William Cromwell, of Anne Arundel County

source for his ancestry: Colonial Families of the United States, pp 107-108.

Additional source: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cromwell-30

Biography

William was a Friend (Quaker) Birth and Parents William Cromwell was born about 1655.[1]

Marshall states that William Cromwell was born in Malmesbury, Wiltshire and that he was the son of Henry Cromwell who died 18 September 1657 in Baltimore County, Maryland, however, this is prior to the arrival of Cromwells in Maryland, and no source is provided for the Malmesbury origin. [1]

1671 Immigration Mackenzie states that William Cromwell of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, came to Maryland with his brother John in the Benona Eaton, 11 March 1671 but notes that from the land records at Annapolis they appear to have been here earlier. [2]

William and John Cromwell were transported into Maryland in 1667 on the "Benoli Eaton" by Henry Hosier, a merchant of Kent County, where they first settled before removing to the Patapsco River. (Mar 11 1671 ?? ) In 1670 Hosier proved his rights to 1,050 acres of land in transporting 21 persons among whom were the names William Cromwell.[3]

William Cromwell claimed he transported himself to the Maryland colony in a patent record dated 1667 [4] He first appears in Calvert County, but soon removed to Anne Arundel County, taking up land on the south side of the Patapsco River, on the west side of Curtis Creek.[5]

Calvert County They settled first in Calvert County, Maryland and later in Anne Arundel County. [2]

The two brothers remained in Calvert County at least three years, for on December 16, 1670, George Yate, Deputy Surveyor for a valuable consideration assigned to William and John, both of Calvert County, all his rights, title and interest to a tract of land containing 300 acres, the same being part of a warrant of 615 acres granted to George Yate on December 1, 1670. This conveyance of George Yate was patented to the Cromwell's on July 1, 1671 under the name of "Cromwell's Adventure".[6]

Anne Arundel County Planters They became large landed proprietors and prominent in the affairs of Anne Arundel County. [2]

Baltimore County William Cromwell was living in Baltimore County by 1679 when he was accused by George Yate, the administrator of the estate of Robert Wilson, of stealing a grey gelding belonging to the Wilson's estate.[7]

1681 Purchases land on South Side of Patapsco 1681 - Richard & Elizabeth Johns of the Clifts in Calvert Co. (see Richard Johns) convey to William Cromwell for the price of 1 casque of merchantable tobacco a 400 acre tract called Kinsey located on the south side of the Patapsco R.[8] 1683 - 134 acres called Hunting Quarter, Anne Arundel Co. [9] Coldham shows Hunting Quarter, 134 acres, patented 30 May 1683 (Reference liber 31, folio 213) but in Baltimore County. [10] 1684 - 61 acres called Philip's Fancy, AA Co. [11]Coldham shows Philip's Fancy Nanticoke Indian Expedition William received payment of 40 pounds of tobacco for his services in the expedition against the Nanticoke Indians. [2]

First marriage William had a first marriage, however the name of his wife or children is not known.[2]

Second marriage William married secondly Elizabeth Trahearne.[2]

Before 1678 in Baltimore County, Maryland, William Cromwell married Elizabeth Trahern, (1662-1703) [1]

William probably did not marry until he settled at Patapsco River sometime before 1677. He was married to a woman named Elizabeth Trahearne who may have been a widow. She married to George Ashman after his decease.

1680 Death and Will William Cromwell died 3 March 1684/1685 in Baltimore County, Maryland [1]

In the name of God Amen, the 19th day of June 1680. Know ye all Christian people to whom this presents shall or may come ye. I William Cromwell of Baltimore County in ye Province of Maryland being of sound & perfect memory . . . my executor hereafter named shall think fit & convenient by her maiden name Elizabeth Trahearne being now my dearest & loving wife whom I appoint my whole executrix of this my last will . . .

