When/where James was born & died is NOT known, but many use the dates and places stated in the 1950 book "Us Maddys" (by Olive Maddy, 1872-1968) -- she calls him James the First (the first known James Maddy in VA). Olive's book is available in PDF format on familysearch.org (free download).
"Us Maddys" states that James was born in Herefordshire County, England, even though many facts disproving that location abounded long before Olive started the research for her book in the 1930's! A few examples are: (1) Maddy may be an anglicized version of the surname in the homeland of the first Maddy to arrive in the colonies, whenever and whoever that was; (2) many countries (and colonies in America) had similar surnames (Madey, Mady, Maddie, Meddie, Maidy, etc.); and (3) Page 290 of the 1916 book "A History of Monroe County, West Virginia" (by Oren Morton) lists Maddy as a German name, and on Page 374 says the Maddy family is "said to be of German origin" -- Page 296 shows that Morton either found that info during his research or someone told him!
When and where James married Ann Morris has never been found, or her parents and when/where she was born... maybe her birth and/or father was recorded as Morse, Maurice, Morriss, Morish, etc. (surnames in colonial VA records)?? Ann outlived James by 50+ years (she was age 90-100 in the 1830 census, and wasn't in the 1840 census). Together, James & Ann were brave and bold pioneer settlers in Virginia's untamed southwest country.
James left few footprints; no surviving records state his occupation or his military activity, but he's found on some deeds. In the late 1900's, research by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) determined that he could NOT be the James Made who served in the Pittsylvania Co., VA militia in the Revolutionary War. Five deeds in which he gained or sold land in Orange Co., VA in 1765-1771 are on Page 76 of "Us Maddys". But, 2 of the deeds have errors, and 2 other deeds insinuate that James & Ann weren't married in 1765 or 1767.
The probate for James's estate began on June 20, 1784 in Rockingham Co., VA, the date Ann was appointed by that court as the administratrix of his estate (he hadn't made a will), and was ordered by the court to sign a bond for 200 pounds. Some people say he died there in October 1783, but there's no record to support that date or place -- why would Ann wait 8 months to settle his estate??
Where James died is a family legend with many variations, maybe based on facts that were corrupted over the past 250+ years, like the telephone game. The core theme is that he was swimming across a river, he was carrying a log chain, and he drowned just before reaching the bank; Pack Horse Ford and Shenandoah River are 2 of several suggested locations. But, what if he was on a pack horse when crossing a river, or he was crossing a creek that swelled during a storm or flood?? What if he was crossing New River on a horse near where Pack Ferry was built (in the part of Greenbrier Co., VA that became Monroe Co., now Summers Co., WV)?? There are endless possibilities!!
James & Ann Maddy are believed to be the parents of the 9 children listed below; before 1783 there are no records for any child. From 1783-1798, records for them are only in Greenbrier Co., VA/WV, then in Monroe Co. when it was created in 1799 from Greenbrier. Three are missing from the list of their children on Page 78 of "Us Maddys", which is one of the many severe errors in that book.
1. William, b. 1760-1766, m. Elizabeth Mann 2/25/1783.
2. Sarah, b. @1762, m. Cottrell Lively 10/24/1790.
3. John, b. 9/18/1764, m. Anna Barbara Miller 8/8/1785.
4. Mathew, b. @1766, m. Judith Christian 12/4/1798.
5. James Jr. (no known middle name), b. @1768, m. Anna Kissinger 7/11/1791.
6. Mary, b. bef 1769, m. Adam Mann 12/9/1783, missing from list of kids.
7. Henry, b. @1770 (NOT the twin of Mathew), m. Jane Ballangee 12/04/1798.
8. Elizabeth, b. bef 1771, m. Paul Long 2/8/1785, missing from list of kids.
9. Frances, b. ???, m. Joseph Lively, missing from list of kids.
Page 78 also states that James & Ann had 5 other boys, but 4 died young with unknown dates of birth/death, and those 4 were namesakes of boys "all down the line" -- Olive didn't state who provided their names or why "family tradition" includes them: Aoress, Absolom, Christopher, Elias, and Charles. However, Aoress was NEVER a Maddy; his correct name was ARRIS MEADOWS, proved by documents for his wife & children (plus his taxes & censuses). And, the 4 names in later Maddy generations does NOT mean they were namesakes of boys who died young decades earlier, especially since Christopher & Charles are popular names in every era, and many men with those names were close to Maddy families (Charles Neal, Charles Miller, Charles Mann, etc.)! Also, there are 220+ memorials for men buried in WV & VA named Elias & Absalom (or Absolom, Absolem, etc.) who were born 1740-1820! Plus, there were only 4 Maddy named Elias & Absalom -- the first 2 were sons of Mathew, the next 2 were sons of Mathew's son Absalom! And, the only Christopher was the middle name of Absalom's son Elias, likely after his wife's father (Christopher Flint)!
