ANN WHEELER
THE STORY AS I KNOW IT
Ann Wheeler was
born about 1630 either in England or on eastern shore of
Maryland. Her father may have been Henry Wheeler
and her mother may have been Ann Lyndsey.
However, I have yet to see any real documentation to support
the claims or even her birth name.
What we do know is that Ann was married to Richard
Blunt by 1653 probably in England. He
immigrated to Isle of Kent, Maryland in 1649 with
his wife and a daughter Rebecca. His wife is
not named, and it is possible it was a first wife, and he
later married Ann. So far, we just don't know.
He was a planter and patented a parcel named Great Neck
near Martin's Creek on Kent Island in August. of
1650. these bits are from Maryland marriage
Evidence 1634-1718
For some unknown reason the Kent County Court records state
that on March 1, 1655 Richard Blunt gave his
daughter Grace Blunt a heifer. Residents
Appearing the Provincial Court (1647-1656); Kent Co.,
Maryland.
Richard Blunt was a County Commissioner serving at
least from 1667 - 1669. Ann Blunt had an
interesting assignment by 1667/8 court. It is assumed
because she was held in esteem in the community. She
was ordered by the Kent County Court to search
Hannah Jenkins for evidence of childbirth.
Richard Blunt had at least 8 children. I believe most, if not all were our Ann's children also. We can only guess at most of their ages
1. Rebecca Blunt - born pre 1649
2. Samuel Blunt
3. Richard Blunt
4. Grace Blunt - by march 1, 1655
5. Thomas Blunt
6. Josias Blunt - born Oct 21, 1662,
christened St. Paul's Parish, Kent County MD
7. Apprill Blunt - born April 3, 1666,
christened St. Paul's parish, Kent county MD
8. Robert Blunt - born Sept 16, 1668,
christened St. Paul's parish, Kent County MD.
Richard Blunt died summer of 1669. His will
was recorded Aug. 17, 1669. He names
wife Ann: the plantation to be her's during
her life unless she remarried.
sons: Samuel & Richard - to have the
plantation when his wife died or she remarried
sons: Josias and Robert to have 200 acres on the
Patapsco River ( which is on the western shore and today
leads into Baltimore)
daughters: Aprill, Grace, Rebecca and son Thomas
to have "Personalty" - which means things like
animals, furniture, etc not cash or land.
We know Richard could sign his name, was a leader
in the community, a man of property and probably younger
than 60. While we don't know the age of all their
children, Ann had at least 3 children under 10 when
Richard died, and her eldest son was not yet
20. She married very soon.
Richard Nash married Ann Blunt, sometime before April 20, 1670 and after Oct. 1669. The Kent County Maryland Court Proceedings 1647-1676 notes that "Richard Nash, boatwright, of the Island of Kent, appointed his wife Ann Nash to be his lawful attorney in his absence . April 20, 1670"
There is a Kent County Court record for June 20, 1670, Liver C, folio 37, it states "Ann, wife of Richard Nash .... a gift of hers in her former husbands life, Mr. Richard Blunt of a heiffer by her given unto Abell the sonn of John Maggison. Then it said "Richard Blunt buried Sept 16, 1669, Thomas, son of Ann Blunt buried Oct. 31, 1669. " What a tough time for Ann, but not unusual.
Maryland Calandar of Wills, by Baldwin, Vol I On April 14, 1671 the will for Tobias Apelford of Kent Island was filed. Richard Nash was the Executor and residuary legaee of the estate. I do not know what the relationship was between the two men or what the estate consisted of.
Skordas in his Early Settlers of Maryland, notes that liber 17, folio 26, 68 held in Md Historical Society show that Richard Nash was transported in 1672. I believe this must be when they left Kent Island and moved to Cecil County further up the bay.
From the Calvert paper page 884, and Index to Rent Rolls of Cecil county page 131 High Park, 200 acres, was surveyed Jan 1, 1676 for Richard Nash on the south side of the Bohemia River. A Patent Certificate for this same land was create for Richard Nash, 1683, "not complete". Lib 19, folio 580. Probably not complete because he had died. However, I have a further note that the land was patent, under Richard Nash name, 1734. Lib C#3, folio 274 This would be his son.
Richard and Ann Nash had 2 children, both probably born on Kent island before the move to Cecil County.
1. Richard Nash, born 1671-72
2. Thomasin Nash, born 1671-72
Richard Nash, may have become ill in 1679. He makes out his will, April 28, 1679. re Maryland Calandar of Wills, Vol I (maybe IV, it is hard to read my writing) by Baldwin. It is proved October 25, 1680. It is witnessed by Jonathan Linssly and Robert Kimble. He names to :
Naming his brother, and his son and daughter was greatly appreciated. However, there are questions raised:
*brother Alexander Nash, Personalty
*John Linsys, Personalty
*Hugh Foucke, Jr. 150 acres on the Elk river
*Grace Chessell, 100 acres of the same track
**wife (unnamed) residuary legatee
* son Richard
* daughter Thomasin
1. I'm assuming the Jonathan Linssly and John Linsys are the same person. But they may not be. There is speculation on the web that Ann's mother's maiden name was Linssly.
2. Was Grace Chessell her daughter? and possibly Hugh Foucke and John Linsys son-in-laws to Ann's daughters by Richard Blunt. ?
Richard Nash died shortly before October 25, 1680. Leaving Ann a widow with 6 living children between the ages of 18 and 10. Richard obviously had property, but I don't know how much. 250 acres are mentioned in the will, but what the residuary is I don't know. I could not find Ann Nash selling any property. I also do not know if she had a will, or when she died.
His brother, Alexander Nash, still lived in Kent County Maryland. His will was written Oct. 30, 1676 and proved less than a year after his brother. I do not have the documentation source. If you do, please contact me. He leaves his home to his niece, Thomasin Nash, and the residue of his estate to the Quaker Church. Very nice that we have the connection clear between the families. This was the first mention of the Quakers. Thomasin later became a member of the Anglican church. It was believed that the brothers left Ireland as Catholic. What is the story there?
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