Hello... John Daniel Paxton of Oberlin, Ohio here....I'm looking for information concerning Capt. John Paxton who served in the Revolutionary War. According to my family and information that I have I am a direct descendant of his. I am also in possesion of a powder horn handed down through the years that he supposedly carried into battle. The problem I'm having is that my records show: Captain John Paxton, only child of John and Grazell Paxton, was born in Ireland, apparently in 1736. He came with his parents to Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1740. This family was among those who did not move on to Virginia but chose to stay in Pennsylvania. John married Jane McNeely or McGinley, about 1759. She died in 1823. During the Revolutionary War, a battalion was newly raised in the vicinity of his home. John was elected, by ballot, Captain of Company D, 2nd Battalion, York County Militia. Among other engagements, the Battalion participated in the battle of Brandywine and of Germantown. Captain John was severely wounded in the latter battle. After the war he returned to his mill. But other people describe this Captain John Paxton as coming from Virginia and returning there to die at a much earlier date than my relative. Here is the will of my John Paxton: In the name of God, Amen. I John Paxton, of Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, a miller, being weak of body but of sound mind and memory, blessed be God for same, do this 16th day of March, 1822, make and publish this my last will and testament. I Commend my soul to God, who gave it, and my body to the earth, to be buried in decent Christian manner at the descretion of my executor, here-in-after mentioned; and as to such worldly estate as I stand in possession of, I dispose of in the following manner , vis: To each of my following children I give ten shillings, in full of their remaining share in my personal and real estate: 1.John Paxton 2.James Paxton 3.Son-in-law(s) John Coughey and 4.Joseph McGinley. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary Paxton, $600.00; but not to be paid to her until seven years after decease; only the interest therefrom, if required, together with one bed and her furniture and all other personal things she may require for her personal accomodations, and one room in the dwelling house and privileges of the kitchen during her natural life. I give and bequeath to my son, Samuel Paxton, my estate, both real and personal, to wit: land and mills, goods and chattels of every kind, subject, never-the-less he paying the bequest, above mentioned, to my sons and daughter, to remain in the hands of my executor for the term of seven years after my decease, he paying them yearly interest, if so requested; and it is also my will that my son, Samuel Paxton, shall have full power to sell and convey lands, herein mentioned, at any tim he may think proper, for his advantage. And I do constitute and appoint my son, Samuel Paxton, my whole and sole executor of this, my last will and testament, revoking and disannulling all other wills whatever, ratifying and confirming this, my last will and testament. (signed) John Paxton SEAL Witnesses: Daniel Eckman and John Kidd This will was probated, July 19, 1823 And here is some 1790 census data: HEADS OF FAMILIES AT THE FIRST CENSUS OF THE UNITED STATES TAKEN IN THE YEAR 1790 PENNSYLVANIA LANCASTER COUNTY. BART TOWNSHIP. Name of head of family: Paxton, John Free white males of 16 years and upward, including heads of families: 4 Free white males under 16 years: 1 Free white females, including heads of families: 6 What is confusing to me is that I can only find reference to one Capt. John Paxton and some claim him in there lineage through the Paxton's wh moved from PA and settled in VA. My lineage stayed in PA and later moved to OH. Here is an example of a reference: American Biographical Library The Biographical Cyclopædia of American Women Volume II Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army During the War of the Revolution Alphabetical List of Officers of the Continental Army P Fifteenth Virginia page 431 Paxton, John (Pa). Captain Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Militia, —, 1776?1777. What is confusung to me is that here is a Capt John who is referenced as the 15th VA AND Captain of the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Militia. If anyone could shed some light on this matter or just want to add their two cents I would greatly appreciate it. John Daniel Paxton PS I use my middle name most of the time because my father's name is John too.