Revised 7/30/2017. Copyright @2017; The following Documentary Timeline has been compiled and created by Paul Rhetts. It may be copied for research purposes; but it may not be reproduced for inclusion in any printed or electronic distribution of any kind without the express written permission of the author. Any requests to use this information should be sent to Paul Rhetts, LPDPress@q.com.
Peter BECRAFT (1657-1716) m. Rebecka CANSFIELD (1680-1717) [aka BYCRAFT]
s/o Peter BECRAFT (1619-1660) and Margaret CANSFIELD (1624- )
d/o unknown
p/o Esther BECRAFT (1695-1738)
11 Nov 1657 Peter BECRAFT born at St Peter, Leeds, Yorkshire, England (one source says Queen Anne, Prince George's, Maryland) (one source says baptism 15 Nov 1657) [Peter Becraft is thought to be the son of Peter Becraft/Becroft etc. and Margaret Cansfield of Leeds, York, England. Children: Easter b. 1695 Anne Arundel Co. Md. Rebecca b. 1698 d.in fancy Abraham b. 1700 Margaret b. 1702 Rebecca b. 1705, Peter b. 1707, Benjamin b. 1710, George b. 1713 Mary b. 1716 the last few ones b. in Prince George Co. Md.] (one source says he was baptized at St Peter, Leeds, Yorkshire, England on 15 Nov 1657 (doc names father, birth and baptism: Phillimore Ecclesiastical Parish Map 13120) also states “Peter Beycroft of beyond the bridge had a child borne 11 Nov and baptized 15 Nov named Peter”)
by 1673 Peter BECRAFT’s father Peter BECRAFT (1619) is believed to have immigrated to Maryland from Leeds, Yorkshire, England. [modern gravestone indicates Peter immigrated in 1676 at Londontown, MD]
1680 Rebecka CANSFIELD born at Anne Arundel, Maryland
1693 Peter BECRAFT and Rebecka CANSFIELD married at Prince George's, Maryland
18 Nov 1695 dau Esther BECRAFT born at Anne Arundel, Maryland; baptized 17 Jul 1698 at Anne Arundel, Maryland; died Jun 1738 at Anne Arundel, Maryland; married Philburt WRIGHT 3 Dec 1712 at Queen Anne, Prince George's, Maryland. Birth recorded at All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County [FHL 14304 Queen Anne's Parish Records, Prince George's Co., MD 975.251 K22b Prince George's Co., Ch. Recs. MD, Vol. 1; Children of Peter BYCRAFT and wf. Rebecca; Margaret b. 6 Oct 1702 Rebecca b. 16 Aug 1705; Peter b. 10 May 1707 Benjamin b. 6 or 16 Sep 1710; George b. 28 Dec 1713 Mary b. 11 Mar 1716]
12 Mar 1698 dau Rebecca BECRAFT born at All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel, Maryland; Married Jacob LASSWELL; died 29 Oct 1731 at Anne Arundel, Maryland. Birth recorded at All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County [FHL 14304 Queen Anne's Parish Records, Prince George's Co., MD 975.251 K22b Prince George's Co., Ch. Recs. MD, Vol. 1; Children of Peter BYCRAFT and wf. Rebecca; Margaret b. 6 Oct 1702 Rebecca b. 16 Aug 1705; Peter b. 10 May 1707 Benjamin b. 6 or 16 Sep 1710; George b. 28 Dec 1713 Mary b. 11 Mar 1716]
Jul 1698 Peter BECRAFT and Rebecka CANSFIELD appear in the records for the baptism of Rebecca BECRAFT at All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel, Maryland (near present Davidsonville)
31 Mar 1700 son Abraham BECRAFT born at Anne Arundel, Maryland; died 1731; married Ann SPURRIER. Birth recorded at All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County [FHL 13279 Item 1: All Hollow's Parish records, Anne Arundel Co., MD: Abraham s/o Peater and Rebeckath Crafft, B 31 Mar 1700, C 19 May 1700; Easter d/o Peter and Rebeckath BERRAFT, b. 18 Nov 1695 in All Hollows Parish, South River, Bapt. 17 Jul 1698] [FHL 14304 Queen Anne's Parish Records, Prince George's Co., MD 975.251 K22b Prince George's Co., Ch. Recs. MD, Vol. 1; Children of Peter BYCRAFT and wf. Rebecca; Margaret b. 6 Oct 1702 Rebecca b. 16 Aug 1705; Peter b. 10 May 1707 Benjamin b. 6 or 16 Sep 1710; George b. 28 Dec 1713 Mary b. 11 Mar 1716]
