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 28
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 28
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(Thomas.)
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GOVERNOR JOHN HOSKINS STONE.
Governor John Hoskins Stone, eighth Governor of Maryland (1794-97), was born in Charles County, Maryland, in 1745. He was the son of David Stone, who married Elizabeth Jenifer, daughter of Dr. Daniel Jenifer. He was descended from Governor William Stone and was the younger brother of Thomas Stone, signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was educated at private schools and studied law.
In November, 1774, he was one of the committee from Charles County, Maryland, to carry out the resolutions of Congress, and was one of the Committee of Correspondence for the County. He was one of the Association of Freemen of Maryland in 1775.
On January 14, 1776, was elected Captain of the first company of Colonel William Smallwood's First Maryland Regiment, and in December following was appointed Colonel. He fought with distinction at Long Island, White Plains, Princeton and Germantown, where he was wounded and was compelled to retire, resigning in 1779. He was in the Executive Council of Maryland and member of the "Cincinnati Society." His commission is still in possession of the heirs of his grandson, Nathaniel Pope Causin.
Governor Stone held the chair from 1794 to 1797. He was the first Governor to send a written message to the Assembly, and suggested as a modification of the mode of electing the President a division of the State into ten districts. His brother, Michael Jenifer Stone, was in Congress 1789-91 and Judge of the Circuit Court of Charles County.
Governor Stone, in 1795, wrote to President Washington a letter which was accompanied by the resolves of the Maryland Assembly in denunciation of the calumnies that had been heaped upon the President.
The President replied in an appreciative letter.
Governor Stone asked a modification of the mode of electing the President and Vice-President.
President Washington applied to Governor Stone for an additional appropriation of $150,000 from the Maryland Assembly to complete the national Capitol. Maryland had already given $72,000 and Virginia $120,000. The Assembly loaned $10,000 in 1797, and in 1799, $50,000 more. In 1800 the building was reported ready for use.
Governor Stone married Miss Conden, a Scotch lady. His daughter, Eliza Stone, married Dr. Nathaniel Pope Causin, of Port Tobacco, Maryland. His son, Nathaniel Pope Causin, married Eliza Mactier Warfield, daughter of Daniel and Nancy Mactier Warfield, of Baltimore. They were the grandparents of Messrs. S. Davies Warfield, Colonel Henry Mactier Warfield and Dr. Mactier Warfield, of Baltimore, and of Richard Emory Warfield, of Philadelphia.
Governor Stone died at his residence in Annapolis, October 5, 1804.
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GOVERNOR JOHN HENRY.
Governor John Henry, first Senator and ninth Governor of Maryland, was born at "Weston," Somerset County, Maryland, November, 1750. His paternal grandfather was Rev. John Henry, a Presbyterian minister, who came from Ireland in 1700 and settled first near Rehoboth, upon Pocomoke River, Somerset County, Maryland; he married Mary Jenkins, widow of Colonel Francis Jenkins, who brought to him the immense estate of her late husband. She was the daughter of Sir Robert King, an Irish baronet, and was known as "Madam Hampton," having married for the third time, Rev. John Hampton, another Presbyterian minister. Her two sons by Rev. John Henry became eminent. They were Francis Jenkins and Colonel John Henry, who married Dorothy Rider, daughter of Colonel John Rider, son of John Rider, of England, who had married the only child of Colonel Charles Hutchins, an early settler of Somerset and lived at "Weston," afterward the home of John Henry. Mr. Hutchins' daughter, whilst at school in England, married, and died on her return home. Their son, Colonel John Rider, was born in England and married Anne Hicks. Their daughter, Dorothy, became the mother of Governor John Henry, who was prepared for College at West Nottingham Academy, Cecil; went to Princeton and graduated in 1769; studied law in the Temple, England; was a member of the "Robin Hood Club," and in their discussions, defended the colonists. He left England in 1775, a thoroughly educated, popular and attractive young man; was elected to the Legislature. In 1777 was sent to the Continental Congress, remaining until the adoption of the Constitution. He opposed Jay's treaty with Spain, wherein our right to navigate the Mississippi was to be surrendered for the small benefit to the Eastern States. In 1783 he received two votes for President. In 1787 he was upon the committee to prepare an ordinance for the Northwest Territory. With Charles Carroll, of "Carrollton," he was elected one of the first United States Senators. He voted to locate the Capitol on the Potomac. Resigning the senatorship, he was elected Governor of Maryland, which office he soon resigned, from ill-health.
