The first European settlements in Maryland were made in 1634 when English settlers created a permanent colony.
Women played an essential role in American society as mothers and homemakers.
Elizabeth Nicholson Welsh was born on February 20, 1682/83 in Anne Arundel, County, Maryland. She was the daughter of John Nicholson and Rebecca Beard.
When Benjamin's father died in 1684 he inherited his
. . . dwelling place with all ye lands and premises thereunto belonging situate and being on ye Ridge near Herring Creek in ye County of Ann Arundel aforesaid to have and hold same unto ye sd Benjamin and his heirs forever from and after such time as he shall attain to ye full age of one and twenty years.
Benjamin and Elizabeth's son, Richard Welsh, was born in 1702. He married Charity Jacob.
Anne Arundel County, Maryland was established in 1650.
Old Style Calendar
Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.
In contracts and pleadings usually people and things mentioned before are designated by the term said (sd ) for clarity.
Aforesaid (afd, afsd, aforesd ) means it was already mentioned.
Maryland was established with religious freedom for Catholics. The colonial economy was based on tobacco cultivated by Africans who had been enslaved.
Estate inventories give us a glance into the home life of Colonial Americans.
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.
from The Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland
by Joshua Dorsey Warfield
Major John Welsh, High Sheriff of Anne Arundel County
In 1667, Major Welsh was a Commissioner of Anne Arundel County. In 1675, as the husband of Mrs. Anne Grosse, widow of Hon. Roger Grosse, he was executor of the large Grosse estate. . .
Mrs. Elizabeth (Grosse) Welsh was the mother of Silvester and John Welsh, Jr. The latter was known later as Major and Colonel John. She died before 1675, when Major Welsh married Mary, stepdaughter of Nicholas Wyatt, and half-sister of Sarah (Wyatt) Dorsey, wife of Colonel Edward.
In 1679, Major Welsh was one of "The Quorum," and was High Sheriff in 1678 and 1679. In the former year, he was defendant against John Homewood in a suit against his deputy. In 1683, Major Welsh was a commissioner for building the courthouse, and in the same year, a commissioner for the advancement of trade in Anne Arundel. In short, Major Welsh was continuously in the public service.
His will, of 1686, left his South River lands, Arnold's Grey, to Sylvester and John, because they came through his Grosse wife. Benjamin Welsh was installed in the South River homestead. The four daughters, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah and Damaris Welsh, were joint heirs of his lands upon the Gunpowder.
Unto my wife, Mary, Preston's Enlargement, near River Dam, Herring Creek. I give to my brother, Henry Welsh, my tobacco box, silver headed cane, broadcloth suit and one thousand acres of land.
This brother I could not find in our records. Though named an executor, the estate was settled by son, Sylvester, and his widow, Mary, then wife of James Ellis. . .
Benjamin Welsh, his brother, married Elizabeth Nicholson.
In Colonial Maryland, the governor appointed justices to the county courts. Some of these justices were "Justices (or Gentlemen) of the Quorum" which meant that court could not be held without at least one of them being present.
All Hallows or South River Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland was created in 1672.
It was common for bequests to include wearing apparel.
