green hill church

SIRMON FAMILY GENEALOGY

Early History-USA: Land Transactions

Eastern Shore of Maryland


Documentation is presented below for Maryland land transactions for Edward (1638) and some of his descendants. These Lists are helpful in distinguishing between the descendants of Edward's (1638) three sons Thomas, Edward and Peter.

The records are for the counties of Somerset, Worcester and Wicomico. Edward (1638) patented High Meadow in Somerset County in 1672. He and Anne Frowin were also married in Somerset County and they had four sons born there. Only three of the sons survived.


#1: SOMERSET COUNTY, MARYLAND
Source of Somerset Land Records: Land Records of Somerset County, Maryland -- Ruth T. Dryden
(Copied with permission from Ruth T. Dryden)
Widows were entitled to one third of their husbands estates. This was called Dower Rights and are indicated when she relinquished her claim on land sold. She is usually referred to as the relic of her husband.

When the land is sold for 5 shillings, it is usually to a relative, daughter, brother, nephew, since this is a token payment. The term, no acreage, means that the land was described in the deed but the exact number of acres sold was not included. One moity is one half of the land. In 1780 the Maryland Assembly passed an act stating "All property within the State belonging to British subjects (Torys) shall be seized and hereby confiscated to the use of the State."

The land sometimes passed from one generation to another and there is no deed or will to indicate this. It descends by law to the eldest son. If there were no sons, to a brother or nephew, or occasionally to daughters and their husbands or dower rights to the widow's second husband.

CANTERBURY:
Patented 20 July 1677 by John Parsons who assigned to Alexander Mitchell, 50 acres in West Princess Ann, Election district 1, map #2.
Date Description
16 Dec. 1734 John Mitchell sold to Peter Surman Sr. all the moiety given John by his father being ½ of that John left to sons Richard Mitchell and John Mitchell, CANTERBURY & HORSEYS CHANCE, 100 acres.
2 Oct. 1734 Richard Mitchell and Mary Mitchell his wife, sold to Alexander Adams, rector of Stepney Parish 100 acres, 84 acres out of HORSEYS CHANCE and 16 acres of CANTERBURY.
15 Oct 1748 Peter Surman and wife Mary Surman sold to Thomas Gillis 13 acres with parts of TROUBLE, CRAMBURNE, HORSEYS CHANCE.
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CRAMBURN:
Patented on 2 April 1680 by William Stevens for 350 acres and assigned to George Goddard, in West Princess Anne, Election District 1, map #2.
Date Description
Rent Rolls 1666-1723 250 acres possessed by George Goddard, 100 acres possessed by Peter Surman
15 Oct 1748 Peter Surman, son of Peter [grandson of Edward Surman], and wife Mary [Noble] Surman, sold 50 acres to Thomas Gillis of Cabbin Ridge conveyed by George Goddard to Peter Surman, father of Peter, being part of CRAMBURN and also another 50 acres of CRAMBURN, with TROUBLE, HORSEYS CHANCE & CANTERBURY.
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HIGH MEADOW:
Patented on 2 Dec 1672 by Edward Surman for 250 acres in East Pr. Anne, Election district 15, map #4
Date Description
Rent Rolls 1666-1723 250 acres possessed by Richard Chambers
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HORSEYS CHANCE:
Patented 1666 by Stephen Horsey for 300 acres in West Pr. Anne, Election district 1, map #2.
Date Description
22 Jan 1666 Stephen Horsey sold to Alexander Mitchell [Second husband of Anne Frowin Surman]
16 Dec. 1734 /font> John Mitchell sold to Peter Sirman Sr. 100 acres all moity given John Mitchell by his father John, who left it to sons Richard Mitchell and John Mitchell, with CANTERBURY.
2 Oct 1734 Richard Mitchell and wife Mary Mitchell sold to Alexander Adams rector of Stepney Parish 84 acres out of HORSEYS CHANCE & 16 acres of CANTERBURY
15 Jan 1735 Resurveyed to include CANTERBURY 201 acres by Alexander Adams and Peter Sirman
15 Oct 1748 Peter Sirman and wife Mary Sirman sold to Thomas Gillis 187 acres, with TROUBLE CRANBURN, CANTERBURY.
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NEWBERRY:
Patented on 26 Nov. 1676 by William Stevens and assigned to Richard Kimball, for 150 acres in Mt. Vernon, Election district 5, map #1.
Date Description
1702 Richard Kimball willed to Thomas Sermon of Wicomico.
Rent Rolls 1666-1723 Possessed by widow of Thomas Serman 150 acres. [Richard Kimball married Jane Jamison in 1674 and Thomas Surman married Margaret Jamison - they are brothers-in-law.]
1704 Thomas Serman willed to son Thomas Serman, land of Richard Kimball, unnamed.
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TAUNTON DEANNE:
Patented on 27 June 1669 by Capt. William Thorn 300 acres in Mt. Vernon, Election district 5, map #1.
Date Description
5 June 1677 Benjamin Cottman, wife Mary Cottman sold 50 acres to Richard Kimball, called KIMBALLS PURCHASE.
7 March 1720 Benjamin Cottman sold to Thomas Serman 70 acres.
24 March 1721 Thomas Serman and wife Elizabeth Serman sold to Benjamin Cottman Sr. 2 parcels now called WELCOME HOME AGAIN & CHANCE within the bounds of TAUNTON DEANNE.
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TROUBLE:
Patented on 13 Oct 1677 by Thomas Strawbridge who conveyed to William Alexander, Jr. for 250 acres in West Pr. Anne, Election district 1, map #2.
Date Description
15 Oct 1748 Peter Srman and wife Mary Serman sold to Thomas Gillis 50 acres conveyed by George Goddard 50 acres with CRAMBURN, HORSEYS CHANCE, CANTERBURY.
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WHITE CHAPPEL:
Patented on 23 Oct. 1676 by William Stevens who assigned to Robert Crouch for 200 acres in West Pr. Anne, Election district 1, map #2
Date Description
1748 Thomas Gillis leased to Mary Serman [widow of William Serman] part where John Thompson formerly lived, for her lifetime.


