INTRODUCTION

My great-great-great grandfather Sylvester Leopold Mudd was from the long settled east coast, from a family who produced college-educated men in the 18th century, from a place where comfort and style was easily evident, from the cradle of American civilization.  Then, as a young man in the prime of his life, he chose to settle in south-central and southwest Louisiana, a place of marsh and bayous where few civilized families lived, where education was considered unnecessary, where very few material comforts were found, where insects and weather were at times life-threatening.  The question I have asked myself many times – why would Leopold, as he was known, subject his family to these hardships?  Research into his life, his family, and those he was close to may be able to help his descendants, like me, understand the decisions he made nearly 200 years ago.

Regarding Leopold Mudd’s own ancestors, he was the great grandson of Thomas Mudd I of England.  Thomas Mudd I, the immigrant and progenitor of Mudd families in America, has been well-documented by his many descendants.  However, less is known about the Mudds who followed.  I have seen assorted bits and pieces from the Mudd line but not enough to understand who they were.  So, in an effort to “know” Leopold Mudd, I will get to “know” his great grandfather Thomas Mudd II, grandfather Thomas Boarman Mudd, and father Joshua Mudd.  The information will include everything I have but certainly not everything that is available.  So, if you can offer any information to these biographies, please let me know.  I will be more than happy to update upon receipt of any additional information.

THOMAS MUDD II (circa 1680 – 1739)

Thomas Mudd II was born about 1679 or 1680 in Charles County, Maryland (TMII was deposed 4 June 1732 and stated he was 52 years old; he has been said to have been born in Port Tobacco).  He was not the first Thomas as that distinction belonged to his father Thomas Mudd I, the immigrant.  His mother was Sarah Boarman, the daughter of William Boarman, which connected the Mudd surname with Maryland gentry.  Sarah Boarman had first been married to Thomas Matthews of Port Tobacco, a union resulting in at least three children.  These Matthews children were Thomas Mudd II’s older half siblings.  Thomas Mudd II also had a half sister from his father’s first marriage to Juliana Gardiner (married TMI about 1672 and she passed away about 1674).

Location of Port Tobacco and the Charles County boundaries in 1680.  Note the county bordered the Native American lands not yet claimed by the Maryland Colony

Thomas Mudd I and Sarah Boarman Mudd (married by 1678) lived in Portobacco, Maryland on Boarman’s Manor, more specifically on a 450 acre tract known as Hall’s Place (several documents place their home as Hall’s Place).  Sarah Boarman Mudd had at least four children with Thomas Mudd I before her death in 1684 or 1685 (in 1685, TMI was involved in a lawsuit for Sarah’s inherited portion of Boarman’s Manor).  Thomas Mudd II was very young when his mother Sarah Boarman-Mudd died, about five years of age.  The third wife of Thomas Mudd I was Ann Matthews, who became the mother figure for all the previously born Mudd children.  Sarah Boarman-Mudd’s children from her first husband Thomas Matthews likely were raised by Thomas Mudd and Ann Matthews-Mudd since Ann Matthews was the younger sister of Thomas Matthews. 

Also during the 1680s, the appearance of witches in the American Colonies were reaching new heights.  Maryland did not have the witch issues Massachusetts had during this time but witches were being identified.  Prior to Thomas Mudd II’s birth, a Charles County court trial was heard when Joan Mitchell, who was well known in Charles County as a witch, accused four residents of slandering her.  Just a few miles away in St. Mary’s County, their courts tried Elizabeth Bennett in 1665 (later cleared of sorcery) and John Cowman in 1774.  Cowman was charged and convicted for witchcraft, conjuration, sorcery, and enchantment upon the body of Elizabeth Goodale but the Maryland Upper House of the Assembly cleared him before execution.   In 1685 at St. Mary’s County, Maryland, Rebecca Fowler was executed as a witch.  The following year, Hannah Edwards was identified as a witch and her case went to trial in April at St. Mary’s County Court.  Finally in May 1686, she was acquitted, the courts ruling they did not believe that she was a witch.

In October 1696, Thomas Mudd I wrote his will and within months he was deceased (will proven in March 1697).  His wife Ann and his first son Thomas Mudd II were the executors.  The children of Thomas Mudd I and his first two wive's (Juliana Gardiner-Mudd and Sarah Boarman-Mudd) were left with no living parents.  Oldest daughter Juliana was married and received land (120 acre - Jarvis) and second daughter Barbara was likely of legal age as she received land (200 acre - Mudd’s Rest).  The rest of the children were probably under 18.  Children Henry (received 400 acre - Boarman’s Reserve) and George (received 400 acre - Carnarvon) Mudd were placed in the care of older sister Juliana and Thomas Clarke, possibly identifying them as half siblings.  This also likely identifies the remaining children as those belonging to Ann Matthews-Mudd since she would raise her own children (and a December 1698 document stated Ann Mathews had four children with Thomas Mudd I).  Also receiving land was the minor John Mudd (180 acre - St. Catherine’s and 250 acre - Carnarvon).  If a son would die, then that son’s land would pass to the other male heirs of Thomas Mudd I.

The location of Port Tobacco in Charles County, Maryland in 1696

Thomas Mudd II received a large portion of the estate (at that time and after the marriage or decease of his step-mother Ann Matthews-Mudd), as was the tradition of the day.  Clearly, he received a 650 acre tract known as Brierwood (or Bryerwood) that his father purchased from Fowke in 1686.  The land was on the south side of Main Run (Mattawoman Creek) in Pangya Manor east and west of Port Tobacco Creek in Charles County.  Another tract he inherited was known as Bowling’s Reserve, possibly at Chaptico Hundred in southeast Charles County.  The land was the focus of some dispute after Sarah Boarman-Mudd’s death as it was formerly owned by William Boarman.  The dispute was settled in 1703 and came under the final ownership of Thomas Mudd II.  His third and final inheritance was for the 450 acre tract called Hall’s Place.  This particular tract of land was to be used by the widow (and his step-mother) Ann Matthews-Mudd until her death but may have gone to Thomas Mudd II after she married Philip Hoskins (prior to December 1698 when she was first called Ann Hopkins, executor of Thomas Mudd will).

