James Wells of Baltimore

emigrated to MD in 1669 (with his father) from England;

m. 1669, spouse Elizabeth.

emigrated yo MD in1669 with his son, James Jr.

The Wells Family Known as "The Little Wells"

By Harold Henry & Nadine Hull Arnold 1966

Edited by Harold Hull Arnold 1998

Part 1.

EDITOR’S PREFACE

The author's purpose in writing this paper was to begin with Nadine Hull Arnold’s proven ancestor, James Wells (16XX - 1771) and explore the theory of some Wells Researchers that he was himself a second generation North American, the son of an earlier James Wells who had arrived in the Maryland colony in the year 1669. The known ancestor, James Wells (16xx - 17771) is sometimes referred to in the text as James Wells (2); his possible father, the 1669 immigrant, is distinguished as James Wells (1). Other Wells Family researchers based on traditions prevalent among some family groups had held that James Wells (2) himself had immigrated to Maryland sometime after the year 1700, perhaps as late as 1725.

The paper is based on genealogical research conducted by the authors between the early 1930’s and late 1980’s. It began with an interview with the last Wells in Mrs. Arnold’s line, her grandfather, David Cunningham Wells (1849 - 1935). It continued with research in local libraries, accelerating after Mr. Arnold retired in the early 1960’s. Despite the fact that in the text they lament their limited opportunity to do research, they did make at least two 6 to 8 week trips to the sites of family origin particularly in Maryland and West Virginia. Also there were countless visits to a Dallas genealogical library, which they found more productive than local resources. Also they made frequent use of inter-library loans, and corresponded with many other researchers throughout the United States.

Their Wells notes today are preserved in three legal size volumes. The material consisting of notes typed on an old Underwood typewriter, recordings copied from old church and government records by mid 1950’s coping methods such as Photostats (often negatives) or early Xerox machines, hand written notes, correspondence, etc. The material is not in a good state of preservation being faded, brittle and many pages with hand written corrections and clip on supplementary notes.

This is the first document preserved as a Microsoft Word file by scanning the 12 legal size faded typed pages with numerous hand corrections into the computer using a Umax scanner and Text-Bridge Optical Character Recognition Software. The process was complicated by the very crowded format of the original pages. Of course there were many errors, but the unedited first attempt was surprisingly readable and editable. This is the edited, re-formatted result.

Aside from the corrections of the many software reading errors the paper has been reformatted to fit comfortably on regular office size paper without undue crowding. Also many editor’s notes were added to facilitate the reader’s understanding of the text . All notes added by the Editor are clearly distinguished by the use of italicized text. All text in regular (un-italicized) text. is the words of the original authors.

The Memoirs of Elder Milton Wells by his son, Cliff M. Wells published. in 1886 sheds some light on the distinction, in Chapter 1 reading:

(Editors note: the purpose of this rather long beginning is to tell how this Wells line became known as the "Little Wells". The editor views this designation as nothing more than a convenient label in as much as while the original "Welsh brothers" may well have been big, somehow I suspect there were big and little descendents in the so called "Little Wells" and "Big Wells" lines. Also to state that there were only two original Wells Immigrant branches is not correct. There were more certainly many original immigrants named Wells from the many different counties of the British Isles).

NOTE: Further editing license has been applied by the Wells Family Research Association Editor to remove text that the WFRA author considers to be pure speculation in particular that which references the unproven tradition that three men named Wells come to the Colonies from Wales. Anyone wishing to see the full text of this article may request it from the WFRA by sending an e-mail to the address shown at the bottom of this page.

The great—great—grandfather of Milton married an Irish lady, whose head was very red. She lived to the ripe old age of 106 years, and it is reported of her that that she spun on her wheel even when her eyes were so bedimmed by age that she could not see her distaff. Her husband was a very large man, weighing over 300 pounds. They had a son whose name was Benjamin, and who married a Miss Temperance Butler, and lived in or near Baltimore, Md. Their son Charles was born April 6, 1745, and. Married ~ Michal Owens (Owings) daughter of Joshua and Mary Owens, (Owings) Dec. 27, 1764, who afterwards emigrated West and, settled in Virginia, ~on the Ohio river bottoms, in the section of country now known as the Pan Handle. ...........

