Mary (Beall) Evans (abt. 1690)

Born about 1690 in Calvert (now Prince George's) County, Province of Maryland

Wife of Andrew Hamilton — married about 1709 in Province of Maryland

Wife of Thomas Evans — married 1722 in Maryland

Descendants

Died [date unknown] in Anne Arundel County, Province of Maryland

Biography

Mary (Beall) Evans was a Marylander.

1684 Birth and Parents

There is no known record of Mary's birth date. Writers estimate a wide range of birth years, from 1676 (J. NInian Beall, 1676) to 1690 (Fielding M. M. Beall and Wilma Ranger)

Mary Beall's marriage to Andrew Hamilton probably took place about 1709. She had children by her second marriage as late as, say, 1730. Based on these facts, Fredrick Z. Saunders estimates her birth year as, say, 1690. ^[1]

She is proved as a daughter of Ninian Beall through the 1711 deed of gift. She is sometimes shown as the daughter of Elizabeth Gordon, an alleged first wife of Ninian Beall, but there is no evidence of Elizabeth Gordon's existence.

As the daughter of Ninian Beall, Mary was surely born in Calvert County on the land which became part of Prince Georges County when Prince Georges County was created in 1694.

1707 Deed of Gift

Mary, daughter of Ninian, was listed as #7 in deed of Gift, 1706/7). In 1706, Ninian Beall gave his daughter Mary a Negro girl about 5 years old called Nanny. ^[1][2]

Prince George's County Land Records, Folio 186a:

• Deed of Gift, 10 Mar 1706
• From: Ninian and Ruth Beall of Prince George's County
• To: Mary Beall, daughter
• Of a Negro girl about 5 years of age called Nanny Signed: Ninian Beall and Ruth Beall (mark)
• Witnessed: Thomas Evans and Alez'r Row (mark) ^[3]

1709 First marriage to Andrew Hamilton (Hambleton)

Mary first married Andrew Hamilton. Andrew Hamilton is named in her father Ninian's will written on January 15, 1717/18 . ^[4]

1717 Inheritance

In his 1717 will, Ninian Beall gave his "son-in-law" Andrew Hambleton a Negro woman called Allie. ^{[1] [5]}

1719 Andrew Hamilton's Death and Inventory

Mary's first husband, Andrew Hamilton, died in 1719. ^[1]

Andrew Hamilton's 1719 inventory included a Negro woman named Nanny, and a very old Negro woman named Ailie. ^[6]

These three records -- the deed of gift, Ninian's will, and Andrew's inventory -- show that Ninian Beall's daughter married Andrew Hamliton [Hambleton], not John Pottinger / Pottenger.^[7]

1720 Second Marriage to Thomas Evans

Mary Beall married Thomas Evans as her second husband, after the death of her husband Andrew Hamilton in 1719. ^[8]

Mary Beall secondly married Thomas Evans, and had children born in the 1720s, possibly as late as about 1730. ^[7]

Thomas Evans, who was living in the years 1732-1734. ^[1]

The wife of Thomas Evans was named Mary by 1724. See Prince George's Co., MD land records E:572 [FHL microfilm 0,014,247] where Thomas Evans [wife Mary acknowledged] on 2 July 1724 sold the tract *Bread and Cheese* to James BEALL, Sr. ^[8]

Stepfather of the Hamilton Children

Thomas Hamilton, when a lad, was shown a boundary by his "father in law" Thomas Evans. ^[8]

Walter Evans was called brother to George Hamilton ^[8]

Jane EVANS had "brother in law" Andrew Hamilton, "brother in law" George Hamilton and sister Elizabeth Evans. ^[8]

Elizabeth Evans had brother Walter Evans and left bequests to George Forbes Hamilton and Charles Evans Hamilton, children of George Hamilton ^[8]

Children

Children of Mary Beall and Andrew Hamilton

Mary Beall and her husband Andrew Hamilton were the parents of Thomas, Andrew and George Hamilton. ^{[8] [8]}

George, Thomas, Andrew, and Ninian Hamilton would all be sons of Andrew Hamilton and wife Mary Beall. Also a son but not listed in the 1750 debt book was Gavin Hamilton. ^[8]

1. George Hamilton
2. Thomas Hamilton
3. Andrew Hamilton
4. Naemon Hamilton
5. Ninian Beall Hamilton
6. Andrew Hamilton

Previously shown as parents of Andrew Hamilton , born 1742, considerably after their death dates.

Children of Mary Beall and Thomas Evans

The children of Thomas EVANS and wife Mary (BEALL) HAMILTONwould appear to be at least:

1. Walter born about 1721 [age 55 in the 1776 census]
2. Jane, born, say, 1723
3. Elizabeth, born, say, 1725
4. Joseph, born, say 1727.

Research Notes

Did Mary Beall marry John Pottenger?

