Returning to the Eastern Shore of Maryland this morning, I ventured south to Dorchester County, having visited Cecil County on the northern end just a few weeks ago. The Fitzhugh, or Fitzchew, branch of my family tree was the purpose of the trip. Samuel Fitzhugh, my 6th great grandfather, was born in Dorchester County in 1765. His daughter, Polly, married James Turbeville in 1809. They would become the parents of Lydia Ann Turbeville, who married John R. Deason. Their daughter, Rebecca Deason, married Robert Floyd Trantham in 1855. Okay, moving on…
The Dorchester County Public Library in Cambridge, Maryland has in its collection Volumes 2 and 3 of The Fitzhugh Family of Dorchester County, Maryland 1684-1992. This three-volume set of genealogies was written by Harold Dean Davis, a distant cousin who lives in Benton, Arkansas. Unable to find his work, I tracked him down last week and he informed me that he’d donated a copy to the fine folks at the Dorchester County Public Library back in 1994. That makes sense. Because I had called the library ahead of my trip, I knew that Volume 1 was missing; so I was mentally prepared that I might walk away empty-handed. (Instead, I discovered Volumes 2 and 3 focus on nothing but the descendants of Samuel and his wife, Lydia (Hopkins) Fitzhugh. JACKPOT!)
When I arrived at the library, I asked the librarian for directions to Harold’s work. She informed me thusly that “the Fitzhughs are very big here in Dorchester County”.
“How big?” I asked. “Are we talking keys to the county big? I am, after all, a descendant of the Fitzhughs.”
She looked neither impressed nor amused as she led me to the correct section were the books were kept. Oh, well. Cousin Harold certainly did his homework! I have quite a bit of data to sort through but I was immediately drawn to a transcription of Samuel’s will from 1832. His daughter, Polly, and son-in-law, James Turbeville are noticeably absent from the will.
This was not a surprise to me. If you borrow money from your father-in-law, Samuel Fitzhugh, you must pay him back. Or, he will publicly chastise you. Under an advertisement labeled “CAUTION”, Samuel warned the readers of The Nashville Whig in October of 1820 against “trading” with James Turbeville who had not repaid him the forty dollars he was owed. Ouch. I am guessing there was some bad blood, so to speak, between the two of them.
Kenfolk: Tranthams
Relation: 6th great grandfather
Common ancestors: Samuel is the son of John Fitzhugh, or Fitzchew, and his wife, Mary Busick, my 7th great grandparents
References:
Davis, H. D. (1993). The Fitzhugh Family of Dorchester County, Maryland 1684-1992. (Volumes 2 and 3). Benton, Arkansas: publisher unknown.
The Nashville Whig. (1820 October 24).