USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > The founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland. A genealogical and biographical review from wills, deeds and church records > Part 1
USA > Maryland > Howard County > The founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland. A genealogical and biographical review from wills, deeds and church records > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02243 8995
Gc 975.201 An7w Warfield, J.D. The founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland
50
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ج.طى
-THE-
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL -AND-
HOWARD COUNTIES, MARYLAND.
A Genealogical and Biographical Review from wills, deeds and church records.
-BY-
J. D. WARFIELD, A. M.
Formerly Professor of English Literature in the Maryland Agricultural College, genealogist and author of "The Warfields of Maryland."
KOHN & POLLOCK, PUBLISHERS, BALTIMORE, MD. 1905.
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
COPYRIGHT 1905.
1127512
INTRODUCTION.
I have searched the record for their good deeds and have herein handed them down to our children.
To master Maryland history we must know the biography of its founders. That biography has never before been written. Boz- man, McMahan, McSherry, Davis and Scharf, content to accept the biased opinions of contemporary partisans, have been lavish in their criticisms of our "Early Settlers."
At this distance from that crucial era, under our broad ideas of toleration, it is difficult to judge the men and measures of an age of limited privileges.
For the first time in all history an ideal government had been organized in Maryland; a benevolent lord with knightly powers was at its head.
An act of toleration had just been passed. It was the joint pro- duct of liberal men of all faiths, but it was at a time when the mother country was involved in religious controversies, which, of necessity, were just as bitter here. Hence the act of toleration was for a season obscured in Maryland; but its influence, once felt, continued to grow until it became a leaven of enlightenment, ending finally in complete revolution.
Having searched the record of our "Early Settlers," the histor- ian of to-day can see our early men as they were.
Judging them by their records, herein brought to light for the first time, their interested descendants will endorse the sentiment of a young historian who has recently recorded:
"In no other place upon the American Continent is there to be found so good an example of a people, who, after a struggle of nearly a century and a half, made the transition from a monarchical gov- ernment to a 'government of the people, for the people, by the people,' as in Maryland."
(MERENESS.)
Another Maryland historian, who has given us glances at some of the founders herein recorded, in the face of the harsh criticisms of his contemporaries, has left us this record:
" Between the morals of the past and those of the present, it would be impossible to draw a full or fair contrast, but injustice in this particular has certainly been done to the memory of our ances- tors. Without wishing to draw a veil over the sins of the past, or excuse in the least its rudeness or its violence, I have no hesitation in expressing the opinion for whatever it may be worth, that in the sincerity of their friendships, in the depth of their religious convic- tions, in the strength of their domestic affections, and a general reverence for things sacred, our forefathers far outshine the men of this generation with all its pomp and pride of civilization."
(DAVIS.)
FRONTISPIECE.
"At the beginning of this new century we are going to the garrets, bringing out the portraits of our forefathers, brushing off the dust,-putting them into new frames and handing them down to our children. Search the records for their good deeds."
CHAPTER 1.
OUR EARLY SETTLERS.
All authorities pretty generally agree that our first Anne Arun- del settlers came up from Virginia.
In 1620 Edward Bennett, a rich merchant of England, inter- ested in Virginia trade, had organized a company consisting of his nephews Richard Bennett, Robert Bennett, Thomas Ayres, Richard and Thomas Wiseman, to send two hundred settlers to Virginia.
Many of those sent were murdered by the Indians in 1622. Robert Bennett and John Howard were among the number.
Richard Bennett, in 1642, came over in person to revive the company's efforts. He brought with him members of an Independ- ent Church in England, who sought a more favorable field for build- ing up their church.
Upon organizing in their new homes surrounding Edward Ben- nett's plantation upon the Elizabeth river, in Nansemond County, Philip Bennett, a nephew, was sent to Boston to secure ministers. He carried with him a letter written by John Hill. Rev. William Thompson, a graduate of Oxford, John Knowles, of Immanuel Col- lege, Cambridge, and Thomas James were induced to come. Upon their arrival in Virginia, they were coldly received by Governor Berkeley and his chaplain, Rev. Thomas Harrison. Through the Governor's influence, an act was passed by the Virginia legislature forbidding any minister, who did not use the "Book of Common Prayer," to officiate in the churches of Virginia.
The ministers from Boston soon retired from this unpromising field, but to the disgust and surprise of the Governor, his own chap- lain, Mr. Harrison, announced his determination to take up the work just laid down.
The church had been built in 1638 upon "Sewell's Point," on the Elizabeth river. It was near Richard Bennett's two thousand acre plantation. It has recently been selected as the site of our coming Jamestown exposition.
HERE ARE SOME OF ITS RECORDS.
"At a meeting of the inhabitants of Lower Norfolk County, May 25th, 1640, Mr. Henry Sewell and Lieutenant Francis Mason, both of whom had been appointed by Governor Berkeley to hold monthly courts, to induce Mr. Harrison to continue service at Sewells Point, agreed to pay for themselves and the inhabitants of the parish from Captain Willoughby's plantation to Daniel Tanner's Creek, the sum of £32. Cornelius Lloyd, Henry Catlin and John Hill, agreed to pay for themselves and the Western Branch, £33. And Thomas Meeres, John Gatear (Gaither) and John Watkins, agreed to pay £36
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FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
for themselves and the inhabitants of Daniel Tanners Creek." All the members signed this agreement. From the Virginia Rent Rolls we find other early settlers, who later came to Maryland.
There was a grant to John Chew, gentleman, of five hundred acres, in the County of Charles River, due said Chew for the adven- ture of himself and nine persons on July 6th, 1636. The record shows that John Chew came to Virginia in 1622, and again in 1623.
John Gatear (Gaither) received 300 acres in Elizabeth City County, a neck of land on the eastern branch of Elizabeth River. Fifty acres of which were due him on his own personal adventure, and 250 acres for the transportation of his wife Jane and five persons in 1636. He received 200 acres more on the south of Elizabeth River for the transportation of four persons, the names not given.
Cornelius Lloyd received 800 acres in the County of Elizabeth River, due him for the transportation of sixteen persons in 1665. He was also one of the London merchants who received 8,000 acres in Berkeley Hundred in 1636.
Richard Preston was a justice of Nansemond County, in 1636.
William Ayres secured a plantation on Nansemond River for transporting five persons. Ann Ayres, wife of Samuel Chew, was his sole heiress.
Thomas Meeres held 300 acres in the Upper County of New Norfolk in 1644-5-6-7; he was a justice in 1645, and a church- warden. There is a record which states "that Edward Lloyd was acting for Thomas Meeres, of Providence, Maryland, in 1645."
Thomas Davis held 300 acres in the Upper County of New Norfolk on the south side of Elizabeth River, five or six miles up, due him for transporting six persons on May, 1637. He was a jus- tice of Nansemond, 1654.
In 1648, the vestry of Elizabeth River Church were Francis Mason, John Hill, Cornelius Lloyd, Henry Catlin. The following order was then passed: "And the sheriff is desired to give notice and summon John Norwood to appear before said vestry to account for the profits of the "Glebe Land' ever since Parson Harrison hath deserted his ministerial office and denied to administer ye sacre- ments with those of the Church of England." That was Captain John Norwood, the first sheriff of Anne Arundel.
Mr. Thomas Browne became a member of the vestry in 1648, and John Hill and William Crouch were elected wardens.
Wm. Durand having been banished in 1648, Thomas Marsh was ordered to pay the tax upon Durand's property.
The vestry in 1649 consisting of Thomas Browne, John Hill, Cornelius Lloyd, Henry Catlin, employed Mr. Sampson Calvert as minister. Mr. James Warner was church warden. He came to Maryland.
At the County Court of 1649, (the same year these parties left for Maryland), the following record reads: "Whereas, Mr. Edward Lloyd and Mr. Thomas Meeres, commissioners, with Edward Selby, Richard Day, Richard Owens, Thomas Marsh, George Kemp and
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
John Norwood were presented to ye board by the sheriff, for sedi- tious sectuaries for not repairing to their church, and for refusing to hear common prayer-liberty is granted till October next, to in- form their judgements, and to conform themselves to the established law."
Before that probation had expired all of the above were in Mary- land. Edward Lloyd was both burgess and justice of Lower Nor- folk. There is a deed on record from Francis Watkins, late wife of John Watkins, of Virginia, then wife of Edward Lloyd, in which she surrendered her dower to Edward Lloyd in consideration for his payment of a certain sum to her son, John Watkins. This agree- ment was carried out by Edward Lloyd when commander of the Severn. He surveyed a tract for his "son-in-law," (stepson) "John Watkins."
Edward and Cornelius Lloyd were near neighbors in Virginia, in 1635, of Matthew Howard and Ann, his wife. The latter named his son Cornelius in honor of Colonel Cornelius Lloyd.
Two more prominent Virginia officials, Colonel Obedience Robins and his brother, Edward Robins, sent representatives to Maryland. The former was the brother-in-law of Captain George Puddington. The latter was the father-in-law of Colonel William Burgess and Richard Beard, all settlers of South River, Maryland, in 1650.
Mr. Harrison's persistence had increased the independent church in Virginia to a membership of one hundred and eighteen, and when the order of banishment was issued, we have Mr. Harrison's state- ment that he and Elder William Durand left Virginia because they were ordered to go. This statement was supported by the record that "the lands of William Durand in Virginia were confiscated be- cause of his banishment." At this crisis in Virginia a protestant Virginian had just been appointed Governor of Maryland. Gover- nor Wm. Stone knew many of the independent exiles, and having promised Lord Baltimore to bring to his new province a large number of settlers, he naturally sought an interview with them.
Calvert's previous attempts to induce immigrants from Eng- land had not been successful.
He had even written a letter to Captain Gibbons, of Boston, offering land to any people of Massachusetts, who would transport themselves to his province; but "the Captain had no mind to fur- ther his desire, nor had any of our people temptation that way."
Governor Stone sought out William Durand. The evidence is the following records.
"Captain Wm. Stone, of Hungers Creek on eastern shore of Virginia, was born in Northamptonshire, England in 1603. He was the nephew of Thomas Stone, a haberdasher of London.
"In 1648 he conducted the negotiation for the removal of a party of non-conformists from Virginia to Maryland; and in August of that year Lord Baltimore commissioned him governor of that colony.
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FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
" William Durand, in 1648, came to Maryland with his wife, his daughter Elizabeth, and four other children, two freemen, Pell and Archer, and servants, Thomas Marsh, Margaret Marsh, William Warren, Wm. Hogg and Ann Coles." This is what our " Rent Rolls" show upon his coming: "William Durand demanded 800 acres of land for transporting himself, two male servants, one female ser- vant, and two freemen into the province in 1648."
The grant was located in "Durands' Place," on the north side of the Severn.
Richard Bennett, the same year, took another grant of 250 acres, to be divided into small lots for a number of settlers who wished to be close together. This was located at "Towne Neck," a point now known as "Greenberry Point."
They then returned to Virginia, with the terms upon which their followers could obtain homes in Maryland. John Hammond, the historian, thus records that agreement.
"Upon the express assurance that there would be a modifica- tion of the oaths of the office and fidelity, an enjoyment of liberty of conscience, and the privilege of choice in officers, the Virginia Non-Conformists agreed to remove to the banks of the Severn."
Hammond was a strong advocate of Governor Stone's admin- istration. Other historians differ as to the exact promises made at that interview, but our "Rent Rolls" undoubtedly show that Gov- ernor Stone and Lord Baltimore were both anxious to have settlers upon the modified terms offered in the "Condition of Plantation" of 1648.
Hammond declares, "Maryland was considered by the Puritans as a refuge. The lord proprietor and his governor solicited, and several addresses made for their admittance and entertainment into that province, under the conditions that they should have conven- ient portions of land assigned, the liberty of conscience and privilege to choose their own officers."
" After their arrival," continues Hammond, "an assembly was called throughout the whole county, consisting as well of themselves as the rest, and because there were some few papists that first in- habited, these themselves, and others, being different judgements, an act was passed that all professing Jesus Christ should have equal justice." And, "At the request of the Virginia Puritans," the oath of fidelity was overhauled and this clause added to it: "Provided it infringe not the liberty of conscience."
This was confirmed in 1650.
In confirmation of Hammond's statement, our "Rent Rolls" show that Edward Lloyd, in 1649, was granted a permit to lay out one thousand acres on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay to the northward of the Patuxent River, and a small creek, about the middle of "The Cliffs,' adjoining the lands of Richard Owens, there and to the northward of the Patuxent, not formally taken up yet."
He was so desirable an immigrant that he easily secured another grant of 570 acres on the north side of the Severn, just opposite
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FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
Annapolis. There he seated himself and was soon surrounded by many neighbors. Colonel William Burgess, that same year, brought up his colony to South River.
As there has been considerable discussion upon the exact loca- tion of the first settlement of the Severn, I will give the best light that comes from our Record Office. Read this grant of 1654.
"Cecilius, Absolute Lord and Proprietary of the Province of Maryland. To all persons to whom these presents come, greeting: Whereas, William Pell, George Saphir, Robert Rockhould, William Penny, Christopher Oatley, Oliver Sprye, John Lordking, and Richard Bennett, Esq., did in the 1649 and 1650, transport themselves into this province, here to inhabit and for their mutual security, did several small parcels of land then take upon a place called the "Towne Neck," to the intent they might seat close together, and whereas, the said several parcels are since by lawful purchase from the said (persons named), become the sole right of the said Richard Bennett, and whereas, the said Richard Bennett hath since alienated, and for a valuable consideration, sould the said several parcels unto our trusty and well beloved counselor, Nathaniel Utie, Esq. Now know ye, that we hereby grant unto said Nathaniel Utie all that parcel called Towne Neck, on the west side of Chesapeak Bay, and on the east side of Anne Arundel River, now again surveyed to the said Nathan- iel Utie, beginning at Towne Creek, and running for breath northeast 140 perches, to a creek called Ferry Creeke, bounding on the east by a line drawn south, for length by the said creeke and bay 320 perches; on the south by a line drawn west from the end of the south line 110 perches, unto Anne Arundel River; on the west by a line drawn north from the end of the west line unto the marked line; on the north by the first northeast line-containing 250 acres," (There is no evidence from our "Rent Rolls" that any of these people were ever seated at "Towne Neck.")
Nathaniel Utie held this Towne Neck from 1654 to 1661, when he sold it to Wm. Pennington, who, that same year, sold it to Ralph Williams, of Bristol, England. It descended to his daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Molling and Mrs. Rebecca Barber, who sold the same to Edward Perrin, of Bristol, England. It was then transferred to Edward Deaver and finally to Colonel Nicholas Greenberry, who did not come over until 1674. It was not secured by him until 1685. It then became known as "Greenberry Point." The deeds of trans- fers cover some thirty pages, and the time of transfers some thirty years.
Adjoining "Towne Neck," on the west, extensive tracts were taken up and held, as our "Rent Rolls" show.
Edward Lloyd, in 1650, had laid out 570 acres on the north side of the Severn, adjoining " Harrards' Line," (this may have been Howards), running with the river for a length of fifty-five perches.
In 1659, he also took up "Pendenny," upon which stands, to- day, the house of Captain John Worthington, now held by the late Mr. R. Tilghman Brice's family, just opposite the Naval Academy.
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FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
There are many evidences in the old foundation relics at "Pen- denny Heights," to show that here dwelt Edward Lloyd, when in 1650, Governor Stone and his secretary, Nathaniel Utie, came up to the Severn and organized the new settlement.
By Governor Stone's appointment, Edward Lloyd was made commander of Providence, a title kindred to that of deputy-gover- nor; with power to name his own Council, who, with him, were empowered to grant certificates of surveys of lands, organize courts, and direct that settlement.
Edward Lloyd's commissioners were James Homewood, Thomas Meeres, Thomas Marsh, George Puddington, Matthew Hawkins, James Merryman, and Henry Catlyn.
He built his home on the north side of the Severn, in the neck, just opposite the city of Annapolis; Henry Catlyn and James Merry- man were his immediate neighbors.
These two settlers did not long remain. Their combined es- tates were later embraced in the Greenberry and Worthington sur- veys, now held by Messrs. R. Tilghman Brice and Charles E. Remson.
James Homewood and Matthew Hawkins were upon the Magothy River; George Puddington was upon South River; Thomas Marsh and Thomas Meeres were first upon Herring Creek, but later resided on the Severn.
Edward Lloyd's house was the Council Chamber. His immedi- ate neighbors were William Crouch, on the Severn; Richard Young, on the Magothy; Ralph Hawkins, of the Magothy; Richard Ewen, of the Magothy; William Hopkins, Thomas Browne, John Browne, Henry Catlyn, John Clarke were all near the Commander upon North Severn.
George Goldsmith and Nathaniel Proctor held lands adjoining Lloyd's "Swan Neck," upon the bay.
Captain William Fuller located on "Fuller's Survey," which is now known as "White Hall." Leonard Strong, the first historian of the Anne Arundel settlers, and his daughter Elizabeth, held 800 acres adjoining Captain Fuller.
Thomas Meeres adjoined them, holding 500 acres. This North Severn settlement was "Broad Neck," and included Colonel Green- berry's "Towne Neck."
Rev. Ethan Allen, in his historical notes of St. Annes, records: "There was a meeting house at Towne Neck; there is still to be seen the place where the chapel and burying ground was. Among the ruins is a massive slab with this inscription: 'Here lies interred the body of Mr. Roger Newman, merchant, born at London, who dwelt at Palip, in Talbot, in Maryland, twenty-five years, and de- parted this life the 14th of May, 1704.
"There was at this time a dissenting minister, a Mr. Davis, in the neighborhood."
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FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
MIDDLE NECK HUNDRED.
In 1650, there were three known settlers on the site of Annapolis, as the following grant to Thomas Todd, the shipwright, shows. "Laid out for Thomas Todd 100 acres, commencing at Oyster Shell Point, running up the river northwest 160 perches to Deep Cove, bounding on said creek 140 perches to a marked line; on the west unto the bounds of Richard Acton's land at a marked oak; on the south with a line drawn northwest by north unto the bounds of Thomas Hall's land, being a marked poplar; and with the same for thirty-five perches. Then from the end of a former line unto a creek - called Todd's Creek; on the east with said river; containing one hundred acres."
One more surveyor, destined to be better known in history, was Robert Proctor, who took up "Proctor's Chance," in 1679, at a beginning tree of "Intact," on the west side of the Severn River. This tract became "Proctor's Landing," and was his residence in 1681, when he then designated his place as "town." Major Dorsey was there and had built a row of houses on "Bloombury Square," near the present new post-office. He also held houses and lots on High Street, which his widow, Margaret Israel, sold to William Bladen, in 1706.
Another survey of Todd's tract seems to locate a town there in 1651. It reads: "bounding on Thomas Hall's land and on . Todd's Creek, beginning at ye northeast point of "Town" and ex- tending along the river to ye first creek to ye west and then with back lines to ye beginning." "Todd's Range" extended along the south side of the Severn, west to the head of Dorsey's Creek.
The south-side settlers followed the Severn back to Round Bay. They were James Horner, who held "Locust Neck"; Peter Porter at "Bustions Point," adjoining James Warner.
Captain John Norwood held 200 acres of "Norwood's Fancy," adjoining Thos. Meeres.
Nicholas Wyatt surveyed "Wyatt's Harbor" and "Wyatts' Hills," upon which " Belvoir" now stands, just south of, and in sight of Round Bay. Adjoining it was Thomas Gates, upon "Dorsey's Creek," near "Dorsey," taken up by the first Edward Dorsey, in partnership with Captain John Norwood.
James Warner and John Freeman were both near by; William Galloway and Thomas Browne were further west, but touching upon Round Bay.
Lawrence Richardson and the first Matthew Howard surveyed also near Round Bay.
John Collier was on "Todd's Creek," near the present site of Annapolis.
The Middle Neck settlers along the bay, north of South River, were Philip Thomas, of "Thomas Point; " Captain William Fuller, Leonard Strong, Thomas Meeres, Thomas Tolley and William James.
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FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
Upon their surveys stand, to-day, Bay Ridge and Arundel-on- the-Bay.
At the head of South River on the north side,, were John Bald- win, James Warner and Henry Ridgely.
SOUTH RIVER HUNDRED.
In 1650, Colonel William Burgess, the merchant whose vessels brought 150 settlers, was the central figure around whom settled a band of large land-holders.
Joseph Morely held "Morely's Grove."
John Freeman, son-in-law and heir of Joseph Morely, took up at the head of South River, "Freeman's Fancy," "Freeman's Stone," "Freeman's Landing." Adjoining him were John Gaither and Robert Proctor, both heirs of Joseph Morely. They were surveyors of " Ab- bington," and final heirs of Freeman's and Morely's lands.
Mareen Duval, the Huguenot immigrant from Nantes, France, held a large estate around South River, viz: "Middle Plantation" and "Great Marsh." He came with Colonel William Burgess.
Captain George Puddington surveyed "Puddington Harbor," and " West Puddington." Richard Beard, brother-in-law of Colonel William Burgess, held "Beard's Habitation" on "Beard's Creek," near the site of Londontown. Neal Clarke, related to both Pud- dington and Beard, was an adjoining neighbor near the head of South River.
Thos. Besson, the younger, adjoined Colonel William Burgess on the south side of South River. Ellis Brown was on the south side, near Edward Selbys. Captain John Welsh held lands first upon South River and afterwards on the Severn.
RHODE RIVER HUNDRED.
Robert Harwood took up "Harwood," in 1657, which later des- cended to Abel Browne. Walter Mansfield adjoined him. Captain Thomas Besson settled on the west side. His neighbors were Thomas Sparrow, George Nettlefield, John Brewer, Edward Townhill and Colonel Nicholas Gassaway, son-in-law of Captain Thomas Besson, Sr. Captain Thomas Francis "The Ranger," was another large land-holder of Rhode River.
THE WEST RIVER HUNDRED.
Roger Grosse, the popular representative, whose widow married Major John Welsh, held a large estate upon West River. His neigh- bors were Thomas Miles, John Watkins, Hugh and Emanuel Drew, Richard Talbott, John Browne and John Clarke. Still later the West River meeting-house of Quakers attracted a large settlement of leading Quakers, among whom were the Galloways.
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