The History of Richard Wells

Richard Wells is thought to be the one who arrived aboard the"Assurance" on 24 July 1635 from Gravesend. On 27 Sep 1637 he patented 50 acres of land "on the river between Salvage Creek and a small creek" in Charles River (now York) County. He grew tobacco for at least 13 years. In 1648 he made an agreement with a widow Elinor (Eleanore) Robinson to guarantee payment for a calf she had given to her children.

It is further believed that prior to 1650 Richard married Elinor and moved to Northumberland (now Westmoreland) county. There on 01 Aug 1653 he patented 500 acres on the south side of Anneslies Creek which he named "Wells Point" and added another 100 acres in 1658. Apparently he died as early as 1661 since a Westmoreland county land transfer dated 1664 calls him "deceased" and another entry in the neighboring Maryland Colony puts the date of his death as early as 1661.

25 April 1661 Ralph Elstone, Sr. of Talbot Co., Maryland claimed a land grant for "transporting into this province in March" himself, his wife Elinor, his son Ralph Elstone, Jr., and Elizabeth and Zorobabel Wells and in 1667, the Vfrginia property of Richard Wells was assigned to "Richard's son Zorobabel". From the land transactions it is estimated that Zorobabel Wells was probably born in either York or Northumberland Co., Virginia about 1650.

The children of Richard Wells and Elinor Robinson are thought to have been:

Zorobabel Wells b: Cir 1650 York or Northumberland Co, Virginia; d: Jun 1696 at Talbot Co, Maryland (now Queen Anne Co.); m: Catherine Davenport 1675/6.

Elizabeth Wells b: Cir 1652 York or Northumberland Co., Virginia.