Col. John Henry SothoronJohn Henry Sothoron is born on 25 December 1807 to Rebecca Ann Maria Forbes & James Forbes Sothoron. (Forbes, R.*) John Henry Sothoron was born in 1807 in St. Mary’s Co., MD. .(Familysearch.org* {Church Records - Film # 1985235}) A defendant in Bill of Equity (Forbes vs McElderry et al, 1832) relating to distribution of John Forbes’ estate (see father’s Notes for details). In accordance with Senate Bill 118, James F. Sothoron, father of Col. Sothoron, was issued $7,500 as reimbursement for damages sustained to his buildings during the War of 1812. (Calhoun* :7 {National Archives, Misc. Treasury Account 70942, Records Group 217}, 24 October 1836). [see father’s Notes for details of the issue] Named as an alternate beneficiary of the estate of William H. Sothoron - referenced in the action of Key et al vs John T. P. Sothoron et al in 1838 (see Notes of James Forbes Sothoron for details). Referred to as “cousin” in will. Referred to by name in Marshall et al vs Greenfield (1841). See father’s Notes for details. He & wife were defendants (Somervell et al vs Sothoron et al, 1845) in suit by wife’s mother relative to her dower (see wife’s Notes for details). First Session of the 30th Congress. Bill to reimburse the estate of James F. Sothoron for damages inflicted by the British in 1814. Passed the Senate. (Senate Bill S-219, 1848.06.16) (Calhoun*, page 10, refers to an attached document naming John H. Sothoron administrator of the estate of his father, James F. Sothoron.) ** Marriage & children - Maryland Margaret Hollyday Sothoron was born to Colonel John Henry Sothoron in Charles Co. in 1832. (Familysearch.org* {Church Records - Film # 1903515}) (This date & location is almost certainly wrong) John H. Sothoron married Elizabeth M. Somervell on 22 May 1834 in Prince George’s Co. (MSA Card File {Marriage Records, 1826-1880. :32}) Col. John H. Sothoron married Elizabeth M. Somerville on 22 May 1834 in Prince George’s Co. (Brumbaugh* 1:) John H. Sothoron married Elizabeth M. Somervell, daughter Margaret Territ Holliday & Thomas Trueman Somervell of Calvert Co., granddaughter of Leonard & _____ (Weems) Holliday. (Mackenzie* 2:692, 1834.05.22) Col. John H. Sothoron of St. Mary’s Co. married Elizabeth M. Somervell, 2nd daughter of Thomas T. Somervell of Prince George's Co, at "Greenwood" by Rev. Goodwin. (Fresco(1)* :273 {National Intelligencer}, 1834.05.22, Reported 1834.06.11) John H. Sothoron married Elizabeth M. Somervell at St. Thomas Somervell’s on 22 May 1834. (Brown, Helen* 2:100 - Index to Register of St. Paul’s Parish at Baden [Prince George's Co., MD}, 1831-1885; B1, 60) Rebecca Ann Mariah Sothoron was christened 27 April 1835. She was born on 20 April 1835 to John Henry Sothoron & Elizabeth M. Sothoron. She was named for her paternal grandmother, Rebecca Ann Maria Forbes Sothoron. (Calhoun* :7 {Index of Church Registers, 1686-1885, pg 100}, Prince George’s Co.) James T. Sothoron born 9 July 1841 to John H. & S.M. Sothoron, baptized 17 October 1841. (Trinity Paris Register {MSA M259:unnumbered}, Recorded 1841.10.17) James Forbes Sothoron, eldest son of Col. Sothoron, died at his grandfather’s residence on 17 December 1843 at the age of 4. (Calhoun* :9, Prince George’s Co., Reported 1843.12.20) Mentioned by name in marriages of daughters Margaret & Catherine (see their Notes). Mentioned by name in wife’s death notice & grave marker (see her Notes). Baptism of James Forbes, infant son of John H. Sothoron & his wife Elizabeth, at home on 25 December 1859. (Chron St. Mary’s 32:#4:4 {All Faith Parish Register}) Baptism of Kate Lansdale, infant of Col. John Sothoron & his wife Elizabeth, on 5 January 1863. (Chron St. Mary’s 32:#7:11 {All Faith Parish Register :47}, St. Mary’s Co.) Miss Ellen Howard Sothoron, daughter of Col. John H. Sothoron, skated with a male companion across the Patuxent on the ice & back on 11 December 1876, dodging holes in the ice. They traveled from the creek by Trent Hall across to Buzzard Island & back. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1877.01.18) Mentioned by name in various documents & markers of his children (see their Notes). ** Census Schedules & Directories - Maryland 1840 Federal Census (1840.06.01) - District 4, Charles Co., pg. 162. John H. Sothoron
- District 4, St. Mary’s Co., pg. 167. John H. Sothoron
1850 Federal Census (1850.06.01, Recorded 1850.10.29) District 5, St. Mary's Co. - pg 348B, Ln 25, 1610/1546 - John H. Sothoron, 43 year old male planter, born in St. Mary’s Co.. Property value $40,000. - Mary E. “ - 34 year old female, born in Prince George's Co - Webster “ - 8 year old male, in school, born in St. Mary’s Co. - Marshall “ - 6 year old male, born in Prince George's Co - Robert “ - 4 year old male, born in Prince George's Co - Fanny “ - 2 year old female, born in St. Mary’s Co. - John Cocoran - 62 year old male teacher, born in Ireland - John Gardner - 47 year old male, occupation none, born in St. Mary’s Co. - John Fowler - 24 year old male manager, born in Calvert Co.. (“Color” was blank for all these entries. The enumerator also erred in omitting Elizabeth M’s name, & including her data under daughter Mary E’s name - see subsequent census schedules) 1850 Federal Slave Schedule (1850.06.01, Recorded 1860.10.29) District 5, St. Mary’s County, MD - pg 255. - John H. Sothoron owned 80 slaves, ranging in age from 2 to 70 years. 1860 Federal Census (1860.06.01, Recorded 1860.08.18) Charlotte Hall, District 5, St. Mary’s Co. - Pg 180, Ln 11, 1543/1460 - Jno. H. Sothoron - 52 year old male Farmer & Planter. Real property valued at $33,000, personal property at $70,000. - Elizabeth M “ - 44 year old female, occupation “W”. - Mary E. “ - 22 year old female “Lady.” - Webster “ - 18 year old male Student, attended school within the year. - Marshall “ - 16 year old male Student, attended school within the year. - Robert “ - 14 year old male, attended school within the year. - Fanny “ - 12 year old female, attended school within the year. - Amelia “ - 10 year old female, attended school within the year. - Ellen “ - 7 year old female, attended school within the year. - Jno. H, Jr. “ - 4 year old male. - Forbes “ - 4/12 year old male. - Virginia Anderson - 25 year old female teacher, born in Virginia. (“Color” was blank for all these entries. Also, State of Birth is often blank; assumed to indicate birth in Maryland) 1860 Federal Slave Schedule (1860.06.01, Recorded 1860.08.18) District 5, St. Mary’s Co. - Pg 64 - John H. Sothoron (O) had 57 slaves, ranging in age from 95 years to 2 months of age; and 14 slave houses. 1870 Federal Census (1870.06.01, Recorded 1870.07.19) Charlotte Hall, District 5, St. Mary’s Co. - Pg 9, Ln 34, 62/62 - Sothoron, John H. 62 year old white male Farmer, born in Maryland. Real property valued at $40,000, and personal property at $1,580. Can neither read nor write. -----, Elizabeth. 50 year old white female, born in Maryland, Keeping house. Can neither read nor write. -----, Mary E. 30 year old white female, born in Maryland, at home. Can neither read nor write. -----, Faney. 18 year old white female, born in Maryland, at home. Can neither read nor write. -----, Amelia. 