John Johnson Sothoron (of John)

Bequeathed real & personal property in father’s will of 1711/12 (see his Notes)

Named in & served as executor of 1717 will of grandmother Mary Rose, & bequeathed property (see her Notes).

Became executor of grandmother Sibill Jowles’ will of 1730 upon death of his father John Sothoron (see her Notes).

Sheriff's warrant to attach the body of Mrs. Dryden Forbes, to appear in May before the Commissioner and Judge for Probate of Wills, as well as touching on contempt committed by not obeying order of former process to answer the libel complaint of John Johnson Sothoron of St. Mary’s Co. (Test Papers Box 45, folder 4, St. Mary’s Co., 1743.04.13)

** Land Records

Deed recorded at request of buyer. Thomas Turner of Charles Co. gent. sells to John Johnson Sothoron St. Mary’s Co. planter, for 16,100 pounds of tobacco and £60, parts of Baltimore's gift and Baltimore's Kindnes, 220 acres in all. On north side of mouth of Birds creek, conveyed to Thomas Turner 23 June 1719. Test: Wm. Jameson, Wm. Theobalds. (31(L#2):22, Charles Co., 1722.01.08, Recorded 1722.06.05)

Recorded at request of buyer. John Johnson Sothoron of St. Mary’s Co. gent. sells to Henry Wharton of St. Mary’s Co. gent., for £60 and 14,000 pounds of tobacco, land purchased by Sothoron on 3 April 1722 from Thomas Turner of Charles Co. gent., being parts of Baltimore's Gift and Baltimore's Kindness, lying in woods on northwest side of the mouth of Birds Creek: beginning at bounded white oak by small run & running into mouth of said Creek & by virtue of conveyance unto said Thomas Turner of 23 June 1719; thence S 31° east 52 perches; thence north 82° east 25 perches; thence north 63° east 124 perches; thence north 12° west 76 perches; thence north 1° east 34 perches; thence north 33° east 19 perches; thence north 15° east 20 perches; thence north 20° west 34 perches; thence west 125° perches; thence south 10° east 44 perches; thence in straight line to beginning, about 220 acres. Witness: George Dent, Gustavus Brown. (31(L#2):29, Charles Co., 1722.06.12, Recorded 1722.06.19)

Patent of John Johnson Sothoron for Brotherhood, 220 acres. Surveyed 2 April 1727 for Samuel Sothoron. John & Samuel Southoron of St. Mary’s Co. previously had laid out & surveyed 220 acres by virtue of assignment from William Joseph of Prince George's Co., being part of a warrant for 2,000 acres granted Joseph 26 March 1707. Samuel died, became sole right of John, who also since died, and whose eldest son John Johnson Southoron now enters claim. Abuts his property Southorons Delight. Extends to Spanish branch which falls into main branch of Indian Creek. Certified Patents AM#1:360 (not checked). ? Patented to Henry Greenfield Sothoron, 16 Jul 1733 (PL#8:812, St. Mary’s Co., 1733.07.16)

Surveyed for John J. Sothoron, Gravelly Hill, 385 acres. Invalid Certificate Number from index card at MdHR. Card indicates that tract was surveyed but not patented by Sothoron. (Survey # 189, St. Mary’s Co., 1744)

Land Office Debt Books :39, St. Mary’s County

State of His Lordship's Manor of Chaptico, In St. Mary's Co., January 1768:

- Lot (plat) #18, leased 25 December 1742 to John Johnson Sothoron, 354 ½ acres. Tenant in possession James Thomas. Annual rent 1.18.6. Alien fine of 7.14.0. Lived on by Henry Greenfield Sothoron, 36 years old; Richard Sothoron, 26 years old; John Sothoron, 25 years old. (Brumbaugh* 2:69, St. Mary’s Co., 1768.01)

** Actions as witness, surety or appraiser - Maryland

Proceedings exhibited from Charles Co. William Wilkins on his Admin. Bond in common form by Thomas Trueman Greenfield & Richard Smith his administrators with John Johnson Sothoron & Walter Smith Freshes their sureties in £2000. (Test Proc , Charles Co., 1726.01.23, Recorded 1726.02.25)

Will of John Clarke, planter, of St. Mary’s Co.. To sister Mary Compton, Thomas (son of Luke Clarke, dec'd.) at age of 21, Thomas Chaimberlin, John Curbe & Elizabeth Clarke (at age of 16), personality. To Eletious (son of Adam Clarke), half of leased land Chaptico Manor, the other half to brother Benjamin; when they both reach age of 21. Brother Adam executor & residuary legatee. Test: John Johnson Sothoron, Richard Sothoron, Robert Parker. (Baldwin* 6:51{Wills 19:316}, St. Mary’s Co., 1727/8.01.20, Proved 1727/8.02.09)

