Surname Elbourn(e) / Elbon / Elburn / Elbin / Elben

Steamboat Wharf, Rock Hall, MD, date on back of card is 1911.

Lemuel Joseph Elbourn, 1830

Kent County, Maryland

This page was updated by Mara French on 6/29/14. An asterisk (*) shows continuation of that line. Send any corrections or additions to marafrench@mindspring.com. Revisions: 2012, 2013, 2014.

Contents

GENERATIONS: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
(click numbers to go to each generation)

Elben Home Page

Lemuel Elbourn of Maryland Home Page

Outline of Lemuel Elbourn

Elben DNA Test Results

Maps of Maryland and Delaware

Bibliography

Fourth Generation

Children of Lemuel’s Father, 3.1

4.5* Lemuel Joseph Elbourn, b. 5 Oct 1830 (as per tombstone) in Piney Neck, Rock Hall, Kent Co., MD, d. 14 Oct 1879 in Rock Hall, Kent Co., MD.

The locals call this “Hell’s Crossroads” according to Joan Elburn Farley. All of the “Necks” use the Rock Hall Post Office.

Almost the entire family of Lemuel spelled their surname Elbourn except for descendants of Charles Albert Elbourn, born 1877, who changed the spelling from Elbourn to Elbourne, reason unknown.

Genealogy Comments of Judy Elburn Curtis

JUDY ELBOURN CURTIS:  “Lemuel Joseph Elbourn, my great grandfather, was born 1830 in Rock Hall, Kent, MD. He married Sarah Catherine Benton b. 1836 in Rock Hall. They had 7 children. I have collected information on descendants of their children for over 40 years. Both Lemuel Joseph and Sarah Catherine Elbourn lived all their lives in Rock Hall; they died and are buried in Kent County, MD. The name Elbourn (various spellings) appears in the 1790 census of Kent County, MD. I have searched various county records and US census records, etc. but have not found any clues as to who the parents of Lemuel Joseph ELBOURN are. No living descendants I have contacted have been able to provide this information. Lemuel Joseph's two oldest sons, Thomas James and Joseph Lemuel were farmers and oystermen, and always lived with their families in the Rock Hall area on the Chesapeake. John Wesley with his wife and children lived in Rock Hall, moved to the Warsaw - Whitestone, Lancaster, VA area and returned to Rock Hall in the late1930's. William Henry, George Washington and Charles Albert left Rock Hall and headed West prior to getting married. They remained in Omaha, Douglas, NE where they worked, met their wives and married. When I first went to Rock Hall, MD in 1967, this was the first time Elbourn relatives of my dad's generation knew where the 3 brothers ended up who left MD and were so happy to learn that I had contact information for descendants of all three. Early research information was consistent with ELBOURN being an English surname, which appears mostly commonly in Cambridgeshire, England; however, we are still looking for the more information on the first Elbourn’s to arrive on the Eastern Shore.  If you have questions or information to add, please contact me by e-mail:  tnjcurtis@aol.com.”

Hearsay about Lemuel’s Background

From Judy Elbourn Curtis, e-mail:  tnjcurtis@aol.com:

An early letter (1963) from Muriel Batchelor to my mom and dad (Pete & Leona Elbourn), has some interesting family remembrances of Muriel who was the wife of John Robert Batchelor, and daughter of Thomas James Elbourn, grandaughter of Lemuel Joseph Elbourn.  She states that her grandmother, Sarah Catherine Benton Elbourn, told her “someone in the family” had said Lemuel’s people came from England when Lemuel was a small boy.  They settled in what is now called Edesville (then called Forktown) between Rock Hall and Chestertown, Kent County, MD. She also said she didn’t know who Lemuel’s parents were since Lemuel died before she was born. Since hearing this, Judy has not come across any supporting information regarding Lemuel coming to America as a child with his family; in fact, she says there is much more supporting information regarding Lemuel Joseph being born in 1830 in Rock Hall, Kent, MD with his parents being James Elbourn/Elburn. b. abt 1767 who married Elizabeth Covington on 12 Dec 1799 in Kent county, MD. Muriel's Uncle Joe (Joseph Lemuel Elbourn) and his wife, Harriet Elizabeth Beck, and their children lived in Piney Neck. Harriet Elizabeth Beck Elbourn died in 1900 leaving 5 young children. Muriel's parents raised these children along with their already large family.

Marriage Records for Kent County, MD 1796-1866 (Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore, MD) Microfilm #187.K3 M36 pp. 1-6-114  contains an entry for a James Elburn of Kent Co who married an Elizabeth Covington of Kent Co.on 12 Dec 1799 in Kent County.  Could this be the grandparents of Lemuel? Another interesting entry is for a James Elbern of Kent Co. who married Elizabeth Hague on 15 Nov 1826.  With Lemuel being born in 1830, these could easily be his parents.  Also, note that Lemuel's first son was named Thomas James; however, in the 1860 census, there is an entry for L. J. Elbourne (age 30) an oysterman, his wife Sarah C. (age 21) and son James T. (age 1).  Information for this census was probably given either by husband or wife, and it's interesting that son is listed as "James" indicating this is probably the name he went by, rather than "Thomas" which was his first given name. First sons were often named after the husband's father, hence James Elbern is a likely possibility as the father of Lemuel Joseph Elbourn and Thomas would be after the father of Sarah Catherine Benton who was Thomas Benton.  Note their second son is named Joseph Lemuel, just the opposite of his father's name.

