Richard Duckett, according to his own deposition (note "1" below), was born in London, England, about 1673. He arrived in Maryland in 1692, as an indentured servant to Major (later Colonel) Henry Ridgely; at the time, he had 4 years remaining on his indenture. He was well-educated; his position under Major Ridgley was as a bookkeeper (the Major, as stated in the deposition, at times relied on Richard to read letters for him), he was the first Clerk of Queen Anne's Parish, Prince George's County, a Vestryman, and was a prominent citizen. Many original examples of his excellent handwriting still exist, as testament to his education and status.
Nothing else, other than his birth in London, is known of his parentage, or of his life in England, before his arrival in Maryland. There are records of various Ducketts, of one profession or other, in London at about the time Richard was born (there was, for example, a Richard Duckett, Grocer, of London, who died in 1557, just 16 years before our Richard Duckett was born), and it's conceivable that Richard is the son or grandson of one of these Ducketts, but that, and which one, would be pure speculation. Intriguingly, there is a baptismal record of a child, name unknown, 17 April 1673, born to Richard Duckett and Anne Spry, at the Temple Church in London. Possibly the parents of this Richard?
There are some genealogies that show Richard as the son of William Duckett and Elizabeth Henshaw, but this has been disproven (more on that below, note "2"). In any case, it's apparent that Richard was from a family of some means, based on his education and social standing.
The All Hallows Parish Register shows that "Richard Duckitt" married Charity Jacob "ye Dafter of John & Ann: Jacob his wife," on 26 Jan 1698 or 99, in All Hallow's Parish Episcopal Church, South River Parish, Anne Arundel County [All Hallow's Parish Register, Page 11].
Richard and Charity lived in Anne Arundel Co., where Richard served as parish clerk, and where their first five children were born. In 1708 Richard purchased 100 acres of land in Queen Anne's parish, in Prince George's County, from Robert Tyler, and he moved his family there by 1709, where Richard served as parish clerk for another twenty four years, and where several more children were born. In 1717 Richard lost his land {and everything else he owned), to the Rev. Jacob Henderson, due to a failed mortgage. "Richard Duckett, unable to pay a long standing debt of bill. to Rev. Jacob Henderson, forfeited "Duckett's Hope" - "as allso all singular and personal Estate...of whatever nature, kind or quality whatsoever ...cows, calves, sheep, bedding, pewter...or other goods or chattels." It may be that Richard's loss was a result of putting up a bond on behalf of a friend or relative, on some venture that failed, and cost him his entire estate; such cases were not uncommon at the time.
There is no record of Richard ever owning any other land, and probably he and his family's his last few years were somewhat of a struggle, although he did have his salary as parish clerk to sustain his family. He died in 1733, in Prince George's county; exact details of his death and burial are unknown; his last mention in the Queen Anne's Parish record is dated 30 Oct 1733: "At a meeting of the Vestry October ye 30th 1733... the Vestry made Choice of James Beck for their Clerk in Stead of Richd. Duckett Decd." The last entry in Richard's handwriting in the Parish Record was made 14 Sept., 1733, upon the occasion of the birth of a child in the parish
Children:
1. Mary Duckett b. 27 Feb 1699, married Nathan Wells 13 Dec 1716.
2. Elizabeth Duckett b. 1700 (baptised 7 Jan 1701), married Oliver Wallis 9 Sept 1723.
3. Charity Duckett b. 26 March 1703, married Larkin Pierpoint 18 Sept 1725.
4. Richard Duckett, Jr. b 21 Feb 1704, married 1st Mary Nuthall 13 November 1729; 2nd Elizabeth Williams 2 June 1735.
5. John Duckett b. 10 April 1707, married Sarah Waring 3 March 1738.
6. Anne Duckett b. 8 March 1710, married 1st Robert Wheeler Jr 13 Oct 1732, 2nd Mathew Robinson 1732.
7. Susanna Duckett b. 30 Oct 1712, married Thomas Wheeler 6 Mar 1733.
8. Jacob Duckett b. 11 Nov 1714, married Sarah Odell about 1738.
9. Martha Duckett, twin, b. Oct. 14, 1716, married 1st Rignal Odell 25 Aug 1754, 2nd Edward Hall 14 June 1764.
10. Rachel Duckett, twin, b. Oct. 14, 1716.
11. Sarah Duckett, b. July 30, 1718.
Note 1: From "Maryland and Virginia Colonials: Genealogies of Some Colonial Families" by By Sharon J. Doliante. Deposition given in 1728 in relation to a court case concerning the affairs of Henry Ridgely. Richard was 55 at the time of the deposition, giving an approximate birthdate of 1673: "Finally, RICHARD DUCKETT, aged fifty five, stated that he had come to Maryland about 1692, as a servant for four years, consigned to Maj. Henry Ridgley, and that about two days after his arrival he had a conversation with the wife of his Master, during which she told him that she had been born in the West of England. When he told her that he had been born at London, but had visited her native town she asked if he knew any one named Skinner there, as that was her maiden name. He told her no, 'for his stay was short'.
