There are several Maddox descendants who reside currently in Covington and surrounding counties.

More research is needed to relate all of them to each other and to accurately outline their ancestry.

In today’s writing, an effort is made to introduce a number of the Maddox families and to request additional information to present the family’s genealogy more completely.

Family tradition holds that the Maddox name is of English origin and that they most likely originated in Wales.

The name has the following variations in use: Maddox, Mattox, Maddux, Madox and Matdox.

It is most frequently spelled Maddox by local descendants and in various historical records.

The earliest known ancestor is Samuel Maddox who was born in the 1750s in St. Mary’s County, Maryland.

He eventually made his way to Hancock County in the state of Georgia where he died in 1821.

His will was dated Jan. 16, 1821 in that county.

He had served his American country in the Revolutionary War and most likely received a land grant in Georgia for his service.

The name of Samuel’s wife is not known, but they had at least the following three children: William, m. Annie Bryant; Samuel Jr., b. 1771, d. 1841, m. Martha “Patsy” ? and had eight children: and Sally, m. James Bagby. Samuel Sr. and his son, Samuel Jr., owned land in Greene, Putnam, Hancock and Monroe counties in Georgia.

Samuel Maddox Jr. and his wife, Martha “Patsy,” reared the following children: John R., b. 1802; William G., b. 1804; Jesse J., b. 1806, d. 1863; Mariah, b. 1809; Samuel Bailey, b. 1811, d. 1886; Matthew M., b. 1814, d. 1904, m. 1816 Martha R. Bowden (1816-1895); Mark M., b. 1819; and Sherley S., b. 1825.

The son, Matthew M. Maddox, was married to Martha Bowden in Monroe County, Ga., and later moved to Stewart County. They were residing there when they made the move to Coffee County, Ala. At their deaths, they were buried in the Resinridge Cemetery, which is also known as the Maddox Family Cemetery. The couple reared the following 15 children: William “Will” J., b. 1837, d 1895, m. (1) Sarah V. Maddox (1840-1861) (2) Matilda ?; Mary Ann Frances O., b. 1839, d. 1889, m. Archibald W. Ware (1832-1908); James “Jim” H.H., b. 1840, d. 1929, m. (1) Susan ? (2) Jane Giles (1848-1925); John B., b. 1842, m. Mary P. ?; Drucilla R., b. 1844, d. as young child; Eliza Rebecca “Becky,” b. 1846, m. Thomas W. Amason, b. 1836, d. 1896; Jepe Jesse, b. 1848, m. Martha Donaldson; Matthew M., Jr., b. 1849, d. 1920, m. Lucy Salus (1858-1926); Jeptha Cornelius, b. 1851, d. 1925, m. Sarah Jackson (1848-1828); Sarah E. “Sally,” b. 1852, m. ? Gohegass; Thomas Isaiah, b. 1854, d. 1879; Laura B.B., b. 1856, d. 1944, m. William Singleton McCollough (1850-1935); Alfred Reed, b. 1857, d. 1906, m. Nancy Rebecca Tucker (1857-1918); Francis General Bartow, b. 1861, d. 1927, m. (1) Emma White (1862-1884) (2) Sally Philoby Calhoun (1868-1940); and M. Catharine, b. 1863, m. ? Spurlin.

At least six of the above children of Matthew M. Maddox moved to Mississippi from the 1850s to the 1870s. Among these were Eliza Rebecca (Maddox) and Thomas W. Amason, Jeptha Cornelius and Sarah (Jackson ) Maddox, Mary Ann Frances (Maddox) and Archibald W. Ware to Smith County, James “Jim” H.H. and Susan Maddox to Simpson County, and Matthew M. and Lucy (Salus) Maddox, Jr., and Alfred Reed and Nancy Rebecca (Tucker) Maddox. Most of the other children remained in Coffee County while several of the grandchildren moved into Covington County.

David Pierce Maddox, son of Jessie Jepe Maddox, and his wife, Bonnie Pearl Plant, daughter of Thomas Jefferson and Sara Louise (Wyrosdick) Plant, settled in Covington County where h­­e became a farmer. He and Sara reared the following four children: Arthur Clifton, b. 1911, m. Crystal Lee Sightler; Nadine, b. 1916, m Daniel Lindsey Giddens; Henry Prelo, b. 1921, m. (1) Mozell Jones (2) Gladys ? (3) Catherine Sims; and Donald, b. 1928, m. Teresa Lyons.

