Sumerhill, James (I) of St. Mary's County, Maryland

Are we descendants of his sons James (II) and/or Samuel?

James Sumerhill (I) of Maryland was born in the late 1600's, probably before 1685,
place unknown.  He administered the estate of William Summerhill who died in 1714.
~This William probably our Indentured Servant.~
Was James (I) his son?  This genealogist thinks so and this page is built upon that
premise.  Please keep in mind that I don't have documented proof.  But, by adding
this page to this site, hopefully we are joining the early known Summerhill's.

There were two James Summerhill's in early Maryland; father (I) and son (II).
 I've added Roman Numerals to differentiate the two.

A few early records exist in regard to James (I).  When John Green died in Chaptico
Manor, St. Mary's Co. 1706/07, the Testators were: John Salton (Salter), Allitia &
James Samerhill.  Allitia is a female name and she was probably the wife of James.  The
only heir outside of the wife and living children of John Green was Francis Graham.  Was
Francis the husband of a daughter of John Green?   I insert this information here as Francis
and  James Sumerhill purchased a plantation together and, surely, there was a kinship.

John Green Will Feb 1706

Testators:
"...then came John F. (his mark) Salton, James Somerhill & Allitia E. Somerhill
(Somerhill is written in same will as Samerhill.  Does the E. in Allitia's name stand for Elisin?)

Francis Graham received a heifer, etc. from John Green.

James (I) owned three tracts in St. Mary's Co. when he died:
Westham, Partnershipp & Releife.

Map: Shows a portion of St. Mary's Co.

Red Dot: Approximate Westham, Releife & Partnershipp locations.
NOTE:  These three tracts joined each other.

Westham History

12 Nov. 1665, Luke Barber Esq. surveyed a 1200 acre tract in Chaptico Hundred,
on the west side the main branch of Choptico Bay, St. Mary's Co. MD and called
it Westham.  In 1679, he still owned all of Westham.
But, as the years passed, parcels of Westham were sold off, left to descendants
or given as gifts.   Between the years 1679 and 1687, John Johnson purchased
100 acres from Edward Barber, son of Luke.  John Johnson then left this portion
of Westham when he died in Dec. 1687, to his son.  Because St. Mary's County
records burned, we can't determine when most of the transactions occurred.  In 1707,
Luke Gardiner also owned a portion of Westham.  So those living on this original
1200 acre tract  were in close proximity to each other and some were
probably relatives.
 
Sometime prior to his death in 1725/26, James Sumerhill (I) had purchased or inherited
200 acres of Westham which he left in his will to his son James (II).   Could this
200 acres have been left to James (I) by his father William Summerhill?  (Died 1714.)  
I quote from the following will of a Luke Barber probated 27 Dec 1743.  "To brother
Edward (Barber) and his heirs, land where he now dwells to the North of land sold
William Summerhill and lying next to land sold Samuel Williamson...."  (The land
sold to William Summerhill had to be a part of Westham.  The question is, when did
William purchase the land?  It had to have been prior to his death in 1714.)
 
James (II) is listed in St. Mary's Debt Books as paying taxes on Westham
1753 - 1774.  (Most later Debt Books haven't survived so we can't get the true picture.)  From
1793 until 1808, a William Summerhill paid taxes on 100 acres Westham.  Was it left
to him by his father James (II)?  In his will of 1808, William left Westham to his brother
James Summerhill (III) who was living in Frederick Co. MD at that time.  James (III)
immediately sold the Tract of land called Westham, probably in anticipation of his
migration to  Jefferson Co. KY.

So, for approximately 100 years, portions of the original survey Westham, was in the
possession of the Maryland Summerhill's.  With the loss of the St. Mary's County records,
we have to turn to second-guessing and assumptions.  Only a few records are available and
it's tedious to try to determine any given situation.  
Please use this site as research only!


Land Warrant for Partnershipp

NOTE: 1, 878 parcel of land called Partnershipp in St. Mary's Co. originally surveyed
25 Jul 1694 for William Watson and Thomas Love near Edward Barbers land.
It was again surveyed 13 Dec 1697 for Maj. Nicholas Sewell of Calvert Co. MD.