bef 1702 Peter BECRAFT and Rebecka CANSFIELD settled in Queen Anne Parish, Prince George County, Maryland where they had children records at St Barnabas Church (in present Leeland)
6 Oct 1702 dau Margaret BECRAFT born at Queen Anne, Prince George's, Maryland; married (1) John JAMES, (2) John JUSTICE 1746 at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland; died Sep 1795 at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland. Birth recorded at St. Barnabas Church in Queen Anne Parish, Prince George's County [FHL 14304 Queen Anne's Parish Records, Prince George's Co., MD 975.251 K22b Prince George's Co., Ch. Recs. MD, Vol. 1; Children of Peter BYCRAFT and wf. Rebecca; Margaret b. 6 Oct 1702 Rebecca b. 16 Aug 1705; Peter b. 10 May 1707 Benjamin b. 6 or 16 Sep 1710; George b. 28 Dec 1713 Mary b. 11 Mar 1716]
10 May 1707 son Peter BECRAFT born at Queen Anne Parish, Prince George County, Maryland; married Mary H WORTHINGTON at Maryland; died 10 Feb 1779 at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland. Birth recorded at St. Barnabas Church in Queen Anne Parish, Prince George's County [FHL 14304 Queen Anne's Parish Records, Prince George's Co., MD 975.251 K22b Prince George's Co., Ch. Recs. MD, Vol. 1; Children of Peter BYCRAFT and wf. Rebecca; Margaret b. 6 Oct 1702 Rebecca b. 16 Aug 1705; Peter b. 10 May 1707 Benjamin b. 6 or 16 Sep 1710; George b. 28 Dec 1713 Mary b. 11 Mar 1716]
16 Sep 1710 son Benjamin BECRAFT born at Queen Anne, Prince George's, Maryland; died 11 Feb 1806 at Montgomery, Montgomery, Maryland; married Deborah Harriett OLIVER abt 1739 at Maryland. Birth recorded at St. Barnabas Church in Queen Anne Parish, Prince George's County [FHL 14304 Queen Anne's Parish Records, Prince George's Co., MD 975.251 K22b Prince George's Co., Ch. Recs. MD, Vol. 1; Children of Peter BYCRAFT and wf. Rebecca; Margaret b. 6 Oct 1702 Rebecca b. 16 Aug 1705; Peter b. 10 May 1707 Benjamin b. 6 or 16 Sep 1710; George b. 28 Dec 1713 Mary b. 11 Mar 1716]
28 Dec 1713 son George BECRAFT born at Queen Anne Parish, Prince George County, Maryland; died 1808 at Fayette, Fayette, Kentucky; married Elizabeth McDANIEL 1730 at Maryland. Birth recorded at St. Barnabas Church in Queen Anne Parish, Prince George's County [George was banished from Frederick Co. Md in 1772 for killing a Thomas Buckingham. He went to Fayette Co. Ky. after his sons Benjamin Franklin b. ca. 1733 and Abraham b. ca. 1750 Rebecca b. ca. 1735 m. Wm. Justice, Rachel b. ca. 1737 m. Redmon McDaniel, JOhn b.ca.1740 and George b. ca. 1742 Peter b. ca. 1744 Elizabeth b. ca. 1746 m. John Ensey. Abraham m. Abigail Shipley and Benjamin m. Elizabeth McDaniel. Abraham and Ben went to Fayette Co. Ky and are found paying taxes in 1789, I think. Abraham's wife and abt. 5 of his children were killed in the Indian Raid at Morgan Station. They kidnapped 2 other children Benjamin Franklin and a daughter Rachel, they later returned them 21 months later. And a daughter Betsy was scalped and left for dead. In 1807 Abraham was in Knox Co. Ind. with his daughter Rachel and her husband Jacob Winans. He had gone back to Ky. maybe to sell his land and was murdered in 1807 by a James Anderson. The book In Search Of Morgan's Station and The Last Indian Raid in Kentucky by Harry G. Enoch is all about this. Mildred