Charles’s brothers names were Absalom, Nicholas, John, Amon, William and Caleb, all powerful men physically, who mostly settled in Brooke County, Virginia. Absalom, the eldest brother, married Michal Wells, who was of English descent, and was known as the family of "Little Wells", a distinction which is known and kept up to this day. Michal weighed 99 pounds, a witch’s weight. She was a daughter of Alexander Wells then of Charlestown, now Wellsburg, West Virginia.

(Editor’s. Note: Michal, was also the granddaughter of James Wells (16xx-1771) who is the principal subject of this paper) Her only sister (Note Error- She had another sister, Helen, who married a related Richard. Wells. HHA) married a man by the ‘name of Griffith, who settled in the Pan Handle, near Holliday’s Cove.

Her brothers settled as follows: Alexander on Cross Creek, Washington County, Pennsylvania; James in Kentucky, and Bezelleel settled in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio, and was proprietor of the first woolen mills of all that section of country……………… (Note: This book failed to mention the oldest son of Alexander and Leah Owings Wells, named Henry Wells, who was mentioned in the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Records of Baltimore County, Md. as born Sept. 7, l754—HHA)

It is the ancestry and story of these last mentioned "Little Wells,"9 That we are attempting to uncover as best as we can. As to how well we succeed we cannot tell until our final sheet is written, and even then, we will just have to hope that our children and grandchildren will find it of interest and of some value. (Emphasis Added by Editor)

The Welles Familyby Albert Welles, New York, N. Y. 1876, in genealogical sketches concerning Hezekiah G. Wells and Samuel Wells, both known to have been descendants of James Wells (d. ca 1771) and his wife, Ann_-------------? Wells, through their son Alexander Wells, gives him (James, the father of Alexander) the honor of being the Immigrant Ancestor of the Family in the following words:

James Wells who was born in England about 1700, and removed to Baltimore, Md., about 1725

(Ed. Note: there is considerable Wells Family tradition supporting the idea that this James Wells (16xx-1771) immigrated from England at sometime between 1700 and 1725)

It seems that a number of the descendants of James and Ann Wells, now living and scattered over the United States ( and the World, Ed) , have absorbed from this account the belief that the family arrived in the colonies as late as 1725. However, this late date for the arrival of James Wells in Maryland is disproved by the Register of Births in the St. Paul’s Episcopal Parish of Baltimore, Maryland, on file in the Maryland Historical Society Library, which lists:9

James, son of James Wells & Ann his wife born the 27th January 1716

Prudence daughter of sd James Wells & Ann his wife born the 16th March 1720

Richard daughter son of sd James Wells & Ann his wife born the 15th March 1722

Honour daughter of sd James Wells & Ann his wife born in October 1724

Alexander son of sd James Wells & Ann his wife born 12th March 1727

Ann daughter of sd. James Wells & Ann his wife born the 17th Feby 1729."

Besides the above, it is generally accepted by Wells descendants that the oldest son, Thomas Wells, was born about 1709, and that a daughter, Patience, was born possibly between 1709 and 1716. In addition there is a daughter, mentioned as "deceased" in the Accounts on the Estate of James Wells in 1771.

