In my immediately previous post above, I had suggested that researchers identify the disposition of the land in Cecil County received by Anne Arundel ROPERs by bequest from their half-brother Jarvis MORGAN.

In reviewing some of my older un-transcribed notes, I found that I had obtained copies of a five page recorded deed by Thomas ROPER, bricklayer, of Prince Georges County, to Edward RUMLEY dated 13 Jul 1702 during a previous visit to the Maryland Archives, probably in 2010.

The deed identifies this land as "his [Cecilius CALVERT] Pattent of grant under his greater Seale at armes bearing date of Twentyeth day of August 1670, Did grant unto one Jarvis MORGAN late of Ann ARUNDEL Cty. afsd decd a parcel of Land called Middle neck lying on the East Side of Chesepicke and in a River in ye said bay called Sassafras river & on the north side of ye River Beginning at a marked white oake standing on a point on ye Eastern Side of a Creeke called Duck Creek running from ye said oake up ye River Easterly One hundred fifty perches to a markt pine standing on a pine bank side by ye mouth of a Creeke called Jone's Creek, from ye said poine by a line drawne north up a long Jone's Creek Three hundred and Twenty perches, by a line drawn from ye end of ye north line and running north east and by North Two hundred Sixty perches by a line drawne ye end of ye north east & by north line and running West Two hundred ninety Eight perches by a line drawn from ye end of ye west line and running South five hundred [page 147] thirty six perches to ye first markt white oak at ye mouth of Duck Creeke containing Six hundred Acres of Land more or less as in the the patent thereof remaining upon Record in ye Land Offices, . . . And Whereas afterwards ye said Jarvis MORGAN being thereof possest in and by his last will & Testament bearing date ye Tenth day of Jany Anno Dom 1698 did among other Bequest Give and bequeath unto ye said Thomas ROPER three hundred acres to him and his heirs forever being ye moiety or one half parte of ye Sd. Tract of Land lying on Sassafras river in Cecil County as afsd. . . . "

I do NOT have the time to do a full transcription at this time. The sales price for the three hundred acres to Edward RUMLEY was 140 pounds.

Thomas ROPER signed the instrument with his mark. The instrument was witnessed by J. REID [his mark], Jno BEALE and Jno. PRICE.

It seems that Thomas ROPER then personally appeared before the Court in Anne Arundel County to acknowledge the instrument on 08 Sep 1702 and it was then certified to the Justices of Cecil County for recording, which recording in Liber TL, No. 2, Folio 631 on July 5, 1710.

There is no indication as to WHY Edward RUMLEY waited eight years to record the instrument. But bear in mind that this conveyance was only of Thomas ROPER's ONE HALF UNDIVIDED INTEREST of 300 acres in the larger 600 acre parcel. It may be that RUMLEY or some others acquired the other two interests of 150 acres each and the recording awaited a reassembly.

Still, in failing to record his deed, RUMLEY seemed to repose a great deal of confidence in Thomas ROPER, since in failing to so record he was otherwise at some peril that Thomas ROPER might have alienated his interest again, etc.

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We probably need to take a look at Edward RUMLEY and see how he fits into the family dynamic.

I do NOT seem to have obtained deeds conveying the other interests in this property.