USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > The founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland. A genealogical and biographical review from wills, deeds and church records > Part 25
USA > Maryland > Howard County > The founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland. A genealogical and biographical review from wills, deeds and church records > Part 25
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In 1832, the sum of £3,000 was given, providing the Board would accept it in full satisfaction for any claim it might have against the State. Thus, has the college lived for a century, during which time it has presented a long array of Maryland's most honored sons, who started out from its halls. Its present able President, Dr. Fell is holding it to its purpose with success.
ANTE-REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENTS.
We have now reached the close of our Provincial era. Busy preparations for an independent nation are at hand. The causes which led to the Revolution are known to every school boy, but the part that Maryland took in that Revolution has never had its just recognition.
In Bancroft's voluminous history, of eight large volumes, not more than a half-dozen pages are given to a notice of Maryland's share in the great work. Even this slight notice is in detached para- graphs of deprecatory allusions to the influence of "its profligate Lord Proprietary," in shaping the conservatism of the State. Though Maryland, through Thomas Johnson, had nominated George Wash- ington as Commander-in-Chief, it is there recorded as the wish of the East. Chase, whose wisdom was felt in every convention, only received a passing word of commemoration. Maryland, it is true, penetrated the disguise of patriotism which enveloped our English General, Charles Lee and became indignant, when such a man had tried to depose her respected Governor Eden, but her conservatism stood not in the way, after it was seen, that the cause of defense could be made one of independence. When that hour had dawned, her spirit of devotion became manifest. Like others, Maryland had hoped for the recovery of American rights through the blockade of trade, but now in a convention of fifty-five members from sixteen counties, it "resolved unanimously to resist to the utmost of their power, taxation by Parliament, or the enforcement of
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the penal acts against Massachusetts." Charles Carroll, disfran- chised, was placed on her committee of correspondence. Chase, strong, downright brave and persevering, vehement even to a fault, won the confidence of the people. Her delegates to that Convention in April, 1775, had been instructed to proceed "even to the last extremity, if indispensably necessary for the safety and preserva- tion of their liberties and privileges."
On 26th of July, following, the Convention at Annapolis resolved fully to sustain Massachusetts and to meet force by force. It saw "no alternative, but base submission or manly resistance and it approved by arms its opposition to British troops." It directed the enrollment of forty companies of minute men; authorized one . quarter of a million of currency to be raised; extended its franchise; and recognizing the Continental Congress it managed the affairs of the State through a "Council of Safety" and subordinate Executive Committees in every county of the State.
At a meeting of the voters of Anne Arundel County, in 1774, it was resolved, "That Thomas Dorsey, John Hood, Jr., John Dorsey, Philip Dorsey, John Burgess, Thomas Sappington, Ephraim Howard, Caleb Dorsey, Richard Stringer, Reuben Meriweather, Dr. Charles A. Warfield, Edward Gaither, Jr., Greenberry Gaither, Elijah Robos- son, Thomas Mayo, James Kelso, Benjamin Howard, Ely Dorsey, Sr., Mark Brown Sappington, Brice T. B. Worthington, Charles Car- roll, barrister; John Hall, William Paca, Thomas Johnson, Jr., Matthias Hammond, Charles Wallace, Richard Tootell, Thomas Harwood, Jr., John Davidson, John Brice, John Weems, Samuel Chew, Thomas Sprigg, Gerard Hopkins, Jr., Thomas Hall, Thomas Harwood, West River; Stephen Steward, Thomas Watkins, Thomas Belt, the third, Richard Green and Stephen Watkins be a committee to represent and act for this county and city, to carry into execution the association agreed on by the American Continental Congress."
On 26th of July, 1775, at Annapolis, a temporary form of gov- ernment was established, which endured until the Constitution of 1851 was adopted. In this action Maryland moved solely by its own volition. Charles Carroll, of Carrollton and Charles Carroll, barrister, were members of the Committee of Safety, from Annapolis City.
The new Government of Maryland, which succeeded the exciting Administration of Governor Eden, showed a gloomy prospect in its early hours of the Revolutionary struggle.
The Council of Safety in its address to the Maryland Delegates recorded, "Our people are very backward in carrying the New Gov- ernment into execution. Anne Arundel County has named no elec- tors to the Senate-nor any committee of observation-none of the Judges attended and very few people. The city of Annapolis has not named any Elector and we expect news of the same kind from other places." But when once awakened to the necessity of defence, the people of Anne Arundel faltered not, as will be seen in the records that follow. Ordered, "That the Treasurer of the Western Shore pay
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to Dr. Charles Alexander Warfield, £400 to enable him to carry on a crude Nitre manufactory."
