Somerset County MDGenWeb George Downes of Somerset County Will Written 23 Jan 1738 and Miscellaneous Information

This information has been provided by Jim Downs.

March 8 1678 Provincial court November 13 1683 Grand Jury

Have will January 23, 1737-38--DOWNS/ES spelled both ways in will. George was illerate (made his mark on will) MD. Arch. Box5 Folder 26. On will states TCD folio 835.

In the name of God amen I George Downes of Somerset County in the Providence of Marylland being weak of body but of perfect sence and memory be to God for the same do make & ordaine this my last will testament in manner and form follwoing. First I bequest my soul to God that gave it, next my body to the earth from whence it was taken to be buried in a Christian like manner as my excututor hence forth named shall think fit and as touching all such temposal estate as it hath pleased God go bestow upon me.

I give and dispose there of as followeth (Quaker language?)

Imp I give and bequest upon my son Mitchell George Downes one silver spoon to him & heirs forever.

2 I give and bequest unto my son Robert Downes one silver spoon & also after my wifes decease one negro girl named Frank with all her increase to him & his heirs for ever

3 I give & bequest unto my daughter Maragart Downes one silver spoon to her & her heirs for ever

4 I give & bequest to my daughter Betty Downes one negro boy named Gonner after my wifes deceased to her & her heirs for ever

5 I give & bequeath unto my daughter Esther Downes one negro boy named Neo after my wifes decease to her & her heirs for ever

6 I give & bequest unto my five daughters hereafter named viz: Elizabeth Downes, Alis Bennett, Anne Downes alis Covington, Mary Downes alis Martin, Sarah Downes and Prisaila Downes Derickson each of them tenn shillings apiece to be paid out of my estate to them & their heirs forever.

7 I give & bequest all the rest of my personal estate after my debts & legacies are compled with to my loving wife Margrett Downes & her heirs for ever ------- & do appoint her to be my whole & sole excurtor for this my last will & testament deniying & revoking all other wills oath before the oath of these present for testamony where of I do here unto set my hand & seal this fifthteenth day of August Anno Domini 1721.

Came Robert Jones the only surving wittence to the within will made oath on the Holy Evengalist of Almighty God that he was the testor for George Downs (no "e") sign & seal & heard him publish renounce & declare the within ------- instrument of writing to be his last will & testament and that at the time of his no--- doing he was to the best of his apprehinsion of sound disposing mind memory and understanding, and the said Robert Jones subscribed the within will & further deposed that he saw the evidence David Evans subscribe likewise at the same time all in the presence & at the request of the testator George Downs.

G Downes jun. endorsed indenture concerning a "moity of the close of land called Marshland in the parish of St. Giles in the Fields, Middlesex" (COULD THIS BE IN ENGLAND?)

• "Natures Arracoco", patented on November 19, 1679 by Randal Revell and Alexander Draper, the surplus land adjacent to "Double Purchase" included in a resurvey of 2800 acres made by Revell called "Double Purchase Westover", Election District 13 Map #10 May 20, 1678. Randal Revell & wife Katherine Revell sold to George Downes 200 acres called "Kiquitan Choice".
• May 13, 1685 Randall Revell & wife gave to Stephen Horsey and his wife Hannah 500 acres out of "Double Purchase" in Arracoco (Dryen)
• October 13, 1682 Revell's sold to George "Downs" 200 acres called "DOWNS LOTT"

NEED MAPS OF TRACTS OF SOMERSET COMPILED BY HARRY L BENSON BALT. MD. 1992

George Downes his Marke vizt; Cropt and oversquared and under-squared of the right ear; and the left ear oversquared and Cropt and one slitt in the Crop recorded 15th May Annoque Domini 1677

Randall Revell
agt
George Downes

Tho: Parker (Probably Somerset Co. Md 1678)
agt
Tho: Clayland

John Bearcroft
agt
Jeane Williams Exx
Wm Williams

The Defendts by George Parker their Attorney appeare & imparle untill next Court.

