Located in Deed Book 28, pages 491 and 492 dated 23 December 1881 was a deed between John Amos Maddox and Matilda (Bolin) Cheuvront, the 3rd. wife of Aaron Cheuvront. Certain terms were spelled out in the deed and if John Amos Maddox lived up to the terms of this deed he would be granted all that was left of the Cheuvront property, about 37 acres located in the Ravenswood District, Jackson County, West Virginia.
The terms of this deed stated that John Amos Maddox had to keep Matilda (Bolin) Cheuvront from want, keep her comfortable in sickness as well in health the remainder of her life and to employ a skilled physician to take care of her.
This deed would convey to John Amos Maddox forever a tract of land on Sand Creek, Ravenswood District, Jackson County, West Virginia. The deed was drawn by James Harvey Currey, Attorney at Law, filed with John Robinson, Justice, Jackson County Court. The deed was recorded on 13 March 1886 by L. H. Lemley, Clerk of the Jackson County Court.
John Amos Maddox did live up to the terms of the deed and the property was signed over to him. This is the property where John Amos Maddox lived all of his life. The property is still in Maddox ownership, the old house and most of the building have been removed. It was on this property that Holly A. Maddox built his house and his wife, Lucille (Angus) Maddox still resides in.
On the death certificate, John Amos Maddox died of Chronic Nephritis which is Brights Disease, a disease of the kidneys. This disease can run in the gene line, but to date no other Maddox in this line has had any problems.
The second wife of John Amos Maddox, Bertha A. Smith had a son before her marriage to John Amos Maddox. This child was Hershel J. Smith, born 13 April 1905 in Wirt County, West Virginia. Hershel was married 3 January 1927 in Wood County, West Virginia to June Bailey, born 1910. Hershel died in Wood County, West Virginia in 1968 and Hershel and his wife are buried in the IOOF Cemetery, Parkersburg, West Virginia. Located in the Jackson County, West Virginia records was a birth certificate on Hershel J. Maddox, born 13 April 1905. Now, one can not be born on the same day in two different counties. It appears that somebody filed a birth certificate in Jackson County, West Virginia. Hershel took and used the Maddox name and he was buried as Hershel J. Maddox. His social security number was issued under Hershel J. Maddox. No court records were located to show he was adopted by John Amos Maddox. The natural father of Hershel is not known.