Ann Harrison was born 1635 in probably in Bristol England. Her father may have been Richard Harrison, mother unknown.
Sometime between 1655 and 1670 she married Abraham Birckhead, also born in Bristol. They probably married in Bristol but emigrated to Anne Arundel County Maryland before 1680. They were Quaker. From The Origins of Anne Arundel County by Margaret Willis Sparrow comes this bit of perpetuate history:
"Governor Stone, hearing of the persecution of the Virginia Puritans, therefore invited them to come to Maryland to live; guaranteeing
freedom of religion. Two hundred families of about 1,000 Puritans moved in 1649 to “Providence” – unoccupied land on
the Chesapeake Bay north of the Patuxent River from Herring Bay to the Magothy River. The Puritans requested a law similar to
the one passed in England in 1647 guaranteeing freedom of religion. This was passed by the Maryland Assembly in 1649 - the
first Act of Religious Toleration granted in this country."
Most likely our Abraham and Ann were not part of the original group, but moved there because of the guarantee.
There only known child was Abraham Birckhead Jr. born about 1666. A daughter, Mary Birckhead is also attributed to this couple, but I have not any documentation.
Abraham Birckhead owned a number of land tracks in Herring Creek Hundred, Anne Arundel county where he raised Tobacco.
Abraham Birckhead's will was dated Jan 7, 1684/85 and proved Nov. 23, 1685 in Anne Arundel County Court Will Book AA. The will names his wife Anne, only son Abraham Jr., age 18, sister Margaret Smith and lists her children,nephew Thomas Roger. Overseers listed were Nehemiah Birkhead, Richard Harrison, Richard Purnell. Most likely these were relatives also in Maryland. So there may have been a family group immigration. His land was listed as 1272 acres including Birkhead's Chance on Lyons Creek, Birckhead Parcel, Birckhead Mill, Birckhead Addition, Birkhead Rights and Quick Sale.
It is possible they had daughters, who went unnamed in the will. Either left behind in England, died or married and moved off. I have a note that says Anne Birckhead died 1687 but I do not know the source. Most of this information came from The Birckhead/Burkhead Families online. All needs confirmation.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
If you know the answer please CONTACT US.
1. Who was Ann's mother
2. Get confirmation of her birth date
3. When did they emigrate from England
4. Find marriage confirmation
5. Were there other children? probably daughters.
6. Get confirmation of her death.
Maier_Associates: © Copyright 2012
Doc; gshar010
Last Saved on: 12/27/2012