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.

Free Born Somerville African Americans of St Mary's County Maryland - Certificates of Freedom

Maryland law required African Americans who were born free to record proof of their freedom in the appropriate county court. The court would then issue them a Certificate of Freedom. African Americans who had been born free, those who had purchased freedom from their enslavers, and those who had been manumitted all needed "freedom papers" which were Certificates of Freedom.  Each person was required to appear in court, often with a white witness to prove that they were free.

The below people all received their certificates giving the surname Somerville and all were in St Mary's County, Maryland. [note: there are other African Americans named Somerville who received their certificates in other Maryland counties.]

I believe that due to their Somerville surname and location that most of the below people are connected to Henry Vernon Somerville, his brother William C Somerville, and/or their father William Somerville. These men were enslavers of large numbers of African Americans and the only Somerville men living in St Mary's County, Maryland at this time.   [See related blog post on the Somerville family and their enslaved - including wills and manumissions.]

 

30 Nov 1819 Nancy Somerville age 21 Free Born.
Complexion: Bright
Height: 4'11"
Notes: Daughter of Henny
Page: 53
Scars: A little marked with the small pox in the face, has a blue mole on the upper lip and one near the right corner of her under lip, has a scar across the wrist of the left hand 

30 Nov 1819 Kitty Somerville age 23 Free Born.
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'4"
Notes: Daughter of Henny
Page: 53
Scars: Very much marked with the small pox in the face

21 Apr 1821 William Henry Somervile age 14 Free Born. 
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'1"
Notes: Son of Henrietta
Page: 57
Scars: Has no visible scars except a small mole on the left breast

21 Apr 1821 Elizabeth Clarke/Alloway Somerville female age 22 Free Born.
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'4"
Notes: Note says "being the daughter of the above"; entry is below William Henry Somerville who is the son of Henrietta
Page: 57
Scars: Has a small scar under the corner of her left eye

8 June 1821 Harriot Somerville age 18 Free Born.
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'2"
Notes: Daughter of Catherine Somerville
Page: 57
Scars: Has a scar between his shoulders occasioned by a burn

14 Dec 1825 Peggy Somerville age 25 Free Born
Complexion: Bright
Height: 5'4"
Page: 69
Scars: Has small scars on her wrists and hands occasioned by burns and a large scar on her right wrist also occasioned by a burn, a scar on the back of her neck occasioned by have been cupped
Witness: John Thornton

16 Oct 1827 Henry Somerville age 21 Free Born.
Complexion: Black
Height: 5'10"
Notes: Son of Monica Somerville who was set free by George Somerville; Square full face, short hair, thick lips and lisps when speaking, stout and well made
Page: 74
Witness: Perry Cassell

30 Dec 1828 George Somerville age 24 Free Born. 
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'4"
Notes: Son of Jenny Somerville
Page: 79
Scars: Has a small scar over his right eye, a large scar on his right arm from scalding and each of his middle fingers on his right hand are scarred and injured at the ends on nails thereof
Witness: Thomas Lynch, Sen 

30 Dec 1828 Peter Somerville age 24 Free Born.
Complexion: Black
Height: 5'9"
Page: 128
Scars: Large scar upon his left foot near the joints of his toes
Witness: John Herbert and Thos. W. Morgan

16 July 1830 John Somerville age 24 Free Born.
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'7"
Notes: Son of Lydia Somerville
Page: 86
Scars: Has a large scar on his right arm occasioned by a burn and extending to and along the upper part of his thumb, has a large scar on his right leg near and a little below the shin bone, a scar on the outside of said leg, several scars generally small on his
Witness: Jas. Davies

7 Mar 1831 Henry Somerville age 32 Free Born
Height: 5'8"
Notes: The left thumb a little stiff
Page: 88
Scars: Has a scar on the right elbow occasioned by a burn, had the smallpox, and a scar on the end of the fore finger of the left hand
Witness: Jno. Walton

21 May 1831 Ann Somerville age 19 Free Born.
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'2"
Notes: Daughter of Kitty Somerville
Page: 89
Scars: Has a scar on the inside corner of the right eyebrow 

6 Mar 1832 William Henry Somerville age 21 Free Born. 
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'10"
Page: 93
Scars: Scar upon his breast about two inches and a half long, five scars upon his right knee and scar above and one below on the right side of the knee, a scar on the left side of the left knee
Witness: Joseph Bean

29 May 1832 Jane Somerville age 28 Free Born
Complexion: Dark
Height: 4'11 .25"
Notes: Raised in Baltimore County 
Page: 206
Scars: Two scars on the throat
Witness: Margaret S. Laty 

30 May 1832 Susan Somerville age 24 Free Born, Baltimore City. 
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'3 .5"
Notes: Raised in Baltimore County
Page: 228
Scars: No notable marks or scars
Witness: Elizabeth Walker

