This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: EmaluSimpson Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.delaware.counties.sussex/3199.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I identified Sophia (Smith) Murray from a Dorchester County land record which lists numerous tracts of land which descended to her as an heir of her deceased brother, Thomas Smith (9HD 470, Aug 15, 1796). In the deed, John Murray, Physician and Sophia, his wife of Dorchester County sold to Josiah Bayley the tracts, Smithfield Composition, Whites Friendship, Salsbury Plain, Smiths Meadow, Smiths Discovery, Ox Pasture, Billings Chance, Hoopers Fortune, Point Good Hope, Smithfield and Cow Pasture. The same tracts of land were sold three years earlier by Charles Hodson and Anne, his wife to Josiah Bayley. The transaction is recorded in Dorchester Land Records (6HD 274, Oct 21, 1793). According to the deed Anne was another sister of Thomas Smith. In his will of March 10 and proved April 24, 1775 (Prerogative Court of MD Wills, Liber 40, f-540), Thomas Smith mentions his wife Sophia. His personal estate was to be divided after the wife's third between son, Thomas, Ann, Sophia and an unborn child. He also mentions his sister Ann Ennalls and her husband, Henry Ennalls, and his wife's brother, Joseph Griffith. Their dwelling was located on the tract Billings Chance. Smithfield, Salisbury Plain and Smithfield Composition are mentioned in the will. So Sophia was born before 1775. She married John Murray circa 1795 in Dorchester County. He is probably the son of Cambridge physician, Harry (Henry?) Murray and a brother of William Vans Murray, the well-known politian, diplomat and author from Dorchester County. I do not know if John and Sophia Murray had any children. John was also a physician and the couple seems to have lived in the City of Cambridge. John Hodson was an early settler in Dorchester County in the vicinity of Cambridge. There were four consequtive generations of men named John Hodson. Thus, John Hodson, Secundus (the second). I have sometimes seen the name written Hudson, but I am not clear that they are the same Hudson family as in Sussex County. John Hodson, II was a partner with John and James Cannon in the Wooden Mines, a tract bought on speculation for the mining of iron ore. They may have also been partners in other commercial ventures such as mill operations. Elijah Cannon, son of James married his cousin, the daughter of John Cannon and a sister to John Cannon's daughers who married George and Curtis Smith. There are Orphans Court records in Sussex County dealing with land tracts, Maiden Forrest and Constantinople inhertied by the Hodson sisters from their deceased brother, Constantine Hodson and contested by the Cannon cousins. These records list the Hodson sisters and their children. (Vol D,! p. 92, 318, 319, Vol E p 22, 23, 26). I am also interested in the descendants of George and Curtis Smith and have done a little research on them. Their sister, Lydia, married John Handy. I think that is the part which caused you to inquire? My interest comes from my research on the Cannon family. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.