In 1780, the English having plundered the town of Vienna and burnt a new brig, called at Colonel John Henry's and destroyed his house and furniture. The Colonel, being alone, except his servants, retired to a neighbor's whither he removed his plate and valuable papers. They took away a slave.
Governor Henry married in 1787, Margaret, daughter of John and Elizabeth Goldsborough Campbell, of Caroline County. One of Mrs. Campbell's sisters was the grandmother of Governor Philip Francis Thomas.
Governor Henry died in 1798, leaving two sons, John Campbell Henry and Francis Jenkins Henry. The former married Mary Nevett Steele, sister of J. Nevett Steele, the Baltimore attorney.
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The character of Governor Henry has been thus depicted by the memoirs of Mrs. Winder Townsend:
" His manners were easy, engaging, and in person was graceful and elegant."
He directed the education of his nephew, William Henry Winder afterward commander of the American forces at Bladensburg in 1814. There is no portrait of him because of the fire which destroyed the homestead of "Weston" in which were many of his papers. Mrs. Townsend, however, holds the original letter of Thomas Jefferson to Governor Henry upon the authenticity of Logan's speech.
Governor Henry's granddaughter "Kitty," daughter of John Campbell Henry, married Daniel Lloyd, youngest son of Governor and Senator Edward Lloyd, and became the mother of Governor Henry Lloyd, who succeeded Governor Robert McLane.
GOVERNOR HENRY'S ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATURE.
" We are taught to rely upon the militia for our general defense; it is especially important now to place them upon the most respectable footing. All men are now satisfied of the propriety of putting the country in a complete state of defense; and in case of war it would be unbecoming the wisdom of the Legislature to trust the peace and safety of the country to this present weak and defective system, menaced as we are by a brave, intelligent and enterprising nation, this subject is all important."
Colonel John Rider was the maternal grandfather of Governor John Henry and was the only son of John Rider (of Edward and Dorothy the only daughter of Colonel Charles Hutchins). (See her beautiful picture in a recent publication of Governor John Henry's Letters and Papers, by his great-grandson.) Colonel Hutchins was an early settler of Dorchester; was of Council commissioned to treat with Indians and was Colonel of the Militia.
GOVERNOR BENJAMIN OGLE.
Governor Benjamin Ogle, tenth Governor of Maryland, 1798- 1801, was born in Annapolis, February 7, 1746, in the house of his father, corner of King George and College Avenue. He was educated in England.
Benjamin Ogle was, by appointment, a member of the Executive Council, and in 1798 was elected by the Assembly as Governor. He was a personal friend of President Washington, by whom he was frequently consulted.
Upon the death of President Washington in 1799, the Governor issued a proclamation that the 11th of February, 1800, be observed throughout the State "as a day of mourning, humiliation and prayer for the deceased." His precedent is still observed under the "New Style," on 22nd February, yearly.
Governor Ogle's administration was in the midst of violent political excitement between the Federalists, represented by
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President John Adams, and the Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson. In Maryland the people were about equally divided. The election having failed in the Electoral College, it was after seven days of intense contest in the House of Representatives, decided in favor of Thomas Jefferson.
The home of Governor Benjamin Ogle was "Belair," Prince George County. In 1760 it was the homestead of Colonel Benjamin Tasker, and from there Governor Sharpe wrote to his brother William, in England, asking him to entertain Charles Carroll, Mr. Key and Mr. George Plater, members of the Lower House who were friendly to his administration. "Belair" descended, through Colonel Tasker's daughter, to Governor Ogle. It was laid out as an English manor. The large, square manor house was approached by an avenue 120 feet wide. A descendant daughter thus pictures it from her girlish memory: "'Belair' was an ideal old Colonial home, built of English brick. For me it holds many interesting memories of my childhood, when life seemed one long summer day. I wandered over the spacious rooms, whose walls were covered with paintings from old masters. Its conservatory, opening into the dining room, was filled with all kinds of plants and flowers. Around the family table gathered many friends to enjoy a wholesome hospitality. The entrance to the mansion was an avenue fully a mile long, lined with tulips and poplar trees. At the rear was a long sweep of velvety green, terraced and broken here and there by lovely beds of roses and plants. Beyond was the park, with its huge forest trees, in which deer wandered and from which they sometimes escaped, affording sport for the young huntsmen. During the exciting days of our Civil War many met there who never returned. The pictures that adorned 'Belair' are now in possession of Harry Tayloe, of Mount Airy, Virginia, great-great-grandson of Governor Benjamin Ogle."
