Thomas Fowler Life Sketch

(1700 - 1747)

Thomas Fowler was born on September 11, 1700, in Prince George's County, British Colonial Maryland. Thomas married Elizabeth Day on November 3 1726, in Anne Arundel County, British Colonial Maryland. Thomas died before January 9, 1747 in Prince George's County, British Colonial Maryland.


Thomas Fowler, 3rd child of Thomas Fowler and Susannah Iiams, was born in Prince George's County, British Colonial Maryland, on September 11, 1700. He grew up on his father's 400 acre plantation “Ridgley's and Tyler's Chance”. When Thomas was 14 years old his father died intestate. Without an inheritance, Thomas was likely bound in servitude to learn a trade. Evidence suggests that Thomas was sent to Anne Arundel County and learned the trade of carpentry.

At the age of 26, Thomas married Elizabeth Day on November 3, 1726 in Anne Arundel County.

Three years later on December 18, 1729, Thomas Fowler of Anne Arundel County, “Carpenter”, purchased “Wilson's Chance” for £16, a 38 acre parcel of land in Prince George's county located west of present day Crofton, Maryland, and near where his brother John is presumed to have lived.

In November of 1742, Thomas wrote his will. Thomas devised all his estate, real and personal, to his wife Elizabeth. If Thomas and Elizabeth had any children, they were not mentioned in the will.

On February 9, 1744, Thomas and his siblings each received 3 pounds 2 shillings 10 ¾ pence from the final distribution of their father's estate.

Before January 9, 1747, Thomas died in Prince George's County at the age of 46. It is not known if Thomas left any heirs and it is not known what happened to Thomas' wife Elizabeth.

“Wilson’s Chance”, which was devised to Thomas’ wife Elizabeth, was in the possession of Richard Snowden by January of 1763. In his will, Richard Snowden devised the 38 acre tract to his sons Thomas, Samuel and John. A record of how Richard Snowden became possessed of this property has not been located.

Genealogical Research and Life Sketch updated: January 2023


Sources:

"Maryland Births and Christenings, 1650-1995", database, FamilySearch, Thomas Fowler, 1700.

"Maryland Marriages, 1666-1970", database, FamilySearch, Thomas Fowler, 1726.

Maryland State Archives. Maryland Land Records. Prince George's County. Liber M Folio 569.

Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Wills. Liber 25 Folio 194.

Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Testamentary Proceedings, Liber 31 Folio 446.

Maryland State Archives. Probate Records. Wills. Liber 31 Folio 902.

Thomas Fowler genealogy research