Compiled by Carolyn Shearer and Judy Schaeffer from records at the Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia State Archives, National Genealogical Society, and the Daughters of the American Revolution Library. (Original spelling, capitalization and punctuation copied as much as possible.)

Maryland

1662 - John Oke (also Okee, Okey) - "In Manokin section" married Oct 1666, Mary Vincent; living in Wicomico Hundred,1667-1671, in Somerset County as late as April l680. Issue: (1) John b & d 1667, (2) Elizabeth 1668, (3) John 1671. (Somerset Records IKL: 0 1, p 29; O6, p 555) In 1682 there is a reference to John OKAY, 'late constable', in Sussex County, Delaware, record book, in Pennsylvania Historical Society, Philadelphia. ("Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore of Maryland", Clayton Torrence, 1939) [Note: I have not been able to prove this 1662 date. cks]

1664/5, Feb 16. Thomas Tunnill and Richard Johnson posted security 'to hold the parish harmless' from supporting an illegitimate child born to Mary Vincent. ("Accomac County Court Orders," Vol 1, p113) [Note: "Free African Americans of North Carolina and Virginia" Paul Heinegg, page 533, cites an additional court record which gives the father of this child as Aminadab, a slave of South Littleton. Need to get a copy of the entire record. cks]

1665, Dec 11. John Okey - of Somerset County, MD (Somerset records, JUD 1)

1666, Jun 4. 'The marke of FrancisVincent, vizt Cropt on the left ear & a Flower deluce on the right ear recorded. [cattle mark] (Maryland Archives, Somerset Court Prodeedings, p 746)

1666, Jun 5. John Winder enters patent (for headrights) in right of himself, Bridget Winder, Susanna Winder, Daniel Hearst (Hast/Haste), Martin Moore, John Okey, Richard Price, John Daw, Mary Gray (Somerset County, Liber E, p 459)

1666, Jun 6., The marke of John Okee, vizt Cropt on the right ear & two slits in the Crop & a hole in the same ear, the left ear swallowe Forkt' (Somerset County, Liber E, p 459)

1666, Jun 26. 'William Boyes subpe John Okee Mary Goldsmith Anne Rogers Elyzabeth Huss in the Cause now depending betweene Will: Boyes plant & Will & Oliue Furnis defendts in an action of defamation' ("Archives of Maryland, LIV, Somerset county Court Proceedings, 1665-1668" MD Historical Society, 1937, p 625)

1666, Jul 3. 'The deposition of John Okee taken in Courte Saith tht Oliue Furnis tolld Mary Boyes tht if soe she woulld bringe the tancy home againe she woulld pay her for makeing the Lynnen & for the Lace she had of the woman Mary Boyes; Oliue Furnis was to giue her holland for the Laice & Further saith not. (op cit, p 626) [More depositions in this case]

1666, Sep 4. The bonds of matrimony was publisshed bewteen John Okee and Mary Vincent, both of Manonoakin by setting up their names att the Court doore according to act of assembly.. (Somerset Co, Maryland Deed Liber 0 1, p 29; also recorded in Maryland Archives, Somerset Court Proceedings, p 638)

1666, Oct 2. -. John Oke married Mary Vincent. "Both of Manokin" (Somerset County Marriages Liber IKL)

1666, Nov 13. Frances Vincent to John Okey of Manokin, 1/2 of land mentioned in patent Signed "ye marke of ffrances Vincent". Witnesses: John Wade, Richard Johnson. 18 Dec 1666 "In Open court Frances Vincent acknowledged as her act and deed to John Oken" (Accomac Co Will and Deed, Book 1664-1671, p 38)

1666, Nov 14. John Oken to William Chase of Accomack, right to this patent. "Ye mke of John Okin, ye seale Signed and sealed in ye prense of John Wise, Richard Johnson Acknowledged in open ct 18 Dec 1666 by John Okin Recorded 27 Oct (?) 1666. Mary Okin, wife of John Okin, doeth ratify that what my husband hath done. 16 Nov 1666. ye mark of Mary Oken Witnesses: John Wise Richard Johnson. Ack. in open court 18 Dec by Mary Okin." (op. cit, p 39)

1667, Aug 24. 'Randall Revell entereth his accon of Debt agst John Okee.' (MD Archives, Somerset Court Prodeedings, op cit, p 683)

1667, Sep 28. 'Henry Lewis entereth his accon of deb agst John Okee' (MD Arhives, Somerset Court, op cit, p 686)

1667, 9br 26^th. 'Henry Lewis withdrawth his accon of Debt agst John Okee' (op cit, p 693)

1671, Mary Oakey 'with her child Aminadab Haw', transported to Maryland from Virginia by John Oakey of Somerset County. (Somerset Co, Liber 16, Folio 308)

1672, Nov 18. "Glouister" , 150 acres, 'surveyed this date for John 0. Keen at the head of the main branch of wiccocomico River 70 acres part of the Land to John Smith and by him possessed 80 acres the residue to George Bailey' (Somerset County, Rent Rolls, Volume 1, p 28)

