Enslaved of John Somerville II Family of Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee

 

Bloomsbury Plantation cemetery Vance County NC

John Somerville II, son of John Somerville I and Susannah Clarke, was born 6 Dec 1754 at Bloomsbury, St Mary's County, Maryland and died 18 Nov 1806 at Bloomsbury Estate, Granville County, North Carolina.  His father was born 1723 in Scotland, immigrated 1748, married Susannah and they made their home at Bloomsbury plantation in St Mary's County, Maryland. [See separate blog post for John Somerville I's other descendants and enslaved.]

When he was about 18, John left Maryland for what was then Halifax County, North Carolina, where his father owned land.  His father deeded the land to him along with enslaved in 1777. He built his Bloomsbury plantation house between Big Nutbush and Little Nutbush Creeks.  Later the original house burned; another was built on the site in the 1850s and remains today.  The family cemetery is just north of the house and not far from the road. 

Bloomsbury in what was then Halifax County NC

 John also owned 3,500 acres a few miles north of Bloomsbury plantation in Mecklenburg County, Virginia on the south side of Roanoke River just above the North Carolina line. This 2,700 acre tract he called Berry Hill plantation, bordered the plantations of the Taylors and Tarry.  Several miles to the west on the north side of the river near Clarksville, Virginia, he purchased another tract of 2,000 acres.  John imported some 70 slaves from North Carolina to Virginia to work this plantation.  Total slaves were close to 150 before he began to gift them to his children.

Berry Hill, Mecklenburg County, Virginia

Directions to Berry Hill:  12 1/2 miles south of South Hill, Virginia on Route 1. Then SW on Route 712 12.6 miles, then N .2 mile on lane.

John II married Mary Goodloe 1763-1838. She was a step-daughter of Leonard Henley Bullock of Granville County, North Carolina (later became Warren County, now Vance County.)

John II and Mary's children:

• John Somerville III 1780-1831
• Susan / Susanna Somerville 1782-1842 md Eaton
• James Somerville 1784-1854
• William Somerville 1786-1802
• George Clark Somerville 1787-1824
• Alexander Somerville 1790-1798
• Robert Vivian Somerville 1794-1813

8 Sep 1777 Halifax County, NC - John Somerville, Sr of St Mary's County, MD to  John Somerville II of Halifax County, NC:  3 tracts of land and "all the negroes."  Bill of Sale Book 13 pg 557.

17 Jan 1788 Halifax County, NC  -  Alexander Black of Chowan County to John Somerville II:  Luchs, male, black, negro for 150#.  Bill of Sale Book 17 pg 71

4 Dec 1788 Halifax County, NC - Isaac Ricks to John Somerville II:  Jack, Ben, and Destimony.  Bill of Sale Bk 17 pg 98

12 Jan 1789 Halifax County, NC - John Buck to John Somerville II:  Cate, female, black, "negro girl"  Bill of Sale Book 17 pg 99

15 Dec 1789 Halifax County, NC - John Somerville of Granville County NC to Davis Lane Jr of Halifax County NC:  Ben, male, black, "a negro boy of about 6 years of age" for 35# current Virginia currency.  Bill of Sale Book 17 pg 122

1801 -  daughter Susanna married John Rust Eaton and received a dowery from John II:  1500 acres off the north end of Bloomsbury plantation and 15  slaves. There they established Belvidere plantation.

1806 - When John II died his son John inherited Berry Hill in Mecklenburg County Virginia and son James, attorney, inherited half the land and slaves at the plantation in the western part of Mecklenburg County. Son George received the other half and he lived there next to Col. William Burchett.

1831 - Bequeathed Berry Hill plantation to son Joseph T Somerville. In 1836 Joseph sold it to Nathaniel Green.

 

John Somerville III, son of John Somerville II and Mary Goodloe, was born 25 Nov 1780 at Bloomsbury plantation in Granville County, North Carolina and died 25 Feb 1831 at Berry Hill plantation in Mecklenberg County, North Carolina. He married Frances Anderson Taylor 1786-1829.

Children of John Somerville III and Frances Taylor:

• Mary Goodloe Somerville 1805-1858
• William Alexander Somerville 1807-1858
• Catherine Taylor Somerville 1809-1848
• Willis Lewis Somerville 1811-1864
• Thomas Tahylor Somerville 1813-1871
• Joseph John Somerville 1815-1863
• George Clark Somerville 1818-1818
• Susanna Somerville 1819-1819
• Richard Bullock Somerville 1820-1878
• James Vivian Somerville 1822-1823
• Robert Park Somerville 1824-1870
  

1820 Census  Mecklenburg County VA
90 Slaves:  25 M under 14, 10 M 14-25, 10 M 26-44, 5 M 45+. 25 F under 14, 5 F 14-25, 5 F 26-44, 5 F 45+

1830 Census  Part 1 Mecklenburg County VA
75 Slaves:  15 M under 10, 14 M 10-23, 8 M 24-35, 5 M 36=54, 3 M 55-99, 11 F under 10, 8 F 10-23, 6 M 24-35, 5 F 36-54

1831 Will of John Somerville III of Mecklenburg County, Virginia
Written 26 Jan 1831.  Filed with court 17 May 1831

... to son Richard B my negro woman Bettey requesting him to keep here during her life and that he will be kind to her and grant her every favor which may render her comfortable...

... to daughter Catharine Taylor Somerville... Slaves of equal value in proportion to numbers to choose which I shall in this will allot to my sons and she including a little girl Jane in that number.  Also my carriage and two horses. My ten shares of the Roanoke navigation stock, two feather beds and furniture...

