William Lewis was born May 20, 1705 in Anne Arundel County, British Colonial Maryland. William married Ann Merriken May 20, 1730, in Anne Arundel County, British Colonial Maryland. William Lewis died before July 10, 1750, in Anne Arundel County, British Colonial Maryland .
William Lewis was born May 20, 1705, in Anne Arundel County, British Colonial Maryland, the 3rd child and second son of William Lewis and his wife Ann Bayly. When Thomas was months old his father died intestate. William's mother administered the estate. Since William's father died intestate, William did not inherit any real property.
It is uncertain whether William, his older brother Thomas, and his older half-brother Joseph Pettibone remained with their mother or were appointed guardians. However the Anne Arundel rent roll recorded around 1707 showed William's mother Ann Lewis possessed of the following properties:
“Piney Plaine”
“Tanyard”
“Pettybone's Rest”
“Stinchcomb's Addition”
William's mother Anne possessed “Piney Plaine” in her own right, “Tanyard” in right of William's brother Thomas, heir-at-law of his father, and “Pettybone's Rest” in right of William's half-brother Joseph Pettibone, heir-at-law of Joseph Pettibone Sr. It is unclear why William's mother possessed “Stinchcomb's Addition”.
Sometime around 1709 William's mother married Edward Marshall.
In 1716 William's half-brother Joseph Pettibone, about 20 years of age, chose a guardian, James Govane. The following year Joseph became guardian of 12 year old William and William's 14 year old brother Thomas, Joseph agreeing to teach them to “read, write and cast accounts” and remain as guardian “till they respectively come to age”.
Joseph Pettibone married shortly after becoming William's guardian and within a couple of years had two sons Phillip and Richard Pettibone, half-nephews to William.
In 1728 William's half-brother Joseph Pettibone died. Joseph devised his estate to his two sons. However, if they were to die without heirs, Joseph specified that the estate was to descend to William.
In 1729 William released his cousin John Merriken from his bond on his father's estate and acknowledged receipt of his portion of his father's estate. The release implied that his mother was still alive in 1729 and that Edward Marshall was deceased.
On May 20, 1730, William married Anna or Ann Merriken, widow of Nathaniel Stinchcomb. Ann had 6 children with Nathaniel: Mary Stinchcomb who was married to Richard Todd, Nathaniel Stinchcomb, John Stinchcomb, Thomas Stinchcomb, Lewis Stinchcomb, and Charles Stinchcomb.
Ann also owned 200 acres of land in the Broadneck of Anne Arundel County, a part of a 600 acre plantation known as “Scotland”.
William and Anne had 2 known children:
- Rachel Lewis
- Nicholas Lewis
William's brother Thomas died in 1743. William was recorded as the next of kin.
Also in 1743, William's step-son Nathaniel Stinchcomb died. William was testator to Nathaniel's will.
In December of 1749 William wrote his will and by July 10, 1750, 45 year old Wiliam was deceased. William likely died on his wife's plantation “Scotland” on the Broadneck in Anne Arundel County, British Colonial Maryland.
William devised son Nicholas who was 14 years of age, a slave, and daughter Rachel, a horse. William's wife Anne was named executrix. While land was not specifically named in the will, a deed recorded in 1757, the year Nicholas reached majority, showed that William had provided for his son Nicholas:
Charles Homewood AA Gentleman and heir at law of Capt Thomas Homewood late of Anne Arundel to Nicholas Lewis, son and heir at law of William Lewis late of Anne Arundel, for the sum of 33 pounds 6 shillings 8 pence the said Thomas Homewood did grant to the said William Lewis that tract or parcel of land called “The Tryal” containing 164 acres on the south side of Magothy River.
Genealogical Research and Life Sketch Updated: April 2022
Sources:
"Maryland Births and Christenings, 1650-1995", database, FamilySearch, William Lewis, 1705.
Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Inventories and Accounts. Liber 25 Folio 329.
Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Inventories and Accounts. Liber 28 Folios 131 & 338.
Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Inventories and Accounts. Liber 33 Folio 22.
Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Inventories and Accounts. Liber 37C Folio 113.
Maryland Historical Society. Maryland Historical Magazine. “Rent Rolls”. Vols 19 - 26.
Maryland State Archives. Provincial Court Judgment Record. VD 1, March 1715 - 1717, pg 405.
Maryland State Archives. Provincial Court Judgment Record. VD 1, March 1715 - 1717, pg 474.
Maryland State Archives. Maryland Land Records. Anne Arundel County. Liber TI Folios 212.
Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Wills. Liber 19, Folio 517.
"Maryland Marriages, 1666-1970", database, FamilySearch, William Lewis, 1730.
"Maryland Births and Christenings, 1650-1995", database, FamilySearch, Williawm Lewiss in entry for Rachell Lewiss, 1729.
"Maryland Births and Christenings, 1650-1995", database, FamilySearch, William Lewiss in entry for Nicholus Lewiss, 1736.
Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Inventories. Liber 28 Folio 129.
Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Wills. Vol 23 Folio 255.
Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Wills. Vol 27 Folio 364.
Maryland State Archives. Maryland Land Records. Anne Arundel County. Liber BB 1 Folio 38.
