An American Family History

Elizabeth (Eliza) Douglas Brandt Howard Thompson was born on April 26 1673, in William and Mary Parish, Charles County, Maryland. Her parents were Colonel John Douglas and Sarah Bonner.

In 1688, Peter Carr, left Elizabeth and her siblings some of his personal property to pay, in part, a debt he owned their mother.

She married Charles Brandt (Brant) about 1710 in Charles County. Charles was born about 1669 in Charles County. His parents were Captain Randolph Brandt and Mary Ford. In 1698 Charles inherited half of Asher plantation, which included 450 acres on the east side Piccowaxen Creek and half of Greenwigh plantation. His father directed that he be brought up as a Catholic.

Elizabeth and Charles' children probably included:
Charles Brandt,
Jacob Brandt (about 1711),
Elizabeth Brandt (about 1712), and
Sarah Brandt (about 1714).

Charles died on March 1, 1713/14 when he was about 44 year old..

He left an estate of 35,028£ of which Elizabeth was the executrix. Charles named her brothers, Benjamin Douglas and Joseph Douglas as his nearest kin. The land Charles had inherited from his father, by law of entail went to his son, Charles Brand. Jacob inherited a gold seal ring, a saddle, holsters, pistols, sword, belt and young horse. Elizabeth inherited two silver spoons and Sarah received leather chairs and pewter, etc.

Elizabeth married Thomas Howard about 1714. Thomas was born on September 5, 1690 in Pocomoke, Somerset County, Maryland. His parents were Edmund Howard and Margaret Dent.

Elizabeth and Thomas' children included:
Margaret Howard (about 1714),
Thomas Howard, Jr. (before 1716), and
Edmund Howard (about 1715).

In 1716 Thomas Howard, Sr.'s sister, Elizabeth died and left the residue of her estate of Thomas, Jr.

In 1718, Elizabeth inherited personal property from her grandmother, Sarah Bonner Douglas.

Thomas died on March 23, 1725/26 in Charles County when he was only about 34 years old. Elizabeth was the administratrix of his estate. Thomas's brothers, William and John Howard, were listed as his nearest relatives.

Elizabeth married Thomas Thompson on October 17, 1728.

Elizabeth died in 1749. Her estate disposed of her personal belongings and the people she had enslaved.

Thomas died on January 1, 1749/1750. His estate included bequests to his children and grandchildren. His next of kin were Henry and Thomas Thompson. His children from his prior marriage to Ann Tant.

Charles County Circuit Court, Birth, Deaths & Marriage Records, Liber Q
Thompson, Elizabeth.
8 Dec 1749
1 Jan 1749/50
To son Jacob Brent [Brandt], Negro woman Nan,
To dau. Elish. Brent [Brandt], Negro boy Will
To dau. Margret Thompson, Negro woman Patience.
To gran dau. Sary Thompson, Negro girl Charity.
To son Thomas Howard, Negro boy Ned,
Son Thomas Howard, ex.
Wit: Ignatius Doyne, Anne Dent. 27a 176

Charles County Court Records, Liber T#2, Page 430
March 1737/8
. . .The purpose of the Commission was to prove and perpetuate the memory of the bounds of s^d tract of land [Asher]. . .

Francis Glass, age about 60, deposes that about 31 years ago, he lived with Charles Brandt, and that the s^d Brandt showed him a small valley falling into the head of a marsh belonging to Peters Cr, at the bottom of which valley stands a large, black gum adjoining the afd marsh, the valley and marsh being contiguous to and on the north side of the mansion house of Jacob Andrew Minitree, joiner, and told the deponent that the valley divided the lands between him and George Newman. This deponent further says that he helped to clear the ground on the north side of the valley for Charles Brandt, without let or hindrance from George Newman.
Signed - Francis Glass.

Priscilla Newman, aged about 35, deposes that there was a potato patch on the north side of the afd valley, about 40 yards from the black gum afd, which s^d potato patch this deponent has heard her dec^d husband, John Newman, say was on the land of Charles Brandt afd.
Signed - Priscilla (X her mark) Newman.

Benjamin Douglass, age about 50, deposes that, to the best of his knowledge, the land on the north side of the afd valley, was cleared and cultivated by Charles Brandt without interruption, let, or hindrance from George Newman, owner of the land on the south side of the valley, but whether s^d land was tended by s^d Brandt as far as the valley, this deponent knows not.
Signed - Benjamin Douglass.

Barton Hungerford, age about 51, deposes that about 40 years ago, he was in company with Sam'l Fearson near the above valley, and that s^d Sam'l Fearson showed him a tree which he informed this deponent, was a bound tree between Mr. Charles Brandt and George Newman.
Signed - Barton Hungerford.

Capt. Joseph Douglass, age about 63, deposes that about 30 years ago, he was in company with George Newman near the abovesd valley, and that s^d George informed him that he thought his neighbor Brandt encroached upon him, and farther this deponent says not in relation to the abovesd valley. But this deponent says also that the marsh between him and Randolph Brandt's has, for 20 years past and upwards, been reputed and commonly known by the name of Cottralls Mart [Marsh].

Elizabeth Sims, age about 35, deposes that to the best of her knowledge, John Newman told her that, in the above valley, he was in company with George Newman at the time that Charles Brandt was clearing the ground on the north side of s^d valley, and adjoining to it, and that s^d George Newman told s^d Charles Brandt not to clear any further, for that he had cut down one his s^d Newman's line trees, which stood in the afd valley near the marsh first before mentioned.
Signed - Elizabeth Simms.