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 4
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 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
Adjoining these, Nicholas Wyatt extended his surveys of "Way- field," which was bought by Richard Warfield. Henry Sewell sur- veyed " Hope" and " Increase." General John Hammond held a large estate east of the Howards. James Warner adjoined them in "War- ner's Neck." John Mackubin surveyed "Timber Neck," on Broad Creek. Henry Pierpoint's "Diamond" adjoined Nicholas Wyatt, Richard Warfield and Thomas Browne. These surveys were nine miles west of Annapolis.
SOUTH RIVER HUNDRED AFTER 1660.
Patents were issued upon beautiful South River, in 1660, for " Burgess Right," for Captain Edward Burgess; "Burgh" and " Burgess Choice," for Colonel William Burgess; "Pole Cat Hill" and "Round About Hills," for John Gaither; "Edward's Neck," for John Edwards; "Chaney's Neck," for Richard Chaney; "Bald- win's Addition," for John Baldwin; "Watkins Hope," for John Watkins; "The Landing," for Robert Proctor; "Larkins' Hills," for John Larkin; "Poplar Ridge," for Colonel Nicholas Gassaway; " Herrington," for Samuel Chew; "Todd's Range," for Thomas Todd.
CHAPTER III.
THE QUAKERS.
In 1658, when the "Non-Conformists" had settled down to accept "the engagement" instead of the "oath of fidelity," and Edward Lloyd had been elevated to the governor's council, new rebels appeared in the province. "The Governor (Fendall) took into consideration the insolent behavior of some people called Quakers, who, at court, would stand covered and refuse to sign "the engagement.' He therefore ordered, 'That they must do so, or depart from the province.' "
The coming of these Quakers had a marked effect upon the stern Virginia settlers who had preceeded them. At first their refusal to abide by the orders to which they were opposed, created much discontent, but their gentle manners soon brought friends.
Elizabeth Harris, wife of a prosperous London merchant, was among the first to brave the wilds to speak of the love of Jesus.
After her return to England, a convert named Robert Clarkson, wrote as follows: "Dear Heart: I salute thee in tender love of the Father, which moved thee towards us, and do own thee to have been outward testimony to the inward truth, on me and others, even as many as the Lord, in tender love and mercy, did give an ear to hear. And likewise, John Baldwin and Henry Carline, Thomas Cole and William Cole, have made open confession of the truth, (the latter became a Quaker preacher in 1662, and was imprisoned at Jamestown for violating the statutes). William Fuller abides un- moved. (this was the Captain of the Severn). I know not but that Wm. Durand doth the like. He frequents our meetings but seldom. We have disposed of our books, which were sent, so that all parts are furnished, and every one that desires it may have the benefit by them. At Herrring Creek, Roads River, South River, all about Severn, the Broadneck and there about, the Severn Mountains, and Kent.
"With my dear love, I salute thy husband, and rest with thee and the gathered ones in the eternal word, which abideth forever."
Thus, in 1657, before the arrival of Cole and Thurston, the planting of Quakerism had commenced and Preston, Berry and the more sober-minded citizens, listened gladly to the tenets of the society. The Non-Conformists who came from Virginia, not able in their scattered residences, to support a pastor, willingly listened to preaching of the Gospel by the new sect, developed by the agitators of the Cromwellian era.
Feeling that his stay must be brief, the feet of Fox had scarcely touched the sands of the Pautuxent before he began to preach.
32
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
He spoke at the Severn, where the members were so great that no building was large enough to hold the congregation. The next day he was at Abraham Birkheads, six or seven miles distant, and there the Speaker of the Assembly was convinced. Then, mount- ing his horse, he rode to Dr. Peter Sharpe's at the Cliffs of Calvert. Here was a "heavenly meeting." Many of the upper sort of people present, and the wife of one of the governor's councilors, was con- vinced. From thence he rode eighteen miles to James Preston's, on the Patuxent, where an Indian chief and some of his tribe came to see the strange man, who was lifting up his voice like John the Baptist, in the wilderness. His labors were incessant; neither wintry sleet nor the burning sun detained. He forded the streams, slept in woods and barns, with as much serenity as in the comfort- able houses of his friends, and was truly a wonder to many.
Before he returned to England, he went up to Annapolis, at- tended a meeting of the Provincial Assembly, and early in 1673, sailed for his native land.
Mr. Edmondson, the Quaker preacher, when in Virginia, made this report: "Richard Bennett stopped to hear me preach. He was then known as Major General Bennett; he said he was a man of great estate, and as many of our friends were poor men, he desired to contribute with them. He asked me to his house. He was a solid, wise man, receiving the truth and died in the same, leaving two Friends his executors."
Another view of the early church in Anne Arundel, is here given. Rev. John Yoe, of the Church of England, appeared in Maryland, in 1675. He was disturbed by the movements of the Quakers, Baptists, and Roman Catholics, and other Non-Conformists. From the Patuxent, in 1676, he wrote to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the following letter:
"Most Reverend Father,-Be pleased to pardon this presump- tion of mine, in presenting to your serious notice these rude lines, to acquaint your grace with ye deplorable estate and condition of the Province of Maryland, for want of an established ministry.
" Here are, in this province, ten to twelve thousand souls, and but three Protestant ministers to us, yet are conformable to ye doc- trine and discipline of ye Church of England. Society here is in great necessity of able and learned men, to confront the gainsayers, especially having so many professed enemies. Yet one thing can- not be obtained here, viz: consecration of churches and church- yards to ye end ye Christians might be decently buried together. Whereas, now, they bury in the several plantations where they lived."
This letter was referred to the Bishop of London, who returned it to Lord Baltimore, who replied: "That the act of 1649, confirmed in 1676, tolerated and protected every sect." And, he continued, " Four ministers of the Church of England are in possession of planta- tions which offered them a decent substance." The four referred to
33
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
were probably Rev. Mr. Yeo, Coode, the political agitator, Matthew Hill, and a minister sent by Charles the Second.
Six clergymen came during Governor Nicholson's administra- tion. Rev. Ethan Allen names, Rev. Duell Pead, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Moore, Mr. Lillingstone and Mr. Vanderbush.
Rev. Thomas Bray, who in 1696, had been appointed Commis- sary for the clergy, in company with Sir Thomas Lawrence, Secretary of Maryland, waited on Anne, Princess of Denmark, to request her acceptance of the respect shown her by naming the capital of Mary- land, Annapolis.
Rev. Mr. Bray, having received a donation for libraries from the Princess, presented books to the amount of £400 to the capital. On their covers is stamped, "De Bibliothica Annapolitana." Arriv- ing in March, 1700, Rev. Mr. Bray preached before the Assembly at Annapolis, when the Church of England was re-established.
(NEIL.)
The Quakers, as seen by the above quotations, had meeting houses in every section of Anne Arundel. At their meeting-house at West River, there is still a well-preserved graveyard. To their meetings came the Galloways, Murrays, Richardsons, Chestons, Jones, Chews, Hookers, Lawrences, Birkheads, and many others of the in- fluential families, who later joined the Episcopal Church. It was in their meeting houses that George Fox was gladly received, when during that remarkable visit, he won over the staunch Puritans unto zealous Quakers. Governor Fendall, who had ordered them to be banished, had "to depart the province" himself, but the gentle Quakers won friends, and, like the Non-Conformists, did pretty much as they pleased, yet still held their faith and kept their hats on. In fact, the province was the resort for all kinds of rebels.
Governor Fendall was banished to Virginia, but returned and defended himself with such ability, he was acquitted. As will be seen later, he left descendants, who became leaders in the families of Maryland.
In 1662, Philip Calvert was superseded by Hon. Charles Calvert, son of the Lord Proprietary, who continued as governor until the death of his father in 1675, by which he became proprietor.
In 1680 he assumed the government in person for four years. During that time, Ex-Governor Fendall and Captain John Coode attempted to excite another rebellion. This was under the pretense of religion, but failing in it, they were arrested, tried and convicted, but escaped.
This attempt was but the precursor of the coming revolution in England, which later, was severely felt in Maryland.
From the victory of the Severn, in 1655, to the year 1683, when Annapolis was made a port of entry, there in not a single event recorded as a history of Anne Arundel. To fill this gap, I will now give the outlines of the county, some of its officers, and the biography of many who made history in that quarter of the century.
.
CHAPTER IV.
BOUNDARIES OF THE COUNTIES.
The original and indefinite act of 1650, setting off Anne Arundel County, "embraced all that part of the province, on the west side of the Chesapeake Bay, over against the Isle of Kent, called Pro- vidence by the people thereof."
The land grants show that the people of Providence extended from Herring Creek on the south, to the Patapsco River on the north, with the Severn as a central meeting place.
During 1650, an order was passed erecting Charles County out of the territory on the south side of the Patuxent. This order was a county grant to Hon. Robert Brooke, a special friend of Lord Balti- more, who with his family of forty persons, including his servants, had seated himself about twenty miles north of the mouth of the Patuxent. When Robert Brooke later became a leader in the in- dependent movement of the Virginia settlers, he was deprived of his command by changing the name of Charles County to Calvert County, which had its northern limit at "a creek on the west side of the Chesapeake Bay, called Herring Bay."
After the Commissioners of Parliament had, in the ensuing October, 1654, displaced Governor Stone, an ordinance was passed declaring that "all the lands extending from Marshe's Creek down the bay, including all the lands on the south side of the bay and cliffs, with the north and south sides of the Patuxent River, shall constitute a county, to be called, as it is, "Patuxent County."
Upon the restoration of the proprietary grovernment, in 1658, all of the previous acts were annulled, and the boundaries and the names made by the Council of July 3rd, 1654, were restored. The question so rested until 1674, when the proprietary declared by pro- clamation, "That the north side of the Patuxent River, beginning at the north side of Lyon's Creek, shall be added to Anne Arundel County."
One hundred years later, 1777, in order to determine the eligi- bility of Mr. Mackall, the House of Delegates declared, "that the creek, at present called Fishing Creek, was the reputed and long received boundary between the two counties."
Nearly a half century later, 1832, an act was passed, appoint- ing commissioners to ascertain and establish the divisional lines.
In 1823, the commissioners reported a compromise line beginning at the mouth of Muddy, or Red Lion's Creek. Anne Arundel County did not claim that its limits extended to Herring Creek, the boundary assigned by the order of 1652, but that Marsh's Creek, being the conceded boundary, the dispute was as to the true location of that creek. Calvert County claimed that Marsh's Creek, named for Thomas Marsh, the first Anne Arundel commissioner, was a creek
35
1127512
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
falling into Herring Creek, near its mouth, and extending westward- ly with that creek to one of the heads of Lyon's Creek, and thence with Lyon's Creek to the Patuxent. Anne Arundel County claimed that Marsh's Creek was what is now known as Fishing Creek. By the act of 1824, Fishing Creek was made the division line on the bay and the south, or middle creek, on the Patuxent. " In duration and the difficulty of arriving at a satisfactory result, the contest between Anne Arundel and Calvert was not unlike that between Lord Balti- more and the Penns.
"But the identity of Marsh's Creek, (the admitted boundary), with Fishing Creek, is clearly proved by the records in the land office. The history of the title to "Majors Choice," taken up by the Honor- able Thomas Marsh, near the Cliffs of Calvert, will readily develop all the evidence upon this knotty question."-(DAVIS.)
The creation of Charles County in 1658, had no northern limit except "as far as the settlements extended."
In 1695, Prince George County was formed out of its northern territory, extending south as far as Mattawoman Creek, and a straight line drawn thence to the head of the Swanson's Creek, and with that creek to the Patuxent. The present divisional line of Charles and Prince George slightly varies to the west by an artificial line running from the Mattawoman to a given point on the Potomac, nearly opposite Mount Vernon .- (Act of 1748, Chapter 14.)
On the north and east, Prince George has always been separated from Anne Arundel and Charles by the Patuxent River.
Extending from the Patuxent to the Potomac, Prince George received its definite western limits, in 1748, by the creation of Fred- erick County, from which it was separated by a straight line, begin- ning at the lower side of the mouth of Rock Creek, and running thence north with Hyatt's plantation to the Patuxent River, at Crow's mill, west of Laurel.
This line, in 1776, upon the erection of Montgomery County out of the lower portion of Frederick, became the divisional line between Prince George and Montgomery Counties. The eastern boundary line of Frederick County, when erected, in 1748, touched the western boundaries of Prince George, Anne Arundel and Balti- more Counties.
Baltimore County was partly formed out of the northern por- tion of Anne Arundel, in 1659. In the proclamation of 1674, the southern bounds of Baltimore County shall be "the south side of Patapsco River, and from the highest plantations on that side of the river, due south two miles in the woods." In 1698, an act was passed defining the line "beginning at three marked trees, standing about a mile and a quarter to the southward of Bodkin Creek, on the west side of Chesapeake Bay, and near a marsh and a pond: thence west until they cross the mountains of the mouth of the Magothy River, to Richard Beard's mill: thence continuing west- ward with said road to William Hawkin's path, to two marked trees: thence along said road to two marked trees: thence leav-
36
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
ing said road by a line drawn west to William Slade's path to two marked trees: thence continuing west between the draughts of the Magothy and Patapsco Rivers, until they come to a mountain of white stone rock: still continuing west to a road going to Patapsco, to Peter Bond's, to two marked trees: thence continuing west to the main road, to Patapsco Ferry, to two marked pines standing near the Ready Branch, written at large on the north side of said trees, Baltimore County; and on the south side Anne Arundel County. Then with a line drawn west northwest to Elkridge road, to two marked trees; thence continuing the same course of west northwest to Patuxent River, and so on up the said river to the extent thereof, for the bounds of Baltimore County .-
In 1725, an act was passed, limiting the southern border of Baltimore County to the Patapsco River, from its mouth to its head, but its western limits were still vague.
The head of the Patapsco was the western limit, as well as that of Anne Arundel, by the act of 1725, until the formation of Fred- erick County, in 1748, which enacted, "that its lines after reach- ing the river, should run with it to the lines of Baltimore County, and with that county to the extent of the province."
In 1750, a definite line was established between Frederick and Baltimore Counties: "Beginning at a spring called Parr's Spring, and running thence N. 35 E., to a bounded white oak, standing on the west side of a wagon road, called John Digges' road, about a mile above the place called Burnt House Woods: and running thence up said road to a bounded white oak, standing on the east side thereof, at the head of a draught of Sam's Creek: thence N. 55 E. to a Spanish oak, standing on a ridge near William Robert's, and opposite to the head of a branch called the Beaver Dam: thence N. 20 E. to the temporary line between the Provinces of Maryland and Pennsylvania, being near the head of a draught called Conawajo, at a rocky hill called Rattle Snake Hill." The western limit of Anne Andurel County was also the eastern limit of Frederick and Montgomery line, which was a straight line from the mouth of the Monocacy to Parr's Spring, where the Frederick and Baltimore County lines met. A branch from that spring to the Patapsco, limited Anne Arundel on the west. By a more recent act, 1836, creating Carroll County out of the portions of Frederick and Balti- more Counties, the western limits of Baltimore are near Woodstock, B. & O. R. R.
In 1838, Howard District, extending on the east from Laurel to Elk Ridge Landing, via the B. & O. R. R., was set off from Anne Arundel, and in 1851, became a county, though its actual settle- ment was begun before 1700.
Western Maryland was, from 1658 to 1776, successively included in the geographical limits of Charles, Prince George and Frederick Counties, erected in 1658, 1695 and 1748 respectfully. On July 26th, 1776, the Provincial Convention of Maryland divided Frederick County into three districts, upper, middle and lower.
37
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
The first embraced Washington, Alleghany and Garrett: second took Frederick and a part of Carroll: third embraced Montgomery County. Each by ordinance was made a separate county on Sept. 6th, 1776.
OFFICERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, FROM ITS ORGAN- IZATION UNTIL IT CHANGED TO A ROYAL PROVINCE.
JUSTICES.
James Homewood,
Thomas Meeres,
Thomas Marsh, George Puddington, Matthew Hawkins, James Merryman, Henry Catlin.
1650. DELEGATES
Jas. Cox, George Puddington.
COMMANDER. Edward Lloyd.
1651. No delegation sent. 1652.
PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONERS.
Robert Brooke, Col. Francis Yardly, Mr. Job Chandler, Capt. Edmund Winder, Col. Richard Preston,
Lieut. Richard Banks,
Administered the government.
OFFICERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY.
JUSTICES.
1653. DELEGATES.
Under
Richard Bennett, and Wm. Clayborne.
Governor Stone re- appointed Thomas Hatton, Secretary.
COUNCILLORS. Robert Brooke, Capt. John Price, Job. Chandler, Col. Francis Yardly, Col. Richard Preston.
JUSTICES. Capt. Wm. Fuller, Rich. Preston, Wm. Durand, Edward Lloyd.
1654. DELEGATE.
Quorum.
Wm. Durand, Secty. of State.
Capt. John Smith, Leonard Strong, John Lawson, John Hatch, Rich. Wells, Richard Ewen, j
Richard Preston, Speaker, Keeper of Records.
Justices.
38 . FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
OFFICERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY.
1655. Capt. Wm. Fuller's Council, as in 1654. Council of War, after the Battle of the Severn, 1655.
JUSTICES. DELEGATES.
COUNCILLORS.
Capt. William Fuller,
Leonard Strong,
Mr. Besson,
Wm. Burgess,
Wm. Durand,
Samson Warren,
Richard Ewen,
Roger Heamans,
Wm. Crouch.
1656.
Upon Governor Josias Fendall assuming the government, the following had him arrested:
Capt. Wm. Fuller,
Richard Wells, Thomas Marsh,
Edward Lloyd,
Col. Rich. Ewen,
Thomas Meeres.
1657.
Governor Fendall. Capt. Fuller's Assembly of ten members, Richard Ewen, Speaker. JUSTICES. DELEGATES.
Wm. Burgess,
Capt. Robt. Sley,
Edward Lloyd,
Robt. Burle,
Capt. Jas. Weeks,
Capt. Wm. Fuller.
Roger Grosse,
Mr. Robt. Taylor,
Rich. Wells,
Capt. Thos. Besson,
John Brewer,
Mr. Peter Sharp,
Thos. Meeres,
Capt. Phil. Morgan,
Thos. Todde,
Mr. Richard Brooks,
Thos. Howell,
Mr. Jas. Johnson.
Richard Ewen,
M Anthony Salway, Rich. Woolman.
1658.
Compromise of Lord Baltimore and Bennett,
Commissioners:
Gov. Fendall, Secty. Cornwallis, Capt. Wm. Fuller,
Rich. Preston,
Agreed to restore records to Fendall; to issue grants for lands; to guarantee indemnity for passed acts.
Edward Lloyd,
Thomas Meeres, Philip Thomas, Saml. Withers.
1660. DELEGATES.
JUSTICES.
Rich. Wells,
Saml. Withers,
John Brewer and Saml. Chew.
COUNCILLORS.
Edward Lloyd.
Thos. Todd, John Brewer,
Robert Burle,
Roger Grosse,
Thomas Besson, Edmund Townhill. Anthony Galway, Francis Holland.
Philip Calvert, Secty.
COUNCILLORS.
39
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
JUSTICES.
Saml. Chew., Sheriff,
Capt. Wm. Burgess, Richard Ewen, George Puddington. Ralph Williams, Thos. Taylor, Capt. John Norwood.
1663-1664. DELEGATES.
Thos. Meeres, Richard Beard, John Homeswood, George Puddington.
COUNCILLORS. Edward Lloyd.
Rich. Ewen, Sheriff.
1666. Thos. Stockett, Sheriff.
1665. Robt. Burle, Capt. Thos. Besson, Richard Beard. Thos. Taylor, Edward Selby. 1667. The Seal of A. A. Co. was taken from Thos. Tay- lor in 1667, and given to Saml. Chew.
Edward Lloyd.
Edward Lloyd.
Thos. Marsh, John Ewen, Robert Francklyn, John Welsh, Saml. Chew. George Puddington. Robert Burle.
Thos. Stockett, Sheriff.
1668-1669. Wm. Burgess, Saml. Withers, 1671. Wm. Burgess, Thos. Taylor, Cornelius Howard, Robert Francklyn. 1674.
Saml. Chew.
Saml. Chew.
Sami. Chew.
Wm. Burgess, Saml. Lane, Robert Brooke, John Homewood, Richard Ewen, Robt. Francklyn, Thos. Hedge, Richard Burton, Clerk.
