WELLS, Thomas Duckett ^{1 2 3 4 5}

  General Notes:

This Thomas could be the son of widow Elizabeth Mellows of St. Olaves, Southwark, Surry. Her will dated Jan. 15, 1682/83 names Thomas Wells, "my son who went into parts beyound the seas to Maryland or other parts in America or elsewhere when he shall come and arrive in England." Her daughter Mary Parker (wife of John Parker) was executor. (C-575)

Thomas Wells was transported by Robert Conant of Anne Arundel Co., MD. sometime before 20 Apr. 1679 to the province of Maryland. For this deed, Robert Conant was owed 50 acres of land which Thomas agreed to inhabit for 16 years. These rights were afterwords assigned to Nocholas Laintes of St. Mary's City. Thomas was one of several that agreed to these same terms for their passage.

On Jan. 26, 1696, Thomas Wells, planter, purchased 200 acres called "Strife" in Calvert Co., MD. on the west side of the Patuxent River. The land was surrounded by the following owners: Francis Swantstone, Edward Isaak, and Henry Darnell, Esq. He later acquired an adjoining property called "Something" that was in the Patuxent Hundred of Prince George's Co.

He is in the Prince George Co. records often. In July 1696, he was found guilty of assaulting Thomas Swareingen. He was sentenced to pay a fine and post a bond to guarantee good behavior. In Nov. 1697, "he was paid a bounty for one wolves head." He was a Grand Jury member. He was subpoenaed in March 1698 to testify that Elizabeth Plummer (mother of Margaret Swanson) sent a servant to steal onions, cabbage and bacon from him. On March 28, 1698 he became drunk and was caught fighting, again noted in the courts. By Sep. 29, 1699, all was forgiven as he was again served on a jury. In Sep. 29, 1699, he and Thomas Pelle were appointed overseer of the Patuxent Hundred. In Queen Anne's Vestry minutes of April 7, 1707, Thomas Wells, Sr. was appointed vestryman. In 1714 he witnessed the boundary lines of an adjoining tract of land where the records state "Thomas Wells, Senr. aged about sixty one years." (Maryland, Chancery Record, Liber 3, folio 27)

In his will probated Jan. 5, 1718/19, he gives his land for life to his wife, France. He then divided it amongst 4 sons; Thomas, Nathan, Robert, and Joseph. He gave son George five shillings and slaves to his four daughters. (C-575) The low amount of money he gave to his son George could be explained by his son's cohabiting with his married neighbor, Susannah Swanson Ward according to Queen Anne's Vestry Minutes, Apr. 12, 1719. George and Susannah were married at Queen Annes on June 16, 1725. (C-575, p. 52)

  Noted events in his life were:

• Will, Sep 26, 1718.

• Probate, Jan 5, 1718/19, , Prince George, MD, USA.

Thomas married Frances SMITH about 1678 in , , MD, USA. (Frances SMITH was born about 1657 in , , MD, USA and died about 1726-1733 in , Prince George, MD ^{6 7}.)

  Marriage Notes:

Frances Wells sold her land given to her by her "beloved husband Thomas Wells, Senr, deceased" Mar. 23, 1723. (C-575)