William Tracy/Tracey of Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties

William Tracey of Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties


William Tracey's connection to the early Traceys in Maryland is unknown. He first appears in the records of Prince Georges county as the grantee of a deed in 1729. Thus, he was probably born no later than the late 1600s to early 1700. We can only speculate that he might be a son of Hugh or Thomas Tracey. It appears that the family lived in what is now Montgomery county near Cabin John Creek and the Potomac River. William was married to Lorando (last name unknown).

William Tracey appears as grantee in a deed in 1729 in Prince Georges Co. and as the grantor of a deed ot trust in 1731 in Prince Georges Co. He is listed in the 1733 taxable heads of family list in the Potomac Hundred of Prince Georges County. In 1740 William Tracey leased from Thomas Blacklook The Addition To The Remains In Prince Georges Co. In the 1755/1756 debt book of Frederick Co. MD is William Tracey is listed with the 60 acre tract Tracey's Desire. This tract was granted to William Traey in 1743 consisting of 60 acres (L.G.E. 289) and is located in what was Frederick and now Montgomery county. The location of William's homestead is further confirmed in the Maryland Gazzette of 10 April 1751, which printed an item "William Tracy living neat the Falls of the Potowmack River in Frederick Co. found a stray stallion."

In Frederick Co. Book A1: William Tracey Sr. of Frederick Co., planter, Will dtd. 9 Sept 1755, Sick, To wife Lorando: all estate real and personal; she also executor. His mark. wit: Andrew Heugh, Thomas Claggett, Henry Chambers. Proved 31 Oct 1755 by Heugh and Claggett. "NB. Notice given to heir-at-law James Tracey to be present at the proving of the will, neglected to do so."

His wife's will provides additional data on the family:
Will of Lorando Tracey ,Senr. of Frederick Co. Will dtd 29 Sept 1772, weak, To son William: feather bed and furniture, hide to be delivered by son Alexander, 2 ewes, 1 lamb, iron pot, and small chest. To son Alexr.:cow, yearling, 4 sheep, 7 shoats, 1 dish, plates, and table. To Grandson Charles Tracey: heifer. To dau. Katrine Chamberlaine: 6 soup plates, basin, saddle, clothes. To dau. Rebecca Locker: pot,dish, plate. To grandson Wm. Chamberlain, son of Henry: mare. My bed and residue to estate sold to pay debts. Son William exec. Mark Wit: Andrew Heugh, James Chambers. Proved 15 Dec 1771 by 2 wit. (pp.442-3). Another document that sheds some light on this family is the debts of the estate of a Lawrence Owen, apparently dated March 1762 and filed in Frederick Co. lists: Alexander Tracey, Jacob Tracey, James Tracey, Timothy Tracey, William Tracey, and Pearce Tracy. (from Skinner's Inventories of Perogative Court of Maryland 1724-1727).

Thus this line in Frederick (Todays Montgomery) Co. seems to start with William Tracey (d. between 9 Sept 1755 and 31 Oct 1755) m. Lorando ? (d. between 29 Sept 1772 and 15 Dec 1772). Their children:

i. James Tracey (heir at law of father's estate) In 1769 James Tracey, planter conveyed to Absolom Tracey 60 acres "Tracey's Desire" located on Capt John's Run in Frederick Co.
ii. William Tracey Jr. (b. ca. 1723) m. Eleanor Wallace (b. ca. 1723). The Will of William Wallace of Frederick Co MD dated 1 April 1758, proved 19 May 1759 names daughter Eleanore Tresey). William Jr is in the 1776 Census in the North West Hundred of Frederick Co. is: William age 53; Eleanor age 53; Philip age 19; Elinor age 17; James age 10. Children of William and Elenaor appear to be:
i. William Tracey (b. 1751) m. Elizabeth (b. 1756) maybe remaried Mary Scissell on 18 Sept. 1777 in Prince Georges county. He is listed in 1776 Census of Prince Georges county in St James Parishe
ii. Philip Tracey (b. 1757) m. Mary_______ (apparently the Philip b. 1755 who served in the "Flying Corps" as a private in the state militia during the Revolutionary War. Philip Tracy b. 1755 in Montgomery Co MD filed a pension appplication in Washington DC 6 Aug 1832, served in the MD line. (S11581).
i. Thomas b. 12 Aug 1800, Prince Georges Parish.
iii. Eleanor Wallace Tracey (b. 1759) m. John Conner on 5 Dec 1778.
iv. James Tracey (b. 1766)
iii. Alexander Tracey. He is listed in the 1771-1772 Rent Rolls of Frederick Co., Md with a note that says "man in Carolina") Alexander purchased in 1764 50 acres in Frederick Co., called "Harpers Folly". Alexander Tracey recorded a deed on 12 Dec 1764, made 4 Dec. with Francis Harper of Frederick County, for 25 pounds sells parcel called "Harpers Folly" beginning at Muddy Branch, Metes & Bounds given for 50 acres, signed by mark, Francis Harper before Andrew Heugh, Chas Jones. Mary the wife of Francis Harper released dower.
iv. Katrine Tracey m. Henry Chamberlain
i. William Chamberlain
v. Rebecca Tracey m. ? Locker
vi. Pearce Tracey I have not found much info on Pearce Tracey other than being listed in the above estate's debts and also that Pearce was in debtors prison for a while in 1756. For in Liber HS #1, pps. 327-329, (From Vol. 55 Page 19) of the acts of the General Assembly of Maryland is this text: Read the first Time in this House, and ordered to lie on the Table. Read the Petition of the several following insolvent Debtors, viz.t Tho.s Gay George Benson, James Horn, and Alexander M. Mcullen p. 162 languishing prisoners in Worcester County Goal. Thomas Webb, John Bateman, William Matherly languishing Prisoners in Ann Arundel County Goal: Pearce Tracey, Jn.� Barnett, Bigger Head, Jacob Tracey, and Thomas Thomson languishing Prisoners in Frederick County Goal.�James Fanning, Thomas Cloak, Edmund Lowe, Charles Mooney, Nicholas Seymore, and Nathaniel Wright, languish ing Prisoners in Queen Ann's County Goal�John Talbot senior, a languishing Prisoner in Baltimore County Goal�and Nicholas Dawson a languishing Prisoner in Prince Georges County Goal, praying Relief, referred to the Consideration of the Lower House of Assembly, and sent by Benedict Calvert Esq.r Benedict Calvert Esq.r from the Committee appointed to inspect the Accounts and Proceedings of the Commissioners of the Paper Currency Office brings in the following Report. Maryland ss. At a Committee of both Houses of Assembly appointed to inspectthe Office and Proceedings of the Commissioners for emitting Bills of Credit established by Act of Assembly, April 18. 1757.
vii. Jacob Tracey is also known by the reference to him in the debts of the estate of Lawrence Owen and being in the goal for debt in 1756-1757.
viiiTimothy Tracey is also only known by being listed with is apparent brothers in the estate of Lawrence Owen.