At a meeting of Delegates appointed by the several counties of Annapolis, on 26th of July, 1775, were Samuel Chase, Thomas John- son, John Hall, Dr. Ephraim Howard, Charles Carroll, barrister; Charles Carroll, of Carrollton; Thomas Dorsey, Thomas Tillard and John Dorsey. Upon an adjournment to Thursday, July 27th, there were present, William Paca and Rezin Hammond, for Anne Arundel.
At a meeting of the inhabitants of Anne Arundel, on January 1775, the following were appointed upon the committee of observa- tion, with full power to rule the county. They were Brice T. B. Worthington, John Hall, Matthias Hammond, Philemon Warfield, Nicholas Worthington, Thomas Jennings, Thomas Dorsey, John Hood, Jr., John Dorsey, Philip Dorsey, Ephraim Howard, Caleb Dorsey, Jr., Richard Stringer, Reuben Meriweather, Charles War- field, Edward Gaither, Jr., Greenberry Ridgely, Ely Dorsey, John Burgess, Michael Pue, Edward Norwood, James Howard, Henry Ridgely, William Hammond, Thomas Hobbs, John Dorsey, son of Michael; Brice Howard, Edward Dorsey, son of John; Amos Davis, Elisha Warfield, John Dorsey, son of Severn John; Samuel Dorsey, son of Caleb; Joshua Griffith, Vachel Howard, Charles Hammond, son of John; Thomas Mayo.
On Friday, July 28th, Brice Thomas Beale Worthington was present for Anne Arundel and on Saturday, 29th, Matthias Hammond represented Anne Arundel.
"Resolved by the " Association of Freemen," on July 26, 1775, That four companies of Minute Men be raised in Anne Arundel, of sixty-eight men besides officers."
Thus was the ball set in motion for that year.
1776.
On January 20th it was resolved that registers of the Commis- saires and Land Office and Clerks of the Provincial Court of Anne Arundel immediately furnish the Council of Safety with lists of record books in their respective offices and prepare for removal of the records and papers to such place as shall be directed by said Council."
Mr. John Brice delivered the Court and land record books and and judgment books.
"Resolved, That Charles Carroll, of "Carrollton," Thomas Dor- sey and John Weems collect all the gold and silver that can be gotten in Anne Arundel in exchange for continental money for the use of Congress."
In 1776 commissions were issued by the Council of Safety to Thomas Tillard, First Major, and to Joseph Galloway, Second Major of the South River Battalion of Militia; Pollard Edmondson, Third Lieutenant in Fourth Independent Company; to Henry Hanslap, Captain; John Worthington (of Brice), First Lieutenant; Nicholas
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Worthington, Second Lieutenant, and Gilbert Guldhall, Ensign of the Severn Militia.
" Ordered, That the records be removed to Rezin Gaither's house and there committed to the care of the clerks of Mr. John Brice."
The Council then sent a notice to Congress that gold and silver cannot be procured from the people without cash in Continental money.
Commissions issued to Joseph Maccubin, First Lieutenant, and Joshua Cromwell, Second Lieutenant, and Benjamin Wright, Ensign in Anne Arundel Militia. To Joseph Burgess, First Lieutenant; John Norwood, Second Lieutenant, and Thomas Cornelius Howard, Ensign in Captain Brice Howard's Company of Militia in Anne Arundel County. To Richard Weems, Captain; Gideon Dare, First - Lieutenant; Joseph Allingham, Second Lieutenant, and Benjamin Harrison, Ensign of a company of militia in Anne Arundel.
The Council then corresponded with Mr. Samuel Dorsey, of Belmont, upon the subject of furnishing tents for the militia. Mr. Stephen Steward, of Anne Arundel, was requested to purchase the necessary militia stores of Annapolis Hospital according to the memo- randum furnished by Dr. Tootell.
Colonel Thomas Dorsey, as one of the field officers of the Elk Ridge Battalion, recommended Levin Lawrence as First Lieutenant, Thomas Todd, Second Lieutenant, under Captain Thomas Watkins, Jr., of Colonel Weems' Battalion, agreeable to a resolve of the Convention.
John Weems, Richard Harwood, Jr., and Joseph Galloway, Field Officers, recommended Thomas Watkins as Captain and John I. Ijams as Ensign in one of the companies to be raised in Anne Arundel.
John Hall, Delegate of Anne Arundel, refused the office of Judge of Admiralty.
Samuel Barber, Adjutant of the Severn Battalion, was paid £20 for four months' service.
