Son of Colonel John Addison and Rebecca Wilkinson Dent
Thomas Addison2 was born in 1679 in St. Mary's County, Maryland and died in Prince George's County in 1727. He was his father's only son, although he had six older step brothers and sisters. By the time he was eight years old his family had moved to Charles County. When he was seventeen he moved to St. Elizabeth's, Oxon Hill Creek, in Prince George's County. As befitting the son of a wealthy family which considered itself upper class, Thomas was educated at Oxford University in England.
The Register of Piscataway Parish has the following entry: "Thomas Addison, ae. about 22, son of Col. John Addision and Elizabeth TASKER, ae. 15, dau. of Thomas Tasker, Esq. were joined in Holy Matrimony on Tuesday ye 21 of April, 1701." They had two little girls, then Elizabeth died on 10 February 1706/7, at the age of twenty.
Thomas married secondly 17 June 1709 Elinor SMITH, 19-year-old daughter of Col. Walter Smith of Patuxent River. Elinor's brother, Richard Smith, married her step-daughter (Thomas's daughter by his first wife), Elinor Addison, and they also became our ancestors. Elinor is also spelled Eleanor in some sources. I do not know which she preferred, herself.
Thomas was a surveyor, planter, and merchant. He owned 800 acres in 1704, and at least 8,294 in 1706 after his father died. He had 2,300 acre "Addison's Choice" surveyed on the east side of the Monocacy River, presumably as a speculative investment. Following the pattern of his own privileged upbringing, after his death his son John became constable of Monocacy Hundred in 1734. A decade later John signed a petition requesting the establishment of Frederick County. But that is getting ahead of the story drawing of Oxon Hill Manor House by John D. Biggs
Thomas and Eleanor were hospitable hosts, making their home, "Oxon Hill", which overlooked the Potomac opposite the modern city of Alexandria, "one of the notable great houses of that day." It was built by Thomas's father John, and supposedly named after Thomas's alma mater. Oxon Hall itself burned to the ground in 1895. In 1980 the Oxon Hill Manor site was rediscovered by the Maryland Geological Survey while making studies for improvements to Md. Rt. 210-Interstate 95 interchange. The following year additional surveys were made, and the Maryland State Highway Administration decided to shift the interchange slightly to avoid the foundation of the house. Additional surveys were made of the new site of the interchange. In 1985 there were large-scale data recovery excavations in the northern half of the Oxon Hill site, and the following year the southern half was surveyed. This section was now part of a proposed PortAmerica Development and included the actual manor house foundation and associated outbuildings. The land was taken over by the National Harbor Development and payment for archaeological work ceased. The artifacts that had been discovered were turned over to the Maryland Archaeological Laboratory, which cleaned and curated the objects. A few objects are on display at the M.A.L. at Jefferson Patterson State Park. An excellent, popular report that sheds light on the lives of the folks at Oxon Hill was published in November 2010.
John D. Biggs, an amateur architectural historian (meaning he is on no payroll for elevation of Oxon Hill Manor House by John D. Biggs this labor) has carefully studied the spotty records of the house, and has created these drawings of what the manor house probably looked like in its glory days. He explains that he added a window in the center of the facade as a photo taken in 1892 of the staircase hall clearly shows a center window on the second floor landing. The hyphens and wings are based on similar houses of that age and scale, like Tulip Hill in Galesville, Md., and Montpelier in Laurel, Md. My thanks to John for granting permission to post his two drawings on this web page. The cupola was probably added later.
His father's high status opened doors for young Thomas. At the age of eighteen in 1696-97 he was surveyor for Prince George's County. He served as justice in Prince George's County for the 1704-05 term, then as Sheriff for 1705-07/8. He was one of the few men appointed to the Provincial Council without prior experience in the Assembly, serving from 1708 till his death in 1727. He served in the Upper House in 1710-11 (joining the third session of the 1708-11 Council), 1712-14, 1715, 1716-18, 1719-21/2, 1722-24, and 1725-26 (dying before the start of the fourth session).
In 1697 Thomas was a deputy naval officer for the Potomac. By 1713 he was a lieutenant colonel in the militia, and the next year was made full colonel.
Thomas's will was signed 9 April 1722 and probated 28 June 1727. His estate was inventoried at £5,722.11.8 and included 71 slaves and three indentured white servants. The final balance after his debts were paid was £5,369.18.8. He owned between 14,000 and 15,000 acres at the time of his death. Thomas bequeathed one quarter of the residue of personal property to his wife Elinor, with the other three quarters going to her five children. He specified that if she married a Catholic, his overseers were to take the children and their estate and see that they were brought up in the Church of England. He named as overseers Benjamin TASKER (his first wife's brother), James BOWLES (his son-in-law), and George NOBLE. A codicil of 2 November 1725 specified that 2,300 acre "Addison's Choice" on the Monococy be divided equally between Thomas, Henry, and Anthony. Other bequests are mentioned below.
Elinor lived for many years as a widow. On 31 [sic] September 1727 Elinor Addison, widow, of Prince George's County, conveyed 250 acres, which was half of "Bear Neck" to her brother Richard SMITH of Calvert County. This was Elinor's half of 500 acres granted 10 November 1695 to her father, Walter Smith, deceased.[45a] She gave her son Henry a Bible and prayer book in which he wrote, "Presented to me by the honored Lady, my Mother". As of 1913 it was still in his family. Her death was reported in the Maryland Gazette. She died at her home at Oxon-Hill, on the "Potowomack" River; on Monday, 19 January 1761, in her 72nd year. Elinor's will, dated 17 December 1759, bequeathed land and enslaved humans to her son Thomas, a mourning ring and guinea to her daughter Ann HALL, a silver tea pot to daughter Ann MURDOCK, enslaved people to her sons John and Henry. She also left things to her sister Elizabeth BALL, and to granddaughters Catherine SIM, Eleanor Addison, Ann Addison, and Eleanor Addison (daughter of her son Henry).
