Richard Warfield (abt. 1697 - abt. 1765)

Born about 1697 in Warfield's Plaines, Anne Arundel Co., Province of Maryland

Ancestors

Husband of Marion Ann (Caldwell) Warfield — married 1720 in Anne Arundel, Maryland

Husband of Sarah (Gambrill) Warfield — married 1726 in Anne Arundel, Maryland

Descendants

Died about 1765 at about age 68 in Anne Arundel County, Province of Maryland

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Biography

1697 Birth and Parents

Richard Warfield was born 7 January 1697 in All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. He was the son of John Warfield, born 1674 in All Hallows Parish, died 18 July 1719 Anne Arundel County, and his wife Ruth Gaither, born 8 September 1679 in All Hallows Parish and died after 9 January 1727 in Anne Arundel County. They were married 16 February 1696 in All Hallows Parish.^[1]

Richard Warfield was born in 1698 on the plantation Venison Park in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. ^[2]

1718 First Marriage: Marian Caldwell

About 1718 in All Hallows Parish, Richard Warfield married Marian Caldwell, b. Abt 1701 d. Abt 1726, Anne Arundel County, Maryland ^[1]

1726 Second Marriage: Sarah Gambrill

About 1726 in Anne Arundel County, Richard Warfield married Sarah Gambrill, b. Bef 1710, Anne Arundel County, Maryland ^[1]

Warfield's Range

Five miles north of Laurel, extending from Savage Factory two mileswest, is this historic range, surveyed more than two centuries ago. Then it was a frontier outpost, approached only by the Indian trailwhich led from Annapolis. ^[3]

One generation later this was the center of pioneer settlers engaged in growing a most excellent grade of tobacco. Elk Ridge Landing wasits shipping port. Near the Range passed the Great Northern and Southern Post Road, and along that route was the popular line of settlement. ^[3]

The magnificent water-powers of the two branches of the Patuxent were soon to be utilized. Laurel, Guilford and Savage were to rival the individual mills of the pioneers, and the Baltimore and Ohio Railway was soon to take up the tobacco output which had before found its market over the rolling roads of the pioneers.^[3]

Standing, to-day, upon the many commanding points of "Warfield's Range," and looking up and down the varying valleys of the Patuxent, the wisdom of those pioneers becomes apparent, but of that sturdy hostof settlers, all allied by matrimonial ties, only silent graveyards, neglected and unmarked, near the old remaining relics of their forest homes, are left to us. In their places, and upon their plantations, a new people have arisen.^[3]

Suburban homes, fine roadways, large barns and prolific grass and grain fields succeed their tobacco barns and cabin homes.^[3]

Not only have these pioneers departed, but even their descendants. The great west-bound movement, which they inaugurated, has carried them still further west, in many cases even beyond the bounds of the state.^[3]

Amid all the political upheavals of the first century of the history of the Province, Richard Warfield had great faith in agriculture as the best means to enhance the prosperity of his children.^[3]

In his will of 1703 he left 280 acres of the "Range" to his youngest son, Benjamin, and 150 acres to his daughter Rachel Yates. In 1704 his sons and executors, John, Richard, Alexander and Benjamin, resurveyed this tract and took up a large body of land adjoining it. John and Alexander took up "Venison Park" on the south and Richard and Benjamin surveyed "Wincopin Neck"^[3]

" Warfield's Contrivance" on the north. None of these brothers occupied these ranges. The real settlers were their sons.^[3]

About 1725, John Warfield's three sons, John, Benjamin and Alexander,were granted through their eldest brother, Richard, heir-at-law,adjoining tracts upon "Warfield's Range."^[3]

