Individual Details
John Courts
(Abt 1630 - Bef 15 Dec 1702)
Notes:
p. 138, Charles County Court and Land Records, Volume I
Charles County Court, 10 May 1663
Liber B, Page 111
John Courts enters his mark of hogs and cattle and gives it to his son Hugh Courts
p. 211, Charles County Court and Land Records, Volume I
Liber B, Page 355
An Orphan Court held 9 Aug 1664
Commissioners Present: Mr. Henry Addames, Mr. Francis Pope, Mr. James Lindsey, Mr. William Marshall
Samuel Dobson brought the following to be recorded:
Thomas Jarvis assigns his rights in 2 cows, one steer, one yearling heifer to Samuel Dobson in case I do not come into the province of Maryland within 3 years one cow calf to Samuel Dobson to be given to John Coats' son Hewgh Coats and another cow calf to be given to William Empson's child after it come to the age of 3 years or upwards; in case the said Thomas Jarvis does come into the Province within 3 years the said Dobson to deliver the said cattle with their increase, all casualties excepted, unto him; 27 Feb 1660; /s/ Thomas Jarvis; wit. Richard Morris (mark), William Marshall (mark) Samuel Dobson assigns his rights in the above to his son Samuel Dobson; /s/ Samuel Dobson, wit. Wm. Price, George Thompson
p. 177, Charles County Land Records, Volume III
Liber H#2, Page 336
7 May 1720; Recorded at request of John Maddocks, planter: 20 Oct 1650; Grant to John Courts, planter for transporting Margaret his now wife and Joseph Letton his servant into the Province in 1649; land on the west side of Wicomico River adjoining Courts Marsh; laid out for 200 acres; wit. William Stone; 25 __ 1655 John Courts assigns to Richard Trew; /s/ John Courts; wit. John Hatch, James Lendsy; 30 May 1659 Richard Trew assigns to Walter Ges; /s/ Richard Trew (mark); wit. Tho. Michel, Tho. Lomax; 14 Sep 1659 Walter Ges assigns to John Hatch; /s/ Walter Ges (mark)
The Maryland Calendar Of Wills Compiled And Edited by Jane Baldwin (Jane Baldwin Cotton) Wills From 1685 To 1702 Volume II, p. 246
Courte, John, Sr, Chas. Co, 27th Jan, 1697; 15th Dec, 1702.
To dau. Eliza: and her husband James Keech and hrs, dwelling plantation and all lands belonging thereto except those already given to son John Courte by deed of gift.
" son John afsd. and hrs, 150 A, "Martin's Freehold."
" " John and son-in-law James Keech and Eliza: his wife, all personalty.
Exs.: Afsd. son and son-in-law.
Test: Blanch Lomax, Ann Cox, Cleborne Lomax. 11. 246.
Maryland Geneolical Society Bulletin, Spring 1979, Vol 20 No 2, Page 114
Courts of Saint Mary's & Charles County Maryland By: Nettie Leitch Major, Genealogist
5101 River Road #613 Bethesda, Maryland 20016
Extensive research has been accomplished on this important and early Maryland family; however with what is offered herewith, more could be accomplished. The name has somewhat disappeared from modern-day Marylanders, but the descendants scattered far and wide and exist today mostly in the far west. That this early comer was of extraordinary and good background in England seems beyond doubt. The name appears as Courtes, Court and Courts, depending upon in which generation it appears.
The first General Assembly of all freemen of Maryland was called by the order of Lord Baltimore to meet at Saint Mary's, Maryland, January 25, 1637, there to consult and advise on the affairs of the Province. "In the first days of the proceedings of this Assembly, it was stated that John Courts, Planter of St Mary's, Saint George Hundred, failed to appear." This is the first record found in Maryland for John Courts. [MD. Archives]. If he were by then a planter in 1637, it indicates that he came prior that date. It is possible that the John CURKE who came on The Dove in 1634 is the same man, with a mis-reading of the script (no other data were found on Curke.) On the second day of the above Assembly, January 27, 1637, it was answered for John Courts that he could not appear for want of passage on the Saint George's River; on January 29th, 1637, Captain Fleet presented a proxy for John Courts. In February of the same year, he was made a member of the Grand Jury [MD. Archives]. Speaking of this Assembly of Freemen, Scharf in his History of Maryland states: "The constitution of this Assembly is one of the most interesting facts in the history of the new country; it was the germ of all subsequent political organization." At the twelfth meeting of the Assembly, March 12, 1637, John Courtes was one of twenty-three members present. On February 21st of the following year, the twenty freemen of Saint George's Hundred selected one of their number to represent them in the first House of Burgesses. John Courtes [Courts of Saint Mary's & Charles County, MD. 115] was one of 19 men signing the returns of election.