Children of Thomas and his first wife, Elizabeth (Tasker) Addison:
i. Rebecca Tasker Addison3, b. Monday, 3 June 1703, about 11:00 a.m.; m(1) James BOWLES (?-ca. 1727/8), his second marriage; m(2) 10 June 1729 Hon. Col. George PLATER (1695-1755). Both these men served in the Maryland legislature. Rebecca and George resided at the elegant plantation, "Sotterly", St. Mary's Co., in which she held a life interest. After her death George bought it from Rebecca's heirs. Their son George was Governor of Maryland.
ii. Elinor Addison, b. Monday, 20 Mar. 1705, about 9:30 a.m.; m(1) Bennett LOWE (d. 1722), son of Col. Henry Lowe (d. 1717) and his wife Susanna Maria (BENNETT); m(2) Col. Richard SMITH (d. 1732) son of Walter Smith, her step grandfather; m(3) Posthumous THORNTON; m (4) Corbin LEE (d. 1774). Her first two fathers-in-law and her fourth husband served in the Maryland legislature.
Children of Thomas and his second wife, Elinor (Smith) Addison:
iii. Ann Addison, b. Tuesday, 18 Feb. 1711/2; d. 24 Mar. 1753; m. William MURDOCK (d. 1769) who served in the Md. Legis.; his first wife was Margaret DULANY, sister of Rebecca who m. Ann's brother Thomas Addison. Ann and William had a daughter Catherine Murdock (ca. 1735-29 Nov. 1771) who m. Joseph SIM, brother of our Christian (Sim) LEE who m (2) Walter SMITH. Other children were John Murdock (b. 10 Feb. 1729), Addison Murdock (b. 31 July 1731, d. ca. 1792), John Murdock (b. 16 May 1733, d. 3 Aug. 1791, m. Ann BELT), Ann Murdock (m. Rev. Clement BROOKE), Eleanor Murdock (m. 7 Mar. 1757 Benjamin Hall, son of Francis and Dorothy [LOWE]), and Mary Murdock (d. 1792).
iv. John Addison, b. 15 Aug. or 16 Sept. 1713; m. Susannah WILKINSON; Burgess, Prince George's Co. 1745-57; styled Capt., 1756, then Col. served in the Maryland legislature. He inherited some 3863 acres of his father's estate, specifically 1,430 ac. "Saint Elizabeth", 512 ac. "Discontent", 545 ac. "Barnobie", 100 ac. "Canton", 226 ac. "Force", 340 ac. "Gleening", 370 ac. "Locust Thicket", and 340 ac. "Maddox Folly". Shortly after his wife died he added a codicil to his will, leaving all his personal property to his daughter Ann Addision, and named her executrix. John and Susanna's children:
a) Ann Addison, m. Overton CARR of Va.; had 4 children.
b) Thomas Addison, d. 24 Sept. 1774, m. 3 Dec. 1767 Rebecca DULANY, eldest daughter of Walter of Annapolis. They res. at Oxon Hill and drove a coach and four with liveried outriders. This Thomas is often confused with his uncle Thomas, Jr. (1715-1770) who left the bulk of his estate to his nephew Thomas [Jr.].
c) Anthony Addison, mariner, m. 6 June 1794 Rebecca MURDOCK;
d) John Addison, m. 24 Jan. 1787 Lucy WATKINS;
e) Eleanor Addison, m. the Rev. Jonathan BOUCHER.
v. Thomas Addison, Jr., b. 1715; d. Thurs., 27 Nov. 1770 at his house on the Potomac, in his 56th year. His obituary in the Maryland Gazette said he was "sometime Major of His Majesty's 35th Regiment of Foot. He left the bulk of his property to his nephew, Thomas Addison, Esq. of Oxon-Hill."[54] It is this nephew, called Thomas Addison, Jr., who was the son of the dec'd Thomas's brother John, who is often confused with this Thomas. It is the nephew, Thomas, Jr., who m. Mon. evening 30 Nov. 1767 Rebecca DULANY, niece of his uncle Henry's wife, eldest daughter of the Hon. Walter Dulany, Esq. Thomas Jr. inherited 850 ac. "Gisborough", 300 ac. "Berry", 260 ac. "Pasture", 336 ac. "Prevention"; and everything south west of a line drawn through 393 ac. "The Union", 209 ac. "Barwick upon Tweed", 236 ac. "Brother's Joynt Interest", 106 ac. "Nonsuch", and 300 ac. "North Britton". Thomas Jr. was educated at Oxford, and was rector of St. John's for 30 years.
vi. Henry Addison, b. 1717; d. 31 Aug. 1789 in Prince George's Co.; m. 1 Aug. 1751 his wealthy first cousin Rachel DULANY, widow of William KNIGHT; she was the second daughter of Daniel Dulany (1695-1755) and his wife Rebecca (SMITH), sister of Henry 's mother; Rachel d. 19 Oct. 1774. Daniel served in the Maryland legislature. Henry matriculated at Queen's College, Oxford at the age of 16 on 3 Mar. 1734/5; was awarded a B.A. in 1738 and an MA in 1741. He was an Anglican priest, serving as rector of St. John's Parish, Prince George's Co. from 1751 till his death.[55] Inherited from his father 400 ac. "Chichester", 289 ac. "Addition", 428 ac. of "Friendship" at the Eastern branch, owned jointly with Mr. Abington; 400 ac. of "Friendship" near the Falls of the Potomac, and tracts northeast of the line dividing tracts with his brother Thomas. Rachel d. Wed. 19 Oct. 1774.[56] Henry was a Tory during the American Revolution, fled to England, but returned after the War. Henry and Rachel had 3 children:
a) Anthony Addison, b. 25 Apr. 1754;
b) Daniel Addison, b. 10 Oct. 1756;
c) Eleanor Addison, b. 8 July 1759, m. Garland CALLIS.
vii. Anthony Addison, d. 1753; unmarried. Inherited from his father 400 ac. "Whitehaven", 400 ac. "Philip and Jacob", and 1,200 ac. of "Friendship" near the Falls of the Potomac. He kept this estate in the family by bequeathing it to his brothers and nephews.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxon_Hill_Manor
Thomas Addison2 was born in 1679 in St. Mary's County, Maryland and died in Prince George's County in 1727. He was his father's only son, although he had six older step brothers and sisters. By the time he was eight years old his family had moved to Charles County. When he was seventeen he moved to St. Elizabeth's, Oxon Hill Creek, in Prince George's County. As befitting the son of a wealthy family which considered itself upper class, Thomas was educated at Oxford University in England.
