Appendix

Vale of Benjamin, James Marr House

Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites Inventory Form, James Marr House, 2506 Ritchie-Marlboro Road, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772
msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/.../msa_se5_19098.pdf Maryland

The house was built on part of a tract call VALE OF BENJAMIN which belonged to Zachariah B Beall. This land, as well as a larger portion of the adjoining tract Westphalia, was sold in 1871 to three land speculators from Pennsylvania, one of whom was Dr. William H Marr. The three owners divided the land among themselves  and Marr took title to 237 acres of the VALE OF BENJAMIN   2506 Ritchie Marlboro Rd, Upper Marlboro,


George Yate and Mary Wells Stokett Yate indenture that gives the surveyors lay out of the Vale of Benjamin, Westphalia and Greenwood

    This Indenture made the twenty fourth day of September in the second yeare of the Dominion of the Right Hon.ble Charles Lord Baltemore &c Over Maryland Annoq Dom One thousand six hundred seventy seaven Betweene George Wells of Baltemore County in the Province of Maryland Gent of the One Part and George Yate of the County of Ann Arundell and Mary his wife Out of the sisters of the said George Wells of the other part Wittnesseth that the said George Wells as well for and in consideration of the naturall love and affection which he hath and beareth to the said Mary as also for and in consideration of the summe of five shillings of lawfull mony of England to him in hand paid before the ensealing and delivery hereof by the said George Yate & Mary his wife the receipt whereof he the said George Wells doth hereby acknowledge hath given granted Aliened Enfeoffed & Confirmed And by these p.rsents doth Give Grant Aliene Enfeoffe & Confirme unto the said George Yate & Mary his wife their heyres & assignes for ever 

     All that parcell of land called the Vale of Benjamin lying in Calvert County on the West side of the maine branch of the dividing Creek of Petuxent & beginning att a bounded white oak standing in a line of the land of Alexander Macgrowther called Alexandria bounded on the South by the said land & runing West for foure hundred perches to a bounded white oak of the said land & from the said oak continuing West for one hundred ninety six perches to another bounded white oak from thence runing North for three hundred & tenn perches to a bounded white oak & from the said oak runing East five hundred & ninety five perches to a bounded swamp wood tree in the maine branch aforesaid & thence to the first bounded tree Containing & laid out for one thousand & thirty acres more or lesse 

     And all that parcell of land called Westphalia lying in Calvert County on the West side of maine branch of the dividing Creeke of Petuxent River & begining att a bounded swamp wood tree of a parcell of land formerly laid out for Benjamin Wells called the Vale of Benjamin bounded on the South by the said land & runing West for five hundred ninety & five perches to a bounded white oak of the said land & from the said oak runing North & by West for one hundred & sixty perches to a bounded ash standing in a Swamp issueing out of the maine branch aforesaid bounded by the said swamp into the said maine branch & on the East with the said maine branch to the first bounded tree containing & laid out for five hundred acres more or lesse 

       And also all that parcell of land called Greenwood lying in Calvert County on the West side of Petuxent River begining att a bounded white oak of a parcell of land of the said Robert Wells called Westphalia & runing North & by West with the said land for one hundred & sixty perches to a bounded ash tree in a swamp being a bound Tree of the said land & from thence runing west for three hundred & five perches to a bounded red oak & from the said oak runing South & by East for one hundred & sixty perches where itt intersecteth a west line drawn from the first bounded tree Containing & laid out for three hundred acres more or lesse

      And all rights profitts priviledges & appurtennces to the abovesaid three parcells of land or any part or parcell thereof belonging or in any wise appertaining And all writings Patents Escripts & minuments to the said three tracts of land belonging To have & to hold the same land & p.rmisses & every part & parcell thereof with the appurtennces unto the said George Yate & Mary his wife their heyres & assignes for ever.