... to daughter Goodloe who has inter married with George T Taylor all of the property which I have loaned to her with the addition of a little boy named Frank and also the future increase of said property...

... to son William Alexander the estate which is embraced in deed of gift executed by me to him dated Jan 26, 1831 as sufference to that...

... The balance of my estate which has not already beeen disposed of in this will, I give unto my sons William, Thomas T, Joseph, Richard B and Robert P Somerville when each arrives to the age of twenty one years. They shall have their due proportion of land, negroes and furnishable estate allotted to them.

... to my son Richard B my negro man Cambridge and his family at valuation in the general division...

... to my son Robert P my negro woman Ioldis / Iddies [?] and her family at valuations in the general division...

It is my will that my daughter Catharine shall be entitled to  house room at the homestead until she marries...

Executor: son William A Somerville and ? William Taylor.  Witnesses: Henry Woodsworth, Edwin Hankins 

 

Mary "Polly" Goodloe Somerville, daughter of John Somerville III and Frances Taylor, was born 10 Oct 1805 at Valley Grove, Granville County, North Carolina and died 4 Apr 1858 in Tipton County, Tennessee.  She married George Tarry Taylor 1804-1885.

1830 Census  Part 11 Mecklenburg County, VA
31 Slaves:  3 M under 10, 5 M 10-23, 5 M 24-35, 1 m 36-54, 8 F under 10, 7 F 10-23, 2 F 24-35,

1840 Census  Tipton County, TN
45 Slaves:  8 M under 10, 8 M 10-23, 4 M 24-35, 5 M 36-54, 8 F under 10, 6 F 10-23, 3 F 24-35, 2 F 36-54, 1 F 55-99

1850 Slave Schedule  District 9 Tiption Co TN
55 Slaves:  M 88, F 78, F 50, F 50, F 50, F 48, F 15, 6 ILLEGIBLE,  M 16, M 9, F 1, M 37, M 31, M 25, F 24 Mulatto, F 8, M 4, M 2, F 15, F 9, M 34 Mulatto, F 22, F 2, M 48, F 49, M 17, F 15, M 19, F 12, M 10, F 9, F 10, F 6/12, M 30, M 20, M 35, F 46, M 24, M 23, F 33 Mulatto, M 12, Mulatto, F 7 Mulatto, M 4, F 4, M 36, F 39, M 11, F 4, M 1, F 1.

1860 Slave Schedule  Dist 10 Tipton, TN
57 Slaves; 11 Slave Dwellings:  M 30, M 35, M 46, M 32, M 62, M 58, M 60, F 17 Mulatto, F 12, F 23, M 10, M 3, M 6/12, M 63, F 60, F 25, F 19, M 21, F 40, M 23, F 20, M 17, M 14, M 9, F 7, M 4, F 1, M 18, M 45, M 30, F 35, F 16, M 13, M 11, M 9, M 6, M 4, F 2, F 6/12, F 47, M 21, M 14, F 11, F 4, M 22, F 13, M 39, F 54, F 17, M 2, F 4/12, F 27, M 10, M 7, M 3, F 1, M 4, F 4, F 36, F 34, M 11, F 4, M 1, F

1860 Slave Schedule Dist 10 Tipton, TN - George T Taylor, Guardian for Mary E & Sally H Taylor
96 Slaves; 18 Slave Dwellings:  M 78, M 70, M 50, M 56, M 55, M 40, M 40, M 22, M 56, M 34, M 31 Mulatto, M 37, M 23, M 36, M 40, M 25, M 34, M 35, M 24, M 23, M 24, M 24, M 20, M 20 Mulatto, M 20, M 16, M 16, M 14, M 14, M 13, M 12, M 10, M 10, M 9, M 9, M 8, M 7, M 7, M 7, M 6, M 5, M 7, M 4, M 4, M 3, M 3, M 3, M 3, M 2, M 2, M 2, M 1, M 3/12, M 4/12, M 4/12, M 5/12, F 31, F 45, F 36, F 22, F 70, F 32, F 56, F 25, F 30, F 30, F 35, F 30, F 35, F 16, F 18, F 18, F 24, F 18, F 16, F 13, F 14, F 13, F 11, F 12, F 12, F 10, F 10, F 12, F 7, F 8, F 7, F 6, F 5, F 5,  F 4, F 4, F 2, F 2, F 1, F 1, F 1,

 

William Alexander Somerville, son of John Somerville III and Frances Taylor, was born 5 Sep 1807 at Berry Hill plantation in Mecklenburg County, Virginia and died 2 Apr 1858 at Roane Oak plantation in Tipton County, Tennessee.  He married Helen R Claiborne 1813-1896.

1850 Slave Schedule  District 10, Tipton County TN
42 Slaves:  M 47, F 36, M 16, F 14, F 12, M 0, M 8, F 4, F 2, F 20, M 2, F 23, F 8, M 1, F 20, M 20, F 1, M 20, 5 Illegible,  F 62, F 10, F 6, F 6, M 53, M 39, M 43, M 27, M 12, M 50, F 40, M 23, F 20, F 12, F 6, F 12, F 42, F 8, M 4, F 27, F 55

Catherine Taylor Somerville, daughter of John Somerville III and Frances Taylor, was born 29 July 1809 at Berry Hill plantation in Mecklenburg County, Virginia and died 9 Jan 1848 in Warren County, North Carolina.  She married Maj. Nathaniel Green 1805-1874.