The Register of Piscataway Parish has the following entry: "Thomas Addison, ae. about 22, son of Col. John Addision and Elizabeth TASKER, ae. 15, dau. of Thomas Tasker, Esq. were joined in Holy Matrimony on Tuesday ye 21 of April, 1701." They had two little girls, then Elizabeth died on 10 February 1706/7, at the age of twenty.
Thomas married secondly 17 June 1709 Elinor SMITH, 19-year-old daughter of Col. Walter Smith of Patuxent River. Elinor's brother, Richard Smith, married her step-daughter (Thomas's daughter by his first wife), Elinor Addison, and they also became our ancestors. Elinor is also spelled Eleanor in some sources. I do not know which she preferred, herself.
Thomas was a surveyor, planter, and merchant. He owned 800 acres in 1704, and at least 8,294 in 1706 after his father died. He had 2,300 acre "Addison's Choice" surveyed on the east side of the Monocacy River, presumably as a speculative investment. Following the pattern of his own privileged upbringing, after his death his son John became constable of Monocacy Hundred in 1734. A decade later John signed a petition requesting the establishment of Frederick County. But that is getting ahead of the story drawing of Oxon Hill Manor House by John D. Biggs
Thomas and Eleanor were hospitable hosts, making their home, "Oxon Hill", which overlooked the Potomac opposite the modern city of Alexandria, "one of the notable great houses of that day." It was built by Thomas's father John, and supposedly named after Thomas's alma mater. Oxon Hall itself burned to the ground in 1895. In 1980 the Oxon Hill Manor site was rediscovered by the Maryland Geological Survey while making studies for improvements to Md. Rt. 210-Interstate 95 interchange. The following year additional surveys were made, and the Maryland State Highway Administration decided to shift the interchange slightly to avoid the foundation of the house. Additional surveys were made of the new site of the interchange. In 1985 there were large-scale data recovery excavations in the northern half of the Oxon Hill site, and the following year the southern half was surveyed. This section was now part of a proposed PortAmerica Development and included the actual manor house foundation and associated outbuildings. The land was taken over by the National Harbor Development and payment for archaeological work ceased. The artifacts that had been discovered were turned over to the Maryland Archaeological Laboratory, which cleaned and curated the objects. A few objects are on display at the M.A.L. at Jefferson Patterson State Park. An excellent, popular report that sheds light on the lives of the folks at Oxon Hill was published in November 2010.
John D. Biggs, an amateur architectural historian (meaning he is on no payroll for elevation of Oxon Hill Manor House by John D. Biggs this labor) has carefully studied the spotty records of the house, and has created these drawings of what the manor house probably looked like in its glory days. He explains that he added a window in the center of the facade as a photo taken in 1892 of the staircase hall clearly shows a center window on the second floor landing. The hyphens and wings are based on similar houses of that age and scale, like Tulip Hill in Galesville, Md., and Montpelier in Laurel, Md. My thanks to John for granting permission to post his two drawings on this web page. The cupola was probably added later.
His father's high status opened doors for young Thomas. At the age of eighteen in 1696-97 he was surveyor for Prince George's County. He served as justice in Prince George's County for the 1704-05 term, then as Sheriff for 1705-07/8. He was one of the few men appointed to the Provincial Council without prior experience in the Assembly, serving from 1708 till his death in 1727. He served in the Upper House in 1710-11 (joining the third session of the 1708-11 Council), 1712-14, 1715, 1716-18, 1719-21/2, 1722-24, and 1725-26 (dying before the start of the fourth session).
In 1697 Thomas was a deputy naval officer for the Potomac. By 1713 he was a lieutenant colonel in the militia, and the next year was made full colonel.
Thomas's will was signed 9 April 1722 and probated 28 June 1727. His estate was inventoried at £5,722.11.8 and included 71 slaves and three indentured white servants. The final balance after his debts were paid was £5,369.18.8. He owned between 14,000 and 15,000 acres at the time of his death. Thomas bequeathed one quarter of the residue of personal property to his wife Elinor, with the other three quarters going to her five children. He specified that if she married a Catholic, his overseers were to take the children and their estate and see that they were brought up in the Church of England. He named as overseers Benjamin TASKER (his first wife's brother), James BOWLES (his son-in-law), and George NOBLE. A codicil of 2 November 1725 specified that 2,300 acre "Addison's Choice" on the Monococy be divided equally between Thomas, Henry, and Anthony. Other bequests are mentioned below.
Elinor lived for many years as a widow. On 31 [sic] September 1727 Elinor Addison, widow, of Prince George's County, conveyed 250 acres, which was half of "Bear Neck" to her brother Richard SMITH of Calvert County. This was Elinor's half of 500 acres granted 10 November 1695 to her father, Walter Smith, deceased.[45a] She gave her son Henry a Bible and prayer book in which he wrote, "Presented to me by the honored Lady, my Mother". As of 1913 it was still in his family. Her death was reported in the Maryland Gazette. She died at her home at Oxon-Hill, on the "Potowomack" River; on Monday, 19 January 1761, in her 72nd year. Elinor's will, dated 17 December 1759, bequeathed land and enslaved humans to her son Thomas, a mourning ring and guinea to her daughter Ann HALL, a silver tea pot to daughter Ann MURDOCK, enslaved people to her sons John and Henry. She also left things to her sister Elizabeth BALL, and to granddaughters Catherine SIM, Eleanor Addison, Ann Addison, and Eleanor Addison (daughter of her son Henry).