Transcription of Will

      In the Name of God Amen I James Sumerhill of St. Marys County being sick and weak in body but of
perfect mind and memory praised be God for the same and calling to mind the uncertainty of this
mortall life doe make and ordain this my last will in manner and forme following - Imprimis  I bequeath
my soule to God who gave it trusting to be saved by the only merritts of my Saviour and my body to be
decently buried by my executors hereafter named - Imprimis  I give unto my beloved wife the plantation
whereon I now dwell being part of a Tract of Land called Westham during her naturall Life and at her
decease I give the said land and Plantation part of Westham to my son James Sumerhill to him and his
Heirs forever  ITEM  I give to my son Samuel Sumerhill all that Tract or parcell of Land called
partnershipp Two hundred acres and one other Tract of Land called Releife fifty acres to him and his
heirs forever  ITEM  I give unto my beloved wife one third part of my personall Estate amd the remaining
part thereof I give to my two sons James and Samll. to be Equally devided between them  ITEM  I Constitue
my Wife to be my Extx. of this my last Revoaking all other Will or Wills by me heretofore made:
Signed Sealed and Acknowledged            James Sumerhill
in presence of Jn. F. Harburt, Tho. Laurence, Martha F. Keech
On the Back of the Aforegoing Will was thus written Viz.  February (ye?) 3rd 1725

Then came John Harburt Thomas Laurence and Martha Keech the three Subscribing Witnesses to the
foregoing Will and made Oath on the holy Evangelists of Allmighty God that they saw the Testator
James Sumerhill sign and seale and heard him publish and declare the same as his last Will and
Testament and that att the time of his soo doing he was to the best of their knowledge and Apprehension
of sound and Disposeing mind and memory and that the aforesaid Jn. Harburt Thomas Laurence and
Martha Keech _____ Wittnesses did subscribe the Afore Will in the presence of the said Testator
Sworn before me Tho: Aisquith Depty. Com. of St. Marys County

NOTE:  Martha Keech, in all likelyhood, either a sister or close relative.  John Harburt and
Thomas Laurence, probable relatives.

James Somerhill Inventory of Estate
March 3rd, 1725/2

"An Inventory of the Goods and Chattles of James Somerhill late of St. Marys County dece'd.
Appraised by Luke Barber and John Burroughs being thereunto legally authorized and
Sworn March ye 3rd 1725/6

Signed: John Burroughes & Luke Barber
The Nearest of Kin: Elinor Briscoe, Mary Keech
(Mary Keech was listed as Nearest of Kin in the 1714 William Summerhill Will)
NOTE:  Elinor Briscoe was a Williamson and married Phillip Briscoe.  I've determined
from this Nearest of Kin that Elinor could be a sister of Allitia Elisin Sumerhill.  Also,
was Mary Keech a sister of James Sumerhill?

May 4th 1726
Then came Elisha (Allitia) Sumerhill Executrixe of the within named James Sumerhill
and made Oath that this is a true and perfect Inventory of the Estate of
the said Deced which have hitherto come to her Hands and that she knows of noe
Concealment  According to the direction of the Act of Assembly in such cases
made & provided.  Sworn to before me Tho: Aisquith Comm. of St. Marys County
Creditors: Gunder Erickson & John Cornwell

An Account of what debts is due to James Sumerhill Sale of St. Marys County Deced:
tobacco due from Elizabeth Keech
tobacco due from James Foster

Account of Elisin Somerhill Exutx. of the last Will & Testament of
of James Somerhill late of St. Marys County deceased.  June 7, 1727

The said Accountant chargeth her selfe with the Inventory of the said Deceds
Estate Exhibited into the Office for probate of Wills Exhibited at Annapolis
amount to the Sume of....
(Names mentioned: James Foster, Jn. Phillips, Eliza. Keech, Mary Keech, Capt. Rd. Hopewell,
Gundre Erickson, Jno. Brooks & John Cornwell.

...Then came Elisen Somerhill the aforegoing Accountant and made Oath on the
Holy Evangelists of Allmighty God that the within Acct. is Just & true which after
due Examination is past by me.  Tho. Aisquith Depty. County of St. Marys County

NOTE:  The foregoing documents show James' wife as Elisha/Elisin/Elisen.  It's easy
to understand how her name was misinterpreted and recorded as it sounded.

James Summerhill's wife was appointed Executrix in his will but her name was not given.
It's this researcher's belief her full name was Allitia Elisin Sumerhill.

My Summation of the Maryland Summerhill's
in regard to our Summerhill lineage.

The few records I've uncovered and their time periods, have led me in this
Maryland direction.  But, I wish I could relate to you that this is EXACTLY
 our lineage.   I can't, in all honesty, say that.

  Most all of my family research since 1981 has been based on fact...but in this case,
establishing our Summerhill connection, facts are not yet forthcoming.
My instinct tells me I'm on the right tract, but my mind still requires
proof.  So, I'll keep searching as long as I have breath in my body
and the sense to sort it out.

But with this site, I've put it out there for YOU and I do hope there is at least one
among us who will take what I've done and use it to expand the search.  AND, if
good fortune smiles upon you, please share your findings with ALL of us who
have so diligently pursued the lineage.

