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From: "Linda Reno" <>
Subject: Re: [MDCHARLE] Ryce - Rice family of Charles, P.G.,and St. Marys Counties
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:01:09 -0400
References: <100820082354.3092.48ED4832000D107500000C142207021053CE9B0B029A9F@comcast.net> <BLU137-W40B0893CB2BA9E1ABFCD6E85370@phx.gbl><3F5841B2937041F3AAE6306FE37D8B9B@D983XB51><48F4BFA8.7050207@comcast.net>


As you'll note below, Mrs. Mary Ann Hill referred to Mrs. Ryce as her
sister. Mary Ann Bleathen married William D. Hill, 04 Feb 1837 in St.
Mary's County. William D. Hill was the son of Henry Hill and Margaret Davis
(Margaret Davis was a sister of my ancestress, Rebecca Davis who married
James Burroughs).

There was a Samuel Blethen listed as head of household in St. Mary's Co. in
1790: 1M over 16; 2M under 16; 4F. Mary Ann, b. 1810 and Margaret were
born 1812 so they weren't even born yet, but I'd start with Samuel at least.

This case was transcribed by Tom Jennings and sent to me several years ago.
I think you'll find it most useful and informative.

Linda Reno



ST. MARY'S COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT (Equity Papers) Dates: 1855, p. 409. Thomas
T. Ryce, Margaret Ryce, Elizabeth R. Ryce, Mary C. Ryce, Emily A. Ryce,
Sarah B. Ryce, James R. Ryce, Francis W. Ryce, Webster Ryce, and Priscilla
Ryce vs. John H. Sothoron, William McDaniel, Elizabeth McDaniel, and
Maintainer Burroughs (NOTE: This man's name was Alexander Mantana
Burroughs). Title to Westham. Accession No,: 19,731-460-1/4; MSA No.: C
1592-49; Location:1/5 7/9/64

5/3/1855: Summons to John H. Sothoron & Maintaner Burroughs, late of St.
Marys Co.; John H. Sothoron & Elizabeth, wife of William McDaniels of
Calvert Co.

10/3/1855 James F. Sothoron departed this life leaving John H. Sothoron &
Elizabeth, wife of William McDaniels the only children of deceased.

11/1/1858--John B. Ryce lived on Westham when he left St. Marys Co.

WITNESS: MARY ANN HILL ( my Abstract) (*in later testimony, she states
Mrs. Ryce was her sister). "His children were: Thomas S., Elizabeth R.,
Mary C., Emily A., Zora B, James R., Francis W., Webster & Priscilla who has
since died. John B. Ryce left abt 11 or 12 yrs ago. I have heard since that
he was dead being drowned crossing some river. He purchased Westham form
Major James F. Sothoron. Both persons told her he gave $400. "When Mr. J.B.
Ryce was sick & likely to die, Major Sothoron told me to tell Mrs. Ryce that
Mr. Ryce had paid full amount but was not given a deed & Major Sothoron was
willing to give a deed at any time."

Q. What are ages of children?

A. Thomas S. is abt 26, Elizabeth is 25, Mary C. 20, Emily A. 19, Zora B.
17, James R. 15, Francis W. 13, Webster 11 or 12 yrs.

After J.B. Ryce left county & up until death of Major Sothoron, J.B.'s widow
& children lived on land.

WITNESS: GEORGE SIMPSON ( my Abstract). "I had a conversation with Major
Sothoron abt 18 mos-2 yrs before his death. Mr. Ryce was then considered in
imbecile mind & Major Sothoron said to me he was afraid poor Ryce was going
crazy, that he had sold him the small forest farm where he lived. Major
Sothoron said land had been paid for. He (Ryce) was considered crazy when he
left."

WITNESS: A. M. BURROUGHS ( my Abstract). "In 1846, Ryce called me at Major
Sothoron's to go down with him & see the land to buy it. Ryce left in 1846.
I lived with Major Sothoron 4 or 5 yrs before Ryce left and 1 yr afterward.
I lived as a member of family & the most social terms." Ryce was a
plasterer & bricklayer. He had done some work on estate, built aone chimney
to a quarter, worth abt. $6.00"

Question: How did you part from your interest on land purchased from Col. J.
H. Sothoron.

When 5/1/1862, I gave deed dated 6/18/1862. Deed now in possession of Col.
Sothoron. I was manager of their estate."

WITNESS: CHARLES L. CARPENTER ( my Abstract)

Q. Has Mr. Simpson and reputation for truth in your neighborhood?

A. He has, but I with a great many others would not think him worthy of
belief.

WITNESS; JEROME HAYDEN ( my Abstract)

Q. Has Mr. Simpson and reputation for truth in your neighborhood?

A. The majority feel very slightly of him.

Q. Have you ever had a falling out with him

A. Yes, I had difficulty with him

WITNESS: WILLIAM A. DRURY ( my Abstract)

Q. Has Mr. Simpson and reputation for truth in your neighborhood?

A. From what I know of him, it couldn't be very good in or out of
neighborhood.

Q. How far do you live from Simpson?

A. 6 miles now, heretofore, I lived within 3 miles.

WITNESS: THOMAS POWERS ( my Abstract). Ryce worked abt 1843-1844 on a
chimney for a small house. I have no recollection of his doing work Major
Sothoron while I lived with Col. Sothoron.