Children of Thomas and his first wife, Elizabeth (Tasker) Addison:
i. Rebecca Tasker Addison3, b. Monday, 3 June 1703, about 11:00 a.m.; m(1) James BOWLES (?-ca. 1727/8), his second marriage; m(2) 10 June 1729 Hon. Col. George PLATER (1695-1755). Both these men served in the Maryland legislature. Rebecca and George resided at the elegant plantation, "Sotterly", St. Mary's Co., in which she held a life interest. After her death George bought it from Rebecca's heirs. Their son George was Governor of Maryland.
ii. Elinor Addison, b. Monday, 20 Mar. 1705, about 9:30 a.m.; m(1) Bennett LOWE (d. 1722), son of Col. Henry Lowe (d. 1717) and his wife Susanna Maria (BENNETT); m(2) Col. Richard SMITH (d. 1732) son of Walter Smith, her step grandfather; m(3) Posthumous THORNTON; m (4) Corbin LEE (d. 1774). Her first two fathers-in-law and her fourth husband served in the Maryland legislature.
Children of Thomas and his second wife, Elinor (Smith) Addison:
iii. Ann Addison, b. Tuesday, 18 Feb. 1711/2; d. 24 Mar. 1753; m. William MURDOCK (d. 1769) who served in the Md. Legis.; his first wife was Margaret DULANY, sister of Rebecca who m. Ann's brother Thomas Addison. Ann and William had a daughter Catherine Murdock (ca. 1735-29 Nov. 1771) who m. Joseph SIM, brother of our Christian (Sim) LEE who m (2) Walter SMITH. Other children were John Murdock (b. 10 Feb. 1729), Addison Murdock (b. 31 July 1731, d. ca. 1792), John Murdock (b. 16 May 1733, d. 3 Aug. 1791, m. Ann BELT), Ann Murdock (m. Rev. Clement BROOKE), Eleanor Murdock (m. 7 Mar. 1757 Benjamin Hall, son of Francis and Dorothy [LOWE]), and Mary Murdock (d. 1792).
iv. John Addison, b. 15 Aug. or 16 Sept. 1713; m. Susannah WILKINSON; Burgess, Prince George's Co. 1745-57; styled Capt., 1756, then Col. served in the Maryland legislature. He inherited some 3863 acres of his father's estate, specifically 1,430 ac. "Saint Elizabeth", 512 ac. "Discontent", 545 ac. "Barnobie", 100 ac. "Canton", 226 ac. "Force", 340 ac. "Gleening", 370 ac. "Locust Thicket", and 340 ac. "Maddox Folly". Shortly after his wife died he added a codicil to his will, leaving all his personal property to his daughter Ann Addision, and named her executrix. John and Susanna's children:
a) Ann Addison, m. Overton CARR of Va.; had 4 children.
b) Thomas Addison, d. 24 Sept. 1774, m. 3 Dec. 1767 Rebecca DULANY, eldest daughter of Walter of Annapolis. They res. at Oxon Hill and drove a coach and four with liveried outriders. This Thomas is often confused with his uncle Thomas, Jr. (1715-1770) who left the bulk of his estate to his nephew Thomas [Jr.].
c) Anthony Addison, mariner, m. 6 June 1794 Rebecca MURDOCK;
d) John Addison, m. 24 Jan. 1787 Lucy WATKINS;
e) Eleanor Addison, m. the Rev. Jonathan BOUCHER.
v. Thomas Addison, Jr., b. 1715; d. Thurs., 27 Nov. 1770 at his house on the Potomac, in his 56th year. His obituary in the Maryland Gazette said he was "sometime Major of His Majesty's 35th Regiment of Foot. He left the bulk of his property to his nephew, Thomas Addison, Esq. of Oxon-Hill."[54] It is this nephew, called Thomas Addison, Jr., who was the son of the dec'd Thomas's brother John, who is often confused with this Thomas. It is the nephew, Thomas, Jr., who m. Mon. evening 30 Nov. 1767 Rebecca DULANY, niece of his uncle Henry's wife, eldest daughter of the Hon. Walter Dulany, Esq. Thomas Jr. inherited 850 ac. "Gisborough", 300 ac. "Berry", 260 ac. "Pasture", 336 ac. "Prevention"; and everything south west of a line drawn through 393 ac. "The Union", 209 ac. "Barwick upon Tweed", 236 ac. "Brother's Joynt Interest", 106 ac. "Nonsuch", and 300 ac. "North Britton". Thomas Jr. was educated at Oxford, and was rector of St. John's for 30 years.
vi. Henry Addison, b. 1717; d. 31 Aug. 1789 in Prince George's Co.; m. 1 Aug. 1751 his wealthy first cousin Rachel DULANY, widow of William KNIGHT; she was the second daughter of Daniel Dulany (1695-1755) and his wife Rebecca (SMITH), sister of Henry 's mother; Rachel d. 19 Oct. 1774. Daniel served in the Maryland legislature. Henry matriculated at Queen's College, Oxford at the age of 16 on 3 Mar. 1734/5; was awarded a B.A. in 1738 and an MA in 1741. He was an Anglican priest, serving as rector of St. John's Parish, Prince George's Co. from 1751 till his death.[55] Inherited from his father 400 ac. "Chichester", 289 ac. "Addition", 428 ac. of "Friendship" at the Eastern branch, owned jointly with Mr. Abington; 400 ac. of "Friendship" near the Falls of the Potomac, and tracts northeast of the line dividing tracts with his brother Thomas. Rachel d. Wed. 19 Oct. 1774.[56] Henry was a Tory during the American Revolution, fled to England, but returned after the War. Henry and Rachel had 3 children:
a) Anthony Addison, b. 25 Apr. 1754;
b) Daniel Addison, b. 10 Oct. 1756;
c) Eleanor Addison, b. 8 July 1759, m. Garland CALLIS.
vii. Anthony Addison, d. 1753; unmarried. Inherited from his father 400 ac. "Whitehaven", 400 ac. "Philip and Jacob", and 1,200 ac. of "Friendship" near the Falls of the Potomac. He kept this estate in the family by bequeathing it to his brothers and nephews.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxon_Hill_Manor
Son of Colonel John Addison and Rebecca Wilkinson Dent
Thomas Addison2 was born in 1679 in St. Mary's County, Maryland and died in Prince George's County in 1727. He was his father's only son, although he had six older step brothers and sisters. By the time he was eight years old his family had moved to Charles County. When he was seventeen he moved to St. Elizabeth's, Oxon Hill Creek, in Prince George's County. As befitting the son of a wealthy family which considered itself upper class, Thomas was educated at Oxford University in England.
