Individual Details

William Maxwell first appears on a personal property tax list, 1795, with two white males over 21, 6 horses, 30 head of cattle. A property tax list for 1797, shows he had 200 acres, entered and surveyed by himself, on the Gasper River. This places Maxwell's arrival about the same time as the Haden family, which also located on the Gasper. A John Maxwell appeared on the pers prop tax rolls a year earlier in 1794 - only himself, no horse, etc. so quite likely a young man.

William Maxwell is likely the son of John Maxwell who is estimated to have been born about 1720-1721, probably in Northern Ireland. He is presumed to be the father of the three sons baptized in the Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church near present-day Staunton in Augusta County.
William 3 Jul 1743
James 15 Aug 1745
Thomas 28 Feb 1748
It is not known at this time who was the mother of the above children of John Maxwell. It is a fact that after 1750 John’s wife was named Mary. But in 1749 John Maxwell sold his first land, Augusta Co, and in this record no wife was named so was presumably deceased. John lived in an area of Augusta that became Botetourt and then Rockbridge Counties.

John apparently advanced household goods to his son William:
At a Court held for Botetourt County on the 10 Day of Nov 1773…
“Know all Men by these presents that I Wm Maxwell of Botetourt County for & in consideration of the Sum of Twenty pounds Lawful Money of Virginia to me in hand paid by John Maxwell of Botetourt County farmer The Receipt ___ I do hereby acknowledge have bargained Sold & Delivered & by these presents do Bargain Sell & Deliver unto the said John Maxwell
To have & to hold the said Bargained Premises unto the said Jno Maxwell his exects Adm:or assigns for ever & I the said Wm Maxwell for myself my ExecrsAdms shall & will Warrant & for ever defend against all persons by these Presents he said Bargained Premises unto the said Jno Maxwell his execrs Adms & assigns provided nevertheless that if I Wm Maxwell My Execrs & Adm. & assigns or any of us do & shall Well & truly may or cause to be paid unto the said John
To one Bedsted & Beding @ value ............... 4 10 6
To one chest & Table ....................................... 1 6 0
To four Dishes & eight plates ........................ 1 6 0
to two pots a frying pan tea kettle &
sauce pan .............................................................. 1 0 0
to a tub pail Copper Ladle & candlestick ...... 12 _
To a spinning Wheel ........................................ 0 6 0
To a Looking Glass ........................................... 0 9 0
To Tea tackling(?) ............................................. 0 12 6
To a cow & calf .................................................. 3 0 0
Maxwell his Execrs Adms or assigns the Sum of twenty pounds principal therefore on the fifth Day of November Next Ensuing the Date hereof for Redemption of the Said Bargained Premises then this Present Bill of Sale is to be void or Else to Remain in full force In Witness Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & seal this fifth Day of November 1773
Sealed & Delivered
in the presence of
Wm McElheny
George Wilkinson

A John Maxwell died in Rockbridge Co and his inventory was recorded in Will Book 1, dated 17 Jan 1786, and recorded 7 Feb 1786. This would seem to be William's father.


“KNOW all men by these presents that William Maxwell of the County of Logan and state of Kentucky for good and divers causes do Constitute my Trusty friend Audly Maxwell my attorney in fact for any use and in my name to convey to a certain Robert Wilson by special or general warranty a Certain Tract or par-cel of Land Containing three hundred and Eighty five acres Lying and being in the County of Rockbridge State of Virginia on Seeder Creek near the Short Hill which said Land formerly belonged to John Maxwell now deceased at the time of his death I do hereby invest the Said Audly Maxwell with full Power to Convey the Same as I could do were I my self Personally Present In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 29th day of September 1790.
Signed Sealed and Delivered William Maxwell”156
“This Indenture made this Nineteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred and ninety six betwixt Audly Maxwell of the County of Wythe ___ & Virginia Atty in fact for William Maxwell of Logan County state of Kentucky ….”
Rockbridge Deed Book C, p. 330.

Rebekah Proctor is mentioned as daughter of William, receiving $1, as though she had already received her share. Will dated 13 Aug 1819. Probated Dec 1820. Children are listed here as found in that will.

Note: The following abstracts omitted a daughter Rachel Allen which appears in some databases.
Source: Logan County, Kentucky Historical Society
Written: August 13 1819
Recorded: December 18 1820
WILLIAM MAXWELL Sr died in Logan County, Kentucky. He mentions all of his
children in his will as follows:
MARY MAXWELL alias MARY HARRIS (sic - she was Mary NORRIS)
MARGET MAXWELL alias MARGET MORGAN
JOHN MAXWELL
JAMES MAXWELL
ELIZABETH MAXWELL alias ELIZABETH JENKINS
REBECCA MAXWELL alias REBECCA PROCTOR
THOMAS MAXWELL
WILLIAM MAXWELL Jr
JANE MAXWELL
AUDDLY MAXWELL
Wittness:
DAVID MARKSFIELD, THOMAS PERRY, HUGH C. DONAGHE
Additional Comments:
William's wife, Mary, was not mentioned. She must have already died.

From Abstracts of Wills & Settlements, Logan Co, KY 1795-1838
WB B, p.324-325
$1 each to the following sons and daughters: Mary Maxwell Norris, Margaret Morgan, John Maxwell, James Maxwell, Elizabeth Jenkins, Rebekah Proctor, and Thomas Maxwell. To William Maxwell Jr. 1/3 of tract on which I live. To Jane Maxwell, daughter, $100 and all of house and kitchen furniture. To Auddly Maxwell, son, 2/3 of land I live on, farming tools. To Rachel Allin, dau, $100.
Written 13 Aug 1819. Auddly Maxwell, Executor. Wit: David Manksfield, Thomas Perry, Hugh C. Donaghe.
Date of probate: 18 Dec 1820

Logan Co DB W
p.369 2 Sep 1839 James Maxwell to the heirs of Thomas Maxwell, dec'd. $138. Land on Gasper R, part of tract patented to William Maxwell containing 69 acres.
Signed: James Maxwell, Margaret (x) Maxwell.
Rec. 2 Sep 1839
p.370 2 Sep 1839 James Maxwell to Samuel Price. $193. Tract on Gasper R, part of tract patented to Wm Maxwell. 96 acres.

Christen	3 Jul 1743	Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church, Augusta County, Virginia
Death	Bef 18 Dec 1820	Logan County, Kentucky

Child	Mary Maxwell ( - )
Child	Margaret Maxwell ( - )
Child	John Maxwell ( - )
Child	James Maxwell ( - )
Child	Elizabeth Maxwell ( - )
Child	Rebecca Maxwell ( - 1841)
Child	Thomas Maxwell ( - )
Child	William Maxwell Jr. ( - )
Child	Jane Maxwell ( - )
Child	Auddly Maxwell ( - 1825)
Child	Rachel Maxwell ( - )