Thomas Maxwell Sr (bef. 1750 - 1827)

Born before 1750 in Fife, Scotland [uncertain]

Husband of Margaret Mary (McPhail) Maxwell — married 1785 in Sampson, North Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died 15 Nov 1827 after age 77 in Sampson, North Carolina, United States [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Mark Summers [send private message]

Biography

Thomas was born before 1750, possibly in Fife, Scotland.^{[citation needed]}

Among his children were:^[1]

1. William Maxwell (born 23 Jan 1786)
2. Daniel Maxwell (1788-21 Jun 1832)
3. Thomas Maxwell Jr, who in 1806 moved to Cumberland County - his profile shows a birth date of about 1760 (the same year as his proven wife's birth year). The Bundy & Brooks (1996) text lists Thomas Maxwell Jr as the last son in order, but does not state that he was the youngest, and only gives 1806 as a date certain for his move to Cumberland County.^[1]

Baptismal Records, Old Bluff Presbyterian Church, Wade, Cumberland County

See Bridges, Myrtle N, page creator. BAPTISMAL RECORDS - OLD BLUFF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH —M—. 22 Apr 2019. Citing "Colorful Heritage Documented - The Story of Barbecue Bluff and Longstreet Churches" and transcription by Fields, William C & MacLean Alchin, Barbara as was as original papers of McAlister, Alexander.

• William Maxwell (Mar 1786): 1786 March - Mr. Thomas Maxwell and his spouse Marry McFaill had a son baptized named William - presumptive baptism of William, the presumptive first born
• Betty Maxwell (17 Jun 1799): 1799 June 17th - Thomas Maxwell and his spouse Mary McPhaile had a daughter baptized named Betty
• Note that this generation of Thomas appears to have married a Mary McPhail. His son, Thomas Robert Maxwell (bef.1760-abt.1826), appears to have married Margaret Mary (McPhail) Maxwell (bef.1760-aft.1800).

Research Notes

• A generation may either be skipped or duplicated: another Thomas Maxwell already has William Maxwell as his son. Without review of the additional work by Brooks & Bundy described in the sources, it may be difficult to sort out the lineage.

He died 15 Nov 1827.^[1]

From "Coherie to Cape Fear" vol 3, page 1531

Thomas Maxwell, born about 1765 and died 15 November 1827, possibly son of William Maxwell, Jr.1, married Mary McPhail. The 1783 Tax List of Duplin County (including the present Sampson County but not 100% complete) lists only one Maxwell, Jas. with an assessment of 65 pounds. The 1784 Tax List of Sampson County lists no Maxwells.

Thomas Maxwell received a grant from Governor Samuel Ashe of 100 acres on the "North [sic] side of Black River and joining the East boundary of the land he lives on" by Grant No. 612 dated 6 December 1797 (Land Grant Book 92, p. 300). This tract was entered 9 January 1796 (Entry No. 1083) and surveyed that day by John Dickson, Sampson County Deputy Surveyor. Chain bearers were James Dickson and Thos Maxwell.

Thomas Maxwell received a grant from Governor Samuel Ashe of 50 acres "on the East side of Black River and including said Maxwells crossing place on said River" by Grant No. 613 dated 6 December 1797 (Land Grant Book 92, p. 301). This tract was entered 9 January 1796 (Entry No. 1084) and surveyed 27 February 1796 by John Dickson, Deputy Surveyor. Chain bearers were Isom Autry, Sen: and William Kean.

The starting point of the next above grant, "a water oak and sweet gum on the Bluff of the River", a point just to the north of where the present S.R. 1006 crosses South River, also served as the starting point for the 30,000 acre survey of Roger Alden which included all the unclaimed land between Black River and Little Coharie north of this point to Lee's Chapel Baptist Church on U.S. 421, encompassing the northern part of the present Dismal Township and much of Mingo Township. This grant was entered 9 March 1796 and surveying was completed 11 March 1796 by John Dickson, Sampson County Deputy Surveyor. Chain bearers were Thomas Sterling, Levi Dudley, Micajah Williford, and Thomas Maxwell. The 100 acre grant first mentioned was within the boundaries of Roger Alden's grant but is not listed as one of the excluded tracts (Land Grant Book 88, p. 217).

Thomas bought a tract of 650 acres on 11 March 1802 from John Dickson, agent for Robert C. Johnston of New York, for 82 Pounds East of Black River on Beaver Dam Swamp and Flat Bush or Branch and joining Maxwells line where he lives, "starting at a corner of the land he bought of Charles Butler . . . Part of Roger Aldens Survey." The deed was registered 4 January 1802 [sic] (Deed Book 11s, p. 507). No record has been found of a purchase of land from Charles Butler.