The siblings and half siblings of Thomas Mudd II.  Several researchers have placed Sarah Mudd as a child of Sarah Boarman and Thomas Mudd.  The Thomas Mudd I will listed his children in male order (Thomas, Henry, George, John) and then female order (Juliana, Sarah, Jane, and Ann).  No other descriptors were given as to which child belonged to which wife (though Henry and George were left under the care of Barbara and her husband).  Thomas Mudd II was an executor so he was legal age.  Dates are estimates.

Prior to settling in for marriage and children, Thomas Mudd II became active in the community as a land speculator, considering he had recently become a prominent land owner.   In 1699, he paid for a survey of 338 acres adjoining his step-mother’s home at Hall’s Place.  The new tract was called Hall’s Lott and before the survey was finalized to a patent, Thomas Mudd II sold the land to Benjamin Hall (likely the source of the Hall’s Place and Hall’s Lott name).  During this time, Thomas Mudd II was also active as an interpreter.  On 4 June 1700, he was paid (through Captain Philip Hoskins who had married his father’s widow about 1699) for traveling 30 miles to act as an interpreter between military officers and Native Americans.  This skill must have been a family skill as his grandfather Major William Boarman also acted as a Native American interpreter. 

Thomas Mudd II’s father and mother were deceased but there was still a connection to his step-mother Ann Hopkins.  She would be raising Thomas Mudd II’s half Mudd siblings (Sarah, Jane, John, and Ann) and also several young Philip Hoskins children who had been left without a mother (William Hoskins, Philip Hoskins, and Mary Hoskins).  His step-mother would have new children as well over the next ten years with Philip Hoskins – Oswald Hopkins, Bennett Hopkins, Ballard Hopkins, Martha Hopkins, and Mary Ann Hopkins.  Sadly both Ann and Philip Hoskins were dead by 1719 and the children would be raised by family.  However, any land that Ann Matthews-Mudd-Hoskins had received from Thomas Mudd I’s will would have then gone back to Thomas Mudd II.

In late 1700, Thomas Mudd II was taken to court because he “would not set off the widow’s one-third to Ann (his step-mother).”  His step-mother’s new husband Philip Hoskins brought suit to compel him to release Ann’s land.  In October 1700, the Provincial Court to measure all the lands within five tracts [Brierwood (150 acres), Boreman’s Reserve (488 acres), Carvarvon (600 acres), St. Catherines (188 acres), and Jarvis (120)] acres named in the Thomas Mudd I will and set off Ann Hoskins’ one-third.  The next month the measurement was returned but only for the land of Brierwood.  The result of this case is unknown as of this time but Thomas Mudd II appeared to retain much of the land in the original form.

In 1703 and until 1710, Thomas Jamison bought land in the Zekiah Swamp area around where Thomas Mudd II was living.  In 1703, Thomas Mudd II appeared to have sold Hall’s Place to Thomas Jamison (the deed was confirmed in 1710).  In 1710, Thomas Jamison bought the adjoining Hall’s Lott from Benjamin Hall which Thomas Mudd II had previously sold to Benjamin Hall in 1699.  The “deed” that was found in the 1710 Charles County records is perplexing since later records show Thomas Mudd II retained ownership of Hall’s Place.  No records have been able to explain this discrepancy in the Mudd land record.

By 1704 (and probably as early as 1701 or 1702), Thomas Mudd II was married to Rebecca, the widow of John Lowe (the date of 13 October 1704 is found but the source is unknown).  This connection must have been a matter of class positioning as Rebecca appears to have been quite a few years Thomas Mudd II’s elder.  Rebecca’s history is not solid though several documents reveal her potential origin.  Rebecca appears to have been born Rebecca Hatton, daughter of William Hatton and Elizabeth Wilkinson (grandfather William Hatton’s 1715 estate administration, research by Linda Reno, https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I002791&tree=Tree1) in St. Mary’s County, Maryland.  She first married John Lowe before 1688 (possibly as early as 1683 as son John Lowe was listed as born in 1683).  Therefore, Rebecca was born about 1663 to 1670, or 10 to 16 years older than Thomas Mudd II.  There is ample evidence to positively connect Rebecca, wife of John Lowe, as the wife of young Thomas Mudd II.

Note: Rebecca Hatton may have been married to a Wright before John Lowe - she was supposedly a Wright as John Lowe married Rebecca Wright.  In 1709, the Thomas Mudd estate noted "Rebecca Mudd, formerly Wright, wife of Thomas Mudd." 

Note: This Rebecca is not Rebecca Giles, sister of Isaac Giles.  She is often noted as first marrying a Wright, then to John Lowe.  According to some histories, Isaac Giles named his sister Rebecca, wife of John Lowe, as his estate administrator.  However the estate of Isaac Giles occurred in and around 1730 and since John Lowe and Rebecca Lowe-Mudd, wife of Thomas Mudd II, were deceased long before that time, that connection could not be accurate.

The widow Rebecca added to the wealth of Thomas Mudd II in the form of land but, most notably in the form of children.  He came to own at least four tracts of land previously in the possession of John Lowe, deceased.  One of these tracts was certainly the home of John and Rebecca Lowe then Thomas II and Rebecca Mudd.  John Lowe was known to have been from St. Georges Hundred, which was the location of two tracts that had been previously in John Lowe’s possession:

·         75 acres in St. Mary’s County known as Inclosure

·         100 acres (part of 200 acre tract) in St. Mary’s County known as Frogg’s Marsh

·         236 acres in Charles County known as Brother’s Joint Interest

·         106 acres in Prince Georges County known as Nonesuch (land at Ox’s Run and was passed to John Lowe Jr.)

St. Mary’s County adjoined Charles County and by 1696, they each had boundaries that would remain constant to the present day.  Two Lowe tracts were in St. Mary’s at St. Georges Hundred, one in Charles County, and the other in Prince Georges County to the north.  The map above show the Hundreds at St. Mary’s County about 1700.  Notice Chaptico Hundred borders Charles County…The Thomas Mudd II tract Bowling’s Reserve was said to have been at Chaptico’s Hundred but in Charles County.

