Thomas Lues (Lewis) was an indentured servant of Thomas Edelen. He married Edelen's daughter Catherine. He is associated with the property Battersea. Catherine remarried after Thomas' death and the Lewis children were brought up by her new husband.
There were other Thomas Lewises in Maryland who were born earlier. Hurley refers to a Thomas Lewis born about 1629[1] Another Thomas Lewis, was born say 1644 of John [1622], and immigrated April 1664
“The name Thomas Lewis appears among 26 people entered as rights for 1300 acres by Thomas Vaughan” [2]
Thomas Lewis was born about 1652, [3]as indicated by a 1672 document stating that Thos. "Lues," age 20, was the servant of Richard Edelen. [4].
Charles County records report a Thomas Lues who on 9 Jan 1672 was aged 10, a servant of Richard Edelen [5] It has been suggested that the Court record might actually read 20 years, making Thomas born in 1652. [6]
Mike Marshall identifies Thomas Lues as Thomas Lewis, b. abt 1665, who died in 1696 (Probate 3 JUN 1696 in Prince George's County, Maryland - Probate [7] [8]
Robert Lewis suggests that Thomas Lewis was probably brought from London to MD as an indentured servant by Richard Edelen when he returned for the second time in 1667 with his wife and son, Philip. [9]
If true this would confirm 1652 as the more likely date of Thomas' birth, making him aged 15 when transported, rather than 1662, which would make him aged 5.
A court record of 9 Jan 1671/2, mentions him as "Thomas Lues", age 20 years, Servant of Richard Edelen. [10]This is the oldest record which mentions Thomas Lues. [6]
Robert Lewis observes that the court appearance may have been a dispute, very common in those days, about whether the time of his indenture was up, since the normal time was for 4 years. [6]
When Thomas Lues' time of indentured service was over, he seems to have worked for Giles Blyzard, a hat maker. Thomas Lewis seems to have run the trading with the Indians for the furs that Giles made hats from. When the Lewis house was excavated in 1988, a number of trading beads were found. [6]
Both Richard Edelen and Giles Blyzard had links to the parish of St Giles Cripplegate, London, Richard Edelen through his uncle, Richard, and 1st wife, Priscilla, and Giles through a Thomas Blissard / Blyzard, who might have been his uncle.[6]
Because Thomas Lues is first seen as an indentured servant, and presumably had few means or family connections, it is unlikely that his parentage will ever be known.
Marshall shows Catherine Edelen born in St. Mary's County, Maryland in 1669. [7] She was the only daughter of Richard Edelen who had held Thomas Lues' indenture beginning in 1672. The Edelen's had returned to England before the birth of their eldest son in 1665 and Mrs Edelen did not return to Maryland until 1669, so Catherine would have been born no earlier if she was born in Maryland. [7]
Many researchers note that no married name is provided for Catherine in her father's will and assume this meant no marriage existed, or that her father disapproved it, and that Catherine and Thomas eloped. Others have noted only that she received personalty and missed that she was also to inherit one fifth of her father's plantation. [11]
The record that we do have is that Catherine was born in approximately 1667 and in 1672 Thomas Lues (Lewis) was entered as an indentured servant to Richard Edelen. He seems to have worked for the Edelen's until the mid 1680's when he married Catherine. [11]
The Waldens suggest that Richard Edelen may have had two objections to a marriage of Catherine and Thomas:
Marshall places the marriage of Catherine Edelen and Thomas Lues in 1685, in Charles (now Prince George's) County, Maryland. [7] In that year Catherine would have been 18 and of age to make her own decisions, and Thomas aged 26, having begin to prove his merit.
Catherine died 7 Nov 1698 in Prince George's County (Inventory). She was aged 29 years. [7]
Hurley gives Catherine a much earlier date to Catherine: "It appears that Thomas was married c. 1657 to Catherine...born about 1640, although the spelling of her last name is still to be questioned. After the death of Thomas, she was married to John Watkins." [1]
Assuming that Giles Blizzard's will was written in December, 1687, and that at the time of its writing Thomas Lewis was married to Catherine and had a son Richard, one must place the birthdate of Richard as earlier in 1687, and his parents marriage in 1686, when Catherine was 16 and Thomas was 24.
In 1687 Thomas registered his cattle mark in Charles County. [3]
When Gyles Blyzard of Charles County made his will in 1687 Thomas Lewis, his wife Katherine and their son Richard named:
Giles Blizzard, Charles County, 6th Dec,, 1687; 17th May, 1688. [7]
The date of the will appears to have a transposition error, and it was more likely made in 1687 than 1678. The date 1678 appears in the Maryland Calendar of Wills and all subsequent presentations of the will. But a 1678 date makes the facts of Gyles' life impossible. In 1678 he did not have a wife Mary; he had not even yet married Susanna Cane, whose property "Cane's Purchase" is named in the will. Given the content of the will, it could not have been written in 1678, and an inversion of the dates to 6 December 1687 should be assumed.