1674 George Downes accon of trespas upon the Case in y Suite of Randall Revell
Turne to y next Side exe Capias agt: Jno: Johnson negro in A plea of Debt in the Suite of Randall Revell
Capias agt: John Spicer in an accon of Trespas upon y Case in y Sute of Randall Revell
Capias agt: Phillip Risdon in a plea of trespas upon ye Case in y Suite of Randall Revell
n: est Invts: Capias agt: Robt Millnor in A plea of Trespas upon y Case in y Suite of Randall Revell. (This guy was constantly being sued)

exe: Capias agt: Phillip Risdon in A plea of Debt in the Suite of Thomas Jones
John Shipway & George Downes subpa: on the part of the plt: (March 1674)

Capias agst: George Downes in a plea of Debt to answr: y suite of Tho: Jones
Phillip Risdon & John Shipway subpa: on y part of y plt: (June 1675)

Sommersett Ss George Downes was attached to answer y Suite of Randall Revell in an accon of Trespas upon the Case
And the said Randal by his Attourney Henry Smith saith that y said George became Indebted unto the said Randall the summe of ffoure hundred thirty & five pounds of tob: & Caske as pr his accot: here in Cort: produced more plainely will appeare but the said George fraudulently intending refuseth to pay the Aforesaid summe of 435lb: tob: & Caske Allthough thereunto hath severall times bin Demanded whereby the said Randal is Damnified & hath Dammadge to y vallue of 900lb: tob & Caske & thereupon brings his Suite

Intrat agt: Janr: Cort                        pro qued Hen: Smith
1674
Upper: January Court 1675, p. 453
Lower: Warrant returned not met with (see: pp. 427-429

Sommrsett County Ss: Att a County Cort: helld y 12th: Day of June in y second yeare of y Dominion of y Rt: honr:ble Charles over Maryland &c Annoq Domini 1677: before his Lopps Justices thereunto assigned & authorized :
Mr: William Stevens : Mr: John: Winder: Collll: William: Colebourne: Mr: James: Dashiele
present Mr: James: Jones: Mr: Wm: Brereton: Commrs
Mr: George: Johnson: Mr: William Innes
This Day was published three times by the Clerke of this Cort: in Cort: Setting y banes of matrimony betweene John Wright & Mary ffox both of this County allsoe betweene John Rowell and (101) Mary Owen both of this County alsoe betweene George Downes & Anne Bossman both of this County alsoe betweene Henry Lewes of Ann Arundell County & Elizabeth Boston of this County of Sommersett:

1
At A County Cort helld the 13th Day of November in the eight year of the Dominion of the Rt honrble Charles over Maryland &c Annoq Dom 1683 before his Lopps: Justices thereunto appointed
Colll William Colebourne
Capta Henry Smith
present mr William Brereton Commrs
mr Thomas Newbold
major Ambrose London
This day the Sherife of this County brought before the Cort the grand Jury of Enquest for the body of this County whose names are as ffolloweth yt were Sworn vizt
Capta: Wm Colebourne
fforeman: William Winslowe
Stephen Costen
John Browne
Donam Olandman
John Parker
Daniell Hast
Richard Jefferson
Jeremiah Hook
Robert Willson
Grand Enquest Robert Catlin Junr
Nehemiah Covington Grand Enquest
Thomas Shanck
John Moore
fferreman Robert Johnson
Mathew Dorman
Stephen Horsey
John Harris
George Downes
Henry Hudson
Samll Jackson
Thomas Cottingham

Stephens (Stevens), Richard, Somerset Co.,
3rd Nov., 1713.

To son Richard, part of "Gotherd's Folley," beginning at mouth of Back Creek and running down to Wickocomaco Crk. (For further description see will.)

Maryland Calendar of Wills: Volume 4 page 12 [p.12] To wife Abigail, residue of "Gotherd's Folley" during life, to pass at her decease to son Isaack and hrs.

To dau. Sarah Bounds, 300 A., "Cowes Six." At her decease to pass to her son Jonathan Bounds and his hrs.; he dying without issue, to next male hr. of his mother, and lacking such to his sister Sarah Bounds, and if she die without issue, to 3 daus., Ann Stephens, Abygale Stephens and Hanna Stephens and their hrs.

To son Isaack afsd., and hrs., at 18 yrs., 80 to 100 A., "Stephen's Conquest," and jointly with grandson Jonathan Bounds afsd., the great marsh belonging to 300 A. afsd.

To son John and hrs., part of "Fairfields," also land, the old plantation adjoining same.

To son Richard and hrs., residue of 900 A., "Fairfields." Should any dispute arise among sons named regarding their land, such disputes to be settled at meeting of Quakers.

To sons and dau. Hannah afsd., and to dau. Eliza: Emnit, personalty.

To wife Abagail, extx., dower rights and personal estate during widowhood

Overseers: Rich'd Waters, Benja. Cotman, William Cobble.