#2: WORCESTER COUNTY, MARYLAND
Source of Worcester Land Records: Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, 1666-1810 -- Ruth T. Dryden
(Copied with permission from Ruth T. Dryden)
Worcester County, Maryland, was formed in 1742, taken from the eastern part of Somerset County. The maps found at the end of the book are not complete so I made some assumptions as to their locations of the lands not found on these maps. They were compiled by Harry L. Benson who did not complete the work. Pitts Creek 100 and Bogerternortin 100 are missing. Also some of the lands that were patented in Worcester County are actually now in Wicomico and sometimes difficult to identify so they are included here instead of the earlier book on Wicomico County lands.

Widows were entitled to one third of their husbands estates. This was called Dower Rights and are indicated when she relinquished her claim on land sold. She is usually referred to as the relic of her husband.

When the land is sold for 5 shillings, it is usually to a relative, daughter, brother, nephew, since this is a token payment. The term, no acreage, means that the land was described in the deed but the exact number of acres sold was not included. One moity is one half of the land.

The land sometimes passed from one generation to another and there is no deed or will to indicate this. It descends by law to the eldest son. If there were no sons, to a brother or nephew, or occasionally to daughters and their husbands or dower rights to the widow's second husband.

JOBS LOT:
No Patent found.
Date Description
18 Oct. 1727 Job Serman and Peter Serman son of Edward Serman sold to John Moore 100 acres.
29 Sept. 1737 Job Serman sold to Peter Serman son of Edward Serman for 5 shillings 50 acres.
1776 Land warrants of Sussex Co. Delaware by William Figg.
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MILL LOT:
Patented on 10 April 1757 by Thomas Serman for 7 acres.
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MILL LOT:
Patented on 10 Feb. 1757 by George Shirman for 4 acres
Date Description
5 July 1763 George Shirman of Sussex Co. Delaware, yeoman son of George who died intestate, sold to John Clowes Jr. of same, mariner.
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REEDYS CHOICE:
Patented on 20 Sept. 1753 by Isaac Reedy for 50 acres.
Date Description
22 Sept. 1760 Isaac Reedy with wife Betty Reedy of Dorcester County sold to Lowder Serman of Worcester Co. 50 acres.
8 March 1776 Sussex Co. Delaware land warrants, by Lowder Serman.
9 April 1776 Lowder Serman sold to John Polk Jr.
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SIRMANS VENTURE:
Patented in 1868 by William L. Sirman for 297 acres in Ocean City district #10, map 19.


#3: WICOMICO COUNTY, MARYLAND
Source of Wicomico Land Records: Land Records of Wicomico County, Maryland, 1666-1810 -- Ruth T. Dryden
(Copied with permission from Ruth T. Dryden)
Wicomico County, Maryland, was formed in 1867, taken from the northern section of Somerset County and the northwest part of Worcester County. Since I had no maps to indicate the exact location of these lands I have had to make some assumptions as to their locations from descriptions as found in the deeds. The lands that were in Worcester County were sometimes difficult to identify so the omissions determined by the reader will be found in the forthcoming book on Worcester County lands.

