Elizabeth Mellows

Revised Article: THOMAS WELLS FAMILY OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND Family Tree DNA Wells Group #W006, Family Tree DNA Ward Subgroup #17

By John Britton Wells III (6th great grandson of Thomas Wells, born 1653) wellsga@bellsouth.net revised September 9, 2016

Most published genealogies of Thomas Wells of Prince George’s County, Maryland, born 1653, include his father as Thomas Wells, “Senior,” born c.1619 in England. They also claim that the younger Thomas was born either in England or America in 1653, but at the same time indicate he came to America in 1679. These published genealogies also name Elizabeth “Mellows” as the mother of the younger Thomas Wells in spite of the fact that Elizabeth lived her entire adult life in St. Olave Parish, Southwark, Surrey, England, where her will was probated on 15 February 1683.

Clearly, these genealogies are filled with contradictory information based on dangerous, unsourced assumptions and large doses of pure fantasy. The purpose of this article is to separate fact from fiction and establish the true ancestry of Thomas Wells of Prince George’s County, Maryland.

What we do know is that Thomas Wells, born 1653, was living in what is now Prince George’s County, Maryland, on 26 August 1695 when he purchased a 200 acre tract called “Strife,” then in Calvert County, “on the west side of the Patuxent River in the freshes [sic] of the river, being part of a warrant for 4,000 acres” from Thomas Smith. (Prince George's County Land Records, Vol. A, p. 26). Prince George’s County was formed from Calvert County in 1695, but did not become effective until 1696. The Patuxent River formed the boundary between Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties.

The proximity of the property to Anne Arundel County is important because it provides a link to the probable path of Thomas Wells to America. On 20 April 1679, Robert Conant of Anne Arundel County proved he had transported a number of persons including members of his own family and others, among them Thomas Wells, to the Province of Maryland. Conant was entitled to fifty acres of land for each person transported provided that he agreed to inhabit the land for sixteen years. These rights were subsequently assigned to Nicholas Laintes of St. Mary's City. (Patent Liber WC2, folio 50, 57, Maryland State Archives).

If we presume that Thomas Wells was transported during the year 1679 (age about 26 - seems reasonable) because Robert Conant was motivated to transport others in exchange for land, then Thomas was present from that year and likely resident in Anne Arundel County. Further, it was common for transported individuals to become indentured to the person who transported them for a period usually of about 7 years. If so, Thomas Wells remained in Anne Arundel County until at least 1686. Add these assumptions to the fact that Anne Arundel County is located adjacent to Prince George’s County it seems very likely that Thomas Wells, born in 1653, was the same man who arrived in America in 1679 as an indentured servant.

Although several widely distributed genealogies list the father of Thomas Wells as a Thomas Wells, born about 1619, there is not a single mention of an elder Thomas in any area Maryland records. Additional information from England further debunks the existence of Thomas Wells as the father of the Thomas Wells who arrived in Maryland in 1679. On 15 January 1682/3, Elizabeth “Mellowes” or “Millowes” of Saint Olave Parish in Southwark, Surrey, England, wrote her last will and testament. She was a poor woman, but felt the need to leave a tiny part from her meager estate “unto my sonn Thomas Wells who went into parts beyond the seas to Maryland or other parts in America … the sum of one shilling of lawfull money of England.” The remainder of her estate was left to her “loving and kind sonn in law John Parker of Crucifix Lane in the Parish of St. Olave in Southwark, hattmaker, [hat maker] the husband of my daughter Mary. [Signed] the mark of Elizabeth Millowes.”

An examination of the St. Olive Parish Register includes the birth of Thomas “Weles,” the son of “George Weles,” on 24 October 1653. He was christened at St. Olave on October 30th of the same year. His birth year is corroborated by “Maryland Chancery Records of 1714,” (Liber 3, Folio 27) in which Thomas Wells witnessed the boundary lines for an adjoining tract of land in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and is described as "Thomas Wells, Senr. aged about sixty one years." This would place his birthdate as 1653, the same year as the Thomas Wells of St. Olave Parish.

At least seven children were born to George “Weles” (also spelled “Wells” and “Welles” in other parish entries) and his wife Elizabeth. The baptisms of all but Edward were registered at St. Olave Church:

• (1) Edward, born about 1635
• (2) Christopher baptized 1 March 1639/40
• (3) Hamlet baptized 13 November 1642
• (4) Mary baptized 29 December 1644
• (5) Robert baptized 20 June 1647
• (6) Thomas baptized 30 October 1653
• (7) Elizabeth baptized 1 July 1655.

