Description:

Woman in 1789 Deed from Maryland County Bordered by Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River

In this deed of August 5, 1789, John Lucas and his wife Anne Lucas convey 750 acres of land in St. Mary's County, Maryland, to Henry Hill, his stepson and her son. They had conveyed the land to him in December 1781 "in fee tail," meaning that he would receive the land upon the death of Anne Lucas, his mother. The new deed was done "in fee simple" for a payment of '100 so that there would be no question that he owned the land.

[MARYLAND.] John Lucas and Anne Lucas, Manuscript Document Signed, Deed to Henry Hill III, August 5, 1789, St. Mary's County, Maryland, 4 pp., 8.25" x 12.5". General toning; a few small holes at intersection of folds; paper and wax seals still present.

Excerpt
"Whereas a Deed of Bargain and Sale was entered into on the seventeenth Day of December in the year One thousand seven Hundred and Eighty one, between John Lucas of Saint Marys County and state of Maryland and Anne his wife of the one part, and Henry Hill of the same County and state aforesaid sone of the said Anne of the other Part, by which it was intended to Convey an Estate in Fee Tail in Certain Lands therein described to the said Henry Hill, after the Decease of Anne wife of the said John Lucas and Mother of the said Henry Hill, and Whereas certain Doubts have arisen upon the Operation of the said Instrument of Writing and the Parties thereto anxious to prevent any possible controversy thereon, and desirous of vesting the said Lands in Fee simple in the said Henry Hill, This Indenture Witnesseth therefore that the said John Lucas and Anne his wife, for and in consideration of the sum of One hundred Pounds Current Money to them in Hand Paid by the said Henry Hill, the Receipt whereof they and each of them do hereby acknowledge, and for other Good Considerations of Natural Love and Affection them thereunto moving, Have Given Granted bargain'd and sold and by these Presents do Give Grant, Bargain and sell to the said Henry Hill and his Heirs, all that Tract or Parcel of Land being Part of a Tract of Land called De la Brooke Manor, and...containing seven Hundred and fifty Acres more or less.... In witness whereof the Parties to these Presents have hereunto set their Hands and seals this fifth day of August In the year One thousand seven Hundred and Eighty Nine."

Historical Background
The 2,000 acres of De La Brooke Manor were originally surveyed to Robert Brooke (1602-1655) as the First Lord of the Manor in 1650. Brooke was the commander of Charles County, the president of the Provincial Council, and acting governor of Maryland in 1652. He was appointed governor under the Cromwellian Government, but his cooperation with the Puritans brought the displeasure of Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore (1605-1675) and the loss of his proprietary offices. Brooke later reconciled with Lord Baltimore, and he and his family converted to Catholicism before his death. The original manor house was destroyed in 1835.

In 1789, Ralph Butler sued John Lucas for his freedom because his great-grandmother was a free white woman. Attorney and former Loyalist Philip Barton Key, who was the uncle of Francis Scott Key, the author of "The Star-Spangled Banner," represented Lucas in the suit. Lucas admitted that Butler was entitled to his freedom, and the court awarded Butler his freedom and 1,357 pounds of tobacco for his costs and charges. Several other Butlers had sued John Lucas and Henry Hill for their freedom in 1789 and 1792. In the 1790 census, John Lucas in St. Mary's County, Maryland, owned ten slaves.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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