Mary, wife of Thomas Truman

In 1658, Mary, the first member of what would become Richard Brightwell's extended family was transported from England to Maryland as the wife of John Boage (mentioned earlier as master of Patuxent Manor). Mary was the eldest daughter of Elizabeth (maiden name unknown) who came to Maryland from England. We first encounter Elizabeth as the wife of Robert Lashley in 1666. Available information appears to show that none of the five daughters of Elizabeth were the children of Robert Lashley. The biological father of these five daughters is yet unknown. The wills identified to date refer to them simply as "daughters of Elizabeth" which serves our purposes here. Records show that John Boage was age 30 in 1658. "Richard Brightwell Family in Maryland, 1640s through 1740s", compiled by William L. (Bill Smith). (Maryland Genealogical Society Bulletin, Spring 2003). (Linda Reno)

Thomas(‘s) [Truman’s] wife was Mary Bogue, widow of Captain James Boague, and the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Lashley. Mary had four sisters: Katherine, who married Captain Richard Brightwell; Elizabeth, Mrs. Philip Cooksey; Ann, Mrs. Richard Sothern; and Mrs. Griffin Pond of New Kent Co., VA. (Boardley* :9)

Will of Elizabeth Lashley. "What I have received of Capt. Ninian Beall more than comes to my third of the estate of my late husband Robert Lashley, is to be returned to Capt. Beall, executor of my late husband...", for appropriate disposition per Robert's will. "My son Trueman to be saved harmless from his Engagement to Capt. Beall in my behalf." Daughters Mary Truman (executrix), Katherine Brightwell. Son-in-law Philip Cooksey to receive a servant for the servant’s ensuing years of work, for the use of “..my daughter’s children.” Grandchildren Henry Cooksey, Richard Southerne. Test: Jno. Burras, Thomas Trottman, Thomas Trueman. (Prerog Court Wills 2:196, Calvert Co., MD, 1681.11.13, Proved 1682.05.15)

Named as a beneficiary in husband Thomas’ will of 1685 (see his Notes).

Mary, wife & relict of Thomas Truman, died at the age of 52. (Fresco(1)* :470, Trent Hall, Calvert Co., MD, 1686.07.06)

Inscription: “Here lyeth the Body of Mary, wife and Relict of Thomas Truman Esq: who died the 6th of July, Anno 1686 Aged 52 years.” (Ridgely* :40, Trent Hall, St. Mary's Co., MD)

Letters of administration to Richard Southerne & Richard Brightwell in the rights of their wives jointly on the estate of the widow Trueman of Calvert Co. who died intestate. Letter of commission to Mr. Thomas Brooke, warrants to Major William Brabs & Mr. Thomas Gent. Immediately upon receipt of aforesaid letters, administration of all & singular goods etc of Mary Trueman granted & committed to Richard Southerne & Richard Brightwell, Lett commission directed to Mr. Thomas Brooke. (Test Proc 13:375, 1686.07.14)

Noted to be late entry. Administrative Bond in the estate of Mary Trueman, Richard Southerne & Richard Brightwell the administrators. Ninian Beall & Jonathan Buras their sureties in 20,000 pounds of tobacco. Recorded Liber 21, folio 375. (Test Proc 16:168, Calvert Co., MD, 1686.07.28, Recorded 1695.05.20)

Richard Southerne & Richard Brightwell exhibit against the estate of Major Thomas Trueman, who had willed one half of estate to wife Mary, remainder to cousins Mary Truman, Elizabeth Truman, Thomas Truman Greenfield. Richard Southerne & Richard Brightwell also married two of the sisters of Mary Truman. Mary is now married to Thomas Holliday gent. (Test Proc 13:383, Maryland, 1686.08.04)

Defendants Richard Brightwell & Richard Southerne failed to appear, another citation issued. (Test Proc 13:509, Maryland, 1687)

Defendants Richard Brightwell & Richard Southerne granted continuance to allow time to answer libel. (Test Proc 13:492, 1687.01.18)

Citation to sheriff of St. Mary’s Co. to summon Richard Brightwell and Richard Southerne administrators of Mary Truman to show cause why they should not account to Mary, Elizabeth, Ann & Catherine Cooksey, children of Phillip Cooksey & Elizabeth his wife, now deceased, a sister of Mary Truman, their share of the estate of Mary Truman. (Test Proc 13:468, St. Mary's Co., MD, 1687.03.21)

