John Compton, of Charles County

Disputed origins

There is no evidence supporting John Compton, of Charles County as son of John Compton, of Kent & Roxbury & Susannah Compton with a birth of 20 April 1638 at Ipswich, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony. Robert Charles Anderson profiled that couple in The Great Migration Begins, < AmericanAncestors > and their only known child was Abigail Busby.

FamilySearch references user submitted collections: (SAR Membership application for a descendant; Find A Grave, and Ancestry’s Family Data Collection).

JOHN COMPTON (1-1) the first of this family to reach American soil as far as is known, came to Maryland from England about 1662. CAVALIERS and PIONEERS by Nugent Vol I p 147 shows a John Compton transported to Mockjack Bay area of Va near the Severn River by Thomas Williams in Aug 31, 1643. The question that will probably remain unsolved is whether this is our John Compton or not. (According to Skordas' "Early Settlers of Maryland" John Compton was in Charles Co prior to 1664 L. 7 f 490 ). Some will argue that if a person was transported by someone else then how could he have obtained land so quickly. His first piece of land was Brathwood, in Charles Co, an estate of 800 acres surveyed for him was patented 12 June 1665. Also a patent of 200 acres called Boswell was also issued the same year. So it seems John was not destitute when he arrived to have acquired over 1000 acres of land. In 1675 he married Mary Clarke, widow of Robert Douglas and daughter of John Clarke( will dated 12 Aug 1698- 6.177) and probably granddaughter of Robert Clarke (will dated 21 July 1664-1.208) It appears John Compton was born in England circa 1629 and died by 18 Jan 1717/18 Charles Co, Md when will was probated.

John Compton II, was son of John Compton I of Roxbury. It says he was born in Ipswich though. The reason being is unknown. John Compton II was 14 years old when his father died. His fathers first cousin was Sir Henry Compton the Bishop of London. Henry adopted young John. John went back to England, Henry gave John Compton II, 800 acres of land that was called Brathwood in Charles County, Maryland. John went back to the colonies, where he died. John Compton II had a son he named John as well. John Compton II's grandson (John IV) moved to Halifax County, Virginia (Today it's Henry County, VA,USA

• Reference: Find-A-Grave

Last Will and Testament of John F. COMPTON: Charles County, Maryland: 29 May 1713: In the name of God Amen. The 29th of May 1713. I, John COMPTON, being sick and weake of body but of sound and perfect memory praise be to God for the Same, and knowing the uncertainty of this life on earth and being desirous to tittle things in order, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. That is to say first and principally I Commend my soul to almighty God my Creator assuredly believeing (sic) that I shall receive full pardon and free remission of all my sins and be saved by the precise Death and merits of my blessed Saviour and redeemer Christ Jesus, and my body to the earth from whence it was taken to be buried in such decent and Christian manner.

As to my Executors hereafter named shall be thought meet and convenient, and as touching such worldly Estate as the Lord in mercy hath lent me, my will and meaning in the same shall be employed and bestowed as hereafter by this my will.

First I will that all my Debts and duties as I owe in right or conscience to any manner of person or persons whatsoever shall be well and truly Contented and paid or ordained to be paid by my Executors hereafter named within Convenient time after my Decease.

Item - I give and bequeath to my eldest Sonne John two thirds of my Patent Land that lies both in Charles County and Saint Marys County and allso (sic) two thirds of my moveable Estate, both household goods and horses or whatever value of right or Justice belonges (sic) to me.

Item - I give and bequeath to my Sonn Matthew the one third part of my Patent Land that lies both in Charles and Saint Marys Countys. All the Land in both Countys being divided in three parts, my eldest Sonn John Shall have two and my Sonn Matthew one and my Sonn Matthew allso (sic) the third part of my personall (sic) Estate.

Item - I will that neither my Sonn John nor my Sonn Matthew shall enjoy my lands no longer than these shall live and then itt (sic) shall goe (sic) to the next ears (sic- heirs) apparent of them both and so as any or one of the family of the Comptons shall continue in this world, either of the ears (sic- heirs) of my Sonn John or my Sonn Matthew COMPTON.

Item - I will that my Sonn John shall immediately enjoy one third part of my Patent Land together with my wife.

Item - I appoint my Sonn John and my Sonn Matthew Joint, Executors of my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal this 29th of May 1713.

Delivered as my last will and testament before signing and sealing.

John F COMPTON

Philip BRISCOE

Sen. John X FARSON

Susannah BRISCOE < wife of MATTHEW COMPTON On the back of this will was endorsed the following probate to wit, Charles County, Philip BRISCOE Seni(or) John FARSON and Susannah BRISCOE subscribing witnesses to the written will, Depose on the holy Evangetial of almighty God that they either of them saw John COMPTON within named sign and seal the within instrument as his last will and testament and that he published and declared the same to be and there at the time after so doing he was of sound and perfect mind and memory to the best of their knowledge before this fifth day of March Anno Domini 1718.

• Reference: Charles County, Maryland, Orphans Court Wills 1665-1767 (Will #3 1704-1733, pp. 78-79, Liber 15, folio H of R, Folio 8) - Maryland Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland

John Compton (1651) married Mary Clarke (1646). Mary was the daughter of Robert Clarke.

They settled in Charles County Maryland on an estate of eight hundred acres called Brathwood.

John and Mary's children probably included:

1. John Compton, Jr. (1667 - 1714, died before father)
2. Samuel Compton (1669),
3. Matthew Compton (1671, married Susannah Briscoe, daughter of Colonel Philip Briscoe and Susannah Swan),
4. Gerard Compton (1673),
5. Eleanor Compton ( 1677, married Henry Hardy).
6. James Compton (1679)
7. Ralph Compton (1681).