Thomas Mudd II also became the step-father for at least five Lowe children:

·         Elizabeth Lowe

·         Elinor Lowe

·         Alice Lowe

·         John Lowe

·         Rebecca Lowe

There is no way to tell for sure but some of these children may have been from an earlier John Lowe marriage (he is believed to have been much older than Rebecca Hatton).  However, these children are listed in the John Lowe will of 1701.  In October 1704, both Thomas II and Rebecca Mudd, noted as the widow of John Lowe, were asked by the courts to submit an account of the John Lowe estate.  The final account was submitted in 1706 and attachments were added by Thomas II and Rebecca Mudd until at least April 1708.  During this time, they were living in St. Mary’s County.  Thomas Mudd was found in several documents in St. Mary’s County during the early years of his marriage to Rebecca.  In 1705, he was security for the estate of Hugh Hopewell and also for the estate of James Baker.  The 1707 St. Mary’s Rent Roll revealed that Thomas Mudd II owned two tracts in St. Mary’s County – Inclosure at St. Georges Hundred (75 acres, originally John Lowe’s, possession through Rebecca) and Frogg’s Marsh at St. Georges Hundred (100 acres, originally John Lowe’s, originally 200 acres – 100 to Thomas Medford, possession through Rebecca).

Sadly, Rebecca Hatton-Mudd died in 1708 or 1709 as on 30 May 1709, Thomas Mudd II made a payment to John Lowe Jr. and the document revealed that Rebecca Mudd was deceased. Running a plantation and raising children necessitated a mother figure in the home so certainly in 1709 or 1710, Thomas Mudd II remarried.  His second wife would be Cassandra (possible surname Warburton though I have not seen an actual source for it; they were for sure married by 1715 as during that year, they sold land as husband and wife), who was possibly from St. Mary’s County (considering Thomas Mudd II was in St. Mary’s County by 1710). 

Thomas Mudd II’s step-son John Lowe Jr. had to fight for his father John Lowe Sr.’s land, the land that was probably meant for him.  In April 1710, John Lowe Jr. of Prince Georges County requested that the sheriff issue a citation to Thomas Mudd II “for the detention and substration of his [John Lowe Jr.’s] legacy.”  The document further stated that Thomas Mudd II was lately of St. Mary’s County, was a planter, and had “inter-married with Rebecca Wright, widow, which said Rebecca was widow and executrix of the last will and testament of Major John Lowe Sr., deceased.”

On 26 October 1711, the Maryland General Assembly met and read a petition from Henry Mudd regarding his younger brother George Mudd.  Apparently, Henry Mudd had assumed responsibility for his brother during and after the time they had been raised by their older sister.  The court decided or “resolved” that Charles County should maintain George Mudd, the petitioner’s brother and a documented “lunatick” and that the county should take the profits of George Mudd’s estate, if any existed (he had received a 400 acre part of the large 650 acre Carnarvon from his father).  Possibly soon thereafter, Thomas Mudd II took control of his incapacitated brother George Mudd to provide his care, and of course for access to his estate, or his land. 

Thomas Mudd II was still in St. Mary’s County through 1715 (28 May 1715 “Thomas Mudd of St. Maries County”).  A 28 May 1715 special warrant was made by Thomas Mudd II to resurvey the 650 acre Carnarvon tract in Charles County that he now was under his control due to his maintenance for younger brother George Mudd.  The land George Mudd owned as part of his inheritance (400 acres of the Carnarvon tract) appeared to have been taken over by Thomas Mudd II.  Thomas Mudd II’s rationale for the resurvey was to reestablish boundaries that had been lost over time and to save the land for their father’s desires.  Thomas Mudd II informed the St. Mary’s County court (not clear why this was done in SMC) that George Mudd had become “mad and utterly bereaved of his understanding without any hopes or expectations of ever being reduced to his senses.”  Lunatics in Colonial America are now known to have been what is currently called insane.  There were no care facilities for people suffering from insanity and so either the county placed them in a jail or jail-like room away from the public or the family took them in.  Both options usually involved imprisonment, maltreatment, and complete separation from public or social contact. (Note: I have seen some family histories report this 1715 date as a date of death – not sure I believe that unless the transcribe document I read missed some info)

At least two children had been born to Thomas II and Rebecca Mudd:  Thomas Boarman Mudd and Sarah Mudd.  There may have been others.  James Mudd was reportedly born about 1707 while Jeremiah and Eleanor may have also been born prior to 1709.  Unless two of these children were twins, having five children in seven years is unrealistic and therefore one or more of James, Jeremiah, and Eleanor (she must have been from Thomas Mudd II’s marriage to Cassandra as Rebecca had a child she named Eleanor from her first marriage) may have belonged to Thomas II and Casandra Mudd.  Researchers are more certain that the following children were born to Thomas II and Cassandra Mudd: William Mudd, John Mudd, George Mudd, Benedict Mudd, and Cassandra Mudd.  Birth year estimates for these children must have been within the 15 or 20 years after the circa 1710 Mudd-Warburton marriage. (Note: a 1780 Charles County document reported James Mudd’s age in August 1780 as 65 which would place him born about 1714 or 1715.  That would mean Sarah and Thomas III were the only children of Rebecca Hatton.  And if James was the first child of Cassandra, then Thomas Mudd II and Cassandra were married about 1712 and all other children belonged to Cassandra – this is possible as Jeremiah was illiterate and Thomas Mudd III was not – possible clue that they had been raised early on by different parents)

The siblings and step-siblings of Thomas Mudd II, Note Rebecca Giles should actually be Rebecca Hatton

Between 1715 and 1727, no records exists to indicate a location for the Thomas Mudd II family.  However, in 1727 the location of Thomas Mudd II’s home was partially identified in a Charles County, Maryland document.  His home was at the tract known as Hall’s Place.  At this location on the east side of Zachiah (Zekiah) Swamp was a “…roadside that [led] to Mr. Thomas Mudd’s house.”  The Hall’s Place land can be identified by various identifiers: on the north side of Green’s Run, adjoining Green Run, at Zekiah Swamp, adjoining St. Matthew’s Run, and on Boarman’s Manor.  Boarman’s Manor, was established over 50 years before (prior to 1676) and encompassed the many tracts of William Boarman, deceased, on both sides of Zekiah Swamp.  The northernmost part was at present day Bryantown and in all, Boarman’s Manor totaled nearly 4,000 acres.

