William Hastings

Joshua Hastings (c1745-1799) is certainly a son of one of the sons of Robert Hastings of Somerset. We know of three of those sons were William, Benjamin and Robert Jr. Originally, this compiler placed Joshua as son of William but cautioned the reader to know that he may be a son of one of the other brothers. However, Joshua was finally confirmed as son of William Hastings with the Somerset County land record below of 1772/1773 when Joshua gets ownership of William Hastings land and most all of his personal estate (see below). The original hypothesis proved correct.

William Hastings had land surveyed for him in Somerset Co., MD called "Jericho" on Oct 2 1759 for 42a. This land is in modern-day Sussex Co., DE on the northern fringe of Delmar, DE. (SoCert:1287) This is likely the William Hastings with an account in John Nelms store in Salisbury, MD in 1768 where is is listed as delivering corn for George Smith Jr. and Moses Gordy Jr.

On Dec 23 1772, Joshua Hastings paid £5 for 42a of land "Jericho" to William Hastings both men "of Somerset". The first bounder of this land is described as being on the east side of Hastings plantation when it was surveyed for William Hastings on Oct 2 1759. This land in the modern day on the north side of Delmar, DE with the center of the tract located at the intersection of Alternate US13 and York Street about 0.3 miles north of the MD/DE line. (SoLR-E:224) He also purchased for £50 the following items from William Hastings, planter; two horses, six head of cattle, three feather beds/furniture, 12 head of hogs, all my corn and most all my dung? hill, two ploughs, two harrows, one cart with possession of my houses, land and dwelling? personal estate of whatever it may consist on Feb 13 1773. (Compiler's note: this is very close to the time - 1774 - that Delaware officially took control of old Maryland land from Somerset and Worcester into Sussex County) (SoLR-E:225)

William married.