The Homeplace – Ann Arundel County, Maryland, America

On a nomination form (no date) in the National Register of Historic Places is the following: “Old McCubbin House at “Brampton” Lackey residence. Location – on north side of Cape St. John Road, just east of jct. with Riva Road, Near Riva Maryland, Anne Arundel. The old McCubbin house stands on part of a 17th century grant called Brampton. The house may have been built in the early part of the 18th century.” Source: Maryland Historical Trust, Inventory of Historic Properties. Maccubbins Cove is a bay located just .7 miles from Riva, in the state of Maryland, near Annapolis, MD. Alternate names for this bay includes Boyds Cove and Maccubbins Cove. Maccubbin lands crossed over Riva Road and/or ran parallel. Friends Road – possibly a last vestige of the Quakers (The Society of Friends) who settled in the area.

Anne Arundel County was created in 1650 (Chapter 8, Acts of 1650, April Session). The County was named for Lady Anne Arundell (1615-1649), daughter of Thomas Arundell of Wardour, and wife of Cecilius Calvert, Second Lord Baltimore and founder of the Maryland colony On March 25, 1634, the first English settlers under the Baltimore proprietorship had arrived in Maryland on the Ark and the Dove (the Maryland Dove), sailing up through Chesapeake Bay.

Anne Arundel County is located to the south of the city of Baltimore. It is located on the western side of Chesapeake Bay, with numerous rivers and tidal creeks indenting the shoreline. Maryland’s riverine system is a complex network of branches and tributaries, some of which are known both as rivers and creeks. Most rivers in Maryland run into the Chesapeake Bay. The South River is a 10-mile-long (16 km) tributary of the Chesapeake Bay and it was in this vicinity that John McCubbin began his life as a colonist of Maryland.

Early Families

I. John ‘The Colonist’ McCubbin (#80) was born circa 1630 in Scotland, likely Ayr. He is reputed (by American sources) to be a descendant of the McCubbins of Knockdolian and Tradunnock of Ayrshire. John would have been about age 13, when a Fergus McCubbin was involved in the signing of the Covenant on November 9th, 1643, at a Colmonell Kirk Session. This was the beginning of violent times. John, likely wanting to control his own destiny, left before the actual ‘Killing Time’ began. According to our database of over 6000 McCubbin names, we find that John was the earliest known McCubbin emigrant to leave Scotland, by about a hundred years.

He immigrated in 1649 to Maryland;
Maryland State Archives
AA:120 Film No, SR 8200
Transcript 5:462 (SR 7347); 11:135 (SR 7353)
Original. GG:148 (SR 8205)
MSA SC4341-3104

1649 Ellis Brown transported himself, Edward Stone and John Macoben or Maccubin.

The following is excerpted from: John Maccubbin of Anne Arundel County and his children, Maryland Genealogical Society Bulletin, Vol 40, Spring 1999, by Rudolf Loeser.

Ellis Browne claimed

“Three Hundred Acres of Land…for transportation of himself, Edward Stone, and John Macoben here to inhabitt in Anno 1649.” Source: via Rudolf Loeser. [Ellis Browne would have paid the cost of transporting John to the colony. Thus, John was expected to be in service to Ellis Browne for a seven year period, as an indentured servant.]

“Most immigrants arrived as servants. If they lived to complete their terms they entered Chesapeake society without any belongings except their ‘freedom dues’, which in Maryland consisted of clothing , an axe, and a hoe, and three barrels of corn, all due from the former master – and until 1681 a 50 acre land warrant obtainable on demand from the proprietor. In all, these dues were worth six to seven hundred pounds of tobacco. With this start, the freedman, as ex-servants were often called, began a new life.”  This same year, on April 21, the Religious Toleration Law was enacted.

In Maryland, Christian beliefs of all types were tolerated. However, it appears that the Quakers and their resistance to join the militia, was not tolerated. At a court in Anne Arundel County, October 10th 1662, “John Maccubbin was fined 500lb tobacco for refusing to train with the militia, perhaps because he had become a Quaker. If he indeed was compelled to pay this fine it must have been a serious setback, since that was about a quarter of the tobacco one man could make in a year.”