Willis Lewis Somerville, son of John Somerville III and Frances Tayler, was born 19 Apr 1811 at Berry Hill plantation in Mecklenburg County, Virginia and died 18 Nov 1864 at Waco, McLennan County, Texas.  He married Mary Ann Terrill Martin 1812-1893

1840 Census  Hardeman, TN
1 Free Colored Person:  Male 36-54
51 Slaves:  9 M under 10, 8 M 10-23, 8 M 36-54, 5 M 55-99, 6 F under 10, 5 F 10-23, 6 F 24-35, 2 F 36-54, 2 F 55-99. 

1850 Slave Schedule  Smith, Dallas, Arkansas
73 Slaves:  M 74, M 68, F 65, M 60, M 55, M 55, M 50, M 50, F 45, F 45, F 45, M 45, F 43, M 43, F 42, F 42, F 38, M 38, M 36, M 34, M 30, M 30, F 30, M 29, M 28, M 28, M 28, M 26, F 26 Mulatto, M 26, F 26, M 24, F 24 Mulatto, F 24, F 24, M 20 Mulatto, M 20, F 20, F 17, M 16, M 15, M 14, M 14, F 14, M 13, M 12, F 12, M 10, M 10, M 9, M 8, M 7, M 6, M 6. F 6, M 6, F 5, F 5, M 4, M 4, F 3, M 3, F 3, M 3, M 3, F 2, M 1, M 1, F 1, F 6/12, F 6/12, F 6/12, M 3/12

Thomas Taylor Somerville, son of John Somerville III and Frances Tayler, was born 10 Jun 1813 at Berry Hill plantation in Mecklenburg County, Virginia and died 27 Dec 1871 at Cottage Home plantation in Tipton County, Tennessee.  He married Mary Agnes Siler.

1860 Slave Schedule  Dist 9 Tipton Co TN
50 Slaves; 11 Slave Dwellings:  M 50, M 48, M 44, M 35, M 33, M 26, M 33, M 20, M 20, M 16, M 13, M 12, M 12, M 10, M 10, M 10, M 9, M 8, M 8, M 7, M 6, M 4, M 1, M 3/12, M 3/12 Mulatto, F 79, F 62 Mulatto, F 60, F 44, F 39, F 31, F 31, F 19, F 18 Mulatto, F 18 Mulatto, F 16 Mulatto, F 16 Mulatto, F 15, F 14 Mulatto, F 14, F 13, F 13, F 11, F 8, F 6, F 4 Mulatto, F 6 Mulatto, F 3, F 2, F 1

1872 Verdict on Claim for Losses
Thomas T Somerville of Tipton County, TN had applied to the Southern Claims Commission for reimbursement of losses in the Civil War.  His claim was denied in 1872.

 

Joseph John Somerville, son of John Somerville III and Frances Taylor, was born 16 Aug 1815 at Berry Hill plantation in Mecklenburg County, Virginia and died 2 July 1863 at Northview Plantation in Tipton County, Tennessee.  He married 1. Ellen Geraldine Hill 1816-1844 and Susan Ann Taylor 1822-1892.

1850 Slave Schedule  Dist 10 Tipton County TN
32 Slaves: M 55 , M 39, M 38, 3 37, M 25, M 25, M 21, M 17, M 16, M 10, M 11, M 12, M 9, F 65, F 60, F 30, F 26, F 20, 7 illegible entries, F 5, F 3, F 1, F 1, M 6, M 4, M 21

1860 Slave Schedule  Dist 9 Tipton County TN
listed on page 392

 

Richard Bullock Somerville, son of John Somerville III and Frances Taylor, was born 2 Sep 1820 at Berry Hill plantation in Mecklenburg County, Virginia and died 1878 in Mason, Tipton County, Tennessee.  He was an Attorney.  Richard married 1. Virginia Triplett Tayler 1830-1852 and 2. Elizabeth Taylor Hunt 1833-1862.

1860 Slave Schedule Dist 10 Tipton Co TN
43 Slaves; 10 Slave Dwellings:  F 68 Mulatto, F 50 Mulatto, M 54, F 42, F 26, F 23, M 33 Mulatto, M 26, M 29, M 15 Mulatto, M 9, F 12, M 11, F 9, F 3, F 1, F 4, M 4/12, M 62, M 25, F 20, F 6, M 4, M 27, F 20, F 3, F 1, M 45, F 40, F 17, M 10, F 5, F 3, M 1, M 1, F 19, F 1, M 48, F 49, M 20, F 72, M 12, F 9.
 

1870 Census  Tipton County TN  
Richard is living next door to:
Somerville, George, age 37, Black, occupation Gardener, born North Carolina
   wife Lucy, age 27, Black, born Tennessee
   child Jane, age 1, Black, born Tennessee

[see bottom of this page for more African American Somerville in North Carolina]

Robert Park Somerville, son of John Somerville III and Frances Taylor, was born 5 Dec 1824 at Berry Hill plantation in Mecklenburg County, Virginia and died Sep 1870 in Tipton County, Tennessee.  He married Ann Eliza __?__, born 1830.

