John Hanson Briscoe

**  Biography  (Frescoe(2)*:37)

Certainly no family in Maryland is more widely known than the Briscoe family. They were prominent in the fields of medicine, law, and politics.
- Dr. John Hanson Briscoe was born in 1752 at Laureetum, which was part of Briscoe's Range, an early grant of 1400 acres near Chaptico, St. Mary's Co., MD. He was the eldest son of Dr. Philip Briscoe (1729-1778) and Chloe Hanson, who was sister of John Hanson, the President of the Continental Congress. Historians claim that Dr. John Hanson Briscoe was the most distinguished of the Maryland Briscoes.
- At the age of eight years, he was sent to Edinburgh, Scotland to receive a classical and professional education. In 1773, he graduated from the University of Edinburgh Medical School and returned to his native birthplace to practice medicine.
- On January 6, 1776, he was commissioned Major, by the MD Convention, in the Upper Battalion of St. Mary's Co. with Colonel Jeremiah Jordan commanding. During that same month, the Council of Safety appointed him, with Colonel George Plater and Richard Barnes, to collect all the gold and silver coin that could be procured in St. Mary's Co. On August 26, 1776, he was appointed surgeon to the Seven Independent Companies with Dr. Daniel Jenifer as his assistant. The Council of Safety ordered the Treasurer to pay Dr. Briscoe £20 to purchase a "sette" of surgical instruments. He served as surgeon in the Continental Army, the 2nd MD Regiment under Major General William Smallwood. At the close of the War, he was in charge of the Government Hospitals in Philadelphia.
- After the War, he served his County as Judge of the Orphans Court, Naval Officer of the Patuxent, and Justice of the Peace.
- As a result of the British blockading the Chesapeake Bay and it's tributaries and ravishing its shores, Governor Thomas Simm Lee, anticipating another war, took defensive and offensive measures. In 1794, he reorganized the Militia of MD, appointing Dr. Briscoe as Brigidier General for St. Mary's and Charles counties.
- Dr. Briscoe married Mary Elizabeth Attaway Bond, granddaughter of Dr. Gustavus Brown, of Scotland and Charles County, MD. Their children were:
--- Thomas, marr. his cousin, Eleanor Buchanan.
--- Philip, b. November 9, 1786, marr. July 22, 1817 Maria Thompson, daughter of James Thompson and Nancy King of Kingston.
--- Dr. John Hanson (1789-1855), marr. 1823 Mary Key.
---Eleanor (Ellen), marr. August 5, 1811 Bernard Hooe of Virginia.
--- Cecilia Brown, marr. (1) 1805, William K. Clagett, and (2) 1819, William H. Lyles.
--- Elizabeth Attaway, marr. (1) 1809 John Sothoron and (2) 1831 Reverend Norris M. Jones. She d. February 1, 1855.
- Dr. Briscoe died at his estate Laureetum on September 7, 1796 in his 44th year. His widow died June 5, 1816, age 48.
References:
- Duncan, Louis Casper, "Medical Men in American Revolution".
- Barnes, Robert, "Marriages and Deaths from Baltimore Newspapers 1796-1816". Baltimore, 1978, p. 37.
- Fresco, M.K., "Marriages and Deaths, St. Mary's Co. 1634-1900". Priv. Publ., 1982.
- Chronicles of St. Mary's: 24 May 1976, "St. Mary's County Men, American Revolution", by Edwin W. Beitzell.
- Briscoe Family Records, Courtesy of the late Miss Miriam Abell of Washington, DC and St. Mary's Co.
- Archives of MD, 12:240,1,2
- National Intelligencer (Washington, D.C.), 6/15/1816.

** Relationships

Mary Elizabeth Attaway Bond (born St. Mary’s Co.) married, in about 1780, John Hanson Briscoe (born St. Mary’s Co., 1752; died St. Mary’s Co., 26 Sep. 1796). One of their children was Elizabeth Attaway Briscoe, who married John Sothoron. (Hayden* :165)

On 31 October 1809, John Sothoron married Elizabeth Attaway Briscoe, daughter of Samuel Williamson & Margaret Briscoe, granddaughter of Eleanor Williamson & Capt. John Briscoe of Charles Co.. They had 4 children: John, Zachariah, Philip and Mary. She married secondly Rev. N. M. Jones. (Mackenzie* 3:98)

- Mary Elizabeth Attaway Briscoe (born 1794 in “Laureetum,” Chaptico, St. Mary’s Co.; died 1 Feb. 1855 in St. Mary’s Co.), daughter of John Hanson Briscoe, married on 31 October 1809, John Sothoron (born 31 October 1809 in St. Mary’s Co. to Mary Bond & Henry Sothoron; died 30 Oct. 1826 at “The Plains,” St. Mary’s Co., MD). (Reno*)

** Land records - Maryland

William K. Clagett of Baltimore City deeds to John Sothoron of St. Mary’s Co. for $150, all rights & title to land belonging to his wife Cecelia Brown Claggett, which descended to her from her father Dr. John H. Briscoe dec'd. (Land Rec Abstracts TH#26 {StM#2}:102, St. Mary's Co., 1808.01.19, Recorded 1808.02.02)

John Hanson Briscoe of St. Mary’s Co. deeds to John Sothoron of St. Mary’s Co. for $500, 1/12 interest in land where Elizabeth A. Briscoe now resides, inherited from his father subject to natural life of Elizabeth, mother of John H. Briscoe, for whom a life Estate is hereby reserved. (Abstracts TH#28 {StM#2A}:142, St. Mary’s Co., 1815.03)

James F. Sothoron vs Heirs of John Brooke

- Court Proceedings, Charles Co. John Brooke of Charles Co. sold to Joseph Thompson of Charles Co. Westwood Manor, Charles Borough & Inlet, 325 acres in all, all in Charles Co.. Brooke did not make title although holding it in fee simple, made conveyance to Thompson but gave his bond of conveyance. Bond was sold & assigned to Philip Key & Hanson Briscoe of St. Mary’s Co., who then took possession of the land. Land was then sold to Henry Greenfield Sothoron, father of orator, devised to the orator & his brother in joint tenancy. Bond of conveyance has been lost, Brook moved to Georgia, died with children whose names are unknown. Land has been held for over 40 years, prays for title after due attempts to notify any heirs of Brooke.