The will has created the confusion that Thomas Lewis's wife Katherine was Giles Blizzard's daughter. However:
A misreading of the will is the source of the myth that Katherine, wife of Thomas Lewis, was Katherine, or even Mary Catherine Blyzzard. For a further discussion of the errors created by Giles Blizzard's will, see Category: Mary Catherine Blyzzard Legend
Eliza Gambral is also named in the will. Robert Lewis [14] believes that this Eliza or Elizabeth, was the widow or daughter of Domingo Gambra(h), of Charles Co. who died about the same time Giles wrote his will. That would make Eliza either the mother or sister of Richard Gambra, who shared the Battersea tract with Thomas Lewis. Domingo Gambra had also served as an indentured servant of Richard Edelen.
There is no evidence that Giles Blyzazrd had a daughter Eliza, but she may have been the dau. of Thos. and Eliza. Blizard, chr. in St. Giles Cripplegate parish in 1651. The 100 acs. she inherited may have been the 100 acs. Giles bought in 1675/6 in Dorcester Co. The will of Thomas Hobbs of Somerset Co. dtd 10 Dec. 1691 mentions his sister, Eliza. Gambrill. (Md. Cal of Wills Vol. 2 1685-1702, p.61)
In 1688 Thomas was mentioned in the will of Giles Blyzard. Gyles Blyzard wrote his will on 6 December 1867 and the will was proved 17 May7 1688. Giles left property to his wife Mary and daughters Susanna and Ann. To Thomas Lewis and Katherine, his wife, and their son, Richard, he left a lease of 200 acres during their lives. Some early Lewis researchers believe this will indicated that Katherine was the daughter of Giles Blyzard; others believe that since Gyles did not leave property outright to any member of the Lewis family, this indicated a business relationship between Gyles Blysard and Thomas Lewis, rather than a filial one. These Lewis researchers believe that Catherine/Katherine was actually the daughter of Richard Edelen who was Thomas' master in 1752. [3]
The Waldens report that after the death of Giles (1688) there was a dispute over the land between Giles’ wife and daughters and Thomas was never given the land lease that was given to him in the Will. [11] This would be surprising if Catherine were a daughter of Giles, but less surprising if she was simply the wife of a business associated.
In 1692 Thomas Lewis purchased 250 acres of Battersea. It has been suggested by the Waldens [11] that the refusal of the Blizzard heirs to provide him with the promised lease was the reason Lewis sought Battersea instead.
Charles County Circuit Court Liber S, Page 48-9 [7]
The plantation was also called Marlboro Plain [15]
Linda Walden [11] states that this property was next to land owned by Richard Edelen and could have been property that Thomas, as an indentured servant, took care of for Richard Edelen.
On 19 July 1692 Thomas Lewis bought 250 acres in Charles County. (Charles County Land Book S, pp. 48-9). This property was one-half of a tract called Battessey (Battersea). "The town of Aire at Broad Creek was established at the landing of Thomas Lewis. This port developed into a sizable town. Stores and taverns were opened for business. The parish church was on an adjoining tract and was part of the community. In 1716 a pair of stocks and a whipping post were built there. The town name was later changed to Broad Creek, but has since disappeared." (Book Title Unknown), Family Group 584, Thomas Lewis of Prince Georges County, MD, p. 991.[3]
Thomas and Catherine established a town of Broad Creek, Maryland at the Lewis Landing. After their deaths a pair of stocks and a whipping post were installed in 1716. The town included a church, several stores and a tavern. The town has disappeared over time.
The original site of the Lewis house was excavated and was the subject of a Washington Post article on 17 Jun 1986. The headline read "Areas Oldest House is Unearthed in Prince George Co". Photos showed shards of pottery and beads used for trading with the Indians. [16] [17]
"Broad Creek is one of the principal tributaries of the Potomac River in the area that is now Prince George's Country. Long the hunting grounds of Native American tribes, the Broad Creek area was visited by British colonists by the midpoint of the seventeenth century. The first record of proposed use and settlement by these colonists came in 1662 with the survey of a 500-acre tract called Battersea. The land was patented in 1668 to Richard Fowke, who sold the land in 1688 to Richard Iles and Philip Mason: it was on Mason's half (the westerly section near the mouth of the Broad Creek) that they began to develop the community of Broad Creek."
