The CHISWELL Family of Swepstone, Leicestershire, England and Montgomery County, Maryland

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INDEX to the Chiswell files

First Generation

JOHN DAND (c. 1628 – 1717) of Galby

John Dand was born about 1628. He died on 11 Nov 1717, age 89, and is buried in Galby. [Ref, p. 1005] He married Frances Unknown. [Ref, p. 1005] She was born about 1636. [Ref, p. 1005] She died on 3 Mar 1718/9, age 83. [Ref, p. 1005]

Galby and Frisby are two civil parishes located seven miles east-south-east of Leicester. The village of Galby consists of a few farms and cottages, all fairly recent except for a farmhouse known as The Limes that dates back to the late 16th or early 17th century. In 1670 there were 23 households in Galby and 15 households in Frisby. It is said that most of Galby was enclosed in 1614. In 1630 John Dand died after settling on trustees 90 acres of arable land, 12 acres of arable meadow and a pasture in Galby that had been allocated to him at the the time of enclosure. The Dans or Dands had considerable property in Galby and a long-established connection with the parish. Dands had been in Frisby since the end of the the 13th century and a branch of the family was in Galby a few years later. The family was at first more important in Frisby, but they acquired freehold land at Galby in the 16th century and sold their Frisby lands in 1630. The last Dand -- a father of five daughters and no sons -- was armigerous. When he died in 1717 the family came to an end. [Ref]

Three slabs at the west end of the nave in St. Peter's Church in Galby are inscribed to John Dand to his widow, and to Robert and Elizabeth Foster, his son-in-law and daughter. The floor slab reads: `John Dand last issue male of an ancient reputable family whose exemplary piety morality conjugal love and his paternal care in the prudent education and marriage and ample provision for his five daughters, Dorothy, Anne, Frances, Elizabeth and Mary will be memorable to posterity. He died in 1717, aged 90 yrs.'

Children of John Dand and Frances Unknown:

1. Dorothy Dand
2. Anne Dand
3. Frances Dand married Richard Chiswell.
4. Elizabeth Dand was born about 1669. She died on 19 Jun 1752, age 83. [Ref, p. 1005] She married Robert Foster. [Ref, p. 1005]
   Elizabeth and Robert lived at Carlton Curlieu Manor in Ilston on the Hill. [Ref]
   
5. Mary Dand married Poyntz Owsley. [Ref, p. 1005]

Children of Richard Chiswell and Frances Dand:

1. John Chiswell of Leicester
2. Samuel Chiswell
3. Richard Chiswell
4. William Chiswell was born on 18 Aug 1692. He died on 18 Jan 1768. He married Mary Newton.

Third Generation

WILLIAM CHISWELL (1692 – 1768) of Swepstone

Parents: Richard Chiswell and Frances Dand [Ref]

William Chiswell was born on 18 Aug 1692. [Ref] He died on 18 Jan 1768. [Ref] He is buried in the Great Meeting Cemetery on East Bond Street in Leicester. [Ref] He married Mary Newton.

Children of William Chiswell and Mary Newton:

1. William Chiswell was baptised on 8 Jun 1717. [Ref] He died on 26 Jul 1722. [Ref]
2. Stephen Newton Chiswell was born in 1715 in Leicestershire. He was baptised on 18 Jul 1721 in Leicestershire. He married Sarah Newton.
3. Mary ("Mollie") Chiswell was baptised on 14 Aug 1722. [Ref] She died in 1777. [Ref] She married Unknown Johnson. [Ref]
4. Joseph Chiswell was baptised on 30 Mar 1724. [Ref]
5. John Chiswell was born on 9 May 1725. [Ref] He died on 3 Aug 1725. [Ref]
6. Richard Chiswell was baptised on 11 Apr 1730. [Ref] He died in 1786. [Ref] He married first Elizabeth Buck in Dec 1752. [Ref] He married second Mary Postle on 2 Nov 1760. [Ref] Richard wrote a letter to his brother in America with North Walsham, county Norfolk as the return address. [Ref]
7. Sarah ("Sally") Chiswell was baptised on 23 Nov 1733. [Ref] She married Unknown Bull after 1747. [Ref] She emigrated to Maryland before 1760. [Ref]

Fourth Generation

STEPHEN NEWTON CHISWELL (1715 – 1805) of Montgomery county

Parents: William Chiswell and Mary Newton [Ref, 2;225]

