Pg 470 By the time of his death in 1717, he had figured in land transactions totaling 18,755 acres. Such a rise from rags to riches was not unheard of in the early days of MD. Ninian Beall’s unique place the history of the colony stems from his military achievements and activities in dealing with the Indians. This phase of his career emerged in 1676 when he was ordered to appear at the Assembly “With all expedition” to testify the truth of his knowledge touching the barbarous and inhumane murder of 5 Susquehan Indians. In the same year he received a commission as LT on Lord Baltimore’s yacht, the “Loyal Charles of MD”. That was the last recorded service of Ninian in the Naval forces. By 1678 he held the rank of Capt and was put in command of 30 men to be raised because of trouble with the Indians.51101

Pg 471 He (Ninian Beall) was literate, even an educated man, as he was witness or executor of a number of wills from 1667 on. He served on juries, sued and was sued, wrote letters to government bodies, and from time to time was paid from public funds for unspecified services.
A group of Protestants stormed the government at St Mary’s City causing the officials of Lord Baltimore to flee to Mattapany, a private estate of Lord Baltimore. Here the rebels laid siege to them and sent them terms demanded for their surrender; among the signers of this ultimatum was Ninian Beall. The rebels took over the government and asked the King of England to depose Lord Baltimore his land and rents but not government position. Naturally Ninian Beall was high in favor of the new government. He was elected to the assembly called by the rebels, and in 1690 was named one of the new governing body. Now as Col Beall he was one of those selected to regulate the militia in Calvert Co;
In 1695-6 Prince George’s Co was created and it included part of what had been Calvert Co. Ninian Beall was elected to represent the new county in the Lower House of the Assembly and continued to serve in that capacity; his service as a Delegate ran from May 1696-May 1700. In 1699 the Assembly passed a new act, “For Securing the Frontiers from Incursions of Indians”. In its discussion leading to the Adoption of the Act asked Ninian Beall who was now 68 if he would keep his commission. Then on 4 Apr 1698 “Came Ninian Beall and offered his services to command one party of the new rangers to be raised upon Potomac and the said Col Beall is well accepted by the board.”51101

Pg 472 A Tablet on a boulder in the yard of St John’s Episcopal Church records his ownership ... “In 1702 The Rock of Dumbarton was granted by Queen Anne to Colonel Beall”. In 1717 Col George Beall, his son, added to his lands. In 1780 Thomas Beall, his son, sold the property to William Dorsey and in 1801 William Hammond Dorsey built this house.
Elizabeth Gordon, the 1st wife of Ninian Beall died in Scotland leaving 2 sons who emigrated to America. In 1664 Ninian married Ruth Moore, daughter of Richard Moore, a barrister from London. Among their children was Ester (Sometimes shown as Hister) who married Col Joseph Belt. Col Beall died in 1717 at Bacon Hall near Mt Carmel about 3 miles SE of Upper Marlborough, Prince George’s Co.51101

Pg 476 As Ninian Beall was responsible for about 200 immigrants coming to the country when Prince George’s was created out of Calvert Co, over 7000 acres of his property were found to be in the new county. On part of this acreage, the District of Columbia is now located, an on another part the famed “Dumbarton Oaks.” His first tract of land was called “Rock of Dumbarton.” This grant was received from Lord Baltimore and was for seven hundred and ninety five acres.
The are in MD now included in the District of Columbia, in those days before 1700 was called New Scotland Hundred, and was a part of Charles County. This county was created by Lord Baltimore in 1658. It was the property along the Potomac River from Wicomico “as high as the settlements exend.” New Scotland Hundred extended from Oxon Branch (opposite Alexandria, VA) to the falls of the Potomac. Charles Beall was the pressmaster of this county. The area included: The Nock grant of 500 acres first warranted to Ninian Beall. Meurs 500 ac first granted to Ninian Beall, originally named Chance. Barbadoe first laid out or surveyed by Ninian Beall 250 acres. Inclosure patented on Oct 2, 1687, 1503 acres surveyed for Ninian Beall and by him taken up in 1687 and which was a tract now part of the National Arboretum.
Pg 477 On the eastern side of the Anacostia River the land belonged to Col. Beall above the land of the Addisons. Fife Enlarged 1050 acres, named for Fifeshire, Scotland, was deed by Col. Beall so his son Capt Charles Beall, who died in 1740.
In the western portion of the area later covered by the National Capital, early taken up by various grants, there was no opportunity for ownership by Col. Beall until the end of the 17th century. His interests had centered on the area, however, probably through his early trips to the Garrison at the Falls. Eventually, Col. Beall was successful in obtaining tracts on both sides of Rock Creek, Rock of Dumbarton on the western side of Rock Creek, and on the eastern side, nearly opposite Rock of Dumbarton, his earlier tract, Beall’s Levels, 225 acres between Mr. Hutchinson’s land and the tract called Widows Mite.
Pg 479 A bronze plaque has been installed on a large oval rock, symbolic of the “Rock of Dumbarton” in front of St John’s Episcopal church in Georgetown, 3240 O Street NW with the following inscription: “Col Ninian Beall, born Scotland, 1625, died MD 1717, patentee of the Rock of Dumbarton; Member of the House of Burgesses; Commander in Chief of the Provincial Forces of MD. In grateful recognition of his services “upon all Incursions and Disturbances of Neighboring Indians” the MD Assembly of 1699 passed an “Act of Gratitude.” This memorial erected by the Society of Colonial Wars in the District of Columbia, 1910”
Pg 560 Picture of the Plaque mentioned above: “In 1702 the Rock of Dumbarton was granted by Queen Anne to Col Ninian Beall -- In 1717 Col George Beall his son added to his lands- In 1780 Thomas Beall, his son, sold the property to William Dorsey and in 1801 William Hammond Dorsey Built this house - In 1805 he sold it to Robert Beverley who named it Acrolophos house - In 1822 he bequeathed it to James Bradshaw Beverley - James Edward Calhoun bought the property in 1822(?)51101