The Register of Piscataway Parish has the following entry: "Thomas Addison, ae. about 22, son of Col. John Addision and Elizabeth TASKER, ae. 15, dau. of Thomas Tasker, Esq. were joined in Holy Matrimony on Tuesday ye 21 of April, 1701." They had two little girls, then Elizabeth died on 10 February 1706/7, at the age of twenty.
Thomas married secondly 17 June 1709 Elinor SMITH, 19-year-old daughter of Col. Walter Smith of Patuxent River. Elinor's brother, Richard Smith, married her step-daughter (Thomas's daughter by his first wife), Elinor Addison, and they also became our ancestors. Elinor is also spelled Eleanor in some sources. I do not know which she preferred, herself.
Thomas was a surveyor, planter, and merchant. He owned 800 acres in 1704, and at least 8,294 in 1706 after his father died. He had 2,300 acre "Addison's Choice" surveyed on the east side of the Monocacy River, presumably as a speculative investment. Following the pattern of his own privileged upbringing, after his death his son John became constable of Monocacy Hundred in 1734. A decade later John signed a petition requesting the establishment of Frederick County. But that is getting ahead of the story drawing of Oxon Hill Manor House by John D. Biggs
Thomas and Eleanor were hospitable hosts, making their home, "Oxon Hill", which overlooked the Potomac opposite the modern city of Alexandria, "one of the notable great houses of that day." It was built by Thomas's father John, and supposedly named after Thomas's alma mater. Oxon Hall itself burned to the ground in 1895. In 1980 the Oxon Hill Manor site was rediscovered by the Maryland Geological Survey while making studies for improvements to Md. Rt. 210-Interstate 95 interchange. The following year additional surveys were made, and the Maryland State Highway Administration decided to shift the interchange slightly to avoid the foundation of the house. Additional surveys were made of the new site of the interchange. In 1985 there were large-scale data recovery excavations in the northern half of the Oxon Hill site, and the following year the southern half was surveyed. This section was now part of a proposed PortAmerica Development and included the actual manor house foundation and associated outbuildings. The land was taken over by the National Harbor Development and payment for archaeological work ceased. The artifacts that had been discovered were turned over to the Maryland Archaeological Laboratory, which cleaned and curated the objects. A few objects are on display at the M.A.L. at Jefferson Patterson State Park. An excellent, popular report that sheds light on the lives of the folks at Oxon Hill was published in November 2010.
John D. Biggs, an amateur architectural historian (meaning he is on no payroll for elevation of Oxon Hill Manor House by John D. Biggs this labor) has carefully studied the spotty records of the house, and has created these drawings of what the manor house probably looked like in its glory days. He explains that he added a window in the center of the facade as a photo taken in 1892 of the staircase hall clearly shows a center window on the second floor landing. The hyphens and wings are based on similar houses of that age and scale, like Tulip Hill in Galesville, Md., and Montpelier in Laurel, Md. My thanks to John for granting permission to post his two drawings on this web page. The cupola was probably added later.
His father's high status opened doors for young Thomas. At the age of eighteen in 1696-97 he was surveyor for Prince George's County. He served as justice in Prince George's County for the 1704-05 term, then as Sheriff for 1705-07/8. He was one of the few men appointed to the Provincial Council without prior experience in the Assembly, serving from 1708 till his death in 1727. He served in the Upper House in 1710-11 (joining the third session of the 1708-11 Council), 1712-14, 1715, 1716-18, 1719-21/2, 1722-24, and 1725-26 (dying before the start of the fourth session).
In 1697 Thomas was a deputy naval officer for the Potomac. By 1713 he was a lieutenant colonel in the militia, and the next year was made full colonel.
Thomas's will was signed 9 April 1722 and probated 28 June 1727. His estate was inventoried at £5,722.11.8 and included 71 slaves and three indentured white servants. The final balance after his debts were paid was £5,369.18.8. He owned between 14,000 and 15,000 acres at the time of his death. Thomas bequeathed one quarter of the residue of personal property to his wife Elinor, with the other three quarters going to her five children. He specified that if she married a Catholic, his overseers were to take the children and their estate and see that they were brought up in the Church of England. He named as overseers Benjamin TASKER (his first wife's brother), James BOWLES (his son-in-law), and George NOBLE. A codicil of 2 November 1725 specified that 2,300 acre "Addison's Choice" on the Monococy be divided equally between Thomas, Henry, and Anthony. Other bequests are mentioned below.
Elinor lived for many years as a widow. On 31 [sic] September 1727 Elinor Addison, widow, of Prince George's County, conveyed 250 acres, which was half of "Bear Neck" to her brother Richard SMITH of Calvert County. This was Elinor's half of 500 acres granted 10 November 1695 to her father, Walter Smith, deceased.[45a] She gave her son Henry a Bible and prayer book in which he wrote, "Presented to me by the honored Lady, my Mother". As of 1913 it was still in his family. Her death was reported in the Maryland Gazette. She died at her home at Oxon-Hill, on the "Potowomack" River; on Monday, 19 January 1761, in her 72nd year. Elinor's will, dated 17 December 1759, bequeathed land and enslaved humans to her son Thomas, a mourning ring and guinea to her daughter Ann HALL, a silver tea pot to daughter Ann MURDOCK, enslaved people to her sons John and Henry. She also left things to her sister Elizabeth BALL, and to granddaughters Catherine SIM, Eleanor Addison, Ann Addison, and Eleanor Addison (daughter of her son Henry).