I will my plantation I now live on called Cromwell’s Adventure 100 acres more or less adjoining to it called Mascalls Hope to my dear wife Elizabeth Cromwell during her life, but when my son, William shall come to ye age of 17 my will is he shall have ye adjoining land to my plantation called Mascalls Hope & after ye decease of my wife, my will is he enjoy my part of the plantation between my brother John & Me known by ye name of Cromwells Adventure ye said land I leave to my son William & to continue in ye name of Cromwells to ye nearest of blood after ye decease of all of ye name of Cromwell. I give to my loving son, Thomas Cromwell ye tract of land I have on the north side of Curtis Creek being laid out for 134 acres known by the name of Hunting Quarter . Also, my son shall have ye tract of land that lies in Whetstone Neck being by Davids Pond known by ye name of - - - laid out for 100 acs. My intent being none of ye land be sold by either of my sons or their heirs but to continue in ye name as long as there is any alive & after to ye nearest of blood. I will that my sons William & Thomas be at their own at age 17 to work for themelves & enjoy their land but not to have their part of my personal estate till they come to 21. My personal estate to be equally divided between my wife & my two sons, William & Thomas. John Willmott be ye overseer of this my last will to see it performed. Signed in the presence of Jobe Evans & Mathias Stevenson with the signature of William Cromwell. My will is after my debts are paid & my wife has had thirds that my land & personal estate may be equally divided amongst my children & my will is this above will dated 19 JUN 1680 in full force. I having more land than is mentioned above thought fit to make this addition having more children so everyone might have a share. My meaning is my land may run to my heirs in ye same manner as is mentioned. Likewise my will is my brother Richard should be one of the overseers with John Willmott. Signed in the presence of William Ball, Thomas Clark & Elizabeth Geste by Richard Cromwell. Probate 1 MAY 1684.[12]

This will is one of the few I've seen where the wife's maiden name is mentioned and the land has an entail placed on it to keep it in the Cromwell name. In 1733 William Cromwell petitioned the General Assembly to have the entail on Bear Neck removed and placed on another property. [13]

In 1714 Joshua & William Cromwell recorded a division plat of the tract called Cromwell's Adventure.[14]

Children William was the father of at least two sons who were mentioned in his will and a third son who appears in a later land deed:

William b. abt. 1678 Thomas b. abt. 1681 Joshua b. abt 1684 William, born 1678. William Cromwell of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, was born 1678. Prior to 1700 he married Mary Woolguist, daughter of Arthur Woolguist of Delaware, whose wife was a daughter of Aaron Johnson of New Castle, Delaware. [2] William Cromwell, b. 14 Aug 1678, Baltimore County, Maryland, d. 12 Feb 1735/36, Baltimore County, Maryland - Probate (Age 57 years)[1] Thomas, married Venitia Woolguist of Wales.[2] Thomas Cromwell, b. 19 Jun 1680, Baltimore County, Maryland, d. 12 Aug 1723, Baltimore County, Maryland - Probate (Age 43 years)[1]

Philip[2] Philip Cromwell, b. Abt 1684, Baltimore County, Maryland [1] Joshua[2] Joshua Cromwell, b. 1682, Baltimore County, Maryland, d. Aft 1735, Baltimore County, Maryland (Age > 54 years)[1] Research Notes Disambiguation Skordas reports three separate William Cromwell immigrants to Maryland: [15]

William Cromwell. Record at WC2:18,38.79. Immigrated 1667. Of Baltimore County. William Cromwell. Record at 12:554. Transported 1670. William Cromwell. Record at 16:439. Transported 1671. Servant. Ancestry Other researchers have determined that the Maryland Cromwell's may NOT have descend directly from Sir Henry, the protector's family or the William the Conqueror line. Therefore the father may be incorrect.

Some researchers have named Richard Cromwell as the father of the William & John Cromwell who emigrated to Maryland, but the link to English Cromwell’s is unproven. There was speculation that Richard Cromwell or other sons of John Cromwell of Malmesbury (d.1639) could be candidates for the parents of Cromwell families who settled in Maryland in the 1600's. This is placed here as a lead for further research.

Sources ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Mike Marshall. Early Colonial Settlers of Southern Maryland and Virginia's Northern Neck Counties William Cromwell Accessed 3/18/2019 jhd ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 George Norbury Mackenzie and Nelson Osgood Rhoades, editors. Colonial Families of the United States of America: in Which is Given the History, Genealogy and Armorial Bearings of Colonial Families Who Settled in the American Colonies From the Time of the Settlement of Jamestown, 13th May, 1607, to the Battle of Lexington, 19th April, 1775. 7 volumes. 1912. Reprinted, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1966, 1995. Page 108 Accessed 3/18/2019 jhd ↑ reference needed ↑ Maryland Patents Liber WC2 folios 18, 38 & 79 ↑ Archives of Maryland Vol. 717 pg. 158 ↑ reference needed. (I can't find any source to verify this, do you have the patent no.?) ↑ Archives of MD Vol. 69 pg. 79 ↑ Archives of Maryland Vol. 717 pg. 158 ↑ Maryland Patents Liber 20 folio 319 ↑ Peter Wilson Coldham. Settlers of Maryland 1679-1700. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co, 1995. page 40. ↑ Maryland Patents Liber 21 folio 498 ↑ Prerogative Court Wills Liber 4 folio 26 ↑ Archives of Maryland Vol. 39 pg. 154 ↑ Baltimore County Land Liber TR A folio 329 ↑ Gust Skordas. The Early Settlers of Maryland. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co, 1968. Page 115