Long ago I found a website that had ancestral information about my family compiled by Cherry Souder Kinnunen. I printed this out, but now I’m trying to reduce the amount of “papers” I have lying about so I figured I’d post it here. Perhaps if anyone is ever looking for the same family tree, it will help them. I have a few documents and photos I’ll insert at a later date.
First Generation
1. John SOUTER was born before 1765 in Pa., Lived in Balt. Co., Md. in 1810. Research Salt Lake City, Utah by Cherry Kinnunen 4/2000:
1810 census, Baltimore, Maryland pg. 553 Pipe Creek and North Hundred #019366 FHL:
John Souter – Head of Household
1 male age 10 – 16
1 male age 16 – 26
1 male age 45+
1 female age 16 – 26
1 female age 45+
This is the earliest record we have of John Souter at this time. The theory is that this is the father and mother of John Souder who married Verlynda Cross in 1814 in Baltimore, Md. The parents appear to be over age 45. That is how I estimated the age of John Souter. He could be older than this age. John Souder was in Baltimore, Md. at least 4 years before he married Verlynda Cross.
There is a Conrad Souder and a Godfrey Souder in Baltimore, Md. listed in the 1810 census. Also listed 1810 in Maryland are: Anthony Souder in Frederick, Md., Henry Sowder in Wash., Co., Felia Souder b. 175? living in Wash., Co., Adam Souder in Frederick Co. I suspect that Godfrey and Conrad are related to John Souter.
We do not know the names of any siblings of John Souter.
Early arrivals:
Peter Sauter arrived Philadelphia 25 Sep 1732 on “Loyal Judith”.
Thomas Sauder 19 Sept. 1732 on “Johnson “.
Phillip Sauter 20 Sept. 1738 “Nancy Friendship”
Christian Suder 1 Sept 1736 Philadelphia “Harle” (From Rotterdam) age 23
Christain Suder b. abt. 1713 d. 1774, he bought a farm in New Britan Township,
Bucks Co., Pa. In 1755 Christian bought the farm on Church Rd near Indian Creek reformed Church. The Souders own the farm to this day.( This is the Christian Souder/Kraybill/Clemmer/ Oberholtzer/Funk/Kolb/Allebach/Bechtel/ Families)
Johannes Sauter Dec 1744 “Mascliffe Gallery”
Christian Souder 27 Oct 1738 “St. Andrew Ship”
The Sauder family found in this country originally were Swiss Germans, Palatines, who moved down along the Rhine River to the coast and embarked for America. These imigrants came to Pennsylvania at various times from 1729 to 1752 and settled in Montgomery, Lancaster and Berks Counties.
“According to Heintze-Cascorbi, the name Sauder means a “Haher”, that is one that closes things together; therefore a shoemaker or tailor. In the ancient German and early American records the name is found in its various forms of Sauter, Sauder, Souder, Souter, Suder, Suter, Suttor, and Sutor.”
John SOUTER had the following children: John Souder
Second Generation
2. John SOUDER was born about 1784 in Pa.. He appeared on the census in 1820. He died before 1850. He appeared on the census in 1850 in Not listed in household with Verlynda Souder. He was Methodist. I am guessing on the age of John Souder by adding 25 years to the birth date of Amos W. Souder. Amos W. Souder was 35 when he started having a family.
Source: Anne Arundel County Levy Court (Levy List 1811-1828) has John Souder giving testimony, ca. 1817 for Nicholas Worthington. ( Worthington is a major Anne Arundel County name).
Possible religion is Methodist per David Souder.
Theory and facts per Cherry Kinnunen:
The 1810 census for John Souter, City of Baltimore, Pipe Creek, FHL #019366 page 553, lists 1 male age 10-16, 1 male age 16-26, 1 male over 45 and 1 female 16-26, 1 female over 45. John & Verlynda Souder were married in Baltimore, Md. and according to the census it looks like John (age 16-26) lived in Baltimore in the home of his father, John Souder ( age 45+) and mother. The 1820 census in Baltimore lists Thomas Souder and Conrad Souder both of which may be related as brothers or Uncles of JOHN SOUTER.
John & Verlinda lived in Anne Arundel County, Md.