Children of Thomas and his first wife, Elizabeth (Tasker) Addison:
i. Rebecca Tasker Addison3, b. Monday, 3 June 1703, about 11:00 a.m.; m(1) James BOWLES (?-ca. 1727/8), his second marriage; m(2) 10 June 1729 Hon. Col. George PLATER (1695-1755). Both these men served in the Maryland legislature. Rebecca and George resided at the elegant plantation, "Sotterly", St. Mary's Co., in which she held a life interest. After her death George bought it from Rebecca's heirs. Their son George was Governor of Maryland.
ii. Elinor Addison, b. Monday, 20 Mar. 1705, about 9:30 a.m.; m(1) Bennett LOWE (d. 1722), son of Col. Henry Lowe (d. 1717) and his wife Susanna Maria (BENNETT); m(2) Col. Richard SMITH (d. 1732) son of Walter Smith, her step grandfather; m(3) Posthumous THORNTON; m (4) Corbin LEE (d. 1774). Her first two fathers-in-law and her fourth husband served in the Maryland legislature.
Children of Thomas and his second wife, Elinor (Smith) Addison:
iii. Ann Addison, b. Tuesday, 18 Feb. 1711/2; d. 24 Mar. 1753; m. William MURDOCK (d. 1769) who served in the Md. Legis.; his first wife was Margaret DULANY, sister of Rebecca who m. Ann's brother Thomas Addison. Ann and William had a daughter Catherine Murdock (ca. 1735-29 Nov. 1771) who m. Joseph SIM, brother of our Christian (Sim) LEE who m (2) Walter SMITH. Other children were John Murdock (b. 10 Feb. 1729), Addison Murdock (b. 31 July 1731, d. ca. 1792), John Murdock (b. 16 May 1733, d. 3 Aug. 1791, m. Ann BELT), Ann Murdock (m. Rev. Clement BROOKE), Eleanor Murdock (m. 7 Mar. 1757 Benjamin Hall, son of Francis and Dorothy [LOWE]), and Mary Murdock (d. 1792).
iv. John Addison, b. 15 Aug. or 16 Sept. 1713; m. Susannah WILKINSON; Burgess, Prince George's Co. 1745-57; styled Capt., 1756, then Col. served in the Maryland legislature. He inherited some 3863 acres of his father's estate, specifically 1,430 ac. "Saint Elizabeth", 512 ac. "Discontent", 545 ac. "Barnobie", 100 ac. "Canton", 226 ac. "Force", 340 ac. "Gleening", 370 ac. "Locust Thicket", and 340 ac. "Maddox Folly". Shortly after his wife died he added a codicil to his will, leaving all his personal property to his daughter Ann Addision, and named her executrix. John and Susanna's children:
a) Ann Addison, m. Overton CARR of Va.; had 4 children.
b) Thomas Addison, d. 24 Sept. 1774, m. 3 Dec. 1767 Rebecca DULANY, eldest daughter of Walter of Annapolis. They res. at Oxon Hill and drove a coach and four with liveried outriders. This Thomas is often confused with his uncle Thomas, Jr. (1715-1770) who left the bulk of his estate to his nephew Thomas [Jr.].
c) Anthony Addison, mariner, m. 6 June 1794 Rebecca MURDOCK;
d) John Addison, m. 24 Jan. 1787 Lucy WATKINS;
e) Eleanor Addison, m. the Rev. Jonathan BOUCHER.
v. Thomas Addison, Jr., b. 1715; d. Thurs., 27 Nov. 1770 at his house on the Potomac, in his 56th year. His obituary in the Maryland Gazette said he was "sometime Major of His Majesty's 35th Regiment of Foot. He left the bulk of his property to his nephew, Thomas Addison, Esq. of Oxon-Hill."[54] It is this nephew, called Thomas Addison, Jr., who was the son of the dec'd Thomas's brother John, who is often confused with this Thomas. It is the nephew, Thomas, Jr., who m. Mon. evening 30 Nov. 1767 Rebecca DULANY, niece of his uncle Henry's wife, eldest daughter of the Hon. Walter Dulany, Esq. Thomas Jr. inherited 850 ac. "Gisborough", 300 ac. "Berry", 260 ac. "Pasture", 336 ac. "Prevention"; and everything south west of a line drawn through 393 ac. "The Union", 209 ac. "Barwick upon Tweed", 236 ac. "Brother's Joynt Interest", 106 ac. "Nonsuch", and 300 ac. "North Britton". Thomas Jr. was educated at Oxford, and was rector of St. John's for 30 years.
vi. Henry Addison, b. 1717; d. 31 Aug. 1789 in Prince George's Co.; m. 1 Aug. 1751 his wealthy first cousin Rachel DULANY, widow of William KNIGHT; she was the second daughter of Daniel Dulany (1695-1755) and his wife Rebecca (SMITH), sister of Henry 's mother; Rachel d. 19 Oct. 1774. Daniel served in the Maryland legislature. Henry matriculated at Queen's College, Oxford at the age of 16 on 3 Mar. 1734/5; was awarded a B.A. in 1738 and an MA in 1741. He was an Anglican priest, serving as rector of St. John's Parish, Prince George's Co. from 1751 till his death.[55] Inherited from his father 400 ac. "Chichester", 289 ac. "Addition", 428 ac. of "Friendship" at the Eastern branch, owned jointly with Mr. Abington; 400 ac. of "Friendship" near the Falls of the Potomac, and tracts northeast of the line dividing tracts with his brother Thomas. Rachel d. Wed. 19 Oct. 1774.[56] Henry was a Tory during the American Revolution, fled to England, but returned after the War. Henry and Rachel had 3 children:
a) Anthony Addison, b. 25 Apr. 1754;
b) Daniel Addison, b. 10 Oct. 1756;
c) Eleanor Addison, b. 8 July 1759, m. Garland CALLIS.
vii. Anthony Addison, d. 1753; unmarried. Inherited from his father 400 ac. "Whitehaven", 400 ac. "Philip and Jacob", and 1,200 ac. of "Friendship" near the Falls of the Potomac. He kept this estate in the family by bequeathing it to his brothers and nephews.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxon_Hill_Manor
Thomas Addison2 was born in 1679 in St. Mary's County, Maryland and died in Prince George's County in 1727. He was his father's only son, although he had six older step brothers and sisters. By the time he was eight years old his family had moved to Charles County. When he was seventeen he moved to St. Elizabeth's, Oxon Hill Creek, in Prince George's County. As befitting the son of a wealthy family which considered itself upper class, Thomas was educated at Oxford University in England.
