Rachel Kilburne

Biography

Day of birth could be June 5.

From http://www.anamericanfamilyhistory.com/Beard%20Family/BeardRachelCl...

Rachel (Beard) Clark Stimpson Proctor Kilburn Freeborn was born about 1650 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Her parents were Richard Beard and Rachel Robbins.

Rachel's first husband was Neal (Neale) Clark (Clarke, Clerk). Neal was born about 1640. He was probably a son or close relative of Robert Clark for whom Clarke's Inheritance was originally laid out.

He owned part of the plantations Clarke's Inheritance (also known as Crouche's Gift or Clark's Inheritance) and probably, Clark's Luck which he no doubt turned over to Neal, Jr. before he died.

Neal's children included:

• Elizabeth Clark Ridgely (about 1663, married William Ridgely),
• Neal Clark, Jr. (about 1664, married Jane Jones),
• Richard Clark (about 1665, married Elizabeth Mariarte),
• Samuel Clark,
• Rachel Clark Robinson (about 1668, married Thomas Robinson), and
• Ruth Clark.

Some of these children may not Rachel's or she was a very young mother having been born about 1650.

In 1674, her step-grandfather, George Puddington, let 20 shillings each to her children and to her husband.

Neal, Sr.'s will was probated on July 3, 1678. Rachel was the executrix and she inherited the entire estate while she remained a widow or until their sons became 18. Samuel inherited the home plantation and Richard received Clarke's Inheritance. The daughters only inherited if her sons died. His will was witnessed by Richard Sidebottom and George Ardes.

She married her second husband, John Stimpson (Stinson), about 1680.

John and Rachel's children John, Rachel and Comfort are described detail in the section on John Stimpson.

John died in 1688 when he was only about 30 years old. Rachel received the entire estate during her life.

Her third husband was innkeeper and surveyor, Robert Proctor. Robert had been married before to Elizabeth Morley Freeman who was the widow of John Freeman and daughter of Joseph Morley. He was an heir of his father-in-law, Joseph Morley. He and John Gaither were the executors, and legatees of Morley's whole estate.He had a daughter, Rachel Proctor Cross (1667, married John Cross).

He owned Proctor's Landing on the South River, as well as a mill and 600 acres. Proctor's Landing.

Proctor's Landing which, among other things, served as a meeting place for legislators. Results of recent documentary research suggest that Proctor'sLanding was located in Londontowne on the South River. (from "Archaeological Excavations at the Sands House" (18AP47) - DRUM by C O'Reilly, 1994)

In 1681, Robert wrote a urgent letter to Colonel William Burgess saying that some of the indigenous people had attacked several homes and plantations.

In 1684, Robert donated land for the town of Annapolis.

The Acts of 1683, chapter 5 of the General Assembly, appointed commissioners to lay out a town at Proctor's. Prior to this time the town had not been surveyed. (from "Archaeological Excavations at the Sands House" (18AP47) - DRUM by C O'Reilly, 1994)

On January 30, 1687, Neal, Jr. sold Clark's Luck to William Griffith.

In May 1694, Robert assigned all his property to Rachel, and gave her power of attorney. He died in 1695.

Her fourth husband was Richard Kilburn. Richard's children included:

• William Kilburn and
• Elizabeth Kilburn.

Richard died in 1698.

Rachel wrote her will on March 4, 1700/01.

She left the mill at Proctor’s to her daughters, Rachel Greenberry and Comfort Stimpson. Comfort also was to inherit four lots on the town common. She also gave property to close associates.

Her daughters, Rachel Greenberry and Comfort Stimpson, received furniture, lots in Annapolis, a large silver "porring," a small silver tankard, a large silver cordial cup, silver punch cups, and silver spoons.

Her step-son and his wife, William and Elizabeth Killburne received several memorials.

Charles Carroll received twenty shillings for a ring.

Her granddaughter, Rachel Clark, received a silver bodkin and a gold ring.

Henry Davis, Sr. received a memorial.

Her granddaughter, Anna Hammond, daughter of Charles and Rachel Greenberry, received a negro girl.