17 year old white female, born in Maryland, at home. Can neither read nor write. -----, Hellen. 15 year old white female, born in Maryland, at home. Can neither read nor write. -----, James F. 10 year old white male, born in Maryland, at home. Cannot read. -----, Kate L. 8 year old white female, born in Maryland, at home. Cannot read. - South, Mosses. 31 year old white male, born in Maryland, Farm Laborer. Can neither read nor write. - Pilkington, Benn. 32 year old white male, born in Maryland, Farm Laborer. - Huntington, Louis. 19 year old white male, born in Maryland, Farm Laborer. Cannot read. Sothoron, John H. tobacco insp, warehouse No. 4, dw 181 n Republican. (Baltimore City Directory*, 1875. :561) Sothoron, John H. tobacco inspr, warenouse No. 4, dw 181 n Carrollton av. “, John H., Jr. clerk, 54 St. Paul. “, M. L. clerk, 54 St. Paul (Baltimore City Directory*, 1876. :593) W. H. Sothoron is Postmaster of Charlotte Hall, population 70, and a blacksmith. The following are farmers, with their post office addresses: - John H. Sothoron, Charlotte Hall - E. Sothoron, St. Clement’s Bay - J. Sothoron, - do - - Z. Sothoron, - do - (St. Mary’s Co. Directory, 1878) 1880 Federal Census (1880.06.01, Recorded 1880.06.14) Mechanicsville (5th) District, St. Mary’s Co. - ED 140, Pg 13, Ln 13, 78/87 - Sothoron, John H. Head, 72 year old married white male farmer. He & parents born in Md. ----, E. M. Wife, 64 year old married white female, keeping house, disabled with “Partial Paralysis”. She & parents born in Md. ----, Mary E.. Daughter, 42 year old single white female, at home. She & parents born in Md. ----, Webster. Son, 38 year single white male, at home. He & parents born in Md. ----, Marshall. Son, 34 year old single white male laborer. He & parents born in Md. ----, Robert. Son, 32 year old single white male laborer. He & parents born in Md. ----, Fannie. Daughter, 25 year old single white female, at home. She & parents born in Md. ----, Amelia. Daughter, 22 year old single white female, at home. She & parents born in Md. ----, Ellen. Daughter, 21 year old single white female, at home. She & parents born in Md. ----, Kate. Daughter, 17 year old single white female, at school. She & parents born in Md. Attended school within the year. ----, James F. Son, 20 year old single white male, at school. He & parents born in Md. Attended school within the year. ** Land records (including legal actions related thereto) - Maryland Indenture of 28 Dec 1832 between George Forbes of Prince George's Co., MD; and John H. Sothoron of St. Mary's Co., MD, and Mary Elizabeth Webster of Georgetown, DC. The late Elizabeth Forbes, afterwards Elizabeth Bond, wife of late Samuel Bond, executed a deed to the late Thomas Marshall & late John Forbes, conveying all of her real property, recorded in Charles Co., MD Land Records. Said Thomas Marshall survived said John Forbes, transferring ownership of said property by deed to Horatio C. McEldery & said George Forbes. Said McEldery has since died, and said John H. Sothoron & Elizabeth Webster, grandchildren of said Elizabeth Forbes, claim a portion of the trust property, and compromised this claim with said George Forbes. To this end and for $5.00, said George Forbes conveys to John H. Sothoron & Elizabeth Webster as tenants in common, tract of land adjoining tract owned by said Sothoron known as Chesleys Hill. Signed by George Forbes, witnessed by Abraham Clarke, John Anderson. Certified same date, recorded 13 Feb 1833. (St. Mary's Co., MD Land Records JH#9:403) George Forbes of Prince George's Co, in consideration of "above rented premises" deeds to John H. Sothoron of St. Mary’s Co. & Elizabeth Webster of Georgetown, D.C. as tenants in common and not as joint tenants, lands adjacent to James F. Sothoron called Chesley's Hill in St. Mary’s Co.. (Abstracts F#1{StM#3A}:99, St. Mary’s Co., 1832.12.08, Recorded 1833.02.19) George Forbes, by indenture of mortgage on 28 December 1832, recorded in Prince George's Land Record Book AB#7, folio 483, did secure payment of bonds to John H. Sothoron & Samuel P. Webster of St. Mary’s Co.. Rouger's Neck, 700 acres in Prince George's Co on Swanson's Creek at the Patuxent River, passed to John H. Sothoron & Samuel P. Webster to satisfy bond. (Chancery Papers 7925 {with papers relating to action of Forbes vs Forbes et al - see father’s Notes for further details}, Prince George’s Co., MD Land Records AB#7:483, Recorded 1832.12.28) Indenture of 17 August 1840 between John H. Sothoron & Samuel P. Webster of St. Mary's Co., MD; and George Forbes of same county. On 28 Dec 1832 Forbes by indentured mortgage for property called Rogues Neck, about 700 acres, recorded at AB#7:483-6, to secure payment of bonds from Forbes to Sothoron & Webster: 6 bonds, each for $2,000 and each executed on 28 Dec 1832, with each being penalty conditioned for payment of $1,000 no later than 28 Dec 1833 for the first, & no later than 28 Dec for each successive year for each successive bond, through 28 Dec 1838.. Monies with interest have been paid by Forbes, thus the mortgage on said property is released.with the payment of $5 by Forbes. Signed by John H. Sothoron & S.P. Webster, witnessed by Jas. Naylor & Wm. Hall. Certified same date, recorded 22 Sept 1841. (Prince George's Co., MD Land Records JBB#1:120) Indenture of 29 July 1842 between George Thomas Burroughs & wife Cassinder; & John Henry Sothoron; all of St. Mary's Co., MD. Parties have been in dispute over ownership of 17 1/2 acre lot near their division line. Was submitted to arbitration, resulting in finding for Burroughs. In the meantime, Sothoron opened a large ditch through the property. Burroughs agreed to convey for $150 "...the disputed land embraced within the ditch with the understanding that the fence as it now stands on the South and West side of said ditch and on the side of ...Burroughs untill it intersects the foot of...Burrough's meadow then crossing said ditch, on the side of...Sothoron and running on the bank of said ditch, as far as the land of...Burroughs goes in that direction is to be and remain as a permanent division line of fence and that the said division line of fence is to be kept up by the contracting parties and also...Burroughs to have the priviledge of emptying the ditch new cut, and the ditch to be cut in the lower swamp known as Burroughs Meadow into the said division ditch of...Sothoron, with the understanding that...Burroughs...is to furnish one fourth of the labour to keep said main division ditch from the junction of the ditch emptying in said division ditch to the main road crossing the swamp." All land embraced within and lying north & east of described division ditch (being part of Canoe Neck) to belong to Sothoron. Signed by George T. & Casander (sic) Burroughs, witnessed by H. Fowler & Benj. H. Sothoron. Certified same date, recorded 7 Oct 1842. (St. Mary's Co., MD Land Records JH#12:552) Indenture of 19 Sept 1842 between James F. Sothoron & his son John H. Sothoron, both of St. Mary's Co., MD. James grants to John a tract called Lot No. 4, being part of Trent Neck, containing about 821 acres, now in tenancy of James Burroughs. Also, 1/2 undivided part of Chesleys Hills, adjoining residence