USA > Maryland > Caroline County > History of Caroline County, Maryland, from its beginning > Part 7
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Bridgetown, Capt William Chipley; 7th Company, from Jackson's residence near old Town Branch to the Cul- breth Seetion, north east of Goldsboro, Captain Samnel Jackson ; 8th Company from Castle Hall toward Bee Tree and Keene's Cross Roads, Capt. John Fanntleroy.
As reported the East Side Battalion consisted of 615 men while in the West Batallion were 585 men.
Somewhat later during the war Henry Dickinson enrolled for the county a company of Light Horsemen, about 15 in number. However, there is no record of this Company having gone into service.
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Tinder-wheel, Flint, and Tinder
Warming-pan
Waffle-irons
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CAROLINE'S MILITARY ACTIVITIES.
In the same year that Caroline county was organ- ized England closed the port of Boston. This greatly incensed the colonists of Maryland, and the counties at onee held meetings expressing their indignation at the proceeding. At Caroline's meeting (Melvill's Ware- house, June 18, 1774) resolutions were adopted of which we may well be proud. A full copy of these may be found elsewhere in this volume.
The resolutions provided that delegates be appoint- ed from each colony to meet in a general congress to settle and establish a general plan of conduct. Other counties offering the same resolutions, resulted in the Continental Congress, first proposed by Maryland, which met in Philadelphia, September 1774.
The resolutions named Thos. White, William Rich- ardson, Isaac Bradley, Nathaniel Bradley, Benson Stain- ton, and Thomas Goldsborough as delegates to attend a general meeting of the province in Annapolis, which meeting, held December 8, authorized the organization of a well regulated militia to be in readiness to act in any emergency. A later meeting (April, '75) gave full pow- er to delegates for the Second Continental Congress to agree to all measures which they should deem neces- sary and effectual to obtain a redress of American griev- ances, and the province bound themselves to execute to the utmost of their power all resolutions thus adopted.
It was during this convention that news reached the province of the massacre at Lexington. Maryland, ready to do her part, resolved to organize forty companies of minute-men to go to the assistance of her sister colo- nies should occasion arise. One of these companies was to be furnished by Caroline County. This company was to consist of strong, able-bodied men living conve- niently that they might be drilled together. The men were required to sign a contract expressing their will- ingness to bear arms and fight in their own and neigh- boring colonies at such time as the Council of Safety should command. While we find no record of this com- pany being called into active service, we do know that they were organized and drilled for the emergency.
The Council of Safety, formed July, 1775, was com- posed of sixteen men, eight of whom lived on either
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shore of the province. The council was to direct and regulate the operations of the minute men and militia, provide equipment and food, regulate their movements, appoint and commission field officers, and regulate the rank of all military officers. During the intermission of the Convention of Delegates, the council was to have authority to act in their place in case of emergency.
Up until this time such fighting arms as were need- ed in the colony had been purchased from England. That source being cut off, there was difficulty in procuring enough to supply the need. Men having firearms of their own used them, and to supply the remainder of the Minute Men, the Committee of Observation in each county collected those not in use until others could be provided by the province. This lack of equipment caus- ed considerable anxiety and delay in the organization and drilling of troops.
In January, 1776, the convention decided for the better protection of the colony that additional militia be formed and that after March first the minute men be disorganized. In June of the same year Washington's appeal for more men was received and the Maryland Convention ordered the organization of a "flying camp" of 3405 men of the militia. These men, who were to serve with the militia of Pennsylvania and Delaware from Maryland to New York inclusive, now became part of the regular army and agreed to serve until December first. unless previously discharged by Congress.
At this time William Richardson was colonel of the east battalion of the Caroline county militia and a mem- ber of the convention from the same county. In Angust. upon the resignation of James Kent as Colonel of the Eastern Shore Battalion of the Maryland Flying Camp, Richardson was chosen for this important commission. His battalion was composed of seven companies from the various counties with 644 men in all. Captains of these companies were :
Jolm Deen and John Dames-Queen Anne's.
Greenbury Goldsborough-Talbot.
Joseph Richardson and Philip Fiddeman-Caroline. Thomas Burke-Dorchester.
John Obleveo-Cecil.
