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 26
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 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
229
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
rollton" and Joseph Sim, the uncle of Governor Lee, were both opposed to confiscation, deeming it inexpedient, yet so great was the necessity of the occasion, the Senate yielded and passed it. Thus, with an increase of ten million of dollars to carry on the war; with its Governor exerting every nerve to keep up the quota of the State, Maryland stood in the foreground of the perilous period, claiming one-half of the army then in General Greene's service in the South. Discouragement sat supreme mistress over National and State prospects, yet in the midst of this gloom, two heroic figures rose above the trials. Greene at the front and Lee, at Annapolis, with Otho Williams and John Eager Howard in the command of the Maryland Line. Upon these four men, sustained and soothed by the unfaltering patriotism of the Maryland Assembly, rest to-day most of the glory of that masterly campaign, of the South, begun in gloom, carried on by retreats, unfaltering in every trial, but ending at last in a well-earned, glorious fruition.
General Greene in his official report of Eutaw Springs, said: "The Marylanders under Colonel Williams, were led on to a brisk charge, with trailed arms, through a heavy cannonade and a shower of musket balls. Nothing could excell the gallantry and firmness of both officers and soldiers upon this occasion. I cannot help acknowl- edging my obligations to Colonel Williams for his great activity on this and many other occasions, in forming the army, and for his uncommon intrepidity in leading on the Maryland troops to the charge, which exceeded anything I ever saw."
In 1781, the people of Dorchester County, through their com- mittee, Robert Goldsborough and Gustavus Scott, having addressed Governor Lee for assistance in arms and ammunition necessary for their militia, to meet the ever present demands for protection from maraudings. Governor Lee laid the subject before the Legislature, and they passed "an Act to collect arms."
In February, 1781, Governor Lee received from General Wash- ington information of the movement of Lafayette's corps through Maryland and requesting his assistance in furnishing the necessary provisions, forage, wagons and vessels.
Governor Lee, upon Lafayette's arrival at the head of the Elk, wrote to him. "We have ordered all the vessels at Baltimore and this port to be impressed and sent to the head of the Elk to transport the detachment under your command, and have directed six hundred barrels of bread to be forwarded to them. The State will most cheerfully make every exertion to give force and efficacy to the present important expedition by every measure in our power."
In another letter to Lafayette, the Governor added, "We have prepared a dispatch boat to convey your letter to the Commanding Officer, near Portsmouth, which will be sent off as soon as the winds will permit; and have given directions to the Master to throw it overboard if he should be in danger of being taken."
The Governor and Council also dispatched a messenger down the bay to give information of the arrival of the French fleet and
230
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
beacon signals were raised for the shores. A chain of riders were to go through the State as special messengers.
The pressing needs of the State were now to be seen in Gov- ernor Lee's letter to the citizens of Baltimore, who had come to his assistance in supplying the wants of Lafayette's corps. "We very much applaud the zeal and activity of the gentlemen of Baltimore, and think their readiness to assist the executive at a time when they were destitute of the means of providing those things which were immediately necessary for the detachment under the command of the Marquis de Lafayette, justly entitle them to the thanks of the public.". "We cannot but approve of the proceedings of those gentle- men and assure you we will adopt any expedient to prevent any individual of that body from suffering or being in the least embarassed by his engagements for the State. We think it reasonable the State should pay the value of money advanced with interest thereon, and will give an order on the collectors of Baltimore for their reimburse- ment."
Governor Lee, also wrote to Governor Jefferson, of Virginia, asking him to assist in sending the necessary transports to the head of the Elk. Lafayette in his letter to Washington, acknowledged Maryland's help as follows: "The State of Maryland have made me every offer in their power; Mr. McHenry has been very active in accelerating the measures of his State."
As a result, pretty much all of the necessary equipments and nearly one hundred transports for Lafayette's corps, had come out of Maryland, through her Governor and citizens.
