USA > Maryland > Caroline County > History of Caroline County, Maryland, from its beginning > Part 11
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CAPTAIN JOSEPH RICHARDSON.
IMPRESSED DENTONIAN.
Captain Joseph Richardson, descendant of Colonel William Richardson of Revolutionary fame, has the dis- tinction of being one of the American Seamen who were impressed by the British Navy, the continuance of which acts led to the War of 1812. An interesting story is told of his release later in London. He was approached by a man who offered for a certain amount of money to se- cure for him a passport to America. Richardson pro- duced the money although he believed the paper a forg- ory, and was fortunate enough to effect an escape from further service owing to it.
Apparently his experiences as an impressed sailor enred his love for the sea as from 1817 to 1844 continu- ously he was clerk of the court in Caroline county. Proof of this service may be found in the court record Folio J R, Pages 1 and 317.
In 1835 Richardson built a magnificent home on what was known as the Mt. Andrew tract of land just east of Denton Bridge (site of the present residence of Dr. P. R. Fisher). It was a three story structure of pressed bricks and is said to have contained twenty rooms.
Richardson's family consisted of a wife, three sons and a daughter. That part of the family were staunch Catholics. Upon his death in 1848 he was buried in St. Elizabeth's churchyard at Denton.
In his will he mentions a library which for that time seems to have been an excellent one. After the captain's death his family moved to Cecil county and seem never to have returned to Caroline for any length of time. His wife, Elizabeth W. Richardson, was buried next him in Denton, but there seems to be no proof of the remainder of the family having been brought to their native county for burial.
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THOMAS CULBRETH.
"Alert, tall, thin of visage, black hair and eyes, with courteous, dignified, serious, impressive, convineing man- ners, all tending to suggest strength, confidence and in- spiration," so has one of his kinsman described Thomas Culbreth, the sometime Congressman from Caroline.
The time of arrival in America of the original Cul- breth is contemporary with the running of the Mason and Dixon line, one of them having assisted in the sur- vey. Later three brothers, John, James, and William Culbreth, settled near that line where it separates Mary- land from Delaware, and from this John Culbreth, Thom- as was a lineal descendant, a great grandson.
Culbreth was born April 13, 1786, at River Bridges (Henderson), near the Delaware border. There he spent his early youth living with his uncle on the Brick House farm, now owned by Robert Jarrell, where his educa- tional opportunities were limited to the local schools.
Although he was heir prospective to landed estates his inclination was toward a business career, in which he felt he could become most influential, and with this in view he went to Denton where he secured a mercantile clerkship with Potter and Ross, and later entered a part- nership with one, Solomon Brown.
In 1810 he married Ann Hardcastle, daughter of John Hardcastle, and by this alliance his local influence may have been increased, the Hardcastles being a family of good standing socially and politically.
When the war for Commercial Independence broke out in 1812, he entered the military field, but must have enrolled in the ranks, as his name does not appear in the appointments, and there his service although inconspic- uous was no less credible.
The political trend of the Culbreths had been toward the Federal principles but when in 1807 Thomas Cul- breth attained his majority he became a staunch Demo- crat and had gained some influence in his party.
In politics as elsewhere "There is a tide in the af- fairs of men, which taken at its flood leads on to for- tune" and that tide came to Culbreth, following the ebb of the fortunes of the 14th Congress, after the passing of the "Compensation Bill" or "Salary Grab Bill" as it was called.
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The Anti-salary men were quick to seize opportun- ity, and Culbreth, then 30 years old, as an anti-salary man by his "Political fervor and principles, mental acu- men and force, as well as personal characteristics" was recommended, June 13, 1816, to the people as a suitable nominee for the House of Representatives, and at the election following became the chosen representative of the people. That he as a legislator met with public favor is shown by the following quoted from an appeal issued by his Caroline County constituents.
THOMAS CULBRETH
"He is a gentleman who stands high in the estima- tion of the people of his county. They are generally ac- quainted with him and they have entire confidence in him." It is further shown by the fact that after a long term of service the people, in 1822, once more urged his candidacy but ill health caused his refusal.