These officers were ordered by the Council to or- ganize and exercise their men and report to Colonel Richardson for marching orders. The colonel had or-
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ders to march his companies to Elizabeth Town, New Jersey, there to join with other troops under the com- mand of General Smallwood.
In enlisting their men, the captains were given these instructions :
1. You are to enlist no man who is not able bodied, healthy, and a good marcher, nor such whose attachment to the liberties of America you have any cause to suspect. Young, hearty robust men, who are tied by birth, or family connections or property to this country ; and are well practised in the use of fire-arms, are by much to be preferred.
2. You are to have great regard to moral character, sobriety in particular.
3. You are not to enlist any servant imported, nor, without the leave of the master, any apprentice.
4. Those who engage in the service shall be enlisted accord- ing to the form prescribed by this convention.
Their rations consisted of one pound of beef, or three quarters of a pound of pork, one pound of flour or bread per man per day, three pints of peas at six shillings per bushel per week, or other vegetables equivalent, one quart of indian meal per week, a gill of vinegar and a gill of molasses per man per day, a quart of cider, small beer, or a gill of rum, per man per day, three pounds of can- dles for one hundred men per week, for guards; twenty-four pounds of soft soap, or eight pounds of hard soap for one hundred men per week.
Lack of tents, clothing and fire-arms delayed the organization of troops. There was also difficulty in transporting the men and supplies, but on September S, Colonel Richardson and his men joined the army at Eliz- abeth, New Jersey.
On September 16, Richardson's regiment had a chance to prove their fighting ability. Three hundred of the British having appeared in the plains below the AAmerican position at Harlem Heights, Washington or- dered an attack. The British were reinforced with 700 men and to strengthen the American forces, Washing ton ordered np Major Price with three of the Maryland Independent Companies, and Richardson's and Griffith's battalions of the flying camp. These men attacked with bayonet and drove the enemy from their position, pur- suing them until the general ordered their recall. (A full account of this encounter will be found in McSher- ry's History of Maryland, pages 204-210).
Washington in his letter to Congress, dated Sep- tember 18, 1776, gives the following account of the charge of the Maryland soldiers :
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"These troops charged the enemy with great intrepidity, and drove them from the wood into the plain, and were pushing them from thence, having silenced their fire in a great measure, when I judged it prudent to order a retreat, fearing the enemy, as I have since found was really the case, were sent in a large body to sup- port their party."
Colonel Tench Tilghman, one of Washington's staff, in a letter from Harlem Heights, dated September 19th, 1776, says :
"The general ( Washington ) finding they wanted support, or- dered over part of Colonel Griffith's and Colonel Richardson's Mary- land regiments, these troops, though young, charged with as much bravery as I can conceive; they gave two fires and then rushed right forward which drove the enemy from the wood into a buck- wheat field, from whence they retreated."
General Washington, knowing that he could rely upon the Marylander's in his army, often chose them for posts of danger. He evinced no want of confidence, and often acted as if in command of veteran troops whose resolution he had tried and on whom he could rely. They were the first who met face to face with fixed bayonets, the veteran legions of British regulars; and no troops poured out their blood more freely for the common cause than those of Maryland. No troops behaved more steadily. "The gallantry of the Sonthern men," as the adjutant-general said, in speaking of these troops, "has inspired the whole army."
On December 1, 1776 the flying camp was discharged in accordance with the agreement npon enlisting. Con- gress, realizing that men whose enlistments were for so brief a period would never become used to discipline to the degree needed for firmness in action, decided to en- list men as regulars. The colonies agreed to this and Maryland at once started raising her quota of eight bat- talions. These reorganized troops became known as the "Maryland Line."
From this time on to the close of the war it is im- possible to distinguish the military service of the men of the various counties. We find no evidence of the re- cruits of each county being in one company. It seems most probable that they were distributed as needed and old officers retained as far as possible.
William Richardson remained colonel of what be- came known as the 5th Regiment of the Maryland Line, and was actively engaged in suppressing tory rebellions in the lower part of the Eastern Shore. These increas-
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ing disturbances were partly caused by George III grant- ing pardon to any of his subjects who would join his forces and also by an organization known as The Asso- ciation of Loyalists of America. This association was authorized to employ "his majesty's faithful subjects for the purpose of annoying the sea coasts of the re- volted provinces, and distressing their trade." Large numbers of tories were enrolled on the Eastern Shore who robbed and murdered the residents especially of Somerset, Worcester and Sussex county in Delaware.