In fact, however, there is considerable evidence concerning an earlier James Wells arrival in Maryland not too long after its first settlers. There are records showing that he had Sons, John and Joseph Wells, and strong circumstantial evidence that he had additional sons, James Wells and Stephen Wells. The likelihood that this earlier James Wells was the father of our James Wells (d.ca.1771) as well as of the other three boys, has led us to caption the James Wells (immigrant of 1668/69) as follows:

JAMES WELLS (1)

The Maryland Land Office at Annapolis, Md., liber #11, Folio 581—582 reads: "A Catalog. of the Servants brought in by the Nightingale of York who arrived in Maryland, the XX th of February MDCLXVIII (1668). " (Note: Under the New Style Calendar — 1669 — HHA) WFRA Editor: 1668/9

(Ed’s Note: All future date references will be corrected for the New Calendar)

Listed is a "James Wells".

The above numbered folios show that on the two ships brought over by David Poole there were sixty passengers, which entitled him to sixty rights to land. The papers indicate that David Poole assigned all sixty rights to George Yate, and under date of May 25, 1669, George Yate sold 300 acres and thereon appears the name of James Wells as a witness to the deal. James had evidently lost no time in meeting the leaders of the group with which he had cast his lot in the new Maryland.

It is not known exactly how James Wells (1) occupied the next two years, but on July 1, 1671, he became a land owner through the following Patent:

"In consideration that Richard Mascall of the County of Annarundell hath due unto him one hundred acres of Land........ whose right title and interest in and to the same the afsd. Richard Hath assigned sold and made over unto James Wells of our said County of Annarundell in our said province of Maryland, Planter …… Doe hereby Grant unto him the sd. JAMES WELLS all that parcell of Land (Mascalls Haven) lying in the said County on the South Side of Patapsco River". Source: Patent — Md. State Land Office — Libr. 16, folio 216—217.

After making two year’s crops of Tobacco on his one hundred acre tract, James Wells must have accumulated enough Tobacco to negotiate the following investment which may have been in land which was not in (the) immediate neighborhood of Mascall’s Haven.

James Wells and Thomas Richardson, both of the County of Baltimore, Planters, purchased from Samuel Tracey of Gunpowder in the County of Baltimore, Gentleman, for and in consideration of six thousand pounds of good sound merchantable tobacco one parcel of land being part of a greater parcel of land called & known by the name of Tailors Mount lying & being at the head of a river called Gunpowder River on the West Side of Cheasapeake Bay on the South Side of the Eastern Branch of the said Gunpowder River adjoyning unto the land of Richard Winley one hundred and fifty acres of land ……. with all houses & edifices thereon…….. this the second day of June one thousand six hundred seventy & three. Source: Maryland Hall Of Records, Liber T.R., # R.A., Folio 114 – 116.

James Wells (1) , the immigrant of 1689, who was almost certainly the owner of Mascall’s Haven and a partner in the ownership of Taylor’s Mount, apparently was not permitted to live to an old age: We find evidence as to the approximate date of his death:

BALTIMORE COUNTY:

An INVENTORY of goods & Chattells of the Estate of James Wells, deceased ·........... 22d February 1681/2."

Source: Md. Hall of Records — Liber 7 C, folio 44—45.

The significance of this Inventory does not lie in its small proportions, but in the names of the Appraisers who signed it. It bore the name and seal of "Jno. Thomas" and "Christopher Gist."

The appearance of the name of Christopher Gist as an associate and friend of James Wells is prophetic of the many contacts which the later numbers of the Wells Family would have with prominent people and events of importance in the History of our Country. A later Christopher Gist, probably of the same family as the above named signer of the Inventory — is mentioned in the following references:

"Christopher Gist appointed overseer of the roads in room of Samuel Owings (Ed’s Note: What is the meaning of the term, "in room?" It is not in my Law dictionary.) November Court 1734"

"Christopher Gist (eldest son of Captain Richard Gist, who died August 1741) was a planter in Baltimore County and a merchant in Baltimore Town. From him were purchased in 1743 for 2 pounds currency the two acres of ‘Adventure’ for the new St. Thomas’s (Garrison Forest). Church. He seems to have failed in business about 1745 and to have become an Indian Trader..... He was Washington’s Guide to the French in 1763 and served in Braddock’S Campaign in 1755......."

