Michael Ashford (abt. 1658 - bef. 1714)

Born about 1658 in Maryland

Ancestors

Husband of Rachel (Neville) Ashford — married about 1677 in Charles County, Maryland

Descendants

Died before 1714 before about age 56 in Prince William, Colony of Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Chris Harter [send private message]

Biography

Michael Ashford was born about 1658. Before 13 Nov 1677, Michael married Rachel Neville. [Family Relationships 1658-1800 by Henry C. Peden Jr. and Veronica Peden, 2013, p. 7. Also, The Neville Family of England and the United States by Watt Ella Nevil Wilson, 1985, Wichita Falls, p. 63 - available on Ancesty].

"Rachel Neville, daughter of John Neville and Joan Porter his wife, married Michael Ashford, of Charles County, sometime before November 13, 1677, when her mother and the latter's second husband, Thomas Hussey, Gent., deeded them 'Moore's Ditch'. Michael Ashford was a carpenter and planter of Nanjemoy Hundred, and on June 13, 1670, he had witnessed a deed of Thomas Hussey and Joan his wife. In 1671 a reference was made to the estate of Michael Ashford whose wife was Deborah, so it was possible that they were the parents of younger Michael. Michael Ashford became involved in several lawsuits. It seemed as if he was out of the Province for a time, whereby his estate was placed in the hands of his step-father-in-law, Thomas Hussey, especially on November 11, 1673, when the court ordered the attachment of his goods to the value of 9000 lbs. tob.

About 1680 Michael Ashford, addressed as Captain, was surety with Francis Wyne for THOMAS MARSHALL, the administrator of the estate of Samuel Raspin, late of Charles County. By 1683 Francis Wyne was deceased and his widow had married Henry Hawkins. Hawkins consequently became the joint-surety with Ashford, but at court Hawkins declared that Ashford had gone to Virginia.

When he assigned 'Moore's Ditch' to his father-in-law, Thomas Hussey, Gent., on June 10, 1691, he was styled Michael Ashford, of Charles County, Carpenter. The consideration was 35,000 lbs. tob. and the plantation lay on the west side of Zachia Swamp adjoining the land of George and Robert Goodrick. This could have been a mortgage or only a portion of the plantation, for on March 10, 1714/15, he sold to Ignatius Luckett, of Charles County, Planter, "Moore's Ditch' for 7000 lbs. tob.

On April 14, 1726, being of Stafford County, Virginia, he conveyed to John Smallwood, of Portobacco Creek, for 600 lbs. tob. "Totsal," lying on the south side of Potomac River.

The loss of many records of Stafford County prevents greater knowledge of the activities of Michael Ashford and his immediate descendants. The last will and testament of a Michael Ashford was probated in Prince William County, Virginia, in 1734 [Will Book C, 1734 to 1744]."^[1] The will mentioned by Newman, is the will of Michael and Rachel's son Michael Ashford Jr.

13 Nov 1677; Deed of Gift from Thomas Hussey and Johannah his wife, to Rachell Ashford, wife of Michael Ashford and natural daughter of Johannah; a parcel of land called Moore's Ditch lying on the west side of Zachia Swamp; containing 500 acres; /s/ Thomas Hussey, Johannah Hussey (mark); wit. Cleborne Lomax, Thomas Jenkins^[2]

4 Aug 1683; Indenture from Michael Ashford, carpenter, and Rachel his wife to Jno. Butcher; for 4,500# tobacco a parcel called Tatshall; bounded by land surveyed for Edmond Lynsey now in possession of James Smallwood; laid out for 40 acres; /s/ Michael Ashford (mark), Rachel Ashford; wit. Rando. Brandt, Thomas Robinson^[3]

1 Feb 1682; Indenture between Jno. Lawrence and Michell Ashford; Ashford to be apprenticed for 5 years; /s/ Jno. Lawrence; wit. Tho. Hussey, Jno. Richards^[4]

19 Jul 1690; Gift from Michaell Ashford to Anne Bought, d/o William and Sarah Bough; bay mare.^[5]

9 Jun 1691; Indenture from Ninian Beall, Gent., holding letter of atty. from Benjamin Hadduck, to sell his estate; from Ninian Beall to Michael Ashford, carpenter, a tract called Hadducks Hill in the freshes of the Potomac; bounded by Hadduck's Seaman's Delight; containing 500 acres; /s/ Ninian Beall; wit. - Henry Hardy, John Godshall, Will. Hutchison^[6]

10 Jun 1691; Indenture from Michael Ashford, carpenter, and Rachel his wife, to Thomas Hussey, Gent.; for 35,000# tobacco; a parcel of land called Moore's Ditch; located on the west side of Zachia Swamp, adjoining land of George and Robert Gooderick, planters; laid out for 500 acres; /s/ Michael) Ashford (mark), Rashell Ashford (mark); wit. Robert Thompson, Cleborne Lomax, Wm. Stone^[7]

23 Aug 1698. Indenture from Michael Ashford of Prince George County, Carpenter to John Deakins of Prince George County, Carpenter. In consideration of 4000 lbs. tobacco; 100 acre part of tract called 'Seaman's Delight'. /s/ Mich. (mark) Ashford.
Wit: Tho. Hollyday, William Barton.
^[8]

22 Aug 1715; Recorded at request of Ignatius Luckett, planter: 10 _ 1714; Indenture from Michael Ashford of Stafford County, Va., carpenter, to Ignatius Luckett, planter; for 7,000# tobacco; a parcel of land called Moore's Ditch on the west side of Zachia Swamp; adjoining land of George and Robert Goodrich; /s/ Michael Ashford; wit. Sam. Hanson, Robt. Hanson; ack. in open court by Michael Ashford^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ Newman, Harry Wright (1961). The Flowering of the Maryland Palatinate. Washington: the Author.
2. ↑ Charles County Circuit Court, Liber G. p. 72.
3. ↑ Charles County Circuit Court, Liber K. p. 242.
4. ↑ Charles County Circuit Court, Liber L. p. 176.
5. ↑ Charles County Circuit Court, Liber P. p. 202.
6. ↑ Charles County Circuit Court, Liber R. p. 196.
7. ↑ Ibid. p. 197.
8. ↑ Prince George County Land Records, vol. A. p. 126.
9. ↑ Charles County Land Records, Liber F#2. p. 61.

• Ancestry Family Trees
• William Hand Browne, ed.. Archives of Maryland. Baltimore, MD, USA: Maryland Historical Society, 1894-1925. Available at Ancestry.com. Maryland Archives, 1658-1783 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2003.
• List of Maryland Marriages 1964-1777
• Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 01 November 2018), memorial page for Capt Michael Ashford (unknown–1711), Find A Grave Memorial no. 34195078, ; Maintained by Linda Mac (contributor 47062703) Unknown.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34195078

Acknowledgments

• WikiTree profile Ashford-102 created through the import of Williams Family Tree(1).ged on May 30, 2012 by Chris Harter.