In 1701, she married her fifth husband, Thomas Freeborn (Freebourne). Thomas was born on December 8, 1650 in Catherington, Hants, England. He owned Freeborne's Progress.

Thomas's children included: Richard Freeborn, Sarah Freeborn Sampson, Jane Freeborn Thomas Priscilla Freeborn, and Anne Freeborne Peverell Smith Thomas (about 1680, married David Peverell, George Smith, and David Thomas).

In the early 1700s, Rachel's son, Richard Clark, terrorized Annapolis.

On May 18, 1705 Rachel was jailed.

Ordered that the Sherriff of Ann Arundell County take into his Custody Rachell the Wife of Thomas Freeborne so that he have her before his Exncy & this board at tenn of the Clock on Monday next to answer to such things as on her Matys behalf Shall be Objected agt her and to be dealt with According to Law.

On May 21, 1705 Rachel was convicted of treason.

Orders that he should not Suffer any Persons to Converse wth or any Messages to be sent to Mrs Rachel Freeborne this Day Comitted for Treason & Treasonable practices unless some of her Matys honble Councill be present. . .

On May 23, 1705, Charles Stevens, who was Dr. Robert Hooper's servant, testified that Benjamin Celie's jail break in fall, 1704 was planned and instigated by Rachel.

[Rachel's step-daughter] Sarah Freeborne on Monday last told this Deponent that Mrs Rachell Freeborne told old Mrs Story and [her sister] Mrs Rebeccah Nicholson that she Asked Humphrey if he Could not Contrive a way to let the Prisoners out and Humphrey answered

Lord Mistress No I canot do it it's a hanging matter

to Which she Replyed

No can't you do it you are a Smith and have Files to gett their Irons of and may do it that no body may know it. It will be a means for you to gett Ridd of your Slavery for Celie and Richard Clarke know all the Country over.

This Deponent veryly believes Mrs Rachel Freeborne Advised Humphery to let out the Prisoners for that before the Prison was Broke She said in his hearing It was pitty Celie should be in Prison so long. And ffurther Humphery told him she was very kind to him in sending or Carrying him Drachms of the Bottle more than usuall.

In 1708, her son, Richard Clark, was hung without a trial.

Rachel's fifth husband, Thomas Freeborn, died on January 4, 1713.

In 1716, Rachel sold a house and lot adjoining Colonel Henry Ridgely to Charles Carroll and deeded Turkey Quarter to her son, Neal Clark.

Thomas Freeborn's will was probated on January 13, 1717. His son, Richard, inherited Freeborne's Progress along with his daughter, Sarah Sampson. His daughters, Sarah Sampson, Jane Thomas, Priscilla Freeborn, and Anne Freeborn and his granddaughter, Freenater Thomas, inherited his personal property. The witnesses were Daniel Beaver, John Beale, and John Moore.

Rachel died in 1724 when she was in her mid 70s.

Slavery is an immoral system of forced labor where people are treated as property to be bought and sold. It was legal in the American Colonies and the United States until the Civil War.

European and indiginous American fought fierce battles as the Europeans expanded their territory.

A bodkin is a thick blunt needle with a large eye used to draw cord through a hem.

Planter is an archaic term for a settler. Plantation was a method of colonization where settlers were "planted" abroad. A plantation is also the kind of large farm that was the economical basis of many American Colonies and owners of these farms were also called planters.

Personal property can be called personalty (personality), goods, chattels, articles, or movable property. It includes both animate or inanimate property.

Notes

• Clarke, Neale, A. A. Co.,26th Sept., 1675; 3rd July, 1676.
• To wife Rachel, execx., entire estate during widowhood or until sons attain age of 18 yrs.
• To son Samuel and hrs., home plantation.
• To son Richard and hrs., 400 A. of "Clarke's Inheritance" on South R.
• To 3 daus. (unnamed), sd. lands equally in event of death of sons afsd. without issue.
• Test: Richd. Sidebottom, Geo. Ardes. 5.73.

Ric Saunders note: His will was proved 3 July 1676, not 1678 as transcribed. refer to https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C914-J9HN-H

References

• https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I5284...