Note 2: There is positive documentary proof, from several sources that all confirm that William Duckett had *only* one son, Lyonel Duckett: William Duckett's will naming only the one son Lyonel; his son Lyonel's headstone that also names him as William's only son; the 1674 marriage contract of William's only daughter Jane (by his 2nd wife Anne Wright) to John Lawford, stating that William had one son; William's marriage contract with his third wife, Margaret Moore, that confirms that he previously had only one son (Lyonel, with his first wife Elizabeth Henshaw); and that third wife Margaret Moore's will, which names only her children with her first husband; none - no children at all - with William Duckett. And Richard of Maryland did not name any of his children after his supposed father William, nor of his supposed mother (presumably Margaret Moore, given his birthdate of 1672-73), nor of his supposed older brother Lyonel, nor of his supposed sister Jane.
Nothing else, other than his birth in London, is known of his parentage, or of his life in England, before his arrival in Maryland. There are records of various Ducketts, of one profession or other, in London at about the time Richard was born (there was, for example, a Richard Duckett, Grocer, of London, who died in 1557, just 16 years before our Richard Duckett was born), and it's conceivable that Richard is the son or grandson of one of these Ducketts, but that, and which one, would be pure speculation. Intriguingly, there is a baptismal record of a child, name unknown, 17 April 1673, born to Richard Duckett and Anne Spry, at the Temple Church in London. Possibly the parents of this Richard?
There are some genealogies that show Richard as the son of William Duckett and Elizabeth Henshaw, but this has been disproven (more on that below, note "2"). In any case, it's apparent that Richard was from a family of some means, based on his education and social standing.
The All Hallows Parish Register shows that "Richard Duckitt" married Charity Jacob "ye Dafter of John & Ann: Jacob his wife," on 26 Jan 1698 or 99, in All Hallow's Parish Episcopal Church, South River Parish, Anne Arundel County [All Hallow's Parish Register, Page 11].
Richard and Charity lived in Anne Arundel Co., where Richard served as parish clerk, and where their first five children were born. In 1708 Richard purchased 100 acres of land in Queen Anne's parish, in Prince George's County, from Robert Tyler, and he moved his family there by 1709, where Richard served as parish clerk for another twenty four years, and where several more children were born. In 1717 Richard lost his land {and everything else he owned), to the Rev. Jacob Henderson, due to a failed mortgage. "Richard Duckett, unable to pay a long standing debt of bill. to Rev. Jacob Henderson, forfeited "Duckett's Hope" - "as allso all singular and personal Estate...of whatever nature, kind or quality whatsoever ...cows, calves, sheep, bedding, pewter...or other goods or chattels." It may be that Richard's loss was a result of putting up a bond on behalf of a friend or relative, on some venture that failed, and cost him his entire estate; such cases were not uncommon at the time.
There is no record of Richard ever owning any other land, and probably he and his family's his last few years were somewhat of a struggle, although he did have his salary as parish clerk to sustain his family. He died in 1733, in Prince George's county; exact details of his death and burial are unknown; his last mention in the Queen Anne's Parish record is dated 30 Oct 1733: "At a meeting of the Vestry October ye 30th 1733... the Vestry made Choice of James Beck for their Clerk in Stead of Richd. Duckett Decd." The last entry in Richard's handwriting in the Parish Record was made 14 Sept., 1733, upon the occasion of the birth of a child in the parish
Children:
