Nathaniel Heathcoat
Anne Arundel County Court Clerk, 1664/5-1674
MSA SC 3520-13121
Biography:
Nathaniel Heathcoat, or Heathcott as is sometimes found in the records, was born in England. He was most likely born in the first half of the seventeenth century, but no records noting his brith date have been found. He was probably the son of John and Anne Heathcoat.1 The exact date of his immigration to Maryland is not known, but it was some time before 1664/5, for by that time he began service as Clerk of the Court for Anne Arundel County. He served in that position until 1674.2 In addition to his position as Clerk, he also held the position of County Commissary in 1666.3 Heathcoat was probably a planter, although this was not specifically mentioned in his inventory or accounts. His inventory did, however, list some slaves, several animals (cows, pigs, and horses), farming tools, and large amounts of tobacco, corn, and wheat.4 Heathcott held patents to three pieces of land: Peakes (AA, 152 acres, 1678), Heathcotts Cottage (BA, 500 acres, 1679), and Proprietors Gift (AA, 96 acres, 1680).5
Heathcoat was married to a woman named Elizabeth, but little information about her exists. No mention of children has been found, but the Heathcoats did have two nephews in the area, Samuel and Joseph. Historian Donnell M. Owings states that Heathcoat resigned his position as Clerk in 1674 and returned to England.6If he did make this journey, he probably either returned to Maryland at some point or did not intend on making that his final destination. Several facts lead to these conclusions. First, his wife remained in Maryland until her death around 1683. Second, his inventory was registered in Maryland and it listed much land and property in the area that had remained in his name. It seems unlikely that he would have moved back to England permanently, but left his wife and so much property here.
There was no will for Nathaniel in the records, but there was one for
Elizabeth. In it, she mentioned that she was willing items as her
husband had wanted. In the will, she left sums of money to various
friends. Some slaves were given to the Brewer family for service,
but Peter, a young slave boy, was willed to John Brewer on the condition
that Peter receive schooling until age 16, after which point he should
serve as an apprentice to a carpenter or cooper. Peter was to be
freed at age 31, on the condition that he work for the Brewer family using
the skills that he learned as an apprentice. In addition, Elizabeth
set her slave woman Judith free and notes that she be paid 1 hogshead of
tobacco each year. She set her carpenter, Thomas Tyler, and her tailor,
Joseph Owen, free. She also left Owen some of Nathaniel's clothes.
Elizabeth mentions several family members in the will: Barbara, Ruth
and Margarett Heathcoat, and her sister Martha Willis. Her executors
were Thomas Tailler and James Ellis.7
The only probate records found for Nathaniel Heathcoat was an inventory
and an account, both completed in 1681 and 1682, respectively. The
total estimated value of his estate was
£277:10:0.8
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