Commission issued to Thomas Mayo, Second Lieutenant in Captain John Boone's Company of Militia-Anne Arundel.
"Resolved, That the record books be removed from Annapolis on Wednesday next, if fair, to Mr. William Brown's house in London Town, and thence to Upper Marlborough, and that two gentlemen of the Committee of Observation be requested to attend the records.
Commission issued to Thomas Watkins, Captain; Thomas Noble Stockett, First Lieutenant; Samuel Watkins, Second Lieutenant; and William Harwood, Ensign of Company of militia of South River. To Abraham Simmons, Captain; Thomas Tongue, First Lieutenant; Thomas Morton, Second Lieutenant, and Abell Hill, Ensign of South River Company of Militia. To James Tootell, Captain; Philemon Warfield, First Lieutenant; Lancelot Warfield, Second Lieutenant, and Thomas Warfield, Ensign, of Company of Militia of the Severn. To George Watts, Captain; David Kerr, First Lieutenant; Joseph Maccubin, Second Lieutenant; Joshua Cromwell, Ensign, of Com-
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pany of Militia of Anne Arundel. To Vachel Gaither, Captain; Absalom Anderson, First Lieutenant; Stephen Bosford, Second Lieu- tenant, and Thomas Fowler Bosford, Ensign, of Company belonging to the Severn Battalion of Militia.
Ordered, That Colonel John Hall, of Anne Arundel, be requested to detach a company of militia to guard the coast from Thomas Point to Horn Point.
Ordered, That all citizens between Annapolis and St. Mary's County be requested to give aid in getting the cannon and ammuni- tion to St. George's Island in this county.
Commission issued to John Bullen, Captain; Benjamin Harwood, First Lieutenant of Independent Company of Militia in Anne Arundel County. Anne Arundel Militia, Elk Ridge Battalion: Thomas Dor- sey, Colonel; Mr. John Dorsey, Lieutenant Colonel; Dr. C. A. War- field, First Major; Mr. Edward Gaither, Jr., Second Major; Benjamin Howard, Quartermaster. Severn Battalion: John Hall, Colonel; Rezin Hammond, Lieutenant Colonel; Nicholas Worthington, First Major; Elijah Robosson, Second Major; Worthington Hammond, Quartermaster. South River: John Weems, Colonel; Richard Har- wood, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel; John Thomas, First Major; Thomas Tillard, Second Major; Ed. Tillard, Quartermaster.
Passing over the busy preparations of the "Council of Safety," now at the helm, I will enter now upon the birth of our statehood through the administration of our governors, all of whom helped to make the history of Anne Arundel County. To these will be added the biographies of those families who have been makers of the history of both counties.
GOVERNOR THOMAS JOHNSON.
Thomas Johnson, first Governor of Maryland, was born in Calvert County, Maryland, on November 4, 1732. He was the son of Thomas and Dorcas (Sedgwick) Johnson, and grandson of Thomas Johnson, of Yarmouth, who came in 1660. He was a descendant of Sir Thomas Johnson, of Great Yarmouth. The family had been members of Parliament since 1585. Dorcas (Sedgwick) Johnson was the daughter of Joshua, whose granddaughter married John Quincey Adams.
Removing to Frederick County, their son Thomas was there educated. At an early age he was sent to Annapolis and was employed in the office of the Provincial Court. There he studied law, with Mr. Bordley, rising at once to distinction. He was a member of the First Continental Congress and upon every important commit- tee. His speech against the Stamp Act, full of patriotism, carried conviction. Upon his motion, George Washington was made Com- mander-in-Chief of the American forces in the United Colonies. He served until the 9th of November, 1776 upon the Committee of the Constitution; he was appointed by Congress Brigadier-General of the Frederick Militia, which was with Washington in the Jerseys, and whilst in the field was elected Governor, 13th of February, 1777,
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to succeed the Council of Safety. He was inaugurated 21st March, 1777, at the State House, Annapolis, as the first Republican Governor of Maryland. A great concourse of patriotic Marylanders witnessed the ceremony; three volleys were fired by the soldiers, with a salute of thirteen guns, followed by a sumptuous dinner and a ball at night.
Governor Johnson's first proclamation, calling out the militia, was in these words: "To defend our liberties requires our exertions; our wives, our children and our country implore our assistance. Motives amply sufficient to arm every one who can be called a man." The interior counties answered promptly. The Maryland Line was then engaged at Staten Island. Busy times had now dawned, and Governor Johnson had almost dictatorial authority. The severe winter at Valley Forge had exhausted both magazines and supplies, and to keep up the necessary aid for the Quartermaster required the utmost energy of the Governor, yet by the middle of June the Maryland Line had its complement.
