JOHN  BOULDEN

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  THE STORY AS I KNOW IT

The Boulden family were early planters on the Eastern shore of Maryland.  Their story goes back to Jamestown 1610 when Thomas Boulden came to Virginia.  He moved up the Chesapeake Bay to Kent Island and was buried there in 1665.  The family continued expanding north into Cecil County and eventually across the state line into Delaware.

Estelle Smith Kepler wrote The Boulden Family

John Boulden was born in Cecil County Maryland on May 7, 1767 to Thomas Boulden and Augustina Boulden, his wife. Thomas and Augustina were first cousins.  John was their only child. He was raised at "Bristol", part of a large track in Back Creek Neck on Back Creek.

Thomas Boulden died after July 26, 1780, the date he had been commissioned JP for Cecil County.  James Boulden, probably Augustina's father was appointed guardian of the 14 year old son.  A valuation of Lands of John Boulden, minor, son of Thomas Boulden, deceased,dated March 13, 1783
lists Bristol, 110 acres, Warwick and Triangle 11 Acres, Richard's Choice/ maybe Chance 135 acres and Boulden's Choice 9 acres. Cecil County Land Record Book, Vol 15, folio 218.  The sites were probably contiguous.  For the Appraiser stated 180 acres was cleared, and no more ought to be cleared. 
It also went on to state there was a new square log 1 1/2 story house, a seperate kitchen, a granary, smoke house, stable, corn house, a rentable house, and "one Proud Log Quarter house".   John Boulden would be considered very well off.

John Boulden did not rush into marriage, but once married he strove to stay married.  He did it 3 times. The first two are noted in Cecil County Maryland marriage Licenses by Cap. Jeremiah Baker Chapter DAR 1777-1840

On Jan.29, 1798 John married Sarah Richardson. The minister was Rev. Cosden.  They had 3 children
   1. Ann              born Jan 1799 she died a little over 1 year old on April 24, 1800
   2. Thomas R.   born April 25, 1800 (notice the date)  he died Dec. 1878
   3.  John             born April 10, 1803,
Sarah Richardson Boulden died Jan 19, 1805.   John wed Ann Faries on June 30, 1807. Presiding minister was M. Devey
John and Ann had two children:
    4. William        born c 1808
    5. Sarah Ann    born Sept 2, 1809
Ann Faries Boulden died 1809 (probably related to child birth).  John then wed Ann's sister Margaret Faries.  Not sure when but possibly soon because there are 2 woman in the family on the Cecil county 1810 Census FHL Film # 00074, roll 15, page 242.  One was probably Margaret. The other may have been  a wet nurse, or nannie.  Life finally settles down a for a period of time.  John and Margaret Boulden have five children:
     6. Hannah Jane
     7. Levi
    8. Charles    John's will noted below used the term "Little deformed son Charles".  Interesting note:  this Charles became a shoemaker, and on          his 1880 Census it notes he had deformed feet. 
     9. Ezekiel     born 1823
    10. Susan Margaret  

John was a slave owner.   There were 8 listed on the 1810 Census and 7 in 1820.

The 1820 Cecil County Census list the family as:   names in brackets are my guesses.
    2 males <10  (Levi and Charles)??
    2 males 10-15 ( John Jr & William)
    1 male 26-45 (John was actually 53)
    1 female <10 (Hannah Jane)
    1 female 10-15  (Sarah Ann)
    1 female 16-25 (Margaret was actually 35)

Thomas is 20 and living in Pencader Delaware)

This Boulden family lived where John had been born,  at Bristol, a plantation.  The farm still exists.  It is on Elk Forest Rd, between the Elk River and Back Creek (now the Chespeake Delaware Canal).  According to passed down family story The Boulden Family written by Estell Smith Kepler, John's first two wives were buried in the front yard.  Then both  John and Margaret died in 1826 within a month of each.  They were also buried in the front yard.  The estate was sold and divided between the surviving 9 children.  The oldest still at home was a 17 year old sister, Sarah Ann, by wife #2. 

It is not known where Ezekiel or his orphaned siblings went to live. However, I think it possible that his half-brother Thomas Boulden  set up a home by 1830 with his new wife, Priscilla and took all the children in. 

John Boulden left a will, Cecil County Will Book S, no 8, Folio 215.  It directed that his plantation in Cecil County as well as one in New Castle County DE, be sold and the proceeds divided between his 9 surviving children. Executors were sons Thomas R Boulden, John Boulden and Andrew F. Henderson.  The will was dated April 3, 1826.   Margaret Faries Boulden must have died first as she was not mentioned in the will.  The executors presented the will to court on April 22, 1826.

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