“Prince Georges Co. Md., Index of Church registers 1686 -1885 Vol II” Prince Georges Parish lists John Suter buried April 27, 1807, page 102 in original records. (Could this be the grandfather of John Souder?) A copy of this reference and the history of the formation of the counties and Church district is also in the file.
From the Maryland State Archives I received an index listing the marriage of John Souder to Belinda Cross on Feb. 28, 1814 in Baltimore County, Md. Record Request # SL00 13716-24895 Code M Type C.
MSA No. C376 Baltimore County Court ( Marriage Licenses) John Souder and Belinda Cross volume 1803- 1815 page 240 2-14-14-11. MSA No. C376 Baltimore County Court (Marriage Licenses)
During the early 1800’s most marriages were performed at the home of the bride.
John & Belinda (Verlynda) Souder’s marriage was probably recorded in the early Methodist Church & the their marriage license obtained in Baltimore, Md. The Mormon Church has lumped together all of the early church records with the First Methodist Episcopal Church (now Lovely Lane Methodist Church) which was not in existence until the 1870’s according to the Methodist Historical Society. Records do exist for Baltimore City Station Methodist Church, David Souder will check these records at the Maryland State Archives, and go to the Baltimore Historical Society to see what they have on John Souder and Verlynda & Thomas Cross (her father).
He was married to Verlynda CROSS on 28 Feb 1814 in Baltimore City Station Methodist Church, Baltimore County, Md.. Verlynda CROSS Church in Apr in Baltimore City Station Methodist Church. She was born about 1784 in Md.. She appeared on the census in 1850 in Listed Head of Household & Listed as a male. She appeared on the census in 1850 in Listed with 2 sons. She was in Methodist. Also known as Belinda Cross on the marriage index in Baltimore Co., Md.
Per Jeane Kidwell 6/28/00:
There is a record on famliysearch.com for Belinda Cross and John Louder on Feb. 28, 1814, at the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Balt., Md. This is the date of their marriage. John SOUDER and Verlynda CROSS had the following children: Amos Warfield Souder, Thomas M. Souder, Jacob B. Souder, Charles P. Souder
Third Generation
3. Amos Warfield SOUDER was born on 17 Oct 1814 in Md.. He appeared on the census in 1850 in DC, West of 7th St. Turnpike ( #150). He appeared on the census in 1860. He appeared on the census in 1870. He Funeral in 1894 in home on Sargeant Rd. Prince Georges County, Md.. He was buried on 21 Feb 1894 in Rock Creek Cemetary, Md.. He died on 22 Feb 1894 in At home on Sargeant Rd. Prince Georges County, Md.. He resided in Sargeant Rd., Prince Georges County, Md. He resided 3405 Rhode Island Ave. He Funeral. He was a farmer in the 1870 census.. He was an overseer in the DC 1850 census.. He Church Rock Creek Episcopal Church. Amos lived in Howard District of Anne Arundel County Md. prior to 1850.
There is a marriage license at Annapolis Archives for Amos W. Souder and Elizabeth Murphy.
I must get a copy of the license.
The Souder family and descendants of Amos Warfield Souder were mainly in Howard County, Montgomery County, D.C., then Prince Georges County and then back to Montgomery County. Amos W. Souder lived in Anne Arundel, Wash., D.C. and Prince Georges County,Md.
Amos lived in Howard County, Md. until his insolvency in 1845.
Amos W. Souder purchased a cemetery lot (Section E, Lot 138) in Rock Creek Cemetery, Wash., D.C. in 1884. There is a map in my file to this grave location. It is very near the Bronze statue by the famous artist.
Grace Ellen Souder was buried here on May 11, 1966. .
Authorizations for internment were also signed by:
George H. W. Souder, 1801 Chillum Rd., Hyattsville, Md
Alpheus W. Souder (“Boots) , 3708 N. Rosser St., Alexandria, Va.
Saddie M. Williams, Silver Spring, Md.
Amos W. Souder was listed in the 1850 census of Washington County, D.C.,
Amos W. Souder is listed in the 1860 Census 2nd District, Prince Georges County, Md. page 423 #803478.
listed in 1870 Washington, D.C. 7th St. & Road East.
