EDMONSTON, James Sr. (Captain)
Born 1697/99 Prince Georges County, Md.
Died 16 October 1753, Buried Prince Georges County, Md.
Father: Col. Archibald Edmonston
Mother: Jane Beall of Ninean Beall and Ruth Moore
Married: About 1720 to Mary Beall, daughter of Ninian Beall Jr., & Elizabeth Magruder. She married Samuel Turner after James' death.
Children:
Margery (1729-1801)
Archibald (1734 to 14 April 1787. Married Martha Prather (?))
Mary (abt. 1735-)
Ninian Beall (about 1735 in Md. Died January 1816)
Jane (1737-1801)
Sarah (1743-1826)
James Jr. (1745-1793)
Rachel (1747-)
From the book “My Edmonstons and a few more” by Charles Ninian Edmonston (1903-1979) :
Capt. James Edmonston (Sr.)
In a deposition made by James Edmonston, 9 Dec. 1734, he stated that he was at that time, 36 years old. Book T. page 237. Land Office, Prince Georges County, Md. He married Mary Beall, date unknown as is the date of her birth and death. She was a daughter of Ninian Beall Jr., and of his wife Elizabeth Magruder.
Maryland records show that James Edmonston was a judge in Prince Georges County for a period of several years. He was called Captain which was probably a military title. Other records give evidence to the effect that he was an owner of large land holdings as well as being a merchant and seems to have been financially successful.
His will is in Will Book #1, page 473 in Prince Georges County. I deciphered it from a facsimile copy of the original.
"IN THE NAME OF GOD. I, James Edmonston of Prince Georges County, being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind, blessed by God, do this day and year und. Written make and publish this, my last will and testament in manner following:
"First I give to my wife all ye proffits of Land wherein I now dwell, called "Yarrow" with the improvements thereon during her widowhood, one hundred acres, the southermost part excepted.
"Also I give to my son, Archibald & his heirs my part of the tract of land called, "Brothers Content."
"Also I give to my daughter Margery & her heirs all my right & claim to that tract of land called "Hermitage", containing one hundred & thirty acres & also ten acres of said "Heritage" (or Hermitage) conveyed by Thomas Buler's bond as it may appear. Also I give to my daughter, Margery & her heirs all my part of that tract of land called, "Prevention" laying near Rock Creek.
"Also I give to my daughter, Jane & her heirs all my rights and claims to that tract called "Labyrinty" laying near Rock Creek, also I give to my daughter Jane and her heirs, one other tract of land called "Barren Ridges" containing forty-eight acres of land.
"Also I give to my daughter, Mary & her heirs, all my rights and claims to that tract of land called "Batchelors Forest", containing four hundred and five acres.
"Also, I give to my daughter, Sarah, and her heirs all my part of the tract of land called "Diamond". Also I give my said daughter, Sarah & her heirs my part of a tract of land called "Accord" with my rights of what
shall be added thereto by Upton's Warrant of Resurvey now to center on the vacant land contiguous thereto. Also I give to my said daughter Sarah & her heirs a tract of land called "Danby".
"Also, I give to my son, Ninian and his heirs a tract of land called, "Piles Delight", also I give to my son, Ninian & his heirs all my part of a tract of land called, "Prestons March" (or Marsh).
"Also I give to my son, James and his heirs a tract of land called "Long Green" also I give to my son, James, a tract of land called, "Silent Grove". Also I give to my son James, & his heirs one acre of land now in possession of Richard Rose and his wife. Also I give to my son James & his heirs a tract of land called "Cool Spring Mannour."
Also I give to my daughter, Rachel & her heirs my part of a tract of land called, "Subberland". Also I give to my daughter Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called "Western Field". Also I give to my daughter, Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called, "Land of Ease". Also I give to my daughter Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called "Amsterdam". Also I give to my daughter, Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called, "George". Also I give to my daughter Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called, "Georges Delight."
"Also, I give to my friend, Samuel Black & his heirs all my part of a tract of land called, "Discovery".
"Also, I give to my friend, Thomas Odle (or O'Dell) & his wife, during their natural lives or either of them the use & profitts of one hundred acres of land being in the southernmost end of a tract of land called, "Yarrow", they or either of them paying one ear of Indian Corn if demand. Also I give to this Thomas Odle & his heirs one acre of land in Queen Anne's Town, in Prince Georges County.