At this time he was unmarried, and returned to England shortly after, about 1649; he returned with his wife to the Province as shown by the following extract from the record books of the Maryland Land Office: "A grant of a Freehold to John Courte, 200 acres on the west side of the Wicchomico River, Patent Oct. 23, 1650, for transporting Margaret Robinson (daughter of Anthony) his new wife, and Letton, his servant, into our said Province in the year of our Lord 1649." [MD. Arch. Vol. 8, pp 271, 325; Vol. 1 pp 4, 5, 7, 566; Vol. 5, p. 169; Vol. 11, p. 124. Liber AEH 23/95; Otley Register, Yorkshire, England.] Skordas in his published transcripts of Warrants shows this differently: "Margaret, wife of John Courts, and formerly a servant to Barnaby Jackson, transported 1649."
The spelling of his name varied only slightly, dropping the "e" when he was a member of the General Assembly in 1642 and when sworn to the Oath of Fealty in 1647, his name first appears as Courts. In 1649 the Court held at Saint Mary's June 3rd granted him a cattle mark. From 1647 through 1697, John Courts continued to patent lands.
Sir Lionel Cropley, the first Governor appointed by the Crown, arrived at Saint Mary's in 1691. His associations were Captain John Courts, Thomas Brooke and eight others as councillors. John Court, with forty-four members of the General Assembly, signed a letter to King William and Queen Mary thanking them for sending a Protestant Governor of Maryland.
In 1696, John Courts was a Vestryman of William & Mary Parish, Charles County, MD. [Charles County was set off from St Mary's in 1657: John Courts' lands were already within the area that became Charles County, and extended vastly beyond those boundaries at that time.] On Mar 27, 1689, John Courts was a signer of the "Remonstrance" in which it was stated that the signers were afraid that the Roman Catholics would incite the Indians to murder the Protestants of the area.
September 1691, John Courts was named "in ye list of good, honest, substantial Protestants in Maryland" sent to London, and he was recommended as a suitable person to be a member of the Governor's Council; he was selected and served for years. Nov. 15, 1692, "The Honorable Captain John Courts" was appointed by the Governor one of the Justices of a special Court at Saint Marie's, the Capital. In September 1689, "Mr. John Courts" was named in an Ordinance for regulating civil affairs and appointed one of the Justices of the Peace.
MD. Archives, Vol. 60 lists his children "John Courts, the sone of John Courts, borne 19 Feb. 1655; Elizabeth Courts, dau. of said John Courts was borne 16 May, 1663; Margaret Courts, dau. of John Courts was borne 15 Jan. 1665. [MD. Arch. Vol. 60, p. 221, Charles County Proceedings 1668-1670 "Indenture between Edward Philpot & John Courts, /s/ John Courts, and Margaret (x) Courts, his wife."] Judging by his will, wr. 1697 and probated Charles County, 1702, his son-in-law John Keech, and "my dau." Elizabeth, his wife, son John Courts. Evidently his wife Margaret and child Margaret had predeceased him. [MD. Arch. Vol. S, p 414; Vol. 24, p. 16; Vol. 10, p. 12; and Durham Parish Register; Thomas Chronicles of Maryland]
"Meet Your Ancestors", by Noland Hubbard Bowling;
John Courts was transported to Maryland in 1649, received 200 acres, 1650 purchased
wife Margaret, Time of Service from Barnaby Jackson. Owned Courts Palace purchased by Edward Philpott II. From "Flowering of the Palatinate" by Newman.
From: "Dick D Fox" dickdfox@lockhart.net
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2001 09:15:37 -0600
Subject: [MDCHARLE-L] John Courts-Otley Parish Myth
John Courts immigrated to America in 1635 or 1639 as an indentured servant. He eventually bought his indenture, married a wife named Margaret and prospered in an around the area of Charles County, Maryland. He left many records of his life in colonial America. His will, dated 1697 and proven in 1702, names his wife Margaret, his son John, his daughter Elizabeth and his son-in-law James Keech.
Several years ago, a genealogist discovered records in Otley Parish, Yorkshire, England of a Francis Coate, who was the father of a son named John, born in 1614. The son, John Coates, married Margaret Robinson in Otley Parish in 1645. She was the daughter of Anthony Robinson and Mary Saxton. He theorized that this John Coates was the same John Courts who came to America in the 1630's and that John returned to England, married Margaret Robinson in 1645 and brought her to America. Almost everyone who has Courts ancestry show Francis Coate and Margaret Robinson on their charts.
The records that the genealogist discovered were true enough and the names and dates fit. But, the genealogist did not find all of the records, or he would have found that John Coates and Margaret Robinson continued to live in Otley Parish. John Coates died in 1679, 18 years before John Courts wrote his will in Maryland. His wife Margaret Robinson Coates died 1693/4. Both are buried near Pool in Otley Parish. The information that I received from England was taken from the Transcripts of the Otley Parish Registers 1562-1753 and is reproduced below. Dick Fox
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The only John Coates, son of Francis Coates I can find in the transcripts is for 1614.
