USA > Maryland > Talbot County > History of Talbot county, Maryland, 1661-1861, Volume I > Part 37
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In 1767 entered into an engagement with Messrs. Cable & Osgood, wealthy Hamburg merchants in London, men of great credit, high reputa- tion and probity. They were of the sect called Quakers, and from them the writer experienced the greatest kindness, and was on terms of inti- mate friendship. On the 17th May, 1768, took command of the ship Pearl, which carried 696 hogsheads of tobacco, sailed from London and arrived at Annapolis, in Maryland on the 13th July following, with- out meeting with any remarkable occurrence except as the ship lay becalmed on the Western Islands, catching 80 sea turtles, on which all on board feasted during the rest of the voyage, and on arrival the writer gave several large entertainments to his merchant friends and one to Governor Sharp and the principal inhabitants of Annap- olis. It will not be unacceptable to the curious hereafter to be informed of the principle on which this tobacco trade was carried on, for, though it was of so much importance, it is already unknown to the greater part of the people. The landed men before the late revolu- tion were called planters from their staple commodity, the planting and cultivating of tobacco. This article they in part shipped on their own risk to merchants in England, for which they had in return the various goods and merchandise for their families. Even the storekeep- ers in Talbot county took tobacco in trade for their goods and shipped it to England, taking various kinds of goods for their stores in ex- change. This commerce was esteemed a very lucrative and advan- tageous business to the merchants, who sent out ships for that purpose and chose for commanders men of high standing and reputation, as well as those best calculated to please and solicit the consignments of tobacco. In this way the planters of Talbot county, as well as others, procured all their best clothing as well as other articles necessary for their homes.
The writer made his last voyage in 1772, and on the 18th day of Decem- ber in that year surrendered up the command of his ship. In June, 1773, he was engaged by former merchants in London as their agent on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and the ensuing July took passage on board the ship Royal Exchange, Captain Thomas Woodford of Lon- don, for his native country. Captain Woodford was a native of Vir- ginia, a very sensible man, an able mariner, a gentleman, and a most pleasant and entertaining companion. On their passage the Royal Exchange put in to Madeira, where she landed passengers and mer- chandise, took in wine and refreshments, and departed from there in August. The Isle of Wight was the last land in England that the writer ever visited. The Island of Madeira was the first foreign land
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he ever visited, as he sailed for that place when he first crossed the ocean, it proved to be the last he ever set foot upon.
Here we must pause to make some remarks upon the inhabitants of Madeira. The writer was powerfully struck by the great change in religious matters, and thinks if it continues to dwindle in the same proportion, a very few years must extinguish all zeal. The merchants of Madeira are among the most polite and hospitable people in the world. Self interest may have some weight with them, their attention to stran- gers being a ready means of extending their consignments. During the writer's stay there on his last visitation he, together with a few other passengers on board the Royal Exchange, was invited to spend his time at the country seat of Mr. Searl, an eminent and wealthy mer- chant of that Island, and a native of New York. This gentleman in- habited a palace, which was once a convent belonging to the Jesuits, situated just beyond or without Funchal, the chief town of that island. The natives of Madeira were indeed Portuguese.
The Royal Exchange arrived in Virginia early in September, 1773, and the writer, after visiting his many friends and acquaintances in Norfolk and Hampton, took a boat up the bay and visited his worthy friend Daniel Woolstonhalm, Esq., who lived at the mouth of the Potomac river; from thence returned to his home in Maryland on the 20th September, 1773.
