Third Generation
Third Generation
Family of Thomas BASFORD (2) & Susanna FOWLER
8. John BASFORD (Thomas2, Thomas1). Born abt 1749. [30] died in 70th year. John died in Anne Arundel Co., MD, on 1 Oct 1818. [30] Occupation: Tobacco Inspector. [12] aka: W. John. [18]

He is mentioned in his grandfather Thomas Basford’s will. [2], [9]

In 1776, he was listed in the census of Anne Arundel Co., MD with 1 white man, 1 white woman, and 3 white children. In 1783, he was taxed in the “Road River Hundred.” [18]

He took the oath of fidelity before the Honorable Richard Harwood, Jr. on 1 Mar 1778. [12]

He is listed in the 1783 tax assessment for Road River Hundred, Anne Arunel Co., MD. [12], [19]

He was executor for his father’s will, and made the final distribution of the estate on 6 Mar 1789. [10], [16], [17]

1790 federal census of Anne Arundel Co., MD, p. 363 [23]
John Basford
3 males age 16 and up
2 males under 16
4 females, and 2 slaves.

He was an inspector in a tobacco warehouse at Beard’s Point from 1792-1795. [18]

1800 census of Anne Arundel Co., MD, p. 110 [24]
John Bafford
1 male 10-14
1 male 15-25
1 male 45 and over
1 female 10-14
1 female 45 and over

He purchased two parcels of land known as “Larkin’s Choice” and “Elizabeth’s Fancy” from Richard Galen Stockett on 12 May 1803. John had the two pieces of land resurveyed into a single tract containing 169, calling it “Elizabeth’s Fancy.” [12]

1810 census of Anne Arundel Co., MD [18]
John Basford
1 male 16-25
2 males 45 and over
1 female 16-25

On 17 Mar 1815, John purchased two additional parcels of land totaling 185 acres from Dr. Joseph Hall known as “Hall’s Resolution” and “Champ’s Adventure.” These lands were along the Patuxen River, adjacent to John Basford’s land on the south, Samuel Jacob’s land on the east, and ___ of Leonard Sellman’s land. [12]

Before his death, John sold 14-3/4 acres of “Elizabeth’s Fancy” to Robert Jacob on 2 Apr 1818. On 3 Mar 1820, John’s sons and daughters (Henry of Anne Arundel Co., John and Jacob of Prince George’s Co., Thomas of Baltimore, MD, Thomas Whittington and wife Ann of the District of Columbia, and Sarah Basford of the District of Columbia) signed off their interest in this land. [12]

Will dated 2 Nov 1810, proved 1 Oct 1818, mentions children Henry, John, Jacob, Thomas, Ann Whittington and Sarah Basford. Son Jacob received the land John bought from Joseph Hall. Jacob also received two years free use of the land bought from Richard Stockett; this land was then to be sold and the proceeds were to be distributed to all the children. [12] On 14 Jan 1819, Jacob Basford of Prince Georges Co. applied to Orphans Court to take out letters of administration. The papers were signed by John Basford, Sarah Basford and Thomas Whittington. on 16 Jan 1819, Thomas Basford of Baltimore signed papers indicating that he had been duly notified of the intention of his brother Jacob Basford to take out letters of administration for his beloved father. [31] On 5 Jan 1821, the Levy Court was directed to inquire into the claim of Henry Basford and Jacob Basford, executors of the estate of John Basford, relative to a hogshead of tobacco that was shipped by mistake by their father. [32] On 6 Feb 1822, sixths of the estate were distributed to Henry Basford, John Basford, Jacob Basford, Thomas Basford, Ann Whittington and Sarah Cross. [33]

[7], [2], [18], [31], [10], [33], [12], [16], [30], [32], [9], [17]

He married (?) (BASFORD) ? . Born ? . (?) died prob. bef 1810. [25] no wife listed in 1810 census.

They had the following children:
22i.
Henry (~1772-1837)
23ii.
John (~1772-~1845)
24iii.
Jacob (?->1834)
25iv.
Rev. Thomas (1784-1858)
26v.
Ann (?-?)
27vi.
Sarah (?-?)
9. Thomas BASFORD (Thomas2, Thomas1). Born abt 1756-1764. [34], [24] age 26-44 in 1800 census and assuming > age 20 at marriage. Thomas died prob. by 1801. [12] Thomas Fowler Basford estate settled. aka: Thomas Fowler Basford.