The families of men killed in the Continental Ser- vice were pensioned through the county court. One ex- ample is given here :
The court orders that Susannah C. widow of William C ... who sometime since died in the Continental Service, be allowed for the support of her two children this year (1779) 30€ current money.
A complete list of Caroline's Revolutionary soldiers has never been found. We give here the company that served under Captain Richardson in the flying camp. Although no enlistments of Captain Philip Fiddeman's company can be found, his company was raised and marched to Philadelphia.
First Caroline Company of the Eastern Shore Battalion.
Captain
Joseph Richardson
1st. Lieutenant
Thomas Wyer Lockerman
2nd. Lieutenant
. Levin Handy
Ensign Philip Casson (resigned )
Surgeon's Mate
. Zabdiel Potter
PRIVATES.
Andrew Price
William Walker
Thomas Comerford
John Hobbs
Massy Fountain
Ellis Thomas
John Webb
John Diragin ( Duregin )
William Brown
Zadock Harvey
John Kanahan
Jarirs (or Jervis) Willis
Edward Hardin
Robert Waddle
Perry Gannon
James McQuallity
John Needles
Thomas Scoudrick
William Hobbs
William Allcock
John McKinney
John Ritchee ( Richee)
Silas Parrott
William Sharp
Michael Walker
William Clark
Robert Thomas
William Foster
Zebdial Billiton
John Froume
Alex Robbs
William Willin
Cornelius Morris
George aHndy
Hughlett Conner
Thomas Merrill
John Hughs
Joseph Thomas
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Isaac Duncan Thomas Vaine John Ford James Tanner Benj. Caulk William Cook John Carter
John Turner John Cohee John Vaine
William Cooper
Samuel Hopkins
George Martin
Jesse Parker
Charles Richardson
Henry Willis
John Thomas
Andrew Willis
John Ryan John Selby Martin
John Reed
James Haven William Dorman
John Benston
Charles Roach
Fredrick Barnicassle
William Hosier
Elijah Taylor ( Tyler) Elijah Clark
Isaac Broughten
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COLONEL WILLIAM RICHARDSON. (1735-1825).
Of the many famous men in Caroline's early days none stand out more prominently than William Richard- son, for, besides his military activity during the Revolu- tion, to him more than anyone else Caroline owes her existence as a county.
DAIRY AT GILPIN'S POINT.
( Richardson's home place. )
William Richardson, born 1735, was the son of Wil- liam and Ann Webb Richardson, Quakers of Talbot county, but in early manhood moved to Dorchester, where he owned large tracts of land. It was while he was a member of the General Assembly from that county in 1773 that he presented a bill which provided for forming Caroline from Dorchester and Queen Anne's counties. The bill was passed and in March 1774 Caroline county was organized with Richardson as one of its original commissioners.
Ile became a member of the Maryland Convention of Delegates from Caroline at the January session of 1776,
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which position he resigned in August of the same year upon being commissioned Colonel of the Eastern Shore Battalion of the Maryland Flying Camp. In this posi- tion Colonel Richardson became a man of Continental importance, serving his country in this way for over three years. His regiment first saw active service at Harlem Heights, and so well did they acquit themselves that General Washington commended their bravery.
When the men of the flying camp were discharged (Dec. 1776) Richardson continued as colonel in a bat- talion of re-enlisted men known as the "Fifth Regiment of the Maryland Line." From that time until the close of the war, much of his activity seems to have been con- fined to the lower section of the Eastern Shore and Del- aware. One example of this service is given here. Dur- ing the month of February 1777, Colonel Richardson was sent with such of the militia and his own regulars as he thought necessary to assist in suppressing the tories in Somerset and Worcester counties. Something of the success of his expedition may be gathered from the following letter from the Council of Safety to Col- onel Richardson :
Annapolis, Feb. 19, 1777.
Sir, We have the honor of transmiting to you the thanks of the General Assembly of this state for your spirited conduct in march- ing your Battalion of Militia in order to assist General Hooper in quelling the insurrection in Somerset and Worcester Counties. With the greatest respect and regards,
Sir, your most Obedient Servant,
The Council of Safety.
