PAXTONS-- The Paxtons, a very numerous connection in this county, fall into two groups, the progeny of two brothers. One of these settled on South River, the other south of Lexington. The Paxtons have been a prosperous fold and have stood high in the community. Several of the earlier generations were wealthy, aristocratic planters, and unusually heavy growers of hemp. Not a few of the descendants have attained prominence in literary, professional, and business circles. Major James Paxton, a son of William and his wife Elenor Hays, was from 1818 until 1828 commandant of the arsenal at Lexington. He then retired to an estate at the mouth of the Cowpasture owned by his father-in-law, John Jordan. Here he died in 1866 at the age of eighty-five. Major Paxton was a great leader and scholar. A shadow come over his life through his killing of a Captain Dade in a duel. Colonel James H., a son of Colonel William Paxton, was a graduate of Washington College in the class of 1833. He delighted in the classics and was the foremost Latin scholar in Rockbridge. At his home, "Mountain View," he maintained for twelve years a classical school, and was a friend of public schools. Colonel Paxton served a term in the Senate in Virginia. He died in 1902 at the great age of ninety years. His wife was Kate Glasgow, and his children were Nellie, Kate G., Archibald H., Robert (a captain in the United States army), William T., Professor James H., and J. Jordan. John D. Paxton, who died in 1868 at the age of eighty-four, was also a graduate of Washington College. For some years he was a missionary in Europe. His sermons number 5769. He was a most vehement opponent to slavery, and in 1833 he published a volume against it. He also published a volume on his travels in the Eastern continent. A memoir of Mr. Paxton was written by his widow. His nephew, John W., a son of James H. Paxton, was an eminent physician. Elisha F. Paxton the one brigadier directly contributed by Rockbridge to the Confederate army, was a nephew to Governor McNutt, of Mississippi, and was born in 1828. He graduated from Washington College in 1845, from Yale College in 1847, and completed a law course at the University of Virginia in 1849. General Paxton was an original secessionist, and at the outset of the war was a lieutenant in the Rockbridge Rifles. After serving as aide-de-camp to Stonewall Jackson, he took command of the Stonewall Brigade, November 2, 1862. He was killed at the head of his troops in the battle of Chancellorsville, May 2, 1862, just one day before his commander was disabled. Indifferent eyesight had caused him to abandon the law and turn to farming. The wife of General Paxton was E--- H. White. His children are Matthew W., the present editor of the Rockbridge County News, and the present dean of Rockbridge journalism, John G., an attorney of Kansas City, and Frank of San Saba county, Texas. James G., an elder brother of General Paxton, was killed August 6, 1870, in the train wreck at Jerry's Run on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. Alexander S., a son of Thomas P. Paxton, was the author of Memory Days, a delightful sketch of antebellum times in Rockbridge. The story centers about an old field school near the entrance to Arnold's Valley. Source: A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton, published in 1920. Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 **************************************************************************** ********** HON. JAMES H. PAXTON - The great grandmother of the subject of this sketch, in the early days of Rockbridge county, settled on the farm now owned by him, with five sons, two of whom died unmarried. Of the other three sons, William (grandfather of James H.) remained here, Thomas settled at Mouth of Buffalo, and John on the farm now owned by Mrs. Johns on James River. All were active in the development of the resources of the district, and their descendants have been among its most respected and enegetic people. William, father of James H., married Polly Paxton, both were born in this county, here passed useful lives and are now deceased. James H. was born in Rockbridge county, and at Green Forest, this county, he married Kate G. Glasglow. Their children are seven, namely: Eleanor Mary, Robert Glasglow, Catharine Anderson, William, James Haye, Joseph Gordon, Archibald Heath. The wife of Mr. Paxton was born in Rockbridge county, a daughter of Robert and Catharine T. Anderson Glasglow. Her father was born here, her mother came from Botetourt county. James H. Paxton is one of the substantial farming residents of Rockbridge county, and has always taken a prominent part in every effort to promote the best interests of the people and to advance the cause of right and truth. He is chairman of the district school board, and has filled the office since 1870. For eight years, from 1852, he was a member of the Virginia Senate. His postoffice address is Green Forest, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411. Transcribed and submitted by: "Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** JOSEPH S. PAXTON - was born in Rockbridge county, on James River, on New Years Day, 1842. William and Sarah P. (Burks) Paxton are the parents of Joseph S., his mother born in Bedford coutny, Virginia, and his father in Rockbridge county. At Seclusaval, in this county, Mr. Paxton's present place of residence, December 20, 1847, was born Roberta E., daughter of Robert C. and Mary E. (Parry) McCluer. At her home, on the 11th of April, 1871, the Rev. D. W. Shanks joined in marriage bands Joseph S. Paxton and Roberta E. McCluer, and they now