"It is my will that a tract of land called "Peters Hall" containing three hundred and fifty-five acres be sold by my executrix, hereinafter named and the monies arising thereon to be applied toward the discharging of my just debts and that they be speedily paid and also that no creditor be defrauded of their just dues by any legal advantages taken against them or him. Also that all contracts for leases, contracts for sales by me heretofore made be fulfilled and performed by said executrix. Also it is my will that if any of my aforesaid children die before they arrive at the age of twenty-one years and without lawful issue that then the lands bequeathed as aforesaid to the deceased be sold by my executrix and the monies arising thereon shall be equally divided amongst the survivors or their representatives.
Lastly, I make, ordain and constutute my wife, sole executrix of this my last will. In witness whereof I, the said James Edmonston have to this will and testament set my hand and seal this twenty-third day of Jan. one thousand seven hundred and fifty." "James Edmonston" (Seal)
"Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said James Edmonston, the testator, as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who were present at the sealing and signing thereof. Memorandum: The words, "to the said deceased" being underlined or interlined between the forty-second and forty-third lines before sealing and signing. Tho. Hilary, Wm Magruder, Archib'd Edmonston. Witnesses."
"October ye 16, 1753. Then came Thomas Hilary and Archibald Edmonston, two subscribers (?) or subscribing witnesses to the foregoing and being duly and solemnly sworn by the Holy Evangels of Almighty God, declair and say the said Capn. James Edmonston, now decd. Testator, sign and seal this foregoing will and heard him publish and declair the same to be his last will and testament, at the time of so doing being of sound and disposing memory to the best of their apprehension & in his presence and at his bequest they subscribed the same as endorsed & no other subscribing endorsers was present and subscribed at the request of the testator in their presence. Sworn before D. Dulany, Comm. Of Prince Georges County.
Archibald Edmonston, bro. To the decd declairs that the words added (a few following words undecipherable). Archibald Edmonston hs a copy of this will and approves thereof, he being??????.
Prince Georges County 1753. Capt. James Edmonston. Mary Edmonston, exectx. Recorded in Lib. DD#7 fol. 550 (or 558). Prince Georges County. Copy recorded in Liber ST fol. 467 & 468.
As mentioned heretofore, Mary (Beall) Edmonston, wife of the above James Edmonston, was a daughter of Ninian Beall Jr. who died in 1711 and his wife, Elizabeth Magruder, who after his death married William Beall. In the will made by Sarah Magruder, 16 Jan. 1731 and proved may the 9th, 1734 and recorded in Liber #1 Folio 235 in the Orphans' Court of Prince Georges County. She names among others,
her daughter, Elizabeth Bell, wife of William Bell and Mary Edmonston but does not define any relationship to Mary Edmonston. It is assumed that Mary Edmonston was her granddaughter. The bequest was for six silver spoons. She also bequeathed a Negro boy named Batcheller to Samuel Bell, son of Ninian Bell, which seems to additionally confirm the relationship even if it is not expressly stated.
To those of you who may not be familiar with the ways of genealogy this may seem a laborious proceeding in order to prove an obscure relationship. If other evidence is found though, it would serve to add to this evidence as a whole.
In the book of accounts, Prince Georges County, Liber DD page 244 there is the account of Samuel Turner and Mary, his wife, executors of the estate of Capt. James Edmonston, late of P.G. County, dec'd., amounting to 9668 pounds of tobacco etc. From this, we know that Mary Edmonston married Samuel Turner after the decease of her husband. I found no further mention of them in the records I searched. There were various land transactions recorded in the county made by James Edmonston, too numerous to list here, but he was what might be called nowadays a wheeler and dealer in Maryland Real Estate. They are too complicated to evaluate without more information, which is unavailable at this time. The location of the various tracts of land, on a map, would be most interesting, relevant, and pertinent to this story, but they too must wait for a future time.
The "Yarrow" farm, or plantation is described in later documents as being near the Federal City which leads me to believe that the present town of Edmonston, just northeast of the District of Columbia may have been the location of Yarrow. The two plantations, Labyrinth and Prevention were both on Rock Creek not far from the present District of Columbia, apparently. There was an effort on the parts of some of the Edmonston heirs of James Edmonston Jr. to recover land which they claimed belonged to their ancestors and which had been leased for ninety-nine years, much of it involved choice parcels of real estate in Prince Georges County. That story will have to wait for further investigation.
From his will we have the names of the children of James and Mary (Beall) Edmonston viz: Archibald, Margery, Jane, Mary, Sarah, Ninian, James Jr. and Rachel. In his will he did not mention his wife by name. He omitted all mention of his personal estate as well. The estate appears to have been settled without controversy on the parts of the heirs.
After his death, James Edmonston's widow married Samuel Turner and I was unable to find any record other than the one in which they were named as executors of James Edmonston's estate in the final accounting.