"Us Maddys" states that James was born in Herefordshire County, England, even though many facts disproving that location abounded long before Olive started the research for her book in the 1930's! A few examples are: (1) Maddy may be an anglicized version of the surname in the homeland of the first Maddy to arrive in the colonies, whenever and whoever that was; (2) many countries (and colonies in America) had similar surnames (Madey, Mady, Maddie, Meddie, Maidy, etc.); and (3) Page 290 of the 1916 book "A History of Monroe County, West Virginia" (by Oren Morton) lists Maddy as a German name, and on Page 374 says the Maddy family is "said to be of German origin" -- Page 296 shows that Morton either found that info during his research or someone told him!
When and where James married Ann Morris has never been found, or her parents and when/where she was born... maybe her birth and/or father was recorded as Morse, Maurice, Morriss, Morish, etc. (surnames in colonial VA records)?? Ann outlived James by 50+ years (she was age 90-100 in the 1830 census, and wasn't in the 1840 census). Together, James & Ann were brave and bold pioneer settlers in Virginia's untamed southwest country.
James left few footprints; no surviving records state his occupation or his military activity, but he's found on some deeds. In the late 1900's, research by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) determined that he could NOT be the James Made who served in the Pittsylvania Co., VA militia in the Revolutionary War. Five deeds in which he gained or sold land in Orange Co., VA in 1765-1771 are on Page 76 of "Us Maddys". But, 2 of the deeds have errors, and 2 other deeds insinuate that James & Ann weren't married in 1765 or 1767.
The probate for James's estate began on June 20, 1784 in Rockingham Co., VA, the date Ann was appointed by that court as the administratrix of his estate (he hadn't made a will), and was ordered by the court to sign a bond for 200 pounds. Some people say he died there in October 1783, but there's no record to support that date or place -- why would Ann wait 8 months to settle his estate??
Where James died is a family legend with many variations, maybe based on facts that were corrupted over the past 250+ years, like the telephone game. The core theme is that he was swimming across a river, he was carrying a log chain, and he drowned just before reaching the bank; Pack Horse Ford and Shenandoah River are 2 of several suggested locations. But, what if he was on a pack horse when crossing a river, or he was crossing a creek that swelled during a storm or flood?? What if he was crossing New River on a horse near where Pack Ferry was built (in the part of Greenbrier Co., VA that became Monroe Co., now Summers Co., WV)?? There are endless possibilities!!
James & Ann Maddy are believed to be the parents of the 9 children listed below; before 1783 there are no records for any child. From 1783-1798, records for them are only in Greenbrier Co., VA/WV, then in Monroe Co. when it was created in 1799 from Greenbrier. Three are missing from the list of their children on Page 78 of "Us Maddys", which is one of the many severe errors in that book.
1. William, b. 1760-1766, m. Elizabeth Mann 2/25/1783.
2. Sarah, b. @1762, m. Cottrell Lively 10/24/1790.
3. John, b. 9/18/1764, m. Anna Barbara Miller 8/8/1785.
4. Mathew, b. @1766, m. Judith Christian 12/4/1798.
5. James Jr. (no known middle name), b. @1768, m. Anna Kissinger 7/11/1791.
6. Mary, b. bef 1769, m. Adam Mann 12/9/1783, missing from list of kids.
7. Henry, b. @1770 (NOT the twin of Mathew), m. Jane Ballangee 12/04/1798.
8. Elizabeth, b. bef 1771, m. Paul Long 2/8/1785, missing from list of kids.
9. Frances, b. ???, m. Joseph Lively, missing from list of kids.
Page 78 also states that James & Ann had 5 other boys, but 4 died young with unknown dates of birth/death, and those 4 were namesakes of boys "all down the line" -- Olive didn't state who provided their names or why "family tradition" includes them: Aoress, Absolom, Christopher, Elias, and Charles. However, Aoress was NEVER a Maddy; his correct name was ARRIS MEADOWS, proved by documents for his wife & children (plus his taxes & censuses). And, the 4 names in later Maddy generations does NOT mean they were namesakes of boys who died young decades earlier, especially since Christopher & Charles are popular names in every era, and many men with those names were close to Maddy families (Charles Neal, Charles Miller, Charles Mann, etc.)! Also, there are 220+ memorials for men buried in WV & VA named Elias & Absalom (or Absolom, Absolem, etc.) who were born 1740-1820! Plus, there were only 4 Maddy named Elias & Absalom -- the first 2 were sons of Mathew, the next 2 were sons of Mathew's son Absalom! And, the only Christopher was the middle name of Absalom's son Elias, likely after his wife's father (Christopher Flint)!
