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 3
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 3
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
This assembly further enacted that "all those that transport themselves or others into this province, have a right to land by virtue of their transportation. That all may enter their rights of land in their respective courts, and also, may enter caveat for such a particular tract of land as they shall take up."
This revolt culminated in an act making "null and void" the proclamation of Lord Baltimore which read, "that all who would not submit to his authority should be declared rebels."
This act meant war, and war was now at hand.
CHAPTER II. THE BATTLE OF THE SEVERN.
An important letter now arrived. It was written by Lord Baltimore, and was addressed to Governor Stone. It was in care of Wm. Eltonhead, a messenger, who came in Captain Tilghman's " Golden Fortune."
That letter censured Governor Stone for yielding up his author- ity without a struggle, and renewed his instructions for action.
Eltonhead further announced that Lord Baltimore still held his patent, and that his Highness, the Protector, had neither taken the patent nor land.
This letter and the assured support of Eltonhead gave Gover- nor Stone new life. He at once organized a military company. Sending Hammond, the historian, and others to the house of Colonel Richard Preston, the provencial records were seized and brought back.
John Hammond thus describes his venture: "Governor Stone sent me to fetch the records. I went unarmed amongst these sons of Thunder, only three or four to row me, and despite all their braves of raising the country, calling in his servants to apprehend me, threatened me with the severity of their new made law, myself alone seized and carried away the records in defiance."
Governor Stone now started for the Severn. He had gathered two hundred men and eleven vessels. They marched along the bay coast, using the vessels to ferry them across the rivers.
Before arriving at Herring Creek, they were met by two sets of messengers, sent in boats by the people of Providence. The first messenger was to demand his power and the ground of such pro- ceedings. The Governor's reply was not satisfactory, as shown by the following letter from Secretary William Durand.
"For Captain Wm. Stone, Esq. Sir,-The people of these parts have met together and considered the present transactions on your part, and have not a little marvelled that no other answer of the last message hath been made than what tended rather to make men desperate than conformable. Yet, being desirous of peace, do once again present to your serious consideration these ensuing proposals as the mind of the people. 1st. If you will govern us so as we will enjoy the liberty of English subjects. 2nd. And that we be and remain indemnified in respect of our engagement, and all former acts relating to the reducement and government. 3rd. That those who are minded to depart the province may freely do it without any prejudice to themselves or their estates. We are content to own yourself as governor, and submit to your government. If not, we
23
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
are resolved to submit ourselves into the hands of God, and rather die like men than be made slaves .- William Durand, Secretary."
Roger Heamans records: "But no answer to this was returned, but the same paper in scorn, sent back again."
Governor Stone not only made no answer, but detained the messengers in order to surprise the settlers.
Leonard Strong records: "Governor Stone, on his arrival at Herring Creek, captured one of Captain Fuller's commissioners and forced another man of quality to fly for his life, having threatened to hang him up to his door, and not finding the man, frightened " his wife and plundered the house of amunition and provision, threatening still what they would do to the people of Providence and that they would force the factious Roundheads to submit, and then they would show their power."
Governor Stone later sent Dr. Luke Barber and Mr. Coursey to go on before to Providence, bearing a proclamation to the people of Anne Arundel, in which he declared, "in the presence of Almighty God, that he came not in the hostile way to do them any hurt, but sought all means possible to reclaim them by faire meanes."
Dr. Barber adds: "He gave strict command that if they met any Anne Arundel men, they should not fire the first gun, nor upon pain of death, plunder any upon the march."
Strong records: "The messengers having no other treaty to offer, they were quietly dismissed to their own company, to whom they might have gone if they would." They did not, however, re- turn. After sending another messenger and none returning, on the evening of the same day, the Governor with his fleet, made his ap- pearance in the Severn.
Captain Fuller in command of the Anne Arundel forces, called a council together and dispatched Secretary Durand to the merchant- ship, Golden Lyon, Roger Heamans master, then lying in the harbor. Durand, by proclamation in the name of the Lord Protector and Commonwealth of England, summoned Heamans to aid in this ser- vice of maintaining the lives, liberties and estates of the free subjects thereof.
Heamans, in his defense, confirmed Strong's mission, and adds: " After seeing the equity of the cause and the groundless proceed- ings of the enemy, I offered myself, ship and men for that service, to be directed by said councilors."
