The founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland. A genealogical and biographical review from wills, deeds and church records, Part 39

Author: Warfield, Joshua Dorsey
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Baltimore, Md., Kohn & Pollock
Number of Pages: 616


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 39
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 39


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Colonel Thomas Dorsey and his brother-in-law, Colonel Henry Ridgely, Jr., were rivals for the military honors of the Ridge. Their personal letters to the Council of Safety may be found in the archives. Colonel Dorsey's second wife was the daughter of Judge Nicholas Ridgely, of Delaware, by his third wife, Mrs. Mary Vining; she is thus recorded by the Judge himself. " And I have another daughter, named Elizabeth, born on Sunday, December 15th, 1745. She married, June 21st, 1761, Colonel Thomas Dorsey, of Elk Ridge, Anne Arundel County-in the Province of Maryland and left by him a large issue." (Ridgely Bible.) Their children were Dr. Archibald Dorsey, whose residence was just west of Waterloo; Theodore, Nicholas, Mary, Elizabeth, Juliet, Harriet and Matilda Dorsey.


We get a view of the speculative spirit of that period, and the disastrous effect upon the estate of Colonel Dorsey, from his will of 1790. From it, too, we see the love, confidence and splendid executive ability of his wife and widow in her management of it.


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COLONEL DORSEY'S WILL.


"I request to be decently buried with only a few invited friends. The services of the Protestant Episcopal Church to be read. No mourning other than black ribbons, handkerchiefs and gloves. As it has pleased God, heretofore, to bestow on me a liberal fortune, which I have lately lost by my indiscretion and ill-judged confidence, and as the small remnant that can be saved out of the wreck of my fortune cannot be placed in the hand of any person more truly prudent and frugal than my beloved wife, who as she divides her affection among her children, will, I have no doubt, distribute equally among them anything that can be saved. I give her, after my just debts are paid, all my estate and make her sole executrix.


"I desire my wife to apply to the General Assembly respecting the debt I owe the State in paper money, called State and Conti- nental Money, which had depreciated at the time I passed bonds to the State at the rate of three said paper dollars for one silver dollar. I wish her to hand over to the State all the property I bought of the Samuel Chase estate.


"Witnesses: Joshua Dorsey, John Henry Johnson, William Squire, D. Griffith." The Assembly passed a bill accepting Mrs. Dorsey's tender and exempted her from other liabilities.


As executrix, Mrs. Elizabeth Dorsey made the following trans- fers:


"Deed of 1817, from Owen Dorsey and Nicholas Dorsey to Rosalie, wife of George Calvert, for lands deeded by Elizabeth Dorsey (widow of Colonel Thomas) for 'Troy,' part of 'The Isle of Ely,' 'Grecian Siege,' part of 'Caleb's Purchase,' part of 'Brother's Addi- tion,' near 'Herbert's Care,' (Colonel Marshall's) intersecting the lines of the lands given by Thomas Dorsey to Daniel, which Daniel deeded to Elizabeth Dorsey, for part of 'Caleb's Purchase,' running with the Post Road from Elk Ridge Landing to Spurrier's Tavern; running between the lands given to Archibald Dorsey and the lands sold by Mrs. Elizabeth Dorsey to Clemson and Bailey.


" As Owen Dorsey has paid Nicholas Dorsey the amount of the mortgage, the deed was given to Rosalie Calvert.


" Daniel Dorsey sold his tracts to Henry Ridgely, who sold to Samuel Chase, Thomas Chase and William G. Ridgely."


In 1823, Archibald Dorsey, of Harford County, sold "Grecian Siege" to Mr. Pierce. It is still held by that family.


Mrs. Elizabeth Dorsey's will left her lands, taken up recently in Kentucky, to her heirs. To son Dr. Archibald Dorsey she gave her eight-day clock; she named her son Theodore and his son Alex- ander, whom she appointed her attorney to settle some city claims. Her daughters were Elizabeth Berry, Mary Norwood, Harriet Berry and Matilda Dorsey. She named her son Nicholas, and sons-in-law, Benjamin and John W. Berry. She died in Baltimore County.


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COLONEL EDWARD DORSEY OF "MAJOR'S CHOICE."