When/where James was born & died is NOT known, but many use the dates and places stated in the 1950 book "Us Maddys" (by Olive Maddy, 1872-1968) -- she calls him James the First (the first known James Maddy in VA). Olive's book is available in PDF format on familysearch.org (free download).
"Us Maddys" states that James was born in Herefordshire County, England, even though many facts disproving that location abounded long before Olive started the research for her book in the 1930's! A few examples are: (1) Maddy may be an anglicized version of the surname in the homeland of the first Maddy to arrive in the colonies, whenever and whoever that was; (2) many countries (and colonies in America) had similar surnames (Madey, Mady, Maddie, Meddie, Maidy, etc.); and (3) Page 290 of the 1916 book "A History of Monroe County, West Virginia" (by Oren Morton) lists Maddy as a German name, and on Page 374 says the Maddy family is "said to be of German origin" -- Page 296 shows that Morton either found that info during his research or someone told him!
When and where James married Ann Morris has never been found, or her parents and when/where she was born... maybe her birth and/or father was recorded as Morse, Maurice, Morriss, Morish, etc. (surnames in colonial VA records)?? Ann outlived James by 50+ years (she was age 90-100 in the 1830 census, and wasn't in the 1840 census). Together, James & Ann were brave and bold pioneer settlers in Virginia's untamed southwest country.
James left few footprints; no surviving records state his occupation or his military activity, but he's found on some deeds. In the late 1900's, research by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) determined that he could NOT be the James Made who served in the Pittsylvania Co., VA militia in the Revolutionary War. Five deeds in which he gained or sold land in Orange Co., VA in 1765-1771 are on Page 76 of "Us Maddys". But, 2 of the deeds have errors, and 2 other deeds insinuate that James & Ann weren't married in 1765 or 1767.
The probate for James's estate began on June 20, 1784 in Rockingham Co., VA, the date Ann was appointed by that court as the administratrix of his estate (he hadn't made a will), and was ordered by the court to sign a bond for 200 pounds. Some people say he died there in October 1783, but there's no record to support that date or place -- why would Ann wait 8 months to settle his estate??
Where James died is a family legend with many variations, maybe based on facts that were corrupted over the past 250+ years, like the telephone game. The core theme is that he was swimming across a river, he was carrying a log chain, and he drowned just before reaching the bank; Pack Horse Ford and Shenandoah River are 2 of several suggested locations. But, what if he was on a pack horse when crossing a river, or he was crossing a creek that swelled during a storm or flood?? What if he was crossing New River on a horse near where Pack Ferry was built (in the part of Greenbrier Co., VA that became Monroe Co., now Summers Co., WV)?? There are endless possibilities!!
James & Ann Maddy are believed to be the parents of the 9 children listed below; before 1783 there are no records for any child. From 1783-1798, records for them are only in Greenbrier Co., VA/WV, then in Monroe Co. when it was created in 1799 from Greenbrier. Three are missing from the list of their children on Page 78 of "Us Maddys", which is one of the many severe errors in that book.
1. William, b. 1760-1766, m. Elizabeth Mann 2/25/1783.
2. Sarah, b. @1762, m. Cottrell Lively 10/24/1790.
3. John, b. 9/18/1764, m. Anna Barbara Miller 8/8/1785.
4. Mathew, b. @1766, m. Judith Christian 12/4/1798.
5. James Jr. (no known middle name), b. @1768, m. Anna Kissinger 7/11/1791.
6. Mary, b. bef 1769, m. Adam Mann 12/9/1783, missing from list of kids.
7. Henry, b. @1770 (NOT the twin of Mathew), m. Jane Ballangee 12/04/1798.
8. Elizabeth, b. bef 1771, m. Paul Long 2/8/1785, missing from list of kids.
9. Frances, b. ???, m. Joseph Lively, missing from list of kids.
Page 78 also states that James & Ann had 5 other boys, but 4 died young with unknown dates of birth/death, and those 4 were namesakes of boys "all down the line" -- Olive didn't state who provided their names or why "family tradition" includes them: Aoress, Absolom, Christopher, Elias, and Charles. However, Aoress was NEVER a Maddy; his correct name was ARRIS MEADOWS, proved by documents for his wife & children (plus his taxes & censuses). And, the 4 names in later Maddy generations does NOT mean they were namesakes of boys who died young decades earlier, especially since Christopher & Charles are popular names in every era, and many men with those names were close to Maddy families (Charles Neal, Charles Miller, Charles Mann, etc.)! Also, there are 220+ memorials for men buried in WV & VA named Elias & Absalom (or Absolom, Absolem, etc.) who were born 1740-1820! Plus, there were only 4 Maddy named Elias & Absalom -- the first 2 were sons of Mathew, the next 2 were sons of Mathew's son Absalom! And, the only Christopher was the middle name of Absalom's son Elias, likely after his wife's father (Christopher Flint)!
