Garrett County
MDGenWeb
Aden, his wife, Dorcus Elleen (WILT) DUCKWORTH, and their family
Aden lived on the top of Aaron's Run. He signed the petition to establish Garrett County.
Photo contributed by Barbara Benson
[1664] -
[Archives of
New Jersey, first series, v. 21, page 61] - Records show that a John Duckworth
and 23 other people were imported into the province of New Jersey under a
four-year indenturement. This is registered in the "Secretary's books of
Records", dated December 1, 1664.
[1665] -
[Deeds and Wills, Book
I, 1653 - 1671, page 289] Shows a record of the Will of a William Duckworth,
dated July 13, 1665, and was recorder in November 17, 1665 in Westmoreland
County, Virginia.
[1714 - 1736] - [From the Parish of Crist Church,
Meddlesex, County, Virginia]
CHRISTENINGS
1. "Mary" daughter of
Abell and Faith Duckworth, June 11, 1714, [page 88]
2. "Abell" son of
Abell and Faith Duckworth, born September 13, Baptized September 29, 1717 [page
97]
3. "John" son of Abell and Faith Duckworth, born June 10, Baptized
July 3, 1720 [page 105]
MARRIAGES
1. Thomas Duckworth and Ann
Buford married October 4, 1736 [page 169]
DEATHS
1. Faith
Duckworth died June 23, and buried June 24, 1720 [page 176]
2. Ann Duckworth
died March 19, 1736 [page191]
[1720]
"Abell R. Duckworth" was a
witness to the Will of John Owing of Middlesex county, Virginia on January 20,
1720 [Will Book 1713 - 1734, page 162; Virginia Genealogist, v. 4, page 70]
[1727]
William Duckworth witnessed the Will of Thomas Fox of New
Hanover, Burlington county, New Jersey, January25, 1727 [Ibid., v. 23, page 171]
[1727]
The personal "Estate of William Duckworth", (*Yeoman) of New
Hanover, Burlington County, New Jersey was appraised at L88-9-6, march 7, 1727
by Asher Cleayton, John Wright and Jonathan Fowler. On March 15, 1727 William
Cook gave bond as administrator of the Estate. His accounting of March 22, 1730
included charges for "Sundrys furnished to the Widow in her last sickness, two
coffins and digging two graves". [Ibid., v. 23, page 144]
* Yeoman - Term
according to "New Century Dictionary - Collier Edition" states that a "Yeoman"
is a member of the bodyguard of the English Sovereign, instituted in 1485, which
now consists of 100 Men [with their Officers]. retaining the picturesque
old-time uniform and carrying a Halberd. Also, collectively; hence, a British
Volunteer Cavalry Force. Origin, composed of Yeoman, Farmers and County
Gentlemen, which now forms part of the British Territorial Army.
[1728]
In the May Term 1728 the County Court confirmed William Bowgar and William
Dean were appointed by Grace Duckworth, widow, during her last illness, as
guardians for Joseph Duckworth, Anna Duckworth and Mary Duckworth [Burlington
County, New Jersey "Minutes of Common Pleas, 1717 - 1733, page 330] These were
under 14 years of age, Orphans who are over 14 years choose their own Guardians.
[1731]
Lewis Morris issued a Marriage License for "William Duckworth
of Nottingham, in the County of Burlington, "Yeoman" of the One Party, and Mary
Wright of the same place "Spinster" of the other Party. December 6, 1731 signed
"Robert Pearson".
[1731]
In the Office of Secretary of State at
Trenton, 1665 - 1800 the "Index of Marriage Bonds and Marriage Records" Show
1. William Duckworth and Hannah Clevenger [both of Burlington], August 21,
1731, [page 110].
2. William Duckworth and Mary Wright - December
6, 1731, [page 110]
3. John Duckworth and Sarah Hankins - March 20, 1734,
[page 110]
4. Joseph Duckworth and Ester Ong - June 1, 1737, [page 110]
5. George Duckworth and Jamima Williamson - June 26, 1739, [page 110]
6. Samuel Rose and Anna Duckworth - February 26, 1739, [page 120]
7.
Hugh Hartly and Mary Duckworth - December 29, 1740 [page 140]
[1736]
By "Deeds of Lease and Release" of August 16th and 17th 1736 "William
Phillips of Orange County one Part sold to Thomas Duckworth of Middlesex County
of the other Part", for L88 "Sterling Money of Great Britain" 300 Acres "in the
Little Fork of Rappahannock River and on the Lands of David Phillips and Thomas
Downer lying in Orange County and part of a Patent to the said William
Phillips". John Bufors was a Witness. On August 17, 1736 "William Phillips"
acknowledged his Deeds of Lease and Release for the Land indented to "Thomas
Duckworth which on the motion of 'Robert Turner' in behalf of the said Duckworth
are admitted to record" [Orange County, Virginia, Deed Book 1, page 322 - 325;
Order Book 1, page 105]
[1737 - 1738]
March 21, 1737/38 in Essex
County Court, William Baskett was named Administrator of an Estate of a "Thomas
Duckworth" deceased and gave Bond of L40 Sterling, with William Davis co-signer.