The Thomas Basford who died in 1782 had a son Thomas who is listed in the distribution of the estate. Signing as kin to the inventory of the estate was a Thomas Fowler Basford. [10] It is not clear whether these are one and the same person or not. Some sources have assumed that this is the case, [20], [15] although it has not been proven. The circumstantial evidence for this connection is increased by the fact that the wife of Thomas Sr. is believed to be Susanna Fowler--presumably the “Fowler” would come from the maiden name of his mother.

He may be the Thomas Fowler Basford counted in the 1776 tax list with 1 white male, 1 white female, 1 white child and 1 black slave. [12]

Thomas Fowler Basford served in the Seventh Battalion of the Militia from 1776-1778 under Capt. Vachel Caither. [12]

A Thomas Basford took the oath of fidelity before the Honorable Richard Harwood, Jr. on 1 Mar 1778. [12] It is not clear whether this would be him or his father.

He is probably the Thomas Basford who married Cassandra Waters on 2 Apr 1784, Prince George’s Co. [35] If so, she would apparently be his second wife.

1790 federal census for Frederick Co., MD, p. 62 [23]
Thomas Brasford
1 free white males of 16 years and upward
3 free white females

1800 federal census for Buckeye Dist. 1, Frederick Co., MD, p. 138 [24]
Thomas Baffard
4 males under 10 (prob. Alfred, Adamanson, John and ?)
1 male 26-45 (Thomas)
1 female under 10 (Cordelia)
2 females 10-16 (prob. Eleanor and Milly)
1 female 26-45 (prob. Cassandra)
2 other free persons

Thomas Fowler Basford must have died before 1801 when his estate was settled by Vachel Gaither and Thomas Bicknel. (This was according to information found in the Maryland Archives Volumes, but a will or administration papers have not been located. [12]) Thomas, the husband of Cassandra Waters, died before 10 Mar 1815 when his widow indentured her two youngest sons, John Waters Basford and George Washington Basford. [12] (It is not certain that Thomas Fowler Basford and Thomas the husband of Cassandra are both the same man, although circumstantial evidence would seem to make this likely.)

[35], [23], [24], [18], [10], [20], [15], [12], [36]

He married Cassandra WATERS, daughter of Thomas B. WATERS & Sarah JONES, abt 2 Apr 1784 in Prince George’s Co., MD. [36] marriage license. Born abt 1756-1764. [35], [24] age 26-44 in 1800 census and assuming > age 20 at marriage. Cassandra died aft 1821. [12] listed in 1820 census (taken on 15 Feb 1821).

According to land records, she was living in Montgomery Co., MD in 1813-1818. [12]

On 3 Sep 1813, Cassandra sold property (a mare, a roan, a bay, a heifer, a loom, a bedstead, a dozen splitter bottom chairs, a dining table, a tea kettle and other kitchen items, and corn growing with flax in the stack straw) to her children Cordelia Basford and Adamson Waters Basford. [37]

On 10 Mar 1815, she indentured her sons John Waters Basford and George Washington Basford to Matthew Brown, a cloth manufacturer, until they reach the age of 21. John was to be taught spinning and weaving and George was to be taught fulling and dying. In lieu of a suit of clothes, Matthew Brown agreed to allow the mother of the orphans $8 per month and she was to provide their clothes. [38]

On 3 Mar 1817, Cassandra Basford purchased one acre of “Timber Neck” from Francis Murphy for $20. This land was located in Medley, Montgomery Co., MD. On 9 Nov 1818 she sold this land to her son Alfred Basford. [12]

Although the age doesn’t seem to match up, she is probably the Cassandra Basford in the 1820 federal census for Goshen, Montgomery Co., MD, 15 Feb 1821, p. 171 [26]
Cassandra Basford
1 male under 10
1 male 10-15
1 male 26-44
1 female under 10
1 female 26-44