"Us Maddys" states that James was born in Herefordshire County, England, even though many facts disproving that location abounded long before Olive started the research for her book in the 1930's! A few examples are: (1) Maddy may be an anglicized version of the surname in the homeland of the first Maddy to arrive in the colonies, whenever and whoever that was; (2) many countries (and colonies in America) had similar surnames (Madey, Mady, Maddie, Meddie, Maidy, etc.); and (3) Page 290 of the 1916 book "A History of Monroe County, West Virginia" (by Oren Morton) lists Maddy as a German name, and on Page 374 says the Maddy family is "said to be of German origin" -- Page 296 shows that Morton either found that info during his research or someone told him!
When and where James married Ann Morris has never been found, or her parents and when/where she was born... maybe her birth and/or father was recorded as Morse, Maurice, Morriss, Morish, etc. (surnames in colonial VA records)?? Ann outlived James by 50+ years (she was age 90-100 in the 1830 census, and wasn't in the 1840 census). Together, James & Ann were brave and bold pioneer settlers in Virginia's untamed southwest country.
James left few footprints; no surviving records state his occupation or his military activity, but he's found on some deeds. In the late 1900's, research by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) determined that he could NOT be the James Made who served in the Pittsylvania Co., VA militia in the Revolutionary War. Five deeds in which he gained or sold land in Orange Co., VA in 1765-1771 are on Page 76 of "Us Maddys". But, 2 of the deeds have errors, and 2 other deeds insinuate that James & Ann weren't married in 1765 or 1767.
The probate for James's estate began on June 20, 1784 in Rockingham Co., VA, the date Ann was appointed by that court as the administratrix of his estate (he hadn't made a will), and was ordered by the court to sign a bond for 200 pounds. Some people say he died there in October 1783, but there's no record to support that date or place -- why would Ann wait 8 months to settle his estate??
Where James died is a family legend with many variations, maybe based on facts that were corrupted over the past 250+ years, like the telephone game. The core theme is that he was swimming across a river, he was carrying a log chain, and he drowned just before reaching the bank; Pack Horse Ford and Shenandoah River are 2 of several suggested locations. But, what if he was on a pack horse when crossing a river, or he was crossing a creek that swelled during a storm or flood?? What if he was crossing New River on a horse near where Pack Ferry was built (in the part of Greenbrier Co., VA that became Monroe Co., now Summers Co., WV)?? There are endless possibilities!!
James & Ann Maddy are believed to be the parents of the 9 children listed below; before 1783 there are no records for any child. From 1783-1798, records for them are only in Greenbrier Co., VA/WV, then in Monroe Co. when it was created in 1799 from Greenbrier. Three are missing from the list of their children on Page 78 of "Us Maddys", which is one of the many severe errors in that book.
1. William, b. 1760-1766, m. Elizabeth Mann 2/25/1783.
2. Sarah, b. @1762, m. Cottrell Lively 10/24/1790.
3. John, b. 9/18/1764, m. Anna Barbara Miller 8/8/1785.
4. Mathew, b. @1766, m. Judith Christian 12/4/1798.
5. James Jr. (no known middle name), b. @1768, m. Anna Kissinger 7/11/1791.
6. Mary, b. bef 1769, m. Adam Mann 12/9/1783, missing from list of kids.
7. Henry, b. @1770 (NOT the twin of Mathew), m. Jane Ballangee 12/04/1798.
8. Elizabeth, b. bef 1771, m. Paul Long 2/8/1785, missing from list of kids.
9. Frances, b. ???, m. Joseph Lively, missing from list of kids.
Page 78 also states that James & Ann had 5 other boys, but 4 died young with unknown dates of birth/death, and those 4 were namesakes of boys "all down the line" -- Olive didn't state who provided their names or why "family tradition" includes them: Aoress, Absolom, Christopher, Elias, and Charles. However, Aoress was NEVER a Maddy; his correct name was ARRIS MEADOWS, proved by documents for his wife & children (plus his taxes & censuses). And, the 4 names in later Maddy generations does NOT mean they were namesakes of boys who died young decades earlier, especially since Christopher & Charles are popular names in every era, and many men with those names were close to Maddy families (Charles Neal, Charles Miller, Charles Mann, etc.)! Also, there are 220+ memorials for men buried in WV & VA named Elias & Absalom (or Absolom, Absolem, etc.) who were born 1740-1820! Plus, there were only 4 Maddy named Elias & Absalom -- the first 2 were sons of Mathew, the next 2 were sons of Mathew's son Absalom! And, the only Christopher was the middle name of Absalom's son Elias, likely after his wife's father (Christopher Flint)!
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