It is a fact that Abraham Enloes’ wife was named Elizabeth. Many people say she was, in fact, Elizabeth Silverthorne, daughter of William Silverthorne and Elizabeth Arew of Accomack County, Virginia. But the evidence is scant.

If I believed that Hendrick Enloes, Abraham’s father, lived first Kent County, MD which is on Delmarva, a little north of Accomack County, I might then be able to explain how Abraham and Elizabeth Silverthorne would have found each other, but I don’t really believe he did live in Kent County and so I reject the whole premise.

Other people also believe that someone has traced the Silverthorne family back several generations to Steeple Ashton and West Ashton, Wilshire, England and to about 1450. It is a remarkable piece of genealogical research, in my opinion, if true -- but I suspect there is a lot made up in that ancestry.

I did learn, when considering the possibility that any of these people belonged in our family tree, that in 1667, Elizabeth (Arew), the wife of William Silverthorne, was “found guilty of mutinous behavior” and ordered to have 20 lashes upon her bare back six weeks after the delivery of the baby she was carrying. William Silverthorne was due for a similar punishment -- apparently in both cases for “mutiny at the clearing of the highways”. But William got the punishment abated by paying 1000 pounds of tobacco for each of them. An interesting story, maybe even a true story, but I think irrelevant to us.

We know for a fact that Abraham Enloes’ wife was named Elizabeth but the evidence is scant to prove she was Elizabeth Silverthorne, but it sure seems to be accepted wisdom among those who have researched the Enloes family, I just wish one of them could offer some proof.

I do not know on what basis anyone could even have made this up and the temptation is to want to believe that maybe someone long ago had the important piece of evidence (an old family bible for example) but mention of the proof was long lost and all that came down through history was the fact itself. Could that be? I don’t know.

I also cannot explain how Abraham and Elizabeth found each other, they grew up geographically apart. There is some evidence that Hendrick Enloes, Abraham’s father, at some point took up some land in Kent County which is on Delmarva, a little north of Accomack County.

He was mentioned in his father’s will. He died not long at all after his father and the fact that he bequeathed the same tracts he had inherited from his father to his sons makes the clear connection of this Abraham to that Hendrick, there can be no mistaken identity here.

Robert W Barnes says: ”Abraham Enloes, son of Hendrick, born about 1678 died about 1709 in Baltimore County, married Eliza who married second by March 1710 John Ensor. Abraham’s will dated 24 Apr 1709 proved 20 Jul 1709 mentioned wife Elizabeth and children: John, Anthony, William, Abraham, Margaret -- and one as yet unborn. The unborn was possibly Christiana born about 1710 who married Thomas Wright, or possibly Elizabeth.”

Gust Skordas notes the Abraham Enloe Patent for Expectation 150 acres, 1704 (Bal Co).

The will of Abraham Enloes of Baltimore County was written 24 Apr 1709 and proved 20 Jul 1709. To sons Anthony, John, William, Abraham properties including 100 acre Tryangle Neck at mouth of Middle River and 50 acre Dutch Neck. To unborn child if male 30 acre Enloes Meadow if female land goes to daughter Margaret. To wife Eliza residue equally with child aforesaid.

There was a 1742 deed recorded in Hyde County, NC wherein William Enloes sold Dutch Neck in Baltimore County to William Wright, proof that at least one of Abraham’s sons moved there.