The story I heard from the Elbourns I talked to back in 1967 was that Lemuel died of TB of the bone, so he could have had that for some time before it took his life.  Interesting that the only one of his children who died young (bet. 30 & 40) was daughter Virginia, and I was told she also died of TB of the bone.

Info from Roy P. Elbourn (b. 19 Oct 1926, Rock Hall, Kent, MD) to Judy Elbourn Curtis in 1977:  he stated Lemuel J. Elbourn was born in Piney Neck, Kent, Maryland and was a trade-freight boat captain on two schooners: the “Oxford” and the “Thomas Hooper”. The early Elbourn's were watermen, sailors, fishermen, crab men, boat men, oystermen, oyster tongers, and farmers---many of these water terms were interchangeable, especially when it comes to occupations listed in census records. Many Elbourn's through the years have had boats of varying size. Therefore, having sailor on the 1870 census for Lemuel is certainly not out of line with the other occupations of Elbourns of the time.

Marriage

Lemuel m. Sarah Catherine “Kate” Benton on 22 Jun 1857 in Rock Hall when Lemuel was about 27 years of age. Sarah was b. 29 Jul 1836 in Piney Neck, Rock Hall, d. 1 Feb 1920 in Rock Hall at age 83, the daughter of Thomas Benton (b. abt 1795 in Rock Hall, Kent, MD) and Mary Rollison (b. abt 1810 in Rock Hall, Kent, MD). After Lemuel died in 1879, Kate m2. Charles C. Downey 22 Mar 1883, Rock Hall, Kent, MD. Sarah C. was buried at the Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Rock Hall; same cemetery as Charles C. Downey.

Death certificate of Sarah Catherine Benton Elbourn on 1 Feb 1920 in Rock Hall; informant: Thomas James Elbourn, her eldest son. Record in possession of Judy Elbourn Curtis.

Lemuel Elbourn’s Maryland Probate Court Record

Reference: http://mdcourts.gov/orphanscourt/about.html

While it has a long history of serving Maryland’s citizens since before the beginning of our nation, the Orphans’ Court remains a mystery to most people.

It may be the name that confuses people. “Orphans’ Court” is simply the historical name for a court that handles Wills and estates. Its name derives from the old City of London’s Court for Widows and Orphans. Lord Baltimore brought this court system to his colony, and in 1777 the Maryland General Assembly formally established an Orphans’ Court and Register of Wills in each county and the City of Baltimore. That structure still operates today. The Maryland Orphans’ Court is the state’s probate court. It also has jurisdiction over guardianships of minors. In simpler terms, the main job of the Orphans’ Court is to supervise the handling of estates of people who have died – with or without a Will – while owning property in their sole name.

Because Lemuel died intestate, the administration fell to his wife (or eldest child Thomas) to be the Last Will and Testament of Lemuel. She renounced all her rights, title, and claim to letters of Administration on the Personal Estate of her deceased husband Lemuel Elbern, and respectfully asked the Honorable Court to appoint Mr. B. B. Adkinson as Administrator of said Estate, Catherine Elbourne signed with an X (as his wife) and Samuel Burgess and Richard Hynson were witnesses. The estate was taken to probate at the Orphans’ Court.

Lemuel Joseph Elbourn’s estate in the Orphans’ Court consisted of an 85-paper file started on 4 Mar 1876 (3 years before Lemuel died) and was completed on 9 Nov 1880. It included his inventory, people swearing to the accuracy of the inventory, estate sales, payments of outstanding debts, and statements from his widow. The story Judy Curtis (descendant of Lemuel) heard from the Elbourns she talked to back in 1967 was that Lemuel died of TB of the bone, so he could have had that for some time before it took his life. The only one of his children who died young (between ages 30 and 40) was daughter Nora Virginia, and Judy Curtis was told she also died of TB of the bone. 

Maryland, Probate Estate and Guardianship Files, 1796-1940, probate dated 4 March 1876. He had his last son Charles Albert Elbourn in 1877, just 2 years before he died. Lemuel’s name in this document is spelled differently within the same document, e.g., Elburn, Elbern, Elbourn, and others.

Benedict B. Adkinson, administrator of all and singular the Goods, Chattels, and personal Estate of Lemuel J. Elburn of Kent Co., MD, was b. May 1848 in Maryland and married Susan Strong in 1872, and had children Florance in 1873 and Caroline in 1881. He was about 30 years old when Lemuel died; no known family connection could be found.