[Essex County, Virginia Orders 1736 - 1738, page 239, 1738 - 1740, page 118;
Will Book 6, page 118 - 119, 125, 164 - 165] No Probate Records was found.
[1738]
Frederick County in Virginia was authorized in 1738 to be cut
off from Orange County, the New County Court was not Functioning before 1743. In
the first 25 years of Frederick County operations, there appears in its records,
as adults, two possibly three John Duckworths and a Joseph Duckworth and two
William Duckworths.
[1749]
William Duckworth is a co-signer with
Elizabeth Baxter of Hunterdon, New Jersey on her Bond of March 30, 1749 as
Administrator of the Estate of her brother, James Danford of Burlington County,
New Jersey. [Ibid., v. 30, page 131]
[1750]
William Duckworth left
his wife Mary (Wright) Duckworth and Children in New Jersey and went to Virginia
and the following "Deed" was Surveyed for him.
[1750]
The above
William Duckworth is in Virginia and has a Survey made for a "William Duckworth"
in October 1750, who had bought the interest of George Heist in a 235 acre tract
in Frederick County (North Neck Plats and Certificates, Grants issued, William
Duckworth), in the [Virginia Archives, Richmond]. The same
bounded.............Moseley's Corner to Evan Thomas's......Containing 235 acres,
George Cunningham and Robert Cunningham "Chain man". The said William Duckworth
(Marker) Captain Low present to witness (Mark). On the outside fold, "Deed Drawn
and Recorded" July 5, 1755.
[1752]
In a debt action a Joseph
Duckworth is named defendant in several actions, and as usual failed to appear
in Court. In the October Term 1752, William Patterson vs. Joseph Duckworth in a
jury trail, plaintiff recovered l10 - 3 - 1 1/2, with interest from November 1,
1749, from Joseph Duckworth or his Surety James Crabtree.
[1753]
A
John Duckworth was "Appointed Constable" for the ensuing year, in Frederick
County, Virginia.
[1753]
April 1753, "Given under my hand, and
Seal of Proprietors Office", G. W. Fairfax authorized Robert Rutherford to make
a survey. "where John Duckworth of Frederick County hath informed that there are
about, 400 Acres of Waste, and Ungranted Land, in the said County adjoining the
North Side of Casper Mires late Survey on Drie Run - and desiring a Warrant to
Survey the same in order to obtain a Deed,.....provided this be the first
warrant from the Proprietors Office Granted to John Duckworth of Frederick
County. I have surveyed for the said Duckworth 4809 Acres in said County, on
westerly side of Shenandoah, on a branch of Crooked Run.....(joining) Land
Survey for Samuel Morse...for Captain John Hite.... for Casper Mire. Chainman
were "Samuel Morse and Edward Cartmel". No other action seems to have taken
place on the final Title until after the Revolution. Then similar notations are
added to the outside fold of each of the old 1753 survey Warrant and Plat; "John
Duckworth....480 Acres....Frederick... recorded (Payment and Request for Title).
October 21, 1788 "Grant issued September 29, 1789". [Northern Neck Surveys,
Frederick County Virginia, Box D - E, John Duckworth].
[1753]
A
Joseph Duckworth is in Court, August 1753, holding the "Defendants note of
Hands", Thomas Hampton recovered L4-14-and Costs. Virginia.
[1753]
James Peters, assignee of James Neill, suing Joseph Duckworth in October and
in December 1753 William Cook was awarded L2-11-4 and costs against Joseph
Duckworth.
[1753]
William Duckworth served as "Constable" in
Frederick County, Virginia.
[1753]
William Duckworth received a
Fairfax Land Warrant in Virginia.
[1754]
Mary Yates was suing
Joseph Duckworth, but in the June Court withdrew her suit [Ibid., Order Books 4,
page 335; and Order Books 5, page 134, 235, 486]. Joseph Duckworth is no longer
on record in Virginia. This is probably the Joseph Duckworth who served as a
"Chain-Man" on a 1769 survey for a Land Grant in Cumberland County, North
Carolina, for a Joseph Duckworth Jr.
[1754]
May 1764, William
Duckworth being summoned by the Sheriff "to attend this Court as a Juror...
failing to appear" was fined 400 pounds of Tobacco.
[1754]
November 1754, William Duckworth the Grand Jury's Presentment, he was fined 15
shillings for failing to keep his section of the Road in repair (Frederick
County, Virginia Order Book 4, page 405; 5, page 469; 6, page 135).
[1755]
A John Duckworth was named "Overseer of the Road" from "Captain
Jacob Funks to his own house" [Ibid., Order Book 3, page 18, 46 page 377; page
311] in Virginia.
