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Francis Watkins was born about 1650 in England. No birth record for Francis Watkins has been found in Maryland. His birth is an estimate. According to Maryland Patent records, Francis Watkins was transported to the Maryland colony in 1671 by Richard Ewen who also claimed rights for transporting Mary Davis at the same time. [1] This record may apply to another man with the same name, but there is another record stating:
By 1681 Francis was married and living on a plantation in the Middle River area of Baltimore County. He was listed on the Baltimore County Tax list of 1692 living on a plantation with Michael Gormocon, Edwd. Cantwell and Edmond Moore on the north side of the Patapsco River. By the time of the 1694 tax list Francis was still living with Edward Cantwell and Edmond Moore.[3] Francis Watkins was living in Baltimore County by 1681 when Thomas Long conveyed to him a 185 acre tract called Hopewell for the natural affection he held toward his wife's daughter, Christiana Wright, who was now married to Francis Watkins. [4]
Francis owned two properties that were given as gifts. The first was given on 7 JUN 1681 by Major Thomas Long of Baltimore when he conveyed to Francis Watkins of the same county for the natural affection he felt towards the husband of his wife’s daughter, Christiana Wrights, a 185 acre tract called Hopewell. [5] Ten years later, on 17 MAR 1691/92 Christopher Bembridge of Baltimore County conveyed to Francis Watkins of the same county as a gift a 111 acre tract of land called Long Port bordering a tract called Hopewell that formerly belonged to Thomas Long and located near the western branch of Middle River. In 1708 Micheal Gormocon & Dorothy Geford made oath that they saw Bembridge sign the deed voluntarily to Francis Watkins so there might have been a question about the gift later.[6]
On 18 May 1695 Francis claimed 200 acres of land using the Maryland Patent process on the north side of Back River near Duck Creek which tract he called Sisters Hope.[7]
Francis was married first to Christiana Wrights by 1681. Whether this was her surname at birth or she was a widow is not known. At the time of his death, Francis was married to a woman named Mary. Francis was the father of four children who were named in his will.
Based on the document recorded among Maryland wills dated 11 April 1696, Francis Watkins declared his dying wishes on his death bed in front of witnesses who testified in front of John Ferry, one of the justices of Baltimore County. Elizabeth Fondalll aged about 50 years was the witness who saith that she heard the said Francis Watkins declare on his death bed:
The following witnesses also declared the same: Edward Cantwith aged about 41, Lidia Henden aged about 21 and John Haws aged about 33.[8] He left a nuncupative will.[9]
Francis served in the Lower House of the Maryland Legislature from 1692-1696.
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Categories: Baltimore County, Province of Maryland | Maryland Colonists