Hallo again
For the time being on my tree I've entered the first wife as Mam Maddox!
The book is called The Story of Carmarthen by Malcolm and Edith Lodwick. It's a long time since I looked at it but it's a general story I think.
Hello
Seems a sensible move for now. Have established that in his will James "senior" was living as Drawstre Ganol Llanarthney, which later became known as Trawsdre Ganol with a variation in spelling of Trawsedre ganol. This is useful as in some of the parish/census records it lists Drawsre or Drawsre Ganol as the place of residence so we can match things up.
In the will he leaves the lease to his wife Martha and son Thomas. From this I think it is reasonably safe to assume Thomas was the oldest son? (the others being John and James).
Thomas is still living at Drawstre, as Thomas Maddox, in the 1841 and 1851 census with his wife Mary and children in 1841 and just his children and others in 1851. In the 1851 census is age is given as 89 and and in his burial entry from Lanartney on 21 Feb 1852 as 88. Therefore, assuming these ages are correct, he was born around 1762-1764, which, if he is the eldest, would make the other sons born later.
However, from the information you have this doesn't seem to tie up as you have John as the eldest born 20 Aug 1754? Can I please ask what children you have attributed to James (died 1807) and their dates/years of birth and if there is any reference to Drawstre?
There is a John Maddox buried 28 Oct 1834 age 61 (therefore born around 1773), of Drawsdre Fach. Therefore I am tempted to think that this John is the more likely son of James (died 1807) rather than the one born 20 Aug 1754? You may of course may have access to family history/information that I don't have?
Regards