The successful arrival of Lafayette's fleet in the harbor of Annapolis, was on the 13th of March, and on the 15th, Governor Lee announced to Governor Jefferson-"The arrival of our express, with Your Excellency's letter of the 12th, this moment received, gives me an opportunity of informing you, that all the transports with the troops from Elk got safe into Harbor, on Tuesday morning, March 13th." The next morning at daylight, two ships, apparently British, of the rate of eighteen and twenty-eight guns, came to an anchor opposite the mouth of our River Severn. We judged that you would be anxious for the safety of the troops, but they are fortunately safe and the armed vessels, which conveyed them down are prepared for defence.
The French fleet's failure in arriving at Portsmouth led Lafayette back to the Elk and the threatening attempts in the Chesapeake became now the paramount concern of Governor Lee and his council. Baltimore took advantage of the Legislature's "Act to embody a number of select militia and for immediately putting the State in a proper posture of defence." The Western Shore was authorized to select 1,200 men and the Eastern Shore 800 militia-subject to the call of the Governor-all in addition to the Act "to procure recruits," amounting to 1,000 men for the war, which was supplemented by another "for the defence of the bay," which enabled the Governor to purchase a galley, and have one built, equipped and manned. He
231
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
was also empowered to fit out barges to the number of eight. In April, Governor Lee wrote to Lafayette upon the threatening attitude of six of the enemy's ships upon the Potomac, in having destroyed private property and now proceeding to Alexandria, with a view of destroying it. "The Military stores and provisions at this place and Baltimore town, must be a capital object, and as we have the strongest reasons to think, as soon as they have perpetrated their designs in Potomac, if not before, they will visit this city and Baltimore. Under these circumstances, we beg leave to submit to your consideration the propriety of detaining your detachment in this State and marching such part as you may deem necessary, to our assistance in Baltimore town and in this city."
Two days after, General Lafayette replied: "However inade- quate I am to the defence of Annapolis, Baltimore and Alexandria at once, I will hasten to the point that will be nearest to those three places, I request your Excellency to furnish me speedy, minute and frequent intelligence." "It will be necessary that a collection of wagons and horses be made at Baltimore, and I beg your Excellency will please order a quantity of live cattle and flour be also collected at that place; I hope Sir, that precautions will be taken for the safety of the stores now at or near Indian Landing."
Arriving at Baltimore a few days after, Lafayette borrowed from its citizens, upon his own personal credit, for it was better than that of Congress, the sum of ten thousand dollars for supplying his army. Congress, however, in May following, in appreciation of this generous act, Resolved, "That the Marquis de Lafayette be assured that Congress will take the proper measures to discharge the engagements he entered into with the merchants." In the old Assembly room, of Baltimore, when the most distinguished ladies and gentlemen of that city had honored him with a ball, he again brought patriotism to the test in that memorable reply to the lady, who asked the cause of his sadness, "I cannot enjoy the gayety of the scene while so many of my poor soldiers are in want of clothes." As the noble women of Baltimore lately met a similar call, so did the words of a patriotic lady that historic night kindle the fire which ceased not to burn until its necessity no longer existed. "We will supply them," was the response and all history knows how well she kept her promise. The ragged and wearied troops left Elk Ridge Landing with new outfits and new hopes, but Marylanders were yet once more to be called to the rescue.
Lafayette finding Cornwallis making an attempt to get in his rear, felt he could not risk an engagement and so retreated toward Maryland. Again the watchful eyes of Governor Lee were on the outlook. Exhausted, but still patriotic, he addressed Congress thus: "The extraordinary exertions made by this State on every occasion in complying with the demands of Congress, the Marquis detach- ment, the Southern Army, our militia and other expenditures have altogether exhausted our treasury and stores of arms and clothing, so that it is not in our power to furnish the troops with clothing and
232
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
arms, nor properly equip our militia to repel the enemy. Under these distressing circumstances, we request you to make known our wants to Congress in the most earnest manner and endeavor to obtain the proportion of all clothing, arms, etc., that Congress now or may hereafter have for this State."
On the following day, the Governor and Council sent out this circular letter to the counties.
"From the intelligence we have received of the rapid movements of the enemy in Virginia, we have reason to apprehend an invasion of this State; and it will be necessary that every precaution be taken preparative for our defence. We, therefore, request you to order the militia in your county to hold themselves in perfect readi- ness to march at a moment's warning to such places as may be necessary, and to have all the arms in your county proper for defence, immediately repaired and put in best condition, cartridges made and everything ready to take the field." In answer to this urgent appeal, Baltimore was put on the defence: Smallwood and Gist collected the militia, which came pouring in from all the counties. Rushing these troops of horse and unequipped militia to the front, Lafayette with Wayne's corps now turned upon the enemy marching toward Richmond. Cornwallis began that retreat which was finally to end in surrender.
In August, General Lafayette wrote to Governor Lee what his apprehensions were, and Governor Lee in a letter to General Andrew Buchanan in charge of the militia of Baltimore County, thus expressed them:
"From information just received from Marquis and Dr. McHenry, we are no longer in doubt of the designs of the enemy. They are certainly destined for Baltimore Town or the head of the Bay. Now must the State of Maryland exert herself. We confide in your skill and activity. We have directed the Lieutenant of Frederick County to order his troops of horse and all their select militia to your assistance, and have enclosed commission for troops. The Marquis with his army is moving this way. The Lieutenant of Harford has directions to order the militia of that county to be in readiness to march when ordered." At the same time, Governor Lee sent his information to the President of Congress, in which he added that, "We have taken every possible precaution to prevent the stores and provisions and valuable property belonging to the Continent and State falling into their hands." However, both General Lafayette and Governor Lee were mistaken as to the destina- tion of Cornwallis. A destination to end in gloom-and Governor Lee at once wrote to Colonel Samuel Smith at Baltimore, who discharged the militia. As a fitting compliment and full appreciation of the executive watchfulness of Governor Lee, let me quote the words of General Washington to the Governor in reply to an earlier letter of June 29th.
" I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's
favor. It is with great satisfaction I observe the proceedings of
233
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
the general assembly of your State, which you have been pleased to communicate to me, the exertions of that Legislature have hitherto been laudable and I am exceedingly glad to see the same spirit still prevailing. For my own part, I have not a doubt but that if the States were to exert themselves with that spirit and vigor which might reasonalby be expected at this favorable period, they might not only drive from the Continent the remains of the British, but obtain to themselves their independence, an event which you will be assured I most evidently wish." Now began the the culmination of vital movements in Maryland, which aided by the arrival of French support was to bring out of trials the glory of results.
General Washington from afar off was mapping out the final scene of tragedy, knowing that upon General Lafayette in Virginia and Governor Lee in Maryland, all his plans would be carried out and thus revealed his movements and thus were they carried out by the Governor of Maryland, in his circular letter to the Commissaries of the counties.
" A detachment of the main army with the French troops to the number of 7,000 men, will be at the head of the Elk, in eight days, on their way to Virginia to act against Lord Cornwallis. General Washington has written us very pressingly for an immediate- and large supply of fresh provisions, we therefore direct you to pro- cure by purchase, beef cattle, preferring those parts of your country which are most exposed to the ravages of the enemy; and in case the owners will not consent to sell them upon the terms prescribed by the Act for procuring an immediate supply of clothing and fresh provisions, you will seize them agreeably to the Act, to procure a supply of salt meat, passed June, 1780." Five thousand seven hundred cattle were enumerated as the contributions from the different counties, and minute directions for the storing of salt provisions were made by the Governor together with specified places for money contributions. In addition, warrants were issued to the quarter masters empowering them to impress all vessels capable of transporting troops or stores.
Nor did Governor Lee stop there, but in a letter to General Washington, August 30th, thus assures him of his support: "We are honored by your Excellency's letter of the 27th, and we receive with the greatest satisfaction the intelligence of the approach of the fleet of our generous ally. You may rely, Sir, on every exertion that is possible for us to make, to accelerate the movements of the army on an expedition, the success of which must hasten the establishment of the independence of America and relieve us of the calamities of war. Orders have been issued to impress every vessel belonging to the State and forwarding them without delay to the head of the Elk, but we are sorry to inform your Excellency that since the enemy has had possession of the bay, our number of sea vessels and craft has been so reduced by captures that we are apprehensive what remains will not transport so considerable a detachment. We have directed the State officers to procure immediately 5,000 cattle and a large
234
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
quantity of flour. There is very little salt provisions in the State; what can be obtained, we trust will be collected." Then follows the information as to the place of deposit.
