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Descendants of Robert Ferguson

4. WILLIAM⁵ FERGUSON (DAVID⁴, ROBERT³, GEORGE², JAMES¹) was born Abt. 1750 in Prince Georges County, Maryland, and died 1807 in New York. He married ELIZABETH BELL, daughter of ROBERT BEALL.

Notes for WILLIAM FERGUSON:
From the book "The Ferguson Family in Scotland and America" by M.L. Ferguson published in 1905
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"About the beginning of the 19th century, there was an extensive
emigration from Prince George County, MD to the Genesee Valley in New
York State, then thought to be the 'Garden of the New World'. When one
family went there was an inducement for others to follow, and in some
cases nearly the entire neighborhood went to New York State. It was a
long and tedious journey of some twenty days, the luggage being hauled
over the mountains in wagons drawn by four horse teams, the men and
women riding on horse-back. William FERGUSON, with his wife and four
unmarried sons, Robert, William, David and Levi, made this journey in
the year 1803 and settled one mile east of Clifton Springs, near what is
now called 'Tillot's Corners,' on the Phelps road. He brought with him
twenty-one slaves, who were set at liberty soon after their arrival,
those who were past laboring being cared for by the family." (Now, I
believe that William's son (Rev.) John FERGUSON also followed the family
to New York State after he married Elizabeth WHITE in 1803 and that is
where the twins were born.)
"In the year 1807, a sad incident took place. William FERGUSON was a man
who would not be imposed upon, proud and spirited. In a controversy with
one of his hired help he was struck with a knife. The wound proved
fatal, and he died in his 57th year and was buried at Phelps, NY. His
wife declared she would no longer live among barbarians, so she sold her
property to her son, William, and went back to Maryland, taking with her
two of her sons, David and Levi. She lived to a good old age and was
buried in Washington, DC."

Washington DC Deeds, Book C., No. 3, page 441. Indenture made the 16th of May 1798, between William Ferguson of Prince George County, State of Maryland, of one part and John Tompson of Georgetown, Montgomery County, State of Maryland, of the other part, witnesses that William, Ferguson for $100.00 paid by John Tompson sells lands being in Holmead's addition of Georgetown, in Montgomery County, in the Sate of Maryland, beginning near the northest corner of Dunbarton and West Streets, 30 feet in front, with a depth of 120 feet.
WILLIAM FERGUSON
Witnesses: CHAS. A. BEATTY
THOS. CORCORAN

Washington DC Deed, book K., No 10, page 328. Indenture made the 2nd day of May 1804, between William Ferguson, of Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, of the one part and John Laird, of Georgtown sells a tract of land being a part of the land called Barbadoes, and part of Scotland enlarged, situated and being partly in Prince Geroge County and partly in Washington County, DC beginning at a stone at the root of a whitet oak, one hundred yards northward of a main road that leads from Bladensburg to Georgtown, the said stone being the end of the first line of the aforesaid tract, and also the beginning of a parcel of land conveyed to said William Ferguson by a certain William Conn, by deed dated about the 11th of November, 1780 said land laid out for 78 acres and 124 perches.
WILLIAM FERGUSON
Witnesses: GEORGE FRENCH
HENRY WIRT

Washington DC Deeds, book L., No. 11, page 322. At the request of David Ferguson the following power of attorney, the 17th of November 1804, was recorded. Know all men that whereas William Ferguson, late of the District of Columbia but now of Ontario County, NY, owner of a certain tract of land situated and lying near the city of Washington, DC and in Prince Georges County, Md. known by the name of Barbadoes, and Scotland enlarged, containing 135 1/4 acre abd occupied by one Ed L. Butler. Now know ye, that I the said William, Ferguson, and Elizabeth his wife have appointed and by these presents do make constitute and appoint our son, David Ferguson, our true and lawful attorney, to sell and dispose of the said tract of land. Dated the 29th of September 1804
signed: WILLIAM FERGUSON
ELIZABETH FERGUSON
Witnesses: WM. HOW CAYLER
JACOB M. HATTELL

