General Notes

Thomas Odell, the earliest known progenitor of our Odell family, is thought to have been born in about 1660 in England. Although the actual date that Thomas immigrated into the Province of Maryland is not known, he may possibly have arrived there as early as 1682. Thomas was later married during the month of April 1691, most likely in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, to a widow named Sarah (Ridgely) Brewer. Sarah, who is thought to have been born in about 1664 in Anne Arundel County, was the widow of John Brewer, and the daughter of Henry Ridgely and Elizabeth Howard.

After their marriage, Thomas and Sarah resided within the boundaries of All Hallows Parish in Anne Arundel County. During the years 1694 through 1698, Thomas was described in various Anne Arundel County documents as being one of the three County Coroners, as being a militia officer, and as being one of Her Majesties Justices for that County.

On 6 April 1700, Thomas purchased two tracts of land from James Murray which were located in Baltimore County, Maryland.  These tracts were called "Athel," which consisted of 617 acres, and "Murray's Addition," which consisted of 89 acres.  Both of these tracts were situated north of the Patapsco River on what was called "Hunting Ridge." On 25 March 1701, Thomas bought another tract of land from a man named Robert Bradley.  This tract, which consisted of 800 acres, was located in Prince George's County, Maryland and was called "Darnall's Grove."  It was situated on the west side of the Patuxent River and Collington's Branch of the Patuxent River, near the present town of Upper Marlborough.

Shortly after Thomas purchased "Darnall's Grove," he and his family moved to Prince George's County, where they settled in Queen Anne's Parish. Thomas and his father-in-law, Henry Ridgely, were later elected Vestrymen of Queen Anne's Parish at an assembly held in the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on 9 April 1705.  During the following year, 1706, Thomas was made a Justice of the Prince George's County Court, and was also appointed a Commissioner for the Upper Marlborough District.  He was later succeeded as a Vestryman for Queen Anne's Parish on 29 March 1714.  Four years later, on 7 May 1718, he sold a portion of the tract called "Athel," and all of "Murray's Addition" to George Bailey for 100 pounds.

Thomas Odell died in Prince George's County in 1722.  His will, which was dated 29 April 1717, was subsequently probated before the Prince George's County Court on 11 April 1722.  In his will, Thomas named his wife, Sarah, as Executrix.  Sarah died in 1727, also in Prince George's County, Maryland.