Born 1697/99 Prince Georges County, Md.
Died 16 October 1753, Buried Prince Georges County, Md.
Father: Col. Archibald Edmonston
Mother: Jane Beall of Ninean Beall and Ruth Moore
Married: About 1720 to Mary Beall, daughter of Ninian Beall Jr., & Elizabeth Magruder. She married Samuel Turner after James' death.
Children:
Margery (1729-1801)
Archibald (1734 to 14 April 1787. Married Martha Prather (?))
Mary (abt. 1735-)
Ninian Beall (about 1735 in Md. Died January 1816)
Jane (1737-1801)
Sarah (1743-1826)
James Jr. (1745-1793)
Rachel (1747-)
From the book “My Edmonstons and a few more” by Charles Ninian Edmonston (1903-1979) :
Capt. James Edmonston (Sr.)
In a deposition made by James Edmonston, 9 Dec. 1734, he stated that he was at that time, 36 years old. Book T. page 237. Land Office, Prince Georges County, Md. He married Mary Beall, date unknown as is the date of her birth and death. She was a daughter of Ninian Beall Jr., and of his wife Elizabeth Magruder.
Maryland records show that James Edmonston was a judge in Prince Georges County for a period of several years. He was called Captain which was probably a military title. Other records give evidence to the effect that he was an owner of large land holdings as well as being a merchant and seems to have been financially successful.
His will is in Will Book #1, page 473 in Prince Georges County. I deciphered it from a facsimile copy of the original.
"IN THE NAME OF GOD. I, James Edmonston of Prince Georges County, being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind, blessed by God, do this day and year und. Written make and publish this, my last will and testament in manner following:
"First I give to my wife all ye proffits of Land wherein I now dwell, called "Yarrow" with the improvements thereon during her widowhood, one hundred acres, the southermost part excepted.
"Also I give to my son, Archibald & his heirs my part of the tract of land called, "Brothers Content."
"Also I give to my daughter Margery & her heirs all my right & claim to that tract of land called "Hermitage", containing one hundred & thirty acres & also ten acres of said "Heritage" (or Hermitage) conveyed by Thomas Buler's bond as it may appear. Also I give to my daughter, Margery & her heirs all my part of that tract of land called, "Prevention" laying near Rock Creek.
"Also I give to my daughter, Jane & her heirs all my rights and claims to that tract called "Labyrinty" laying near Rock Creek, also I give to my daughter Jane and her heirs, one other tract of land called "Barren Ridges" containing forty-eight acres of land.
"Also I give to my daughter, Mary & her heirs, all my rights and claims to that tract of land called "Batchelors Forest", containing four hundred and five acres.
"Also, I give to my daughter, Sarah, and her heirs all my part of the tract of land called "Diamond". Also I give my said daughter, Sarah & her heirs my part of a tract of land called "Accord" with my rights of what
shall be added thereto by Upton's Warrant of Resurvey now to center on the vacant land contiguous thereto. Also I give to my said daughter Sarah & her heirs a tract of land called "Danby".
"Also, I give to my son, Ninian and his heirs a tract of land called, "Piles Delight", also I give to my son, Ninian & his heirs all my part of a tract of land called, "Prestons March" (or Marsh).
"Also I give to my son, James and his heirs a tract of land called "Long Green" also I give to my son, James, a tract of land called, "Silent Grove". Also I give to my son James, & his heirs one acre of land now in possession of Richard Rose and his wife. Also I give to my son James & his heirs a tract of land called "Cool Spring Mannour."
Also I give to my daughter, Rachel & her heirs my part of a tract of land called, "Subberland". Also I give to my daughter Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called "Western Field". Also I give to my daughter, Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called, "Land of Ease". Also I give to my daughter Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called "Amsterdam". Also I give to my daughter, Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called, "George". Also I give to my daughter Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called, "Georges Delight."
"Also, I give to my friend, Samuel Black & his heirs all my part of a tract of land called, "Discovery".
"Also, I give to my friend, Thomas Odle (or O'Dell) & his wife, during their natural lives or either of them the use & profitts of one hundred acres of land being in the southernmost end of a tract of land called, "Yarrow", they or either of them paying one ear of Indian Corn if demand. Also I give to this Thomas Odle & his heirs one acre of land in Queen Anne's Town, in Prince Georges County.