[1755]
Thomas Lord Fairfax signed a Grant to
William Duckworth July 6, 1755 and the tract is then described as 235 Acres in
Frederick, adjoining Evan Thomas's and John Ridgeway's (North Neck Plats and
Certificates on which Grants Issued, William Duckworth; North Neck Grants, Book
H, page 654; Abstracts of Land Records, No. 14, Frederick County, page 22;
Archives Division, Virginia State Library).
[1755]
August Term
there came before the Frederick Court a case of Trespass of "William Duckworth
and Alice" (his wife is Plaintiff) against "Patrick Duncan and Catherine his
wife as Defendant", and also a counter suit of "Patrick Duncan and Catherine his
wife" against "William Duckworth and Alice his wife". The Suit was renewed by
the Duncans in the following March. In both "Terms" the "parties failing to
appear this suit was dismissed".
[1756]
March Court, William
Duckworth was appointed Constable and also on a Commission to mark a road from
"Joseph Edwards to the main road to the bridge over Opechon Creek".
[1756]
August John Jones charged that "William Duckworth has made a
breach in his Office as Constable", and ordered to appear at the next Court to
"answer the Complainant". Then "Failing to attend and prosecute his Complaint
the Case was Dismissed".
[1756]
August Michael Kelley complained
to the Court that William Duckworth detained him unlawfully as a servant [Ibid.,
Order Book 7, pages 19 - 20, 93, 206, 232.]
[1756]
Accounts of the
Executor of Joseph Steward of Burlington County, New Jersey, August 29, 1730
show payment on behalf of the Estate to William Duckworth. An Executor
accounting, dated April 13, 1756 but, running back to the probate of "William
Earll's Will on July 22, 1740, includes payment to William Duckworth as one of
the numerous creditors. [Ibid., v. 30, page 457, 459].
[1757]
Elizabeth Baxter formally of Hunterdon County, New Jersey is dead in Frederick
County Virginia [Order Book 7, page 154] by February 1, 1757. This is the
Elizabeth Baxter of Hunterdon, where William Duckworth was co-signer for
Elizabeth as administrator of the estate of her brother, James Danford. This is
the Mother of Alice Baxter who is living with William Duckworth in Frederick
County, so she must have moved to Virginia with William Duckworth and her
Daughter when they left New Jersey. Letters of Administration for the "Estate of
Elizabeth Baxter" deceased.... granted to William Duckworth and Alice his wife,
"Daughter of the Deceased"....granted Thomas Docter and Edward Blair their
Securities. Appointed to appraised the Estate, were John Rogers, Josiah Ridgeway
and Edward Dodd, or any three of them.
[1757]
A John Duckworth was
dead intestate April 5, 1757, when his Widow Sarah was named Administrator of
his Estate. This John was never spent much time in the Court System. His was
mostly an occasional action in debt. [Ibid., Order Books 3, page 219; page 164;
5, page 312]. William Duckworth and Joseph Vance was a suretly on her Bond.
James Hoge, Robert Worth and Edward Cartmell made the Appraisal, totaling
L140-12-8, recorded June 7, 1757. With subsequent adjustments for L21 "Recorded
of Mr. Robert Rutherford on account of the "Public" and "Debts" of some 89
pounds, the balance was L72-7-9 and so accepted by the Court on March 6, 1761
(Frederick County, Virginia Will Book 2, page 233 - 235, 471 -472; Order Books
7, page 221; 9, page 276].
This John married Sarah Hankins in New Jersey
in 1734, and William Duckworth was his brother. Children to this marriage can be
located in Cumberland County North Carolina.
[1758]
Uriah
Duckworth leased 235 Acres in Frederick Parish, Frederick County, to "Aminidab
Seekright" - this is a "Fictitious Leasee in accordance with the "Common Law
Procedure" for 20 years. (This had to be the 235 Acres that was Surveyed for
William Duckworth and Alice, which means that Uriah and the children knew were
their father was and because of the Estate, was laying a claim to it). {Note
This is my Opinion Only.]
The above Lease had 14 pages and dated June 10,
1758. [Ibid., Land Book 1, 1758; page 1 - 14] and appear later in the Virginia
Courts.
[1758]
Uncertain Land Titles caused many Settlers to move
on farther South and West. William Duckworth may have bought his "Land" twice.
First from the "Hite Interest" and then from "Lord Fairfax". As a Land-owner,
this is probably the William Duckworth included in a list of Voters in Frederick
County dated July 24, 1758 [Ibid., v. 6, page 171].
[1758]
Records
show that a "William Duckworth" and a John Duckworth in September 1758 in the
Roster of Captain Thomas Speak's Company of the Frederick County Militia and was
at the time named in an appropriation bill as due 8 Shillings for "Services for
the defense of the Frontiers of this Colony. [W. A. Crozier, Virginia Colonial
Militia, 1651 - 1776; W. W. Hening, Statues at Large....Laws of Virginia, v7,
page 217].
