Sources vary on the birth year for Richard Duckett. Duckett himself, in 1727, stated he was aged 55, which would place his birth in 1672. [1] Sharon Doliante [2] gives a birth year of 1673 in London. Edyth Whitley [3] reports his birth two years later in 1675, also in London.
Richard Duckett was born about 1672 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. [4]
As of this date [January 26, 2001] the parents of Richard Duckett have not been identified. His father is not William Duckett or William Duckett and his mother is not Elizabeth Henshaw or Elizabeth Henshaw. See Research Notes.
Before leaving England, Duckett had travelled to "most parts of the West" of England. [1]
Richard Duckett could read and write. His travels around the west of England may have been as a traveling clerk. In 1694, when Henry Ridgley's wife died and he found some correspondence in her trunk, Henry Ridgley brought the letters to Richard Duckett to read. [1]
He arrived in Maryland in 1692, according to his 1727 deposition. [1] There is no record in the Maryland Land Office which shows the transportation of Richard Duckett or anyone else of the name. [2]
Richard Duckett came to Maryland as a servant to Major Henry Ridgely. Ridgely was a merchant who lived near the head of South River. Duckett's term of service was for four years. [1]
On Jan 26, 1698/99 in All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Richard Duckett married Charity Jacob, daughter of John and Anne (Cheney) Jacob. She was born about 1681/2 in Anne Arundel County. [2]
Through 1727, Richard Duckett could testify that he lived with or near the said Major Henry Ridgely and "was intimate" with the family. [1]
Richard and Charity continued to live in Anne Arundel County until 1708 or 1709, and their first five children were born there [2]
On 26 January 1699 in All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County, he married Charity Jacob, born about 1682, All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland and died after 1727, Anne Arundel County, Maryland [4]
Richard served as Parish Clerk, not only in Anne Arundel County, but also for 24 years in Queen Anne's Parish, Prince Georges County. We still have extant records in his very legible handwriting. [2]
He also worked as a clerk, bookkeeper and farmer in Maryland. [5]
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY LAND RECORDS, Deed, 24 September 1700[4]
Recorded: 29 November 1701, Vol. A, Page 408
Jones, William, Sr., A. A. Co. (Planter). 31st May, 1705 ; 4th Aug., 1705.[4]
to dau. Mary and Anthony Buddingfield her husband, land on which they dwell, part of "Johns Cabbin Ridge."
estate.
Prince George's County Land Records, Folio 222: Indenture, 8 Jul 1708[4] From: Robert Tyler of Prince George's County, Gent. To: Richard Duckett, County Clerk of Anne Arundel County For 408 a 100 acre plantation called Duckett's Hope, part of a tract called Tyler's Discovery in Prince George's County between land called Enfield Chase owned by John Llewellin and Cattail Meadows belonging to Robert Anderson; bounded by Ample Grange owned by John Boyd and Matthew Mackabey's land Signed: Robert Tyler Witnessed: John Gerrard and Thomas Clegett Memorandum: 8 Jul 1708 Susannah Tyler, wife of Robert examined by above witnesses Alienation: Richard Duckett paid the sum of 4s for the 100 acres (Ed: Amptill Grange on the Hienton map of Prince George's Co. was written as Ample Grange in this document and Enfield Chase as Enfield Chance )
In 1708 Richard Duckett purchased one hundred acres of Robert Tyler in Prince Georges Co., for the sum of 40 pounds. The land was a part of Tyler's Discovery lying between the tracts called Enfield-Chase and Cat-tail's Meadow. Present day highways 50, 301 and 197 roughly outline the piece, about 12 miles east of Washington, D.C. Much of it is now developed into a housing area called Collingwood Manor. It could more truly have been named "Duckett's Disapointment", for in 1727 Richard and Charity, unable to pay to the Episcopal pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Jacob Henderson, a long-standing debt of one hundred and eleven pounds sterling, forfeited the entire estate "as also all singular and personal estate..of what nature, kind or quality whatsoever...cows, calves, sheep, bedding, pewter...or other goods or chattels." Harry Wright Newman, "Mareen Duvall of Middle Plantation," published by the author, Washington, 1952, found in the Prince Georges Co., Historical Society library says on page 48: "One March 4, 1726/7, Richard Duckett and Charity his wife redeemed a mortgage (from Rev. Henderson) on Duckett's Hope." He was married to Charity Jacob on Jan. 5 or 26, 1698/99 in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland.[5]