Before 1700 Colonel Edward Dorsey removed from Annapolis to "Major's Choice," west of Waterloo, and north of the old brick church, but continued to sit in the House of Burgesses as a delegate from Baltimore County. He was then married to Margaret Larkin, who inherited from her father, John Larkin, a large estate upon the north side of the Patapsco. Her children were Lacon (Larkin,) Charles, Francis, Edward and Ann Dorsey, who married her neighbor, John Hammond (of Charles).


Colonel Dorsey's sons by Sarah Wyatt were located near him, upon "Long Reach" and "Major's Choice." Edward Dorsey, Jr., youngest son by Margaret Larkin, a minor when his father's will was probated in 1705, inherited the Colonel's riding horse "Sparke," his best gun, largest silver tankard, his tobacco box, his seal gold ring and one sealskin trunk, marked "E. D." The other sons inherited, with Edward, their mother's lands across the Patapsco. Edward located at Dayton, and bought lands of Thomas Reynolds, known as "Thomas Lot," to which he added "Dorsey's Addition." His will named his wife Phoebe executrix, aided by Michael Dorsey. The tradition is that she was a Todd, a relative of Michael's wife, Ruth Todd. In 1769 she was Phoebe Williams, and, with her son Lacon, deeded her late husband's estate to John Worthington Warfield.


Joshua Dorsey (of Edward and Phoebe) married Rachel, whose daughter married Major George Stockton, of Shepardstown, West Virginia. They removed to Kentucky and left many descendants.


Western descendants say that Mr. Williams, who married the widow Dorsey, was the father of General Otho Holland Williams. Later records do not confirm this.


Ann Dorsey (of Colonel Edward), the widow of John Hammond, named her daughters, Hannah, wife of John Welsh, and Ann, wife of Francis Davis. Both of these left many Welsh and Davis descend- ants in Upper Howard. From Hannah Welsh descends Governor Warfield and the author of this history. Her sister, Hamutel Welsh, heired her portion of the homestead, "Major's Choice." She died in the stone house, now a part of Brookeville Academy. Her daughter Carolina-Captain Elisha Riggs and was the mother of Colonel John Hammond Riggs, from whom descended two distinguished physi- cians, Dr. Augustus and Dr. Artemas Riggs; one of Cooksville, Howard County; the other of Brookeville, Montgomery County.


JOSHUA DORSEY OF "MAJOR'S CHOICE."


Coming into possession of the homestead of Colonel Edward, and inheriting a large tract, known as "Barnes' Folly," Joshua Dorsey married, in 1711, Anne Ridgely, oldest daughter of Henry and Katherine (Greenberry) Ridgely. Joshua sat with his brother-in-law, Colonel Henry Ridgely, in pew No. 1, Christ Church. His heirs were Henry, Philemon, Joshua, Nicholas, Charles, Rachel, Anne, Eliza- beth.


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His will of 1747 located Henry on "Dorsey's Hills" and "Dorsey's Angles;" Philemon on "Brother's Partnership;" Joshua in " Locust Thicket;" Nicholas at "Huntington Quarter" and Charles upon the homestead "Major's Choice," which afterward went to Joshua.


Henry Dorsey, born 1712, married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Worthington and Elizabeth Ridgely, who inherited 389 acres of "Worthington Range." Their heirs were Joshua, Thomas, Elizabeth, Sarah, Nicholas, Ariana, Ann, Vachel, Henry and Charles Dorsey.'


Joshua (of Henry)-Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Henry Hall, of the Episcopal Church, of West River, and had Henry Hall Dorsey, Isaac, Allen, Major Thomas Hall Dorsey, Joshua, John, Elizabeth, Margaret, William Henry and Mary Goldthwait, whose daughter married Samuel Beale Owings.


Henry Hall Dorsey-Mary Wright and their daughter Harriet became the wife of John Hammond (of Philip). Issue, Dr. Thomas Wright Hammond, Charles and Margaret Mullikin; William Henry Dorsey, the oldest son of Henry Hall Dorsey, died a prisoner in Eng- land, during the Revolution.


Major Thomas Hall Dorsey, his brother-Ann (Warfield) Dorsey, widow of Richard, of "Hockley." Issue, Margaret Harrison, whose children are Anne Warfield, Thomas Dorsey, Mary, Margaret Elizabeth, William Henry Harrison, all single.


