BEALL DNA STUDY SOME DESCENDANTS OF COL. NINIAN BEALL of MARYLAND

Compiled May 2006 by Roberta Hull

There have been many ”myths” and incorrect material published about Ninian Beall. It has been assumed that he was born 1625 to Dr. James Bell in Fifeshire, Scotland, but apparently no one has been able to find any proof. There were many depositions in Maryland giving his age, which would indicate he was born 1625 to 1630. Supposedly he was captured in the Battle of Dunbar in Scotland in 1650, and was transported to Maryland, possibly by way of Ireland and/or Barbadoes. Film #13068, Maryland Patents, Certificates, and Warrants, indicate that in 1667 he received land for his time of service performed for Richard Hall. He also received other land about that time which includes the words ”me the said Ringing Bell”.

He supposedly married Elizabeth Gordon and had one or two sons in Scotland who eventually immigrated to Maryland. In America he married Ruth, who has been assumed to be a Moore. This is based on a deposition made by James Moore Jr. in 1708. This does not say ”brother-in-law”, as some have said. The Moore genealogists doubt that there was a Ruth Moore. Neither is it known if she was the mother of all of his American children. Ninian’s children are known from his gifts to them, mainly in 1706, and from his Prince Georges Co. will written 15 Jan. 1717, probated 28 Feb. 1717. Ruth had apparently died before 1714, when she didn’t acknowledge her dower rights when Ninian gifted land. Children:

1. John Beall died before 21 May 1711, when Charles Beall administered the estate of John Beall in Prince Georges Co. There is nothing to indicate he was married or had children.
2. Thomas Beall’s will was written 1 Sept. 1707, probated 3 Aug 1708 Prince Georges Co. There was nothing to indicate he had a wife or children as his will gave to his brothers George and John. Brother Ninian was the executor. When brother Ninian died, his wife Elizabeth became the exec. Administration 20 May 1712 by William Beall and Elizabeth his wife, exec of Ninian Beall, exec. of Thomas Beall.
3. Charles Beall was born about 1672, from depositions, and married 23 sept. 1709 Mary Wolstead. His Prince Georges Co. will was dated 24 March 1739/40–27 Nov 1740. His children are known from his gifts to them and from his will. Wife Mary survived him.
4. Jane Beall married Archibald Edmonston/Edmondson, who was born about 1671, taken from depositions. Son-in-law Archibald Edmonston was included in Col. Ninian Beall’s will. Archibald died before 11 Sept 1734 when the first of two inventories were taken. Jane Edmonston was the exec. The inventory of Jane’s estate was presented 1 June 1748.
5. Ninian Beall, Jr. married Elizabeth Magruder, wrote his Prince Georges Co. will 1 Nov. 1710, which was probated 6 Jan 1710/11. Children Samuel and Mary were named. They were provided for in Col. Ninian Beall’s will also. Elizabeth and her father were to be execs, though her father refused to act. Elizabeth married William Beall before 20 May 1712.
6. Hester/Esther Beall married Joseph Belt, included in the will of Col. Ninian. She apparently died about 1727, and he married second before 1740 Margery Wight, widow of Thomas Sprigg and daughter of Ann Wight. Inventory for the estate of Joseph Belt was 18 Dec. 1761.
7. Rachel Beall received a gift from Col. Ninian and Ruth in 1706, but was not included in Ninian’s will. There is a "tradition" in the Offutt family that she married James Offutt, but the Offutt family researchers tell me that there is no proof of that. Rachel, wife of James Offutt died at some time before April 1742, at which time John Beall wrote his will indicating his daughter Sarah was married to James Offutt. Sarah’s will written 23 Jun. 1779 willed to her nieces and nephews, so apparently had no children. James Offutt’s will of 1749 indicated he had seven children, apparently with wife Rachel.
8. Mary Beall married Andrew Hamilton [called son-in-law in Col. Ninian Beall’s will]. Andrew wrote his will 23 Oct 1718, probated 24 June 1719, naming wife Mary as exec. The children were not named, but the births of some were listed in Records of St. John’s Parish. Mary married second Thomas Evans. Thomas, Mary, and their children witnessed a number of wills and other records for Beall descendants.
9. George Beall was born about 1695, from depositions and also from the 1776 census when he was living with son George. George married Elizabeth Brooke, daughter of Col. Thomas Brooke and his second wife Barbara Dent.

Some lists include James, Sarah wife of Samuel Magruder, Margery, and Hannah. As far as we know, none of these were gifted to by Ninian, and they were not included in his will. I haven’t seen any evidence there was a James. Ninian Jr. married Elizabeth Magruder, daughter of Samuel and Sarah. Many of the Bealls married first cousins, but I doubt that they would have been allowed to marry an uncle. Neither has it been proved that Sarah was a Beall. Some have thought that a daughter Margery married Joseph Belt as his second wife. He married Margery Wight, widow of Thomas Sprigg and daughter of Anne Wight. There are records in the Vestry Minutes of St. James Parish, Anne Arundel Co. about a John Deaver and his wife, a daughter of Ninian Beall. I don’t know of any other Ninian Beall of an age to have a daughter Hannah that would correspond to this Hannah, and I haven’t seen any other item that would make me think she was the daughter of Col. Ninian Beall.

