Randall Smullen Sr. ¹

On Feb 11 1708, Randall Smullen purchased 200a of "Goshen" from John/Elizabeth Wine and John Barber (son of John Barber and nephew of Elizabeth Wine) (SoLR-CD:147).

In 1735, Randall Smullen "of Parahawkin Neck" is mentioned in early Somerset judicial records here: "Jno Philips & others petition To the worshipfull Justices of Somerset County now in Court sitting the humble petition of John Philips John Denston & Isaac Costen humbly sheweth That whereas Robert Harris of this County last August Court obtained an order for a road from his now dwelling house in parrahawkin to a Certain plantation of his called deep branch which said road is very prejudiciall to your petitioners & ye main County road that leads from ye said Harris dwelling house to y.e s.d plantation called deep branch is not above three quarters of a Mile out of y.e said Harris way your petitioners therefore humbly pray that your Worships will please to grant an order top such person as you shall think fitt to View y.e said road whereby your worships may be certified of the prejudice y.e said road will be to your petitioners and they as in duty bound shall ever pray &.a John Phillips, Jno Denston Isaac Costen"

"The petition aforesaid being Read and heard and fully understood and Mature deliberation thereupon had Wherefore it is Considered and ordered that Thomas Dixon & John Williams of Somerset County Gent go and view and Inspect the road or path that the said Robert Harris had obtained an order for Last ^august^ Court and that they the said Thomas Dixon and John WIlliams make their report Immediately to this Court now here sitting at dividing ^Creek^ and afterwards in the Same Court Came the Said Thomas Dixon and John Williams the two Gent appointed to Inspect the Road or path afd and Upon making their report to the Court here the Same Court did order that the Said Robert Harris take no benefitt of the afd Road or path that he had obtained an Order for Last Court Butt that Randall Smullin and Joseph Ward both of Parahawkin Neck Lay Out and direct a bridle path for the Said Robert Harris from his dwelling plantation in parahawkin neck to his Upper plantation at the head of the said Parahawkin Neck the said path to be Laid out and directed by the Said Randall Smullin and Joseph Ward the most Convenient for the said Robert Harris but of the Least of prejudice to any person or persons whatsoever and the said path so be Laid out and directed as afd to be kept and Cleared at the Expence of the said Robert Harris &a." (SoJ-1735/37:90)

In the March court of 1736, we see Randall Smullen making a deposition that confirms his age at the time: "Randall Smulling aged forty seven years or there about being sworn on the holy evangelist of almighty God on behalf of Robert Harris deposeth and saith that near the place where it is Called Mr. Flemings going over there was formerly a going over which was then Called Peters or Peters Waples Bridge or going over but which he Cant say and further this deponant saith that the said Bridge or going over was below the point before discribed in the former depositions and that he never new of any going over at that point and further saith not -Randall Smulling" (SoJ-1735/37:315)

On Nov 25 1741, Randall Smullen Sr./wife Sarah and Randall Jr./wife Mary sold 137a of land in "Harms Worth" to Joseph Riggen, the same land that was sold to William and Edmond Smullen (and the Randalls are heirs at law) by James/Grace Woolford on Aug 10 1684 (SoLR-MF:264). On Mar 19 1742, Randall Smullen Sr/Sarah. and Randall Jr./Mary sold 137a of land in "Harms Worth" to Ahab Costen, the same land that was sold to William and Edmond Smullen (and the Randalls are heirs at law) by James/Grace Woolford on Aug 10 1684 (note: the actual sale date was Oct 29 1708 from James Woolford) (SoLR-MF:288).

In his will written Dec 9 1743 and probated Feb 23 1743/4, Randall (as Randolph) Smullen made the following provisions:
-To son Nathaniel (provided he pays my son Edward when he reaches age 21 £25 current money of Maryland) half of my land "Goshen" my wife's third part excepted. If Nathaniel dies without issue, then to son Edmond. Also give Nathaniel my hand mill and frame, great table, half of my cider cask, his equal part of my plows, harrows, wedges, broad axes, and one feather bed
-To son William (provided he pays my son Edmund when he reaches age 21 £25 current money of Maryland) other half of my land "Goshen" also one part of my plows/harrows, half my wedges and log wood axe, one third part of my hoes, small chest, two oxen, one feather bed and furniture.
-To son Edmund Smullen, two yearlings, one gun, young horse, small chest, feather bed and his part oy my plows/harrows and hoes
-To wife Sarah, the bed/furniture on which I now lie, trunk, great chest, and two cows
-To son Randolph, my saddle and one shilling
-To daughter Margaret Layfield, one feather bed and furniture in her lower room and one shilling
-To daughter Sarah Layfield, one shilling
-To rest of estate not mentioned to wife Sarah
-Nathaniel Smullen to be sole executor.
Witnesses: John Benson, Robt. Harris, Ambrose Riggin (MdW-23:285) Widow Sarah, abides by her husband's will.

Randall married Sarah Harris, daughter of John Harris and Judith Godfrey, about 1715 in Somerset Co., MD. (Sarah Harris was born about 1685 in Somerset Co., MD and died between 22 Sep 1755 and 13 Mar 1759 in Somerset Co., MD.)