James Thomas Truax was born the 4th child and 3rd son of James Severson Truax and Mary ( Patterson ) Truax in 1845 in Delaware. He married " Mary Emma Nelson " on February 20, 1869 in Delaware. Mary was born the daughter of William W. Nelson and Ann B. " _____ " Nelson in 1847 in Kent County, Delaware.

They first showup as a family in the 1870 Federal Census ( recorded: June 15, 1870 ) residing on a farm in Duck Creek Hundreds, southeast of Smyrna, Delaware ( more than likely on Dutch Neck Road ) that is located between the farm of his dad James and the farm of his brother Isaac. James is noted as a 24 year old " farmer " and Mary is noted as a 21 year old housekeeper. They currently had no children.

Also residing on the farm with them in 1870 are " Mary J. Wilson " ( Age 25 ~ Domestic Servant ), " Theodore Carrow " ( Age 19 ~ White Farm Laborer ), " John Scott " ( Age 18 ~ White Farm Laborer ), " George Hazzard " ( Age 13 ~ Black Farm Laborer ), and eight year old " Samuel Keyes " and it's unknown if he is related or not.

In the 1880 Federal Census ( recorded: June 15, 1880 ) they are still residing on a farm in Duck Creek Hundreds, southeast of Smyrna, Delaware that is located next to the farm of his dad James. James is noted as a 34 year old " farmer " and Mary is noted as a 37 year old " housekeeper " raising their " 4 " oldest children: John " Fletcher " ( Age 9 ) ~ Ada ( Age 6 ) ~ James ( Age 4 ) and William ( Age 2 ). No one else is shown as residing on their farm.

Sadly, most of the " 1890 census " materials were destroyed in a 1921 fire and none of the information for the State's of New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania or Delaware survived the fire. It's also sad to note that a 1900 Federal Census could also not be found for this family .....

In the 1910 Federal Census ( recorded: April 25, 1910 ) they are still residing on a farm, that they own but with a mortgage, in Duck Creek Hundreds, southeast of Smyrna, Delaware however it is now noted to be on Dutch Neck Road. James is noted as a 64 year old " farmer " and Mary is noted as a 62 year old " housekeeper ". It is also noted in this census that they only had " 5 " children. Also no one else is shown as residing on their farm.

In the 1920 Federal Census ( recorded: January 12, 1920 ) they are now residing in a home which they owned mortgage free at 123 Delaware Street, Smyrna, Delaware. James is noted as being 74 year old and " retired " and Mary is noted as a 72 year old " housekeeper ". It is also noted that their 15 year old granddaughter Florence Truax, who was the daughter of their son Frank, is residing with them as well.

In the 1930 Federal Census ( recorded: April 16, 1930 ) they apparently sold their home on Delaware Street and purchased one located at #16 on the Boulevarde ( current Route 13 ) in Smyrna, Delaware. This home was located next door to their son James. James is noted as being 84 years old and Mary is noted as being 82 years old. Their son Frank Truax, whose wife Avis had passed away in 1926, is also shown residing with them.

Mary ( Nelson ) Truax preceded her husband in passing away in 1930 at the age of 82 apparently shortly after the April, 1930 Federal Census. She was interred in the Glenwood Cemetery, Smyrna, Delaware. James passed away in 1933 at the age of 87 and he was interred with his wife. They had " 5 " children together.