William Grafton (abt. 1685 - bef. 1767)

Born about 1685 in England

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret (Christian) Grafton — married 24 Nov 1696 in Worcester, Worcestershire, England

Descendants

Died before 26 Oct 1767 before about age 82 in Baltimore, Province of Maryland

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Biography

William Grafton was a Maryland colonist.

Origin

No record of the immigration of William Grafton has been found. Some researchers have stated he was born about 1685 in Dudley, Staffordshire, England and was the son of William Grafton and Margaret Newey, but without a primary source connected the man of this profile with this family in England his birth is not proven.

Property

William Grafton was living in Baltimore County and called a planter by 15 JUN 1725 when Thomas Preston conveyed to him part of a 100 acre tract of land called Antioch located on the south side of Winters Run for £15 sterling.^[1]

William also claimed several tracts in the same area by using the Maryland Patents Process. The following claims are listed in the Maryland Patent index with his name:

1725 - Grafton's Gift for 100 acres

1725 - Grafton's Lot for 200 acres

1728 - Bidmost for 150 acres

1742 - Grafton's Fancy for 53 acres

1744 - Grafton's Good Endeavor for 34 acres

1745 - Grafton's Entrance for 203 acres ^[2]

Marriage & Family

William Grafton married on 24 Nov 1696 in Worcester, Worcestershire, England to Margaret Christian.(source needed). The following children are mentioned in his will:

Christian b. abt. 1711 m. Maurice Baker

William b. abt. 1717

Ann b. abt. 1718 m. Daniel Preston

Mary b. abt. 1720 m. -?- Smithson

Phelby b. abt. 1722

Death

William Grafton's will is a detailed division of his extensive lands and 24 slaves among his children and grandchildren. The following abstract omits long descriptions of borders between the different tracts. I William Baker of Baltimore County and the Province of Maryland being weak of body . . .

• to my daughter Christian Baker my 5 slaves, old Tom, Bess, Anthony, Dinah with her increase and Luke with the use of my following lands: Frenchman’s Repose containing 69 acres, also part of Williams Lot conveyed formerly to me by James Billingly for 18 acs. together with that part of a tract called Bidmont, to begin for said part at . . . together with part of reserved land called Granfton’s Entrance during her natural life and at her decease I give the said land to Grafton Baker.
• to my daughter Ann Preston part of two tracts called Bidmont and Grafton’s Gift from the beginning . . . together with my tract called Grafton’s Angle, also my five slaves: Will, Bess, Lissa, Prisilla and James.
• to my daughter Mary Smithson my 3 slaves: Flora, Hanna and Margaret, also Sampson who was some years past delivered to my daughter Mary.
• to my grandson William Grafton the tract called Grafton’s Lot.
• to my grandson Samuel Grafton part of a tract called Bidmont that lies . . .
• to Daniel Grafton, my grandson all 2 tracts of reserve land called Grafton’s Fancy and Grafton’s Good Endeavor.
• to my grandson Aquilla Grafton all my tract Brashures Desire together with part of the tract called Grafton’s Gift.
• to my grandson Nathaniel Grafton all the remaining part of my part of the tract called Grafton’s Entrance that lies on . . .
• to my granddaughter Priscilla Grafton my negro girl named Rachel.
• to my son William the use of the dwelling house wherein he now lives with all that part of the land he has enclosed in fence, also the use of my negro man young Tom during his natural life and at his decease I give the said Tom to the children of William to be equally divided between them, I also give to William 1 shilling sterling and no more of my estate.
• to my grandchldren born of Pheby Grafton (to wit) William, Daniel, Samuel, Aquilla, Nataniel, Cassandra, Margaret and Priscilla being 8 in number my six slaves viz Cesar, Jack, Old Sall Nan, Rosie, Young Sal and their increase to be equally divided between tham at the time the aforesaid Daniel Grafton should arrive at age 21, also 1/4 part of the remainder of my estate which is not heretofore given
• the part of my estate given to my grandchildren excepting the land and negroes shall be sold by my executor and the money put to interest for them until they come to age to receive the same.
• to Mary Waite one flock bed, blanket, rug and other furniture belonging also 1 cow & calf which she is possessed of also 2 ewes & lambs and 1 iron pot, also the use of a small field and the land adjoinng on the west side of the road she lives on during her natural life being part of Williams Lot heretofore bequeathed to Nathaniel Grafton.
• to my 3 daughters: Christian Baker, Mary Smithson & Ann Preston the other 3/4 part of my estate that remain to be equally divided between them.
• I appoint my sons-in-law, Maurice Baker and Daniel Preston executors of my will.

Signed and seal by William Baker with his mark on 4 OCT 1767 and witnessed by Abraham Jarrett, Edmund Bull, Willliam Dawns & Job Key. Probated 26 OCT 1767. ^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ Baltimore County Deeds Liber IS H folio 157
2. ↑ [1]
3. ↑ Prerogative Court Wills of Maryland Liber 36 folio 174 [2]