"By this time, several smaller tracts had been laid out in the immediate vicinity of Battersea. Although it is not known whether these tracts were occupied by their owners, there is evidence from later accounts that they were at least cultivated during these later years of the seventeenth century. The population of the Maryland colony was gradually moving inland, discovering promising places along major waterways, and beginning to settle and develop communities. On 19 July 1692, the Battersea tract changed hands again: Mason sold his 250 acres to Thomas Lewis, and it is almost certainly the Lewis family that first constructed a dwelling on this, the land which we know today as Harmony Hall."
"The archaeological investigation carried out by the National Park Service (1985-87) gave evidence of an earthfast structure just east of the present eighteenth-century brick plantation house at Harmony Hall, possibly the oldest documented dwelling in the Washington metropolitan area. Artifacts and other materials suggest a household of modest income, consonant with the economic status of the Lewis family as revealed in the inventory of Thomas Lewis. Lewis died in 1696 and by his will devised the southwesternmost 100 acres of Battersea to his son, Richard. It is safe to assume that the earthfast structure on the present grounds of Harmony Hall was the dwelling place of the Lewis family."
The year 1696 marks the establishment of Prince George's County, the death of Battersea's Thomas Lewis, and the finished construction of the first church in Piscataway Parish.
The landing at Broad Creek, which at the latest must have been in use from the early 1690s, was still in 1706 known as Thomas Lewis' landing, although Lewis himself had been dead for 10 years. In April 1706 provincial governor John Seymour signed into law the creation of a “port town in Prince George's County at Broad Creek in Potomac River at south side of Broad Creek at Thomas Lewis' landing."
The original site of the house was excavated and was the subject of a Washington Post article on 17 Jun 1986. The headline read "Areas Oldest House is Unearthed in Prince George Co". Photos showed shards of pottery and beads used for trading with the Indians. Additional information is at Space: Battersea.
Two years earlier, Thomas Lewis had bought half of the 500 acres Battersea tract. Now on 5 March 1694, his partner Richard Gambrah bought the other half.
5 Mar 1694: Indent. fr Wm. Thompson, planter, to Richard Gambrah, planter, for 8,000 lbs tobo, half the parcel called " Batterzee", which Richard Hes and and Philip Mason pur. fr Richard "Hawke" (Sic). The 500 acs lately in poss. of Wm. Thompson and Thomas Lewis... cont. 500 acs. Division made with consent of Wm. Thompson and Thomas Lewis. [18]
On 7 August 1702, Gambra's half was named in his will. Will of Richard Gambra of P.G. Co. leaves 250 acs. "Batterea" to son Richard and his heirs. (Note: the will was witnessed by John Watkins, who had married Katherine, the widow of Thomas Lewis.) [19]
Thomas Lewis died between the time he made his will on 22 March 1695/6, and the time his will was recorded, 3 June 1696.
Will
The will of Thomas Lewis of Prince George's County, Maryland, was made on 22 March 1695/6 and recorded, after his death, 3 June 1696. [20] [11]
1696: 22 March: Will of Thomas Lewis of Prince George's County, Maryland Recorded 3 June 1696: [20]
Thomas Lewis of Prince Georges County, MD made his will on 22 March 1696 and it was recorded 3 June 1696. He made bequests to his wife Catherine and sons Richard, Thomas and John. Among other bequests, he mentioned 30 acres joining Broad Creek. (Maryland Calendar of Wills, Book 7, folio 150). [3]
The Last Will and Testament of Thomas Lewis, I first bequeath my soul to God who gave it, and my body to the dust from whence it came,
Alternate Version of Will
1696: 22 March: Will of Thomas Lewis of Prince George's County, Maryland [21]Recorded 3 June 1696: The Last Will and Testament of Thomas Lewis,
Inventory
An inventory of the estate of Thomas Lewis of Prince Georges County, with a total value of £55.10.0 was filed January 16, 1696/7 by William Hatton and William Hutchison, appraisers. (Inventory 1696/7 Vol. 14, Folio 42) [7]
A true acct of the inventory of all the goods and chattels of Thomas Lewis late of P. G. County taken this 16 day of Jan. 1696/7 by William Hatten and Wm Hutchison as far as come to our sight or knowledge.
The above is a true acct of the above estate taken in money by us the day above written. As witness our hand and seals
Appraisal
Thomas Lewis 14.42 I PG £55.10.0 Jan 16 1696 [7] Appraisers: William Hatton, William Hutchison.
1698 Remarriage of widow Catherine to John Watkins
Catherine Edelen Lewis married John Watkins in 1698. She is married to him by the time distribution of assets from Thomas' estate is made in 1699.