[1758]
July, on presentation for Adultery by the Grand
Jury against William Duckworth, "The Court being of the opinion that the
presentment cannot be maintained....Ordered this Case be dismissed. {Note I
wonder if this was again Uriah?} I must read everything again some day.
[1759]
August 9, 1759 show a "Grace Duckworth" Trenton, New Jersey, is
named, in a "List of Letters remaining in the Post Office in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. [New Jersey Archives 1, v. 12, page 190; 20, page 370]. This Grace
Duckworth was the wife of William Duckworth "Yeoman" in March 1727.
[1760]
August the Duncan vs Duckworth family altercation, was back in
Court, but the "Plaintiff (Patrick Duncan) being dead, the Lawsuit was Ordered
to Abate". [Ibid., Order Books 6, page 351; 7, page 23 - 24, 154; 9, page 135].
Note This is the "Fictitious Leasee Case of 1758", where Uriah Leased 235
Acres for 20 years to Duncan, to establish a claim against William and Alice,
and he is charged with Trespassing.
[1760]
Josiah Ridgeway
appeared on his "own recognizance" on suspicion of braking into the house of
William Duckworth and stealing therefrom "Nine Pounds Current Money" and "Sundry
other things". The Witnesses being "Sworn" and "Arguments of the Parties Heard",
it is Ordered that he be "Discharged". William Duckworth is ordered to pay 50
pounds of Tobacco to each of the six Witnesses "for the two days of attendance
as in evidence for him against Josiah Ridgeway".
[1760]
William
Duckworth was named "Overseer" of the road from"Samuel Littler's to Robert
Cunningham's" and September 3, 1760 was on a "Petit Jury".
[1761]
Chester County Pennsylvania, January 10, 1761 William Duckworth's will is made
and reads "I William Duckworth of Frederick County, in Virginia.....being weak
in body....well disposed in mind and memory " make this my "Last Will". This
Will is being transcribed in, Chester County, Pennsylvania by a friend. "it
continues to state that after payment of all my just Debts together with my
Funeral Charges....I give and Bequeath to my loving wife Eailse (Alice)
Duckworth all that Plantation or Tract of Land in Frederick County in Virginia
that I now dwell on......(and to her) all my Rite Title and Interest to the
other of my Estate both real and personal in Frederick County in
Virginia....unto my five Children to wit Uriah, Aaron, Grace and Rody Duckworth
all that Estate in Trent Town, New Jersey, to be divided share and share
alike....My loving Eailse (Alice) and my loving friend Hugh West of Frederick
Town in Virginia Esquire Executors. William signed by "Mark" and the "Will" was
proved on January 30, 1761 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, by the witnesses,
John Kerlin and James Sinkler.
[1761]
On January 30, 1761 in his
Capacity of Deputy Register "for the Probate of Wills and Granting letters of
Administration in and for the Province of Pennsylvania, Henry H. Graham,
certified there "was prove, and approved and insinuated that the "Will and
Testament" of William Duckworth sometime ago of Frederick County Virginia, but
late of West Cater in the County of Chester, Pennsylvania a true copy where of
is "Here unto annexed.......his loving wife Alice Duckworth executrix......" was
ordered to make an appraisal on or before March 1, 1761 for the "Register
Generals Office" at Chester and also, an accounting by January 30, 1762.
[1761]
March 3, 1761 in Frederick Court, Virginia, Alice Duckworth
(Widow) and Relict of William Duckworth deceased Produced in Court and "Attested
Copy" of the "Last Will and Testament" of William Duckworth, "Deceased" together
with a "Certificate" of her having given security for the Administration of the
said Estate in the County of Chester and Province of Pennsylvania. "It is
Ordered that Thomas Calon, Robert Cunningham, Francis Lilbourn and Hugh Handley
or any three of them being first sworn to appraise in Current Money the Slaves
(if any) and Personal Estate of William Duckworth deceased and return an
Inventory therefore to the Court of which Lewis Stephens and William Miller
Gent. Pray'd their presence to be "Entered and Record" [Ibid., Order Book 9,
page 261].
[1761]
On March 4, 1761 George Cunningham was appointed
as "Overseer" of the road from Robert Cunningham's to Littler's Mill in the
absence of "William Duckworth deceased. [Ibid., Order Books 8, page 62; 9, page
74 - 76, 127, 150].
[1761]
August 9, 1761 this disposition of
William Duckworth's Virginia Estate was challenged by "Mary Duckworth (Widow)
and Relix....(and) Uriah Duckworth eldest son and Heir at Law of the said
William Duckworth in a poser of attorney from Mary Duckworth, from Burlington
County, New Jersey subsequently, a long drawn out "Suit" is ejected into
Frederick County Court, Virginia [Frederick County Virginia Land Book 1, pages 1
- 14].