Col Ninian Beall accumulated a great deal of land including what is now Georgetown, D.C. His son George settled here and built a large house on N. St. and it is believed that he gave his name to Georgetown, which was on his property. (Joshua Dorsey Warfield, The Founders of Anne Arundell and Howard Counties MD (1905) p. 101)47338

Early Landowners of MD47951
By 1710 more than one quarter of the certified acreage granted in Prince George’s County was owned by ten individuals: (one of them is) Ninian Beall/Beale, with 56 Tracts, 26,454 Certified Acres. Listed for him are:
Barnett’s Request 5/1/1664-50a’s L22/33 SR7363: West side of Patuxent River, near Lundy
Ringan 6/10/1668-200 a’s L12/82 SR7354: South of main branch of Land’s Creek; originally patented by Wm Stacey & called Chisam Boyes
Beale’s Chance 9/1/1670-690a’s L14/94 SR7356: PAX/RR, adjoins Alexander Magruder’s tract called Goodluck
Backland 6/10/1671-300a’s L16/244 SR 7357: MTC/RR West side of Dividing Creek of the Patuxent River, adjoining Beale’s Reserve & Goodluck
Pintlin Hills 6/13/1671-300a’s L14/226 SR7356: COLL/RR on East side of Dividing Creek of the Patuxent River, adjoining Beall tract Collington
Bealington 5/1/1672-100a’s L14/421 SR7356: MTC/RR on West side of Dividing Creek of the Patuxent River adjoining Groom’s Lott & Good Luck
Bacon Hall 5/1/1672-300a’s L14/549 SR7356: MTC/RR on West side of Patuxent River, adjoining Brook’s Grove & The Grove Landing & Muscle Shell
Cuckhold’s Point 5/1/1672-150a’s L14/489 SR7356: MTC/RR on South side of Dividing Creek of Patuxent River, adjoining Dear Bought & King Sale & Harry’s Lott
Charles’ Hills 12/14/1672-520a’s MTC/RR adjoining Greenland & Beall’s Reserve
Londee 12/17/1672-200a’s L17/366 SR7358: PAX/RR on East side of Dividing Creek of Patuxent River, adjoining Moore’s Plaine & Cobreth’s Lott & Pintlin Hills
Callandar 1/16/1667-200a’s L11/257 SR7353: West Side of Patuxent River, adjoining Hall’s Hills & tracts by Robert Tarver & Robert Hughes
Bring 2/22/1680-1900a’s L22/1 SR7363: PISC among branches of Charles Branch of Piscataway Creek
The Inclosure 6/12/1688-1503a’s NS2i/721 SR7371: NSH/RR on North side of Eastern Branch of the Potomac River, adjoining Turkey Thickett, Cuckhold’s Delight, Seaman’s Delight, Duddington Mannor & land of Walter Thompson
Green Spring 1/11/1683-100a’s L22/21 SR7363: PAX on West side of Patuxent River adjoining Beale’s Chance, adjoining John Fowke’s land
Darnall’s Groves 6/28/1683-3800a;s SDA/8 SR7369: PAX/RR on West side of Collington Branch at NW corner of His LOPs Mannor, originally surveyed for Henry Darnall
Bellfast 9/10/1683-200a;s SDA/1 SR7369: PAX on West side of Patuxent River, adjoining Ladd’s Desire
Plummer’s Pleasure 5/1/1684-135a’s L22/33 SR7363: PAX/RR on West side of Patuxent River adjoining Cuckhold’s Delight, Lundy, Mt Pleasant
Beall’s Reserve 7/25/1684-453a’s L22/128 SR7365: PAX/RR on West side of Patuxent River, East side of Collington Branch, adjoining Brazenthorpe Hale
Loveing Acquaintance 7/26/1684-105a’s L22/128 SR7363: PAX adjoining land of Thomas Barnard & Lundy
St Andrews 8/10/1684-989a’s SDA/533 SR7469: COLL/RR in the freshes of Patuxent River in the forke of the Western Branch & North side of Beaver Damm Creek, adjoins land owned by Henry Darnall
Porke Hall 8/10/1685-300a’s NSBi/356 SR7370: PAX/RR on the North Branch of Patuxent River, adjoining Beall’s Reserve
Largo 4/1/1686-1031a’s NSBi/354 SR7350: MTC/RR in a forke of The Patuxent River adjoining West Phalia, North Hampton & a tract owned by Henry Darnall
Concord 7/20/1686-406a’s L22/252 SR7363: MTC on North side of the SW Branch of the Western Branch of the Patuxent River beginning at Henry Darnall’s
The Expedition of Beale 6/1/1687-221a’s NS2i/352 SR7371: MTC/RR on the West side of Patuxent River on the South side of Bavin Branch, adjoining Beall’s Chance & Bacon Hall & land of Thomas Claggett
Fox Hall 9/1/1687-150a’s NS2i/532 SR7371: PISC on South side of Oxon Runn(sic)