Sadly, Christopher, Hamlet, Robert and Elizabeth died before reaching the age of majority. Mary married to John Parker and is mentioned in her mother’s will. It appears that only Edward survived long enough to have children to carry on the Wells family name in England.

Edward and his wife Martha left behind seven children, all of whom were also christened at St. Olave:

• (1) George Wells baptized 14 April 1664
• (2) Mary Wells baptized 14 Jan 1665
• (3) William Wells baptized 28 July 1667
• (4) John Wells baptized 29 November 1668
• (5) Sarah Wells baptized 1 May 1670
• (6) Parnell Wells baptized 16 November 1673
• (7) Martha Wells baptized 8 November 1674

The family of Edward Wells disappeared from the records of St. Olave Parish after the baptism of Martha in 1674. There was “a great fire” in Southwark in 1676 which continued for 17 hours. Other contemporary accounts estimate that 70% of the buildings in Southwark were destroyed. Perhaps the family was forced to move away from Southwark at that time. Their fate in unknown.

Much discussion has revolved around the fact that in Edward’s mother Elizabeth’s will her last name is given as “Mellows” or “Millowes.” Again, according to the St. Olave Parish Register, Elizabeth’s husband George Wells died in 1655 and was buried in the St. Olave churchyard on 29 April 1655. It seems obvious that Elizabeth married a second time to a man named “Mellows” or “Millowes,” and, therefore, used his last name in her will. Elizabeth’s maiden name was actually either “Hawkines” or Jamkines” and she married to George Wells at St. Olave on 15 November 1626. She was buried at St. Olave as Elizabeth “Mallas” on 19 February 1682.

The records of St. Olave’s Parish extend only as far back as 1582. George “Welles” was christened in the church on 16 August 1590, the son of Edward Welles, a "joyner" [joiner] by profession. Edward Wells was married on 5 August 1574 to Elizabeth Partridge at the Church of St. James Garlickhythe, just one mile distant from St. Olave on the north bank of the Thames River. He is also listed as a member of the "Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers" in the same parish. No earlier record of Edward “Welles” has been found.

Although there are few surviving public records that shed light on the life of George Wells, the baptismal records of his children from 1639 through 1647 list his occupation as “drayman,” a beer delivery driver, while the entries for his last two children in 1653 and 1655 describe him as a “brewer’s servant.” Obviously, he worked for one of the many local breweries in Southwark.

The Wikipedia history of the town of Southwark also gives us clues as to the family’s religious beliefs and the reasons why Thomas Wells came to America:

“Southwark [located on the south bank of the Thames River across from the Tower of London] appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as held by several Surrey manors. Its assets were: Bishop Odo of Bayeux held the monastery (the site of the Cathedral), the 'tide-way' - which still exists as St Mary Overie dock; the King owned the 'church' (probably St Olave's, located on Tooley Street) and its 'tidal stream' (St Olave's Dock); the dues of the 'waterway' or mooring place were shared between the 'King' and Earl Godwin; the King also had the 'toll' of the strand; and the 'men of Southwark' had the right to a 'haw and its toll'…. During the early Middle Ages, Southwark developed and was one of the four Surrey towns which returned Members of Parliament for the first commons assembly in 1295. An important market occupied the High Street from some time in the 13th century, which was controlled by the City's officers—it was later removed in order to improve traffic to the [London] Bridge…. The area was renowned for its inns, especially The Tabard, from which Chaucer's pilgrims set off on their journey in The Canterbury Tales. Just west of the [London] Bridge was the 'Clink Liberty' manor, which was never controlled by the City, technically held under the Bishopric of Winchester's nominal authority. This area therefore became the entertainment district for London, and it was also the red-light area. In 1587, Southwark was given its first playhouse theatre, The Rose. The Rose was set up by Philip Henslowe, and soon became a popular place of entertainment for all classes of Londoners. Both Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare, two of the finest writers of the Elizabethan age, worked at the Rose. In 1599 the Globe Theatre, in which Shakespeare was a shareholder, was erected on the Bankside in the Liberty of the Clink. It burned down in 1613, and was rebuilt in 1614, only to be closed by the Puritans in 1642 and subsequently pulled down not long thereafter. A modern replica called Shakespeare's Globe, has been built near the original site. Southwark was also a favourite area for entertainment such as bull and bear-baiting. The impresario in the later Elizabethan period for these entertainments was Shakespeare's colleague Edward Alleyn, who left many local charitable endowments, most notably Dulwich College. On 26 May 1676, ten years after the Great Fire of London, a great fire broke out, which continued for 17 hours before houses were blown up to create fire breaks.”

As a “drayman” and “brewer’s servant,” George Wells was not a man of means. In spite of his humble circumstances, George Wells named a son “Hamlet” Wells in 1642, the year the Puritans closed the Globe Theater. It is likely that he named his son “Hamlet” in protest over the closing of the theater. Clearly, he was a patron of the local theater and not a Puritan. In spite of George’s apparent liberalism and support of the established church, at least some of the Wells family became dissenters.

George’s daughter Elizabeth died on 24 November 1675 as a “non-conformist.” At the time of her death, 'her mother “Elizabeth Wells” was also included in the “non-conformist” register. George and Elizabeth’s daughter Mary as well as her husband John Parker also attended a “non-conformist” church. Mary’s death on 24 October 1686 was entered in a “non-conformist” register. Possibly as a reaction to the economic consequences of the great fire of Southwark in 1676, the family’s religious preferences and his own impoverished circumstances, George’s son Thomas Wells sought out a sponsor to pay his passage to a new life in America and left England forever in 1679.

Apparently, the Wells family in America continued its haphazard relationship with the established church and authority in general. The name of George’s son Thomas, born in 1653, appears frequently in the records of Prince George's County, Maryland. In July 1696 Court, Thomas Wells was found guilty of assaulting Thomas Swareingen and required to pay a fine and post a bond for his good behavior.

In November 1697 Court, Thomas Wells was paid a bounty for "one wolves head." Thomas Wells was impaneled on a Grand Jury. "Docquett of Subpoena. 4th Thurs in March 1698. John Merryton demands a Subpoena for Thomas Wells to testify inter him and His Majesty." "We present Elizabeth Plummer, wife of Thomas Plummer, for sending Jonathan Bryan and Matthew Cooper to the plantation of Thomas Wells to steal onions and cabbage and bacon."

On 28 March 1698 Thomas Wells was again in trouble with the authorities ". . . in Contempt of the Good Laws of This Province and allso the Kingdome of England make himselfe drunke and in Such manner did beare himself in Fighting etc. Against the tennor and Provision of the good Laws of God and this Province." Thomas plead guilty, paid a fine and again posted a bond.

Periodic misbehavior, however, did not seem to keep men from positions of civic and religious leadership. In 29 September 1699 Court, he and Thomas Plummer served together on a jury, and the Court "Ordered that Thomas Wells & Thomas Pelle be overseer of the Patuxent Hundred." In the Queen Anne's Parish (Church of England) Vestry minutes of 7 April 1707, “Thos. Wells, Sr.” was chosen vestryman. (“Court Records of Prince George's County, Maryland 1696-1699,” edited by Joseph H. Smith and Phillip A Crowl, American Historical Association, Washington, DC, 1964, pages 26-27, 275, 393, 456-8, 263-4, 547-8).

Thomas Wells died in Prince George’s County in 1718. His will, written 26 September 1718, was probated in Prince George's County on 5 January 1718/19. In it he named his wife, Frances, to whom he left his property for her life. It was then divided among his four sons: Thomas, Nathan, Robert, and Joseph. He left slaves to his four daughters, Frances, Mary, Sarah and Elizabeth, but only five shillings to his son, George. (Maryland Calendar of Wills, Volume 14, page 724). Frances Wells survived her husband by at least five years. On 23rd March 1723, “Frances Wells to Thomas Lancaster for five pounds ten shilling(s) current money [sold] … lot in Queen Ann Towne … left to said Frances according to and form of law by her husband Thomas Wells, Senr, deceased.” A “Mrs Wells” paid taxes in the Patuxent Hundred in 1719, but not in 1733. (Maryland State Papers, No. 1, “The Black Books,” Hall of Records Commission of the State of Maryland, 1943, Items 161 & 265).

Some family historians have speculated that the maiden name of Frances Wells was “Smith.” It appears that this assumption is derived solely from a property transaction between Thomas Wells and Thomas Smith in 1695. No documentation has been found that supports this conclusion.