Prince George's Land Records 1726-1730 - Liber M, Page 140[4] Enrolled at request of Jacob Sanderson 28 Mar 1727: From Richard Duckett and Charity his wife; for £111 for which they are indebted to Sanderson; dated 12 Apr 1714; part of a tract called Tyler's Discovery with cattle, goods, chattel, implements, etc.; according to conditions in deed of mortgage; /s/ Richard Duckett, Charity Duckett; wit. Isaac Lansdale, Wathen Wells (mark); ack. by Richard Duckett and Charity his wife; [list of items follows]
He died between 15 September and 29 October 1733 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. [4]
Richard Duckett died between September 14, 1733, when the last entry in Duckett's handwriting was made in the the parish records that he kept, on the occasion of the birth of a child in the community, and October 30, 1733, when the church's Vestry elected a replacement for him: "At a meeting of the Vestry October ye 30th 1733...the Vestry made choice of James Beck for their Clerk in Stead of Richd Duckett Decd." [6]
Will
Descendant
Duckett, Richard (1672-1754) Kinship: Great-grandfather of Martha Odell Duckett (M 61) Note: Henry Ridgley, Sr. (1640-?) was 3rd Great-grandfather of Martha Odell Duckett (M 61)[citation needed]
Richard Duckett and Charity Jacob Duckett's children were named as follows: Mary Duckett, Elizabeth Duckett, Charity Duckett, Richard Duckett, John Duckett, Anne Duckett, Susanna Duckett, Jacob Duckett, Martha and Rachel Duckett who were twins, and Sarah Duckett.[6]
Six of his children appear in the All Hallows vestry records, and an eight year old child, Mary Temple, was bound over to him to serve until she was sixteen. [5]
The surname Duckett is said to have the meaning of "Little Duke" as reported by author Edythe R Whitley. The Duckett family is an ancient family in England. They seem to have first come into land with the marriage of John Duckett ot Margery, daughter and heir of St William Windsore, Knight, during the reign of King Richard II (1377-1399). The marriage brought the manor Grayrrigg into the Duckett family.
The Duckett family demands respect, not because they descend from royalty. They are to be remembered and honored because of the tremendous part they played in the founding of America. They have always been a highly esteemed family. One can find many of their descendants buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Numerous popular genealogies show Richard Duckett to be the son of William Duckett, Esq of Wiltshire, England, and his wife Elizabeth Henshaw. If these were his parents, ancestry could be traced for another half millenium back to Richard Duckett, b. abt 1224 in Grayrigg, Kent, England. A plaque in Kensington Church, London carries this inscription which proves that William and Elizabeth Duckett of Henshaw had only one son named Lionel and did not have a a son named Richard.
Mr Richard T. Foose of Kissimee, Florida, wrote an article in the 1988 winter edition of the Maryland Genealogical Society Bulletin. The article entitled Alice Skinner and Elizabeth Read; Two Ridgely wives Identified was based on documents identified in the history of The Tiverton Baptist Church in Devonshire, England. Among the documents were papers which brought action in chancery to obtain recognition of title to Henry Ridgely as an heir and grandson of Col. Henry Ridgely and his wife Alice Skinner, the latter who was deeded property on which the Tiverton Baptist Church rests. To prove title, Henry petitioned the court to appoint five selected commissioners to take depositions from five named citizens. Among the five deponents was Richard Duckett of Prince George's County, Maryland, who made his deposition in 1727. Following is a verbatim transcript of Richard's deposition from a photographic copy of the original.
