William Crouch (abt. 1620 - bef. 1676)

Born about 1620 in England

Descendants

Died before 25 Mar 1676 before about age 56 in Anne Arundel, Province of Maryland

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Biography

William Crouch was a Maryland colonist.

Origin

More research is needed to prove the origin of William Crouch. According to his application for a warrant, he arrived in Maryland around 1650 with his wife, Mary and his children, Josias, Rachell, Elizabeth, & John. ^[1]

Patents

William soon began claiming land using the Maryland patent process. According to the Maryland Patent index, William claimed approximately 800 acres in the following tracts all in Anne Arundel County unless noted.

1659 - Crouchfield for 150 acs. ^[2]

1659 - North Crouchfield for 300 acs. ^[3]

1663 - Crouches Triangle for 60 acs. ^[4]

1664 - Crouches Choice for 150 acs. in Talbot County^[5]

1665 - Crouches Triangle Addition for 40 acs. ^[6]

1666 - Crouches Calf Pasture for 30 acs. ^[7]

1666 - Crouches Mill Dam for 70 acs. ^[8]

All of these parcels are mentioned as legacies to his children via his will. He also purchased several tracts from other settlers.

Marriage & Family

William was married to a woman named Mary when he arrived in Maryland and was probably married more than once. He does not mention a wife in his will. He is proved to have been the father of the following children:

Josias b. abt. 1643

Rachell b. abt. 1645 (prob. died before 1675)

Elizabeth b. abt. 1647 (prob. died before 1675)

John b. abt. 1649

James b. abt 1651

Sarah b. abt. 1653

Rebecca b. abt. 1663

Joseph b. abt. 1665

Rebecca b. abt 1667

Abstract of Will

30 OCT 1675 I William Crouch of Ann Arundel River in the Province of Maryland being sick . . .

• to my son John Crouch & his heirs a parcel of land called Coventry lying on the east side of Chesapeake Bay cont. 100 acs.
• to my son John Crouch & my son James Crouch a parcel of land called Hilsdon cont. 200 acs., to each of them 100 acs. only John shall have his choice.
• to my son Josias a parcel of land called Crouches Choice lying in Talbot County at the mouth of Wye River cont. 150 acs.
• to my daughter Sarah Jones, the wife of Thomas Jones a parcel of land called Crouches Calve Pasture cont. 30 acs. but not to follow the line to the southward over the branch where James Smith and John Howard killed the Lion.
• to my daughter Rebecca Crouch a parcel of land called Crouches Triangle Addition cont. 40 acs.
• to my son Joseph Crouch a parcel of land called Crouches Triangle cont. 60 acres. Also a parcel called Crouches Little Neck south field cont. 50 acs.
• to my daughter Rebecca a parcel of land called the Mill Dam being the remainder of a parcel I sold to my cousin James Smith.
• I give my buff coat to my son Josias.
• I give my wife’s cabinet & serge gown to my daughter Rebecca.
• I give my 2 guns that are out upon service to my son James.
• all my cattle & household goods unto my son Joseph, & daughter Rebecca to be equally divided between them excepting one 3 year-old heifer called Bright which I give to my daughter Sarah.
• to my son James a coat & pair of breeches which I had of Simon Herring.
• to my son James my silver dram cup.
• to John Andrew my silver & gold spoon.
• I make my son James Crouch sole executor and desire my friends John Howard & John Hammond to be overseers to see my will fulfilled.
• addition added before signing his name, all my horseflesh male & female I do give to my son Joseph & my daughter Rebecca only.
• my young gelt nag I bequeath to my son James.

Signed and sealed with his mark and witnessed by Will Hopkins, Maurice Baker, James Smith, and Richard Bailey. Probate 25 MAR 1676. ^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ Maryland Patents Liber 4 folio 87 & 89
2. ↑ Maryland Patents Liber AB & H folio 257
3. ↑ Maryland Patents Liber AB & H folio 257
4. ↑ Patent 5 folio 577
5. ↑ Patent 7 folio 460
6. ↑ Patent 8 folio 138
7. ↑ Patent 9 folio 467
8. ↑ Patent 9 folio 467
9. ↑ Prerogative Court Wills Liber 5 folio 163 [1]