Seeking William Calvert, Planter of Somerset County, Maryland(C1690-1747)

Seeking: William Calvert, Planter of Somerset County, Maryland (C1690-1747) 



 Coventry Parish Church, Dividing Creek - Somerset County, MD

While researching my Calvert Maternal Ancestors, I was seeking Isaac Calvert c 1742 in the Lords Baltimore Calvert family lines. This research began in 2001 and culminated in using DNA for proving that my ancestor was not descended from the Lords Baltimore as the family lore would have us believe. 

I happened on to an Isaac in Somerset Co MD and researched this extensively. What I found later was that O’Gorman had documented Alexander Calvert but that is an aside to my own story. I know that in letters exchanged between O’Gorman and John Bailey Calvert Nicklin, she had recommended to him that he research the “Colbert's” of Somerset. My own look at this identified Several Calvert's in Somerset which was my framework for William Calvert, Planter of Somerset. I posit that he was born c1690 (inferred), in Somerset Co MD most likely. 

I was not to find my family origins in the Calvert’s Lord Baltimore as family lore was wont to state. Rather, in the Calvert’s who descend from those who became Quakers, of the James I Settlement of the Ulster Plantation of Ireland, namely, County Armagh. 

I have written a chapter for the Nordic Calvert Compendium  “Finding Isaac Calvert” which has  extensive detail, family history and research on my own Calvert families. Further, the Chronology of the early Calvert’s of Yorkshire who came into Ulster and then removed to Newcastle Co DE is found in the Chapter, “The Early Calvert’s Who Were Quaker”, a work in process for a book which I have titled “The Compendium of Nordic (Quaker) Calverts” 

In researching the various Isaac Calvert’s who are listed in various genealogies, records and histories, I found two very interesting pieces of information, the first being the children of Alexander Calvert who married Mary Wheeler in 1744, Somerset County, Coventry Parish and had issue, for whom the names and dates of birth were listed in the Parish records. One of those was Isaac Calvert b 1747/8. This fit the oral tradition of my family as passed down from family members both here and those more distant relatives who lived in Wetzel County, West Virginia (Formerly Tyler County, VA), namely that they were descended from the Lords Baltimore but didn’t know how. As research proved, My ancestors were of the commonly indentified "Quaker Calvert's" and the DNA is "Nordic". 

The second find of intrigue when examining the records of Maryland, Eastern Shore, was a William Calvert in a court record of Somerset County in 1733. This record refers to an original suit filed in 1726 and in this record it states: William Calvert, Planter, sued for 1,000 Lb of Tobacco in 1726 and again in 1733(Sued for the original amount plus court cost and penalty). I immediately thought of Alexander Calvert who married Mary Wheeler as being the son of this William Calvert, Plantation owner as referenced by O’Gorman. 

It wasn’t until this point in time that I referred to Ella Foy O’Gorman’s research in the book “Descendants of Virginia Calvert’s”. I had not known until this point, that Ella Foy O’Gorman (sometimes referred to as EFO in this document) had created a small chapter for Alexander Calvert and Mary Wheeler, and thus I had immediate verification of sorts. More research of Maryland Eastern Shore and Somerset County specifically, revealed that besides the court record, William Calvert is in tax lists for the years spanning 1724 to 1746, taxed as Head of Household in Pocomoke Hundred, Somerset County MD. 

In the same time frame in which William Calvert begins to appear in records of Somerset after 1720), another Calvert is “next door”, John Calvert of Nanticoke Hundred, who is in tax lists in 1723, 24, 29 and 43, Nanticoke being adjacent to Pocomoke Hundred. Note here that there is no proof, but it would seem then, that these two gents are brothers. Their tax list entries spanning similar years vis a vis their appearance in Somerset records to the point where they are no longer listed in the 1740s. Further, among the various miscellany of this early period, (before 1760), records for Levin and Elizabeth Calvert appear. 

William Calvert, Planter of Record, Somerset County MD, was likely born sometime in the period 1690-1700 as would be John, at least judging by the tax list entries as they appear to come of age in the 1720’s and thus be in the early to mid twenties. By 1724 William is taxed as Head of Household. In 1726 he is identified as a “Planter” in a court record in 1726. By this time, from appearances, that William is a fairly wealthy contributor to the locale culture, a planter being identified as a plantation owner in the rich coastal environs of Maryland Eastern shore. Of course, this is merely my speculative venture, and without further records we cannot identify how large his plantation was, his valuation of wealth, but certainly he is wealthy enough to own land for planting Tobacco or other crops, thus of at least small plantation size. 

Dividing Creek

 Important to the area of Somerset was the first court located at Dividing Creek. This body of water is about 19 miles long and is a tributary of the Pocomoke River. Today it is a tranquil coastal stream at the lower reaches of the Delmarva Peninsula, which is a "salt" as it enters the Chesapeake. 

Kayaker's on today's Dividing Creek 

A logical conclusion when questioning myself on the origins of these Calvert’s of Eastern shore emerged as being Charles County, or St. Mary’s and being kin of the Calvert’s Lord Baltimore.

The early court for this part of Somerset County was held at Dividing Creek. 

In Charles County MD, there is a record for a "a William Calvert" being assigned a Guardian. This record is referred to in communication between Ella Foy O’Gorman and John Bailey Calvert Nicklin (also in this document referred to as JBCN). One of the allied families takes umbrage at this assigned guardian. The year for this is 1717 if I recall correctly, but it may have been 1717….(I am informed that there is proof, apparently in the letters exchanged by O’Gorman and JBCN, who addressed a question about this William, with O’Gorman noting that JBCN should pursue research of Maryland Eastern Shore and to pay particular attention to the surname Colbert). 

The children of William, proved by identification in primary source records are alive in the late 1600s. William Calvert b c 1666 is the Executor of William Robinson in Somerset County in 1696. I have no further records that indicate that William lived beyond this date. Unfortunately, if George Calvert of Stafford County was a son of William, he did not survive Richard who passed intestate in 1718. George died sometime prior to 1799 in Stafford County. To reference a article published by Calvert Genealogy in the Prince William County Reliquary, please visit the facebook presence(see the link to our site at the end of this article).

At the time I originally did this research, I was extrapolating from the material that William Calvert, Planter of record is the grandson of William Calvert Esquire, son of William Calvert c 1666 who is as noted, still alive in 1696. This of course is speculation. 

At this point, since both this William and John appear in Somerset records about the same point in time, I posit them to be sons of William Calvert [Jr., if you will]. I do know more now than I had previously when researching this William of Somerset. Still, I am hard-pressed to find another explanation for the origins of William or John Calvert in Somerset, apparently wealthy enough to be taxed, the former identified as a planter in court records. It could be though that William is akin to Christopher Calvert of Accomack or William Calvert of Yorks. There is also William “Colvard’ as identified in various records and genealogies. 

At least for research purposes, I am disposed to identify a potential that William Calvert of Somerset is the son of William Calvert b 1666 to William Calvert and Elizabeth Stone. At least from the court records, we can state that this William is a "Planter of Somerset". William Calvert, Junior if you will, was alive in 1696 in Somerset County [extr. Of the will of Wm. Robinson of Somerset County]. My speculation of this possibility would posit the William of 1696 as the father of both William Calvert, Planter and John Calvert of Somerset both found in records of Somerset as early as 1723. I should note that in this period is also identified a Levin Calvert of Somerset. the apparent Elder as well as the apparent Younger Levin, also identified in Somerset Records as well as Demaris. My list of Calvert personages includes William, John, Levin I and Levin II, Alexander, Alexander Neale, Isaac, William Wheeler Calvert and Demaris.

Thus far, I had at least a logical approach to researching the Descent of William Calvert, 2nd son of William Esq., which is based in a propertied and court record trail to follow, William Calvert, Esq., PSOM, born in 1643 circa, who drowned 1682 in the Wicomico River which flows into the bay

is one of the four main rivers of  Somerset County. William Calvert, Esq. is proved son of Leonard Calvert, receiving in court the estate of his father and the lands gifted him by Cecilius Calvert, Lord Baltimore, his Uncle. Philip Calvert addresses William as Nephew in letters written to Cecil. 

In 1724, tax list Pocomoke Hundred, Household #23, William Colvert (Calvert), is taxed as head of household. William is in the tax lists until 1747 when he is no longer listed and I find him in no other location through 1759. Meanwhile, in the process, Alexander appears in taxlists in the 1740s as does another William Calvert, which very probably demonstrates two potential sons of William Calvert, Planter. 

At Coventry PE, Somerset County, Alexander Calvert marries Mary Wheeler(Spelled Whealer in the record extract), daughter of Isaac and granddaughter of Edward Wheeler 14 May 1744, Maryland Marriage records. 

Alexander begins being taxed in Pocomoke hundred in 1747, moving to Annamessex in 1750. (her parentage was determined by Wheeler research-deb)

In 1747, Neal Caulburd is taxed in Pocomoke Hundred, Household Number: 72, Name: Caulburd, This would also appear to be a son of William Calvert, in view of the naming convention we later see with Alexander. Or this Neal is possibly an uncle. The same year, Allexr. Calvert is taxed in Pocomoke. Coventry Parish lies near Dividing Creek. 

Alexander Calvert is taxed in Pocomoke through 1749 and then is taxed in Annamessex Hundred in 1750 – 1759. Alexander and Mary have issue, recorded at Coventry PE and from my own research and also using O’Gorman’s reference as a guide.

1      Children of Alexander Mary Wheeler Calvert

William Wheeler Calvert b 1744/5 - Apparently lived his life in Somerset I believe this is the father of William Colbert who married Bridgett Howard, removed to OH. Calvert Genealogy has a member who claims descent from this William or his younger brother Isaac. He has DNA but it does not match any other Calvert or Colbert. His surname is Colbert btw). Moreover, from working with Ray, it appears that Isaac Calvert may have been his ancestor. Isaac is found in taxlists after 1800 in Somerset as is William and both are in Census records. They are thus precluded from being potentially in my own ancestry. 

 Isaac Calvert b 1747/8 - Lived his life in Somerset -- Note: Ray Colbert has traced his ancestry to this Isaac or to William, his older sibling. Coventry PE Records. 

