An American Family History

William Ijams was born about 1640 in England. He married Elizabeth Cheney.

William and Elizabeth's children probably included:

Charles Ijams (1667-1673),
William Ijams (1670, married Elizabeth Yates Plummer),
Richard Ijams (1673-1761, married Anne Cheney and Elizabeth Gaither),
Susanna Ijams
Elizabeth Ijams
George Ijams (1676),
Hester Ijams (1679, relationship with John Duvall, married John Nicholson, Jr.).

William Ijams was in South River Hundred by 1665.

In 1674, Elizabeth's father, Richard Cheney, gave them Cheney's Resolution.

William Iiams died in 1703 and was buried at All Hallow's Parish, Maryland.

He left his son, William, and daughter, Elizabeth, five shilling each. He left son, Richard, 100 acres near the Patuxent River in Prince George's County and son, George, 100 acres on the north side of Western Run. His widow, Elizabeth inherited her dower rights. Richard, George, Hester, and Susannah, received the residue of the estate.

Elizabeth was the executrix and filed the account on February 7, 1706/07, reporting a balance of 37£ 8s 4d.

Hester Iiams was born in 163. She was the daughter of William Iiams and Elizabeth Cheney.

She had three children by John Duvall, while he was married to Elizabeth Jones.

John Ijams, (1702, died young),
Elizabeth Ijams (1703)
Anne Ijams (1705)

Hester also had a daughter with Benjamin Burgess. She testified that he was father of her "love begotten child."

Anne Burgess (1705, married John Cheney)

Hester Iiams married John Nicholson on December 23, 1708.

On April 16, 1705, with the consent of his wife, Elizabeth, John Duval gave Hester 223 acres of the plantation Burgess Choice for her natural life

her continuing Single or not happening to have any other Child or Children than is now living namely Anne and Elizabeth the children of the said Hester Iiams

. . . should [she] marry or have any other child or children than is now living as aforesaid then I give grant and confirm the said land and premises and the goods and chatels and implements and household stuff to be equally divided between the said children of the said Hester Iiams share and share like, but if the children should die before 16 or marriage, then to the survivor.

The gift included three indentured servants: Richard Clarke, James Brotherton, and Josias Harrison.