John settled upon what is known as the Marriott place, upon which is the old family burial-ground. Benjamin adjoined him on the north and west. Alexander adjoined him on the north and east. It was later known as the Jerome Berry place, but now in possession of Senator Gorman. One hundred and fifty acres of the "Range" were assigned to Eleanor(Warfield) Dorsey. It descended to her son, Basil Dorsey, who conveyed it to Thomas Warfield, of Alexander. It was later known as the homestead of Dr. Charles Griffith Worthington, and still later, the home of Mr. Peter Gorman. North of this tract, and embracing the site of Senator Gorman's " Fairview," is the original grant to Benjamin Warfield, youngest son of the first surveyor. It descended to his son Joshua, whose executor, Thomas Warfield, conveyed it to John Warfield,thence to Joshua Warfield, his brother, who lived in a quaint old house which still stands upon it. It descended to " Gentleman John,of Joshua, the last of his line, and after his death was sold to Mr.Bentley and to Senator Gorman. Still further north is the original grant of Rachel Yates, daughter of Richard Warfield. After her death in 1709, her husband, George Yates, sold it to John Warfield (of John). This is the most northern survey of the Range. Upon it stands the homestead of the late Dr. Thomas C. Worthington, now owned by Joshua Warfield Baxley, a descendant of the original surveyor. Richard Warfield (of John) deeded the remainder of the Range to his sons, John and Seth Warfield. John later exchanged with Edward Hall, of FrederickCounty. The latter sold to Basil Burgess, who sold to William Sellman.This property was the Benjamin Dorsey homestead.^[3]

Seth Warfield (of Richard) held, through his descendants, a large part of the western border of the Range, which has only recently passed from the Warfield name. The last owner was Randolph Ridgely Warfield, attorney of Baltimore. Seth's five sons surveyed "Warfield Forest,"near Lisbon, Howard County. His youngest son, Amos, held the homestead and built the substantial stone house which still stands. Adjoining him on the west and south, across Hammond's Great Branch, stretches out the thirteen hundred acres of "Venison Park," upon which were located the two younger sons of John Warfield, the first. They were Edward and Philip Warfield. The latter sold his inheritance to Seth Warfield and removed to the neighborhood of Clarksville. Edward Warfield's estate descended to his son James, whose heirs all removed to Tennessee. This tract became a part of Dr. Charles Worthington's estate.^[3]

Still further south and leading to Laurel, were the two estates of Alexander and Absolute Warfield, sons of Alexander, third son of Richard Warfield. They sold their portion to Thomas Sappington, who resurveyed it into "Sappington Sweep," and all their remaining interest to Alexander Warfield (of John). Alexander (of Alexander) removed to some other State and left no records behind. Absolute Warfield was a witness to several wills as late as 1777. He did not marry.^[3]

The Rent Rolls show the peculiar authority of an heir-at-law in the early grants. Every deed of transfer in " Warfield's Range" was given by Richard Warfield (of John), the executor of the estate. Even when new surveys were added, they were conveyed through him. Just previous to his death, in 1765, he made a systematic survey of the titles of all the heirs and confirmed them. The smallest grants were to his sons, John and Seth Warfield. Benjamin Warfield (of Richard) did not settle upon his, nor did his son. Yet Richard, the executor, in his will of 1765, still further confirms the title by these words. "All my interest in 240acres of "Warfield's Range" I grant to Joshua Warfield(of Benjamin.)" In his deed to his brothers he records " For the love I bear to my brother, I grant him and his heirs forever all my right in a certain number of acres of Warfield's Range." As a brotherly guardian his example is worthy of being handed down to posterity.^[3]

John, Benjamin and Alexander Warfield, of " Warfield's Range," all married cousins. John's wife was Rachel Dorsey, daughter of Joshua andAnne Ridgely. John and Rachel Warfield built the quaint little house still standing on the Marriott place. Their oldest son, Dr. John Warfield settled upon the property north of "Fairview," now Mr.Bentley's. He took up, also, " Warfield's Addition," in Upper Howard,which descended to his nephew, Allen Griffith, and to Captain BenjaminWarfield, of "Cherry Grove." He died in 1775, a bachelor, and left his homestead, to his younger brother, Joshua.^[3]

Charles Warfield, his brother, settled upon "Fredericksburg." He married Catherine Dorsey, daughter of Captain John and Ann Dorsey, of"Walnut Grove." Their son Charles H. Dorsey, married Mrs. Johnson, mother of William Cost Johnson, member of Congress from Frederick County. Tilghman and Feilder were two bachelor brothers, and "Cousin Kitty Warfield" was not only a proud, intelligent maid, but a good lawyer. Their estate is now held by the heirs of the late Horatio Griffith and by Joshua N. Warfield, of Florence.^[3]