Alexander Neale b 1753 - Lived his life in Somerset, probably had a son Alexander, who married Elizabeth and died in Somerset in 1865.). His birth record via Coventry parish records, book 3, Jan 14 1753 to Alexander and Mary Calvert.

 Betty (b 1756, d 1759) - death record at Coventry—this is the first Betty as a daughter of Alexander. A second is found below. Perhaps there was a mistake in recording, transcription or identification of her death, but there is a second "Betty" of record. Betty, Daughter of Alexander and Mary Calvert b Feb 23, 1756, Coventry PE records.

 Belle not listed in Coventry records, but there is proof below. Bell(e) Calvert, Daughter of Alexander and Mary Wheeler Calvert b Jan 20, 1759 d 31 Apr 1860.This does resolve the Elizbeth and Betty Problem, ie, with  two Betty's in the family as daughters. Betty (Elizabeth?) is born 1756. The daughter everyone has shown as Elizabeth in 1759 is Belle. according to Nicolite records "Nicholite Records (Birth, marriage, Death, Court, etc).That there is a Betty who survived to adulthood is true.   

Betty Calvert, a second daughter named Betty (Or Elizabeth) B 1759/60, m Wm. Handy. Apparently Alex and wife had another daughter named Betty, and she married William Handy (my inference was that she died in childbirth—shown below.. It could be that William Calvert Planter, married a Nancy Handy also, but again that is my inference due to naming a daughter, Nancy, which is of course, by inference, not a source record. There is a Nancy Calvert identified in Somerset Records as well. In those records related to the marriage, she is identified as "Betty". 

Proof of Second Betty Calvert, is found by examining the records, she is Elizabeth in the birth records of Coventry PE, the Betty of record. She died shortly after birth according to parish records. 

BUT: 

Elizabeth Calvert, Betty is in the record of the will of Samuel Handy Will - F 114, 17 Dec 1778. 
IN Dec 1779 - To Son Samuel is given the lands identified as Struggle and Handy's Purchase, on the southwest side of branch of Annamessex (more description)…where he lives to be drawn in the presence of Isaiah Tilghman. Wm.T, Betty Handy and Stephen. To son Isaac, the manor Plantation and a balance of lands…. To sons John and Stephen,…To Daughters GraceT. and Betty Calbert….

[note: one thing from this extracted record is that it is not clear that if Betty Handy is the wife of Samuel, a sister, or if it is one and the same as Betty Calbert or not who married a Handy. It would appear though that Betty Calvert married William T. Handy, at least that is my assessment. I am looking for other viewpoints on this or records which will aid the construct of this genealogy. 

Neal Calvert (Colbert) is in the 1790 Census (through 1820), Somerset Co MD. Another record showing that he was in Somerset as Neal Colbard in 1794 record, the Will of William Hammond Will - Wills of Somerset Wm Hammond F 414-417 14 Sep 1794 18 Aug 1795 --To wife, Ann, Property she had before marriage. To daughters Nancy Miles, Betsy Lankford, Sally Hammond, Wilson and Jonathan Hammond Executors, Wit; Neal Colbard, Joseph Tilghman, Joseph Anno.

[note: This is Alexander Neale Calvert and the second intersect with the Tilghman family who also are an adjacent an allied family of the Calvert's, vis a vis Robert Calvert b 1767 who married Ruth Hoskinson Selby and the relation to the Tilghmans of later date. This Robert is a descendant of the Nordic/Quaker Calverts -deb].

At this point, I wish to point to an interesting intersect with the family outlined as the Calvert’s of Chesterfield Co VA. In both ―Descendants of Virginia Calverts, and in research/genealogy sites for the family who are working to document their ancestry – beginning with their William II c1737 (Below). It is obvious that the family naming convention is important here. I have communicated with the family researcher to provide proofs but this never was received but relates to their genealogy posted on line as a personal family page for Calvert or Colvard. 

William Colvard II - Born: About 1737 probably in Chesterfield County, Virginia Died: Before 1800 in Wilkes County, North Carolina, Married: Mercy Holland, 1758 in Goochland County, Virginia Seven proposed Children born in Goochland Co., VA. This is from the research of others, so keep this in mind. 

1. Elizabeth Colbard, born June 2, 1759

2. Neil Colbert, born Oct. 12, 1760

3. William Colbert, born Nov. 1, 1762

4. Betty Colbert, born May 25, 1765

5. Nancy Colvard, born April 6, 1767

6. Damaris Colvard, born Mar. 25, 1769

7. Jesse Colbert, born ? 

This is an interesting similarity and may indicate that research by Richard Colbert related to the Cheserfield Calvert's should at least consider the potential that the William of Chesterfield is akin to the Calverts of Somerset. His work is to be published soon here at the blogspot. 

There are more evidences but here are the list of others I believe are in the same family in Somerset.

Thomas Calvert, Minister of Record 1652. 

Levin Calvert the elder: This Levin Calvert "owned the land “Struggle"

“Struggle” was formerly owned by Nancy Colbert. I presume Nancy is a Widow and the mother of Levin. If Alexander and Levin Calvert are son's of William Calvert, then William Married Nancy [--?--], and since Struggle was originally owned by the Handy Family, i infer that Nancy, wife of either William or Levin Calvert, and was a ―Handy‖. I don't have the direct land reference and should have quoted it but it is in MD eastern shore records.It is possible then that Nancy Handy is the wife of William Calvert, Planter and Levin Calvert, is a son. My conjecture here is that William Calvert, Planter of Record, married a Nancy Handy. William of course, may have married twice. 

Levin Calvert II, or III, Methodist Records of Baltimore City, MD, Vol. I; Page number: 161- Levin Colbert Dead 16 Jan 1819. Note: One of these Levin Calvert’s, and I presume at the moment that it is Levin the Elder, married Bethia Drew. - In old Somerset a [--?--] Calvert married a Bethia Drew—the exact year was not given; Baltimore County Families 1659-1759 Robt W. Barnes, Gen. Publishing 1989. Historical research from my Frame of Reference.

Research Notes

When I began seeking my ancestor, Isaac Calvert of Greene County, PA, I was trying to find records which would show whom the father of Isaac. I found an Isaac in Somerset County, who filled the correct birth time frame. The reason for this is the family stories from more than one family line passed down that our Calvert family of West Virginia or Pennsylvania was related to the Calvert's Lord Baltimore. More than this, my Mother and her Father indicated we descended from a “Cecilius Calvert”,  but did not know if this was Lord Cecilius or another Cecil. Isaac of Somerset was not an ancestor as research proved but Isaac of Greene County was the reason I researched William Calvert of Somerset.

The children of William Calvert, Esq. and his wife Elizabeth, being documented in primary source records are: Elizabeth, Charles, William, and Richard.  George and Joshua fare also proposed as sons of William. George Calvert being placed as a son of William but thus far I have been unable to locate a primary source document which proves this to be the case. Calvert Genealogy published an article about George Calvert which is available in the files section of “Calvert Genealogy” at Facebook.

Without entering into specific research on the children of William, I found a plausible focus on William Calvert, born 1666, who was known to be alive in 1696, who may have married a ―Robinson given the fact that a court record of 1696 in Somerset County MD lists William Calvert as Executor of the Will of a William Robinson. Another son is sometimes attributed to William, his name being Joshua.The given name is not within any older family origins nor in antecedent lines. It is my own view that Joshua is not a name that is used by the Calvert's Lord Baltimore so in my mind, this is probably an invalid lead.

By this time, my interest was really piqued. Given the above loosely defined search criteria,  I want to observe that there is an "unknown Calvert", William Calvert, who was assigned a guardian in 1707-1717. If this was a s son of William Calvert b 1666 and grandson of William Calvert Esq. and Elizabeth Stone Calvert then it is possible he is the William Calvert of record and research in Somerset county who was in court records in 1726 and 1733 in Somerset County, MD and it tax lists through 1747. It should be noted that at the time I was doing the research, I did not know that Ella Foye O'Gorman had documented Alexander in her work: Descendants of Virginia Calverts. Alexander is my proposed son of William Calvert, Planter.

In my meandering through records of Somerset County, in Coventry Parish Records, I found the marriage of Alexander Calvert who married Mary Wheeler in 1744, Coventry Church, in the same parish. He appears in the tax list in 1746 for Pocomoke Hundred, along with William Calvert, Planter. Then in a nearby Hundred, there is another William, so this appears to be another son of William Calvert Planter.

Among the children listed for Alexander Calvert and Mary Wheeler Calvert was William Wheeler b 1745/6 and Isaac b 1747/8. This fit very well with the approximate birth date of Isaac Calvert of Greene County, PA, who was said to be nearly 100 years old when he died according to family lore. He was really in his late 80s. His son Thomas was a year shy of 100 when he passed in 1868. My grandfather was 92, my mother 89, so there is longevity in the family history. At the time I began this research, I was trying to find Isaac Calvert's father, and prove family lore—that we were descended from the Calvert's Lord Baltimore. In researching Isaac, various and sundry records show that he was born 1735, 1746 or 1749 with an isolated record being 1755. By using his firs adult record followed by his marriage we posit that Isaac’s birth date was 1745. It might have been earlier.  

Using standard naming conventions for children, if Alexander and Mary followed form, they would have named their first son, William, for Alexander's father, Isaac would be the second son, and a third would be named for Alexander himself or an uncle. In Coventry PE Records, the first three sons of Alexander and Mary Wheeler Calvert were William, Isaac and Alexander Neal. The knowledge of the first male children's names was bolstered when I discovered that Mary Wheeler was the daughter of Isaac Wheeler, at least indicating that they were following traditional convention in naming their children. 

Thus began a search for the father of Alexander Calvert, named William according to the Scot naming convention. I believe as noted by the suit at court and tax lists, as well as proximity in Pocomoke Hundred that William Calvert, Planter(sued for 1024 lb of tobacco plus about double indemnity damages to be paid in kind at court in Coventry PE Somerset 1733, this record referring to an earlier court record of 1726). 

This William then, is likely the father of Alexander Calvert who married Mary Wheeler in 1744 in Coventry PE Church. Their eldest was William, 1744/5, Isaac followed 1747/8, Alexander Neale 1753, Betty 1756 and another Betty in 1759, Jane, Mary and Nancy were provided by Colbert family researchers as other daughters. Searching Census data, 1790, I found also Demaris(male head of Household). In the 1810 Dividing Creek Census, the same area as Alexander and his sons is Demaris, still in the general locale of Coventry PE. Dividing Creek was the location also of one of the early Colonial Courts of Somerset County. 

