Notes for Thomas Wells

Notes for Thomas Wells

!"Early Families of Southern Maryland", Volume III: Thomas Wells was transported to Maryland in 1679 (WC 2.50,57). In 1695, when he purchased land in Prince George's Co., he was called a planter and was living in Calvert County. Sometime around 1696 he was a member of the Grand jury regarding the petition of Philip Clarke and his subsequent disbarment. He died in 1718 at the Herring Creek Hundred, Prince George's Co.
On August 26, 1695 he bought 200 acres called "Strife" from Thomas and Mary Smith of Calvert Co. for 90 pounds. It was located on the west side of the Patuxent River.
He witnessed a deed in Prince George's Co in 1703; on jury Dec, 1702, and Nov 1703; his land called "Strife" mentioned in 1704 deed as bounding Basingthorp Hall.
His will dated Sep 26, 1718 administered Jan. 5, 1718 gave to his wife Frances, the dwelling plantation, "Strife" and adj. tract "Something", in all 218 acres during life; at her decease to four sons, Thomas, Robert, Nathan and Joseph. Should all of said sons, Thomas, Robert and Nathan die without issue, lands to descend to son Joseph; should he die without issue, to 4 daughters equally, viz., Frances, Mary, Sarah and Elizabeth and their heirs. To said daughters, personalty.
To son George, 5 shillings.
To wife Frances, executrix, and horses, house and lot in Queen Ann's Town and residue of estate.

This Thomas could be the son of widow Elizabeth Mellows of St Olaves, Southwark, Surry. her will dated Jan. 15, 1682/83 names Thomas Wells, "my son who went into parts beyond the seas to Maryland or other parts in America or elsewhere when he shall come and arrive in England." Her daughter Mary Parker (wife of John Parker) was executor. (C-575)

Thomas Wells was transported by Robert Conant of Anne Arundel Co., Md. sometime before Apr. 20, 1679 to the province of Maryland. For this deed, Robert Conant was owed 50 acres of land which Thomas agreed to inhabit for 16 years. These rights were afterwards assigned to Nicholas Laintes of St. Mary's City. Thomas was one of several that agreed to these same terms for their passage.

On Jan. 26, 1696, Thomas Wells, planter, purchased 200 acres called "Strife" in Calvert Co. Md. on the west side of the Patuxent River. The land was surrounded by the following owners: Francis Swanstone, Edward Isaak, and Henry Darnell, Esq. He later acquired an adjoining property called "Something" that was in the Patuxent Hundred of Prince George's Co.

He is in the Prince George Co. records after. In July, 1696 he was found guilty of assaulting Thomas Swareingen. He was sentenced to pay a fine and post a bond to guarantee good behavior. In Nov. 1697, "he was paid a bounty for one wolves head." He was a Grand Jury member. He was subpoenaed in March, 1698 to testify that Elizabeth Plummer (also a grandparent of Rachel) sent a Servant to steal onions, cabbage and bacon from him. On March 28, 1698 he became drunk and was caught fighting, again noted in the courts. By Sep. 29, 1699, all was forgiven as he once again served on a jury. He and Thomas Pelle were appointed overseers of the Patuxent Hundred. In Queen Anne's Vestry minutes of April 7, 1707, Thomas Wells, Sr. was appointed vestryman. In 1714 he witnessed the boundary lines of an adjoining tract of land where the records state "Thomas Wells, Sen. aged about sixty one years." (Maryland, Chancery Record, Liber 3, folio 27)

In his will probated Jan. 5, 1718/19, he gives his land for life to his wife, France. He then divided it amongst 4 sons; Thomas, Nathan, Robert and Joseph. He gave son George five shillings and slaves for his four daughters. (C-575) The low amount of money he gave to his son George could be explained by his son's cohabitation with his married neighbor, Susannah Swanson Ward according to Queen Anne's Vestry Minutes, Apr. 12, 1719. George and Susannah were married at Queen Annes on June 16, 1725. (C-575, p.52).