1. Mary Duckett b. 27 Feb 1699, married Nathan Wells 13 Dec 1716.
2. Elizabeth Duckett b. 1700 (baptised 7 Jan 1701), married Oliver Wallis 9 Sept 1723.
3. Charity Duckett b. 26 March 1703, married Larkin Pierpoint 18 Sept 1725.
4. Richard Duckett, Jr. b 21 Feb 1704, married 1st Mary Nuthall 13 November 1729; 2nd Elizabeth Williams 2 June 1735.
5. John Duckett b. 10 April 1707, married Sarah Waring 3 March 1738.
6. Anne Duckett b. 8 March 1710, married 1st Robert Wheeler Jr 13 Oct 1732, 2nd Mathew Robinson 1732.
7. Susanna Duckett b. 30 Oct 1712, married Thomas Wheeler 6 Mar 1733.
8. Jacob Duckett b. 11 Nov 1714, married Sarah Odell about 1738.
9. Martha Duckett, twin, b. Oct. 14, 1716, married 1st Rignal Odell 25 Aug 1754, 2nd Edward Hall 14 June 1764.
10. Rachel Duckett, twin, b. Oct. 14, 1716.
11. Sarah Duckett, b. July 30, 1718.
Note 1: From "Maryland and Virginia Colonials: Genealogies of Some Colonial Families" by By Sharon J. Doliante. Deposition given in 1728 in relation to a court case concerning the affairs of Henry Ridgely. Richard was 55 at the time of the deposition, giving an approximate birthdate of 1673: "Finally, RICHARD DUCKETT, aged fifty five, stated that he had come to Maryland about 1692, as a servant for four years, consigned to Maj. Henry Ridgley, and that about two days after his arrival he had a conversation with the wife of his Master, during which she told him that she had been born in the West of England. When he told her that he had been born at London, but had visited her native town she asked if he knew any one named Skinner there, as that was her maiden name. He told her no, 'for his stay was short'.
Note 2: There is positive documentary proof, from several sources that all confirm that William Duckett had *only* one son, Lyonel Duckett: William Duckett's will naming only the one son Lyonel; his son Lyonel's headstone that also names him as William's only son; the 1674 marriage contract of William's only daughter Jane (by his 2nd wife Anne Wright) to John Lawford, stating that William had one son; William's marriage contract with his third wife, Margaret Moore, that confirms that he previously had only one son (Lyonel, with his first wife Elizabeth Henshaw); and that third wife Margaret Moore's will, which names only her children with her first husband; none - no children at all - with William Duckett. And Richard of Maryland did not name any of his children after his supposed father William, nor of his supposed mother (presumably Margaret Moore, given his birthdate of 1672-73), nor of his supposed older brother Lyonel, nor of his supposed sister Jane.
Richard Duckett, according to his own deposition (note "1" below), was born in London, England, about 1673. He arrived in Maryland in 1692, as an indentured servant to Major (later Colonel) Henry Ridgely; at the time, he had 4 years remaining on his indenture. He was well-educated; his position under Major Ridgley was as a bookkeeper (the Major, as stated in the deposition, at times relied on Richard to read letters for him), he was the first Clerk of Queen Anne's Parish, Prince George's County, a Vestryman, and was a prominent citizen. Many original examples of his excellent handwriting still exist, as testament to his education and status.
Nothing else, other than his birth in London, is known of his parentage, or of his life in England, before his arrival in Maryland. There are records of various Ducketts, of one profession or other, in London at about the time Richard was born (there was, for example, a Richard Duckett, Grocer, of London, who died in 1557, just 16 years before our Richard Duckett was born), and it's conceivable that Richard is the son or grandson of one of these Ducketts, but that, and which one, would be pure speculation. Intriguingly, there is a baptismal record of a child, name unknown, 17 April 1673, born to Richard Duckett and Anne Spry, at the Temple Church in London. Possibly the parents of this Richard?
There are some genealogies that show Richard as the son of William Duckett and Elizabeth Henshaw, but this has been disproven (more on that below, note "2"). In any case, it's apparent that Richard was from a family of some means, based on his education and social standing.
The All Hallows Parish Register shows that "Richard Duckitt" married Charity Jacob "ye Dafter of John & Ann: Jacob his wife," on 26 Jan 1698 or 99, in All Hallow's Parish Episcopal Church, South River Parish, Anne Arundel County [All Hallow's Parish Register, Page 11].
Richard and Charity lived in Anne Arundel Co., where Richard served as parish clerk, and where their first five children were born. In 1708 Richard purchased 100 acres of land in Queen Anne's parish, in Prince George's County, from Robert Tyler, and he moved his family there by 1709, where Richard served as parish clerk for another twenty four years, and where several more children were born. In 1717 Richard lost his land {and everything else he owned), to the Rev. Jacob Henderson, due to a failed mortgage. "Richard Duckett, unable to pay a long standing debt of bill. to Rev. Jacob Henderson, forfeited "Duckett's Hope" - "as allso all singular and personal Estate...of whatever nature, kind or quality whatsoever ...cows, calves, sheep, bedding, pewter...or other goods or chattels." It may be that Richard's loss was a result of putting up a bond on behalf of a friend or relative, on some venture that failed, and cost him his entire estate; such cases were not uncommon at the time.