Allen Dorsey-Eleanor Dorsey (of Samuel and Margaret Sprigg). They resided at "Woodlawn," at Dorsey's Station, Washington Branch, B. & O. R. R. Issue, William, Eliza, Mary, Caroline, all maids. William Dorsey (of Allen) has a son, William H. Dorsey, now of Baltimore.


Elizabeth Dorsey (of Joshua and Elizabeth Hall)-Vachel Dorsey, Jr. (of Vachel and Ruth Dorsey). He was a partner of Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, in surveying waste lands. Upon his list of sur- veys, still to be seen at "Hockley," were numerous tracts in all sections of Howard and Anne Arundel.


Vachel Dorsey's son, Essex Ridley Dorsey-Ann Dorsey, the heiress of "Hockley;" Elizabeth Hall Dorsey (of Vachel)-Caleb Dorsey; Evalina Mary-Barnes Comegys; Ann Dorsey (of Vachel) remained a maiden.


Thomas Dorsey (of Henry) inherited his mother's interest in " Worthington's Range"-Mary Warfield, only daughter of Benja- min and Rebeckah (Ridgely) Warfield, of "Warfield's Range." Issue, Benedict Dorsey; Elizabeth-Joshua Warfield, of "Warfield's Range;" Rebecca-Captain Vachel Burgess; Mary Ridgely-Phile- mon Burgess; Benedict Dorsey-Margaret Watkins (of Nicholas and Ariana [Worthington] Watkins. Issue, Thomas, Washington and Elizabeth Dorsey. The early death of their father left them in charge of Mr. Nicholas Watkins. They were all legatees of Nicholas Ridgely Warfield, who granted them his portion of "Worthington Range." Washington Dorsey removed to Wilmington, Delaware, married


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Hannah Chapman and left George Washington-Mary Ann McKee, whose daughter, Emily Dorsey-W. J. Ellison, of Wilmington. Her sisters are Anna and Bessie; her brother, George Washington Dorsey, Jr .- Lizzie Spence, of New York. Washington Dorsey, Sr., left other sons-Thomas, Robert and William Dorsey-and daughters- Lizzie and Tamer.


Elizabeth Dorsey (of Benedict)-George Ford.


Elizabeth Dorsey (of Henry)-Elisha Warfield (of Benjamin). Issue, Mary Ford, of Kentucky, who left Charles, James C. and Eliza P. Ford; James C. Ford-Mary, daughter of Justice Robert Trimble, U. S. Supreme Court. He was a distinguished Kentuckian. Ann Dorsey (of Henry)-Davidge Warfield (of Azel).


Sarah Dorsey (of Henry)-Benjamin Dorsey (of Patuxent John). Ariana Dorsey (of Henry)-Beni Warfield (of Seth) and lived upon "Warfield's Forest."


HUNTINGTON. Annapolis Junction.


South of Waterloo, upon the Post Road, were Huntingtown on the east and Guilford on the west. Into this section came Colonel Henry Ridgely, his nephew, Nicholas Dorsey, Orlando Griffith and John Worthington, son of the merchant, who resurveyed upon "Ridgely's Forest" the Worthington homestead, still standing upon "Worthington's Plains," known as the Bowie estate.


Out of this old Griffith house, through a daughter of Gideon White, successor to the estate by purchase, comes Colonel King (of Howard), former member of the Maryland Legislature, attorney-at- law and colonel of Eleventh United States Regiment during the Civil War.


He is upon a neighboring estate of Dr. Jonathan Waters, upon the old Warfield survey, west of the Junction.


Colonel King's grandfather, Gideon White (of Joseph), the miller and surveyor of "White's Contrivance," came down from Peregrine White, the first white child born in Massachusetts.


In this same section, just west of the Junction, was "The Four- teen-mile House," a stage coach-stand kept by Mr. Haslup, grand- father of the two popular Haslup brothers, one an ex-member of the Legislature and the other in charge of the State House. They reside close by this old stand; both have very fine estates along that road.


Huntingtown, the home of Orlando Griffith, west of the railroad and just north of Annapolis Junction, was a Griffith home of historic importance. It is now known as the "White Place."


William Griffith came to Maryland in 1675.


The history of the Griffiths, of Wales, forms an exciting review of the feudal splendor of Griffith, Prince of Wales, but that history is too voluminous for quotation here. Their descendants in Maryland, as will be seen, fought as valiantly for American independence as did their sires in Wales.


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William Griffith took for his wife a daughter of another distin- guished house in Scotland. She was Sarah Mackubin, daughter of John Mackubin, who came from the Lowlands, and claimed descent from the McAlpines, of the Highlands, who go back to Kenneth II., the first king of Scotland.


The issue of that marriage were Orlando, Captain Charles, William and Sophia-Benjamin Duvall, youngest son of Mareen, the Huguenot.


Orlando Griffith followed the tide of western settlers to Hunting- ton. His homestead was later transferred to the Whites; it borders on Snowden's "Summer Hill," lately owned by Major Powell, of Annapolis Junction. Orlando Griffith married, at thirty, Katharine, only daughter of Captain John Howard by Katherine, widow of Henry Ridgely, and daughter of Colonel Nicholas Greenberry. She inherited " Howard's Luck," at Huntington. Orlando Griffith became, in 1728, a member of the vestry of Queen Caroline Parish, occupying pew No. 8 with Captain John Howard and Nicholas Dorsey, his neigh- bor. "Griffith's Adventure" was his survey. It is upon a draft of the Patapsco; upon this he placed his sons Joshua, Benjamin, Orlando and Charles Greenberry Griffith.


Hon. Henry Griffith, eldest son and executor of Orlando, took up lands in both Howard and Montgomery; he was Tobacco In- spector, Commissioner in the formation of Montgomery, Register of Queen Caroline Parish, Commissioner of Peace, Member of the Colonial Assembly from Frederick County, upon the Committee of Observation for Frederick County, Member of the Convention which formed the Association of "Freemen of Maryland" and one of the Justices in the organization of Montgomery County, in 1777. He married, first, Elizabeth Dorsey (of Edward and Sarah Todd), and had issue, Sarah-Rezin Todd, Rachel-Samuel Welsh, Ruth, Amos Riggs and Colonel Henry Griffith, who was one of the Committee of Observa- tion for Frederick County to carry out the Resolves of the Provincial Convention. He resided upon "Hammond's Great Branch," near Laurel, and married, first, Sarah Warfield (of John and Rachel [Dorsey] Warfield, of "Warfield's Range"); issue, Henry, Allen, Nicholas, Elizabeth, Henrietta Griffith; Colonel Henry-married second, Sarah Davis (of Thomas) and had Thomas Griffith, who held the old homestead, which has only recently passed from the family.


Colonel Henry Griffith's descendants by Sarah Warfield located upon "Griffith's Range," in the neighborhood of Unity and Layton- ville, and they still hold their greatly improved estates.


Hon. Henry Griffith married, second, Ruth Hammond, daughter of John and Ann (Dorsey) Hammond, and became joint executor of John Hammond's estate. Their issue were Captain Samuel Griffith, John Hammond Griffith, Colonel Philemon Griffith, Lieutenant Charles Griffith, Joshua Griffith and several daughters.


From the home of Hon. Henry Griffith, who later located on the road leading from Unity to Damascus, went to, and returned from


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the Revolution three colonels, one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign and one "high private."


The old dilapidated roadside home of Captain Samuel Griffith, who took his first wife, Rachel, from "Warfield Range," may still be seen, deserted. Near by is the home of one of their descendants, who sent four more sons to a later war.


Captain Samuel Griffith was upon the Committee of Observation for Frederick County in 1775, and entered the army under La Fayette. Colonel Philemon Griffith entered as lieutenant in Captain Price's Rifle Company; he was Captain of Third Company of Rifles of Colonel Rawlings regiment, at Fort Washington; was taken prisoner and was exchanged and promoted to major in 1776; the rank of colonel was conferred on him by the Governor of Maryland.


Captain Samuel Griffith and his brother, Colonel Philemon, were both in the disastrous campaign of the North. At Germantown, or Brandywine, with General La Fayette, Captain Samuel led a company of ninety men in storming a "Cheveaux de Frieze" and came out with sixteen. When La Fayette was given an ovation in Annapolis in 1825 these old heroes met, embraced and shed tears.


