MEMOIRS OF CALLOWAY LEANDER [LEE] MAXWELL

[Transcribed by Frank H. Maxwell from a copy of hand-written notes written by Lee Maxwell. Frank Snoddy also descends from this family. ]

[Italics added by Frank H. Maxwell for clarification]

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The following letter was written by our father (Lee Maxwell)

I will tell you the best I can about our old Maxwell family.

My grand Father [Thomas Maxwell] and grand Mother [Nancy Purviance] came to this county from Giles and Bedford counties Tenn about the year 1836 the year that Ark was made a state in June 1836 (I do not know that I am correct) They came with The Wood family.

My grand Father Maxwell's name was Thomas I do not think he was a member of any church he was a large Strong man and was a Black Smith by trade.

My grand Mother Maxwell's name was Nancy [Purviance]. Her Maiden name was Purviance and she was a good woman. She had 5 sons and 3 daughters

Jane Hammack and Cynthia Carl

Aunt Sarah (their sister) never married. She died while young.

Uncle John [Purviance] Maxwell (as you know) reared me. He was a Methodist Preacher and was the oldest child of his family. His birthday was the `18th of April 1812 he died 16th [Aug] 1886. he was one of the best men I ever knew. His wife was Martha Hammack she was the Mother of 3 children. [James Harvey Maxwell, Margaret Jane Maxwell, Newton Thomas [Frank Henry Maxwell's grandfather]]

James [Riley] Maxwell was born Jan 10th 1816 and was an Exorter in the Methodist church. He was my Father in law. His first wife was Anna Hammack she was the Mother of 6 children His second wife was Arrena Dunagin and she was the mother of 7 children.

David Purviance Maxwell was born the 4th of July 1818. he was a Cumberlin Presbyterian and his wife was Martha Forsyth and she had 2 sons (Lee [Calloway Leander] & [William] Thomas). She died at the age of 23 (she was my mother).

My Step Mother was Matilda Potter. She died while young near Lampasas Tex. She left one son. his name was John Riley Maxwell. he died in Bell Co Texas.

Newton [Jeremiah] Maxwell [son of Thomas & Nancy] died in 1864. He had 3 children. He was a Presbyterian Preacher. His wife was Martha Dixon [or Dickson] . She died young. He then married Minnie Gregory. she is now the widow of Columbus Midelton. She had 4 children by her second husband.

Thomas Mulky Maxwell died on his way to Oregon. (he was a Presbyterian Preach]

Aunt Norma Williams was a half sister of my Grand Mother Maxwell. She had 3 children. She was a good woman.

I am not sure that I am correct in all that I have written about our kin. but this is the best I can remember them. please excuse mistakes my memory is bad and I have a poor education

I am 85 years old April 22, 1926.

And now about my self and family in the first place I will say I am proud of my children. Belle keeps house for me. She is one of the best she has 3 children 2 girls (twins) and a boy. we have peace in our home. Belle's birthday is May 9th 1868.

Addie's birthday is Aug 8th 1870 and is now a widow living in Tulsa Okla she has 2 children. 1 son & 1 daughter.

Will [William Thomas] Maxwell's (my only son living) birthday is Feb 22 1872. He lost his first wife he has a daughter by his first wife his second wife was a widow Caldwell. She had us children.

[James] Henry [Maxwell] died in Kerrville Tex at the age of 52 which was a great sorrow to us all. he left a wife & 2 daughters.

John died in the prime of life. he left a wife and 2 girls and 1 son.

And Maggie as you know is my baby girl her birthday is April 21, 1879. She lives in Tex and 2 sons and one daughter (she is a widow) her husband died in 1930/1932.

(Our baby) Rush Henderson was born April 16, 1885, died July 27th 1887.

Marilda Emmaline Maxwell (my wife) was born in Benton Co July 29 1848. She was converted in Aug 1866 and joined the Methodist church (South) at the Drake School house during the Pastorate of Rev Jordan Banks and was baptized at Center Point by Rev Tom Smith her maiden name was Maxwell. She was married to Lee Maxwell July 28, 1867. She was the Mother of 7 children, 4 sons and 3 girls. Her death was a great sorrow to us all. She did her part well. We were first cousins.

P.S.

My oldest daughter Married J. W. Baldwin of Ark.

My second daughter Married I. C. Casey of Ark.

My baby girl Married E. B. M. of Tex.