In the letter above, it is strange that she spells her surname Elbern and Elbourne in the same document, but as she signed with an X, she could not read nor write. The rest of these 85 images can be seen on www.familysearch.org by searching for Lemuel Elburn (as it is listed on the website) and finding “Maryland, Probate Estate, and Guardianship Files” dated 4 Mar 1876, about 3 years before he actually died. They include Lemuel’s personal estate and inventory filed and proved 28 Oct 1879, spelling his name as Elbourn and Elbern, late of Kent County, MD. His widow refers to him as “the late Capt. Lem. Elbern”.

Her name is listed on page 12 of 85 as Catherine Elburn in a note written on 14 Sep 1874.

On page 14, the date shows 9 Nov 1880 and the widow is “Sarah C. Elborn, widow of said deceased”. Lemuel’s body was put in a coffin as per George Leary. Below his name also on page 14 is the name of James F. Jewell who framed the coffin and/or was the undertaker. The estate and disbursements were brought forward when paid or sold. Other names mentioned are Benedict B. Adkinson (Administrator of Lemuel), Samuel Burgess, Thomas H. Hague, J. Frank Wheatley, William Deihl, Harmon Taylor, James Pearce, Charles C. Stephens, William Stevens, Thomas C. Maslin, George Beck, and J. C. Slaughter.

Samuel Burgess was born in 1842, and married Ella N., born in 1859.

Richard Hynson, b. 1845 in MD. James Sr.’s son John Jackson “Jack” Elburn’s daughter, Alverta “Bertie” Elburn married Robert Lee Hynson, and his father MAY have been Richard?

Thomas H. (Hynson) Hague was born in 1814 in MD, married to Anna M., and was a farmer in the 1880 census of Edesville, Kent Co., MD, age 66. Elizabeth Hague was born in 1805 and married James Elburn Jr.; Thomas was her brother.

J. Frank Wheatley was born in 1853 and married Mary E.

William Deihl was born in 1842 and married to Susanna R. In the 1870 census, he was living with Thomas and Anna Hague (above). Susanna was b. 1837.

Page 16 starts on 19 Apr 1881. It appears as though Lemuel had quite an estate that required 85 pages of documentation. It continues with many more names, events, dates, etc., none of which are helpful as far as genealogy is concerned.

Then on Page 21, dated 4 Mar 1878 (before Lemuel died) is a note signed “for Lemuel Elbourn by Thomas Elbourn”. Thomas was Lemuel’s eldest son, age 20 at the time he signed for his father.

Page 23 is dated 9 Nov 1880 and written in Chestertown, MD. On Page 34 he is referred to as “Capt Leml Elburn”. Most of the next pages are very precise documents stating who has or has not been paid. Page 42 shows the merchant account of Crew & Jerome on 118 Light Street Wharf in Baltimore on 10 Nov 1879. Page 50 shows that Lemuel was buried.

The following letter describes the animals Lemuel’s wife sold.

Lemuel Joseph Elburn died on 14 Oct 1879 in Rock Hall, Kent Co., MD, but received a notice for past-due taxes on 1 Jul 1879 which Thomas C. Maslin was collecting.

Page 68 of his 85 probate estate papers shows the name Thomas C. Maslin.

Thomas C. Maslin (below), a Tax Collector, collected taxes from Lem.? J. Elburn on 4 Sep 1880, in the 5^th District of Kent County.

Below is a document showing Sarah Catherine “Kate” Benton signed with the mark of an “X” in the middle of her name on 5 Nov 1879 when her husband died and when Sarah became a widow, Page 78.

Pages 83 and 84 of 85 pages, noting James F. Jewell, the man who dug Lemuel’s grave. James F. Jewell is the “Keeper of the Cemetery” in the 1880 census of Edesville, assuming they are talking about the Wesley Chapel Cemetery. James F. Jewell married Alice Tobitha Kendall on 8 Sep 1880; she was b. Apr 1864 and d. 8 Jul 1921.

Page 85, the last page, shows the administration of the account was filed and proved on 9 Nov 1880.

Additional Comments on Lemuel’s Probate Court Record from Judy Elburn Curtis

Comments from Judy Elburn Curtis, tnjcurtis@aol.com, 6 May 2014

Although information is available on his marriage to Sarah Catharine BENTON, and the 7 children born to this marriage, very little information has been found on Lemuel Joseph himself. It is unknown who his siblings or parents were.

The document on Lemuel’s Probate Court Record was written before daughter Mary was found in the 1870 census, and before we had a death certificate on one of James and Sarah's younger children.

Years ago I was at the courthouse in Chestertown and found the following hand-written document, copied it and then typed it into Lemuel's notes. This is the only estate information I have known about prior to Mara's input regarding the 85 pages.  This appears to be the listing of a man who didn't own much---note cash is zero (possibly this was not provided by Sarah Catherine) for inclusion in this listing.  Total value is listed as $934.  At the time when I found this, I was surprised there was no identification regarding where Lemuel & Kate lived, and no inclusion of any land exchanges or purchases---leaving many questions at that time as well as now.

