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On Feb. 24, 1637/1638 John Maddocks was born to Margery Maddocke widow of Ralfe Maddocks yeoman of Over, Cheshire England.  Cheshire Inquistion, File 104, #9, book titled Cheshire Inquisitions, page 159 found at the Chester Library, Cheshire England.  This court session was held to state clearly that Raph Maddocke owned over 14 acres of land in Over and John Maddocke was his legal heir.  If you would like a copy CONTACT US.

Over is about 17 miles due east of Chester, now absorbed in the town of Winsford.

Margery Maddocke's birth name is unknown so far.  However, her death is recorded in the The Over Parish Records on FamilySearch  She died on 1/11/1643, perhaps a victim of the Sack of Over. "In 1643, Royalists escaping from Nantwich "sacked" Over.   At the time John was must 5 years old.  He may have been raised by an older sister, or perhaps he was taken to Nantwich as a safer place. Nantwich is full of Maddocks, so possibly doesn't mean anything, then again it could be family.  Ralph's will mentioned a brother George, and there are other records that may refer to relatives Thomas Maddocks and John Maddocks.

We think it possible that he learned a trade that was useful in London after the Great Fire devastated the city. The great Black Plague swept through England in the 1650-60s.In London the Plague seems to have hit a high point in 1665-6. A widow of Ralph Burnham, Elizabeth Burnham, lost two children in 1665. Her daughter Elizabeth died 1665-7-15 and son Robert died 1665-7-27. Both were of John St.(not sure what that means) the ages of the children were not given. The deaths of the children are recorded on microfilm at the Quaker library at Swarthmore College. It is Quakers Records Cope Digest London Deaths, 1661-1725 - film MR-L8.

In 1666 the Great fire of London stopped the Plague there and leveled a great deal of the city. In 1668 John Maddocks arrives from Cheshire and possibly enters the construction trade.  However, when he arrives in new Jersey he is a chandler.

In 1669 John marries Elizabeth Burnham. She has one surviving son, Richard Burnham from her first marriage. I believe it very possible that she is the same Elizabeth who lost the children to the plague, Elizabeth and Robert.  About 1671 their daughter Elizabeth is born in St. Pulchers in London.

During the next few years John and Elizabeth became Quakers. In 1678 the family immigrated to Salem, New Jersey and become active in the Quaker Monthly Meeting.  Salem is about 30 miles downstream from Philadelphia. The records there call John Maddox a chandler, one who makes candles and soap.

So far this story comes from the Early Church Records of Salem County by Charlotte Meldrum in the chapter titled "Salem Monthly Meeting". Hinshaw also records the story in the Encylopedia of American Quakers Vol II

" John Maddocks, son of Ralfe Maddocks, born in Chesshire in or about the year 1638. In the year 1668 the said John Maddocks removed to London. In the year 1669 the said John Maddocks took to wife, Elizabeth Burnham, late widow of Ralph Burnham. In the year 1671 was born daughter Elizabeth in St. Pulchers in London. In the year 1678 the said John Maddocks with Elizabeth, his wife, and dau. Elizabeth, and his son-in-law Richard Burnham with two men servants namely Thomas Oads and Thomas Hooton and one maidservant named Sarah Wagstafe transported themselves to the province of west New Jersey in America. They set sail from London on the 24th of the 6th mo, in the ship called the Suckcess. The master's name was Stephen Nichols and landed in Virginia the 12 mo., following and so to New Salem the province of West New Jersey."

"After this the said Elizabeth Maddocks, dau. of John Maddocks married with James Denn and had by him two children: Margaret Denn born 29th da, 4th mo, 1689. John Maddock Denn born 11th da, 6th mo, 1693."  James Denn died Oct 1693.  An Inventory of his personal estate was made by John Maddocks and Edward Wade. 
Elizabeth Maddocks Denn  was just 22.  Salem Wills, Lib 2, page 20.

It is interesting to note that Richard Burnham is called a son-in-law. Which of course he was but we now call that relationship stepson.

Elizabeth dies sometime before 1682 because in that year John takes up with the widow Scisila Worgan. He gets in trouble with the Quaker Meeting because he actually moves his family into her house before they are married. He finally apologizes and moves out. He marries Sisley Morgan of Alloway Creek in Salem County 1682, 10th mo, 13th day. This is also recorded in the Salem Monthly Meeting chapter of Early Church Records of Salem County

It goes on to say that he gets disowned in 1686 but I don't know why.  John continued living in Salem county.  Sisley died sometime before 1700.  I have a note that in 1700 he sold the land he owned in Salem County, NJ to his daughter's second husband, Jeremiah Powell and neighbor Edward Hancock. I cannot find my source for this statement.  If true, it past quickly to his daughter.  Jeremiah Powell died in December 1700 and again John Maddocks took the inventory, this time with Joseph Ware. Salem Wills, Lib 3, page 62

Just a few months later, John Maddocks, of Allwayes Creek, Salem County New Jersey died.  It was  recorded March 22, 1700/1701.  He names his daughter, Elizabeth Powell, her, 4 children: John Maddocks Denn, Margaret Denn, Mary Powell and Elizabeth Powell, his son-in-law Richard Burnham.  He also left a legacy to Friends meeting at Salem.  Interestingly his personal estate consisted of 5 pieces of Arabian Gold.  His daughter and grandson, John Maddocks Denn were executors.

If you know the answer please CONTACT US.

1.  Did John have a family in the Nantwich area before going to London.

2.  Is John of London the same John born in Over?  The dates certainly match.

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Date written 3/19/2001
Date edited 3/1/2013