The Register of Piscataway Parish has the following entry: "Thomas Addison, ae. about 22, son of Col. John Addision and Elizabeth TASKER, ae. 15, dau. of Thomas Tasker, Esq. were joined in Holy Matrimony on Tuesday ye 21 of April, 1701." They had two little girls, then Elizabeth died on 10 February 1706/7, at the age of twenty.
Thomas married secondly 17 June 1709 Elinor SMITH, 19-year-old daughter of Col. Walter Smith of Patuxent River. Elinor's brother, Richard Smith, married her step-daughter (Thomas's daughter by his first wife), Elinor Addison, and they also became our ancestors. Elinor is also spelled Eleanor in some sources. I do not know which she preferred, herself.
Thomas was a surveyor, planter, and merchant. He owned 800 acres in 1704, and at least 8,294 in 1706 after his father died. He had 2,300 acre "Addison's Choice" surveyed on the east side of the Monocacy River, presumably as a speculative investment. Following the pattern of his own privileged upbringing, after his death his son John became constable of Monocacy Hundred in 1734. A decade later John signed a petition requesting the establishment of Frederick County. But that is getting ahead of the story drawing of Oxon Hill Manor House by John D. Biggs
Thomas and Eleanor were hospitable hosts, making their home, "Oxon Hill", which overlooked the Potomac opposite the modern city of Alexandria, "one of the notable great houses of that day." It was built by Thomas's father John, and supposedly named after Thomas's alma mater. Oxon Hall itself burned to the ground in 1895. In 1980 the Oxon Hill Manor site was rediscovered by the Maryland Geological Survey while making studies for improvements to Md. Rt. 210-Interstate 95 interchange. The following year additional surveys were made, and the Maryland State Highway Administration decided to shift the interchange slightly to avoid the foundation of the house. Additional surveys were made of the new site of the interchange. In 1985 there were large-scale data recovery excavations in the northern half of the Oxon Hill site, and the following year the southern half was surveyed. This section was now part of a proposed PortAmerica Development and included the actual manor house foundation and associated outbuildings. The land was taken over by the National Harbor Development and payment for archaeological work ceased. The artifacts that had been discovered were turned over to the Maryland Archaeological Laboratory, which cleaned and curated the objects. A few objects are on display at the M.A.L. at Jefferson Patterson State Park. An excellent, popular report that sheds light on the lives of the folks at Oxon Hill was published in November 2010.
John D. Biggs, an amateur architectural historian (meaning he is on no payroll for elevation of Oxon Hill Manor House by John D. Biggs this labor) has carefully studied the spotty records of the house, and has created these drawings of what the manor house probably looked like in its glory days. He explains that he added a window in the center of the facade as a photo taken in 1892 of the staircase hall clearly shows a center window on the second floor landing. The hyphens and wings are based on similar houses of that age and scale, like Tulip Hill in Galesville, Md., and Montpelier in Laurel, Md. My thanks to John for granting permission to post his two drawings on this web page. The cupola was probably added later.
His father's high status opened doors for young Thomas. At the age of eighteen in 1696-97 he was surveyor for Prince George's County. He served as justice in Prince George's County for the 1704-05 term, then as Sheriff for 1705-07/8. He was one of the few men appointed to the Provincial Council without prior experience in the Assembly, serving from 1708 till his death in 1727. He served in the Upper House in 1710-11 (joining the third session of the 1708-11 Council), 1712-14, 1715, 1716-18, 1719-21/2, 1722-24, and 1725-26 (dying before the start of the fourth session).
In 1697 Thomas was a deputy naval officer for the Potomac. By 1713 he was a lieutenant colonel in the militia, and the next year was made full colonel.
Thomas's will was signed 9 April 1722 and probated 28 June 1727. His estate was inventoried at £5,722.11.8 and included 71 slaves and three indentured white servants. The final balance after his debts were paid was £5,369.18.8. He owned between 14,000 and 15,000 acres at the time of his death. Thomas bequeathed one quarter of the residue of personal property to his wife Elinor, with the other three quarters going to her five children. He specified that if she married a Catholic, his overseers were to take the children and their estate and see that they were brought up in the Church of England. He named as overseers Benjamin TASKER (his first wife's brother), James BOWLES (his son-in-law), and George NOBLE. A codicil of 2 November 1725 specified that 2,300 acre "Addison's Choice" on the Monococy be divided equally between Thomas, Henry, and Anthony. Other bequests are mentioned below.
Elinor lived for many years as a widow. On 31 [sic] September 1727 Elinor Addison, widow, of Prince George's County, conveyed 250 acres, which was half of "Bear Neck" to her brother Richard SMITH of Calvert County. This was Elinor's half of 500 acres granted 10 November 1695 to her father, Walter Smith, deceased.[45a] She gave her son Henry a Bible and prayer book in which he wrote, "Presented to me by the honored Lady, my Mother". As of 1913 it was still in his family. Her death was reported in the Maryland Gazette. She died at her home at Oxon-Hill, on the "Potowomack" River; on Monday, 19 January 1761, in her 72nd year. Elinor's will, dated 17 December 1759, bequeathed land and enslaved humans to her son Thomas, a mourning ring and guinea to her daughter Ann HALL, a silver tea pot to daughter Ann MURDOCK, enslaved people to her sons John and Henry. She also left things to her sister Elizabeth BALL, and to granddaughters Catherine SIM, Eleanor Addison, Ann Addison, and Eleanor Addison (daughter of her son Henry).