8/18/1863 WITNESS; MARY ANN HILL (again)

Q. what is your age? A. I am abt 54 yrs.

"Major Sothoron told me to say to Mrs. Ryce, my sister, that Mr. Ryce had
paid full amount but was not given a deed & Major Sothoron was willing to
give a deed at any time. He paid $100 and balance in work. I was living with
Mr. George W, Burroughs on the adjoining farm of Major Sothorons. Mr. A. M.
Burroughs was manager of Major Sothoron's at the time I lived with George W.
Burroughs, what has been 21 or 22 yrs ago.

11/17/1863- WITNESSES; Robert T. Barber, Daniel T. Morgan, James S. Downs,
George I. Spalding, F. D. Hayden, J. Thompson Yates, James (S.?) Morgan,
Thos. L. Davis, J.J. Robinson, John F. Barber, James T. M. Raley.

Q. Do you know George Simpson? Would you believe him.

A. All say yes.

1/12/1864-WITNESS: GEORGE T. BURROUGHS. "I know of land for sometime,
between 45 or 50 yrs. The just owner that I have knowledge of was Major
Sothoron from 1825 until he sold it to Ryce. I was with Major Sothoron at
Mrs. Woods & Major asked her why she had a wood chimney that smoked badly.
Major Sothoron said if she would buy bricks, he would have chimney put up.
Major Sothoron said Ryce owed him for land sold him & anxious to finish
paying for it.

3/19/1866 Complaintants are entitled to a deed of conveyance & Robert C.
Combs appt. trustee to land sold by late James F. Sothoron to John B. Ryce &
defendants to pay court costs.

WITNESS: WILLIAM A. ROBSON

Q.: Are you Deputy Clerk of St. Marys A. Yes, I am.

Q. What are earliest date of deeds in your office

A. 8/8/1827. I have made search and found no deed.



----- Original Message -----
From: "wpsc" <>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 11:50 AM
Subject: Re: [MDCHARLE] Ryce - Rice family of Charles, P.G., and St. Marys
Counties


Linda,

Margaret's maiden name has been a mystery. I would be interested in any
information you have on the Bleathen family. I have never heard that
name before. It is believed by some researchers that the Welch name is
likely a mistake that was recorded on her death certificate and then
marked out. Margaret is thought to have been from Charles County. Any
help on the Bleathen family would be greatly appreciated.

Patty

Linda Reno wrote:
> I have the wife of John Barnett Ryce as Margaret Bleathen (not sure where
> I
> got the surname) but if so, she was probably a sister of Mary Ann Bleathen
> who married William D. Hill in 1837.
>
> Your record states her name as Margaret Welch. Who were her parents?
>
> Thank you.
>
> Linda Reno
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Darlene Crank" <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Sunday, October 12, 2008 6:09 PM
> Subject: Re: [MDCHARLE] Ryce - Rice family of Charles, P.G., and St. Marys
> Counties
>
>
>
> My sister, Mary June Higgs Ryce Mattingly, completed a book back in 2004
> on
> the Ryce family 1810-2003 for her children. She married to Daniel Webster
> Ryce in July 1957.
>
> She has that Samuel Wilson Rice born abt 1872 was the son of James Richard
> Rice ( B. 1840- Died Jan. 15, 1908 in Ryceville, Md, Buried at Bethel
> Cem.
> Budds Creek) and Mary L. Welch (1852-1917). James was the son of John
> Barnette Ryce born abt. 1810 and Margaret Welch. My sister does Sameuls
> decendants. She followed the line of his brother Daniel Webster Rice. He
> was born July 10, 1870 and died, October 3, 1969. He is buried at St.
> Ignatius Cem. Hilltop, MD.Darlene> From: > To:
> ; > Date: Wed, 8 Oct 2008
> 23:54:27
> +0000> Subject: Re: [MDCHARLE] Ryce - Rice family of Charles, P.G., and
> St.
> Marys Counties> > You have probably seen these but a google search:> "ryce
> genealogy maryland" comes up with some RYCE info> > --------------
> Original
> message -------------- > From: peter traggorth <> > >
> >
> I'm looking to contact anyone how has come across the Rice or Ryce family
> in
> > > southern Maryland and trade notes. I'm looking for all and any
> descendants > > information. My wife's Grandmother was Annie Mae (Ryce)
> Hayden daughter of > > Samuel Wilson Ryce. I have been working on this
> line
> for about 2 years now and > > have a extensive tree, but am still missing
> tons individuals and dates. > > > > Thanks, > > Peter Traggorth > > > > >
> >
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