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 30
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 30
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President Monroe started on his tour through the country, followed by a visit from General LaFayette. Annapolis made extensive preparations for the reception of its distinguished visitor. He was met at the dividing line of Anne Arundel and Prince George Counties by Hon. Joseph Kent; George E. Mitchell," Representative in Congress; Samuel Sprigg, late Governor; Hon. Jeremiah Townley Chase, late Chief Justice; Theodoric Bland, Chancellor; Colonel HenryMaynadier, an officer of the Revolution; John Randall, Collector of the Port. Judge Chase delivered the address of welcome. The military escort consisted of Captain Bowie's elegant company of mounted riflemen from Nottingham, Prince George; Captain Sill- man's troop of horse from South River; Captain Dorsey's company from West River; Captain Warfield's company from Millersville; Colonel Charles Sterrett Ridgely's troop of horse from Elk Ridge, and Captain Hobb's Company of Upper Howard. The entertainment at the State House is thus described by an eye witness:
"I was a schoolboy at St. John's College. The State Legisla- ture being in session, the Governor invited General LaFayette to visit the historic seat of the Continental Congress. My father, Rev. Alfred Griffith, was at that time Chaplain of the Senate. He was the son of Captain Samuel Griffith, who had fought with General LaFayette, and knowing his father's regard for the distinguished hero, he sent for him to be present, to again meet his old companion in arms. Although but a boy of twelve years, the grand pageant still lives in my memory. General LaFayette entered the grounds from the east. Carpeted walks led from the base of the hill to the old, stately building crowning its summit. On either side of the avenue leading to the colonaded entrance stood children, principally girls, clad in white and crowned with flowers, whilst in their hands they carried bouquets and baskets of flowers. As the old hero supported on one side by his son and staff, and on the other by the Governor and State officials, advanced up the aisle, the children broke into a chorus, "Hail to the Chief," strewing his path with flowers. Fronting the doorway stood on one side the members of
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the House, on the other the Senators. Having reached the portico, the General was introduced to the members of both Houses. Then prominent citizens pressed forward to be presented. When the Governor named my grandfather and gave the battles of Brandywine and Germantown in which he had fought, the old men rushed into each other's arms and wept like two children. This scene made an impression on my young mind which can never be erased."- (Griffith's Genealogy.)
Governor Stevens left no son. Descendants of a daughter still reside in Cambridge, Maryland. The following is an obituary notice of him:
"On 7th instant (1860) at 'Compton,' near Trappe, his beautiful residence, died Ex-Governor Samuel Stevens, in his eighty-second year. Thus has another, and about the last, of the strong pillars which characterized the last generation, toppled and fallen."
GOVERNOR JOSEPH KENT.
Upon the expiration of Governor Stevens' term, in 1825, Hon. Joseph Kent was chosen. He was the son of Daniel Kent, of Prince George County. He studied medicine and entered into partnership with Dr. Parran, in Lower Marlborough. In 1807 Dr. Kent removed to the vicinity of Bladensburg and became Surgeon's Mate, under the State Government. He was promoted to Major Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel of Cavalry. He presided at the first public meeting in Washington for the organization of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, and became a director. Nominated for Congress, he defeated Hon. John Francis Mercer. He was Presidential Elector in 1816, casting his vote for James Monroe. He was elected to the Tenth and re-elected to Seventeenth, Eighteenth and Nineteenth Congresses, resigning up- on his election as Governor
At the meeting in Washington over which Dr. Kent presided was an attempt to connect Baltimore with Cumberland by way of the Potomac River. Subsequent surveys developed the impractic- ability of this enterprise.
At a meeting held in Baltimore in 1827 the idea of a railroad was first developed. Dr. Kent was on the committee which reported in favor of immediate efforts to establish a double track between Balti- more and some point on the Ohio River. He, with Charles Carroll, of "Carrollton," Charles Ridgely and others, was upon the committee to secure the charter. This was promptly granted on February 28th. On April 1st the stock was subscribed and on April 28th the company was organized by electing Philip Evan Thomas president. On July 4, 1828 the corner stone was laid by Charles Carroll, of "Carrollton," with civic honors. Governor Kent, in his message to the Assembly, urged the support of both rival enterprises. He also urged the United States to grant Maryland her portion of the public lands, to be devoted, as the Western States were doing, to the cause of education. He suggested the propriety of changing the mode of
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electing the President and Vice-President; urged the Legislature to dispose of its three per cent. United States stock, worth then eighty per cent., to be invested in a sinking fund.
