ST. PETER'S WELLS & ST. PETER'S HILLS

Ms. Cryer traces the devise of "St. Peter's Well" through the early three generations of the Johnson family.  It is thus an important part of proving the relationship between William, John and John.  We first see it in the possession of William's widow Alice.  

 

Choptico Hundred

St: Peters Well. 100. 0.4.0. Surveyed Jul 30,  1678 for Tho: Melton At Obadiah Dunn's land. Possessor: Widow Alice Johnson

100. 0.4.0. Philip Key from John Johnson, March 9, 1737 

 

She then has it next in the possession of John (generation two).  It is at this point that there appears some confusion.  The Rent Roll that has "St. Peter's Well" also has it being conveyed to Philip Key in 1737. Ms. Cryer seems to state that  only the "Addition" to "St. Peters' Well" was devised but the Rent Rolls seem to reflect otherwise. 

 

Addition to Peters Well.  104. 0.4.2. Surveyed Jan 17,  1726 for John Johnson.

104. 0.4.2. Philip Key from John Johnson, Aug. 4, 1736

John's will devised the land to Eleanor and then to his sons successively but only to the sons who had heirs.  Then we have John (generation three) deeding "St. Peter's Well" to his wife Eleanor.  John's will on this issue is very clear.  

Apparently it then was passed on to Mile Johnson, per John's will cited above, because Ms. Cryer has Mile Johnson deeding "St. Peter's Well" ( 100 acres), to his brother Thomas Johnson on September 15, 1796.  See, St. Mary's County Transfers and Alienations, July 6, 1786 to March 7, 1824; also see, Chronicles of SMCHS, p. 46.  Also, just to add confusion, we have Thomas Johnson deeding to Philip Key on December 20, 1796 "Peters Hills" (143 acres).  Thanks to Tom Jennings for verifying this information for me.  

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