There is no record of Richard ever owning any other land, and probably he and his family's his last few years were somewhat of a struggle, although he did have his salary as parish clerk to sustain his family. He died in 1733, in Prince George's county; exact details of his death and burial are unknown; his last mention in the Queen Anne's Parish record is dated 30 Oct 1733: "At a meeting of the Vestry October ye 30th 1733... the Vestry made Choice of James Beck for their Clerk in Stead of Richd. Duckett Decd." The last entry in Richard's handwriting in the Parish Record was made 14 Sept., 1733, upon the occasion of the birth of a child in the parish
Children:
1. Mary Duckett b. 27 Feb 1699, married Nathan Wells 13 Dec 1716.
2. Elizabeth Duckett b. 1700 (baptised 7 Jan 1701), married Oliver Wallis 9 Sept 1723.
3. Charity Duckett b. 26 March 1703, married Larkin Pierpoint 18 Sept 1725.
4. Richard Duckett, Jr. b 21 Feb 1704, married 1st Mary Nuthall 13 November 1729; 2nd Elizabeth Williams 2 June 1735.
5. John Duckett b. 10 April 1707, married Sarah Waring 3 March 1738.
6. Anne Duckett b. 8 March 1710, married 1st Robert Wheeler Jr 13 Oct 1732, 2nd Mathew Robinson 1732.
7. Susanna Duckett b. 30 Oct 1712, married Thomas Wheeler 6 Mar 1733.
8. Jacob Duckett b. 11 Nov 1714, married Sarah Odell about 1738.
9. Martha Duckett, twin, b. Oct. 14, 1716, married 1st Rignal Odell 25 Aug 1754, 2nd Edward Hall 14 June 1764.
10. Rachel Duckett, twin, b. Oct. 14, 1716.
11. Sarah Duckett, b. July 30, 1718.
Note 1: From "Maryland and Virginia Colonials: Genealogies of Some Colonial Families" by By Sharon J. Doliante. Deposition given in 1728 in relation to a court case concerning the affairs of Henry Ridgely. Richard was 55 at the time of the deposition, giving an approximate birthdate of 1673: "Finally, RICHARD DUCKETT, aged fifty five, stated that he had come to Maryland about 1692, as a servant for four years, consigned to Maj. Henry Ridgley, and that about two days after his arrival he had a conversation with the wife of his Master, during which she told him that she had been born in the West of England. When he told her that he had been born at London, but had visited her native town she asked if he knew any one named Skinner there, as that was her maiden name. He told her no, 'for his stay was short'.
Note 2: There is positive documentary proof, from several sources that all confirm that William Duckett had *only* one son, Lyonel Duckett: William Duckett's will naming only the one son Lyonel; his son Lyonel's headstone that also names him as William's only son; the 1674 marriage contract of William's only daughter Jane (by his 2nd wife Anne Wright) to John Lawford, stating that William had one son; William's marriage contract with his third wife, Margaret Moore, that confirms that he previously had only one son (Lyonel, with his first wife Elizabeth Henshaw); and that third wife Margaret Moore's will, which names only her children with her first husband; none - no children at all - with William Duckett. And Richard of Maryland did not name any of his children after his supposed father William, nor of his supposed mother (presumably Margaret Moore, given his birthdate of 1672-73), nor of his supposed older brother Lyonel, nor of his supposed sister Jane.
Nothing else, other than his birth in London, is known of his parentage, or of his life in England, before his arrival in Maryland. There are records of various Ducketts, of one profession or other, in London at about the time Richard was born (there was, for example, a Richard Duckett, Grocer, of London, who died in 1557, just 16 years before our Richard Duckett was born), and it's conceivable that Richard is the son or grandson of one of these Ducketts, but that, and which one, would be pure speculation. Intriguingly, there is a baptismal record of a child, name unknown, 17 April 1673, born to Richard Duckett and Anne Spry, at the Temple Church in London. Possibly the parents of this Richard?
There are some genealogies that show Richard as the son of William Duckett and Elizabeth Henshaw, but this has been disproven (more on that below, note "2"). In any case, it's apparent that Richard was from a family of some means, based on his education and social standing.
