Patricia, Thank you for your comments. Once again, I'm going to push back. Nothing personal, of course - I just want to get this lineage correct. It's good having a sounding board. I have constructed this lineage based on my own research, trying hard to avoid what's floating around on the internet. So I readily admit that I may have made mistakes. First, re: the will of Alexander Mattocks in 1659, proved 1660. You commented that "from this we concur that Thomas, the son of this Alexander is of legal age ...". Actually, I can't concur with that. Notice the will says "... or until my eldest son shall be of age..." and "... my sons shall be of age at eighteen years old and to be possessed of their estates at that age." The will names Richard Bayly guardian of Thomas, and Arthur Upshur guardian of Alexander. Regarding Alexander's son Thomas: 10 Nov 1663, Thomas Maddox, eldest son of Alexander Maddox, chose Edmund Bowman as his guardian. (Your entry from Ghotes, which I didn't have, but it fits with the following entries.) Presumably Thomas had reached an age when he could chose his own guardian. 26 Oct 1668: Thomas Mattocks petitioned the court for his freedom, claiming he was 18 years old. (Accomack Co VA Court Order Abstracts, 1666-1670, p. 63b) 26 Oct 1668: Tho. Teackle certified in court that Thomas Mattocks, son of Alexander and Elizabeth Mattocks, was baptized in the latter part of the summer of 1651, when he was under two months old. (Accomack Co VA Court Order Abstracts, 1666-1670, p. 64a) 24 Nov 1669: John Stokely and Alex. Addison were sued by Edm. Bowman, guardian of Thomas Mattox. (Accomack Co VA Court Order Abstract, 1666-1670, p. 160). 26 Jan 1669/70: Thomas Mattocks, having attained lawful age, petitioned the court for the land in possession of Henry White. (Accomack Co VA Court Order Abstracts, 1666-1670, p. 171) This Thomas Maddux was born, therefore, about 1651, and not likely to be the father of Bell Maddux, b. c1715. I think, but can't say for sure, that this Thomas Maddox is the one who left a will in 1713 in Northampton Co. He apparently married (1) the widow of William Smith, (2) Sarah Michael, previously married to Argoll Yardley and James Watt, and (3) Rebecca, who was named in his will. Regarding Alexander's son, Alexander: 16 Sep 1660: Mary Bell, dau of Thomas and Mary Bell, was baptized at Hungar's Parish, Northampton Co, VA. (This make her much too old to be the mother of Bell Maddux, b. c1715.) 1671: Allexr Maddox was listed as a tithable in the household of Arthur Upshot (his guardian) in Northampton Co, VA. 1677: Alexander Maddox registered his cattle mark in Somerset Co. 1678: Thomas Bell of Northampton Co writes will mentioning daughter Mary Maddux. 2 Jan 1679: Thomas Madox son of Allexander and Mary Madox born at Pocomoke, Somerset Co. 4 Apr 1696: Alexander Maddux and wife Mary conveyed part of "Newtown" (which Alexander purchased in 1695) to John Perkins. (Somerset Co Deed L1: 340-342) 7 Oct 1710: Alexander Maddux of Somerset Co purchased 100 a. "Lindsay's Green." 1717: Alexander Maddux of Somerset Co willed 225 acres to wife Mary, and subsequently to son Lazarus. His other sons, including Thomas, received 12 pence each Alexander's son, Thomas Maddux, who was born 2 Jan 1679, and whose estate was probated in 1736 in Somerset Co, left land to son Bell Maddux "with exception of piece of marsh known as "Linsey's Green." This is surely the 100 a. purchased by Alexander Maddux in 1710. I'm not sure how it was conveyed to son Thomas. This Thomas mentions wife Mary in his will, but I haven't found anything to suggest she was named Mary Bell. I tend to think others have just assumed Thomas married Mary Bell, having named his first son Bell Maddux. My best guess, however, is that the name originates with Thomas' mother. Your turn, Pam