The Major’s Lott 6/5/1688-800a’s NSBi/532 SR7370: COLL/RR on West side of Patuxent River and on the Western Branch, adjoining The Partnership
Batchellor’s Hope 6/12/1688-440a’s NSBi/545 SR7370: NSH/RR on the North side of Oxon Runn(sic) adjoining land of Ralph Smith
St Andrews Res. 6/12/1688-989a’s NSBi/530 SR7370: COLL/RR in the freshes of Patuxent River in the forke of the Western Branch & on the North side of Beaver Damm Creek(also called Western Branch), adjoins land owned by Henry Darnall
The Major’s Gift 6/25/1688-800’s NSBi/531 SR7370: COLL/RR on West side of Patuxent River & on the Western Branch, adjoining The Partnership
Chouer’s Content 5/6/1689-562a’s WDi/19 SR7371: MTC on West side of Patuxent River in the freshes of the SW Branch of Western Branch
Rover’s Content 5/6/1689-562a’s WDi/18 SR7372: PAX/RR on West side of Patuxent River in the woods in the freshes in the branches of SW Branch of Western Branch
Beale’s Craft 10/5/1694-43a’s B23i/273 SR7365: MTC/RR on West side of Western Branch of Patuxent River adjoining land of William Selby
Maiden’s Dowry 10/5/1694-700a’s B23i/275 SR7365: MTC/RR on West side of Patuxent River in woods near land surveyed for George Lingan & now is possession of Henry Darnall
The Meadows 12/4/1694-82a’s B23i/138 SR7365: MTC on West side of Patuxent River in the woods adjoining Grove Landing & Bacon Hall
The Hog Pen 5/14/1695-358a’s B23i/215 SR7365: MTC/RR on West side of Western Branch of Patuxent River in woods, adjoining West Phalia & land of John Darnall & Henry Darnall
Addn to Keverton Edge 11/10/1695-498a’s C3i/87 SR7377: MTC/RR on West side of Patuxent River, adjoining Ninian Beall Jr’s tract Keverton Edge
Bread & Cheese 7/6/1696-158a’s CC4i/1 SR7375: COLL/RR adjoining St Andrews & land of Maj Sewell
Collington 7/20/1676-300a’s L12/603 SR7354: COLL/RR on East side of Main Branch of Dividing Creek of Patuxent River, adjoining Weymouth & Hall’s Chance
Angelice 9/8/1698=31a’s CC4i/10 SR375: MATT/RR adjoining Hugh Jones’ land & Mattapony Creek & intersects Groom’s land
Dundee 11/10/1696-150a’s CC4i/113 SR7375: PAX/RR in freshes of Patuxent River on East side of Collington Branch to the East of Choice & land of Coll. Henry Darnall
Beale’s Meadows 11/10/1697-1088a’s CC4i/45 SR7375: PAX/RR on East side of Eastern Branch of Potomac River
Good Luck 12/30/1698-355a’s CC4/143 SR7375: COLL/RR on West side of The Three Sisters
The Gore 12/30/1698-129a’s CC4i/143 SR7375: PAX/RR on South side of Eastern Branch of Potomac River adjoinig Whitamline
The Inclosure 12/30/1698-237a’s CC4i/143 SR7375: NSH of a parcel of land taken up by Richard Taneyhill
Beall’s Psture 5/6/1699-372a’s WDi/182 SR7372: Hundred not known
Addition to Good Luck 10/1/1700-200a’s DD5i/15 SR7378: COLL/RR at NW corner of Goodluck
Gleaning 11/1/1701-77a’s DD5i/38 SR7378: MTC/RR at NE corner tree of John Darnall’s tract
The Chance 11/1/1701-132a’s WDi/362 SR7372: NSH on Cabbin Branch of the Eastern Branch of the Potomac River adjoining Walter Evans’ land
Louis Point 11/15/1701-79a’s WDi/366 SR7372: NSH at SW bound tree of Whittamline, adjoins Beaver Dam Branch of Eastern Branch of Potomac
Troublesome 6/6/1702-325a’s DD5i/66 SR7378: MATT/RR SE corner tree of Charles Cannaday’s land
Beall’s Levells 11/13/1703-285a’s DD5i/87 SR7378: NSH/RR Southmost bound tree of Wm Hutchison on West Side of Goose or Tiber Creek of the Eastern Branch of Potomac River, adjoins The Widows Mite & Markett Overton (tract now present day Washington, DC)
Recovery 11/18/1703-400a’s CD/120 SR7376: COLL/RR NW bound tree of Good Luck
Rock of Dunbarton 11/18/1703-795a’s CDi/121 SR7376: NSH/RR at Intersection of the mouth of Rock Creek & Potomac River
Friendship 10/10/1708-600a’s PI3I/53 SR7462: PISC/RR on West side of Coll Williams Diggs’ land on Eastern Branch of the Potomac River
Beall’s Pleasure 11/1/1710-500a’s PL3i/308 SR7462: NSH on East of Beall’s Pasture on East side of branch called Cattle Marsh Branch & on South side of Beaver Dam Branch of the Eastern Branch of the Potomac River, adjoins Grave Horse