Fredrick Z. Saunders observed that "Regarding claims that Mary married both Andrew Hamilton and John Pottinger, that can not be. John Pottinger's and wife Mary's first child was born in 1688. Were John Pottinger's wife Mary identical to Mary Beall who married Andrew Hamilton and Thomas Evans, it would require her having children born almost 40 years apart, beyond the range of child-bearing years." ^[7]

Disambiguation: Confusion regarding Mary

Disambiguation: Mary Beall

Several profiles for Mary have overlapping characteristics causing confusion. See The Mystery of Sarah Magruder for more detail.

• Mary Bell (Bell-24612), born about 1640, was transported across the Atlantic in 1660 ^[9] and presumably died in the Province of Maryland. No further information has been found for her.
• Mary Beall (Beall-332), was supposedly born 1657 in Scotland, daughter of Ninian Beall, and then married John Pottenger (Pottenger-15). Everything about this Mary is fictitious. This profile has been submitted for Disproven Existence status.
• Mary Mills-4616 (Mills-4616), born 1666 in the Province of Maryland, is probably the actual wife of John Pottenger (Pottenger-15).
• Mary Beall (Beall-141), born 1690, Calvert (now Prince George's) County, d. 22 Aug 1719, was the daughter of Ninian Beall-75 who was born 1625 Fifeshire. This Mary Beall married Andrew Hamilton 2824 born 1655 and was mother of eight Hamilton Children.

Research Notes: Evidence that Mary, widow of Andrew Hamilton, was wife of Thomas Evans

1739 George Forbes Will

The will of George FORBES written 10 Oct. 1739 in St. Mary's Co., MD named (among others) his granddaughter Mary GORDON to have the 400 acre tract *Simms Forest* in Cecil County. He appointed his son-in-law George GORDON as one of the executors. [Maryland wills 22:101-102, FHL microfilm 0,012,849]^[8]

The Additional Adminstation Account of George FORBES of St. Mary's Co.,MD included payments by the executor George GORDON to "George HAMILTON who married this Accountants daughter Mary GORDON who is granddaughter to the said deceased George FORBES," and also a payment to Tobias BELT who intermarried with Mary HAMILTON. [Maryland accounts 34:398, FHL microfiml 0,012,908]^[8]

1740 Joseph Belt bequest

On 28 March 1740 Joseph BELT [wife Margery acknowledged] for love and affection gave a gift to his Godson Joseph EVANS, son of Thomas EVANS, 200 acres, *Belts Hunting Quarter*. [PGLR Y:154-155, FHL microfilm 0,014,250] Note: Joseph BELT's first wife was Hester BEALL (daughter of Ninian) which would make Joseph Evans his nephew, being a son of his sister Mary (BEALL) HAMILTON EVANS.^[8]

1752 Inventory of George Hamilton

The inventory of George Hamilton was taken on 14 Feb. 1752 in Prince George's County and returned to court on 24 June 1752 by Mary Hamilton the admininstratrix. The inventory was approved by "brothers" [bracket to side of both names] Andrew Hamilton and Walter Evans. [Maryland Inventories 49:49, FHL microfilm 0,012,877]^[8]

1750 Property

Andrew Hamilton had acquired the following tracts for which there was no record of his selling them during his lifetime. These were believed to be in his possession at his death: ^[8]

• Hamiltons Industry of 163 acres
• Attwood's Purchase of 400 acres
• Hamiltons Venture of 123 acres
• Hoggpenn of 41 acres

From the 1750 Prince George's Co., MD Debt book, Thomas Evans possessed:

• Hazard of 156 acres [patented 100 acres by Thomas in 1727] ^[8]
• part of Island of 326 acres [patented 64 acres by father Walter in 1715]
• Hogpen of 41 acres [patented 1716 by Andrew HAMILTON and sold in 1743 by (son) Gavin HAMILTON to Thomas EVANS, [PGLR BB1:45, FHL microfilm

0,014,250]

• part of Dunghill of 100 acres [patented 536 acres by father Walter in 1715]
• part of Attwoods Purchase of 193 acres
• Chance of 414 acres [patented 414 acres by Thomas in 1734]

The above show how Thomas EVANS was in possession in 1750 of each tract, except for the tract *Attwoods Purchase,* which had been in possession of Andrew HAMILTON at the time of his death. There is no record in the deed books of Thomas having purchased the land. It is believed that the portion which Thomas EVANS held in 1750 was from the dower of his wife Mary (Beall) Hamilton in the lands of her husband Andrew Hamilton. ^[8]

Also in the 1750 Prince George's Co., MD Debt Book in possession of parts of *Attwoods Purchase* were: ^[8]

• • George HAMILTON 89 acres
  • Mr. Thomas HAMILTON 89 acres
  • Mr. Andrew HAMILTON 89 acres

In possession of 89 acres *Hamilton's Adventure* was Dunkin FERGUSON, whic would be the tract he had purchased from Ninian Hamilton on 9 June 1747 of 84 (sic) acres as *Hamiltons Venture*. [PGLR EE:231, FHL microfilm 0,014,251] ^[8]

