I am researching the surnames Tawes and McMurry.The earliest McMurrys that I can trace in our line originated in the North
Carolina area in the 1700's and then moved into Tennessee and
later to Kentucky.The earliest Tawes I have found in our line
thus far is one Capt. John Tawes who first appeared in the
English Colonies in 1740 in the Pocomoke Hundred of Somerset
County in the Colony of Maryland.He again appears in Somerset
in the Annamessex Hundred in 1748, living in the household of
John Ward. But, where did he come from?? He lost his schooner the
Betsy of Maryland off of Antigua in July of 1759.He was captured and later released by the French in Aug. or September
he returned to Maryland, less one boat, cargo, and crew. He
married Keziah Ward circa 1750 and died circa 1795. He was the
founder of the Tawes Family of Somerset County, Maryland.