of James, reserving for James during his lifetime the right of way & firewood, building & fence timber, from said Chesleys Hill Land; this undivided half is the interest of Samuel P. Webster & wife which was sold by them to said James, and the following negroes: tom, John, Jack, Abram, Hanson, Jim & wife Juliet & their 3 children, Darky & her son Henry & her daughter Lucretia, Sarah Ann Butler & her children girl Ann & boy Dick. Signed by Jas. F. Sothoron, witnessed by H. Fowler, Benj. H. Sothoron. Certified same date, recorded 6 Oct 1842. (St. Mary's Co., MD Land Records JH#12:549) Indenture of 8 Aug 1845 between John H. Sothoron of St. Mary's Co.; and Cornelius Barber, guardian to Henry & Susanna Sothoron, of Washington, DC. John is indebted to Barber as Guardian, through obligation executed 6 Aug 1844, for $2,000 plus interest. To secure that debt & for an additional $5.00 John mortgages property known as Chesleys Hill, containing about 500 acres. If John fails to pay Barber $2,000 by 6 Aug 1848, property will automatically convey to Barber. Signed by Jno. H. Sothoron, witnessed by John H. Stone & C.C. Spalding. Certified same date, recorded 9 Aug 1845. (St. Mary's Co., MD Land Records JH#13:530) Margaret Somervell, James Somervell, Thomas T. Somervell and Sally Somervell & Mary Louisa Somervell infants and Dorsett family vs. John H. Sothoron & Elizabeth M. his wife, Richard W. Bowie & Margaret W. his wife, Benjamin R. Gray & Grace his wife, & Susan Ann Somervell. Margaret Somervell, the widow of Thomas T. Somervell of Prince George's Co who died intestate in Feb 1845, pleads for right of dower in two tracts of land in Prince George's Co called "Greenwood" & "Thomas & Anthony's Choice". Defendants agree with plea, 27 November 1845. Land abuts Hortons Creek & Somervell's Creek - plat on page 622. (Chancery Rec 166:617, 1845.11.26) Indenture of 23 Nov 1847 between Mary Elizabeth Webster & John H. Sotheron (sic), both of St. Mary's Co., MD. Their father James F. Sotheron died intestate & they are sole surviving children. Parties agree that Mary's part of residual estate is worth $8,000, exclusive of an unsettled claim against the United States filed by their father; & that Mary will pay John that amount, which also releases her from any debts of the estate. Signed by Mary E. Webster, witnessed by Margaretta Key & Edmund Key. Signature certified same date in Prince George's Co., MD. Recorded 3 Jan 1848 in St. Mary's Co., MD. (St. Mary's Co., MD Land Records WTM#1:346) Indenture of 29 May 1850 between John H. Sothoron & wife Elizabeth M. of St. Mary's Co., MD; and Joseph T. Barker of same county. For $4,000 ($1,000 cash and assignment of $3,000 legacy due Barker from his grandmother Susanne Perrie) Sothorons convey 4/5 of tract called "Trent Neck," designated by survey as Lot No. 4 (other 1/5 part being conveyed by indenture to Mary L. Barker, wife of said Joseph), except for parcel of said land previously sold to Benjamin G. Harris of same county by Albert Young & Robert Young, who were previous purchasers of the whole tract of land from John H. Sothoron, which purchase & sale was afterwards cancelled, being now in the possession of Alexander W. Turner, William B. Turner & the vestry of All Faith parish, containing about 130 acres. Parcel adjoins lands of Alexander W. Turner, William H. Thomas & John H. Thomas, same tract having been conveyed to John H. Sothoron by James F. Sothoron. Together with 4/5 of buildings, improvements, waters, etc. Signed by Jno. H. Sothoron & Elizabeth M. Sothoron, witnessed by H. Fowler & Geo. A. Alvey. Memorandum indicating that Barker is to purchase & maintain life insurance, assigned to John H. Sothoron, to cover the value of the expected legacy. Certified same date, recorded 12 July 1850. (St. Mary's Co., MD Land Records WTM#2:273) Indenture of 29 May 1850, between John H. Sothoron & wife Elizabeth M.; and Mary E. Barker; all of St. Mary's Co., MD. Clement R. Connick, father of said Mary Barker, had paid Sothorons $1,000 for conveyance to said Mary E. Barker of one undivided fifth of a piece of property, the other 4/5th of which were conveyed to Mary's husband Joseph P. Barker this same date. For $10.00 Sothorons convey said property, part of property known as "Trent Neck." [Description is the same as given in WTM#2:273 of 29 May 1850]. Signed by Jno. H. Sothoron & Elizabeth M. Sothoron, witnessed by H. Fowler & Geo. A. Alvey. Certified same date, recorded 12 July 1850. (St. Mary's Co., MD Land Records WTM#2:275) Declaration by Margaret T. Somervell of Prince George's Co., MD that she purchased property of Thomas T. Somervell dec'd some personal property, schedule of which is annexed. Said property was paid for by John H. Sothoron, Michael J. Stone, Richard W. Bowie, Thomas T. Somervell Jr., William N. Dorsett, Grace C. H. Gray, Sarah Somervell, Mary L. Somervell, with agreement that Margaret would have its use during her life, then with increase thereof to these parties for the same in equal portions. For $2,994.28 paid by the aforesaid in equal portions Margaret agrees to this arrangement. Signed by Margaret T. Somervell, witnessed by Peter Wood & E. Connick. Certified 12 Oct 1852, recorded 19 Oct 1852 with noted schedule, which contains mostly housewares & slaves. (Prince George's Co., MD Land Records ON#1:209) Indenture of 14 March 1853 between John H. Sothoron of St. Mary's Co., MD & Walter Mitchell of Charles Co., MD. Sothoron is indebted to Mitchell for $4,500 on a promissory note of this date, payable on its third anniversary with interest. This mortgage is to secure that instrument. For promissory note and $5.00 Sothoron mortgages his property known as plains of Plenty, on which Sothoron now resides, containing about 600 acres, with all buildings & improvements. Interest to be paid annually. Signed Jno. H. Sothoron, witnessed by Albert Constable. Certified same date, recorded 17 March 1853. (St. Mary's Co., MD Land Records JTB#1:345) In action of Rice et al vs James F. Sothoron et al in late 1850s, deed of conveyance requested to confirm previous sale of Westham, about 125 acres, by James F. Sothoron, to Rice. Sothoron purportedly was paid by Rice for the property, but then disappeared; land then being sold by Sothoron to Burroughs. Decree for title to Rice. (See father’s Notes for more details) Mortgage of 25 March 1859 by John H. Sothoron to Henry E. Morton. Morton holds several notes drawn by Sothoron, dated 29 Oct 1857, due as follows: 2 year note for $600; 2 year note for $3,324; 3 year note for $399.96; 3 year note for $3,333; 4 year note for $3,333; 4 year note for $199.98. In consideration of these debts, Sothoron mortgages tract known as "The Plains," being tract on which Jas. F. Sothoron resided & of which he died seized & possessed. Signed by Jno. H. Sothoron, witnessed by Wm. A. Loker. Certified same date, recorded 4 April 1859. (St. Mary's Co., MD Land Records JTB#3:102) Walter Mitchell vs John H. Sothoron, In the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s Co. sitting as a Court of Equity. - The object of this suit is to procure a decree for the sale of certain real estate in St. Mary’s county, which on the 4th day of June, 