"It is my will that a tract of land called "Peters Hall" containing three hundred and fifty-five acres be sold by my executrix, hereinafter named and the monies arising thereon to be applied toward the discharging of my just debts and that they be speedily paid and also that no creditor be defrauded of their just dues by any legal advantages taken against them or him. Also that all contracts for leases, contracts for sales by me heretofore made be fulfilled and performed by said executrix. Also it is my will that if any of my aforesaid children die before they arrive at the age of twenty-one years and without lawful issue that then the lands bequeathed as aforesaid to the deceased be sold by my executrix and the monies arising thereon shall be equally divided amongst the survivors or their representatives.
Lastly, I make, ordain and constutute my wife, sole executrix of this my last will. In witness whereof I, the said James Edmonston have to this will and testament set my hand and seal this twenty-third day of Jan. one thousand seven hundred and fifty." "James Edmonston" (Seal)
"Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said James Edmonston, the testator, as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who were present at the sealing and signing thereof. Memorandum: The words, "to the said deceased" being underlined or interlined between the forty-second and forty-third lines before sealing and signing. Tho. Hilary, Wm Magruder, Archib'd Edmonston. Witnesses."
"October ye 16, 1753. Then came Thomas Hilary and Archibald Edmonston, two subscribers (?) or subscribing witnesses to the foregoing and being duly and solemnly sworn by the Holy Evangels of Almighty God, declair and say the said Capn. James Edmonston, now decd. Testator, sign and seal this foregoing will and heard him publish and declair the same to be his last will and testament, at the time of so doing being of sound and disposing memory to the best of their apprehension & in his presence and at his bequest they subscribed the same as endorsed & no other subscribing endorsers was present and subscribed at the request of the testator in their presence. Sworn before D. Dulany, Comm. Of Prince Georges County.
Archibald Edmonston, bro. To the decd declairs that the words added (a few following words undecipherable). Archibald Edmonston hs a copy of this will and approves thereof, he being??????.
Prince Georges County 1753. Capt. James Edmonston. Mary Edmonston, exectx. Recorded in Lib. DD#7 fol. 550 (or 558). Prince Georges County. Copy recorded in Liber ST fol. 467 & 468.
As mentioned heretofore, Mary (Beall) Edmonston, wife of the above James Edmonston, was a daughter of Ninian Beall Jr. who died in 1711 and his wife, Elizabeth Magruder, who after his death married William Beall. In the will made by Sarah Magruder, 16 Jan. 1731 and proved may the 9th, 1734 and recorded in Liber #1 Folio 235 in the Orphans' Court of Prince Georges County. She names among others,
her daughter, Elizabeth Bell, wife of William Bell and Mary Edmonston but does not define any relationship to Mary Edmonston. It is assumed that Mary Edmonston was her granddaughter. The bequest was for six silver spoons. She also bequeathed a Negro boy named Batcheller to Samuel Bell, son of Ninian Bell, which seems to additionally confirm the relationship even if it is not expressly stated.
To those of you who may not be familiar with the ways of genealogy this may seem a laborious proceeding in order to prove an obscure relationship. If other evidence is found though, it would serve to add to this evidence as a whole.
In the book of accounts, Prince Georges County, Liber DD page 244 there is the account of Samuel Turner and Mary, his wife, executors of the estate of Capt. James Edmonston, late of P.G. County, dec'd., amounting to 9668 pounds of tobacco etc. From this, we know that Mary Edmonston married Samuel Turner after the decease of her husband. I found no further mention of them in the records I searched. There were various land transactions recorded in the county made by James Edmonston, too numerous to list here, but he was what might be called nowadays a wheeler and dealer in Maryland Real Estate. They are too complicated to evaluate without more information, which is unavailable at this time. The location of the various tracts of land, on a map, would be most interesting, relevant, and pertinent to this story, but they too must wait for a future time.
The "Yarrow" farm, or plantation is described in later documents as being near the Federal City which leads me to believe that the present town of Edmonston, just northeast of the District of Columbia may have been the location of Yarrow. The two plantations, Labyrinth and Prevention were both on Rock Creek not far from the present District of Columbia, apparently. There was an effort on the parts of some of the Edmonston heirs of James Edmonston Jr. to recover land which they claimed belonged to their ancestors and which had been leased for ninety-nine years, much of it involved choice parcels of real estate in Prince Georges County. That story will have to wait for further investigation.
From his will we have the names of the children of James and Mary (Beall) Edmonston viz: Archibald, Margery, Jane, Mary, Sarah, Ninian, James Jr. and Rachel. In his will he did not mention his wife by name. He omitted all mention of his personal estate as well. The estate appears to have been settled without controversy on the parts of the heirs.
After his death, James Edmonston's widow married Samuel Turner and I was unable to find any record other than the one in which they were named as executors of James Edmonston's estate in the final accounting.