To Robert Morris, Governor Lee wrote: "Everything that is within our power and within the exhausted abilities of this State, shall be done cheerfully and immediately to promote and render effectual the expedition which his Excellency, General Washington, has formed against the enemy in Virginia, in which we are fully sensible, the care and safety of this State in particular is deeply interested."
These were stirring days in Maryland. The arrival of Washing- ton in Baltimore and the arrival of the French fleet in the Chesapeake brought rays of hope and abounding patriotism. Governor Lee's pen was almost incessantly at work urging the State officers to their duty. Writes he again in a circular letter: "There never has been a time which required of the State more than the present. The fate of Lord Cornwallis and his army will, in a measure depend upon them. Relying on your patriotism, zeal and activity, we trust you will do everything in your power to procure the cattle here before ordered. Not a moment is to be lost; and to enable you to act with more facility and to ease the inhabitants, we have sent you: To Somerset, £1,700; Worcester, £1,700; Dorchester, £1,100; Talbot, £950; Caroline, £350; Queen Anne's, £950; Kent, £800; Cecil, £950; Harford, £800; Baltimore, £1,100; Anne Arundel, £500; Prince George, £500; Charles, St. Mary's and Calvert, £500; Mont- gomery, £800; Frederick, £1,100; Washington, £800."
Washington, having sent an urgent message to Governor Lee to hurry on the troops with all despatch, Governor Lee, on September 9th replied, "Your Excellency's address of the 15th is this moment presented to us. We are truly happy to be informed that the Count DeGrasse is returned to his station and that our vessels may pass down the bay without hazard. We feel your Excellency's distress from an apprehension that your operations may cease or be impeded for want of provisions, and the more so because we can't instantly furnish you. In consequence of your requisition we directed our commissaries to collect all the public flour and deposit it at conven- ient places on navigable water, all the vessels of the State being impressed and now employed in transporting the troops to the point of destination, puts it out of our power to forward the flour on that service. The number of beeves we agreed to furnish your Excellency may depend upon."
The next day Governor Lee wrote to Colonel Moses Rawlings, of Frederick County, conveying the urgent necessity for haste in collecting the stores and forwarding the same to Georgetown.
Thus in sight almost of the final and victorious end of a struggle in which Governor Lee was the great war horse of the Revolution, the closing acts of administration were recorded. Having served his allotted time, William Paca, at the next Assembly, was called to
235
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
the Governor's chair. The House and Senate, upon Governor Lee's retirement, thus addressed him:
"Your close attention to the public welfare, and your firm, unshaken conduct in times of greatest danger, are proofs that the confidence of your country has not been misplaced. Accept this public testimony of our appreciation and our sincerest thanks for the zeal, activity and firmness with which you have so faithfully discharged the duties of your station."
Governor Lee, in response said: "I feel myself happy in having executed the powers intrusted to me to the satisfaction of my country."
During the closing days of his term, Governor Lee entertained with special ceremony, the French officers visiting Annapolis, and for this the Assembly again addressed, in complimentary terms. Governor Lee's munificent entertainments were a heavy drain upon his income, and at his wife's suggestion, he declined another election.
"Lady Lee" was the name of his vessel launched at Annapolis.
Thomas Sim Lee was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1783-4, and a member of the Convention which ratified the Constitu- tion. In 1792 he was again called to the Governor's chair to fill the unexpired term of Governor George Plater, who retired from ill- health. This embraced the exciting whiskey insurrection in 1794, during which he organized the militia and sent Maryland's quota to the scene. He spent his declining years at "Needwood," Frederick County, afterward the home of Mr. John Lee, his oldest son, and grandfather of Ex-Governor John Lee Carroll. It is still the home- stead of the Lee family, represented by Mr. Thomas Sim Lee, who married a daughter of Mr. Columbus O'Donnell.