Tombstone records indicate Col. George Beale departed this life 15 March 1780 age 85 and wife Elizabeth died 2 Oct 1748, age 49. The family Bible is said to include 12 children, several of whom died in childhood. George’s Montgomery Co. will was written 15 Mar 1780 and probated 24 Mar. 1780. From the family Bible the children of George Beall and wife Elizabeth Brooke were, order unknown:

1. Thomas Beall, died age 17
2. Mary Beall, d. young
3. Esther Beall, d. young
4. Levin Beall, unmarried, will Frederick Co., written 12 Apr 1759, probated 19 Sept 1763, died Martinique.
5. George Beall, 1729-1807, married [1] Annie b. c1734-1799. [2] 13 Sept. 1800 Prince Georges Co. Elizabeth Beall, widow. She survived him and was living in 1809 when distributions were made.
6. Thomas Beall, d. young
7. Patrick Beall, b about 1735, died testate Prince Georges Co. about 1810. He married 3 March 1756 King Georges Parish Eleanor Goddard. The family is in the 1776 census.
8. Rebecca Beall
9. Lucy Beall b. about 1738, died testate Montgomery Co. 1795. She married Samuel Wade Magruder, b. about 1728, died testate Montgomery Co. 1792. The family is in the 1776 census.
10. Mary Beall, b about 1745, may not have married as she is called Mary Beall in 1780 distribution from her father’s estate.
11. Elizabeth Beall, b. about 1740, died 1805, married Walter Evans b. about 1721. They are in the 1776 census.
12. Thomas Beall, b. 27 Sept. 1748, died testate District of Columbia 5 Oct 1819, age 72. He married 26 Sept 1773 Nancy Orme b. 29 Jul. 1752, d. 9 Apr. 1827.

George Beall is buried in the same cemetery as his parents, tombstone indicates 25 Feb. 1729 to 15 Oct. 1807. His first marriage was to Ann b. about 1734, died 1 May 1799. Ann acknowledged her dower rights on a deed 22 Oct. 1794. His Montgomery Co. will was written 11 June 1802, probated 20 Oct 1807. The family is on the 1776 census, when father George was living with them. Children of George and Anne from census and his will:

1. George Beall, b. about 1758, eldest son, had two children, named in father’s will. Perhaps the George who married Eliza Beall Montgomery Co. 22 Dec. 1779.
2. Levin Coventon Beall, b. 7 Jan 1760, Prince Georges Parish records, married Esther Campbell. Esther administered the estate of Levin C. Beall Montgomery Co. 30 Oct 1816.
3. Erasmus Beall, b, 28 Oct 1762 Prince Georges Parish records, had son Thomas by June 1802.
4. Elizabeth Beall, b. 18 Jan 1765 Prince Georges Parish records, d. 27 Jun. 1827. She married Rev. Steven Balch.
5. Hezekiah Beall, b. 24 Sept 1767, died 25 May 1816, Jefferson Co., VA [now WV]. He married 25 Sep. 1794 Margaret Willis b. 14 Mar 1779, d. 26 Apr. 1850. His will was written 19 Feb 1814, proved 26 Aug 1816.
6. Thomas Brook Beall, b. 20 Sep. 1770 d. 30 Sep 1820, testate in Washington DC.
7. Anne Beall, b. about 1771 married Capt. John Rose.

Levin C. Beall was born 7 Jun 1760. Prince Georges Parish records, married Esther Campbell 14 July 1779 Montgomery Co. and died before 25 Oct 1816 when Esther Beall is bonded to administer his estate. Richard Beall also signed this bond. Esther was the daughter of Aenas Campbell [will written 1809 gives to daughter Hester Beall] and sister of James Campbell, will 1827, which gives to John Beall and names John as exec. The will of George Beall written 11 June 1802, includes Levin C. Beall’s children John and Ann. Esther wrote her will 7 Nov 1825, probated 1 Aug 1826, in which she names her grandchildren, Teresa Ann and Ann Elisa, daughters of son John by his first marriage, but also gives to the children of his present wife without naming them.

1. John Beall, m/1 _______, m/2 28 Dec 1807 Montgomery Co. Charlotte Jones.
2. Anna Beall, married Richard Beall 26 Feb 1797 Prince Georges Co. Richard Beall signed the bond with Esther in 1816.

