Varner Bernhard Ford: Married to Anna Marie Wellerin (shortened to Wells), born 1731

Birth: 1729: Evangelical German Reformed Church Records (FHL20365): Bernhart Fort (Bernhard Ford) is identified as the father of Joseph who was born 14 Oct 1756. Bernhart Ford is deceased, having been slain by the Indians by being hit over the head. Joseph Ford was baptized the 18th Sunday after Trinity.
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Bernhard (Varney) Fore (Ford), Anna Maria his wife and Children
1. Peter Ford
2. Joseph Ford
Documentation with Full Citations
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Source: Reformed Church Records – Frederick County, Maryland
Repository: Family History Library; Salt Lake City, Utah
Call No. FHL20365
(Noted: This church record which follows was written in the German language. The translation was made by a German
translator in the Family History Library. According to the individual who translated the document on my behalf, a more
accurate translation of "occisus" is "to have been murdered by being beat over the head." In discussing this christening
record and the deeds attached below with the German desk, the language pattern and aspiration, it was told me that it
was very likely that "Bernhard" may have been read later in the copy of the deed as "Varner" Fore and Ford. See the
digitized copy of the original attached in Memories – Documents)
Barnhart Ford who was slain by the Indians born is a son whose name is Joseph
Witnesses: Johannes Jehie and his wife, Johanna Dorothea Elisabetha
Born on 14 October 1756 and baptized the 18th Sunday after Trinity
(Note: Easter 1756 was April 18. Trinity is 50 days after Easter.)
The register of the church includes:
Anna Maria Wellerin (p. 170/p. 88)
Source: Frederick County Maryland Deed Book E p. 298
Repository: Family History Library; Salt Lake City, Utah
Deed Date: April 5, 1753
Deed Recorded: October 31, 1753
(Note: The land acquired at the time of the building of Fort Frederick was made up from parts of two tracts: the first was
named Skie Thorn which had been t June 15, 1739. See Liber E1 no. 6 Folio 155. The second was Johnson's Lot patented
to Peter Johnson surveyed in 1743; patented 7 April 1745. LG No. E folio 581. Fort Frederick in Maryland was built to
protect the area from the French and Indian raids. The land was purchased as described from Peter and Jacob Cline by
deed dated 19 August 1756 – Deed Book F p. 25. Frederick County, Maryland was a hotbed for incursions and murder
by Native Americans in this period. "Maryland Gazette" See Draper Manuscripts JJ Vol. 1 Newspaper Extracts 1752-
1769- located in the Family History Library, FHL889170)
At the request of Varner Fore the following deed was recorded October the thirty first day Anna Domini Seventeen
Hundred and fifty three to wit…
This indenture made the fifth day of April in the yard of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and fifty three between
Daniel Ashcraft of Frederick County in the Province of Maryland farmer of the one part and Varner Fore of the same
County and Province aforesaid farmer of the other part Witnesseth that the said Daniel Ashcraft for and in consideration
of the sum of thirty five pounds current money of Maryland to him in hand paid or secured to be paid by the said Varner
Fore the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge and confess and thereof and of every part thereof doth acquit
and discharge the said Varner Ford his heirs Executors and administrators hath granted bargained and sold and by these
present doth grant bargain and sell unto him the said Varner Fore his heirs and assigns forever forty (40) acres of land
more or less being part of a tract of land called SkieThorn and part of the Resurvey beginning at the Lower corner of
John Johnson's land near the bank of Potomack River bounding on the said river and the lower lines of said Johnson's
land and the second run from ye said Varner Fore's house and a line of Robert Britewell together with all building
improvements benefits and advantages to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining to have and to hold the said
forty acres of land and premises with the appurtenances unto the said Varner Fore his heirs assigns forever and the said
Daniel Ashcraft for himself and his heirs doth covenant grant and agree to and with the said Varner Fore his heirs and
assigns that the Land and premises with the appurtenances and every part and parcel thereof is free and clear of and
from any former bargains and sales gifts or other incumbrances (sic) whatsoever and that he the said Daniel Ashcraft
the aforesaid land and premises with the appurtenances and every part and parcel thereof against him the said Daniel
Ashcraft and his heirs and against all personal whatsoever claiming or to claim from by or under him or them or any of
them unto the said Varner Fore shall and will forever warrant and defend and further that the said Daniel Ashcraft and
his heirs shall and will at any time within seven years at the proper cost and charge of the said Varner Fore his heirs and
assigns forever in witness whereof the said Daniel Ashcrat hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first
above written.
Signed: Daniel Ashcraft
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us (the words more or less first interlined): William Thompson and
Daniel Rawlings.
On the back of which deed was thus indorsed to wit: Received the day and year within written of the within named
Varner Ford the sum of thirty pounds current money of Maryland being the full consideration money within mentioned
to be paid to me I say received of me Daniel Ashcraft.
Witnessed: William Thompson and Daniel Rawlings
Memorandum: That on the fifth day of April in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and fifty three came
the within named Daniel Ashcraft before us the subscribers two of his Lordships Justices of Frederick County and did
acknowledge the within instrument to be his Act and Deed and the Land and Premises therein mentioned to be the
estate right and property of the within named Varner Fore and his Heirs for ever according to the True Intent and
Meaning thereof and at the same time came Elizabeth, wife of the said Daniel Ashcraft and being examined apart from
her said husband relinquished her claim and right of dower. Taken and acknowledged before us May the first 1753
Witnesses: Thomas Prather and Thomas Cresap.