Washington DC Deeds, Book O, No 14, page 67. Indenture made the 23rd of December 1805, between David Ferguson, of Ontario County, and the State of New York, now on a visit to his friends in Washington County, DC and Prince Greorges County, Md. where he has business to transact, of the other part, and William tompson of Washington DC of the other part, witnesseth that David Ferguson for $620.00 paid by William Tompson, sells tract of land called Barbadoes and part of Scotland enlarged, lying in Washington County, DC sold by the late William Conn to William Ferguson, father of said David Ferguson Dated the 11th of November, 1780. Recorded in Liber No 1 page 100 and 101, Prince Georges County, containing 135 1/4 acres of land.
signed: DAVID FERGUSON
Witnesses: GABRIEL P. VAN HORNE
GEORGE PAGE
THOMAS CORCORAN
JOHN OTT

It will be observed that two men by the name of David Ferguson transacted business for William Ferguson. David Ferguson of Prince Georges County, Md. was the father of William but David of Ontario County, NY was Williams son.

The area in Maryland now included in the District of Columbia, in those days before 1700 was called New Scotland Hundred, and was a part of Charles County. This county was created by Lord Baltimore in 1658. It was the property along the Potomac River from Wicomico "as high as the settlements extend." New Scotland Hundred extended from Oxon Branch (opposite Alexandria, Va.) to the falls of the Potomac. Charles Beall was the pressmaster of this county. The area included:

"The Nock" - grant of 500 acres first warranted to Ninian Beall.
"Meurs" - 500 acres first granted to Ninian Beall, originally named "Chance"
"Barbadoe" - first laid out or surveyed by Ninian Beall, 250 acres
"Inclosure" - patented on Oct. 2, 1687, 1503 acres surveyed for Ninian Beall and by him taken up in 1687, and which was a tract now part of the National Arboretum.

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1776 Census for Prince Georges County, Maryland

FERGUSON, WILLIAM 31, 15, 2
Elizabeth 25, 7, 5, 2
1 Negro

1790 Census for Prince Gorges County
Furguson, William 6 males under 16 and 4 females, 6 slaves

1800 Census for Washington DC page 907
Furguson, William

From the Archives of Maryland Vol 72, Page 212
Journal of the Council
Saturday July 30, 1791

William Hall 3d. and Thomas Harwood 3d. Ł577:10:0. New bond by William Hall 3d. and
Thomas Harwood Junr. of this date.
Walter Bowie, Robert B. Tyler and John Smith Brookes Ł182 :10:0. New Bond by Walter
Bowie and Walter S. Chandler of this date.
Peter Carnes, Richard Ponsonby and Leonard M. Deakins Ł1382. New bond by William
Ferguson, Leonard M. Deakins and Richard Ponsonby dated 30th. instant.

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WILLIAM FERGUSON, County of Ontario, State of New York, 12 May 1806

In the name of God, Amen---I, William Ferguson, of the County of Ontario, and State of New York, considering the certainty of death, and the uncertainty of the time thereof, do therefore make and request this my last will and testament, in manner and form as follows, that is to say: first and pricipally, I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty GOD, and my body to the earth, to be decently buried by direction of my executors hereinafter named; after my debts and funeral charges are satisfied, I desire and bequeath as follows:

I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Elizabeth Ferguson, one-fifth part of of my real estate, which is in the county aforesaid, which one fifth part of the said lands is to be laid off so as to include my dwelling house, together with the other buildings, such as barns, sheds, stables and other houses adjoining thereto, which said fifth part of my lands, together with the improvements thereon, it is my will that my said wife, Elizabeth, have peaceful and quiet possession and free use thereof during her life, and after the death of my wife Elizabeth , I give and bequeath unto my youngest son, Levi Ferguson, his heirs and assigns forever, all the above described one-fifth part of my land; and the remaing part of my lands being four-fifths, I give and bequeath to my four sons, namely Robert Bell Ferguson, John Ferguson, William Ferguson, and David Bell Ferguson. To them that are my last named sons, their heirs and assigns forever, and as touching my personal estate, it is my will that my above named wife, Elizabeth, have the free use and benefit of all my goods and chattels, and personal estate of every kind whatsoevr, during her life, and after the death of my wife it is my will that all my children have an equal part of the personal estate, share and share alike, agreeable to value. The names of my children, which are to share in my personal estate are as follows:

James Ferguson, Catherine Witherall, residing in the District of Columbia, the wife of John Witherall, Ann Pierce, wife of Edward Pierce, residing in Maryland, Robert Bell Ferguson, John Ferguson, William Ferguson, David Bell Ferguson and Levi Ferguson, also Jane Wirt the wife of Henry Wirt. These my nine above named children to have equal share alike of all my personal estate after the death of my wife. Lastly I constitute and appoint my belovd wife, with my sons, Robert Bell Ferguson and David Bell Ferguson, executors. This is my last will and testament thereby ratifying and confirming this my last will and testament and revoking all others in testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this 12th day of May 1806.