Hammond declares that there is not a syllable of truth in Hea- man's pamphlet, and charges that he was "hired." Heamans was, without doubt, a sympathizing friend, and he gives, from his com- manding position, the following intelligent review of the contest:
"In the very shutting up of the daylight, the ship's company descried off, a company of sloops and boats, making toward the ship. Whereupon the Council on board, and the ship's company would have made shot at them, but this relator commanded them to forbear, and went himself upon the poop in the stern of the ship,
24
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
and hailed them several times, and no answer was made; he then ordered them not to come nearer the ship. His mates and company, having had information of their threatenings, as well against the ship as the poor distressed people, resolved to fire upon them with- out their commander's consent, rather than hazard all by the enemy's nearer approach; whereupon, he ordered them to fire a gun at random, to divert their course from the ship, but the enemy kept still its course right with the ship, and took no notice of any warning given. He then commanded his gunner to fire at them, but one of his mates, Mr. Robert Morris, who knew the country very well, the malice of the adversary against the people, who were then near worn out with fears and watchings, made a shot at them, which came fairly with them. Whereupon they suddenly altered their course from the ship, and rowed into the creek, calling the ship's company, rogues, roundhead rogues, and dogs, and with many execrations and railings, threatened to fire them on the morning."
"Governor Stone," says Bozman, "did not think it proper to pay any attention to this signal of war, as it appeared; but having arrived within the mouth of the creek, which forms the southern boundary of the peninsula on which the city of Annapolis now stands, proceeded to land his men on a peninsular which lies on the southern side of both the River Severn, and the before mentioned creek, nearly opposite to, and in an eastern direction from what is called the dock, or inner harbor of Annapolis; and on which point a small fortress called 'Fort Horn,' was afterwards built during the Revolutionary War. During the landing of the governor's men, the Golden Lyon repeated its fire. Whereupon, Governor Stone sent a messenger on board to inform the captain that he (Governor Stone) thought 'the captain of the ship had been satisfied.' To which Heamans replied, 'Satisfied with what? I never saw any power Captain Stone had, to do as he hath done, but the superscription of a letter; I must and will appear for these in a good cause.' "
Heamans continues: "The same night came further intelligence from the enemy in the harbor, that they were making fire-works against the ship. Whereupon, the governor (Fuller, whose prudence and valor in this business deserves very much honor), commanded a small ship of Captain Cuts, of New England, to lye in the mouth of the creek, to prevent the enemy's coming forth in the night, to work any mischief against the ship.
The next morning, by break of day, being the Lord's day, the 25th of March last, the Relator, himself, and company discovered Captain Stone, with his whole body drawn out and coming toward the water's side; marching with drums beating, colors flying-the colors were black and yellow, appointed by the Lord Proprietary.
"There was not the least token of any subjugation in Stone and his company, or acknowledgement of the Lord Protector of England, but God bless the Lord Proprietary; and their rayling against his ship's company was rogues, and roundheaded rogues, etc."
25
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
When Stone had reached the shore, the Golden Lyon and Cap- tain Cut's vessel opened fire upon them, killing one man and com- pelling Stone to retire up the neck. Dr. Barber and Mrs. Stone, both confirmed this statement. Mrs. Stone added: "the gunner's mate of Heamans, since coming down from Anne Arundel to Patux- ent, hath boasted that he shot the first man that was shot of our party."
In the meantime Captain Fuller with 170 men, embarked in boats; going "over the river some six miles from the enemy," he landed and made a circuit round the creek in order to get in the rear of Stone's forces. Upon Fuller's approach, a sentry of Stone's army fired a gun, which brought on an engagement, thus described by Leonard Strong.
"Captain Fuller still expecting that, then at last, possibly Governor Stone might give a reason of his coming, commanded his men, upon pain of death, not to shoot a gun, or give the first onset. Setting up the Standard of the Commonwealth of England, against which the enemy shot five or six guns, they killed one man in the front before a shot was made by the other." (That man was William Ayers, the standard bearer.) "Then the word was given, 'In the name of God fall on'; 'God is our strength'-that was the word of Providence. The Maryland word was, 'Hey! for St. Maries.'