Joshua Warfield (of John and Rachel) was married twice before twenty-one years old. His first wife was Elizabeth Dorsey, of Thomas and Mary (Warfield) Dorsey, who had one son Thomas John, named for both grandfathers, who married Mrs. Sellman and removed to the neighborhood of Westminster. Joshua Warfield married, second, Mary Ann Jones, daughter of Captain Isaac, of South River. Their sons were Roderick, Warner and "Gentleman John." The latter died in 1860. His tombstone, bearing the inscription " John Warfield of Joshua," stands in the old burial-ground upon the Marriott place. By his side lie his maiden sisters, who preceded him. Roderick Warfield married Miss Stockett and removed to Kentucky, leaving a large family recorded in the " Warfield's of Maryland." Warner Warfield removed to "Bagdad,"near Sykesville. He married his cousin, Catherine Warfield (of Beale,)and left Marcellus, William Henry and Manelia Warfield, now Mrs.Jenkins, who inherits the homestead.^[3]

Marcellus Warfield was a prosperous merchant of Sykesville, and a vestryman of his parish church. He married Miss Lawrence, daughter of Captain John Lawrence, of Frederick County, and left two daughters,Mrs. William Ward and Miss Ella Lawrence Warfield.^[3]

William Henry Warfield was a merchant at Laurel, and married CharlotteK., daughter of Dr. Mareen Duvall. He left no issue.^[3]

Harriet Warfield of Joshua and Ann, married Ralph Dorsey.^[3]

The daughters of John and Rachel (Dorsey) Warfield were Mrs. John Wayman (of Poplar Springs), Mrs. Sarah Griffith and Amelia, a maiden.They heired the homestead, which was later sold by Colonel Lyde Griffith to Jonathan Marriott.^[3]

Benjamin, Warfield of " Warfield's Range," married Rebeckah Ridgely,of Judge Nicholas and Sarah (Worthington) Ridgely. He built his cottage upon a commanding plateau, just north of his brother John. Its present owner, Mr. Samuel Hearn, has a picture of it. From its gateway an extensive view reveals a charming landscape. Surrounding the dwelling is a large grove, on the border of which stands one building over which the storms of many seasons have beaten. Benjamin and Rebeckah Ridgely had four sons, Captain Nicholas Ridgely Warfield,Captain Benjamin, Vachel and Elisha, and one daughter, Mary RidgelyWarfield, the wife of Thomas Dorsey, of Henry and Elizabeth Worthington. Captain Nicholas Ridgely Warfield, the bachelor, survived all his brothers, dying at an advanced age, in 1814. He was a tobacco inspector, of Elk Ridge Landing, and Captain of its militia; he held an extensive estate in both Howard and Montgomery Counties. Just across the road from the homestead was located his brother Vachel, upon a portion of the Range taken up later by his uncle Richard. This was recently the Groscup race-course. Still later, Vachel and his brothers, Benjamin and Elisha, removed to Upper Howard.^[3]

Benjamin Warfield Sr., married again Ann White and had one son, Caleb,and two daughters, Mrs. Charles Banks and Mrs. John Lansdale. Afterhis death the homestead was bought by Vachel Yates, a relative. He resided there in 1774, as shown by a note from William Coale to him in 1774. It was found in the old cottage when torn down by Mr. Hearn.^[3]

Nicholas Ridgely Warfield, as heir-at-law, in 1810, confirmed the sale to Mr. Thomas Moore. It passed to Mr. Marriott and to Mr. Faire, who mortgaged it to Mr. Mason, and by the late John T. Mason of R. was sold to Mr. Hearn some twenty years ago. He has made it a model farm.The graves of Benjamin and Rebeckah Warfield are in the family ground. ^[3]

1743 Holder of Enslaved Person in Court Case

This planter was named in a 1743 court case ^[4] as the owner of an enslaved person who was a grandchild of Mary Molloyd and Peter Unknown, and child of their daughter Mary Molloyd and her husband Peter Fisher. ^[5]

The complete narrative of the Court Case and associated persons appears at Fighting Against Enslavement -- The Children of Mary Molloyd

By the time of the suit, the children of Mary Molloyd's daughter Mary Fisher had been aqcquired as slaves by some of the more prominent families of Anne Arundel and neighboring counties, as follows:

1. Ann Fisher, born ca 1711 (aged about 32 in 1743), kept as slave by Thomas Gassaway, Baltimore Co, Gentleman
2. Robert Fisher, born, say, 1701, kept as slave by Thomas Jennings of Anne Arundel County, Gentleman
3. James Fisher, born, say, 1703, kept as slave by John Dorsey, son of Caleb Dorsey of Ann Arundel County, Gentleman
4. Richard Fisher, born, say, 1705, kept as slave by Richard Dorsey of Anne Arundel County, Gentleman
5. Mary Fisher, born, say, 1707, kept as slave by Richard Warfield Junr. of Anne Arundel County, Gentleman
6. Frances Fisher, born, say, 1709, kept as slave by Colonell Henry Ridgely of Anne Arundel County
7. Edward Fisher, born, say, 1713, kept as slave by Philip Hammond of Anne Arundel County
8. Charles Fisher, born, say, 1715, kept as slave by Elizabeth Beale of Anne Arundel County, widow.