William and Isaac are likely the two who are Colbert in 1790 census and followed the basic western migration through MD and VA to Western VA, perhaps. It is very possible that William Colbert who married Bridgett Howard is a son of either William or Isaac, Sons of Alexander Calvert. Alexander Neal is in census records as Neal Colbert. 

The Importance of Ethelbert Doyne – Somerset County is of particular interest, since all of the many genealogical tracings relating to the marriage of a Doyne to a Calvert. If anything, I suspect that an Elizabeth may have married one of the Calvert’s, William, John or Levin and she may have been a Doyne. I have found no further proof or record of such. 
 

There are many other Calvert's in Somerset County, as well as important personages who are adjacent family to those of the Calvert’s of Maryland and Stafford County. Ethelbert Doyne, brother of Joshua both sons of Joshua Doyne Sr., who was brother to Robert Doyne of Ireland and Charles County MD. William Calvert, Esq., PSOM, Drowned in the Wicomico River in 1682—the Principle Secretary of Maryland. 

The Wicomico was at first, a north and western boundary of Old Somerset County. A Levin Powell who is associated with the Calvert's of Stafford, appears in records for MD Eastern shore and Somerset County, but more likely related to passage to Kent Island and perhaps of the controversy with William Claiborne of Virginia who had claim to the area and had established a fur trading venture in this locale. The grant to him preceded the grant of the lands of the proprietary to George, hence an ongoing saga of history in relation to the Calvert’s and the lands of MD. Indeed, there Is a Levin Calvert who would be Contemporary with William Calvert, Planter, found in records of early Somerset; there is also a Levin Calvert born later, possibly contemporary with Alexander Calvert.

I believe the discovery of these records is very important to not only Calvert family research as it relates to the Lords Baltimore, or perhaps to the Calvert's of Accomack or other known Calvert's in early Viriginia such as William, or the Colvard's and those of Chesterfield. I have found absolutely no way to tie these Calverts of Somerset to any other known descent. 

  

Land In Somerset and the Calvert's Lord Baltimore 

Supporting data to a view about Charles, II Lord, and William PSOM, it is about this time that William becomes PSOM MD. William treated with the Piscataway Indian's in Somerset in 1681and drowned in the Wicomico R. in 1682. The Wicomico R isthe northwest border of Somerset and Charles County MD. 

From all the research I have done, it appears to me that William Calvert of Somerset, who was a plantation owner in 1726 and 33 in court and in tax lists and those who descend from them need extensive research from the point where I had reached this impasse. 

The Lords Baltimore, Proprietor's of Maryland, set aside land in Somerset first for themselves and then established the Manor of Somerset. Below find a map of Somerset County, 1666-1723. Note the Proximity of Accomack County, Virginia. This relates to the research that will be available so about Christopher Calvert of Accomack County, Virginia. The area is commonly indentified as "Eastern Shore".

We know that in Somerset, Dividing Creek, north of Coventry, PE, which is where William Calvert was in situ. We know that his sons are active in the Court of Somerset at Dividing Creek(from my research). 3. Tax list, Court records and other references.

The map below shows the division of Somerset County into "Hundreds" as it would have existed in about before 1700. Across the Chesapeake is Maryland Proper and it's proximity across water from Somerset County.

 

Various Calvert's Found From the Research of Maryland Eastern Shore

1. Thomas Calvert 1652 From Old Somerset of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Page 529 Early Presbyterianism in Maryland - p. 7, et seq., for references to Matthew Hill; Bowen, Days of Makemie, p. 513; Briggs, American Presbyterianism, and particularly Appendix VII, XL-XLI, of that work where certificate of ordination of Matthew Hill, ordained June 3, 1652; certificate made June 24, 1654, shows Hill to have been ordained by Nathaniel Jackson, Edward Bowles, Thomas Calvert, "ministers of Christ called to watch over part of his flock in the city of York, with the assistance of others." This certificate states that Hill was "set apart unto the office of Presbyter and work of the ministry by laying on of hands with fasting and prayer." This is obviously Presbyterial ordination. See also Neill, Terra Marie, p. 139.

2. Levin Calvert (III) married Mary Fitzgerald - 

Levin Colbert Marriage Index: Maryland, 1655-1850 Married: Nov. 24, 1835 in: Somerset Co., MD (Levin Calvert III). Record type: This is a county court record. This record can be found at the County Courthouse Princess Anne, MD & Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT, Film # 0006302. Spouse name: Fitzgerald, Mary 

3. Levin Calvert (II) Death 1819 Maryland and Delaware, 1600s-1800s Church Records, Listed in: Methodist Records of Baltimore City, MD, Vol. I; Page number: 161- Levin Colbert Dead 16 Jan 1819 – (This is Levin Calvert, II, I think.) 

4. Levin Calvert (III) Deed, 1853 Baltimore Cty, MD Maryland and Delaware, 1600s-1800s Church Records - Listed in: Methodist Records of Baltimore City, MD, Vol. I, Page number: 8; Isabella McLaughlin Cemetery Plot owner; Levin Colbert appears on the Deed-23 March, 1853 - Date of Purchase. (Levin Calvert III) 

5. Levin Calvert, Mariner proved [Levin III) US Census 1860 Maryland

Delaware Dist, Baltimore County, MD; Roll 458, book 1, page 42:(all born Maryland) hh 255/319 Page 42&43 Colbert Levin 48 Mariner Mary 42 wif Augustus 23 Booklkeeper Mary 21 Sarah 19 Anna 17 Susan 15 Amelia 13 Jane Roberts 10 James McGrath 18 Clerk 

6. Joshua Doyne Sr? Family History: Lineages of Hereditary Society Members, 1600s-1900s - 1975-79; p 21- Joshua Doyne [? - 1698] m Barbara [--?--];Sheriff, Military Service. Now I know that there is a marriage of Joshua to a Jane of Barbados who supposedly came to MD from there with Robert Doyne. Which Joshua Doyne? This must be Joshua Doyne Sr. 

7. Joshua Doyne Which son of which father) Society of Col. Wars in the State of MD, pedigrees of Members 1905 - 1939, p 25 lists Joshua Doyne's death as 1798. 

8. 1778 Joshua Doyne, brother Ignatius, nephew Joseph Jameston Charles County Depositions, Vol 34, #1, Winter 1993 page 12: Joseph Jameston, age 64, Sep 15, 1778 nephew of Joshua Doyne; Joshua's brother Ignatius Doyne; Thomas Thompson, Charles Court, Joseph, Joseph Timms, Hugh,Kerrick, Robert Cooper, Barbara Marsh. Y # 67.9 

9. Levin Colbert(I) This is tracing of the elder Levin Calvert "owned the land Struggle" which was formerly owned by Nancy Colbert. I presume Nancy is a Widow and the mother of Levin.

If Alexander and Levin Calvert are son's of William Calvert, then William Married Nancy [--?--]. I don't have the direct land reference and should have quoted it but it is in MD eastern shore records hence, I am making the above analysis. 

10. Levin? Calvert? In old Somerset a [--?--] Calvert married a Bethia Drew...exact year not given; Baltimore County Families 1659-1759 Robt W. Barnes, Gen. Publishing 1989. 

11. Belle Calvert Bell(e) Calvert, Daughter of Alexander and Mary Wheeler Calvert b Jan 20, 1759 d 31 Apr 1860 [This resolves the Elizbeth and Betty Problem..ie, two Betty's in the family. Betty(Elizabeth is born 1756. The daughter everyone has down as Elizabeth in 1759 is Belle. - "Nicholite Records (Birth, marriage, Death, Court, etc). Betty died and is recorded in Coventry Church records with a death date. This was really confusing. 

12: Alice, Isaac, John, Levin, John, Levin Nancy and Neal Calvert, George and Elizabeth Calvert other Names mentioned in Land Records, somerset Co, mD, Ruth T Dryden, Gen. Press, MD: Alice, Isaac, John, Levin, Nancy, Neal, Calvert(sometimes Colbert, etc.) Other Calverts mentioned in various records: George Calvert, John, Elizabeth Calvert. Interim observations: We identify a John in Early Tax records, 1723 and 29, Somerset. We have a JOHN b 1742, , [--?--] CALVERT, WILLIAM, ALEXANDER SR, and JR, NANCY, LEVIN, SR, JR, and Levin III(Mariner) who married Mary Fitgerald in 1835, ISAAC, BELLE, BETTY, DEMARIS (Census 1790), WILLIAM 1744, WILLIAM who married Bridgett Howard 1796 and this is Somerset County, MD!!! (probably son of William 1744 or Isaac 1747/8.

13. ALICE CALVERT - ALICE via some form of documentation from Court, Probate, Churches, etc. Alice was the wife of Neal Colbert. This Neal is Alexander Neal...the land record is 1781. Neal was born 1753 and that Alice was his wife is from the 1781 land document related to sale of the Land known as Struggle and Handy's Purchase. Neal later sold 30 1/2 acres of the land to a John Calvert(I don't know if this John is b 1742 or another John). The same Land record shows that Nancy's husband was William, no surname given. [THIS IS A KEY TOPIC FOR FUTURE RESEARCH. - deb] 

A big point here to point out: Isaac Calvert is not named for a Calvert in my opinion, rather for his mother's father according to naming convention, hence Isaac Wheeler, son of Edward which traced informally. That Isaac and Alexander both are used for names of children after Isaac of 1747 is a sign that this is true.

14. William Calvert c 1690-1700 - William Calvert b 1690-1700 my guess m Nancy [--?--] I thought this must then be an allied family. Neale? Handy? Robinson? Stone. We need to search this out. 

 

15. Levin Calvert Levin Calvert III- A mariner,(b/d from Census is necessary) b ? m 1835 Mary Fitzerald 

16. Alexander Calvert Alexander Colbert proven in Tax Lists See those entries, eg. Alexander Colbert tax list 1757 Compiled by Rebecca F. Mill HSN 381 DH - same page: Stephen Dyes and William Johnson. Annemessex Pocomoke Hundred.

