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HERITAGE NOTES (continued) R/RFHA P. 4
JOHN RAWLINGS
Living with Anthony in 1642 was John Rawlings, an adult taxpayer. He was probably Anthony's brother. Since no additional records were found on this person, he may have died young or could have returned to England and, unlike Anthony, stayed there. The possibility exists that John Rawlings was the father of Aaron, Daniel or Richard, the next generation of early Rawlings.
JOHN RAWLINGS (OF ANTHONY)
John Rawlings, oldest son of Anthony, was born ca. 1640 in Maryland, and died in Dorchester County ca. 1680. John's date of death is supported by the Chancery Court record showing John sold land to John Anderson about 1680 and died before conveyance, and also the lack of land transactions after 1680. John's wife was Philadelphia Start, a widow with a young daughter also named Philadelphia. John transported both to Maryland from England in 1662. About 1668, John sold all his lands in Calvert County and moved to Dorchester County, taking with him his wife, children, mother and stepfather. The Dorchester County land records show that John and Philadelphia were involved in many land transactions. Also, John was apparently an excellent boatwright since he contracted with people in the area to build boats. John Rawlings had at least four children: John, Sarah, Margaret and Anthony.
ANN RAWLINGS (DAUGHTER OF ANTHONY)
No records were found on her marriage, death, etc. Some have speculated that Ann was married to Philip Pitt but the evidence seems to indicate that Ann Fisher, stepdaughter of John Rawlings, was married to Pitt.
MARGARET RAWLINGS (DAUGHTER OF ANTHONY)
No records found on her marriage, death, etc.
ANTHONY RAWLINGS (OF ANTHONY)
Anthony Rawlings, Jr., second son of Anthony, Sr., was very young when his father died in 1651, probably no more than 5 years old. It has been claimed by some that Anthony, Jr., was the father of Aaron, Daniel and Richard Rawlings. Anthony, Jr., was about 20 years old when Aaron was born in 1667, so based on their ages at the time, the possibility exists. However, Aaron's parentage has until now never been proven. Also, Daniel's parents have not been documented. Anthony, Jr., could not have been the father of Richard since these two Rawlings were about the same age. It is interesting that Anthony, Sr., in 1651 left 200 acres each to his two sons, John and Anthony, Jr. However, all 400 acres were re-surveyed and sold by John with no mention of Anthony, Jr. It appears that Anthony, Jr., died young or chose to live in England. The records seen to indicate that the early Rawlings may have travelled back and forth to England, perhaps to seek a wife or to learn a trade. Some have said that Anthony, Jr., was the Rawlings who died in Dorchester County in 1728. This is obviously incorrect since the Dorchester Anthony in his will gave a colt to his father, proving this impossible since the first Anthony died in 1651.
PHILADELPHIA START (STEP-DAUGHTER OF JOHN)
Philadelphia Start was transported to Maryland by John Rawlings along with her mother and two other people. Philadelphia married Andrew Gray, Jr. and had at least one child, Jacob.
JOHN RAWLINGS (OF JOHN)
John Rawlings was born ca. 1673 (attained age 21 in 1694), probably in Dorchester County, and died there in 1709. His wife was Elizabeth Winsmore Fisher, widow of Alexander Fisher and mother of 5 children. John Rawlings apparently had no natural children.
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