Thomas and Frances Wells had nine children:

• (1) Thomas Wells, Jr. born c.1683 in what is now Prince George’s County, Maryland, died in 1751, married Martha Boyd.
• (2) George Wells born c.1685, died in 1770/1, married 1st Susannah (Swanson) Ward, married 2nd Sarah _________.
• (3) Frances Wells born c.1687, mentioned in her father’s will, no further reference.
• (4) Mary Wells born c.1689, mentioned in her father’s will. No further reference.
• (5) Nathan Wells born c.1691, died c.1770, married Mary Duckett.
• (6) Robert Wells born 5 August 1693, married Ann __________.
• (7) Joseph Wells born 30 September 1697, died after 1758, possibly in Orange County, North Carolina, married 1st Margaret Swanson, married 2nd Mary Cox.
• (8) Sarah Wells born 30 September 1697 (twin of Joseph), married Alexander Gaither.
• (9) Elizabeth Wells born 11 May 1699, mentioned in her father’s will, no further reference.

Child #2, George Wells and his wife Susannah (Swanson) Ward had at least two sons, Joseph and George Wells. However, modern Y-DNA testing has uncovered an additional son: Nathan Ward. The listed parents of Nathan Ward, born on 12 February 1713, are James and Susanna Ward. (St. Barnabas Church Register, Queen Anne Parish, Prince George's County, Maryland). They are found in a Prince George’s County deed dated 10 December 1714 in which “James Ward of Prince George’s County ‘planter’ and Susannah his wife lately called Susannah Swanson of the one part [sell to] George Wells of the afsd county ‘planter’ … land called ‘Swanson (Swansea) Lott’ in Prince George’s County.” (Prince George’s County, MD Deed Book E, pages 331-332).

George Wells, the son of Thomas and Frances Wells above, was the next door neighbor of James and Susanna Ward. Recent Y-DNA testing of direct male descendants of both George Wells and Nathan Ward proves that George Wells was the actual biological father of Nathan Ward and not James Ward. It is unclear whether James Ward was aware of this circumstance, but by 30 March 1719 James Ward either left his wife Susannah or had died. On that date the vestry of Queen Anne Parish “ordered that the clerk summon George Wells and Susanna Ward to attend the vestry on Sunday the 12th April after the sermon touching their living lewdly and uncontinently together.” (Queen Anne Vestry Minutes, Prince George’s County, Maryland, page 60). Page 61 of the Vestry Minutes records that on “12 April 1719 then appeared George Wells and Susanna Ward and were admonished by the vestry not to cohabit together nor frequent each others company.” Apparently, the scandalous behavior of George Wells and Susannah Ward had been going on for some time and was common knowledge. When Thomas Wells, the father of George, died his will dated 26 September 1718 provided land and slaves for his wife Frances and all of his children except George to whom he left a paltry 5 shillings in an obvious show of displeasure for his son’s actions. (Maryland Calendar of Wills, Volume 14, page 724).

The fate of James Ward is unknown, but George Wells finally married Susanna Ward on 16 June 1725 (Queen Anne Parish Register). Either James Ward was dead by that date or he had been declared officially to have abandoned his wife, allowing her to remarry in the church. George Wells became the head of the Ward household and the father to all of the Ward children. The genuine affection held by the Ward children for George Wells from an early date is reflected in a deed from 8 December 1726, less than 18 months after his marriage to Susannah Ward, in which Thomas Ward, the son of James Ward, gave “for natural love and affection I bear unto my well beloved father-in-law (stepfather) George Wells for his great care and trouble of me in my affliction of sickness - all my crop of Indian corn and tobacco.” (Prince George’s County, Maryland Land Records 1726-1730, Liber M, page 103). The affection for George Wells, or the knowledge that he was his biological father, extended to Nathan Ward as well. On 30 June 1735, Nathan and his wife Margaret christened their first born son in Queen Anne Parish and named him “Wells Ward,” obviously in honor of George Wells. (Brown, Helen W., "Prince George's County, Maryland, Indexes of Church Registers, 1686-1885," Vol. 1, p. 197).

"Revision of the Thomas Wells article with new information I received from an "Old English" expert. The occupation of George Wells was listed as "drayman" in the baptisms of his older children and "brewer's servant" in later baptismal records".

Elizabeth married George Wells at St. Olive on 15 November 1626.She was buried at St. Olive as Elizabeth “Mallas” 19 February 1682.

• Reference: WikiTree Genealogy - SmartCopy: Jun 19 2022, 1:49:11 UTC