6 July 1832 Ann Somerville age 20 Free Born. 
Complexion: Dark
Height: 4'10"
Notes: Has good teeth
Page: 97
Scars: The middle of her right hand is a little stiff which was occasioned by the loss of some of the bone
Witness: Hz. R. Wright

29 Jan 1833 Peter Somerville age 28 Free Born
Complexion: Light
Height: 5'8"
Page: 97
Scars: Scar on the nose nearly between his eyebrows, has several scars on his hands, and one on the little finger of the left hand that extends lengthways and is between the first and second joint
Witness: Jno. Walton

8 Apr 1834 John Somerville age 30 Free Born
Complexion: Dark
Height: 6'3"
Page: 102
Scars: Has a scar on the joint of his wrist and a scar on the insdie of his thumb on his left hand occasioned by a burn, has a scar occasioned by a burn on the inside of the calf of his left leg
Witness: Jno. Greenwell 

8 Apr 1834 Ann Maria Somerville age 20 Free Born. Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'8"
Page: 102
Scars: Has a scar on the joint of her left wrist and the little finger of her left hand crooked and the little finger of her right hand crooked
Witness: Jno. Greenwell

12 Apr 1834 Appalonia Somerville age 19 Free Born.
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'4"
Page: 103
Scars: Has as scar on the left eyebrow, has a scar on the left side of her face near the corner of her nose and is about two inches long, has a scar on her breast occasioned by a burn and has a flesh mole on her head
Witness: John Walton 

12 Apr 1834 Samuel Somerville age 22 Free Born   
Complexion: Light
Height: 5'10"
Page: 103
Scars: Has a scar between the 2nd and 3rd joint of the forefinger of his left hand, has a scar on the right side of his nose and has another scar under the right corner of his nose on his lip, has a scar on the left side of his upper lip, has a scar on his left
Witness: Jno. Walton

12 Apr 1834 Joseph Somerville age 26 free Born
Complexion: Light
Height: 5'8"
Page: 103
Scars: Has a scar about two inches long upon the forefinger of his right hand, has a scar on the end of the big toe of his right foot, has a small scar under his right eye and has a small scar on the left cheekbone
Witness: Jno. Walton

15 Apr 1834 Allaway Somerville age 18, female, Born free. 
Complexion: Light
Height: 5'1"
Notes: Hair short, pleasant countenance when spoken to
Page: 104
Scars: Has two small scars between the first and second joint of her middle finger on the right hand and has a small scar on the right hand near the knuckle of her little finger
Witness: B. G. Cole

8 Nov 1837 Susan Anne Somerville age 17 Free born. 
Complexion: Bright
Height: 5'5"
Page: 115
Scars: Has a small black mole at the right corner of her mouth, four on the left side of the nose, one above her left eyebrow, and one on her right cheek, has a scar on her right wrist and a scar on the left wrist about two inches long and has a small black mole 

5 Oct 1838 George Somerville age 22 Free Born.
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'11"
Page: 117
Scars: Has a scar on the left side of his breast occasioned by a burn, has a small scar under his chin, the nail of the middle of the right hand injured and a small scar on the eyebrow over the left eye
Witness: Ja. Hammett

5 Jan 1842 Peter Somerville age 40 Free Born
Complexion: Dark Chestnut
Height: 5'9"
Notes: Little finger of the left hand stiff
Page: 127
Scars: Has a scar on the wrist of the left hand about one inch long, has a scar and a slit on the upper part of his right ear and has a scar on the right and lef tof his right eyebrow
Witness: Ch. L. W

1 May 1843 Susan Somerville age 30 Free Born
Complexion: Light
Height: 5'4"
Page: 128
Scars: Has a flesh mole on the back of her neck, has a flesh mark on the right jaw bone of a redish cast, has two scars on the right breast occasioned by a burn
Witness: Geo. Bean and B. G. Cole 

1 May 1843 John Lewis Somerville age 30 Free Born  
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'7"
Notes: Has a long head, thick parting lips
Page: 146
Scars: Small scar over the right eyebrow, a large scar on the instep of the left foot occasioned by the cut of an axe, a small scar on the lower part of the shin of the right leg
Witness: Jno. A. Camalier

3 Sep 1845 Robert Somerville age 21 Free Born
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'6"
Notes: Has a space between the upper front teeth and has a small flesh mole near the left corner of her mouth
Page: 134
Scars: Has a small scar on the inside of the right ankle bone, has a scar on the left thumb and one a little above it, has a scar across the first joint of the little finger of the left hand, has a mole in the inside of the left hand near the wrist
Witness: Cap. Turwell

28 Apr 1846 Mary Eleana Somerville age 20 Free born. 
Complexion: Bright
Height: 5'4"
Notes: Long hair, pleasant countenance and fine teeth
Page: 137
Scars: Has a flesh mole on her breast bone and has one other on the back of her neck, has a small black mole at the out corner of her left eye, has a small scar on the left side of her chin, and has a flesh mole on each of her shoulders
Witness: Jno. D. Pery 