1860 Slave Schedule  Dist 9 Tipton Co TN
9 Slaves:  F 60, M 43, M 37, M 35 Mulatto, M 28, F 32, M 29, M 12, M 1. 

African American Somervilles in North Carolina

1870 Census  Township 1 Cararus, NC
Somerville, George age 52, b 1818 NC, Mulatto, Post Office: Concord. Occ: Wheelright. RE $350
   wife Oma L age 53, b1819 NC, Mulatto.  [Oma died 1871-1874]

1874 May 17  Mecklenberg County, VA
George Somerville marriage license - age 59, b 1818, Black. Son of Fanny Jamison. The father now dead; the mother dead.  Bride:  Harriet Matts of Mecklenberg County VA, age 54, Black. d/o ? and ? the father dead; mother dead.  [much illegible]

1880 Census  Paw Creek, Mecklenburg County VA  Dwelling 233 Family # 243
Summerville, George age 63, Black, b abt 1817 NC; parents b NC, Occ: Carpenter
   wife Harriet age 58, Black, b NC, parents both b NC

Living near George and Harriet:
Dwelling 234 Family 244
Somerville, John age 17, Black, Servant, b NC, parents b NC.  John is listed in household of Andrew Hoover age 38 and his family.

Dwelling 235 Family # 245
Somerville, Jim age 20, Black, Laborer, b NC, parents b NC.  Jm is listed in household of Sarah Cathey age 59, White, and her children.

*Note:  see separate blog post for free born Somerville African Americans and their Certificates of Freedom.

Enslaved of the Somerville Family of St Mary's County and Baltimore Maryland - Manumission, Shipping to NOLA

 

John Somerville 1723-1788

John Somerville / Somervell was born 10 March 1723 in Kennox, Ayrshire, Scotland. He immigrated to Amercia in 1748, arriving in Boston, Massachusetts and established his home in Maryland.  

In 1753 he married Susanna Clarke 1720-1780 d/o Colonel George Clarke, a planter on the Potomac River in St Mary's County, Maryland. After Clarke's death, John bought out the other heirs' interest in the Clarke plantation "Bloomsbury."   

John died 21 Dec 1788 at Bloomsbury plantation in St Mary's County, Maryland.

He and Susanna had the following children:

• John Somerville 1754-1806 married Mary Goodloe
  
• William Somerville 1755-1806 married Elizabeth Anna Hebb
  
• Margaret Somerville 1756-
• George Clark Somerville 1758-1791 never married
  

Enslaved - We know of at least one of John Sr's enslaved.  Giles Butler was born about 1770 maybe in Maryland. Giles was freed by John Sr and in 1800 he was the head of household of 7 other free persons of color. [Free African Americans of Maryland and Delaware from Colonial Period to 1810 by Paul Heinegg.] By 6 Aug 1810 Giles was living in Eastern Precincts, Baltimore, Maryland with 4 other free persons of color. [1810 Federal Census]

John Somerville II, son of John I and Susannah, was born 6 Dec 1754 at Bloomsbury, St Mary's County, Maryland and died 18 Nov 1806 at Bloomsbury Estate, Granville County, North Carolina.  He married Mary Goodloe 1763-1838.

John II and Mary's children:

• John Somerville III 1780-1831
• Susan / Susanna Somerville 1782-1842 md Eaton
• James Somerville 1784-1854
• William Somerville 1786-1802
• George Clark Somerville 1787-1824
• Alexander Somerville 1790-1798
• Robert Vivian Somerville 1794-1813

 Note:  See separate blog post for information on John Somerville II's family and enslaved.

William Somerville, son of John I and Susannah, was born 25 Dec 1755 at Bloomsbury plantation, St Mary's County, Maryland and died 29 Dec 1806 at Mulberry Fields plantation, St Mary's County, Maryland.  He married Elizabeth Anna Hebb 1770-1792, the daughter of Capt Vernon Hebb of Porto Bello 1743-1796 and Anna Hopewell 1745-1820. 

William and Elizabeth Anna's children:

• Elizabeth Somerville 1781-1802 married George Plater IV
  
• William Clarke Somerville 1790-1826 never married
  
• Henry Vernon Somerville 1792-1837 married Rebecca M Tierman
  

1790 Census St Mary's County MD  William Somerville
108 Slaves

1793-1794 Maryland Assessment  St Mary's County, MD  William Somerville
105 Slaves

1800 Census St Mary's County, MD  William Somerville
125 Slaves

1801 Maryland Assessment  St Mary's County, MD  William Somerville
125 Slaves

1806  Property at death  St Mary's County, MD  William Somerville
180 Slaves, 154 ox plate, bank stock, cotton both spun and picked, 5,810 acres including a grist mill and mill land.

Mulberry Fields Plantation, Valley Lee, MD

Elizabeth Somerville, daughter of William Somerville, was born 7 Dec 1781 St Mary's County, Maryland.  On 22 Mar 1798 she married George Plater IV who was born  21 Sep 1766 at Sotterley plantation, St Mary's County, Maryland and died 1802 at Sotterley plantation. George is the son of George Plater, Governor of Maryland, 1735-1792 and Elizabeth Anne Rousby 1747-1789.  George IV inherited the Sotterley plantaton from his father; he and Elizabeth made it their home. [Sotterley is now an historic site.]

1790 Census  St Mary's County, MD  George Plater IV
93 Slaves

1800 Census  St Mary's County, MD  George Plater IV
46 Slaves

Sotterley Plantation, Hollywood, MD

Note:  1814 George's brother, John Rousby Plater, made a claim for the loss of Enslaved:  "Negroes seduced and carried away by the Commander of the British Fleet laying in the Patuxent River Maryland in the months of July, July and September 1814 during the late war with Great Britain."  The Treaty of Ghent signed Dec 1814 called for compensation for unreturned property. In Nov 1826 the British agreed to pay claims for slaves taken away.