"Bapt. 16 Oct 1614-John Coate, s. of Francis Coate, Caley". Caley Hall is/was a big house near Pool, one of the outlying villages of the Otley Parish. I find no other references to Francis.
However, like you, I believe that John married Margaret Robinson, daughter of Anthony Robinson & Mary Saxton at Otley on 7 Apr 1645. (There is no further information listed in the transcript about the marriage.) Margaret's baptism records: "Bapt. 1 Oct 1620-Margaret Robinson, d. of Anthony Robinson".
From here the record appears to conflict with your information, in that John & Margaret appear to have a son called Michael who was baptised in 1646 (27 Sep), but was buried in 1648 (30 Jun). And there are possibly 4 other children born between 1655 and 1664.
I also appear to have burial records for John (28 Aug 1679) and Margaret (3 Mar 1693/4)-both pointing them to be residents of Pool-this 1s, though, only my interpretation of all the data taken from the Otley PRs. (If you can provide me with information that can refute this I would be very happy to change my interpretation.)
I'm afraid that I cannot confirm information about Mary Saxton-beyond the marriage date. The PRs do not record a baptism or parentage for Mary-though I estimate she was born sometime between 1579-1599. The date of death you passed on is shown in the PR as the burial date of Lawrence Saxton (her supposed father.)-I cannot find a burial date recorded for Mary.
With respect to Lawrence Saxton, I can find only 4 childrens' baptisms/burials registered in the Otley PR between 1601-1609 (John-1601, Elizabeth-1604, Jane-bur. 1608, Susanna-1609)-I can find no marriage recorded for him, but suspect that his wife's name was Jane as "Jane Saxton, widow of Bramhope-bur. 18 Dec 1660".
All the information above has been taken from the Transcripts of the Otley Parish Registers 1562-1753. To support/refute my interpretation you would need to look back into family documentation such as letters, probate/wills, land records, bills of sale, etc. There are very few "official" records that were taken at this time, but much of the records that remain would be found County Records Offices in the UK.
Your best bet may be to contact your local Family History Centre run by the Church of the Latter Day Saints who will be able to offer a great deal of advice, and also may be able to obtain copies of documents that you wish to examine. Hope this helps-Happy Christmas and Best wishes Nic Wilson Wharfedale and Craven Genealogical Project
++++++++++++++++++++
Dick D. Fox, 1512 Parkview Drive, Lockhart, Texas 78644 http://members.tripod.com/~dickdfox/index-dickdfox.html
"Maryland Historical Magazine", Volume VII, 1912, pp. 183-184, Land Notes 1634-1655,
[147] Cecilius Lord Propr. of Mary-Land to all persons to whomthese pents shall come Greeting. Know yee tht wee for & in consideraon tht ffrancis Pope (Note 1) & Jno. Courts of the pro: of Mary-Land Plantes. have transported into or sd. pro: in the yeare 1645 to plant & inhabite there. And to the end the sayd ffrancis Pope & Jno. Courts may be enabled to doe vunto us & or heyres acceptable seruice wth or sd. pro: have of & wth the aduice of or Trusty Thomas Greene Leiut. grall of or sd. pro: And according to the Tenor of or lres under or hand & seale date att Portsmouth in the Realme of England 8 Aug. 1636 & enrolled by or Secretary ofor sd. pro" gyven & granted & by these pents doe give grant & Enfeoffe unto the sd. ffrancis Pope & Jno. Courts, All tht parcell of Land, lying on the West side of Poplar Hill: bounding on the West wth a Line of marke trees drawne south from a spring called Popes Spring, into the second branch of Poplar Hill creek: On the West wth a ffresh run called Courts fresh, into a swamp of the sd. Creek.
On the south wth the sd. Creek: On the north wth a line drawne east from Popes spring into Couts fresh Conteyning & now layd out for Two hund. acres, be it mor or lesse. And all woods, quares, mines (Royall mines excepted), waters, fishings, & all other profitts & commodities in or vapor the sd. Land. Saucing to vs & or heiress or Royal jurisdiction & signatory as absolute Lords & Prepares. of or. sd. pro: To hue and to hold the same veto them the sd. ffrancis Pope & Jon. Courts & their heyres for eur. To be holden of vs, as of or manor. of New Towne in ffree & common soccage, by ffealty only for all seruices. Yielding & paying therfore yearley att or usuall receipt att St Maries fowre shillings in money sterl. or two Bushells of good Corne, att the natiuity of or Lord. Guyen att St Inegos ffort this 3d. Aug. 1647. Witness or sd. Leiut grall. Thomas Green.