Some of the living descendants of this old homestead, wherein Charles Carroll, of "Carrollton" and General Washington were honored guests, and around which cluster the associations of many more of distinguished men, are Benjamin Ogle, of Baltimore; Mrs. John Hodges, now ninety years old, Washington, D. C .; and Miss Rosalie Ogle, of Baltimore.
One of the daughters of "Belle Air" became Mrs. William Woodville, whose nephew, William Woodville Rockhill, was Mr. Cleveland's Assistant Secretary of State. Of the younger line of descendants are Mr. Marbury Ogle and his sister, Miss Rosalie Ogle, of Baltimore.
"Belair," to-day, is the property of Mr. James T. Woodward, President of the Hanover Bank, New York. He has restored the old homestead to its former grandeur.
The Ogle family postilion it still remembered by the older neighbors.
Governor Benjamin Ogle married, first, Rebecca Stilly, whose daughter, Elizabeth, married Michael Thomas, son of Christian Thomas, of Frederick County. David Ogle Thomas, of Michael,
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came into possession of "Rose Hill," the former homestead of Governor Thomas Johnson. His daughter, Mrs. Cecilius Warfield, of Baltimore, still holds it. Governor Ogle married, second, Henrietta Margaret Hill, daughter of Henry and Mary (Thomas) Hill, daughter of Philip Thomas, of West River, by Ann Chew. His son, Benjamin Ogle, married Miss Ann Maria Cooke. They had twelve children. A daughter of Governor Ogle married John Hodges, whose son perpetuates the name. Dr. Benjamin Cooke Ogle, youngest son of Benjamin and Ann Maria Cooke Ogle, was the last of the name to hold the homestead.
GOVERNOR JOHN FRANCIS MERCER.
John Francis Mercer, soldier and eleventh Governor of Maryland, 1801-3, descended from Noel and Ann (Smith) Mercer, of Chester, England. Their son Robert married Eleanor Reynolds and their son John married Grace Fenton. John, of Dublin, Ireland, son of John and Grace Fenton Mercer, went to Virginia in 1720, becoming Secretary of the Ohio Company. He was a noted Crown lawyer and published " Mercer's Abridgement of the Laws of Virginia." John Francis Mercer, his son by a second marriage with Ann Roy was born at "Marlboro," Stafford County, Virginia, May 17, 1759, and was graduated from William and Mary College, Virginia, in 1775. In 1776 he entered the Third Virginia regiment as lieutenant, and was made captain June 27, 1777. He served as aide to General Charles Lee until the battle of Monmouth, New Jersey, and his sympathy with that officer in his disgrace led him to resign. But returning to his own State, he raised and equipped, at his own expense, a troop of horse, of which he was commissioned Lieutenant- Colonel. He joined General Robert Lawson's brigade and served with it at Guilford, North Carolina, and elsewhere until its disband- ment. He then attached his command to the forces of General LaFayette, with whom he remained until the surrender of Yorktown. He afterwards studied law with Thomas Jefferson. From 1782 to 1785 he was one of the Virginia delegates to the Continental Congress. He married February 3, 1785, Sophia, daughter of Richard Sprigg, of "Cedar Park," West River, Maryland, whose wife was Margaret Caile, daughter of John and Rebecca (Ennalls) Caile, of England.
Removing to his wife's estate at "Cedar Park," he became an active and prominent partisan. He was sent as a delegate from Maryland to the Convention which framed the Constitution of the United States, and was with Luther Martin in opposition to the several provisions which obliterated State rights. He finally withdrew from the Convention because he was not willing to endorse the Constitution as drafted. He was a member of the Maryland Legislature for several years and a member of Congress from Maryland (in 1792-4) in which the permanent location of the Capitol was excitedly discussed and was with the Southern members in trying to locate it upon the Potomac. In 1801 he was elected Governor of Maryland, and was re-elected in 1802.
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As a friend and student of Thomas Jefferson he was influential in bringing out legislative action favorable to his Democratic administration. Mr. Joseph Hopper Nicholson, one of the Democratic Representatives in Congress from Maryland during the exciting seven days in deciding Mr. Jefferson's election, was ill and his physicians prohibited his attendance, saying it would cause his death. His wife agreed with her husband that his duty was to be at his post, and accompanying Mr. Nicholson, remained with him and assisted him in casting his vote for Jefferson.
In 1801 the controversy over the property qualification of voters in Maryland was the chief one, and the Democrats, being in favor of abolishing it, were victorious. Early in the session of 1801 an amendment allowing all free white citizens of the State to vote was passed, and in 1802 the confirmatory act was passed. Up to this time voters in Maryland must possess a freehold of fifty acres of land.
