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William Masters, Sr.
The first known record of William Masters, Sr., who used the mark "W", is the purchase of pew no. 12 in the St. John's Broad Creek parish, in March 1715. (These records can be found in the Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore County, Maryland.) This pew was sold by the family in June, 1770. William served as the church warden in the parish for many years.
His wife, Mary Veitch, was the daughter of Nathan and Anne (Clagget) Veitch. Nathan left land in 1702 by his will (PG Co. Liber C, fol. 14) to his daughter, Mary, called "Hopeful Blessing". This land was sold (Charles Co. Liber O, no. 2, fol. 206) by William and Mary Masters in 1737 to Thomas Farrand. At the death of Nathan his wife, Ann, married Richard Weaver. Her will (PG Liber A, fol. 378) bears this out.
In 1716 William served as administrator for his brother [ sic father], Robert's, estate. (Queen Anne Co. Liber 37A, fol. 68 and Page Co. Liber BE no 1, fol. 261) William, along with his father in law, Richard Weaver, bound themselves for 50 pounds sterling to serve as administrator on this estate (PG Co. Adm. Bonds, Page 94)
In 1720 Daniel Kelly deposed that in about the year 1718 he saw William's son, Nathan, who was at that time about 4 years of age, on William's plantation. Nathan had his ear partially bitten off by his father's gray mare. (PG Co. Liber I, fol. 87).
This, plus the complaint filed by William in 1744 against Priscilla Wilson for the administration of Nathan and Frances' estate, proves the relationship of father and son. (HR: Test. Proc. Box 46, fol. 4) This complaint also states that Frances was the daughter of Priscilla Wilson, widow. Land records and administration of inventory records state that Priscilla was the widow of Thomas Wilson.(PG Co. Liber BB, fol. 278 and Fred. Co. Orphan's Court Liber A no 1, fol. 159). The Wadsworth Family of America, by Mary Jane Fry Wadsworth, gives the maiden name of Priscilla as Kent.
William acquired several pieces of property over the next few years. In 1718 he patented 100 acres of Gum Spring out of a warrant to Thomas Addison (Certificate of Patent: IL #A, fol. 818) which he sold in 1722 to his brother in law, John Veatch (PG Co. Liber I, fol. 307). In 1720 he bought 383 acres from Daniel Dulaney called Discovery (PG Co. Liber I, fol. 87). This property bordered on the Eastern Branch called, in 1989, the Anacosta River. His son in law, Ezekiel Goslin, husband of daughter, Elizabeth, bought in 1736 127 acres of Discovery. The deed was recorded both 1736 and 1737 (PG Co. Liber T, fol. 308 and 525). At the same time, William sold, for 5 shillings, Thoroughfare, to his son Robert (PG Co: Liber T, fol. 526). It is the deduction of these writers that William sold this land to his family members at the time of their marriages.
In 1744 William purchased, along with John Veatch, 132 acres of "Progress". John took 80 acres and William received 52 acres. (PG Co. Liber BB, fol. 112). William immediately leased these 52 acres to Ezekiel Goslin for rent and the construction of buildings (PG Liber BB, fol. 237). In 1770 he sold the 52 acres to Elizabeth Goslin (Fred. Co. Liber N, fol. 149) Ezekiel had died 1767 with instructions that all his lands be sold. Elizabeth later disposed of the land and moved with other family members to the Moravian settlement of Wachovia in North Carolina. She died March, 1802, and is buried in Hope, N.C. in the Old Cemetery.
William Jr. purchased 52 acres of Discovery for 5 shillings (PG Liber RR, fol 342) from his father. The deduction of these writers is that William Jr. and wife, Margaret, had perhaps been living on other land of William, Sr., but in 1755 William Jr., became enamored of a young woman, Tryphenia North, and asked his father for some land.
These writers are of the opinion that the possibility exists that Tryphenia was the step-daughter of his sister, Elizabeth Goslin. She probably was fair of face and personality and his marriage to Margaret had not worked.
We can only surmise what Margaret was left to do in raising her three small children. Thomas Windom, who was distantly related to the Masters family through the marriage of William, Sr.'s, sister to William Norris and also possibly to Margaret came to the rescue. She more than likely kept house for the bachelor and in return provided for her and her children. When he died 1767 he left his personal estate and land, Fletchall's Chance, to William, son of Margaret Masters, in her trust. (Fred. Co. Liber A no 1, fol. 190).