PS from Mara: Considering the Typical Wages for 60 hours a week in 1880 for a laborer were $8.10 total for the entire week; therefore, Lemuel’s total value at $934 seems quite high. The hourly rate was 13 cents/hour.

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Inventory of Goods of Lemuel Joseph Elbourn, dated 27 October 1879 from the Inventory of Goods records of Kent County Courthouse, Liber 14, Folio 369, page 279 and 280, copied by Judy Elburn Curtis. "A true and perfect inventory of all and singular, the goods, chattels, and personal estate of Lemuel J. Elborn, late of Kent County, deceased. Appraised by the subscribers, Samuel Burgess and Thomas H. Hague, jointly, we having first been legally authorized and having taken the oath prescribed by law, as will be seen by the Warrant to Appraise and Certificate thereon hereto annesced.   Items listed are:  Cash ($0),  3  tables ($5) and 5  chairs ($2),  old chairs $0.50), 2 feather beds ($16), 2  bed stands ($1), a safe ($1), 1 set of cups and saucers ($0.25), tin pans ($.80), knives and forks ($.50), a bucket and a jar ($.30), a cook stove and fixtures ($7), 1 lot of plaster ($.30), 4 comforts (probably comforters) ($2), 1 lot spreads (probably bedspreads) ($.50), 5 plows ($1.50), 3 cultivators ($1.50), 1 double harrow ($8), 1 twin harrow ($8), 2 farm wagons ($25), 1 spring wagon ($10), 1 wagon pole ($5), 1 Willoughby drill ($50), 1 Bickford and Hoffman drill ($10), 1 combination reaper and mower ($25), l lot forks and shovels ($.50), 1 lot single and double trees ($1.25), 4 sets plow gears ($2), 1 set wagon gears ($5), 1 lot bridles and collars ($3), 1 half bushel measure ($.10), 1 set corn blades ($20), 1 cow ($25), 1 asce ($.50), 1 grindstone ($.50), estate interest in corn crop ($150),  4 shoats (a young pig, less than 1 year, of either sex) ($4), 11 head of hogs $66), 1 yearling colt ($35), 1 spring colt ($25), 1 young mare ($75), 1 yellow mare ($40), 2 bay mares ($150), 1 stallion ($75), 1 sorrel mare ($75).  Total value of estate:  $934.00."  After listing is the following text:  "We the Subscribers do certify that the aforegoing is a true and just inventory and valuation of all singular, the goods, chattels, and personal estate of the said Lemuel J. Elborn, deceased, so far as the same have come to our sight and knowledge; and as valued and appraised by us in Dollars and Cents, according to our best skill and judgment, amounting to total amount appraised by us, this 27th of October 1879, Nine hundred and thirty-four Dollars ($934)."  Signed by Samuel Burgess and Thomas H. Hague (with an X for his mark - witnessed by L. S. Fowler).

Additional Comments on Lemuel’s Probate Court Record from Joan Elburn Farley

Comments from Joan Elburn Farley, farleyje@va.metrocast.net, 7 May 2014

Joan states that “one does not open an estate probate. One writes a will and has it witnessed and made legal. When that person dies, the will is taken to probate at the Orphan’s Court. If the witnesses have died since witnessing the will, others must be found who can attest to the deceased’s signature, etc. The word “probate” actually means “proven.” The will is taken to the Orphan’s Court and proven to be the last will and testament of the deceased. When the deceased died intestate, then administration usually falls to the wife or eldest child – they can administrate the property of the deceased or they can assign an administrator – that’s where you see those signed and witnessed statements from the spouse relinquishing administration and recommending an administrator”.

I HAVE GONE THROUGH LEMUEL’S 85-PAGE PROBATE FILE FROM THE KENT COUNTY ORPHAN’S COURT AND DONE SOME ANALYSIS. I THINK IT WILL BUT SOME OF YOUR WONDERMENT AT SUCH AN EXTENSIVE DOCUMENT TO REST!

IT IS 85 PAGES LONG BECAUSE IT CONTAINS ALL THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ESTATE AND THE COURT PROBATE OF THE WILLS – BESIDES THE INVENTORY YOU FOUND AT THE COURT HOUSE, DEPOSITIONS, PAYMENT OF JUST DEBTS, RECEIPTS, ETC.

BEFORE I GET STARTED, I HAVE TO TELL YOU ALL THE VARIATIONS OF LEMUEL’S NAME CONTAINED IN THESE 85 PAGES!

