Elizabeth Magruder SomervellSee husband John’s Notes for information on marriage, children, Census schedules & Land records.. 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 {also Chancery Papers 11295}, Prince George’s Co., 1845.11.26) 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) Document: Edwin H. Webster to Montgomery Blair, March 7, 1864 [With Endorsement by Lincoln]. (d3136200) (www.loc.gov) - This letter encloses E. M. Sothoron to Lincoln, March 7, 1864 (infra), which is a plea for relief for her family. In October of 1863, 2nd Lt. Eben White, a recruiting officer from the 7th U. S. Colored Troops, was killed by her husband, Maryland planter John H. Sothoron, and their son. Thereafter possessions had been taken from the family plantation by Federal troops and the family faced actual dispossession of its property. (See Collected Works, VI, 530; VII, 28; E.M. Sothoron to Lincoln, March 7, 1864; and Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, March 18, 1864.). Click here to see photocopies of the original documents. Ho. of Reps., Mar. 7. 1864 My dear Judge, Enclosed is a paper which I intended to hand you in person, but will have no opportunity today & it should have attention at once. It was prepared, Miss Sothoron informed me, at your suggestion. I have known Sothoron, for many years, having at one time served in the Senate of Md. with him. He was as high toned & honorable a man, as I ever knew. I exceedingly regret his misfortunes or if you please his crime. But his helpless family certainly should not be oppressed by the Govt. I hope you will be able to secure relief for them Yours very truly Edwin H Webster [Endorsed on Envelope by Lincoln:] Webster -- Southern. Document: E. M. Sothoron to Abraham Lincoln, March 7, 1864 (d3135900) (www.loc.gov) Sir: I desire respectfully to represent to your Excellency that in consequence of the unfortunate homocide of Lieut. White which occurred at our residence on the Patuxent River, St. Mary's Co., Maryland, on the 27th October last, events have transpired which impel me to invoke your clemency in behalf of a suffering family. 2nd Lt. Eben White, a recruiting officer from the 7th U. S. Colored Troops, was killed by Maryland farmer John H. Sothoron and his son. (See Collected Works, VI, 530; VII, 28; and Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, March 18, 1864.) Shortly after the tragedy referred to, myself with my grown daughter and seven younger children were made prisoners in our own house by Military officers of the United States: and for three months we remained under guard, night and day, of negro soldiers, compelled to endure every species of humiliation and insult from a class whom we had been educated to regard and treat as servants. We appealed in vain to superior white officers for relief and protection. During this period, also, our horses, cattle, vehicles, poultry, farm produce, agricultural implements, family supplies and provisions -- all our movable property -- amounting in value to full $30.000, was taken from us in the name of the United States, and we were left wholly dependent on the charity of our neighbors, but without the means of communicating with them. In the latter part of January a vessel of the United States took from our door all our servants -- about one hundred -- including the nurse of my youngest child. About this time, also, I was notified by Genl. Birney to quit our dwelling on or before the 4th February that it might be used as a Small Pox Hospital for the negro soldiers under his command; and was informed that if my house was not vacated at that time, the negro Patients would be placed in our midst in the house. At the appointed time I left the house with my children, and but for the kindness of friends we would have been compelled to depart on foot, as no means of conveyance had been provided for us by the officer in command. Brig. Gen. William Birney. We have thus, your Excellency, been driven from our ancestral home, bereft of property and every means of subsistence, to seek shelter and succor at the hearths of friends. Of the unfortunate transaction which is the occasion of our woes, having full knowledge of the facts, I will say no more than to express my conscientious conviction that the act of my husband was purely self-defensive, and committed under circumstances of intense provocation. A proper investigation will, I have every confidence, confirm this statement. But even if otherwise, must public justice be appeased by the sufferings of unoffending women and helpless children, who in addition to their other sorrows, are deprived of the supporting and consoling presence of their natural guardian and protector? Have we not already suffered enough? I therefore entreat your Excellency in the name of Mercy, that we be permitted at once to return to the shelter of our desolated home. Very respectfully &c E. M. Sothoron Excerpt of draft letter from Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton on 18 March 1864. My dear Sir: I am so pressed in regard to prisoners of war in our custody whose homes are within our lines, and who do not wish to not be exchanged, but wish to take the oath and be discharged, that I hope you will pardon me for reviving the subject... Another class consists of those who are known or strongly suspected, to be in sympathy with the rebellion-- An instance of this is the family of Southern, who killed a recruiting officer last autumn, in Maryland. He fled, and his family are driven from their home, without a shelter or crumb, except when got by burthening our friends more than our enemies-- Southern had no justification to kill the officer; and yet he would not have been killed if he had proceeded in the temper and manner agreed upon by yourself and Gov. Bradford. But this is past. What is to be done with the family? Why can they not occupy their old home, and excite much less opposition to the government than the manifestation of their distress is now doing? If the house if really needed for the public service; or if it has been regularly confiscated and the title transferred, the case is different.... (www.loc.gov - The Papers of Abraham Lincoln). Click here to see a photocopy of the original letter. As reported in the St. Mary’s Gazette of this date, Mrs. J. H. Sothoron was one of several ladies on a committee to superintend a lunch room at an upcoming Southern Relief Fair to be held in Leonardtown. (Chron St. Mary’s 12:#3, Reported 1866.09.27) Ladies in charge of lunch arrangements for the upcoming Ladies Memorial Fair include Mrs. J. H. Sothoron (St. Mary’s Beacon :2, Reported 1866.10.04) At request of E.M., M.E., Webster, Marshall, Robert and J.F. Sothoron, a survey was done for a tract of land under water, under provisions of Section 23, Chapter 198 of acts of Assembly passed at Jan. Session 1880, for the purpose of protecting, preserving & depositing bedding & sowing oysters & other shell fish. On west side of Patuxent River, commencing at point on north side of the Plains, property at mouth of a creek bounding said property, said point being 21 chains from cedar tree blazed on north side, and 46 chains from sugar nut tree blazed on north side; running north from said point by various distances & bearings given in accompanying plot, containing 28.39 acres, surveyed 21 May 1881. Signed by R.W. Silvester. Certified same date, recorded 2 June 1881. (St. Mary's Co., MD Land Records JFF#5:45) To view the original documents click here. Elizabeth M. Somervel Sothoron, wife of Col. John H. Sothoron, died on 4 August 1888 at age of 73. Buried at All Faiths. (Fresco(1)* :458) Mrs. Elizabeth Sothoron died on Sunday last at the residence of her husband, in the 5th district. Wife of Col. John H. Sothoron. (Long* {(p. 4, col. 2}, District 5, St. Mary’s Co., Reported 1888.08.11) Assignment of mortgage of 27 Oct 1903 by Charles S. Clarke & Edward T. Jeffrey, Executors of James C. Clarke, duly qualified in Frederick Co., MD. John H & Elizabeth M. Sothoron executed a mortgage on 4 Nov 1868, recorded in St. Mary's Co. at JAC#3:248 to secure loans, including $7,500 due James C. Clarke. For $5,000 already paid, debt is considered settled. Signed by Charles S. Clarke & Edward T. Jeffrey, executors. Witnessed by B.W. Fox, as to Edward T. Jeffrey. Certified 23 Oct 1903 in New York City as to Edward T. Jeffrey, 27 Oct 1903 in Landesdale Co., MS as to Charles S. Clarke. Recorded 7 Nov 1903. (St. Mary's Co., MD Land Records EBA#3:367) Mentioned by name in obituaries & Certificates of Death, & on Grave Markers of her children (see their Notes)
TO OUR MOTHER
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W. Haddox Sothoron, M.D.