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STEPHEN NEWTON CHISWELL (bp. 1721–1804/5), son of William Chiswell and Mary Newton
SARAH NEWTON (1721–bef. 1800), daughter of Joseph Newton and Ann Odell
From old family papers by a daughter of Ann Mildred Jones
Stephen Newton Chiswell—son of William and Mary Newton Chiswell—was born in Ingland about 1715. His mother Sarah [Mary?] Newtton had a brother Joseph Newton living in Ann Arundle Co. Maryland. This uncle wrote home to his sister such glowing accounts of the joysof his Maryland home that Stephen Newton Chiswell in 1733 set sail for the new country. This vessel was shipwrecked but Stephen and two others cast off in a small boat and after three days of intense suffering they were picked up by some vessel which brught them to the New England coast. Nothing was ever heard of the other passengers of the vessel that was wrecked. Stephen reached his uncle's home about two years afterwards and was gladly welcomed by all. Joseph Newton was a widower with four daughters; the eldest of these —Sarah married Stephen Newton Chiswell and were forced to leave the parental roof as Sarah's father had forbidden the marriage on the grounds that he could not spare his right hand. He offered his nephew any of the other daughters but this did not please either Sarah or Stephen and they slipped off to a little chapel on the place and were married. After being driven from home Stephen took his young wife behind him and with very little of the world's goods they ftruck out for themselves into the wilderness. On reaching the place now owned by Mr. [?] where there was a fine spring he pitched his tent and took up 1500 acres of land and for years ye and his family lived as the other early settlers around them lived but in 1796 Stephen Newton Chiswell built a handom red brick mansion —the bricks of which had been sent from England. It stands on the northern edge of the town of Poolesville and is an inspiring reminder of bygone days. Burnt in the brick, high up in the wall almost covered by ivy is the date 1796. So well preserved is it that its solid walls and massive chimneys put to shame the light frame stone houses of recent date and standing near it. Stephen Newton Chiswell took up several thousand acres of land for which he received grants from Lord Baltimore. Stephen Newton Chiswell had seven daughters and onlly one son Joseph.
Stephen Chiswell, the son of William Chiswell and Mary Newton, was baptized on 10 July 1721 in Leicestershire, England. [Ref] He married Sarah Newton, the daughter of Josepth Newton and Ann Odell, in 1738. [Ref][Ref]
Sarah, the daughter of Joseph Newton and Ann Odell was born on 28 August 1721 in St. John's Parish, Prince George's County. [Ref] She probably died before 1800, when she is not listed in the census.
In 1800 Stephen lived in a house hold consisting of one male over 45, one female 26 to 44, and 11 slaves. [Ref]
Stephen wrote his will on 18 June 1804; it was proved on 17 May 1805.
Will of Stephin Newton Chiswell:
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. [Ref]
Children of Stephen Newton Chiswell and Sarah Newton:
i. Joseph Newton Chiswell ,was born on 2 April 1747. He died on 9 April 1837. He married Eleanor White.
ii. Frances Elizabeth or (Elizabeh Frances) Chiswell [Ref] married William Vinson after 3 March 1804 (license). [Ref]
iii. Ann Newton Odell Chiswell married Jesse Allnutt on 1 September 1774. [Ref][Ref]
iv. Sarah Odell Newton Chiswell was born on 29 May 1754. [Ref] She died on 13 November 1806. [Ref] She married Lieutenant Robert Doyne Dawson on 25 October 1781. [Ref][Ref] Robert was born on 10 July 1758 and died on 13 August 1824. [Ref] He married second Henrietta Lowe. [Ref] She was born on 9 March 1779 and died on 31 March 1855. [Ref]
Robert, Sarah, and Henrietta are buried in the Monocacy Cemetery in Beallsville in Montgomery County. [Ref]
v. Rachel Newton Chiswell married Joseph Astlin after 12 December 1798 (license). [Ref] She was either not a daughter of Stephen or she died by 18 June 1804.
vi. Rebecca Odell Chiswell married Benjamin White [Ref] after 17 December 1790 (license). [Ref][Ref] 
Photo of Rebecca from her Find A Grave page.
vii. Margaret Presbury Chiswell married Nathan Smith White in 1787.. [Ref][Ref]
viii. Mary Newton Chiswell was unmarried. [Ref] She was either not a daughter of Stephen or she died by 18 June 1804.
ix. Eleanor Newton Chiswell married Jesse Dawson. [Ref] She was either not a daughter of Stephen or she died by 18 June 1804.
Last revised: 16-Dec-2021