Map showing estimated location of Brierwood between the Mattawoman and Port Tobacco Creeks (orange upper left), Boarman’s Manor along the Zekiah Swamp to Bryantown (orange middle right), and the approximate area of Bowman’s Reserve, Mudd’s Rest, and Hall’s Place (red circle).  The Carnarvon tract location is unknown but is mentioned as “on the east side of Zekiah Swamp.”

Hall’s Place was located at the Port Tobacco district in Charles County, Maryland.  There was only one Mudd family living in Port Tobacco in 1733 according to the Charles County tax records – Thomas Mudd II (2 taxables) – and he was living in the lower west side of that district.  Next door to Thomas Mudd II was William McPherson who later bought portions of Thomas Mudd II’s land at Brierwood.  There were three other Mudd families in Charles County but they were taxed for land in the upper west side of Newport district.  Two of these men were Thomas Mudd II’s younger brothers Henry Mudd (3 taxables) and John Mudd (1 taxable).  Another Thomas Mudd was taxed for Newport and was either the same Thomas Mudd II for different land, his son Thomas Boarman Mudd who was probably about 25 to 30 years of age or Thomas Mudd, the 25 to 30 year old son of Henry Mudd.  (Note: I feel that the Thomas Mudd in Newport was most likely Thomas Mudd, son of Henry Mudd, who would have been living near his father Henry Mudd in the Newport district)  

John Parnham built the home known as Stagg Hall about 1740 in Port Tobacco

Port Tobacco as it appeared in the 1800s

The town of Port Tobacco on the Port Tobacco River was officially established in 1727 and soon became the second most populous location in Maryland, behind Baltimore.   For many years, the town had operated as the second largest seaport in Maryland, mainly exporting the colony’s chief commodity crop, tobacco.  The Port Tobacco community, located on about 60 acres, consisted of schools, courts, markets, meeting places, and churches.  Many of the homes that were within and surrounding Port Tobacco were used for both residential and commercial purposes.  Christ Church was located prominently in Port Tobacco since the organization of the church parish in 1692.  The church’s original small log structure was replaced in 1709 and accommodated a large congregation until it was destroyed in 1808 by a tornado that also leveled the courthouse and jailhouse (it was replaced by a large brick building in 1818).  That courthouse, with a jailhouse, had stood in Port Tobacco since 1729.

The “Other” Mudds in the Early 1700s

Thomas Mudd I had three sons that would pass on the Mudd name.  Thomas Mudd II was the oldest of the three.  Henry Mudd was born circa 1685 (1721/1722 deposition, aged 36) and received Bowling’s Reserve from his father’s will.  Since both parents were deceased by 1697, Henry and his younger brother George were raised by their older sister Juliana and her husband Thomas Clarke until he claimed his land when he came of legal age.  Later, he added some land bordering Bowling’s Reserve near Devil’s Nest just a few miles north of Bryantown adjoining the northern border of Boarman’s Manor.   Henry Mudd’s wife was Elizabeth Lowe, the stepdaughter of his older brother Thomas Mudd II (evidence to support this in 1709 John Lowe estate settlement papers).  He remained in the Devil’s Nest area and retained Bowling’s Reserve until his death in 1736 at which time he passed the land to his wife and children.  His wife lived as a widow until her death in 1763.  Of their children, only three sons passed on the Mudd name – Henry Mudd, Thomas Mudd, and Bennett Mudd.

John Mudd was born about 1694 or 1695 (a 1755 document listed his age as 60 however he also witnessed the William Boarman will in 1708).  He spent a majority of his childhood with his mother Ann and stepfather Philip Hoskins.  The land John Mudd received from his father included a portion of Carnarvon (250 acres) and a tract known as St. Catherine’s.  His marriage was probably between 1720 and 1725 to Suffaner (most commonly known as Suffaner Smith or Sophia Smith – possibly Sussana? and the “ff” was meant to be “ss,” also found as “Sussane”  – married before 1729 when they were connected in a land document, also the identification of the Smith surname comes from a 20 Feb 1781 document in the estate of John Smith which reveals John Mudd Jr. was kin with this family – connection is not clear).  John Mudd owned the St. Catherine’s tract his entire adult life but the fate of Carnarvon is unclear (though his son John sold part of Carnarvon in 1782).  John Smith paid tax until his death on only the St. Catherin’s tract.  Only a few adult children are attributed to John and Suffaner Mudd; Clement Mudd (from will, born circa 1726), Sophia Mudd (born circa 1728), John Mudd II (from will, born circa 1731), and possibly another daughter named Ann (born circa 1735).  John Mudd died in 1756 leaving his wife Suffaner and two sons, Clement and John Mudd II.  Suffaner remained a widow and handled his estate administration until after 1760.

The Thomas Mudd II will was written 25 July 1739 and was probated on 23 November 1739 in Charles County, Maryland.  Other sources report his actual death date as 11 November 1739 which fits with the will date and probate date (the primary source for the death date is unknown).  In his will, he reveals that he is known as "Thomas Mudd, gentleman."  At the age of about 60, he left his wife Cassandra (of nearly 30 years) and at least 10 children, five of which were still minors.  Children Sarah Mudd (already married to Thomas Hagan) and Thomas Mudd III were obviously children of Thomas Mudd II’s first marriage.  Other sons were named that were probably adults over 18 – James Mudd and Jeremiah Mudd.  Also Eleanor “Ellen” Mudd (married to George Tarvin) was an adult.  Others named were minors William Mudd, John Mudd, George Mudd, Benedict Mudd, and Cassandra Mudd.