EDMONSTON, James Sr. (Captain)
Born 1697/99 Prince Georges County, Md.
Died 16 October 1753, Buried Prince Georges County, Md.
Father: Col. Archibald Edmonston
Mother: Jane Beall of Ninean Beall and Ruth Moore
Married: About 1720 to Mary Beall, daughter of Ninian Beall Jr., & Elizabeth Magruder. She married Samuel Turner after James' death.
Children:
Margery (1729-1801)
Archibald (1734 to 14 April 1787. Married Martha Prather (?))
Mary (abt. 1735-)
Ninian Beall (about 1735 in Md. Died January 1816)
Jane (1737-1801)
Sarah (1743-1826)
James Jr. (1745-1793)
Rachel (1747-)
From the book “My Edmonstons and a few more” by Charles Ninian Edmonston (1903-1979) :
Capt. James Edmonston (Sr.)
In a deposition made by James Edmonston, 9 Dec. 1734, he stated that he was at that time, 36 years old. Book T. page 237. Land Office, Prince Georges County, Md. He married Mary Beall, date unknown as is the date of her birth and death. She was a daughter of Ninian Beall Jr., and of his wife Elizabeth Magruder.
Maryland records show that James Edmonston was a judge in Prince Georges County for a period of several years. He was called Captain which was probably a military title. Other records give evidence to the effect that he was an owner of large land holdings as well as being a merchant and seems to have been financially successful.
His will is in Will Book #1, page 473 in Prince Georges County. I deciphered it from a facsimile copy of the original.
"IN THE NAME OF GOD. I, James Edmonston of Prince Georges County, being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind, blessed by God, do this day and year und. Written make and publish this, my last will and testament in manner following:
"First I give to my wife all ye proffits of Land wherein I now dwell, called "Yarrow" with the improvements thereon during her widowhood, one hundred acres, the southermost part excepted.
"Also I give to my son, Archibald & his heirs my part of the tract of land called, "Brothers Content."
"Also I give to my daughter Margery & her heirs all my right & claim to that tract of land called "Hermitage", containing one hundred & thirty acres & also ten acres of said "Heritage" (or Hermitage) conveyed by Thomas Buler's bond as it may appear. Also I give to my daughter, Margery & her heirs all my part of that tract of land called, "Prevention" laying near Rock Creek.
"Also I give to my daughter, Jane & her heirs all my rights and claims to that tract called "Labyrinty" laying near Rock Creek, also I give to my daughter Jane and her heirs, one other tract of land called "Barren Ridges" containing forty-eight acres of land.
"Also I give to my daughter, Mary & her heirs, all my rights and claims to that tract of land called "Batchelors Forest", containing four hundred and five acres.
"Also, I give to my daughter, Sarah, and her heirs all my part of the tract of land called "Diamond". Also I give my said daughter, Sarah & her heirs my part of a tract of land called "Accord" with my rights of what
shall be added thereto by Upton's Warrant of Resurvey now to center on the vacant land contiguous thereto. Also I give to my said daughter Sarah & her heirs a tract of land called "Danby".
"Also, I give to my son, Ninian and his heirs a tract of land called, "Piles Delight", also I give to my son, Ninian & his heirs all my part of a tract of land called, "Prestons March" (or Marsh).
"Also I give to my son, James and his heirs a tract of land called "Long Green" also I give to my son, James, a tract of land called, "Silent Grove". Also I give to my son James, & his heirs one acre of land now in possession of Richard Rose and his wife. Also I give to my son James & his heirs a tract of land called "Cool Spring Mannour."
Also I give to my daughter, Rachel & her heirs my part of a tract of land called, "Subberland". Also I give to my daughter Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called "Western Field". Also I give to my daughter, Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called, "Land of Ease". Also I give to my daughter Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called "Amsterdam". Also I give to my daughter, Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called, "George". Also I give to my daughter Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called, "Georges Delight."
"Also, I give to my friend, Samuel Black & his heirs all my part of a tract of land called, "Discovery".
"Also, I give to my friend, Thomas Odle (or O'Dell) & his wife, during their natural lives or either of them the use & profitts of one hundred acres of land being in the southernmost end of a tract of land called, "Yarrow", they or either of them paying one ear of Indian Corn if demand. Also I give to this Thomas Odle & his heirs one acre of land in Queen Anne's Town, in Prince Georges County.