The national Republican party was friendly to John Quincy Adams and opposed to Andrew Jackson.
Governor Kent was Vice-President of the first convention which met in Baltimore. After a bitter contest upon the platform of the Whigs he was elected United States Senator and served four years.
Dr. Kent married, first, Eleanor Lee Wallace, daughter of Dr. Michael and Eleanor (Contee) Wallace, granddaughter of Colonel Thomas and Sarah (Fendall) Contee. Mrs. Contee was a very beautiful woman with a wealth of golden hair, and Colonel Thomas Contee left a portrait which reveals a mild, handsome face, powdered hair, ruffled shirt and stock. His inheritance was "Brookefield," the home of his mother, Jane Brooke. His wife, Sarah Fendall, was the daughter of Benjamin and Eleanor Lee, who was the daughter of Philip Lee and Sarah Brooke. Benjamin Fendall was the son of Colonel John Fendall and his wife Ellen Hanson, and grandson of Governor Josias Fendall, of 1655.
Governor Kent had, by his first wife, five children, one of whom became the wife of Governor Thomas G. Pratt. One of his descend- ants, Joseph Gates Kent, recently died in Baltimore. Dr. Kent married after 1826 Alice Lee Contee, of Charles County, leaving no issue. He died at his family residence, "Rose Mount," November 24, 1837. He was succeeded in 1828 by Daniel Martin.
GOVERNOR DANIEL MARTIN.
Governor Daniel Martin, twenty-second (1828-29) and twenty- fourth Governor (1830-31), was a native of Talbot, son of Thomas and Hannah Martin, grandson of Tristam and Mary Oldham, descend- ant of Daniel and Ann Martin of 1725.
Young Martin was thoroughly educated. Distinguished ancestors encouraged him; they were Dr. Ennals Martin, the celebrated physician; James Lloyd Martin, whose ability was never surpassed; Robert Nichols Martin, son of Judge William Bond Martin, member of Congress.
Daniel Martin married in 1816 Mary Clare Mackubin, of Annapolis, a descendant of John Mackubin, of the Severn, a Scottish immigrant, connected by marriage with both Howards and Carrolls.
At the time of Governor Martin's election, the absorbing ques- tions were the rival sources for internal improvements. In 1828 the first spade of earth was removed from the bed of the canal by Presi- dent John Quincy Adams. Thirty-four sections were put under contract. The United States subscribed $1,000,000; Washington City $1,000,000, and the State of Maryland $500,000.
Governor Martin reported the completion of twelve miles of the Washington turnpike.
Governor Martin was upon the committee which secured a charter for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1827. He was an
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earnest and able advocate for developing educational institutions. He favored manufacturing in the penitentiary; urged the economy of having but few State officers and was in favor of holding them to a strict accountability. He said: "To preserve the simplicity of our institutions is a deep concern; to guard them as far as possible from innovation is a sacred duty."
The national contest between the Jackson and anti-Jackson parties was brought into the State election in 1829, and resulted in placing the Democratic candidate, Thomas King Carroll, by a joint ballot of seven votes, in the chair of Governor Martin. At the next election the anti-Jackson party regained their majority and re-elected Daniel Martin by a majority of forty-one. His health soon gave way, early in his second term, and upon his death, in 1831, was succeeded by Hon. George Howard, son of Governor John Eager Howard.
Governor Martin was endeared to the society in which he passed his life by his manly and independent course, his liberal sentiments and his generous hospitality. He had filled several important public stations with much credit, and died in the occupation of the office of Chief Magistrate, whose duties he had discharged with dignity and general satisfaction. His obsequies on the 13th of July, 1831, were witnessed by a numerous concourse of fellow citizens.
At a special meeting of his Council, Mr. Worthington submitted the following record for the journal: "We hereby testify our high esteem for his frank, manly and polite deportment; his liberal, social and benevolent disposition; his republican simplicity of man- ners; his firmness and consistency as a politician, and his ever warm and unerring devotion to what he conceived to be the public good."
"Resolved, That the armorer cause nineteen guns to be fired on Thursday morning at sunrise and nineteen at sunset, and that the State flag be half-hoisted, as funeral honors to the deceased." Similar resolutions were offered in the Lower House and Senate. Governor George Howard, his successor, in his first message, paid another eulogy to his predecessor.
