Matthew Maddox, Sr.

1752 – 1831

Generation 4 · direct line

From the Record

American Revolutionary War Patriot. Moved from St. Marys County, Maryland to old Dunmore County, Virginia (now Shenandoah County); in 1779 bought 401 acres from Jeremy Odell on Jeremy's Run, later called Matthews Arm (now a location in the Shenandoah National Park). Enlisted October 1780 in Shenandoah County into the Colonial Army, Virginia 3rd Line Company under Captain Oldham, under Generals Muhlenberg and Green; fought at Guilford Courthouse, then at the Second Battle of Camden (Hobkirks Hill) on 25 April 1781, where he was shot in the leg with a one-ounce lead ball, dragged off the battlefield and left for dead, found five days later, and had the small bone of his leg removed at a field hospital; judged unfit for service and given a full discharge. A letter later written by his son Matthew Jr. said he fought in seven hand battles against the British.

Returned to his parents' home in Culpeper County, Virginia, inheriting their property in 1787 (listed in the 1787 Culpeper tax records, paying tax on one slave over 16). Moved to Harrison County, Virginia (WV) around 1785 [so given in the narrative, though it also states sons Rozzel (b.1781) and Matthew Jr. (b.1783) were born in Culpeper County]. Harrison County deeds record a 500-acre purchase on the Little Kanawha River in 1805, its sale in 1807, and a joint 200-acre purchase with son Rozzel on Rooting Creek that same day. In about 1812 he moved to Wood County, Virginia (WV), where he owned no land and appears to have lived first with his son Thomas.

Applied for his Revolutionary War pension in a Wood County court on 20 July 1820, listing property of 3 beds, 2 cows, 2 calves, 2 hogs, kitchen items and $1.19 cash; granted $96.00 per year for life (dated September 1820, handled by agent James H. Neale of Parkersburg), drawn until his death. The charts say that after Rachel's 1826 death he lived with daughter Mary Molly and Peter Romine. On 11 November 1999 a new Veterans Grave Marker ('MATTHEW MADDOX, Pvt 3 VA Line Rect Revolutionary War 1752 - 1831') was dedicated at the Maddox Cemetery, Wood County, West Virginia with DAR and SAR rites and a three-gun salute.

From the Family Manuscript

This above account of the family history was research and compiled by Larry W. Maddox of Liberty, Missouri. Larry has been to Wales on several trips researching the Maddox Family. Larry is not in our direct lineage, but he is in the total lineage. Larry is a descendant from Matthew Maddox, Sr. by his son, Rozzel Maddox, Larry Maddox (10), Arnold Maddox (9), Samuel Everett Maddox (8), Samuel R. Maddox (7), Arnold Maddox (6), Rozzel Maddox (5), Matthew Maddox, Sr. (4), John Maddox (3), Notley Maddox (2), Samuel (Madoc) Maddox (1) generations in America
Maddox Family History, transcript line 155.
Mary (Dyson) Maddox left her son, Samuel Maddox twenty Shillings, to her son Notley Maddox, she left twenty Shillings, to her son, Thomas Maddox, she left her riding horse called “Fly”, to her daughter, Mary (Maddox) Harrell, she left one gold Guinea, to her daughter, Sarah Sally (Maddox) Conn her saddle, spice mortar and a square of black silk, to her daughter, Margaret (Maddox) Wilson, one Negro fellow called Harry, one bed and furniture, and to her son, Matthew Maddox, Sr. the bulk of the estate to include the property, house, barn, building, farm tools, one Negro fellow called William, livestock and all property that remained. Mary (Dyson) Maddox also appointed Matthew Maddox, Sr. as the full and whole executor of the will.
Maddox Family History, transcript line 425.
The will was proved (probated) on the 16th day of April 1787 in a court in Culpeper County, Virginia. The will can be found on pages 229 and 230 of the Will Book, Culpeper County, Virginia at the courthouse. Matthew Maddox, Sr. appeared in the above court hearing to probate the will.
Maddox Family History, transcript line 427.
Matthew Maddox, Sr 4. was born in St. Marys County, Maryland to John 3 and Mary (Dyson) Maddox. In Frederick County, Maryland in 1773, he married Rachel Bonnifield. The only child to be born in St. Marys County, Maryland was their first child, Mary Molly Maddox 5 (1776/1777).
Maddox Family History, transcript line 562.
Matthew and Rachel moved from St. Marys County, Maryland, to the old Dunmore County, Virginia (now Shenandoah County, Virginia) and in 1779 they bought 401 acres of land from Jeremy Odell on a place called Jeremy’s Run, this later was called Matthews Arm. Matthews Arm is now a location named as such in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.
Maddox Family History, transcript line 564.

Sources for this Record

birth · Supplemental: Maddox–Romine Old Family Bible, family entries: Matthew Maddox born 1752.
birth · Matthew Maddox Sr.: Generation 4 Family Group Sheet, lines 9–31.
death · Supplemental: Maddox–Romine Old Family Bible, family entries: Matthew Maddox died 1831.
death · Matthew Maddox Sr.: Generation 4 Family Group Sheet, lines 9–31.
parentage · Matthew Maddox Sr.: Generation 4 Family Group Sheet, lines 9–31.
biography · Matthew Maddox Sr.: Generation 4 Family Group Sheet, lines 9–31.
biography · Matthew Maddox Sr. 1820 Revolutionary War Pension Application, lines 5–19; 20 July 1820 declaration and Revolutionary War service narrative.
biography · Matthew Maddox Sr. Harrison County Land Records, Harrison County Deed Book 6, page 67 (30 December 1805); Deed Book 7, pages 18 and 33 (19 March 1807).
biography · Matthew Maddox Sr. Revolutionary War Battle List, recovered transcript P01-L001–L004; unverified research hypothesis, not independent proof of service.
biography · Paul Hawkins Account of Matthew Maddox and the Grave-Marking Ceremony, P02-L001–L018 and P04-L016–L027; attributed account of the cemetery rediscovery and later grave-marking ceremony; program supplies no event date.