17. Wm Calvert Esq(Presuming my tracing is correct), 1726/33 William Colbert Esq taxed 1730-31, 1733-36, 1738-40. Somerset County Tax list, Coventry PE, 1730-40. [William Calvert Planter of record, being sued in court for 1,000 lbs tobacco money, 1726 & 1733] 

18. William Calvert: 1724 )7 01 REF TXL. "They Lived in Somerset Co, Pocomoke Hundred

19: O T Calvert (Thomas?) O T Calvert p22 Copyright 1991 Wilmer O. Lankford, Manokin Press, Here, I am guessing this is the Rev Thomas Calvert., Princes Anne County, MD 21853. 

19. Marriage Records, Somerset Co 1796 1871 were used in the research.

 

20. John Calvert to Amelia Schoolfeld 4 Jan 1827.

21. Levin Colbert to Mary Fitzgerald -  24 nov 1835 Whitington Colbert to Julia Dorsey 31 Oct 1843 William Calvert to Bridgett Howard 6 Dec 1796 William Colbert to Emily Holbrook 10 Nov 1868 Judicial Records, Somerset Co MD - Rebbecca Miller Wills:

22. William Calvert William Calvert b est 1690-1705 1733 (1735) -- Joseph Mcester v William Calvert, Planter (this is record where William is sued for 1,000 Lb of Tobacco).

Side note: William Calvert may be the son of William Calvert b 1666. I think he was b 1690 - 1705. His supposed father is executor of the Will of William Robinson and he assigns his son a Guardian so William of 1666 died before son William reached age of Majority. I found two court records of a William Calvert being sued in Somerset County MD 1726 and 1733; this is in regard to a debt. This Places William in the proper place, to be the father of Alexander Calvert. 

23. Wm Colbert(Calvert) Tax List Proof TAX-LIST: Annemessex Pocomoke Hundred, also proved is a William in Manokin concurrent. - William Colbert Esq taxed 1730-31, 1733-36, 1738-40. Somerset County Tax list, Coventry PE, 1730-40. [This must be the William Calvert Planter] William Calvert: 1724 )7 01 REF TXL. "They Lived in Somerset County) 

24. OT (THOMAS?) Calvet 1724 - Somerset Pocomoke, OT Calvert p22 Copyright 1991 Wilmer O. Lankford, Manokin Press, Princes Anne County, MD 21853. 1724, Rev Thomas? 

25. William Calvert b 1666 William Calvert b 1666 in MD COURT: Robinson, William of Maryland. Probate to William Calvert, Aug 1697 - William Calvert Executor of the Estate.- (1) International Records: American Source Records in England, 1600s-1800s Listed in: English Estates of American Colonists, 1600's Page number: 49. (2) International Records: American Source Records in England, 1600s-1800s: Listed in: American Wills in the Court of Canterbury Page number: 265. 

to see the transcription of the will, go here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/calvert-genealogy/william-robinsons-1696-somerset-county-maryland-will-william-calvert-executor/661755823908652/

26. William Calvert and Margaret Heywood Marriage c 1666 record Research-Note: There is a marriage of a William Calvert and Margaret Heywood via Colonial records. She was the wife of Deceased John Heywood whose will was proved in 1661. A William Calvert of York County, MD files a will in 1666. So this is a research note looking for the father of the William of this record –If you see the problem, this William documented in 1661 and 1666 "IS ANOTHER WILLIAM CALVERT, Not William PSOM Who came from England, Infant, won in suit lands deeded from his father Leonard!!!! Or William PSOM's Son. 26. Wm Calvert, Planter William Calvert, OCCUPATION: Planter, as proved by court records in Somerset Co MD 1726 and 1733 – Somerset County Record extraction(from Court records) RESIDENCE: Somerset County, Coventry Parish as proved by Court Records. Children? Levin, Alexander, John, William, George, [--?--] ---- at least seem to be related to the same age group and presume the woman of property are wives who are widows for the time being. 

27. (Alexander Neale) Neal Colbard - 1794 William Hammond Will - Wills of Smerset Wm Hammond F 414-417 14 Sep 1794 18 Aug 1795 --To wife, Ann, Property she had before marriage. To daughters Nancy Miles, Betsy Lankford, Sally Hammond. Wilson and Jonathan Hammond Executors, Wit; Neal Colbard, Joseph Tilghman, Jose h Anno. [This is Alexander Neale Calvert.

28. Betty Calvert, Allied families Tilghman and Handy Samuel Handy Will - F 114 17 Dec 1778 10 Dec 1779 - To Son Samuel PT 2 TRS - Struggle and Handy's Purchase, on the S/W side of branch of Annamessex (Desc)... where he lives to be drawn in the presence of Isaiah Tilghman. WM T, Betty Handy and Stephen. To son Isaac, the manor Plantation and a balance of lands. To sons John and Stephen, To Daughter Grace T. and Betty Calbert, William Colbert, Levin Colbert

29. Will of Stephen Handy 10 Feb 1779 30 Mar 1779 Wit.: William Colbert Samuel Hand F151 16 Jul 1781 9 Oct 1781- To wife Mary, Ex. Land struggle, after death of Levin Colbert, son of Isaac...p 21.

30. Levin Calvert -Will of John Mitchel: F144/45 24 my, 1809 28 Nov 1809 - Leven Calvert Witness. 

  

Working Chronology, Notes and Records That might relate to William Calvert, Planter of Somerset. 

*Much more has been researched and discovered. The Calvert Genealogy research group published an article in the Prince William County Reliquary “Who was the First George Calvert of Stafford County, Virginia. 

1696 – William Calvert, Extr. Will of William Robinson, Somerset County, MD. Records of  

Eastern Shore MD. Don’t have the page or reference…. 

1693 – Will of Robert Calvert filed, York Co VA. 

1712 – Will of Philip Calvert, Middlesex Co VA.

1723- William Calvert and John Calvert, begin being taxed in Somerset County, MD. 

1723 – John Calvert Tax list, Nanticoke Hundred, Somerset Co MD. 

1723– 47 – William Calvert Tax List of Pocomoke Hundred , Somerset County MD.

 

1726 – Somerset Co MD – William Calvert, Planter, sued for 1,000 Lb of Tobacco. 

 

1733 – William Calvert Planter, - Suit of 1726 renewed with penalty, William Calvert, Planter -Wm Calvert sued for damages + original amt of suit for 1,000 lb of tobacco, Somerset Co, MD. This suit was enjoined in 1726 in the original filing. 

1743 -  John Colvour taxed, NANTICOKE Hundred, Somerset Co MD. 

1744 – Coventry PE, Alexander Calvert marries, Mary Wheeler 

1747 – 1749 Alexander Calvert taxed, Pocomoke Hundred, Somerset Co, MD. 

1750-1759 – Alexander Calvert taxed, Annamessex Hundred, Somerset Co, MD. 

1763 - August Co, VA – Will and Adms, VA – Inventory of Wm. Calbert.

1770 - George Cavlert - Farquier Co VA - Baptist. 

1776 - John Calvert, speaks in the North Country Dialect, ran away from on Board the Scorpion sloop.VGPu 4 Oct 1776(Col Virg. Source Records, p53. 

1778 - Simon Colbert m Eleanor Reed 12 Dep 1778 Fr CO MD 

1788 - Isaac Colbird Accomack 1788 Inventory ( Which Isaac? I presume here that this is Isaac descended somehow from Alexander and Mary Wheeler Calvert…or the son himself, b 1747/8 – Coventry PE Records – DEB]

 

1796 - - William Colbert m Bridgett Howard 6 Dec 1796 Somerset Co MD

·         As noted, member of our DNA Project, Ray Colbert, believes he descends from Isaac via William Calvert son of Alexander Calvert of Somerset.  DNA did not Match anyone in our program for the Calvert Surname Project at FamilyTreeDNA. 

      Recently, our group had several researchers dig into records trying to find more extensive records and histories of the Calverts of Maryland Eastern Shore. We were unable to provide any further illumination. As EFO observed for Nicklin, the spelling of the descendants may be Colbert and I suppose we should not limit it to just this variation. 

I     If you are able to provide any information on these Calverts, please contact me.

The Purpose of this Blog article? 

      We are Seeking the Ancestry and records for William Calvert of Somerset County, MD. This search would include his apparent sibling, John and any other related Calverts which would include a Calvert who married a gent, surname Handy.

     David Bell – Calvert Genealogy (research)

      email me for contact - dai_sca@yahoo.com OR post at Calvert Genealogy Facebook Group (you must be a member in order to post).

     https://www.facebook.com/groups/245867225497516/ 

 

       APPENDIX: Tax list for Somerset County 1723-1759

Year: 1723; Hundred: NANTICOKE; Household Number: 104 Name: Callvat, John; Standardized Name: CALVERT, JOHN; Status: DEPENDENT MSA No: C1812-1-1813 

1724: Pocomoke 100 hH23 William Colvert(Calvert) HoH, status: Taxe MSA# C1812-2-3535 

Year:

1725; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 147 Name: Colbot, Wm.; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD – TAXED MSA No: C1812-3-6551 

*1726 IS THE YEAR William was sued at court fo 1,000 lb of tobacco money.  Suit refiled in 1733.;

Year: 1727; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 137 Name: Calbort, William; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: DEPENDENT MSA No: C1812-4-9393 

Year: 1729; Hundred: NANTICOKE; Household Number: 48 Name: Calvert, John; Standardized Name: CALVERT, JOHN; Status: HEAD – TAXED MSA No: C1812-6-15281 

Year: 1729; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 71 Name: Calbors, William; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-6-14531

Year: 1730; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 64 Name: Calvert, William; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-7-17638 

Year: 1731; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 164 Name: Colvart, Wm.; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD – TAXED MSA No: C1812-8-21219 

Year: 1733; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 128 Name: Calvert, William; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-9-24625 

Year: 1734; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 183 Name: Colbord, William; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-10-28364

Year: 1735; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 18 Name: Colbert, Wm.; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD – TAXED MSA No: C1812-11-31606 

Year: 1736; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 9 Name: Colburd, William; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-12-35243 

Year: 1737; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 207 Name: Callbert, William; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-13-38904 

Year: 1738; Hundred: MATTAPANY; Household Number: 79 Name: Calburd, William; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-14-44013 