Becraft thinks that about 1790 Abraham and Ben went back to Md. to get their families and Ben found his wife dying or already dead. He had 4 children by 1st wife: James b. ca. 1771 in Frederick Co. Md. m. Fanny Oakley in Ky. died by 1809. Susannah b. ca. 1775 m. Wm.Myers in Ky. she d. Decatur Co. Ind. 1842, Benjamin Jr. had a common law wife Polly Neal and another one according to Mildred and abt. 7 kids. Elizabeth "Betsy" b. ca. 1789 m. Redmon McDaniel, who was her cousin. Supposely Benjamin’s wife's niece was taking care of the children and her name was: Elizabeth McDaniel. [FHL 14304 Queen Anne's Parish Records, Prince George's Co., MD 975.251 K22b Prince George's Co., Ch. Recs. MD, Vol.1; Children of Peter BYCRAFT and wf. Rebecca; Margaret b. 6 Oct 1702 Rebecca b. 16 Aug 1705; Peter b. 10 May 1707 Benjamin b. 6 or 16 Sep 1710; George b. 28 Dec 1713 Mary b. 11 Mar 1716] [FindAGrave: In 1772, George Becraft Sr, was tried and banished from Maryland for the killing of Thomas Buckingham. In the document detailing his trial and evidence presented to the court, is the following description of the incident: Commission Book 82 -- P. 282 from 7/1733 to 1773 8th July 1772 Maryland, Frederick - Absolute Lord and Proprietary of the Provinces of Maryland and avalon Lord Baron of Baltimore & so forth. To all our Bailiffs and Good People to whom these presents shall come. Greeting. Know ye that of our especial Grace we have pardoned unto George Becraft late of Frederick County yeoman as a proper object of our mercy the suit of our peace and whatsoever appertaineth unto us for that he the said George Becraft no having the fear of God before his eyes but eing moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil on the twenty fifth day of April in the yar of our Lord Seventeen hundred and seventy two with force and arms at Frederick County afresaid in and upon one Thomas Buckingham in the peace of God then and there being then and there feloniously willfull and of his malice aforethought did make an ssault and that he the said George Becraft with a certain club of the value of one Penny Sterling which he the said George Becraft in his right hand then and there had and held the said Thomas Buckingham in and upon the head belly stomach sides back thighs legs and feet of him the said Thomas Buckingham then and there feloniously wilfully and of his malice afrethought did strike beat and bruise giving to the said Thomas Buckingham in and upon the head belly stomach sides back thighs legs and feet of him the said Thomas Buckingham with the club aforesaid in manner afresaid several mortal bruises of which said mortal bruises the aforesaid Thomas Buckingham instantly died and that the said George Becraft the afresaid Thomas Buckingham in manner and form aforesaid feloniously willfully and of his malice afrethought did kill and murder against our peace Good Rule and Government whereof he was convict on the Eighteenth day of June in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and seventy two before Thomas Prather, Esquire and others Justices of an Especial Court of Oyer and Termination and General Goal Delivery held in and for Frederick County afresaid. Nevertheless we grant unto him the said George Becraft our firm peace and will not that he suffer any corporal punishment therefore provided that he the said George Becraft shall transport himself or cause himself to be transported out of this our Province within ten days from the time of his delivery out of prison and never return again, otherwise this our pardon shall and is hereby declared to be void and of none effect anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding. Witness our trusty and well beloved brother Robert Eden, Esq. lieutenant General and Chief Governor in and over our Province this eight day of July in the twenty second year of our Dominion Anno Domini Seventeen Hindred and Seventy two. Signed by Order U. Scott, S. Cow
