1728 Maryland

1728- John Digges obtained a tract of land called Back Lands from Lord Baltimore, part of which he transferred in 1728 to Arnold Livers, the former Flemish page.

Arnold Livers divided his part into tracts called Slate Ridge Farm, Ogle’s Good Will, Lubberland, Duke’s Woods, Arnold’s Chance and Arnold’s Delight.

("Lubberland" was the 17th century perjorative for the New World, a fool's paradise of idleness and plenty. American Laughter: Immigrants, Ethnicity and 1930s Hollywood Film Comedy )

Although Arnold Livers lived in Prince George’s County at a plantation called Timberley, he had a second home at Arnold’s Delight in the forks of Owings Creek.

This photo shows the valley where the Zentz mill and farm was formerly located. The stone posts shown here give a glimpse into the past, showing where the old lane to the Zentz Mill and farm used to begin. This photo was taken at the overlook at Payne’s Hill, just off US Rt. 15 south. Slate Ridge Farm-A Short Story.

(Arnold Livers is my fifth great grandfather.)

May 20, 1728- Solomon Stimson 9.157 A PG £198.17.9 £110.4.6

Received from: MM John Hyde & Co. (merchants in London), Thomas Charter, John Mawdesty,

Payments to: Robert Tyler, William Elder, William Hardey, John Kirkwood, Joseph Noble.

Legatees: Solomon Stimson, Benjamin Stimson, Anny Stimson (daughter) wife of William Hardy.
Executrix: Elisabeth Stimson.

(Solomon Stimson is my sixth great grandfather. Benjamin Stimson is his son. His daughter Ann was married to William Hardy. William Hardy is my fifth great grandfather.)

May 20, 1728- William Elder marries Ann Wheeler in Prince George's County, Maryland. In 1728, William is among a party of Catholics who travel into the interior of Frederick County, Maryland on an exploratory trip. He settles first at Zentz's Mill, clearing the land and building a home before moving his new family there. William was good friends with Arnold Livers, and he is soon followed to Frederick County by the Livers, Owings, Wheelers, and other Catholic families.
In William Elder's time, things were quite primitive in Maryland. Cloth was made by local weavers, underwear and house linen at home. Men wore breech cloths and deerskin jackets, caps and moccasins. People lived well, but simply, hunting and dressing their own meats, making their own bread, corncakes, sorghum, etc., and of course were almost unacquainted with tea and coffee.

June 18, 1728- After Solomon Stimson's death, his wife Elizabeth [Finch] was executrix of his estate.
This second inventory is cited in the amount of £6.14.0.

Mr. James Beall 9.211 A PG £43.2.3 Jun 18 1728:

Payments to: John Allison, Anne Gitting, administratrix of Francis King, Elienor Nutthall, John Roads, John Beall, Sr., Capt. Charles Beall, Meredith Davis per Dr. Haswell, John Pearce, William Beall, Sr., James Beall (son of Alexander Beall), Mary Jones, William Scott, Capt. Leonard Hollyday on account of Thomas Brooke (merchant in London), John Farguson, cost of suit against Dr, John Haswell and his wife Sarah Haswell, Elisabeth Stimson (executrix of Solomon Stimson) per John Mawderley to be paid in my father's (unnamed) lifetime, William Smith & William Mordant, Lingan Wilson, Robert Beall, Esq. Loyd per Mr. Robert Taylor, Edmond Jenings, Charles Calvert, Esq., Holland, Lee & Brooke, Brooke & Holland.

Mentions: Mr. Jennings, widow (unnamed), 8 children (unnamed).

Executor: John Beall, Jr.

Oct 16 1728- Solomon Stimson 9.75 A PG £23.1.7 Oct 16 1728
Payments to; Mary Williams, Philemon Lloyd, Esq., Thomas Brooke & William Holland & Thomas Addison, Esq., Mr. Alexander Fraser, James Ranter.

Legatees: William Elder, Thomas Elder.

Executors: Peter Hoggins and his wife Elisabeth Hoggins.

(Elizabeth Finch is my sixth great grandmother. Peter Hoggins was her third husband, whom she married following Solomon Stimson's death.)


1728- Kezia Hackett born in St. Mary's, Maryland.