Pg 10153200 one of (Ninian Beale’s) tracts Rock of Dumbarton. Georgetown stands upon this survey

Colonists and Pioneers, Pg 7552650 “The man who owned the White House Grounds”
For a young man who arrived in Maryland colony as an indentured laborer - a sort of temporary slave - Ninian Beall did very well for himself. He never quite owned Washington, of course, for Washington was not laid out until 1802, 75 years after he died. But in terms of what was to become the national capital, Beall owned most of downtown Washington, nearly all of the White House grounds, the Ellipse and environs, a good half of Georgetown 1503 ac around the National Arboretum and one or two smaller parcels.
Beall was born 1625 Largo Scotland from which Washington’s Surban Largo got its name. Largo was and is a somnolent village across the Firth of Fourth from Edinburgh.

Autobiography of Peter D. Ridenour53395
The land upon which Georgetown is situated was first patented by the proprietary of Maryland to Ninean Beall, on November 18, 1703. The original tract contained 795 acres, and was named "The Rock of Dunbarton." The patent reads that it was made in consideration of there being due to Mr. Beall five hundred acres, under a warrant of the 19th of May, 1702. The land was described as being in Prince George Co. Georgetown was laid out in response to a petition of the people of Frederick County to the General Assembly, setting forth that there was a convenient site for a town at the mouth of Rock Creek, on "Patowmack" River. The Legislature, by act of May 15, 1751, authorized five commissioners to lay out and erect a town, and empowered them to purchase sixty acres, part of the tracts of land belonging to George Beall and George Gordon, and to survey the same into eighty lots, to be erected into a town, and to be called Georgetown. For the advantage of the town and for the encouragement of theback inhabitants, the commissioners were authorized to hold two fairs annually for three successive days, during which everyone attending the fair should be free from arrest, except for felony or breach of the peace. The first meeting of the commissioners was held on the 18th of September, 1751, when they appointed Alexander Beall clerk and surveyor, and Joseph Beall coroner. The owners of the site refused to sell. A jury was summoned and the property condemned; the land was appraised, the owners receiving two hundred and eighty pounds currency. The survey and plat were completed February 27, 1752, when the lots were numbered, and the streets and lanes named. Messrs. Beall and Gordon were allowed the first choice of lots.

The Brooke Family of Whitchurch, Hampshire England Pg 26-3351100 (Pg 39-4151102)
Ninian Beall’s will, which is on record at Annapolis, is as follows:
“In the Name of God Amen.
I Ninian Beall of Prince Georges County in the Province of MD being indisposed in Body but of sound and perfect memory God be praised for the same and considering the Mortality of humane, Nature and uncertainty of life doe make ordain constitute and appoint this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following Vizt
Impris, I give and bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God in hopes of free pardon for all my sins and as for my Body to be committed to the Earth from whence it came to be decently buried at the Discretion of my trustees hereafter mentioned.
Item. I will and bequeath that, all my Debts and funeral charges be first paid and satisfied and as for what portion of my worldly goods as shall be then remaining I bequeath and bestow the same in manner following.
Item. I doe give and bequeath unto my son George my plantation and Tract of land called the Rock of Dunbarton lying and being at Rock Creek and containing four hundred and eight acres with all the stock thereon both cattle and Hoggs them and their increase unto my said son George and unto his heirs for ever.
Item. I doe give and bequeath unto my said son George Beall his choice of one of my feather beds bolster and Pillow and other furniture thereunto belonging with two Cows and calves and half my sheep from off this plantation, I now live on unto him and his heirs for ever.
Item. I does give and bequeath unto my son in Law Andrew Hambleton my negro woman Alic (Alce) unto him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my Granddaughter Mary Beall the daughter of my son Ninian Beall deceased the one half part of all my moveables or personal estate as Cattle and Hogs Horses Household goods after my Legacies before bequeathed are paid and satisfied unto her the said Mary and to her heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my said Granddaughter Mary Beall all that part of Bacon Hall that lyeth on the south side of the road that goeth to Mount Calvert to her the said Mary and unto her heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my Grandson Samuel Beall all the remainder part of Bacon Hall together with the Plantation and Orchard and tobacco houses thereunto belonging (with this proviso) that when he comes to the age of one and twenty that he make over by a firm conveyance all his, right and title that he hath unto a certain Tract of land called Sanes (or Sams) Beginning on the south side of the said road going to Mount Calvert unto the said Mary and unto her heirs forever but if my said Grandson should happen to dye before he arrive to be of that age to make over the land soe as aforesaid then I do give & bequeath unto my said Granddaughter Mary the whole Tract of Bacon Hall with the houses and Orchard thereon unto her and her heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my sd Grandson Samuel Beall my Water Mill Lying upon Collington Branch with the stones Iron work houses and all other materials, thereunto belonging unto the said Samuel and unto his heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my Son in Law Joseph Belt (Source 46 Miss Catherine Dulany Belt says his wife was Margery Beall) part of a tract of land called Good Luck containing two hundred forty five acres he allowing unto my heirs the sum of four thousand pounds of tobacco according to our former agreement he deducting what I doe owe him on his books for severall wares and merchandizes had of him to the said Joseph and unto his heirs forever.
Item that whereas I owe several debts I doe empower my trustees hereafter named to enable them to pay the same to sell a certain Tract of land called the Recovery lying and being in the freshes of Patuxent River near the head of the Western Branch to be sold it containing four hundred acres, the aforesaid tract of land bequeathed unto my son Belt is adjoining thereto.
Item I doe give and bequeath unto my son Charles Beall a Book of Bishop Coopers work the acts of the Church and the Chronicles of King Charles the first and King Charles the second, and I doe request and oblige my son Charles my Bell and my son George to send for a Dozen of books entitled an advise to young and old and middle age set forth by one Mr. Christopher Ness the books to be distributed among my Grand children and God sons.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son Charles a thousand acres of land called Dunn Back lying on the South side of great Choptank in a Creek called Wattses (Waltres) Creek unto him and his heirs forever.
And lastly I do make ordain Declare and appoint my Grandson Samuel Bell to be my sole and whole Executor of this my last will & testament and I doe devise my loving son Charles Bell Joseph Belt and George Bell to doe and perform my devise as above exprest and to act & doe for my executor until he shall arrive to the age of one and twenty hereby revoking and annulling all former and other wills by me at any time heretofore made and signed. And doe desire my said sons to use their best care and endeavor that my two Grand Children the Children of my beloved son Ninian Beall deceased to be brought up and have that education suitable to their estate, I doe also appoint my said sons Trustees to this my will to make their appearance every Easter Tuesday or any other time as they shall think a more fitting time at my dwelling plantation yearly to inspect into all affairs thereof and of a yearly increase of all the Creatures upon my plantation and at the Mill for and on the behalf of my two Grand Children who are to be joint Sharers therein my Granddaughter to have her part at the day of her Marriage.
In testimony whereof I have to this my last will and testament set my hand & seal this fifteenth day of Jan in the year of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred and seventeen.
The mark of “Ninian X Beall (seal)” (Source 47 Liber W. B. No. 6, folio 504 + c. Register of Wills for Anne Arundel Co, MD.)”
Though Ninian Beall made his mark to his will, he was a man of education for those days, since he signed his name often, as is shown by the records at Annapolis.
FOOTNOTE:
There are on record at Marlboro, Prince George Co MD, a number of deeds of gift from “Coll. Ninian Beall and Ruth his Wife,” dated Mar 10, 1706. These deeds mention their sons Charles, Ninian Jr, Thomas, John and George, and their daughters Hester, Mary and Rechell. Liber C, folio 185, 186.
James Moore in a deposition, Aug 16, 1708 speaks of Colonel Ninian Beall as his brother. Liber P. C. 2. Chancery Records (1671-1712) page 626, Annapolis, MD. Mrs. Henry Irvine Keyser of Baltimore, a descendant of Colonel Beall, tells me that it is understood in her family that Ninian Bealls wife was a Miss Moore.