have two sons: William, born November 18, 1872; Robert, August 3, 1876. The parents of Mrs. Paxton were born in Rockbridge county, and her father is descended from John McCluer, one of the first settlers here. Mr. Paxton's father's family were also early settlers here, and were related to John Grigsley, the first person buried in the Falling Springs cemetery. The subject of this sketch entered the Confederate service as private, was promoted to lieutenant of Company E, 52nd Virginia Infantry, and remained in service till the close of the war. He was wounded in the second battle of Cold Harbor in May, 1864. His brother William was killed in the first Manassas battle, and Luther, another brother, was killed in a skirmish near Winchester in 1864. Joseph S. Paxton is a farmer and stock-raiser, making a specialty of cattle and sheep. He is an elder of the Falling Springs Church. Postoffice address, Fancy Hill, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411. Transcribed and submitted by: "Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** SAMUEL D. PAXTON - son of James and Agnes (Dixon) Paxton, and Sallie McFaddin, daughter of John and Rachel (Kennedy) McFaddin, were united in marriage in Rockbridge county, Virginia, on the 29th day of April, 1841. Both were born in this county, his birth on the 2d of April, 1814, and her birth occurring near Brownsburg, May 16, 1818. The record of their children is: James T., born March 11, 1842, killed at the battle of Petersburg, April 2, 1865; Rachel M., born November 25, 1843, died October 6, 1846; Virginia A., born June 30, 1847, lives in this county; Ettie A., November 29, 1850, is at home; Elizabeth M., May 21, 1853, resides in this county; John M., June 25, 1856, lives at Danville, Pittsylvania county, this State. James T. enlisted as private in the 2d Rockbridge Artillery, and was in the engagements from Strausburg to Cross Keys. In the latter battle for meritorious service he was promoted to second duty sergeant. In the battle of Bristoe Station he was twice wounded, in the thigh and hip, and he was also a participant in the battles of Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, in the raid into Pennsylvania, and the battle of Gettysburg. He was, indeed, found doing a soldier's duty in all the engagements of his company except when on furlough to recuperate from his wounds. In the terrible struggle of Petersburg, elsewhere described in this work, he fought with his own battery until it was captured, when he fell abck and helped to man a Maryland battery. There he lost his life, a musket ball striking him in the forehead and causing instant death. Samuel D. Paxton served for three years in the command with his son, and was in the battle of Cross Keys. He is a wagon-maker and farmer, with postoffice address at Rockbridge Baths, Rockbridge county, Virginia. SAMUEL W. PAXTON - son of Alexander and Catharine (Deitrick) Paxton, was born in Rockbridge county, December 20, 1832. His parents were born in this county, and his father died July 13, 1852, aged fifty years. His mother lived to the age of four score and two years, dying June 15, 1883. Samuel W. Paxton was orderly sergeant of Company E,52d Virginia Infantry, on entering the Confederate service at the beginning of the civil war, and in 1862 received commission of captain, commanding Compnay E till the close of the war. He was elected justice of the peace in 1875, and by successive annual elections has been continued in the office till the present time. He owns and carried on a fine farm of 122 acres, near South river, and six miles from Lexington, Rockbridge county, which is his postoffice address. In Augusta county, Virginia, November 28, 1882, he was united in marriage with Sarah F. Kerr, who was born in Augusta county, on New Years Day, 1853, a daughter of Nathaniel and Jane (Rivercomb) Kerr. Her father is still a resident of Augusta county, and her mother has been many years deceased. On the 27th of October, 1883, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Paxton. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411. Transcribed and submitted by: "Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** WILLIAM MOORE PAXTON - deceased - was born in Rockbridge county, September 2, 1825, and died here September 9, 1875. He was a son of James and Mary Wilson (More) Paxton, natives of this county, and he married Sallie M., daughter of Robert and Sallie (Steele) McCormick. She was born in Augusta county, Virginia, December 22, 1833, and her parents were born in that county. Her mother died September 15, 1881, and her father died Decmeber 8, 1879. The marriage of William M. Paxton and Sallie M. McCormick was solemnized in Augusta county, September 9, 1852, and their children were born: Mary Steele, June 19, 1853; R. J., December 14, 1855; Emma R., July 11, 1857; H. T., March 3, 1859; W. D., May 14, 1861; John M., March 11, 1863; Sandy Mc., March 27, 1865; Walter S., July 11, 1867; N. J. Poague, January 20, 1869; Annie V., December 3, 1871. The last-named died October 19, 1878, the oldest daughter has her home in this county, and the other children are with their mother. Mr. Paxton filled various offices of public trust from an early age till his death, so discharging his duties that his children are rich in the heritage of his good name. He left his wife and children with 400 acres of land, and his sons are engaged in carrying on the estate. The farm lies on the Fairfield and South River road, and their postoffice address is Fairfield, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411. Transcribed and submitted by: "Valerie F. Crook"