Deborah (Dorsey) Clagett (abt. 1685 - abt. 1752)

Born about 1685 in Anne Arundel, Maryland

Ancestors

Wife of Richard Clagett — married after 1705 in Maryland

Descendants

Died about 1752 at about age 67 in Prince George's, Maryland

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Larry Ridgley [send private message], Jason Panick [send private message], and David McConaughy [send private message]

Biography

Deborah Dorsey, only daughter of John and Pleasance (Ely) Dorsey, was born about 1685. She married first Charles RIDGELY, and they lived in Prince George's County. Charles died in 1705 leaving her with two young sons. The three of them went to live with Deborah's parents in Baltimore County. She filed the administration of her late husband's estate on 14 October 1705.[35]

In 1706/7 Deborah married Richard CLAGETT (1681-1752).[36] They resided at his plantation "Croome", a large estate in Prince George's County, which he had inherited from his father, Captain Thomas Clagett (d. 1703). Thomas had married Sarah PATTERSON of London, who may have been the sister of Martha Patterson, the mother of Charles Ridgely. Thomas and Sarah Clagett were appointed guardians 12/1692 for Martha Ridgely, Jr., Charles's sister. Thomas had emigrated from England by 1670 to Calvert County, then by 1699 resided in Prince George's County. Thomas was a Captain in the militia, owned over 2,000 acres, and opposed the Revolution in 1689.

"Deborah was born in about 1685 at “ Hockley-In-Ye-Hole”, Anne Arundel Co., Maryland. When Deborah was 12 years old she lost her sight from small pox. She was a wonderful housekeeper and so acute were her senses of hearing and feeling that she is said to have suffered no inconvenience from her misfortune. Her charms are attested by the fact that she was wooed and married by two of the handsomest men of the Colony. She married first, Charles Ridgely I (1680-17050. Deborah married secondly Richard Clagett, Sr., of “Croome” (1681-1752). Deborah died in 1752 in Prince George’s Co., Maryland, and was buried at " Croome", Prince George's Co., Maryland."

Richard Clagett was a Land Commissioner for Prince George's County.

Richard's will was dated 27 October 1752 and proved 7 December 1752. As he did not mention Deborah, she probably predeceased him.

Sources

• Colonial Families of the USA, Vol II, p 608, by Mackenzie, George, 1911: https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/61175/colonialfamiliesii-001561_608/450042695?backurl=https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/159783929/person/212089673906/facts/citation/722121913437/edit/record

• https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=147198871