Thomas Gorsuch (abt. 1679 - bef. 1774)

Born about 1679 in Talbot County, Province of Maryland [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Jane (Ensor) Gorsuch — married 19 Aug 1714 in Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland

Descendants

Died before 4 Nov 1774 before about age 95 in Baltimore County, Province of Maryland [uncertain]

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Biography

Thomas Gorsuch was a Maryland colonist.

Origin

No birth record for Thomas Gorsuch has been found. He was born around 1679 in either Talbot or Baltimore County as land records from the time period prove his father lived in both counties at various times. In a deed dated 1 AUG 1679 Charles Gorsuch was identified as a planter of Talbot County.^[1] He was a son of Charles Gorsuch and Sarah Cole.^[2]

Numerous depositions given by Thomas Gorsuch are used to estimate his birth date, including an "important suit" August 6, 1772 in which Thomas stated he was "aged 90 or 91 years" ^[3]

Note: Both Thomas' father, Charles Sr. and Thomas' brother, Charles Jr., married women named Sarah Cole (no relation).^[4]

1687 Maiden Choice Inheritance

John Gorsuch, carpenter, the oldest son of Charles Gorsuch and his wife Sarah Cole, apparently born between 1678 and 1679, jointly with his brother Thomas Gorsuch, planter, received the tract Maiden’s Choice, 450 acres, under the will of David Jones 1687. Jones was the second husband of their aunt Anna Gorsuch. They sold it in 1708-9. ^[5]

Background of Maiden Choice: In a Deed, December 8, 1679, Charles Gorsuch of Talbot County and his wife Sarah convey to his brother in law David Jones the three Baltimore County tracts, Cole’s Harbour, 550 acres, upon which Baltimore Town was later laid out; Maiden’s Choice, 450 acres, at the head of the Middle Branch of the Patapsco, and Marybourne, on Jones Falls in what is now North Baltimore, 200 acres, the deed reading, his wife Sarah “being heiress to said land, as ye last will and testament of Thomas Cole will make appear. “And again, in a confirmatiory deed to these same tracs executed by Sarah, with Charles Gorscuh, alone, August 1, 1682, she is described as “the only and sole heir of Thomas Cole, late of Patapsco River, Baltimore County, deceased. The Annapolis patent records show that Thomas Cole in 1649 transported himself and wife Priscilla into the Province and settled in Anne Arundel County on the Severn, but later patented Maiden’s Choice and Cole’s Harbour in Baltimore County.” ^[5]

1714 Marriage

Thomas married 19 August 1714 to Jane Ensor, probably the sister of John Ensor of Darley Hall and daughter of John Ensor of Anne Arundel County who died c. 1709.^[2]

Children

The following children were named by Thomas in his will:

1. Loveless b c. 1715, d 1783; mar Sarah ____
2. Thomas b c. 1720, d 1777; mar Unknown, left issue
3. John b c. 1730, d Aug 7, 1808; mar Mar 11, 1755 to Elizabeth Merryman
4. Elizabeth; mar before 1774 _____ Kelly
5. Mary; mar before 1774 _____ Simpkin

Abstract of Will

I Thomas Gorsuch of the County of Baltimore in the province of Maryland being in reasonable good health of body . . .

• my body to be decently buried by my son John Gorsuch.
• to my beloved wife Jane Gorsuch during her natural life the use and advantage of my dwelling plantation and also my negroes called Jack, Dinah and George, with my beds & furniture belonging and my household goods.
• to my son Loveless Gorsuch all my land called ‘’Friendship’’ and my negro man called Jack now in his possession. After the decease of my wife, Jane, I give the aforesaid negro called Dinah and her increase to my son Loveless.
• to my daughter Elizabeth Kelly 1 negro woman called Hannah and her increase.
• immediately after the decease of my wife, Jane, half part of my tract called ‘’Ensor’s Choice’’ and Loveless’s Addition’’ also 1 negro woman called Kate & her increase, also 1 negro Roger, and the negro called Jack I give to my son Thomas Gorsuch.
• the remaining part of my lands ‘’Ensor’s Choice’’ and Loveless’s Addition’’ also 1 old negro woman called Hannah, mother of the aforesaid negroes, 1 negro called Moll and her increase and also 1 negro called Charles, I give to my son John Gorsuch and the negro called George.
• to my daughter Mary Simpkin 1 negro woman called Nan and her increase.
• to my grandson Robert Gorsuch 1 negro girl called Suck and her increase.

Signed with his mark by Thomas Gorsuch on 23 SEP 1774. Witnessed by Charles Orrick, Jane Gorsuch, Joseph Merryman, Solomon Bowen, and Edward Hogan. Probated 4 NOV 1774.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Baltiimore County Deeds Liber IR PP folio 40
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} J. H. P., "The Gorsuch and Lovelace Familes, Continued" Vol 26, Pages 325-332 (July 1 1918,) The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Virginia Historical Society, JSTOR.org accessed November 26, 2014
3. ↑ Balto. Co. Court Proc. H.W.S. No. 4; 147, 268, 338, 354)
4. ↑ Haschemeyer, Sue N., GORSUCH Dunn*ck Family Genealogy accessed November 26, 2014
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} J. H. P, Baltimore, MD. The Gorsuch and Lovelace Families. Pages 207-222 and 325-332. Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Published Quarterly by the Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Virginia. Volume XXVI for the year ending December 31, 1918. Richmond, Virginia: House of the Society. https://books.google.com/books?id=Tgc1AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA326&lpg=PA326&dq=land+OR+grant+OR+patent+OR+tract+%22Maiden%27s+Choice%22&source=bl&ots=dg_R9c78SM&sig=UFBwAVXNSgZWD28DsdbBGLgQYgw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjZtvLo2aHRAhXE7iYKHXF5CisQ6AEIODAH#v=onepage&q=land%20OR%20grant%20OR%20patent%20OR%20tract%20%22Maiden's%20Choice%22&f=false.. Accessed January 1, 2017
6. ↑ Prerogative Court Wills of Maryland Liber 40 folio 174 [1]