Captain Griffith was twice married; first, to Rachel Warfield (of John), and, second, to Ruth Berry (of Richard and Sarah Dorsey) ; many of his descendants are scattered in every State; one daughter, Ruth, remained to guard the old home. The writer stood within that old, unpretending roadside homestead when many of his descend- ants were then at the front; still later, she, too, had gone: its lights were out; its old hero, sleeping near by, had heard not the war-cry, for he and his brothers had answered their last call.


Colonel Philemon Griffith's daughter, Ruth, first-Caleb Dorsey, and resided at Glenwood, Howard County, issue, John A. Dorsey. She married, second, Charles D. Warfield, of "Bushy Park" and left Charles D. Warfield, Jr., and Sallie, wife of Dr. Evan William Warfield, of Glenwood.


Pictures of both Captain Samuel and his brother, Colonel Phile- mon, are to be seen at Messrs. Gustavus Warfield's and Alfred Mathews, at Glenwood; both exhibit striking features, which show the sterling characters of these old heroes we now love to honor.


Greenberry Griffith (of Orlando) inherited "Ward's Care" and " Howard's Luck;" he married Ruth Riggs, his neighbor, of "Riggs' Hills;" he was warden and vestryman of Queen Caroline Parish, and upon the Committee of Observation for Frederick County in 1775. His son, Hezekiah-Catharine Warfield (of Azel); their son, John Riggs Griffith-Sarah Tracey, whose daughter, Rebecca-William Davis, parents of Eldred Griffith Davis, Collector of Taxes, Washing- ton, D. C., and his sisters, Mrs. Dickinson and Mrs. Clarke.


Sarah Griffith (of Orlando)-Colonel Nicholas Dorsey; Lucretia -Caleb Davis.


Joshua Griffith was Deputy Surveyor in 1759 and Tobacco Inspector at Elk Ridge Landing; by his wife, Ann Hall, their son was Dennis Griffith. He was a lieutenant in the Continental Army and


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surveyed the State of Maryland in 1794; he published a map of the State which is still extant. He was also a vestryman in Queen Caro- line Parish and a delegate to the Episcopal Convention; he married Elizabeth, daughter of Greenberry and Lucy (Stringer) Ridgely. Their son, Stephen, was in the United States Army.


Rachel Griffith-Henry Gassaway, son of Brice John.


Elizabeth Greenberry Griffith-Rev. Ethan Allen.


Rachel Griffith (of Joshua)-John Sprigg Belt, Captain of Fourth Company, First Regiment Maryland Line; he was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati.


Benjamin Griffith (of Orlando) was Tobacco Inspector in Queen Caroline Parish in 1762, during which time he was Church Warden. After 1772 he removed to the neighborhood of Poplar Springs, Mary- land. He married Mary Riggs, daughter of John and Mary Davis. Their daughter, Ann-Aquilla Dorsey; Mary-Richard Stringer.


Colonel Charles Greenberry Griffith, youngest son of Orlando, was Colonel of First Baltimore Flying Camp, 1776. He married Sarah Ridgely, daughter of Colonel Henry and Elizabeth (Warfield) Ridgely. Their daughter, Elizabeth-General Jeremiah Crabb, of Fourth Battalion in Continental Army, Brigadier-General of Militia 1794, Representative in Congress in 1795-6.


Captain Charles Griffith (of William) of South River, left a record of his family in which he recorded the births and deaths of his " daf- ters." He lived on the north side of South River within six miles of Annapolis. He outlived his two wives over thirty-eight years, dying in his seventy-eighth year and was recorded as Captain Charles Griffith. He married, first, Mrs. Mary Mercer (nee Wolden), and had William, Charles and Mary Griffith. He married again in 1727 Catharine Baldwin, daughter of John Baldwin and Hester (Larkin) Nicholson his wife. The issue of his first wife were:


William Griffith-Priscilla Ridgely and lived near the head of the Severn in 1752; Charles Griffith, Jr .- Ann Davidge (of Robert and Rachel [Warfield] Davidge, and lived near Stoner's Mill, Anne Arundel County. He inherited "Griffith's Island" on the Severn. His daughter, Eleanor Griffith-Vachel Warfield, son of Samuel, and lived at Crown Point, now Portland, Anne Arundel County; issue, Vachel, Jr .- Achsah Marriott; William-Sarah Jane Merryman; Henrietta-Joshua Marriott.


Sarah Griffith (of Charles, Jr .- John Boone, son of Captain John. Mary Griffith (of Captain Charles and Mary)-Joseph White, who bought of Mrs. Henry Ridgely a portion of "Wincopin Neck."


