James Thomas Kidwell
James was born in 1675 in
Charles County, Maryland, USA.
- Birth Notes
- He was born
1670-1675, married Anna Mary Thomas around 1742 in Charles County,
Maryland and is buried on his tobacco plantation (named ???? Ware")
Evidence indicates he is the son of John and Jane Kidwellar. They are
believed to be from the town of Kidwelly in Wales, where is located
a Kidwelly Castle. On April 1660 they left Bristol, England on a
sailing ship bound for the island of Nevis in the Carribean. John
Kidwellar was a yeoman (one who cultivates his own land) and Jane
ws a spinster (one who spins yarn). They were among 44 indentured
passengers aboard. (ships name not known) and were bound to John
Woory, a merchant, for 5 years in Nevis. The island of Nevis is in
the Leeward Islands, a few miles south of St. Kitts. Recoreds show
John Kidwell on 10 October 1670 on the estate of John Woodward and 24 September 1670 on the estate of Colonel John Blake. Later John Kidwell moved to Virginia and worked on the estate of Augustine Washington, father of George Washington. He is thought to have died in 1725, Stafford County, Virginia and to be buried close to the grounds of
Augustine Washington.
from Brooks Family Genealogy Update July 1997~ Bobby M. Hawkins
Text:
Parents not known, but may be John & Jane Kidwell(ar) who immigrated to "Nevis" in 1660. When he grew to manhood, he inherited his father's land in what was now Charles County, Maryland. He married Anna Mary Thomas, daughter of Captain John Thomas and they were the parents of several children. John and Jane lived and worked on George Washington's Planatation back in the 1700's. James Thomas Kidwell married Anna Mary Thomas, the Thomas family owned alot of land in Charles Co. Maryland and piece of land was granted to the young couple. That plantation was called "The Ware Plantation". The land is owned by the Potomac Electric Power company, today. They have a generating plant on it. James may well be the first generation american born Kidwell. James married Anna Mary Thomas, daughter of James and his wife Teresa (or Teretia) Thomas. Anna Mary was born c. 1680 in Calvert County, Maryland, Both are thought to be buried on the "Ware" Plantation. Children: John, William, Tracy (a daughter), Elizabeth, Thomas & Benjamin Kidwell are identified in James' will dated September 28, 1740 & proved October 11, 1742. Their eldest son James Jr. must have had rights to this land under the law of primogeniture of Maryland.
He died at the age of 67 on October 11th, 1742 in
Were Plantation Place, Charles, Maryland, USA.
- Death Notes
- James Thomas Kidwell's Will:
John Kidwell - 30 acres of land. East side of my fence from my house.
William Kidwell - bay mare.
Tracy Kidwell - A cow and a calf delivered to her after the death of my beloved wife (anna kidwell )
Elizabeth Kidwell - A cow after the death of my said wife.
Thomas Kidwell - A horse colt ( 3 years old ) after the death of my said wife. But it is my immediately desire he has the colt now.
Benjamin Kidwell - one cow and calf after the death of my said wife.
signed and sealed on Sept 28 1740 in the presence of Samuel Taylor, Thomas Lawson, and Joseph Fry.
Text:
Name Suffix: Sr. Anna Mary thomas's fathers will:::: To eldest son, James and his heirs, part of "Ware ", planation, and personalty,to son Thomas and hrs. "Thomas Fancy" and personalty , produce of the orchard on Tobacco House Hill, to 2 son, afsd, for the first five years, after decease of wife. To son William, personalty, To wife Elizabeth,extxm residue of "Ware", during life , at her decease to son Willliam and Heirs, wife to have usseof personalty not otherwise bequeathed during life, at her decease to be divided among four daughters Elizabeth,Sophia,Teresa,Sophonia, and unborn child, should any die,survivorsto divide portion of deceased. test; James Kidwell, Thomas Collis, Thomas Coleman,Jr. codicil 18th May, 1734, Should and of 3 sons die without issue survivors to divide portion of deceased, should all die as afsd. lands to be divided among 5 daughters . To son Thomas and William. personalty. test: James Kidwell, Thomas Collis, James Kidwell,Jr. 21,216.
James Thomas Kidwell will:: 28th Sept. 1740 Charles Co. Maryland,, Oct. 11th, 1742 To son John 38 A-- To wife Anne Extx. personal estate, At her death to pass to children. William,Tracy, Elizabeth,Thomas,and Benjamin. test. Samuel Taylor,Thomas Lawson, Joseph Fry...22, 511
BIOGRAPHY: James Thomas Kidwell, a pioneer in three states. Kentucky,Madison County, Illinois,Clark,Edgar,and Crawford Counties, and Texas,Parker County.
LAND: Richard Marsham, on Feb 3,1681, was granted "all that tract or parcel of land called the "Ware" which consisted of 300 acres. Records which transferred "Ware" to James Thomas Kidwell by Richard Marsham, arethought to have been destroyed in the 1866 fire at the St.Marys Courthouse.
LAND: Deeded to John Thomas Kidwell,Jr. of Charles Co. Maryland 5o acres, of "Ware", on June 9,1772, for 3260 lbs of Tobacco crop.
John Kidwell & Jane (Kidwell) 
Jane (Kidwell)