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RICHARD BOULDEN

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 .which gave us a first look at the extensiveness of this family. I am sure the Cecil County Historical Society has a copy. The name has a number of variation and I will use the spelling within the document noted.

Richard Boulden was born to William Boulden and Thomasin Nash Boulden. He was baptized Oct. 24, 1697, but Ms. Kepler said he was born Dec. 5, 1693. Both are of course possible. The baptism records come from: St. Stephen's Parish records as noted on pages 18 & 24 of Early anglican church Records of Cecil County by Henry C. Peden, Jr.

Mary Hewes wed Richard Bouldin at St. Stephen's Parish church on Jan. 17, 1716.; St. Stephen's is a lovely old Anglican church on the Eastern shore in Cecil County surrounded by pastoral corn fields. Also from the St. Stephen's Records, page 90 as well as Maryland Marriages 1634-1777 by Barnes, Book 3-CE-page 10

Mary and Richard lived on a plantation granted to him in 1723 "Richard's Chance" on Back Creek. Back Creek is now the Delaware Chesapeake Canal. Cecil County Certificate 335A, Lib IL#A, folio 35 Patented Certificate #848 - listed in land Patents of Cecil county Maryland. I do not know how many acres Richard's Chance contained.

                                        They had 7 known children whose births were all recorded in the St. Stephen's Records:
                                        1. Mary Boulding, born Nov. 19, 1719, page 97, wed Richard Ford
                                        2. Richard Boulding, born Aug 10, 1720, page 103, wed Mary
                                        3. Thomasin Boulding, born may 7, 1724, page 103
                                        4. Margaret Boulding, born Oct. 15, 1726, page 103
                                        5. Thomas Boulding, born April 1, 1728, page 104 wed his first cousin Augustine Boulden
                                        6. John Boulding, born April 3, 17??, page 103
                                        7. Rachel Boulding, born Oct. 7, 1732, page 104

In April 1734 Richard's father, William Boulden "sold" his acreage to five of his six sons., Maryland Land Records, Vol 5, pages 9 - 40. The land was all on Back Creek Neck, some on Back Creek and some on the Elk River. Richard Boulden received 50 acres but I do not know just where that acreage was located.

Richard Boulding died 1740, Cecil County Will record in Orphan's Court Oct 20, 1740, No 1, folio 407. His plantation went to sons Richard and Thomas. Richard Boulding II and his wife Mary were directed to educate two youngest children Thomas and Rachel. As son John is not mentioned, he must have died. Richard's wife, Mary Hewes Boulding is not mentioned, thus we assume that she died sometime between 1732 and Oct 1740.

It is not known where either Richard or his wife, Mary are buried. It may have been on the plantation.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

If you know the answer please CONTACT US

Get a source for Richard's birthdate.
When was his son John born and when did he die?
Where was Richard's Chance and the additional land from his father?
Get a copy of his will.
Where was he buried?

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Doc; gdbou060.html
Date created 11/19/20
Date edited 5/8/2023
Date edited 7/19/2024