Hi Everyone,
I have been trying to track down my CALDWELL family for some years and
think I have a lead for them in Queen Anne's County. My gg grandfather,
James Peckham CALDWELL was born in "Maryland" in 1793. He had two known
sisters: Jane E(liza?) (who m. James CALDER in MD around 1809?) and Anna
Maria CALDWELL (who m. Samuel D. WALTMAN in 1828) in Christian Co. KY). I
have been trying to find out their parents names. In a biography of Jane's
son Robert James CALDER, it says that Jane's father was Dr. James CALDWELL,
a physician & planter, and lived on the Eastern Shore of MD. I don't know
how the name Peckham ties in, perhaps it was James Peckham Caldwell's
mother's maiden name?
I have found (through MD Archives) a record of sale for some slaves to a
Dr. James Caldwell from a Joseph WATKINS, in Queen Anne's County in 1795.
Also, a very nice volunteer looked at some films for me and found (in her
words) the following, which was confusing to me:
>>I have found in the Index of Adm. Accounts one James CALDWELL
No. 2753
>>ex Mary CALDWELL date of probate 1800. One for John PECKHAM 1820 No.
>>4143. . . A James CALDER was an active person in Kent County. . .<<<
>>#2753 From Microfilm Reg. of Wills Centreville, MD. Then Came
Mary
>>CALDWELL adm of Doctor James CALDWELL of Q.A. Co. Inventory 15 July 1800
>>- 1875 (or 1375).03 debts 24th Feb 1801 24, Mary came June 9, 1802 and
>>said debts were paid. One was Dr's bill so he was sick. I couldn't tell
>>if Mary was wife or daughter. You could order a copy from MD Archives in
>>Annapolis and also the Inventory. I didn't read that. The Adm. Account
>>was very short. No mention of children. The original copies were sent to
>>Annapolis but you are closer to a death date - if the inventory was July
>>1800. . . While I was searching the film I came across one Acct. that
>>paid Dr. Caldwell. This was the first time I had used this film and the
>>index was at the end instead of the front.<<<
I would love to have copies of ANY of these records! I called the MD
Archives to ask how much money to send for them and how to go about it. The
lady asked me about the record numbers and from what this lady had given
me, they didn't know how to find them. They said there were numbers
missing, like book numbers.
I hate to ask this lady to go back and look again, as she is near 80 years
old, and her letter to me was very hard to follow (she wrote in margins of
and on the backs of photocopies). My question to the list is: is there an
index of Queen Anne's County wills available in book, microfilm, CD, or
online? What else is available besides Admin. Accounts? If these records
have to be accessed in person, where would the researcher find them and can
anyone recommend a researcher who could find these things for me? Would the
Courthouse in Centreville have these indexes? I appreciate any and all
suggestions!
Thanks so much,
Marianne Gilbert
Phoenix, AZ