On 30 August 1804, Daniel MacNeill sold to Thomas Maxwell for 210 Pounds six tracts west of Black River near Poplar and Bull Branches totaling about 465 acres (Deed Book 22c, p. 213).

acres in Cumberland County, most of the land acquired from Daniel MacNeill, to his son John of Cumberland County (Deed Book 27c, p. 25).

Thomas Maxwell received a grant from Governor Benjamin Smith of 370 acres "on the East side of South River joining his own and the land patented by James Ramsey on both sides of Edges Branch" by Grant No. 1790 dated 11 December 1810 (Land Grant Book 125, p. 411). This tract was entered 23 October 1809 (Entry No. 558) and surveyed 12 February 1812 by E. Herring, Sampson County Surveyor. Chain bearers were John Autry and James Maxwell.

Thomas qualified as a Justice of the Peace for Sampson County on 3 February 1810.

Thomas sold a tract of 300 acres in Sampson County by the Pine Log Branch to son William on 23 August 1811 for 50 Pounds North Carolina Currency (Deed Book 16s, p. 52). Deed was registered 21 March 1813.

Thomas, still of Sampson County, sold on 9 April 1812 for 250 Pounds two tracts totaling 165 acres in Cumberland County, including a tract of 65 acres bought from Daniel McNeill, to his son Daniel of Cumberland County (Deed Book 27c, p. 59).

Thomas sold a tract of 500 acres in Sampson County "where I now live" to son Robert on 19 September 1817 for $500 (Deed Book 18s, p. 328). Deed was registered 20 September 1820.

In May 1816, Robinson Mumford sold to Thomas Maxwell of Cumberland County a one-acre lot on the south side of Mumford Street (the present Russell Street) in Fayetteville for $3000 (Deed Book 28c, p. 768). This was sold by Thomas to John R. Adams on 6 April 1818 for $6950 (Deed Book 30c, p. 340). Thomas sold a tract of 650 acres in Sampson County to son William on 24 April 1818 for $500 (Deed Book 21s , p. 129). Deed was registered 9 May 1826.

Thomas sold a tract of 50 acres in Sampson County at the head of Flat Marsh to son Robert on 25 February 1819 for $30 (Deed Book 18s, p. 330). Deed was registered 20 September 1820.

Thomas and Mary moved to Cumberland County after 9 April 1812, and while the deed of Robinson Mumford in May 1816 says Thomas was of Cumberland County, Thomas' deed to Robert on 25 February 1919 indicates he was still "of Sampson County". The May 1819 Term of Sampson County Court allowed Thomas Maxwell $70 for his interest in the bridge over Black River called Maxwell's Bridge. Thomas is listed in the 1820 Census of Cumberland County as being 45 and upwards with one female also 45 and upwards and one male of 10 and under 16.

Thomas' will, dated 7 March 1825 and proved by the December 1827 Term of Cumberland County Court, does not list his wife Mary or son Thomas (Will Book Bc , p. 156). Nine known children.

Research Notes

• The ScotlandsPeople site does not have a birth record match for a Thomas born between 1730 and 1750 in Fife.
• FamilySearch seems to have skipped a generation, as their "Thomas Robert Maxwell (1750-1827)" is shown as the son of William Maxwell (1725-1773) and Elizabeth Grason Croom (born 1732), but these dates do not allow for the intervening generation. Two Thomas Maxwells appear to be conflated, especially in light of the Bundy & Brooks (1996) reporting. Perhaps more can be learned from the "Meet our Ancestors" text by the same authors, mentioned in the sources.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Citing William Maxwell Family Bible, in possession of V Mayo Bundy of Greensboro, North Carolina, as of 1996: Bundy, Vivian Mayo; Brooks, Robert Autry. The Descendants of Cornelius Autry, Immigrant, of Edgecombe County, North Carolina: Neil Culbreth of Sampson County, North Carolina, and Allied Families. 2nd ed. 1996, p. 921-2. Charlotte, North Carolina: Herb Eaton Historical Publications. The authors note that a detailed study of the Maxwells may be found in the second edition, plus supplement No. 2: "Meet our Ancestors: Culbreth, Autry, Maxwell-Bundy, Winslow, Henley and Allied Families."

Acknowledgments

• Profile added by Mark Summers 18 Nov 2020.