"The charge was fierce and sharp for a time; but through the glorious presence of the Lord of Hosts the enemy could not endure, but gave back and were so effectually charged home, that they were all routed, turned their backs, threw down their arms, and begged for mercy. After the first shot a small company of the enemy from behind a great tree fallen, galled us, and wounded divers of our men, but were soon beaten off. Of the whole company of Marylanders there escaped only four or five, who ran away out of the army to carry the news to their confederates. Captain Stone, Colonel Peirce, Captain Gerrard, Captain Lewis, Captain Fendall, Captain Guyther Major Chandler and all the rest of the councillors, officers and sol- diers of the Lord Baltimore, among whom were a great number of Papists, were taken; and so were all their vessels, arms, ammunition, provisions. About fifty men were slain and wounded. (Mr. Thomas Hatton, late secretary of the province, was one of the slain). We lost only two in the field, but two died since of their wounds. God did appear wonderful in the field and in the hearts of the people; all confessing him to be the worker of this victory and deliverance."
Heamans adds: " All the arms, bag and baggage was taken, together with the boats that brought them; wherein was the pre- parations and fuses for the firing of the ship 'Golden Lyon.' And amongst the rest of their losses, all their consecrated ware was taken, viz: their pictures, crucifixes, and rows of beads, with a great store of reliques and trash they trusted in."
Dr. Barber records: "After the skirmish, the governor, upon quarter given him and all his company in the field, yielded to be prisoners; but two or three days after, the victors condemned ten
26
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
to death, and executed four, and had executed all had not the in- cessant petitioning and begging of some good women saved them, and the soldiers, others. The governor himself being condemned by them, and since begged by the soldiers; some being saved just as they were leading out to execution."
The four who were shot were William Eltonhead, of Governor Stones' council, Captain William Lewis, John Legatt and John Pedro. Governor Stone was wounded. His wife, Virlinda Stone, wrote a confirmatory letter of the above contest to Lord Baltimore, in which she called Heamans of the "Golden Lyon," "a very knave, for he hath abused my husband most grossly."
The deposition of Henry Coursey, one of Governor Stone's mes- sengers, sheds this further light on the contest: "Governor Stone and most of his party, (after their surrender), were transported over the river to a fort at Anne Arundel, where they were all kept prisoners, and about three days after, the said Captain Fuller, William Burgess, Richard Ewen, Leonard Strong, William Durand, Roger Heamans, John Browne, John Cuts, Richard Smith, one Thomas, and one Bes- son, Samson Warren, Thomas Mears, and one Crouch, sat in a council of war, and there condemned the said Governor, Captain Stone, Colonel John Price, Mr. Job. Chandler, Mr. William Eltonhead, Mr. Robert Clark, Nicholas Geyther, Captain William Evans, Captain Wm. Lewis, Mr. John Legat and John Pedro to die, and not long afterward they sequestered all the estates of those of Lord Balti- more's council and other officers there."
Mr. Coursey further adds, in opposition to Strong's statement: "When Mr. Barber and said deponent went up to the Severn with Governor Stone's proclamation, the said Captain Fuller would not suffer them to read it. They found the people all in arms, and refus- ing to give any obedience thereto they were dismissed; but suddenly, before they could get away, were taken prisoners, whereby Governor Stone was prevented of any answer."
The Severn men being thus masters of the province, the dominion of the proprietary seemed now at an end. The pretensions of Vir- ginia were renewed. Documents in opposition of the restoration poured in upon the Protector, but the committee on trade and plan- tations, to which Cromwell had referred Lord Baltimore's claim, reported in his favor in 1656. A strong party in Maryland were still loyal to him. Among these advocates was Josias Fendall, who received, in 1656, a commission from Lord Baltimore as Governor of Maryland, to be aided by the following councilors: Captain Wm. Stone, Mr. Thomas Gerald, Colonel John Price, Mr. Job. Chandler and Mr. Luke Barber. Before Fendall could organize his govern- ment, the Severn's Provincial Council, composed of Captain William Fuller, Edward Lloyd, Richard Wells, Captain Richard Ewen, Thomas Marsh, and Thomas Meeres, in August, 1656, caused Fen- dall's arrest on the charge "of dangerousness to the public peace." He denied the power of the court to try him. The verdict of the court was: "Whereas Josias Fendall, gent, hath been charged,
27
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
contrary to his oath, with disturbance of public peace, for assuming a pretended power from Captain William Stone, he the said Josias Fendall, shall go to the place from whence he came a prisoner, and there abide in safe custody until the matters of government in the Province of Maryland be further settled by his Highness Lord Pro- tector." Fendall, tired of imprisonment, took an oath that he would abide by the present government until there be a full deter- mination of the matter."