GOVERNOR THOMAS KING CARROLL.
Governor Thomas King Carroll, twenty-third Governor of Mary- land (1829-30), was born in St. Mary's County in 1792. He was the son of Colonel Henry James Carroll, of St. Mary's, a family connected with Mr. James Carroll, of " All Hallow's" Parish, Anne Arundel. Although Colonel Carroll was a Catholic, his children were educated in the faith of their mother, Elizabeth Barnes King, of Somerset, only daughter and sole heiress of Colonel Thomas King, of Somerset, a descendant of Sir Robert King, baronet, whose descendants built the first Presbyterian church erected in America, at Rehoboth, in 1691.
At twenty years of age, Thomas King Carroll, having graduated at Princeton with highest honors at the age of seventeen, married Juliana, daughter of Dr. Henry Stevenson, of Baltimore. He studied law with General Robert Goodloe Harper. In early life he became a mason. He advocated the colonization of the negroes and organ-
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ized a company for that purpose and was its president. In 1824 he was appointed Inspector for Somerset. He was barely of age when elected to the Legislature. As a speaker he had marked powers. When chosen Governor his surprise was great.
During his administration the question of electing the President and Vice-President was under discussion, and he reported to the Legislature the committees from the several States to form a convention for changing the prevailing system.
In 1829 the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad had laid its track as far as the Relay. This was the first road in the United States, and upon it Peter Cooper put the first locomotive built from his shop in Baltimore. It was built in Mt. Clare shops, upon the property of a relative of the Governor. Mr. Cooper himself opened the throttle and started on his trip to Ellicott's Mills. The right of way for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was secured to the State during the same year and the work of construction was finally begun.
Governor Carroll's message of 1830 suggested an educational system; advocated the penitentiary as a reformatory, but disapproved promiscuous social intercourse; advocated the cessation of military parades, because they drew large crowds from their daily business; urged an appropriation from Congress for copying Revolutionary records, then in the archives of Great Britain; recommended the adoption of relief for Revolutionary soldiers; endorsed the movement to improve the collegiate department of the University of Maryland and expressed sympathy for the French then gallantly defending their rights.
The anti-Jackson party of 1830 recovered its usual majority in the Legislature and Governor Carroll was succeeded by his predecessor, Governor Daniel Martin.
Governor Carroll retired to his large estate in Dorchester, near Church Creek, and lived respected by all, dying at an advanced age, October 3, 1873. He was buried in the churchyard of the "Old Church," which was heavily draped, and the entire neighborhood were mourners. He left "to posterity a noble name unsullied and adorned." His children were Dr. Thomas King Carroll, Mrs. John E. Gibson, Mrs. Dr. Bowdle, Mrs. Thomas Caddock and Misses A. E. and Mary Carroll. His daughter, Anna Ella, was a campaign strategist during the civil war.
GOVERNOR GEORGE HOWARD.
Governor George Howard, twenty-fifth Governor (1831-33), was born at " Belvidere," November 21st, 1789. He was the son of Gov- ernor John Eager Howard. His mother was the eldest daughter of Chief Justice Benjamin Chew, of Pennsylvania, and, like her sisters, was noted for her beauty and fascinating manners.
Hon. George Howard was a Federalist, and upon the death of Governor Daniel Martin, in 1831, he was appointed Governor to fill the unexpired term. Early in his administration and continuing through it began the anti-Mason excitement, which placed William
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Wirt, the eminent Marylander in nomination for the Presidency, in 1833. His nomination was in opposition to Henry Clay, Federalist, but "High Priest of the Masons." The Federal party had elected Daniel Martin by forty-one majority. In 1832 it gave a still greater majority of forty-nine for Governor George Howard. With both wings of the Federal party in array against Jackson, the National Republican party at the next election secured the election of James Thomas as Governor to succeed Governor Howard. The Federal party now became the Whig party. It held sway in Maryland with varying success until 1852. Its National and State issues called for a United States bank, internal improvements and a high tariff.
Governor George Howard was a presidential elector in 1837 and 1841, voting both times for William Henry Harrison. His estate "Waverly" had been taken up by Thomas Browne. It was sold to John Dorsey (of Major Edward) and by him willed to his son, Nathaniel Dorsey. From his brother it was bought by Governor John Eager Howard. It is on the old Frederick road, just south of Woodstock. During the exciting slavery agitation of 1845 Governor Howard presided at a Convention called for the protection of slave- holders. He also presided at a meeting of the people of Howard County to pass resolutions upon the death of Colonel Gassaway Watkins, in 1840. He married in 1811, Prudence Gough Ridgely, daughter of Charles Carnan Ridgely, of Hampton. She bore him eight sons and five daughters, two of whom married. Eugene Post, John Eager Howard, Charles Ridgely Howard, William Waverly Howard and George Howard were his sons.
Governor Howard died in 1846. "Waverly" has passed from the family and most of his descendants are in Baltimore or elsewhere.
GOVERNOR JAMES THOMAS.
Governor James Thomas, twenty-sixth Governor of Maryland (1833-35), was born at De-la Brooke Manor, March 11, 1785. He was the son of William Major Thomas and Catharine Boarman, daughter of Mary Brooke, through whom "De-la Brooke" passed from Roger Brooke to the Thomas family. William Thomas was the youngest son of John Thomas, of Charles County. He removed to St. Mary's; was a member of the House of Delegates; was chosen Captain and Major of the militia; was a member of the Committee of Safety. His wife was Elizabeth Reeves (of Thomas).
James Thomas was educated at Charlotte Hall, in 1804, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1807. He practiced with success; was commissioned Major of the Fourth Maryland Cavalry in 1812 and was subsequently brevetted Major- General. In 1820 he was elected a member of the Maryland Legis- lature and was re-elected six times. In 1833 he became Governor of Maryland. During his administration much excitement arose from the "Nat Turner" negro insurrection.
The boundary line between Maryland and Virginia was still unset- tled, and this dispute caused the Governor considerable correspondence.
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In his message he announced the completion of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as far west as Harper's Ferry. The road between Baltimore and Washington was then under construction. He urged the enrollment of the militia and asked the general government to apportion Maryland's share of vacant lands.
The disastrous fire in Cumberland, in 1834, and the " Bank Mob" in Baltimore called for executive action. Governor Thomas met these with prompt and decisive action, receiving favorable comment. The cause of the "Bank Mob" was the financial disaster following President Jackson's withdrawal of Government funds, from the National. Bank. This caused the failure of the Maryland Bank, which held the savings of many poor people, leading to a bitter feeling against the bank officers and finally ending in a riot, which destroyed their houses. The Governor calling out the militia and appealing to the President for aid soon quelled the riot, but not until $200,000 worth of property had been destroyed. This the State was compelled to refund.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad called on the Legislature for assistance, and a loan of $2,000,000 was made during the Governor's term. The State also aided the Susquehanna or Northern Central Railroad to the amount of $1,000,000.
Governor Thomas died at "Deep Falls," St. Mary's, December 25, 1845. Descendants of Governor Thomas were Dr. Thomas, a member of the State Grange; Professor Thomas, Principal of Char- lotte Hall, and Hon. William M. Merrick and Richard Merrick, of Howard County, sons of United States Senator Merrick, whose wife was a descendant of Governor Thomas.
"Deep Falls," the Thomas homestead, is situated near the village of Chaptico. The present mansion was built by Major William Thomas, in 1745. It is in appearance an English country dwelling- house, and while its builder aimed at massive simplicity, it is of graceful and pleasing design and finish. It is a large, double, two- story frame building, with brick foundations and brick gables to the upper line of the first story, where the brick-work branches into two large outside chimneys at each gable end of the house. It is sixty feet long and forty feet deep, with wide piazzas, front and back, run- ning the whole length of the house and supported by handsome, massive pillars. The hall is a large, well-finished square room and is flanked on one side by a parlor and on the other by a dining-room, separated by folding doors. The stairway with maple newel posts and rosewood top, surmounted with an ivory knob, rosewood rail and bird's eye maple balustrade, extends around the corridors above.
The surrounding grounds, once highly ornamented with shrub- bery and flowers, are gently sloping and terraced. "Deep Falls" is still held by its original family and the old grave-yard there, dedicated to family burial more than a century and a half ago, contains many successive generations. (Thomas.)