Richard Duckett of Prince George's County in the Provence of Maryland age 55 years or there abouts Desposeth on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God that about the year 1692 he came to Maryland a Servant for 4 years Consigned to Maj'r Henry Ridgely a mercht near the head of South River and about two days after his coming home his Mistress the wife of his said master Henry Ridgely ask'd him what Countryman he was, he told her he was born in London. She said that was farr from her for she was born in the West of England he told her he had been in most parts of the West and asked her where. She told him the place but he hath forgott the name tho he can call to mind he said he had been there upon which she asked him if he knew any of the Skinners There for her maiden name was Skinner, he told her no for his stay was short, she added I have something of an estate there & tho I am not much the better for it at present yet my son Charles Ridgely (who was then a lad about Twelve Years of age and the only child his Master had by the said Alice his wife) or his children may. The Depont. doth further Rem'r there used to come to his masters house one captain Rock - whose Ship lay in Seven River & came in Yearly who this Dpont. hath often heard converse with his Mistris about her Relations and Friends in the West of England by which he supposed he was of the same place or near it. And about two years after being in the country he said his Mistris the mother of the said Charles Ridgely Died and his Master in her Trunk found some letters which he brought to me to read and he did so & found they came from her Relations and Friends in the West of England but he can neither remember the names of those they came from nor the place but then told his Master they ought to be kept save, for they might do his son Charles good for they did intimate some right his Mother had there, And when his said Master sent his said son Charles to England which was some years after, ordered him to take care of those Letters and alsoe writt to Mr. Isaac Millner his Correspondent in London to be assisting to him if he was minded to go to the West about the said Estate. But after the said Charles had stayed some time in England he married there and Returned & brought his wife into Maryland with him, and lived on his plantation, And this Deponent doth further say that soon after the said Charles settled in Maryland he the Deponent particularly Enquired what progress he the said Charles had made in the West and what Information he could give about the affair of the Estate he told the Deponent that it was so farr off he would not go but had sent severall letters But had received no answer and that he had enough without so much trouble & charge and that Mr. Millner would do what he could in it, After some Children the said Charles had by his wife (which were girls) he had a son Named Henry & is the same that is now present whom this Deponent hath known from his Birth and was always called and known by the name of Henry Ridgely son of the said Charles by his wife Alice whose Maiden Sir name was Skinner, This Deponent living with or near the said Maj'r Henry Ridgely who bore the title of Col some time before and untill his death and was intimate with all the family and further saith not. [9]
3.ELIZABETH2 JACOB (JOHN1)99 was born 1683 in Anne Arundel Co, MD, and died Feb 1750/51 in Pleasant Grove, Queen Anne Parish, Prince Georges Co, MD.She married MAREEN BRASSEUR "YOUNGER" DUVALL 21 Oct 1701 in Queen Anne Parish, Prince Georges Co, MD, son of MAREEN DUVALL and SUSANNAH BRASSEUR.He was born Abt. 1680 in All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel Co, MD, and died 09 Jun 1741 in Pleasant Grove, Queen Anne Parish, Prince Georges Co, MD.
Notes for ELIZABETH JACOB: Will, PGC, 1752
Notes for MAREEN BRASSEUR "YOUNGER" DUVALL: Both "Mareen the Elder/the Emigrant" and "Mareen the Younger" named in father's will, 1694.The latter seemed to be his favorite.Warfield, pp. 104-105.
1728Mareen resided in Western Branch, Prince George's Co., MD, USA.At time of death lived in Great Marsh, Prince Georges Co., MD, USA. Estate probated on 17 Jun 1741 in Prince George's Co., MD. He signed a will in Great Marsh, Prince Georges Co., MD, USA.
Children of ELIZABETH JACOB and MAREEN DUVALL are: i. MAREEN3 DUVALL, b. 14 Oct 1702, Queen Anne Parish, Prince Georges County, Maryland; d. 23 Nov 1761; m. RUTH HOWARD; b. Abt. 1705. ii. SUSANNAH DUVALL, b. 23 Sep 1704, Great Marsh, Prince Georges County, MD; m. (1) MARK BROWN; m. (2) WILLIAM FOWLER. iii. ELIZABETH DUVALL, b. 20 Jul 1706, Great Marsh, Prince Georges County, MD; d. 14 Jun 1766, Anne Arundel Co, MD; m. WILLIAM DENUNE, 1738; b. 1721; d. 1756. iv. SAMUEL DUVALL, b. 07 Oct 1707; d. Abt. 1774, Prince Georges' County; m. ELIZABETH MULLIKIN, 16 May 1732. v. ANNE DUVALL, b. 08 May 1709, Great Marsh, Prince Georges County, MD; m. JOHN CARRICK. vi. BENJAMIN DUVALL, b. 04 Apr 1711, Great Marsh, Prince Georges County, MD; d. 11 Dec 1803, Prince Georges Co, MD; m. MARY WELLS, 05 Jun 1758, All Hallows Parish; b. 12 Aug 1715, Queen Anne Parish, Prince Georges Co, MD. vii. JOHN DUVALL, b. 20 Feb 1711/12, Queen Anne Parish, Prince Georges County, Maryland; d. 1791; m. ANNE FOWLER. viii. JACOB DUVALL, b. 19 Apr 1715, Great Marsh, Prince Georges County, MD; d. Mar 1800, All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel Co, MD; m. MARY BOURNE, Abt. 1737; b. Calvert County, MD. ix. MARY DUVALL, b. 22 Mar 1716/17, Great Marsh, Prince Georges County, MD. x. LEWIS DUVALL, b. 03 Dec 1721, Great Marsh, Prince Georges County, MD; d. Aft. 06 Aug 1789, Prince Georges Co, MD; m. ALICE BROWN; b. 02 Dec 1718, Prince Georges Co, MD. xi. GABRIEL DUVALL, b. 13 Sep 1724, Great Marsh, Prince Georges County, MD.
