John Waters (abt. 1638 - abt. 1703)

Born about 1638 in Anne Arundel, Province of Maryland

Husband of Susanna (Unknown) Waters — married 1680 in Maryland

Descendants

Died about 27 Nov 1703 at about age 65 in Ann Arundel County, Maryland

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Biography

JOHN WATERS of The Fork, West River Hundred of Anne Arundel County, Maryland practiced the art of carpentry which in that day indicated the designer and constructor of buildings, out houses and public edifices--in other words, a carpenter of that day was an architect and building contractor.

He came into the Province before 1669, having been contracted by Richard Wells 2d before 1669, but it is not known whether Wells contracted with him in Virginia or whether Richard Wells persuaded him to come to Maryland under this patronage when he was in England settling his father’s estate. The latter assumption is most logical. The early affiliations of the Wells family were with the Puritans, but that does not neessarily indicate that John Waters was of Puritan leanings. He later became “convinced” of Quakerism either through his own conscience or his second wife.

He fought the Nanticoke Indians on the Eastern Shore under Colonel William Burgess, for which he received 120 lbs. tob. in 1678, and he was apparently not a Quaker at that time. He settled, however, among non-conformists who became suseptible to the missionary preachings of John Fox and Elizabeth Harris and his second marriage was definitely with a maiden of Quaker convictions.

His first land grant was "The Forke" of 90 acres at the head of West River in the woods (meaning not on a body of water) near Herring Creek Swamp, adjoining the land of John Cumber, James White, William Horn, and Robert Franklyn, Gent. At that time he was perhaps living on the land of his wife, the Widow White, who was in possession of her deceased husband's estate. 

His first marriage to Susanna, widow of James White, probably occurred about the latter part of 1673. The will of James White was dated December 29, 1672, and probated on July 31, 1673, naming his wife Susanna, son James White, and daughters Margaret and Elizabeth, his children being minors. 

Letters of administration were issued to the widow who exhibited an imperfect account to the court, thereapon in1674 as Susanna Waters, she was ordered into court but was unable to "Travail soe farre as the office for probate". Robert Franklin, Gent., was commissioned to take her oath and “returne with all Convient Speed unto the Office for probate of wills”. When women were excused from attending court, it usually indicated that they were in a delicate condition, so it is assumed that she and John Waters were expecting their first child.

The year of the death of Susanna White Waters is not known, but by 1684, John Waters had married Elizabeth, the daughter of John Giles, a Quaker of West River Meeting, and Mary his wife. John Giles died intestate; letters of administration were granted to his relict, Mary Giles, with Thomas Taillor taking her oath or affirm. John Waters offered bond in the value of £148 plus 12,000 lbs. tob. The personal estate was appraised by John Waters and Robert Lockwood.

In 1678 he was a member of the Provincial Militia under Colonel William Burgess which was ordered to the Eastern Shore to suppress the Nantikoke Indians. Certainly at that time he was not a member of the Quaker Church.

On April 14, 1686, styled John Waters, “Carpenter”, he purchased from James White, Cooper, land on Herring Creek Swamp formerly in possession of James White, deceased, father of the grantor. It bordered the land of William Horne and John Cumber.

Thomas Pratt, a widower, by his will, dated August 14, 1686, and proved on April 22, 1687, “bequeathed my son John to John Waters to dwell and serve ye John Waters or his assigns until he reaches the age of 20 and my daughter Susannah to live with the said John Waters until 16 years”. After other bequests, the residuary estate was willed to John Waters and the testator’s son-in-law, Richard Gott, who had married Hannah Pratt.

His last will and testament is extant and shows that his brother-in-law, John Giles, wrote the instrument and witnessed it with Gerrad Hopkins and William Richardson. He spoke of property in “this Province or ould England”. Besides his mark, he was apparently too ill to write his name, as other documents show definitely that he was literate, is a seal covered with heavy paper, but the impression of an armorial shield is visible. The instrument was written on November 27, 1703, but a codicil was added on February 27, 1703/4, with Elizabeth Giles and John Giles as witnesses. A seal is also impressed in wax on the codicil, showing not only a shield through the covered paper but mantling as well.

To children John Waters, William Waters and an unborn child a legacy to purchase land. To children Mary Waters, Margaret Waters and Samuel Waters personalty. To wife Elizabeth residuary estate including the dwelling-plantation “The Forke” and unnamed land bought of James White. Overseer: Brother-in-law John Giles.

On February 27, 1703/4, he added a memorandum to his will stating that he had purchased “Waters Lott”, of 600 acres, which he willed to his sons, John, William and Joseph. The latter was therefore the unborn child in the main body of his will and the devise of “Waters Lott” was in lieu of the legacy to purchase land. The instrument was probated on June 13, 1704.

His personal estate was appraised by Robert Lockwood and John Morris and showed a value of £430/17/6. There were two white indentured servants, four negro slaves, one “Bibel”, and “New Goods out of England” appraised at £32/17/11. 

The Widow Waters proved a capable executrix. (see Elizabeth Giles Waters notes)  

John Waters 1660 - 1704

Birth: Circa 1660

Death: June 30 1704 "The Forks", Anne Arundel, Maryland, United States

Wife: Elizabeth Waters (born Giles) 1668 - 1747

Children:

1. Mary Talbot (born Waters) 1686 - 1769
2. Elizabeth Waters 1689 - 1699
3. Samuel Waters 1692 - 1703
4. Margaret Holland (born Waters) 1696 - 1745
5. John Waters 1698 - 1771
6. William Waters 1699 - 1743
7. Joseph Waters 1700 - 1701 ^[1]

Name

Name: John /Waters/

Given Name: John

Surname: Waters^[2]

Ancestral File Number

Ancestral File Number: 8LVH-GN

Sources

1. ↑ MyHeritage
2. ↑ Source: #S119

• Newman, Harry Wright, K.C.L., F.A.S., ANNE ARUNDEL GENTRY A Genealogical history of Some Early Families of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Vol.2, 1971, Annapolis

• https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-1-267040881-1-507274/john-waters-in-myheritage-family-trees?s=216760841
• Source: S119 Abbreviation: GEDCOM file imported on 10 Apr 2000. From RootsWeb by Bonnie Hamilton- tibart@att.net Title: GEDCOM file imported on 10 Apr 2000. From RootsWeb by Bonnie Hamilton- tibart@att.net Note: ABBR Imported GEDCOM file from Bonnie Hamilton Paranthetical: Y

Acknowledgements

 * Wikitree profile Waters-2393 was created by Tom Greene