During his active service in Congress his position on important questions of the day was as follows:
1. He advocated :
1. Freedom of the press.
2. Abolition of the slave trade.
3. Reduction of departmental expenses.
2. He favored :
1. Appropriations for West Point.
2. Sympathy for Spain's rebellious colonies.
3. The position of the North in the Fugitive Slave Law.
3. Opposed :
1. Reduction of standing army.
2. Admission of Missouri as a slave state.
3. Free trade.
His failing health and inability to endure the strain of Congressional activity did not retire him from public service, for records show that he was Judge of Caroline County Courts in 1822 and following that became Clerk of the Executive Council of Maryland, a position much like that of the present Secretary of State. This he re- tained under five Governors (1825-1835) ending his 30 years of public service, 1835, when he retired to the Or- rell farm, near Boonsboro, where he spent his latter days, his death occurring in 1843.
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The rank and file of to-day's citizens know nothing of this unique character nor of the political prominence he attained. The name of Thomas Culbreth was a cent- ury ago a factor on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but is now known only by the local historians and revered only by his kinsmen, who have learned of his strong character together with his pictured personality, "Dig- nified, impressive, with the black hair and eyes of the Moorish Celt."
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EARLY POSTAL SERVICE.
Years before the Colonial Mail Service which was established about 1790, the Legislature of Maryland es- tablished a law providing for the more speedy passage of public letters and packets and the payment thereof. This measure provided that the Sheriff of Anne Arundel county would deliver all such mail for the Eastern Shore to the Sheriff of Queen Anne County at Kent Is- land, thence to the Sheriff of Caroline County from Queen Anne etc. For this service our sheriff received about $25 per year. Doubtless as the quantity of mail increased the compensation increased accordingly until the Federal Government about 1789 took charge of the mail service thereby releasing the states.
As to postmasters and postal routes the following is taken from the official records at Washington: The earliest record shows Charles Sevins as postmaster at Denton in 1801, followed by Thomas Culbreth in 1810; Montgomery Denny in 1811; George A. Smith in 1814; William Mulliken in 1815; Gove Saulsbury in 1822, John R. Wright in 1825; George Martin in 1825, and Oscar Jones in 1831.
The postmasters at Hillsboro were : John Tillottson in 1807 ; Francis Sellers in 1811 ; James G. Seth in 1812, and David Casson in 1816, and Wm. B. Tillotson in 1831.
At Greensboro the records show postmasters Wil- liam Crawford in 1801; Warner Busteed in 1807; Rob- ert Fountain in 1812; John Matthews in 1813 and Wil- liam Turner in 1831.
The earliest record of a postmaster at Upper Hunt- ing Creek that could be found was that of John L. Mills in 1831.
One record was found showing the amounts of post- age aceruing for the year ending March 31, 1827, at Denton $97.22; Greensboro $63.31; Hillsboro $25.48, and Hunting Creek $2.24.
The earliest record noted of post routes was in 1824. Route No. 41 apparently began at Easton, running through Hillsboro, Denton, Greensboro, Whitelysburg, and ending at Frederica.
In connection with the bid for carrying the mails on Route No. 1403, Easton, Maryland to Laurel, Dela-
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ware, Roades Hazzard in his bid of October 2, 1835, states :
"I will also carry the mail on Route No. 1403 from Easton to Laurel, Del., once a week part of the route say from Easton to Seaford in two horse stage or other passage carriage the balance of the route on horseback or in sulky for two hundred and forty dollars per annum."
The route started at Easton, Md., Talbot County, touching Upper Hunting Creek, Caroline County ; Fed- eralsburg, then in Dorchester County, Maryland, and Cannon's Ferry, Seaford, Middleford, Concord and Lau- rel. Delaware. The contract on Route 1403 was dated 3d December, 1835. Other bidders were P. Robinson and William Heather.
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THE PLANTATION.
HOME OF BETSY BAYNARD AS A TYPE OF EASTERN SHORE SLAVE HOLDER.
Looking backward to the days when forests stretch- ed for miles over an acreage now covered by fertile farms, we see about five miles N. E. of Greensboro, some distance from the Eastern bank of the Choptank River, a small clearing appear. Soon arose a small unpreten- tious building typical of its day. Tall pines overshad- owed it. At dawn the song of the woodland bird awak- ened the sleeper, while during the hush of eventide the call of prowling wild animals sent a thrill of fear through the listener. Such in the 17th century was the beginning of the Baynard plantation-the largest in the Greensboro section-extending over an area of more than six hundred acres.