I have a map of Prince Georges County that lists the name of Amos W. Souder and
shows where his property was in 1878, “Bladensburg District. No .2, Prince Georges County, Md.”
Amos W. Souder lived on Sargeant Rd. in Prince Georges County , Md.
Amos W. Souder died in Prince Georges County, Md.
In 1999 I went to the Prince Georges County Historical Society & to the Frederick County,
Md. Historical Society they had no information about family members for Amos W.
Souder.
Land records 1840-1884 #0014278 page 170:
Amos W. Sowder and wife to ?(N.W.?) Burchell mortgage HB 5 folio 255 FHL.
Amos W. Souder from Nathaniel Sargent & wife, deed HB5 254 FHL.
Land Records pg. 171
Amos W. Souder from (?N.N.) Burchell, Trustee Release GB 1 75.
1860 Census:. page # 88 (423) 2nd District, Prince Georges County, Md. 4th August, 1860
# 803478 pg. 423 :
Amos W. Souder age 46, Farmer Value Real Estate $300, Value Personal Estate $250, Place of birth, Md.
Wife, Elizabeth A. age 41 born Md.
Charles H. age 12 b. Md.
John W. age 11 b. Md.
Amos age 7 born D.C.
Lewis age 6 born Md.
Adeline age 3 born Md.
Thomas Crofs (possibly Cross) age 92 born Md. (Probably Verlinda’s father & Amos W. Souder’s grandfather)
The “Prince Georges County Maryland Marriages & Deaths” [FHL 975.251, B 38G, u.2 By Baltz] also
Obituary: Obits, Prince Georges County, Md. page 508 reads:
SOUDER, AMOS W. – D on Wed. 2/21,- – – aged 79 yrs 4 mos 3 days. Funeral will take place at
his late res, Sargeant Rd, PG’s Co, on Fri 2/23 at 2 PM. Friends and relatives invited to attend. STAR 2/22/1894.
Amos W. Souder purchased a cemetery lot # 1884 in Rock Creek Cemetery. This is a family plot.
I have a picture of the tombstone at Rock Creek Cemetery of the Amos W. Souder family plot.
Other family members buried here are:
his wife ELIZABETH ANN SOUDER, June 11, 1818 – Feb.. 18, 1885
Charles H. Souder Feb. 1, 1847 – Oct. 14, 1911 [son]
AMOS F. SOUDER Dec 11, 1851 – may 14, 1928 [son)
GRACE ELLEN SOUDER Oct. 28, 1887 – May 7, 1966 [wife of Alpheus Dorsey Souder – maiden name HORSEMAN]
ALPHEUS DORSEY SOUDER – Sept. 12, 1882 – Oct. 24, 1950 [grandson]
FANNIE M. SOUDER – Dec. 2, 1858 – March 23, 1900
Many of Amos Warfield Souder’s children and grandchildren went to the funeral of Littleton Souder in 1943 and signed the memorial book.
Check #254521 FHL for Amos W. Souder
Per David Souder:
“In the late 1890″s after Elizabeth died, the family had to sell the land. Everyone gathered to do this, those from Prince Georges County ,and Amos & Josephine Souder from D.C.”
Amos bought property on Sargeant Rd. in Prince Georges County, Md. There is a plat map in my files showing the location of this property.
Per David Souder:
“Sargeant Road plays a major part in the Souder family saga., my great grandfather and grandfather worked on farms on that road, they were owned by Adaline Souder Miller & Stephen Miller. Also, I belive, that Lewis Souder inherited Amos Warfield’s land, and eventually it was owned by his children, Charles, Maggie, and Raymond. According to my father, they sold it in the 1960’s”.
Ellicott Mills March 14, 1844.. (This copy is hard to read)
Amos W. Souder of Howard District, Anne Arundel County, Md. by petition in writing to the …… Chief Judge of the Orphans Court of Howard District?
The cause of death for Amos W. Souder was listed as exhaustion in the Rock Creek Cemetery records.
1880 Census, Bladensburg District, Prince George’s County, Md. # 1254513 FHL pg. 8, ED 121:
Amos W. Souder 65 Farmer b. Md.
Anna E. 61 wife keeping house b. Md.
