Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

William Rumsey (1698-1742/43)
MSA SC 3520-1080

Biography
Born: April 1, 1698, probably at Head of Bohemia, Cecil County; second son.
Native: Second generation.
Resided: Head of Bohemia, Cecil County.
Died: Will probated on March 14, 1742/43, in Cecil County.

Family Background
Father: Charles (?-1717), an immigrant; ordinary keeper; planter.
Mother: Katherine (Catherine) (1675-1710).
Brothers: Charles (?-1726), who married Margaret; Edward (?-1770), who married on July 10, 1727, Margaret.
Sisters: Five, names unknown.
Additional Comment: William's great-nephew was James Rumsey (1743-1792), an inventor, who patented a steamboat.
Married: May 15, 1728, Sabina (Sabrinah) (?-1779), daughter of Benjamin Blaidenburgh and wife Margaret. She subsequently married by May 25, 1751, Nathaniel Rigbie (1695-?). Sabina died in Harford County.

Children
Sons: Charles (1729-1729); William Rumsey (1729/30-ca. 1777); Benjamin Rumsey (1734-1808); Charles Rumsey (1736-1780); and John Rumsey (ca. 1742-1828).
Daughters: Margaret (1732-?); Henrietta.

Private Career
Education: Literate.
Religious Affiliation: Anglican, St. Stephen's Church, North Sassafras Parish, Cecil County.
Social Status and Activities: Gent., by 1741; Esq., at death.
Occupational Profile: planter; surveyor. William is said to have assisted in locating the temporary line between Maryland and Pennsylvania in 1739; he is also credited with laying out Frederickstown, Cecil County.

Public Career
Legislative Service: Lower House, Cecil County, 1738, 1739- 1741 (Bills of Credit 1-3).
Other Provincial Offices: Naval officer, Cecil County, 1733-ca. 1742.
Local Offices: Deputy surveyor, Cecil County, in office 1728 and 1732; justice, Cecil County, 1729-ca. 1742 (quorum, 1732-ca. 1742); coroner, Cecil County, in office 1730; churchwarden, North Sassafras Parish, Cecil County, 1733; deputy commissary, Cecil County, 1733/34-ca. 1742; North Sassafras Parish Vestry, Cecil County, 1734- 1736.
Military Service: Called captain.

Wealth During Lifetime
Land at First Election: ca. 6,797 acres in Cecil and possibly Baltimore counties (150 acres from father).
Significant Changes in Land Between First Election and Death: Acquired 1,992 acres in Cecil and Harford counties, 1739-1742.

Wealth at Death
Personal Property: Total Estate Value, £13.8.8 sterling, £3,290.4.2 current money, and £2.7.0 Pennsylvania currency (including 16 slaves, books, 146 oz. plate, 47,499 pounds of tobacco, and 2 mills); Final Balance, £2,592.13.1 current money, plus 25,690 pounds of tobacco.
Land: ca. 8,700 acres in Cecil, Baltimore, and Harford counties (ca. 3,628 acres of this was itemized in his will along with other unspecified acreage), plus 2 lots in Frederickstown and 4 lots in Cecilton, Cecil County.

Source: Edward C. Papenfuse, et al, eds. A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789. Vol II. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1985, p. 709-710.
 

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