LEMUEL J ELBORN LJ ELBERN

LEMUEL J ELBURN LJ ELBURN

LEMUEL ELBORN LJ ELBORN

LEMUEL ELBURN LJ ELBOURN

LEMUEL ELBOURN LEM’L ELBURN

CAPT LEMUEL ELBURN LEM’L J ELBORN

CAPT ELBURN LEM’L ELBORN

CAPT LEM ELBURN MR LEMUAL ELBORN SR

CAPT L ELBURN

AND HIS WIDOW APPEARS AS:

SARAH C ELBORN
SARAH CATHERINE ELBURN
MRS LEMUEL ELBURN
SARY CATHERN ELBOURN

(NOW YOU UNDERSTAND WHY I DO NOT GIVE A LOT OF CREDENCE TO HOW THE NAMES ARE SPELLED!)

NOW:
THE INVENTORY OF GOODS YOU FOUND IN THE CHESTERTOWN COURT HOUSE ARE ON PAGES 6 TO 8 OF THESE 85 PAGES.

PAGE 1 IS JUST A COVER SHEET PUT ON THE PROBATE FILE WITH THE NAME, ESTATE NUMBER, DATE FILED, DATE OF DEATH…. IN THIS CASE, THEY HAVE: ELBURN. LEMUEL J, ESTATE NO Acc854, FILED 3-4-1876, DATE OF DEATH IS BLANK.

PAGES 2 & 3

BINDS BEN B ADKINSON, RICHARD HYNSON, AND WM STEVENS TO THE PROBATE.

ASSIGNS BEN B ADKINSON AS ADMINISTRATOR OF ALL AND SINGULAR THE GOODS, CHATTEL, AND PERSONAL ESTATE OF LEMUEL J ELBURN.

PAGE 4

LETTER TO ORPHAN’S COURT OF KENT CO. FROM WIDOW “SARY CHATHERN ELBOURN”

RENOUNCES ALL RIGHTS, TITLE AND CLAIM TO LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION ON PERSONAL ESTATE OF DECEASED HUSBAND “LEMUEL ELBERN” AND ASKS COURT TO APPOINT BB ADKINSON AS ADMINISTRATOR. WITNESS: SAMUEL BURGESS.

PAGE 5

COVER PAGE OF INVENTORY (ALMOST EVERY ITEM IN THIS PROBATE HAS A COVER PAGE WITH THE NAME OF THE DECEASED, WHAT IT IS, AND THE DATE FILED)

PAGES 6 – 8

INVENTORY

SUBSCRIBERS SWEAR TO TRUE AND JUST INVENTORY: SAMUEL BURGESS, THOMAS H HAGUE (MARK), WM. STEVENS REGISTER OF WILLS

PAGE 9

STATE OF MARYLAND KENT CO FORM AUTHORIZING SAMUEL BURGESS & THOMAS H HAGUE TO JOINT APPRAISAL OF GOODS, CHATTEL, AND PERSONAL ESTATE OF LEMUEL ELBURN

ROBERT NICHOLS ESQ
CHIEF JUDGE OF ORPHAN COURT OF KENT COUNTY
21 OCT 1879
TEST: WM STEVENS

PAGE 10

COVER FOR STATEMENT AND AFFIDAVITS OF WIFE FILED NOV 11 1879

PAGE 11

STATEMENT AND AFFIDAVIT OF WIDOW (THIS PAGE IS PRICELESS!)
MRS. LEMUEL ELBERN DEPOSITION
WIDOW OF LATE LEM ELBERN
A CLAIM OF SEPARATE AND DISTINCT PROPERTY OF HER OWN: 1 MARE FANNIE & HER FOAL
THEN SHE EXPLAINS HOW SHE BASES THIS CLAIM:
SHE PICKED WHORTLEBERRIES (BLUEBERRIES) & BOUGHT A HEIFER WITH THE PROCEEDS
SHE RAISED 5 HEAD OF CATTLE FROM THIS COW
SHE SOLD 3 HEAD TO MR FRANK BAKER, 1 HEAD TO JOHN SHRIVER AND 1 HEAD TO BB ADKINSON
SHE SOLD THE ORIGINAL COW TO MR SAML BURGESS
SHE THEN BOUGHT THE MARE FOR $55 AND LOANED THE BALANCE OF THE MONEY TO HER HUSBAND TO BUY SEED WHEAT
SHE HAS RECEIVED ONE HORSE FROM THE MARE FANNIE
“I NEVER HAVE BEEN REIMBURSED FOR THE MONEY I LOANED TO MY HUSBAND FOR THE SEED WHEAT”
BUT SHE DOES NOT PRESENT ANY CLAIM AGAINST THE ESTATE
10 NOV 1879, SWEARS TO VERACITY OF SARY’S CLAIM: MR. STEVENS, REGISTER OF WILLS

PAGE 12

THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT WHERE SARAH BOUGHT THE MARE

PAGE 13

COVER FOR THE 1^ST ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNT FILED AND PROVED NOV 9 1880

(THERE WERE TWO FILINGS OF THE ADMINSTRATION ACCOUNT, PROBABLY BECAUSE CLAIMS AGAINST THE ESTATE WERE OFFERED AFTER THE FIRST ACCOUNT WAS FILED)