Here closes his career of travel to foreign countries and sea life. He deems it both singular and fortunate that during the whole time he was on the sea, he never met with one shipwreck; what was very extra- ordinary he never saw one man lost by accident, and but one buried at sea; he wishes he could say he never saw a ship founder. He would here like to expatiate at some length upon the pleasing contemplations caused by the first view of foreign countries. Even our own Chesapeake, one of old ocean's proudest boasts, though in history it is yet in its in- fancy, it is worthy of admiration and attention if but to applaud its spacious waters and incomparable navigation. The Susquehanna dashing and foaming over innumerable rocks. Next East river, the Elk, which is now celebrated for its mills and extensive commerce in wheat and flour. It was on this river that Admiral Howe landed a powerful army under command of his brother, Gen. Sir William Howe, in order to subjugate America during the late civil war. The Sassafras river is more famed for its fertile lands than for commerce. The Patap- sco famed for the golden kite-foot tobacco which is esteemed the finest species in foreign markets. On the banks of this river has suddenly
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sprung up more like a fairy tale than reality the commercial city of Baltimore, the first emporium on old Chesapeake, and now the fifth in the United States. The Chester river has long been distinguished for its ample stores of wheat rather than tobacco. On the fertile banks of Wye river, once dwelt poor Dick7 o' Wye, the richest man in North America. This river was once celebrated for its extensive trade in tobacco, now for wheat. South and West rivers are of little note, but the Great Choptank and the Little Choptank, guarded at their con- fluence by Sharp, Tilghman and James islands, all three of which have nearly worn to skeletons from the angry raging of the Chesapeake, outrivaled in days of yore all others in shipping, trade and commerce. Oxford, one of the principal agents and proudest boasts, instead of launching her wealth upon the ocean as formerly in 1775, is content to ship her grain in little swift sailing boats, throwing it in the lap of an upstart sister. The lofty banks of the Patuxent were thickly settled with opulent planters producing tobacco highly valued as to quality.
After retiring from active service on the sea the writer entered upon quite a new life, that of a farmer and agent on the Eastern Shore of Maryland for merchants in London. The clouds of a civil war began to thicken and lower on the shores of America. Several insidious attempts had been made by Great Britain to raise revenue in this coun- try, and as often were they baffled and given up. At length they made a bold stand on a poor sneaking twopence or threepence per pound on tea as a tax or duty. This at once threw America into flames which extended to several nations in Europe. A British army was sent to Boston, in order to force this tea down the throats of the Americans. Preparations were made in the 13 colonies to repel force by force. In every section the military was called out into training, and on the 19th April, 1775, they engaged for the first time with the British regular troops of Concord and Lexington in New England, and totally defeated them. In May, 1775, the writer was elected a first lieutenant of a company of militia raised at the Court House, now called Easton. Soon after was made Captain of another company raised at Bartlett's Oak. About the same time was elected by the county to serve in a general convention of Maryland. The ensuing June, 1775, in company with his first lieutenant, set out on urgent business, bearer of important papers, to Cambridge, near Boston, in New England. Took a view of the American army encamped at that place. On the route passed
7 This was, undoubtedly the Hon. Richard Bennett, whose widow married the second Edward Lloyd of Wye House, to whom she brought an immense fortune.
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through Philadelphia, New York and from thence down the sound to New London. Here they hired horses and in company with others traveled to Providence, where in July they took a stage coach to Cam- bridge. They found that Gen. Washington had fortunately just arrived before them, and they had letters of introduction and important papers for him. After transacting business, viewing the American camp, and also that of the English, who were encamped on Bunker's Hill, between the lines of the Americans and the enemy the writer in company with General Lee's aide-de-camp had a long conference with some British officers. After remaining some time in the American camp, where they received every attention and respect from those they were acquainted with, they started out on their tour homeward. On the way they passed through Rhode Island where the writer had the pleasure of paying his respects to many of his old friends and acquaintances. From Rhode Island embarked in a packet up the sound touching at Stony Point and many other places, and arrived in New York safely.
The whole country through New England presented an exciting scene of warlike preparations. Nothing was seen but disciplining militia, their marching and counter-marching. Nothing was heard but the rattling of drums and blowing of fifes. From New York they went in a stage coach to Philadelphia, from thence to Chestertown, and from thence home on the 10th of August.