Named as executors were wife Cassandra and logically, his first born son Thomas Mudd III.  However, Thomas Mudd III chose to renounce the execution of the will and was not involved in the probate or appraisal.  In December 1739, Cassandra Mudd was the lone executor and the stated next of kin are only James Mudd and John Mudd, who were both Thomas Mudd II’s sons.  Similarly, in July 1742 Cassandra was again acting executor of Thomas Mudd II’s will but then Thomas Mudd III was serving as surety distributing payments from Thomas Mudd II’s estate (one to his brother James Mudd).

THOMAS BOARMAN MUDD (circa 1707 – 1750)

Thomas Boarman Mudd was probably known in his early life as Thomas Mudd (since few Charles County men were found with middle names in the early 18^th century).  This would make him Thomas Mudd III.  He likely adopted the middle name Boarman late in his life to avoid confusion with his first cousin of a similar age, Thomas Mudd son of Henry Mudd.  Documents in Charles County did not show “Thomas Boarman Mudd” until about 1746 and 1747 at which time some of the documents were edited to reveal “Boarman,” which was squeezed in above Thomas Mudd at some point after having been originally written "Thomas Mudd."  Below, the biography will identify him as Thomas Boarman Mudd throughout his life so as to make the story easier to follow.

The common date of birth assigned to Thomas Boarman Mudd ranges between 1707 and 1709 (must be from a document somewhere but I have not seen it yet).  If this date is accurate, he was the first son (but not the oldest child, from the order sons were written in father’s 1739 will) of Thomas Mudd II and his first wife Rebecca Giles-Wright-Lowe-Mudd.  Mother Rebecca appears to have been much older than father Thomas Mudd II and Thomas Boarman Mudd would have had some older step-siblings (same mother and different father).  While still only a youngster, Thomas Boarman Mudd’s mother died about 1709.  Therefore, Thomas Boarman Mudd probably never really knew his older step-siblings (as they were moved to live with their father's family).  Probably in 1710 or 1711, father Thomas Mudd II married Cassandra.  Cassandra was believed to have been a Warburton (Note: I have looked everywhere and find no “Warburton” family members in the Maryland area – wonder if this name somehow connects to “Warburton Manor” which was the home of the Digges family at this time in Prince Georges County).  From an early age, Thomas Boarman Mudd was raised by his step-mother Cassandra Mudd and was likely the only mother he ever knew.  From later records, he seems to have had at minimum a cordial relationship with her (he paid her damages according to a 1747 document). 

By 1710, Thomas Boarman Mudd was living in St. Mary’s County, just south of Charles County with his father Thomas Mudd II and step-mother Cassandra Mudd.  The connection to St, Mary's County is unclear (why did they moved from St. Mary's County to Charles County?), whether it was related to land owned by family or through marriage to Cassandra.  Thomas Boarman Mudd was still living in St. Mary’s County by 1715 and possibly was there throughout his childhood and into early adulthood (no records revealing the location of this family are found between 1715 and 1727).

Port Tobacco in Charles County was the center of commerce for the entire area.  An area known as Warehouse Landing a short distance down Port Tobacco Creek from Port Tobacco town was also called the Naval Port of Entry.  At this location, planters sent and loaded hogsheads of tobacco for trade that was sent to England.  Newport at the Wicomoco River was southeast of Port Tobacco near the St. Mary’s County line.  Bryantown can just be seen near the headwaters of the Zekiah Swamp.

The first true indication of the Mudd family locations are recorded in a 1733 Charles County tax record when Thomas Boarman Mudd was about 25 years of age.  Only four Mudd’s were identified in Charles County:

Thomas Mudd            Port Tobacco   2 taxables        -Thomas Mudd II (c1680-1739)

Henry Mudd               Newport          3 taxables        -Henry Mudd (c1685-1736)

John Mudd                 Newport          1 taxable          -John Mudd (c1695-1756)

Thomas Mudd            Newport          2 taxables        -Thomas Mudd (son of Henry)

This 1733 tax record reveals that – not all the Mudds were in Charles County that are expected to be there.  The Newport Mudds were certainly brothers Henry and John Mudd and the additional Thomas Mudd is assumed to be Henry Mudd’s oldest son Thomas Mudd, born about 1707.  These Mudds were known to have all lived closer to Bryantown.  Their land was probably the St. Catherine’s tract which in a later document was identified at Newport.  Missing is Henry Mudd, believed to be the eldest Henry Mudd child, though he could have been a tithable in the household of father Henry Mudd or brother Thomas Mudd.  Henry Mudd’s son Bennett Mudd could also have been another tithable in these households.

The Thomas Mudd household located in Port Tobacco (in the 1733 record) was certainly located at Hall’s Place, known to have been near Port Tobacco (though interestingly close to Newport, according to the map above – his tract Brierwood was also known to be in the Port Tobacco Hundred).  His neighbor (according to the next person taxed) was William McPherson, later connected to the Mudd tract known as Brierwood.  The Thomas Mudd in 1733 Port Tobacco could have been either Thomas Mudd II or Thomas Boarman Mudd.  Most likely the Port Tobacco Thomas Mudd was Thomas Mudd II and the additional tithable was either Thomas Boarman Mudd or one of his younger brothers James or Jeremiah.  James and Jeremiah Mudd were thought to have been born before 1709 (children of Thomas Mudd II and Rebecca Mudd).  However, others believe they may have been born later and may not have been old enough to be a tithable (a tithable in 1733 would have been born before 1715).  The Thomas Mudd II family was connected to land in St. Mary’s County and even Prince Georges County so these locations could account for the missing Mudds.

The 1739 will of Thomas Mudd II of Charles County, Maryland (written 25 July 1739 and probated 23 November 1739) provided for Thomas Boarman Mudd as it did each of his additional adult and minor children, and wife Cassandra.  However, something about the will did not sit well with Thomas Boarman Mudd and the probate discloses his official renouncement of the Thomas Mudd II will.  He and stepmother Cassandra Mudd were named executors but due to the renouncement, the will was administered solely by Casandra Mudd.  In December 1739, Cassandra Mudd was acting on her duties as executor along with the only next of kin mentioned in the administration at the time – James Mudd and John Mudd. 