Governor Mercer was succeeded by Governor Robert Bowie in 1803. Retiring to his estate, "Cedar Park," he was again called to the Legislature.
His son, Colonel John Mercer, married Mary Swann, and his son, Richard Sprigg Mercer, married Miss E. Coxe, both connections of Governor Thomas Swann and Lieutenant-Governor C. C. Cox, elected under the Constitution of 1864. The latter would have succeeded Governor Swann, who was elected to the United States Senate, had he accepted. He was the only Lieutenant-Governor of Maryland
Some of the children of Richard Sprigg Mercer were Miss Margaret Mercer, who presided at Governor Swann's house during his term in Congress, Mrs. George Peter, now Mrs. Edwin J. Farber, and Colonel Richard Mercer, of New York.
Governor Mercer's daughter, Margaret, was the author of "Studies for Bible Classes," " Ethics," and a "Series of Lectures for Young Ladies." She became noted for her sacrifice in freeing her slaves and sending them to Liberia. She was known as the " Hannah More of America."
Governor Mercer died August 30, 1821, at Philadelphia, Pa., whither he had gone to consult a physician as to his health.
GOVERNOR ROBERT BOWIE.
Governor Robert Bowie, the War Governor, of 1812, was the third son of Captain William Bowie, and Margaret Sprigg. He was born at Mattaponi, 1750. At twenty-five years of age he was upon the Committee of Correspondence for his county and commissioned Captain of a company of "Minute Men." His father was a member of the Convention, which met in Annapolis, in June, 1775 and issued the " Declaration of the Association of Freemen." This antedated by one year the Declaration of Independence.
When scarcely twenty years of age, young Robert Bowie married Priscilla, daughter of General James Mackall, of Calvert, who held thirty thousand acres near the Cliffs. Captain Bowie commanded the
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Second Battalion of the Flying Artillery, maintaining his men at his own expense. Ordered to join General Washington in New York, his battalion was too late for the battle of Long Island, but covered itself with honor at Harlem Heights and White Plains, where Captain Bowie was wounded in the knee. Acting as his own surgeon, he cut the limb and removed a splintered bone. With Colonel Luke Mar- bury, he was at the battle of Germantown. There he was wounded in the shoulder.
In 1786, he was elected to the House of Delegates. His colleagues were his brother, Major Walter, and his cousin, Captain Fielder Bowie. They continued to sit until 1790. They opposed the bill for maintaining ministers of gospel at the State's expense.
In 1794, Robert Bowie was promoted to Major. In 1796, he was an elector of Senators. Again a member of the House of Dele- gates in 1801-2-3, he was elected in 1803, as the first Democratic Governor of the State.
He was re-elected in 1804-5. In 1809, he was Presidential elector for Madison. In 1811, he was elected Governor for the fourth time. The war was at hand and Governor Bowie was in favor of aggressive measures. When Congress formally declared war "the Governor was so rejoiced he did not wait for his hat, but, with a few friends, proceeded to the State House, where he congratulated the leaders upon the news." He at once issued a Proclamation, directing the militia to be organized, disciplined and equipped: Calling upon the Field Officers and Captains to assemble in Baltimore, he selected a "uniform dress" and trumpet soundings for the cavalry.
Maryland's quota was six thousand men.
Governor Bowie, after the murderous attack upon the press and person of Alexander Contee Hanson, was called to investigate the riot. His report exonerating the military officers in charge and counseling moderation in the interest of the public did not serve to allay party indignation, and the Governor at the ensuing election was defeated by Levin Winder, the Federalist.
He received the entire Democratic vote and at each succeeding election still held his party's confidence, only falling short two votes in 1814.
In 1815, he opposed Charles Carnan Ridgely, of Hampton, who only received two votes over him. The same fight occurred again in 1816.
In 1817, the old War Governor was a candidate for the United States Senate. A bitter contest ensued.
The defeat at Bladensburg was charged to him because of his appointment of incompetent officers. Others charged him as "too good a hater." Yet the old chief held his admirers and would have won other honors had not death intervened, in 1818.
Then partisan rancor was stilled and all united in paying tribute to the patriotism, bravery and integrity of the deceased. There was a softer side in this old hero's life. As the guardian of many estates, his liberality and kindness endeared him to many.
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He was long in the vestry of St. Paul's Church. A born leader of men, he was to his friends as true as steel. A handsome portrait of him is still extant. His remains were interred in the family grave- yard as Mattaponi, where lie his parents, and his wife, who survived him four years. Five of his children arrived at maturity, two sons and three daughters. Governor Bowie was a breeder of blooded stock and was fond of the race track, upon which many of his horses appeared.