(via Rudolf Loeser)

When John became established as a freedman and planter, he acquired tracts on the north side of South River, just east of Broad Creek. His oldest known land patent is that for Timber Neck. it was located about four miles from the center of what would later become the town of Annapolis and the capital of Maryland.

The following from: Colonial Families of the United States-MacCubbin.

“He took several land grants in Maryland – Brampton,Wardrope, on the South River; also McCubbin’s Cove and Hamilton. This founder of the Maryland family is buried in a grave yard in the middle of a plowed field of Old Brampton, now owned (Apr. 1972) by Thomas Gaither.”
Richard Beard & wf. Rachell, South River, AA, deeded 16 N 1666 for good and valuable consideration to John Maccubbin of South River, “Brampton,” on north side of South River and east side of Beard/Broad Creek, 100 acres. Rerecorded at request of John Maccubin.

He married Eleanor (–?–) circa 1660; “I make my dear wife Ellennor Macuben my whole and sole Executrix.” Source: – John’s will of 1686.
John and Eleanor had at least five sons and possibly, two daughters, Sarah and Eleanor – documentation is scant for these two females. They may have been issues of Eleanor’s second marriage, or an earlier marrage of John. In any case, for a ‘one name study’ such as ours, only the McCubbin surname is researched.

The following are the five sons recorded in John’s will of 1686.
A. John McCubbin was born between 1663 and 1664. He died in 1752.
B. Samuel McCubbin was born in 1673; estimated from the ages recorded in two depositions: he was about 43 years on 23 May,1715, and he was 44 years old on 17 Sep. 1717. Source: via Rudolf Loeser.
C. William McCubbin was born circa 1675; listed in his father’s will.
D. Zacharia McCubbin was born circa 1679; deduced from a deposition given in court on 2 May 1720, when he stated that he was “aged about 41 years or thereabouts.” Source: via Rudolf Loeser.
E. Moses McCubbin was born circa 1683/84; “his father died when he was a toddler.” via Rudolf Loesser.

John Maccubbin of Anne Arundel Co.
Last Will and Testament of John MACCUBBIN dated Sept 21 1685, 
proved at Annapolis, Md, July 31, 1686

Abstract:
To wife Eleanor, executrix, dower rights.
To sons Samuel, William, Zacharias, Moses and their heirs, 200 acres, Wordrape
on north side of South River equally. Said sons to be of age at 18 years.
To son John and heirs 140 acres Bramton on north side of South River.
Test: Robert Hinwood, Andrew Bell, John Ireland
Dated September 21, 1685. (Maryland Calendar of Wills)

Ann Arundel County, MD
Liber 4, folio 207 (Microfilm 4400)

John Maccubbin died testate in 1686, his will follows:

In the name of God Amen. The 21. of September Anno 1685. John Maccuben of South River in the County of Ann Arrundell in the Province of Maryland, being sick and weake in body but in good and perfect memory, calling to remembrance the uncertaine Estate of this transitory life and that all flesh must yield to death when itt shall pease God to call, doth make, institute, ordaine and declare this my last Will and testament in manner and form as followeth, revoaking and anulling by these presence all and every Testament and Testaments, Will and Wius, heretofore by me made and declared by word or writeing, and this to be taken only for my last Will and testament and noe other.

First, being humble and penintent before the Lord and sorry for all my sins past, most humbly desireing forgiveness for the same, I give and comitt my Soule unto the Allmighty God my Saviour and redeemer in whome and by the merritts of Jesus Christ I trust and believe assuredly to be save, and to have full remission and forgiveness of all my Sins, and that my Soule at the generall day of resurrection shall rise again with joy, through the merritts of Christs death and passion possess and inheritt the kingdome of heaven prepared for his elect and chosen, and my body to be buried in such place where itt shall please my Executor hereafter named to appoint.