Several years later, the administration of the Thomas Mudd II will continued.  Cassandra Mudd was still the acting executor though then, Thomas Boarman Mudd seems to have joined the fray.  In July 1742, Thomas Boarman Mudd was a surety for the will administration, distributing payments for his stepmother to those owed by his deceased father’s estate.  One of those receiving payment was Thomas Boarman Mudd’s brother James Mudd.  He also was testator for the probate of Charles County planter John Gardiner Sr.  (Note: Cassandra Mudd was mentioned in the inventory for former Charles County Sheriff Samuel Hanson Sr. in 1742)

During the years following his father’s death, Thomas Boarman Mudd made a reappearance in the Charles County records.  In 1741 and 1742, he petitioned the state of Maryland to reexamine the boundaries of Hall’s Place.  Hall’s Place must have passed from father to oldest son.  Then on 27 March 1745, Thomas Boarman Mudd (called Thomas Mudd) leased for one year 450 acres known as Hall’s Place (which was described as a part of William Boarman’s Manor) to Marsham Queen.  While Hall’s Place was reexamined for Thomas Boarman Mudd, the last remaining tracts of land in the Maryland Colony was ceded by Native Americans to the Maryland Assembly.  Maryland residents would have less concern over potential Native American depredations though settlers just over the western borders would continue to deal with danger for decades.

A series of legal issues plagued Thomas Boarman Mudd for the next few years.  In August 1746, at the time known as a planter in Charles County, records reveal that he owed 12,200 pounds of “good sound merchantable tobacco in cask” to Cornelius Sandford, a Charles County inn keeper.  Thomas Clarke (probably a distant cousin) represented Thomas Boarman Mudd as his attorney on the case which was ruled in favor of Mr. Sandford.  This document shows the first mention of Thomas Boarman Mudd’s middle name.  One might infer that the designation of a middle name was important to public officials if Thomas Mudd had returned to Charles County resulting in two men who would be called “Thomas Mudd, planter of Charles County” (cousin Thomas Mudd was living nearby).  Therefore the middle name for the younger Thomas Mudd – Thomas “Boarman” Mudd – would help avoid confusion.

As a planter, Thomas Boarman Mudd is separated from those men known as farmers.  A farmer denotes an individual who generally planted a variety of crops on land that may be rented or owned.  A farm could include small or large acreage and was usually worked by the farmer and (if any) a smaller number of slaves.  In comparison, a planter owned a plantation which generally was known for a specific crop, which in Port Tobacco was, of course, tobacco.  Everything was large for the planter – the acreage, the home, and the slave labor.

In April 1747, Thomas Boarman Mudd sold his brother James Mudd, who was at the time was also a planter in Charles County, the 650 acre tract known as Brierwood in northwest Charles County at the Mattawoman River.  The document stated Henry Mudd was already in possession of the land.  Once again, Thomas Boarman Mudd is identified as a planter of Charles County and the document was signed as “Thomas Boarman Mudd.”  Brierwood as a whole and by parcel appears to have been sold and leased many times over the previous 40 or 50 years.  Though the language in this deed seems final, Thomas Boarman Mudd appeared to retain some ownership in the tract.  Also, James Mudd only paid Thomas Boraman Mudd five pounds for the 650 acres so it may have been a lease.

Charles County high sheriff Samuel Hansen took Thomas Boarman Mudd into custody in June 1747 to ensure his would appear in court as Charles Town (actually Port Tobacco, an attempt to rename the town failed and it resumed as Port Tobacco).  Mudd had been accused by Timothy Maccan (McCann) of trespassing.  The case dragged on until November 1748.  Henry Darnell acted as Thomas Boarman Mudd’s attorney during the Charles Town court activities and a final judgment went against Mudd.  He was ordered to pay Maccan 1,200 pounds of tobacco.

The widowed stepmother Cassandra Mudd had not remarried and must have continued living at a Thomas Mudd II estate, most likely Hall’s Place.  As he had done earlier in the decade, Thomas Boarman Mudd once again acted as security for his stepmother in July 1747.  This time, she had some issues that led to her being charged with damages and destruction of property.  The court ruled that Cassandra Mudd was accountable for the damages and as security, Thomas Boarman Mudd was charged to pay Charles County high sheriff Samuel Hansen Jr. 2,450 pounds of tobacco for compensation.  She had previously refused to make amends for the situation and stepson Thomas Boarman Mudd handled to issue.  (Note: A Cassandra Wood, family member of Thomas Boarman Mudd, was mentioned in a 1751 document with other Thomas Boarman Mudd brothers and sisters.  Did widow Cassandra Mudd marry a Wood between 1747 and 1751 or did daughter Cassandra Mudd marry a Wood.  The marriage of daughter Cassandra seems more likely.  However, a Cassandra Mudd was mentioned in an 1800 Charles County will as a witness which could not have been stepmother Cassandra – too old.  There must have been another Cassandra Mudd?)

Thomas Boarman Mudd was still recognized as a planter in Charles County.  Mudd also sold a 50 acre tract, unknown location, in Charles County to Joseph Gardiner Jr. for 9,000 pounds (this deed included the middle name Boarman inserted after the fact on Thomas Mudd’s name).  This tract is believed to have been part of the Carnarvon tract (Joseph Gardiner paid rent to the crown for 50 acres of the Brierwood tract in 1753). Thomas Boarman Mudd made the same lease in the same year for 100 acres on the Brierwood tract to Benjamin Maccatee (McAtee) and William Clements (signed by “Thomas Mudd”).  Part of their deal was that they would plant 100 apple trees and avoid wasting the timber. 