Thomas Lewis 19.67 A PG £55.10,0 £55.10.0 Jul 3 1699 [7]
Death of Catherine
After her marriage to John Watkins, Catherine herself died. Watkins provides an accounting following Catherine's death:
Inventory and Accts Book 19, Folio 67 P.G. Co. MD. [7]
200 hundred pounds sterling dated 3rd day of October in ye 10th year of his majst reign A.D. 1698.
John Watkins marries Mary Eanis
John Watkins then married Mary Eanis. John and Mary Eanis Watkins then finished raising the children of Thomas and Catherine Lewis as their own.
1703 Will of John Watkins
The Lewis children are named in John Watkins' will. [8]
Sale of Battersea
Richard and John sold their Battersea inheritance in 1709 and 1710.
On 29 July 1709 Richard Lewis, planter of Prince George's County, sold to William Tyler, carpenter of Prince George's County, for 14,000 pounds of tobacco, a 100 acre tract of land given Lewis by the will of his father Thomas Lewis called Battersey, formerly in Charles County, now in Prince George's County, bounded by Clash Creek. Signed by Richard Lewis (mark), witnessed by F. Wheeler and Nicholas Dawson. Richard Lewis acknowledged before William Tanyhill and Henry Acton. Alienation: 21 Aug 1710 Win. Tyler paid 2s for 100 acres. [22]
On 20 Aug 1711, John Lewis, planter of Prince George's County, sold to Thomas Stonestreet, planter of Prince George's County, for 5,000 of tobacco 50 acres of land in Prince George's County formerly Charles County; land left to John Lewis by his father, Thomas Lewis; original tract called Buttersy; bounded by Thomas Lewis, Jr. Signed: John Lewis (seal); Witnessed: William Lyles, James Gibbs, Richd. Dalton. Alienation: Thomas Stonestreet paid is for 50 acres of land 15 Sep 1711 [22]
Thomas and Catherine Lewis had five children. At the 1699 distribution following Thomas' death the children are described as "orphans" but unnamed. Thus any males were under 21, born not earlier than 1678, and any females were under 18, born not earlier than 1681. Assuming Thomas Lues married Catherine Edelen in 1683 when he was 21, the children would have been born after 1684. Since Thomas died in 1696, the children were born before then. Thus their birthdates had to fall between 1684 and 1696. Note, Prince George's County did exist until 1695.
Thomas Lewis, b. Abt. 1692, Charles (now Prince George's) County, Maryland; d. Abt. 1726, Charles County, Maryland. (Marshall has same birth year and that Thomas has children.) Thomas Lewis Jr. born Charles County, 1688[23]Thomas Lewis, b. Abt 1691, Charles County, Maryland, d. 19 Jul 1726, Charles County, Maryland - Inventory (Age ~ 35 years) [7] Thomas Lewis, Jr, born 1659
Not named in documents
THOMAS LEWIS, b. Abt. 1688, Charles County, Maryland; d. Abt. 1726, Charles County, Maryland.
Records of Thomas Lewis Jr.
Putney: : 80 acs surveyed 4 May 1690 for Wm. Timothy (Chas. Co. Rent Roll)
1713, Feb.24,: Indenture from Thomas Lewis, his wife, and Mabel Timothy to George Bennet Sr.
A parcel called "Putney" signed Thomas Lewis, Rebecca Lewis, Mabel Timothy.
(Charles Co. Land Records, Liber D #2, p. 14.)
1714, Mar.9,: Indenture from Thomas Stonestreet of Prince George's Co. planter, and Christina his wife to Thomas Lewis for 5,000 lbs. Tobaco. A parcel called "Birch Den" containing 100 acres. (Charles Co. Land Records Liber D #2, p. 84.)
1726: Inventory of Thomas Lewis, widow Rebecca of Charles County, Maryland. [No Will found]
1739, June 12: Jos. Hunt, of Price George's Co. and wife Mary; Joseph Frye of Prince George's, Co. and wife Elizabeth; and William Robins of Prince George's Co. and wife Ann; All daughters of Thomas Lewis, dec'd. convey tract "Birch Den" 150 acres which formerly blonged to Thomas Lewis.
(Charles Co. Land Record Liber O, #2, fol. 402.) Note: On Mar. 10,1741: William McQueen and wife Katherine co-heir with other sisters to "Birch Den" convey to Humphrey Deaverson. (ibid. Fol. 464.)
11 Mar 1755:A Deed from Joseph Fry and his wife, Elizabeth, of Fairfax Co. VA, dau of Thomas Lewis, d.1726, to William Robbins of PG Co., MD states that her father, Thomas Lewis, was the son of Thomas Lewis (d. 1696) who left him part of Battersea in his Will, that her father was the brother of John Lewis, and died after John died after John, that her father died intestate without male issue,that he left 4 daughters:Mary, Elizabeth, Anne and Catherine, and that she and her husband convey her interest in Battersea to William Robbins.In: PG Co. MD Liber NN, f. 352.