Test: Jno. Benson, Rich'd Waters, Thos. Barnit, Benja. Tull, Geo. Downs. 13. 686.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND FAMILIES

The Elzey, Revell, Bosman (or Bozmans), Beauchamp, Thorne, Brereton, Dennis, Hall, Barnabe, Woolford, Fountain (Fontaine), Furniss, Poole, Jones (of Monie), Mitchell, Dashiell, Downes, Betts, Ballard, Barre (Berre), Renshaw, Nelson, Panter, King (John, of Manokin), Purnell, Tillman (later Tilghman), Ackworth, Winder, Haste, Spence (David Spence's family), Shiall, Maddox, Askew, Noble, Cottman, Rhodes, Ward, Tull, Walker, Evans, Day, Chambers, Whittington, Newbold, Scarborough, Smith (Henry), Hammond, Holbrooke, Howard, families appear from earliest times as connected with the Church of England. After the first generation the Dixon, Coulbourne, Horsey and Boston families appear as Church of England families. There were many more of the early settlers who were no doubt Chuch of England men, but whom we cannot now positively identify as such. The names given here cover the period from 1662-1700. For later periods names of Church of England families may be obtained from the remaining Coventry, Stepney and Worcester Parish registers and a fragment of an old Somerset Parish register.

IT IS incontrovertible that adherents to the Church of England - "Churchmen" tried and true - came into the Manokin section of this Eastern Shore of Maryland settlement at the very beginning. When, late in the Fall of 1661 or early Spring of 1662, the Manokin section of this settlement was made, "Churchmen" were first on the ground. Randall Revell and John Elzey, the two resident members of the commission named for establishing settlements in this area, were, with their families, adherents of the Church of England. So, no doubt, were the majority at least of the first planters at Manokin, and the white indentured servants brought in by them. "In the beginning" we find Randall Revell, John Elzey, Nicholas Fountain (or Fontaine), William Furniss, Thomas Poole, George Mitchell, who were "Churchmen." Doubtless we may number among "Churchmen" Anthony and Mary Johnson and their family, the "free negroes," first of their race and kind to appear in this area. The parties just named were all settled in Manokin by May, 1662. The year 1663 brought William Thorne and William Bosman to Manokin--officials and "Churchmen"; while between 1663 and 1666 came Roger Woolford, Charles Ballard, James Barnabe (or Barnaby), Philip Barre (or Berry), John Nelson, John Panter, George Downes, George Betts, Gideon Tillman and Richard Ackworth--"Churchmen." About the Monies, the Ingrams, Wallers, Cornelius Johnson and William Jones settled; and on the Wicomico River (or very near by) David Spence, James Dashiell, John Winder, Thomas Shiall and Daniel Haste. On the Pocomoke were William Stevens and Donnock Dennis. Others who came into the sections mentioned may have been "Churchmen"--those whom we have mentioned were unquestionably such. Somewhat later the Breretons, Askews and Cottmans, Downes. George Downes, in Manokin section, 1666; lived near Back Creek; m., first, Anne Bosman; second, Margaret Mitchell (see post, Mitchell); issue, first wife, Anne: (1) Bossman [Bosman?], 1677; (2) Elizabeth, 1679 [m.? (???)Bennett]; issue, second wife, Margaret: (1) Anne, 1683; m., first [Samuel?] Covington; second [Thomas?] Dixon; (2) Margaret, 1685; (3) Isabel, 1688; (4) Mitchell George, 1690; (5) Sarah, 1693; m. (???) Claggett; (6) Betty, m. (???) Hooper; (7) Priscilla, m., first, (???) Derickson; second, (???) Robinson; (8) Mary, m. (???) Martin; (9) Esther; (10) Robert (IKL; Md. Cal. Wills, Vol. VII, p. 233; and Vol. VIII, p. 186; and Worcester Registry Wills, Liber JW 3, p. 101).