Mareen Duvall of Middle Plantation: a genealogical history ... - Page 102

https://books.google.com/books?id=0E9KAAAAMAAJ

Harry Wright Newman - 1952

On May 11, 1734, he instituted a resurvey of 212 acres of VALE OF BENJAMIN and with 115 acres of surplus, he received a certificate for 237 acres under the name of Poplar Ridge , as follows:

"By vitue of a Special Warrant of Resurvey granted out of his Lordship's Land Office the 3 instant unto Mareen DuVall Jr. of the afsd County, to resurvey for and in the name of him the said Mareen DuVall part of the tract of Land Called the VALE OF BENJAMIN Originally on the 10th of June 1671 granted unto a certain Benjamin Wells for the quanity of 1030 under now rent who by his Deed of Gift gave the said tract unto a Certain Mary Yates the afsd Mareen DuVall's grandmother who in like manner gave 212 acres of the same unto Mareen DuVall Sr and Frances DuVall the aforesaid Mareen DuVall Jr. father and mother under certain meets and bounds which said France is since dead and by a Deed of Gift from his father the said 212 acres became the right of the said Mareen DuVall Jr.....

Will of John Soper 11 Apr 1724   Establishes family members

 Wills L 23 f77: John Soper, planter who was seated on VALE OF BENJAMIN will of 11 Apr 1724-29 Nov 1742, Prince George's Co., MD To grandsons John & Robert 100 acres of Batron's Vinyard, (Battson's Vineyard) which he had bought from John Cash to his daughter, Esther (Hester) Duvall, his dwelling plantation (purchased from Charles & Esther Duvall & a tract of land purchased from Charles Williams, to children John,   Robert, Mary James, Phillice Lowe, Acquilla Shaw & Lucy Lashly, 1 shilling each, to daughters Esther (Hester) Duvall, Priscilla, Leah, & Jamima, residue of estate & appointed his son-in-law, Mareen Duvall Jr. the executor. Wit. Burgess Mitchell, Richard Stone, & Thomas James

John Soper to Children 25 May 1744
Mr. John Soper 20.221 A BA £108.2.8 £15.0.0 May 25 1744
Received from: Ann Rice, Richard Stone, William Coleman, John Goodman.
Payments to: Jemima Soper, John Soper, Robert Soper, Robert Lastly, John James, Phillis Low, James Shaw.Representatives: only 3 children: Prisilla, Leah, Jemima Soper.
Administrator: Mareen Duvall, Jr.
Payments to: William Ellis who married Priscilla (daughter, her portion), Mr.Peter Dent paid to Mr. John Cooke, Daniel Dulany, Esq.
Legatees: Sarah Soper (daughter, died in minority) paid to her representatives: John Soper (brother), Robert Soper (brother), Mary James (sister), Phillis Lowe (sister), Lucy (sister) wife of Robert Lashley, Aqquilla (sister) wife of John Shan, Esther (sister) wife of accountant.
Executor: Mareen Duvall, Jr.

Henry Cox to John Soaper (sic) 27 Sep 1711
Indenture, 27 Sep 1711
From: Henry Cox of Calvert County, Gent.
To: John Soaper, cooper of Prince George's County and Mary his wife.
For the moyety of a tract of land called Good Luck containing 200 acres willed to Mary Soaper by Thomas Houser; bounded by Little Land
Signed: Henry Cox (seal) Witnessed: John Leach and James Heigh, Justices of Calvert County
Memo: Henry Cox and Sarah his wife acknowledged deed
Alienation: John Soper paid 4s/6p on 30 Jan 1711 [4]

Henry Cox to Elizabeth Lewis 27 Sep 1711
 Liber F - Folio 141 27 Sep 1711, Indenture  from Henry Cox of Calvert Co., Gent. to Elizabeth Lewis, Widow, of PG Co. for the moyety of a tract of 113 acs of land called Good Luck, lying in Calvert Co., now PG Co. lying on the N. Branch of the Patuxent, containing 200 acs formerly owned by Thomas Houser-sic, deceased. Land descended to Elizabeth Lewis and Mary Soaper, wife of John Soaper, joint heirs of Thomas Houser, bounded by land of Henry Cox called Little Land (and), land of Henry Cox called Battson's Vinyard. Signed Henry Cox (seal) Wit John Leach and James Heigh, Justices of Calvert Co .Alienation: Elizabeth Lewis paid the sum of 4s/6p and a half penny 3 Jan 1711/2 Memo: Henry Cox and wife, Sarah Cox ack. deed before witnesses.
Recorded 3 Jan 1711/2 (PG Land BK F, f. 141)