Note (1) Francis Pope and John courts, to whom this patent was granted, Aug. 3, 1647, are mentioned in Vol. VI, p. 200, as servants brought into the Province in 1635 by James Neale; the surveyor's certificate for this same tract appears in the same volume at p. 369. The patent is here set out in full to emphasize some of the peculiarities of the records.
JOHN COURTS (1614-CA. 1702) immigrated f rom England to Charles County, Maryland during or before 1637, and married Margaret Robinson in 1645. Descendants and relatives lived in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and elsewhere. JOHN COURTS, the first of the Courts family in America was baptized on October 16, 1614, in Otley Parish, York, England. Yorkshire Parish Register Society, vol. 33. The Parish Registers of Otley, County York. Part 1, 15 62--1672 (Leeds, 1908), page 39. 1614, John son of Francis Coate of Caley, bap t. the 16th of October. The General Assembly of all Freemen of Maryland was called by order of Lord Baltimore to meet at Saint Mary's, Maryland on January 25, 1637. In the first days of the proceedings of this Assembly it was stated that JOHN COURTIS, Planter of Saint Mary's, Saint George's Hundred failed to appear or to make it proxy. This is the earliest known record found in America of JOHN COURTS. On the second day of the Assembly January 27, 1637, it was answered for JOHN COURTIS that he could not appear for want of passage on Saint Georges River. On January 29, 1637, Captain Fleet presented a proxy for JOHN COURTIS. In February, 1637, JOHN COURTIS was made a member of the Grand Jury. At the twelfth meeting of the Assembly March 13, 1637, JOHN COURTIS was one of the twenty-three members present. J. Thomas Scharf in his HISTORY OF MARYLAND stated that "The Constitution of this Assembly is one of the most interesting facts in the history of the country and it is easy to see in it the germ of all subsequent political organization." On February 21, 1638, the twenty Freemen of Saint Georges Hundred selected one of their number to represent them in the first House of Burgesses. JOHN COURTIS was one of the nineteen men who signed the returns of election. JOHN COURTIS dropped the "is" from the spelling of his name as a member of the General Assembly in 1642 and when sworn to the Oath of Fealty on September 12, 1647, his name was spelled COURTS. On June 3, 1649, the Court held at Saint Marys, Maryland, granted a cattle mark to JOHN COURTS. JOHN COURTS while on a stay in England married MARGARET ROBINSON on April 7, 1645, in Otley Parish, York, England. Yorkshire Parish Register Society, vol. 33. The Parish Registers of Otley, County York, Part 1, 1562-1672, page 164. Anno Domini 1645 Renig Dni Caroli Regis nostri Anglie Scotie et Hibernie & diei defensor ies etc. vicesimo primo April: JOHN COUTES and MARGARET ROBINSON 7 mo. Thus we learn that on the seventh day of the month of April, 1645, took p lace the marriage of JOHN COURTS and MARGARET ROBINSON. MARGARET ROBINSON was baptized in Otley Parish, York, England, on October 1, 1620. Yorkshire Parish Register Society, vol. 33. The Parish Registers of Otley, County York, Part 1. 1562-1672, page 48. 1620 October, MARGARET, daughter of Anthonie Robinson bapt. first day. MRS. MARGARET ROBINSON COURTS was not mentioned in the will of her husband, JOHN COURTS, and it is assumed that she died before the writing of his will. The births of three children of JOHN COURTS are recorded in the "Maryland Genealogical Bulletin", vol. January 1, 1930, page 28. (A) JOHN COURTS, son of JOHN and MARGARET COURTS, born February 19, 1655. (B) ELIZABETH COURTS, daughter of JOHN and MARGARET COURTS, born May 16, 1663. (C) MARGARET COURTS, daughter of JOHN and MARGARET COURTS, born January 15, 1665. (A) JOHN COURTS II married Charity Henley. (B) ELIZABETH COURTS married James Keech. She died leaving a will in St Mary's County, Maryland dated October 13, 1718. (C) MARGARET COURTS--no further record. The will of JOHN COURTS, Senior, of Charles Coun ty, Maryland, was dated January 27, 1697, and was probated on December 13, 1702. Land patents to JOHN COURTS, Senior, Francis Pope and JOHN COURTS, their patent, 200 acres. Calls for Popes Spring,
p. 138, Charles County Court and Land Records, Volume I
Charles County Court, 10 May 1663
Liber B, Page 111
John Courts enters his mark of hogs and cattle and gives it to his son Hugh Courts
p. 211, Charles County Court and Land Records, Volume I
Liber B, Page 355
An Orphan Court held 9 Aug 1664
Commissioners Present: Mr. Henry Addames, Mr. Francis Pope, Mr. James Lindsey, Mr. William Marshall
Samuel Dobson brought the following to be recorded:
Thomas Jarvis assigns his rights in 2 cows, one steer, one yearling heifer to Samuel Dobson in case I do not come into the province of Maryland within 3 years one cow calf to Samuel Dobson to be given to John Coats' son Hewgh Coats and another cow calf to be given to William Empson's child after it come to the age of 3 years or upwards; in case the said Thomas Jarvis does come into the Province within 3 years the said Dobson to deliver the said cattle with their increase, all casualties excepted, unto him; 27 Feb 1660; /s/ Thomas Jarvis; wit. Richard Morris (mark), William Marshall (mark) Samuel Dobson assigns his rights in the above to his son Samuel Dobson; /s/ Samuel Dobson, wit. Wm. Price, George Thompson
p. 177, Charles County Land Records, Volume III
Liber H#2, Page 336
7 May 1720; Recorded at request of John Maddocks, planter: 20 Oct 1650; Grant to John Courts, planter for transporting Margaret his now wife and Joseph Letton his servant into the Province in 1649; land on the west side of Wicomico River adjoining Courts Marsh; laid out for 200 acres; wit. William Stone; 25 __ 1655 John Courts assigns to Richard Trew; /s/ John Courts; wit. John Hatch, James Lendsy; 30 May 1659 Richard Trew assigns to Walter Ges; /s/ Richard Trew (mark); wit. Tho. Michel, Tho. Lomax; 14 Sep 1659 Walter Ges assigns to John Hatch; /s/ Walter Ges (mark)
The Maryland Calendar Of Wills Compiled And Edited by Jane Baldwin (Jane Baldwin Cotton) Wills From 1685 To 1702 Volume II, p. 246
Courte, John, Sr, Chas. Co, 27th Jan, 1697; 15th Dec, 1702.
To dau. Eliza: and her husband James Keech and hrs, dwelling plantation and all lands belonging thereto except those already given to son John Courte by deed of gift.
" son John afsd. and hrs, 150 A, "Martin's Freehold."
" " John and son-in-law James Keech and Eliza: his wife, all personalty.
Exs.: Afsd. son and son-in-law.
Test: Blanch Lomax, Ann Cox, Cleborne Lomax. 11. 246.
Maryland Geneolical Society Bulletin, Spring 1979, Vol 20 No 2, Page 114
Courts of Saint Mary's & Charles County Maryland By: Nettie Leitch Major, Genealogist
5101 River Road #613 Bethesda, Maryland 20016
Extensive research has been accomplished on this important and early Maryland family; however with what is offered herewith, more could be accomplished. The name has somewhat disappeared from modern-day Marylanders, but the descendants scattered far and wide and exist today mostly in the far west. That this early comer was of extraordinary and good background in England seems beyond doubt. The name appears as Courtes, Court and Courts, depending upon in which generation it appears.
The first General Assembly of all freemen of Maryland was called by the order of Lord Baltimore to meet at Saint Mary's, Maryland, January 25, 1637, there to consult and advise on the affairs of the Province. "In the first days of the proceedings of this Assembly, it was stated that John Courts, Planter of St Mary's, Saint George Hundred, failed to appear." This is the first record found in Maryland for John Courts. [MD. Archives]. If he were by then a planter in 1637, it indicates that he came prior that date. It is possible that the John CURKE who came on The Dove in 1634 is the same man, with a mis-reading of the script (no other data were found on Curke.) On the second day of the above Assembly, January 27, 1637, it was answered for John Courts that he could not appear for want of passage on the Saint George's River; on January 29th, 1637, Captain Fleet presented a proxy for John Courts. In February of the same year, he was made a member of the Grand Jury [MD. Archives]. Speaking of this Assembly of Freemen, Scharf in his History of Maryland states: "The constitution of this Assembly is one of the most interesting facts in the history of the new country; it was the germ of all subsequent political organization." At the twelfth meeting of the Assembly, March 12, 1637, John Courtes was one of twenty-three members present. On February 21st of the following year, the twenty freemen of Saint George's Hundred selected one of their number to represent them in the first House of Burgesses. John Courtes [Courts of Saint Mary's & Charles County, MD. 115] was one of 19 men signing the returns of election.
At this time he was unmarried, and returned to England shortly after, about 1649; he returned with his wife to the Province as shown by the following extract from the record books of the Maryland Land Office: "A grant of a Freehold to John Courte, 200 acres on the west side of the Wicchomico River, Patent Oct. 23, 1650, for transporting Margaret Robinson (daughter of Anthony) his new wife, and Letton, his servant, into our said Province in the year of our Lord 1649." [MD. Arch. Vol. 8, pp 271, 325; Vol. 1 pp 4, 5, 7, 566; Vol. 5, p. 169; Vol. 11, p. 124. Liber AEH 23/95; Otley Register, Yorkshire, England.] Skordas in his published transcripts of Warrants shows this differently: "Margaret, wife of John Courts, and formerly a servant to Barnaby Jackson, transported 1649."