4.JOSEPH2 JACOB (JOHN1)99 was born 1685 in Anne Arundel Co, MD100,101.He married ELIZABETH JONES 01 Oct 1706 in All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel Co, Maryland.
Child of JOSEPH JACOB and ELIZABETH JONES is: i. BENJAMIN3 JACOBS, b. 1710, All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel Co, MD; m. ANN HOPE, 1732, Westminster Parish, Anne Arundel Co,MD.
5.JOHN2 JACOB, JR. (JOHN1)101 was born 1686 in South River Hundred, AA Co, and died 12 May 1740 in Anne Arundel Co, MD.He married (1) MARY SWANSON 04 Jul 1706 in All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel Co, MD, daughter of FRANCIS SWANSTON and SUSANNA PLUMMER.She was born 1688 in All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel Co, MD, and died 01 Nov 1722 in Anne Arundel Co, MD.He married (2) ALICE CHENEY JONES 24 Aug 1731 in Maryland.
Notes for JOHN JACOB, JR.: 4...John Jacob Married: Ann-- Children: 1...Richard Jacob born 30 Jan 1697 2...Samuel Jacob bap 7 Jan 1701 3...Thomas Jacob buried 28 Oct 1702
More About JOHN JACOB, JR.: Burial: 04 Jun 1740, Anne Arundel Co, MD102,103
More About MARY SWANSON: Burial: Bet. 06 Nov 1720 - 1729, All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County, MD104,105
Children of JOHN JACOB and MARY SWANSON are: i. MARY3 JACOB, b. Abt. 1708. ii. JOHN JACOB105, b. 1710.
Notes for JOHN JACOB: Possibly same John Jacobs who reprots a stray horse at his plantation near the mouth of the Monocasy 21 Oct 1756, Maryland Gazette.Again, 9 Aug 1759, John Jacobs, at mouth of Manockasy, has a stray mare.Maryland Gazette.
More About JOHN JACOB: Baptism: 22 Aug 1710, All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County, MD106,107
iii. CHARITY JACOB107, b. 17 Aug 1710, All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County, MD108,109.
More About CHARITY JACOB: Baptism: 22 Aug 1710110,111
iv. JEREMIAH JACOB, b. 1712, All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel Co, MD; d. 1781, Sugarland Hundred, MontgomeryCo.; m. RACHEL GAITHER, 29 Nov 1731, All Hallows Parish. v. ZACHARIAH JACOB, b. 18 Dec 1714, Anne Arundel Co, MD; d. Dec 1761, Anne Arundel Co, MD; m. SUSANNA HOWARD, 1740; b. 25 Jan 1715/16, Anne Arundel Co, MD; d. Bef. 1773, Anne Arundel Co, MD. vi. RACHEL JACOB, b. Abt. 1716. vii. JOEL JACOB111, b. Bet. 01 Nov 1720 - 1729, All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County, MD112,113.
6.BENJAMIN2 JACOB (JOHN1)114,115 was born 1688 in South River Hundred, Anne Arundel Co, MD116,117.He married ALICE WESTALL 1711 in All Hallows Church, South River, Anne Arundel Co, MD, daughter of GEORGE WESTALL and SARAH.She was born 1692 in Anne Arundel Co, MD.
Child of BENJAMIN JACOB and ALICE WESTALL is: i. MORDECAI3 JACOB, b. 24 May 1714; m. JEMIMA ISAAC; b. 21 May 1727.
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Categories: Prince George's County, Province of Maryland
Same name, wife, one daughter. The 1733 death date seems much more credible. It is implied in Sharon Doliante's Maryland and Virginia Colonials (1991), which cites church records showing him alive in April 1733 and deceased in October that year.