(Note by RL:This is a death blow to those researchers who claim that Jonathan Lewis of PG Co. was a son of this Thomas Lewis, and also assigned him other male issue. It was discovered by Wm. Neal Hurley Jr., probably during his research on the Fry family.)
John Lewis(b ca 1675, d, 1711) of Marlboro Plain, P.G. Co. Married Elizabeth Horner / Houser of PG. Co., dau of Thomas Horner of Calvert and P.G. Cos, MD.Her sister Mary, married John Soaper of PG Co.
30 Jul 1702:Indenture from John Soaper, Cooper, of PG Co., to JohnLewis, Planter, of PG Co. Nicholas Terrell, dec'd, of Ann Arundel Co. sold Thomas Hillary, dec'd, of Calvert Co., land lying in Calvert, now PG Co., on the North side of Western Branch of the Patuxent River called Marborrow (Marlborough) Plains.Terrell did not sign over to Hillary, then sold to Soaper.Soaper dissatisfied and relinquished to Hillary the SE one half of the land, then Hillary sold said one half to John Lewis, but Hillary had no conveyance; SE corner of land on Cabin Branch.signed John Soaper (mark) and Mary Soaper (mark), his wife. Endorsement 30 Jul 1703 Mary Soaper examined by Robert Wade and Samuel Magruder. Wit. Thomas Clagett and John Rigdon Alienation: 18 Dec 1703 for the sum of 6s from John Lewis'
Will dtd 5 Mar 1710/11. Proved 20 Apr 1711 To wife, Elizabeth, executrix, entire estate, real and personal. . Wit. were John Henry, John Barrett and Alex. Beall. (MD Calendar of Wills, Vol. 3,1703-1711, p.206)
His Inventory is dated 6 Jun 1711, and rec.15 JunAppraisers were Alexander Beall and Thomas Lucas.Next of kin were Johnand Maty Soaper. Executrix was Eliz. Lewis
On 20 Aug 1711 an Indenture from John Lewis, planter of PG Co to Thomas Stonestreet, planter of PG Co. is recorded.For 5,000 lbs oftobacco, 50 acres of land in PG Co. formerly Chas. Co, land left to John Lewis by his father, Thomas Lewis, original tract called Butterey (Battersea), bounded by Thomas Lewis Jr. signed John Lewis (seal)(PG Co. Land Bk F, f. 101) (Note by RL: Since this is dated after John Lewis' death it is the recording of an earlier indenture, or the actual sale was made by Elizabeth Lewis.)
27 Sep 1711, Indenture fron Henry Cox of Calvert Co., Gent. to Elizabeth Lewis, Widow, of PG Co. for the moyety of a tract of 113 acs of land called Good Luck, lying in Calvert Co., now PG Co. lying on th N. Brach of the Patuxent, containing 200 acs formerly owned by Thomas Houser-sic,deceased.Land descended to Elizabeth Lewis and Mary Soaper, wife of John Soaper, joint heirs of Thomas Houser, bounded by land of Henry Cox called Little Land (and), land of Henry Cox called Battson's Vinyard.Signed Henry Cox (seal) Wit John Leach and James Heigh, Justices of Calvert Co. Alienation:Elizabeth Lewis paid the sum of 4s/6p and a half penny 3 Jan 1711/2 Memo:Henry Cox and wife, Sarah Cox ack. deed before witnesses. Recorded 3 Jan 1711/2 (PG Land BK F, f. 141)
27 Sep 1711 Indenture from Henry Cox of Calvert Co., Gent to John Soper, Cooper,of PG Co. and Mary his wife.For the moyety of a tract of land called Good Luck containing 200 acs willed to Mary Soaper by Thomas Houser-sic, bounded by Little Land. signed Henry Cox (seal) Wit. by John Leach and James Heigh, Justices of Calvert Co. Memo:Henry Cox and Sarah his wife ack. deed Alienation: John Soper paid 4s/6p on 30 Jan 1711/2 (PG Co. Land Bk F, f. 143)
2 Deeds of Gifts on4 Feb 1711/12
On 4 February, 1711/12 at Prince George’s co. MD, Elizabeth Lewis, a widow of Prince George’s co., MD, transfers moiety of land to her son John Lewis; land described as on the North Branch of the Patuxent River previously a part of Calvert co., MD and called Batterson’s Vineyard. Witnessed by Edward Willett, Tabitha Willett (illiterate)( PGCo.Deed Bk F, f.153.)
