ridgely

Nicotiana tabacumRidgely Nicotiana tabacum

compiled and copyright by MJP Grundy, 2002
Nicotiana tabacum, from Chambers's Encyclopædia: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge for the People
(Phila.: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1885), 9:462.



This page tells the story only of our branch of the Ridgely family of Maryland and their immediate families: immigrant Robert, his son Charles, third generation Charles, and fourth generation daughter Achsah. I am hopeful that readers may be able to provide more information about them. If you have corrections or additions, especially if you have documentation, I would be very grateful if you would e mail me at .

As was so often the case in the seventeenth century, there were spelling variations of this family's name. But one genealogist points out that our branch tended to spelled it Ridgely, while Col. Henry and his sons William and Charles more often used Ridgley.[1] However, in this page I will use the former spelling for all of them, which is what I believe all their twentieth-century descendants use.

First Generation in the New World

Our Robert Ridgely1, died in 1681, and was married to Martha. Some accounts hold that he emigrated from England on the Assurance in 1634/5, and settled in St. Mary's County, Maryland. Since he named one his plantations "Belleau", which is the name of a parish in Lincolnshire, Robert, or one or both of his parents, may have come from that area of England.[2] But this date of arrival seems highly unlikely to be the man who married in ca. 1671, and the place of origin is just conjecture. Instead it appears that Robert arrived in Maryland in 1671, although in spite of the lack of records, it seems to me likely that he was in Maryland perhaps a decade earlier, then returned to England and came back with Martha (__) in 1671.[2a]

Robert's wife Martha's surname is not known, although some genealogists claim it may have been Patterson. She may have been the sister of Sarah (Patterson) Clagett who was called the "aunt" of Martha's daughter. More on that later, including arguments against the hypothesis. A descendant claims Martha's surname was SMITH.[2b] In 1671 Robert brought Martha to Maryland, probably marrying her after she arrived. The records are vague.

Robert Ridgely began his public career in 1664. Robert succeeded Cecilius LANGFORD as Clerk of the Council, a position he held until 1669, when Sir William TALBOT, Secretary of the Province, selected him to be Deputy Secretary in Talbot's absence. He maintained this position until Lord Baltimore revoked Talbot's commission and appointed his own nephew, William CALVERT, on 16 March 1673. Robert was Clerk of the Lower House of the Maryland Assembly from 1671 to November 1681. He served as examiner of the High Court of Chancery, and as a probate judge. He was keeper of the lesser seals for the province.[4]

Land acquisitions by Robert Ridgely included 1,200 acre "Little Belleau", on Lord Baltimore's Rent Roll for Somerset County. Robert also acquired a patent for 500 acres called "Timberly", rights in 1680 to land in St. Mary's County, and a grant of "Gallow's Greene" from Lord Baltimore. Although his law offices were there in St. Mary's City, his "dwelling plantation" was on St. Inigoe's Creek, and it was here that Martha held sway.[8]

A random glance at court records indicates Robert played his part in testifiying to wills. He testified 23 May 1673 to the will of Thomas PAINE of St. Jerome's in St. Mary's County. He performed the same duty 16 September 1676 for the will of John CONNINGHAM of Glasgow, Scotland, who apparently died while in Maryland. He inherited personalty from Margaret PENROY of Charles County in November 1676.[9]

Robert wrote his will 20 December 1680, describing himself "of Hampton", Baltimore County, witnessed by Anthony UNDERWOOD and Daniel CLOCKER, who, along with William TAYLOR, testified to it. It was probated 24 December 1681. He named his wife Martha executrix, and bequeathed her 1,200 acre "Little Beleau" along with land in Somerset County. His land bequests to his children are given below. Non real estate bequests were made to his only daughter Martha and to William STEVENS and his wife Elizabeth of Somerset County. Robert specified that his children were to be educated "according to the canons of the Church of England". William Stevens and Christopher ROUSBY were named overseers. The personalty of his plantation on the Wicomico was appraised 13 February 1681/2 as worth 24,828 pounds of tobacco. It included three white indentured servants. But perhaps the most interesting thing about Robert's estate inventory was the list of debts. There were 106 named, including what appeared to be two firms, "the Publick", four women, and perhaps one Native American, Corney CROW. One was our ancestor, John ADDISON. There were also his legal friend, Robert CARVILE. In a society that paid close attention to titles, there were five colonels, a major, one Esquire, and a Doctor.[10]

Martha was apparently not without comfort in this time of bereavement. Anthony UNDERWOOD (1659-ca. 1689), Robert's assistant, who witnessed his will, petitioned 1 March 1681/2 to be admitted to the Maryland Bar. Underwood said he had clerked for Edward DOBSON of Gray's Inn, a Counselor at Law in England for several years before serving Robert Ridgely. He had been transported in 1678 as an indentured servant, becoming free by 1681/2. As lawyers had to be freemen, Martha signed a paper attesting to his status as a freeman.[10a] In the class conscious circles to which he aspired, Anthony was styled a Gentleman by 1682.

Martha married Anthony Underwood probably in 1684. Like so much about Robert and Martha, the date is elusive, one (presumably erroneous) source suggests she and Anthony were married "by 1680" which was before Robert's death.[12]

Anthony died in the late spring of 1691, leaving Martha a very wealthy widow for a second time.

