An American Family History

Ashael (Asaell, Aseal) Maxwell was born about 1709 in a part of Baltimore County, that is now Harford County, Maryland. He was the oldest son of Colonel James Maxwell and Anne Groome.

His wife was Hannah Matthews. She was the daughter of Roger Matthews and Mary Carvile and the sister of John Matthews who married Ashael's sister, Ann Maxwell Matthews.

In 1712, his father "took up" a house lot in Joppa Town, Maryland for him.

In 1720 Anne (Groome) Felkes (or Phelks) left Ashael's parents, Anne and James, Taylor's Choice which was 300 acres at the head of the Gunpowder River during their lives. After they died, it was to go Ashael. He also inherited some of her personal property.

When his father died in 1727, he inherited Major's Choice and Holland's Adventure. When he died, Major's Choice went to his sister, Anne Maxwell Matthews.

He died when he was only about 20 years old. After his death, his wife married John Hall (1701-1774).

Hannah and John sold Holland's Adventure which they had renamed Hall's Pasture.

Gunpowder Neck, was in Baltimore, County but is now in Harford County, Maryland. Joppa was a major seaport and the county seat of Baltimore County from 1712 to 1769. St. John's Parish was in Joppa, but later moved to Kingsville, Maryland. Robins Point, Rickett Point Road, Maxwell Point Road, and Ford Point are south of the current Joppatowne on Gunpowder Neck. Spry Shoal is just off Rickett Point.