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.

William Compton, son of John Compton, Jr. (1677) married Mary Clarke.

Family of Hay by Charles J. Colcock

The Compton history in American began in the Province of Maryland with John Compton [d. 1717/18] as immigrant. he came from Northampton, England and the name of the English estate is Compton Wyngates. He settled in Maryland on an estate of eight hundered acres called Brathwood.

Records show a marriage to Mary Douglas, 1675, daughter of Robert Clark and widow of Robert Douglas. [This can't be true since their first child was supposedly born in 1667]

Their children were:

1. John Compton, Jr. born 1667 [d. 1714, before father].
2. Samuel Compton, born 1669.
3. Matthew Compton born 1671, married Susannah Briscoe, daughter of Colonel Philip Briscoe and Susannah Swan.
4. Gerard Compton born 1673
5. Eleanor Compton born 1677; married Henry Hardy.
6. James Compton born 1679
7. Ralph Compton born 1681.

William Compton, son of John Compton, Jr. (1677) married Mary Clarke and their son, William Clarke Compton, married Elizabeth Elgin in Charles County, Maryland. In 1778 they moved to Flint Hill, Culpeper County, Virginia.

Maryland was established with religious freedom for Catholics. The colonial economy was based on tobacco cultivated by African who had been enslaved.

Charles County Land Records Liber L#2 Page 66. At the request of John Chunn Jr of Charles County, the following patent and assignment was recorded this Dec 20, 1722.

Caecilius, Proprietary of Maryland. Know that we, for and in consideration that John Compton & Rob. Page of Maryland, planters, have due them 500 acres of land, assigned sd Compton and Page, the assignee of Bridgett [Yowkins] Heard, the relict of Wm Heard, and 300 acres more out of a -- for 350 acres the sd page as appears - record papers such conditions and terms as are expressed.in our..,Conditions of. Plantation of the Province of Maryland or our greater Seal dated at London Jul 2, 1649, with such alterations as is made by our Declaration dated Sep 25, 1658, remaining of record in Maryland, do hereby grant to sd John Compton and Robert Page, a parcel of land (called Brothwood, [Brathwood] lying in St Mary's County in the woods, bounded by a bounded white oak of Edward Swann called Sagteston, [Eagleton] containing and laid out for about 800 acres.

Signed Sep 20, 1665- Charles Calvert. Know that we, John Compton and Robert Page of St Mary's County, for a valuable consideration to us in hand paid, we have sold to Walter Bayne, our right to the within mentioned land. Signed May 15, 1666 - John (jc his mark) Compton, Robert Page. Wit - Jonathan Marlow, Andrew Ward.

1642-1753 Rent Rolls Charles County, Maryland Hundred - Newport: Rent Roll page/Sequence: 369-51:

Other Tracts Mentioned: Eagleton; Conveyance notes - Possessed by Walter Bayne for his brother Ebsworth Bayne, 100 Acres- Samuel Love from Ebsworth Bayne; 28 Jan 1715; 100 Acres- Samuel Love from Ebsworth Bayne; 11 Nov 1718, Joseph Allen from Ebsworth Bayne; 22 Feb 1715, 469 Acres - John Chunn Jr. from Ebsworth Bayne; 23 May 1717; 480 Acres - John Chunn Jr. from Ebsworth Bayne; 16 Sep 1719, 800 Acres - John Chunn Jr. from William Compton; 8 March 1721, Joseph Allen Jr. from Joseph Allen Sr.; 6 Nov 1729; John Wilson from Joseph Allen; 30 May 1746, 12 Acres - Samuel Love from Joseph Allen; 8 March 1745

Lord Baltimore, Cecil Calvert (1605 -1675), 2nd Baron Baltimore was the first governor of Maryland. Phillip Calvert (1626–1682), was the 5th governor from 1660 to1665. Charles Calvert (1637 – 1715), 3rd Baron Baltimore inherited the colony in 1675.

The first European settlements in Maryland were made in 1634 when English settlers created a permanent colony.

from 1642-1753 Rent Rolls Charles County, Maryland Hundred - Newport: Rent Roll page/Sequence: 375-17:

Eagleton: 615 acres; Possession of - 615 Acres - Swann, Samuel: Surveyed 9 July 1669 for Edward Swann in the woods near Piles Fresh at a bound[ary] poplar near the head of a branch:

80 Acres - Samuel Swann from Philip Briscoe; 19 June 1725,12 Acres - Samuel Love from Thomas Swann; 17 July 1732, 38 Acres - Samuel Love from Thomas Swann; 23 Aug 1746

Sources

• http://www.anamericanfamilyhistory.com/Maryland%20Families/Compton%... “ John Compton was born about 1651. He married Mary Clarke. Mary was the daughter of Robert Clarke and the widow of Robert Douglas. They settled in Charles County Maryland on an estate of eight hundred acres called Brathwood.”
• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LJTX-CGR
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14884530/john-compton
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14866749/john-compton claims: “ John's father was Thomas Compton of Compton Wynyates. John had a son named John Compton. When John Compton Sr died his son John Compton Jr was adopted by his first cousin Henry Compton who was the Archbishop of London. John Compton Jr went back to England and then came back to America and settled in Charles County Maryland at his Brathwood Estate, over a few generations the family filtered into Virginia in the Southwestern part of the state(Henry and Pittsylvania Counties).”
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Compton-135 Profiles for John Compton and Susannah Freeman removed as parents. Robert Charles Anderson profiled this John Compton, and his only known child was Abigail.[1]