1853, was mortgaged by the defendant, John H. Sothoron, to Walter Mitchell. - The bill states, substance, that on the 14th day of March, 1853, the said John H. Sothoron conveyed certain real estate located in St. Mary’s county, and which is particularly mentioned in said conveyance, filed with said bill as an exhibit, unto the said Walter Mitchell by way of mortgage to secure the payment of four thousand, five hundred dollars, with interest thereon as specified in said bill, to be paid in three years. - The bill prays for a sale of said real estate to pay the aforesaid indebtedness and interest, and also states that the said John H. Sothoron is not a resident of the State of Maryland. - It is therefore adjudged and ordered, that the complainant, by causing a copy of this order to be published in the Saint Mary’s Gazette, once a week for four successive weeks previous to the twentieth day of August next, give notice to the said John H. Sothoron of the object and substance of this bill, and warn him to appear in this Court, either in person or by solicitor, on or before the third Monday of November next, to answer the premises and show cause, if any he has, why a decree ought not to pass as prayed. JOHN A. CAMALIER, Cl’k. (St. Mary’s Beacon :3, Reported 1864.02.18) Equity Notice, much the same as published on 18 February 1864 (see above). (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1864.03.17) Equity Notice, much the same as published on 18 February 1864 (see above). (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1864.07.07) LATE SHERIFF’S SALE OF By virtue of one writ of Fieri Facias, issued on attachment, and from the Circuit Court of Saint Mary’s Co., as the suit of Benjamin Adams against the goods and chattels, lands and tenements of John H. Sothoron, late of Saint Mary’s Co., and to me directed, I have seized and taken in execution all the right, title, interest, claim and demand, at law and in equity, of the said John H. Sothoron, on and to the following property, to wit: - “The crop of Tobacco made on “Clesley’s Hill.” in three barns; and also in one barn on the premises of C. F. Shaw.” - And I hereby give notice, that on THURSDAY, 28th of July instant, on the premises of C. F. Shaw, in Charlotte Hall District, between the hours of 10 o’clock, A.M. and 4 o’clock, P.M., I will expose to public auction the above described property, so seized and taken in execution, to the highest bidder for each. Also to satisfy officers’ costs on same. THOMAS L. DAVIS, Late Sheriff. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1864.07.14) EQUITY NOTICE Walter Mitchell vs John H. Sothoron & Henry E. Morton, In the Circuit Court for Saint Mary’s county, siting as a Court of Equity. - The object of this suit is to procure a Decree for the sale of certain real estate in Saint Mary’s county, Maryland, which was mortgaged by the defendant, John H. Sothoron, to the complainant, on the 14th day of March, 1853. The original and amended bill states, in substance, that, on the 14th day of March, 1853, the said John H. Sothoron conveyed certain real estate located in St. Mary’s county, and which is particularly mentioned in said conveyance, filed with the said bill as an Exhibit, unto the said Walter Mitchell, by way of mortgage, to secure the payment of four thousand five hundred dollars, with interest thereon, as specified in said bill, to be paid in three years. - And the amended bill further states, that on the 25th day of March, 1859, the said John H. Sothoron conveyed certain real estate located in St. Mary’s county, which is particularly described and mentioned in said conveyance, filed with said bill as an Exhibit, to Henry E. Morton, by way of mortgage, to secure the payment of eleven thousand, one hundred and eighty-nine dollars and sixty-four cents ($11,189.64), with interest from the 25th day of March, 1859, and which mortgage is alleged to be unpaid. - The bill prays for the sale of said real estate to pay the aforesaid indebtedness and interest, and also states that the said John H. Sothoron is not a resident of the State of Maryland. - It is therefore adjudged and ordered this 20th day of June, 1865, that the complainant, by causing a copy of this order to be published in the St. Mary’s Gazette, once a week for four successive weeks, previous to the first Monday of August next give notice to the said John H. Sothoron of the object and substance of this bill, and warn him to appear in this Court, either in person or by solicitor, on or before the 3rd Monday of November next, to answer the premises and show cause, if any he has, why a decree ought not to pass as prayed JNO. A. CAMALIER, Clerk. (St. Mary’s Beacon :3, Reported 1865.07.06) See wife's Notes for letter to Abraham Lincoln by her, requesting right to return with her family to her home. GOVERNMENT FARMS IN MARYLAND.–The farms taken possession of by the Government as farms for the freedmen in St. Mary’s county, Md., constitute some thirty thousand acres on the Patuxent, which belonged to Colonel Sotheron and Joseph Forrest. They are tilled by some seven to eight hundred freedmen, in Government employ–the whole under the charge of Lieut. E. F. O’Brien, as superintendent for the bureau of refugees, freedmen and abandoned lands. Twenty-two hundred acres of rich land are now under cultivation, mostly in corn and tobacco, and the crops promise well: The field hands receive $10 per month, while a “gangsman,” a colored man at the head of twenty-five or thirty others, gets $15. The dependents, or those who are unable to perform any labor, receive their rations and clothing, the children being sent to school to a teacher engaged for the purpose. Delinquencies in labor are punished by deductions from wages, and strict discipline is enforced. (Herald and Torch Light {Hagerstown, MD}, Reported 1865.08.23) Col. Sothoron’s Estate, in St. Mary’s county, of this State, has been restored to his family. Col. S., it will be recollected, killed Lieut. White, who was engaged in recruiting colored troops, and then made his escape through the South to Canada. It is not stated that Gen. Martin, of N.H., who commanded at Point Lookout, investigated the affair of the killing of Lieut. White, and made the report that Sothoron and White were both armed, and in the quarrel the only question was who should fire first. (The Alleganian {Cumberland, MD} :1, Reported 1865.10.18) Announcement that the real estate of Col. John H. Sothoron, so long held by the Freed men’s Bureau as a “government farm,” had been returned to its owner by order of President Johnson. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1866.03.15) Notice of Trustees Sale, by decree of the Circuit Court of St. Mary’s Co., in the case of Walter Mitchell vs. John H. Sothoron; the Plains, 800 acres, to be exposed to public auction on 4 August 1868. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1868.07.02) Notice of Trustees Sale - similar to that of 2 July 1868. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1868.07.23)
Col. John H. Sothoron et. ux. Elizabeth M., of St. Mary's Co., MD, convey to Benjamin H. Sothoron of same county, "Brotherhood" in Charles and St. Mary's Cos., MD, cont'g 290A, of which Maj. Jams F. Sothoron of St. Mary's Co., MD died seized. (DAR Report - Charles Co., MD Land Record F4:100, drawn 7 Aug 1868) Notice of Postponement of Trustees Sale] until 11 September 1868. (St. Mary’s Beacon :3, Reported 1868.08.06) U.S. Stamp $2.00. Deed of 10 Aug 1868 by Col. John H. Sothoron & wife Elizabeth M. of St. Mary's Co., MD. For $2,000 convey to Benjamin H. Sothoron of same county a parcel of land lying partly in St. Mary's Co. & partly in Charles Co., known as "Brotherhood," containing about 290 acres, in fee simple, being same tract that Maj. James F. Sothoron died seized & possessed & which adjoins lands of L.H. Canter, Willie Burch & Philip Harrison. Signed Jno. H. Sothoron, E.M. Sothoron. Witnessed by Geo. N. Alvey & Jas. H. Hancock. Certified same date, recorded 15 October 1868. (St. Mary's Co., MD Land Records JAC#3:241) LAND SALE. The large estate known as the “Plains,” containing about eight hundred acres of land, the property of Col. John H. Sothoron, was sold at Trustee’s sale in our village on Monday last for $14,000 cash. Purchaser Col. George Forbes. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, 1868.09.14, Reported 1868.09.17) U.S. Stamp $14.00 Mortgage of 4 November 1868 by John H. Sothoron & wife Elizabeth M. of St. Mary's Co., MD. Said Elizabeth purchased from P.W. Crain & F. Stone, Trustees, property known as "The Plains," being all the land sold in the case of Walter Mitchell vs. John H. Sothoron in Circuit Court for St. Mary's County sitting in Equity No.39, its acreage not accurately determined. Loans were made to said Mary E. Sothoron for purchase of the property: James C. Clarke of Baltimore Co., $7,500; Geo. Forbes, $3,250; and Frederick Stone, $3,250. Mortgage granted to lenders to secure said loans. Principal to be paid on or before 14 Sept 1868, with annual payments of interest from 14 Sept 1868. Signed by Elizabeth M. Sothoron & Jno. H. Sothoron. Witnessed & certified by H.C. Adams the same date, recorded 5 Nov 1868. (St. Mary's Co., MD Land Records JAC#3:248) U.S. Stamp $14.00. Deed of 21 Nov 1868 by F. Stone & Peter W. Crain Trustees. Whereas by decree of Circuit Court of St. Mary's Co., sitting as Court of Equity, dated 24 March 1866, in case of Walter Mitchell vs. John H. Sothoron No 39 A.E. for the sale of real estate in St. Mary's Co. known as the "Plains," above trustees were appointed to make sale of said property, & sold same on 14 Sept 1868 to Mrs. Bettie Sothoron, wife of John H. Sothoron of St. Mary's Co., MD. No witness. Signed by trustees. Certified 28 Nov 1868, recorded 26 Dec 1868. (St. Mary's Co., MD Land Records JAC#3:292) Bill introduced into Congress by Mr. Albert of Maryland, to pay Colonel John H. Sothoron $98,638 in full satisfaction for 240,000 pounds of tobacco, 1,500 bushels of corn, 1,150 bushes of wheat, 22 head of horses & mules, 64 head of cattle and other articles of personal property, and for use and occupation of farming lands in St. Mary’s county, Maryland, from November 1, 1863 to May 1, 1886, as a home for freedmen, etc, all taken and used by proper military authority during the late war. Bill was referred to Committee on War Crimes. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1874.02.19) The Committee on War Crimes in Congress has reported adversely on the bill for the payment to Col. John H. Sothoron for property taken from him during the war. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1875.01.21) Trustees sale, by virtue of decree of Circuit Court, parcel known as Indian Creek, 707 3/4 acres. Parcel in 5th Election District, adjoining land of Col. Jno. H. Sothoron, is immediately on Indian Creek, & is on both sides of road leading from “the Old House landing.” To be auctioned 4 December 1877. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1877.11.08) House passed a joint resolution for relief of Col. Jno. H. Sothoron, asking Congress to look into his claims for damages sustained during the war. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1880.03.04) Notice of Trustees Sale of real estate, by virtue of power of sale contained in deed of trust from Elizabeth M. Sothoron & John H. Sothoron. Sale to be offered in Baltimore on 30 June 1884, of two pieces of property: - Chesley’s Hills, bounded on east by lands of the late James F. Sothoron, known as “The Plains;” on north by Indian Creek & lands of Priscy Thomas; on west by lands of late Joseph P. Shaw; on south by Fowler’s creek & lands of the late Thomas Burroughs–517 ½ acres in all. - The Plains, bounded on east by Patuxent river; on north by Indian Creek; on west by Chesley’s Hill; on south by Fowler’s creek–600 acres in all. - Fertile land with gardens & improvements, including brick dwelling, 7 large tobacco barns, stables, granaries & out-buildings. - Notice made by John H. Mitchell, Trustee, Port Tobacco, Charles co.; and by D. S. Briscoe, Trustee, 419 St. Paul St., Baltimore. (St. Mary’s Beacon :3, Reported 1884.05.15) Deed of 29 May 1884 by John H. Sothoron & wife Elizabeth M. Elizabeth had borrowed money from James C. Clarke, Frederick Stone & George Forbes to purchase their resident properties, "The Plains" and "Chesley's Hills," containing 1,200 to 1,500 acres total. No payments have been made on principal sums, but lenders have agreed to accept total payment of $12,000 as payment in full (Clarke $6,000, Stone $3,000, Forbes $3,000). Notes Elizabeth's "infirm health" & John "...getting old and feeble and not able to give that personal attendtion to the business which its importance requires." For $1 Sothoron mortgage said property, including all personal property & crops, in trust for following purposes: to pay all usual expenses attending execution of this trust; to pay trustees principal & interest every 1 October until principal is paid. Trustees to farm, work, rent or sell property, proceeds to go toward principal due. After principal repaid, remaining property to belong to Elizabeth M. & John H. Sothoron. Upon death of last survivor of Sothorons, any residual to be transferred to beneficiaries named by Elizabeth, "...after the execution of these presents." Signed by Jno. H. Sothoron & E.M. Sothoron, witnessed by Nannie W. Bolling. Certified same date, recorded 30 June 1884. (St. Mary's Co., MD Land Records JFF7:306) ** Tax Assessments - (Fenwick*, District 5, St. Mary’s Co., MD) 1846 - John H. Sothoron. Slaves: 23; 150 value gold & silver watches, livestock. Lands: Hardfortune etc, 492 acres; Lot No. 3, 86 acres. Total: 11.732. 1849 - John H. Sothoron. Slaves: 23; 150 value gold & silver watches, livestock. Lands: Hardfortune etc, 492 acres; Lot No. 3, 86 acres. Total: 11.732. ** Public/political service - Maryland John H. Sothoron a member of the House of Delegates, representing St. Mary’s Co., in 1831, 1833, 1834. (Hammett* :447) Sothoron a member of the Standing Committee On Education of the State House of Delegates. (The Frederick (MD) Town Herald :2, Reported 1832.01.07) John Sothoron of Benedict, Chas Co, Md, one of the assembled Dels to the Young Men’s Nat’l Rpblcn Convention in Washington. (Dixon*, 1832-1833.:90, 1832.05.07, Reported 1832.06.01) John H Sothoron is a delegate from Maryland who was present at the Young Men’s Nat’l Republican Convention in Washington. (Dixon*, 1832-1833.:70, 1832.05.08, Reported 1832.05.09) John Sothoron a candidate for Hse of Dels, Md, from St. Mary’s Co. (Dixon*, 1832-1833.:187, Reported 1832.10.10) Official list of mbrs of the Md Leg: Dec session, 1874, Hse of Dels: St. Mary’s Co: Wm J Blackistone, John H Sothoron, John L Dorsey, ____ Fowler. (Dixon*, 1834-1835.:224, Reported 1834.11.06) George Thomas, John H. Sothoron & Robert Davis named as original 3 commissioners in 5th Election District of St. Mary’s Co., to establish no more than 3 school districts. (Hammett* :256, 1838) John H. Sothoron a member of the Maryland Senate,from 1852 to 1856, representing St. Mary’s Co. (Hammett* :449) On a List of Members of the Senate in 1853 is John H. Sothoron of St. Mary’s Co., post office Benedict, Charles Co. (Arch MD 403:Preface 2{Session Laws, 1853}) Thanks extended to Col. Sothoron of the Senate for providing the paper with a copy of the report of the Comptroller. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1853.01.27) Thanks extended to Col. Sothoron of the Senate for legislative documents provided to the editor. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1853.02.10) Col. John H. Sothoron one of 3 Jockey Club members selected to pursue subscribers from the Charlotte Hall District for newly imposed $5 annual membership fee. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1853.05.12) Col. Sothoron was President of the Day for the festive gathering of planters at Leonardtown. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, 1857.07.04, Reported 1857.07.09) A meeting was held to discuss the issue, and to select delegates to attend a meeting in Baltimore on the second Wednesday in June, to devise a system which will be submitted to the State Legislature, for “...better regulation of the free negro population of this State.” John H. Sothoron & H.G.S. Key were among those selected to represent the county. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1859.04.14) Notes receipt of the Prospectus for an Agricultural College from Col. John H. Sothoron, one of its Trustees. It will be published in the paper at a later date. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1859.10.06) [Difficult to read]. Col. John H. Sothoron will represent Charlotte Hall District in solicitation of subscriptions for an upcoming barbecue to support the candidacies of Breckenridge & Lane. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1860.09.20) The Brecekenridge & Lane Barbecue Committee met. Committees were appointed, including Col. John H. Sothoron as a member of the Committee of Reception. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, 1860.09.25, Reported 1860.09.27) [difficult to read] At a meeting in Leonardtown on 20 November 1860 chaired by President John H. Sothoron, to consider how the State should deal with issues around secession, H. G. S. Key spoke strongly against officially supporting it, suggesting instead to await the decisions of other border states. It was pointed out that secession was indeed not now on the table. Approval was gained for a letter to the Governor, asking for a meeting of the Legislature to address the issues. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1860.11.22) The text of a letter from the citizens of St. Mary’s Co. to Governor Hicks was printed in full [very hard to read], over the signature of John H. Sothoron, asking for a special meeting of the Legislature, and citing specific issues to be considered in an attempt to protect the safety & welfare of State citizens. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1860.12.20) Col. John H. Sothoron appointed one of the Civic Managers for Charlotte Hall District. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1861.01.03) There was a meeting in Leonardtown to initiate action to call a convention of the people of Maryland, “...to provide...against threatened infraction of peace, independence of the State, & liberty of the people.” Col. John H. Sothoron one of those selected to represent the county. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, 1861.01.22, Reported 1861.01.24) See Notes of Henry Greenfield Sothoron Key for full text. At a special meeting in Leonardtown on 23 April 1861, an organization was formed to protect the persons & property in the anticipated struggle. John H. Sothoron was one of six vice-presidents unanimously elected. By resolution a Safety Committee was assigned, including Col. John H. Sothoron, to ready arms & personnel for the public safety. (Hammett* :108 {St. Mary’s Beacon :2}, Reported 1861.04.25) Henry Sothoron, B. H. Sothoron & Col. John H. Sothoron were with others appointed by the County Commissioners as part of an additional police force for Charlotte Hall District, with full rights and duties of regular police. (Chronicles of St. Mary’s 12:#2 (St. Mary’s Beacon}, Reported 1862.01.09) The Senate and House of Delegates met on 15 January 1868 to elect a Senator in the U. S. Congress. No one received a majority vote, and the Joint Session was adjourned until the next day. Col. Jno. H. Sothoron received one vote. (Arch MD 142:72 {Proc & Acts of Gen Assy, March 30, 1868}) A list of Registered Voters in Charlotte Hall Dist. includes the following Sothoron given names/initials: Henry, Jos. A., M.S., W. H., B.H., H.C., W, & Jno. H. (St. Mary’s Beacon :1, Reported 1868.10.15) A list of registered voters for Charlotte Hall (5th) District includes Sothoron family members Henry, Joseph A., J.H., Wm. H., B.H., H.C. and W. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1869.10.07) Democratic meeting on 20 October 1870 at Charlotte Hall was well attended, “...including many blacks.” Speakers were introduced by Col. Sothoron. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1870.10.20) Col. John H. Sothoron to serve as Chief Marshal at upcoming Tournament for the benefit of Point Lookout Cemetery. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1870.11.10) John H. Sothoron of St. Mary’s Co. was nominated to the Senate for Inspector of tobacco at Warehouse No. 4 on 19 February 1874. (Arch MD 211:1093 {Proc & Acts of Gen Assy, 1874}) Balance due from John H. Sothoron, Inspector Warehouse No. 4, 570.32. Notation “Since Paid.” (Arch MD 238:45 {Annual Comptroller Rept, 1874}, 1874.09.30) [Also recorded at Arch MD 238:67, where the name is spelled “Sotheron.”] Col. John H. Sothoron of this county appointed a Tobacco Inspector by Gov. John H. Whyte. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1874.11.26) Col. Sothoron presented diplomas to students at Charlotte Hall School after their Examinations and Exhibitions. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1875.07.15) In article by the editor, notes Col. Sothoron present at the current term of Circuit Court. Also, denies any intent to assail or denigrate the Col. in recent article about Tobacco Inspectors. Intent was to find fault with the Tobacco Inspector system, not with the esteemed Colonel. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1875.09.20) Mr. J. E. Carpenter replaces Col. Sothoron as Tobacco Inspector at Warehouse No. 4. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1876.03.02) Primary meeting of Charlotte Hall District Democrats for election of delegates to the County Convention; delegates elected include Jno. H. Sothoron. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, 1876.05.13, Reported 1876.05.18) Due from tobacco inspections by John H. Sothoron, Inspector Warehouse No. 4, $1,984.32. (Pg. 34) - Received into the Treasury during the Fiscal Year 1876, from the Inspectors: includes John H. Sothoron, late Inspector Warehouse No. 4, $3,803.20. (Pg. 35) (Arch MD 240:34,5 {Annual Rept of Comptorller, 1876}, 1876.09.30) Mechanicsville has formed its own Tilden Club, with Col. John H. Sothoron as president. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1876.10.12) At a Democratic Party meeting in Mechanicsville on 21 Oct 1876, Col. John H. Sothoron was elected president. (St. Mary’s Beacon :1, Reported 1876.11.02) List of Grand Jurors for March Term includes John H. Sothoron. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1878.02.08)
A County Democratic Convention was held at the Court House, Leonardtown, on 1 June 1880, to select 3 delegates to the State Convention. Col. John H. Sothoron made temporary chairman, and was also a representative of the 5th District. He was nominated but not elected as a County Representative. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1880.06.03) A “Hancock and English Club” was established in Mechanicsville on 21 July 1880, with Col. John H. Sothoron as president. The club was formed to support the presidential & vice-presidential candidates, respectively, chosen at the Democratic National Convention in Cincinnati; and the Democratic platform. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1880.08.05) Commencement at Charlotte Hall Academy was attended by Col. John H. Southern on 4 July 1883, oldest trustee of the institution, who delivered the diplomas. (St. Mary’s Beacon:3, Reported 1883.07.05) At a Democratic Mass Meeting on 20 Oct 1883, Col. John H. Sothoron was elected one of 3 vice presidents. (St. Mary’s Beacon:3, Reported 1883.10.25) In the Senate, a memorial was presented from the Board of Trustees of Charlotte Hall School, which included Col. Sothoron, President of the Board. State legislators from Charles & St. Mary’s counties requested to use best efforts to have $1,000 per year designated from State funds toward the memorial for two years. - At Charlotte Hall School on Jan. 23, the musically inclined met to form a Glee Club, J. Thomas Sothoron being elected its Director. (St. Mary’s Beacon :3, Reported 1884.01.31) Col. John H. Sothoron gave invaluable aid to the successful project to provide 100 new Springfield rifles to the military dept. at Charlotte Hall School. (St. Mary’s Beacon :3, Reported 1884.03.20) At commencement at Charlotte Hall School on 25 June 1885, the Last Mass was led by L. J. Sothoron. E. H. Sothoron was one of several students involved in commencement activities. Col. John H. Sothoron delivered the address to students in the absence of Joseph H. Key, Esq., the scheduled speaker. (St. Mary’s Beacon :3, Reported 1885.07.02)
** Civil War involvement Wrote a letter to J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of War of the Confederate States, requesting his son S. W. Sothoron be appointed a second Lieutenant in the Confederate Army. (See Notes of son Samuel P. for details) An entry relating the killing of an Union Lieutenant by Col. Sothoron. (Chron St. Mary’s 27:#8:2 (Diaries of John F. Dent}, 1863.10.20) Incident involving Col. John H. Sothoron & his son Webster at their home the Plains. Federal Lt. White was attempting to proscribe Negroes into the Union army. In a scuffle with the Col. & his son, Lt. White was shot & killed, the Col. & his son fled to Virginia until the end of the war. Two weeks later the Plains was confiscated by Union troops, and the Colonel's family forced to leave. (Hammett* :120, St. Mary’s Co., 1863.10) Reports the murder of Lt. Bren White of the 7th U.S. Colored regiment by Col. John H. Sotheron, a prominent slave owner of St. Mary’s Co. on 20 October 1863. The Lt. had been sent to Benedict to obtain recruits. He heard of slaves being tied at the plantation of Col. Sotheron, and proceeded there to obtain recruits. After heated argument and upon the persistence of Lt. White, the Col. & his son shot him mortally, and then fled. (New York Times 13:1:3, Reported 1863.10.22) Negro Recruiting Officer Killed. Lieut. Eben White was killed on the 20th ult. in St. Mary's county. Maryland. A dispatch from Baltimore says: - The perpetrator was Col. John H. Sotheron, a prominent slave owner of that county. The Lieutenant, with a squad of his company, was sent to Colonel Barney to Benedict on Monday to obtain recruits. Hearing that Sotheron had two of his slaves tied up to keep them from enlisting, the Lt proceeded to Sothron's home and ordered the men to be released. Sotheron and his son refused, and abused the Lieutenant, and threatened to shoot him, both being heavily armed. Lieut. White then left and proceeded to a field where seve[r]al of Sothron's slaves were at work, followed by the father and son, who demanded his object. The officer said that he was there to enlist all those who were so disposed. After some more abuse the Sothrons declared they would kill the Lieutenant, and fired their guns, when the officer fell mortally wounded. His body was brought here last evening and forwarded to his friends in Massachusetts. The two Sotherons escaped. (The Vindicator :1, Reported 1863.11.13) “Sothoran was a Confederate sympathizer as were many Whites in St. Mary's Co.. He had a son who was a soldier in the Confederate Army and who was home on a forlough. Lieutenant White and the Black soldiers were seen by the Sothoran as they marched up the road to the house. Sothoran and his son came to the door and told the Lieutenant to get off of their property and to stop encouraging the slaves to leave. An argument ensued and Sothoran shot the Lieutenant point blank three times. Sothoran's son turned the gun on Pvt. Bantum and shot him causing a dangerous wound. Pvt. Black return to Camp Stanton. Later that day, officers came to recover the Lieutenant's body. They found the Sothorans had fled and the Lieutenant's body was in the same place where he had fallen. The Sothoran's had shot the Lieutenant in the head as a Coupe de grace.” (Callum* :4) Notes that there was a political meeting at Harrisburg, where Col. S’s killing of the recruiting officer was discussed and “generally approved.” (Chron St. Mary’s 27:#8:2 {Diaries of John F. Dent} Court Proceedings. State vs John H. Sothoron. Indictment for manslaughter. Jury trial. Verdict not guilty. Blakistone for State. Thomas, Ford & Stone for defendant. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1866.11.29) Maryland State Archives Special Collections (SC1138-1938, Location 2/11/11/32) - This is a collection of papers relative to Col. John H. Sothoron, focusing on his involvement in the shooting of Lt. White. It contains a sheet of references to St. Mary’s Co. Circuit Court papers, listed here without further review by me.