(1710-NVAMD-025.000) On 27 September, 1711 at Prince George’s co., MD Henry Cox, gentleman, of Calvert co., MD transfers 113 acres of land called “Good Luck” lying in Calvert co., MD now lying in Prince George’s co., MD and lying on the north side of the Patuxent River.  This tract originally consisted of 200 acres formerly owned by Thomas Houser deceased which descended to Elizabeth Lewis and Mary Soaper (m. John Soaper), the joint heirs of Thomas Houser. Land bounded by Henry Cox by tract called “Little Land” and another Henry Cox tract called “Battson’s Vineyard”. Witnesses were: John Leach and James Heigh, both Justices of Calvert co., MD. Sarah Cox was named as the wife of Henry Cox.
Chronological, abstracted index of the Lloyd Manley Genealogical Archive
 [source:  LMGA Exhibit temp 20 page 4] Lloyd Manley  


John and Henry Cox to John Smith  31 Mar 1726 with John Soper
1717-1726 Land Records of Prince George's County MD
folio 722 • Indenture, 3 Dec 1725; enrolled 31 Mar 1726
From: John Cox and Henry Cox of Calvert County, Gent., sons of Henry Cox late of Calvert County, deceased To: John Smith, of Halls Creek, Calvert County, merchant
Charles, Lord Baltimore, granted on 10 Jun 1706 a tract of land to Edward Batson, late of Calvert County, a tract of land called Battson's Vineyard in Prince George's County on the west side of the Patuxent; bounded by Samuel Waters; containing 800 acres; certificate of survey dated
1Nov1705; on 16 Mar 1707 Batson sold the land to Henry Cox; for £75 John and Henry Cox sell this land, excepting 113 acres sold by their father, Henry Cox, to John Soper and 112 acres sold to __ Lewis /s/ Henry Cox (seal), John Cox (seal) Wit: J. Sheredine, G. Parker
Acknowledged by John and Henry Cox before Calvert County Justices; no wife's endorsement Richard Young, clerk of Calvert County certifies Jeremiah Sheredine and Gabriel Parker, Gent., as Justices of Calvert County



Elizabeth Lewis to John Lewis 4 Feb 1711/12 John & Mary Soper
 Folio 153 Deed of Gift, 4 Feb. 1711/12From : Elizabeth Lewis, widow of Prince George's County. To : John Lewis, her son Gives a moyety of land on the North Branch of the Patuxent River lately occupied by Henry Cox of Calvert County called Battson'sVineyard,the moyety lately sold my sister Mary Soper, wife of John Soper by Henry Cox .Signed : Elizabeth Lewis [ mark & seal ]witnessed : Edward Willett , Tabitha Willet
John Soaper (sic) to John Cash  14 Jul 1716

folio 561 indenture 14 Jul 1716
From: John Soaper, cooper of Prince George's County
To:     John Cash, planter Prince George's County
John Soaper trades 100 acres of land part on Benjamin's Vale  (VALE OF BENJAMIN) lying in Prince George's County formally owned by Mary Yate a widow of Anne Arundel Couty, for a parcel of land in Prince George's County on the North Branch of the Patuxent part of a tract in possession of Henry Cox called Battson's Vineyard of 112 acres.
signed: John Cash (mark and seal) witnessed : Patrick Hepburne, Jos Belt
note on side of document: see old Liber for omission including deed John  Cash to John Soaper.