1759 Will of Levin Beall

The will of Levin BEALL of Prince George's County [son of George BEALL, brother to Mary who married Andrew HAMILTON] written in 1759 made bequests to Walter EVANS, brother Thomas BEALL and sister Elizabeth BEALL and was witnessed by Andrew HAMILTON, Elizabeth EVANS and Jean [acknowledged as Jane] EVANS. [Not stated, but Walter EVANS, Elizabeth EVANS, and Jane EVANS would have been his cousins, children of his aunt Mary (BEALL) HAMILTON EVANS.] [Maryland wills 31:1001, FHL microfilm 0,012,854]^[8]

1764 will of George Gordon

The will of George GORDON of Prince George's County written on 10 May 1764 and proved 25 Sep. 1766 included bequests to daughter Mary, "now wife of Tobias BELT", grandson George Forbes HAMILTON, grandson Charles Evans HAMILTON, grandson Horatio BELT, grandson Joshua BELT, granddaughter Lucey BELT, granddaughter Dryden BELT. [Maryland wills 34:313-322, FHL microfilm 0,012,855]^[8]

1766 Jane Evans Will

Jane Evans of Prince George's Co., MD wrote her will on 8 Dec. 1766 and proved 12 Dec. 1766. [Maryland Wills 34:357-358, FHL microfilm 0,012,855] She left ^[8]

• to her "Brother-in-Law" Andrew HAMILTON a Negro.
• To her sister Elizabeth EVANS she left everything else, after she [Elizabeth] gave to "George HAMILTON and Charles HAMILTON sons to my Brother in Law George HAMILTON" a small Negro.
• [Note: The Maryland Calendar of wills incorrectly combined the abstract of her will with another will, entirely omitting the details of her bequests.
• Prince George's County, Maryland wills by Leslie and Neil Keddie,incorrectly abstracted the bequest to Andrew HAMILTON, as "son in law" although the Prince George's will book copy states "brother in law", the same as the Maryland will book copy.]

1767 Elizabeth Evans Will

The will of Elizabeth Evans of Prince George's County written on 18 April 1767 and proved 8 June 1767 included bequests (among others) to brother Walter EVANS, Joseph EVANS, Mary BELT the wife of Captain Tobias BELT, Levin BELT son of Tobias BELT, George Forbes HAMILTON, Charles Evans HAMILTON (if he returns to MD), Lucy BELT eldest daughter of Tobias BELT.^[8]

1769 Ackinhead Boundary Commission

On 15 Aug. 1769 a commission to determine the boundaries of *Ackinhead* took the deposition of Thomas HAMILTON. "Thomas Hamilton aged fifty nine years or thereabouts did depose & say when he was a Lad Thomas Evans this Depont Father in Law & old Thos. Johnson set a Compass......" [PGLR AA#2:11, FHL microfilm 0,014,253]^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Frederic Z. Saunders. Ninian Beall of Maryland. http://pweb.netcom.com/~fzsaund/beall.html. Accessed March 28, 2016
2. ↑ Prince George's Co., MD land records C:185a-186a, FHL microfilm 0,014,247. Cited by Frederic Z. Saunders. Ninian Beall of Maryland jhd
3. ↑ Mike Marshall. Early Colonial Settlers of Southern Maryland and Virginia's Northern Neck Counties [https://colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I044431&tree=Tree1 Ninian Beall Documents 2. Accessed 19 July 2020 jhd
4. ↑ Ninian Beall will, Maryland wills 14:504-507, FHL microfilm 0,012,846. Ninian Beall will, Prince George's Co., MD Will Book 1:92-93. Research of Fredric Z. Saunders.
5. ↑ Ninian Beall will, Maryland wills 14:504-507, FHL microfilm 0,012,846.; Ninian Beall will, Prince George's Co., MD Will Book 1:92-93. Cited by Frederic Z. Saunders. Ninian Beall of Maryland jhd
6. ↑ Andrew Hamilton inventory, Prince George's Co., MD, Inventories B. E. No. 1:353-356. Cited by Frederic Z. Saunders. Ninian Beall of Maryland jhd
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} Frederic Z. Saunders. Ninian Beall of Maryland Accessed 16 August 2020. jhd
8. ↑ ^{8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.19 8.20 8.21 8.22} Letter by Fredric Z. Saunders to Rootsweb Beall List, September 17, 2005. http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/BEALL/2005-09/1127070088. Accessed Sept 30, 2016.
9. ↑ Gust Skordas. Early Settlers of Maryland. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company. 1968. p. 35. Mary Bell is referenced in Liber 10, folio 286 and Liber 10, folio 417 in the early Maryland land patent records. Sarah Bell is referenced in Liber 18, folio 306.

• Source: S-2052923022 Repository: #R-2139381723 Title: Family Data Collection - Individual Records Author: Edmund West, comp. Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000.
• Source: S-2053018058 Repository: #R-2139381723 Title: U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 Author: Yates Publishing Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Acknowledgments

• WikiTree profile Beall-141 created through the import of 2010-09-14.ged on Jul 28, 2011 by Bob Carson.
• WikiTree profile Beall-152 created through the import of 2010-09-14.ged on Jul 28, 2011 by Bob Carson.
• WikiTree profile Beall-190 created through the import of Wells Tree.ged on Mar 8, 2012 by Tommy Wells.