John Beall married [2] 28 Dec 1807 Montgomery Co. Charlotte Jones. The Orphan Court ordered John Beall of Levin, exec. of James Campbell, to give notice, May 1828. John died before 21 Dec 1831 when Charlotte and Levin C. Beall signed a bond so Charlotte could administer the estate of John. Another bond 28 April 1840 by Charlotte, Levin C. Beall, and William R. Beall provided for the guardianship of James Henry and Mary Ellen by Charlotte and John Richard by Levin C. Charlotte was on the 1860 census born about 1781, and living with her were James Henry and wife. Children of John and Charlotte:

1. Levin C. Beall and family are on the 1850 and 1860 censuses of Frederick Co., Buckeytown. Levin C. Beall married Catherine E. Osborn 12 Oct 1833 Frederick Co. He b. 1 Jan 1809, d. 6 Dec 1882, she b. 7 Sep 1800, d. 7 Feb 1847. Both buried in Buckeyetown Catholic Cem.
2. William Rufus Beall, b. about 1815 married 20 Jul 1839 Montgomery Co. Martha Elizabeth McAtee, daughter of William, according to his will of 1853.
3. John Richard Beall, living 1840, minor.
4. Mary Ellen Beall, living 1840, minor.
5. James Henry Beall, married 14 Nov 1854 Susan C. Hoyle. They were living with Charlotte when the 1860 census was taken. He was born about 1830 and Susan was born about 1832.

William Rufus Beall b. c1815 married 14 Nov 1839 Montgomery Co. Martha Elizabeth McAtee, b. about 1811. The family is on the 1850 census Frederick Co., Buckeyetown, the 1860 census Montgomery Co., the 1870 census Montgomery Co. and the 1880 census Fairfax Co., VA, when both were living. The calculated birth dates vary from census to census.

1. Mary L. Beall b. about 1841, living with parents in 1860.
2. John W. Beall, b. about 1844, living with parents 1870.
3. Richard F. Beall, b. about 1846, living with parents 1880.
4. George A. Beall [listed as George W. on the 1850 census]. Death record indicates he was born 12 Apr 1846, died Mar 1921, father was Rufus. Tombstone 26 Apr 1848–9 Mar 1921.
5. Walter Beall b. about 1850, on the 1850 census.
6. Charles E. Beall b. about 1851, may be the Charles E. on the 1900 census Montgomery Co., given as born Oct 1849, with wife Mary P. b. Jun 1853, married about 1883.
7. David H. Beall b. about 1852, widowed and living with his parents and son in 1880 census, may be the David H. in the 1900 Montgomery Co. census, b. June 1852, with wife Anna L. b. Jan 1863.
8. Eliza A./Ella E.? Beall b. about 1856, married and living with parents in 1880.

George A. Beall married Montgomery Co., MD 21 Feb 1870 Eliza A. Baker. Tombstone records, for him -- 26 Apr 1848–9 Mar 1921, for her 31 Dec 1851–28 Jan 1930, Chestnut Grove Cem. He died Loudoun Co. VA, she died Washington DC. Eliza’s obituary, Blue Ridge Herald, names eight children surviving. The family is on the 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920 censuses of Loudoun Co., VA. Children, from the censuses:

1. Sallie/Ora? Beall b. Nov 1871.
2. Ardeana Beall b. about 1874.
3. Glenwood Beall, b. Feb 1877, married 11 July 1898 Minnie M. Mockabee, living with his parents 1900. She is listed as b. Mar 1872.
4. Clara V. Beall b. Oct 1878, living with her parents 1900.
5. Raymond E. Beall b. Nov 1881, perhaps the Raymond E. with wife Loretta on the 1910 census Loudoun Co.
6. Rufus E. Beall b. Sept 1882, on the 1930 census Prince Georges Co. MD with wife Florence M. b. about 1887. They were living with his parents 1910. He survived his mother.
7. George E./A. Beall b. Jul 1886
8 Della Beall, b. Feb 1889
9. Iola Beall, b. Aug 1892, survived her mother, unmarried.
10. Vera Beall, b. July 1896, with her parents 1910.

Glenwood Beall married city of Alexandria, VA 11 July 1898 Minnie M. Mockabee. They were living with his parents in 1900. Glenwood and family are on the 1910 census Loudoun Co., VA. In 1930 Minnie was living with children Charles L. and Dorothy. Minnie is listed as a widow. Children:

1. Lawrence R. Beall, b. about 1901
2. Francis Beall, b. about 1903
3. Lyman Beall, m 22 May1943 Philadelphia, PA, Naomi Miller Garis. In 1930 census Washington DC he was listed as Charles L. [unmarried] and had mother Minnie and sister Dorothy living with him. The Prince Georges Co. MD death record for Charles L. 30 Nov 1905–22 Nov 1987.
4. Dorothy Beall, b. about1907, married and living with Charles L. Beall and mother Minnie in 1930.

Charles Lyman Beall’s death record Prince Georges Co., MD, b. 30 Nov 1905, d. 22 Nov 1987, parents Glenwood Beall and Minnie Mockabee, wife Naomi. He had married Naomi Miller Garis 22 May 1943 Philadelphia, PA.

This article was written expressly for the Beal Surname DNA Project.

"Through many months of lengthy correspondence regarding corrections, additions, errors, misunderstandings and frustrations, Roberta Hull of Mesa, Arizona, worked with me to put the Beall families in the format for this book. Roberta Hull is a well-respected and meticulous researcher with an incredible knowledge of these families" --Elise Greenup Jourdan, Early Families of Southern Maryland, Vol. VI, THE BEALL FAMILIES (Westminster, Md.: Family Line Publications, 1994).