In 1812 Hon. Outerbridge Horsey, United States Senator from Delaware, married Eliza, daughter of Thomas Sim Lee; Mrs. Governeour was also a granddaughter.
Governor Lee died at "Needwood," November 9, 1819, in the seventy-fifth year, in the same year and nearly the same month as that of his predecessor, Governor Johnson.
GOVERNOR WILLIAM PACA.
William Paca, signer of Declaration and third Governor of Maryland, was born October 31, 1740, at "Wye Hall," Harford County, Maryland. He was the second son of John Paca; Bachelor of Arts from a college in Philadelphia in 1758 he was admitted to Middle Temple, London, after which he studied law with Stephen Bordley. He was admitted to the bar in 1764. Early in life he was sent to the Legislature, was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1774-1778, was appointed upon the Committee of Correspondence in 1774, was in the Council of Safety in 1775. On August 2, 1776, he affixed his signature to the Declaration of Independence; on August 17, 1776 was elected on the Committee "to prepare a decla- ration and charter of rights and a form of government for Maryland." Upon the organization of the State he was elected to its first Senate.
236
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
In March, 1778, he was appointed Chief Judge of the General Court of Maryland and held it until 1781; subsequently he was Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals and Admiralty. In November, 1782, he was elected the third Governor of Maryland to succeed Thomas Sim Lee.
During Governor Paca's early administration General Greene received from the General Assembly a flattering address upon his masterly retreats which had proven to be victories, to be crowned, still later, by the modest message from the Commander-in Chief, sent by a Marylander, announcing the end of the struggle. It read:
"I have the honor to inform Congress that a reduction of the British army under Lord Cornwallis, is most happily effected."
This message was placed in the hands of Colonel Tilghman, who immediately started out for Philadelphia. At midnight the clatter of his horse's hoofs was the only sound that woke the silence as he rode rapidly to the house of the President of Congress with the announcement "Cornwallis is taken." It was caught up by the watchmen, who cried, "One o'clock, and Cornwallis is taken." The inhabitants, pouring into the streets, sent shout after shout into the air. The old bellman was aroused from his slumbers, and again the same old bell proclaimed "Liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof."
On April 12, 1783, Robert R. Livingston wrote to Governor Paca asking his support to the stipulations of the treaty of peace.
On 22nd of April Governor Paca issued his proclamation declaring a cessation of arms by sea and land, enjoining obedience to the treaty. On 25th of November he addressed the sheriffs to read the treaty in public places. At Annapolis, when the sheriff had assembled the people and had read the treaty, thirteen cannon were fired and a public dinner was given, at which Governor Paca presided. Thirteen patriotic toasts were offered, each attended by the discharge of thirteen cannon. At night the State House was illuminated and a ball given to the ladies.
On May 6, 1783, Governor Paca placed before the General Assembly the preliminary Articles of Peace, congratulating the Assembly on the return of peace and paying a high tribute to the army.
The old Maryland Line, five hundred strong, now returned in rags. Brigadier-General Gist was in command.
General Greene wrote to Governor Paca repeating the high compliment to The Maryland Line. General Greene's diary recorded, "Left 26th, dined with the Governor, who is a very polite character and a great friend of the army. We drank several toasts which were accompanied by the discharge of thirteen cannon." He also addressed a letter to Governor Paca thanking him for the support of the Maryland troops.
In May, 1783, Congress left Princeton and in December assem- bled at Annapolis by the invitation of the Governor and General Assembly, the Governor giving up his house to the President of
237
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
Congress. His house stood on the northeast side of Prince George near East Street, and was afterward held by Chancellor Bland. Its garden, springhouse, expanse of trees, octagonal two-story summer- house, representing "My Lady's Bower," with artificial brook, revealed the happy life of that era.
On the 19th of December, General Washington arrived at Annapolis. A public reception and a welcome by Governor Paca followed. On 23rd December, 1783, General Washington laid down his commission in the old Senate Chamber before Governor Paca and his Council, the Assembly and general public, and on the 14th of January, 1784, Governor Paca proclaimed to the people the treaty of Peace as ratified by Congress.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.