4 February, 1711 at Prince George’s co., MD Elizabeth Lewis, a widow of Prince George’s co., MD, issues a deed of gift to her stated children:
Witnesses were: Edward Willett, Tabitha Willett (PG Co. Deed Bk F, f. 154.
John Lewis'Administration was dated 5 Feb 1712/13 and signed by his Executrix, Elizabeth Pearson. ( She had married her 2nd husband, Francis Pearson)
Her new husband died not long after their marriage: 2.Francis Pearson (Will dtd 16 Jul 1713, Proved 26 Sep 1713) Left her his estate Collington,116 acs bought from Elizabeth, widow of Ninian Beall. Will wit. by John Barrett Sr,. Edward Wellett and John Henry.( Wills Liber 13, f. 681)
3. Samuel Warner (Will dtd 21 Nov 1731, Proved 29 Mar 1732/3) Deed dated 29 Sep 1733, Eliz. Warner deeds her beloved son Stephen Lewis in the Colony of VA all that tract called Collington. (PG Liber T, f.49)
(On 29 Aug 1734, she and her then ( 4th) husband, David Condon, deeded it to her son,"Stephen Lewis of Pr. Wm. Co., VA")
Elizabeth Condon's Willwas dtd 23 Jan 1757 and proved 14 Mar 1757. In it she names her son,Samuel Warner and dau Priscilla Baker and makes her son. Samuel Warner Executor.Wit by James Gibson and Wm and James Willett. (MD Cal. of Wills, Vol. 11. p. 155)
Records of herson John Lewis( b. ca 1690 d ca 1764) , of PG Co. MD and Stafford/ Pr. Wm/Fairfax/Loudon Cos VA
John Lewis must have been of age by 1712, when his mother deeded him half of Battisons Vinyard. PG Co. Land Eecords, Liber F, f. 153. Deed of Gift 4 Feb 1711/12 From Eliz. Lewis. widow of PG Co. to John Lewis her son. A moyety (half) of landlately occupied by Henry Cox of Calvert Co. called Battersons (Battsons) Vinyard, the moyety lately sold my sister , Mary Soaper, wife of John Soaper, by Henry Cox.signed Elizabeth Lewis. (Mark and Seal) Wit. Edward Willett, Tabitha Willett (PG Co. Deed Bk F, p.153).
After John Lewis moved to Stafford Co. VA about 1722, he sold this land.
Indenture dtd 22 Nov 1722, enrolled 10 Feb 1722/3 From John Lewis of the colony of VA to Eliz. Watters of Ann Arundle Co. MDA parcel of land, 113 acs called Battersons Vinyard, laid out for John Soaper. Payment of 15 lbs. s. John Lewis WitDavid Waams, Joseph Stall
A Quit Rent Roll of 1723 Taken from the Register of Overwharton Parish, Stafford County, Virginia
John Lewis Paid 133 lbs. Tobacco. Land ytwas Thomas Sandiford’s.
He married, ca 1723 , Catherine, the widow ofThomas Sabdiford
On 11 September, 1723 at Stafford co., VA an indenture was made between John Lewis and Catherine Lewis of Overwharton Parish (Overwarten Parish), Stafford co., VA, a planter ,and George Mason, gentleman of same for the transference of land rights; land granted originally to Thomas Sandiford (previously m.to Catherine Lewis ) 12 February, 1703 being at the northernmost branch of Little Hunting Creek bordered by Nicholas Brent and Thomas Longman. wir. Richard Hubbard. (Thomas Sandiford expired testate.)
Virginia Land Grants to John Lewis, son of John Lewis (d. 1711) of PG Co. MD and his brothers
Other Grants to him:
John Lewis of Stafford, 401 acs, on Difficult Run. 9 Feb 1725. (Ibid. p. 83, A-196)
John Lewis of Stafford, 262 acs. on Difficult Run, 9 Feb 1725, (Ibid. p.83, A-197)
John Lewis of Stafford, 250 Acs on Great Hunting Creek, adj.the Rockhole. 9 Feb 1730 ( Ibid. p.105, C-100.)
Other mentions: Survey: Orders from Willam Fairfax Esq.,Agent of Lord Fairfax. William Fairfax 5568 acs inPrince William Co. (formerly Stafford, later Fairfax), on Difficult Run and Great Falls of the Potomac River, Wolftrap Branch, adj. John Lewis, William Gunnell, Thomas Lewis, John Read,Guy Broadwater,Robert Carter Jr.,Rev. Mr. Alexander Scot,Robert Alexander,Samuel Wilson,corner of Watts and Harrison, Francis Awbrey,line of Gunnell and Lewis.John Warner,Surveyor. 17 Aug 1739..(Ibid. p. 125, E-102.)
