The Shadow
(VR) – When I got the idea to write about some local American Revolutionary War soldiers, I never dreamed it would take me back to my own family. Local in this case being Rockbridge County.
Major William Paxton was born in 1732 in Ulster Ireland and died September 30, 1795, in Rockbridge County, Virginia and was buried in the Paxton Family Cemetery in Mechanicsville, Rockbridge, Virginia. He married Eleanor Hays October 19, 1763 in Rockbridge County, daughter of David Hays
and Isabella Hays. She was born in 1743 in Scotland and died August 13,1815 in Rockbridge County, Virginia and she too was buried in Paxton Family Cemetery. William and Eleanor had ten children.
William Paxton was the youngest of five Paxton brothers born by John and Elizabeth (Alexander) Paxton. William was the most colorful of them and all and was conspicuous in public affairs. He was an early member of the justice’s court of Rockbridge County, an Elder in Falling Spring Church in
Rockbridge County and was Captain of a volunteer company in the Revolutionary War. He was brother of John Paxton II, Mary (Paxton) Stuart, Thomas Paxton (Revolutionary War), Joseph Paxton and Samuel Paxton (Revolutionary War).
In 1777, Paxton received his commission as a captain in the militia and served in eastern Virginia against Cornwallis, taking part in the Severe little engagement known as the Battle of Hot Wells. Later he was commissioned by Governor Thomas Jefferson as Major; the title by which he was widely
known.
In 1778, it was necessary to set up a new county in Rockbridge and in April 1778, Major William Paxton was one of the men chosen to serve along with James Buchanan, Charles Campbell McDowell, John Gilmore, John Lyle, Samuel Lyle, John Trimble and Alexander Stuart. These men were
committed to the task of promoting all the services of local government, i.e., building roads caring for the poor, to name some of the tasks.
When Major Paxton was appointed a justice of the peace, June 10, 1778, it was his highest public honor. He filled the position with efficiency, dignity and honor, proving himself worthy of the trust.
His death on September 30, 1795, at the early age of sixty-two, came when he was at the very peak of his valuable service to the public.
According to WikiTree, William Paxton Sr.’s biography says he is ancestor of Brigadier General Elisha Paxton as well as noted actor Bill Paxton. William Paxton Sr is a DAR Patriot Ancestor.
This will be the first in a series of local soldiers and heroes from the American Revolutionary War era. If your family heritage has someone you would like for us to honor, please reach out to Marian Paxton at 843-653-6098 or via email at marianpaxton@gmail.com. This project will continue throughout 2026 and, on July 4, 2026, our country will honor all of these soldiers and all those men who signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
On April 1st at 4:00 PM we will reveal our first VA250 Wall of Valor at the local post office on Main Street in Covington showcasing American Revolutionary War soldiers. The Wall of Valor will be dedicated to the 250th birthday of America for the remainder of the year.
Thank you to the Alleghany Highlands Genealogical Society, especially Phil Amick, for their hard work in putting this Wall of Valor together. The Alleghany Highlands is very rich history for this special celebration of the 250th birthday of America.
Photos courtesy Marian Paxton