"It is my will that a tract of land called "Peters Hall" containing three hundred and fifty-five acres be sold by my executrix, hereinafter named and the monies arising thereon to be applied toward the discharging of my just debts and that they be speedily paid and also that no creditor be defrauded of their just dues by any legal advantages taken against them or him. Also that all contracts for leases, contracts for sales by me heretofore made be fulfilled and performed by said executrix. Also it is my will that if any of my aforesaid children die before they arrive at the age of twenty-one years and without lawful issue that then the lands bequeathed as aforesaid to the deceased be sold by my executrix and the monies arising thereon shall be equally divided amongst the survivors or their representatives.
Lastly, I make, ordain and constutute my wife, sole executrix of this my last will. In witness whereof I, the said James Edmonston have to this will and testament set my hand and seal this twenty-third day of Jan. one thousand seven hundred and fifty." "James Edmonston" (Seal)
"Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said James Edmonston, the testator, as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who were present at the sealing and signing thereof. Memorandum: The words, "to the said deceased" being underlined or interlined between the forty-second and forty-third lines before sealing and signing. Tho. Hilary, Wm Magruder, Archib'd Edmonston. Witnesses."
"October ye 16, 1753. Then came Thomas Hilary and Archibald Edmonston, two subscribers (?) or subscribing witnesses to the foregoing and being duly and solemnly sworn by the Holy Evangels of Almighty God, declair and say the said Capn. James Edmonston, now decd. Testator, sign and seal this foregoing will and heard him publish and declair the same to be his last will and testament, at the time of so doing being of sound and disposing memory to the best of their apprehension & in his presence and at his bequest they subscribed the same as endorsed & no other subscribing endorsers was present and subscribed at the request of the testator in their presence. Sworn before D. Dulany, Comm. Of Prince Georges County.
Archibald Edmonston, bro. To the decd declairs that the words added (a few following words undecipherable). Archibald Edmonston hs a copy of this will and approves thereof, he being??????.
Prince Georges County 1753. Capt. James Edmonston. Mary Edmonston, exectx. Recorded in Lib. DD#7 fol. 550 (or 558). Prince Georges County. Copy recorded in Liber ST fol. 467 & 468.
As mentioned heretofore, Mary (Beall) Edmonston, wife of the above James Edmonston, was a daughter of Ninian Beall Jr. who died in 1711 and his wife, Elizabeth Magruder, who after his death married William Beall. In the will made by Sarah Magruder, 16 Jan. 1731 and proved may the 9th, 1734 and recorded in Liber #1 Folio 235 in the Orphans' Court of Prince Georges County. She names among others,
her daughter, Elizabeth Bell, wife of William Bell and Mary Edmonston but does not define any relationship to Mary Edmonston. It is assumed that Mary Edmonston was her granddaughter. The bequest was for six silver spoons. She also bequeathed a Negro boy named Batcheller to Samuel Bell, son of Ninian Bell, which seems to additionally confirm the relationship even if it is not expressly stated.
To those of you who may not be familiar with the ways of genealogy this may seem a laborious proceeding in order to prove an obscure relationship. If other evidence is found though, it would serve to add to this evidence as a whole.
In the book of accounts, Prince Georges County, Liber DD page 244 there is the account of Samuel Turner and Mary, his wife, executors of the estate of Capt. James Edmonston, late of P.G. County, dec'd., amounting to 9668 pounds of tobacco etc. From this, we know that Mary Edmonston married Samuel Turner after the decease of her husband. I found no further mention of them in the records I searched. There were various land transactions recorded in the county made by James Edmonston, too numerous to list here, but he was what might be called nowadays a wheeler and dealer in Maryland Real Estate. They are too complicated to evaluate without more information, which is unavailable at this time. The location of the various tracts of land, on a map, would be most interesting, relevant, and pertinent to this story, but they too must wait for a future time.
The "Yarrow" farm, or plantation is described in later documents as being near the Federal City which leads me to believe that the present town of Edmonston, just northeast of the District of Columbia may have been the location of Yarrow. The two plantations, Labyrinth and Prevention were both on Rock Creek not far from the present District of Columbia, apparently. There was an effort on the parts of some of the Edmonston heirs of James Edmonston Jr. to recover land which they claimed belonged to their ancestors and which had been leased for ninety-nine years, much of it involved choice parcels of real estate in Prince Georges County. That story will have to wait for further investigation.
From his will we have the names of the children of James and Mary (Beall) Edmonston viz: Archibald, Margery, Jane, Mary, Sarah, Ninian, James Jr. and Rachel. In his will he did not mention his wife by name. He omitted all mention of his personal estate as well. The estate appears to have been settled without controversy on the parts of the heirs.
After his death, James Edmonston's widow married Samuel Turner and I was unable to find any record other than the one in which they were named as executors of James Edmonston's estate in the final accounting.