1673. John Okey, "Gloster". Certificate for 150 acres. (Patent Index, Somerset County MD, now Wicomico County. No 54)

1673, Aug 1. John Okey of Somerset, planter 'hath due unto him' 150 acres, '100 acres being due by assignment from Isaack Hillard and Richard Brittaine due to them for service performed in Maryland, 50 acres due by assignment from Richard Webb due to sd Webb for transporting himself 21 Mar 1679 (sic) 2 shillings sterling rent reserved for each 50 acres. Land called "Gloster" on the east side of the Chesapeake bay near the head of a main branch of the river Wicomico on the north side of the said branch. (metes and bounds given) Filed at St Maries. Rent due at the feast of the annunciation of Virgin Mary and the feast of St Michiall's.' (Somerset County, Patent Book 17, Folio L, p 673)

1675, Aug 23. John Oakey, tract of land near Middle Creek on Rehobeth Bay surveyed this date. "Kaming's Adventur" 400 acres. 'Face of document bears name of William Kaming' (Delaware Land Records 0 2 # 8)

1676, Aug 1. 'Copies of Warrants issued by Edward Southerin at the Whorekill By order of Mr. Henry Smith, Names of evidence to be summoned - Suite against Cornelius Verhoofe - List includes names of John Oaky and William Kaning.' ("New York Historical Manuscripts, Dutch," Vol XX-XXI. Delaware Papers 1664-1682. The Holland Society. Reprinted by GPC 1977, pp 213-214, 216).

1678, Nov 18. 'Surveys Returned by Capt Edm Cantwell, N.Y., No 7 John Okey, Land at the Whorekill, signed John Avery, Helm. Wiltbanck. Surveyed Aug 11, 1676. 400 Acres.' ("Original Land Titles in Delaware, Commonly Known as The Duke of York Record, 1646-1679" p55.)

1679, Nov 13. 'Tracts of land in the Horekill were taken up as follows. Captain Edmund Cantwell certified the following grants,' the names starred being already seated and the others intended to seat next winter' List includes name of John Oakey, Alexander Molestine, Cornelis Verhoofe, Andrie Dupre, Jessy Summerford, John Kiphaven Jr, et al. ("History of Delaware", Schaarf, 1888, p 1202.)

1680/1, Feb 1. 'John Oakey in Deal County province of New York sold to John Kiphaven and Alexander Moleston, a patent 300 acres. Bounds: lands of Henry Smith, formerly land of William Caines - Samuel Gray. Also includes the Indian rights. Signed John (X) Oakey'

(Sussex County Deeds, Record Book 1, p 97)

1680/l Apr 13. Somerset County. John Okey and wife Mary to John Richards land granted 1673, "Glouster" (same description) 150 acres. For 2000 pounds of tobacco. Attorney Capt Henry Smith and Capt David Browne. Wit: John Avery, ffrancis Whitewell. Test: Cornelius Verhoofe of Whorekill Hundred. (Deed Book M A,Vol 3, p 555)

1681, Sep 13-14. Deale County, John Oakey, Juryman, Court held at towne of Deale. ("Records of the Courts of Sussex county Delaware, 1677-17 1 O" Vol 1, p 1 23. also in 'Some Records of Sussex County Delaware" C.H. Turner, p 55) [Note: The book "Records of the Courts of Sussex County Delaware" edited by Craig Horle, 1991, University of Pennsylvania Press, had not been published when we began this project. Nearly all the references in this report from the Sussex County Court Records were read from the original or microfilm of the originals, copies of which are in our possession. The page numbers from the published book are given here for reference as the original records are not numbered. cks]

1681, Dec 13. Deale County. Court held at the town and county of Deale. 'An action of defamacon or Slander. Mathias Everson, plt. John Oakey & his wife deft; Witness William Prentice. The plt declared that the deft Mary Oakey have grosely slandered and defamed the plts wife by giveing out in words that the sd John Oakey, one of the defts, have Conitnited in Adultery with the plts wife; the deft Mary Oakey Accknowlidged that she had done the plts wife wrong, and said that she was sorrie for it; at which the plt was satisfied provided that the defts paid the Cost of suit which the deft Consented unto Alias Execution' (RoSCD, pl34; Turner, p 59)

1682, Feb 14. Deale County Court held for the Towne and County of Deale . 'An action of the Case. Norton Claypoole plt. John Oakey Deft; refered untill the next Court' (RoSCD, p 143; Turner, p 63)

1682 Mar 14-15. Deale County Court. 'An Action of the Case. Norton Claypoole Plt, John Oakey deft. Refereed from Feb. Court to this Court; the Action now withdrawn' (RoSCD p 149- Turner, p 66)

1682, same court, Deale County 'John Oakey Peticoner. The peticoner sett forth that severall persons are Indebted unto him for sarveing of warrt when he was Constable and Craves that the fees that are due to him may be taken By distrase; which Court Grant; According to the Laws of the Government.' (RoSCD, p 154; Turner, p 68)

1682, same court. 'The Grand Jurey present John Oakey for haveing a strang Child at his house which is not Certainly known whose it is; Henry Bowman doe Ingage to save the County Harmless from being put to any Charge for the maintaining of the said Child'. (RoSCD, p 155; Turner, p 69)