Quorum.
Col. Wm. Burgess, Col. Saml. Lane, Major John Welsh, Robert Francklyn, Capt. Richard Hill, John Homewood, Henry Stockett, Thos. Francis, Wm. Jones, Henry Lewis.
1676.
Dedimus protestatimus to Col. Wm. Burgess and Saml. Lane. Quorum.
Saml. Chew.
1662. DELEGATES. COUNCILLORS. Edward Lloyd.
Robert Burle.
JUSTICES.
Capt. Wm. Burgess appoint- Sheriff, but called to field, succeeded by Rich. Ewen, 1664-5.
40
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
John Welsh, Sheriff,
Col. Thos. Tailler,
Col. Wm. Burgess, Capt. John Welsh, Capt. Rich. Hill, Thos. Francis,
1680-1682.
Capt. Nich. Gassaway,
Henry Ridgely. Col. Wm. Burgess.
Edward Burgess,
Edward Dorsey, Richard Beard, Jr.
Cornelius Howard, John Sollers.
1683.
Henry Hanslap, Sheriff, Capt, Rich. Hill, of Severn,
Col. Wm. Burgess.
Edward Burgess, of Londontown,
Thomas Knighton, of Herring Creek.
1685.
Capt. Rich. Hill,
Col. Wm. Burgess.
Major Nich. Gassaway
Quorum.
Capt. Edward Burgess,
Major Edward Dorsey,
1687.
JUSTICES.
Mr. Henry Ridgely,
Mr. Rich. Beard, John Sollers, Thos. Tench,
Thos. Knighton,
John Hammond,
Nich. Greenberry, James Ellis.
1689.
Major Nich. Gassaway, Major Edward Dorsey, Capt. Nich. Greenberry, Mr. John Hammond Mr. Thos. Tench, Mr. Edward Burgess,
Quorum.
Mr. Thos. Tench,
Mr. Henry Ridgley,
Mr. Henry Hanslap, Sheriff, Mr. Henry Bonner, Clerk.
Mr. James Ellis, Mr. John Bennett.
1692.
Quorum.
Mr. John Hammond, Mr. Henry Ridgely, Mr. James Saunders,
Mr. John Dorsey.
Col. Nich. Greenberry. Thos. Tench.
Capt. John Hammond, 1 Mr. Wm. Holland, Mr. Saml. Young, Major Henry Ridgely, Henry Constable,
Coroners. Mr. John Bennett, f
Mr. Henry Constable, Rich. Beard, Thos. Knighton,
Capt. Nich. Gassaway, Mr. John Worthington, Mr. Abel Browne, Mr. Edward Batson, Surveyor.
1678-1679. Col. Wm. Burgess, Jas. Rigby, John Homewood, Wm. Richardson. Quorum.
41
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
ORDINARIES.
In 1675, there were only three authorized ordinaries for the accommodation of the public. One was at the Court House; one at Richard Hills; and one at the Red Lyon.
The expenses for meat, drink and lodging, during the Assembly of Burgesses, to be paid to the in holder of St. Maries, in 1666, were 4,586 pounds of tobacco; also necessary expenses to each member for hands and boat hire, until they arrive at their homes. In 1675, the taxable rate of 816, taxable at 165 pounds of tobacco, per poll, -
was 134,640 pounds.
BIOGRAPHIES OF THE FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL CO. RICHARD BENNETT.
Richard Bennett was the Moses from the Nansemond to the Severn. He may be termed a settler of two States.
His uncle, Edward Bennett was a wealthy London merchant, once Deputy-Governor of the English Merchants of Holland.
He was largely interested in the Virginia trade, and organized the Virginia Company, already noted. As his representative in Virginia, Richard Bennett, immediately rose to importance. In 1629 and 1631, he was in the House of Burgesses. In 1642-1649 he was a Commissioner and member of the Council.
In the latter year he secured, from the Governor of Maryland, a grant of "Towne Neck," on the Severn, for fifteen of his followers, who wished to be close together. Our land records show that he soon after disposed of this grant to his wife's kinsman, Colonel Nathaniel Utie, secretary to the governor. As Governor of Virginia, still later, his administration appears to have been acceptable, even to the loyalists.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.