WINDOM, THOMAS, Frederick Co. 14 Mar,1762; 21 Mar,1767
To bro. William Windom, 20 s.
To John Norris, 1 s. currency,
To Wm. Bryan . I s.
To Thomas Bryan, 1 s.
To Josiah Beal, his hrs, and assigns, In trust for Margaret Masters, during her natural life; after her decease, same to William, her son.
Ex: Josiah Beal,
Wit: John Gibson, Thomas Cleland, Jr, (also written Cleland),
Benjamin Williams. 35.215
William, Sr., did not in effect, leave a will but on 1760, perhaps because of old age, made a deed of gift to his three surviving children, Robert, Elizabeth Goslin and William, Jr. (PG Co. Liber RR, fol. 60) The deed of gift left increase of slave, Bess, and a small sum to Robert and Elizabeth. William, Jr., was to receive Bess and all home plantation lands at the death of William, Sr.
His son, Robert, pre-deceased him in 1770 (Frederick Co. Inventory Bk CIV, fol. 175). Both William Sr. and Jr. signed as kin on the inventory. (Fred. Co. Lib. 104, fol. 175) Robert's wife, Mary, is thought by some family members to be a Wilson, more specifically another daughter of Thomas and Priscilla Kent Wilson. This has not been proven by documents available today. Robert with his brother, Nathan, signed the petition for the creation of All Saints Parish in 1742. This was a division of Prince Georges' parish in the early settlement of Frederick County, Maryland. He was also paid 1 lb 10 shillings for quartering soldiers in the French and Indian War (Md. Historical Magazine, vol. 9, Page 260).
Robert's land, Thoroughfare, was left for son, Notley, to dispose of as he wished. This is the family that traveled with Elizabeth Goslin and her family to North Carolina 1772. (Fries: Records of the Moravians in North Carolina), Family records show that the children went to North and South Carolina and Tennessee.
William Jr. died in 1777 and left in his will a small sum for each of the three children belonging to Margaret Masters, Sarah, William and Verlinda. The lands and personal estate were left to John and William North, sons of Tryphenia and the seven children of William and Tryphenia North. (PG Co. Wills Box 12 folder 9; Inv. Box 25, folder 50; Final Account, Liber ST no 1, fol. 53)
For purposes of identification of Margaret and Tryphenia the following is offered as possible solutions. Margaret would appear to be a daughter of either a Norris or a Bryan family. Reasons for this conclusion is drawn from the reading of Thomas Windom's will.
Tryphenia is a little more difficult to explain. In looking at the total picture of possible relationships, if Tryphenia is the daughter of Ezekial Goslin and a first wife (We Veitches states Elizabeth Veatch married Ezekial Goslin) she could have been raised in the household of Ezekiel and Elizabeth Masters Goslin. The records of the Moravians state a daughter, Taffena, was left in Maryland when Elizabeth Goslin and family moved to North Carolina. We can find no records of her North marriage or that she was a North by birth.
Family records show that the children of William and Margaret went to North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky and Kansas. The children of William and Tryphenia went to Kentucky and Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska and Kansas.
ABSTRACTS OF LAND DOCUMENTED IN THE HALL OF RECORDS, ANNAPOLIS, MD
PG Liber I, fol. 87-9 (12 Dec. 1720): fr. Charles and Mary Beale, for 2000 lb. good tobacco: Discovery; beginning on north side of fresh called Oxon at first bounded tree of Nonesuch; equalling 383 acres fee simple; surveyed 5 Sept. 1714 for Charles Beale, part of warrant granted Charles Beale 23 April 1714.
PG Liber I, fol. 307-9 (13 March 1721/2): to John Wilcoxin for 3000 lbs tobacco: Gum Spring, beginning at bounded white oak standing near a draught of a creek called Oxon, equalling 100 acres; wife Mary signed.
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Contributed by Shirley Middleton Moller
PGLR M.540
At the request of John Veatch the Following Deed was Enrolled February the Twenty first Day Anno Dimi Seventeen hundred & Twenty Nine
This Indenture made the Twenty Sixth day of August Between William Masters of prince Georges County in the province of Maryland Planter on the one part & John Veatch of the County & Province afsd Carpenter of the other part Witnesseth that the said William Master for & in the Consideration of the Sum of Twenty five pounds Sterling Money of England in hand paid at or before the Ensealing & Delivery of these presents by the said John Veatch the receipt whereof the said William Masters doth hereby acknowledge himself Hath given granted bargained sold aliened enfeoffed & confirmed by these presents all that part of a tract of Land called Discovery; containing 100 acres.
