Beecroft/Becraft Ancestors



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Benjamin Becraft and Deborah Harriot Oliver

Husband Benjamin Becraft [9] 

           Born: 16 Sep 1710 - All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel, Maryland, British Colonial America
     Christened: 
           Died: Cir 1800
         Buried: 
FamilySearch ID: LH3G-1WD


         Father: Peter Becraft [1] (1657-1716)
         Mother: Rebecca [2] (1680-1717)


       Marriage: 1740 - Maryland, British Colonial America 1

Events

• He owned land Resurvey on Mt. Pleasant. 72 acres, CFW: 7-61.

• Military: Private - PS (MD Maryland - Revolutionary War)

Private in the 3d company, Montgomery County militia, Col. John Murdock in command.

• He owned land "Becroft's Delight" in 1739 in Frederick, Maryland, United States. east of New London, Section heading, Linganore Hills (East of Monocacy Valley).

• He owned land "Becroft's Delight" in 1739 in Frederick, Maryland, United States. Index 54, Land Office Patents

Cert 50, Liber L.G. #C, folio 55
Patent 50, L.G. #B, folio 100
.

• He owned land Dewealls Range or Wests Choice on 27 Nov 1742. 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.

• 18 Dec 1746, William Lowe conveyed to John Magruder a "piece" of land known as "Beall's Benevolence," containing 12 acres.

• He owned land Beall's Benevolence on 26 Aug 1747. August 26, 1747, Benjamin Becraft conveyed to John Magruder a part of "Beall's Benevolence," containing 1 acre.

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.

• He owned land Duvalls Range or West Choice on 31 Oct 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.

• He owned land Witness Charles Hills on 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.

• He owned land on 22 Nov 1753. James Crouch to Benjamin Becroft, 36 acres.

• Event: Jun 1754. Benjamin Becraft serves on a grand jury.

• He owned F 767 on 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.

• He owned land on 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.

• He owned K 118 on 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.

• He appeared on the census in 1790 in Mongtomery Co, MD. Becraft, Benj Sr, 88, Mont Co, 19 slaves, 2 white males >16.

• He signed a will on 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
.


Wife Deborah Harriot Oliver [52] 

           Born: Cir Sep 1718
     Christened: 
           Died: Between 1776 and 1790
         Buried: 
FamilySearch ID: LVV7-D1W

Children
1 M Peter Becraft [53] 

           Born: 5 Nov 1740
     Christened: 
           Died: 5 Nov 1806
         Buried: 
FamilySearch ID: LHRC-TQV

         Spouse: Mary Nixon [121] (1750-After 1827)
           Marr: 1768

2 M Benjamin Becraft [54] 

           Born: Cir 1741
     Christened: 
           Died: 11 Feb 1806
         Buried:  - Rock Creek Parish, Montgomery Co, MD
FamilySearch ID: GJRX-8TR






3  F  Charlotte Becraft [55]





           Born: Cir 1743
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 
FamilySearch ID: KN4G-M64



         Spouse: Richard Nixon [154] (1752-1826)



         Spouse: Purnell [167] (      -      )






4  F  Lurannah Becraft [56]





           Born: 20 Jul 1744 - Prince George's, Maryland, United States 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 1819 - Mongtomery Co, MD 3
         Buried:  - Higgins Family Cemetery, Rockville, Montgomery, Maryland 4
FamilySearch ID: 4TMD-17L



         Spouse: James William Higgins [57] (1733-1816)
           Marr: 11 Nov 1760 - Montgomery, Maryland, United States









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Sources




1
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org : accessed 6 Nov 2025), entry for Benjamin Becraft, person ID LH3G-1WD. 

2
Findagrave.com, 20 Jul 1744, Frederick Co, MD.

3
Findagrave.com, 1819, Montgomery Co, MD.

4
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org : accessed 7 Nov 2025), entry for Lurannah Becraft, person ID 4TMD-17L. 







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