Will of Thomas Hunt, gentleman, of St. Mary’s Co.. To godsons George Vaudery & Joanna his sister, 218 acre dwelling plantation called Plimouth, in Chaptico Manor. Test: James Briscoe, Zachariah Bond, John Johnson Sothoron. (Baldwin* 7:162 {Wills 21:518}, St. Mary’s Co., 1733.12.10, Proved 1735.02.24)

Charles Co. returns. John Birch his Admin. Bond in common form by Mary Birch his admx. with John Johnson Sothoron & Samuel Sothoron of St. Mary’s Co. her sureties in £600. (Test Proc 29:379,, Charles Co., 1734.05.06, Recorded 1734.05.20)

Inventory of the estate of Isaac Chappelear, formerly of St. Mary’s Co., dec’d. Attested by Bapt. Barber & Richard Wainwright; witnessed by Philip Key & John J. Sothoron (notation of “No Kin but Minors) (Chappelear* 2:10- (Land Records Fol. 19, St. Mary's Co., MD, 1741/2.03.24, Recorded 1742.07.06)

** Miscellaneous

James Swan, John Johnson Sothoron, James Briscoe & Robert Elliot were appointed commissioners by the County official James Read, to lay out a piece of land called Fan Kirk in the Parish, the present glebe, the bounds of which are "antient", and decide whether the land belongs to any other parish. (MD Hist Mag 30:360, All Faith Parish, St. Mary’s Co., 1736.03.09)

** Will & Personal Estate - Maryland

Will of John Johnson Sothoron. To wife Elizabeth, use of Dwelling Plantation, with100 acres at southeast line from the river until it meets Barbers bounded hickory, and tract "...which I hold in his Lordship's Manor of Chaptico..." during her natural life. To pass to son Henry Greenfield Sothoron at his age of 20. Residual left to son Henry Greenfield Sothoron, after wife has taken what she wants of testator’s personal estate. Trustees & executors brothers Samuel & Richard. Test: Leonard Clarke, John Briscoe. [NOTE: Fresco* gives DOB of 1698 for JJS.] (Wills TA#1:158, St. Mary’s Co., 1744.10.09, Proved 1744.12.05)  (Also Prerogative Court Records:  PC#1:158)

Inventory of John Johnson Sothoron. Includes 11 slaves, one 79 year old female servant, 13 sheep, 6 horses, 21 cattle, 23 hogs, 6 leather chairs, 4 mirrors, 1 fiddle, 10 dozen bottles, 7 beds with furniture, 3 beer kegs, 1 gun, chestnut shingles. Valued at £571.0.11½. Next of kin Henry Greenfield Sothoron, Benjamin Sothoron.

- On 23 July 1745 Richard Sothoron testified that one slave and child were gifts to Henry Greenfield Sothoron by his grandmother Dryden Forbes, and surveying instruments from his father. (Inv 3:71, St. Mary’s Co., 1745.02.12)

List of Desperate Debts belonging to the estate of John Johnson Sothern:

- William Moland runaway

- John Demple runaway

- John Eder

- Michael Branson prisoner

- Joseph Jameston his promisory note

By the executors, Samuel & Richard Sothoron. (Inv 34:154, St. Mary’s Co., 1746.03)

Samuel & Richard Sothoron of St. Mary’s Co., executors of John Johnson Sothoron late of St. Mary’s Co.. Tobacco received from Mrs Dryden Forbes for costs of suit in Prerogative Court, 2,550 lbs. Income noted from George Graham, John Crook, Mary Burch, Benjamin Sothoron, Leonard Clark, John Briscoe, Jacob Andrew Minitrees. Monies paid to Zachariah Bond, Thos. Beck, Gustavus Brown, Dr. Richard Cooke, Wm. Bond. Paid to attorneys for suit against Dryden Forbes, 1,017 ½ lbs tobacco. Net value £619.12.1½. (Accts 23.157, St. Mary’s Co., 1746.09.09)

Exhibited from St. Mary's Co. John Johnson Sothoron his account by Samuel & Richard Sothoron his executors. Time prayed to pass additional account - granted. (Test Proc 32:12, St. Mary’s Co., Recorded 1746.09.09)

Account of John Johnson Sothoron. Monies received from Robert Yeats (sic), rent from George Graham & John Crooke. MANY debts due, including Philip Key Esq. Value of estate 11,557 lbs. tobacco, £17.3.3½ (Accts 22:317, St. Mary’s Co., 1746)

Exhibited from St. Mary's Co., John Johnson Sothoron his list of desperate debts, recorded. (Test Proc 32:62, St. Mary’s Co., Recorded 1747.03.10)

Exhibited from St. Mary's Co. John Johnson Sothoron his additional account by Samuel Sothoron & Richard Sothoron his executors - ordered recorded. (Test Proc 32:65, St. Mary’s Co., Recorded 1747.03.14)

Samuel Sothorn & Richard Sothorn executors of John Johnson Sothorn, submit second additional account for recording. (Test Proc 32:114, St. Mary’s Co., Recorded 1747.08.17)

Account of John Johnson Sothoron. Additional monies received from Luke Gardiner, Mary Sly, Robert Parker, Robt. Briscoe. Net value £48.3.6½. Sureties Leonard Clark, John Briscoe of St. Mary’s Co.. Distribution to widow & Henry Greenfield Sothoron orphant of deceased. (Accts 24:239, St. Mary’s Co., 1747.10.21)

**Estate Litigation - Maryland

Baptist Barber & Elizabeth his Wife agt. Samuel & Richard Southern exers. of John Johnson Southern. Libel.