The spelling of his name varied only slightly, dropping the "e" when he was a member of the General Assembly in 1642 and when sworn to the Oath of Fealty in 1647, his name first appears as Courts. In 1649 the Court held at Saint Mary's June 3rd granted him a cattle mark. From 1647 through 1697, John Courts continued to patent lands.
Sir Lionel Cropley, the first Governor appointed by the Crown, arrived at Saint Mary's in 1691. His associations were Captain John Courts, Thomas Brooke and eight others as councillors. John Court, with forty-four members of the General Assembly, signed a letter to King William and Queen Mary thanking them for sending a Protestant Governor of Maryland.
In 1696, John Courts was a Vestryman of William & Mary Parish, Charles County, MD. [Charles County was set off from St Mary's in 1657: John Courts' lands were already within the area that became Charles County, and extended vastly beyond those boundaries at that time.] On Mar 27, 1689, John Courts was a signer of the "Remonstrance" in which it was stated that the signers were afraid that the Roman Catholics would incite the Indians to murder the Protestants of the area.
September 1691, John Courts was named "in ye list of good, honest, substantial Protestants in Maryland" sent to London, and he was recommended as a suitable person to be a member of the Governor's Council; he was selected and served for years. Nov. 15, 1692, "The Honorable Captain John Courts" was appointed by the Governor one of the Justices of a special Court at Saint Marie's, the Capital. In September 1689, "Mr. John Courts" was named in an Ordinance for regulating civil affairs and appointed one of the Justices of the Peace.
MD. Archives, Vol. 60 lists his children "John Courts, the sone of John Courts, borne 19 Feb. 1655; Elizabeth Courts, dau. of said John Courts was borne 16 May, 1663; Margaret Courts, dau. of John Courts was borne 15 Jan. 1665. [MD. Arch. Vol. 60, p. 221, Charles County Proceedings 1668-1670 "Indenture between Edward Philpot & John Courts, /s/ John Courts, and Margaret (x) Courts, his wife."] Judging by his will, wr. 1697 and probated Charles County, 1702, his son-in-law John Keech, and "my dau." Elizabeth, his wife, son John Courts. Evidently his wife Margaret and child Margaret had predeceased him. [MD. Arch. Vol. S, p 414; Vol. 24, p. 16; Vol. 10, p. 12; and Durham Parish Register; Thomas Chronicles of Maryland]
"Meet Your Ancestors", by Noland Hubbard Bowling;
John Courts was transported to Maryland in 1649, received 200 acres, 1650 purchased
wife Margaret, Time of Service from Barnaby Jackson. Owned Courts Palace purchased by Edward Philpott II. From "Flowering of the Palatinate" by Newman.
From: "Dick D Fox" dickdfox@lockhart.net
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2001 09:15:37 -0600
Subject: [MDCHARLE-L] John Courts-Otley Parish Myth
John Courts immigrated to America in 1635 or 1639 as an indentured servant. He eventually bought his indenture, married a wife named Margaret and prospered in an around the area of Charles County, Maryland. He left many records of his life in colonial America. His will, dated 1697 and proven in 1702, names his wife Margaret, his son John, his daughter Elizabeth and his son-in-law James Keech.
Several years ago, a genealogist discovered records in Otley Parish, Yorkshire, England of a Francis Coate, who was the father of a son named John, born in 1614. The son, John Coates, married Margaret Robinson in Otley Parish in 1645. She was the daughter of Anthony Robinson and Mary Saxton. He theorized that this John Coates was the same John Courts who came to America in the 1630's and that John returned to England, married Margaret Robinson in 1645 and brought her to America. Almost everyone who has Courts ancestry show Francis Coate and Margaret Robinson on their charts.
The records that the genealogist discovered were true enough and the names and dates fit. But, the genealogist did not find all of the records, or he would have found that John Coates and Margaret Robinson continued to live in Otley Parish. John Coates died in 1679, 18 years before John Courts wrote his will in Maryland. His wife Margaret Robinson Coates died 1693/4. Both are buried near Pool in Otley Parish. The information that I received from England was taken from the Transcripts of the Otley Parish Registers 1562-1753 and is reproduced below. Dick Fox
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The only John Coates, son of Francis Coates I can find in the transcripts is for 1614.
"Bapt. 16 Oct 1614-John Coate, s. of Francis Coate, Caley". Caley Hall is/was a big house near Pool, one of the outlying villages of the Otley Parish. I find no other references to Francis.