In January, 1776, was appointed Major8 to the 27th Battalion of Militia, and soon after assessor of Mill Hundred. James Denny was the first man assessed in Talbot county, or, perhaps, in the State of Mary- land. 9 In May, 1777, was appointed one of the Magistrates10 of Talbot county, and in August following was elected by the people Colonel of the 38th Battalion of Militia, and appointed naval officer of the
8 By the Convention then in session, Christopher Birkhead having been, at the same time, chosen Colonel.
9 Previous to this date all taxes for provincial and county purposes were of an indirect kind, or were levied upon polls. The quit rents, however, which were the peculium of the Lord Proprietary were a direct tax upon acreage, irrespective of the value of the land. The last tax upon polls was made in November, 1776.
10 He was therefore one of the Justices of the first court of the country held under the constitution of the State of Maryland. He continued to have a seat on this bench until March, 1791, when there was a change of the judicial system of the State under the law of 1790, which required the appointment of one Chief Judge, and two Associate Judges. But Mr. Banning continued to be a Justice of the Peace until 1793. See Act Assembly, 1790, chap. xxxiii, for powers of the Justices of the Peace, after formation of District courts. These powers related chiefly to the finances of the counties.
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Port of Oxford.11 Was next made Chief Justice of the Orphans' Court12 The writer now found himself launched into an ocean of sundry employ- ments, and his warm, steady and firm attachment to the cause of his country, together with his never engaging in any political party in particular, enabled him to act independently by all. By always strictly adhering to what he thought just, he became better enabled to dis- charge the various trusts reposed in him. By acting with such impar- tiality he had the happiness of never hearing the least murmur or com- plaint of his decisions; there never existed any censure that he knew of for neglect of duty. In 1779 he was elected, without being present or soliciting the same, one of the select vestry of St. Michaels Parish.13 As this was a new thing there was great contention, and strange to say many candidates were grievously disappointed.
About this time he was appointed one of the commissioners of the tax and signers of the paper money.14 In 1785, was appointed by law first commissioner for laying out the town of Talbotton, since called Easton, gave the name of the streets, etc., etc.15 In May, 1787, was appointed armorer of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. In 1788, was by a very contested election chosen to represent Talbot county in a general convention held at Annapolis, in order to ratify and confirm the federal government now established in the United States. The four deputies
11 As naval officer he was "collector of the rates, duties and imports" under the State government, and so continued until the adoption of the Federal constitution, when he was appointed (in 1789) Collector by Gen. Washington, then President of the United States. He held this office until his death in 1798, when he was suc- ceeded in the office of Collector by his son Mr. Robert Banning, who had been commissioned Inspector in 1795. Mr. Sam'l Chamberlaine was the last Collector under the Provincial regime.
12 Col. Banning became Chief Judge of the Orphan's Court in 1780 and continued to fill that responsible post until 1791, having for his associates Messrs. William Goldsborough, Richard Johns, William Dawson and Charles Gardiner, when the number of Judges was reduced to three by Acts of 1790 and 1791.
13 This was the first election of Vestrymen, under the law of March 1779, which was the first step towards the reorganization of the Church of England in America, after the Revolution.
14 This was probably under the act of assembly of 1778, chap. vii, by which an issue of 300,000£ was authorized. Mr. Banning has failed to note that in 1775 he was appointed one of the signers of the bills of credit authorized by the Con- vention of July of that year. The Commissioners of the Tax serving with him were Messrs. Thomas Sherwood, Christopher Birkhead, James Benson and Samuel Nicols.
15 In 1788 he was one of the commissioners to lay out the road leading from the town of Easton to the Point-then called Cow Landing.