Received of Varner Fore the sum of one shilling and eight pence sterling as an alienation fine on the within mentioned
forty acres of land by order of Edward Loyd, the Lord Proprietary of Maryland.
Source: Frederick County Maryland Debt Books 1756-1757
Barney Fore – Skythorn – 40 acres
Daniel Ashcraft – Skythorn – 16 acres
George Pack – Skythorn – 30 acres
Peter Johnson's heirs – Skythorn – 35 acres and Johnson's Lot – 40 acres
Thomas Cresap – Skythorn – 26 acres and Skythorn Resurvey – 135 acres
Source: Frederick County Maryland Inventories
Repository: Family History Library; Salt Lake City, Utah
Call No. FHL14046
1760-November 7: Debts due to Valentine Graw estate. Leonard Snebeley and Henry Snebeley. Peter Whetstone
mentioned. Desperate debts: Barney Ford (p. 481)
1765-June 15: Estate of Benjamin Davis. Susannah Davis, executrix. Note: William Wells
Source: Frederick County Maryland Deed Book L p. 39
Repository: Family History Library; Salt Lake City Utah
Call No. FHL13941
Deed Date: July 17, 1767
Deed Recorded: December 18, 1767
At the request of Andrew Boyd, the following deed was recorded the 13th day of December 1767 to wit:
This indenture made on the 17th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand and seven hundred and sixty seven
between Peter Ford of Frederick County and Province of Maryland and Andrew Boyd of Cumberland County, province of
Pennsylvania of the other part Witnesses that he the said Peter Ford for and in consideration of the sum of sixty nine
pounds eight shillings one penny current money of Pennsylvania unto him in hand paid or secured to be paid by the said
Andrew Boyd before the ensealing and delivery of those present the receipt whereof confirmed and by these presents
doth grant bargain and sell alienate and confirm unto the said Andrew Boyd all that tract or parcel of land called part of
Skythorn and part of the resurvey on Skythorn lying and being in Frederick County and Province of Maryland beginning
at a bounded hickory standing at the end of ten perches on the tenth line of Sky Thorn and running thenceforth sixty
three degrees East fifty two perches then South eight five degrees East forty eight perches then North eighty one
degrees East fifty six perches then South seventy seven degrees East twenty perches then North seventy one perches to
the end of twenty six perches on the tenth line of the Resurvey on Sky Thorn and on the lines thereof North sixty eight
degrees West fifty three perches then South fifteen degrees West fifty five perches then North beging(sic) containing
fifty eight and a half acres of land more or less together with all and singular the building and improvements
conveniences and advantages to the said tract or parcel of land called Part of Skythorn and part of the Resurvey on
Skythorn belonging or in any manner or way appertaining to have and the hold the said tract here beforementioned and
intended to be hereby granted with their and every of their appurtenances unto the said Andrew Boyd his heirs and
assigns forever to the only use and behoof of him the said Andrew Boyd his heirs and assigns against him the said Peter
Ford his heirs and assigns and against all over Person or Persons whatsoever shall and will warrant and forever defend
by these presents of Jos. Warford and Evan Shelby.
On the back of which deed was the following indorsement July the 17th, 1767 Received of the within named Andrew
Boyd the sum of sixty nine pounds eight shillings and one penny current money of Pennsylvania being the consideration
money within mentioned of any received by me. Peter Ford
Witnesses: Jos Warford and Evan Shelby
17 July 1767: (Dower Release) Then came the within named Peter Ford before us the subscribers two of his lordships
Justices of Frederick County and did acknowledge the within deed to be his act and deed and the land and concession
therein mentioned to be the Estate right and property of the within named Andrew Boyd ad his heirs and assigns forever
according to the true patent and meaning thereof and at the same time came Ann Wells, mother to the above Peter
Ford and her husband William Wells and doth acknowledge their Right of Dower of the within lands and premises
therein mentioned to the Estate, Right and Property of the within mentioned Andrew Boyd, his heirs and assigns
forever.
Source: Frederick County Maryland Inventories
Repository: Family History Library; Salt Lake City, Utah
Call No. FHL14046
1771-March 19: Michael Fickle's estate. William Wells, creditor (p. 601)
1771-August 23: Estate of Martin Kersher Sr. of Frederick County, Maryland, deceased. Bills and notes in Pennsylvania
currency. Peter Whetstone. Debts: Notes on Thomas Ford, Peter Whetstone Sr., William Wells, Joseph Wells, Joseph
Ford and Robert Loughlin, James Ford, Michael Whetstone, Benjamin Melott, Peter Ford and Molly Wells, John
Wolgamott (p. 641)
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Note: Anna Maria Wells, the wife of William Wells and widow of Barnhart Ford, was identified as the mother of Peter
Ford in the Frederick County, Maryland deed selling the acreage named "Skythorn" – as resurveyed – which Varner Fore
(Ford) owned. In addition it should be noted that the "in" ending added to a surname indicated in the German language
the feminine version of any surname. Therefore "Anna Maria Wellerin" in the Reformed Church Record cited above is
the same woman as "Ann Wells, mother of Peter Ford and wife of William Wells." Also "Molly" is the standard 18th and
19th Century for "Mary." "Peter Ford" and "Molly Wells" are named in the estate of Martin Kersher Sr. See above.