Diary covers 1 Jan 1812 to 7 Dec 1815. The last month's page is incomplete, hand-writing noticeably shaky, and author notes being ill several days. All indications are that the diarist died not long after this point, during the winter of 1814/1815. After Dec. 1814, is a listing of deaths: "Joseph Court 17 January 1815; William Tillard 6 March 1815; Benjamin Allein 30 March 1814; Jacob Franklin Jr.; Jacob Franklin Sr."

A notation at the beginning reads "David G. Weems bot this book in a lot of Books at Dr. A Duvall sale March the 7, 1833. a deep snow on the ground at the time. but few persons at the sale, my purchase was all the corn and all of the books a sack bag full, some valuable. David G. Weems." The diary also have a bookplate from "the private library of Eugene W. Iglehart," probably mid-late 19th century. The diary is not in order; Jan. 1812-Sep. 1813 run from the middle of the book to the end, and Oct. 1813-Dec. 1814 begin at the front. David Weems made a handful of his own entries on blank pages.

Moved from England to US on 17 April 1775

Bought/moved to Springfield in September 1801

Federalist; lived in First Election District, AA [from election results, October 1813]

Friends with: Benjamin Allein; Bennet Darnall [went to his estate sale, 16 March 1814]; Upton Scott; Henry Stephenson; Charles Drury; Lambert W. Smith; Joseph Yates; James Clarke [died 29 April 1814; check this]; Dr.[probably Henry] & Mrs. Hall [she died 10 July 1813]
    >All die winter/spring 1814; see March 1814 summary; Good friends with Dr. Hall

Mentions: J. Welch (turned 85 in January 1814); Thomas Sellman; William Tilliard; Mr. Estep; Dr. Steuart (died Oct. 1814); E. Hall (Mrs.??)

Connections with J. Owens (lent money to him?)

No kids or wife mentioned (it seems). Maybe a sister?

Slaves [see 2 Sept 1812]:
Fanny, wife of Ben, died 2 September 1812; three kids:
Araminta (Minty), 5 y.o., born 19 July 1807; to be freed 19 July 1828
Nancy: 1 y.o., born 1 July 1811; to be freed 1 July 1832;
Joseph: 3 y.o., born 16 April 1809 [to be freed 16 April 1834]

Other birthdays: Mary, 2 May 1804; William: Sept 1801; Mary Anne, May 1803

>Joseph Court's inventory includes slaves Joe, 5 y.o.; Nancy, 4 y.o.; Minty, 7 y.o.--ages all match list above

31 October 1813: "Bishop C confirmed at our church"
>probably Bishop Thomas Clagget, Episc. Bishop of Maryland. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Claggett. First Parishes says that southern AA was St. James Parish. See MSA SC 2947, M937. No mention of Bishop in vestry minutes. Parish register could be useful.

Tobo:
17 June 1814: Have just heard that the British have burned the warehouses at Benedict, Magruders & Lower Marlboro & about 1600 hhds. I lose 3 hhds. it is thought they will burn Pig Point tomorrow, if so I must be a great sufferer. say about 2,000$...

Pig Point Tobo Inspector's book [MSA S1106-5] does not list Joseph Court as having tobo there at any point. See spreadsheet of everyone who brought tobo. to Pig Point 1812-1814.

Joseph Court

Died 15 January 1815

Probate:

Will: JG 1, p. 85
Original Will: ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY REGISTER OF WILLS (Testamentary Papers) Joseph Court, original will, 1815, [MSA C149-273, 1/04/13/010].

To William: the House and Lot whereon he now resides at Pig point; all my wearing apparel and my gold watch; one bedstead
To Mary Ann: half a dozen windsor chairs
My servants Fanny, Ben, Mary Ann, Minty, Joe, and Nancy shall be free at the expiration of Twelve months from the Day of my Death
Servant Daniel not be sold for a longer time of servitude than seven years
Remainder of property equally divided between children of my late worthy friend Thomas Eden and my Brother Christopher Court
Richard J. Jones to be executor and to ensure that children get land near Friendship on which Cephas Childs, commonly called Little Cephas, now resides, and the houses in Pig Point purchased of Benjamin Oden.

Inventory: JG 8, p. 215

MG:
28 June 1787: Advert., imported goods arrived
4 October 1787: Advert., imported goods arrived, for sale at West River
3 June 1790: Advert., imported goods arrived at his stores at Nottingham, Pig-Point, and Tracey's Landing
Index 106 searched

1783 Assessment:
AA, West River Hundred, p. 1 [MSA S1161-2-2, 1/4/5/45]

1798 Assessment:

Chancery Court:
23 September 1818, Thomas Eden and Christopher Court v. Richard Jones and William Court, AA, Estate of Joseph Court; lot in Pig Point, Little Ceppas, Friendship
MdHR 17,898-1640; MSA S512-2-1709, 1/36/1/