William Richard was the Patriarch of the Deane family in Dorchester County. His Last Will & Testiment was filed for probate Aug 2, 1699, and witnessed Oct 28 , 1698 by his wife's two brothers and his neighbor Michael Todd, Sr. William R ichard acquired a 100 acre tract called 'Dean's Choice' on Feb 26, 1679. He ac quired a 25 acre tract 'Dean's Pasture' on May 29, 1683. The estate of William Dean, Dorchester County, deceased, was valued at L15.8.6 and administered by h is wife Elizabeth Dean on Jan 2, 1699/1700. It is not known when William Richa rd and Elizabeth Meredith immigrated to America or when and where they were mar ried. It is assumed it was at an early age that they both came to America and I speculate that they actually met and were married in America as all of their children were born in Dorchester Co., Maryland. William Richard's father came to America on various trips and was at Fox Creek in Dorchester Co. for a short time, but then returned to Dorset, England. William Richard's mother never cam e to America. I speculate that perhaps William Richard came to America with hi s father on one of the trips and when his father returned to England, William R ichard stayed in America. As stated, these last comments are speculation as we do not have any documentation as to when William Richard and Elizabeth Meredit h immigrated or married.
These notes courtesy of Mickey Dean.