Time was in the early slave days when tobacco flourished there, and negroes, singing their wierd, mel- ancholy songs "toted" the tobacco to their storeroom. From thence it was carried over the woodland road and delivered at the warehouse of William Hughlett for even in the 17 hundreds the dense green of Maryland pines had given way to the paler green of cultivated fields. First the Baynards planted tobacco, but later cereals formed the base of income; while in the last days of the plantation, to these were added the returns from tan- bark and railroad ties.
In 1812 "Old Massa Baynard" died and Mistress Betty, then sixteen years old, became-under her moth- er -- the Autocrat of the Plantation.
The home with its rambling negro quarters had been enlarged and, while never ostentatious, held old china, colonial furniture, a grandfather's clock and other an- tiques such as delight the eye.
There after her mother's death Betsy Baynard lived alone save for her house servant, Myna, and two power- ful dogs who stood guard day and night. Completing this plantation community were her slaves who filled their huts to overflowing, at times numbering more than two hundred.
Although not given to slave dealing, at the time of enlarging her house to obtain the needed money Betsy sold a servant "South into Georgia."
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"They say" the cartwhip was daily used as a rul- ing power among her colored people but the blows must have fallen lightly for many of her slaves remained con- tentedly on her plantation until old and infirm, and when she died ten years after Emancipation some half dozen of her slaves were vet with her.
An amusing anecdote of the Baynard slaves relates that a young negro, returning from a dance, in the cold, gray dawn went to the well for a drink of water. As his eye followed the bucket on its descent he saw some- thing white. True to race superstition he believed it a spirit and ran to tell Miss Betsy of "De hant in de well." She returned with him and found a sheep had fallen in and all but drowned.
A tragedy of the plantation was the death of Miss Mary Reid, a cousin of Miss Betsy's, who at times made her home there. A slave girl, on being reprimanded for some delinquency, took offense and attempted revenge on Betsy by way of Paris green. The poison miscarried, resulting in Miss Reid's death almost immediately.
As a memorial to the Baynard generosity stands Irving Chapel. While the name is that of the first min- ister, the plat of land on which Irving Chapel stands was donated from the Baynard plantation, and the lumber for the building was added on condition that the church members cut it from the forest. Miss Baynard also gave a sum of money, large in those days and sufficient for church erection.
Betsy Baynard died without direct lineal descen- dant. The land was sold in small sections, and is owned principally by Rosanna Richards, G. W. Richards, A. K. Brown and J. A. Meredith.
All that remains to recall the story of other days is a portion of the old home which is yet in use by J. A. Meredith, and a small family burying ground with three markers-
William Baynard born 1769, died 1812. Litia Baynard born 1773, died 1843. Elizabeth Baynard born 1796, died 1873.
Written from material collected by PAUL MEREDITH.
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SLAVERY.
I. Origin.
The period at which slavery was introduced into Maryland is somewhat indefinite but some historians claim Claiborne had negro servants at the time of the set- tlement of Kent Island.
The Royal African Company, chartered in 1618, whose chief profits came from the importation of negroes into the American Colonies was the first organization for slave trade. The traffic of this company was greatly en- couraged by the King.
The first record we find of Maryland slaves is that of 1708 when the London Board of Trade wrote to Gov. Seymour concerning slave importation by this company (Royal African). The Governor in reply stated that Maryland trade was not through the above company but through independent traders or "interlopers," who were licensed.
II. Growth of Slavery.
From 1700 to 1750 slavery was rapidly on the in- crease. Governor Seymour in a letter of 1708 said. "At present the trade seems to run high, there having been between six and seven hundred negroes imported hither this year." This increase then changed to a decline which soon became rapid.
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III. Decline of Slavery in Maryland.
Scharf says .-
"In no state of the Union had emancipation so rapidly pro- gressed as in Maryland; and while several of the counties had now (1833) a larger number of slaves than of white inhabitants, yet there were in the state at this time, not only the largest propor- tion, but actually much the largest number of free colored people of any state in the Union.'
By comparing the census reports we see as follows:
Years
Whites
Slaves
Free Colored.
1755
107,108
46,356
1800
216,356
105,635
19,587
1860
516,128
87,188
S3,71S
Approximately the change was as follows: 1755 all colored people in Maryland were slaves; in 1800 about one-fifth were free; in 1860 one-half were free.
Then, too, free negro property holders were allowed to vote in Maryland until 1851, when it was constitution- ally restricted.
An American Colonization Society was formed in Washington during December 1816, for the purpose of colonizing in Africa free people of color from America.
In January 1831 Maryland organized an auxiliary for the same purpose. McSherry says, "It was there- fore determined to establish an independent organiza- tion in the state and plant a separate colony under the name of 'Maryland in Liberia.' "
Proving the activity of this body we find that in Oc- tober 1831 colored immigrants numbering 31 were sent to this colony. Also the December session of Legisla- ture made an appropriation of $10,000 each year for 26 years, to be used for benefit and transportation to Af- rica of negroes. In 1852 when this act expired the As- sembly reenacted the law to be enforced for six years. Then again, at its expiration in 1858 for four more years.
To again quote from MeSherry,
"We are, therefore, justified in maintaining that no State did as much as Maryland toward emancipation and improvements of the condition of the African race within her borders. Her early statutes protected them from cruel treatment and authorized their manumission. She looked to their gradual and voluntary removal as the only means of solving the difficult problem which their pres- ence involved."
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IV. Slavery in Caroline.
Caroline County was active in these matters and her rapidly decreasing slave population shows her attitude. Even in the days when this section belonged to Dorches- ter and Queen Anne the slave population was small as compared with other counties.
In 1712 Queen Anne and Dorchester, which at that time included Caroline County held comparatively few slaves. Queen Anne with an entire white population of over 3,000 had only 550 while Dorchester with practical- ly the same number of whites held only 387 slaves.
By the census of 1790 we find the highest number of slaves held by any one man in Caroline County was 57. The holdings of the majority of the people owning slaves at all varied from one to five negroes, while of those with larger holdings less than fifty families owned more than ten slaves.
The following table shows the gradual decrease of slaves and the increase of free colored people in Caro- line from 1790 to 1840 as well as their number in propor- tion to the whites.
1790-Population of Caroline County-1840.
Year
Slaves
Free Colored
White
Total
1790
2,057
421
7,023
9,506
1800
1.865
602
6.579
9,226
1810
1,520
1,001
6,932
9,453
1820
1,574
1,390
7,144
10.108
1830
1,171
1.652
6,247
9,070
1840
768
1,727
5.373
7.868
Slave trade was never carried on to any extent in Caroline County ; Marcy Fountain and Patty Cannon be- ing probably the best known two who "traded"-that is sold South into Georgia.
Then as Maryland, and with her Caroline County, was rapidly transporting or manumitting her slaves came the year 1861 and Maryland true to her principles stayed in the Union and her spirit is expressed in a quo- tation from a prominent Baltimore newspaper of that day-"God forbid that a time should come when our people shall be unwilling to let the flag of the Union float over them."
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OLD SLAVE KITCHEN.
T. Miscellaneous Court Orders.
An account of the sale of a negress and her child is here given.
Know all men by these presents that I Jeremiah of Caroline County, planter, have and in the commission of the summon of sixty pounds of current money to me in hand and be- fore the sealing and delivery of these presents by Isaac the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, having bargained and sold by these present. do bargin and sell nnto the said Isaac e- one negro woman lately the property of Samuel
ceased, called Fann; also her child called Rachel to have and to hold the said negroes and each of whom by these presents we bar- , his executors, admin- gined and sold unto the said Isaac
istrators, and assigns for ever, and the said Jeremiah , for myself by executors and administrators or any other person or persons whosoever shall and will forever warrant and defend the same as witness of my hand and seal this sixteenth day of May 1774.
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The following is an account of an unknown master giving freedom to four of his slaves.
I am in possession of four negroes named, Sarah, Lucy, Eve, and Pompey and being desirous to give them all their liberty in a legal manner therefore do discharge the said Sarah, from my ser- vice from the day and date thereof, and Lucy and Eve and Pompey shall be free when they arrive unto the age of twenty and one years of age and doth covenant and agree both for myself and for my heirs executors and administrators. Lucy was born on the fifteenth of August in the year 1768; the said Eve was born on the 27 day of November 1768 and Pompey was born on the 1th day of September in the year of 1772.