Source: Page 15 of Md. Historical Magazine, Vol. 18, Year 1923:"Abstracts of Old Baltimore Court Records" - Court Page 353.

(Note: St. Thomas Church (Garrison Forest) was the home church of the Alexander Wells family at which the births of his eldest son Henry Wells was registered on Sept. 7, 1754, as well as most of the other children .HHA)

Concerning a Road from George Ogg’s to Capt. John Risteaus — (See) Petition of Josephine Murray: November Court 1738

"Sundry persons (among them Cornelius Howard, William Gist, Joshua Howard, Thomas Gist, Nathaniel Gist, Edmund Howard, James Wells and Christopher Gist) certify that they are well contented with Mr. Murray’s turning the Indian Road, it being of little use since the Court road was cleared. Whereupon order of Court directing Joseph Cromwell art Richard Stevenson to inspect the said road and, determine how it shall be cleared." Source: Page 17 of Md. Hist. Magazine,Vol.l8,Yr.1923 — "Abstracts of Old Baltimore Court Records—Ct. Pg. 311"

Above, the name of Christopher Gist and James Wells (thought to be the son of James Wells (1), appear together; reflecting the continued association of the Gist and Wells Families. Also, the name of John Thomas appearing as one who submitted the Inventory of the Estate of James Wells (1) is very significant, — because of the future association of the name of John Thomas, weaving in and out of the pattern of the lives of John, Joseph, and James Wells (2);

First of all, we find that a young James Wells was included in the List of Taxables taken of the North Side of Patapsco Hundred, Baltimore County, Md., for year 1692, at the household of John Thomas:

Jno Thomas William Demett Roger the Salve Jn. Gay James Wells However, in 1694, James Wells was taxed in the household of Daniell Welch The reason for his departure from the home of John Thomas is apparently found in the suit instituted by James against Thomas.

A List of Provincial Court Judgements for the year 1694 includes the settlement of a certain case :

James Wells agt. (against) John Thomas. (Source: Md.Hall of Records—Liber T.C.# 1, folio 169.)

This SETTLEMENT was arranged through the following Deed of Gift:

"This Thirteenth day of Aprile in the Sixth year of their Majesties reignes William and Mary — King and Queen of England Anno Domini 1695. "

I Coll. John Thomas of Baltemore County in the Province of Maryland Send Greeting ...... Know Ye That I the said John Thomas for and in consideration that James Wells of the County and province aforesaid Do Acquitt release & forever discharge me the Said John Thomas from Learning Him or Causing to be Learned to read and write which I the SAID John Thomas Do Owne To Stand Obliged to do have Given granted and Sold and by these presents do fully Clearly and Absolutely Give Grant Bargaine Sell and Confirme unto the Said James Wells..... That Tract or Parcell of Land Called (Wells LOT) Lying in Baltemore County between Patapsco river and the head of Back river in the Woods it being part of a parcell of Land of the said Coll. John Thomas Ca1led (Gardeson)……..Laid. Out for Fifty Acres of Land More or Less......"

Source: Md. Hall of Records — Liber R.M. # H.S., folio 460—461.

From the preceding it is evident that Col. John Thomas had failed to teach James Wells how to read and write, but owned "that he stands obliged to do so." Surely, merely the fact that he had been a friend of James Wells (1) did not obligate John Thomas to educate the young James Wells. But, if John Thomas had married the widow of James Wells (1), then there would have been a duty on the part of John Thomas to educate his stepson. The mere fact that John Thomas was involved here in the life of young James Wells, seems sufficient evidence that young James was the son of James Wells (1). In that event we can without too much risk of being wrong, call (this) young James, James Wells (2).

