| The Marsh Family 
Thomas Marsh Jr. (c 1643-1679) By Darlene Athey Hill Thomas Marsh Jr., son of Thomas Marsh and Margaret Harford, was born circa 1643 in Virginia. His family moved to Virginia when he was a child, where he remained. In the Queen Anne Rent Rolls, there is recorded the survey of Marsh’s Forebearance, 150 acres, surveyed 22 Mar 1664 on Kent Island, “at ye outward bounds of a parcel formerly laid out for him.” The reference, most likely, is to “Poplar Neck,” surveyed in 1652 for Thomas Marsh Sr. This record seems to indicate confusion on the part of the surveyor or clerk between father and son, for Thomas Jr. wasn’t old enough to have had land laid out for him in 1652. He obtained a patent for 500 acres of land in Calvert County called Major’s Choice, surveyed for him on 24 June 1664. He sold this to Thomas Sterling on 1 May 1676. This tract later became prominent in the litigation over the Calvert-Anne Arundel boundary. On 28 June 1664 he sold 300 acres on the Cliffs in Calvert County to Thomas Manning. This land previously belonged to his father. This property was on the dividing line between Calvert and Anne Arundel County. On 4 May 1667 he was sworn as Justice of the Peace of Anne Arundel County, and Commissioner on 4 May 1668. In May 1669 there was an order by the Assembly for him to be paid 104 pounds of tobacco “out of the levy of Talbot County.” Within a few years he became powerful in the affairs of Kent County and resided there. In 1675, Thomas Marsh was spoken of as “one of the Gentlemen of the Quorum, Commission of the Peace in Kent County.” On 6 June 1676 he was commissioned Justice of the Peace and Sheriff of Kent County. In 1678, he was Burgess of Kent. Later he is called “Captain Thomas Marsh of Kent.” Thomas Marsh Jr. married twice. His first wife was Margaret Neale, daughter of Jacob Neale. In Jacob Neale’s will dated 11 July 1672, he devised to “Sarah Marsh, daughter of Thomas Marsh of Anne Arundel Co.”, 1/3 of estate at 16 yrs. of age. To Thomas Marsh and Margaret, his wife, residue of estate. Test: Robt. Burle, Ralph Williams, John Bicknall. Thomas and Margaret had at least two children: · Sarah Marsh, born circa 1666, probable second wife of George Athy/Athey circa 1686 (see additional information below). · Thomas Marsh III, born circa 1673, married Elizabeth Hawkins, daughter of Major John Hawkins. (John Hawkins, in his will dated 23 April 1717, devised to daughter Eliza. Marsh, 100 lbs, also 10,000 lbs. tobacco, and the advances made to late husband, Mr. Thomas Marsh, are discharged. To granddaughter Sarah Marsh, 60 lb. and personalty to be paid her at marriage. Should she die before, the 60 lbs. to be divided among the rest of her sisters, children of said Thomas and Eliz. Marsh.) On the Rent Rolls of 1709 in Queen Anne County, Thomas Marsh III held: Little Thickett, 200 acres; Lattin Neck, 350 acres; Marsh’s Forbearance, 150 acres; Sarah’s Portion, 500 acres; Warner’s Discovery, 200 acres (in right of his wife). Thomas Marsh III died circa 1716 in Queen Anne County, Maryland. His will was dated 10 January 1715 and proved on 27 June 1716. To possible unborn child, if male, the upper plantation, Cabin Neck. Son Thomas & heirs, residue of land & that aforesaid should no other son be born. Daughters Mary and Sarah, personalty. Wife Eliza., executrix, personal estate jointly with child aforesaid and use of plantation during minority of same. Overseers: Father and uncle, Jno. Hawkins and Wm. Coursey. Witnesses: Wm. Coursey, Jno. Johnson and Vincent Hemsley. Thomas Marsh III and Elizabeth Hawkins were parents of: 1. Sarah Marsh, born circa 1706, died circa 1774; married Capt. John Emory Jr. (1698-1761)
2. Thomas Marsh IV, born circa 1712, died 22 May 1777; married Mary Thompson (c1715-1740) on 6 July 1738. He died during the early days of the Revolution.
3. Mary Marsh After the death of his wife Margaret, Thomas Marsh Jr. married Jane Clements circa 1676. Jane was the daughter of John Clements, of Kent County, a recent immigrant from England. Thomas and Jane were parents of: · Mary Marsh, born “24th of 10th month, 1677” (Third Haven Records) Thomas Marsh Jr. died in 1679. His will is dated 12 August 1679 and was probated on 29 October 1679. He devised to wife, Jane, one-third of estate, real and personal; also personalty belonging to wife's deceased father, John Clements. To daughter, Sarah, one-third of residue of personalty, together with personalty left her by her mother. To daughter, Mary, one-third of residue of personalty. To son, Thomas, residuary legatee of estate real and personal; to be of age at 18 yrs. In event of either daughter dying under age, deceased's portion to be divided between her surviving sister and child of testator's two sisters, Margaret Berry and Elizabeth Tailor. Executors were William Berry and Thomas Tailor (his brothers-in-law). Test.: James Ewstis, Richard Kempton and Maurice Woolahand.
Cont: Click Next
 
|