Sworn June 23, 1821     Men and Boys, Ages, Value in $
Stephen Courcey     37    600
Abraham Wood       12    350
Jesse Wood    33        500
Crowley Young    18    500
John Young    14    -
Daniel Young    12    -
Henry Young    13    -
James Thomas    48    450
John Seale    50    450
John Seale Jr    17    550    House Servant
William Hammer    12    350
Isaac Hammer    9    250
Mathew Courcey    8    150
James      6    225
Benjamin Seale    5    220
Francis Hammer    3    200
Prince Young     60    100
Peter Campbell    55    100
Lewis Munroe    26    600   House Servant
Gerard Munroe    14    500
Richard Munroe    5        225
Lewis Munroe     3        150
20 in number:  $7480

Women and children    Ages    Value in $
Susannah Courcey    40        300
Maria Seale     44        300
[illegible] Hammer     28        350
Sophia Seale     15        375
Maria Seale      17        375
Frankey Seale     20        375
Maria Wood     10        250
Henny Williams     50        200
Mary Young (Molly)    35        350
Catherine Young    20        375
Elizabeth Hammer    18        200
Tenny Merritt     46        450    A Good Cook
Louisa Thomas      1        50
Mary Hammer      1        50
Patty Seale     1        50
Peggy Seale      8        200
Ester Seale       4        150
Peggy Courcey     14        50
Mary Ann Young    9        150
Grace Munroe      27        400   Cook
Ester Munroe       7        150
Kitty Munroe       2        100
22 in number:  $5250

In addition to the above list of 44 for which Captain Nourse of his Britianic Majesty's ship the Severn gave a certificate assuring of their being on board his ship 27 July 1814, the following Negro Men were taken and carried away by Captain Brown of the Frigate Loire in June 1814:

Peregrine Young        20        700    A most valuable servant
Ignatius Seale           19        500     Blacksmith
James Bowie             20        600
Joseph Wood             22        550
Cornelius                   25        550  
[Source: Maryland State Archives] 

William Clarke Somerville, son of William Somerville and Elizabeth Anna Hebb, was born 25 Mar 1790 at Mulberry Fields plantation in St Mary's County, Maryland.  He died 5 Jan 1826 in Courpalay, Seine-et-Marne, France and is buried on the estate of Marquie de Lafayette.   He never married.  

In 1806 he inherited Mulberry Fields plantation from his father.   In 1822 he purchased Sotterley Plantation from his nephew George Plater V and later that year purchased Stratford Hall (Robert E Lee's childhood home) from Henry Lee.

William was appointed by President John Quincy Adams as ambassador to Sweden and Norway on 9 Mar 1825. In August of the same year President Adams appointed him Political and Commercial Agent to Greece.  When he traveled there in Sep 1825 he left a caretaker and his enslaved at Stratford Hall.

Stratford Hall, Stratford, VA

Before War of 1812  Maryland  William C Somerville
48 Slaves

1821  Applied to the General Assembly to removed 2 of his enslaved, George and Jacob, from the District of Columbia to St Mary's County, MD, "for his use and benefit.."

1826  Death of William C Somerville  - in his will he left detailed instructions for the gradual manumission of his slaves and provisions for one, Jacob, to immediately purchase his freedom for $150.  William's sole heir and the executor of his estate was his brother, Henry Vernon Somerville.

After his death only a caretaker and a few enslaved remained at Stratford Hall. It is assumed his brother eventually moved the rest to his property in Maryland.

Will of William Clarke Somerville - written 20 Dec 1825  Manumission of Enslaved

William He bequeathed under the clause "all my property real and persona ," all my property real and persona," Stratford Hall and its furnishings and the greater portion of his other properties to his brother, Henry Vernon Somerville of Bloomsbury, near Baltimore. Bernard M Carter of Shirley, VA was one of the witnesses to the will.  
Clause:
" ... That as the existence of Slavery is an evil I deprecate and wish to mitigate as far as is consistent with justice to my brother, that he shall set free my negro slaves after they shall have served the periods hereinafter specified.  All those over 35 when they shall have attained the age of 42 -- all between 25 and 30 when they are 36 -- all between 15 and 20 when they are 32 -- and all under 15 when they shall (the males) attain the age of 28 and (the females) 25. 
N.B.Jacob that I bought is not to be included in the above, but in justice to the others must pay partly for himself, he must pay the sum of $150 to my brother, and this I interpret it literally....  I am so weak from bad health that it is painful for me to write...suppose he is prepared to do, as he wanted to pay $100 in part before I left home.
   It is my wish and request of my Brother that he shall see that the negroes are never ill treated and that he shall render their situation as comfortable as he can..."

Note:  William's brother, Henry, lost Stratford Hall because he didn't deal with the estate in a timely fashion. No mention in court documents (regarding his loss of Stratford Hall) of the enslaved, but some furnishings were sold at auction.

 

Henry Vernon Somerville, son of William Somerville and Elizabeth Anna Hebb, was born 2 March 1792 at Mulberry Fields plantation in St Mary's County, Maryland and died 26 Aug 1837 at Bloomsbury plantation, St Mary's County, Maryland.  On 26 Dec 1815 he married Rebecca Tiernan 1799-1863.

Rebecca Tiernan is the daughter of Luke Tiernan 1757 County Meath, Ireland -1839 Baltimore and Nancy Ann Owen 1776-1841. Luke was a founding member and in 1839 the treasurer of the Maryland Branch of the African Colonization Society whose purpose was to return African Americans to Africa.  The Maryland State Colonization Society was responsible for founding the Republic of Maryland in West Africa, a short lived independent state that in was annexed by Liberia in the 1850's. The goal of the Society was "to be a remedy for slavery," such that "slavery would cease in the state by the full consent of those interested."