Charles Tracey There apparently was a Charles Tracy born ca.1755 on Cabin John Creek in (now) Montgomery Co MD who went to Fayette Co KY about 1789 and married a Sarah Noe, daughter of Peter Noe. This Charles is possibly the grandson referred to in Lorando's will. However, at this point is not known who his father was (except that it was probably not Philip Tracey. There is a Revolutionary war pension for Charles Tracey, S31437, in which he served in the MD line and continental armies. According to this pension, he was born in Montgomery Co MD in 1755 and enlisted there. He applied for his pension 11 July 1832 in Clarke Co., KY having moved there from Fayette Co. KY. He referrs to a large family of his son-in-law in the pension application. TRACY, Charles (1759-1834). Private, 3rd Co., Middle Bn., Militia, Sep.,1777 (Ref: M-196, T-5:38). Private, 7th class, 2nd Co., Middle Bn., Militia, July 15, 1780 (Ref: M-201). Took the Oathe of Allegiance before the Hon. William Deakins, Jr. before March 3, 1778 in Montgomery Cty, MD. He applied for pension (S31437) in Clark County,KY on July 11, 1832, stating that he was born in Nov., 1759 on Cabin John Creek in Frederick County, MD (later Montgomery County)., and lived there at the time of enlistment. He served as a substitue for Mordecai Oxford under Capt. Nathaniel Pigman and Capt. Thomas Beall in the Maryland line, and participated in the Battles of Germantown and Paoli. He also served on the western frontier near Pittsburg and was discharged at Fort Lawrence. In 1781 he served again under Capt. Nicholls and guarded at Fort Frederick, Maryland. He also stated he once lived with Col. John Beall at his quarters on the Potomac River, and then moved to Fayette County,KY. He married Sarah Noe, daughter of Peter Noe.. Charles died on March 19, 1834. Other Tracy family members who took the Oathe of Fidelity at the same time include Alexander, Philip, & William Tracey.


Other Records of Traceys in Prince Georges and Montgomery counties & Western Maryland

A William Tracey in PG Co is listed as marrying 15 Nov 1804 Elizabeth Winterson.

In St. James and Prince Georges Parish:
William Tracy age 26
Elizabeth age 20.
baptism record of Thomas Tracy b. Aug 12, 1800, son of Philip and Mary Tracy.

Prince Georges Co. Marriages:
Ann Tracey married 8 April 1831 William Webster
Ann Elizabeth Tracey m. Cicinatius Fairo 5 Nov 1856.

Tax list of Montgomery County 1793 has in the Upper Potomac and Sugarland Hundreds:
Alexander Tracy (no land listed) and next to him is
Charles Tracy (no land listed)
In the Georgetown, Lower Potomac and Middle Potomac Hundreds were
James Tracy and
William Tracy

OTHERS
Elias Tracy married Eveline Morgan (both of Frederick MD) on 8 Nov 1849.
Timothy Tracy is on the 1783 tax list of Upper Old Town Hundred in Washington Co. owning 4 horses and 6 black cattle
Mathew Tracy on the 1783 Tax list of Elizabeth Hundred of Washington Co owning 1 horse.


Another Tracy of uncertain linage is a James Tracy who was born 25 Sept 1760 in MD. There is a widow's application for a pension for his Revolutionary service. (W9864). He served in the SC line, he enlisted inYork Dist of SC where he lived. He married Agnes ? in 1781 or 1782. and died 30 Dec 1839. He originally applied for a pension 30 Dec 1832 in the York Dist of SC. his widow applied 8 Oct 1840 in the Union Dist of SC. age 83 at the time. the widow (Agnes) died 9 Aug 1844. According to an affavadit made by son Greenberry Tracy 16 Oct 1846 in Union Dist, SC., James and Agnes' children were:

i. Jane Nelson Tracy b. 23 Jan 1783
ii. Elizabeth Tracy b. 17 Jan 1786
iii. Meriam Tracy b. 19 arch 1788
iv. William Nelson Tracy b. 9 Oct 1790
v. Aliab Tracy b. 22 May 1793
vi. James Tracy, b. 6 May 1796
vii. Greenberry Tracy b. 4 Aug 1799
viii. Polly Hollingsworth b. 10 March 1802, d. 6 Aug 1825.
My guess is that this James is probably a grandson of William and Lorenzo Tracey of Frederick (Montgomery) Co.