John Maxson III

• BIRTH 21 Apr 1701 Westerly, Washington County, Rhode Island, USA
• SERVICE Member Of Westerly Army Ammunition Commission Military
• CIVIC SRV. Deputy In Legislature Public Service Rhode Island
• DEATH 28 Aug 1791 (aged 90) (d.1786)
• BURIAL Burial Details Unknown. Specifically: unknown burial
• MEMORIAL ID 147166232

Biography

John Maxson, a son of John Mosher and Judith (Clarke) Maxson, was born April 21, 1701 in Westerly, RI and died there in 1786. He married Thankful Randall September 26, 1724 in Westerly, NJ. Thankful, a daughter of Matthew and Eleanor (Utter) Randall, was born in 1702.

Historical Synopsis

Joseph Maxson was son of John Maxson, 1st elder of 7th-Day Baptist Church, Westerly. He b 1672, & consequently was but 6 yrs younger than brother who preceded him in pastoral office. He was baptized 24 Jan 1694, & became mbr of 7th-Day Baptist Church, Newport. Like his brother, he was early engaged in more active duties of congregation; & in 1700 he was sent, in company w/Joseph Crandall, on mission to New London, requiring considerable judgment, for investigation of circumstances relating to complaint of John Rogers, of New London, against some mbrs of church. In 1710 he was sent on commission to Shannock, w/Joseph Clarke, Joseph Crandall, Joseph Clarke Jr, & Thomas Hiscox, "to hear, debate, judge, & conclude what they or a major part of them, shall think fit in behalf of the church," concerning church & brethren residing there. Mr Maxson was chosen to office of deacon in 1716, w/Thomas Hiscox.

At same mtg John Maxson Jr was chosen as colleague to his father; & in 1732 Mr Maxson was ordained evangelist, or traveling minister, as appears from following entry in records of church at Newport: "At a church meeting held at the mtg-house in Westerly, Sep 17 1732, voted, that Bro Joseph Maxson & Bro Thomas Hiscox go to visit some friends at the eastward, in answer to their request to Sabbath-keepers in this colony; also, voted, that our sister church of Newport, with the assistance of our deacon, is desired to ordain & qualify the said persons fit for evangelists or messengers in God’s service, as occasion may require, if said church see cause. "A true copy from the church book in Westerly, Sep 18 1732. "Per George Stillman, Clerk." Accordingly, they were, agreeable to above request, ordained by church at Newport, & following entry was made in its records: "Newport, Oct 8-This day our beloved brethren Joseph Maxson & Thomas Hiscox were solemnly & regularly ordained evangelists or traveling ministers in God’s service, agreeable to a church vote passed at Westerly, Sep 17, & a church vote passed in this church Oct 1.

Our expectation & intention is, that the above-mentioned brethren, Joseph Maxson & Thomas Hiscox, are qualified & empowered by virtue of this ordination to administer the ordinances of the gospel as they may be occasionally called by either of the churches." After ordination of these brethren at Newport, they set out, accompanied by Henry Collins, of Newport, on mission eastward, where there were scattered brethren belonging to both churches. Number of families were in New Bedford, some of whose descendants are still in observance of 7th day.

On return to Newport, they were invited by church to administer Lord’s Supper, & to serve church on other occasions, as they might be led, or as circumstances might require. Most intimate & affectionate connection was uniformly maintained bet these churches...Mr Maxson was appointed by church 25 Apr 1727, to visit mbrs of church, w/his bro the pastor, as appears by following preamble & resolution...: "Voted, Whereas, there hath for some considerable time past a great neglect appeared in the members of this church in assembling on the Sabbath meetings in general, & on sacramental days in particular, as also at the appointed church meeting; which we esteem discommendable, reproachful, & evil.

In hopes of redressing said disorders, we appoint Bro Joseph Maxson Sr to bear our elder, Bro Maxson, company, & to assist him in the visiting of the members so neglecting, & to inquire the reason of their omission, & to help, council (sic), & admonish them, according to their various circumstances, to the diligent attending their duty for the future, & to make report to the church of their proceedings therein." Ordination as traveling ministers did not at that time, in estimation of church, qualify for oversight of church, or for eldership in any particular church; & when pastor required asst minister, it was thought necessary to ordain 1 especially to that office; & consequently, in 1737, when leading elder, from his infirmities, desired church to select someone to act as elder, several mtgs of church were appointed to consider qualifications of brethren for office.