The same year he was appointed clerk of the county court, but soon found his other duties so pressing that he deputized John Baker to act for him. When the British made their attack upon Philadelphia in Decem- ber of 1777, Colonel Richardson was commissioned to re- move the Continental Treasury to Baltimore. This con- sisted of such notes and specie as the Continental Con- gress had on hand for supplying the needs of the prov- inces.
In '78 he was a member of the convention to ratify the Constitution of the United States. From 1789-1793 he was Presidential elector in the college that elected Washington president. Another prominent position in his later life was the treasurer-ship of the Eastern
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Shore, an office which he held at the time of his death in July 1825.
Although not a man of great wealth Richardson lived in such luxury as was the custom in his generation. Upon his plantation, known as Gilpin Point, situated on the Choptank river, stood his family mansion, store house, granary, blacksmith and carpenter shops, and oth- er outbuildings. Like all such estates at that time Gil- pin Point resembled a little village in itself. In times of peace gay crowds assembled there, for Richardson was famous for his hospitality ; in times of war, supplies were sent there from Annapolis and Baltimore to be distributed among the various companies of the Colo- nel's regiment.
While a young man, William Richardson married Elizabeth Green. Their family consisted of six children, namely William, Thomas, Daniel Peter, Joseph, Mary, and Ann Webb. Mrs. Richardson, Thomas and Mary, who had married James Price of Easton, died before the Colonel. The other daughter, Am Webb, became the wife of William Potter of Potter's Landing.
In the days before the Revolution, Richardson own- ed part interest in a sloop, "The Omega," which is said to have carried cargoes of parched corn to the West In- dies. On return trips quantities of coral stone were brought as ballast and from these stones his slaves built a wall surrounding his home.
Along with considerable evidence as to Col. Rich- ardson's being interested in ocean shipping and trad- ing, the following story taken from the life of Commo- dore Joshna Barney may be of interest here :
Capt. Barney noted for his privateering during the Revolution- ary War had been captured, taken to England and lodged in Mill Prison at Plymouth in the year 1781. Upon escaping, he managed to get to the home of a friend, a minister, in the town and there met two farmer friends, Col. Wm. Richardson and Dr. Hindman of hte Eastern Shore of Maryland. These men had gone over on a merchant vessel and upon its being captured, were waiting for an opportunity to return to America. Richardson and Hindman en- gaged a fishing smack and Barney agreed to carry them to France where they could easily find a way home. Changing his uniform for a fisherman's suit, Barney placed his two friends in the cabin of the boat and set sail across the English Channel. After being out a few hours, the boat was overhauled by an English guard and taken back to Plymouth over a boisterous sea which for several hours had kept our Col. Richardson a prisoner in the hull of the boat and suffering from seasickness. Upon reaching Plymouth, however, Richardson and Hindman who had committed no wrong were released while Barney was again put in prison.
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Parts of the old coral wall, a brick dairy, and the fast crumbling tomb of Caroline's most illustrious sol- dier are all that now remain at Gilpin Point to remind present Carolineans of her original sponsor.
TOMB OF WILLIAM RICHARDSON. Gilpin Point.
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COLONEL WILLIAM WHITELY.
The time of William Whitely's leaving Delaware and coming to Maryland is not definitely known but we do know that when the first gun of the Revolution was fired, April 19, 1775 he was a citizen of Caroline County, well established, of some note and ready to take up arms in defense of his country.
He at once became active in the military organiza- tion for the defense of his country and the subjugation of tories; and entered the Eastern Shore militia where he was immediately made Lieutenant.
That he was probably in active service with the Maryland Line is shown by a report (1776) of Col. Wm. Richardson who says,-"Col. Whitely will set off on Monday next and I hope will head the first Division of our Batallion at Philadelphia."
His most important military position, however, was that of Commander-in-chief of the Militia of Caroline County. As Commander-in-chief it was his business to see that all male citizens between the ages of sixteen and fifty were enrolled in the militia and drilled for service. This position was much more important than would seem to us at the present day, and for a youth in his early twenties it was certainly a responsible one. His Revo- lutionary work continued in some capacity throughout the war and was productive of much good both for his state and nation.
