Quakers

Alexander Maddox and Quakers

The name James Jones keeps popping up in our discussion about Alexander, his origins and whether or not he was a Quaker,. The following is the biographical sketch of Jones from the Clayton Torrence book: Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

James Jones

James Jones, evidently a native of Monmouthshire, Wales, appeared in Northampton County, VA, as early as May, 1660, where he came into conflict with authorities because of conduct strongly savoring Quakerism. From Northampton County he removed, about 1663 or 4, to the settlement on the lower Eastern Shore of MD and settled on a plantation called "Jones Hole" on the west side of the Wicomico River. He became a member of the Commission of Peace for the Eastern Shore, August, 1665, and was named as one of the first magistrates for Somerset County in the commission of Aug. 22, 1666. He, with George Johnson, requested "time to consider the oath" of office before qualifying, evidently owing to Quaker scruples about taking oaths. These "scruples" were, however, overcome, for we find record that Jones (together with Johnson) took the oath, Sept. 11, 1666, before Gov. Calvert at St. Mary’s City. Jones continued to hold office as Magistrate from Aug. 1665 until his death in 1677, at the same time faithfully abiding in Quakerism

James Jones acquired a considerable estate in lands in Somerset County which, with his personality, he devised at his death in 1677 to his wife, Sarah Jones, and "to my cousin Andrew Jones." It does not appear that Jones left any children. The major portion of Jones’ estate finally passed to his cousin, Andrew. It is not improbable that Andrew Jones, designated as a cousin was in reality a nephew of James. The term "cousin" as used in colonial times , usually signified nephews and nieces. This Andrew Jones came to Somerset County and died there in 1684. His estate was administered by Thomas Brereton in May, 1686. Andrew Jones married, Jan. 13, 1680/1, Elizabeth Winder. She married, second, Thomas Brereton. Andrew and Elizabeth had no children.

It appears that in October, 1686, Thomas Jones, the elder , of the Parish of Trevethin, in County Monmouth [Wales], Gentleman, Howell Jones, Gentleman, his only then living son, gave power of attorney to Stephen Luffe and Rev. John

Huett, of Somerset County, Maryland, to sell the plantations which were formerly the property of Andrew Jones, late of Wickacomoco River, Somerset County, Gentleman, deceased, except the right therein of the wife of said Andrew Jones, who is now the wife of Thomas Brewerton [Brereton]. It further appears that Andrew Jones, of Somerset County, was a brother of the above mentioned Howell Jones and a son of Thomas Jones, the elder, of the parish of Trevethin, county Monmouth, Wales. It is not improbable that James Jones was a brother of this Thomas Jones, the elder, and hence the uncle to Andrew Jones, whom he made his heir.

Okay, that's the full sketch. There's no mention of the Maddox family in any connection to either Jones or to Quakers. Torrence does say that the early Quaker records were "missing" at the time he wrote his book. (1935). So, I don't know if this is any help to those looking into Alexander's origins. The Maddox family is listed among the Church of England families. But remember, the early Somerset family was descended from Lazarus and Alexander. Lazarus having been brought here with his mother after her marriage to William Bozman. I'm not sure when Alexander came to Somerset. So, more information, more questions and no answers....

Sharon______________________________________________________________________

There is an interesting article on the Quaker migration to the south and the genealogy of Joseph and Thomas Maddock.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/2064/quakemig.htm

Karen________________________________________________________________________________

"He (Thomas Leatherbury) had settled near Onancock, Accomack County, Virginia before 1645 and this property became his home property. In November of 1660, he and several other men were taken to trial in Jamestown and convicted of being Quakers. Most of these men, who included Ambrose Dixon, Henry Voss, Henry WHITE and Levin DENWOOD (also tied into Maddux line by marriage), eventually moved out of the Colony of Virginia and into the Colony of Maryland, where they could more freely practice their religion. THOMAS AND ALEXANDER MADDOXare known to have owned about 600 acres of land in Northampton County, Virginia that is known to be the location of the first know Quaker Meeting House on the Eastern Shore of Virginia"...

This may stir some interest. I think Henry White could have been a brother to Eleanor. Also of the the two Maddox brothers married into the Denwood family. This was the property coowned by Alexander and James Jones (an ardant Quaker).

Lazarus was a member of the Church of England and did not live amoung the Maryland colony of Quakers.

Jim__________________________________________________________________________________

There are a few things that I read at this resource

http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/bricks/QUAKERS.HTM that leads me to believe there is a good chance that our Alexander was a Quaker. First, that Quakers came specifically to the Nassawaddox creek area in 1654. This is the same date that Alexander received his headright there. There was quite a large community of Quakers there. However, he is not specifically named. But, the fact that Quaker marriages were not recorded leads me to believe that his first marriage may have been Quaker. Not all the facts point to this yet in my mind, but it is worth investigating.

- Kevin Maddux -_________________________________________________________

It is strange to reply to your own e-mail, isn't it. But I was hoping to continue a line of thought. I researched more information about the Quakers and discovered George Fox to be the founder. The problem I am having with that is that George Fox is a contemporary of Alexander. George was born in 1624 and died 1691. So, by 1654 George is just 20 years old. Also, James Naylor, an ardent Quaker, was tried before parliament in 1656. So, if George is the founder, Quakers didn't begin until when? 1654? I am confused? It does not appear to me that this is a fruitful path leading back to England. I was hoping Quaker records might provide some unknown or undiscovered link. So, I could be wrong but, where does this lead us? I am thinking that James Jones became a Quaker between 1665 and 1660. Alexander may have or may not. Did the Quakers begin before their founder George Fox?

- Kevin Maddux -_________________________________________________________

I had the same problem with the dates. Fox was active in the 1650's with the movement. Our link with the Quakers was most probably the sons of Alexander. Although the movement labeled the Quakers seemed to have started around 1650, the religious dissonents who were the eventual base for the Quaker movement was in the air at the time of Alexander's arrival.

Fox was active in Whales and England and traveling through Whales (Manmouthshire) about the time that the people arrived who accounted for the headrights of Alexander and James Jones.

If you look at the ties to the Early Quaker leaders to the Maddox family and the marriages to these early members it is a very close association. Keep in mind that Lazarus was a member of the Church of England and confirmed it.

There was a county in Georgia which was settled by the Quakers and led by the Maddox family.

This may not contribute at all to the discussion but is interesting.

The Eastern shores and the Maddox family were associated with the first members of the movement. George Fox even visited the farm of James Jones in Maryland and the colony of friends in Sommerset county.

I think most of the families moving from northern Virginia to Maryland were Quakers or dissidents. I think those who were strongly Quaker located in groups in the southern part of the County while Alexander's children settled in the north and western part. However, those who were intermarried (Dennis and others) stayed with the Maddox family and you see them signing and wittnessing wills.

I descend from the Georgia (Alexander, Lazarus, Alexander, Alexander, Joseph, John, part of the

family who stayed in Georgia. There is no connection with any of the families who left Delaware to come to Georgia with the Quakers (that I can identify).

My conclusions would be that James Jones (from Manmouthshire) was a founding member of the Virginia movement. George Fox traveled and was jailed in Monmouthshire and knew James Jones (at least from the new county).

Further, families were constantly being brought over to the new county and especially those who were dissident. It is very probable that Alexander Maddox was tolerant and involved with the

Quakers. Thus, I believe those brought over by Jones and Maddux were from a religious base in their common shire in England.

Keep up the good work and eventually something will develope (especially with the tremendous acceleration of data being added to the internet).

Jim_______________________________________________________________________