Charles H 33 son b. Md.
John W. 31 son b. Md.
Amos F. 26 son b. DC
Lewis F. 25 son b. Md.
Adaline V. 23 daughter b. Md.
Elizabeth Ann MURPHY was born on 11 Jun 1818. She Church on 25 Nov 1875 in Riggs School House, Bladensburg Circuit, Hyattsville, Md.. She died on 18 Feb 1885 in Rock Creek Cemetary, DC. She was buried in Rock Creek Cemetery, Wash., D.C.. Obit Notice: Prince Georges County page 508:
SOUDER, ELIZABETH ANN – D at her res in PG”s Co on 2/18 at 8:30 AM – – – W/O AMOS W. SOUDER, in the 67th yr of her age. Relatives & friends are invited to attend her funeral on Fri 2/20 2 PM at her late res. STAR 2/18/1885
I have a picture of the tombstone in Rock Creek Cemetery of the family plot.
Per David Souder:
In the late 1890’s, after Elizabeth Souder died, the family had to sell the land. Everyone gathered to do this, those from Prince Georges County, and Amos & Josephine Souder from D.C.
Listed on the 1880 census, Bladensburg, Md. as Anna E. Amos Warfield SOUDER and Elizabeth Ann MURPHY had the following children: Charles Henry Souder, John Wesley Souder, Amos F. Souder, Lewis Francis Souder, Adaline Virginia Souder
Fourth Generation
8. John Wesley SOUDER was born on 23 Jan 1849 in Md.. He Church on 25 Nov 1875 in Riggs School House, Bladensburg Circuit, Hyattsville, Md.. He resided in 1900 in Sargeant Rd, Pr Geo Co., Md. He resided between 1911 and 1933 in 1226 Randolf St., Brookland, D.C.. He signed a will on 11 Oct 1911 in Copy in file. He was buried in 1928 in Glenwood Cemetery, Wash, D.C.. He died on 30 Jul 1933. He had an estate probated on 2 Aug 1933 in Sup. Court, Wash., D.C.. He resided in 4 Miles W. of Hyattsville, Md.. John Wesley Souder’s first wife was Fannie May Ceas, his second wife was Ada Smith.
Listed in “D.C. Marriage Records Index, Wash., D.C. June 1877- Oct. 19, 1885” 16 019 page 431.
I have a copy of John Wesley Souder’s Will in my records.
The Bladensburg Circuit.
Per Jeane Kidwell 3/2000:
John Wesley Souder was a caretaker or superintendent of Rock Creek Cemetery for a number of years, and he did everything, including digging graves by hand. John Wesley Souder couldn’t read or write,
and Esther (his daughter) kept all the cemetery records for him (when she was a child). I assume that Hattie (his daughter) did the same thing before Esther was capable of writing. Later, Hattie’s grandson, Alvin Melton, became superintendent of Rock Creek Cemetery.
David Souder said that John Wesley worked at Glenmont Cemetery.
8/7/2000 Jeane Kidwell:
“Esther always talked about her father working at Rock Creek Cemetery. We have to remember that she had many, many strokes, and in later years, was often confused. Marvin remembers her talking about her father working at Rock Creek Cemetery. Marvin’s sister, Frances, says the same as David, that John Wesley worked at Glenmore (Or Glenwood, I can never remember which it is.) Maybe he worked at both cemeteries – they are close together!
1900 Census, Bladensburg District, #1240626 FHL lists
John W. Souder Aug. 1848 age 51 b. Md. Md. Md. Day Laborer (on family farms)
Alfred son b. 12/1886 (my grandfather) Md.Md. Md. Day laborer
Hatttie dau. b. 1/1884 Md. Md. Md.
John son b. 5/1890 Md. Md. Md
Esther dau. Ja. 1899 Md. Md. Md.
