The Smallwoods - A Maryland First Family

Most of our family's ancestors came from Great Britain in the 17th century.  They all should be recognized as "first families" of the colony in which they settled.  The Smallwood family of Colonial Maryland did achieve that renown.

This coat of arms were granted on 15th April 1672. The background checkerboard pattern is in argent and sable, the top left-hand square (canton) in sable, and the sword in argent with a hilt in or. Matthew Smallwood was a descendant of the Smallwoods of Chelford (a probable second cousin of those 1663 claimants), and appears to have reflected the broad structure of their earlier arms in his own, suggesting some continuity and consistency of use.

James Smallwood was born in 1639 in the village of Middlewich, Cheshire, England, founded by the Romans for its salt mines. He was of a good family with a coat of arms.

Middlewich is in the center of Cheshire County, England

He immigrated in 1664 to Charles County, Maryland.

Because he paid his own transport, he was given a warrant for 50 acres. Quickly marrying Hester Evans (1640 England - c.1693), who'd been brought over in 1650 by her parents, her father dying soon after without claiming her share of land, James Smallwood claimed her 50 acres, too. They were our 9th great-grandparents. He was a tobacco planter until his death in 1714.

In 1675 James was a member of Godfrey's Rangers, protecting the western limits of settlement along Piscataway Creek from Susquehanna Indians who had invaded part of Charles County. In 1681, James was a member of Godfrey's Troop in rebellion but probably not involved. You can read about this messy business that involved the trial of Governor Fendall HERE 

In 1680 James was appointed Post [postmaster] for Charles County, the first letter post for outlying parts of the colony.   

The following shows his growing wealth in land. On 6-8-1681 Randall Brandt assigned him 75 acres due on Warrant. "Eltham" was patented 10-26-1694. On 4-20-1687 James purchased "May Day", 300 acres, from Edmond Lindsey. On May 20, 1688 Cornelius Maddock and wife Mary (one of James' daughters and our 8th great-grandmother) sold James "Tatshall", 60 acres. On 3-15-1688 Deputy Surveyor Wm. Hutchison laid out for James 100 acres called "Porke Hall" or "Park Hall" on the north side of the Pyney branch that falls into Mattawoman fresh. On Oct 7, 1694 Richard Beard, Deputy Surveyor, "by virtue of a warrant granted unto James Smallwood Senior of this County for One Thousand Acres of Land [including] a Parcel of Land called "Batchelor's Hope for One Hundred Eighty Four Acres."  "By virtue of a warrant granted unto Major James Smallwood . . . bearing the date of sixth of this instant July (1696) for four hundred acres of land George Burness Deputy Surveyor laid out for ye said Smallwood a parcell of land called "Bayne" laying in Charles County at Mattawoman on the head of Christian Temple Manor."   

In 1688 - 1689 James was involved in the Orange Rebellion.To understand the stresses on Maryland Colony where so many of our ancestors lived, a good article is HERE 

From 1692 to his death in about 1714, James represented Charles County in the Maryland Assembly. He was appointed Major of foot and in 1700 was designated Lt. Col. Smallwood. 

He and Hester had eleven children, including Mary Smallwood (1670- about 1730), who married Cornelius Maddock on 16 March 1684/85 in Charles City, Maryland. Cornelius died February 1704/05 in Charles City. Children were Benjamin Maddocks (our 7th great-grandfather) and two additional sons and a daughter.  

James had a son, Bayne Smallwood (1685-abt 1709), who in turn had a son named Bayne Smallwood ( abt 1710-1768), who fathered William Smallwood (1732-1792).  

A flattering portrait of Cousin William

William Smallwood was the great-nephew of Mary Smallwood Maddock (Maddox) and our 2nd cousin 6 times removed (according to Ancestry.com). An American Revolutionary War general, highest ranking Marylander, he was later the 4th governor of the state of Maryland. Because he never married and had no children, we are as closely related to him as most other collateral descendants. Read about him HERE A short biography showing him to be a more controversial figure is HERE

Smallwood State Park is 638 acres, with a 30-acre area  containing Major General Smallwood's grave and his restored home, furnished in early Federal period, sited on original acreage settled by our ancestor James Smallwood.  

Smallwood Retreat at Smallwood State Park

Smallwood is the 3rd man behind George Washington resigning his commission in the Annapolis State House