Benjamin Becraft
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 16 Sep 1710 - All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel Co, MD
Christening:
Death: Cir 1800
Burial:
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Events
• Land, Resurvey on Mt. Pleasant
72 acres, CFW: 7-61• Military
Private - PS (MD Maryland - Revolutionary War)• Land 1, "Becroft's Delight", 1739 in Frederick Co, MD
Private in the 3d company, Montgomery County militia, Col. John Murdock in command.
east of New London, Section heading, Linganore Hills (East of Monocacy Valley)• Land, "Becroft's Delight", 1739 in Frederick Co, MD
Index 54, Land Office Patents• Land, Dewealls Range or Wests Choice, 27 Nov 1742
Cert 50, Liber L.G. #C, folio 55
Patent 50, L.G. #B, folio 100
page 574, Nov 27, 1742 from Saml Ewing of PG, periwig maker, to Benjamin Becraft of PG, for 30 pounds, a tract of land called Dewealls Range or Wests Choice, being in PG, bounded by a line of Willm Lowes (Lows), containing about 100 acres, and also part of one other tract of land called Beall Benevolence, bounded by the run of Turkey Branch, lying on the south side of sd branch. Signed - Samuel Eing (Ewing). Wit- Nath: Wisham Jr*, Thos Crisup*. This deed was acknowledged by Samuel Ewing and Hannah, his wife. Recorded Nov 27, 1742.• Land, Beall's Benevolence, 18 Dec 1746
• Land, Beall's Benevolence, 26 Aug 1747
August 26, 1747, Benjamin Becraft conveyed to John Magruder a part of "Beall's Benevolence," containing 1 acre.• Land, Duvalls Range or West Choice, 31 Oct 1747
Page 311, Aug 26, 1747 from Benjamin Becraft of PG, planter, to John Magruder Sr., for 20 shillings, part of a tract of land called Bealls Benevolence, bounded by a branch side commonly known as William Lowes Mill Dam Branch, containing about 1 acre. Signed - Benj. (BB his mark) Becraft. Wit - James Russell, Geo: Steuart, John Hepburn (a Justice of Provincial Court). Recorded Oct 1, 1747
Page 328. Oct 31, 1747 from Benjamin Becraft of PG, planter, to Meredith Davis of PG, Gent, for 60 pounds, a tract of land called Duvalls Range or West Choice, in PG (except 1 acre that is sold to Mr. John Magruder), bounded by a line of William Lowe's (Low) land, containing about 100 acres. Also, part of one other tract of land called Beals Benevolence, bounded by the run of Turkey Branch, lying on the south side of sd branch. Signed - Benjamin (BB his mark) Becraft. Wit - Richard Keene*, Jno Contee*, Deborah, wife to the afd Benjamin Becraft, relinquished her right of dower to the within mentioned land. Recorded Oct 31, 1747.• Bond, Thomas Nicholls, 25 Aug 1748
Page 495. Bond, recorded at the request of Thomas Nicholls. We, Thomas Nicholls, William Nicholls, Benjamin Becraft, and Thomas Nicholls Jr of PG, planters, are bound to the Lord Proprietary in the just sum of 15,000 lbs of inspected tobacco, to be paid to the sd [sic] Justices this Aug 25, 1748. Whereas the afd Thomas Nicholls, in Apr last, agreed with the Justices of PG Court to build a bridge over Patuxent River at a place called the Sturgeon Shoals, which agreement he has since complied with. Now the condition of the above obligation is such that if the sd Thomas Nicholls shall, during the term of 10 years, starting from last Jul 15, keep and maintain the sd bridge in good repair, then the above obligation to be void. Signed - Thos (2 his mark) Nicholls, William Nicholls, Benjamin (BB his mark) Becraft, Thomas Nickolls. Wit - Jas. Beck, Fs Williams Jr. Recorded Aug 25, 1748.• Land, Witness Charles Hills, 6 Sep 1748
Page 509. Aug 8, 1748 from John, Edward, and Samuel Busey of PG, planters, to Joshua Busey of PG, planter, for 5 shillings sterling, in compliance with their father, Paul Busey's will dated Sep 24, 1718, herein conveyed to sd Joshua Busey is all that part or parcel of land in PG, being part of a tract of land called Charles Hills, beginning at the original tree of Charles Hills land, thence to a parcel of land formerly laid out off Charles Hills land for Benjamin Longg, containing about 59 1/2 acres. Signed - John Busey, Samuel (S his mark), Benjamin (BB his mark) Becrofts, John Darnall (a Justice of Provincial Court). Sarah, wife to Edward Busey, released all her right of dower to the land and premises within mentioned. Recorded Sep 6, 1748.• Lease, Josephs Park, 1 Oct 1748
Page 525. Lease, recorded at the request of Benjamin Becraft. Oct 1, 1748 from James Ford of PG, planter, to Benjamin Becraft of PG, planter. Whereas by indenture of lease dated Mar 22, 1738/39 between Thomas Butler of PG, Gent, and the sd James Ford, sd Butler leased to sd Ford, all that part of a tract of land called Josephs Park, lying in PG, bounded by the NE corner of a parcel of land laid out for John Ford near a marked gum and red oak, containing about 100 acres. This lease is for the natural life of the sd James Ford and for the natural lives of Eleanor and Mary Ford, sisters to the sd James Ford, paying yearly, on May 10, 600 lbs of clean, merchantable tobacco, to be delivered at a landing in convenient cask. Now this indenture witnesses that the sd James Ford, for 4000 lbs of merchantable leaf tobacco to him in hand paid by sd Benjamin Becraft, grants to sd Benjamin Becraft all the sd messuage or tenement and premises above mentioned, to be demised and leased to the sd James Ford in and by the sd in part recited indenture of lease as afd. To have and to hold, the sd messuage or tenement to sd Benjamin Becraft during the rest of years yet to come and unexpired of sd natural lives afd. Becraft must pay the rents and perform the conditions of the afd indenture of lease. Signed - James Ford. Wit - John Hepburn*, James Magruder*. Recorded Oct 1, 1748.• Petition, Nov 1749
