Richard Fowler was born on October 6, 1709, in Prince George's County, British Colonial Maryland. Richard married Elizabeth Ward about 1743 in Anne Arundel County, British Colonial Maryland. Richard Fowler died before August 1757 in Anne Arundel County, British Colonial Maryland.
Richard Fowler, 9th child and 6th son of Thomas Fowler and Susannah Iiams was born on October 6, 1709, in Prince George's County, British Colonial Maryland. Richard spent his early childhood on his father's 400 acre plantation, “Ridgley's and Tyler's Chance”. Richard was about 5 years of age when his father died intestate. Without an inheritance and like his brothers, Richard was likely bound in servitude to learn a trade.
After his birth record, the next record found regarding Richard Fowler is a payment to the estate of Capt. John Welsh in 1736. From this record, it seems likely that Richard lived between the forks of the Patuxent River near his older brother John.
About 1742, Richard's brother John Fowler witnessed the will of Stephen Stewart, John's neighbor and a large landowner. Stephen left a widow and 4 children under the age of 12. John likely played match-maker because the following year Richard married Stephen's widow Elizabeth Ward and his fortunes changed. When Richard and Elizabeth administered the estate of Stephen Stewart, Benjamin Fowler, Richard's brother and Samuel Howard, Richard's nephew through his sister Elizabeth, were their sureties.
Stephen Stewart's widow Elizabeth was entitled to a widow's dower, ⅓ of her husband's estate during her natural life. Stephen owned two large plantations between the forks of the Patuxent River, “Rutland's Purchase” and a 200 acre part of “Duvall's Range”. “Rutland's Purchase” was devised to Stephen's oldest son by his first wife. “Duvall's Range” was devised to Edward, Stephen's son by Elizabeth. Richard and Elizabeth likely made their home at “Duvall's Range” where they raised Elizabeth's two children, Edward and daughter Avis. Stephen's two children by his first wife chose a maternal uncle as their guardian.
On February 9, 1744, Richard and his siblings each received 3 pounds 2 shillings 10 ¾ pence from the final distribution of his father's estate.
With his elevation in status, Richard became Overseer in 1744 for the South River Hundred. He also served as the South River Constable from 1750 to 1752.
In 1751, Richard, along with his older brother John, provided security for Thomas Mortimer, stepson of their brother Benjamin.
In 1755, Elizabeth's son Edward chose a guardian suggesting that his mother was deceased. Richard appears to have moved to his brother John's plantation nearby.
Sometime during the winter of 1756, Richard's brother John died. At the time of his decease, John was in debt to Henry Hall and trying to sell his plantation. After John's death, Richard tried to help his nephew John sell the property. The following ad appeared in the Maryland Gazette on April 7, 1757:
TO BE SOLD
A tract of land lying in the Fork of the Patuxent near the lower end whereon the subscriber now lives containing 100 acres, great part of which is good Meadow land whereon is a pretty good Dwelling House with a Cellar and Plank Floors, Tobacco House and other convenient Buildings, a good orchard of upwards of 200 good bearing Apple Trees and a good Grist Mill, which never wants Water, being furnished by Patuxent River.
The title is indisputable. For terms apply either to John or Richard Fowler.
By August of 1757, Richard was deceased at the age of 47. His estate was inventoried by his nephew Thomas Fowler, son of John. Richard's nephew John was unsuccessful in selling the plantation and in October of 1757, was forced to sell the land to satisfy his father's debt.
Genealogical Research and Life Sketch updated: March 2023
Sources:
"Maryland Births and Christenings, 1650-1995", database, FamilySearch, Richard Fowler, 1709.
Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Wills. Liber 23 Folio 246.
Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Inventory. Liber 28 Folio 80.
Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Accounts. Liber 20 Folio 251.
Maryland State Archives. Anne Arundel County Court Judgment Record. Nov 1744, pg 121.
Maryland State Archives. Anne Arundel County Court Judgment Record. Nov 1750, pg 630.
Maryland State Archives. Anne Arundel County Court Judgment Record. Mar 1751, pg 166.
Maryland State Archives. Anne Arundel County Court Judgment Record. Jun 1751, pg 6.
Maryland State Archives. Anne Arundel County Court Judgment Record. Mar 1752, pg 229.
Maryland State Archives. Anne Arundel County Court Judgment Record. Aug 1757, pg 130 & 152.
Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Testamentary Proceedings, Liber 31 Folio 446.
Maryland State Archives. Maryland Gazette Collection. Microfilm M1279.
Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Accounts. LIber 15 Folio 93.