Children of Henry V Somerville and Rebecca Tiernan:

• William Tiernan Somerville 1816-1857
• Ann Rebecca Somerville  1820-1847
• James Hopewell Somerville  1822-1850 
• Henry Vernon Somerville II  1824-1860
  
• Agnes Somerville 1826-1861  md Shields
  
• William Clarke Somerville 1827-1848
• Charles Tiernan Somerville 1829-1858
• Elizabeth Somerville 1831-1846
• Robert Coleman Brien Somerville 1833-1854
• Joseph Fowler Somerville 1835-1859

1810 Census  Potomac, MD  Henry Somerville
No Enslaved

1820 Census  Election District 5 Dorchester MD  Henry Somerville
7 Slaves:  1 M under 14, 1 M 14-25, 1 M 26-44, 1 M 45+, 2 F under 14, 1 F 26-44

1828 Runaways
In April 1828 runaways John and James caught, jailed, released to Henry V Somerville

1830 Census  Baltimore, MD  Henry Somerville
91 Slaves:  20 M under 10, 16 M 10-23, 7 M 24-35, 8 M 36-54, 1 M 55-99, 19 F under 10, 8 F 10-23, 6 F 24-35, 4 F 36-54, 1 F 55-99

1836 Runaways
Ads placed for 2 runaways, Thomas age 35 and Abraham age 35 by Henry V Somerville in Baltimore and Virginia newspapers.

1840 Census  District 1 Baltimore MD  Rebecca Somerville, widow of Henry
6 Free Colored Persons:  3 Males 36-54, 3 Females 36-54
21 Slaves:  7 M under 10, 2 M 10-23, 1 M 55-99, 6 F under 10, 3 F 10-23, 2 F 24-35

 

** 1850 Census  Dist 2 St Mary's County MD  -  African American Family  Dwelling 611 Family 622
Butler, Thomas 66, Black, Farmer, RE $80, born St Mary's County
   wife Milly 67, Black, born St Mary's County
Somerville, Wm N 26, Mulatto, Laborer, born St Mary's County
Somerville, Eliza A 25, Black, born St Mary's County
Somerville, Henry  27, Black, Laborer, born St Mary's County

Enslaved shipped to New Orleans to be sold  -  Henry V Somerville
Some could be enslaved bequeathed to him by his father.  I suspect those sent in 1830 and after are probably those that first were enslaved by William C Somerville and then bequeathed to Henry. Henry received 180 enslaved from William. (See portion of William's will above which gives specific instructions for manumission dates.  There was NO instruction for anyone to be sold.)  

Note: I believe there are family groups in these lists.

27 Nov 1819 Baltimore to NOLA - (Enslaved) Amie, F, age 17, 5'4" tall, Black. Shipper is David Williamson of Baltimore. Amie is consigned to Henry V Somerville at New Orleans. On ship Franklin. 

27 Nov 1819 Baltimore to NOLA - Henry V Somerville, owner, is on board the Franklin with 25 Enslaved to be sold:

• Stephen, M, 45, 5'10" tall, Black
• Nanny, F 35, 5'1 1/2" tall, Black
• Infant, M, 12 months old, Black
• Harriett, F 76, 5'2" tall, Dark Mulatto
• Jenny, girl, 11, 4'6" tall, Black
• Appy, F, child, 4, Black
• Isaac, M, 29, [illegible] Mulatto
• Sara, F, 45, [illegible], Black
• Geny, girl, 15, 5' tall, Dark Mulatto
• John, boy, 8, [illegible] Black
• Ransby, M, child, 4, 3' tall, Dark Mulatto
• Phil, M, of [illegible] 30, [illegible], Mulatto
• Biby, F, 28, 5'5" tall, Black
• Infant, F, 4 months, Dark Mulatto
• Nancy, F, 4, 3'1" tall, Mulatto
• Jerry, M, 2, 2' tall, Dark Mulatto
• Nat, M, 21, 5'6" tall, Black
• Charles, M 30, 5' 3" tall, Black
• Rosey, F, child, [illegible] 3' tall, Black
• Henry, M, 12, [illegible], Black
• [illegible], M, 45, Black
• Adam, M, 34, Black
• Lewis, M, 14, 5'6" tall, Dark Mulatto
• Tom, M, 30, 5' 11" tall, Black
• Harry, M, 16, 5' 5" tall, Black

27 Nov 1819 Baltimore to NOLA - Same ship the Franklin as above - FPOC Hetty and Infant, woman, 45, 5' 1/2" tall, Black.  Owner Henry V Somerville.  15 Dec 1819 Certificate of Freedom held by master of ship William Graham for the above named woman.

 

20 Apr 1829 Baltimore to NOLA on ship Topaz

• Anne Somerville, F, 27, Black
• William Henry Somerville, M, 1, Black
  

30 Oct 1829 Alexandria, DC to NOLA on ship the United States - Walter Somerville, M, 25, Black

8 June 1830 Baltimore to NOLA on the Schooner Emigrant, George L Rouse, ship master to NOLA to be sold or disposed of as slaves. Henry V Somerville owner and shipper:

• Tom, M, 46, 5' 10" tall, Dark Copper
• Ronsby, M, 19, 5' 8 1/2" tall, Dark Copper
• William, M, 15, 5' 2" tall, Mulatto
• Lewis, M 33, 5' 7" tall, Dark Copper
• Joe, M, 17, 5' 3"tall, Mulatto
• Ann Eliza, F, 17, 4' tall, Dark Copper
• Henrietta, female, 18 mos, 1' tall, Black

20 Dec 1834 Alexandria, DC to NOLA on ship Uncas - George Somerville, M, 24, Black

2 Dec 1835 Alexandria, DC to NOLA - Sarah Somerville, F, Black, 17, 

8 June 1836 Baltimore to NOLA  On schooner Emigrant of Baltimore, ship master George Le Rouse. 36 enslaved owned and shipped by Henry V Somerville to be sold or disposed of as slaves.  Note: 2 individuals with surnames.