Pg 2651102 (Ninian Beall) was the father of twelve children. He mentions but three of them in his will by which he devised about 2800 ac of land. Undoubtedly he had previously conveyed property to other sons & daughters upon their reaching age or marrying. Unfortunately the records of Calvert, in which county Col Beall lived until 1696, were destroyed by fire in 1882, so that it seems impracticable to secure all of their names. The most acceptable list includes John, Thomas, died unmarried in England; Ninian, marr Elizabeth ___; Captain Charles marr Mary __; Col George marr Elizabeth Brooke; Sarah marr Capt Samuel Magruder; Hester marr Col Joseph Belt; Jane marr Col Archibald Edmonstone; Mary marr Andrew Hambleton; Margery marr1 Thomas Sprigg III, marr2 Col Joseph Belt, her sister Hester’s widower; Rachael marr __ Offutt, James

Town of Bladensburg53396
Ninian Beall at one time owned the land which became Garrison’s Landing, now the Town of Bladensburg

Adventurers, cavaliers, patriots:48011
Pg 12 Ninian Beall:
Coat of Arms of the Bealls: on a blue shield three silver bells hung from two gold bars.
Honors: member of the Lower House of the Assembly 1696-98
Member of 25 commissioners of affairs of the province 1692
Member of the House of Burgesses 1696
Act of Gratuity passed by MD Assembly in grateful recognition of the services “Upon all incursions and disturbances of neighboring Indians.”
Land Possessions: Col Ninian Beall I owned 125 tracts of land varying in size from 50 acres to 1000 acres. In Calvert County, Prince George’s County and Georgetown.
Pg 13 Ninian Beall was noted for his honesty and fair dealing. There are no character criticisms about him in the numerous historical records which I have examined.
There are three personal experiences I recall when I was seeking proof of my heritage to Ninian Beall I.
In the early 1950's I went to a big church on the Circle in Annapolis, MD, and asked about the silver communion set made in London by a noted silversmith which Ninian had given to the church in 1707. I was told it was on record, but had been destroyed years ago in a fire. Ninian Beall I was a pioneer promoter of Presbyterianism to MD. He gave a tract of land in Upper Marlborough, Prince George's County, MD, to the New Presbyterian Church.
In Georgetown, I visited St John's Church on the southern corner of Potomac and O streets, where there is half a boulder that was found in the summer of 1909 near Glen Echo. The boulder was blasted in two, and today one half is a half, at the junction of Belt Road and Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, is a memorial to Beall's son-in-law, Col Joseph Belt.
The memorial for Ninian Beall I was set up in 1910 by the Society of Colonial Wars in the District of Columbia. It reads:
Colonel Ninian Beall, Born Scotland 1625, Died MD 1717, Patentee of Rock of Dumbarton, Member of the House of Burgesses, Commander in Chief of Provincial Forces of MD, In Grateful Recognition of his Services “Upon All Incursions and Disturbances of Neighboring Indians” the MD Assembly of 1699 passed “An Act of Gratuity.”
Pg 14 I also visited Dumbarton Oaks, the most interesting of Ninian Beall's early possessions. He gave it the name of his birthplace, Dumbartonshire, Scotland, and the name has remained through later owners.
During the 1640's there was terrific religious trouble in England and Scotland. As a young Scot Ninian Beall opposed Oliver Cromwell. He favored the royal Stuarts and was loyal to them. Queen Anne came to the English throne in 1702. She remembered his loyalty to the Stuarts and gave him the land. There is a large plaque on the main gate of Dumbarton Oaks that recalls this fact.
Ninian's will states: “I doe allso(sic) give and bequeath my sonn(sic) George my plantation and tract of land called the Rock of Dumbarton containing four hundred and eight acres with all the stock thereon and unto him and his heirs forever.”
References:
Wylie, James Beall. The Beall Family, 1623-1850
The Georgetowner. 31 Jul 1958
DAR Genealogy Library
MD Historical Society
NSCDA in MD. Lineage paper #2537. 1980.