PAGE 14

BENEDICT B ADKINSON CHARGES HIMSELF WITH THE INVENTORY OF THE ESTATE
WITH GAINS ON SALES AT THE AUCTION
WITH SUMS OF INTEREST COLLECTED ON VARIOUS NOTES
ASKS FOR ALLOWANCES FOR:
MARE & FOAL CLAIMED BY WIDOW (NOW APPRAISED AT $75 EACH!)
WIDOW’S PORTION OF ESTATE ALLOWED BY LAW
COFFIN FROM GEORGE LEARY
GRAVE DIGGING BY JAMES JEWELL

PAGE 15

ESTATE BROUGHT FORWARD: $733.45
DISBURSEMENTS BROUGHT FORWARD: $175.00
REGISTER OF WILLS FEES: $9.00
COMMISSION OF $390 ESTATE DISBURSED AT 10%: 39.08
BALANCE DUE ESTATE: $303.56

PAGE 16

COVER FOR SECOND AND FINAL ADMINSTRATION ACCOUNT
FILED APR 19 1881
PROVED APR 21 1881

PAGE 17

ADMINISTRATOR CHARGES HIMSELF WITH BALANCES DUE ESTATE BY 1^ST ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNT PASSED BY THE AFORESAID COURT NOV 9 1880: $303.56

WITH INTEREST COLLECTED ON VARIOUS NOTES (GEORGE LAMB, JAMES H GALE, CK RASIN, EDGAR STRONG): $22.81

AND WITH ONE HALF OF NOTE DUE FROM RB NOLAND AND ROBT HARRIS FOR A TOTAL OF $332.15

ASKS ALLOWANCES FOR THE FOLLOWING PAYMENTS AND DISBURSEMENTS:

REGISTER OF WILLS FEES: $12.O

COMMISSION OF $371.23 ESTATE DISBURSED IN THIS AND FORMER AT 10%

BALANCE DUE ESTATE: $282.33

PAGES 18 TO 20

BALANCE TO BE DISTRIBUTED AMONG LIST OF CREDITORS, THEIR CLAIMS EXAMINED AND PASSED BY THE ORPHAN’S COURT, EACH WITH 33% DIVIDEND

PAGES 21 & 22

REGARDING $100 NOTE NEVER PAID TO JOHN BRICE
CLAIM EXAMINED AND PASSED BY SON THOMAS ELBURN

PAGE 23

SUMMARIZED LIST OF CHARGES BY REGISTER OF WILLS, JOEL C SLAUGHTER

PAGES 24-85

JUST DEBTS PAID (THE LIST ON PAGES 18-20)

(THERE ARE TWO PAGES FOR EACH CLAIM: THE ACTUAL BILL AND THE RECEIPT OF PAYMENT)

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:

TAXES PAID WENT DOWN FROM 1878 ($8.19) TO 1879 ($7.49)

SOME OF HIS JUST DEBTS:
WJ VANNORT, 25 LBS OF MEAT @ 12-1/2 CENTS: $3.12
50 LB OF SUGAR $4.25
½ DOZ 2 GALLON JARS $2.40
FROM CREW & JEROME, COMMISSION MERCHANTS, LIGHT ST. WHARF, BALTIMORE
(THIS TELLS US A) THEY DID COMMERCE VIA SHIPS TO BALTIMORE AND B) I THINK OL’ LEMUEL MAY HAVE BEEN MAKING SOME SHINE WITH THAT CORN HE GREW!)

4 DOCTOR VISITS FROM JH PRICE LISTED AT $2 EACH: SELF, SON, JOE, AND THOMAS

2 PRESCRIPTIONS FROM JH PRICE $1

2 LEECHES $1 FROM CM STAM & BRO (STAM’S DRUGSTORE IS STILL OPEN IN CHESTERTOWN)

LEMUEL WAS DEFINITELY A FARMER:
JP SUTTON, THRESHING 429 BU CORN @ 15: $16.80
JAMES PEARCE, HUSKING 12 BU CORN @ 15: $1.80
HARMON TAYLOR, HUSKING 43-1/2 BU CORN @ 12: $5.22
WM DIEHL, HUSKING 43 BU CORN @ 15: $6.45
CHARLES STEPHENS, HUSKING AND SHELLING 334 BU CORN: $15.03
WM DIEHL, 7 DAYS OF HARVESTING $2.00 AND 20 BU CORN $8.00
ROBT HARRIS, WAGES $1.75
(HAVE YOU EVER HUSKED CORN? THAT IS HARD WORK, AND LOOK WHAT THEY GOT PAID!)

FOR BURIAL OF LEMUEL:
1 “SUTE CLOSE” $9
CASH TO BURGESS & BRO FOR “CRAPE” AND GLOVES $3.27
10 YARDS MUSLIN @ 10 $1
1 PR HALF HOSE 10 CENTS
TOTAL $13.37

I THOUGHT BEN B ADKINSON WAS Y UNTIL LATER IN THE DOCUMENT WHEN THEY SPELLED OUT BENEDICT.