Stephen Newton Chiswell was born in 1715 in Leicestershire. [Ref][Ref, 2;225] He was baptised on 18 Jul 1721 in Leicestershire. [Ref] He died on 17 May 1805 in Montgomery county. [Ref gives only the year][Ref, 2;225, says that his will was proved on 17 May 1805] He married Sarah Newton in 1738. [Ref][Ref, 2;225]

Stephen emigrated to Montgomery country in 1734. [Ref][Ref, 2;225, 1734 or 1735]

In 1790, Stephen N. Chiswell headed a household in Montgomery county with three free white males of age 16 and upwards, four free white females and ten slaves. [Ref]

Stephen acquired nearly 300 acres and built a large brick house (shown in the photo), which was completed in 1796. [Ref]

It is said that Stephen went to live with his uncle Joseph Newton and fell in love with Joseph's daughter Sarah. He asked his uncle for her hand and his uncle refused, saying he could marry one of his other daughters. Stephen and Sarah then eloped and his uncle sent them from his home. [Ref, 2;225]

The Will of Stephen Newton Chiswell [Ref, 1;622]

In the name of God Amen. I Stephen Newton Chiswell of Montgomery County in the State of Maryland, being of sound mind and memory do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following after my just Debts and funeral expenses are paid Viz. I give and bequeath to my son Joseph Newton Chiswell all my lands known by the name of Chiswell's Lodge lying on Dry Seneca, except Ten Acres hereafter devised to him the said Joseph Newton Chiswell, his heirs and assigns forever. Likewise three Negro boys by names Lee, Hand and Townsend to go to John Augustus Chiswell when he, the said John arrives to the age of twenty-five years then to him, his heirs and assigns forever. Likewise to my son Joseph Newton Chiswell, six silver tablespoons, sea chest, and all my books, to him, his heirs and assigns forever. ITEM. I give and bequeath to my daughter Frances Elizabeth wife of William Vinson, Ten Acres of land, part to Chiswell's Lodge, to begin in the main road where Hoggin's Spring branch crosses said road, then down the said road, with the outlines of said tract, then up said road, with the said outlines, till it runs up the lines of a tract called the Holding Spring, till a line drawn from thence to the said road, and then to the beginning, will contain Ten Acres. Likewise all that part of a tract called the Resurvey on hanover these two parcels of land, to my daughter Frances Elizabeth wife of William Vinson and to the heirs of her body, and to them, their heirs and assigns forever and during her natural life she will receive all the profits from said lands annually, and if she has no lawful issuance from her body, after her death it shall be sold and the money arising from said sale shall be equally divided between all my children hereafter named, to them, their heirs and assigns forever. ITEM. I give and bequeath to my daughter Frances Elizabeth, wife as aforesaid seven hundred pounds current money of Maryland, out of my personal estate to be put on interest by her with the advice of my administrators to be safely secured, and she shall receive the interest arising there from annually, during her natural life, to make use of as she pleases. I give her full power to dispose of the principal seven hundred pounds to any person or persons she pleases, to be paid after her decease, to them; their heirs and assigns forever. ITEM. I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann, Negro Prince to her, her heirs and assigns forever. ITEM. I give and bequeath to my daughter Peggy Paisbury a Negro woman called Muna, to her and her heirs and assigns forever. Lastly, my will and desire is that after all my just debts, funeral charges, and bequests within made are fully satisfied, all the remaining part of my personal estate be sold by my executors at public sale on nine months' credit, taking bond and security for the same, and the money arising from the said sale to be equally divided among my following children, to wit, Joseph Newton Chiswell, Ann, wife of Jesse Allnutt, Sarah, wife of Robert D. Dawson, Frances E., wife of William Vinson, Peggy P., wife of Nathan White and Rebecca O., wife of Benjamin White. I do hereby constitute and appoint Joseph N. Chiswell and Thomas Mitchell the sole executors of this my last will and testament. I witness whereunto I have signed my name and affixed my seal this eighteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four.
Witnesses: Lawrence Allnutt, James Allnutt, Basil Darby
Proved by Lawrence Allnutt and Basil Darby on 17 May 1805.