Given under my hand and seal this nineteenth day of March in the year 1774.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Jacob Boone. (Seal)
Various items in regard to slaves which were brought up at court are here given.
March 1776.
On petition of Nathaniel Potter's negro Pompey, slave of the said Nathaniel Potter, is by the Court set levy-free for the future.
November 1776.
On petition of Christopher Driver ordered that he be exempt from the payment of any public tax or levy for his old negro man Joseph, for the future.
It was necessary for every colored person even though free to make known to the clerk of the court his or her intention to leave the province for a stated time.
To
Joseph Richardson, Esq., Clerk of Caroline County Court.
I the undersigned, a free negro of Caroline County, wish to visit the city of Philadelphia for the purpose of seeing my brother. By an Act of the Assembly, of this State, it is necessary my inten- tion of leaving this State should be known to you. It is my inten- tion to return here again within three days from this date.
Given under my hand this 12th day of October 1841. Joseph Bell.
Test :
Joshua Jump.
The Clerk would then issue a certificate like the fol- lowing.
State of Maryland, Caroline County, to wit:
Whereas application has been made to me by a colored woman named Mahala Scott for a certificate of her freedom agreeably to the Act of Assembly in such case made and provided by which said
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Act, free negroes and mulattoes are permitted to travel out of this state, upon the obtaining of a certificate of being free born, And whereas also upon the oath of Sarah Williams, of Caroline County, that the said colored woman named Mahala Scott, for whom this certificate is made, was free born. I do therefore grant her said application and hereby certify that she is seventeen years of age, or thereabout, about five feet high, of a complexion nearly black, was born and raised in Caroline County, and has a large scar of a burn across her right wrist, and a scar of a cut on the inside of her right wrist-joint, another scar on her left cheek directly under the eye and no other notable mark or scar that I have discovered. In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the pub- lic seal of my office this 14th day of March in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twenty six.
Richardson,
Clerk of Caroline County Court.
VI. Acts of Assembly.
In 1822 laws regarding slaves were enacted as fol- lows :
"BE IT ENACTED By the General Assembly of Maryland, That from and after the first day of October, in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty two, it shall be the duty of the con- stables in Worcester and Caroline counties, to arrest and bring before a justice of the peace, any slave or slaves that may be going at large and bring him, her or themselves within their respective hundreds, or who may not have a fixed home in the family or on the estate of his, her or their owner, or be hired with his, her or their owner."
"AND BE IT ENACTED, That in all cases where a slave or slaves shall or may be brought before a justice of the peace under the provision of the first section of this act, if it appear to the sat- isfaction of the said justice of the peace, that said slave or slaves so arrested and brought before him, were going at large in viola- tion of an Act of Assembly passed in April session seventeen hun- dred and eighty seven entitled, An Act to prevent the inconveni- ences arising from slaves being permitted to act as free, and the supplements thereto, or of this Act, he shall forthwith issue an or- der to the constable who shall or may have brought the said slave or slaves before him, to hire such slave or slaves for the entire balance of the year in which they may have been arrested; and for each examination of slaves had before him under this act, a justice of the peace shall be entitled to twenty-five cents, to be levied on the county as part of the county expenses for the ensuing year."
.
"BE IT ENACTED, by the General Assembly of Maryland. That all such parts of the act of Assembly passed at September session, seventeen hundred and twenty three, chapter fifteen, which directs punishment of negro or other slaves by cropping their ear, be and the same is hereby repealed."
"AND be it enacted, That for the offense specified in the act thus repealed, punishment by whipping not exceeding thirty-nine stripes, shall be and is hereby substituted."
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The following may serve to show conditions in part :
In 1858 James Wheeler, a free colored man, living near Denton had acquired some real estate through his industrions efforts and being desirous of leaving same to his children at his death, had to have the Legislature authorize him to bequeath his property to his children at his death as in the case of white people. Without this law his children would not have secured his property by will.
A few interesting extracts from wills probated in Caroline County are given as examples of the provision for slaves by their masters :
Two old negroes named Bacchus and Silvey are to be taken good care of and well treated by my children. I direct that they shall never be sold or disposed of.
I give and devise to all my negro slaves freedom, liberty and freedom.
I give unto my negro man Essex, two acres of land during his life.
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