However, like you, I believe that John married Margaret Robinson, daughter of Anthony Robinson & Mary Saxton at Otley on 7 Apr 1645. (There is no further information listed in the transcript about the marriage.) Margaret's baptism records: "Bapt. 1 Oct 1620-Margaret Robinson, d. of Anthony Robinson".
From here the record appears to conflict with your information, in that John & Margaret appear to have a son called Michael who was baptised in 1646 (27 Sep), but was buried in 1648 (30 Jun). And there are possibly 4 other children born between 1655 and 1664.
I also appear to have burial records for John (28 Aug 1679) and Margaret (3 Mar 1693/4)-both pointing them to be residents of Pool-this 1s, though, only my interpretation of all the data taken from the Otley PRs. (If you can provide me with information that can refute this I would be very happy to change my interpretation.)
I'm afraid that I cannot confirm information about Mary Saxton-beyond the marriage date. The PRs do not record a baptism or parentage for Mary-though I estimate she was born sometime between 1579-1599. The date of death you passed on is shown in the PR as the burial date of Lawrence Saxton (her supposed father.)-I cannot find a burial date recorded for Mary.
With respect to Lawrence Saxton, I can find only 4 childrens' baptisms/burials registered in the Otley PR between 1601-1609 (John-1601, Elizabeth-1604, Jane-bur. 1608, Susanna-1609)-I can find no marriage recorded for him, but suspect that his wife's name was Jane as "Jane Saxton, widow of Bramhope-bur. 18 Dec 1660".
All the information above has been taken from the Transcripts of the Otley Parish Registers 1562-1753. To support/refute my interpretation you would need to look back into family documentation such as letters, probate/wills, land records, bills of sale, etc. There are very few "official" records that were taken at this time, but much of the records that remain would be found County Records Offices in the UK.
Your best bet may be to contact your local Family History Centre run by the Church of the Latter Day Saints who will be able to offer a great deal of advice, and also may be able to obtain copies of documents that you wish to examine. Hope this helps-Happy Christmas and Best wishes Nic Wilson Wharfedale and Craven Genealogical Project
++++++++++++++++++++
Dick D. Fox, 1512 Parkview Drive, Lockhart, Texas 78644 http://members.tripod.com/~dickdfox/index-dickdfox.html
"Maryland Historical Magazine", Volume VII, 1912, pp. 183-184, Land Notes 1634-1655,
[147] Cecilius Lord Propr. of Mary-Land to all persons to whomthese pents shall come Greeting. Know yee tht wee for & in consideraon tht ffrancis Pope (Note 1) & Jno. Courts of the pro: of Mary-Land Plantes. have transported into or sd. pro: in the yeare 1645 to plant & inhabite there. And to the end the sayd ffrancis Pope & Jno. Courts may be enabled to doe vunto us & or heyres acceptable seruice wth or sd. pro: have of & wth the aduice of or Trusty Thomas Greene Leiut. grall of or sd. pro: And according to the Tenor of or lres under or hand & seale date att Portsmouth in the Realme of England 8 Aug. 1636 & enrolled by or Secretary ofor sd. pro" gyven & granted & by these pents doe give grant & Enfeoffe unto the sd. ffrancis Pope & Jno. Courts, All tht parcell of Land, lying on the West side of Poplar Hill: bounding on the West wth a Line of marke trees drawne south from a spring called Popes Spring, into the second branch of Poplar Hill creek: On the West wth a ffresh run called Courts fresh, into a swamp of the sd. Creek.
On the south wth the sd. Creek: On the north wth a line drawne east from Popes spring into Couts fresh Conteyning & now layd out for Two hund. acres, be it mor or lesse. And all woods, quares, mines (Royall mines excepted), waters, fishings, & all other profitts & commodities in or vapor the sd. Land. Saucing to vs & or heiress or Royal jurisdiction & signatory as absolute Lords & Prepares. of or. sd. pro: To hue and to hold the same veto them the sd. ffrancis Pope & Jon. Courts & their heyres for eur. To be holden of vs, as of or manor. of New Towne in ffree & common soccage, by ffealty only for all seruices. Yielding & paying therfore yearley att or usuall receipt att St Maries fowre shillings in money sterl. or two Bushells of good Corne, att the natiuity of or Lord. Guyen att St Inegos ffort this 3d. Aug. 1647. Witness or sd. Leiut grall. Thomas Green.
Note (1) Francis Pope and John courts, to whom this patent was granted, Aug. 3, 1647, are mentioned in Vol. VI, p. 200, as servants brought into the Province in 1635 by James Neale; the surveyor's certificate for this same tract appears in the same volume at p. 369. The patent is here set out in full to emphasize some of the peculiarities of the records.