( Editor’s Note: I doubt the stepson relationship would have carried any obligation to teach the child to read an write in 17th century America. A condition that would have created such an obligation would have been a bequest or other conveyance of property to Thomas on condition he care and educate the child)

The sons of James Wells (1), we believe to have been:

John Wells (Probably the oldest son) Joseph Wells (Thought to be second son) Stephen Wells (Unplaced) James Wells (2) (Thought to be the Youngest) John Wells

John Wells almost certainly, was the son of James Wells (1). John Wells must have somehow secured title to the land known as "Mascall’s Haven" originally patented to James Wells (1) in July of 1671, as he (John) conveyed. "100 acres — Mascall’s Haven" on Nov. 1, 1697, to Jonathan Neale for a consideration of 4,600 pounds of Tobacco. This deed. was signed In the presence of: John Thomas, Richard Cromwell, and Henry Wristhesley. Source: Md. Hall of Records — Vol. T.R. No. R.A. — Folio 303

So the name of John Thomas is again brought into association with John Wells as well as with James Wells (1) and James Wells (2), lending credence to the belief that both John and James (2) were sons of James Wells (1).

On the List of Taxables (for 1692 and 1694) of North side of Patapsco Hundred, appears:

1692

Jno. Hardin Joseph Strawbridge Michaell Young John Wells 1694: Joseph Strawbridge John Wells Note: Other) Descendants of James and Ann Wells are known to have married into the Strawbridge Family.

In 1698 on a conveyance of 50 acres of land from John Leakins Lakins) to John Wells (formerly Richard Thorrell land) there appears as witness: John Thomas, further demonstrating some connection between John Wells and John Thomas. (Source: Md. Hall of Records — Vol. T.R. No.R.A., folio 279.)

There is a conveyance of 27 acres to John Wells from John Wells from James Todd, both of Baltimore County, in 1698 "for and in consideration of five gallons of Sidir, as for the natural affection which I have...., unto my well beloved friend, John Wells, Planter, as also for divers other good causes and consideration." Description mentions: Todd’s Range and a parcel of land that was given unto Richard Thurrell out of Todd’s Range by Capt. Thomas Todd. The deed of Gift to John Wells is signed by James Todd.

(Source: Md. Hall of Records: Volume T.R. No. R.A. Folio 288 and 289)

Our friend and correspondent (and a competent Wells researcher) writes in regard to above gift: " To my suspicious ears that sounds like a gambling debt." Source: Mrs. H. -Montgomery of Hampton, Virginia. (Editor’s Note: As of this date, I have not located this correspondence.)

Mrs. Montgomery continues with information from her files concerning this early Wells Group:

1699: Account — by Widow Elenor." (So John Wells had died).

1699: Orphans of John WELLS had guardian Joseph Wells (formerly called brother of John!). Held 60 acres Thorrells Neck with James Todd holding the other 60 acres. Orphans held 50 acres Timber Neck with John Harryman the other 60 acres."

"Note: The Account for John Wells by Elinor mentions payments to Col. John Thomas, Jno. Lakin, Edw. Stevenson & to Joseph Wells 'for attendance in sickness’ ."

‘700 Elinor, widow of John Wells, died. Joseph Wells was administrator. The children must have been infants and the estate would not have been settled at once for either John or Elinor. Inventory for Elinor was small, made by John Hays and Thom. Roberts — Mentions ‘800 lbs. of her own crop’ (tobacco). Debts to: Jno. Thornborough, Michael Young, Hy Jones, Edw. Collington."

Conclusion; From all the above references there can be little doubt but that John Wells was the son of James Wells (1) and the brother of James Wells (2). There is now no doubt but that John Wells and Joseph Wells were brothers.

Joseph Wells

Joseph Wells appears on the 1692 List of Taxables of North Side of Patapsco Hundred (also 1694 and 1695 lists) as follows:

1692

At Widdow Long’s Francis Robinson Richd. Milner Symon Parsons Will Thurston Edmund Bulstone Joseph Wells 1694 at Mrs Jane Long’s John Wilkinson Lancelott Pool Joseph Wells Mathew Bellamy 1695 at Nicholas Fritzsymon’s Richard Jeffery Joseph Wells John Goffe Willm. Story A. woman slave (Note: Fran Robinson was a witness to conveyance from John Leakins to John Wells

Aug 2, 1698. Nicholas Fritzsymons was a witness to a deed of Gift- James Todd to John Wells, 1698.