Other grandchildren who came ot Covington County include the following: Alfred Maddox, m. Clara Moore Peacock; Lula Alma Maddox, m. Button Blue Maddox; Trammell LeRoy Maddox, m. Bessie Railey; and Martha Rena Maddox, m. Hub Bowman. All of these men became farmers.

Matthew W.’s son, Alfred Reed Maddox, and his wife, Nancy Rebecca Tucker, had at least three children: Infant, b.&d. 1877; Harvey Berkler Mitchell, b. 1879, d. 1942, m. (1) Flora Amanda Hilton (1874-1931) (2) Vida Wells; and Oscar Duel, b. 1881, d. 1954, m. 1905 Dore M. Hilton (1886-1966).

Alfred Reed’s son, Harvey Berkler Mitchell Maddox, and his first wife, Flora Amada Hilton, had the following children: Eulus Thelma, b. 1903, m. Joel Patterson; Lucille Durie, b. 1904, m. Thomas Durwood Floyd; Flora Athleen, b. 1907, m. Willie P. “Bill” Burnham; Alfred Reed Jr., b. 1909, d. 1979, m. Sylvia Thomas; Nannie Price “Prudie,” b. 1911, d. 1978, m. Jodie L. Meadows; William Patrick “Pat,” b. 1913, m. Lina Mae Wade; and one whose name is illegible.

Alfred Reed’s son, Oscar Duel Maddox, and his wife, Dore M. Hilton, reared the following children: Marvin Neri, b. 1906, d. 1980, m. Lois Ware; Essie Wilma, b. 1907, m. Lewis Berry; Nanie Marie, b. 1909, m. (1) James Yelverton (1909-1948); Pat Duel “P.D.,” b. 1911, m. Clodine Tillson (1911-1979); Oscar Hubern, b. 1914, m. Lola Bell Grubbs; Welborn Hilton “Bud,” m. ? Upton; Ora Mae “Sis,” b. 1919, m. James Wilson Floyd; and Dora Maxine “Polly,” b. 1925, m. Herbert Lee Garner.

Another son of Matthew W. and Martha (Bowden) Maddox, Francis General Bartow Maddox, remained in the area. He was employed with the Singer Sewing Machine Company and farmed as well. He was married twice, and a son by the second marriage to Philoby Sallie Calhoun was named John Matthew Maddox. John was b. in 1890, d. 1972, m. 1920 Katie Nichols, daughter of Claudius Cleo and Emily Ann (Hollis) Nichols. They reared the following children: John Hayes; Margaret Gwendola, m. Grey Edwards; Emma Jean “Jenky;” James Bartow; Glen Nichols; Kenneth Ray; Sally Kate; and William Ronald.

There are other descendants of the Maddox family residing in this area. It is hoped that some of these will contact this writer and share their family records to allow more coverage of their genealogy.

The sources of the above information include the research and records of several descendants: Debra Maddox Wilson, Vivian Love Williams, and Kenny Shackleford.

Also, several stories published in The Heritage of Covington County, Alabama was referenced.

Anyone who might have any corrections to the above writing or additional information on the Maddox families of this area is requested to contact Curtis Thomasson at 20357 Blake Pruitt Road, Andalusia, AL; 334-222-6467; or Email: cthomasson@centurytel.net.

HISTORICAL MEETING: The Covington Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. on Thurs., May 27, in the Dixon Memorial Room at the Andalusia Public Library. Joseph Wingard, founding president, will present a history of the graduating classes from Andalusia High School.

Guests and prospective members are most welcome.

FAMILY REUNIONS: The annual Mike and Mary Ann (Thomasson) Henley Reunion will be held tomorrow following the morning worship service, in the fellowship room of the Red Oak Baptist Church.

All relatives are asked to bring a covered-dish dinner with paper goods being furnished.

The annual Odom Reunion is planned for Sat., May 29, from 10 a.m. until at 29720 Hammett Road, northeast of Andalusia.

Call 334-222-4742 for more information.