And now for the settling of my temporall Estate and such goods and chattels and debts as it hath pleased God farr above my deserts to bestow upon me, I doe ordaine, give and dispose the same in manner and forme as followeth, that is to say, First, I will that those debts and dues as I owe in right and conscience to any person or persons whatsoever shall be well and truly paid and contented, ordained to be payd in convenient tyme after my decease by my Executor hereafter named. I make my dear wife Ellennor Macuben my whole and sole Exectutrix.

Item: I give my four sonns Samuell Maccuben, William Maccuben, Zacharies Maccuben and Moses Maccuben two hundred ackers of Land lyeing on the north side of South River known by the name Wordrape to be equally devided betwixt my aforesaid Four Sonns both in quantity and quality to them and their heyres for ever.

Item: I give unto my Sonne John Maccuben the plantation and Land whereon I now live, known by the name of Bramton being one hundred and forty ackers on the North Side of South River being to him and his heyres for ever. My wife Ellenor Macuben having her life time in the aforesaid hundred and forty ackers of Land according to Law.

Item: I give unto my wife Ellenour Macuben my personall Estate and to be att her disposeing for the good of her children as she shall think fitt, and if my wife shall marry after my decease then my Four aforesaid Sonns Samuell, William, Zaccoriah and Moses shall by att age att Eighteen yeares, but if she shall remain a widdow then not be of age until they are twenty and one yeares old.

[signed] John Macuben X his marke, [witnessed] Robert Hinwood, Andrew [his O mark], Bell, John [his l mark], Eiderland [proved by Robert Hinwood, Andrew Bell and John Ireland on 31 July 1686],  Source: via Rudolf Loeser, John Maccubbin of Anne Arundel County and his children’ Maryland Genealogical Society Bulletin, Vol 40, Spring 1999.  Source: via USGenWeb Archives by Joseph H. Howard

Occupations & Accomplishments

As plantations owners, the McCubbins worked several acres of land. They were tobacco producers, actually known as ‘planters’. The following is excerpted from: Economic Aspects of Tobacco during the Colonial Period 1612-1776.

“It was the “staple” of the Chesapeake colonies in a broader sense than any other staple the world has known. For, in the ancient province, all the processes of government society and domestic life began and ended with tobacco.
In 1612 John Rolfe, an Englishman sent with the Virginia Company, found that tobacco would grow well in Virginia and sell profitably in England. This was wonderful news considering that many of the Jamestown colonists had died or suffered miserably as their farming efforts had been relatively unsuccessful. Throughout Virginia and the greater Chesapeake, the potential cash value of tobacco soon captivated the imaginations of the colonists. They began to plant it in every available clearing. Tobacco remained the staple of the Chesapeake colonies, and its phenomenal rise is one of the most remarkable aspects of our colonial history.
Tobacco was the safest and most stable currency that the Chesapeake colonies had or could have, and it always had a value in exchange for gold.
In addition to being employed for purchasing goods, the tobacco currency was also used to pay fines and taxes [as we saw with John’s fine] A man’s wealth was estimated in annual pounds of tobacco.
Tobacco provided the colonial governments of Virginia and Maryland with one of their principal sources of revenue. By the end of the seventeenth century, England was importing more than 20,000,000 pounds of colonial tobacco per year.”

Appointed
Zachariah Maccubbin, born 1679, was a justice of Anne Arundel County in 1725 and was twice high sheriff, in 1724.

During the late 1720’s Moses Maccubbin, was justice of Anne Arudel County, together with his brother Zachariah.

Facts of Interest

Militia duty
The following is excepted from Rudolph Loeser’s article:
A militia is an army composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers. It is a military force that is not part of a regular army and is subject to call for service in an emergency.