[1761]
August 5, 1762 an "Inventory of the Estate Goods and
Chattels of William Duckworth deceased as appraised by us......Thomas Calon,
Francis Lilborne and Robert Cunningham" set a total value of L48-5-6 and was
returned to Frederick Court for Recordation. A marginal note reads "1761 March
23, Duckworth Appt", probably indication date of appraisement. The interesting
presumably from the William Duckworth Estate and handed down thorough the family
from John Duckworth (Yeoman) {was in the inventory "Military Hardware", of 12
Shillings Value, "One Halbert and Brass Mounted Swords"}. This is the proof that
William was a descendant of John Duckworth of New Jersey Province of 1664 who's
Estate was appraised March 7, 1727/28 in New Hanover, Burlington County, New
Jersey and part of this Estate Titled him as (Yeoman by Trade). [Ibid., Will
Book 3, page 71- 72].
[1761]
A Suit is injectment of "Uriah
Plaintiff against Alice Duckworth Defendant" was before the Frederick Court. "On
the motion of the Plaintiff (Uriah Duckworth) Ordered that a "Dedimus Issue"
directed to the Commissioners in New Jersey for the Examination of Sundry
Evidences on behalf of the Plaintiff". In August Uriah and Mary had power of
attorney as before mentioned an in August 9th appeared before the Court in
Frederick County, Virginia. It reads ...."I Joseph Wright of the County of
Burlington (sis) in Hanover Township in New Jersey Attorney in Fact for "Mary
Duckworth (Widow)...and Relix of William Duckworth as also Attorney in Fact for
Uriah Duckworth Eldest Son and Heir at Law of the said William Duckworth "do
Nominate and Appoint John Smith of the County and Colony a fore said Attorney
under....to act and do touching the Estate of the said William Duckworth which
in Virginia as fully to all intents and purpose's in the Two Certain Letters of
Attorneys...." This Instrument was proved in the Frederick County Court and
Witnesses were Rueben Paxson and Josiah Ridgeway, and ordered recorded {Ibid,
Order Book 9, page 334; Deed Book 7, page 342].
[1762]
January 29,
(X) Danford, of "Upper Freehold in the County of Monmouth, in the Province of
New Jersey "gave a deposition that 'on or about December 16th, 1731 he was
present at the Home of Samuel Dansford (Father of the Deponent and Grandfather
of Alice Baxter) in the Township of Nottingham in the County of Burlington and
did then and there see Robert Pearson Esquire marry William Duckworth (Laborer)
unto Mary Wright.....that the said Mary Duckworth at the time of taking
deposition is "Living and Personally present at the taking thereof.....that he
knew Alice Baxter, at the time of the said Alice and William Duckworth leaving
this Province, and verily believes that the said Alice is acquainted that the
above named Mary Duckworth, was wife of him the said William Duckworth at that
time.
[1762]
January 29, Sarah Pittman of New Hanover in the
County of Burlington, New Jersey, gave her "Solemn Affirmation" that on or about
December 16th, 1731 she was present at the home of Samuel Danford in Burlington
and there saw Robert Pearson, Esquire marry William Duckworth (Laborer) unto
Mary Wright....she knows Uriah Duckworth....was born in the Month of January 27
years past......and that he the said Uriah was the Eldest Son of the said
William and Mary Duckworth.
[1762]
January 29, Jane Davis gave a
"Solemn Affirmation" that in the month of January 27 years past, the affirmation
was present at the Birth of Uriah Duckworth, the son of William and Mary
Duckworth....and that he the said Uriah Duckworth was then the only son of the
said William and Mary Duckworth and.....Mary Duckworth at the time of taking
this affirmation is alive and present at the taking thereof.......
[1762]
January 29, Theophilus Severns gave deposition that he was a Deputy
Surrogate in New Jersey and familiar with the handwriting of "Col. Lewis Morris
late Governor of New Jersey.......(and) Robert Pearson Esquire
deceased.....Justice of the Peace for the County of Burlington" and believes
these records correct, and also "he knew William Duckworth and Mary his wife,
and also Uriah Duckworth the reputed Elder Son of the said William and Mary
Duckworth, and that he believes the said Uriah to be more then Twenty-one years
of age......
[1762]
Minutes of the County Court noted in November
1762 that "the Executor of William Duckworth deceased being Summoned to Render
an Account of the said Decedents Estate failed so to do". At the same time "Hugh
West gentlemen came into Court and Relinquished any right to the Administration
of the Estate of William Duckworth deceased as an Executor to the "Last Will and
Testament of the said decedent". [Ibid., Order Book 10, page 351].
