John Gresham (ca. 1703-1752)
MSA SC 3520-533
Biography
Born: ca. 1703, probably in Anne Arundel County; baptized October
29, 1703; eldest son.
Died: Will probated in January 1752 in Kent County; Maryland
Gazette reported his death January 23.
Native: Third generation.
Resided: "Greshams Colledge," Kent County, by 1728.
Family Background
Father: John
Gresham, Esq. (?-1723), of Annapolis; planter; sheriff of Anne Arundel
County 1722 until death; examiner general from 1722 until death; owned
ca. 5,000 acres at death; son of John Gresham (?-1713), of Anne Arundel
County.
Mother: Sarah (?-1756), owned real estate in England at time
of death.
Brothers: Richard
Gresham (1704-ca. 1773); Thomas (1706-ca. 1731/32), died without progeny.
Sisters: Priscilla (1702-?); Sarah (1709-?), who married Solomon
Wooden, 1726; and Elizabeth (1710-?), who married Jacob Jones.
Niece: Sarah Gresham, who married Thomas Smyth (1730-1819).
Other Kinship: his great-nephew was Thomas Smyth, Jr. (1757-1807).
Married: first, Hannah (1705-?), daughter of Nathaniel Hynson
(?-ca. 1721/22); second, (name unknown), a widow. Her sister was Mary (1711-?).
Children
Sons: John (1728-ca. 1772); Richard Gresham (?-1780); and Thomas
(probably after 1750-?).
Stepson: William.
Daughters: Sarah (1730-?), who married by 1750 James Frisby;
Mary, who married Richard Graves (1739-1792).
Private Career
Education: Literate.
Religious Affiliation: Anglican.
Social Status and Activities: Gent., 1728.
Occupational Profile: Probably a planter; merchant.
Public Career
Legislative Service: Lower House, Kent County, 1742-1744 (Arms
and Ammunition 1, 2; Elections 2), 1745 (Arms and Ammunition; Elections),
1745/46-1748 (Elections Cv 1, 1-3, 4; Laws 3), 1751 (elected to the 1751-1754
Assembly, but did not attend; died before the 2nd session)
Local Offices: Deputy commissary, Kent County, 1727-1742; sheriff,
Anne Arundel County, 1725-1726; Kent County, 1727-1729, 1732-1735; justice,
Kent County, 1729-at least 1731.
Wealth During Lifetime
Land at First Election: 3,185 acres in Kent, Anne Arundel, and
Queen Anne's counties, plus 1 lot in Chestertown, Kent County (1,336 acres
inherited from father; 550 acres through marriage to first wife; 1,299
acres by personal acquisition).
Significant Changed in Land Between First Election and Death:
Acquired 1,222 acres in Anne Arundel and Kent counties, 1743-1754; gave
400 acres in Anne Arundel County to his sister Sarah and her husband Solomon
Wooden, 1744.
Personal Property
Total Estate Value: £1,655.18.4 current money (including
34 slaves and numerous silver and gold items);
Final Balance of Estate: £1,099.16.2.
Land: 3,399 acres (2,163 acres in Kent County; 236 acres in
Anne Arundel County; 1,000 acres in Queen Anne's County; plus 2 lots in
Chestertown, Kent County).
Source: Edward C. Papenfuse, et al., eds. A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789. Vol I. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 14985, p. 376; Additional research by Owen Lourie
Return
to John Gresham's Introductory Page
|
Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!
|