Maj. Charles Hammond

Excerpted from Anne Arundel Gentry, by Harry Wright Newman:

Charles Hammond, son of Major General John Hammond and his wife, was born at "Mountain Neck" on the Severn. Inasmuch as his marriage occurred about 1690, he could not be an issue of the Widow Roper, but was probably born about 1670. He was well provided for by the will of his father in 1707, and while several of his brothers established their dwelling-plantations in other than the parental parish, he remained in St. Anne's, where references to his children's birth or baptism may be found.

He married Hannah Howard, born about 1678, a daughter of Philip and Ruth (Baldwin) Howard, and thus a union of the one-time Quaker Baldwins and the Puritan Howards occurred. She was the sole-heiress of Philip Howard, so brought a large estate to her spouse, and her two sons, Charles and Philip, were likewise enriched by the will of their maternal grandfather in 1704.

His honours were during the days when Maryland was under the Crown, and his voting in the Lower House would indicate that he favoured the liberal or anti-Proprietary Party. He was first elected to a seat in the Lower Chamber from Anne Arundel in 1710 and was re-elected continuously until his death. In 1696 he was one of the military officers for Anne Arundel County and was styled Major at the time of his death. In 1698 he was a member of the provincial grand jury and also served as Magistrate of the local court in Anne Arundel.

Will

His last will and testament was drawn up on November 16, 1713, in the presence of his neighbours ­Richard Warfield, Alexander Warfield, John Warfield and Ruth Warfield. He was apparently quite ill at the time, for he died on November 23, following. The will was probated at court on January 19, 1713/4. The original is on file at Annapolis and shows that it was written by Alexander Warfield. John Warfield and Ruth Warfield both made their X marks.

To eldest son Charles the lower half of "Rich Neck" of 284 acres, and 100-acre portion of "Howard's Adventure".

To son Philip the Quarter plantation by Towser's Branch, and sufficient land out of "Howard's Adventure" to make 300 acres and all rights to houses, lots and commonages in Annapolis.

To son John "Phelps' Luck" on Elk Ridge.

To son Rezin the residue of "Rich Neck" and 100 acres of "Howard's Adventure".

To son Nathaniel "Whitticars Choice" of 100 acres in Balto. Co., and "Hammond's Forrest" of 362 acres in Anne Arundel Co.

Son Charles was to be of age from the date of the will and the other sons at 19, and the daughters Mahitabal and Ruth at 16 or marriage.

Executors ­wife and sons Charles and Philip.

The inventory of the personal estate was filed in Anne Arundel County and was appraised at .£876/19/7. Included in the items were much wearing apparel with a cloak valued at £5, silk stockings, drum, trumpet, silver tankard, silver spoons, three rings, 14 negroes, 120 gallons of cyder, 100 gallons of wine, 4 gallons of rum, 1 gallon of lime juice, and 1 gallon of brandy. An additional inventory on February 14, 1714/5, reported £213/14/4 including .£80 received from London merchants.

On August 15, 1714, the widow married Edmund Benson, according to the register of St. Anne's. They filed an account upon the estate of Major Charles Hammond on February 14, 1714/5, reporting assets of £1090/14.

On November 1, 1727, Edmund Benson for the better maintenance of his wife, Hannah Benson, deeded to her son, Philip Hammond, in trust "Benson's Lott", of 150 acres in Anne Arundel, being part of a tract surveyed for John Duvall called "Duvall's Delight" formerly in Baltimore County but then in Anne Arundel, also "Good Range", "Edmonston", of 197 acres, and "Venture", of 21 acres. On December 6, 1746, Philip Hammond assigned these tracts to his mother for five shillings, whereupon she reassigned them to him in fee.

Edmund Benson died intestate, presumably with many outstanding bills. On December 26, 1734, his widow, Hannah Benson, renounced all rights to the administration. Letters were granted to William Chapman agent for Philip Smith, of London, Merchant, the greatest creditor.

"Madam Hannah Benson Departed this Life on the 9th day of February 1752. She was in the 74th year of her age".

Letters of administration were granted to John Hammond, with Charles Hammond and Phil Hammond as his sureties. Beside all three signatures are paper-covered impressions of coats-of-arms, the shield and mantling are definitely visible. Other witnesses were John Brice, Sarah Brice, Richard Dorsey and Beale Nicholson ­all signing in an intelligent script.

The inventory of the personal estate with its appraisement was not returned at court in Anne Arundel County until March 12, 1755, with Henry Griffith as the administrator d.b.n. The inventory included only three negro slaves, whereas the total value was .£247/-/10. The kinsmen who approved were Charles Hammond and Phil Hammond, while Benjamin Tasker executor of Samuel Ogle, Esq., and Samuel Chapman attorney for William Black signed as the greatest creditors.

Hammond, the fourth son, remained a bachelor and died in I739. He bequeathed his best riding horses to his friend, Vachel Denton, and the residue of his estate real and personal to his brother, Philip. The witnesses were Vachel Denton, Lanc Jacques and Richard Rawlings. At its probation on October 17, 1739, Vachel Denton renounced his legacy. The latter wrote the instrument and beside the signature of the testator is a perfect impression of the Denton arms. The final account listed no distribution to the heirs. 

_________________________________________________ 

Hammond, Charles, Major, A. A. Co.,16th Nov., 1713; 19th Jan., 1713. To eld. son Charles and hrs., lower half of 284 A., "Rich Neck," and 100 A., part of 500 A., "Howard's Adventure". To son Philip and hrs., Quarter plantation by Towsers Branch, and sufficient land out of "Howard's Adventure" to make 300 A., and all rights, etc., to houses, lots and commonages in Annapolis. To son John and hrs., 238 A., "Phelps Luck," on Elk Ridge, in Balto. Co. To son Rezin and hrs., residue of "Rich Neck" and 100 A., part of "Howard's Adventure." To son Nathaniel and hrs., 100 A., "Whitticars Choice" in Balto. Co., and 362 A., "Hammond's Forrest" in A. A. Co. Son Charles to be of age from date of will, and other sons at 19 yrs.; daus. Mahitabal and Ruth at 16 yrs. or marriage. Son wife Hannah and child. afsd., personal estate. Exs.: Wife afsd. and sons Chas. and Philip. Test: Rich'd Warfield, Alex. Warfield, Jno. Warfield, Ruth Warfield. 13. 608. MARYLAND CALENDAR OF WILLS: Volume 3

__________________________________________________ 

1712-Charles Hammond conveys to Elizabeth Hammond, widow, 2 tracts: Flushing 100 acs. & Deep Creek Pt. 50 acs.

__________________________________________________ 

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Nov 20 2017, 1:41:56 UTC