Children of Stephen Newton Chiswell and Sarah Newton:

1. Rachel Newton Chiswell [Ref] probably died by 1760.
2. Mary Newton Chiswell was born in 1743. [Ref] She probably died before 18 Jun 1804, when she was not mentioned in her father's will. She was unmarried. [Ref]
3. Joseph Newton Chiswell was born on 2 Apr 1747. He died on 9 or 18 Apr 1837. He married Eleanor White.
4. Ann Newton Odell Chiswell was born on 8 Oct or 10 Aug 1750. [Ref] She died after 18 Jun 1804. She married Jesse Allnutt on 1 Sep 1774. [Ref][Ref, 2;226] They had one daughter. [Ref]
   some descendants of Ann Newton Odell Chiswell
   
5. Sarah Newton Chiswell was born on 29 May 1754. [Ref] She died on 13 Nov 1806 and is buried in the Monocacy Cemetery. [Ref] She married Col. Robert Doyne Dawson on 25 Oct 1781 [Ref] in Montgomery county. Robert was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Lowe) Dawson. [Ref, 1;607] He was born in 1758 and died in Aug 1824. [Ref, 1;607] Robert married a second time. [Ref, 5;6]
   some descendants of Sarah Newton Chiswell
   
6. Margaret "Peggy" Presbury Chiswell was born in 1756. [Ref] She died after 18 Jun 1804. She married Nathan Smith White in 1787. [Ref]
   
7. Frances Elizabeth Chiswell was born in 1758. [Ref] She died after 18 Jun 1804. She married William Vinson after 3 Mar 1804, when their license is dated, in Montgomery county. [Ref]They had no children. [Ref][Ref, 2;225]
8. Rebecca Odell Chiswell was born in 1759. [Ref] She died after 18 Jun 1804. She married Benjamin White after 17 Dec 1790, when their license is dated, in Frederick county. [Ref]
   
9. Rachel Newton Chiswell was born in 1760. [Ref] She probably died before 18 Jun 1804, when she was not mentioned in her father's will. She married Joseph Astlin after 12 Dec 1798, when their license is dated. [Ref]
10. Eleanor Newton Chiswell died after 18 Jun 1804. She married Jesse Dawson. [Ref][Ref, 2;225] They had no children. [Ref, 2;225]

Fifth Generation

JOSEPH NEWTON CHISWELL (1747 – 1837)

Parents: Stephen Newton Chiswell and Sarah Newton [Ref, 2;225]

Joseph Newton Chiswell was born on 2 Apr 1747. [Ref] He died on 9 or 18 Apr 1837. [Ref] He married Eleanor White on 11 Nov 1779. [Ref][Ref][Ref]

Joseph's father left him "Chiswell's Lodge" on Dry Seneca. [Ref]

In 1790, Joseph N. Chiswell was living in Montgomery county with three free white boys under 16, eight free white females and seven slaves. [Ref, 1790] In 1820 Joseph N. Chiswell was living in Montgomery county with two free white women over 45, one free white man between 26 and 45, 2 free white women between 16 and 26, nine free colored persons and 21 slaves. [Ref, 1820]

In his will, dated 19 Jul 1832 and proved [?] 1837, Joseph mentions his sons William Chiswell and John A. Chiswell and his daughters Hester White Chiswell, Rachel, the wife of Benjamin White of Nathan, Eleanor White Fletchall, Margaret, wife Henry Young, Elizabeth Smith McElfresh, Mary Robertson Brewer, Sarah Newton Fletchall and Ann Newton Jones. He asked for his real estate to be sold, except for 50 square feet to be reserved for a burial ground. His son William was his executor; Stephen H. White, Richard Gott, Sr. and Nathan S. White were his executors. [Ref]

Children of Joseph Newton Chiswell and Eleanor White:

1. Elizabeth ("Betsy") Smith Chiswell was born on 28 Oct 1780. [Ref] She died on 7 Mar 1808. [Ref] She married Charles McElfresh. [Ref][Ref, 2;226]
2. Mary ("Polly") Robertson Chiswell was born on 13 Dec 1781. [Ref] She died on 7 Feb 1867 and is buried in the Monocacy cemetery. [Ref] She married Dr. William Brewer [Ref][Ref, 2;226] after 5 Feb 1800 (lic.) in Montgomery county. [Ref]
   some descendants of Mary Robertson Chiswell
   
3. Sarah ("Sally") Newton Chiswell was born on 8 Mar 1783. [Ref] She died on 7 Feb 1682. [Ref] She married Col. Thomas Fletchall as his second wife and had no children. [Ref, 2;226]
   In her will, dated 16 Nov 1846, Sarah Fletchall mentions her sisters Mary R. Brewer, Ann N. Jones, Rachel White, Eleanor W. Fletchall and Margaret Young and her sister-in-law Sarah Chiswell. She refers to her brother John A. Chiswell as deceased. In a codicil dated 27 Jan 1858, she mentions Sarah Eleanor Chiswell, the daughter of William A. and Rachel Chiswell. [Ref]
   Sarah had a neice and adopted daughter Rachel Ann Chiswell. died after 7 Mar 1863. She married Unknown White. She is referred to as Elizabeth White in her mother's will. [Ref]
   