The brother of Thomas Boarman Mudd was also the target of intended tobacco payments in the court documents.  In December 1748, James Mudd was charged to pay Richard Gilbert 3,330 pounds of tobacco.  Mentioned in the record was Thomas Boarman Mudd (called Thomas Mudd) and younger brother William Mudd.  Another brother Jeremiah Mudd leased 100 acres of Brierwood beginning in 1748 from Thomas Boarman Mudd for 15 years.  Thomas Boarman Mudd would receive 800 pounds of tobacco each year during that time.  Part of the lease deal was that Thomas Boarman Mudd was provide upkeep and repairs on the land, including maintaining the buildings, fences, and poles. 

In 1749 and 1750, Thomas Boarman Mudd sold long time neighbor William McPherson three tracts of land.  On 14 June 1749 he sold a 100 acre tract to McPherson for 10,000 pounds of tobacco.  Then on 21 April 1750 he sold McPherson two tracts.  McPherson paid Mudd 9,375 pounds of tobacco for a 75 acre tract and also an undisclosed amount for a 650 acre tract.  This land is an enigma as the Mudd tract of Brierwood was 650 acres in size but it was sold to James Mudd earlier and later, his descendants were in ownership of much of that tract by name).  Evidence from other later documents seem to confirm the land as Brierwood.  McPherson left 175 acres to his children after his death in 1751.  James Mudd, whom Thomas Boarman Mudd sold the entire Brierwood tract in 1747, had family members who were taxed on land identified as Carnarvon in 1783, about 425 acres (however, a Thomas Mudd paid rent to the crown – maybe tax? – in 1753 for 425 acres of land known as Brierwood, as did William McPherson for 175 acres – both of those men had died two years earlier).  Along with 50 acres old in 1747 to Joseph Gardiner, the entire 650 acre Brierwood tract is accounted for.

Very little is recorded about a Thomas Boarman Mudd family.  Descendants have identified him as the husband of Sophia Mudd.  She is known to have had Joshua Mudd – the common ancestor for many Mudd descendants.  The primary connection is the mention of a will and inventory in the Charles County court records of 1751.  In that year, the Thomas Boarman Mudd will was established by widow Sophia Mudd.  Also mentioned in the will were William Mudd (TBM’s brother), Cassandra Wood (TBM’s stepmother or sister), Jeremiah Mudd (TBM’s brother), and George Tarvin (deceased brother in law and husband of sister Eleanor Mudd).  No children were mentioned, presumably because the children, if any, were minors.  Also, no actual will has been seen to show exactly what this will revealed.  (Note: The Cassandra Wood mentioned is unknown – stepmother was still a widow in 1742

The first known communication (to me) of Thomas Boarman Mudd’s death and his will was on 18 May 1751.  Sophia Mudd, called the widow of Thomas Boarman Mudd, brought a petition before Maryland Governor Samuel Ogle and the Upper and Lower Houses of Assembly.  They “prayed leave to bring bill to establish the will of Thomas Boarman Mudd late of Charles County deceased which will it is alleged a certain George Tarvin deceased stole from off the table of the said Thomas Boarman Mudd before the execution thereof.”  Translated, this may state that Thomas Boarman Mudd had a will but it was taken or stolen by George Tarvin after Mudd died and then died himself.  The petition was rejected and recommended to be taken before a court of equity.  No other information has been found as to the result of that petition or will.  There was however an inventory that was dated 2 July 1751 but that has not been seen either.  It is interesting to note that surety duties for the George Tarvin estate in 1751 were performed by the executors of the Thomas Boarman Mudd will, according to a petition that was presented to the Upper House of Maryland on 24 May 1751.  These activities were also rejected by the House.  George Tarvin was a former sheriff of Charles County.  George Tarvin is known to have died in 1750 (unknown primary source for that date) therefore Thomas Boarman Mudd must have died in 1750 if George Tarvin “stole” Mudd’s will prior to its probate. Also, the Mudd History Book reports his death date as between 27 April 1750 and 15 May 1750 which means there is probably several other documents I have not seen.  (Note: These records have not been seen, only summaries.  To further understand these records, the originals must be seen)

Sophia Mudd may have remained a widow for some time after the death of her husband Thomas Boarman Mudd.  A land document on 13 June 1769 reports that Suffier Mudd (Sophia Mudd) loaned her brother John Mudd Jr. a total of 180 pounds.  John Mudd Jr. put up property known as Carnarvon as collateral on this loan.  This would seem to confirm this Suffier Mudd here was the widow of Thomas Boarman Mudd and that John Mudd Jr. would have been her brother.  John Mudd Jr (from his father John Mudd Sr. who had originally been given 250 acres of Carnarvon by his father Thomas Mudd II) sold the remaining part of his Carnarvon land (about 120 acres) in 1783 (the actual ownership pedigree is confusing and not clear).

Though many Mudd descendants place Sophia Mudd’s date of birth closer to that of Thomas Boarman Mudd’ birth date, her actual birth would be closer to the years between 1725 and 1730.  Her parents John Mudd and Suffaner Smith Mudd (unverified surname) were likely married between 1720 and 1725, but certainly at some point before 1729 (document linking John and Suffaner).  Additionally, Sophia Mudd was reported to the Charles County court in March 1747 as having a child without a father which is believed to have been Joshua Mudd.  The actual record in the Charles County Court read:

“We also do present Sophia Mudd for bearing a base born child by the information of Henry Barnes, Constable.”

At the same time, Henry Barnes reported another base born child conceived by Rebekah Cole.  There were other base born children reported in Charles County in the same month by other county constables – John Douglas, Robert Gill, Richard Anderson, John Frankling, John Penn, and Mark McPherson – and by citizens John Sanders and John Moore.  It would seem that each of these women had to appear before the court for their “offense.”  Also Mary Castel reported that she was given a base born child by William Armstrong, who himself had to appear in court.  In all, 15 women gave birth to base born children this month.  So what does this mean?  Several possibilities can be ascertained from this information:

·    Thomas Boarman Mudd and Sophia Mudd were married at the time and she conceived a child when her husband could not have been the father, due to rape or during his absence for some period of time during conception.

·   Sophia Mudd could have been unmarried and young and had a baby with an unknown man, followed by a marriage to Thomas Boarman Mudd who took the child and mother in.