The relationship as brothers — of Joseph and John Wells is further proven by the following:

By virtue of a warrant Aug. 15, 1698, granted to Joseph Wells of Baltimore County for one hundred acres of land, bearing date the eighteenth day of February one thousand six hundred ninety seven, and also another warrant for Sixty four acres of land bearing Date the fourth day of August one thousand Six hundred ninety eight, and also fourteen acres more being part of a warrant granted unto John Wells of the same County Grantor for thirty acres of land bearing date the fourth day of August one thousand six hundred ninety eight and fourteen acres of the said warrant was assigned by the said John Wells unto Joseph Wells. These are therefore to certify that .... I have survd. & laid out for the said Joseph Wells a parcel of land called "Well’s Angells" lying in the aforesaid County on the south side of Back River..... and now laid out for one hundred Seventy Eight acres of land to be holden of the Manner of Baltimore....... Signed Thomas Richardson D. Survr

"Assign: I John Wells doe assign over to my brother Joseph Wells fourteen acres of the within mentioned warrant, being part of Warrant granted me for thirty acres of land bearing Date the Fourth of August 1698 as witness this 14th day of August 1698. Signed by John Wells.

• 1 October 1698 I have assigned pattent to the above named Joseph Wells of the above land pursuant to the above assignment .......... Svr."

(Source: Md. Hall of Records- liber D.D. No 5, part 1, folio 118.)

The following mentioned deeds covered the sale of "wells Angles" in 1702 and 1703; and possibly Joseph Wells was anticipating moving to Virginia (North Neck), as he seems to have disappeared from Maryland after 1704. More on this further on.

1702 — Between Joseph Wells of Baltimore County, Planter, and Katherin his wife, and Richard Longhand, of Baltimore County. Dated April 22, 1702 Consideration 3,000 lb. of Tobacco.

Description: Tract, part of Wells Angles" — In Baltimore Co. on South Side of Back River. Mentions "Bacon Greek." Witnesses were James Read and Richard Miller. (Source: Hall of Records—Vol.H.W. No.2,f.142)

We have no detail on the deed covering the balance — except this Index: 1703 — Wells, Joseph to Richard Miller. Conveyance of Part of "Wells Angles" 78 Acres. Vol. H.W.No.2, Folio 330.

Mrs. H. Montgomery gives us a few more events in the life of Joseph Wells and her appraisal concerning some happenings so far lost to Family History:

Joseph Wells:

1699 —Guardian of Orphans of John Wells (See . John Wells)

1699 —Taxed of Wells angles.

1700—1702 — Tax — North Side Patapsco (Not all Tax Lists are preserved but I got what I could.)

1702 — Administrator for Elinor Wells.

1702 — Guardian of the orphans of Rowland Thornborough who had died 1696, leaving children John, Rowland, Francis, Catherine, Jane & Ann. " The orphans of Rowland Thornborough went to Va. From this search I say with some confidence (but unproved) that Joseph Wells married Cath. Thornborough after her father died (in) 1696 and before the deed at 1702. She was the oldest, but the young Thornboroughs were not infants. Their mother Anne was still alive. I can’t say where the young Thornboroughs resided. But, surely the infant Wells wards (since John & Elinor were both dead) lived with Joseph Wells. Joseph was on Baltimore Co. Tax (in) 1704, and I find him NO MORE.

QUESTION: Did he go to Virginia (North Neck) with the Thornborough orphans? Did he, if so, take along the Wells orphans of John? There was a Joseph who died in North Neck (Virginia) who was the right age to be this man. Did James, the third brother, perhaps spend some time in Virginia with Joseph? (WFRA EDITOR: It has been suggested with no proof that Ann, the wife of James (2), may have been either Ann Thornborough or Ann Stevenson. A researcher has proven, although we have not seen the proof, that Ann Tornborough married another man and had children by him. There is no proof on the other theory.