Widows were entitled to one third of their husbands estates. This was called Dower Rights and are indicated when she relinquished her claim on land sold. She is usually referred to as the relic of her husband.

When the land is sold for 5 shillings, it is usually to a relative, daughter, brother, nephew, since this is a token payment. The term, no acreage, means that the land was described in the deed but the exact number of acres sold was not included. One moity is one half of the land. In 1780 the Maryland Assembly passed an act stating "All property within the State belonging to British subjects (Torys) shall be seized and hereby confiscated to the use of the State."

In the year 1767 there was an adjustment of the Maaryland and Delaware boundaries which put some of these lands in the state of Delaware, as noted by the warrants within this book.

The land sometimes passed from one generation to another and there is no deed or will to indicate this. It descends by law to the eldest son. If there were no sons, to a brother or nephew, or occasionally to daughters and their husbands or dower rights to the widow's second husband.

BETSYS CHOICE:
Patented on 29 Oct 1679 by John Richardson for 200 acres in Rewastico.
Date Description
12 Apr. 1723 William Wood son of Johnb Wood who died intestate, of Talbot County sold to Edward Serman of Somerset County, Mryland 200 acres.
1 May 1737 Edward Serman, Isaac Serman, and Edward Serman grandson of Edward by his son Edward deceased that Edward Serman made over to Isaac and Edward his grandson. (division of lands) Jane Serman widow of Edward Jr. agrees. (Serman spelled Sherman and Sirman in same document.)
24 Feb 1770 Edward Serman and wife Isbell Serman and Isaac Serman sold to Benjamin Mitchell 50 acres for 10 shillings.
24 Feb 1770 Edward Serman and wife Isbell Serman and Isaac Serman sold to Michael White 50 acres for 10 shillings.
1782 Michael White willed to son George White.
1783 tax Priscilla White widow of William White, 50 acres.
11 Oct. 1794 Joseph Mitchell, wife Mary Mitchell sold to James Bennett 50 acres.
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CHANCE:
Patented on 22 Oct. 1722 by John Wooten for 50 acres.
Date Description
Rent Rolls 1666-1723 Possessed by John Wooten
26 Oct 1722 John Wooten gave to sister Culett Sherman (Serman) wife of Thomas Shearman 50 acres.
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DASHIELLS PURCHASE
Date Description
17 Feb. 1738 Thomas Serman sold part of MEECHES HOPE & YERS LAND 120 acres, RUNSELL 109 acres and 155 acres vacant land to William Dashiell who repatented fro 497 acres.
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FAIRHAM
Date Description
7 Mar. 1749/50 I Edward Bennett am bound to Isaac Serman (mgt.) 12 acres of EGYPT & FAIRHAM
Jan. 1761 I Edward Bennett am bound to Richard Phillips for 65 acres of EGYPT & FAIRHAM
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FIRST PURCHASE:
Patented in 1761 by Joseph Jenkins for 110 1/2 acres.
Date Description
1783 tax Joseph Jenkins 110 acres 1/2 acres in Wicomico 100.
9 Sep. 1797 Leah Jenkins and daughters Siner Gray and Levinah Serman sold 25 acres to Joshua Disharoon.
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FOUNTAINS FROLICK:
Patented in 1771 by Edward Serman for 122 acres.
Date Description
1783 tax Edward Serman 96 1/2 acres. Wicomico 100
21 May 1783 Clement Holliday and Nathaniel Ramsey comissoners to sell confistated property sold 122 acres to Edward Serman
22 Apr. 1785 Edward Serman sold to Capt. Benjamin Nutter 28 acres.
28 May 1787 Edward Serman sold 24 1/2 acres to Peter Cahoon.
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GALES PURCHASE:
Patented in 1737 by John Gale for 713 acres (was part of ADDITION)
Date Description
10 Oct. 1738 John Gale of Stepney Parish with Milcah Gale his wife sold 17 acres to Thomas Ralph.
1743 Thomas Ralph willed to daughter Susanna Serman 17 acres.
1783 tax Elizabeth Gale 696 acres, Nanticoke 100.
1783 tax Charles Serman 17 acres.
4 Mar 1797 Charles Serman sold 17 acres to Charles Rider.
1801 Charles Rider willed to son Thomas Rider.
8 Apr. 1806 Thomas Rider with wife Priscilla Rider of Sussex County, Delaware, sold to John Rider, 17 acres.