Maj. John Colvill of Pr. Wm. Co. 316 acs in Pr. W. Co. adj. his land, formerly John Grants adj. John Lewis... onPiney Branch of Difficult Run. (Ibid. p. 127. E-127)
To same, 285 acs.onDifficult Run adj. John Lewis, William Gunnell, Rodham Neal, Grant's, now Colvill's land, Wm. Norris. 1 Feb 1739.(Ibid, p.127, E-128).
Col. John Colvill, 1425 acs on branches of Accotinck, Wolftrap, Pimmet's Run and Scot's Run... adj. Ems', now Colvill's land, Capt. Broadwater, William Scott, Stephen Lewis, path from Edward Ems' to Patrick Dunkin's , Samuel Wilson, John Lewis, Mr. Scott. 6 Nov 1740.(Ibid. p.130, E-182.)
Thomas Lewis' patents:
Thomas Lewis of Stafford Co. 633 acs on Difficult Run, 5 Feb 1725.( Ibid. p.95, A-191.)
Thomas Lewis of Stafford Co. 157 acs on Difficult Run, adj. his own land. 20 Sep 1730.(Ibid. p.104, C-75.)
Stephen Lewis' Patent:
Stephen Lewis of Stafford Co.200 acs on Wolftrap Branch of Difficult Run, adj Samuel Wilson deceased.16 Oct 1728.(Ibid. p.94, B-148.)
Samuel Lewis Deed: 3 Oct 1734:Samuel Lewis of Prince George's Co.ln MD to Thomas Lewis of Prince William Co., Planter, for 15 lbs Maryland money, 260 acs on Difficult Run,granted out of the Proprietor's Office unto John Lewis 9 Feb 1725,... Deed of lease and release. Samuel Lewis Wit. Cav Dulany, John Manley, John Minor. Received of Thomas Lewis sum of 15 lbs At Court Nov. 24 1734. Samuel Lewis acknowledges this release with the receipt endorsed to Thomas Lewis (Pr. Wm. Co., VA Deed Book Liber B, 1732-1735, pp.384-387, Abstracts by June W. Johnson. 1982, p 75)
(Around 1734, John Lewis, who by then had at least 3 sons, John, Thomas and Stephen by his wife, Catherine, began to dispose of his land in lower Fairfax Co. around Dogue Creek and in Upper Fairfax Co. around Difficult Run, and resided on his Broad Run land, which was in Loudon Co. after its formation . 1.Son John married Elizabeth Hickman, dau. of Joshua Hickman, who had moved to VA from MD.They resided in Loudon Co.
2.Son Thomas married Ann Hickman, dau of William, Joshua's brother, who had also moved across the Potomac. At one time he served as Sheriff of Loudon Co.
3.Son Stephen also resided in Loudon Co. and had sons John, Nathan and Solomon, but the name of his wife is not known.
4.There seems to have been a 4th younger son, Charles, name of wife unknown,had a son John,and who, in the 1767 Loudon tax list is living on the 324 acre grant.
In 1767, John Lewis, claiming to be 88 yrs old and infirm, asks to be exempted from the tax. In 1768 he was exempted
John's brother, Thomas, moved to Stafford Co. about the same time .He replaced John as a Vestryman in 1733, which gave him the right to use the title of Gentleman. In 1740, he married a very wealthy widow, Sarah Hawley, widow of Capt. William Harrison, and appears to have taken advantage of her, transfering much of her wealth to his younger brother, Stephen and Stephens son, Thomas. After her husband's death in 1749, she began lawsuits to try to regain some of her money, but without any apparent success.
Incorrect information is included based on the book“The Sydney-Smith and Clagett-Price genealogy: with the Lewis, Montgomery, Harrison, Hawley, Moorhead, etc. Families By Lucy Montgomery Smith Price, 1927.This claims that Thomas Lewis(d. 1749) and his wife had a son that the author calls William Thoms Lewis, who was born after Thomas' death. This is not true.
Stephen had married Elizabeth Offut
Lasly, Robert, [PGCo] 10th Apr., 1680; 15th Sept., 1680. To John Douglas, Charles and Ninian Beall, personalty. John Lasly, son of Joyce Lindell and hrs., residue of estate, real and personal. Exs.: Ninan Beall, Jas. Moore. Test: Francis Swinsen, Thos. Lewis. MCW 2.115
Gaile, Edward, Chas. County, == == ==; 1st Feb, 1685/6, To each priest in the county and to Thomas Gavin, personalty. wife Ruth, execx. and residuary legatee. Test: I. Lemare, Thos. Lewis, Eliza: Gooderick. 4.160
The other is to show that the John Lewis who married Winifred Thomas about 1731 in Prince Georges Co. was not a member of this family.His family will be the subject of my next posting.