3 Aug 1846 William N Somerville age 23 Free Born.
Complexion: Bright
Height: 5'5"
Notes: Regular teeth
Page: 137
Scars: Has a large scar on the back of his right hand covering the first and second joints of the fingers occasioned by a burn, has a defect in his right ear
Witness: Josh Collumber

21 Oct 1847 Jackson Somerville age 12 Free Born.
Height: 4'7"
Page: 141
Scars: Has a scar on his right knee and one across the calf of his right leg, has a small wart on his right hand, has a small black mole under the left cheek bone, has two small black moles one above and the other below the right corner of his nose
Witness: Thos. W. Morgan 

21 Oct 1847 William Somerville age 13 Free Born.
Complexion: Dark
Height: 4'6"
Notes: Long thick lips, short hair and good teeth
Page: 144
Scars: Has two scars on the back of his left hand near the thumb and forefinger and has a lump on the middle joint of little finger on the left hand, has a small scar at the corner of his right eye, small scar on the forefinger of his left hand
Witness: B. G. Harris [This is probably Benjamin G Harris]

21 Oct 1847 Charles Henry Somerville age 15 Free Born.
Complexion: Light
Height: 5'4"
Page: 141
Scars: Has a scar on the outside of his left ankle bone, three scars on each of his feet, has a small mole at the inside of the right eyebrow, a small scar on his nose, a small scar under the right eye, a small scar under his under lip, has three small scars on
Witness: Thos. W. Morgan

21 Oct 1847 Thomas Somerville age 16 Free Born. 
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'6"
Scars: Has a scar just above the joint of the thumb of the left hand, a scar on the middle joint of the fore finger and little finger, a scar on the middle joint of the left hand occasioned by the cut of a reap hook.

25 Jan 1848 Thomas Somerville age 23 Free Born. 
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'6"
Page: 143
Scars: Has several scars one on his forehead, one on his nose, one near his cheekbone, one on the right side of his face, one near his right ear about three quarters of an inch long and has two small scars near the right temple, has a scar between the first and
Witness: Wm. Nuthall

7 Nov 1849  Rosetta Somerville age 11 Free Born. 
Complexion: Chestnut
Height: 4'3"
Notes: Hair short, thick lips, big nose and good teeth
Page: 144
Scars: Has a small scar at the left corner of her mouth, has a small scar on the forefinger of her right hand, has small dent on the right side of her face, near the corner of her mouth
Witness: B. G. Harris

7 Nov 1849 Susan Somerville age 27 Free Born
Complexion: Chestnut
Height: 5'1"
Notes: Fine white teeth, pleasing countenance, free spoken and short hair
Page: 123
Scars: Small scar on the right arm near the wrist occasioned by a burn, two scars on the left arm from vaccination
Witness: Peter Gough and Jo. Harris

3 Sep 1850 Ann Somerville age 17 Free Born.
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'2"
Notes: Thick lips, thick nose
Page: 151
Scars: Has several black spots on her left hand, has a small black scar near her left elbow, has a black mole on the first joint of the middle finger on the right hand, has a mole on her right foot near the joint of the big toe, has a speck on her right eye
Witness: James Braxton

15 Oct 1850 Sally Somerville age 41 Free Born
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'2"
Page: 153
Scars: Has a small scar on the left arm, has a scar near the right corner of her under lip, has a flesh mole on the right eye, and one near her nose on same side, has a flesh mark between her breast and has short hair
Witness: Joseph Morgan and Jas Spalding

23 Oct 1850 Henrietta Somerville age 15 Free Born. 
Complexion: Dark
Height: 4'9"
Notes: has short hair, thick lips, flat nose and sharp face
Page: 154
Scars: Has a small scar on her forehead, has two small moles on the right side of her neck about two and one half inches apart, has a small mole on her under lip
Witness: Alex Howard

23 Oct 1850 Elizabeth Somerville age 15 Free Born. 
Height: 4'10"
Notes: Short hair, thick lips, dimple on the right cheek, stout made, and good set of teeth
Page: 144
Scars: Has a mole on the upper lip under the left corner of her nose, has a small mole under the right corner of her left eye, has a small mole under the right eye and has a wart near the corner of her right upper eye lid has a mole on her right breastbone
Witness: B. G. Harris 

9 Nov 1852 Peter Somerville age 34 Free Born
Complexion: Black
Height: 5'9"
Notes: Thick lips, rather a broad nose, white finger nails
Page: 164
Scars: Large Scar upon his left foot near the joints of his toes, several light spots on his neck
Witness: James Carbry

