Various sources have been studied for information about John Paxton as it is not certain as to his relationship with James Paxton of Ireland. Consensus suggests that he was either the son of James Paxton or the son of Hugh Paxton of Maryland and that Hugh and James may have been brothers.

The following references may prove helpful to others researching this lineage.

A letter from a Dr. S.S.Todd lists three sons of James that came from Ireland (William, Thomas, and Samuel).

Gary Michael Harvey lists four sons of James Paxton [Samuel, Nathaniel, John, and William]. Gary also provides good summary of the lineage of Samuel Paxton (1670 - 1746), son of James, and "father" of the North River (from whom General Sam Houston and General Elisha Franklin Paxton are descended) and South River Paxtons of Virginia.

An excerpt from The Paxtons -- We Are One notes:

Hugh Paxton of Talbott County, MD. was on Western soil prior to 1674. He was married twice. His first wife was Grace, and his second was Martha. He owned several tracts of land, and seems to have been a man of wealth and influence. His will was made in 1709, and names his children John, Ann, and Elizabeth. All the names are common in the Pennsylvania family. It is unknown what became of these children. There seems to been no citizen of Maryland by the name of Paxton for a century. Lancaster County, PA. is but a day or two journey from Talbott County, MD. and John may have joined his kindred in Pennsylvania. He may have been one of the numerous John Paxtons we find in Lancaster County, PA. about 1750. Hugh may have been a brother of James of Ireland. In the absence of evidence, we may indulge in conjecture.

Dan Paxton [paxtond@ix.netcom.com], January 19, 1998, comments as follows:

The information that I have is that Capt. John Paxton was the only child of John and Grazell Paxton and either the grandson or grandnephiew of James Paxton (who officiated at the execution of King Charles I). So to answer your question: Caption John was the son of John. What is still in dispute is whether Captain John's father John was the son of James or of Hugh. I don't know of any source material that clears this question.

Any new information on this issue will be sincerely appreciated - jbutler@uh.edu

[The following information is taken from Leedy and Leedy, 1972]

John Paxton, son (or nephew) of James Paxton, was born around 1700 in Ireland. His wife was Grazell or Grace. Tradition claims that John, his wife and four year old son came from Ireland in 1740 to Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Paxton Family History published the will of John Paxton, which follows: