Ninian "of Alexander" BEALL

                   Some dispute exists over the parentage of William Beal.  Some suggest he is the son of Ninian Beall and Ruth, while others suggest he is brother of Ninian Beall, and thus the son of Alexander Beall and Elizabeth Coombs.  Other researchers present wholly different parents, although all lineages run in the same family of Bealls.  This is mostly due to early erroneous research.  This William referred to himself as "William of Ninian" to distinguish himself from others of the same name.  He also lived on the plantation "Friendship Enlarged", property originally owned by Ninian Beall.

Notes:
p. 195, Early Families of Southern Maryland, Volume VI
William Beall; d. aft. 1787; m. Sarah Magruder, b. 19 Mar 1713/4 Queen Anne Parish; d. aft. 1772; d/o Ninian Magruder and Elizabeth Brewer; lived on Friendship Enlarged in 1749 (FCLRB.H8); 1751 will of Sarah's father gave "dau. Sarah Beall, 1 slave" (MCW X.159); William was eldest brother and heir-at-law of James in 1787 (Mont. Co. LR D.9)
                  

                   Notes:
JAMES BEALL, s/o Ninian, planter; Montgomery Co.; 14 Apr 1778; 22 May 1780
Wife: Ann, extx.
Brother: Robert
Children of bro. Benjamin: Lloyd, Ninian, Cephus and Nancy Beall (minors)
Children of bro. John: Sebert and Ruth Beall (minors)
Wit: Thomas Read, Zadock Magruder, Rebecca Tannehill
(Montgomery County Wills, A.282)

28 Nov 1787; Recorded at request of Robert Beall, Lloyd Beall, Cephas Beall and John Peter Indenture between William Beall of Frederick Co., oldest bro. and heir of James Beall (of Ninian) late of Montgomery Co. of one part and Robert Beall, one of the brothers of James Beall, Lloyd Beall and Cephas Beall, the only surviving children of Benjamin, another brother of James, and John Peter who since the death of James Beall m. with Ruth Beall only surviving child of John Beall another brother; all of Montgomery Co.; James1 will written 17 Apr 1778 states after death or marriage of my wife Ann Beall that my land be sold and divided in following manner
1/3 to bro. Robert Beall
2/3 to children of Benjamin and John
Land: Resurvey of Beckwith's Range in Montgomery Co. of 304 acres (MCLR D.9)
                  

                   This Ninian Beall went by "Inkeeper" or "Ninian, of Ninian", to distinguish himself from others of the same name. A different Ninian (son of Thomas) went by Ninian Jr., so that was not an available clarifying designation at the time.
                  

                   Notes:
Age 48, 1776 census