[1762]
Alice (Baxter) Duckworth had married Daniel McGinn before November 10, 1762,
when "Alice McGinn wife of Daniel McGinn of Frederick County in the Colony of
Virginia", for a stated consideration of L73, gave Joseph Beele also of
Frederick, a bill of sale for much personal property including .....150 bushels
of Corn, now in the house loft, one brown Mare and Saddle and Bridle, one
Feather Bed and Furniture, one Chafe Bed and Furniture, one stack of Hay, Two
Bed Stands and Cords an Account against John Daughery.......near five pounds,
Two Spinning Wheels, One Cow, One Plow and Geears Pewter Dishes, Plates, Spoons,
Knives and Forks, five Tongues Tea Ware, Punch Bowles, 2 Calves, 4 Hoges the
third part of Corn due from Thomas Berrys part for Rent all the Fodder on the
Plantation Except Thomas Berrys Part, and all other things of any value in the
House or on the Plantation as also the Rents and Profits of the
Plantation.....until Joseph Beeler shall be paid "Seventy Three Pounds......"
This Mortgage is to cover debts, of L15-10 to Beeler, L9-10 to William Neal, and
L5 to James McCormack (Beeler being security for the latter two debts, or
judgements) and to keep Beeler "indemnified from Certain Suit brought by one
John Corlin (and Kerlin) in Pennsylvania against my Husband....and a Bond for
Forty Three Pounds as Executor of William Duckworth". Alice signs by (Mark),
with Enos Thomas and John Tomas witnesses [Ibid., Deed Book 8, page 139 - 140].
[1763]
February 21, 1763 In Pennsylvania "by Virtue of a Writ of
Dedimus from the Court of Frederick County, Virginia directed to his Majesty's
Justices of the Peace for the County of Chester....to call and examine....all
such Witnesses as well on behalf of Uriah Duckworth "Plaintiff" and Alice
Duckworth "Defendant" ...."John Culbertson and William Cligan two of his
Majesties Justices" for Chester served as the required Commission. After due
notice Uriah Duckworth on behalf of "Daniel McGinn and Alice his Wife", the
Commissioners called "John Kerlin Innkeeper in whose house William Duckworth
deceased did die....(who) says that in the latter end of December 1760 and the
beginning of January 1761 William Duckworth then sick likely to die asked this
affirmative to write his "Last Will" so that he might secure his Real Estate to
his wife, but this affirmative having heard (that) he was not married to Alice
the present wife, but that he had a Wife and Children in the Jerseys
and.....that this affirmative sent the aforesaid Ealice (Alice) to a neighbors
house in order to know the truth of the matter (from the mouth of the aforesaid
William Duckworth in private, this affirmative then said "friend Duckworth thou
hast often asked me to write your "Will" or get it done by someone body, but I
want to be satisfied in a few questions or things concerning you, first I am
informed that you have a Wife and Children in the Jerseys and if that is the
case they should in my opinion have your Estate. I also told him I would send
for them privately if he was willing, he answered it was true there was a women
in the Jerseys that he lived with as his wife and had several Children by her
but was not married to her, and called on God to witness the truth he then told.
Further said he believed he lay on his Death Bed and believed he should never
rise till lifted, but Said he the neighbors believed we were married for I got a
License and we went to Burlington to be married, but when we went there the
Minister was not at home, so we agreed to go home again and say we were married
which we did and lived many years until she used me so bad by keeping company
with other men and that I was obliged to go away to Virginia and took this woman
with me and married her and we were both very poor, and she helped me to get all
I have therefore I am determined to give her my Estate in Virginia for she has
the best right to it, and then I told him I would write his "Will" and did it
according to the best of my understanding as he directed to secure the
Plantation for his wife......".
[1763]
In Frederick Court the
Injectment Case came up again against Alice on May 5th and 6th, 1763 and "the
Jury......returned their verdict......that the Defendant is guilty of the
Trespass and Injectment in the Declaration mentioned......from which said
Judgement the said defendant prayed on appeal to the eleventh day of the next
General Court which was granted her, she having together with Hugh West her
security entered into Bond in the penalty on "One Hundred Pounds" conditioned
according to Law" [Ibid., Land Book 1, page 1 - 14; Order Book 11, page 145].
[1765]
April 1765, Although one William Duckworth had died there is
another William Duckworth in the Frederick County Court of Virginia in a case
where this "William Duckworth is suing John Bentley and George Lott". Both suits
were "Dismissed Agreed", [Ibid., Order Book 12, page 384]. His antecedents or
relations is not known of these other Duckworths at this time, I feel certain
that he is of "John Duckworth" who is in North Carolina, as stated before.
[1765]
Alice (Baxter - Duckworth) McGinn is in Court in connection
with this Land until April 1765 [Ibid., Order Book 10, page 242, 368; 11 page
47, 136, 401]. She is later the "Widow" McGinn in 1790 Census in Mecklenburg,
North Carolina, page 160; in her household are 3 males over 16 years of age and
2 females (there is no know records of the names of these Children, but I feel
certain that they are of William Duckworth) Also, in the South Carolina in
Laurens County of 1796 District is a Daniel McGinn (page 74), the only white in
his household, with one Slave.
[1767]
February 25, 1767 "Uriah
Duckworth of the County of Bucks in the Province of Pennsylvania, Eldest Son and
Heir at Law of William Duckworth late of the County of Frederick and Colony of
Virginia deceased". for L150, conveyed to "John Neavill" of the Parish and
County of Frederick.....a certain tract or parcel of land.......in the County of
Frederick and Colony of Virginia aforesaid and is thereby the same tract whereon
his father the said William Duckworth formerly did live joining the lands of the
said John Neavill, George Fallis, John Ridgeway and Isaac and Jacob Rallis and
contains 235 Acres and Granted (on July a6, 1755) to the said William Duckworth
deceased by....the Right Honorable Thomas Lord Fairfax proprietor of the
Northern Neck of Virginia.....beginning at a White Oak corner of Even Thomas's
......and the said Uriah Duckworth....is signed of a good and indefeasible
Estate of Inheritance in fee simple......." Both instruments were witnessed by
William Jolliffe, Mord Walker, John Smith, Bryon McGraw and John Armstrong and
Ordered Recorded March 4, 1767. [Ibid., Deed Book 11, page 321, Order Book 13,
page 323]. Mary (Wright) Duckworth, of New Jersey was by this time dead, thus
terminating her "Downer Rights" and leaving "Clear Title" to the Land in the
name of the Eldest Son and Heir at Law, "Uriah Duckworth". If Uriah Duckworth
ever lived in Virginia it was only a short time to lay claim in Court to this
Estate, which the Attorney Joseph Wright (Relative to Mary??) identified himself
as attorney for Mary (Wright) Duckworth and the Eldest Son Uriah (Who was
inhabitant of the County and Colony of Virginia, was represented).
[1769]
September 29, 1769 "Beverly Randolph Esquire, Governor of the Commonwealth
of Virginia.....by virtue of a Warrant Issued from the late Lord Proprietors
Office of the Northern Neck, and in Consideration of the Ancient Composition of
Two Pounds, Ten Shillings Sterling paid by John Duckworth into the Treasury of
this Commonwealth, there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto the said John
Duckworth 480 Acres, by Survey bearing the date April 18, 1753, in Frederick
County...on the Westerly Side of Shenandoah, on a branch of Crooked
Run....joining surveys for Samuel Morse, John Hite and Casper Mire (Northern
Neck Grants, Book U, page 198; abstracts of Land Records, No. 14, Frederick
County, page, 93). Virginia took over ungranted "Fairfax Lands" after the
Revolution and although many conflicting land claims remained unresolved, John
Duckworth seems to secured his grant, why this 35 years delay is uncertain. This
John Duckworth is not the man of the some name who died intestate in Frederick
in 1757. {It was the opinion of Miss Daphne Gentry, the Virginia Archives'
Specialist in Land Grants, Grovenor Randolph issued the 1789 Grant to the same
John Duckworth for whom the 1753 Survey was prepared, not to an Heir at Law or a
Grantee, and this tract lay in Frederick's 1789 Boundaries, and not in a
successor County created between 1753 and 1789}.
[1770]
New
Jersey, A John Duckworth was a Witness to the Will of Peter Dilts of Amwell,
Hunderton County, New Jersey, proved January 24, 1770, date drawn not given
[Ibid., v. 33, page 117]
[1774]
Maryland - while the whole part of
Western Maryland was Frederick County there was a rush to secure "Land Grants"
in what is now Allegany and Garret Counties. At this time Robert Smith was
"Surveyor General" of the Land Office for the Western Shore and John Hanson Jr.
his Deputy for Frederick County, Maryland. The Land Office's business for these
Grants was interrupted by the "Lord Dunmore War" and then came the Revolution.
Lots of Lands west of Fort Cumberland Maryland were offered by the Sate
Government to Volunteers in the Continental Army. In 1788, Francis Deskins laid
out 4,165 of these Military Lots. Aaron Duckworth ended up with Military Lot #33
on Georges Creek. There is no records located as yet to show he served in the
Continental Army, but remember there were Wars going on with the Indians of the
Frontier, and he may have served in a Militia, there was a James W. Duckworth
who served with George Rogers Clark's Militia against the Indians, whom the
British had to hired to implement a War against the Settlers in the West. This
kept a lot of people in the West from joining the Continental Army.
[1774]
Lord Dunmore's Campaign against the "Native Savages" began In
the settlements of Virginia he organized a Force of Militia of sufficient
numbers to operate with effect against the "Savages", proved successful, and two
bodies, numbering in all 2,500 individuals collected , -- one each in the
Counties of Augusta, Bottletourt, another in Frederick and Shenandoah. The First
of these was place under the Command of General Andrew Lewis, who rendezvoused
at Camp Union, now Lewisburg, while the Governor in person Commanded the Second.
By the 1st of September, General Lewis only awaited the arrival of Col
Christian, and orders from Lord Dunmore to march. The Battle that followed and
what happened can be read in a book published in 1851, by Wills De Hass, Titled
"The Early Settlements and Indian Wars of Western Virginia.