·        Sophia Mudd could have been unmarried and young and had a child with Thomas Boarman Mudd prior to their marriage.

I would like to think that the third scenario was correct.  If so, Joshua Mudd would have been the oldest child and there would only have been time for one or two more children before Thomas Boarman Mudd’s death in 1751.  This may also explain her extended widowhood, as the mother of a child fathered prior to marriage.  The stigma may have warded off potential suitors.  She may have also remained a widow to have access to her husband’s land.

And so, Sophia Mudd appeared to live for many years after Thomas Boarman Mudd’s death as a widow.  Her alleged mother Suffaner Mudd was the administrator for her husband John Mudd’s will in 1756.  Sophia Mudd’s brothers Clement Mudd and John Mudd were mother Suffaner Mudd’s securities in November 1756 for distribution of estate.  The in December 1756 Clement Mudd and John Mudd conducted the inventory of their father’s estate for Suffaner Mudd (the inventory was filed 8 February 1757).  Mother Suffaner (spelled Sufaner in this record) Mudd was alive and filed an overpayment account in Charles County court 2 April 1760.  Also in 1760, Suffaner Mudd was sued regarding her husband’s estate and Suffaner Mudd won the suit.  Suffaner Mudd appears to have a record in Maryland probates for 1760 Charles County but this record may not have indicated her death (Liber 44, folio 355; believe this was actually the overpayment account filing).  (Note: I think it more likely that Suffaner Mudd died at some time after 1760)

The children assigned to Thomas Boarman Mudd are relatively constant among current family histories though the evidence is very circumstantial.  Joshua Mudd must have been the first child born in 1747.  Since Thomas Boarman Mudd died in 1750, he probably had, at the most, two additional children.  A Francis Mudd has been thought to have been another son, born between 1745 and 1750 (I have not seen any resource that connects Francis to Thomas Boarman and Sophia Mudd) who later lived in Prince Georges County and died there 3 July 1777.  Another child attributed to Thomas Boarman and Sophia Mudd is Ann Mudd, who would have been born also between 1745 and 1750.  On 6 July 1781, the widow Sophia (Sophronia) Mudd, “for the natural love I have for my daughter Ann Mudd,” gave her all of her estate consisting of livestock, household furniture, goods, and chattels.  The deed of gift was signed by Sophia Mudd with her mark, revealing her inability to read and write.  This Ann Mudd could have been her new daughter-in-law Ann Neale Smith-Mudd who had married her son Joshua Mudd sometime around 1775 to 1781.

Sophia must have lived with her son Joshua Mudd in 1790 (Joshua Mudd had two white adult females in his home).  Between 1790 and 1800, Sophia Mudd likely passed away.  Descendants report her death as 1797 though I have yet to see this evidence (may be in county records I have not accessed).  In 1801, the Chancery Court of Maryland reported a case between Joshua Mudd (plaintiff) and Jeroboam Beauchamp and John Smith (defendants) in Charles County regarding the estate of Sophia Mudd.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THOMAS BOARMAN MUDD'S BROTHERS?

James Mudd, by my estimate born about 1707 (though he claimed to be 65 in 1780 deposition which would have made him Thomas Boarman Mudd’s half brother), married Mary Martin (born about 1719) about 1742 in Charles County.  He was given part of the tract called Strife (50 acres out of original 235 acres) by his father-in-law John Martin Sr. in 1743.  His brother Thomas Boarman Mudd sold him the 650 acre Brierwood in 1747, James Mudd at the time was a planter in Charles County.  Also in 1747, James Mudd sold a 50 acre part of Strife to Alexander Smith Hawkins.  In 1778, he was called a relative of Bennet (Benjamin) Mudd and William Mudd, who were actually brothers.  James Mudd paid taxed on a portion of Brierwood (265 acres) in 1783 and was living near Jeremiah Mudd.  James Mudd’s children also paid tax on smaller portions of Brierwood in 1783.  He died at some point after 1783.

Jeremiah (also Jere) Mudd, by my estimate born about 1709, married Benedicta Clements (born about 1725) around 1741 in Charles County.  He was a planter in Charles County by 1742, bought land near brother Thomas Boarman Mudd in 1743, and in 1751 was involved with brother Thomas Boarman Mudd’s estate.  He could not read or write (signed name with X).  He sold his tobacco, Negroes, and other items in April 1791 and his inventory was completed April 1792 in Charles County sometime after his death.

William Mudd, by my estimate born about 1715, married Elizabeth Clements (born about 1730) around 1759 in Charles County.  In 1751 William Mudd was involved with his brother Thomas Boarman Mudd’s estate then in 1757 he purchased items in Charles County.  In 1777, William Mudd acted as security for his brother Bennet (Benjamin) Mudd’s estate and was named as a relative according to the 1778 inventory.  William Mudd appeared to have moved to Kentucky where he wrote his will October 1801.  The will was probated in 1808 in Washington County, Kentucky and his death year is reported as 1804.  His children were Richard, William, Walter, Henrietta, and Mary.

John (also Jonathan) Mudd, by my estimate born about 1718, married Anne Burtles (born about 1740 to 1745) probably between 1760 and 1768 in Charles County.  He died in 1773 leaving a young wife and four small children: William, James, Elizabeth, Benjamin, and Anne. 

George Mudd, by my estimate, was born about 1720 (others report 1728) in Charles County.  Very little is known of George Mudd.  He was alive in 1739 (according to father’s estate) and may have fought in the French and Indian War (records unseen).  George Mudd was alive in March 1762 when a claim was filed against him in Charles County court by Samuel Hanson and George Lee.  Nothing else is known of George Mudd and he likely left no issue.

Benjamin (also Bennet or Bennett or Benedict) Mudd, by my estimate born about 1722, married Ann (unknown surname) about 1750 in Charles County.  By October 1777, he was deceased ad acting as security was his brother William Mudd.  Hi inventory was presented to Charles County September 1778 and his brothers James Mudd and William Mudd were mentioned as relations.  He had several children, two of whom were Bennett Mudd Jr. and Eleanor Mudd.