De-la-Brooke, containing two thousand acres, was erected into a manor, with the right of Court Baron and Court Leet, and Baker
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Brooke, eldest son of Robert, was made lord of the manor. The house at De-la-Brooke stood about a mile from the river, on the brow of a hill. It was a commanding situation with broad plains below. It was a brick building, thirty by forty feet, one and a-half stories, with steep roof and dormer windows. The rooms were handsomely wainscotted and the parlor was also embellished with massive wooden cornice and frieze, on which were carved in relief roses and other floral designs. The house was destroyed many years ago, but a mass of moss-covered bricks and an excavation still mark the spot where for nearly two hundred years stood the first manor house on the Patuxent. (Thomas.)
Near Battle Town is the handsome Taney homestead, the seat of the distinguished family for many generations and the birthplace of the illustrious Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney, while separated from it by Battle Creek is Brooke Place Manor, in later life the home of Governor Robert Brooke.
GOVERNOR THOMAS WARD VEAZEY.
Thomas Ward Veazey, twenty-seventh Governor of Maryland (1835-38), was born January 31, 1774, at "Veazey's Neck," Cecil County, Maryland. He was the son of Edward and Elizabeth (DeCoursey) Veazey, a descendant (of John) of "Cherry Grove," an old Norman family, "De Veazie," of the eleventh century. John settled in Kent County, prior to 1670, and received a grant of land on Elk and Bohemia Rivers, known as "Veazey's Neck," now in Cecil. His will of February 28, 1697, names his sons William, George, Robert and James. The latter married Mary Mercer, whose son, Captain Edward Veazey, of Seventh Regiment of the Maryland Line, was killed at Long Island, 1776. Colonel Thomas Ward Veazey (of Edward) was Colonel of the militia, in the war of 1812 and made a gallant defence of Frederick Town, in Cecil, against Admiral Cock- burn. He was a member of the Maryland Legislature during several sessions; was a presidential elector in 1807 and in 1813, when he voted for President Madison. He married, first, Sarah Worrell, of Kent, and had one daughter, Sarah. His second wife was Mary Veazey, who bore him five children; his third was Mary, daughter of Dr. Joseph and Elizabeth (Black) Wallace, whom he married in 1812 and she bore him five children.
Colonel Veazey came to the Governor's chair in 1835, when a strong man was needed.
The most popular act of his administration was the grant of eight millions of dollars for internal improvements; $3,000,000 were given to the Canal, and $3,000,000 to Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
This act was hailed with joy in Baltimore, resulting in a dinner to the Governor and Legislature and accompanied by bon-fires. Baltimore City subscribed in addition, $3,000,000 loan to the road.
The most exciting event in the administration of Governor Veazey was the attempt to reform the mode of electing the Senate and Governor of the State. The discussion had grown stronger with each
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succeeding administration since the election of Governor Ridgely, in 1818. A condensed history of that struggle, from the researches of Dr. Bernard Steiner, the Librarian of the Pratt Library, is of interest.
"The electoral college was established by the aristocratic Whigs of the Revolution and lasted through sixty years until it went down under the Democratic ideas of Jackson. Major Sprigg Harwood, who died in 1894, was the last survivor of the electoral college. This college was composed of two members from each county and one from Annapolis and one from Baltimore. This body elected fifteen Senators, each holding property valued at £1,000 current money. A quorum of the college. was fixed at twenty-four. The property qualification for membership in the college was £500. By this system of election it was said, "The Senate of Maryland consisted of men of influence and ability and as such were a real and beneficial check on the hasty proceedings of a more numerous branch of popular representatives."
By a special election for electors in 1776, the electors chosen met in Annapolis, December 9th, and chose the Senate. On February 10, 1777, this body met with the House of Delegates, elected annually by the people, and thus formed the first Assembly of Maryland.
In 1806 the form of voting for electors was changed from viva voce to ballot. After 1810 there was no property qualification needed for Senators.
The Senate of 1781 were the most distinguished men of the State. They were unanimously Whigs. The Senate of 1791 and 1796 were also of the Federalist party, showing the same complexion in the electoral college. In 1801, the Republicans (Democrats) carried the Senate, holding the power, also, in 1806 and in 1811. With the election of 1816 came the first decided opposition to the prevailing system of election.
Baltimore, with more wealth and nearly the full population of eight of the smaller counties, had only one-fortieth part of the power of Legislation, while these counties had two-fifths. Several of the larger counties joined Baltimore to get a better division.
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