Sixth Generation

83. Richard CROMWELL^41,42 was born about 1679 in England. He died about 1717 in Maryland.

Richard Cromwell is mentioned as the brother of William Cromwell in the codicil to the latter's will, circa 1684, and was appointed, by the testator, one of the "overseers" in connection with the management of the estate (Baltimore Co. Wills I.72). He is referred to as "my brother" i.e. brother-in-law, in the will of Christopher Gist died in 1691, who had married Edith Cromwell. The first record of the name of Richard Cromwell in Maryland appears a few years subsequent to the earliest mention of his brothers, William and John Cromwell. This may be accounted for by the supposition that Richard was a younger brother, or that he arrived in the Province later, or both. It is certain that he was of adult age in 1682, when he and Christopher Gist (Circa 1655-1691), acquired from Robert Clarkson, 245 acres of land called "South Canton," lying on the south side of the Patapsco River. In 1686-7, there was assigned to Richard Cromwell, out of a warrant granted to Thomas Lightfoot, a parcel of land called "Cromwell's Addition" 160 acres, adjoining "South Canton." (Culver 345).

Richard Cromwell was a witness under the will of his brother-in-law:
Christopher Gist, 17 FEB 1690-1, and he appears as administrator of one William Cole's estate in 1691 (Baltimore Co. Court Proc. F-No. 1, 94). In 1694-5, Richard Guest (GIST), "son of Richard and Edith Guest, late of Baltimore Co., deceased, comes into Court, and consents to live with his uncle, Mr. Richard Cromwell," until he arrives at the age of 20 years (ibid G-No. 1, 379).

Under the Act passed 9 JUNE 1692, establishing the Church of England in the Province of Maryland, Richard Cromwell was appointed one of the six original vestryman of Old St. Paul's Parish, in Baltimore Co., as the following record shows:

September Court 1693:-"Wee the Vestrie men for Potapsco Hundred met together att the house of Major John Thomas (resolved) that att Pettete's Old Field was the most convenient Place for to Erect a Church, and also appointed John Gay to be Clerke of the Vestrie, Mr. Watkins, Absent. And att another meeting the Last Saturday in August att Master Demondedie's (Dimondidier's) did confirme the Aforementioned proceedings, Mr. Watkins also absent." Signed George Ashman, John Ferry, Francis Watkins, Nicholas Corban, Richard Sampson,and Richard Cromwell.

At the March Court of Baltimore County, 1694-5, Thomas Lightfoot son of John and Ann Lightfoot, deceased, comes into Court and agrees to serve, "Mr. Richard Cromwell" until twenty years of age, provided that the said Cromwell take the estate of the said Thomas Lightfoot into his own hands, rendering an account of the same. So ordered (ibid. G-No. 1, 384).

Richard Cromwell appears in the list of Baltimore Co. "Taxables" of 1694, residing on the south side of the Patapsco Hundred, with the following "taxables" on his place: namely, Wm. Barber, Jno. Eaglestone, Jno. Robinson, Edw. Russell, and two slaves (ibid G-No. 1, 275). In 1696, he was one of the three Commissioners appointed on behalf of Baltimore Co. in connection with the matter of establishing the new boundary line between Baltimore and Anne Arundel Counties (Baltimore County Land Records IS-IK. 86). He was one of his Majesty's Justices in 1696, and was an incumbent of the same office in 1701 (MD. Arch. XX. 466: Annapolis, Prov. Court Proc. TL-No. 2, 322). (Page 346).

On 27 APRIL 1699, Richard Cromwell, Gent., for love and affection etc., gives personal property to John and Jonas Williams, son of Jonathan Williams, and on 1 MAY 1699, he is a witness to a "deed of gift" from Elizabeth Gibson to her son Thomas Gibson (Balt. Co. Deeds, TR-RA. 343, 347). He was a trustee under the will of James Murray of Patapsco Neck (Md. Hist. Mag. II. 246), and on 30 SEPT 1707, administered upon the estate of Thomas Edmonds, at which date he "affirms" to the account filed (Balt. Co. Admin. Accts. II. 144). This affirmation does not, necessarily, prove that he was a Quaker, but may, perhaps, indicate that he had conscientious scruples regarding the taking of an oath.

The will of Richard Cromwell is dated 17 AUG 1717, and was proved 23 SEPT 1717. The original is still on file in the office of the Register of Wills, at Baltimore, Maryland. He leaves personal property to his cousin, i.e. nephew Joshua Cromwell, to Margaret Rattenbury (his granddaughter) and, in the event of her death, to Hannah Rattenbury (sister of Margaret): also legacies to his mother-in-law, Besson, and to Edith Gist, daughter of his cousin "nephew" Richard Gist by Zipporah Murray, his wife: he bequeaths 30 pounds and a ring to his "Cousin" (Page 347) nephew Richard Gist, a ring to his brother-in-law James Phillips, and a ring to his cousin-nephew Colonel Thomas Cromwell: he leaves 10 pounds to Isaac Laroque, and wearing apparel to Nicholas Besson. To his eldest son Richard (non compos mentis) he gives one shilling, with provision for hisproper maintenance: to his wife Elizabeth, and "youngest son" John, he leaves the entire estate to enjoy, equally; but if the wife shall marry, she is to receive her "third portion" and in the event of his son John's death, all is to go to Edith Gist, who is to care for the son Richard Cromwell aforesaid. His wife Elizabeth, and "youngest" son John, were appointed executors. The witness under the will were William Cromwell, James Jackson, and Jabez Murray (Balt. Co. Wills I. 144).

The Inventory of the estate, amounting to 1512.13.5 3/4, was filed 13 NOV 1717, and was approved by Thomas and Joshua Cromwell nephews as "next of kin" (Balt. Inventories V. 299). On 8 June 1719, the account of "Elizabeth and John Cromwell, executors of Richard Cromwell, late of Balt. Co., deceased," was rendered, wherein they charge themselves with the estate heretofore exhibited in the Prerogative Court, amounting in currency to 1512.13.5 3/4, and also with sterling money in England due the estate 389.8.4 or, in currency 519.4.5, and with tobacco made on the plantation amounting in currency to 169.19.8. Payments are credited as having been made to John Rattenbury, Margaret Rattenbury (on account of legacy to Margaret Besson), to Richard Gist and his daughter, to Joshua Cromwell and to Isaac Laroque (Balt. Co. Admin Accts. I. 158). Elizabeth Cromwell makes "affirmation" to the correctness of the aforesaid account, which may indicate that she was a Quaker, or at least had scruples concerning taking of an oath.

There is a probability that Richard Cromwell married more than once, for her refers in his will to a brother-in-law James Phillips. As he also refers to his mother-in-law Besson i.e. Margaret Besson, wife of Thomas Besson, and daughter of George Saughier, through whom the tract of land, in Ann Arundel Co. called "Content", evidently fell to Richard Cromwell, it is apparent that his last wife, Elizabeth , who survived him, was a daughter of Thomas Besson. She was, doubtless, much younger than her husband [-page 3480. - Cecil Cromwell, Jr]

Richard CROMWELL and Anne BESSON were married. Anne BESSON was born on 26 Dec 1670. She died on 26 Oct 1697 in Maryland. Richard CROMWELL and Anne BESSON had the following children:

+141

i.

John CROMWELL.