Nov 14 Jury Verdict “not guilty” States witness: Mary Sothoron Defense witness: Webster Sothoron, Thomas Martin Docket p.244 , 24 Nov 1866 Trial 27 Nov 1866 St. of Md. vs. John H. Sothoron ACQUITTED – In the Circuit Court of St. Mary’s county, Maryland, last week, John H. Sothoron, indicted for manslaughter, was acquitted. Mr. Sothoron, it will be remembered, killed a Federal lieutenant, named Reuben Price, in the early part of the war, who approached him armed and in a threatening manner, and got into some difficulty with him about the slaves of Sothoron, whom the lieutenant and some soldiers were seizing to take off as recruits, against their will. Sothoron fled South, and his farm was taken possession of, but has been restored, and the testimony, it is understood, went to prove his action in self-defense. (The Alleganian {Cumberland, MD}, Reported 1866.12.26) ** Miscellaneous - Maryland Each Hundred separated into Divisions. Division 2 of Upper Resurrection Hundred specifically excludes public roads through lands of Col. John H. Sothoron, which alone make up Division 6. The 4th Division runs from Cooksey's Swamp to Indian Creek Bridge, also by Richard Sothoron's till it intersects Cool Spring Road. (St. Mary’s Co. Road Book {MSA 18,578}, 1802) Col. Sothoron was involved in a dispute with Dr. James A. Young in 1839. The latter had pressed legally for payment of a medical bill by Sothoron for medical care provided one of his servants. Sothoron amicably arranged a meeting with Young & the spat chewing tobacco onto his face & in his eyes. Young later demanded a duel, to which Sothoron agreed. Seconds were chosen & made arrangements, but for reasons reportedly differently by the two sides, the duel did not occur. Each side published pamphlet(s) expressing its own version of events–although both agreed that Sothoron had spat tobacco into Young’s face. In my reading of the two available pamphlets (available for review by clicking on each, below), I sense Sothoron to have reluctantly agreed to the duel, then using innuendoes & vagaries to avoid it occurring. His signature on the "Reply of James Heath.." document. (“The Further Exposure of James P. Heath and John Sothoron,” Baltimore, 1839, Library of Congress Call Number C4595.U6 S7. “Reply of James P. Heath...,” Baltimore, 1839, Library of Congress Call Number CR4595.U6 S6)
Mr. Webster, Jno, H. Sothoron’s overseer, shot (torn) by a negro, as is Conjectured, near Doct. Shaw’s - died before day. Shot about 8 or 9 o’clock P.M. Sunday night. (Chron St. Mary’s 7:#8 (Benjamin Tippett’s Record Books}, 1854.10.01 ) Coroner’s inquest into the death of William Webster, “...taken on the main road on land of Col. John H. Sothoran. He came to his death by a shot wound from some person unknown.” (Knott* :33 {St. Mary’s Co. Circuit Court - Coroner’s Inquests)}, 1854.10.02) Frank, a negro belonging to Col. John H. Sothoron, committed to jail in Leonardtown on 25 February 1857 as an accomplice in the shooting death of Wm. Webster. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1857.03.05)
John H. Sothoron of St. Mary's Co., MD filed an affidavit with the U.S. Circuit Court for the Southern District of New York on 22 January 1858, indicating that a 42 year old slave named Abraham Harris, lawfully owned for life by Sothoron, had escaped to the jurisdiction of the Court. (NARA - ARC Identifier 278365, In The Relation of John H. Sothoron vs. Abraham Harris a Negro Slave Fugitive From Labor.) H. M. Leitch of Friendship, Anne Arundel Co., offers the farmers of St. Mary’s Co. a GRIST MILL, run by a team of 6 horses. References include Col. John H. Sothoron & Henry Sothoron. (St. Mary’s Beacon :3, Reported 1860.04.05) Col. John H. Sothoron suffered a serious loss when a valuable young male slave drowned in Trent Hall Creek on 20 October 1860. The slave was known to drink excessively. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1860.10.25) Col. John H. Sothoron lost a valuable barn to a fire. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1860.11.15) Notice of committal to jail in Prince George’s Co. of runaway negro boy Jacob Briscoe, belonging to John H. Sothoron of St. Mary’s county, and need for payment of costs to gain his release. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1863.11.26) Horse stolen from Col. Sothoron by an employee. Horse recovered, thief escaped to DC. (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1873.04.24) Col. John H. Southern was a pall bearer for Dr. John H. Turner of Chaptico on 13 June 1882. (St. Mary’s Beacon :3, Reported 1882.06.22) William L. Thomas & Col. J. H. Sothoron of Charlotte Hall advertise for experienced brick maker “...to burn a kiln of 150,000 bricks. Clay & wood to be furnished.” (Wearmouth* 4:159 {Vol. XXXIX, No. 20}, Charles Co., Reported 1882.10.27) Col. John H. Sothoron lost 70 fine hogs from cholera during fall & winter. Loss at $1,200. (Wearmouth* 5:78 {Vol. XLIII, No. 31}, Charles Co., Reported 1887.01.14) ** Death & estate DEATH WITHOUT WARNING Many Years a Distinguished Citizen and Politician of His State–His End Comes While Talking with Friends in the Lobby of the Ebbitt–The Father-in-law of Congressman Compton and the Owner of the Famous Estate, “The Plains.” ----- Without a moment’s warning, save a sudden feeling of exhaustion, Col. John Henry Sothoron, a prominent Maryland citizen and politician, died of heart failure in the lobby of the Ebbitt House at 10:30 o’clock yesterday morning. - Col. Sothoron, who had been visiting Charles H. Fickling, of 1518 Thirty-first street northwest, in this city, for several weeks, went down town yesterday morning to meet a delegation of Maryland friends at the Ebbitt. In the party were Hon. Benjamin Camilly, State’s attorney of St. Mary’s county; Editor F. F. King, of the St. Mary’s Beacon; Marshall Dent, and Edward Harrison. - Col. Sothoron met his friends in the hotel lobby and was chatting pleasantly with them preparatory to calling at the White House in the interest of one of the party, an applicant for a foreign consulship. Turning suddenly to Mr. Harrison, Col. Sothoron put out his arm for support and remarked: “I am feeling badly; help me to a seat.” Before he could be assisted from the spot he sank into the arms of his friend and became unconscious. He was laid gently on the floor and a pillow placed under his head. - The hotel lobby was filled with people at the time, and there was considerable excitement over the occurrence. Among those near at hand was Dr. J. A. Beale, of Oklahoma, who at once took charge of the case and administered restoratives to the stricken man. Everything possible was done to alleviate the sufferer’s condition, but without avail, and in ten minutes from the time Col. Sothoron was stricken he had gasped the last time and lay white and lifeless. - Undertaker Lee was summoned and removed the remains to his establishment to prepare them for burial. The news was at once communicated to the dead man’s son, Marshall L. Sothoron, a clerk in the District Commissioners’ Office in this city. - Col. Sothoron was eighty-six years old. He was a prominent and highly respected citizen of St. Mary’s Md. His home, “The Plains,” located near Charlotte Hall, on the Patuxent River, is among the prettiest and most valuable estates in its vicinity. - Col. Sothoron had a wide reputation as an enthusiastic worker in State politics, having engaged actively in all the campaigns of the Commonwealth for many years. He served in the senate of the Maryland legislature several terms and was once honored with the presidency of that body. He also served upon the governor’s staff, and in every convention of his party and Assembly of State importance he was always a conspicuous figure. - Prior to the war Col. Sothoron was one of the largest slave and land owners in Maryland, his estate comprising in the neighborhood of 18,000 acres, lying mostly in St. Mary’s county. - Col. Sothoron was a widower. He left one son and six daughters, among the latter being the wife of Congressman Barnes Compton, of Laurel, Md., and Mrs. Curtis, wife of Dr. Lloyd Curtis, surgeon in the United States Navy. The remains will be forwarded to St. Mary’s county this morning, and the funeral will likely take place to-morrow from All Faith’s Protestant Episcopal Church. (Washington Post :5, Reported 1893.04.13) Col. John Henry Sothoron, of St. Mary’s county, fell dead in lobby Ebbitt House in Washington. Was there to see the President on behalf of J. M. Dent, applicant position Internal Revenue Collector, felt sick, asked for support & died before physician arrived. Eighty five years old last Christmas day. Elected several times to State Senate. Sympathies during Civil War were with South & when Federal Government adopted policy of enlisting slaves a Federal officer went to his farm to induce slaves to enlist. Col. Sothoron ordered him off the place & upon his refusing to go shot him. Col. went south where he remained till after the war. Went to Canada where he remained for several years. Returned to St. Mary’s county where he was tried for shooting Federal officer & was acquitted. Leaves 4 sons & 6 daughters, one being wife of Hon. Barnes Compton. (Wearmouth* 5:247 {Vol. XLIX, No. 45}, Reported 1893.04.14) Col. John Henry Sothoron, of this county, fell dead in the lobby of the Ebbitt House, Washington, DC, on Thursday morning. He and a delegation of men from this county, were about to visit the White House, when he became ill. He was born at the “Plains”, on the Patuxent, near Benedict, on Christmas Day, 1807, son of Major James Forbes Sothoron. His remains were brought to the county yesterday, and buried at All Faith P. E. Church, near Mechanicsville. (Long obit. has more info.) (Long* {Pg. 5, Col. 1}, Reported 1893.04.15) To Our Father
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W. Haddox Sothoron, M.D.