William W his mark Masters seal
Wit: Jno Magruder , Jere Belt
On the back of which Deed was this Endorsed
Prince George's County August the 26th 1729 Then came the within mentioned William Masters & Mary his wife & acknowledged the within deed as the Law directs before us Jno Magruder Jere Belt
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Land Records, of Prince George's County, Maryland
Liber T, Page 525
Recorded at request of Ezekiel Goslen, 15 Sep 1737:
23 Aug 1737; Indenture between William Masters, planter, and Ezekiel Goslen, joiner; for 5s; land called Discovery; bounded by land laid out for John Veatch now possessed by Lewis Wilcoxon; containing 127 acres; /s/ Wm. Masters (mark); wit. George Buchanan, Thos. Jennings; ack. William Masters and Mary his wife
PG Liber T, fol. 525-26 (23 Aug. 1737): to Ezekial Goslin, joyner, for 5 shillings: Discovery, beginning at end of fifth line of that part laid out for John Veatch now in possession of Lewis Wilcoxin, equalling 127 acres; Wife Mary signed.
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1733-1739 Prince George’s County, Maryland Land Records
Liber T, Page 526
Recorded at request of Ezekiel Gosling, 15 Sep 1737:
23 Aug 1737; Indenture between William Masters, planter, and Robert Masters, joiner; for 5s; tract called The Thoroughfair at the east end of Fair Island in the Potomac; containing 100 acres; /s/ William Masters (mark); wit. George Buchanan, Thos. Jennings; ack. William Masters and Mary his wife
PG Liber T, fol. 526-7 (15 Sept. 1737): to Robert Masters, joyner, for two shillings: Thoroughfair, beginning at box Elder near West end of a fair Island in Potomack named Fair Island, equalling 100 acres fee simple; wife Mary signed, recorded at the request of Ezekiel Goslin.
Charles Liber O no 2, fol. 206-7 (23 Aug. 1737): to William and Mary, his wife, to Thomas Farrand, of St. Mary's Co.: Hopeful Blessing, beginning at a bound white oak standing on the south west side of a small branch which runs into Piles Fresh; 50 acres.
PG Liber BB no 1, fol. 112-3 (20 Feb. 1743/4) with John Veatch from Daniel Dulany of Annapolis, Esq., for 33 lbs sterling: Progress, on Potomac River 2 miles below mouth of Monocacy River; equalling 132 acres.
PG Liber BB no 1, fol. 175 (29 Aug. 1744): from John Veatch for five shillings: Prograce (Progress), bounded white oak standing near brink of Potomack River (first bounded tree of said Prograce); equalling 52 acres; wife Mary signed.
PG Liber BB no 1, fol. 176-78 (29 Aug. 1744): to John Veatch for 8 shillings: Progress, beginning at end of the 54th perch of the second line; equalling 80 acres; wife Mary signed.
Page 176. Aug 29, 1744 from William Masters of PG, planter, to John Veatch of PG, for 8 shillings, all that part of a tract of land called Progress, lying in PG, containing about 80 acres. Signed - William (W his mark) Masters. Wit - Geo Scott*, Jno Hawkins Jr*. This deed was ack. by sd Wm Masters and Mary, his wife. Recorded Aug 29, 1744.
PG Liber BB, fol. 237-8 (8 Nov. 1744): to Ezekiel Goslin, joyner, for yearly rents and covenants: Progress; equalling 52 acres.
PG Liber NN, fol. 342-3 (16 Jan. 1755), to William Masters, Jr. for tender regard, love and natural affection for his son: Discovery, lying on south side of eastern branch of Potomac River; equalling 52 acres; wife, Mary, signed.
PG Liber RR, fol. 60-61 (8 July 1760): to well beloved son, Robert, well beloved daughter, Elizabeth Goslin, well beloved son, William Masters: Negro, Bess with increase, William to have all lands I possess with house and plantation and all appurtenances when William, Sr. dies; no wife signed.
Fred Liber N, fol. 149-50 (9 June 1770): to Elizabeth Goslin, spinstress of Frederick County, for 30 lbs currant money: Progress, equalling 52 acres; no wife signed.
