NOTE
HENRY
WOOLCHURCH
Kinship to author: Ninth great-grandfather
Henry Woolchurch
was born in England. A Henry Woolchurch was
christened 31 January 1623 at Saint Mary Woolchurch
Haw, London, England. Henry Woolchurch was the owner
and lord of Canterbury Manor in Talbot County, Maryland, where he died before
28 Sep 1695.
In 1633 a Charter was given by King Charles
I of England, Scotland and Ireland to George Calvert, first Lord Baltimore,
empowering him to found a settlement for British Catholics in America to be
known as Maryland in honour of Queen Henrietta Maria (though many historians
believe Maryland was named after Mary, the mother of Jesus, by George Calvert
prior to his death in 1632). The 19th article of the Charter provided for the
erection of Manors. The period of Erection of Manorial Estates with Lords of
the Manor of the true type was 1633 - 1675. Maryland was the only British
colony in America to be founded as a Palatinate governed by Lords of Manors,
and so it remained until 1776 when Maryland joined the United States and titles
of nobility were no longer recognised. Thus Talbot County
was divided into ten Manors.
In 1659 a thousand acres in Talbot County on
the east branch of Tred Avon Creek were granted to Richard
Tilghman. The estate was called Canterbury Manor. In
1665 it was granted to Richard Preston of Calvert County as a new grant.
Shortly thereafter it passed to Henry Woolchurch who
became its new lord. Henry Woolchurch died around 28
September 1695. According to a Will dated 4 May 1695 and proved 28 Sep 1695,
''Canterbury Manor'', ''Hopewell plantation'' and ''Church Warden Neck'' were
divided amongst Henry Woolchurch's heirs. The Manor
was left to grandson Henry Parrott, son of Henry Parrat
and Elizabeth Woolchurch, and to his descendents, who
continued to dwell therein for many generations.Their
descendents continued to possess Canterbury Manor, for at least five
generations of Parrotts were born and reared there.
William James Parrott, born in 1755, was perhaps the last of our forefathers to
have been born in the ancestral Manor. All of his children, except the very
youngest, were also born in Talbot County, Maryland, whether they were born at
the Manor, however, is unknown. (Information on Canterbury Manor from Register of Maryland's Heraldic Families,
1935, by Alice Norris Parran.)
Henry Woolchurch's Children:
1.
Rebecca Woolchurch, married to Anderson.
2.
Mary Woolchurch, married to Barker.
3.
Elizabeth Woolchurch (our ancestress), wife of Henry Parrott, son of
William.
4.
Sarah Woolchurch, married to Joseph Berry.
HENRY
WOOLCHURCH'S WILL
''4th May 1695, 28th
Sept. 1695. To dau. Rebecca Anderson, one half of 600
acres, Hopewell. To dau. Mary Barker and heirs, 400 acres, Church Warden Neck, on Chester River. To grandson Henry Parrott at
21 years of age, and heirs, dwelling plantation. In event of his death without
issue said plantation to pass to aforesaid daughters, Rebecca Anderson and Mary
Barker and any child, born of testator's daughter, Elizabeth Parrott. To granddau. Rebecca Berry, real estate including 50 acres
which shall be given her by Henry Parrott from plantation bequeathed him. To granddaus. Elizabeth and Catharine Parrott and heirs,
residue of Hopewell. To son-in-law
Joseph Berry, husband of dau. Sarah, 200 acres where
he now lives and personalty . To 2 daus., Rebecca Anderson and Mary Barker and grandchildren
Henry, Elizabeth, and Catharine Parrott aforesaid, residue of estate equally.
Executors: daus. Rebecca and Mary afsd.
and Jas. Ridley. Executors to be advised by Quaker meeting. Test: Henry Boston,
Jos. Hid, Mary Glover.''