Each party was now anxious to defend itself before the Pro- tector. Dr. Luke Barber, who stood well with both Lord Baltimore and the Protector, though detained by the Puritans, wrote a letter to the Protector, but when released, carried it with him and delivered it in person. It, no doubt, had its effect in the subsequent fair treatment of Lord Baltimore's claim by the Protector. Bennett went to England to settle matters with Cromwell and labored hard by a recital of all the provocations, to defend the action of his asso- ciates in their abuse of the law of nations. He gave an extended review, in which he assigned many reasons why the Proprietary's claim should be abrogated, but the favorable report of the Board of Trade a had marked effect in strengthening the claim of Lord Balti- more. Bennett was a diplomatist of no mean order, and he saw the time had come for compromise. He, therefore, met Lord Baltimore in a conciliatory spirit and finally secured about all for which he had contended. Whilst this compromise was being accomplished in England, a commission was issued October 25th, 1656, to Josias Fendall, as Governor of Maryland, with instructions to carry out the proclamation guaranteeing religious liberty to all. He granted " his faithful friends, Fendall 2,000 acres, Luke Barber 1,000 acres, Thomas Trueman 1,000, George Thompson 1,000, John Sandford 1,000, and Henry Coursey 1,000 acres. He further ordered that especial care be taken of the widows of Thomas Hatton, William Eltonhead and Captain Lewis.
Philip Calvert, his brother, was sent over as Secretary of the Province and one of the Governor's Council. Mr. Barber was depu- tised acting-governor during the absence of Governor Fendall. At that time the settlers upon the Patuxent and Severn numbered about one-half of the population of the Province.
In 1657, Captain Fuller called an Assembly to meet at the home of Colonel Richard Preston, on the Patuxent. The lower house con- sisted of ten members, with Colonel Richard Ewen speaker. . There were present, besides the speaker, Captain Robert Sley, Captain Joseph Weeks, Mr. Robert Taylor, Captain Thomas Besson, Mr. Peter Sharp, Captain Phil Morgan, Mr. Richard Brooks and Mr. James Johnson. They confirmed the "Act of Recognition." On the 30th of November, 1657, Lord Baltimore and Richard Bennett completed their compromise. In substance it was an agreement by Lord Baltimore to overlook the disturbance of the Severn; to grant patents of land to all the Puritan settlers who could claim them, by taking an altered oath of fidelity,-whilst the law granting free-
28
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
dom of religion should stand as proclaimed in 1649. Bennett and Matthews signed the agreement with Lord Baltimore. Governor Fendall, who had been called to England for further instructions, returned to the province in 1658. He called his council together at St. Mary's, and sent letters to Wm. Fuller, Richard Preston and others composing the government at Providence, desiring them to give him and his secretary, Captain Thomas Cornwallis, a meeting at Leonard's Creek, in Patuxent River, upon March 18th, following, in order to carry out the agreement, already signed by Lord Balti- more and Richard Bennett, a copy of which was sent them.
On account of the stormy season, the delegates of Anne Arundel did not arrive until the 20th. They were Captain Wm. Fuller, Mr. Richard Preston, Mr. Edward Lloyd, Mr. Thomas Meeres, Mr. Philip Thomas, and Mr. Samuel Withers. The day being well spent all business was postponed until Monday 22nd. Upon reading the article of agreement, Captain Fuller and his council objected to several articles, and urged that "indemnity on both sides" should be added; this was agreed to. The oath of fidelity was amended by the Anne Arundel men to waive it for all persons then resident in the porvince, but to stand in force to all others. The Anne Arundel men further urged and secured confirmation of all past proceedings done by them in their assemblies and courts since 1652; and, lastly, insisted that none of them should be disarmed, to be left to the mercy of the Indians. Having thus secured still greater compromises than their leader in England had asked, the final agree- ment, as amended, was then signed by all present.
After which the Anne Arundel commissioners proceeded to give up the records.