[1776]
The Westerly Limits of Charles II's 1649 Grant of the North Neck, between
Potomac and Rappahannock, were long in dispute between the Provincial Government
of Virginia and the Lord Proprietors, some questions of "Ownership and
Jurisdiction" being still unsettled after the American Revolution. Joist Hite
and the Van Meters in the early 1700's obtained preliminary "Grants" from the
Provincial Government for large Tracts in the Shenandoah Valley, claimed also as
part of the Northern Neck by the Proprietary, the Culpeper-Fairfax interest. (S.
P. Smith, "The Northern Neck's Role in the American Legal History"). [Virginia
Magazine of History and Biography, V. 77, pages 277 - 290].
[1777]
Richard Beam is in Loudon County, Virginia. Records show he was born in
Pennsylvania February 7, 1755, he had married Elizabeth (Green) Beam who was
born October 11, 1755. [National Archives and Records of Service, Washington, D.
C. show that Michael Beam is listed in "Pension Claim No. 2986", that he
enlisted in Loudon County, Virginia in June 1777. D. A. R. Records show Michael
Beem in Book 66, page 276 under Vilda Prescott Beem No. 65800].
[1778]
New Jersey, George Duckworth in Kingwood Township and John Duckworth in
Amwell Tax Ratables in Hunterdon County, New Jersey in 1778 - 1780. (Kenn
Stryker-Rodda, Revolutionary Census of New Jersey, 1773 - 1784, List II, page
66).
[1786]
A William Duckworth is described as of Washington
County, Virginia when he bought 140 Acres there from John Thomas for L20. The
Land lay in the Western Part of the County on both sides of Beaver Creek, a
branch of the Holston River, joining Jacob Thomas., Freeman and Henry Grimes.
The record list no witnesses. On October 8, 1788 Duckworth, signing by (Mark)
sold this tract of land to George Brock of L40. This deed was witnessed by
Robert Preston, John Runkhouser and John Teeters, but not recorded until 1806
[Washington County, Virginia, Deed Book 1, page 36; 3, page 462].
[1787]
William Duckworth in addition to his 140 Acres, he was assessed for 6 head
of Cattle and 3 Horses; other then himself, no Tiltable are listed for him.
[Ibid., Tax Rolls for the years cited, in Virginia Archives].
[1789]
William Duckworth is on the County's Tax Rolls, 1787 - 1788, but on neither
Land nor Personal Property Rolls 1789. I feel certain that he relocated to
Western Maryland.
[1791]
Jane Duckworth and Mary Duckworth are
named in inventory, in August 1, 1791 in New Jersey, of Benjamin Tanner's Estate
in Hunterdon County. George Duckworth witnessed the "Will" of Samuel Green of
Amwell, Hunterdon County, drawn January 28, 1797, and proved April 254, 1799 and
joined John Woolverton in Inventorying Green's Estate, April 18, 1799. George
was Bondsman, October 26, 1797 and on March 1, 1799 aided in Inventory of Jacob
Keples's Estate in Amwell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. [Ibid., V. 37, page
350; V. 38, page 149, 214, 410].
[1792]
New Jersey, In the
Hunterdon County Militia were Elijah Duckworth and George Duckworth. In
Alexandria Township was Issac Duckworth. In Amwell Township was George Duckworth
[Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, V. 9, pages 47 - 50].
[1799]
During the American Revolution a James Duckworth is listed and in 1799 as
Corporal in George Rogers Clark's Illinois Regiment of the Virginia Militia.
[Clark's Papers, T-M 1 P 23, Virginia Archives, Richmond; John H. Gwathmey,
Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution, page 238].
[1800]
Aaron Duckworth is now in Maryland and he is married to Anna Beam.
[1810]
June 1810 a Thomas ("X") Duckworth sold to Lewis Moyers, both of
Shenandoah County, 80 Acres for L30 in the County of Shenandoah adjoining the
Blue Ridge which said Land was Granted unto Wendle Shenk by Patent Letters on
December 7, 1791, joining Martin Shenks and Peter Kibler, acknowledged in Court
June 11, 1810. [Shenandoah County, Virginia, Deed Book R, page 341 - 342. The
Deed does not recite descent of Title to Thomas Duckworth, and that the Surname
does not appear in the County's Land Tax Rolls, 1798 - 1810.
[1833]
A John Duckworth (CA. 1759 - 1843) applied from Brue County, North Carolina,
for a pension for Military Service from Rowan County, North Carolina. His
Application gives Virginia as Birthplace and indicates his birth in 1759.
[Pension No. 6805, National Archives, Washington; North Carolina D. A. R.,
Roster of Soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution, 1932, page
378, 421, 485, 574 Census of 1840, Burke County North Carolina Dr. John F.
Duckworth, Greenville, Tennessee.]
Contributed by Lawson L. "Buddy" Duckworth
Garrett County MDGenWeb Copyright
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This page was last updated
10/11/2023