Capt 1680 John Witton Will as Overseer46839
Capt 1678 Saint Maryes Co: Beale, Capn Ninion53397

Colonel47086,47338,53200

Colonel 20 Apr 1694-25 Aug 1702834

Maj 168746838; Col 169546838

Vol II Pt I-Pg 5-747069 1689 Assembly had reappointed Ninian Beall as major of the Calvert County militia; 1692 designated colonel

Pg 1080 Mary Sprigg, born Prince Georges County MD, Dec 15, 1723, m. Prince George County, Jun 21, 1746, Jeremiah Belt, born Prince Georges County, Mar 4, 1724, died Prince Georges County, 1785 (son of Col Joseph Belt & Esther, daughter of Col Ninian Beall (letter from C. C. Magruder Jr of Washington DC)47337 (Col)

Pg D Col Ninian Beall was an officer in the army of Scotland, was prisoner, sent to the American Colonies, served his time on a honorable basis then became one of the largest pre Revolution landowners. He was known as the Daniel Boone of the Colonies as well as the father of the Presbyterian Church in America.51101
Pg 470 At Largo in Fifeshire, Scotland, Ninian Beall was on the losing side in the Battle of Dunbar in 1650. Thus he became one of the 15,000 prisoners of war transported to the British colonies to serve a term as an indentured servant. Several years after being taken prisoner, Ninian turned up in Maryland. This was in 1658 at which time he was indentured to Richard Hall. Ninian became a free man in 1666, in which year he claimed 50 ac of land allotted to each man at the end of his indenture. This acreage, in Calvert Co Ninian called Soldier’s Fortune. Two years later Ninian received a patent for 300 acres.51101
Pg 472 He held a commission as cornet in the Scotch-English army raised to resist Cromwell. He fought in the battle of Dunbar 3 Sep 1650, against Cromwell, and was taken prisoner and sentenced to 5 years servitude. He was sent with 150 other Scots to Barbadoes, West Indies. About 1652 they appeared in the Province of MD.
Pg 475 Records at Annapolis give the following memoranda of Ninian’s Offices: 1688 Lt; 1676 Lt of Lord Baltimore’s Yacht of War, Royal Charles of MD, John Goade, Commander”; 1678 Captain of Militia of Calvert Co, MD; 1684 Deputy Surveyor of Charles Co MD; 1688 Appointed Chief Military Officer of Calvert County; 1689 Major of Calvert Co Militia; 1690 One of the 25 Commissioners for regulating affairs in MD until the next assembly; 1692 High Sheriff of Calvert Co; 1693 Col, Commander in Chief of MD forces; 1694 Col of Militia; 1697 On a Commission to treaty with the Indians; 1679-1701 Member of General Assembly; 1696-99 Representative of Prince George’s County in the House of Burgesses

Pg 5718958 Ninian Beall held a commission as cornet in the Scotch-English Army, raised to resist Cromwell. He fought in the battle of Dunbar, 3d Sep 1650 against Cromwell, and was made prisoner at that battle, and sentences to five years servitude. He was sent with 150 other Scotchmen to Barbadoes, West Indies.
Vol II Pg 6618958 Ninian Beall Province of MD notations:
1668: Records at Annapolis, dated 31 Oct 1668, called him Lieut. Ninian Beall
1676: Commissioned Lieut. of Lord Baltimore’s “Yacht of War, Local Charles of MD, John Goade Commander
1684: Deputy Surveyor of Charles Co.
1688: Appointed Major of Calvert Co Militia by the Assembly
1692: Appointed High Sheriff of Calvert Co.
1694: Appointed Colonel of Militia by the Assembly 30 Jul 1694
1697: Appointed on a Commission by the Assembly to treat with the Indians.
1679-1701: Was a member of the General Assembly
1699: The General Assembly passed an “Act of Gratitude” for “the distinguished Indian services of Colonel Ninian Beall” (See Liber LL No. II, folio 228, Archives of MD)

Pg 5847338 Col Ninian Beall is said to have fought against Cromwell, and to have been captured and sent as a prisoner, perhaps first to Barbadoes, but finally, in 1658 to MD, where he was sold as a servant to Richard Hall, of Calvert Co.

Pg 10153200 Col Ninian Beale having fought, in 1650, against Cromwell at Dunbar, he was captured and transported to Calvert Co MD. This same immigrant was called the “Covenanter” whose zeal caused him in some way, to be mixed up with the killing of a Bishop Montgomery, in an effort to keep Episcopacy out of Scotland.

Pg 77 (Ninean Beall) In 1689 Beall was a major and in 1694 was named Colonel commanding the entire Maryland militia. He retired from the military in 1699 at age 73 received from a grateful Assembly an award of 500 ac.52650

Pg 314-31753395 Colonel N1nean Beall was in charge of the troops whose duty was to resist the Indian incursions, and a member of the Assembly of the Province.

