The Culpepper, Gay, Dunlap, Layfield, Poole and Welch Family:Information about Thomas O'Dell, Sr.
Thomas O'Dell, Sr. (b. Bet. 1660 - 1670, d. Bet. 1718 - 1722)
Notes for Thomas O'Dell, Sr.:
Excerpts from Maryland and Virginia Colonials by Sharon J. Doliante.
The birthplace and Parents of Thomas O'Dell are not known It is believed that the first O'Dell emigrated to Massachusetts then on to Maryland where they moved on through Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia. All American O'Dell's claim that their progenitors came from the Parish O'Dell, in Bedforshire, England and that they are therefore descended from the Baron De Wahu, a brother-in-law of William the Conqueror who came with a letter in 1066, and that they were entitled to claim the Ancestral Home, O'Dell Castle, which had stood form many centuries on the land given to the Baron by William.
As far as we know it is still standing as well as O'Dell Church.
It is not know how or when Thomas came to settle in Anne Arundel County, MD. It may have been that been there that bore another surname. It doesn't seen reasonable that he would have he would have come without family or friends, or connections of any kind. There is no mention of him in the early records. He hadn't been there long when he made a desirable marriage to the daughter of a leading man in the county, and the widow of another leading man.. Whether though his own own efforts or his
marriage he soon became a respective member of the community.
Besides being a Military Officer, he became one of the County Coroners and one of the Justices of Anne Arundel County. After his move to Prince Georges County, some years later, he was elected as a Justice of Prince Georges County, MD as well as becoming a member of the Vestry of his Church
Children of Thomas O'Dell, Sr. and Sarah Ridgely are:
- +Henry O'Dell, b. April 15, 1694, Anne Arundel County, MD, d. Bef. July 10, 1738, Prince Georges County, MD.
- Reginald O'Dell, d. date unknown.