sheweth. That your Memorialists were appointed officers, and received Commissions from Colonel Abraham Sheppard, commanding the said Regiment; which Regiment, your Memorialists, well knew was to be raised in the space of something less than three months, viz. from the 19th of April to the 1st of July following: actuated by a love of Liberty, Freedom, and the United Scates; and a regard for the Honor, Character and Respect of this State in particular your Memo'ts were induced to enter into the service: not from any lucrative views, as they are well known to be in general proprietors of fortunes sufficient to enable them to live in credit and affluence at Home, and being persons of some influence in their respective Counties, did jointly raise the number of men, stipulated by act of Assembly to be raised by the said Cols. Abraham Sheppard and More, as has fully appeared by return made to your Excellency and Council.

Your Memo'l's under the sanction of public faith, promised the men enlieted by them, the different clothing ordered Continental Soldiers by Resolve of Congress, which they were to receive at Kingston, the place of Rendez-vous—at the junction of different Companies at said place, they only had, delivered them part viz: Coats, Shoes, Frocks, and Blankets, and of those not a sufficient number. The Commissary of Stores, there promised, that they should be furnished with the remainder at Halifax; thither the Regiment cheerfully marched, crossed the River Roanoke, and encamped about two miles from the said Town. It waited eight days for the Commissary of Stores, who at his arrival could not make up the deficiency of the men's clothing and they got but a few of the articles before recited, with one hundred and eleven pair of summer breeches. Not one hat or pair of stockings has the Regiment received, hardly half their Tents, or kettles, and there are now many of the men exposed to the inclemency of the weather, without Blankets or Tents or shoes.

Your Memo'ts would therefore represent to your Excellency, that they are now exposed to the censure of their Soldiers for breach of promise: The Regiment is now at twelve miles distance from Halifax on their way to the Northward, they are well acquainted with the Spirit and love of Liberty of their men, they know they are willing to be lead by them to any part provided they could fulfill their promises, which it is humbly presumed were nothing more than the Authority of the Legislature must justify. They would, to conclude, request, that their men may be duly served with their proper necessaries; and they will wait for and duly execute the orders issued to them with the greatest alacrity. On the contrary it is with submission represented the bad consequences that may arise from their not being duly served; and the little esteem an officer, and such a Gentleman must be held in, when he is liable to be reproached (and with justice) by his men for breach of promise.

CALEB KEAN 1st Lieut.

LEWIS CANNON 1st Lieut.

TIMOTHY JONES 2nd Lieut.

REUBEN ROUNTREE 2nd Lieut.

WM. SHEPPARD 1st Lieut.

ISAAC HARDEE 2nd Lieut.

THOMAS SHUTE Ensign.

GEORGE COOK. 1st Lieut.

MATHEW McCAULEY “

JOHN LOW 2nd Lieut.

PETER DAUGE L. Col.

JOHN SHEPPARD Major

ABRAHAM SHEPPARD Capt.

JAMES WILSON Capt.

ANDREW VANNOY Capt.

SILAS STEVENSON Capt.

ISAAC MOORE Capt.

DEMSY GREGORY Capt.

JOHN JONES Capt.

HENRY CANNON 2d Lieut

 

Capt. Wm. Burney.

James Brooks, Lt.

Charles Taylor.

William Taylor.

John May.

Archibald Addams.

John Hardee.

Flish Cox.

Norlen Mills, Jun’r.

Norlen Mills, Sen’r.

Andrew Hardey.

Daniel Willson.

Rich’d Albritton.

James Handcock.

Alex’d Danield.

Isaac Buck.

Will’m Travis.

Isaac Mills.

Sampson Slaughter.

Wm. Slaughter.

Ezechiah McAfee.

Joshua Putnell.

Michael Moss.

George Williams.

John Stocks, Sen’r.

Lemuel Cherry.

David Mills.

Fried Mills.

Isaac Stocks.

Isaac Brooks.

John Brooks.

Samuel Cannon.

John Cannon.

Thomas Hardey.

Thomas Grager.

John Haddick.

George McGowen.

William Cannon.

John May.

Peter Moss.

Pearson Toten.

John Stocks, Jun’r.

William Williams.

David Williams.

Simon Burney.

William Handcock.

Harry Smith.

Samuel Knight.

Moses Strawhorne.

John Avary.

Thomas Smith.

Stewart Gorden.

Robert Hardey.

Isa’h Hardey.

Lemuel Simmons.

Benjamin Allen.

William King.

Jesse King.

Starkey Bell.

Benjamin Cory.

William McGowen.

Thomas English.

John Mills, Sen’r.

John Mills, Jun’r.

John Robinson.

Thomas Tuton.

James Quartermuss.

Thomas Albritton.

Isaac Hardey.

Joseph Stevens.

Abraham Adams.

Isaac Nobels.

Margaret Tanner.

John Simpson.