Pg 1051102 Col Ninian Beall was a loyal Scot and cornet under the banner of Leslie who was routed by Cromwell and Monk at the battle of Dunbar in 1650. Taken prisoner there he was transported to Barbadoes and thence to MD, where he settled in Calvert County about 1655, certainly as early as 1658.
Pg 11 Fearing the revolt might assume large proportions in MD, where an armed force under Davis and Pate had already assembled in Calvert County, Governor Thomas Notley ordered the "Loyall Charles of MD," Lord Baltimore's "Yacht or vessel of warr" to cruise in the waters adjacent to VA under command of Captain John Coode and Ninian Beall whom he named as Lieutenant on November 8, I676. "And I Doe hereby constitute and appoint Ninion Beal, your Lievetenant in said Yacht or Vessell, who is hereby also authorized and empowered to act doe and performe in all thinges as 3'our Lievetenant, as amply fully and largely to all intents and purposes as if he had read a Speciall Commission drawneto that purpose."
Pg 12 On the 10th of August, I678, Lieutenant Beall, now for the first time styled Captain, was ordered to range about the head of the Patuxent River to insure the safety and defense of the neighboring plantations, but to offer no violence unless provoked. The exact date of his promotion to the rank of Major is not of record, but he held such rank 24 Mar 1689, when he was ordered by Henry Jowles, Colonel of Calvert County, to hold his command in readiness to learn the attitude of the Indians prior to the outbreak of the revolution of that year.
Pg 14 Lord Baltimore's adherents under Colonel Henry Darnall engarrisoned themselves at Mattapany but were shortly outnumbered and surrounded. Finding further resistance could only lead to the sacrifice of many lives they received articles of surrender signed by Coode, Ninian Beall, and others. Forced to capitulate on the offered terms all their arms and ammunition were surrendered to Colonel Henry Darnall and Major Ninian Beall.
Pg 16 When Sir Francis Nicholson became Governor, he issued a proclamation over date of July 27, 1694, continuing in service all military and civil offlcers holding commissions under his predecessor's Council by whom Major Ninian Beall had been made Colonel and Commander-in-Chief of all their Majesty's forces or militia of horse and foot in Calvert County, October 29, 1692.
Pg 19 In 1699 Colonel Beall represented the House of Burgesses on a committee appointed by the Assembly to investigate Indian affairs with such a marked degree of satisfaction that he was, on July 14, 1699, made Commander-in Chief of Rangers or Provincial forces, the supreme military command in the province.

The Flowering of the MD Palatinate47068
Pg 301 James Duke was without question a member of the Proprietary Party and disavowed the revolution led by Nehemiah Blakistone, John Coode, Ninian Beall and others. (2 Archives vol 8, p. 110)

Ancestral Records and Portraits53398
Vol II Pg 465 Col Ninian Beall was in the battle of Dunbar against Cromwell 1650, where he was made a prisoner and soon transported to MD.
Vol II Pg 466 Col Ninian Beall was Captain of Militia of Calvert County, MD 1678; Major before 1688; in 1689 the Assembly had re-appointed Ninian Beall as Major; 1690, one of the twenty-five Commissioners for regulating affairs in MD, until the next Assembly; High Sheriff of Calvert County 1692; designated Colonel 1693, and Commander in Chief of MD forces; frequently engaged against the Indians; represented Prince George’s County in the House of Burgesses 1696 to 1699.

Pg 12 Ninian Beall promoted to colonel48011

Folio 158a. Return of Survey, 8 Aug 1705, Resurvey of Scott’s Latt ordered by PG Co Court Clerk; Col. Ninian Beall & James Moore swore oath of bounded tree; bounded by Collington Branch, signed 22 Aug 1705 by Tho. Addison, Sheriff, Clement mn(sic), Jr., & others48118

Liber M, Page 480
22 Jul 1729; Deposition of Clement Hill, Sr., age ca 59; mentions Col. Ninian Beale 20 years ago, Robert Robinson, Town of Marlborough48118

Vol II Pt I-Pg847069 (Ninian) in his deed of gift for the site of an early Presbyterian Church in MD, made a number of his kinsman trustees. These were Ninian Beall Jr, Thomas Beall, Sr & Thomas Beall Jr., James Beall, Charles Beall, Alexander Beall, Archibald Edmonston, Wm Offutt & Others
Vol II Pt I-Pg9 Two of Col. Ninian Beall’s daughters married Magruders, another married a Belt and a third an Edmonston (I show a Belt and a Pottenger and no Magruder’s?)

Beal, Capt Ninian/ St Andrews T-9/Dec 24, 1688/ L 22 f 2047909
Beale Capt Ninian/Largo T-11/Jun 26, 1685/ L 22 f 178
Beale, Major Ninian/Majors Lott V-10/ Mar 3, 1686/7 - L 22 f 330
Beale, Major Ninian/The Expedition of Beale V-13/ Jul 19, 1686/ L 22 f 252?
Beale, Ninian/Barnetts Request W-12/May 1, 1684/L 22 f 33
Beale, Ninian/Beals Chance U-13/May 28, 1670/ L 12 f 587
Beale, Ninian/Beal’s Craft V-12/ Sep 14, 1694/ L B#23 f273
Beale, Ninian/Charles Hills U-13/Dec 14, 1672/ L 17 f 365
Beale, Ninian/Royers Content S-10/Nov 2, 1688/L 22 f 429
Beale, Ninian/The Hog Pen T-10/Sep 15, 1694/B#23 f 214
Beall, Capt Ninian/Plummers Pleasure X-12/ May 1, 1684/ L 22 f 33
Beall, Capt. Ninian/Porke Hall W-9/Aug 4, 1685/L 22 f 170
Beall, Ninian/Backland U-13/Jan 7, 1670/ L 16 f 77
Beall, Ninian/Bealington U-8/ Apl 18, 1672/L 16 f 494
Beall, Ninian/Londee W-12/Dec 17, 1672/ L 17 f 366
Beall, Ninian/Pintlin Hills W-12/Jan 7, 1670/L 16 f 76

Ninean Beall by Fredric Z. Saunders20284
In 1708 James MOORE, age about 62, referred to "his brother Ninian BEALE."16 (Debbie Hooper, Abstracts of Chancery Court Records of Maryland 1669-1782, Westminster, MD: Family Line Pub., 1996) Based on that record, there have been claims that Ruth was a MOORE, and sister to James. That is not evidence that MOORE was her surname.
If Ninian BEALL and James MOORE were "brothers"-in-law it could have been by:
1. Ninian BEALL's wife Ruth being a sister to James MOORE.
2. James MOORE's wife Mary being a sister to Ninian BEALL.
3. Their wives being sisters to each other, surname unknown.
There have also been claims that James and Ruth were children of Richard MOORE and wife Jane. There is no evidence that Richard MOORE had children named James or Ruth. In 1654, [when James would have been about age 8, see above], Jane, widow of Richard MOORE, stated she had sons Richard, Roger, and Timothy.17 (Archives of Maryland 10:395) Since Richard and Jane had no son named James, even if Ruth was a MOORE and sister to James, they would not have been children of Richard and Jane.

