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- This couple is the origin of a genealogical link between two of the core trees on this site, John Lansdale, Jr. and Metta Virginia Tomlinson (though it is not a blood connection). John Courts Sr. is a direct ancestor of Metta Tomlinson (GG). To get to John Lansdale Jr. from here, follow daughter Elizabeth through the Keech family to get to the Claggetts, who were from Maryland, and who married into the Lansdales.
The following narrative is taken from the two references given.
John Courts of Maryland was baptised in Otley Parish, Yorkshire, England as "1614 John sonne of Francis Coats of Caley bapt. the 16th of Oct" (reference: Yorkshire Parish Society, Reg. of Co. of York, Vol. 33, Part 1,1562-1672 (Leeds, 1908): 39).
He immigrated in about 1632, and was definitely in Maryland by 25 Jan. 1637, where he is listed as " He is listed as "John Courtis" at the first Maryland General Assembly. In 1638 he was elected 1 of 20 Freemen of St. George's Hundred to serve in the first house of Burgesses. (Is this accurate--St. Georges Hundred is in New Castle, Delaware?). He swore an oath of fealty on 12 September 1647 using "Courts." On June 3 1649 he was granted a cattle mark in St. Marys Co., MD.
He returned to England n 1644, while representing the house of Burgesses, where he married Margaret Robinson on April 7, 1645 in Otley Parish (Yorkshire Parish Soc., 164). She was the daughter of Anthonie Robinson (Robynson), and had been baptized in Otley 1 Oct. 1620. Her father was b. 1589 and died June 15, 1668. Her mother was Mary (Marie) Saxton, bc.1593 in Otley (dau. of Lawrence Saxton). She married Anthony 26 June 1614, and died 28 August 1632.
He returned from England in 1649 and claimed land in Charles County, MD, where he became a substantial landowner before his death. Families the Courts (often still pronounced "Coates") were linked to there include the Henleys, Smallwoods, Harrisons, and Contees.
I have also seen their marriage date on web trees as 23 Oct. 1650, in Charles Co., MD, but this seems doubtful if the info. above is accurate.
On Otley, see http://www.otley.co.uk/index.html.
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