Year: 1739; Hundred: MATTAPANY; Household Number: 96 Name: Calburd, William; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-15-48039 

Year: 1740; Hundred: MATTAPANY; Household Number: 42 Name: Calvart, William; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-16-52024 

Year: 1743; Hundred: NANTICOKE; Household Number: 34 Name: Colvour, Jno.; Standardized Name: CULVER, JOHN; Status: HEAD – TAXED MSA No: C1812-17-55033 

Year: 1743; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 58 Name: Calvert, Allex.; Standardized Name: CALVERT, ALEXANDER; Status: DEPENDENT MSA No: C1812-17-54288 

Year: 1744; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 59 Name: Coulburd, Wm.; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD – TAXED MSA No: C1812-18-56702 

Year: 1744; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 59 Name: Coulburd, Allex.; Standardized Name: CALVERT, ALLEXANDER; Status: DEPENDENT MSA No: C1812-18-56703 

Year: 1745; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 59 Name: Coulb[urd], Wm.; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-19-59175 

Year: 1745; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 139 Name: Wheler, John; Standardized Name: WHEELER, JOHN; Status: HEAD – TAXED MSA No: C1812-19-58952 

Year: 1745; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 148 Name: Wheler, Sammuel for; Standardized Name: WHEELER, SAMUEL; Status: HEAD - UNTAXED MSA No: C1812-19-58972

Year: 1745; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 148 Name: Wheler, Jonoth; Standardized Name: WHEELER, JONATHAN; Status: DEPENDENT MSA No: C1812-19-58973 

Year: 1744; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 60 Name: Powell, John; Standardized Name: POWELL, JOHN; Status: HEAD – TAXED MSA No: C1812-18-56704 

Year: 1744; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 79 Name: Whealer, John; Standardized Name: WHEELER, JOHN; Status: HEAD – TAXED MSA No: C1812-18-56355 

Year: 1744; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 89 Name: Wheler, Sammuel for; Standardized Name: WHEELER, SAMUEL; Status: HEAD - UNTAXED MSA No: C1812-18-56376 

Year: 1744; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 89 Name: Wheler, Jonothon; Standardized Name: WHEELER, JONATHAN; Status: DEPENDENT MSA No: C1812-18-56377 

Year: 1746; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 116 Name: Calburd, Wm.; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD – TAXED MSA No: C1812-20-61758 

Year: 1746; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 45 Name: Whelor, Samuell; Standardized Name: WHEELER, SAMUEL; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-20-61191

Year: 1746; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 45 Name: Whelor, Jonothnon (sic); Standardized Name: WHEELER, JONATHAN; Status: DEPENDENT MSA No: C1812-20-61192 

Year: 1747; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 71 Name: Caulburd, Wm.; Standardized Name: CALVERT, WILLIAM; Status: HEAD – TAXED MSA No: C1812-21-64155  [This is the last record for William Calvert, Planter of Somerset]

Year: 1747; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 72 Name: Caulburd, Allexr.; Standardized Name: CALVERT, ALEXANDER; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-21-64156 

Year: 1747; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 64 Name: Wheler, Samuel to; Standardized Name: WHEELER, SAMUEL; Status: HEAD - UNTAXED MSA No: C1812-21-63698

Year: 1747; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 64 Name: Wheler, Jonathan; Standardized Name: WHEELER, JONATHAN; Status: DEPENDENT MSA No: C1812-21-63699 

Year: 1748; Hundred: POCOMOKE; Household Number: 70 Name: Caulburd, Allexr.; Standardized Name: CALVERT, ALEXANDER; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-22-66760 

Year: 1749; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 64 Name: Colbart, Ellixander; Standardized Name: CALVERT, ALEXANDER; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-23-68918 

Year: 1749; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 178 Name: Wheler, Jonathan; Standardized Name: WHEELER, JONATHAN; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-23-69180 

Year: 1747; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 64 Name: Wheler, Samuel to; Standardized Name: WHEELER, SAMUEL; Status: HEAD - UNTAXED MSA No: C1812-21-63698 

Year: 1747; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 64 Name: Wheler, Jonathan; Standardized Name: WHEELER, JONATHAN; Status: DEPENDENT MSA No: C1812-21-63699

Year: 1750; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 161 Name: Coulburd, Alexander; Standardized Name: CALVERT, ALEXANDER; Status: HEAD – TAXED MSA No: C1812-24-71811 

Year: 1750; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 208 Name: Whealer, Jonathon; Standardized Name: WHEELER, JONATHAN; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-24-71928 

Year: 1751; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 147 Name: Calbart, Ellick; Standardized Name: CALVERT, ALEXANDER; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-25-74494 

Year: 1752; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 137 Name: Calbort, Alexander; Standardized Name: CALVERT, ALEXANDER; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-26-77196 

Year: 1753; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 156 Name: Calbert, Alexander; Standardized Name: CALVERT, ALEXANDER; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-27-79731

Year: 1753; Hundred: NANTICOKE; Household Number: 67 Name: Wheeler, Hezekiah; Standardized Name: WHEELER, HEZEKIAH; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-27-80872 

Year: 1753; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 91 Name: Whealer, Jonathan; Standardized Name: WHEELER, JONATHAN; Status: DEPENDENT MSA No: C1812-27-79514 

Year: 1754; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 152 Name: Colb[er]t, Alexander; Standardized Name: CALVERT, ALEXANDER; Status: HEAD – TAXED MSA No: C1812-28-82578

Year: 1756; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 142 Name: Colbert, Alexander; Standardized Name: CALVERT, ALEXANDER; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-29-85490 

Year: 1756; Hundred: NANTICOKE; Household Number: 91 Name: Wheeler, Isaac; Standardized Name: WHEELER, ISAAC; Status: HEAD – TAXED MSA No: C1812-29-86848 

Year: 1756; Hundred: NANTICOKE; Household Number: 91 Name: Wheeler, Jese; Standardized Name: WHEELER, JESSE; Status: DEPENDENT MSA No: C1812-29-86849

Year: 1757; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 145 Name: Colbert, Alexander; Standardized Name: CALVERT, ALEXANDER; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-30-88588 

Year: 1759; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 151 Name: Colbert, Alexander; Standardized Name: CALVERT, ALEXANDER; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-31-91811 

Year: 1759; Hundred: MANOKIN; Household Number: 202 Name: Wheeler, Southy; Standardized Name: WHEELER, SOUTHY; Status: HEAD - TAXED MSA No: C1812-31-91342 

Year: 1759; Hundred: ANNAMESSEX; Household Number: 58 Name: Whealor, Zadock; Standardized Name: WHEELER, ZADOCK; Status: DEPENDENT MSA No: C1812-31-91504

note: In the era of 1723 to 1747, John, William, Levin and Alexander Calvert are taxed in Somerset. 

Appendix 2: Other records 

John COLVERT(Calvert) - 1743

1743 Record - John Calvert ( Colvert) of in the Will of George Parker, Accomack County, Wills, 1692-1715, p 603.

John Colvert - Geo-Parker_Will

The Will of George Parker Sr.

Item 20 - Item 20 I doe give John Colvirt a three year ould heffer and a claf att Rumly Marsh ye next may after my deace Id give John Colvert a three year old heffer and a Calf at Rumley Marsh the next May after my decease

_______. Accomack County Wills &c. 1692-1715. p. 603.

NOTE: Rumbley Marsh was in Sussex County DE. which at the time was in Somerset Co. MD. In 1743 This part of Somerset became Worcester County MD. and later Sussex County Delware. George Parker kept his stock  there(Information from Richard Colbert's research).

June Court, Dividing Creek McLester v William Calvert - 1726, June Court
(Note the relationship to William Holland)
June Court anno Dom. 1726 - 157

1722 William Calvert 242 1722 by 3? Squire? 131
1723 To 2 Servi? @   140  280                                           Bal due to me is: 906 [for 1723]
To NO Wm ?                      200                                              Bal due me is 1037 [for 1724]
To NO Sevice?                   100
1724 to Service @89           89
to Interest:                          126

Whereupon the said William Calvert in his own proper person appeared and has upon the
said William Calvert (Planter of Somerset) at the prayer of this ? is adjudged to give speciale bail the ach??? thereupon afordsaid William Holland of Somerset County ? ? hereupon court and upon April 27? for this said William Calvert ? if this court the said Joseph McLester should recover Judgement in the place ? against the said William Calvert or that the said William Calvert should herein forewith ? ? ? the said William Calvert shall pay the Found? enumertion of the Court thereupon or tender his body to the custody of the Sheriff of Somersett County in satisfaction here or that the said William Holldand will do it for him... And the said William Calvert in his own proper person...

Therefore it is considered by the Jurist here that the afd Joseph Maclester recover against illiam Calvert as well the sum of of nine hundred and six pounds of Tobacco his afd Force afd Coupled as also the sum of two hundred and Six --- Pounds of Tobc by the court here for his Corts and paryer by him about his Seule in thatpart Eppended and afd ? in Tobc in money -
Sdg: Joseph McLeseter Somersett Co
        Thomas Brown 

Benjamin Colvard Jr of Albemarle County, Virginia, Introduction to the Calvert/Colvard/Colbert Families Part 3

In 1755, Peter Jefferson and Joshua Fry showed their homes - but not the community at Charlottesville - on their map of Virginia Source: Library of Congress, A map of the most inhabited part of Virginia containing the whole province of Maryland with part of Pensilvania, New Jersey and North Carolina (by Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson, 1755

I chose this map because it was created by Thomas Jefferson's father Peter Jefferson and it marks in red  "Shadwell" the birth place of Thomas Jefferson called "The Punch Bowl Tract" and the Rivanna River where Thomas Jefferson enjoyed fishing with Burwell Colbert. 

Benjamin Colvard Jr., of Albemarle County and his family

By Richard A. Colbert Calvert Genealogy Group

(Not for redistribution) Please ask the author for permission to republish- use attribution, and link to original material.

     Like his father Benjamin Colvard Sr.,  Ben junior made a living as a carpenter/cabinet maker.  He lived in a town adjacent to the town of Charlottesville next to the carpentry shop he inherited from his father.  The carpentry shop was located next to the tavern owned by John Jouett. 

