Elizabeth Denston ¹

Elizabeth Denston evidently remained unmarried throughout her life and shows as a rare female early land patent recipient when she has "Maidens Choice" surveyed for her in 1732, she received the patent for 50 acres in 1737. This land is on modern Dividing Creek, on the Worcester Co., MD (formed in 1742) side, and it states it is southernly from Denston's plantation in 1732. The land gets deeded to Sarah Denston (Elizabeth's great niece) sometime before 1759 as Robert Morrison and his wife Sarah sell it to Abraham Adams on Dec 7 1759. Adams and his wife Sarah, in turn, sell it to Philip Denston on Aug 19 1761.

In the June Court of 1736, we find Ms. Denston as follows:
Abraham Adams bound to Eliz.a Denston; Abraham Adams an orphan and son of Abraham Adams Late of Somerset County dec.d is by the Court here of his own Consent bound out an apprentice according to act of assembly in such Case provided unto a Certain Eliza Denston of the same place weaver untill he arrives at the age of Twenty one Years he being four Years of age the first day of march Last the said Abraham Adams to serve his said Mistress the full term afd during which term the afd the said Abraham Adams his said Mistress well & faithfully shall serve her secretts keep her Commandments Lawfully and honestly Every Where willingly he shall do and in all things as a good and faithfull apprentice shall demean himselfe towards his said Mistress and all his during the term afd. In consideration of Which service the said Eliz.a Denston present here in Court in her proper person Covenanteth with the Justices of the same Court in manner and form following that is to Say that she the said Elizabeth Denston during the term afd shall and Will Learn her said apprentice the trade of a weaver and to read write and Cypher as far as the rule of three Inclusive and at the Expiration of his servitude give him a Cow and Calfe and a new suit of Cloaths over and above his Common wearing Cloths and Likewise provide for her said apprentice meat drink washing Lodging and Cloathing mete for such an apprentice to have and wear during the term afd &a. Thereupon the said Frances Elizabeth Denston is ordered to give Security for to Comply with the Covenants afd. Whereupon the said Eliz.a Denston with John Denston her security both present herein Court in her persons acknowledged themselves Indebted unto the said Abraham Adams in the Sum of twenty pounds sterling good and Lawfull money of their bodys goods or Chattells Lands or tenements Joyntly and Severally to be made and Levied to the Use
of the said Abraham Adams his heirs and assignes If it happen that the afd Eliz.a Denston do not during the term afd Learn her said apprentice the trade of a weaver and Read with and Cypher as far as the rule of three Inclusive and at the Expiration of his Servitude ^do not^ give him a Cow and Calfe and a new Suit of Cloaths over and above his Common wearing Cloaths and Likewise ^do not^ provide for her said apprentice meat drink washing Lodging and Cloathing mete for such an apprentice to have and wear during the term afd. (SoJ-1735/37:186)

In 1766, Elizabeth's nephew, Philip Denston, has "Maidens Choice" resurveyed for him, this was stated as land that was originally patented to his sister, Elizabeth Denston, for 50 acres in 1737. Philip gets vacancy land added to extend the size of the tract all along modern day Dividing Creek and to include 332 acres. On it, in 1766, improvements listed include: 10 ac cultivated land, 320 panels of old fence, 10 apple trees, a very old log house 10x12 ("much out of repair").