GOVERNOR ROBERT WRIGHT.
Three times elected Governor, Robert Wright, thirteenth Gov- ernor of Maryland, (1806-09), was born at "Blakeford," in Queen Anne County, Maryland, November 20, 1752. He was the son of Judge Solomon and Mary (Tidmarsh DeCourcy) Wright, who was the son of Justice Solomon and Anna Wright, who was the son of Nathaniel Wright, the immigrant from England, in 1673, who settled in Queen Anne County.
Judge Solomon Wright was a member of the Maryland Conven- tion of 1771-1776; member of the Assembly, 1771-3-4; member of the " Association of Freemen" and signer of the "Declaration of Freemen;" Chairman of the Committee of Correspondence for Queen Anne, in 1774-75-76; was appointed Judge of the Provincial Court, but resigned; was special Judge for the Eastern Shore dur- ing the Revolution. Upon the State's organization was appointed Judge of the first Court of Appeals and served until his death.
Robert Wright was educated at the Public Schools, studied law, was admitted to the Bar and began the practice in Chestertown, but subsequently in Queenstown, Maryland. He served as a private in Captain James Kent's Company of Queen Anne "Minute Men," against Lord Drummond's Tories of the Eastern Shore of Virginia, February, 1776. He was Captain of a Company in the Maryland Line; was at Pauoli and Brandywine; was in Colonel Richardson's Battalion. His commission was dated on "July 7, 1777," and was em- bodied under the late resolution of Congress.
In 1801, he was elected United States Senator. This he resigned in 1806, when elected Governor of Maryland.
During his term much excitement was caused by the Embargo Act and the Enforcement Act, which followed it. He presided at a meeting in Annapolis called to endorse his administration. It passed resolutions asking President Jefferson to recall his determination to decline another nomination.
In 1807, Governor Wright appointed Major Samuel Turburt Wright, Adjutant-General of the State Militia. He was authorized to furnish 5,863 men as Maryland's quota of 100,000 ordered to take the field at a moment's notice. The Embargo Act reduced Maryland exports from 14,000,000 in 1807 to 2,000,000, yet, for patriotic rea- sons, the Governor and Legislature still endorsed the administra- tion, but the election of 1809, brought a Federalist majority in the House of Delegates, which elected Edward Lloyd his successor.
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In 1810-12-14 Governor Wright was sent to Congress. He was returned in 1820 and was elected District Judge of the circuit comprising Queen Anne, Kent and Talbot Counties, in 1823. He died at "Blakeford," near Queenstown, on Sept. 7, 1826.
His wife was Sarah De Courcy. Their sons were Robert Theo- dore DeCourcy Wright, who was a member of the Governor's Council and married, first, Deborah Thomas and, second, Mar- garet Fedderman.
All of Governor Wright's sons, except the youngest, fought in the War of 1812.
William Henry DeCourcy Wright, youngest son, was born at " Blakeford," Sept. 9, 1795. The old building, a large square one, was burned during Governor Wright's first term. Mrs. William H. DeCourcy Wright was Eliza Lea Warner, of Delaware, widow of Samuel Turbutt Wright, Jr. They had issue, Clintonia, Gustavia, William H. DeCourcy, Gustavus, W. T., Carolina Louisa, Victoria Louisa and Ella Lee.
Clintonia-first, Captain William May; second, Governor Philip Francis Thomas. Victoria Louisa-Samuel Levering. Ella Lee-Captain J. Pembrooke Thom, of Virginia. Captain H. DeCourcy Wright was the founder of the coffee trade of Rio, which city became his residence for a number of years. He was under General Bolivar, in the States of Columbia, in the War of Independence.
Governor Wright was a breeder of race horses and fine cattle. The DeCourcy family, from whom his wife descended, was of the ancient Barony of Kingsall, in the days of King John.
The first home of the DeCourcy family was "My Lord's Gift," near Queenstown. It is one of the quaintest old homesteads in Maryland. It was a direct gift to Colonel Henry DeCourcy from Lord Baltimore, in recognition of the Colonel's loyalty during the Puritan ascendency in Maryland. "Cheston on the Wye" is another old DeCourcy homestead. Here were buried Governor Wright, his wife, Sarah DeCourcy, his daughter Louisa and his son, Gustavus William Tidmarsh. Governor Wright's second wife was Miss Ring- gold, of Kent County.
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