AND “SARY” WAS ONE THRIFTY AND WISE WOMAN WITH HER PIN MONEY! BLUEBERRIES TO $150 WORTH OF HORSE-FLESH!

IF YOU WANT TO FIND THIS PROBATE, YOU GO TO FAMILY SEARCH, SELECT SEARCH, SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTON OF THE PAGE AND SELECT UNITED STATES, SELECT MARYLAND, SELECT NEXT TO LAST SELECTION (PROBATE), ENTER ANY VARIATION OF ELBURN IN THE SURNAME FIELD AND IT WILL BRING UP WHAT ELBURN/ETC WILLS THEY HAVE POSTED.

AS FOR LAND, YOU CAN TRY mdlandrec.net TO SEE IF YOU CAN FIND ANY DEEDS FOR LEMUEL

YOU KNOW, TALKING ABOUT LEMUEL WRITING A WILL WELL IN ADVANCE BECAUSE HE KNEW HIS TIME WAS COMING – THIS IS NOT A WILL. THERE IS NO “I MAKE THIS, MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMNENT” STUFF…. THIS IS JUST PROBATE, ALMOST LIKE HE DIED INTESTATE! AND SINCE THE COURTHOUSE DID NOT HAVE A WILL, JUST THE ESTATE INVENTORY, I WONDER IF HE DID HAVE A WILL! FOOD FOR THOUGHT…..

JEF

7 MAY 2014

Census and Chronology

5 Oct 1830 – Lemuel Joseph was born or christened 5 Oct 1830 in Piney Neck, Rock Hall, Kent Co., MD. The 1830 census was taken before he was born.

29 Jul 1836 -- Sarah Catherine Benton Elbourn was born 29 Jul 1836 in Piney Neck, Rock Hall, Kent Co., MD.

1840 census – Lemuel Joseph was 10 years old. He lived in District 1, Kent Co., MD with James Elburn; names are not listed, but a 10-year old boy is listed.

1850 census – Lemuel Joseph was living with James Elburn, 81, and Sarah, 34, in District 2, Kent Co., MD, with all of James Elburn’s family: John A. (James Andrew Jackson Elburn) 18, George W. (George Washington Elburn) 13, (Leman J. 21), Mary V. 9, Henrietta 8, Wm Polk (William James Polk Elburn) 7, David (David C. Elburn) 4, Martha 5 (whose death certificate lists her father as James Elbourn and her mother as Sarah Jones).

Sarah was born in 1816 in the 1850 census, 1820 in the 1870 census, 1819 in the 1880 census. She could have been married to an Elburn born ca. 1810-1815, and that Elburn could have been George Henry Elburn, b. 1810, the son of James Elburn Sr.

22 Jun 1857 – Lemuel married Sarah Catherine “Kate” Benton in Rock Hall.

1 Dec 1858 – Lemuel’s son Thomas James Elbourn born in Edesville, Kent Co., MD.

1860 census – Lemuel is listed as L. J. Elbourne, age 30, living with Sarah C. 21 and James T. age 1 in District 1, p. 251, Kent Co., MD. He m. Sarah Catherine “Kate” Benton on 22 Jun 1857 in Rock Hall. She was b. 29 Jul 1836 in Piney Neck, Rock Hall, therefore she was actually 24. Lemuel was an oysterman and could neither read nor write. On the very next page of this census is listed Sarah A. Elborn, age 49 (born 1811), and Washington Elborn 24, Mary A. 22, David 11, and Samuel 1.

2 Nov 1860 – Lemuel’s son Joseph Lemuel Elbourn born in Rock Hall, Kent Co., MD.

2 Feb 1862 – Lemuel’s son William Henry Elbourn born in Rock Hall, Kent Co., MD.

5 Jul 1865 – Lemuel’s son George Washington Elbourn born in Rock Hall, Kent Co., MD.

1870 census – Lemuel cannot be found, not even as L. J. or Joseph, even though he didn’t die until 1879. The following census matches quite well, but some of the names are inter-exchanged. What is remarkable about this census, is that it states Thomas (should be Lemuel) was a sailor. This holds some worth into what Roy P. Elbourn told Judy Elbourn Curtis:

Info from Roy P. Elbourn (b. 19 Oct 1926, Rock Hall, Kent, MD) to Judy Elbourn Curtis in 1977:  he stated Lemuel J. Elbourn was born in Piney Neck, Kent, Maryland and was a trade-freight boat captain on the “Oxford” and the “Thomas Hooper”. Another family account states he was a sailor on a boat coming from England (no info about any other members of his family). For further information, read these following articles. Also note that the “Thomas Hooper” was in Baltimore.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~codd/james%20hooper%20life9.14.pdf

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=%22Thomas+Hooper%22+freight+boat+Maryland&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

1870 census – The census of District 4, Kent, MD, matches very closely, but with 4 errors. It is put here for further study. Plus, this family has not been found in 1870 except for this entry.