She is probably the Cassandra Bassford who, together with a negro named Dick who was the property of Samuel Johnson, was arrested for suspicion of murdering Solomon Thompson on 27 Mar 1823 near Clarksburg, Montgomery Co., MD. [39] It was reported that Cassandra had been living with Samuel Johnson “in habits of supposed intimacy.” [40] On the night of the murder, Samuel and Cassandra left the home of Solomon’s mother to walk home, a distance of about two and a half miles. Cassandra stated that she was following behind Solomon when a person rushed out of the woods and struck him with a club. She fled and returned with a Mr. Lowman, where they found Solomon’s corpse. The negro Dick stated to the constable who arrested him that Cassandra had for 18 months been trying to persuade him to kill Solomon, but that he had always refused. [41] Cassandra and Dick were found not guilty during the trial. [42]

[35], [26], [20], [15], [12], [36], [39], [43], [41], [38]

They had the following children:
28i.
Millie (~1787-?)
29ii.
Eleanor (~1785-?)
30iii.
Adamson Waters (~1790-?)
31iv.
Alfred (~1795-<1848)
32v.
John Waters (1798-1857)
33vi.
Cordelia (~1800-?)
34vii.
10. Richard BASFORD (Thomas2, Thomas1). Born ? . Richard died ? .

He was unmaried. [18]

He was mentioned in his father’s will. [17]

[7], [18], [10], [12], [16], [17]

11. Fredrick BASFORD (Thomas2, Thomas1). Born ? . Fredrick died bet 4 Sep 1790 and 5 Aug 1794. [44], [45] will dated and proved.

He is probably the grandson Fredrick Basford mentioned in his grandfather Thomas Basford’s will. [2], [9]

He is listed in the 1783 tax assessment for Road River Hundred, Anne Arundel Co., MD. [12], [19]

His will was dated 4 Sep 1790, and probated 5 Aug 1794. He was unmarried and left his entire estate to his brother Benjamin. [44]

[7], [2], [18], [10], [44], [12], [9], [45]

12. Zachariah BASFORD (Thomas2, Thomas1). Born ? . Zachariah died bef 1800. [24] widow listed in 1800 census.

[7], [35], [18], [10], [12]

He married Anne PLUMMER, daughter of Henry PLUMMER & Rachel (PLUMMER), on 4 Dec 1789 in Anne Arundel Co., MD. [7], [35] Born abt 1756-1765. [24], [25] age 26-44 in 1800 and over 45 in 1810. Anne died in Anne Arundel Co., MD, bet 2 Jan 1821 and 24 Sep 1822. [18] will dated and proved.

1800 federal census for Anne Arundel Co., MD, p. 112. [24]
Ann Basford
2 females under 10
1 female 26-44

Anne Plummer (now Basford) received a portion of the estate of Henry Plummer on 17 Apr 1800. [12]

1810 federal census for Arundel Co., MD, p. 488. [25]
1 female 10-15
1 female 16-25
1 female 45 and up

1820 federal census for Arundel Co., MD, p. 263. [26]
2 males under 10
3 females 16-25
1 female 45 and up

Her will dated 2 Jan 1821, proved 24 Sep 1822, leaves a negro girl to her granddaughter Sarah Ann Ward, the daughter of Samuel and Rachel Ward. Samuel Ward was executor. [18] (One source suggested that this Ann Basford was the wife of Benjamin Basford, Sr. [46])

[7], [35], [24], [18], [47], [25], [26], [12]

They had the following children:
35i.
Rachel (1790-?)
36ii.
(daughter) (1790-?)
13. Benjamin BASFORD (Thomas2, Thomas1). Born on 25 Apr 1756. [7] Benjamin died in Anne Arundel Co., MD, bet 6 Dec 1810 and 29 Mar 1811. [48] will dated and proved.

He took the oath of fidelity before the Honorable Richard Harwood, Jr. on 1 Mar 1778. [12]

He is listed in the 1783 tax assessment for Road River Hundred, Anne Arunel Co., MD, where he is listed as a pauper. [12]

He was named in the will of his brother Fredrick dated 4 Sep 1790. [45]

He was executor for the estate of John Shekell on 9 Dec 1792, Anne Arundel Co., MD. [12]

He is probably the Benjamin Basford listed in the 1800 federal census of Anne Arundel Co., MD, p. 114 [24]
Benjamin Basford
1 male under 10
1 male 10-14
1 male 26-44
4 females under 10
1 female 26-44
(The number of children doesn’t seem to be consistent with the approximate birth years known from other sources.)