I still believe THE document is out there somewhere.  In an attic, trunk, or perhaps
and old Bible registry.  We do know a family Bible existed at one time because
it was part of the estate of William Summerhill who died in 1808.
"1 old family bible."  It was purchased 15 Apr 1809 by Andrew Mills.
I've often dreamed of uncovering it.  

The Summerhill's were of English descent!  During my years of research, I've found
several who stated they were of English descent.   Personally, I've not found
Summerhill's among any other origin.   IF this portion of genealogy interests any
of you, I would recommend that you study England's foundation.  English
derived from Engle, Angle, Engles, Angles; a Low German tribe who settled
in Britain and called it Engla land.  (Belonging to or having the characteristics of
England or of the inhabitants of England; relating to the race at present called
Anglo-Saxon, or to their language.)  The first period was from 450 (the period when
 the Teutonic invaders began to make settlements in the country) to 1100.

This was the beginning of the England we know today and it transpired many centuries
ago.  The study is fascinating.  Someday we will probably learn that our ancestors were
with William the Conqueror and his conquest of England in 1066.  Or, perhaps
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.  
So be it, but my desire is to establish our American connection, first!

So, use my sites and sources to make your own charts with names and dates.
If possible, visit the archives, court houses, libraries, family members...anywhere
information can be obtained.  I do not begin to claim that I've searched every
record out there.  That would be far from accurate.  I've only scratched the surface
for what can be found.  There are numerous places I couldn't visit and even when
I did, there was not time to fully delve into the records as I wished to do.
 Never fall prey to the idea that SOMEONE ELSE was there first!  
You are defeated before you even begin!
Go for it and enjoy the search!

With that said, here are the names and dates
that have determined my assessment of our lineage.

1st

William Summerhill

2nd

James (I)

3rd

James (II)

Samuel

It is definitely the belief of this genealogist that we are descendants
of James or Samuel or both.

Here's my assessment of the above who served in the Maryland Militia:

1. Charles migrated to Granville & Warren Counties, NC by 1788
and as early as 1781.  Died in Warren Co. 1793.

2. William stayed in St. Mary's, died in 1808.  On the 1790 Census only
two females were shown.  In a 1798 deposition taken in St. Mary's Co., he stated
he was 60 years old (born abt 1738).  He owned 100 acres of the tract
Westham when he died and left it to his brother James Summerhill (III).
In his will, he emancipated his 16 slaves.  He is shown as having paid
taxes on Westham 1793 - 1806.

3.  James (III) migrated to Frederick Co. MD by 1790 Census.  He had married
Katie Briscoe and they had one son Robert.  James and family migrated
to Jefferson Co. KY from Frederick Co. MD between 1810 and 1820.
It's my belief that he was the James Summerhill who came south
during the Revolutionary War and received a land grant in Georgia.

4.  Phillip returned to Maryland after his service in the Revolutionary War
and is shown on the 1790 Charles Co. MD Census with one male
under 16 years and 2 females.  One would be his wife.  He died in
Charles Co. Feb. 1791.  John Garner and Henry Briscoe were shown
as Nearest of Kin.  Henry Briscoe was a brother to Katie Briscoe who
married the above James Summerhill (III).  Henry Briscoe also served in
the Revolutionary War and migrated to Jefferson Co. KY and on to Illinois.

So...who is the father of Charles Summerhill who is certainly
the lineage of those in Granville Co. NC.

Who is the father of John Summerhill and the husband of the Elizabeth Summerhill
on the 1810 Rutherford Co. NC Census?   I haven't found them prior to that
year.  Where were they in 1790?  1800?  Does the Samuel Summerille in
Rutherford Co. NC at that time, fit into this picture?  The name Samuel has
 passed through the Rutherford Co. lineage. 

NOTE:  I haven't fully researched the Samuel Summerille in early
Northampton Co. NC (1800 - 1810 Census - born 1755 - 1774).   Or the Samuel
Simeral/Simmeral in early Rutherford Co. NC (1800 - 1810 Census -
born 1755 - 1774).   There could be a connection there.  I've found
 throughout my research, that county clerks have been "famous" for
misinterpreting the name.  Most recorded names as they sounded to them.
Samuel Summerille purchased 200 acres in 1804 in Rutherford Co. NC.
  

It's Now Up To Each Of You!

Now you know practically everything I know.  My travels now are limited and time
is swiftly passing.  If the proof is to be found, I challenge each of you to find it!
No hobby I've ever pursued has come close to surpassing the love I have for
genealogy.  No matter how modest or esteemed, all of us are cousins.  
I wish you well in your endeavors.
                                         ~Aletha

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

PSALMS 119:105  King James Holy Bible

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