WILLIAM JOSEPH (?-?)
MSA SC 3520-752
William Joseph was probably born in Ireland. He immigrated by 1688 as a free adult from London. He resided in St. Mary's County but returned to Dublin by 1701. He had one son, William, who lived in Prince George's County. William Joseph was a Catholic. In records, he was called "William Joseph, Gent. of London" and he arrived in the colonies as chief executive of the colony. He was a merchant in Dublin and a planter in Maryland.
William Joseph served in the Upper House of Maryland in 1688; on the Council from 1688-89. He was named president of the Council of Deputy Governors in a Commission from the Lord Proprietary. He was a strong proponent of political rule by divine right. He alienated the Lower House by is arbitrary positions in 1688, and was overthrown by the revolt of the Protestant Associators in 1689.
He patented 5,366 acres in Dorchester and Charles (now Montgomery) counties in 1689. Sold 1,500 acres in Dorchester County in 1694. In 1701 Joseph gave his son a power of attorney and instructed him to sell all remaining Maryland land.
Joseph died between 1701 when he returned to Ireland, and 1729, when an inventory was made of his property that remained in Maryland.
Sources:
Edward C. Papenfuse, et al., Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, Vol 2: I-Z. (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1985), pp. 500-1.
Edward C. Papenfuse, et al., Archives of Maryland, new series, Vol 1, An Historical List of Public Officials of Maryland. (Annapolis, MD: Maryland State Archives, 1990), p. 4.
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