Benjamin Becraft of Frederick Co, signed a petition• Land, 22 Nov 1753
James Crouch to Benjamin Becroft, 36 acres.• Event, Jun 1754
Benjamin Becraft serves on a grand jury.• Property, F 767, 24 Jul 1759
Joseph Belt and wf. Easter of Frederick Co, to Benjamin Becraft of same, 195 pounds, Lost Coat being part of Joseph's Park, 326+ ac.• Land, 20 May 1764
Benjamin Becroft to Amos Wright - 18 1/2 acres.• Event, Aug 1765
change in ownership of Ann Campbell who had been a servant to Benjamin Becraft.• Property, K 118, 12 Oct 1765
Benjamin Becraft, planter of Frederick Co, from Josias Talburt and wf. Mary of same, planter, 100 pounds, part of Joseph's Park, 100 ac.• Census 2, 1790 in Mongtomery Co, MD
Becraft, Benj Sr, 88, Mont Co, 19 slaves, 2 white males >16.• Will, 7 Oct 1797
Benjamin Becraft (Sr.) will 7 oct.1797
In the name of God Amen-I Benjamin Becraft of Montgomery County being in Good health and in perfect mind and memory but knowing the certainty of Death and the great uncertainty of the time when it may Arrive and being desirous to dispose of the worldly Goods which it has pleased my heavenly Father to bless me with. In the manner which to me seemeth Right do make and ordain this my last will and testamend. I leave and bequeath in the manner following viz
I give and Bequeath to Ann Purnell Daughter of Charlotte Dixon, wife of Richard Dixon late of the State of Maryland Twenty five pounds per year to be paid in quarter payments and in advance if she shall choose. Also a comfortable dwelling house and good land sufficient for a spacious garden on my Estate or near unto it unless she should agree to take it else where and also sufficient firewood for one fire and as she has a bed and several articles of furniture in my house which is her own property my will and Desire is that she shall have all the furniture that she shall claim as her own, as I can confide in her not asking no more than her right. All the above Bequest to Ann Purnell to be paid her punctually out of my Estate during her natural Life.
I give and Bequeath one half the Residue of my Estate Real and personal to be Equally divided among the children of Peter Becraft by Mary his present wife to them and their Heirs forever. (It is to be understood that Jonathan is to have his full proportion not with standing the above Bequest Should it so happen that any of the children of my Brother die without Issue Lawfully Begotten then their part to be Equally divided Among the Survivors.
I give and Bequeath the other half of my estate, real and personal after the two first Bequest to be equally divided among the children of James Higgins(by Leonora his wife and my sister and their Represetatives forever and should it happen that any of those children die without Issue Lawfully begotten their part shall be equally divided among the Survivors.
I am Sensible that Slavery at best is a very unhappy Lott and I think that my feelings for those unhappy Mortals are more tender than is commonly to be found among Mankind. Consequently I have a wish any Slaves I die possessed off to be made as comfortable as conveniently may be. It is therefore my Legal Request that none of my Slaves Shall Serve A Master that they wish not to Serve. I therefore enjoin it and any of those to Whom I have devised that Should A Slave or Slaves of mine fall to their Lot and he be unwilling to Serve they shall by no Means force them but Shall Sell them to some Master out of their own choosing. Should it even happen that no more than three fourths of their Real Value cam be obtained by Such Sale. As it is my Will and Wish that my desire here in expressed be fully complied with. I do hereby cut of any and all from any benefit in this my Will who shall Act or make and Attempt Knowingly to Act Against the plain intent and meaning thereof. In Testimony Where of I have desirest to Set my Hand and Seal this seventh day of October Seventeen Hundred and Ninety Seven.
Ben Becraft
Montgomery County
April 10th 1806
Doctor Peter Becraft and James Higgins Appeared in court and being duly swarn on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God deposith and saith that they are well acquainted with the Hand writing of Benjamin Becraft of Montgomery County now Deceased and that they truly Believe and are well Satisfied that the name of Benjamin Becraft Subscriber to this Will As Testator is in the hand Writing of the said Benjamin Becraft.
Certified by Samuel Turner Registar
We Peter Becraft and James Higgins do hereby Refuse to Administer on the Estate of Benjamin Becraft late of Montgomery County Deceased and therefore Renounce all our rights title and claim to said Administration desiring at the Same time that Letter of Administration maybe granted unto Benjamin Higgins of the county aforesaid.Witness our hands this 10th day of April 1806
Test. William Willson of John Peter Becraft
To the Register of Wills of Montgomery County James Higgins
Parents
Father: Peter Becraft
Mother: Rebecca
Spouses and Children
1. *Deborah Harriot Oliver
Marriage:
Status:
Children:
1. Peter Becraft
2. Benjamin Becraft
3. Charlotte Becraft
4. Lurannah Becraft
Sources
1. CE Schildknecht, Monocacy & Catoctin, 64.
2. Heads of Families, 1790 Cenus Index, Maryland.