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GOOD SUCCESS
Date Description
Rent Rolls 1666-1723 Possessed by James Russell 50 acres and John Bouger 50 acres, who married the coheirs of Alexander Thomas
1783 tax Charles Serman 48 acres, Nanticoke 100.
4 Mar 1797 Charles Serman sold 48 acres to Charles Rider with RALPHS VENTURE & GALES PURCHASE.
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ISAACS CHOICE:
Patented in 1782 by Isaac Serman for 234 3/4 acres.
Date Description
1783 tax George Serman 39 1/2 acres, Wicomico 100
1783 tax Grace Serman 45 1/2 acres
11 Apr. 1795 George Serman with wife Rebecca Serman sold to Cornelius Vanderwolf 7 3/4 acres.
1797 George Serman willed land unnamed to sons Isaac Serman and George Serman.
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LITTLE BELEAN
Date Description
28 Feb 1721 William Serman and wife Sarah Serman sold to Roger Phillips 100 acres of 200 acres purchased by Roger Phillips of Simon Perkins and wife Marian Perkins
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MEECHS HOPE:
Patented on 14 Sep. 1688 by Thoms Meech for 300 acres.
Date Description
18 Feb. 1670 Thomas Meech sold to Alexander Jamison who bequeathed to two daughters Elizabeth Nesham wife of Benjamin Nesham and Margaret Serman wife of Thomas Serman.
Rent Rolls 1666-1723 Possessed by the widow of Thomas Serman 150 acres and 150 acres by Benjamin Nesham son of Benjamin.
10 Feb 1702 Peter Booth with wife Margaret Booth sold to Edward Serman. [Margaret married Peter after the death of Thomas Serman.]
1706 Thomas Serman gave to son Thomas Serman orders to give his brother 150 acres of MEECHS HOPE at head of Tipiquin Creek.
25 Dec. 1731 William Vaughn and wife Mary Vaughn sold to Thomas Serman 150 acres of MEECHS HOPE & RICH SWAMP.
28 Nov. 1735 Thomas Serman and wife Elizabeth Serman sold to Benjamin Townsend 135 acres.
2 Apr. 1737 William Vaughn sold to Levin Dashiell 115 acres.
17 Feb. 1738 Thomas Serman sold to William Dashiell 12 acres of MEECHS HOPE & YEARS LAND and 51 acres of YEARS LAND THAT HE RESURVEYED TO DASHIELLS PURCHASE.
6 Jul. 1738 Benjamin Townsend sold 135 acres to Joseph Dashiell tract bought of Thomas Serman, unnamed.
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MIDFIELD
Date Description
2 Feb. 1791 Charles Serman and wife Sarah Serman sold to Edward Austin and Charles Leatherbury.
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PHILLIPS ADDITION
Date Description
20 Dec. 1721 William Serman and wife Sarah Serman sold 12 1/2 acres to Roger Phillips.
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RALPHS VENTURE: Patented by Thomas Ralph for 100 acres.
Date Description
1743 Thoms Ralph willed to daughter Susanna Serman 100 acres of THE VENTURE.
1783 tax Charles Serman 100 acres.
4 Mar. 1797 Charles Serman sold 100 acres to Charles Rider.
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RICH SWAMP
Date Description
28 Nov 1735 Thomas Serman with wife Elizabeth Serman sold to Benjamin Townsend 135 acres of MEECHES HOPE & RICH SWAMP.
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STOP THE GAP: Patented in 1770 by Isaac Serman for 12 1/2 acres.
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WHITE CHAPPELL: Patented on 20 Nov. 1685 by Edward Wright 300acres.
Date Description
Rent Rolls 1666-1723 Possessed by John Lane 300 acres
1704 Thomas Serman son of Edward Serman willed to sons Peter Serman and William Serman, 300 acres.
1711 Peter Serman willed to mother Margaret Booth wife of Peter Booth 150 acres.
12 Apr. 1731 Thomas Serman with wife Eliza Serman and William Serman with wife Sarah Serman sold to Neal McClester, 300 acres alienated by Edward Wright to Thomas Serman father of afsd.
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WRINGTON
Date Description
Rent Rolls 1666-1723 Possessed by Benjamin Nesham by marrying the widow of Benjamin Cottman.
17 Sep. 1728 Benjamin Cottman sold 100 acres to William Serman.
3 Mar. 1742 William Serman sold to John Gale for 5 shillings 12 acres.
12 Nov. 1743 William Serman sold 100 acres to John Gale
20 Feb 1779 John Gale sold for 5 shillings to Henry Gale 100 acres.