1682, Sept 12 -13. Deale County Court. 'An action of Traspase. William Kening Plt. Robert Bracey senr, deft. wittnes Capt Avery Corn Vehoofe Baptis Nercomb Hen Stracher John Oakey, sepene. The Plt declare that the deft Caused part of the Plts Land to be surveyed for his own use and Cutt and marke severall of the Plts trees; the Cause was put to a Jurey; the Plt prove by the oath of Cornelis Verhoofe that the deft had as he thought surveyed part of the Plts Land and After the Caused was debated on both sides the Jurey went out and brought in there verdict that they finded for the Plt with one shilling 3 and Cost of suit. The Court passe Judgment according to the verdict of the Jurey. Alias Execution' (RoSCD, p 77)

1682, same court. 'Edward Boodle Caused John Oakey to be sumace by way of searafacous to Shaw Cause if any he Could, wharefor he did not satisfie and pay him Eighte hundred pounds of Tobacco, which the said Edward Boodle obtained An order of this Court for Anout Two years sence, Agt the said John Oakey The Said John Oakey make Appeare to the Court that he have paid unto the said Edward Boodle in part of the said order of Court foure hundred and Tenn pounds of Tobacco, soe the Court doe order the said John Oakey to pay forth with the said Edward Boodle Three hundred and ninty pound of Tobacco, with Costs of suits, the former order of Court to be null & void.' (RoSCD, p80)

1682, Nov 18. John Oakey, tract of land north of Bracey's Brand surveyed this date. 338 acres called "Norton" (Delaware Land Records, 0 2 #7)

1682, Nov-Dec. (Other records give Feb 13-15, 1683) Deale County Court. 'This day John Oakey Accknowlidg in open Court the sale of three hundred Acres of Land unto John Kiphaven and Alexander Moulston and to their heires and Assignes for ever which said Land Lye betwene the Land of Henry Smith and Samwell Gray and have received full satisfacon for the same.' (Sussex County, Deed Book A 1, p 17; Turner, p 93)

1682, Dec 7. Will of Edward Boatle. 'Item, I order 300 lb of Tobacco to be pd to Mr Avery surveying the Land of that 399 of Tobacco wch is due to me from John Oaky if I dye this present. Presented in court 27-28 April 1683' (RoSCD, p100)

1682, Dec 10. John Oakey, tract of land north of Long Loved Branch surveyed this date called "Oakey's Fortune" 130 acres. (Delaware Land Records, O2, #6)

1683, Jan 9-1 1. Court Held at Lewes, 'John Oakey, plt; John Johnson, Jun, deft. with Drawen by order of the plt.' (RoSCD, p 188)

1683, same court. 'Matthew Everson, plt; John Oakey deft. with drawen by order of the plt.' (RoSCD, pl90)

1683, Feb 13, 15. Court held at Lewis, county of Sussex. 'William ____, plt; John Oakey, deft. An action of the Case. witness sepenied: Ruth Bundock, John Johnson Sen, and Elizabeth his wife~ with drawen by order of the plt.' (RoSCD, p 206)

1683, same court. 'This day John Oakey Accknowlidg in open Court the sale of three hundred Acres of land unto John Kiphaven and Alexander Moulston and to their heires and Assignes for ever, which said Land Lye betwene the Land of Henry Smith and Samwell Gray and have received full satisfacon for the same' (RoSCD, p 208)

1683, Apr 10. Court held at Lewis. 'New Causes. William Kening plt; John Oakey deft. An action of debt. at the deft request the Court Grant him a Referance untill the next Court.' (RoSCD, p 214)

1683, Aug 14. Court held at Lewis. 'William Kenning, plt. John Oakey, Deft. An Action of Debt Render'd from the 2nd month Court The Plaintiff declares for Five Hundred & Fourteen pounds of Pork which the Deft in indebted to him by Bill, dated 21^st, 1mo, l681 The plt not appearing the Court granted a Nonsuite against the Plt with Cost of Suite.' (RoSCD, p 224)

1683, 12th day of 4th month. (Given as Aug 14 in another record) 'William Penn, proprietary and governor of ye Province of Pensilvania. County of Sussex formerly called Whorekill. Sussex County Court. "John Johnson Senior was brought before the Court under suspition of Murdering his Wife & the Deposition of Jno Oakey and Jefery Summerford was read, & the Verdict of the Jury of Twelve Women that endeavored to view the Corp's the Jurys Verdict is wee whose Names are here subscribed have endeavored to view the body of Susan Johnson and we could not discover one Sign of Murder. Jeffery Summerford denying that he saw the Roapes End strike her on the Burr of ye Ear which was one affirmation of his Oath; & the Court therefore accounted his Oath of No Vallew, & the Crowner & Jury clearing John Johnspn by their Verdict the Court therefore takes John Johnson's word to appear next Court they intending to clear him if nothing more comes against him.' (RoSCD, p 103)- [This is the entire record found for this case. It must have been one of the few tried in Colonial America before a jury of all women. No list of names of jurors found. cks]

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