Lasly, Robert, [PGCo] 10th Apr., 1680; 15th Sept., 1680. To John Douglas, Charles and Ninian Beall, personalty. John Lasly, son of Joyce Lindell and hrs., residue of estate, real and personal. Exs.: Ninan Beall, Jas. Moore. Test: Francis Swinsen, Thos. Lewis. MCW 2.115 [7]
Note that this Thomas Lewis is less likely to be Thomas Lues of Battersea because Lues. born 1662, would have only been 18 at the time.
Gaile, Edward, Chas. County, 1st Feb, 1685/6, To each priest in the county and to Thomas Gavin, personalty. wife Ruth, execx. and residuary legatee. Test: I. Lemare, Thos. Lewis, Eliza: Gooderick. 4.160 [7]
Note that this Thomas Lewis is less likely to be Thomas Lues of Battersea because Lues is believed to have been a Protestant.
The earliest records I found of a Giles in MD were these:
22 Mar. 1675/6: Gyles Blyzard, carpenter , of St. Mary's Co. assigned 100 acs "Reserve" in Dorchester Co by Raymond Stapleford of Dor.(Md Archives vol. 66, p 128-30)
6 Apr. 1676: Giles Blyzard, late of Calvert Co., otherwise called Gyles Blyzard of Gt. Choptank River, Talbot Co. owes John Ingram 3,560 lbs. tobo.(Same ref. p. 211)
15 Sep 1677: Account of John Clemens of Talbot Co lists a payment to Giles Blizard. (Prerog. Court Admin. 1674-1678, p.49.)
27 Nov. 1680: The Administration of William Foord, (Gent.) of Dorchester Co. lists a debt due from Giles Blizzard (Runaway)
The next group of records begin almost 4 years later, in them he is refered to as Giles Blizard of London:
11 Mar. 1683/4: Indenture from James Neal (Gent.) and wife Eliz. to Giles Blizard of the City of London, a tract on Piscattaway Ck. called "St. James" 700 acs.(Chas. Co. Ct & Land Vol. K # 1,p.421}
4 Aug. 1684: Indent. to Giles Blizard of London, whereas marriage is intended betw. Giles Blizard and Susanna Cane, dau. of John Cane; parcel called "Blew Plane" cont. 1,000 acs.(Chas. Co. Ct & Land Vol.L#1,p1)
21 Aug. 1684: Marriage of Giles Blizard and Susanna Cane.(Chas. Co. Ct. & Land Vol. S#1, p.286)
5 May 1686: Giles Blizzard granted a license to trade with the Indians for furs to make beaver hats and castors. (Md. Archives, proceedings of the council, 1684-89, p.471-2)
6 Dec. 1687: (Note: date was miscopied as 1678) Will of Giles Blyzard:
8 Mar. 1691: Robert Thompson binds himself to Anne, dau. of Giles and Mary Blizard, for 20,000 lbs tobo (Chas. Co. Ct & Land Vol.Q#1,p.54.)
21 Feb 1693/4: Susanna Blizard, dau. of Giles Blizard, decd. to remain in custody of her mother-in-law (Step-mother) Mary Thompson. (Chas. Co. Ct. & Land Vol. S#1, p.242)
4 Oct. 1695: Admin. of Robert Thompson of Chas. Co.: Payment to Wm Dent for Ann Blyzard, orphan of Giles Blizard. Admx: Mary Smallwood, wife of Mr. James Smallwood. (Prerog Ct. Abstracts 1685-1701, p.60
19 May 1713: Indent. betw. Nath. Magruder of P.G. Co. and Susanna his wife to John Fraser, clerk of P.G. Co. and Anne, his wife. Susanna and Anne, daus. and coheirs of Giles Blyzard dec'd. inherited 1,000 acs., "Blew Plain"; 700 acs., "St. James"; both in P.G. Co.; "Caine's Purchase" in Chas. Co.(700 acs.) and 600 acs., "Athelborough "in Balt. Co. (Chas Co. Land Rec. Liber F (Old Series) p.241 ff.)
Several persons named Thomas Lewis lived at the same time. This will serve to distinguish them: See also: Space:Flawed_Welsh_Ancestry_of_Maryland_Lewis_Family
In this profile two assumptions are made in which all the known facts fit together, but which themselves cannot be proven:
See also:
This person was created through the import of 229-Davies.ged on 19 October 2010.
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removed CHARLES152, as I believe it is cover in Charles Co ref, but should be check using the change page.
PGLRF5 changed/corrected to pglrf101
found SIDES, corrected
Terry
Thank you.