FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND

BRUCE FAMILY

Summary Williamson Bruce

Williamson Bruce (Son of John Bruce and Sarah [Williamson?]) and Ruth [Perry?]

12 Mar 1756. Williamson Bruce bought land from Jeremiah Crabbs. Frederick County, Maryland, Deed Liber E, Page 1010.

18 Nov 1756. Williamson Bruce made his will in Frederick County, Maryland naming sons John Bruce and Charles Bruce and widow Ruth Bruce. Witnesses are Joseph West, Sarah West and Eliza Burton. The executor named was Jona Wilson. The will was probated 30 December 1756. The will mentions land known as Deer Path. Maryland Will Liber. 30, Folio 216.

1756. The Will of Williamson Bruce was recorded by his widow Ruth Bruce. Frederick County. Maryland Testamentary Proceedings, Liber 36, Folio 344.

1756. Ruth Bruce, widow of Williamson Bruce elected dower rather than inherit under will. Frederick County. Maryland Testamentary Proceedings, Liber 36, Folio 345.

13 Dec 1756. Ruth Bruce, widow of Williamson Bruce filed an Administrator's Bond. Sureties were James Perry and Joseph West. Frederick County, Maryland. Testamentary Proceedings, Liber 36, Folio 378.

21 May 1759. Ruth Bruce deeded slaves Cato and Tenny to her son Charles Bruce, then a minor. The deed was witnessed by Gerard Briscoe and James Perry. Frederick County, Maryland, Deed Liber F, Page 719. Note: This slave deed was probably made in contemplation of marriage to Gerard Briscoe. James Perry being both a witness to this deed and a surety for the administrator's bond is probably related to Ruth Bruce in some fashion. Likewise Joseph West being a witness to the will of Williamson Bruce and surety for the administrator's bond and his wife Sarah West are likely to be related to Ruth Bruce. Either James Perry or Joseph West could be Ruth's father or brother. Sarah West and the wife of James Perry could be Ruth's sisters. My best guess is that James Perry is the father or brother of Ruth Bruce and that Sarah West is her sister.

12 Nov 1760. Garrard Briscoe and Ruth Briscoe file an account on the estate of Williamson Bruce, deceased. Frederick County Administration Liber A1, Page 209.

12 Nov 1760. Garrard Briscoe and Ruth BRISCOE file an account on the estate of Williamson Bruce, deceased. Frederick County Maryland Accounts Liber. 46, Folio 181.

1760. Ruth Briscoe, wife of Gorrard Briscoe, filed an account on the estate of Williamson Bruce, deceased in the amount of 474.1.74. The amount of distribution to the each of the heirs are not shown. The children are not named. Frederick County. Maryland Balance of Final Distributions Liber. 3, folio 52

1765. Margaret Briscoe wife of Gerard Briscoe released her dower rights in property deeded by her husband. Frederick County, Maryland Deed Liber J, Page 1316. Note:Apparently Ruth Bruce Briscoe had died and Gerard Briscoe had remarried.

1771. James Perry died, testate, in Frederick Co., Maryland. I have ordered a copy of his will.

1776. Mongomery Co., Maryland was formed from the eastern end of Frederick Co., Maryland. It is apparent from the deed records that Charles Bruce, John Bruce and Gerard Briscoe lived in the area that became Montgomery Co., Maryland, perhaps living in the area that is currently in the District of Columbia.

1776 and later. Gerard Briscoe appears in a number of deeds in Montgomery Co., Maryland.

1778. Montgomery Co., Md. Tax Digest. Seneca Hundred (Gaithersburg): John Bruce; and Charles Bruce.

1779 and later. Gerard Briscoe and his wife Margaret Briscoe appear in a number of Frederick County, Md. records.

11 Sep 1779. Charles Bruce deeded his 1/2 of Deer Park to Thomas Cowley. Montgomery Co., Maryland Deed Liber A, Page 357. Note:There was no release of dower. Accordingly, it can be assumed that Charles Bruce was not married at the time.

22 Jan 1780. John Bruce deeded his 1/2 of Deer Park to William Holmes. Montgomery Co., Maryland Deed Liber A, Page 522. His wife Elizabeth released dower.

3 Feb 1780. Charles Bruce deeded his 1/2 of Deer Park to Thomas Cowley. Montgomery Co., Maryland Deed Liber A, Page 477. This was a corrective deed to replace the deed recorded at page 357. Note: It appears they left the area.

1783. Montgomery Co., Md. Tax Digest. Neither John Bruce nor Charles Bruce are found.

Records Not Searched as of the Date of this Summary

Ruth Bruce Briscoe

1760

Frederick

Acct 46

181

William Bruce

1760

Frederick

Acct 46

181

Williamson Bruce

1756

Frederick

Will Box 1

69

Williamson Bruce

1758

Frederick

Inv 65

348A

Williamson Bruce

1758

Frederick

Orig Inv Box 2

336

Williamson Bruce

1759

Frederick

Test Pr 37

170, 396

Williamson Bruce

1769

Frederick

Admin A 1

209

Compiled By: David H. Robertson, 159 Hickory St., Roswell, GA 30075 davidhr@hushmail.com