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The birthplace and birthdate of William Barney is not proved. He was likely born in England around 1680. William was definitely living in Baltimore by 1703 when he is listed on the Baltimore County tax list.[1] It is possible he was related to Francis Barney, a boatwright, who was living on Kent Island on 27 SEP 1709 when Jonathan Massey of Baltimore County & Ann his wife conveyed to him for 7,000 lbs. of tobacco a 150 acre tract called Collier's Meadow located at the mouth of Bush River.[2]Were they brothers who travelled to Maryland together?
Baltimore County property records create some confusion around William and his first wife, Elizabeth. A bond recorded among Baltimore County deeds dated 1707 and mentioned by Robert Barnes in his research was apparently dated incorrectly when it was transcribed from one liber to the other. The bond says: On this date William Barney & Henry Sater, both of Baltimore County, signed a bond in which they promised to pay Morgan Murray £150 sterling for a 150 acre tract of land called Morgan's Delight. The bond seems to indicate the land was currently in the possession of Mrs. Edward Stevenson. [3] An explanation of this transcription error can be found on Elizabeth's profile.
There are very few records of William purchasing property in Baltimore County. This researcher presumes he settled on the property of in-laws when he married his first wife. He claimed two tracts using the Maryland Patent Process on 9 DEC 1732 when he paid the fees and received permission from his Lorship's Land Office to lay out up to 250 acres. One tract was called Absolom’s Chance and was laid out at the fork of Buffalo Branch for 100 acres and the second tract called Pearsons and Benjamins Lot was 150 acres located at the head of a glade which descends into the western run of Gunpowder Falls.[4]
A very unusual deed reveals that on 29 APR 1738 James Chilcote of Baltimore County, carpenter, conveyed to Mary Barney of the same county for £40 a 100 acre tract of land called Valiant Hazard near a creek called Pearce’s Branch. The deed was witnessed by John & Jacob Risteau.[5] This deed is very unusual because Mary Barney was apparently married to William Barney at this time and the deed does not mention his name.
The first deed showing William purchasing a tract from another settler is dated 20 FEB 1746 when John Board conveyed to William Barney Sr. for £29 a 100 acre tract called Timber Ridge near Osborn Cabin Branch. [6]
William was married twice. He was married before 1717 to Elizabeth, the daughter of Edward & Mary Stevenson, and was married to a woman named Mary when he died. [7] According to his will, Mary was the mother of all of his children except the first two. He named two of his sons William and both were allive when he wrote his will in 1747. The patent above indicates William & Mary may have had a son named Pearson born between Absalom and Benjamin who predeceased his father. The births of some of the children were recorded in St. Paul's Parish register in Baltimore County. [8]
I William Barney Sr. of Baltimore County in the Province of Maryland, planter . . .
Signed and sealed with a cursive signature by William Barney on 20 FEB 1746/47, and witnessed by Job Evans, John Evans, Jabez Murray. Probated 19 MAR 1746/47. [9]
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