Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

Josias Beall (1729-1803)
MSA SC 3520-62

Biography
Born: ca. 1725.
Native: third generation.
Resided: at "Strife," near Piscataway, Prince George's County.
Died: will probated on March 12, 1803, in Prince George's County.

Family Background
Father: John Beall (?-ca. 1757), son of James Beall (?-1725).
Mother: Elizabeth, daughter of John Fendall (1674-1734).
Brothers:
Sisters:
Half Sister:
First Cousins:
Philip Richard Fendall (?-?); Sarah Fendall (ca. 1732-1793), who married Thomas Contee (ca. 1729-1811); and Samuel Hanson, Jr. (?-1817).
Married: first, ca. 1760 Millicent (1733-1772), daughter of Robert Bradley and wife Ann, of Prince George's County; granddaughter of Robert Bradley (?-1724).
Married: second, in common law marriage, Ann (1750-1781), daughter of John Boswell and wife Elizabeth. Ann resided with Josias from 1774 until her death.
Children:

Children
Sons:
John Bradley (1760-?); Josias Fendall (1762-ca. 1816), who married in 1804 Ann Middleton Marlowe; James Alexander (1765-?), who married in 1787 Ann Mitchell; Robert Augustus (1767-?), who married Elizabeth; Benjamin Bradley (1771-?); and David Fendall (1775-?).
Daughters:
(first name unknown) (1764-1764); Ann Fendall (1768-?); Anna (1777-by 1803); and Ann Elizabeth (1781-?).

Private Career
Religious Affiliation: Protestant.
Social Status and Activities: Gent., 1786.
Occupational Profile: planter.

Public Career
Legislative Service: Lower House, Prince George's County, 1758-1761 (Bills of Credit 1, Cv 2, 2, Cv 3), 1762-1763 (Bills of Credit 1, 2; Grievances 2), 1765-1766 (Bills of Credit 2, 4; Public Offices 3), 1768-1770 (Claims 1, 2, 4; Public Offices 2; Grievances 4), 1771 (Claims; Grievances), 1773-1774 (Claims 1, Cv, 2; Laws to Expire 1, Cv, 2; Grievances 1, Cv, 2, 3); Conventions, Prince George's County, 2nd, 1774, 4th, 1775 (elected, but did not attend), 5th, 1775, 6th-8th, 1775-1776 (Manufactories 8th); Lower House, Prince George's County, 1778-1779 (Laws to Expire 2; Tax Commissioners 3), 1779-1780 (speaker 1-3), 1781-1782 (elected, but did not attend; resigned during the 2nd session).
Local Office: trustee, Charlotte Hall, appointed 1774.

Wealth During Lifetime
Personal Property: paid taxes on at least £100, 1756; paid taxes on at least £300, 1757; 21 slaves, 1776; assessed value £1,076.7.5, including 42 slaves and 107 oz. plate, 1793-1794; assessed value £1,266.1.8, including 49 slaves and 107 oz. plate, 1802.
Land at First Election: 297 acres in Prince George's County (all by purchase).
Significant Changes in Land Between First Election and Death: he inherited 1,632 acres in Prince George's County plus 1,142 acres in Frederick County from his father and his uncle James Beall between 1768 and 1772. He purchased 266 acres in Prince George's County between 1774 and 1795. He also purchased 311 acres in Charles County, 1788-1792. He sold at least 700 acres, including 100 acres in Frederick County in 1768
and 600 acres in Prince George's County in 1788.

Wealth at Death
Land: at least 2,721 acres (ca. 1,268 acres in Prince George's County, 1,142 acres in Montgomery County, and 311 acres in Charles County).

Source: Edward C. Papenfuse, et. al., eds, A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789. Vol. I: A-H. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1979, 123-124.


 

Return to Josias Beall's Introductory Page


 
 
 


This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user.


Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!



© Copyright Friday, 19-Dec-2025 14:19:15 EST Maryland State Archives