     John “Jack” Jouett is known as the “Paul Revere of the South” for the night ride he took in 1781 to warn both Thomas Jefferson, then the governor of Virginia, and members of the Virginia legislature who were staying with Jefferson at Monticello, that a cavalry of British soldiers had been sent to capture them.  Jefferson and all the members of the Virginia legislature escaped. 

     Before the British cavalry had been sent to Monticello to arrest Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia legislature, they attacked the Governor’s mansion and took Jefferson’s slave and housekeeper Betty Brown as a prisoner.  While a prisoner of the British, Betty Brown gave birth to her son Wormley Hughes at their encampment at Wormley creek.  

     At the age of 12 or 13, Ben Colvard Jr started working at his father’s carpentry shop and at 16 became the apprentice carpenter- joiner of Joseph Neilson, Thomas Jefferson’s building contractor.  That was in 1778.

     Thomas Jefferson had hired Neilson to build his new two-story, eight-room house on top of Monticello.  This new house was of Italian design and was to replace the one Jefferson and his family currently lived in, a one-room brick building with a fireplace.  Jefferson had built it in 1768 when he was a bachelor.  Back then it suited his purposes. But now with a wife and growing family, it was woefully inadequate. 

     [The house Benjamin Colvard Jr helped build was the original family home. Built between 1790 and 1809 the house was partly torn down, expanded and rebuilt to look like the Monticello plantation we see today.  Whether or not Benjamin helped in the second construction of Monticello is unknown.]

   During the two years Benjamin Jr worked at Monticello (1778-1779), he lived with other carpenters and tradesmen in a stone building on Mulberry Row.  While working there he met Betty Brown.  She was the daughter of Elizabeth Hemings, the matriarch of the Hemings clan. 

     [Monticello’s Section Menu: Workshop for joined and turned woodwork ca 1774- ca 1830.  “A chimney foundation is all that remains of the joiner’s shop, which Jefferson described as 57 feet by 18 feet, the underpinning and chimney of stone and the walls and roof of wood.”  From about 1775, free and enslaved workmen produced some of the finest architectural woodwork in Virginia as well as carriages and furniture in this workshop. “There is nothing superior in the U.S., said Jefferson.]

     Among the names of hired “artisans” who worked at Monticello were: Joseph Neilson, joiner, 1775-1779 and Benjamin Colvard, carpenter/joiner, 1778-1779.  Among those who were described as “enslaved joiners” John Hemings 1798-1831, Eston Hemings 1822-1827, Madison Hemings 1819-1827.

     Betty Brown was born 1759 and was the property of a successful lawyer and slave trader by the name of John Wayles.  Wayles lived at his plantation called “The Forest’" which was near the town of Williamsburg.  On January 1, 1772 Thomas Jefferson married John Wayles daughter, the widow Martha (Wayles) Skelton and, as a wedding present, John Wayles gave Betty Brown to Jefferson.  Her job was to look after Martha and eventually her children.  Betty was only 12 years old when she was taken from her mother and siblings. 

     Betty Brown became the first member of the Hemings family to live at Monticello and, as it turned out, the last member of the Hemings family to leave. 

     Two years later 1773, John Wayles died and Jefferson not only inherited The Forest and all of Wayles’ slaves, but also all of his debts.  To pay off these debts Jefferson sold off The Forest and most, but not all, of the field-hand slaves.  He kept members of the Hern family and took them to Monticello.  

     David Hern was a highly skilled woodworker and for over fifty years worked at Monticello as a carpenter, wagoner, and miller.  For at least two years, 1791-1792, and possibly more.  David Hern was hired out by Benjamin Colvard Jr., to work at his carpentry shop in Charlottesville.  Whether Benjamin Colvard Jr and David Hern built cabinets for Jefferson’s Monticello plantation at this time is unknown. [Those Who Labor for My Happiness: Slavery at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello,” by Lucia Stanton p 135.]

     Jefferson also kept Elizabeth Hemings and all of her descendants at the behest of his wife.  Besides being the father of Jefferson’s wife, John Wayles was also the father of six of Elizabeth Hemings children: Robert, James, Thenia, Critta, Peter and Sally Hemings. They were Martha (Wayles) Jefferson’s half-siblings. 

     During the time Benjamin Colvard Jr worked at Monticello between 1778 and 1779 a romance blossomed between him and Betty Brown.  And between the years 1783 and 1800 they had six children: Burwell Colbert, Brown Colbert, Melinda Colbert, Robert Colbert, Edwin Colbert and Mary Colbert.  It is believed they may have had another son while Benjamin Jr., was still living at Monticello.  Betty Brown had a son named Billy (William) who died in 1778.  At the time of his death Billy was only a few months old. 

     Burwell Colbert, the oldest living son of Ben Colvard Jr and Betty Brown was born December 24, 1783. At the age of ten Burwell was given his first pair of shoes (as was the custom for all slaves to obtain shoes at age ten at Monticello), and at eleven he worked at Jefferson’s nail factory.  He was thirteen when Jefferson became vice-president, and seventeen when Jefferson became president.  During that time Burwell also worked in the main house and performed duties as a body servant and served food to Jefferson’s guests at dinner time.  Records show that the average number of people who ate at Monticello at dinner time was between fifteen and twenty every day. 

     In his spare time, Burwell learned to paint and became a glazier (cut glass and set it in windows).

     Burwell’s sister Melinda, married John Freeman, Jefferson’s butler at the White House in Washington DC.  After John and Melinda (Colbert) Freeman gained their freedom, they spent the rest of their lives in Washington DC and fought for the freedom of all slaves. 

     His brothers Robert and Edwin were sold by Jefferson.  Later both Robert and Edwin ran away from their new masters and were never caught. 

     Burwell’s brother Brown obtained his freedom and that of his wife and children and moved to Liberia along with their sister Mary in 1832.  Mary, Brown and his wife and all their children (except for their son Burwell) died in Liberia of malaria within a year of their arrival. 

     At the age of seventeen Burwell became Thomas Jefferson’s butler, valet, and personal servant at Monticello.  After President Thomas Jefferson left the White House in 1809, Burwell was his constant companion and was standing next to Jefferson when he died July 4, 1826.  In his last will and testament Thomas Jefferson gave Burwell his freedom, 300 in cash, a log cabin on an acre of land, and a job at the University of Virginia.  During his lifetime, the only slaves Thomas Jefferson ever freed were either Hemings or Colbert’s. 

     Burwell Colbert was married twice.  His first wife was his half 1st cousin Critta Hemings born 1783 died 1819 the daughter of Elizabeth Hemings’ daughter Nancy Hemings born 1761 died after 1827. 

     Burwell and Critta had four known daughters: Susan Colbert, Emily Colbert, Martha Anne Colbert, and Thenia Colbert.  Critta died in 1819 while Burwell was with Thomas Jefferson at his Bedford county plantation called “ Poplar Forest”. 

     While at Poplar Forest, Burwell became violently ill and almost died.  According to Jefferson’s granddaughter Ellen Randolph Coolidge, “I never saw anybody more uneasy than Grandpapa, and his constant anxiety by convincing me still more of his extraordinary value of Burwell, increased my own fears and feelings to a degree that surprised even me.”  While Burwell was sick, Jefferson insisted only he and Burwell’s cousin John Hemings were to watch over him. They stayed with him night and day and gave him warm baths and “by the temporary relief it procured, enabled Burwell to stand against the violence.”  

     It was only after Burwell recovered from his sickness that he learned that his wife Critta was dead and that Jefferson’s granddaughters were plotting to take his daughters away from him.  In a letter written by Ellen Randolph Coolidge (daughter of Thomas Mann Randolph Jr and Martha “Patsy” Wayles Jefferson) she wrote that Burwell was “overwhelmed with grief” when he learned of his wife’s death.  However, in letters that Ellen wrote to her sisters she went on to say:

     “I have been recollecting that some time ago, when I was lamenting very seriously that I had not secured on of her [Critta’s] elder children Mama promised I should have any one of them not disposed of.  Susan and Emily I believe Cornelia and yourself had taken at the time, I think I pitched on little Martha as subject to no prior claims.  I hope with all my heart that is the case, for I am more than ever anxious to have it in my power to befriend, and educate as well as I can, one of these children, and if I remember right Martha is a little sprightly black-eyed girl, whom I have often noticed with pleasure.  I think her poor mother would have liked this disposition of her.  I believe she preferred me to the rest of the family.  If, however , Mary or any of the rest of you would have a prior claim then Mama’s promise will hold good for little Theana.”

     Ellen Randolph Coolidge was also one of the most vocal members of the Jefferson family who insisted Sally Hemings children were not Thomas Jefferson’s.

     Jefferson’s grandchildren did eventually acquire all of Burwell and Critta’s children and they were scattered to all parts of Virginia and elsewhere. One daughter was taken to Alabama and never heard from again. 

    Burwell’s second wife was Elizabeth Battles, daughter of Shadrock Battles.  It was said of Shadrock Battles that he was a free African who forged papers for slaves to use to obtain their freedom. 

     Burwell and Elizabeth married December of 1835 in Albemarle county, Virginia and their witness was Ira Garrett. Burwell and Elizabeth had three children: Sarah, Caroline and Melinda Colbert.  They are listed in the 1850 Albemarle county, Virginia census along with Burwell’s half-brother Wormley Hughes.

     After Thomas Jefferson died in 1826, the plantations Monticello and Poplar Forest and all of Jefferson’s slaves were sold to pay his debts, including Wormley Hughes children,  Wormley spent the rest of his life trying to raise enough money to free them. 

     While attending the auction at Monticello, Burwell Colbert bought a mule for $30 and a miniature portrait that he kept on the fireplace mantle of the cabin Jefferson had given him. 

    Although several slaves were sold, Monticello and the land around it was not.  No one was willing to pay the price Martha Randolph asked.  Monticello was finally purchased in 1831 at a price far below market value.  During the five years Monticello was up for sale, Burwell Colbert’s mother Betty Brown lived there.  When Burwell came to visit, he opened all of Monticello's doors and windows to air it out, and then cleaned each room himself. 

Burwell Colbert died 1860.

The Calvert Genealogy Group Website HERE, The Calvert Genealogy Facebook Group HERE, The Calvert FTDNA Surname YDNA project HERE. 