After the close of the war he left the military field and soon became prominent in politics, taking part in the many meetings called at Hillsboro and Denton prior to the War of 1812. Among these was the remonstrance meeting held at Denton relative to the Chesapeake-Leop- ard trouble at which Whitely acted as chairman, and was voted a member of the Committee of Correspondence which was "Empowered by the meeting to represent Caroline in any subsequent measures taken by her sister counties in vindication of the national honor." Later he became (1811) senator from this district and was a co-worker with Culbreth. signing the remonstrance against the compensation Bill of 1816.
Always a staunch Democrat, he continued for some time after this in local politics, acting as a member of Democratie Caucuses and chairman of important com-
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mittees, etc .; but when a comparatively young man he withdrew entirely from public life.
While speaking of William Whitely as a military man and a prominent citizen we must not forget to land him as a member of his immediate vicinity.
His wealth made him a prominent figure of his day. His holdings included 1500 acres immediately surround- ing Whitelysburg, $30,000 in stocks as well as a number of minor possessions while the ownership of 30 pieces of solid silver table service indicates his mode of living.
Yet he was a liberal supporter of all religious work, giving freely to such causes and with his family was a regular attendant of the Presbyterian Church then or- ganized in Greensboro. Of this church he was one of the founders as well as a member of the first Board of Trus- tees.
His religion was practical as was evidenced by the readiness and generosity with which he extended a help- ing hand to his friends.
Col. Whitely retiring entirely from public life at a comparatively early age, returned to Delaware from whence the family came, and there he died, Aug. 15, 1816 aged 63 years.
He has gone! Death took him. The Whitely man- sion is gone, fire destroyed it many years ago. His tomb alone remains, a colonial structure in the Whitely bury- ing ground which marks his last resting place. The tomb is covered by a marble slab inscribed with his name and a beautiful tribute.
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WILLOW GROVE_HOME OF
MATTHEW DRIVER.
Probably the best preserved example of Colonial architecture to be found in Caroline County is "The Willows," onetime home of Matthew Driver, situated in the Greensboro district and now owned by T. C. Hor- sey. One can scarcely enter its massive doorways or look at its colonial architecture without visioning the days when "neighbors dropped in to spend a week or two."
No definite date is given of the entrance of the Drivers into this territory, but in 1774 when the initial Court of our county was held, Matthew Driver had achieved enough prominence to be appointed Justice of this Court, then held at Melvill's warehouse.
This position he retained during the years of the Revolution and in 1776, in pursuance of the order of the Council of Safety he acted as president of a Court-Mar- tial held at Melvill's Warehouse.
June 24, 1777 he received his commission as Lieu- tenant-Colonel of Stafford's Company 14th Battalion of Militia in Caroline County, and later we find him cor-
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.
responding with the Council of Safety relative to ap- pointment of officers for a new Company of Militia in Caroline and signing himself as Matthew Driver, Com- mander of the 14th Battalion of Militia.
That he was a man of means is shown by the fact of his ownership at the time of his death of six large tracts of land including Willow Grove, his home estate, over £2000 stirling in money, 24 slaves, stock and oth- er valuable holdings.
Little else is definitely known of him but as his rec- ord shows he was a typical gentleman of his day and left an unspotted name.
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POTTER MANSION.
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THE POTTERS OF POTTERS LANDING.
If you should visit Williston, the large brick man- sion there would undoubtedly attract your attention. If von asked the history of the house and its owners, this is the story you would be told.
About the middle of the eighteenth century Zabdiel Potter, a sea captain from Rhode Island, settled at this place, building for his home a small brick house. Being an enterprising man, he soon made the place a point of commercial importance on the upper Choptank. In his honor the settlement became known as "Potter's Land- ing." Boats bound for Baltimore left the Landing laden with cargoes of tobacco and on return trips brought such supplies as the colonists had to import. While on a sea voyage in 1761, Captain Potter died leaving a widow and two sons.
Nathaniel, the elder of the sons, inherited the home place known as Philips Range. During the Revolution he became a prominent figure in the country. From 1774 to 1776 he served in the Maryland Conventions, was Justice of the Orphans' Court and first major in Staffords Company of Militia. In December '76, Isaac McHard, who was appointed to collect food supplies in the province, engaged Maj. Potter to collect, salt, and barrel all the pork he could procure for use in the army. So successful was Maj. Potter in this, that in '78 he was appointed Caroline agent for purchasing provisions for the army. Two years after the close of the war he died leaving a widow but no children. The home at Potter's Landing he willed to his only brother.
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