Came Robert Carville Procurator of Mary, Elizabeth, Katherine & Ann Cooksey children of Phillip Cooksey of Calvert Co. and exha. their libel against Richard Brightwell & Richard Southern, administrators of the estate of Mary Truman. Prays an answer to the libel. (Test Proc 13:492, 1687.07.18)

Southern & Brightwell, administrators of Mary Truman, having not answered the libel against them, are again ordered to answer same. (Test Proc 13:509, 1687.08.04)

The Sheriff made return he has summoned Richard Brightwell & Richard Southern to answer Cooksey's libel. (Test Proc 13:519, 1687.09.13)

Appeared Richard Brightwell & Richard Southern of Calvert Co. & executed their answers to the libel of Phillip Cookseyes children. (Test Proc 14:4, Calvert Co., MD, 1687.09.17)

The account of Richard Southerne, one of the executors of Mary Truman, prayed for & granted a delay until next Court. (Test Proc 14:101, Calvert Co., MD, 1688.10.06)

**  Biography

TRUEMAN, THOMAS (ca. 1625-1685). BORN: ca. 1625, probably in Nottingham, England. IMMIGRATED: in 1651, as a free adult. RESIDED: in Calvert County. FAMILY BACKGROUND. BROTHERS: Nathaniel (?-1677), a justice of Calvert County, 1669/70; James (?-1672), a justice and physician, who married Ann Storer. SISTER: Elizabeth, who married (first name unknown) Stringer. NIECES: Martha Trueman, who married Thomas Greenfield (ca. 1649-1715); Mary Trueman, who married Thomas Hollyday (ca. 1661-1702/3); and Ann Trueman, who married John Bigger (ca. 1654-1714). MARRIED Mary (ca. 1634-1686), widow of Capt. John Bogue (Boage) (?-1667), daughter of Robert Lashley (Lasly) (?-1680) and wife Elizabeth (?-1682). Her sisters were Katherine, who married Richard Brightwell; (first name unknown), who married Philip Cooksey; and (first name unknown), who married Richard Southerne. CHILDREN. Probably died without progeny. PRIVATE CAREER. EDUCATION: literate. RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Protestant. SOCIAL STATUS AND ACTIVITIES: arrived with two servants; Esq., by death. OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE: attorney; planter; merchant. PUBLIC CAREER. LEGISLATIVE SERVICE: Lower House, Calvert County, 1661, 1662; Upper House, 1666, 1669 (Aggrievances), 1671-1674/ 75 (Accounts 1, 3; Laws 2-3), 1683-1684 (appointed by the 2nd session of the 1682-1684 Assembly). OTHER PROVINCIAL OFFICES: Council, 1665-1676, 1683-1685; justice, Provincial Court , 1665-1676, 1683-1685. LOCAL OFFICES: justice, Calvert County, 1658-1662; sheriff, 1662-1663; deputy surveyor, 1665. MILITARY SERVICE: lieutenant, 1659; captain, 1660; major, by 1675. STANDS ON PUBLIC/PRIVATE ISSUES: in 1655 Trueman was imprisoned for his role in Stone's Rebellion against the Puritan government; in 1656 he was rewarded by Lord Baltimore for his faithfulness and given 1,000 acres; in 1676 Trueman was found guilty by the Upper House of the first of three articles of impeachment voted by the Lower House for his complicity in "the late barbarous and inhumane murder of five Susquehannough Indians." Trueman had been commissioned by the proprietor to command a troop whose purpose was to negotiate a peace settlement with the Indians. He was dismissed from the Council in 1676, and released from his bond for good behavior in 1678. WEALTH DURING LIFE-TIME. LAND AT FIRST ELECTION: patented 2,000 acres in St. Mary's County. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN LAND BETWEEN FIRST ELECTION AND DEATH: patented over 7,200 acres in Calvert, St. Mary's, and Anne Arundel counties between 1663 and 1684. WEALTH AT DEATH. DIED: on December 6, 1685; buried at "Trent Hall" on the Patuxent River in St. Mary's County; will probated in Calvert County on December 10, 1685. PERSONAL PROPERTY: TEV, at least £918.11.10 and 31,655 pounds of tobacco (including 17 servants and 114 books). LAND: over 2,175 acres in St. Mary's and Calvert counties. Trueman's principal heirs were the children of his brother James.  (Papenfuse* 2:842)