Ann Murdock

William Murdock, son of John and Katherine (Barton) Murdock, was a member of the Anglican church and a vestryman in Queen Anne parish, Prince George County, Maryland. Around 1729, William was first married to Ann Addison (1711 / 12-1755). William and Ann had seven children: John, Addison, John, Catherine, Ann, Mary, and Eleanor. Shortly after Ann's death, the November 1, 1755 issue of THE MARYLAND GAZETTE reported the following:

"On Thursday last October 25, died in Prince George's County, Mrs. Ann Murdock, virtuous consort of Mr. William Murdock and daughter of the late Col. Thomas Addison. She was a gentlewoman possessed of many virtues and diligent in the performance of every duty incumbent upon a wife, mother, and neighbor. She labored for some years before her death under and almost uninterrupted bodily indisposition which she bore with that patience, resolution and resignation which became a Christian and her death is an irretrievable loss to her family and justly lamented by her acquaintance."

In 1757, William Murdock married a second time to Margaret (Dulany) Hamilton (d. 1791). Margaret was the widow of Alexander Hamilton (1712-1756) and daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Smith) Dulaney. William and Margaret had two children: Rebecca and Margaret.

During his lifetime William Murdock inherited all of his father's personal property, lands aquired by marriage, and 230 acres won in a lottery. Included in his father's legacy were 11 slaves, two indentured servants, and land amounting 5,263 acres in Prince George's and Frederick Counties. Although the exact size of his large estate is unknown, William died a wealthy man and provided very well for his wife and children.

William was a major landowner in Prince George and Frederick counties. He was High Sheriff of Prince George County in 1740, and served as a Burgess for that county from 1749 until 1769, the year of his death. In 1756 he was appointed Commissioner to disburse the state fund for protection against hostile Indians as well as the state fund for the expedition against Fort Duquesne. He was a member of the House of Delegates in 1765-66, representing Maryland in the Stamp Act congress that met in New York in 1765. He was also on a committee to draw up and extend a vote of thanks to members of the British Parliament who defended the rights of the colonists. In 1768, William was on a committee to draft a petition to the King remonstrating against taxes on imported articles.

"On Thursday last October 25, died in Prince George's County, Mrs. Ann Murdock, virtuous consort of Mr. William Murdock and daughter of the late Col. Thomas Addison. She was a gentlewoman possessed of many virtues and diligent in the performance of every duty incumbent upon a wife, mother, and neighbor. She labored for some years before her death under and almost uninterrupted bodily indisposition which she bore with that patience, resolution and resignation which became a Christian and her death is an irretrievable loss to her family and justly lamented by her acquaintance."

In 1757, William Murdock married a second time to Margaret (Dulany) Hamilton (d. 1791). Margaret was the widow of Alexander Hamilton (1712-1756) and daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Smith) Dulaney. William and Margaret had two children: Rebecca and Margaret.

During his lifetime William Murdock inherited all of his father's personal property, lands aquired by marriage, and 230 acres won in a lottery. Included in his father's legacy were 11 slaves, two indentured servants, and land amounting 5,263 acres in Prince George's and Frederick Counties. Although the exact size of his large estate is unknown, William died a wealthy man and provided very well for his wife and children.

William was a major landowner in Prince George and Frederick counties. He was High Sheriff of Prince George County in 1740, and served as a Burgess for that county from 1749 until 1769, the year of his death. In 1756 he was appointed Commissioner to disburse the state fund for protection against hostile Indians as well as the state fund for the expedition against Fort Duquesne. He was a member of the House of Delegates in 1765-66, representing Maryland in the Stamp Act congress that met in New York in 1765. He was also on a committee to draw up and extend a vote of thanks to members of the British Parliament who defended the rights of the colonists. In 1768, William was on a committee to draft a petition to the King remonstrating against taxes on imported articles.