Robert Gudgeon ¹

  Noted events in his life were:

• Baptism, 8 Jan 1614, Weedon Bec Parish, Weedon Bec, Northamptonshire, England.

• Immigration, 1663, Maryland, USA. Robert Gudgeon, the first known member of the family to come to America arrived from England in 1663, just 43 years after the Mayflower landed at Plymouth, Massachussets in 1620.

He indentured himself to work in servitude for six years to pay for his passage here. In 1665 he extended his period of servitude for another six years to pay for the passage of his wife Christiana. She was transported to Maryland by Thomas Mountford together with 41 other men and women who arrived on or about the 26th of June 1665.

• Robert Gudgin signed an Indentured Servant's Contract to Thomas Hedges: Robert Gudgin signed an Indentured Servant's Contract to Thomas Hedges, 1 May 1663, England. "This Indenture made the first day of May in the year 1663 year of sovereign lord King Charles, etc, between Robert Gudgin on the one party and Thomas Hedgs of the other party, witnesseth that the said Robert Gudgin doth hereby covenant, promise and grant, to the said Thomas Hedgs his executors and assigns, to serve him from the day of the date hereof, until his first and next arrival in Maryland; and after, in such service and employment, as he the said Thomas Hedgs or his assigns shall there employ him, according to the custom of the country in the like kind.

In consideration whereof, the said Thomas Hedgs doth promise and grant, to and with the said Robert Gudgin to pay for his passing, and to find him meat, drink, apparel and lodging and other necessaries during the said term; and at the end of the said term, to give him one whole year's provision of corn and 50 acres of land according to the order of the country.

In witness whereof, the said Robert Gudgin hath hereunto put his hand and seal, the day and year above written.

Sealed and delivered to the presence of ....

[Note: This is a facsimile of an agreement signed by Robert Gudgin. Original filed in England, was not obtained.]

• Robert proved his right to 50 acres of land for his service of twelve years.: Robert proved his right to 50 acres of land for his service of twelve years, May 1675, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, USA. He purchased an additional 50 acres of land from Nicholas Shepheard, who had worked five and one-half years for his land. Robert was granted a Certificate of Title for this 100 acres on May 8, 1675.

Extract Maryland Land Patents 18, f.316, LIB MM (842)
May 8, 1675
Robert Gudgeon 50 acres - Robert's fee 12 years

Came Robert Gudgeon of Anne Arundell County and proved his Right to fifty acres of land for his time of Service performed in this province.

Nicholas Shepheard - 50 acres assigns to Robt. Gudgeon, fee 5 1/2 years.

Came Nicholas Shepheard of Ann Arundell County and proved his Right to fifty acres of land for his time of Service performed in this province - Know all men by these presents that I Nicholas Shepheard of Anne Arundel County for a valuable consideration to me paid by Robert Gudgeon of the same county have assigned and do hereby asigne unto Robert Gudgeon all my Rights, Title and Interest Of, In and To the Rights of fifty acres of Land due to me for my time of Service performed in the province of Maryland. To have and to hold the Same to him the said Robert, his heirs and agents forever.

Witness my hand and seale May 8th, 1675
Witness: Joe Blomfield
Mark of Nich: Shepheard

• Robert was granted a Land Patent for 100 acres called "Brentwood.": Robert was granted a Land Patent for 100 acres called "Brentwood," 1 May 1676, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, USA. This 100 acres was due Robert Gudgeon by assignment from Thomas Hedges for having paid for the transportation of Robert and his wife to the Province of Maryland as was the custom of the times.

It is believed that Robert worked out his servitude in a grist mill owned by Thomas Hedges and that he continued to run the mill until his death in 1681. They made their home on the farm and raised cows and hogs.

Extract Maryland Land Patents - 19 - ff, 350-351
LIB WC (228)
1676
Robert Gudgeon Patent in 100 Acres
Brentwood - CERT LOB (243) (229)

"Charles, Absolute Lord and property of the Providence of Maryland and Lord Baltimore... To all persons to whom these events shall come greetings in our Lord God Everlasting. Know ye that we for and in Consideration that Robert Gudgeon of Anne Arundel County in our said Province of Maryland hath due unto him 100 acres of land within our said Province by assignment from Thomas Hedgs, part of a Warrant for nine hundred and 50 acres granted to the said Hedgs the 7th day of March Sixteen seventy three appears on record. And upon such conditions and terms as are Expressed in Conditions of the plantation of our late father. Cecilius of noble memory. Under his greater Seal at Aquies Bearing date at hand on the 2nd day of July in the year of our Lord God 1649 with such alterations as within is made by his deligate bearing date of 22nd day of Sept 1658 and remaining upon record in our said Province of Maryland.

Do hereby grant unto him the said Robert Gudgeon all that Parcel of Land called Brentwood lying in the siad County between the Branches of Anne Arundel Co. Rver and South River Beginning at a banded white oak standing in the line of the land of Lawrence Richardson and running with the line of the said Land Southwest 200 perches to a banded Gum Tree, standing by a branch called the Great River Branch then north west 50 perches to a banded Red Oak of the land of Nichollas Wyatt, then North North East by this Wyatt's line - one hundred ninety and five perches to a banded White Oak then with a straight line to the first Banded Tree Containing and now laid out for One hundred acres more or less. Together with all rights, profits and benefits thereunto belonging (Royal's 9 acres accepted).

To have and To Hold the same unto him the said Robert Gudgeon, his heirs and agents forever to be allowance of services. Yielding and paying therefor yearly unto and our heirs at our receipt of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and at the Feast of St. Michaels the Archangels by even and equal portions the rent of four shillings in Sterling or silver or God and for a fine ___________ upon every alienacion of the said land or any part or parcel as we or our heirs or such officer or officers appointed by us or our heirs from time to ttime to collect and receive the same shall accept and discharge thereof at the choice of us and for our heirs or such officer or officers assigned. Aforesaid provided that if the said Robert Gudgeon, his heirs or assigns shall yet pay unto us, our heirs or such officer or officers as assigned the said sum? for a fine before such alienacon and enter the said alienacon upon record either in the Provincial court or the country court where the said parcel of Land layeth within one year next after such alienacon the said alienacon shall be void of nil Effect. Given at our City of Saint Maries, first capitol of Maryland under our hand and great seal of our said Province of Maryland the first day of May in the first year of our domain over our said Province 1676.

"Brentwood" was divided between his two sons Robert II and Lawrence at the time of his death. Besides this original estate, an additional 85 acres called "Orphan's Addition" was purchased from George Yates adn another 50 acres called "Brentwood."

Robert married Christiana Unknown before 1660 in England. (Christiana Unknown was born about 1615 in England and died in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, USA.)

  Marriage Notes:

Five known sons were born in America; there is no record of any daughters. However, they may have had children in England before coming to America.