Elizabeth Lewis to children, Deed of Gift
Folio : 154 Deed of Gift to Children From : Elizabeth Lewis, widow of Prince George's County To : Son Thomas, a Bay Mare called Bonny To: Son John, a dark mare To : Son Stephen, the first increase of bay mare given John To: Daughter Sarah, the next increase To: Daughter Priscilla, the next increase To: Son Samuel, the next increase To: Grandson John Davis, child of " my daughter Jane" Signed : Elizabeth Lewis [ mark & seal ]Witnessed : Edward Willett, Tabitha Willet [mark ]
Samuel Magruder from Mary Yate 24 Mar 1696
24 March 1696: bought 192 acres of TURKEY COCK BRANCH for £38.12 sterling from Mary Yate of Anne Arundell County, widow. Land on the western branch of the Patuxent River, bounding on land of Merren (also spelled Marreen) Duvall and Charles Williams, being part of a tract called the VALE OF BENJAMIN. wit: John Sprigg, Alexander (mark) Magruder, John Summers. (PG Co. Deed Bk A, p. 40)

Samuel Magruder for his father and Benjamin Wells  1703
ca. 1703: Prince George's Co. Rent Rolls: 400 acres GOOD LUCK, surveyed for his father 15 May 1670; 193 acres of VALE OF BENJAMIN, surveyed 29 oct. 1670 for Benjamin Wells on north side Main branch of Patuxent adjacent to ALEXANDRIA (Mt. Calvert Hundred)

Mary Yate to Samuel Magruder 24 Mar 1699
 Indenture, 24 March 1696
From: MARY YATE of Anne Arundel County, widow
To: SAMUEL MAGRUDER of P. G. County, planter Price: 38 pounds sterling and 12 shillings Property: A 192 acre tract called Turkey Cock Branch in P. G. Co. on the western branch of the Patuxent River; bounding on land of MERREN (also spelled MARREEN) DEVALL and CHARLES WILLIAMS; being part of a tract called The VALE OF BENJAMIN. Signature: Mary Yate   Wit.: John Sprigg, Allexander Magruder (Mark), John Summers. Ackn'd: MARY YATE, 24 March 1696
Recorded: 24 March 1696/7, Vol. A, p. 40

Thomas James sr. to Thomas James 7 Mar 1716
Folio 502 * 7 Mar 1716 From: Thomas James, Sr., planter of Prince George's County To: Thomas James For love and good will 50 acres of land being part of a tract called Vale of Benjamin lying on the Western Branch of the Patuxent Witnessed: William Nicholls, Samuel Warner

Mary Yate to Thomas James 29 Jun 1698
Indenture, 29 June 1698 From: Mary Yate of Anne Arundel Co., widow To: Thomas James of P.G. Co. Price: 4000 lbs. tobacco Property: 100 acres tract being part of Vale of Benjamin on the west side of Patuxent River in the freshes; bounding on the land of John Cash, being part of the same tract. Signature: Mary Yate (mark) Wit.: William Barton, John Wight, John Hawkins Ackn'd: "made over in open court," 29 June 1698 Recorded: 13 June 1699, Vol. A, p. 162

Mordicay Moore to Charles Burgess 10 Aug 1704
Charles Burgess to George Yate and Mary 23 Nov 1687
Folio 165a, Indenture, 10 Aug 1704.  From:  Mordicay MOORE, merchant of AA Co  To:  Charles Burges of AA Co  Get.  the late George Yate and Mary his wife of  AA Co, on 23 Nov 1687 sold 500 ac tract  called WESTPHALIA to  Widow Ursula Burges, since  wife of   Mordecay MOORE, now dec'd;  WESTPHALIA then lying in Calvert Co and now Pr George's on west side of main branch of dividing creek of Patuxent River; bounded  by land laid out for Benjamin Wells called the VALE OF BENJAMIN; 17 Nov 1700 Ursula Burges MOORE willed the land to her husband Mordicay MOORE to dispose of in whatever manner he  wished;  sold to Charles Burges, the natural son of Ursula.  Signed:  Mord'a MOORE.  Witnessed:  Th. Jones and John Beale. Endorsement:  Dr. Mordecay MOORE ack'd deed before Samuel  Young and John Hill.                