F 256:834 9 Nov 1719 Alexander Beall, of Prince George’s County, Planter, to son, William Beall, land called the Middle part, being part of land called Friendship Enlarged, 290 ac, James Beall witnessed (Who is Alexander Beall?)

F 257:834 9 Nov 1719 Alexander Beall, of Prince George’s County, Planter, to son, Ninian Beall, land called the upper tract, being part of land called Friendship Enlarged, 436 ac, James Beall witnessed (Who is Alexander Beall?)

F 258:834 9 Nov 1719 Alexander Beall, of Prince George’s County, Planter, to son-in-law, John Jackson & Ruth his wife, land called Jacksons improvement, being part of land called Friendship Enlarged, 184 ac, James Beall witnessed (Who is Alexander Beall?)

Pg 47351101 Col Ninian Beall’s will probated 28 Feb 1717 in which he gave plantation “Good Luck” to his son in law Col Joseph Belt. See Liber WB #6 folio 504. (Get copy)
“The Beall and Bell Families” by Col Fielder Montgomery Magruder Beall, printed by Chas H. Potter & Co., Inc. Washington, DC 1929: pgs 48-50: child of Col Ninian Beall & Ruth Moore: John, Charles, Ninian, Rachel, Thomas, Jane, Hester (or Esther who marr Col Joseph Belt), Mary and George. Col. Beall, the author, further states on page 50, “Fiction writers have made the following two statements: (1) That Ninian Beall married Elizabeth Gordon in Scotland, where she had two sons, John and Thomas; and that she died in Scotland. (2) that Ninian Beall had two daughter in Maryland named Sarah and Margery. These two inventions are of their imagination, as they offer no proof of accuracy.”

A 172-351656: 23 Jan 1698 Ninian Beall Sold part of tract called Rovers Content, 562 ac & part of tract called Inclosuor, 62 ac, to James Beall 111 sterling, near parcel of Land for Col Henry Darnall now in possession of Charles Carroll (Who is this James Beall? perhaps a grandson?)

C 43a53306: 25 Aug 1702 Col Ninian Beall to James Beall PGCo, Planter for 111 pounds money, tract called Rovers Content 466 ac & pt of the Enclosure 89 ac (Total 550 ac-sic); (Who is this James Beall? perhaps a grandson?)

Part of Church ministered by Nathaniel Taylor which Ninian Beall gave land to for building a church.53316 Thomas, James Beall and Alexander Beall (Perhaps grandchildren?)

E 25853336: 5 Oct 1712 Col Ninian Beall & James Beall for 4K weight tobacco known as Bealls Recovery part of greater tract called Bealls Pleasure, 125 ac; (Who is this James Beall? perhaps a grandson?)

E 28453339: 9 Sep 1713 Col Ninian Beall & Alexander Beall, of Prince George’s County, Planter for 55 pounds money, Friendship near Col. William Digges land, 600 ac bearing survey of 16 Oct 1703 (Who is this Alexander Beall? perhaps a grandson?)

Pg 131 Collins, George, Calvert Co, 20 Dec 1683; 21 Jan 1683-4 (4. 39)46839
Test: Thos. Holliday, Ninian Beall, John Pottenger, Arch. Burnett (Relationship?)

Pg 58 & Vol II Pg 7118958 Col. Ninian Beall issue: Margery marr1: Thomas Sprigg III son of Lieut-Col Thomas & Margaret (Moriarte) Sprigg, who d: 1726; marr2: 1727 Col. Joseph Belt, her brother in law (no other source indicates Margery as a daughter of Col Ninian Beall? other sources indicate Margaret Wight marr: Thomas Sprigg then Col Joseph Belt?)

Folio 92 Ninian Beall Will Prob 2/28/1717: Andrew Hambleton-son-in-law & Belt Bell-son:53399 (Andrew Hambleton-who’s husband? Belt Beall- could this be James Beall not mentioned in Will?)

Pg 77 Beall -In 1664 he marr: Ruth Moore. His 1st wife Ruth Gordon, had presumably died for soon after his remarriage, he had his 2 sons in Scotland, now teenagers, join him in MD52650 (had two sons by Ruth Gordon?)

Pg 28 Ninian Beall Will: Item. I does give and bequeath unto my son in Law Andrew Hambleton my negro woman Alic unto him and his heirs for ever.51100 (Who is Andrew Hambleton/Hamilton married to?)

Pg 27 Ninian Beall possible ch: Margery marr1 Thomas Sprigg III, marr2 Col Joseph Belt, her sister Hester’s widower51102 (daughter Margery? see above, same as source18958?)

Index to MD Wills 1698-1978 PG6274 Get!
Pg 60 Pg 66of335
Date: Blank, Beall Ninian, Administration No. Blank, General Registration Docket Blank, Will Record Bk 1 folio 42
Date: Blank, Beall Ninian, Administraton No. Blank, General Registration Docket Blank, Will Record Bk 1 folio 92
Date: Blank, Beall Ninian, Administraton No. Blank, General Registration Docket Blank, Will Record T, Bk 1 folio 192
Date: Blank, Beall Ninian Sr , Administraton No. Blank, General Registration Docket Blank, Will Record T Bk 1 folio 125

Pg 12 Ninian Beall & Ruth Moore ch: Ruth48011 (dau Ruth? not in other sources)