WILLIAM FERGUSON [seal]

Signed, sealed and acknowledgd by William Ferguson, the testator of his last will and testament, in the presence of us at his request, and in his presence and in the presence of each other, subscribed our names as witnesses:
WILLIAM BUCHANAN
JOHN SHECKEL
THOMAS EDMONSTON

Children of WILLIAM FERGUSON and ELIZABETH BELL are:

7.	i.	ANN⁶ FERGUSON, b. 1773, Bladensburg, Prince Georges County, Maryland.
8.	ii.	CATHERINE FERGUSON, b. 30 July 1774, Bladensburg, Prince Georges County, Maryland; d. 1843, Washington, DC.
9.	iii.	JAMES FERGUSON, b. 30 July 1774, Prince Georges County, Maryland; d. 06 March 1845, Albion, Orleans County, New York.
10.	iv.	JANE FERGUSON, b. 1775, Prince George County, Maryland; d. 1815.
11.	v.	ROBERT BELL FERGUSON, b. 05 January 1777, Bladensburg, Prince Georges County, Maryland; d. 25 February 1858, Clifton Springs, Ontario County, New York.
12.	vi.	JOHN B. FERGUSON, b. 21 May 1779, Prince Georges County, Maryland; d. 1861, Washingon, DC.
13.	vii.	WILLIAM FERGUSON, b. 19 December 1782, Bladensburg, Maryland; d. 06 September 1864, Clifton Springs, New york.
	viii.	DAVID BELL FERGUSON, b. 1783, Bladensburg, Prince Georges County, Maryland; d. 1862, Baltimore, Maryland; m. (1) ELIZABETH UNKNOWN; m. (2) MARY BUCHANAN.

Notes for DAVID BELL FERGUSON:
1850 Census for Baltimore, Maryland

Ferguson, David B., age 66, Comm. Agent, $15,000, bMD
Ferguson, Elizabeth, age 46, B MD
Duncan, Mary, age 45, bIreland

Baltimore Deeds, W.G., No. 159, page 130
Indenture made November , 1820 between Francis Buchanan, of Baltimore, of the one part and David B. Ferguson of the same place, and Mary his wife, by indenture made April 17th 1818, and for the sum of $920.00, and confirmed to the said Francis Buchanan, all that lot of land of Cole's Harbor, or Todd's Range, lot No. 26 on the west side of Calvert Street, 29 by 120.
Signed: DAVID B. FERGUSON
MARY FERGUSON

Dates: 1819/07/01
C518: James Taylor vs. David B. Ferguson and Joseph Airey. Injunction against execution of judgment
Accession No.: 40,200-134
MSA No.: C 295-134
Location: 2/15/11/35

Dates: 1825/08/05
C490: Thomas Irwin vs. Mary Foss, Joseph Foss, Elizabeth Foss, Mary Elizabeth Foss, Mary Joseph Foss, George Foss, Catherine Foss, William Foss, Charles Foss, Henry Foss, Nancy Foss, Rosanna Foss, Philip Foss, Louisa Foss, John Foss, Henry Foss, Christina Sadtler, Sally Scidmore, John W. Scidmore, Elizabeth Owen, Thomas Owen, and David B. Ferguson. Contract to purchase lot and sugar refinery on N. Eutaw St.
Accession No.: 40,200-605-1/4
MSA No.: C 295-607
Location: 2/15/11/59

Dates: 1835/04/13
C395: Charles Myers vs. David B. Ferguson. Mortgage foreclosure on lots on Pine St. and Cherry Alley
Accession No.: 40,200-1653
MSA No.: C 295-1664
Location: 2/15/12/60

14.

ix.

LEVI FERGUSON, b. 1787, Bladensburg, Prince Georges County, Maryland.

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