Ada SMITH was born in 1868. She was buried in 1952 in Glenwood Cemetery, Wash., D.C.. She died on 14 Dec 1952. She resided in Randolf Rd., Wash., D.C.. Copy of the Last Will & Testament of John Wesley Souder dated Oct. 11, 1911 names his children and beloved, second wife Ada. I have a copy of the will on file. According to Mary Souder, when John Wesley Souder died, his wife, Ada wanted to sell the house and split the money with the children. The children said no until later after Alpheus Dorsey Souder died they decided to sell the property to the Catholic Un University. and split the money. According to the will, the money would be divided among the heirs of any deceased children so Alpheus “Boots” Souder received $900 and Everett W. Souder received $900. Everett W. Souder gave $300 to Grace Ellen Souder ( the widow of Alpheus Dorsey Souder ).
According to Mary Souder:
The house was left to Ada after John Wesley Souder died. Ada did not want to live alone so she sold the house to the Catholic University. as they had wanted to buy the house for many years and she went to live with her sisters. The property was on Randolf Rd.
He was married to Fannie May CEAS on 12 Oct 1881 in Wash., D.C.. Fannie May CEAS was born on 2 Dec 1858 in Va.. She appeared on the census in 1870 in 7th Ward, Wash., D.C.. She resided before 1900 in Sargeant Rd., Prince Georges County, Md. She died on 23 Mar 1900 in Rock Creek Cemetary, Md.. She was buried on 24 Mar 1900 in Rock Creek Cemetary. She Church in Brookland Baptist Church, Pr. Geo Co, Md. Per Jeane Kidwell:
Fannie Ceas died of tuberculosis when Esther was 8 months old. John Wesley had to burn all their belongings to avoid spreading the disease. John Wesley and Hattie, who was 14 years older than Esther, raised Esther. John Wesley married Ada Smith when Esther was a teenager.
OBIT NOTICE: page 509 Names in Stones,
D on Fri 3/23 at 4:30 PM at her res on Sargeant Rd., Pr Geo’s Co – – – the beloved wife of
John Souder, (verse) Funeral from the Brookland Baptist Church Mon 3/26 at 3 PM,
STAR 3/24/1900
Listed in “D.C. Marriage Records Index, June 28, 1877 to Oct. 19, 1885” page 431,
16 019. Listed as Fannie M. Ceas
Need to check source: #1994620 FHL Death Records
Cause of death is listed as Entero Colitis in Rock Creek Cemetery records. John Wesley SOUDER and Fannie May CEAS had the following children: Charles Souder, Alpheus Dorsey Souder, Hattie May Souder, Esther Irene Souder, Lester Souder and John Thomas Souder
Fifth Generation
29. John Thomas SOUDER was a in 1911 in Washington Railway & Electric Co.. He was in 1955 in St. Martin’s Catholic Church, N. Capitol St.. He resided in 1955 in 2321 Lincon Rd., N.E., Md.. He Funeral in 1955 in S.H. Hines Funeral Home, 2901 14th St.N.W.. He died on 31 Aug 1955. He was buried on 31 Aug 1955 in Fort Lincoln Cemetery. He was a in Drove Streetcar, Wash., D.C.. He was a in Capital Transit Co., Motorman, Md.. John Thomas is survived by twenty-seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
J.T. Souder, Col.
John Thomas SOUDER and Charlotte BANFIELD had the following children:
122 i. John Edwin SOUDER resided in Takoma Park, Md..
123 ii. Thomas L. SOUDER resided in Hyattsville, Md.. He resided in Gainesville, Fla..
124 iii. Richard B. SOUDER resided in Fort Benning, Ga..
125 iv. Katherine SOUDER resided in 1955 in 908 Kennedy St., Md..
126 v. Charlotte SOUDER resided in 1955 in Brentwood, Md..
127 vi. Gladys SOUDER resided in 1955 in Riverdale, Md..
Sixth Generation
John Edwin Souder married Marguerite Hutt and had the following children:
- Mary Ellen Souder
- John Edwin Souder, Jr. (5-5-1935)
- Jaqueline Elizabeth (Betsy) Souder
Seventh Generation
John Edwin Souder, Jr. married Eileen Lee Kragh and had the following children:
- Laura L. Souder
- John E. Souder, III
- Sharon M. Souder
- Marcia C. Souder
Eight Generation
John E. Souder, III married Gerilynn DeGenaro: one daughter, Cathleen Souder
John divorced Gerilynn and married Christina Cronin: one daughter, Caitlin Souder
Snippets and Tidbits 