“Militia duty was an accepted part of everyday life for European setlers in the Chesapeake in the seventeenth century. The obligation to serve was almost universal among men of military age. The militia were not often called upon to fight, byt they had to muster regularly for training. This, though acknowledged as necessary, was considered onerous because it interfered with farm work.
The Maryland militia law of 1658 empowered the captains of “trained bands” to select persons of military age (16-60 years). Each man had to equip himself with a gun and sufficient ammunition. The men were to muster at least once a month, and were to be fined 100 lb tobacco for every absence. These fines were unpopular and difficult to enforce.
In the late 1650’s Quakers became established in Maryland and their numbers increased. The government became alarmed because of the Quakers’ pacificism. They would not fight to defend themselves, their families, or neighbours. Quakers refused to train with their assigned militia units. A stricter “Acte for Military discipline” was enacted.”

In October 1662, John Maccubins was included in a list 14 other men who were convicted of Delinquency and Breach of an Act. Apparently several of the men were Quakers, so it is assumed that John also was (for a time) a Quaker.

Katherine Harbury, descendant writes;

“I found this in a record that was fortunately copied before the 1704 state house fire: “A list of names of men … trained soldiers… under Capt. Thomas Besson’s Company…a year after a proclamation by the Md. legislature that all men had to train, etc. to defend the colony in April 1661… now a year later on 10 Oct.1662 names of men who refused to do any more military service…”obstinate refusal” …especially among Quakers… John Maccubbins and his neighbor Alexander Gardiner… all these named men have been convicted of Delinquency and Breach of an Act, Intituled, An Act for Military Discipline. Each to pay a fine of 500 pounds of cask tobacco… to levied against their personal estates, with sheriff’s and clerk’s fees or two month’s imprisonment without bail or mainprize.”

Military Service

Three hundred and forty years later Ronald ‘Rick’ McCubbin wrote the history of two of his ancestors, both descendants of John the Colonist, who signed up for Military Duty.

Hart Countys Military Contribution in Two of Americas Greatest Wars;
McCubbins Honor the Call.

Pvt. Samuel B. McCubbin
27th KY Infantry , Co. “E”
Union Army

Pvt. Robert E. McCubbin
29th Infantry
United States Army
116th regiment, Co. M
Go to the CUB Report 2011 to read the full story.

The search for the roots and branches of John Maccubbin the Colonist through DNA
Up until recently, the parentage and place of birth of John Maccubbin the Colonist has not been clear to genealogists. Folklore in America has tied him back to Fergus McCubbin the Laird of Knockdolian and often there is some truth in folklore. However, as a family history association, and members of the Guild of One Name Studies, we require documentation and/or ‘high probability’ to make links.
Since starting the McCubbin DNA Project in 2007, we have established John Maccubbin roots in Scotland.
Alan Robert McCubbin (#61), one of our early DNA candidates in 2008, and who traces his Scottish family tree traces back to his family’s headstone in Dailly, Ayr (near Fergus McCubbin’s roots) had been told by his GTx2 uncle, Provost of Maybole, that they were related to the McCubbins of Knockdolian. Two other men, one in New Zealand (#14) one in Canada (#61), were tested and found to have matches.
Both have documented charts back to Ayr.
Then to our surprise and delight, we began getting DNA results from Americans, some of whom trace their ancestry directly back to John Maccubbin of Maryland, AND who have exact and/or near exact matches with Alan Robert McCubbin. We now have eight tested DNA candidates who all have matches with each other. Five of those men are Americans, who trace back to John Maccubbin the Colonist. One McCubbin says, “My family is from Baltimore, six generations, and Anne Arundle county before that.”

One Generation Descendant Chart

Note: Only one generation of John McCubbin the Colonist, is included in the Descendancy Chart. Please contact Ronald ‘Rick’ McCubbin for any queries you may have regarding the descendants of John the Colonist.

Contributors: Ronald ‘Rick’ McCubbin, Katherine Harbury, Joseph H Howard.
Gallery contributors: McCubbins/Maccubbins – Rick, Craig, Tom, Lorne, Sally McCubbin Walker, Doreen McCubbin
Sources: ‘John Maccubbin of Anne Arundel County and his children’, by Rudolf Loeser, Maryland Genealogical Society Bulletin, Vol 40, Spring 1999.
Compiled by Lorna McCubbin, Oct 30, 2011

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