Marmaduke Semmes, son of James and Mary (Goodrick) Semmes, was born about 1701 in Charles County, being aged 43 in 1744.
He married Henrietta, daughter of George and Susannah (Cole) Jenkins, of the same county. She was born about 1712, deposing to be 32 in 1744. Susannah Jenkins, mother-in-law to Marmaduke Semmes, by her will of 1760 and proved 1763, bequeathed personalty to her daughter, Henrietta Semmes, whereas George Jenkins, his brother-in-law, who died a bachelor in 1775, left legacies to his sister Henrietta Semmes and her sons—Thomas, Edward, and Marmaduke, making Thomas the executor of his estate. ...
... On November 9, 1741, styling himself as the heir and elder brother of Ignatius Semmes, late of Charles County, deceased, he conveyed to his brother, Joseph Milburn Semmes, for £10 and other causes his right to the plantation containing 300 acres which, by the will of their deceased father had been devised to Joseph Milburn and Ignatius, and which was to be divided equally between the latter two after the decease of their mother.
The will of Marmaduke Semmes, dated March 31, 1772, was probated in Charles County on September 23, 1772.
To son Dr. Edward Semmes 27 acres of land in Charles Co., called “Semmes’ Help” and also as much to be taken off “Hargisses Hope” and “Hungerford’s Hope” as will make up the 27 acres to 200 acres to be run out so as to include dwelling house.
To son Marmaduke Semmes all the remainder of both tracts with the water grist mill.
To daughters Violetta Semmes and Martha Semmes 100 acres more or less in Charles Co. called “Turle” and 50 acres of manor land which was held bv lease. If either died, the whole to go to the survivor; to have liberty to live in mansion house during their single lives.
To children Mary Ann Luckett, Thomas Semmes, and Susannah Boarman personalty, also personalty to grandchildren Eleanor Luckett, Henrietta Luckett, and Catherine Boarman.
To son Marmaduke if he marries before his mother’s death and if his mother desires him to remove from the parental home, he to have the plantation and house bought of Charles Hungerford; after wife’s death clock and desk over and above the distributive share, so that clock and desk may not be removed from the premises.
To wife Henrietta £30 for distribution to the poor and during her life the mansion house and dwelling-plantation.
By a codicil he bequeathed his wife the residuary estate and also debts due him. At the probation, Thomas Semmes, the son and heir, was present.
The will of his widow, Henrietta Semmes, dated October 10, 1774, was proved in Charles County on December 31, 1774. Personalty was bequeathed to her six children, Susannah, Thomas, Edward, Letitia, Martha, and Marmaduke, also her grandchildren—Eleanor Luckett, Llenrietta Luckett, Joseph Luckett, and Thomas Luckett. Her daughter Letitia was made the guardian of Eleanor and Henrietta Luckett, and her son Edward was made the guardian of her grandson William Luckett. Her children Susannah, Thomas, Edward, Letitia, and Martha were willed equally £100 in hands of Robert Mundell, and her son Marmaduke was willed one hogshead of tobacco more than his share of the growing crop, and the residue was to be divided equally among the other children.