29 Apr 1715 Peter BECRAFT witnessed the signing of a deed from Philip PINDLE of Prince George’s County to Mary PINDLE. Peter signed by his Mark (Western Maryland Genealogy, Vol 10, Becraft Family of Maryland)
11 Mar 1716 dau Mary BECRAFT born at Queen Anne Parish, Prince George County, Maryland; died 1717 [FHL 14304 Queen Anne's Parish Records, Prince George's Co., MD 975.251 K22b Prince George's Co., Ch. Recs. MD, Vol.1; Children of Peter BYCRAFT and wf. Rebecca; Margaret b. 6 Oct 1702 Rebecca b. 16 Aug 1705; Peter b. 10 May 1707 Benjamin b. 6 or 16 Sep 1710; George b. 28 Dec 1713 Mary b. 11 Mar 1716]
bef 31 May 1716 Peter BECRAFT on which date Patrick Andrew interred his bond for L50 as administrator of the estate of Peter Becraft, with William Head as surety.
14 Jun 1716 Peter BECRAFT 's small personal estate was appraised by James Hollyday and Weldon Jefferson, the inventory being approved by Patrick Andrew as principal creditor. On 17 July 1718 Patrick Andrew filed his final account of payments and disbursements, claiming that Becraft owed himL24.8.2. Other debts and costs brought the total up to L39.5.0, which was not covered by the appraised value of only £14.11.5.
Wm. Head 1 ? sides. The estate included 1 old pewter dish, 6pewter plates, 2 old porringers, 1 old box iron, 1 brass candlestick, 2 old tinn pans, 1 old frying pan, 1 sples(?) mottle skillet, 1 old sples(?) iron kettle, 1 iron pot & hooks, 1 old feather bed, 2 old blankets, 1 old sheet, 1 old trunk, 1 powdering tubb, 1 old horse, 2sows, 1 guilt and (?) shoats, 1 cow & calf, 1 two year old heifer, 3 (?) tobacco. [FHL 14302 Index to Administrations, Prince George's Co., MD 14284 Inventory Accounts, PG Co., MD - Peter BECRAFT (BE 1-284) 14 Jun 1716: Personal property worth about 11 pounds; Patrick ANDREW administrator]
12 Mar 1717 These acct charge themselves with ye Inventory of the Deceased estate acct & inventory thereof taken & exhibited unto the commissioners office amounting to £14-11-5. And humbly prays allowance for the following payment and Disbursement made as follow this: Payment of tobacco made to Benj Berry Carom, Pat Andrew, Wm Bladenesq. Capt John Murdock amounting to 39-5-0. July the 17th 1718 Then came Patrick Andrews the above accountant and made oath upon the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God that ye above account is just & true. Coram me? W Bladen (Inventory Appraisement Prince George County) [14297 Administators Accts., PG Co., MD, p. 218 Acct. of Patrick ANDREW, admin. of Peter BECRAFT dec'd. late of PG Co., 12 Mar 1717]
bef 17 Oct 1717 Rebecka CANSFIELD on which date Patrick Andrew entered his bond for L40 as administrator of her estate, with Willian Head again as his surety. Her small personal estate was appraised on 14 November 1717 by Richard Duckett and Weldon Jefferson, who found a total value of only L5.8.4. The Inventory was approved by Abraham Becraft and Easther Wright as next of kin.
14 Nov 1717 Rebecka CANSFIELD’s estate appraised by Richard Duckett and Weldon Jefferson, who found a total value of only L5.8.4. The Inventory was approved by Abraham Becraft and Easther Wright as next of kin.
