He held the rank of major in the ‘Minute Men’ in Morris Co., New Jersey, and was always called ‘The Old Major.’
He came to Mendham Township with his parents when he was 3 years old. After his marriage to Mary Beach he purchased a small farm in Washington Valley, adjoining the Beach farm on the west.991
Henry was a major of militia, and is known as Major Axtell. He was twice married; his second wife was a Condit This family also spell their name in different ways, as Condit and Condict. The elder Axtells were men of great good nature and some humor. It is said of Major Henry that when he proposed to his second "venture" she expressed no repugnance to him personally, but said, "I cannot think of taking the responsibility of being a stepmother." "Well," said the major, rising to go, "if that is all your objection I will go right home and kill the young ones." But rather then permit so barbarous a deed she married him, and, tradition says, made a most exemplary and excellent wife, stepmother and mother. Their union was blessed with two sons and three daughters. The sons were Henry and Silas. Henry graduated at Princeton, studied theology and was settled in Geneva, N. Y. He left three sons, all in the Presbyterian ministry — Daniel, Henry and Charles.992