For those of you trying to work out this family now that we are aware the
original DNA pattern we thought we had with Phase I was apparently flawed
and we now think the families of Zachariah, Aaron, Robert, Augustine etc.
are likely connected to this family I propose that we exchange what
information we have regarding the first three generations of the family so
those who need to research this further have the best information we can
assemble from which to move forward.
The first generation was Thomas Wells b: Cir 1653 England m: Frances
(surname unknown).
Many genealogies claim that Thomas Wells was a son of Elizabeth Mellowes of
St. Olaves Southwark, Surry, England. This is apparently entirely based on
her will dated 15 January 1682/3 in which she mentions her son Thomas Wells
"my son who went into parts beyond the seas to Maryland or other parts in
America or elsewhere when he shall come and arrive in England". It also
mentions her daughter Mary, wife of John Parker, executor.
Some people have taken this and applied a first husband to Elizabeth and I
have even seen additional ancestry tacked on. None of this, in my opinion,
is proven. So for now let's ignore this part.
That Thomas was born about 1653 is taken from a document in the Maryland
Chancery Records of 1714, (Liber 3, Folio 27) in which Thomas Wells
witnessed the boundary lines for an adjoining tract of land and is
described as "Thomas Wells, Senr. aged about sixty one years." This would
place his birth at about 1653.
He first appears in the Maryland Historical Records (WC 2, Folio 50) when
mentioned "24 Apr 1679 - Land to Robert Conant of Anne Arundell county -
rights to seven hundred acres of land for transporting himself, Abigail his
wife, Martha, Margaret and Ann his children into the province to inhabit
sixteen years since also for transporting Giles Hawley, Thomas Wells,
Francis Taylor, Edward Chub, Robert ___, Ann Waters, Mary Cole, Jno. Cole,
Susan Cole into the province to inhabit."
The wording of the transaction seems to indicate that Robert Conant
transported his family in 1663 ("16 years since"). But it is not clear
when the others were transported. Nor is it certain this is the SAME
Thomas Wells. One also has wonder if Francis Taylor might not have been
"Frances" Taylor and if this couldn't have been the future wife of
Thomas. If we presume that Thomas was transported during the year 1679
(age about 26 - seems reasonable) because Robert Conant was motivated to
transport others in exchange for land, then Thomas was present from that
year and likely resident in Anne Arundell county. Further it was common
for transported individuals to become indentured to the person who
transported them for a period usually of about 7 years. Whether this was
the case between Robert Conant and Thomas Wells is not known. If so Thomas
might have remained in Anne Arundell county until at least 1686.
In WC 2 Folio 56-57 another? 200 acres were noted 01 Nov 167(9?) for
transporting Giles Hawley and Thomas Wells.
on the 26th day of August 1695 Thomas Wells appears in the Maryland records
when he purchases a 200 acre tract of land named "Strife" on the west side
of the Patuxant River in Prince George County. Anne Arundell and Prince
George Counties are separated from each other by the Patuxant River. He
purchased this property from Thomas Smith and his wife Mary. It appears
that some have taken this to mean that Frances' surname was Smith. So far
I have not been able to find anyone who can validate such a surname for
Frances.
In one genealogy I have seen a suggestion that the first wife of Thomas was
a Mary Cook. I have seen NO records to support this. My hunch is someone
was uncomfortable with the purchase in 1695 implying his "new" wife was
Frances Smith with children born up to 12 years prior to the purchase so
they possibly invented another mother for the earlier children. Who knows?
The children of Thomas and Frances Wells are documented in the Queen Anne
Parish Records and/or will of Thomas Wells dated 26 Sep 1718 and proved 05
Jan 1718/9 (although it may be 1719/0). In the will he mentions his
children in the following order:
Thomas Wells
Nathan Wells
Robert Wells
Joseph Wells
Frances Wells
Mary Wells
Sarah Wells
Elizabeth Wells
George Wells
The order of the children is probably not completely reflective of their
birth order because he separates the boys from the girls. The reason for
this appears to because he was designating the first four sons to inherit
his property ("Strife and Something" - he purchased "Something" in
1703). The fifth son was left 5 schillings and was not only in his
father's disfavor but managed to be written up in the church records for
cohabitating with Susannah Ward later to become his wife.
We know that George Wells was born about 1685 because at the time of his
will written in 1764 he was shown as age 79. Since it seems logical to
assume Thomas, Jr. was the first born, we can presume he was born Cir
1683. Four years after when we think Thomas was transported. A reasonable
time frame I think.
The following is then the sequence I suggest for the children with
approximate birth dates where we have no other evidence. Note that the
first records for the parish of Queen Anne Parish in Prince George County
started in 1692. The parish was apparently located in Queen Anne Town now
called Hardesty I understand. The first entry for a child of Thomas and
Frances was in 1693 for Robert. This means the other children not
documented there were either born prior to this date or were born elsewhere
such as in Anne Arundell County. With the recording of Robert we do know
that they were in Prince George County from at least 1692.
Thomas Wells b: Cir 1683
George Wells b: Cir 1685
Frances Wells b: Cir 1687
Mary Wells b: Cir 1689
Nathan Wells b: Cir 1691
Robert Wells b: 05 Aug 1693 (Queen Anne Records)
Joseph Wells b: 30 Sep 1697 (Queen Anne Records - twin)
Sarah Wells b: 30 Sep 1697 (Queen Anne Records - twin)
Elizabeth Wells b: 11 May 1699 (Queen Anne Records)
In some genealogies a son John is shown but I can find no support for
this. I suspect someone assigned the son of Thomas, Jr. by this name to
his father.
If anyone can add to this, please jump in.
Orin R. Wells
Wells Family Research Association
P. O. Box 5427
Kent, Washington 98064-5427
<OrinWells(a)wells.org>
http://www.wells.org
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