John Waters

John Waters

Born about 1635-40

Maybe Wales

Died early 1693

St. Mary's Co., Md.

Married to

Penelope Unknown

She was still alive in 1693

CHILDREN

Do not know birth order

James Waters I

Born about 1685

Died August or September 1742

Charles Co., Md.

Married to

Margaret Carnell

Between May 1712 and July 1715

Charles Co., Md.

Joseph Waters

Lewis Waters

Thomas Waters

William Waters

John Waters, Jr.

A number of people with the Waters surname immigrated to the colonies during the 17^th century.

The first Waters immigrant seems to have been Edward, a man that led a most colorful and adventurous life. He was born in England in 1584, and sailed for Virginia in 1609. During the next nine years he was shipwrecked twice, helped pirate a ship, and was sentenced to be shot. Probable reason for that sentence was that he participated in a shipboard mutiny.

Edward settled on the south bank of the James River in 1618. At age 50, Edward married 15 year old Grace O'Neal. They were captured by Indians, but were able to escape. Edward died about 1630, apparently in bed from natural causes.

Now, back to the real issue. Several Waters left Bristol, England, bound for the colonies. A John waters of penhow, wales, sailed from bristol for virginia on october 31, 1655. "John waters of penhow, in the county of mammouth, laborer bound to william berlin, merchant, for _____years to farm in Virginia and to have land and apparroll according to customs."

Another John Waters was transported into Virginia by Captain Hackett of Lancaster County. Hackett received headrights of 50 acres, on June 9, 1652, for transporting John Waters. On march 22, 1665/66, headrights were claimed by William Beach and Richard Hattoff, of Stafford County, for another John Waters. It is probable that this is "our John Waters", but there is no documented proof.

The first documentation of John waters in Maryland was 15 November 1678 when he applied for a patent of 100 acres of land. A survey was made, when his tract was given the name of "Bristol".

It is significant that John Waters named his first land patent, "Bristol". It was common for the immigrants to name their plantations for their ancestral homes in England or for towns or villages in which they were born and reared. It is possible that John Waters either sailed from Bristol, a principal port in England, or He may, also have been reared in Bristol. Bristol is across the Channel from Glamoranshire Wales, where an early branch of the Waters family had been for many years.

John Waters was listed a being a carpenter. The use of the word carpenter in those days meant he not only constructed buildings, but planned them as well. The home he built on his plantation stood until early in the twentieth century. It was then burned to make room for new construction.

Following is a copy from the Land Office in Maryland, showing the wording of the first land patent for John Waters:

"15 November 1678. By virtue of a warrant granted certificate out of His Lordships Secy's office unto John Waters bearing date 10^th November, these as in humble manner to certify that I, Richard Edelen, Deputy Surveyor under Baker Brooks, Esq., Surveyor General, have laid out for the said Waters the land specified in the warrant called "Bristol," lying in St. Mary's County and beginning at a bounded white oak of Nathaniel Buttons binding upon the said land south west and west 38 perches to a white oak, thence south and by east forty perches to a bounded white oak of John Dawson, thence east south east sixty perches to a bounded white oak of Thomas Mainthrop, then binding upon the said land north east and by north 65 perches to a bounded red oak on a gravelly hill, thence north east 100 and 40 perches to a bounded white oak, then north west 76 perches to a bounded red oak then with a straight line to the first bounded tree containing and not laid for 100 acres more or less to be held of Calverton Manor."

Signed

Richard Edelen,

Deputy Sur.

Bristol was in or near Bryan Town, then known as Bryan Town Hundred. Shortly after he patented "Bristol" he patented land that he named "James Guift."

7 March 1682 Richard Edelen warrant for 420 acres bearing 17 January 1682/3 part of it assigned to John Waters of St. Marie's Counti4 therefore Richard Edelen laid out for John Waters "James' Guift" lying in St. Marie's Countie."

All efforts have failed to identify the family name of his wife, Penelope.

John Waters died about 1693. His will (which is extremely difficult to read) was dated 26 Feb 1692/3. Witnesses were John Dent, John Harrison and George Dimond. (George Dimond was our multi-great grandfather, George Dement.)

He gave to his sons, James, Joseph and Lewis the tract known as Bristol and James Guift. In the event of the death of these three sons, the land was to revert to his sons Thomas and William. Another son, John, was given personal property. The rest of his estate was bequeathed to his wife, Penelope. She was also named executrix. John Waters mentioned seven children in his will, but only six are named.

The following record of the Prerogative Court shows the state of health of widow, Penelope.

"Came Penelope Waters of St. Mary's County, widow and relict of John Waters late of said County, deceased, by William Dent here procurator and showeth to ye judge here that her said husband deceased did in his lifetime made his last will and testament in writing and hereby constituted and appointed her, the said Penelope Waters, whole and sole executor of the same. That she is very ancient and feeble, unable to travel or come so far as to the office of St. Mary's to prove the said will."

It goes on to say that, if it is agreeable with the court, she wants John Dent appointed to represent her.