In 1674 William and James Powell sold Wilson's Grove to William Jones. Wilson's Grove was 200 was acres between the heads of the South and Anne Arundel Rivers in Anne Arundel County. It was originally granted to Robert Wilson.
On August 17, 1685, William gave Wilson's Grove to his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and John Duvall.
On September 3, 1694, Richard Jones, William Jones, Sr., and William Jones, Jr. were listed as debtors to Elizabeth's father-in-law, Mareen Duvall's, estate.
On October 10, 1704 William Jones was granted more land in Anne Arundel County.
William signed his will on May 31, 1705 and died in June, 1705.
After his death, Elizabeth married James Sanders.
On January 16, 1715, William Jones, Jr. and James Sanders mortgaged John's Cabin Ridge and the north addition of Beard's Habitation to James Carroll, who sold the mortgage to William's son-in-law, Charles Cheney for 5 shillings.
Planter is an archaic term for a settler. Plantation was a method of colonization where settlers were "planted" abroad. A plantation is also the kind of large farm that was the economical basis of many American Colonies and owners of these farms were also called planters.
Anne Arundel County, Maryland was established in 1650.
American colonists continued to use British monetary units, namely the pound, shilling and pence for which £1 (orli) equalled 20s and 1s equalled 12d. In 1792 the dollar was established as the basic unit of currency.
Lush forests in Colonial America allowed settlers to build wooden homes.
Seals were used to authenticate documents and men were expected to have a personal die. Records in deed books are copies and signatures are usually in the clerk’s handwriting. The clerk drew a circle around the word “seal” to indicate that the original document was sealed.
Will of William Jones, Sr. (1645-1705) In the Name of God, Amen -- The thirty-first day of May one thousand seven hundred and five I William Jones, Gent, of the County of Ann Arundel in the province of Maryland, planter, being sick and weak in body, of sound and perfect memory, thanks be to God for the same, and calling to mind the uncertain state of this life and that all must goeth unto death when it shall please God to call, doe make and sine, constitute and appoint and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following, revoking, annulling and making void all other will and wills by me hereto made either by word of mouth or writing and this only to be taken for my last will and noe other, and first commit my soul unto the hands of God that gave it, hoping through the merits of my blessed lessons to be eternally loved, and my body to the earth to be decently buried by my executive hereafter named, and for my temporall effects which it hath please God to bless me with I dispose as follows.
Item, I give and bequeath to my dear and loving wife Elizabeth Jones all the plantation whereon I now dwell together with the land belonging to the home during the term of her naturall life and pass on after her decease to the use and ? of my son William Jones and his heirs forever, except what is hereafter given to Mary Beddingfield and Anthony Beddingfield.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Duvall the wife of John Duvall and my daughter Jane Clarke the wife of Neal Clarke and unto my daughter Ann Cheney the wife of Charles Cheney the sum of one shilling cash to be paid by my executive hereafter named.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Beddingfield and Anthony Beddingfield a piece or parcel of land whereon they now dwell, it being piece of a tract called John's Cabin Ridge, which is to begin at a ? Spanish oaks in a line Janey land ? land William Jones and running to west north west cross the land to an ? bounded with twelve ? and be bounding on the land of Thomas Cheney, to have and to hold the sd land and the appertainaces unto the land Mary Beddingfield and Anthony Beddingfield and their heirs forever.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Mary Duvall the daughter of John Duvall one cow and calf to be delivered in time convenient after my decease by my executive hereafter named.
And lastly I give and bequeath unto my law wife customary debts, legacies and funeral charges shall be paid, all the remainder of my estate whatsoever to be equally divided between her my law wife and my grandson William Trogden [Mary's son], share and share alike, and my law grandson to remain with my law wife till he comes to the age of sixteen, at which time I will that he shall be free for himself, and of this my last will I leave my law wife my full whole and sole executive, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day and year.
Cattle were vital to a household and an important legacy.
Unweaned cattle are calves.
Female cattle are heifers and cows (had a calf).
Male cattle are steers (castrated) and bulls.
Oxen are trained draft animals and are often castrated adult male cattle.
It was common for bequests to include wearing apparel.
Estate inventories give us a glance into the home life of Colonial Americans.
Proceedings and Acts, Volume 24 by Maryland. General Assembly
October 26-29, 1703 Joseph Sanders of Ann Arundel County Planter his Petition read setting forth that whereas a Serv‘ man & Woman of his had been lately executed for the murther of their fellow Servant besides which he had no Serv‘ left and for that several of this Board were sensible It was Customary to have Allowance from the Country for such servants Executed He prayed allowance to be made him for his said Servant. Which Petition having been duly considered this Board do say that none of them know of any such Custom in this Province, but in regard his Circumstances are become very indifferent They do refer his Petition to the charitable Consideration of the House of Delegs.