4. William Augustus Chiswell was born on 26 Jan 1783 [!4?]. [Ref] He died on 8 Oct 1846. [Ref] He married Sarah Fletchall on 21 Nov 1809. [Ref] Sarah was the daughter of Thomas Fletchall and his first wife. [Ref, 2;226] She died after 7 Mar 1863 when she signed her will. [Ref] At the time she signed her will she lived on a farm called "Friend's Advice". [Ref]
   some descendants of William Augustus Chiswell
   
5. Ann Newton Chiswell was born on 15 Nov 1787. She died on 5 Jan 1854. She married Lieut. Joseph James Wilkerson Jones.
6. Stephen Newton Chiswell was born on 28 Nov 1788. [Ref] He died on 22 Jul 1794. [Ref]
7. Hester White Chiswell was born on 7 Apr 1790. [Ref] She never married. [Ref]
8. John Augustus Chiswell was born on 2 Dec 1792. [Ref] He died on 21 Aug 1840. [Ref] He married Eleanor Griffith on 21 May 1823. [Ref][Ref][Ref says 25 May] Eleanor was the daught er of Howard and Jemima (Jacob) Griffith. [Ref] She married second Rev. William Marvin. [Ref, 2;226]
   some descendants of John Augustus Chiswell
   
9. Rachel Chiswell was born on 10 Oct or 3 Mar 1794 [Ref] in Poolesville. [Ref] She died on 3 Mar 1862. [Ref][Ref, 7 Mar] She is buried in the Monocacy Cemetery in Beallsville. [Ref] Click here to see a photo of her grave. She married Benjamin White [Ref][Ref] after 4 Dec 1815 (lic.) in Montgomery county. [Ref][Ref, on 4 Dec] Benjamin was the son of Nathan Smith and Margaret (Chiswell) White. [Ref] Rachel and Benjamin seem rather closely related to have gotten married.
10. Eleanor White Chiswell was born on 15 Nov 1795. [Ref] She married George Walter Fletchall [Ref] on 13 Dec 1814 in Montgomery county. [Ref][Ref, says 12 Dec]
    George W. Fletchall was a corporal in Hood's 32nd Regiment of the Maryland militia in the War of 1812. [Ref]
    some descendants of Eleanor White Chiswell
    
11. Margaret Chiswell was born on 14 Nov 1798 [Ref] in Maryland. [Ref, 1850] She died in 1864. [Ref] She married Henry Young [Ref] on 30 Jan 1823 [Ref] in Montgomery county. [Ref, says 28 Jan] Henry was the son of Ludwick Young. [Ref] He was born about 1792 in Maryland. [Ref, 1850] He died in 1856. [Ref]
    Henry built his home East Oaks on property left to him by his father. [Ref] In 1850 Henry and Margaret were living in Medleys and Henry was a farmer with real estate worth $10,000. [Ref, 1850] Henry owned ten horse, seven milk cows, 41 sheep, 69 swine and 33 cattle. He grew wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, beans and peas. [Ref] After Henry's death, Margaret asserted her dower right to East Oaks and remained in possession of the house and 120 acres. [Ref] In 1860 Margaret was living with her son Henry in Medleys. [Ref, 1860]
    some descendants of Margaret Chiswell, wikipedia article on East Oaks, photo and description of East Oaks (national register listing), photos from the 1930s

Sixth Generation

ANN NEWTON CHISWELL (1787 – 1857)

Parents: Joseph Newton Chiswell and Eleanor White [Ref][Ref][Ref][Ref]

Ann Newton Chiswell was born on 15 Nov 1787. [Ref says 1786][Ref says 1786][Ref] She died on 5 Jan 1857. [Ref][Ref] She is buried in the Monocacy cemetery in Beallsville, Montgomery Maryland. [Ref] Click here to see a photo of her grave. She married her first cousin Lieut. Joseph James Wilkerson Jones [Ref, 2;226] on 23 Dec 1806. [Ref][Ref][Ref, lic. dated 22 Dec.]

In 1850 Ann was living with her sons John A. and Leonidas in Medleys, Montgomery, Maryland. [Ref, 1850]

Ann's letter to her son

Ann's lettter to her daughter-in-law

© A. Buiter 2014