letter

Jan 4 1996

Dear Minerva,
Last summer we were in Tazewell, VA and saw your article on James Maxwell pp180-181, in their new History of Tazewell County. My husband is a descendant of James' daughter Elizabeth who married Henry Marrs. The article before yours has her marrying a William Marrs but all documentation I have found, says Henry. I have a listing of all of Elizabeth and Henry's children. There are more than two boys and my husband descends from their son James and I have a paper trail on James.

The above is just for reference, so you will know how my husband relates to you.

I have been trying to determin who James Maxwell's parents are. Your first paragraph states "Early American history records show James Maxwell, coming to America in the early eighteenth century, was of Scotch-Irish heritage. Born ca 1745-50 in Ulster, Ireland, he first settled in Augusta, Pennsylvania and married Jane Roberts ca 1765-1770. From there he moved into Virginia, specifically Washington, Wythe and Botetourt Counties..."

I have been unable to find any records that document the above information. Would you be able to provide me with sources and copies of your documentation?

I have been reseraching a John and Mary Maxwell of Augusta county, Va., and have documented them from 1746 to John's death in 1786. They appear to stay in the same area the whole time. I have not been able to connect to James at this time. Have copied records in Augusta, Botetourt, and Rockbridge Counties on this family. One source on The Genealogical Society of Utah's CDS has this John and Mary as James' possible parents. Will be willing to share material and/or pay for costs of copies of your documentation.

Sincerely,
Jean Leeper
Knoxville IA