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Robert Masters 38A.121 A PG £19,2.9 £20.17.10 Apr 6 1717
Payments to: Thomas Locker, Jr., Richard Coleman, Rev. Mr. John Fraiser, Joseph Coleman, Mr. Bladen, Benjamin Berry, Patrick Hepburn.
List of debts: Thomas Aplegate, Thomas Gatton, James Gore, George Wilson, Mr. Fraisser, James Findall, John Jones.
Mentions: Col. Addison, Mr. Al. Harbert.
Administrator: William Masters.
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James Edgel 1.8 I PG £6.17.5 Apr 25 1718
Appraisers: Thomas Johnson, John Williams.
Creditors: William Massters, William Newman.
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Prince George's County, Maryland Land Records 1769-1772; Liber AA 2 {Abstract by Mike Marshall}; Page 428. At the request of Thomas Cramphin, Jr. the following Land Commission was recorded November 28, 1771
Prince George's County Court, Maryland Frederick Absolute Lord and Proprietary of the Province of Maryland and Avalon Lord Baron of Baltimore and so forth; to Messrs Joshua Beall, Thomas Gantt, Jr., John Fendall Beall of PGCo Gentleman, whereas Thomas Cramphin, Jr., is seized of a tract called "Aaron" and preferred his petition in writing to our county court held at Upper Marlborough Town on the 4th Tuesday in August in the 19th year of our Dominion and so forth for commission to examine evidence to prove and perpetuate the memory of the bounds of the said tract of land. Therefore, we command you any three or two of you to examine all witnesses or persons concerned touching their knowledge of the bounds of the said tract. Witness John Cooke, Gentleman, Chief Justice, August 5, 1769 issued September 5, 1769, Thomas Sim Lee, Clk
By virtue of a commission to examine evidences to prove the bounds of "Aaron" near the Eastern Branch Ferry we intend to meet at the house of Charles Finley (who now lives on "Aaron") on Saturday, December 8th next to execute the said commission. November 16, 1770, Joshua Beall, William Berry
William Howard, aged 48 years saith that about 9 years ago he came to this place where he now stands being in a cornfield now in occupation of David Stone on the south side of the main road that leads to Collard's Ferry, near opposite to where the old road turned off that formerly led to Evin's Ferry in company with Thomas Cramphin, Sr., Spicer Owen and Philip Phillips and Spicer Owen showed them the place where it was then a hole in the ground and said that there did stand a tree which was a corner tree of the tract called "Aaron" that the tree was then decayed and gone and this deponent further saith not.
William Howard near a place where formerly stood an old meeting house sayeth that on the same day mentioned in his former deposition with the same persons when Spicer Owen showed them the spot where he now stands has red oak and black oak saplings and within 10 feet at this place stood one of the corner trees of the tract called "Aaron" but there was no appearance of a tree at that time and further this deponent saith not.
William Howard at a stump much decayed between the mouth of the Annacostin Branch and the Eastern Branch of Potomac River saith that about 16 years ago when this deponent lived on the plantation where Matthew Wigfield now lives he was employed by Sylvester Murphew to cut wood for him and that he told him to cut the tree down from this from this stump and have always understood from the neighborhood that it was the beginning tree of the tract called "Aaron" and further declares and on the day mentioned in his former depositions he was at the stump with Spicer Owen who then said the tree that grew on that stump was the beginning tree of a tract called "Aaron" and further saith not. The commission adjourned to January 15, 1771 and on which day Mr. Berry was sick and could not attend which obligated us to advertise another meeting on March 23, 1771
Thomas Hamilton aged 60 years or thereabouts being near where an old meeting house formerly stood southward of the place mentioned in William Howard's 2nd deposition saith about 50 years ago he was riding by this place with someone who pointed at a bounded hickory that was growing near this place and said it was a corner tree of Dr. Coleman's land
James Tannyhill aged 65 years or thereabouts at the request of John Ferguson concerning the bounds of Moore's, since Coleman's land saith that he has heard some person say that there was a bounded hickory standing near where the old meeting house formerly stood but that he was never shown the tree.