Amg candidates proposed were Thomas Clarke, Joseph Maxson 2nd, Joshua Babcock, & Joseph Maxson 3rd. Aft protracted canvassing of their merits & qualifications, it was determined to appoint Joseph Maxson Sr then at age 69 yrs. He notwithstanding made it subject of inquiry & self-examination, bef giving answer, as record shows: "At a church mting in Westerly, Apr 24 1739, it was voted, that Bro Joseph Maxson Sr be appointed for ordination as an elder to assist our present elder in the service of the church. Bro Maxson desired time to answer until next church meeting by course." On 24 Jun 1739, he "gave his answer, that he accepted of the office of an elder to assist the senior elder in the service of the church." Eldership was matter of serious consideration, both to candidates & church; & while latter properly appreciated authority & wisdom of age, & desired their leaders should indeed command respect of elders, former only approached sacred office w/much misgiving & self-depreciation. When in 1743, church deemed it advisable to add number of elders, sr & jr of that office were respectively 77 & 70 yrs of age.

At this time Thomas Hiscox & John Davis were chosen by church to office, but declined appointment. Mr Davis, however, was aftward ordained by Mr Maxson elder to brethren in Shrewsbury, NJ, where church had been formed from mbrs of Westerly church dismissed at that place. Upon death of pastor in 1747, Joseph Maxson succeeded to pastoral office. He was then at age 75 yrs, & could not of course long continue to serve church in capacity of leader; yet, being ripe w/experience of yrs, & of well-tried character in all his business relations, he was too well qualified for station to allow of his declining responsible office which providence of God seemed to devolve upon him. Period of his administration, though short, was 1 of considerable difficulty.

Several mbrs were from time to time put under admonition for their defection from faith thru influence of New Lights, whose mtgs were held frequently in various parts of Westerly & vicinity; & amg them was 1 of licentiates of church, who w/drew from church to join that sect, contrary to his former profession & covenant w/church. His license was consequently revoked, & fellowship of church w/drawn. Disciplinary proceedings in these cases were painful to aged pastor, & led to great discouragements, but while faith of some was overcome, that of others was strengthened, so these difficulties seemed to come as trial of their faith & patience.

They had hitherto enjoyed undisturbed quiet in settlement in regard to opposing interests, & had mostly forgotten sharp conflict in which their predecessors engaged w/opposing creeds, & were therefore exposed to grter danger from boldness of these new assailants. Mr Maxson was assisted in duties of his office by Eld Thomas Hiscox, who was appointed his colleague soon aft his confirmation to leading eldership of church. Aft continuing in exercise of pastor’s functions for 3 yrs, Mr Maxson was released from his earthly responsibility, &, like shock of corn fully ripe, was gathered to his fathers. He d Sep 1750, in 78th yr of his age.

Probate

27 FEB 1749 Westerly, Washington County, Rhode Island Note: John Maxson Jr. ... unto my brother-in-law, John Maxson of Westerly, .. . will of honored father, John Maxson Deceased may be fulfilled ... but w ill not approved ... Feb. 27, 1748/9. Witnesses: John Lewis and Peter C randall"

Parents
John Maxson 1666–1747
Judith Clarke Maxson 1667–1747

Spouse
Thankful Randall 1703-1785 m. Sep 26 1724

Siblings
Bethia Maxson Maxson 1693–1751
Elisabeth Maxson Davis 1695–1751
Susan Price Maxson Reynolds 1706–1774

Children
John Maxson b: 27 AUG 1725
Matthew Maxson b: 27 APR 1727 d. 1791 m. Martha Potter
David Maxson b: 24 JUL 1729
Joseph Jesse Maxson b: 23 Mar 1730/31
Benjamin Maxson b: 21 FEB 1733
Stephen Maxson b: 3 MAY 1735 d. 1794
Thankful Maxson b: 16 JUL 1737 d. 1806
Daniel Maxson b: 25 SEP 1739 d.1799
Joel Maxson b: 28 MAY 1742
Eleanor Maxson b: 24 JAN 1748 d. 1823

References

[1] http://hackerscreek.com/norman/MAXSON.htm

[2] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147166232/john-maxson

Additional Information== (add above if missing)

Married in June 1758, Charlestown, Washington Co., RI, to Eunice Reynolds, born in 1733 - Hopkinton, Washington Co., RI, deceased 20 April 1823 - Truxton, Cortland Co., NY aged 90 years old
(Parents : Zaccheus Reynolds, Cpt. 1686-1758 & Susannah Maxson 1706-1774)
Zaccheus Maxson, Deacon 1756-1844 m. 26 September 1778 to Amelia Crandall 1763-1829
Elizabeth Maxson ca 1796-1880 m. 10 August 1828 to Zebediah Gates 1807-1880
Warren Gates ca 1829-
Daniel B. Gates 1836-1893