Mary Yates to Charles Williams 4 Jul 1696
Land records, Volume A, 1696-1702:Indenture, 4 Jul 1696From Mary Yates of Anne Arundel Co., widow To: Charles Williams of P.G. Co., planter Price: 7000 pounds tobacco Property: A 200 acre tract called Huckleberry Patch on the west side of the western branch of the Patuxent River in P.G. Co., being part of a tract called VALE OF BENJAMIN bounded by land laid out for Marine Devall called Poplar Ridge Signtaure: Mark Yates (mark)Wit.: John Gale, Maren Devall, Charles Tracey.Ackn'd: Mary Yates, 4 Jul 1696Recorded: 29 Aug 1696, Vol. A, p.

Edward Batton to Henry Cox 13 Mar 1707
1702-1709 Land Records of Prince George's County MD
folio 204a • Indenture, 13 Mar 1707
from: Edward Batton of Calvert County, Gent.
To Henry Cox of Calvert County, Gent
By deed of grant from Lord Baltimore 10 Jun 1706 the land called Battson's Vineyard Rectified in Prince George's County on the west of the Patuxent River and south-west side of the NorthBranch of the said River containing 800 acres; mentions Snowden andManor of Calverton; Henry Cox, son and heir of the late Henry Cox of Calvert County the 16 Aug 1707 released to Nathan Smith of Calvert County, Gent., a 300 acre tract of land lying at Lyons Creek at the request of Simard Hanson  aed:B. Batton
Witnessed: Jo'n Leach and James Heigh
Memorandum: 16 Mar 1707 Amy Batton, wife of Edward, examined by above witnesses Certification: 29 Mar 1708 Calvert County Clerk Edw'd Botteler verified John Leach and James Heigh as Justices of Calvert County
Alienation: Henry Cox paid the sum of 12/12e for the 800 acres

John Bell to Richard Pile 9 May 1710
 Prince George's Land Records 1710-1717 - Liber F - Folio 11:
Indenture, 9 May 1710
From: John Bell, tailor of Prince George's County
To: Richard Pile, chysurgion of Prince George's County
For 13£ the 52 acres of Bell's Purchase in Prince George's County late occupied by Mareen Duvall, Senr. now occupied by John Bell; bounded by VALE OF BENJAMIN, Turkey Branch and land of Mareen Duvall Signed: John Bell Witnessed: Lucy Forrest, James Haddock, John Perse

Mareen Duvall to John Barrett 13 Aug 1701
Deed, 13 August 1701
From: Mareen Duvall Of P. G. Co. And Wife Francis
To: John Barrett of P. G. County, gent.
Price: Natural love and affection for their son, Mareen.
Property: Part of the 1000 acre tract called VALE OF BENJAMIN whereon said MAREEN [father or son?] now liveth; conveyance conditional in that FRANCIS and MAREEN the son shall hold, use, occupy, possess, and enjoy said property during their lives. Signatures: Mareen Duvall, Francis Devall Wit.: Robert Tyler, Thomas Sprigg Ackn'd: Mareen Duvall And Wife Francis (date of acknowledgement unspecified). Recorded: 15 August 1701, Vol. A, p. 398 Lord Baron of Baltimore

Prince George's Land Records 1726-1730 - Liber M, Page 200
Petition of Dr. Richard Pile to the Justices on 4th Tuesday in March last; fined by order of the Justices 4 Apr: From Charles, Lord Baron of Baltimore to Thomas Clagett, Richard Keene, John Clagett and Thomas Clagett, Jr.; Dr. Richard Pile seized of a parcel called Bell's Purchase; regarding boundaries of this land; depositions following: Deposition of Mareen Duvall, Sr., age ca 66 years; oath regarding above mentions that Samuell Magruder, dec'd, purchased part of tract called VALE OF BENJAMIN from Mary Yates of Anne Arundel County, decd

Elisha Berry, references of VALE OF BENJAMIN
1801/11/11  Chancery Court, Maryland State Archives, 1713 - 1853 MSA SSF 512
387: Elisha Berry vs. Meek M. Burgess, John Burgess, Dennis M. Burgess, Charles Burgess, Nathaniel M. Burgess, Richard Burgess, and Sarah Burgess. PG. Contract to purchase VALE OF BENJAMIN, Westphalia . Plat. Recorded (Chancery Record) 74, p. 448. Accession No.: 17,898-387-1/6 MSA S512-1- 442 Location: 1/35/5/