Just passing this along for whatever it's worth...(wonder if BAVINGTON is BUFFINGTON?)... From:  [email protected] Date:  2003/12/13 Sat PM 03:06:37 CST To:  [email protected] Subject:  [AMXROADS] Lost Ladies Dear Cousins, Before my surgery I had hoped to address several questions about genealogical distortions that arise within the methodology of the published series "Colonial Families of the Eastern Shore of Maryland," by Henry C. Peden Jr. and F. Edward Wright. I ran out of time, and so I would like to return to these issues which concern proper analysis of records. I have only examined Volume Six of this series: Cecil County, Maryland, where my research has centered for some years. However, I assume that the errors exist throught the work, and so I feel that addressing these might be of benefit to others who wish to improve their research skills. The identity of women in the colonial era is one of the biggest problems confronting genealogists, because unless there is a specific marriage record, women’s maiden names become obscured. There are several major instances of female misidentifications which have plagued Pennington researchers in the Philadelphia Perimeter. Mary Elkton, a person who never existed, has been ascribed as the wife of Abraham Pennington. Another person who never existed, Isabella E. Pennington has been ascribed as the wife of William Teague. My recent research strongly indicates her identity to be Isabella Loftin/Lofton, daughter of William Lofton. Rachel Pennington, wife of Edward Beeson of Nottingham (lying between Cecil County, MD and Chester County PA) has been plopped into the family of Isaac Pennington, the Quaker writer, who only had a daughter Mary and no daughter Rachel. Elizabeth Boyer who was married to Henry Pennington(2) (Henry1) has been distorted into Eliza Pennington and sometimes also married off to Henry(1). Robert(3) Pennington (Henry2, Henry 1) of Sassafras River in Cecil County has a wife named Anne Porter, with no reasons given in the Peden-Wright Volume Six portrait of the Pennington Family. Finally, John Ryland’s first wife Alice is ascribed as “Alice Bavington, sister of John Bavington” due to her mention in the will of John Bavington Let us begin with the last identity. The Ryland Family, which is outlined in Volume Six was heavily connected with a portion of the Pennington Family, antecedents have never been established. Through a recorded deed we know that in 1718 John and Alice Ryland lovingly gave a property along the Bohemia River and Scotchman's Creek (or Omalia's Creek) to their daughter Mary who had married Robert Pennington. There is no marriage record for John and Alice Ryland. However, if we examine the Cecil county Land Records, we find a deed recorded in 1723, which shows us that Alice Ryland was NOT Alice BAVINGTON, but Alice FOUCH. “William Davis and Angel, his wife” granted 50 acres lying along Bryant’s Creek or Omalia’s Creek, south of the Bohemia River. This property, a one fifth interest was devised to Angel by the last will and testament of her father Hugh Fouch, while his step-son JOHN BAVINGTON was bequeathed two-fifths, and his three daughters Alice, Rosamund and Angel recei!ved three fifths. John Bavington’s “sister” is therefore identified as ALICE FOUCH, not ALICE BAVINGTON. In the second instance, Ann Pennington, wife of Robert(3)Henry(2) Henry(1) has been ascribed as Ann Porter. Although Peden and Wright give no reference whatsoever for their determination of her surname, it has come about through the naming of his “brother-in-law Robert Porter, when he comes of age,” in Robert Pennington’s 1709 will. This could actually refer to Robert’s sister’s son Robert Porter as well as his wife’s brother. Nevertheless, it has been put down to mean his wife’s brother, and thereby has given Ann a PORTER surname. There are records which strongly suggest (but do not totally prove) Ann was a CLEMENTS! Strangely, Peden and Wright include one relevatory record, but apparently have not related them to Ann Pennington wife of Robert. An inventory account record {30:337) shows the Administration of the estate of Mathias Clemance/Clements by his wife Eleanor/Ellinor in 1709. Ann Pennington is named next of kin. Ann, wife of Robert is the only Ann Penn! ington in this time frame. I have also looked at the account administration in Box 2, Folder 10 at the Maryland Archives, which reflects Mathias Clements’ estate. In the Clements Family Peden and wright show Mathias Clementson, as son of Andrew Clementson, who received the patent on “Clementson” in 1664. Also shown that a John Clements married a Mary, who secondly married John Reye or Roye, and m.(3) James Porter. This is too late for our Ann, and the names are not right, but suggest that determined digging may turn up further Clements/Porter relationships. There is another, later Pennington/Clements marriage (Henry Pennington to Ann (daughter of Bartheolowmew Johnson) the widow of Cornelius Clements. In the final instance, and perhaps the most egregious error, because it is so persistent and so pervasive, is the misnaming of Elizabeth Boyer Pennington, wife of Henry(2) (Henry1) as Eliza rather than Elizabeth. I have recently determined that this began in Jane Cotton Baldwin’s abstract of Henry’s 1702 will in her “Maryland Calendar of Wills.” Even the most casual research reveals that this is an abbreviation for her name (shown clearly in the full will) and many subsequent records. Nevertheless she is stubbornly named Eliza in most of the internet lineages, and is sometimes even married off to Henry’s father Henry as well. I hope this will help in clearing up the identity of these often mal-treated ladies, and will help you all to scrutinize other colonial female identities too easily mis-ascribed in published records. ---------------------------- Elizabeth BAVINGTON b. 1714, d.5/13/1788, d/o Samuel BAVINGTON, m1:Jonathan DUNGAN b.1712 Bucks Co, PA; d.9/4/1741 (letter of adm) intestate brd Trinity Oxford Ch of Beaver Co, PA (his m1. 1733 to Mercy WELLS b.11/1713 in Lower Dublin Twnship, PA, d.9/17/1735 brd. Pennypack Ch, d/o Samuel and Julian TAYLOR WELLS). Bavington family brd. at Faggs Manor Presbyterian Ch Chester Co PA and Trinity Church, Oxford. Letter dated 9/4/1741 granted Jonathan's estate to widow Elizabeth by Bondsman Jonathan Bavington (possibly Elizabeth’s brother). Elizabeth m2.5/31/1742 William REED/REEDER/ROAD. Citations brought 3/16/1743 against William and Elizabeth REED/ROAD by Thomas Dungan (Jonathan's father) for guardianship of minor children (Samuel from Jonathan's m. Mercy WELLS) and Jacob and Jonathan (Elizabeth's sons). Jonathan later moved to Abbeville SC and census shows a William and Elizabeth Reeder nearby. Any info on parents of Elizabeth is appreciated. [email protected]