If James (2) did spend some years with his brother Joseph in Virginia, — it could explain why James (Wells) seems to turn up ca 1716 with a wife and children.

Stephen Wells:

A List of Taxables North Side Patapsco Hundred, Baltimore County, 1694 and 1695 includes: 1694

at John Rowse's Stephen Wells John Lovell 1695

at James Todd’s Stephen Wells Thomas Biddeson one Slave The name of James Todd as the householder with whom Stephen Wells lived in 1695, is the name of the Grantor in the Deed of Gift to John Wells in the year 1698. This gives us at least one tenuous connection between John Wells and Stephen Wells as possible brothers, and therefore Stephen Wells might be the son of James Wells (1), as we are convinced was John Wells.

James Wells(2)

WHO WAS THIS JAMES WELLS (M. ANN, D. 1771),

IMMIGRANT OR SECOND GENERATION NORTH AMERICAN

In the paragraphs under the heading of James Wells (1) we found it necessary to bring in the following records, which we will briefly review, as they also pertain to James Wells (2).

The List of Taxables for Northside Papapsco Hundred, year 1692, had shown James Wells (2) living in the household of Jno. Thomas, the man who had, along with Christopher Gist, prepared the Inventory of the estate of James Wells (1). As we mentioned, however, by 1694 James Wells (2) was taxed in the household of Daniell Welch. We suggested that the reason for his move may have been because of the disagreement he apparently had with John Thomas as evidenced, by the gift of fifty acres of land from Thomas to James in settlement of a suit.

In the Deed of Gift, Thomas acknowledges that he was obligated to teach James to read and write, and he apparently had rather give the fifty acres to James than to go to the trouble of instructing the boy. Since James (1) had died in 1682 after having been in America only about thirteen years, it is likely that he and his wife were still fairly young at the time of his death, and that James (2) was not much over sixteen at the time he appears in the home of John Thomas.

He may have been there before, but would not have been taxed until sixteen. In those pioneer days it was almost unheard of for a widow to remain unmarried, so it is assumed that she would have married soon after 1682. It may even be that James (1) had died a year or so before the Inventory was made in February 1682, and that John Thomas had already married the widow. As the husband or prospective husband, John Thomas would have been expected to take over this legal chore. Another alternative possibility is that Col. Thomas was a brother of the wife of James Wells (1), and that for that reason she and her young son James Wells (2) were living in the Thomas household in 1692 and possibly before. Only the acceptance of one of these alternatives would explain the obligation which John Thomas admitted, to educate young James (2).

Again, we might call attention to the several additional contacts between John Thomas and the Wells Brothers which have been previously mentioned under other headings:

John Thomas appears as Witness — Deed — John Wells (11) to Jonathan

Neale — 100 acres "Mascall’s Haven" — 11/1/1697.

John Thomas appears as Witness - Deed — John Leakins to John Wells (11)

50 acres (Formerly Richard Thorrell land) — Year 1698.

The Account for estate of her husband, John Wells (11) by Elinor Wells mentions payments to Col. Thomas, Jno Lakin, Edw. Stevenson & to Joseph Wells "for attendance in sickness."

On the 1695 list of Taxables "North Side of Patapsco Hundred appears:

Hugh Jones

James Wells (2).

Mrs. Florence Montgomery reports that James Wells does not appear on the Baltimore County Tax Lists of 1699 and 1700, but that "I have a page for years 1701 to 1706 Tax and that James Wells appears thereon".

Mrs. Montgomery mentions the name of "Stevenson" in connection with the name of Ann, the wife of our known ancestor James Wells (d. 1771), because a number of Wells descendants have kept alive the tradition that her name was Ann Stevenson Wells.

