Family:John Maxwell and Unknown Unknown (2)

The child list for this couple is based on John Maxwell's importation oath, given in Orange County VA, in July of 1740.

July 24, 1740 - John Maxwell came into Court and made oath that he imported himself, Margaret, John Jr, Thomas, Mary & Alexander Maxwell, from Ireland to Philadelphia, and from thence to this colony at his own charges, and that this is the first time of his proving his rights in order to obtain land. Which is ordered to be certified. [Orange County Virginia, Court Order Book B., 1739-1741 (fide Source:Houston, et al. 1916.

The list of persons imported at the expense of John Maxwell, does not specify their relationship to John. We assume they are his children, though other interpretations are possible. Many genealogists identify "Margaret" as his wife, but she is not so designated, and other genealogists identify her as a daughter. Additional children are often identified for this couple, including three ("William", "John" and "Thomas") whose baptisms were performed at Tinkling Springs (Beverley's Manor) between 1741 and 1747, and whose father is identified as "John Maxwell". Since two of the three share a common name with someone listed on the oath of importation ("john" and "Thomas") it seems highly unlikely that these three children are the sons of John (88). A "John Maxwell and wife Mary" were living in this area until c1750. This John is most likely the son of John (88), and it seems most likely that he was the father of the three children baptized at Tinkling Springs. Significantly, the last baptism at Tinkling Springs for a child of John Maxwell, occurs in February of 1747, and by 1750 the couple had left the immediate area, settling near Natural Bridge, in what is now Rockbridge County. Children subsequent to the birth of Thomas in 1747 would probably have not been baptized at Tinkling Springs, and in fact, there are no further records for children of John Maxwell in the Tinkling Springs records. See: Analysis. Vita and Family of John Maxwell (88) for further discussion.