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sent were, the Hon. Robert Goldsborough, Edward Lloyd, John Stevens, and Col. Jeremiah Banning. In August, 1789, was by President Wash- ington commissioned collector of the customs for the Port of Oxford, and in June, 1791, made inspector of the revenue for the same Port. These will probably be the last marks of public favor conferred upon him, being far advanced in years. Frequent attacks of the gout have so crippled him in the feet as to render walking and the more active duties painful. He felt the first symptoms of this disease when in London, 1766, and was ready to give in to the old opinion that it be could brought on by a troubled mind. The second attack came on in 1767, when visiting the Isle of Wight, brought on in his opinion by the hard- ships of the last voyage, or perhaps the great degree of heat and cold which he had experienced in various climes had an effect. As to excess in eating and drinking it could have had but little weight as he was temperate in the last article, and especially in the former, and when led to partake of the latter it was imposed upon him by the necessity of his profession in partaking of good cheer at entertainments to which he was invited by his many friends. Perhaps few men in a young country received more testimonials of the confidence of their fellow-citizens than himself. During his life there have been many uncommon and unex- pected revolutions, more perhaps than ever happened in the same space of time, or indeed may happen again in the like period. To enumerate some of the most remarkable, we may commence with the western coun- try becoming well known. Half a century ago the name of Ohio was not known by more than one in five hundred, and those who had an idea of it gleaned their knowledge from vague and visionary French travelers, which had more the air of romance than reality. It was car- ried on by European nations in America. A civil war with the parent country, and afterwards a total revolution and change of government. A general toleration, and indeed, a total change of religious matters, opinions and sentiments. Instead of that persecution and inveterate spirit of hatred that once prevailed amongst the different sects of Chris- tians, every one is now permitted to serve his Creator, as he thinks most conformable to his reason. The Church of England is almost reduced to its lowest ebb, and Methodism not known before the civil war is now most warmly persued. To these may be added the gradually increasing spirit for liberating negroes, together with the wonderful change for the better in the more human and liberal treatment of these people. Among the other changes may be added, the great staple trade of Maryland is now almost changed from that of tobacco to wheat. The occurrence
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which only happens once in more than a century, to wit: That of three figures of one denomination in the date of a year, for instance, 1777, the like of which will not take place until 1888.
In Europe also many surprising events have taken place. First the expulsion of that powerful and learned body of men called Jesuits. Second the abolition of nunneries in many counties. Thirdly the uni- versal spirit of liberty and the rights of men. Fourthly the contempt for, and low estimation of Kings. Fifthly and lastly the great revolution and change of government in France, both in religion and in politics. In their struggle they have beheaded both their King and Queen, to- gether with a great number of distinguished characters, and they are now combating with the combined powers of almost every nation in Europe.
A few trifling remarks relative to his own country, the writer cannot pass over in silence. He is fond of those details of antiquity, and will here gratify himself. He will begin with the manufacturers in America. In his early recollection scarce a pair of shoes were made in Talbot county, or even in America, at least for the genteel and fashionable, those for both whites and negroes were imported. So great has been the improvement in the above article that an imported pair is now rarely seen. Boots were very seldom seen except when imported, and used only by the rich and fashionable. There were no saddles made in the country, and very few imported, so that it was considered a great and very expensive luxury to own one; the very few of those that were not imported, were so mean and of so uncouth a fashion, that few persons would use them. Now we have so greatly advanced in the skill of dress- ing leather and in manufacturing it, that but very little is imported. The fulling of cloth, making of nails, sickles, scythes, and salt making, were not practiced at the above period. Carriages, what few there were, were all imported, and there were not more than four in St. Michaels Parish, one of those belonging to the writer. Even common carts were imported, and perhaps there were not more than a dozen in Talbot county. The poorer planters used cans, and the rich ones what were called trucks, these machines are rare at this day. Wheat fans, the writer never saw one until 1760. In regard to dress it is not wondered that it has had its various changes. Perukes were worn by some of our principal men. Caps of linen and seersucker of a sprodding.16
16 This last phrase is unintelligible, but it stands as written in the original manuscript of Mr. Banning. It is evident he intended to add to this narrative. The cause of its abrupt termination is not known; probably that cause which ends all human work.
