Hepburn Family papers
Collection
0278-MDHC
The Hepburn Family papers consist of legal documents, public notices, and land records primarily related to Prince George's County, Maryland. Included is a three-party prenuptial agreement between Philip Thomas, John Hepburn, and his soon-to-be wife Mary Chew, regarding the disposition of Mary Chew's property, including 30 named enslaved people; bonds of credit that John Hepburn extended to named local citizens; and accounting receipts for tobacco deliveries. Also included is a deed of gift for a person that Samuel Hepburn enslaved and gave to son John Muir; and a broadside that names Samuel Hepburn as the executor of Samuel Leche's will. The remaining documents include property records for Prince George's County land owned by various Maryland personages; a circular notice by London merchant William Molleson; a circular advocating smallpox vaccination in Baltimore; and a letter of estate administration.
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18 Items
The Hepburn Family Papers span the years 1739 to 1813, with the bulk of the material dating between 1748 and 1795. The collection consists of legal documents, public notices, and land records. Included is a three-party prenuptial agreement between Philip Thomas, John Hepburn, and his soon-to-be wife Mary Chew, regarding the disposition of Mary Chew's property, including 30 named enslaved people; bonds of credit that John Hepburn extended to named local citizens; and accounting receipts for tobacco deliveries. Also included is a deed of gift for a person that Samuel Hepburn enslaved and gave to son John Muir; and a broadside that names Samuel Hepburn as the executor of Samuel Leche's will. The remaining documents include property records for Prince George's County land owned by various Maryland personages; a circular notice by London merchant William Molleson; a circular advocating smallpox vaccination in Baltimore; and a letter of estate administration.
John Hepburn [sometimes "Hepbourne"] (circa 1714-circa 1780) was a merchant born in Prince George's County, Maryland, the only child of Dr. Patrick Hepburn (died circa 1726) and an unknown first wife. He married Mary Chew (circa 1714-circa 1770) of Anne Arundel County. John and Mary Hepburn had three children: Samuel Chew Hepburn (circa 1759-circa 1806); Ann Hepburn (birth and death dates unknown); and John Hepburn, Jr. (died circa 1774).
Samuel Chew Hepburn married Jean Muir (1759-circa 1810) of Dorchester County, Maryland sometime before 1780. They had four children: Mary "Polly" Hepburn (circa 1780-circa 1849); John Muir Hepburn (1790-1850); Sarah Hepburn (birth and death unknown); and Patricus Hepburn (birth and death unknown).
This collection is arranged in one series:
The University of Maryland Libraries purchased the Hepburn Family papers from Steve Wunderly in 1988.
The materials were placed in acid-free folders, within an acid-free box. Most of the documents were also placed in Mylar sleeves and include captions.
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives