Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva's Black History

Record Detail

Record #89 from Free Black Families of Colonial Delmarva (abstracted by Paul Heinegg)

State Maryland
County (Primary) Somerset
Other Counties Sussex, Kent
Family Name Sockum
Family History Notes 1. John Scokem, born say 1736, was taxable in Nanticoke Hundred, Somerset County, Maryland, with (his wife?) Rachel Scokem in 1757 [List of Taxables]. She was probably the widow Sockem who was taxable in Dagsbury Hundred of Sussex County, Delaware, from 1784 to 1788, listed near James Sockem [DSA, RG 2535, Levy List 1780-96]. They were probably the parents of i.James Sockum, taxable in Dagsbury Hundred of Sussex County in 1777 and from 1784 to 1796 [DSA, RG 2535, Levy List 1767-80; 1780-96], a "Negro" head of a Dagsborough Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [DE:425], 8 in 1810 [DE:308] and 5 "free colored" in 1820 [DE:372]. He lived on land adjoining Levin Thompson in 1810, and his suit Sockum vs. Thompson was listed in the account of Levin's estate [DSA, RG 4545.009, roll 240, frame 280]. ii. Isaac, taxable in Dagsbury Hundred in 1777 [RG 2535]. iii.Lowder Sockum, taxable in Dagsbury Hundred in 1795 [RG 4200.027, Levy Court, Roll 2, frame 70], and 1796, living in the land of Robert Hopkins on 27 August 1807 when he made his Sussex County will [WB F-6:303]. iv. Stephen, "free Negro" taxable in Murderkill Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, in 1789, "runaway" in 1790 [DSA, RG 3535, Levy List 1785-1797, frames 150, 173].
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[Author (if known)], Free Black Families of Colonial Delmarva (abstracted by Paul Heinegg), [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.

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