John Burch

John Seagar & Margaret uxor, Exr. Samuel Sothoron vs. John Burch & Elizabeth uxor, Exr. John Sothoron

-Charged with Trespass upon the Case. John Sothoron in his lifetime was indebted to Samuel in the sum of £7.10, not yet paid. Prays for payment plus damages. Remanded to trial. Identifies the wives as widows and executrixes of the noted Sothorons. (Charles Co. Court Rec 29(I#2):44, 1717)

Certificate of John Johnson Sothoron, executor of Mary Rose estate. Payments to Thomas Truman Greenfield. Legacies noted:

- Samuel Sothoron

- Ann Sothoron, delivered to James Briscoe her husband.

- Mary Clark

- Harman Clark, son of afsd. Mary & Francis Clark.

- Mary Birch, delivered to John Birch her husband.

- Mary Doplar. (Admin Acct 5:358, St. Mary’s Co., Recorded 1724.02)

Account of Mary Burch admx. for John Burch late of St. Mary’s Co. dec'd. Monies paid to John Johnson Southern for the balance his estate left by his father's will and paid by this account. executors of said will - £17.19.2. Monies also paid to:

Sureties: John Johnson Southern & Samuel Southern of St. Mary’s Co.. (Accts 19{DD#7}:125, St. Mary’s Co., Recorded 1742.07.07)

Before the Prerogative Court, Daniel Dulany Esq presiding:

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)