Children of Thomas and his first wife, Elizabeth (Tasker) Addison:
i. Rebecca Tasker Addison3, b. Monday, 3 June 1703, about 11:00 a.m.; m(1) James BOWLES (?-ca. 1727/8), his second marriage; m(2) 10 June 1729 Hon. Col. George PLATER (1695-1755). Both these men served in the Maryland legislature. Rebecca and George resided at the elegant plantation, "Sotterly", St. Mary's Co., in which she held a life interest. After her death George bought it from Rebecca's heirs. Their son George was Governor of Maryland.
ii. Elinor Addison, b. Monday, 20 Mar. 1705, about 9:30 a.m.; m(1) Bennett LOWE (d. 1722), son of Col. Henry Lowe (d. 1717) and his wife Susanna Maria (BENNETT); m(2) Col. Richard SMITH (d. 1732) son of Walter Smith, her step grandfather; m(3) Posthumous THORNTON; m (4) Corbin LEE (d. 1774). Her first two fathers-in-law and her fourth husband served in the Maryland legislature.
Children of Thomas and his second wife, Elinor (Smith) Addison:
iii. Ann Addison, b. Tuesday, 18 Feb. 1711/2; d. 24 Mar. 1753; m. William MURDOCK (d. 1769) who served in the Md. Legis.; his first wife was Margaret DULANY, sister of Rebecca who m. Ann's brother Thomas Addison. Ann and William had a daughter Catherine Murdock (ca. 1735-29 Nov. 1771) who m. Joseph SIM, brother of our Christian (Sim) LEE who m (2) Walter SMITH. Other children were John Murdock (b. 10 Feb. 1729), Addison Murdock (b. 31 July 1731, d. ca. 1792), John Murdock (b. 16 May 1733, d. 3 Aug. 1791, m. Ann BELT), Ann Murdock (m. Rev. Clement BROOKE), Eleanor Murdock (m. 7 Mar. 1757 Benjamin Hall, son of Francis and Dorothy [LOWE]), and Mary Murdock (d. 1792).
iv. John Addison, b. 15 Aug. or 16 Sept. 1713; m. Susannah WILKINSON; Burgess, Prince George's Co. 1745-57; styled Capt., 1756, then Col. served in the Maryland legislature. He inherited some 3863 acres of his father's estate, specifically 1,430 ac. "Saint Elizabeth", 512 ac. "Discontent", 545 ac. "Barnobie", 100 ac. "Canton", 226 ac. "Force", 340 ac. "Gleening", 370 ac. "Locust Thicket", and 340 ac. "Maddox Folly". Shortly after his wife died he added a codicil to his will, leaving all his personal property to his daughter Ann Addision, and named her executrix. John and Susanna's children:
a) Ann Addison, m. Overton CARR of Va.; had 4 children.
b) Thomas Addison, d. 24 Sept. 1774, m. 3 Dec. 1767 Rebecca DULANY, eldest daughter of Walter of Annapolis. They res. at Oxon Hill and drove a coach and four with liveried outriders. This Thomas is often confused with his uncle Thomas, Jr. (1715-1770) who left the bulk of his estate to his nephew Thomas [Jr.].
c) Anthony Addison, mariner, m. 6 June 1794 Rebecca MURDOCK;
d) John Addison, m. 24 Jan. 1787 Lucy WATKINS;
e) Eleanor Addison, m. the Rev. Jonathan BOUCHER.
v. Thomas Addison, Jr., b. 1715; d. Thurs., 27 Nov. 1770 at his house on the Potomac, in his 56th year. His obituary in the Maryland Gazette said he was "sometime Major of His Majesty's 35th Regiment of Foot. He left the bulk of his property to his nephew, Thomas Addison, Esq. of Oxon-Hill."[54] It is this nephew, called Thomas Addison, Jr., who was the son of the dec'd Thomas's brother John, who is often confused with this Thomas. It is the nephew, Thomas, Jr., who m. Mon. evening 30 Nov. 1767 Rebecca DULANY, niece of his uncle Henry's wife, eldest daughter of the Hon. Walter Dulany, Esq. Thomas Jr. inherited 850 ac. "Gisborough", 300 ac. "Berry", 260 ac. "Pasture", 336 ac. "Prevention"; and everything south west of a line drawn through 393 ac. "The Union", 209 ac. "Barwick upon Tweed", 236 ac. "Brother's Joynt Interest", 106 ac. "Nonsuch", and 300 ac. "North Britton". Thomas Jr. was educated at Oxford, and was rector of St. John's for 30 years.
vi. Henry Addison, b. 1717; d. 31 Aug. 1789 in Prince George's Co.; m. 1 Aug. 1751 his wealthy first cousin Rachel DULANY, widow of William KNIGHT; she was the second daughter of Daniel Dulany (1695-1755) and his wife Rebecca (SMITH), sister of Henry 's mother; Rachel d. 19 Oct. 1774. Daniel served in the Maryland legislature. Henry matriculated at Queen's College, Oxford at the age of 16 on 3 Mar. 1734/5; was awarded a B.A. in 1738 and an MA in 1741. He was an Anglican priest, serving as rector of St. John's Parish, Prince George's Co. from 1751 till his death.[55] Inherited from his father 400 ac. "Chichester", 289 ac. "Addition", 428 ac. of "Friendship" at the Eastern branch, owned jointly with Mr. Abington; 400 ac. of "Friendship" near the Falls of the Potomac, and tracts northeast of the line dividing tracts with his brother Thomas. Rachel d. Wed. 19 Oct. 1774.[56] Henry was a Tory during the American Revolution, fled to England, but returned after the War. Henry and Rachel had 3 children:
a) Anthony Addison, b. 25 Apr. 1754;
b) Daniel Addison, b. 10 Oct. 1756;
c) Eleanor Addison, b. 8 July 1759, m. Garland CALLIS.
vii. Anthony Addison, d. 1753; unmarried. Inherited from his father 400 ac. "Whitehaven", 400 ac. "Philip and Jacob", and 1,200 ac. of "Friendship" near the Falls of the Potomac. He kept this estate in the family by bequeathing it to his brothers and nephews.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxon_Hill_Manor
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