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But little more is known of Col. Banning than what has just been related, principally in his own words. Family tradition and a few scattered notices of him in the public records and newspapers have pre- served some memorials of him and his extraordinary will written by his own hand, which may be regarded in the light of a supplement to his autobiography, and from which extracts will presently be presented, has furnished to us views of his character and opinions upon some social and political subjects, as well as revealed some curious incidents in his active career which he thought it unnecessary to mention in the account of his life prepared for his children. In religion he was an adherent of the Church of England, and her successor in America, and he never per- mitted himself to be drawn away from her communion even when so many were forsaking it, including members of his own parental house- hold, under the fervid preaching of the Methodists. He transmitted his partiality for the beautiful and decorous ritual of the Episcopal church to his descendants. In politics he was a whig under the provin- cial regime, an ardent and devoted patriot during the war of the Revolu- tion, and a Federalist of the school of Washington and Hamilton before and after the adoption of the Constitution of the United States. His views of the measures of the English government that led to the revolt of the colonies he has himself expressed with sufficient distinctness. His active participation in military operations was confined to the defense of the county, by the militia, from the petty attacks from the enemy's fleet, or from the marauding expeditions of the tories from the southern part of the State. He has left a memorandum of his driving off with his command a party that had seized a vessel at Castle Haven in Dorchester county, and then made a landing at Benoni's point for the purpose of plunder. It is not believed that he ever participated in any military operations beyond the limits of the county. None rejoiced more than he upon the return of peace. He early discovered the weak- ness and inefficiency of the government under the Articles of Confedera- tion, and became the earnest advocate of a "more perfect union"-so much so that, as has been noted, he was chosen one of the delegates from Maryland to ratify the Constitution of the United States. He sup- ported the administrations of Washington and Adams. A letter of Col. Banning to Gen'l Washington, and the reply of the President to him have been preserved, and as they probably have never appeared in print since their original publication in the Maryland Herald, they are here inserted in full. A public meeting had been called, to assemble at Easton on the 7th of September, 1793, of the citizens of Talbot
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to express their sense of the duty and interest of the county in observ- ing an impartial conduct and a strict neutrality with all the powers now at war in Europe, and their opinion of such measures as have already been taken upon that subject.
The President had issued his proclamation of neutrality and there were not wanting those who for one motive or reason, or another, condemned the position he had taken. The meeting assembled at the time speci- fied and passed a series of resolutions sustaining the President in his course. Unfortunately the number of the paper containing them is lost, but the following is the letter of the chairman of the meeting, Col. Banning, which accompanied the copy of them that was transmitted to the President, and the reply of Gen'l Washington:
EASTON, September 7th, 1793.
To the President of the United States-
Sir: I am injoined by such of the citizens of Talbot county as were present at a meeting held this day at Easton, to communicate to you the enclosed resolutions; and at the same time to accompany their sentiments by expressions of their esteem and attachment to your person; and of their heartfelt wishes for your constant health and happi- ness. In compliance with this injunction I have accordingly done so: and I beg to assure you, sir, that in the exercise of this duty I feel the most distinguished pleasure.
I have the honor to be, sir,
Your most obedient servant,
JERE BANNING, Chairman.
To which the President returned the following answer:
MOUNT VERNON, 16th Sept., 1793.
To Jeremiah Banning, Esquire, Sir:
The approbation which the General Government has met from my fellow citizens, throughout these States, cannot fail to excite in me the liveliest satisfaction; and the assurance given by them of their firm intentions to unite in keeping our country in a state of peace at this important period, is an additional and pleasing testimony of the unanim- ity and good sense of the citizens of the United States.
While I beg of you to assure the citizens of Talbot of the reliance I place in their disposition towards the General Government manifested in these resolutions, I also request you to make known to them the pleas- ure I receive from their expressions of esteem and attachment for my person: and to you, sir, for your polite manner of transmitting these resolutions, my best thanks are offered.
Go. WASHINGTON.
Jere'h Banning, Esq.17
17 Maryland Herald, Sept. 17th, 1793.
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