Original document pdf: http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000089/pdf/am89--15.pdf
Transcribed text: http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000089/html/am89--15.html

JUNE 12, 1677

unpaid of George Downes . . . . . . 10 4lb of Tallow & 2lb of Shugar. . 32
1169 3 quarts muleases . . . . . 15

Compiled by F. Edward Wright MUNNEY HUNDRED, MARYLAND

FHC Call # US/CAN 975.21       D2W Vol. 1

(1st 16 pages contain the Tax List of Chester 100, Kent County, MD - 1721; & Tax List of Somerset Co., MD - 1723)

A list of the Taxables persons taken June 18th 1723.
Levin DENWOOD, Ffranis GRADEN, negros Hercules, Brissa, Joe, Samson, Ceasar, Munday, Peter, Robin, Jacob, Henny, Pallina, Merando, Penelopy, Holiday /16
Betty GALE, George GALE, Denis FOLEY, negros Jemy, Ceaser, Bess, Pheby, Rose /7
Thomas DASHIELL, Charles DASHIELL, negros Will, Ffrank, Jack, Peter, Bess, Jean /8
John JONES, Robert JONES, William JONES, David EVANS, Thomas LOYD, negros Bristo, London, Jean, Diner /9
John LAWS, Charles POLK, negros Dirna, Prince & Ceasar /5
Thomas LAWS, William WALLER, Arthur CUNINGHAM, Murreas negro /4
Thomas ROE, James WILKISON /2
Will'm STOUGHTON, Thomas HOWARD, negros Bussey, Jupiter, Attey, Catoe, Fendo, Sue, & Sabina /9
Philip COVINGTON, William WHEATLY, negros Sambo, Joe, Theadore, & Betty /6
William LOBINS /1
William JONES, John HUST /2
George DOWNES, negros Tobie & Bendoe /3

LATE 1673 SOMERSET COUNTY, MARYLAND

Original document pdf: http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000087/pdf/am87--428.pdf
Transcribed text: http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000087/html/am87--428.html

not met with Capias agt: George Downes accon of trespas upon the Case in y Suite of Randall Revell
ON THE NEXT PAGE RICHARD DOWNES IS MENTIONED TWICE POSSIBALY GEORGES BROTHER--REVELL SUES HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE.

Original document pdf: http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000088/pdf/am88--25.pdf
Transcribed text: http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000088/html/am88--25.html

Sommersett Ss George Downes was attached to answer y Suite of Randall Revell in an accon of Trespas upon the Case And the said Randal by his Attourney Henry Smith saith that y said George became Indebted unto the said Randall the summe of ffoure hundred thirty & five pounds of tob: & Caske as pr his accot: here in Cort: produced more plainely will appeare but the said George fraudulently intending refuseth to pay the Aforesaid summe of 435lb: tob: & Caske Allthough thereunto hath severall times bin Demanded whereby the said Randal is Damnified & hath Dammadge to y vallue of 900lb: tob & Caske & thereupon brings his Suite Intrat agt: Janr: Cort                        pro qued Hen: Smith

1674
Upper: January Court 1675, p. 453
Lower: Warrant returned not met with (see: pp. 427-429)

Transcribed text: http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000535/html/am535--111.html

Somerset Judicial Records 1692-96, Volume 535, Page 111    MSA C 1774-12

15 AUGUST 1695
18 ~ George Downs, Pltf. vs. James Knowles, Deft.; Knowles does not appear; Court orders bail bond on him.

Year: 1724; Hundred: MONIE; Household Number: 2
Name: Downes, George; Standardized Name: DOWNES, GEORGE; Status: HEAD - TAXED
MSA No: C1812-2-2689

Year: 1724; Hundred: MONIE; Household Number: 2
Name: Toby; Status: DEPENDENT
MSA No: C1812-2-2690

Year: 1724; Hundred: MONIE; Household Number: 2
Name: Bender; Status: DEPENDENT
MSA No: C1812-2-2691

Year: 1730; Hundred: MONIE; Household Number: 38
Name: Downs, George; Standardized Name: DOWNES, GEORGE; Status: HEAD - TAXED
MSA No: C1812-7-16600

Year: 1730; Hundred: MONIE; Household Number: 38
Name: Downes, Robert; Standardized Name: DOWNES, ROBERT; Status: DEPENDENT
MSA No: C1812-7-16601

Year: 1730; Hundred: MONIE; Household Number: 38
Name: Covington, Benjamin; Standardized Name: COVINGTON, BENJAMIN; Status: DEPENDENT
MSA No: C1812-7-16602

Year: 1730; Hundred: MONIE; Household Number: 38
Name: Jones, Thomas; Standardized Name: JONES, THOMAS; Status: DEPENDENT
MSA No: C1812-7-16603

Year: 1730; Hundred: MONIE; Household Number: 38
Name: Toby; Status: DEPENDENT
MSA No: C1812-7-16604

Year: 1730; Hundred: MONIE

Monday, 21-Aug-2023 22:52:44 EDT