1765 Will, Death, Estate

Richard Warfield died in 1765 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. ^[2]

Will

WARFIELD, RICHARD, Anne Arundel Co. 21 Mar, 1765; 6 May, 1765 ^[1]

• Wife: Sarah.
• Children: Seth, Joseph, Richard, Luke, Rachel and John Warfield.
• Tracts: River Patuxent," Lancaster Plains, Warfield's Forest, "Owings' Range."
• To Joshua Warfield, son of Benjamin Warfield, long deceased, certain property.
• Exs: Sons Seth and Joseph Warfield.
• Wit: John Marriott, John Druce, John Marriott, Jr. 33. 149

Death

Richard Warfield died before 6 May 1765 when his estate was probated in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. ^[1]

Estate

Richard Warfield 88.258 AA £734.4.7 May 13 1765 Oct 31 1765^[1]

• Appraisers: Gerrard Hopkins, H. Griffith.
• Creditors: William Woodward, Alexander Warfield.
• Next of kin: Sarah Warfield, Luke Warfield.
• Executors: Seth Warfield, Joseph Warfield.

Richard Warfield 5.51 D AA £687.2.7 Mar 6 1768^[1]

• Sureties: Alexander Warfield, John Marriott.
• Legatees: Rachel (daughter), 3 children (unnamed) of John (son) when eldest daughter (unnamed) comes of age,
• Richard (son), Luke (son), Joseph (son).
• Executors: Seth Warfield, Joseph Warfield

Children

Children of Richard Warfield and Marian Caldwell:

1. John Warfield, b. 1 Apr 1722, All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland d. 28 Jul 1764, Frederick County, Maryland - inventory ^[1]
2. Seth Warfield, b. 15 Jan 1724, All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland d. 1805, Anne Arundel County, Maryland ^[1]
3. Richard Warfield, b. All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland d. Bef 9 Feb 1769, Anne Arundel County, ^[1]

Children of Richard Warfield and Sarah Gambrill:

1. Joseph Warfield, b. Abt 1727, Anne Arundel County, Maryland d. 1787, Anne Arundel County, Maryland ^[1]
2. Rachel Warfield, b. 1730, All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland died. Abt 1796, Prince George's County, Maryland ^[1]

Slaves

In 1743 Richard Warfield, Jr, of Anne Arundel County, Gentleman, was the enslaver of Mary Fisher as named in her petition for freedom. ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11} Mike Marshall. Early Colonial Settlers of Southern Maryland and Virginia's Northern Neck Counties. Profile for Richard Warfield Accessed 3 April 2023 jhd
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Ancestry.com, OneWorldTree (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network,Inc.), Records for Seth Warfield, Richard Warfield, John Warfield
3. ↑ ^{3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23} Joshua Dorsey Warfield, The Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland: A Genealogical and Biographical Record from wills, deeds, and church records. Baltimore: Regional Publishing Co, 1973. pp 365-368
4. ↑ 17 June 1743, pp 11-12, Court Slave Records of Anne Arundel Co. Anne Arundel County Judgment Record 1734-6, 83; 1743-4, 11
5. ↑ Brown, Thomas F., and Leah C. Sims. To Swear Him Free"-- Ethnic Memory as Social Capital in Eighteenth Century Freedom Petitions p. 81-97 iln Debra Myers & Melanie Perrault, editors, Colonial Chesapeake: New Perspectives. Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books, 2006. Page 96 Accessed 27 February, 2015 jhd
6. ↑ Fisher, Ann. Petition for Freedom. Court Slave Records of Anne Arundel County Anne Arundel County Judgment Records 1703-1765 Judgment Record 1734-6, 83; 1743-4, 11-12

See also:

Source S3

Author: Ancestry.com

Title: OneWorldTree

Publication: Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA;

Repository: #R1