We have attempted to prove the Stevenson connection by correspondence with the co-author of a Stevenson Family Genealogy, however, they cannot justify such a claim. Therefore in looking about for a possible "Maiden Name" for the wife of James Wells (2) it does seem so very likely that James (2) did actually visit his brother Joseph in Virgnia, and possibly even lived there for several years. This would explain the apparent absence of James Wells (2) from Maryland during the period extending from the early 1700’s to 1716 when his name appears in the St. Paul’s Episcopal Register along with that of his wife, Ann, as having born to them a son James Wells (3) on 27th January 1716.

We mentioned already that it is generally accepted by his descendants that a Thomas Wells was born to James and Ann Wells about 1709. We interrupt to mention the possibility that James and Ann named their oldest son Thomas after the old associate of the Wells Family, Col. John Thomas, whatever his relation to them he might have been? Both Thomas Wells and Patience McGuire are mentioned as "nearest akin" on the Inventory of the Estate of James Wells, dated July 1, 1771.(Md. Hall of Records, Liber 107, folio 296.) Also the Accounts (Liber 66, folio 142) mentions: "the children of one deceased child" of James Wells."

From the above we see that in addition to the children of James and Ann Wells registered in St. Paul’s Parish Records at Baltimore from 1716 on, there must have been Thomas, Patience, and one other child born to James & Ann before 1716. Where were they before 1716? Of course it is possible that the Church Register is not complete before that date, but it seems more likely that they lived, either in Virginia or at least too far distant in Baltimore County, Maryland, (or Ann Arundel County), to be convenient to the St. Paul’s Church.

Before we go further into the story of the Wells Family of James & Ann Wells, our known ancestors, we had better examine a bit more closely the question as to whether or not the James Wells (2) whose record we have been outlining (along with the story of his father James (1) and of his brothers, John, Joseph & possibly Stephen) was in reality the James Wells who married Ann, and whose children were registered in the St. Paula Records — 1716—1729.

We might ask: If James Wells (2) was not identical with the James (m. to Ann, d. ca 1771), THEN: From where did this newcomer appear in 1716? If James Wells (2) was 16 years of age in 1692 when he first appeared on a Tax List, he would have been born ca 1676. If James Wells (2) and our James Wells were identical, then our James Wells must have been about 30 years of age when he married. We figure James and Ann were married about 1707 or 1708, as Thomas (said to be their first—born) was very probably born in 1709. Thirty years of age is a bit late in life for a marriage of that period, but quite possible.

In the absence of any better explanation as to the origin of our James Wells (d. 1771) we are willing to accept the belief that the previous description and record covering the James Wells (2) and his apparent father, James Wells (1) (the immigrant of 1668/9), were in fact concerning the boyhood and young manhood of our OWN James Wells, and his father, the Immigrant Ancestor of the "Little Wells" family. However, further study should be made of Virginia (North Neck) records in search of a marriage record covering the wedding of James Wells and Ann _____

We have, accordingly, accepted James Wells (2) as being the same person as our ancestor James Wells (d. 1771), and, therefore, we proceed to give the further records concerning our known ancestor under the same TITLE: James Wells (2). From here on the items concerning our known ancestor James Wells (d. 1771) will be shown under this caption.

(Ed’s Note: Of course there is as simple alternate answer to the question, "If James Wells (2) was not identical with the James (m. to Ann, d. ca 1771), THEN: From where did this newcomer appear in 1716?" It is that James Wells (d. 1771) himself was an immigrant from Europe sometime before 1716. In that case, what happened to the young James, the son of James (1)? Again the answer is simple. He moved from the area to Virginia or elsewhere and disappeared. The existing of the alternate should in no way negate the possibility or the importance of the argument presented here connecting James Wells (2), (d. 1771) to the earlier 1689 immigrant James Wells (1). The question is simply not finally proven, either way.)

Provided by Harold H. Arnold - Sequin, Texas