George Puddington

     George was born in Tiverton, Devonshire, England. He was the son of William Puddington who wrote his will in 1652 at Triverton. He was christened there on 28 March 1613 in St. Peter's Church.¹ George married Jane Cornish, daughter of Richard Cornish and Grace Gooding, in 1641 in Northampton County, Virginia. On 17 March 1650, George demanded 800 acres of land from the provisional government in payment for his transporting seveal people into Maryland. These included himself, his wife, Jane, his daughters, Mary and Comfort, and his step-daughter Elizabeth Robins.² George made his will on 15 August 1674 at South River, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

In the name of God Amen The fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord God One Thousand six hundred Seaventy and four, I George Puddington of South River in Ann Arundell County in the Province of Maryland…Declare this my last Will and Testament…Item my will is that if two of my near Relacons my Brother or Sisters Children their name not known by me do Come into this country within Two Years time from the Date here of that their and Each of their passage be paid and fully satisfied out of my Estate which I freely give them. Also I give unto Each of them if they Come into this Country Tenn Thousand Pounds of Tobacco to be likewise paid out of my Estate within Twelve months next after my Decease. Item I do by these present freely and Clearly acquit Exonerate and Discharge my Loving Son in Law Robert Franklin his heirs Executors and Admr from all Dues Debts and Demands whatsoever due at anytime or times unto me from the beginning of the world unto the day of the Date hereof. Item I give and bequeath unto George Burgess Wm Burgess and Susanna Burgess Sons & Daughters to Capt Wm Burgess fifty shillings Sterling a piece to buy each of them a peece of plate to be delivered unto them and Each of them in twelve months time after my Decease. Item I give & bequeath unto my kinsman James Chilsott one able Servant or the value thereof in Tobacco to be paid within twelve months next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto my Kinsman Augustin Skinner one Cow to be delivered unto him within twelve months next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto Each of my Son Richard Beards children which are now living Twenty Shillings Sterl. A piece to be delivered unto Each of them within twelves months next after my decease. Item I give and bequeath unto Each of my Grand Son Neal Clarks Children which are now living Twenty Shilling Sterling a piece to be delivered unto Each of them within Twelve months next after my Decease. I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Jane Puddington fourty Pounds Sterling per annum for her maintenance during her natural Life to be paid at Such time and place yearly in London as she shall think most meet of Else Eight Thousand Pounds of Tobacco per annum to be paid in this Countrey according to her orders provided she Renounce and disclaim all the Right Title Interest She hath by the Law Either in my personal or Real Estate and deliver the Same up to my Execr when required, my will also is that if any of the above mentioned Legatees depart this Life before the time of their Seals and Respective payments that then the Said Legacyes of the Parties So Deceasing Return unto my heir of Executor hereafter named Item I give and bequeath unto Edward Burgess Son to Capt Wm Burgess his heir and assignes for Ever all the remaining part of my Estate both Real and Personall and Do nominate Constitute and appoint him the Said Edward Burgess to be the Sole Executor of this my Will: In Testimony whereof I have here unto Sett and putt my hand and Seal the day and year above written.
Signed Sealed & Published George Puddington
Sealed in the presence of us Nath. Heathcoate Willme Laus Charity Stone mark John Broome Wm Burgess Augustine Skinner son of Aquila Skinner Sr. & Alice Cornish & James Chilcott – cousins of Jane Cornish.³

George departed this life in South River. His will was probated on 24 September 1674. On this date came William Burgess of Ann Arundell County Gent. and exhibited the last Will and Testament of George Puddington Late of the Same County deceased.