Benjamin Colvard Jr of Albemarle County, Virginia, Introduction to the Calvert/Colvard/Cobert Families Part 2

Figure 2. Detail from Fry and Jefferson’s "Carte de la Virginie et du Maryland," 1755, showing "Sowels Pt.," annotated with an arrow to locate Sewells Point. (Library of Congress)

I chose this map because of the relationship to Thomas Jefferson's father Peter Jefferson who created the map above.  The map shows the location of "York town" where Benjamin Colvard Sr was born.

Benjamin Colvard Sr (1730-1786) and his Family 

By Richard A. Colbert Calvert Genealogy Group

(Not for redistribution) Please ask the author for permission to republish- use attribution, and link to original material.

     After Benjamin’s father William Calvert died in 1744, the court ruled that the widow Temperance Calvert was not able to financially support her four children and they were taken away from her.  Benjamin was bound out in November 1745 to George Klienhoff.  [Weisinger, Benjamin B, III, Henrico Court Order Book 1737- 174, p 35.]

     In March of 1750 both Benjamin and his mother Temperance Calvert took Kleinhoff to court and swore that Benjamin was 21 years old and by law could no longer be bound to Kleinhoff.  Kleinhoff later withdrew the complaint and Benjamin was freed from his bondage.

     After he became free, Benjamin Colvard Sr., married a woman named Susanna LNU and he made his living as a carpenter/cabinet maker.  There is a possibility that Susanna’s maiden name was Waddle /Waddill.  Benjamin and Susanna had a daughter named Temperance who married George Bruce and they named one of their sons Waddle Bruce.  The name Charles Waddle also appeared on a deed that Benjamin Colvard witnessed in Chesterfield county, Virginia on April 25, 1752, and again in a lawsuit that was brought by Peter Royston against Charles Waddill, John Robins, and Benjamin Calvort which was later dismissed in November 1753. [Chesterfield Court Orders, 1749-1759, #0030908, pp 370, 377, 378 & 414.]

     Benjamin and Susanna Colvard had five children all born in Albemarle county:1) William born  ca 1750,  died before November 6, 1795 (never married); 2) Temperance born ca 1751 married George Bruce, died in Kentucky; 3) Benjamin Jr born ca 1762 married Mary “Polly” George & had concubine Betty Brown died ca 1800; 4) Elizabeth  married Charles Ashley of Amherst county, Virginia died of smallpox; 5) Alexander born ca 1761 married : Susanna Spralding on November 8, 1783 [Marriages in Albemarle County, Virginia Papers of the Albemarle county, Historical Society, Vol VI, p 57]

    In the early 1770’s two of Benjamin’s brothers, William Jr. and John Butterworth Colvard left Virginia and moved to Wilkes/Surry county, North Carolina with their families. 

     George Bruce and Alexander Colvard and their families moved from Albemarle county, Virginia to Kentucky in 1806.  George Bruce died testate in Fayette county, Kentucky in 1808.  George Bruce and his wife Temperance had daughters Helby Bruce, Parmelia Bruce and Polly Bruce who married Grant. Their sons were Warren, Waddle and Benjamin. Executor’s of George Bruce’s estate were Samuel Blair and Temperance Bruce. Witnesses were Alexander Colvard and James Gibson. 

     Both Benjamin Colvard Sr and his son Benjamin Colvard Jr made their livings as carpenters and both volunteered to serve in the American Revolution.  In addition Benjamin Sr’s oldest son William signed an “Oath of Allegiance” in Albemarle county, in 1777 along with Thomas Jefferson, Randolph Jefferson (Thomas Jefferson’s brother), John Marks (stepfather of Meriwether Lewis, the explorer), Charles Ashley (married to Temperance Colvard), and David Meriwether. 

     On July 3rd, 1781, Major Pryor informed Col Davies that “Mr Ben: Colvard, whom he had sent to the Lead mines for more lead, had procured six thousand pounds  - 1800 lbs sent to Bedford county.  The remainder was sent to Staunton, Augusta county.”

     His son Benjamin Colvard Jr enlisted in the Army of the Revolution on September 1, 1780 in Chesterfield county, under the command of Capt John Scott:

    “Ben Colvard Age 18, Size 5 ft 7 ½ inches, Trade- Joiner. Where born -Virginia, County -Albemarle, Hair- Bk, Eyes- Gray, Complexion - dark.”

     [Question: Was Benjamin Colvard Jr’s mother Susanna a mulatto?]

     On February 11, 1786, Benjamin Colvard Sr wrote his last will and testament: 

     In the name of God Amen, I Benjamin Colvard of the county of Albemarle and parish of Fredericksville (sic) do constitute and appoint this to be my last will and testament - Item my will and desire is that all my just debts be duly paid- Item I give to my grandson Benjamin Bashford Colvard one bed and furniture now in the possession of George Bruce my son-in law -Item all the remainder of Estate Real and Personal I lend unto my loving wife Susanna Colvard during her natural life and after her demise I desire all the same may be sold and the money arriving therefrom to be equally divided among my three sons William, Benjamin and Alexander Colvard to them and their heirs forever and lastly I appoint George Nicholas , Nicholas Lewis and Hudson Martin executors of my last will and testament whereof I have set my hand & seal of this Eleventh day of February 1786.  Benja Colvard [will has original signature]

Signed Sealed and published & declared in the presences of Jesse Payne, Wm Day, Nicholas Meriwether Lewis Jr., Stephen Hughes. 

     Benjamin Colvard’s grandson Benjamin Bashford Colvard, may be tied to the family of Alexander Bashford of Accomack county, Virginia.  Christopher Calvert’s property at Onancock Creek (A71 was sold in 1680 and became the town of Onancock which was subdivided into 37 lots.  Both the Bashford family and the Snead family (John Snead represented John Butterworth in 1732) owned lots in the town. 

     Regarding witnesses of Benjamin Colvard’s will:

#1 Footnote: Jesse Payne was the 5th Great-grandfather of President Barack Obama.

#2 Footnote: Jesse Payne was the son of George Washington Payne and Agatha George.

#3 Footnote: Jesse Payne’s mother Agatha George was 1) the daughter of James George and 2) the sister of Mary “Polly” George who married Benjamin Colvard Jr on October 21, 1788 in Goochland county, Virginia.

     Benjamin Colvard Jr and his wife Mary had one child.  Her name was Elizabeth.  Elizabeth’s mother died sometimes in 1797 and her grandfather James George, became Elizabeth’s legal guardian.  Before Mary (George) Colvard died, her husband Benjamin Colvard Jr., was already the father of four of Betty Brown’s children, Burwell, Brown, Melinda and Edwin Colbert.  Two more children Robert and Mary Colbert were born after Mary (George) Colvard died. 

#4 Footnote: Stephen Hughes was the father of Wormley Hughes, Burwell Colbert’s half-brother.  Wormley’s mother was Betty Brown.

#5 Footnote: Three of Temperance Calvert’s sons--Benjamin, William Jr., and John Butterworth Colvard- had daughters and grand daughters named after her, The one exception: Thomas Colvard/Colbert of North Carolina my 4th Great-grandfather. 

     Benjamin Colvard Sr’s daughter, Temperance Colvard, married George Bruce and Temperance’s brother Alexander Colvard were land speculators who bought and sold land together with Hastings Marks who was the husband of Anna Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson’s youngest sister.  George Bruce and Alexander Colvard also owned land adjacent to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello plantation. 

     On April 14, 1791, Nicholas Lewis and his wife Molly gave land to their son Nicholas Meriwether Lewis….”Beginning at the land above Secretary’s ford Rivannah River contiguous to the town of Charlotteville on a boundary as followeth beginning at the river above Secretary’s ford on Thomas Jefferson’s line thence….near a stump near a spring on Edward Carter’s line...to John Jouetts line thence along the said line of Bruce and Colvard to the road leading from Charlottesville to Secretary’s ford...to the bank of Moore’s creek.” [Albemarle Land Property 1789-1795. #0030228, 14 April 1791, pp 177-178]

     Thomas Jefferson loved to fish and one of his favorite fishing spots was below the dam on the Rivannah River.  There, Jefferson and his servant Burwell Colbert would fish from fishing poles that Thomas Jefferson had bought from Burwell’s father Benjamin Colvard Jr.

     I am also a member of the Jefferson-Hemings-Wayles-Eppes DNA Project.  Although I am not a direct ancestor of Benjamin Colvard Sr., I do descend from his brother Thomas Colvard/Colbert.   Administrators of this DNA project  are Cece Moore (The Genetic Detective) and co-administrator Shannon Christmas.

The Calvert Genealogy Group Website HERE, The Calvert Genealogy Facebook Group HERE, The Calvert FTDNA Surname YDNA project HERE. 

Benjamin Colvard Jr. of Albemarle County, Virginia, Introduction to the Calvert/Colvard/Colbert Families

Onacock, Accomack County, Virginia Atlas 1895

Benjamin Colvard Jr., of Albemarle County, Virginia Part 1 of 3 parts Benjamin Colvard Jr Mulberry Row, Monticello, Albermarle County, Virginia.

By Richard A. Colbert Calvert Genealogy Group

(Not for redistribution) Please ask the author for permission to republish- use attribution, and link to original material.


The history of Benjamin Colvard Jr’s family in America begins with his 2nd GG grandparents Christopher Calvert and Elinor Odait of Accomack county, Virginia.  

     Christopher Calvert was a Quaker, he was born between 1610-1615 and was transported to Accomack county, Virginia in 1635 by William Bibby. [ Susie Ames, “Accomack -Northampton County, Virginia, Court Records, 1632-1640” p 85.]

     Christopher’s wife Elinor Odait, was transported to Accomack county, fourteen years later on Oct, 5, 1649 along with 16 other passengers by Ralph Barlowe of Southampton, England.  Included in the list of passengers were John Elzy, George Parker (married to Abigail Barlowe), George’s siblings Anne Parker, Robert Parker. [Nell Marion Nugent, “Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 Vol 1, Patent Book No. 2,” p. 185.]

     The courtship between Christopher and Elinor was short and they married soon after Elinor arrived.  A year later the newlyweds acquired land adjacent to George Parker and his wife Abigail.

     “A32. 1652 Patent to Thomas Teagle [Teackle] for 350 acres sold to George Parker and John Elzey and by Elzey assigned to said Parker.”  [ Parker and Elzey were half brothers. Their mother Joan Rishton, married Edward Barlowe of Southampton.]

