Ruth (Hill) Howard (abt. 1677 - bef. 1747)

Born about 1677 in Anne Arundel, Maryland

Ancestors

Wife of Edward Dorsey — married before 1700 in Anne Arundel, Maryland

Wife of John Howard — married about 1712 (to 1746) in Anne Arundel, Maryland

Descendants

Died before 13 Aug 1747 before about age 70 in Anne Arundel, Maryland

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Biography

In 1694, Edward Dorsey, oldest son of Honorable John Dorsey and Pleasance Ely, was a mariner on the ship "The Good Hope," under the command of Captain Richard Hill. Traditionally, Edward married Ruth, daughter the daughter of the ship's captain. Edward and Ruth had only two sons before his death at an early age. By the time of John Dorsey's Will, written in 1714, Edward was "Edward Dorsey, deceased." The widow Dorsey became first, Mrs. John Greeniff and then the wife of John Howard, grandson of Matthew Howard, of the Severn. Ruth (Hill) Dorsey - Greeniff - Howard wrote her will in 1747 and named "her two sons, John and Edward Dorsey, her executors." She was then residing in Queen Caroline Parish, Anne Arundel county, Maryland, perhaps with one of her sons. (Note: Now, Howard County, Maryland, which was established in 1838) ^[1]

Will of Ruth Howard

Written 3 August 1747, Probate 13 August 1747

In the Name of God Amen on the third day of August one thousand seven hundred and forty seven I Ruth Howard being sick and weak in Body but of sound and Perfect memory thanks be to God for the same and calling to mind the mortality of my Body knowing is appointed for men once to die do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament that is principally and... First of all I give recommend my soul to God that gave it and my body to the Earth to be Buried in a Cristian and Decent manner at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection to receive the same again by the Power of God that gave it and as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath Pleased God to bless me within this life I give devise and Dispose of the same in the following manner and form. I give and bequeath to my Grand daughter Elizabeth Hammond my saddle horse called Stump and my Saddle as also one half of my wearing apparel I give and Bequeath to Mary Behoon the other half of my clos I give and Bequeath all my Personall Estate to my two sons John Dorsey and Edward Dorsey and all my Crop of Tobacco and corn now on the ground I give and Bequeath to my grandson John Grineff Howard Twenty shillings Item I likewise constitute make and ordain my two sons John Dorsey and Edward Dorsey my only and sole Executors of this my last will and Testament and I do hereby utterly disallow revoake and Disannul all and every other former Testament will and legacies Request and Executors by me in any ways before this time named willed or bequeathed Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my last will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal the day and year above written Ruth (her R mark) Howard (Seal)

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said Ruth Howard as her last will and Testament in presence of James Macgill Edward Dorsey son Edward Ely Dorsey

On the Back of the aforegoing Will was thus written Vizt

On the 13{th} day of August 1747 Edward Dorsey (son of Edward) two of the subscribing witnesses to the within will being duly and solemnly sworn on the holy Evangels of Almighty God do severally depose and say that they saw the Testrix Ruth Howard sign and seal and heard her Publish and Declare the same to be her last will and Testament that at the time of her so doing she was to the best of their Judgment and apprehension of sound and deposing mind and memory and that they together with James Macgill the other witness subscribed their respective names as witness to the said will in the presence of the said testatrix and at her request.

Sworn before me

W{m} Ragan(?) Depty of Annl County^[2]

In the will below of Katherine Hill's second husband, John Griniff, he names his wife as Katherine and names her sons by her marriage to Edward Dorsey as: John and Edward.

Griniffe, John,AACo, 30th Oct., 1708; 18th Jan., 1708-9. To dau. Katharine Griniffe, Quarter plantation on s. side Patapsco R. and 500 A., part of Andover adjoining, also 100 A., Little Worth at head of Stony run on s. side Patapsco.

To unborn child, dwelling plantation Harbor, also 300 A., part of Andover afsd. Should afsd. Katharine and unborn child die without issue, the estate to be equally divided between Jno. and Edward Dorsey, sons of wife Katharine.

To Thomas Hammond and Rebecah his wife, personalty.

wife afsd., extx., dwelling plantation Harbor during life, and residue of personalty absolutely.

Test: Thos. Hammond, Wm. Baker, Rebekah Hammond, Margret Sweny. 12. 323.

Notes

Note N45

1703-Chancery Court Rec. PC/482 John & Ruth Greeniff adm. of estate of Edward Dorsey vs. Edward Dorsey.

Will mentions sons John & Edward Dorsey as her executors. She was living in Queen Caroline Parish when she died.

Sources

1. ↑ Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, by Joshua Dorsey Warfield, Koh & Pollock, Publishers, Baltimore, Maryland, 1905, pages 400-401
2. ↑ : Maryland Hall of Records: Liber 25; folio 108 (Microfilm SR 4419-1)

• "Prologue of the Howards of Eastern Kentucky" by Jesse Buckwalter and Robert Whittaker, 2017. 345 pages.

• http://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/ruth-hill_12149968

Researcher's Notes

Having given the source for the theory that Ruth Dorsey's father was the captain of the ship, on which Edward Dorsey sailed, it must be considered that there are other theories that may be explored. For example, it would seem that Todd-3268 is of the opinion that Ruth's maiden name may be Todd.

Acknowledgements

• This person was created through the import of Shortened files.ged on 30 December 2010.