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R/RFHA Newsletter September 1989 P.4

From Robert M. Miller, 6117 Johnnycake Rd., Baltimore, MD 21207

(Sources for the info on the following two pages can be had by sending a SASE with 45¢ in postage, to R/RFHA, 4918 Kenneth Avenue, Carmichael, CA 95608)

The Ancestors of Luranah Rawlings: Wife of Francis Rawlings of
Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

Francis Rawlings (1720-1794) of Anne Arundel County, Maryland married about 1740 and had 14 children. His wife's given name was Luranah. Unfortunately, no one has ever located a birth or marriage record for Luranah. Years ago, a researcher decided that her last name was Richardson, based only on the appearance of the unusual first name in the Richardson line. Since then, some Rawlings descendants and various genealogical societies have accepted the allegation as fact even though there is no proof,

The most revealing evidence is the original will of Thomas Tucker of Anne Arundel County, In the will, Thomas clearly named Luranah Rawlings, however, the court clerk shortly after probate incorrectly transcribed the name Susannah Rawlings. Evidently researchers have never gone to the original wills (some are still available) to find out more about this Rawlings.

Luranah Rawlings was born about 1722 in the West River area of Southern Anne Arundel County; the daughter of Thomas Tucker and Elizabeth Selley. Thomas Tucker (c1690-1748) and his wife Elizabeth had 3 sons: Richard, Sealy and Thomas and 3 daughters: Sarah, Luranah and Elizabeth.

Thomas Tucker must have been somewhat of a philanderer because he was also the father of Mary Beard, the wife of Richard Beard, Jr. Mary's mother was Ann Rawlings Jones, widow of Simon Jones and the daughter of Aaron and Susannah Jones Rawlings of Anne Arundel County.

Elizabeth Selley's grandfather was Matthew Selley who was granted 5 0 acres "Selley's Enlargement" on West River in 1670. Matthew had 2 children: Elizabeth and Matthew. Elizabeth became Mrs. Alexander Mackfarland. Matthew married Sarah and was the father of Elizabeth Selley Tucker.

The surname Selley was spelled many different ways. The various records showed Selley, Seiley, Silly, Solly and Cele. Luranah had a brother named Sealy and a nephew named Sele. Luranah also named one of her sons Sealy and had a grandson named Sealy.

A thorough search of the many sources at the Hall of Records in Annapolis, Maryland produced the following in regard to Luranah Rawlings and her ancestors. Included is a list of sources, a lineage chart, some family group sheets and a copy of Thomas Tucker's will. Admittedly, some of this may be open to conjecture and individual interpretation, however, I believe that due to the enclosed evidence and thorough lack of proof of the Richardson claim, I believe that Luranah Rawlings' maiden name was Tucker.

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