JOHN COURTS (1614-CA. 1702) immigrated f rom England to Charles County, Maryland during or before 1637, and married Margaret Robinson in 1645. Descendants and relatives lived in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and elsewhere. JOHN COURTS, the first of the Courts family in America was baptized on October 16, 1614, in Otley Parish, York, England. Yorkshire Parish Register Society, vol. 33. The Parish Registers of Otley, County York. Part 1, 15 62--1672 (Leeds, 1908), page 39. 1614, John son of Francis Coate of Caley, bap t. the 16th of October. The General Assembly of all Freemen of Maryland was called by order of Lord Baltimore to meet at Saint Mary's, Maryland on January 25, 1637. In the first days of the proceedings of this Assembly it was stated that JOHN COURTIS, Planter of Saint Mary's, Saint George's Hundred failed to appear or to make it proxy. This is the earliest known record found in America of JOHN COURTS. On the second day of the Assembly January 27, 1637, it was answered for JOHN COURTIS that he could not appear for want of passage on Saint Georges River. On January 29, 1637, Captain Fleet presented a proxy for JOHN COURTIS. In February, 1637, JOHN COURTIS was made a member of the Grand Jury. At the twelfth meeting of the Assembly March 13, 1637, JOHN COURTIS was one of the twenty-three members present. J. Thomas Scharf in his HISTORY OF MARYLAND stated that "The Constitution of this Assembly is one of the most interesting facts in the history of the country and it is easy to see in it the germ of all subsequent political organization." On February 21, 1638, the twenty Freemen of Saint Georges Hundred selected one of their number to represent them in the first House of Burgesses. JOHN COURTIS was one of the nineteen men who signed the returns of election. JOHN COURTIS dropped the "is" from the spelling of his name as a member of the General Assembly in 1642 and when sworn to the Oath of Fealty on September 12, 1647, his name was spelled COURTS. On June 3, 1649, the Court held at Saint Marys, Maryland, granted a cattle mark to JOHN COURTS. JOHN COURTS while on a stay in England married MARGARET ROBINSON on April 7, 1645, in Otley Parish, York, England. Yorkshire Parish Register Society, vol. 33. The Parish Registers of Otley, County York, Part 1, 1562-1672, page 164. Anno Domini 1645 Renig Dni Caroli Regis nostri Anglie Scotie et Hibernie & diei defensor ies etc. vicesimo primo April: JOHN COUTES and MARGARET ROBINSON 7 mo. Thus we learn that on the seventh day of the month of April, 1645, took p lace the marriage of JOHN COURTS and MARGARET ROBINSON. MARGARET ROBINSON was baptized in Otley Parish, York, England, on October 1, 1620. Yorkshire Parish Register Society, vol. 33. The Parish Registers of Otley, County York, Part 1. 1562-1672, page 48. 1620 October, MARGARET, daughter of Anthonie Robinson bapt. first day. MRS. MARGARET ROBINSON COURTS was not mentioned in the will of her husband, JOHN COURTS, and it is assumed that she died before the writing of his will. The births of three children of JOHN COURTS are recorded in the "Maryland Genealogical Bulletin", vol. January 1, 1930, page 28. (A) JOHN COURTS, son of JOHN and MARGARET COURTS, born February 19, 1655. (B) ELIZABETH COURTS, daughter of JOHN and MARGARET COURTS, born May 16, 1663. (C) MARGARET COURTS, daughter of JOHN and MARGARET COURTS, born January 15, 1665. (A) JOHN COURTS II married Charity Henley. (B) ELIZABETH COURTS married James Keech. She died leaving a will in St Mary's County, Maryland dated October 13, 1718. (C) MARGARET COURTS--no further record. The will of JOHN COURTS, Senior, of Charles Coun ty, Maryland, was dated January 27, 1697, and was probated on December 13, 1702. Land patents to JOHN COURTS, Senior, Francis Pope and JOHN COURTS, their patent, 200 acres. Calls for Popes Spring,
Events
| Birth | Abt 1630 | ||||
| Marriage | Abt 1650 | Md - Margaret Robinson | |||
| Marriage | Abt 1650 | Md - Margaret Robinson | |||
| Death | Bef 15 Dec 1702 | Charles County, Maryland, United States | |||
| Death | Bef 15 Dec 1702 | Charles County, MD |
Families
| Spouse | Margaret Robinson (1630 - 1697) |
| Child | John Courts (1654 - 1702) |
| Child | Hugh Courts (1659 - ) |
| Child | Elizabeth Courts (1663 - 1730) |
| Child | Margaret Courts (1664 - ) |
| Spouse | Margaret Robinson (1630 - 1697) |
| Child | John Courts (1654 - 1702) |
| Child | Hugh Courts (1659 - ) |
| Child | Elizabeth Courts (1663 - 1730) |
| Child | Margaret Courts (1664 - ) |