After the lapse of six years, his Lordship's dominion was again restored, yet the settlers were still independent. Governor Fendall and his secretary had, in 1657, at a meeting on the Severn, taken up the settlement of Anne Arundel and ordered, "That Wm. Bur- gess, Thomas Meeres, Robert Burle, Thomas Todde, Roger Grosse, Thomas Howell, Richard Wells, Richard Ewen, John Brewer, An- thony Salway and Richard Woolman, gentlemen, should be com- missioners for said county, to appear by summons of the sheriff, at the house of Edward Lloyd, to take oath of Commissioners and Justices of the Peace, and that the 23rd instant should be the first court day .- (By order of the Governor and Secretary, Mr. Nathaniel Utie, at Anne Arundel, July 12th, 1657)."
The warrant was issued by Captain John Norwood, Sheriff. Wm. Burgess, Thomas Meeres and Richard Ewen refused to take the oath of Commissioners of Justice, alleging, as an excuse, that it was not lawful to swear.
Their pleas were refused and Captain Thomas Besson, Captain Howell and Thomas Taylor were appointed in their stead.
Then was taken up the establishment of militia force. It was resolved that the forces be divided into two regiments. One for the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers, commanded by the governor
29
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
himself; the other, from the coves up to the Severn, and including the Isle of Kent, to be commanded by Nathaniel Utie, assisted by Captain John Cumber, Major Richard Ewen and Captain Thomas Howell, on South River, up to the head of it.
These orders were made whilst Maryland was still under the divided government. Fuller and his council were in control of the northern section, and Governor Barber, representing Fendall, ruled St. Maries.
A writ was issued in 1657, to Captain John Norwood, to choose burgesses for an assembly to be held at St. Leonard's, in the County of Calvert. The assembly met at St. Leonard's in 1658. It was there enacted, "That the oath of fidelity shall not be pressed upon the people of the province, but instead, a promise to submit to the anthority of the Right Honorable Cecilius Lord Baltimore, and his heirs within the province, and that none should be disarmed."
This was agreed to by Captain Josias Fendall and Philip Cal- vert, principal secretary. It was also assented to by the Upper and Lower House of Burgesses.
At the session of 1659, the House of Delegates demanded that the governor and his council should no longer sit as an Upper House.
Fendall at first resisted this, but finally yielded and took his seat in the Lower House. The Upper House was then declared dissolved. Finally, Fendall resigned his commission from Lord Pro- prietary, into the hands of the Assembly, and accepted a new one from that body in their own name, and by their own authority.
This bold desertion was soon met by the appointing of Philip Calvert governor, of the province. Fendall was arrested, tried but respited. Thirty years of prosperity and quiet submission now suc- ceeded the stormy revolutions just recorded. Cromwell had passed away, and Charles II. had been proclaimed king.
When Philip Calvert assumed the government in 1660, the num- ber of inhabitants was twelve thousand. During the succeeding decade it had increased to twenty thousand.
Immigrants, direct from England, began to settle upon the Severn and South Rivers, and in some cases, to buy up the claims of the earlier settlers. Governor Calvert was authorized to use ex- treme measures against the leaders of the late rebellion, but he contented himself in issuing a proclamation for the arrest of Captain Fuller for sedition. Even this was not carried out, and many re- mained in the province.
The impetus of immigration, after 1660, was distinctly shown upon the Rent Rolls of the county. Upon Broad Neck Hundred additional surveys reached up to the Magothy. Thomas Homewood, William Hopkins, and Richard Young, were near the Magothy.
Matthew Howard resurveyed "Howard's Inheritance," adjoin- ing William Hopkins. Thomas Underwood located upon Ferry Creek. Thomas Turner settled as a neighbor of Edward Lloyd and Richard Young. These surveys extended north to the Patapsco, and later to the Susquehanna, Bush and Deer Creek, of Harford County.
30
FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES.
MIDDLE NECK HUNDRED AFTER 1660.
South-side Severn settlements were increased in 1662. Matthew Howard, who had come up from Lower Norfolk, Virginia, in 1650, with his neighbor and relative, Edward Lloyd, had died before 1659, but his five sons now came. They were Captain Cornelius Howard, of " Howard's Heirship and Chance"; Samuel Howard, of "Howard's Hope"; John Howard, of "Howard's Interest"; all adjoining near Round Bay. Philip and Matthew were on North Severn. In 1664, the three sons of Edward Dorsey, the immigrant of 1650-relatives of the Howards-took up and patented their father's survey of " Hockley-in-the-Hole." They were Colonel Edward Dorsey, Joshua and Hon. John Dorsey, prominent leaders in political movements, and representatives in legislative measures.
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.