Contents |
There is a published family tree claiming William Selby was born on September 16, 1630, in Badley, Suffolk, England, the son of James Selby and Mary Armes. Without a will in England linking the William Selby of this profile to this family in England, his origin must be given as not proven, especially since the name is a common one. When evidence is found, his birth can be changed to match proof provided.
William Selby was transported to the Province of Maryland as proved by the following patent record:
Land records indicate William Selby settled on the west side of the Patuxent River which was part of Calvert County until Prince George's County was created in 1695. We can't tell If he purchased land in Calvert before 1695 because the courthouse burned destroyed all the records in the 1880s.
William possibly began his life in Maryland like many others as an indentured servant. However, no evidence of him claiming the typical 50 acres granted to indentured servants upon completion of their contract has been found and his will bequeaths over 1,000 acres of land. The first evidence of him owning property comes from a conveyance dated 17 JUN 1686 when James Moore of Calvert County, carpenter and his wife Elizabeth Moore conveyed to William Selby of the same county planter for 16,000 pounds of tobacco a tract called Leith on the west side of the Putuxant River surveyed by Moore for 500 acres. William filed a petition with the court before his death to question the survey and the amount of land contained in Leith before he paid the fees to complete the patent process. His sons, Charles & William, had the land resurveyed for 500 acres around October 1698.[2]
On 28 APR 1697 Walter Bigger, Calvert County, gent. conveyed to William Selby of Prince George's County 350 acres of a tract called To Good located on the west side of Patuxent River by land called Croome, Timberly and Generals Gift. for £100.[3]
Researchers have named William's wife as Mary Steward. This belief apparently comes from the transportation record detailed above, but no proof of any marriage for William has been found in Maryland primary sources. His wife should be given as unknown until proof is found. William & Mary were the parents of the following children who are mentioned in his will. Two of the girls are married and the boys are under 18:
The will on microfilm at the Maryland Archives is difficult to read. An abstract follows: I William Selby of Prince Georges County being weak in body . . .
Signed with his mark W on 5 NOV 1698 and witnessed by (unreadable signatures) Probated not given.[4]
Williams' estate was administered by Mary Cecill, the wife of Joshua Cecil on 30 JUL 1701. The estate was valued at £427.13.11 plus 685 lbs. of tobacco. Debts paid to: Charles Beale, Thomas Box, Richard Groome, Richard Jones, Mr. Charles Carroll, Greenfield, Thomas Marice, Mr. Carroll, John Miller, Mr. Greenfield for Esq. Cheseldine, Maj. Barton for Esq. Brooke, Joshua Cecill, Esq. Brooke. [5]
Have you taken a DNA test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.
William is 21 degrees from Emeril Lagasse, 22 degrees from Nigella Lawson, 21 degrees from Maggie Beer, 43 degrees from Mary Hunnings, 27 degrees from Joop Braakhekke, 30 degrees from Michael Chow, 19 degrees from Ree Drummond, 23 degrees from Paul Hollywood, 22 degrees from Matty Matheson, 23 degrees from Martha Stewart, 27 degrees from Danny Trejo and 27 degrees from Molly Yeh on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.