No record of the origin of William Pickett has been found. He was likely born around 1655 in either Maryland or England. An arrival record in Maryland in 1670 has been recorded for a William "Peakett" [1]. More investigation is needed to determine whether this is actually the William Pickett of this profile, his father or an unrelated person.
There is evidence that a William Pickett was living in Kent County on the eastern shore of Maryland in 1678 when he was paid a sum of tobacco by the General Assembly along with many others, maybe for militia service.[2] In 1685 Michael Miller of Kent County conveyed to William Pickett of the same place, planter for 2,000 pounds of tobacco a 50 acre tract of land called Clifton located near the head Swan Creek.[3]
Baltimore County
According to Baltimore County tax records William was living on the north side of the Gunpowder River by 1699 and still there in 1700.[4]
Career
William Pickett was an educated man and an attorney. He was admitted to practice law in both Kent and Cecil counties by 1690 and in Baltimore County by 1692. He served in the Lower House of the Assembly for Baltimore County in 1708.[5]
Marriage
William was married sometime after 1700 to the daughter and heiress of Joseph Heathcote, and may have been married previously. After his death, his widow (poss. his second wife) married John Taylor, delegate to the Assembly from Baltimore County. [6]
CHILDREN
Children of William Pickett (as mentioned in will) include:
William Pickett 2nd married Mary Ruley on 21 Nov 1717 in Anne Arundel, Maryland[7]. He died by 2 Apr 1723 when administrative bond was posted by William Lowe and Benjamin Jones
Mary Pickett (1692– ) married Charles Miles in 1709 in Baltimore, Md.
George Pickett 1694–
Temperance Pickett (1695–1728) married William Lowe on 06 Jul 1710 in Baltimore, Md.
Elizabeth Pickett (1702–1770) married Benjamin Jones (1700-1739) and had John, Pickett and Elizabeth
Heathcote Pickett Sr. b. 1700, ,Baltimore, Maryland, d. 1726, Gun Powder Run, Baltimore, Maryland married Elizabeth Wright on 26 Jan 1742 in Baltimore, Md.
Death
William Pickett signed his will on 20 APR 1709. An abstract follows:
To dau. Mary Miles, 10 shillings, testator having already given her and her husband her portion.
To son William, dwelling plantation, consisting of 2 tracts, “Foxhole” and “Waterton's Neglect” during life;
at his decease to pass to son Heathcote (Pecket) and hrs., and at his decease to dau. Eliza: and hrs.;
son William to be of age at decease of testator.
To son George at 21 yrs., during life “Samuell's Delight” on little falls of Gunpowder R., bought from John Taylor; at his decease to pass to dau. Temperance during life, and at her decease to son Heathcott and hrs., the latter to be educated at expense of estate. To 5 child. last named, personal estate, including a legacy of what belonged to her mother, —,
to dau. Eliza: and to son Heathcote a ring bearing Heathcote coat of arms.
To possible unborn child, personalty.
Exs.: Wife Eliza:, jointly with son William.
Overseers: William Talbott and Thomas Hutchins. Test: Miles Groome, Obediah Pritchard, Wm. Holland, Wm. Colleson, Jno. Hayes. 13. 122.
By codicil, 10th June, 1710, testator devises to young son Heathcote 50 A., “Inheritance,” bought of John Morrow, and appoints wife Eliza: afsd., sole extx., to be assisted by Wm. Talbott, Thomas Cromwell, Thos. Hutchins and Jno. Standure. [8]
The estate was inventoried on 17 Aug 1710 by Matthew Greene and Moses Groome, and val. at £14.15.4 plus 51,115 lbs. tobacco and signed by William Pickett and Temperance Love as the next of kin. Administration was reported by Elizabeth, now w. of John Taylor on 2 Aug 1714. [6]
Sources
↑ SKORDAS, GUST, editor. The Early Settlers of Maryland: an Index to Names of Immigrants, Compiled from Records of Land Patents, 1633-1680, in the Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1968. 525p. Repr. 1986.
↑ Archives of Maryland Vol. 94 pg. 7 [aomol.msa.maryland.gov]
↑ Prerogative Court Wills of Maryland Liber 13 folio 122 [1]
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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with William by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA.
However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line.
It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with William:
"Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature 1635-1789 by Edward C. Papenfuse, et. al" indicate William married twice. First wife (name unknown) and second wife, Elizabeth, with dates of each marriage unknown. Also no record of which children with first vs. second wife.