The estate was at 5-8-4 which included 1 cow & yearling, 1 lame mare,2 sows, 1 barrow, 1 pewter dish & 6 plates, 1 iron pot & hooks, 1 old bed, 1 iron skillet, 1 bell mettle skillet (cracked, I old chest, 1old porringer, I looking glass, small, 1 brass candlestick, 1 box iron& ? 1 old trunk.
The above appraisment is allowed of & by us Signed Abra'm (A) Becraft (his mark) Esther (E) Wright (her mark) Pan. Andrew 1 3/4 sides. The acco't of Pat Andrew ADM of Rebecka Becraft late of Prince George County Dec'd.
This Acco't chargeth himself with the inventory of the dec'd estate as& inventory thereof taken & exhibited unto the commissioners office amount to 5-0-4 and humbly prays allowance for the following payments & disbursements made as followeth viz: Tobacco payment made to Wm. Bladen Esq., Pat Hepburn, W.J. Haddock in the amount of 7-8-17.
Ball'ce due to ADM for overpaid estate 1-19-92‹ Pr. Geo County 5th June1719. Patrick Andrew of Calvert County ADM of Rebeckah Becraft late of this county dec'd widow made oath before me that the above acc't as is here stated is just & true to the best of his knowledge which after due examination was allowed a passed as the full and final acc't of his adm--- of the said dec'd estate.
Signed Patrick Hepburn. Deputy Com of Pr Geo Cty. [Testamentary Proceedings of the Prerogative Court of Maryland, Vol XIV 1716-1719, Liber 23 pp. 44-402: lists bond of Patrick Andrews, administrator of Rebecca Becraft, Surety: William Head, October 1717.]
14 Nov 1717 Rebecka CANSFIELD died at Queen Anne, Prince George's, Maryland (one source says she died bef 17 Oct 1717) FHL 975.2 V33b Maryland Death Records 1718 - 1777, part 1, Annie W. Burns; Peter BECRAFT, 1718, bk. 1, folio 1; Rebecca BECRAFT, 1719, bk. 2, folio 57] [FindAGrave] [modern gravestone indicates Peter immigrated in 1676 at Londontown, MD]
14 Jun 1718 Peter BECRAFT died at Prince George's, Maryland (one source says 18 Dec 1718) FHL 975.2 V33b Maryland Death Records 1718 - 1777, part 1, Annie W. Burns; Peter BECRAFT, 1718, bk. 1, folio 1; Rebecca BECRAFT, 1719, bk. 2, folio 57] [Settlers of Maryland, 1751-1765: p.14 – Beacraft/Becraft, Peter of Anne Arundel Co; Fdlk Dispute: 660 ac, 2 Sep 1754 (BC1/305:BC2/224; Fdlk Dispute: 848 ac; 23 Apr 1763 (BC18/126:BC19/371)
5 Jun 1719 On 5 June 1719 Patrick Andrew of Calvert County filed his final account of Rebecka CANSFIELD’s estate, listing payments and disbursements totaling L7.8.1.
8 Jul 1772 son George BECRAFT banished from Maryland for killing Thomas Buckingham.
Jun 1756 Free African Americans of Maryland and Delaware from the Colonial Period to 1810, p.337-Thompson Family: “Jacob, born abt June 1756, a “mullatto” living with Peter Becraft on 13 March 1764 when the Frederick County Court bound him to Becraft as an apprentice until the age of twenty one. Becraft was ordered to give him one year of schooling and provide him with a suit of clothes worth five pounds at the end of his apprenticeship [Court Minutes 1763-8, June 1763, March 1764 (n.p.)]
5 Mar 1778 Oath of Fidelity and Support Taken before Justice John Lawrence, p. 24: 25-Becraft, Abram; 26-Becraft, Peter, Jun; 27-Becraft, George, Jun