• Nancy, F 55, 5' 1 1/2", Black
• Ann, F, 18, 5'4", Black
• Infant, F, Mulatto
• Sally, F, 52, 5'4", Dark Copper
• Harriett, F, 33, 5'2", Dark Copper
• Rosey, F, 19, 5'2", Dark Copper
• Infant child, M, Dark Copper
• Alexander, M, 2, Black
• Sarah, F 23, 5', Black
• Henrietta, F, 4, Dark Copper
• Jane, F 26,5'1", Dark Copper
• Rachael, F, 6, Dark Copper
• Louisa, F, 6, Dark Copper
• Hannah, F, 16, 5'3", Dark Copper
• Ambrose, M, 7, 4', Dark Copper
• Sarah Jr, F, 14, 5'1", Dark Copper
• Mary, F, 32, 5'5", Dark Copper
• William, M, 6, 3'9", Dark Copper
• Eliza, F, 2, Dark Copper
• Simeon, M, 22, 5'6 1/2", Dark Copper
• Charles, M, 48, 5'8" Black
• Jack Sampson, M, 70, 5'2 1/2", Dark Copper
• Adam, M, 50, 5'6" Black
• Grace, F, 71, 5', Dark Copper
• John, M, 18, 5'1", Black
• Wm Henry, M, 12, 4' 8 1/2", Dark Copper
• John Wilkes, M, 12, 8 1/2", Dark Copper
• Ambrose, M, 56, 5' 3", Dark Copper
• Henry, M, 22, 5'4", Black
• [illegible]atter or _attson, M, 37, 5', Black
• Jess, M, 26, 5'7", Dark Copper
• Jim, M, 25, 5'7 1/2", Black
• Susan, F, 28, 5'2", Black
• Caroline, F 25, 5' 1/2", Black
• Mary Ann, F, 2, Dark Copper
• Infant, F, Black

25 Oct 1836 Baltimore to NOLA on the Tweed

• Jacob Somerville, M, 32, Black
  
• George H Somerville, M, 7, Yellow
  
• James B Somerville, M, 6 months old, Yellow
  
• Sally Somerville, F, 32, Black
• Ann Somerville, F, 5, Yellow

1840 Baltimore to NOLA on the ship Eliza - Abram Somerville, M, 26, Black

Certificates of Freedom - St Mary's County, Maryland  -  Unless otherwise noted these people were manumitted in accordance with William Clarke Somerville's will. In some cases his brother Henry has sold them (or hired them out) until they reached their manumission date. 

 [Note:  the Certificates of Freedom for persons named Somerville who were free born are in a separate blog post.]

30 May 1832 - slave Nancy Young, age 24, dark Mulatto, 4' 11", daughter of negro woman Betty who was sold to Joseph Harris.  Freed by Joseph Harris by Bill of Sale from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville dated and recorded 3 Apr 1830 to Joseph Harris for a term of years.  

6 Dec 1837 - slave Tracey, age 38, freed by last will and testament of William C Somerville

28 Nov 1839 - slave Sommerset Somerville, age 53, Yellow complexion, 5' 4". of Baltimore City, raised in St Mary's County. Freed by last will and testament of William C Somerville.  Witness: Benjamin G Harris.

15 May 1840 - slave Betty, age 47, of Baltimore City, freed by last will and testament of William C Somerville.  Raised in St Mary's County, MD.  Witness: Benjamin G Harris.

15 May 1840 - slave Dianna Blakistone, age 52, Dark complexion, 5' 2". Scars: Has a long scar above the left eye, a large scar upon the shinbone of the left leg, has lost one of the front lower and upper teeth, has a bone breeder upon the middle finger of the left hand from which she has lost two bones. Freed by Joseph Harris by virtue of a Bill of Sale dated 3 Apr 1830 from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville.

5 Jan 1842 - free born Peter Somerville freed by last will and testament of William C Somerville

1 June 1844 - slave Jane Young, age 27, Yellow complexion, 4'1". Scars: two small moles near each other on the left side of her neck, has one other on the same side a little above the others and has a small mole on her temple near the corner of the right eye, has a scar on her right arm occasioned by a burn.  Freed by Joseph Harris by Bill of Sale from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville to Joseph Harris on 3 Apr 1830.  Witness: J Harris 

1 June 1844 - slave Henry Blakistone, age 28, 5'3". [records refer to them as female; name might be Henny]  Scars: Has a mole on her left cheek bone, has a small mole on the first and second joint of the forefinger of the left hand, has a small mole on the inside of her left hand on the first joint of her thumb, has a small scar on her right wrist.  Freed by Joseph Harris by Bill of Sale from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville to Joseph Harris on 3 Apr 1830.  Witness: J Harris 

1 June 1844 - slave Robert Young, age 28, Dark complexion.  Freed by a certain Henry V. Somerville, devisee of Wm. C. Somerville deceased by virtue of a bill of sale from Henry V. Somerville, devisee of William C. Somerville dated and recorded 3 April 1830 to Joseph Harris