During his second term the contest between the House of Bur- gesses, which demanded higher pay and the Senate, which was too aristocratic to grant it, grew almost as exciting as the war in the field. Though Charles Carroll, of "Carrollton," made a forcible speech in opposition to granting the additional increase, the House was vic- torious. During that term, also, the first naturalization laws were passed. At the close of his second term, the limit of his eligibility, Governor Johnson was succeeded by Governor Thomas Sim Lee, in 1779. The General Assembly, upon his retirement, transmitted to him the following address:
"The prudence, assiduity, firmness and integrity with which you have discharged in times most critical, the duties of your late important station, have a just claim to our warm acknowledgement and sincere thanks."
He retired to Fredericktown but was soon returned to the House of Delegates; was appointed Chief Judge of the General Court and afterwards Associate Judge of the Supreme Court of United States.
He resigned it 1793, because of ill-health and for the same cause declined a position in Washington's Cabinet, but did accept the office of Commissioner of Washington City, in which he laid out the plans and fixed the site of the Capitol, President's house and other buildings.
He retired to "Rose Hill," near Frederick, the country-seat of his son-in-law, Colonel John Grahame, in October, 1819. His wife, whom he had married in 1766, was Ann Jennings, only daughter of Thomas Jennings, of Annapolis, who died early, leaving five children. His daughter, Ann Jennings Johnson, became Mrs. John Grahame, with whom he spent the last days of his life.
In 1800, Governor Johnson performed his last public act at Frederick, in the delivery of an eulogy upon Washington. He was of middle stature, slender in person, with keen, penetrating eyes and an intelligent countenance. He had a warm, generous heart, and was a kind husband and father. He died October 26, 1819, at "Rose
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Hill," eighty-seven years of age, and, before an immense conclave of citizens, was buried in the Episcopal burial ground of Frederick over- looking a beautiful valley. "Between the hills of Linganore and Catoctin, he sleeps long and well."
When John Adams was asked why so many Southern men held leading positions, he replied, "If it had not been for such men as Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Chase and Thomas Johnson, there never would have been any revolution."
Governor Johnson's portrait, taken when young, hangs in the State House at Annapolis. The late Mrs. Ross, his granddaughter, by will, has made the Maryland Historical Society guardian of all his public papers and mementoes, until the home of his adoption shall prepare a suitable place for their safe keeping.
Colonel Baker Johnson, son of Governor Thomas Johnson, was a member of the Convention of Maryland, which met in Annapolis 21st June, 1776. He commanded a battalion at Paoli, near Phila- delphia. His wife was Catharine Worthington, daughter of Colonel Nicholas and Catharine (Griffith) Worthington, of "Summer Hill," Anne Arundel. Their daughter, Catharine Worthington Johnson, married William Ross, an eminent lawyer of Frederick.
Charles Worthington Johnson, son of Colonel Baker Johnson, married Elinor Murdock Tyler, of Frederick. Their son is General Bradley Tyler Johnson, late of Virginia. Mrs. Colonel Dennis, of Frederick, is a granddaughter.
GOVERNOR THOMAS SIM LEE.
Thomas Sim Lee, second and seventh Governor of Maryland, born in Maryland, 1743, descended from Colonel Richard Lee, the progenitor of Virginia, through his grandson, Philip Lee, who came to Maryland. Thomas Sim Lee was the son of Thomas and Christian (Sim) Lee, daughter of Dr. Patrick Sim and Mary Brooke, great- granddaughter of Robert Brooke, the commander.
Thomas Sim Lee was educated in Europe. In 1777, October 27, he was married to Miss Mary Digges. In November 8, 1779, he was elected Governor to succeed Thomas Johnson. His opponent was Revolutionary Edward Lloyd.
Governor Lee's proclamation upon the urgent necessity of supplying flour and forage for the army enjoined all justices, sheriffs and their deputy constables, to exert themselves in procuring pro- visions. The effect of the proclamation was instantaneously success- ful and provisions were sent to the needy army. The Legislature also passed an act calling into service 1,400 men to serve three years, or during the war, at the end of which term recruits were to receive fifty acres of land, whilst the county Courts were authorized to draw upon their county treasurers for the maintenance of the needy families of these recruits. Colonel Williams wrote from the South concerning our Maryland troops in these words:
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" Absolutely without pay, almost destitute of clothing, often with only half ration and never a whole one, not a soldier was heard to murmur."
