Record #:

12211

Author(s):

Norris, Jeannie Faris

Abstract:

In 1663, Charles II granted the land currently known as North and South Carolina, to a number of his favored nobles, one of whom was Seth Sothel. Desiring to become the senior proprietor of Carolina, Sothel purchased the majority of shares in the colony in 1678 and set sail for the New World. Captured by Algerian pirates en route to claim his governorship in the Albemarle, Sothel remained imprisoned until a bond of 3,000 pieces of eight was paid for his release. Back in London, Sothel was unable to repay the bond posted for his release and was confined to the Debtor's Prison. Eventually released, Sothel sailed again to the Carolinas to claim his seat. Disliked and unhappy, Sothel returned to England and died in 1697.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 25 Issue 12, Nov 1957, p9-10, il

Subject(s):

Sothel, Seth, d. ca. 1694

Record #:

14820

Author(s):

Lawrence, R.C.

Abstract:

Some Governors were capable and efficient, while others were blackguards and scoundrels, but all, like John Jenkins, Seth Sothel, Robert Daniel, Thomas Cary, and Charles Eden, played an important part in the early history of North Carolina.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 12 Issue 41, Mar 1945, p9, 18

Subject(s):

Sothel, Seth, d. ca. 1694

Record #:

38836

Author(s):

Abstract:

Seth Sothel, a native of England, became a Lord’s Proprietor, and became a landowner of stupendous proportions. He was commissioned in 1678 as Governor of the Albemarle region of North Carolina. When he sailed for North Carolina, his ship was captured by Algerian pirates who enslaved him and held him for ransom. Sothel refused to repay the men who paid his ransom and he was thrown into debtor’s prison. After his release he finally came to the North Carolina colony. As a “Seignor,” Sothel was entitled to 12,000 acres in each county. His land went from the Pasquotank region to Colleton, SC, whereon he had Indian trading posts and Indian and black slaves raising tobacco, hogs and sheep. Sothel turned out to be corrupt; accepting bribes, seizing estates, stealing slaves, imprisoning his detractors, ignoring the other proprietors instructions, protecting pirates and misusing public money. In 1689, the colonists imprisoned him and the NC Assembly banished him from the Albemarle region for one year and forbid him from holding public office. A few years later, Sothel exercised his right as proprietor and claimed governorship of South Carolina. He continued his corrupt ways and the Lord’s Proprietors took away his rights in 1691 and appointed Philip Ludwell, Governor of the Carolina province. After a short fight, Sothel relinquished his power, left South Carolina and is believed to have died around 1694 and buried at his Salmon Creek Plantation in North Carolina.

Source:

Carolina Trees & Branches (NoCar F 262 A33 C37), Vol. 22 Issue No. 3, July 2013, p67-68 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Sothel, Seth, d. ca. 1694