Thomas Hamilton in a cornfield now in occupation of David Stone 14 yards to the eastward of the place described and William Howard's 1st deposition saith about 50 years ago or upwards he was riding by this place with his mother and she showed him a tree that was down and told him it was supposed to be a tree of Dr. Coleman's land and sometimes after passing by the same place with Thomas Evans, his father-in-law {step-father} he showed him this deponent the same tree and told him it was supposed to be a bounded tree of Dr. Coleman's land and further this deponent saith not
Bartholomew Jenkins aged 43 years or thereabouts sayeth that about 28 or 29 years ago John Philips shewed him a spot near the place in William Howard's 1st deposition and told him he was in company with people going to prove the place where a bounded tree of Dr. Coleman's land stood but they could not prove it that day.
James Tannyhill at the request of John Ferguson at the place in Thomas Hamilton's last deposition saith he was shown a tree lying near the place and was told that it was a a bounded tree of Dr. Coleman's land and from a conversation between his father William Tannihill and Thomas Evans concerning a tree at the fork of the road that the neighbors had been at this tree but whether on a commission or not he cannot tell by their discourse and apprehended they could not prove it to be a tree of Coleman's land. Adjourned to Monday, May 20, 1771 on which day Mr. Berry did not attend which occasioned our advertising a meeting September 20, 1771
Thomas Gatting [sic Gatton] aged 70 years or thereabouts standing near the place where formerly stood an old meeting house at the request of John Ferguson who holds land adjacent to a tract called "Aaron" saith that heard a bounded tree stood near the meeting house but never heard Spicer Owen nor Dr. Coleman who he was well acquainted with say anything about a bounded tree standing near this place nor does he remember a bounded tree standing near the road. This this deponent being asked by Rev. Mr. Addison who holds land adjoining to the said tract whether Spicer Owen was interested in "Aaron" or whether he did not marry a daughter of Dr. Coleman, this deponent answered that he did marry a daughter of Dr. Coleman and was possessed of part of the land Coleman lived on and further saith not.
Andrew Hamilton aged 56 years or thereabouts at the request of John Ferguson saith he knows nothing of any bound tree at this place
Walter Evans being sworn as aforesaid at the request of John Ferguson saith he knows nothing of any bound tree at this place
William Masters aged ninety (90) years or thereabouts near where an old meeting house formerly stood at the request of John Ferguson saith that he has lived in this neighborhood for since he was 16 years old and knows nothing of any bounded tree of Dr. Colemans land. This deponent being asked by the Rev. Mr. Henry Addison whether he knew where the meeting house stood answered near this place.
Benjamin Harris aged 57 years or thereabouts saith that about 46 or 47 years ago Thomas Coleman and Mordecai Coleman shewed him a hickory and told him it was a bounded tree of their fathers land which stood on the southeast side of the main road that leads to the Eastern Branch Ferry, but does not remember the exact place but remembers it stood near a small road or path that crossed the main road and led down to a plantation of Col. Addison's called "None Such" and being asked by Mr. Addison whether there stood any house or any appearance of a house near this place to which he answered that not as he saw and that he did not know anything of a meeting house except a house Meredith Davis lived in. Likewise asked by Mr. Addison whether he could have found this place if he had not been shewed it, to which he answered that he could by going to the house Doctor Coleman lived and coming through the plantation to where the path that went to "None Such" crossed the main road go near the place but that he could not find the particular spot the tree stood.
Thomas Gatting [sic Gatton] at the place mentioned in William Howard's 1st deposition at the request of John Ferguson saith that he never knew or heard of a bounded tree standing in this place
Andrew Hamilton at the request of John Ferguson saith that Thomas Evans 40 odd years ago shewed him a tree or hereabouts that was lying down and much decayed and told him it was a tree of Mr. Coleman's land and he believes that there was no man living that could prove it, and further says he understood from Evans that there was a commission on said land which Evans attended and remembers he heard Evans say they could make nothing of it.
Walter Evans at the same place at the request of John Ferguson saith that he remembers to have seen some saplins near this place and the appearance of a tree formerly standing at this place and heard his father Thomas Evans say it was supposed to be a tree of some land but what land does not remember.
Benjamin Harris at the request of the petitioner saith that 46-47 years ago Thomas Coleman and Mordecai Coleman shewed him a tree then standing and appeared to be a sound tree somewhere on this ridge but it was not any great distance from an old field that Thomas Hamilton claimed as his property. This deponent asked by Thomas Cramphin which way the tree stood from the old field, he said it stood southwest or thereabouts.
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Early Colonial Settlers of Southern Maryland and Virginia's Northern Neck Counties
1691 - Aft 1760 (> 70 years)