Colonel Otho Holland Williams was then placed at the head of the brigade of the Maryland Line, and from it four companies of picked men were made into a light infantry battalion under Lieutenant-Colonel John Eager Howard. The Maryland troops now arrived and filled the gap made by the withdrawal of Colonel Howard's battalion.
When the State was thus embarrassed to meet the demands of the army, the Legislature, under Governor Lee, set an example by subscribing each according to his means, a magnificent sum, which had its effect in corresponding subscriptions throughout the State. 'Governor Lee's uncle, Joseph Sim, contributed 500 hogsheads of tobacco. The prompt and generous response of the planters of Maryland, many of whom were equally as liberal, saved the army.
A Congressional Committee having been appointed in June, 1780, to urge the Governors of each State to call out an additional quota of troops and supplies, General Washington accompanied their appeal by a letter asking for immediate attention. Maryland's quota was four regiments of 2,205, to he located at the head of the Elk River. Governor Lee immediately laid it before the Assembly. The reply of that Assembly deserves to be written in letters of gold. "We propose to exert our utmost endeavors to raise 2,000 regulars, to serve during the war. It will be necessary to draw from our battalions under Baron de Kalb a number of officers to command, form and discipline these new recruits."
General Washington, having accepted this proposal, the Assem- bly issued this stirring appeal:
"Rise into action with that ardor which led you, destitute of money, of allies, of arms and soldiers, to encounter one of the most powerful nations of Europe, single and unsupported, raw and undisciplined, you baffled for three successive years the repeated attacks-now, when strengthened by a mighty alliance, shall we droop and desert the field to which honor, the strongest ties, the dearest interests of humanity unite us? We have hitherto done our duty; the General has acknowledged our exertions, and we entreat you by all that is dear to freemen not to forfeit the reputation you have so justly acquired.
"Our army is weak, and reinforced it must be. Let us, like the Romans of old, draw new resources and an increase of courage even to brave defeats, and manifest to the world that we are the most to be dreaded when most depressed."
To this eloquent appeal, Maryland made a noble response. Recruits, provisions and supplies of all kinds, were offered and at the required time her quota of 2,065 gallant men had been added to the Continental Army. To the South all eyes were now directed, for Gates, whose laurels had been won in the North, was now about to cast the darkest shadows of gloom upon his campaign in the South.
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In the following August came the announcement which General Washington transmitted in September to Governor Lee. "Sir, In consequence of the disagreeable intelligence of the defeat of the army under Major General Gates, which I have just received, I think it expedient to countermand the march of the troops who were ordered from Maryland to join the main army. I am, therefore, to request your Excellency to give directions for the regiment enlisted to serve during the war, as well as for all recruits, as soon as they can possibly be collected and organized, to march immediately to the southward, and put themselves under the orders of the com- manding officer in that department. And I can not entertain a doubt that your Excellency and the State will use every exertion to give activity and dispatch to the march of the troops with all measures necessary for the protection of the Southern States."
Governor Lee sent in answer to this demand, seven hundred rank and file to the Southern Army.
Nor did the patriotic efforts end with her public men. Mrs. Mary Lee, wife of the Governor, as the representative of the volun- tary efforts of the patriotic women of Maryland, wrote to Washington for advice as to the most acceptable mode of expending the contribu- tions of these organizations.
The following reply shows his appreciation :
HEAD QUARTERS, 11th October, 1780
Madam:
"I am honored with your letter of the 27th of September, and cannot forbear taking the earliest moment to express the high sense I entertain of the patriotic exertions of the women of Maryland in favor of the army. In answer to your inquiry respecting the disposal of the gratuity, I must take the liberty to observe that it appears to me the money which has been, or may be collected, can not be expended in so eligible and beneficial a manner as in the purchase of shirts and black stocks for the use of the troops in the Southern Army. The polite offer you are pleased to make of your further assistance in the execution of this liberal design, and the generous disposition of the ladies, insures me of its success and cannot fail to entitle both yourself and them the warmest gratitude of those who are the object of it."
General Greene having now, October 5, 1780, superceded General Gates, on his way South, stopped at Annapolis and with a letter of introduction from General Washington to Governor Lee, waited upon him and was entertained at his house. Having urged both the Governor and the Legislature to assist him in recruiting the army, and trusting them to furnish "all the assistance in their power," leaving General Gist to take charge of Maryland and Delaware recruits, General Greene pushed on South.
In 1780, the House again brought forth "An Act to seize, confiscate and appropriate all British property within the State," followed by an appeal and an indictment against the British Govern- ment in its mode of carrying on the war. Charles Carroll, of "Car-
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