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There is some indication that the emigrant ancestors of Daniel Maddox were John Maddox and Margaret Kent. I have not been able to make a direct connection yet. If anyone has the link please CONTACT US.

The following story is a gathering of lots of facts that fit and may be John's story.

In 1638 John Maddocks was born to Ralfe Maddocks in Cheshire England, probably at Nantwich. The great Black Plague swept through England in the 1650-60s. I believe he could have had a young family that died of the Plague.

In London the Plague seems to have hit a high point in 1665-6. A widow of Ralph Burnham, Elizabeth Burnham, lost two children in 1665. Her daughter Elizabeth died 1665-7-15 and son Robert died 1665-7-27. Both of the Plague and both were of John St. the ages of the children were not given. The deaths of the children are recorded on microfilm at the Quaker library at Swarthmore College. It is Quakers Records Cope Digest London Deaths, 1661-1725 - film MR-L8.

In 1666 the Great fire of London stopped the Plague there and leveled a great deal of the city. In 1668 John Maddocks arrives from Cheshire and probably enters the construction trade.

In 1669 John marries Elizabeth Burnham. She has one son Richard from her first marriage. I believe it very possible that she is the same Elizabeth who lost the children to the plague, Elizabeth and Robert. This John and Elizabeth were Quaker. Perhaps we can connect John St. to the site where their first child is born. About 1671 their daughter Elizabeth is born in St. Pulchers in London.

In 1678 the family immigrates to Salem, New Jersey and become active in the Quaker Monthly Meeting.

So far this story comes from the Early Church Records of Salem County by Charlotte Meldrum in the chapter titled "Salem Monthly Meeting". Hinshaw also records the story in the Encylopedia of American Quakers Vol II

"1678. John Maddocks, son of Ralfe Maddocks, born in Chesshire in or about the year 1638. In the year 1668 the said John Maddocks removed to London. In the year 1669 the said John Maddocks took to wife, Elizabeth Burnham., late widow of Ralph Burnham. In the year 1671 was born in St. Pulchers in London. In the year 1678 the said John Maddocks with Elizabeth, his wife, and dau. Elizabeth, and his son-in-law Richard Burnham with two men servants namely Thomas Oads and Thomas Hooton and one maidservant named Sarah Wagstafe transported themselves to the province of west New Jersey in America. They se said from London on the 24th of the 6th mo, in the ship called the Suckcess. The master's name was Stephen Nichols and landed in Virginia the 12 mo., following and so to New Salem the province of West New Jersey."

"After this the said Elizabeth Maddocks, dau. of John Maddocks married with James Denn and had by him two children: Margaret Denn born 29th da, 4th mo, 1689. John Maddock Denn born 11th da, 6th mo, 1693."

It is interesting to note that Richard Burnham is called a son-in-law. Which of course he was but we now call that relationship stepson.

Elizabeth dies sometime before 1682 because in that year John takes up with the widow Scisila Worgan. He gets in trouble with the Quaker Meeting because he actually moves his family into her house before they are married. He finally apologizes and moves out. He marries Sisley Morgan of Alloway Creek in Salem County 1682, 10th mo, 13th day. This is also recorded in the Salem Monthly Meeting chapter of Early Church Records of Salem County

It goes on to say that he gets disowned in 1686 but I don't know why. The next time he appears in the monthly reports is on 1689/90, 12, 24 when he is reinstated AND he gets a certificate from Philadelphia Monthly Meeting to marry Margaret Kent. Which he did 1690, 1,28.

The key reason I believe he helped rebuild London is from The Welcome Society of Pa, Penn's Colony vol. 1, page 88-89 says "John Maddocks, joiner, from Nantwich, Cheshire, arrives on Endeavor in 1682, marries Margaret Kent 28 Jan 1690 by Philadelphia (Quaker) Meeting; buys 50 acres in Nether Township, Chester Co., in 1691, sells land 10 Nov 1692; fined for uttering "Scandalous and dishonourable words" against the proprietor (Chester court Records,); moves away, do not know where. "

Salem is about 30 miles downstream from Philadelphia. The records there call John Maddox a chandler.

It was actually the third known marriage that led me to think he probably married in Cheshire. This man liked to be married. Of course he could have been a late bloomer.

He continued in Salem New Jersey until 1695. He also had deed and court appearances until 1695 in Chester County PA, which is just across the Delaware River from Salem. In 1700 he sold the land he owned in Salem County, NJ to his daughter's second husband, Jeremiah Powell and neighbor Edward Hancock.

In 1700 John and Margaret Maddox appear in Virginia at a Quaker wedding. It really helps that the Quakers kept such extensive records. Everyone who attends a wedding signs the certificate. Is this our John Maddocks from Cheshire? From the Henrico Monthly Meeting 1700, 2nd month, 28th day
John and Margaret Maddox singed a certificate of a marriage held in New Kent. This was the first time their names had appeared in the Quaker records of Virginia.

Circumstantial evidence supports that idea. There is a daughter Elizabeth who marries Joseph Woodson in Virginia. There is the older son John born between 1690 and 1700. Also, the only Kent I could find in the Philadelphia Monthly minutes was a Robert Kent who died 1688, 1,8. The first son born in Virginia to John and Margaret was Robert.

From the St. Peter's parish register of New Kent Ct, Virginia records the children of John and Margaret Maddox listed are:

1. Sarah, baptized Sept 27, 1702,
2. Robert Maddox baptized Feb. 24, 1704/5
3. Susannah, baptized Oct 19, 1707
4. Michael baptized, May 31, 1713
5. Goochland court Orders May Court 1746 named John Maddox, the elder brother of Michael. John was born about 1697.

The St. Peter's parish Register notes John Maddox died Jan. 6,1718/19 and Margaret Maddox died Dec. 31, 1718. John would have been 80 years old if he had been the John from Cheshire. Margaret was probably a much younger woman.

There are a lot of avenues to trace to confirm the story. The daughter doesn't fit as smoothly. She was married in Salem. Her husband may well have died and she followed her family to Virginia, but why doesn't she use her married name when she marries Woodson?

There is one other John who must be considered a possible "John" of New Kent. John Madox, age 14, servant of George Norvell imported on the ship Constant Mary, Dec 2, 1681. (York Ct Virginia Wills, Orders, Deeds, vol.6, page 360.)

If you know the answer please CONTACT US.

1. Check the various Quaker records more thoroughly.

2. Track Richard Burnham.

3. Find out more about James Denn and the children of he and Elizabeth Maddocks

4. Why did John & Margaret leave the Quakers for St. Peters?

5. Were there other children born before St. Peters besides John?

Maier_Associates: © Copyright 2001

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3/19/2001