1 June 1844 - slave Robert Young, age 29, Chestnut complexion, 5'5". Scars: Has a scar on his left arm about one and one quarter inches long from the cut of an axe, has a scar about one inch above the left eyebrow, two deep wrinkles extending across the forehead.  Freed by Joseph Harris by Bill of Sale from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville to Joseph Harris on 3 Apr 1830.  Witness: J Harris 

23 Oct 1844 - slave Kizza Somerville, age 52, 5' 3".  Scars: Has a scar on the back of her right hand occasioned by the bite of a dog, has a flesh mole on her back about the size of a five cent piece, has a dark spot on the inside of her right leg, has a spot on the inside of her right arm. Freed by Henry G S Key by virtue of Bill of Sale dated 2 Apr 1830 from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville, deceased.  Witness: H G S Key

20 Mar 1845 - slave William Tinney, age 31, 5' 5". Scars: Has phelm on his right eye, has two scars on the under lip, has a scar on the left side of the forehead near the hair, has a scar on the left side of the head, has a scar on the right elbow occasioned by the shot of a gun, has a scar on the left thumb.  Freed by Henry G S Key by virtue of Bill of Sale dated 2 Apr 1830 from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville to H G S Key.

15 Apr 1846 - slave Mary Eliza Somerville, age 15, 5' tall. Scars: Has a small mole on the palm of her right hand, two small scars on her forehead, has a small flesh mole on the left side of her nose and has several small spots under the out corner of her left eye.  Turned 15 years of age on 15 Dec 1845 - manumitted and set free 9 Apr 1846 by deed of manumission recorded in St Mary's County court.

6 Feb 1847 - slave Celia Somerville, age 26, Chestnut complexion, 4' 11".  Freed by Joseph Harris by virtue of a Bill of Sale from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville to Joseph Harris on 3 Apr 1830.

25 Aug 1848 -  slave George Finny, age 28, Chestnut complexion, 5' 7". Scars: Has a scar on the back of his right hand, the little finger of the left hand a little crooked, several small moles near his left eye, has a scar on the inside of his left ankle.  Freed by Henry G S Key by virtue of Bill of Sale from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville to H G S Key.

7 Nov 1849 - slave Maria Somerville, age 26, Bright complexion, 5'7". Scars: Has a small dark spot near the corner of the right eye, scar on finger next to thumb on right hand occasioned by a burn.  Freed by Mary Watts. Manumitted by virtue of a Bill of Sale. 

7 Nov 1849 - slave Thomas R Somerville, age 3, Dark copper complexion, 2' 11".  Scar on right knee bone.  Freed by Mary Watts. Manumitted by virtue of a Bill of Sale. 

7 Nov 1849 - slave Sarah Ann Somerville, age 6, Bright complexion, 3' 5". Scar on calf of right leg occasioned by a burn.  Freed by Mary Watts. Manumitted by virtue of a Bill of Sale.

15 Oct 1850 - free born Sally Somerville freed by last will and testament of William C Somerville

8 Dec 1853 - slave John Young, age 30, Bright complexion, 5' 10".  Scars: Has three scars on his left leg just below his knee, has a scar on the left side of his head, has a scar on the second finger of his right hand just across the joint, has lost one of his front teeth. Freed by Henry G S Key by virtue of Bill of Sale from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville to H G S Key dated 2 Apr 1830.

2 June 1858 - free born Henny Somerville freed by last will and testament of William C Somerville 

19 Oct 1860 - slave or FPOC Lucy Somerville, age 55, Dark copper complexion, 5' 3". Scars: Has a scar just under the right eye, lost all her teeth except two upper front and ten lower front teeth.  At the age of 11 Lucy was left free when she arrived at the age of 33 under the last will and testament of Rebecca Watts made 16 Jan 1816.  Witness: George R Clocker

Note: be sure to view the blog post listing free born Somerville African Americans' Certificates of Freedom for more of the enslaved of William C Somerville and his brother and heir Henry V Somerville.

 

Ann Rebecca Somerville, daughter of Henry V Somerville and Rebecca Tiernan, was born 18 Jan 1820 in Baltimore and died 29 Jan 1847 also in Baltimore.  She married Joseph G Waters who was born 1804 in Somerset County, Maryland and died 17 May 1874 in Baltimore.

 

1840 Census  Ward 9 Baltimore MD

1 Slave:  Female 10-23 

 

Agnes Somerville, daughter of Henry V Somerville and Rebecca Tiernan, was born 17 June 1826 in Baltimore, Maryland and died 26 Jan 1861 in Adams, Mississippi. She married William Shields 1817-1879. 

1860 Census  Adams Co MS
Wilmer 40
Agnes 33
Emma 10
Charles
B J Porter 39 bMS Overseer
W S Cole 34 bMS Overseer

 

1860 Slave Schedule Adams County MS
2 Slaves:  M 30, M 18

1867 Sep 6  Vidalia, Concordia County, LA    Freedmen's Bureau Record

Ben Mitchell vs G B Marshall
Long story involving Ben, FPOC, feeding his horse from Shields corn supply and not working. Clear that Shields doesn't live here and Marshall runs the place for him.  Maybe his father's old place:  Fish Pond Plantation. But this is G B Shields, yet Wilmer is involved. GB is in Europe.

Charles Tiernan Somerville, son of Henry V Somerville and Rebecca Tiernan, was born 8 Nov 1829 and died 23 Jul 1858 both in Maryland.

1850 Slave Schedule Dist 1 Baltimore MD
4 Slaves:  F 17 Mulatto, M 2 Mulatto, F 19 Mulatto, F 16 Mulatto