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Rachel Beard Stimpson Proctor Kilburn Freeborn |
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“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves,
and, under a just God cannot retain it." ― Abraham Lincoln |
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Rachel Beard Clark Stimpson Proctor Kilburn Freeborn was born about 1650 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Her parents were Richard Beard and Rachel Robbins. Rachel's first husband was Neal (Neale) Clark (Clarke, Clerk). Neal was born about 1640. He was probably a son or close relative of Robert Clark for whom Clarke's Inheritance was originally laid out. He owned part of the plantations Clarke's Inheritance (also known as Crouche's Gift or Clark's Inheritance) and probably, Clark's Luck which he no doubt turned over to Neal, Jr. before he died. Neal's children included: Some of these children may not Rachel's or she was a very young mother having been born about 1650. In 1674, her step-grandfather, George Puddington, let 20 shillings each to her children and to her husband. Neal, Sr.'s will was probated on July 3, 1678. Rachel was the executrix and she inherited the entire estate while she remained a widow or until their sons became 18. Samuel inherited the home plantation and Richard received Clarke's Inheritance. The daughters only inherited if her sons died. His will was witnessed by Richard Sidebottom and George Ardes. She married her second husband, John Stimpson (Stinson), about 1680. John and Rachel's children John, Rachel and Comfort are described detail in the section on John Stimpson. John died in 1688 when he was only about 30 years old. Rachel received the entire estate during her life. Her third husband was innkeeper and surveyor, Robert Proctor. Robert had been married before to Elizabeth Morley Freeman who was the widow of John Freeman and daughter of Joseph Morley. He was an heir of his father-in-law, Joseph Morley. He and John Gaither were the executors, and legatees of Morley's whole estate. He had a daughter, Rachel Proctor Cross (1667, married John Cross). He owned Proctor's Landing on the South River, as well as a mill and 600 acres. Proctor's Landing.
In 1681, Robert wrote a urgent letter to Colonel William Burgess saying that some of the indigenous people had attacked several homes and plantations. In 1684, Robert donated land for the town of Annapolis.
On January 30, 1687, Neal, Jr. sold Clark's Luck to William Griffith. In May 1694, Robert assigned all his property to Rachel, and gave her power of attorney. He died in 1695. Her fourth husband was Richard Kilburn. Richard's children included: Richard died in 1698. Rachel wrote her will on March 4, 1700/01. She left the mill at Proctor’s to her daughters, Rachel Greenberry and Comfort Stimpson. Comfort also was to inherit four lots on the town common. She also gave property to close associates. Her daughters, Rachel Greenberry and Comfort Stimpson, received furniture, lots in Annapolis, a large silver "porring," a small silver tankard, a large silver cordial cup, silver punch cups, and silver spoons. Her step-son and his wife, William and Elizabeth Killburne received several memorials. Charles Carroll received twenty shillings for a ring. Her granddaughter, Rachel Clark, received a silver bodkin and a gold ring. Henry Davis, Sr. received a memorial. Her granddaughter, Anna Hammond, daughter of Charles and Rachel Greenberry, received a negro girl. In 1701, she married her fifth husband, Thomas Freeborn (Freebourne). Thomas was born on December 8, 1650 in Catherington, Hants, England. He owned Freeborne's Progress. Thomas's children included: In the early 1700s, Rachel's son, Richard Clark, terrorized Annapolis. On May 18, 1705 Rachel was jailed.
On May 21, 1705 Rachel was convicted of treason.
On May 23, 1705, Charles Stevens, who was Dr. Robert Hooper's servant, testified that Benjamin Celie's jail break in fall, 1704 was planned and instigated by Rachel.
In 1708, her son, Richard Clark, was hung without a trial. Rachel's fifth husband, Thomas Freeborn, died on January 4, 1713. In 1716, Rachel sold a house and lot adjoining Colonel Henry Ridgely to Charles Carroll and deeded Turkey Quarter to her son, Neal Clark. Thomas Freeborn's will was probated on January 13, 1717. His son, Richard, inherited Freeborne's Progress along with his daughter, Sarah Sampson. His daughters, Sarah Sampson, Jane Thomas, Priscilla Freeborn, and Anne Freeborn and his granddaughter, Freenater Thomas, inherited his personal property. The witnesses were Daniel Beaver, John Beale, and John Moore. Rachel died in 1724 when she was in her mid 70s. |
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