Born 1697/99 Prince Georges County, Md.
Died 16 October 1753, Buried Prince Georges County, Md.
Father: Col. Archibald Edmonston
Mother: Jane Beall of Ninean Beall and Ruth Moore
Married: About 1720 to Mary Beall, daughter of Ninian Beall Jr., & Elizabeth Magruder. She married Samuel Turner after James' death.
Children:
Margery (1729-1801)
Archibald (1734 to 14 April 1787. Married Martha Prather (?))
Mary (abt. 1735-)
Ninian Beall (about 1735 in Md. Died January 1816)
Jane (1737-1801)
Sarah (1743-1826)
James Jr. (1745-1793)
Rachel (1747-)
From the book “My Edmonstons and a few more” by Charles Ninian Edmonston (1903-1979) :
Capt. James Edmonston (Sr.)
In a deposition made by James Edmonston, 9 Dec. 1734, he stated that he was at that time, 36 years old. Book T. page 237. Land Office, Prince Georges County, Md. He married Mary Beall, date unknown as is the date of her birth and death. She was a daughter of Ninian Beall Jr., and of his wife Elizabeth Magruder.
Maryland records show that James Edmonston was a judge in Prince Georges County for a period of several years. He was called Captain which was probably a military title. Other records give evidence to the effect that he was an owner of large land holdings as well as being a merchant and seems to have been financially successful.
His will is in Will Book #1, page 473 in Prince Georges County. I deciphered it from a facsimile copy of the original.
"IN THE NAME OF GOD. I, James Edmonston of Prince Georges County, being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind, blessed by God, do this day and year und. Written make and publish this, my last will and testament in manner following:
"First I give to my wife all ye proffits of Land wherein I now dwell, called "Yarrow" with the improvements thereon during her widowhood, one hundred acres, the southermost part excepted.
"Also I give to my son, Archibald & his heirs my part of the tract of land called, "Brothers Content."
"Also I give to my daughter Margery & her heirs all my right & claim to that tract of land called "Hermitage", containing one hundred & thirty acres & also ten acres of said "Heritage" (or Hermitage) conveyed by Thomas Buler's bond as it may appear. Also I give to my daughter, Margery & her heirs all my part of that tract of land called, "Prevention" laying near Rock Creek.
"Also I give to my daughter, Jane & her heirs all my rights and claims to that tract called "Labyrinty" laying near Rock Creek, also I give to my daughter Jane and her heirs, one other tract of land called "Barren Ridges" containing forty-eight acres of land.
"Also I give to my daughter, Mary & her heirs, all my rights and claims to that tract of land called "Batchelors Forest", containing four hundred and five acres.
"Also, I give to my daughter, Sarah, and her heirs all my part of the tract of land called "Diamond". Also I give my said daughter, Sarah & her heirs my part of a tract of land called "Accord" with my rights of what
shall be added thereto by Upton's Warrant of Resurvey now to center on the vacant land contiguous thereto. Also I give to my said daughter Sarah & her heirs a tract of land called "Danby".
"Also, I give to my son, Ninian and his heirs a tract of land called, "Piles Delight", also I give to my son, Ninian & his heirs all my part of a tract of land called, "Prestons March" (or Marsh).
"Also I give to my son, James and his heirs a tract of land called "Long Green" also I give to my son, James, a tract of land called, "Silent Grove". Also I give to my son James, & his heirs one acre of land now in possession of Richard Rose and his wife. Also I give to my son James & his heirs a tract of land called "Cool Spring Mannour."
Also I give to my daughter, Rachel & her heirs my part of a tract of land called, "Subberland". Also I give to my daughter Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called "Western Field". Also I give to my daughter, Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called, "Land of Ease". Also I give to my daughter Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called "Amsterdam". Also I give to my daughter, Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called, "George". Also I give to my daughter Rachel & her heirs, a tract of land called, "Georges Delight."
"Also, I give to my friend, Samuel Black & his heirs all my part of a tract of land called, "Discovery".
"Also, I give to my friend, Thomas Odle (or O'Dell) & his wife, during their natural lives or either of them the use & profitts of one hundred acres of land being in the southernmost end of a tract of land called, "Yarrow", they or either of them paying one ear of Indian Corn if demand. Also I give to this Thomas Odle & his heirs one acre of land in Queen Anne's Town, in Prince Georges County.