     “A32. 1653. Patent to Sampson Robins for 700 acres...sold to Teagle [Teackle], who was assigned to Christopher Calvert, who later received the patent in his own name.”  [Ralph T. Whitelaw, “Virginia’s Eastern Shore: A History of Northampton and Accomack Counties, Vol 1,” pp. 695-696.]

     In 1655 Christopher Calvert acquired another patent for 800 acres at section A71 where the town of Onancock is now located. His neighbors were Colonel John West and Daniel Jenifer.  Five years later Christopher had the patent reissued in the names of his two children Charles and Mary.  ( His two youngest children John and George, had not yet been born.)  Apparently Christopher intended giving the 700 acres he acquired in 1653 to his eldest son, Christopher Jr. and 400 acres each to Charles and Mary on Onancock Creek from section A71. [Ralph T. Whitelaw, VES, Vol 1, pp. 903-934.]
     Between 1650 and 1665 Christopher and Elinor became the parents of five children: Christopher Jr., Charles, Mary, John, and George.  

     Christopher’s son John Calvert was born 1661 and was recorded as the “godson” of Mr Anthony Hodgkins on 4 Sept 1661.  John grew up on the Eastern Shore and made his living, not as a landowner like his older brothers and sister, but as a carpenter.  [Dr Howard Mackey and Marlene A Groves, “Northampton County, Virginia Record Book, Court Cases, Vol 8, 1657-1664, “p182, and JoAnn Riley McKey, “Accomack County, Virginia Court Order Abstracts, 1682-1690, Vol 7,” pp2 53,260,263,]

     John’s name is also recorded in the last will and testament of George Parker [son of George Parker, A32] dated 1708 and probated on 7 July 1713.  In Parker’s will, John Calvert was given a three-year-old heifer and a calf, just what a father needed for a growing family.  {Stratton-Nottingham, Accomack ,County, Virginia, Wills & Administrations, 1663-1800,” p 49 (Will of George Parker Sr),]

     John Calvert’s younger brother George, was also trained as a carpenter. He was indentured to Thomas Hook, a boatright/carpenter on Oct 20, 1680 for five years. [Descendants of Virginia Calvert’s , Ella Foy O’Gorman Book IV, Christopher Calvert of Accomack County, Virginia, p 587.]  What became of George Calvert after October 20, 1680 is unknown.

     John Calvert and his wife had a son named William who became a blacksmith. [George Parker Sr. and George Parker Jr. were both blacksmiths.]

     Around 1725, William Calvert became friends with a mariner (sailor) who had jumped ship in the Onancock harbor in 1724 and was living in the home of Jonathan Chambers. His name was John Butterworth. 

     Why William Calvert and John Butterworth became friends is up for speculation. May be it was a case of opposites attract.  Whatever the reason, they chose to remain close friends and William named one of his sons after him. 

     In 1689 Colonel John West, George Parker Sr and Christopher Calvert’s neighbor, leased an unspecified acreage for 99 years to Mrs Frances Chambers and her children John, Jonathan, Annabella and Fillechar.  Jonathan had survived his other siblings and by the early 1720s lived on the land alone.  [Ralph T. Whitelaw, “VES, Vol 2,” p 956]

     After jumping ship John Butterworth met Jonathan Chambers, perhaps at a local tavern, and moved into his house. 

    On 4 January 1725 both John Butterworth and Jonathan Chambers were sued by Thomas English for non-payment of a loan for 50 shillings.  The court ordered that Chamber’s home be attached for payment of the debt and court cost. [ Accomack County, Virginia Court Order Abstracts, 1724-1731, Vol 15 p 91, by JoAnn Riley McKey.]

     In 1725 John Butterworth was also sued by John West, the son of Colonel John West who had leased the land to Jonathan Chamber’s mother in 1689, for non-payment of a debt, [ACVCOA, Vol 15, p 67.]

     At the same time John Butterworth was being sued in Accomack county, Thomas Robins married Temperance LNU (Davis?) in York county.  Soon after they married Thomas Robins wrote his last will and testament on August 5, 1725, and nine months later after that on May 15, 1726, records show that Thomas and Temperance had been issued a license to operate an ordinary/tavern in York county.  One month later on June 20, 1726, Thomas and Temperance Robins became the guardians of John Davis, orphan of William Davis. [ Margaret Colvard Simpson  & Margaret Lee Lindsey, “The History of William Colvard...and their Descendants in America,” p 3.]

     Thomas Robins died three years later. In his will, probated June 16, 1729, Thomas gave to his brother Richard, one shilling, to brother John, one shilling, to brother William, one shilling, to brother George, one shilling; to his sister Ann, one shilling and to his:

     “Dear and loving wife, Temperance Robins, all my estate real and personal and she to be the sole executrix.” [York county, Virginia Wills Book, 16 June 1729, #0034409 Part 2, p 604.]

     On that same day, June 16, 1729, Temperance Robins was granted a license to operate an ordinary/ inn in York Town.  [Ibid. p 600]

     Two months later Elizabeth Davis, orphan of William Davis and the sister of John Davis, asked to be bound to Temperance Robins until she reached the age of eighteen.  In exchange for Elizabeth Davis’ servitude, the widow Temperance LNU Robins was to give Elizabeth a violin. 

     [Could Temperance be the oldest daughter of William Davis and sister of both John and Elizabeth Davis?]

     Sometime after June 16, 1729 but before November 16, 1730, William Calvert of Accomack county, Virginia sailed to York county to see his friend John Butterworth. Butterworth had previously married a woman named Demaris in Accomack county, and afterwards moved to York county, where they operated an ordinary/tavern. 

     There, William Calvert met the widow Temperance Robins, and after a whirlwind romance, they married. We know they married before November 16, 1730 because both William Calvert and his wife Temperance were sued on that date by Robert Bovis of York county, for money that Temperance’s late husband, Thomas Robins, owed him.

     “In the action upon the case between Robert Bovis plt and William Colvert and Temperance his wife and executrix of Thomas Robins deceased…”  The jury found for the plaintiff Robert Bovis, and fined William and Temperance Robins Calvert L5 plus court cost. [ York county, Virginia, Book 17, p 98.]

     It was also around this time, 1730 that William and Temperance Calvert’s first son was born Benjamin Calvert/Colvard, was born. 

     In November of 1732 John Butterworth and his wife Demaris returned to Accomack county.  It is possible that William and Temperance Calvert returned with them.  

     On November 7, 1732, in Accomack county, courthouse, John Butterworth ”of York Hampshire parish in the town of York” appointed his lawyer John Snead of Accomack county, to collect any monies owed him from “several persons inhabiting in the county of Northampton and Accomack, on the Eastern Shore.”  [JoAnn Riley McKey, “Accomack County, Virginia Court Order Abstracts, 1724-1732, Vol 16,” pp 8, 80, 123, 268, 276, and 285.]

     Addendum further information of John Butterworths relationship to the Calvert family.  Joseph Calvert who purchased land on Plumtree Island in North Carolina in 1720  Was an Indian trader and the father of James Colbert of the Chickasaw Colberts’. Joseph died ca 1731 . His wife Dorothy Calvert, traveled to York county, Virginia with her son James in 1732 to sue John Gibbs for money he owed Joseph.  It turns out that John Gibbs lived at the tavern/ inn of JOHN BUTTERWORTH and his wife Demaris.  During the trial John Gibbs died and John Butterworth became the executor of his estate.  John Butterworth paid Dorothy Calvert the money John Gibbs owed Joseph Calvert. 

     Between 1732 and 1736, William and Temperance Calvert/Colvard had two more sons born in York county: William Jr. and Thomas. 

     Records also show that sometime before December 1736, William and Temperance Calvert decided to leave York town and settle in Henrico county, Virginia. 

     On June 12, 1737, William Calvert, blacksmith, was hired by Michael Holland to work for him     .  [Fleet, Beverly, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Henrico County, Southside. Reprint Ed. Vol 3, pp 287 and 371.]

     
    Twenty years later William and Temperance’s son William Colvard Jr married Mercy Holland, daughter of Michael Holland and Elizabeth Pleasants, in 1757. [Both the Holland and Pleasants families were Quakers.]

     William and Temperance’s fourth son was born ca 1744 and named after their friend John Butterworth.  Sadly John Butterworth Calvert/Colvard was born about the sametime his father William Calvert died.  Temperance was granted administration of her husband’s estate in Henrico court in May 1744 and Archibald Cary was her security. [Archibald Cary was Thomas Jefferson’s close friend and a distant cousin.]

     In November 1745 the court of Henrico county, granted a license to Temperance Calvert to keep an ordinary at “Col Richard Randolph’s ferry at Warwick.”  [Richard Randolph was also a close friend and distant cousin of Thomas Jefferson’s.] 

     John Robins, the brother of Temperance’s first husband Thomas Robins, also had a license to operate an ordinary in Warwick.  In addition, the court had appointed him to be the legal guardian of Temperance’s son Thomas Calvert.  Robins raised Thomas as his own son and when Thomas became 21 in 1756, John Robins paid his poll tax in Chesterfield county, Virginia.  Soon afterwards both John Robins and Thomas Calvert disappeared from Virginia but reappeared in 1757 in Edgecombe/Halifax county, North Carolina. 

     Apparently, William and Temperance’s son Thomas Calvert/Colvard was my 4th Great-grandfather. [ I have an exact Y-DNA 67 marker match with the male descendants of both John Butterworth Colvard and William Colvard Jr. I also have autosomal dna matches with the descendants of their older brother Benjamin Colvard Sr.]   

     The Calvert surname Y-DNA project has five participants for this Calvert/Colbert/Colvard subgroup. There are two more matches to non surname carrying FTDNA Y-DNA participants who aren’t members of our Calvert surname group who also match these five participants. One of those matches list their oldest known ancestor William Calvert born ca 1782 died 1848, 0 distance match at 37 markers. These Calvert’s haplogroup R-M269. Richard A Colbert refined his test haplogroup R- Z16502 is 4100 years to 3700 years old. 

The Calvert Genealogy Group Website HERE, The Calvert Genealogy Facebook Group HERE, The Calvert FTDNA Surname YDNA project HERE.