8 Dec 1853 Thomas Somerville age 30 Free Born
Complexion: Bright Copper
Height: 5'8"
Page: 148
Scars: Small black mole on the left cheek bone, has a large scar on the calf of his left leg, and has a small scar on the right side of his left knee bone.
Witness: James H. Saunders

31 Jan 1854 George Somerville age 31 Baltimore City, Free Born  [says female]
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'11"
Notes: Raised in St. Mary's County
Page: 70
Scars: Scar on thumb, right
Witness: Thomas Hellin 

18 Mar 1858 William Somerville age 26 Free Born
Complexion: Dark
Height: 5'5"
Notes: Speaks low and soft, long thin face, large eyes
Page: 11
Scars: Has a scar on his forehead just above the right eyebrow, has a scar on the wrist of the right hand on the under joint caused by a cut from a razor
Witness: Thomas L. Davis

2 June 1858 Henry Somerville age 46 Free Born
Complexion: Copper
Height: 5'1"
Notes: Speaks free; Note from B. G. Harris on the adjoining page 12A
Page: 12
Scars: Has a scar on the right hand between the joint where the thumb unites and the wrist joint, has a scar on the left arm just above the inner joint of the elbow caused by a bite, has lost two upper jaw teeth and one on the lower of the right side, has lost t
Witness: B. G. Harris

7 July 1858 William Somerville age 23 Free Born. 
Complexion: Copper
Height: 5'5"
Notes: Speaks soft; Note from J. A. Jarboe to certify that William Somerville is free born on adjoining page 12A
Page: 12
Scars: Has a large scar on the shin of the left leg caused from a burn, has a large scar on the left thigh just about where the thigh bone unites with the hip
Witness: J. A. Jarboe

22 Sep 1860 Rebecca Somerville age 21 Free Born. 
Complexion: Bright Mulatto
Height: 5'0"
Notes: Has a full set of teeth, full suit of dark brown hair
Page: 22
Scars: Some slight marks produced by burns on the right arm above the wrist
Witness: Lewis B. Peak

3 Oct 1860 Mary Ellen Somerville age 21 Free Born. 
Complexion: Light Copper
Height: 5'2"
Notes: Round full face, talks slow
Page: 24
Scars: Has a small scar on the forehead about an inch above the eyebrows, has also a small scar on the back part of the wrist joint caused by a burn, has also a small scar on the upper joint of the middle finger of the right hand, has lost one of her upper jaw t
Witness: John A. Tanner 

3 Oct 1860 Catharine Somerville age 22 Free born. 
Complexion: Black
Height: 5'2"
Notes: Long face, thick lips
Page: 24
Scars: Has a small scar on the under part of the wrist extending a little up the arm, caused by a burn, has lost two upper jaw teeth on each side and two lower jaw teeth on each side
Witness: John A. Tanner

3 Oct 1860 James Robert Somerville age 24 Free Born. 
Complexion: Bright Mulatto
Height: 5'7"
Notes: Round full face
Page: 23
Scars: Has a scar on the left knee on the inner edge of the cap of the knee caused by a burn, has a large scar on the upper part of the right arm a little below the shoulder joint caused by a burn, has lost one of his under jaw teeth on the right side
Witness: John A. Tanner

6 Oct 1860 James Robert Somerville age 22 Free Born. 
Complexion: Black
Height: 5'2"
Notes: Speaks quickly
Page: 25
Scars: Has two scars on the upper part of the left arm near the shoulder caused by the bite of a dog, has also a scar on the left cheek just below the eye, caused by the kick of a horse
Witness: Joshua Stone

19 Oct 1860 Barton Somerville age 21 Free Born.
Complexion: Black
Height: 5'10"
Notes: Full set of teeth, quick spoken
Page: 27
Scars: Stiffness in the middle joint of the little finger of the left hand
Witness: George R. Clocke

19 Oct 1860 John Somerville age 23 Free born
Complexion: Black
Height: 6'1"
Notes: Thin face, heavy suit of hair
Page: 27
Scars: Has a large scar on the upper joint of the right thumb extending down towards the first joint, has lost one of his upper jaw teeth on the left side
Witness: George R. Clocke

1 Nov 1860 William Henry Somerville age 27 Free Born 
Complexion: Black
Height: 5'2"
Notes: Talks just and quick, coarse heavy features
Page: 35
Scars: Has a scar on the left jaw, has a scar on the end of the little finger of the right hand, has a scar on the end of the left thumb, has two dark spots on the right shoulder and side of the neck
Witness: Wm. B. Goddard

2 Nov 1860 Elizabeth Somerville age 25 Free Born. 
Complexion: Bright Mulatto
Height: 5'1"
Page: 39
Scars: Has a scar on the under part of the wrist of right hand, has a large dark mole on the right arm above the elbow, has a mole on the left jaw
Witness: John A. Sanner

Source: Maryland State Archives - Legacy of Slavery in Maryland.