- Citation having been issued against defendants for answer returnable to this Court. Sheriff makes return. Whereupon said Samuel and Richard Southen by William Cummings Esq. their Procurator appear, case continued to next Court (Test Proc 32:10, St. Mary’s Co., 1746.07.22)

Barber vs Southern. Ordered that attachment be issued against defendants, returnable January Court next. (Test Proc 32:29, 1746.11)

Barber vs Southern. Sheriff of St. Mary’s Co. to whom said attachment was issued, makes no return thereof. Continued to next Court. (Test Proc 32:43, 1746/7.01)

Barber vs Southern. Defendants appear in their Procurator William Cummings Esq. & file their answer to the libel. Continued to next Court. (Test Proc 32:61, 1747.03)

Barber vs Southern. Continued. (Test Proc 32:80, 1747.05)

Barber vs Southern. Notice to be given that application is to be filed. (Test Proc 32:104, 1747.07)

Barber vs Sothoron. No reply to order last Court, continued to next Court. (Test Proc 32:117, 1747.09)

Barber vs Sothoron. Premptorialy ruled for hearing at next Court. (Test Proc 32:130, 1747.11)

Before the Prerogative Court, Daniel Dulany Esq presiding:

- Baptist Barber & Elizabeth his wife vs. Samuel & Richard Sothoron, executors for John Johnson Sothoron. St. Mary's Libel & Answer

- Baptist Barber gent. Wife Elizabeth Southern widow & relict of John Johnson Sothoron late of Charles Co., who died shortly after making his will. Prosperous. Inventory claimed to be imperfect and with purposeful omission of valuable items, including slave woman, one slave boy, surveying instruments, andirons, gold ring. Claims brothers of executors owe money to the estate and refuse to pay, including money received from Mrs. Forbes. Elizabeth's father John Donaldson. Executors sued by several creditors. Barber's wife also called "Rachel." Summons issued for executors to answer charges, returnable 9 Sept 1746.

- Continued several times, answered 10 Mar 1747. The noted items were purposefully left out, since they were not rightful property of testator. The slave woman was given to Henry Greenfield Sothoron (HGS), son of testator, by his grandmother soon after he was born. The andirons were a gift from testator's mother, and were reclaimed after his death. Testator had married one of daughters of Henry Peregrine Jowles of St. Mary’s Co., and before or after death of his first wife had preferred a libel against Dryden Forbes widow & executrix of Henry Peregrine Jowles for some portion of his wife's portion of the estate. Judgment was in favor of testator a few days before his death, for £35.5 gold & silver, £32 paper. Mrs. Forbes was reportedly disturbed at parting with so much money which would go to the widow & children of testator's second wife, so arranged giving it directly to Henry G. Sothoron to keep it out of testators estate. Reference is made to a legacy to Richard Sothoron from Mary Rose's estate. Testator had one brother of whole blood named Benjamin, who died since testator; and half brother John Burch. Elizabeth's father called "parson".

- On 5 March 1745 the testimony of Susanna Donaldson, about 21, that she heard Mrs. Dryden Forbes & Mrs. Rebecca Jowles discuss the gift of a slave to Henry G. Sothoron, and the slave's child to go to Henry's brother John. Testator called "Captain".

- Leonard Clark 37 year old testified on 5 March 1745 that the slave was the property of Henry G. Sothoron, and that testator told him the surveying instruments would be given to HGS when he learned to use them.

- John Briscoe, 24 years old, on same date confirmed slave ownership, and John Burch confirmed ownership of the surveying instruments.

- On 25 March 1745 Leonard Clark confirmed the money being given to HGS, noting the money "...came by his mother Mary Sothoron."

- Continued on several occasions. Judged 12 June 1747, dismissed with costs, if cause not shown by January next. (Test Proc 32:139, St. Mary’s Co., 1748.01.16)

Baptist Barber & Elizabeth his wife agt. Samuel and Richard Southorn executors of John Johnson Southorn. Court decree, standing on Tenemptory Rule, that libel be dismissed with cost. Mr. Bordley Procurator for Libellants to have notice. (Test Papers Box 47, Folder 53, 1747/8.01.16)