- Continued to 18 Aug 1817, to 17 Nov 1817, to 16 March 1818, to 17 Aug 1818, to 17 Nov 1818. No answer to announcements, conveyance ordered. (Chancery Papers 4063, Charles Co., 1818.11.17)

Mother of claimant Cecelia B. Claggett afterwards Cecelia B. Lyles conveyed on 6 Nov 1819 to John Sothoron now dec'd one half of tract on which she lived. Indenture appears absolute, but was to be in trust for orator. Cites John Sothoron's will dated 7 Oct 1821, and its provisions for trade of this land with that belonging to Dr. John H.Briscoe. Rights in land passed to Henry G.S. Key, who has not exchanged nor sold land. Children of John Sothoron listed, all noted to be under 21 years of age: John T. H., Zachariah Henry, James Philip & Mary Elizabeth Attaway Sothoron. His widow is Elizabeth Attaway Sothoron, daughter of Dr. John H. Briscoe dec'd. Prays that the land be sold. Filed in Decree Record Liber JH#2, 270.

- Indenture dated 4 Nov 1819 for Cecelia B. Clagett of St. Mary’s Co. to convey to John Sothoron of St. Mary’s Co. for $2,000, ½ of land on which she now lives.

- Elizabeth A. Sothoron appointed guardian of minor defendants on 3 Dec 1830. Her answer is that the statments in the bill are true and agrees with the requested action.

 - Commission to appoint guardian to minor defendants, dated 15 March 1831.

- Answer of Elizabeth Attaway Sothoron, dated 16 June 1831. She was due ½ of noted land by inheritance. She agrees with the bill, believes land should be sold as one parcel.

- Answer of John H. Briscoe, son of Dr. John H. Briscoe, dated 13 June 1831. He agrees with the bill.

- Commission appraised the lands, found the buildings in poor repair, recommended sale with a value of 6.50 per acre, 587 acres in all. Dated 23 July 1831.

- Answer of Henry G.S. Key, dated 17 Nov 1831. Admits all terms, has always been ready to convey the land at the wishes of the orator, and now renounces to Elizabeth A. Clagett all interests as trustee.

- Judgment granted 19 Nov 1831. The entire tract to be sold, under the direction of Henry G. S. Key as trustee. Claimant's share to be invested in more profitable way, the other share to John H. Briscoe upon release by executors of John Sothoron. (Equity Papers {MSA 19,731-160}:#158, Charles Co., 1830.06.08)

Philip Briscoe & Maria his wife, and John H. Briscoe of St. Mary’s Co.; William H. Lyles & Cecelia his wife of Prince George's Co; Bernard Hooe Jr. & Eleanor B. of Prince William Co deed to John Sothoron of St. Mary’s Co. for $800, 1/6 undivided part of land where Dr. John Hanson Briscoe dec'd resided. (Abstracts TH#29 {StM#3}:182, St. Mary’s Co., 1820.04.29, Recorded 1820.08.10)

From the will of John Sothoron (Wills EIM#1:14, St. Mary’s Co., 1826.10.07, Proved 1826.11.28):

- John Sothoron entitled to half interest in resident plantation of deceased father-in-law, Dr. John H. Briscoe. Briscoe was entitled to a farm near Chaptico, on which Robert Tippett resides. The parcels were to be traded at time of Briscoe's death; trade to be completed and lands to be sold to finance legacies. Witness: John H. Briscoe, Morris Shanks, Anna H. Key

From an action against son-in-law John Sothoron (Equity Papers {MSA 19,731-160}:#158, Charles Co., 1830.06.08 - full excerpt of action in John’s notes):

- Cites John Sothoron's will dated 7 Oct 1821, and its provisions for trade of this land with that belonging to Dr. John H.Briscoe. Rights in land passed to Henry G.S. Key, who has not exchanged nor sold land. ...(John’s) widow is Elizabeth Attaway Sothoron, daughter of Dr. John H. Briscoe dec'd.

- Answer of Elizabeth Attaway Sothoron, dated 16 June 1831. She was due ½ of noted land by inheritance. She agrees with the bill, believes land should be sold as one parcel.

- Answer of John H. Briscoe, son of Dr. John H. Briscoe, dated 13 June 1831. He agrees with the bill.

Petition for return of lands to heirs of John H. Briscoe. Lands had been sold to John Sothoron, now deceased, with the understanding they were to revert to heirs of original owner. John Sothoron instead passed lands to his heirs. Children of John Sothoron listed, all under the age of 21: John T. H., Zachariah Henry, James Philip & Mary Elizabeth Attaway Sothoron; his wife identified as Elizabeth Attaway Sothoron, daughter of the late Dr. John H. Briscoe. (County Court Equity Papers {MSA 19,731-160}:#158, 1835.03)