John Griffith (of Captain Charles and Catharine Baldwin)-the widow of Benjamin Williams, who later became the wife of Thomas Rutland. John Griffith's estate was on the Severn.


Sarah Griffith (of Captain Charles and Catharine)-Azel Warfield, son of Alexander and Dinah Davidge.


Catharine Griffith-Colonel Nicholas. Worthington.


William Griffith, youngest son of William and Sarah Mackubin, removed to the Catoctin Mountains and became Commissioner and


FOUNDERS OF ANNE ARUNDEL AND HOWARD COUNTIES. 351


Justice of Frederick County. He married Comfort Duvall, daughter of Captain John and Elizabeth (Jones) Duvall, of Anne Arundel, and granddaughter of Mareen Duvall.


COLONEL HENRY RIDGELY.


Colonel Henry Ridgely, the surveyor, son of Henry and Katherine Greenberry and grandson of the first surveyor of "Ridgely Forest, heired his father's homestead "Waldridge" and " Broome." These tracts were transferred to his brother-in-law, Thomas Worthington, who resided there.


Colonel Henry and his uncle, Charles Ridgely, were joint owners of "Ridgely's Forest," at Huntington, and also joint owners of the South River estate. By deeds of transfer, Charles Ridgely held the South River tracts and yielded up his interest in "Ridgely's Forest" to his nephew.


Colonel Henry, in 1711, seated himself upon the ridge east of Guilford. His estate was then in Baltimore County. He became an aggressive surveyor of this new territory. He resurveyed "Ridgely's Forest" into "Harry's Lot," which extended back to Savage and Guilford. Following up the Patuxent, beyond "Snowden's Second Addition," we find him on "Hickory Ridge," at Highlands. Joining his brother-in-law, Thomas Worthington, they took up "Henry and Thomas," "Partnership," " Altogether," stretching back to Glenelg. Beyond that, Colonel Henry is again found at "Round About Hills," "Ridgely's Great Park" and "Ridgely's Great Range," thirty miles west of his starting point. In 1722, Colonel Henry married Eliza- beth, only daughter of Benjamin Warfield. Her father had taken up for her a considerable tract called "Wincopin Neck," lying between the Middle and North Branches of the Patuxent at Savage; it adjoined " Warfield's Range" on the south and "Warfield's Contriv- ance" on the north.


In 1728, Colonel Henry Ridgely was the chief surveyor and builder of Christ Church, Queen Caroline Parish. He held pew No. 1 in the original building in 1736. His homestead is now the Patti- son estate. The large graveyard of this early surveyor may still be seen there.


Upon this ridge are three Ridgely homesteads, all upon the road leading from Guilford to Savage. Beyond them, still further west, on the middle, or Savage River, there stands another building in perfect preservation, a rough-cast brick mansion, worthy of note. It is " Montpelier." Its perfect walls, large rooms, high ceiling, wide hall- way, music balcony, hand-carved woodwork, speak unerringly that it was once the home of luxury. Its last Ridgely owner was the bachelor, Harry, who weighed five hundred pounds and rode in a chair-carriage especially designed for him. He was the only son of Colonel Henry Ridgely, fourth, hero of the French and Indian war. Harry Ridgely died about 1812 and lies buried under a huge tree in the rear of his mansion, which some say was built by him, but such


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a building was not designed for, or by, a bachelor. It was built for daughters who entertained largely. As I stood within I could almost hear from the balcony the music leading those stately daughters in the minuet. Perhaps the four distinguished daughters of the first surveyor here met their military husbands and from there went out to be mothers of a long line of descendants, not even bounded by oceans. It was certainly the home of the later Colonel Ridgely, who took his cousin, Ann Dorsey, as wife. From it Dr. Charles Alexan- der Warfield took his bride in 1771. From it "Polly Ridgely" went down across "Warfield's Range" to "Sappington Sweep" upon Ham- monds Great Branch, where still stands her headstone to-day. From it, as late as 1806, went forth Sally Ridgely, the second wife of Jessie Tyson. From it, too, Ann Ridgely, "the heiress," went further down the Patuxent as the bride of Major Thomas Snowden, to name her more magnificent home "Montpelier" of Prince George.




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