Ninean Beall

     Ninean was born in 1630 in Largo, Fifeshire, Scotland. On 15 June 1678, while testifing in court, he declared himself as being 48 years of age. Ninian was brought up in Largo, Scotland. He fought in the Scotch/English army raised to resist Cromwell. He was made prisoner at that battle and was sentenced to servitude in the colonies. Part of that time was spent in Ireland and the rest in Maryland under Richard Hall. In the end, the principle for what he fought won out and his honorable fulfilling his servitude gained great respect and the confidence of the people of Maryland. Ninian came to Calvert Co. about 1658 with Richard Hall from Scotland. He fought in the Scotch English army against Cromwell. He was caught and had to serve under Mr. Hall for a period of about five years. He then was awarded fifty acres of land for his service. He resided in Prince George's County, Maryland around 1668. He received many honors up until the time of his death. He also obtained large tracts of land to the extent that at one time the land offices of Annapolis showed him in possession of over 15,000 acres. Ninean married 2nd Lady Ruth Moore, daughter of Sir Richard Moore and Jane (?), in 1670 in Maryland. Ninean made his will on 15 January 1717/18 at Prince George County, Maryland.

In the name of God Amen – I Ninian Beall of Prince Georges County in the Province of Maryland being indisposed in Body but of Sound and perfect memory God be praised for the same and considering the Mortality of humans, Nature and uncertainty of life doe make ordain Constitute and appoint this to be my last will and Testament in manner and forme following Viz –
Imprimis – I give and bequeath my Soul into the hands of Almighty God in hopes of free pardon for all my Sins and as for my Body to be comitted to the Earth from whence it came to be decently buried at the Discretion of my trustees hereafter mentioned – Item I will and bequeath that all my Debts and funeral charges be first paid paid and Satisfyed and as for what portion of my worldly goods as shall be then remaining I bequeath and bestow the same in manner following –
Item I doe give and bequeath unto my Son George my plantation and Tract of land called the Rock of Dumbarton lying and being at Rock Creek Containing four hundred and eighty Acres with all the Stock thereon both Cattle and Hoggs them and their increase unto my Said son George and unto his heirs forever – Item I do also give and bequeath unto my said Son George Beall his choice of one of my feather beds bolster and Pillow and other furniture thereunto belonging ____ two Cows and calves and half my sheep from off this plantation I now live on unto him and his heirs for ever
Item I give and bequeath unto my Son in Law Andrew Hamilton my Negroo Momah Alice unto him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my Grandaughter Mary Beall, the Daughter of my son Ninian Beall deceased the one half part of all my Moveables or personal Estate as Cattle and Hoggs Horses Household goods after my Legacies before bequeathed are paid and Satisfyed unto her the said Mary and to her heirs for ever.
Item I give and bequeath unto Said Grandaughter Mary Beall all that part of Bacon Hall that lyeth on the South Side of the road that goeth to Mount Calvert to her the said Mary and unto her heirs for ever
Item I give and bequeath unto my Grandson Samuel Beall all the remainder part of Bacon Hall Together with the Plantation called Porchyard and the houses thereunto belonging with his proving that when he comes to the age of one and twenty that he make over by a firm conveyance all his right and title that he hath unto a certain tract of land called Sams Beginning on the South side of the said Road going to Mount Calvert unto the said Mary and unto her heirs for ever, but if my Said Grandson should happen to dye before he arrive to be of that age to make over the land Soe as aforesaid then I do give & bequeath unto my Said Grandaughter Mary the Whole tract of Bacon Hall with the houses and Porchyard thereon unto her ahd her heirs for ever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my Grandson Samuel Beall my Water Mill lying upon Collington Branch North the Stones Iron Work houses and all other Materials thereonto belonging unto the Said Samuel and unto his heirs for ever
I give and bequeath unto my Son in law Joseph Bell part of a tract of land called Good Luck containing two hundred forty five Acres he allowing unto my heirs the Sume of four thousand pounds of tobacco according to our former Agreement he deciding what I doe owe him on his Books for Severall wares and merchandizes had of him to this Joseph and unto his heirs for ever
Item that whereas I doe Severall debts I doe approve my trustees hereafter named to make them to pay the Same to Sell a certain Tract of land called the Recovery lying and being in the freshes of Patusent River near the head of the Western Branch to be Sold it containing four hundred acres the aforesaid tract of land bequeathed unto my Son Bell is adjoyneing thereunto
Item I do give and bequeath unto my Son Charles Beall a book of Bisop Coopers work the acts of the Church and the Cronicle of King Charles the first and King Charles the second and I doe request and oblige my Son Charles my Bell and my Son George to ____to send for a Dozen of books entitled an advise to young and old and Middle age Sett forth by one Mr. Christy Ness the books to be distributed amongst the Grand children and Godsons –
Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Charles a thousand Acres of land called Dunn Back lying on the South Sides of great Chaptank in a Creek called Wattses creek unto him and his heirs for ever
And lastly I doe make ordain Declare and Appoint my Grandson Samuel Bell to be my Sole and whole Executor of this my last will & testament and I doe desire my loving Son Charles Bell Joseph Bell and George Bell to doe and perform my desire as above Express and to act & doe for my executor until he shall arrive at the age of one and twenty hereby revoking an annulling all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore make and Signed and doe desire my Said Sons to use their best care and endeavor that my two Grand Children the children of my beloved Son Ninian Beall deceased to be brought up and have the education Suitable to their Estate and I do appoint and desire my Said Sons Trustees to this my will to make their appearance every Easter Tuesday or any other time as they shall think a more fitting time at my dwelling plantation yearly to inspect into all affairs there of and of a yearly increase of all the Creatures upon my plantation and at the mill, for and on the behalf of my two Grand Children who are to be Joynt Sharers therein my Grandaughter to have her part at the day of Marriage – In testmony whereof I have to this my last will and Testament Sett my hand & Seale this fifteenth day of January in the year of our Lord God one thousand Seven hundred and Seventeen
                                        The mark of
                                        Ninian Beall
Signed sealed published and declard
By the Testator to be his last will and
Testament in the presence of John Busey
Rebecca Gilward Edward Willett.²

Ninean departed this life before 28 February 1717/18 in the family Plantation "The Rock of Dunbarton", Prince George's County, Maryland. He was buried there in Prince George's County in the Beall Bacon Hall Plantation Cemetery. His remains were removed from this cemetery on July 26, 1871 and reinterred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington DC. When his body was reinterred, his skeleton was found to be perfect and measured six feet 7 inches. His hair had grown long and retained its youthful color of red.


His will was probated on 28 February 1717/18.