Census Name	Correct Name	Census Age	Correct Age	Birth Year
Thomas Elburn	Lemuel Elburn	40	same	1830
Sarah C. Elburn	same	29	34*	1836
Louis Elburn	Thomas Elburn	11	same	1858
James L. Elburn	Joseph L. Elburn	9	same	1860
William H. Elburn	same	7	same	1862
George W. Elburn	same	4	same	1865
Mary E. Elburn	same	1	same	1869

*Sarah’s age has consistently been variable.

Aug 1871 – Lemuel’s son John Wesley Elbourn born in Rock Hall, Kent Co., MD.

1874 – Lemuel’s daughter Nora Virginia “Jennie” Elbourn born in Rock Hall, Kent Co., MD. As with her father Lemuel, she also died of TB of the bone at about the same age as he died.

4 Mar 1876 – Probate Papers issued for Lemuel in Kent Co., MD.

Name:	Lemuel J Elburn
Event Place:	Kent, Maryland, United States
Death Date:
Event Date:	04 Mar 1876
File Name:
Additional Name:
Estate Number:	Acc854
Event Type:	Probate
Estate Type:	Regular Estate
Note:
First Image Number:	139
Last Image Number:	223
Number of Images:	85
Digital Folder Number:

19 Mar 1877 – Lemuel’s son and youngest child Charles Albert Elbourne born in Rock Hall, Kent Co., MD. Lemuel’s wife Sarah Catherine “Kate” Benton was b. 29 Jul 1836 in Piney Neck, Rock Hall; therefore, she was 41 when this son was born.

1878 Maryland Directory – published by J. Frank Lewis Co. of Baltimore, MD, and discovered by Joan Elburn Farley. Kent Co., Maryland, Lankford, Farmer: Elbern L. J. This entry must have been Langford. Could he have been living in the Langford area when he died?

14 Oct 1879 – Lemuel d. 14 Oct 1879 in Rock Hall, Kent Co., MD, and is buried in Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Rock Hall. No stone available.

1880 census -- Sarah Catherine Elbourn was a widow, age 44, with young children, and her future husband-to-be Charles C. Downey was a widower, 45 in the 1880 census, living in separate households. He was living in Swan Creek Neck, Kent Co., MD, with his 3 children. She was not living with her young children:

Thomas, the oldest child was found, age 22, a farm laborer, married to Sarah Elizabeth Kendall, age 16, and living at Swan Creek Neck, Kent Co. MD. He m. Sarah Elizabeth on 21 Feb 1880 and therefore was not living with his mother who just became a widow.

Joseph, 19, married Harriet Beck on 6 Sep 1882. Can’t find him in 1880, but Harriet is listed in the 1880 census of Worton, Kent Co., MD as Harriet R. Beck, b. 1864, living with her parents Samuel and Elem Beck, all born in Maryland.

William H., 17, lived with the Tarbutton, Scott, and Johnson families in Edesville, Kent Co., MD, at age 17.

George W., 14, married Pauline Roland on 14 Feb 1887. Can’t find him in 1880.

John W., 7, cannot be found in the 1880 census.

Nora Virginia, 6, cannot be found in the 1880 census.

Charles, 3, cannot be found in the 1880 census.

1900 census – Sarah cannot be found, but her future husband, Charles Downey, b. Oct 1840 in MD, is listed with his second wife of 17 years, Mary C., married on 3 Apr 1883 or 22 Mar 1883, in Edesville, Kent Co., MD. He is 59 and Mary C. Downey is 61. Charles Downey’s first wife died before 1880, as he is listed as a widower in the 1880 census of Swan Creek Neck, Kent Co., MD, a fisherman, living with his children Anne L. 15, Jane L. 9, and Martha 5.

1910 census – Sarah C. m2. Charles Downey, age 70, b. ca. 1840. She was age 72, listed in Edesville, Kent Co., MD.

1920 census – Sarah C. is listed in Edesville, Kent Co., MD, Sarah C. Downey, 83 (born 1836) and a widow of a man named Downey, and she is living with her son and his wife, Thomas J. Elbourn, age 61 (born 1858), (Sarah is listed as Thomas’ mother) and Sarah E., 56 (born 1864). Also living with them are 3 children of Thomas and Sarah: Thomas B. Elburn 17, Merrill C. Elburn 20 (crossed out by the census taker), and George W. Elburn 14. Sarah C. Downey died this year on 1 Feb 1920 – I assume the census of 1920 was taken very early that year.

1920 Feb 1 – Sarah Catherine Benton Elbourn died and is buried at the Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Rock Hall, Kent Co., MD, the spouse of Charles C. Downey. She was born 29 Jul 1836. Charles was born ca. 1838 and died between the 1910 and 1920 census.