Maryland was established with religious freedom for Catholics. The colonial economy was based on tobacco cultivated by Africans who had been enslaved.
Baltimore County, Maryland was founded in 1659 and included most of northeastern Maryland. The original county included parts of Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Carroll, and Baltimore Counties.
Mary Sprye Harmer was the daughter of Oliver Sprye.
Mary's Banks on Watson's (originally Waterton's) Creek was named in her honor.
She married Godfrey Harmer on June 20, 1663. Her father gave her the plantation, Sampson that year.
Their children and life together are described in detail in the section on Godfrey and Mary Harmer.
Godfrey died on June 2, 1674.
After he died, Mary, married Dr. John Stansby (Strandsby), chirurgeon. John was born about 1635. John came to Maryland by 1658,as an indentured servant to Francis Stockett (ca. 1634-1687), from whom
he undoubtedly acquired some medical skills. He served in the Lower House, Baltimore County, 1676-1678. He was justice, Baltimore County, 1675/76-1679. He was sheriff, Baltimore
County, 1679-1682. He was captain,
by 1676/77.
John Stansby had been married before to Ann Wells. Ann was born on July 2, 1643i n Virginia. Her parents were Richard Wells and Frances White The marriage which was about 1659 was against her father's orders. His will written in 1667 said:
. . . To my daughter Anne, supposed wife unto Mr. John Stansby, Chirurgeon, twelve pence as a reward for her disobedience.. . .
The executors of Richard Wells' estate would not pay Dr. John Stansby's bill for attending him in his last illness and John sued the estate.
John died between November 1682 and February 6, 1682/83
in Baltimore County. His estate was valued at
47,835 pounds of tobacco and included surgical instruments, drugs and medicines, and debts due
him of 40,671 pounds of tobacco.
Island Point was laid out in 1683 for Mary Stansby.
In May of 1684, the probate of Captain John Stansby mentioned John Fisher, John Yoe, John Bromfield and others.
Mary died in 1685.
Tobacco is a native American herb that is cultivated for its leaves which are prepared for smoking, chewing or snuff. In parts of colonial America, it was used as money. Tobacco plantations in the colonial south fueled the need for enslaving people.
Surgeons in colonial America were often barbers who used their cutting tools to perform surgery. Physicians were university trained. Midwives assisted women in childbirth.
from The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 47
Richard Wells Senior of the Co. of Ann Arundell in the Province of Maryland, 22 June 1667, proved in Maryland 31 August 1667 and in London 14 November 1668.
. . . To my daughter Anne, supposed wife unto Mr. John Stansby, Chirurgeon, twelve pence as a reward for her disobedience.. . .
from A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature 1635-1789 by Edward C. Papenfuse, et. al.
Stansby (Standsby), John (?-ca. 1682/83).
Immigrated: by 1658, as an indentured servant.
Resided: in Baltimore County.
Married first, by
1667, Anne (?-by 1675), daughter of Richard Wells
(?-1667) and wife Frances.
Anne was the niece
of Jerome White (?-by 1677).
Her brothers were
Richard; Benjamin; George Wells (?-1696); John;
Robert; and William.
Her sisters were Mary (?-
1699), who married first, Thomas Stockett (?-1671);
Martha; Frances; and Elizabeth.
Married second , ca. 1675, Mary, widow of Godfrey Harmer
(?-1674), an Indian trader and interpreter in New
Sweden and Maryland, daughter of Oliver Spry
(?-ca. 1669) of Baltimore County and wife Johanna (?-1675).
Children.
Stepdaughters:
Sarah Harmer; Elizabeth Harmer; and Mary
Harmer, who married first, Benjamin Gundry (?-
by 1687), and second, James Maxwell (1662-1727/
28).
Education: literate.
Religious affiliation: probably Protestant.
Social Status and Activities: arrived as a servant
to Francis Stockett (ca. 1634-1687), from whom
he undoubtedly acquired some medical skills.
Occupational profile: servant; physician.
Legislative service: Lower House,
Baltimore County, 1676-1678 (resigned before
the 3rd session of the 1676-1682 Assembly to
become sheriff).
Local offices: justice, Balti
more County, 1675/76-1679; sheriff, Baltimore
County, 1679-1682.
Military servic
: captain,
by 1676/77-death.
Wealth at death
Died: between November 1682 and February 6, 1682/83,
in Baltimore County.
Personal Property:
TEV,
47,835 pounds of tobacco (including surgical instruments, drugs and medicines, and debts due
him of 40,671 pounds of tobacco);
FB, estate
overpaid 8,693 pounds of tobacco.
from Maryland Historical Magazine, Volume 13 edited by William Hand Browne, Louis Henry Dielman
Harmer married Mary Spry, the only child of Oliver Spry and Johanna his wife. . .
The name of Oliver Spry is still preserved in Spry's Island, which was formerly the end of a long point extending into the Bay from where Rickett's Point now is; and a high bank on Gunpowder River between Day's Point [was in Baltimore County and now in Harford County] and the mouth of Watson's (originally Waterton's) Creek still keeps the name of Mary's Banks given it in 1674 by Godfrey Harmer in honor, no doubt, of his wife Mary.