The All Hallows Parish Register shows that "Richard Duckitt" married Charity Jacob "ye Dafter of John & Ann: Jacob his wife," on 26 Jan 1698 or 99, in All Hallow's Parish Episcopal Church, South River Parish, Anne Arundel County [All Hallow's Parish Register, Page 11].
Richard and Charity lived in Anne Arundel Co., where Richard served as parish clerk, and where their first five children were born. In 1708 Richard purchased 100 acres of land in Queen Anne's parish, in Prince George's County, from Robert Tyler, and he moved his family there by 1709, where Richard served as parish clerk for another twenty four years, and where several more children were born. In 1717 Richard lost his land {and everything else he owned), to the Rev. Jacob Henderson, due to a failed mortgage. "Richard Duckett, unable to pay a long standing debt of bill. to Rev. Jacob Henderson, forfeited "Duckett's Hope" - "as allso all singular and personal Estate...of whatever nature, kind or quality whatsoever ...cows, calves, sheep, bedding, pewter...or other goods or chattels." It may be that Richard's loss was a result of putting up a bond on behalf of a friend or relative, on some venture that failed, and cost him his entire estate; such cases were not uncommon at the time.
There is no record of Richard ever owning any other land, and probably he and his family's his last few years were somewhat of a struggle, although he did have his salary as parish clerk to sustain his family. He died in 1733, in Prince George's county; exact details of his death and burial are unknown; his last mention in the Queen Anne's Parish record is dated 30 Oct 1733: "At a meeting of the Vestry October ye 30th 1733... the Vestry made Choice of James Beck for their Clerk in Stead of Richd. Duckett Decd." The last entry in Richard's handwriting in the Parish Record was made 14 Sept., 1733, upon the occasion of the birth of a child in the parish
Children:
1. Mary Duckett b. 27 Feb 1699, married Nathan Wells 13 Dec 1716.
2. Elizabeth Duckett b. 1700 (baptised 7 Jan 1701), married Oliver Wallis 9 Sept 1723.
3. Charity Duckett b. 26 March 1703, married Larkin Pierpoint 18 Sept 1725.
4. Richard Duckett, Jr. b 21 Feb 1704, married 1st Mary Nuthall 13 November 1729; 2nd Elizabeth Williams 2 June 1735.
5. John Duckett b. 10 April 1707, married Sarah Waring 3 March 1738.
6. Anne Duckett b. 8 March 1710, married 1st Robert Wheeler Jr 13 Oct 1732, 2nd Mathew Robinson 1732.
7. Susanna Duckett b. 30 Oct 1712, married Thomas Wheeler 6 Mar 1733.
8. Jacob Duckett b. 11 Nov 1714, married Sarah Odell about 1738.
9. Martha Duckett, twin, b. Oct. 14, 1716, married 1st Rignal Odell 25 Aug 1754, 2nd Edward Hall 14 June 1764.
10. Rachel Duckett, twin, b. Oct. 14, 1716.
11. Sarah Duckett, b. July 30, 1718.
Note 1: From "Maryland and Virginia Colonials: Genealogies of Some Colonial Families" by By Sharon J. Doliante. Deposition given in 1728 in relation to a court case concerning the affairs of Henry Ridgely. Richard was 55 at the time of the deposition, giving an approximate birthdate of 1673: "Finally, RICHARD DUCKETT, aged fifty five, stated that he had come to Maryland about 1692, as a servant for four years, consigned to Maj. Henry Ridgley, and that about two days after his arrival he had a conversation with the wife of his Master, during which she told him that she had been born in the West of England. When he told her that he had been born at London, but had visited her native town she asked if he knew any one named Skinner there, as that was her maiden name. He told her no, 'for his stay was short'.
Note 2: There is positive documentary proof, from several sources that all confirm that William Duckett had *only* one son, Lyonel Duckett: William Duckett's will naming only the one son Lyonel; his son Lyonel's headstone that also names him as William's only son; the 1674 marriage contract of William's only daughter Jane (by his 2nd wife Anne Wright) to John Lawford, stating that William had one son; William's marriage contract with his third wife, Margaret Moore, that confirms that he previously had only one son (Lyonel, with his first wife Elizabeth Henshaw); and that third wife Margaret Moore's will, which names only her children with her first husband; none - no children at all - with William Duckett. And Richard of Maryland did not name any of his children after his supposed father William, nor of his supposed mother (presumably Margaret Moore, given his birthdate of 1672-73), nor of his supposed older brother Lyonel, nor of his supposed sister Jane.
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