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Note: See notes under father, William IJAMS.
Source: Anne Arundel Gentry, Vol I, section on IJAMS Family:
Military: Colonial War.
John IIAMS, son of William and Elizabeth (Plummer) IIAMS, was born 1712 at
'Bridge HILL', in All Hallow's Parish, and baptized with his brother, Plummer,
on August 6, 1718. His wife was Rebecca, a daughter of Isaac JONES. On June
23, 1776, Captain John IIAMS and Rebecca his wife, Thomas Watkins and Elizabeth
his wife and Mary JONES, the heirs of Isaac JONES, decased, conveyed to Thomas
Gibbs, of Anne Arundel, the 800 acre dwelling plantation of the late Isaac
JONES.
John IIAMS became a merchant of South River and was apparently the first
of the family to acquire wealth. He was a member of the famous Old South River
Club, still in existence, and was styled Captain in official records which
indicated that he served in the Provincial Militia. At one time he was a
warden of All Hallow's Parish. In 1755 he with others submitted a petition to
the Council denying the rumore of tumultuous meetings and cabaling among the
negroes and the 'misbehaving' of Roman Catholics.
On July 28, 1744, he bought of Stephen Warman, of Anne Arundel, for 45
pounds, a 45 acre portion of 'Dodoen' as laid out for Thomas Plummer. Ann
Warman, wife, waived her dower interest. On Janaury 10, 1745, styled 'Johm
IIAMS, Merchant', Joseph Williams, of Anne Arundel, placed a mortgage with him
to the value of 100 pounds on his slaves and other personalty. It seemed as if
Joseph Williams uas unable to redeem the mortgage, therefore, in Janaury 1747,
he conveyed to him for 41 pounds 'Brewerton', containing 100 acres or a portion
of the tract on which South River Church stood. It bordered on the plantation
'Bessonton' and ran to the plantation of GEORGE IIAMS. Margaret Williams,
wife, gave her consent. On December 13, 1740, John IIAMS and Richard Williams
had offered bond to the value of 200 pounds for Joseph Williams, the
administrator of William Brewer. Later on. or in 1771, Captain John IIAMS with
William Williams were sureties to the value of 200 pounds for Margaret
Williams, the executrix of Joseph Williams, decased, late of Anne Arundel
County.
On April 2, 1748, styled 'Captain John IIAMS, Gent.' he placed a mortgage
on his dwelling plantation 'Bridge HILL', of 100 acres, and 'Dodon' of about
109 acres with James Dick, Merchant, inasmuch he, Captain John IIAMS and John
IIAMS Jr. were indebted to the said James Dick. On December 13, 1762, he
assigned to James Dick 'Brewton', the dwelling plantation of Joseph Williams,
Carpenter, which the latter had conveyed to John IIAMS on January 12, 1747.
These transactions were presumably mortgages, inasmuch on May 8, 1765. John
IIAMS for five shillings assigned 'Brewton' To Joseph Williams and Margaret his
wife.
On March 12, 1762, he deeded Plummer IIAMS, of Anne Arundel, for 100
portions 'Bridge HILL' and 'dodon' with improvements. On November 25, 1763,
James Dick, Merchant, released him from the mortgage on 'Bridge HILL' and
'Dodon'.
In March 1778, before Judge Richard harwood Jr., of Anne Arundel County,
he subscribed to the Oath of Allegiance to the State of Marylnad. During the
colonial period he had not only served the Lord Proprietory in the protection
of his Province in the Militia, but had also served at various times as Justice
of the Peace for Anne Arundel County, especially in 1748-9 and 1761.
On July 13, 1778, he made a deposition during a law suit, 'Captain John
IIAMS Sr.', aged 66 years. He stated that he had known Johnathan Rawlings, the
Complainant, since infancy and GEORGE Steuart, the Defendant, since his arrival
in America. He had also known Aaron Rawlings, lated of Anne Arundel County,
father of Johathan, from infancy. Aaron Rawlings lived on 'JONES' Lot' until
his death about 42 years ago, and also knew Moses and Ann Rawlings children of
Aaron Rawlings. Moses Rawlings married and predeceased his father. Anne
Rawlings married before the death of her faterh a sailor by the name of ---
JONES who was lost at sea. They lived together for about two or three years.
After the death of JONES, Anne had two daughter, though never marrie dagain,
and died about 15 years ago. Aaron Rawlings, another brother of the
Complainant, died about 20 years ago, leaving three sons and five daughters.
On August 30, 1780, as 'Captian John IJAMS Sr.', he was appointed
inspector at TAYLOR's Landing in Anne Arundel County.
His last will and testament was drawn up on October 9, 1782, in the
presence of Plummer IIAMS, John IIAMS of Plummer, Joseph Williams and Christian
Parrott. It was probated at a court held in Anne Arundel County on April 21,
1783.
To daughter Elizabeth IJAMS - 5 pounds. To grandchildren John and Rebecca, of 'my daughter Mary IJAMS' - 20 shillings.
To eldest son William - negroes To son in law Thomas IIAMS - negroes To son John - negroes To son Isaac Plummer IIAMS - negroes To son Thomas Plummer IIAMS - negroes To wife Rebecca IIAMS the dwelling plantation and at her decease to be
divided between his minor sons Isaac and Thomas, if they died without issue
then to son William.
Executor - wife Rebecca. The inventory was filed under the name of Captain John IIAMS and was
appraised at 415 pounds, 15 shillings, 2 pence. Isaac IJAMS and Ann Stockett
signed as the kinsmen. Twelve negroes were listed in the inventory, and the
horse 'Primrose' was listed as a legacy to the son, Isaac.
Three of the sons of Captain John IIAMS were poineers to Fairfield County,
Ohio - William, Isaac and Thomas Plummer - all well established there by 1806,
according to an extant tax list. In that year the following were tithables all
in Richaland Township - William IJAMS, William IJAMS Jr., Isaac IJAMS and
Thomas IJAMS.
The widow and her son, John IJAMS, filed on August 24, 1785, the final
account on his estate, when the balance of 348 pounds, 10 shillings, 1 pence,
was distributed to the heirs. They accouted for the loss of two cows and sheep
destroyed 'by the severe winter'.
The widow settled in Frederick County where some of her children had
settled and died testate. Her will, dated February 12, 1811, was probated on
February 1, 1812. She bequeathed $1.00 and no more to her sons John, Isaac and
Thomas. Legacies were willed to her daughter Elizabeth Fenly, and to Elizabeth
, the wife of her son, Isaac IJAMS.
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