He is probably the Benjamin Basford whe was made guardian to Richard, Harriet, Elizabeth and Mary, orphans of John Hardesty, on 17 Sep 1806, Anne Arundel Co., MD. [12]

1810 federal census for Anne Arundel Co., MD, p. 483. [47]
2 males under 10
3 males 10-15
1 male 16-25
1 male 45 and over
2 females under 10
3 females 10-15
1 female 26-44
1 male 45 and over

Will dated 6 Dec 1810 and proved 29 Mar 1811, Ann Arundel Co., MD, names wife Ann, and children Fanny, Richard, Willy, Benjamin, Ezekiel, Elijah, Elizabeth, Ann, Catherine, Susanne, Henry and Thomas. His wife Ann renouced the right to administer the will on 19 Mar 1811, and letters of administration were granted to Resin Estep on 18 Apr 1811. Resin Estep died before he completed his duties as administrator. Benjamin, Elijah, Ezekiel and Thomas released all claim to the administration and recommended that Henry be named administrator. [48], [49]

[7], [35], [18], [47], [10], [48], [12], [50], [45]

He first married Elizabeth SCHECKELL, daughter of John SCHECKELL, on 10 Jan 1782 in Anne Arundel Co., MD. [51] St. James Parish. Born ? . Elizabeth died bet 17 Oct 1783 and 25 Jan 1809. [12] father’s will and distribution of land to Scheckell children. aka: Sheckels. [35]

She is called Elizabeth Bassford in the will of her father. [12]

On 25 Jan 1809, and indenture was made distributing the land “Hard Bargain,” “Bear Ridge,” and “Sorry Bargain” to eight children of John Scheckell. All children were named including Elizabeth Basford “who departed this life leaving two children Richard Basford and Fanny Basford (who has since intermarried with Alexander Hoys)”. Benjamin paid $200 for their share. The property was then deeded to Benjamin Basford by his children. [12]

[7], [35], [18], [12]

They had the following children:
37i.
Fanny (?-?)
38ii.
Richard (?-1827)

He second married Ann WHITTINGTON, daughter of Thomas WHITTINGTON & Wilhelmina POWELL, on 4 May 1788 in Anne Arundel Co., MD. [35] Born ? . Ann died in 1821. [50]

On 10 Mar 1826, Ann Basford of Anne Arundel Co. sold to Plummer Drury of Anne Arundel Co
for $100 that part of two tracts "Bear Ridge" and "Sorry Bargain" now in possession of Ann Basford. (Daughter) Elizabeth Jones was indebted to Plummer Drury for $100 and sold her interest in the above land for that amount at the same time. [52]

On 27 Nov 1827, Ann Basford of Anne Arundel Co. sold to Henry Basford of Anne Arundel Co. for $5 current money in hand 2 parts of land "Bear Ridge" and "Sorry Bargain. She also sold to Henry Basford for $1 two feather beds, two milk cows, five hogs, 10 barrels of corn, etc.. Henry was to pay $40 by 22 Dec 1827 on a mortgage Ann had taken out. [53] This most certainly was her son.

She probably died by 1833 when her son Henry was named administrator to the estate of her late husband Benjamin. Sons Benjamin, Elijah, Ezekiel and Thomas all released any claim to the administration. [54]

On 31 Mar.1857 what remained of "Bear Ridge" and "Sorry Bargain" 100 acres was ordered by the court to be sold by John B. Nicols, Collector of Taxes for the First District to be sold for back taxes for the heirs of Ann Bassford, desc.. After proper advertizing, etc. it was sold to Plummer Drury, the hightest bidder. [55]

[7], [35], [18], [12], [50], [56]

They had the following children:
39i.
Willy (?-?)
40ii.
Ezekiel (~1792-?)
41iii.
Elijah (~1793-1881)
42iv.
Elizabeth (?-?)
43v.
Ann (?-?)
44vi.
Benjamin (~1800-?)
45vii.
Catharine (?-?)
46viii.
Susana (?-?)
47ix.
Henry (~1806-~1860)
48x.
Thomas (~1810-<1860)
14. Jemima BASFORD (Thomas2, Thomas1). Born ? . Jemima died ? .

[7], [10], [12]

15. Rachel BASFORD (Thomas2, Thomas1). Born ? . Rachel died ? .

[7], [35], [10], [12]

She married Isaac NICHOLS on 6 Dec 1785 in Anne Arundel Co., MD. [35] Born ? . Isaac died ? .

[7], [35], [10], [12]

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