"It is my will that a tract of land called "Peters Hall" containing three hundred and fifty-five acres be sold by my executrix, hereinafter named and the monies arising thereon to be applied toward the discharging of my just debts and that they be speedily paid and also that no creditor be defrauded of their just dues by any legal advantages taken against them or him. Also that all contracts for leases, contracts for sales by me heretofore made be fulfilled and performed by said executrix. Also it is my will that if any of my aforesaid children die before they arrive at the age of twenty-one years and without lawful issue that then the lands bequeathed as aforesaid to the deceased be sold by my executrix and the monies arising thereon shall be equally divided amongst the survivors or their representatives.
Lastly, I make, ordain and constutute my wife, sole executrix of this my last will. In witness whereof I, the said James Edmonston have to this will and testament set my hand and seal this twenty-third day of Jan. one thousand seven hundred and fifty." "James Edmonston" (Seal)
"Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said James Edmonston, the testator, as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who were present at the sealing and signing thereof. Memorandum: The words, "to the said deceased" being underlined or interlined between the forty-second and forty-third lines before sealing and signing. Tho. Hilary, Wm Magruder, Archib'd Edmonston. Witnesses."
"October ye 16, 1753. Then came Thomas Hilary and Archibald Edmonston, two subscribers (?) or subscribing witnesses to the foregoing and being duly and solemnly sworn by the Holy Evangels of Almighty God, declair and say the said Capn. James Edmonston, now decd. Testator, sign and seal this foregoing will and heard him publish and declair the same to be his last will and testament, at the time of so doing being of sound and disposing memory to the best of their apprehension & in his presence and at his bequest they subscribed the same as endorsed & no other subscribing endorsers was present and subscribed at the request of the testator in their presence. Sworn before D. Dulany, Comm. Of Prince Georges County.
Archibald Edmonston, bro. To the decd declairs that the words added (a few following words undecipherable). Archibald Edmonston hs a copy of this will and approves thereof, he being??????.
Prince Georges County 1753. Capt. James Edmonston. Mary Edmonston, exectx. Recorded in Lib. DD#7 fol. 550 (or 558). Prince Georges County. Copy recorded in Liber ST fol. 467 & 468.
As mentioned heretofore, Mary (Beall) Edmonston, wife of the above James Edmonston, was a daughter of Ninian Beall Jr. who died in 1711 and his wife, Elizabeth Magruder, who after his death married William Beall. In the will made by Sarah Magruder, 16 Jan. 1731 and proved may the 9th, 1734 and recorded in Liber #1 Folio 235 in the Orphans' Court of Prince Georges County. She names among others,
her daughter, Elizabeth Bell, wife of William Bell and Mary Edmonston but does not define any relationship to Mary Edmonston. It is assumed that Mary Edmonston was her granddaughter. The bequest was for six silver spoons. She also bequeathed a Negro boy named Batcheller to Samuel Bell, son of Ninian Bell, which seems to additionally confirm the relationship even if it is not expressly stated.
To those of you who may not be familiar with the ways of genealogy this may seem a laborious proceeding in order to prove an obscure relationship. If other evidence is found though, it would serve to add to this evidence as a whole.
In the book of accounts, Prince Georges County, Liber DD page 244 there is the account of Samuel Turner and Mary, his wife, executors of the estate of Capt. James Edmonston, late of P.G. County, dec'd., amounting to 9668 pounds of tobacco etc. From this, we know that Mary Edmonston married Samuel Turner after the decease of her husband. I found no further mention of them in the records I searched. There were various land transactions recorded in the county made by James Edmonston, too numerous to list here, but he was what might be called nowadays a wheeler and dealer in Maryland Real Estate. They are too complicated to evaluate without more information, which is unavailable at this time. The location of the various tracts of land, on a map, would be most interesting, relevant, and pertinent to this story, but they too must wait for a future time.
The "Yarrow" farm, or plantation is described in later documents as being near the Federal City which leads me to believe that the present town of Edmonston, just northeast of the District of Columbia may have been the location of Yarrow. The two plantations, Labyrinth and Prevention were both on Rock Creek not far from the present District of Columbia, apparently. There was an effort on the parts of some of the Edmonston heirs of James Edmonston Jr. to recover land which they claimed belonged to their ancestors and which had been leased for ninety-nine years, much of it involved choice parcels of real estate in Prince Georges County. That story will have to wait for further investigation.
From his will we have the names of the children of James and Mary (Beall) Edmonston viz: Archibald, Margery, Jane, Mary, Sarah, Ninian, James Jr. and Rachel. In his will he did not mention his wife by name. He omitted all mention of his personal estate as well. The estate appears to have been settled without controversy on the parts of the heirs.
After his death, James Edmonston's widow married Samuel Turner and I was unable to find any record other than the one in which they were named as executors of James Edmonston's estate in the final accounting.
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