Settlement of the Paxtons in America:

No chronicle records the settlement of the Paxton's in the Western World, but tradition, in unvarying terms, assures they were from the North of Ireland, and their love of liberty, their protestant zeal and Calvinistic faith confirm the testimony of tradition. Yet all who have investigated the matter agree in the opinion, that they are of English blood. The knightly family of Sir Joseph Paxton, acknowledge us as their kindred.

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.

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