John Broad (abt. 1650 - bef. 1709)

Born about 1650 in England [uncertain]

Husband of Barbara (Stone) Broad — married about 1692 (to before 16 Jan 1709) in Baltimore County, Province of Maryland

Descendants

Died before 16 Jan 1709 before about age 59 in Baltimore County, Province of Maryland

Biography

John Broad was a Maryland colonist.

Origin

The origin of John Broad is not known. He may be the John Broad who was living in Maryland by 1670 when he was listed as being transported into the colony. ^[1] He was definitely living in Baltimore County by 1692 when his name appears on a list of taxables living in the north side of the Patapsco Hundred with another man named Waletr Halcloke.^[2]

Property

John Broad claimed 173 acres that he named Broad's Choice in 1694 using the Maryland patent process.^[3] He also formed a partnership with Thomas Stone and they owned several tracts together. A tract called Long Island Point located on the north side of the Patapsco at the head of a round bay in an area of Baltimore called Fells Point today is where the two men likely lived. They purchased this 100 acre tract in 1685.^[4]

Marriage and Family

John Broad was married to a woman named Barbara. Many researchers have speculated about her background, but there is very little primary source evidence to go on. Evidence seems to indicate that she was not married to Thomas Stone, but was likely married to his partner, Dennis Garrett, before she married John Broad. John names her daughters by Dennis, Frances & Joanna, as secondary heirs in his will in the case of the death of his own children. John & Barbara Broad were the parents of:

1. Thomas Broad b. abt 1692; mar Ann Hawkins
2. Jane Broad b. abt. 1694

Death

John Broad signed his will while he was "in health" on 18 SEP 1702. The Maryland index indicates there is a paper original of the document on file at the Archives. An abstract follows:

• to my son Thomas Broad and to my daughter Jane Broad all that tract lying on Back River called Broad’s Choice to be equally divided between them, my son Thomas to have the upper part and my daughter the lower part.
• if my son & daughter should die without heirs then the one part should fall to Frances Garrett’s first child and the other part to fall unto Thomas Coal, the son of John Coal and Joanna, his wife.
• my wife should live to be with my son and daughter until they should come to full age, but if so be that my wife die before that time then my son should be free for himself at the age of 16 and my daughter at 12 years.
• I appoint my loving wife to be whole & sole executor.

Signed & sealed with the signature of John Broade on 18 SEP 1702. Witnessed by John Jaine, Francis Garrett, Chas. Adams. Probate 16 JAN 1709.^[5]

An inventory of his estate was taken on 2 FEB 1709 and valued at £44.7.6 with Thomas and Jane Broad signing as the next of kin.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Gibb, Dr. Carson. “The New Early Settlers of Maryland” [earlysettlers.msa.maryland.gov]
2. ↑ Wright, F. Edward. Inhabitants of Baltimore County 1692-1763. Westminster, MD: Willow Bend Books 1999
3. ↑ Maryland Historical Magazine Vol. 21.3 pg. 287 [mdhs.msa.maryland.gov]
4. ↑ Baltimore County Deeds Liber RM HS 166
5. ↑ Prerogative Court Wills Liber 12a folio 233 [1]
6. ↑ Barnes, Robert W. “ Colonial Families of Anne Arundel County, Maryland” Westminster, MD: Willow Bend Books: 2000