Martha's third husband, jumping at the opportunity to comfort a wealthy widow, was Charles CARROLL (1660-1720). They were married by 10 February 1692/3, the date when he filed the final administration of Anthony's estate. Debts owed to the estate totalled 566,346 lbs. of tobacco, plus a balance of �722.1.0.[15]

Charles was Catholic, and he placed his step-daughter Martha Ridgely in a Roman Catholic institutin. The record is not clear if this was a boarding school, catechism class, or something else. On 2 December 1692 her godfather John LLEWELLEN petitioned the Court because Charles's action was in direct defiance of Martha's father's will. The Court agreed, and sent Martha to live with her "aunt" Mrs. Sarah CLAGETT until she became of age and could select her own guardian. On 26 April 1693 Capt. Thomas Clagett gave security as her guardian. Sarah PATTERSON was the second wife of Thomas, and Patterson was more likely the surname of her first husband than her maiden name. Since her maiden surname is probably unknown, we do not know if she was the sister of Charles Ridgely or of Martha (__) Ridgely.[16] Although it is very tempting to assume that the Clagetts were the parents of the second husband of Martha's brother's wife Deborah (DORSEY) in 1706/7, I can find no proof of the connection.

Martha is said to have died in 1695, although it must have been sooner if Charles's next marriage, to Mary Darnall (1678-1742) took place 14 February 1693. Mary Darnall was the daughter of Henry Darnall and his first wife, whose step-mother was Elinor (Hatton) Brooke Darnall. Charles Carroll died in 1720.[18]

Children of Robert and Martha (order uncertain, may be incomplete):

  1. Robert Ridgely2, Jr., , d. 1702 in St. Mary's Co.; m. Elizabeth (__); res. St. Mary's Co. Robert inherited from his father 800 ac. "Friend's Choice" in Worcester Co. (now part of Sussex Co., Del.) and 600 ac. "Belleau" in Somerset Co. The former tract was at the time in the possession of the Duke of York; Robert Sr. directed that when the boundary dispute was settled the land would be under the control of Lord Baltimore, who would confirm it to young Robert. Robert Jr. signed his will 4 Feb. 1701/2 and it was pr. in St. Mary's Co. 4 June 1702. Children:
    a) Robert Ridgely3,
    b) William Ridgely, m. Elizabeth DUVALL
    c) Charles Ridgely,
    d) Sarah Ridgely,
    e) Nicholas Ridgely,
    f) Mary Ridgely,
    g) Deborah Ridgely,
    h) Elizabeth Ridgely, m(2) William GOLDSMITH.[19]
  2. Charles Ridgely, b. 20 Dec. 1680; d. 1705; m. Deborah Dorsey. He inherited from his father 500 ac. "General Gift" and "Timberle" in Calvert Co. Deborah m(2) Richard CLAGETT, son of Thomas (1677-1732).

  3. William Ridgely, inherited from his father 1400 ac. "Western Fields" in Somerset Co. On 27 Sept. 1705 Thomas UNDERWOOD petitioned the Court that since William had been absent from Md. for 7 years, without anyone hearing from him, that it should direct Charles CARROLL to give Thomas his share of his half-brother William's estate, amounting to �6.8.4.[20]

  4. Martha Ridgely, b. 1681; d. 1753. She was put in the Catholic church by her stepfather in defiance of her father's will; the court removed her to be brought up by Sarah CLAGETT; m. 23 Dec. 1699 Judge Lewis DUVALL, son of Huguenot Mareen Duvall, whose widow m(2) Col. Henry RIDGELY.[21] Martha and Lewis had at least one daughter, Elizabeth DUVALL who m. her cousin William RIDGELY.

Child of Martha (__) Ridgely and Anthony Underwood:[22]

  1. Thomas Underwood, sued his step father for his (Thomas's) share in his half-brother William's estate.

Child of Martha (__) Ridgely Underwood and Charles Carroll:

  1. Charles Carroll

Second Generation

Charles Ridgely2, son of Robert and Martha, was born in St. Inigoe's Parish, St. Mary's County, on 20 December 1680, and died in 1705. He was an infant when his father died, and only ten when his first step-father, Anthony UNDERWOOD died. Charles married Deborah DORSEY, daughter of the Hon. John Dorsey and his wife Pleasance (ELY). He inherited from his father "General Gift" and "Timberly" at the head of the Patuxent in Calvert County. In 1695 it became part of the newly formed Prince George's County.[23]

Charles was mentioned in the 1703/4 will of his son-in-law, Capt. John HOWARD, but not in the 1705 will of his grandfather, indicating that he probably died between the writing of those two wills. He left four white indentured servants and four Negro slaves. His estate administration was filed by Deborah on 14 October 1705, with a balance of �310.0.1, and �54.4.3 paid to Charles CARROLL for a debt owed to him.

After Charles's death, Deborah lived with her parents in Baltimore County. Her two sons inherited Charles's 1,400 acre "White Wine and Claret" on the Great Fork of the Patuxent River in Howard County. It had belonged to Deborah's father and presumably under femme covert passed to Charles.[25] The tract was on the west side of Charles Carroll's plantation, "Doughoregan". However, Charles Carroll Sr. (1702-1782) built Doughoregan manor somewhat later. He was the son of Charles Carroll (1660-1720), whose step mother-in-law was Elinor (Hatton) Brooke. There were a great many men named Charles Carroll and it can be confusing.

Map showing location of 'Croome'

Deborah married secondly 7 April 1706/7 Richard CLAGETT (1681-1752). She removed to his place at "Croome" a large estate in Prince George's County. Richard was on the tax list for Mt. Calvert Hundred, Prince George's County, in 1733. They had six children.

Deborah probably died before 27 October 1752 when Richard wrote his will and did not mention her.[26] It was proved 7 December 1752.

Children of Charles and Deborah (Dorsey), probably all born in Prince George's County:

  1. Charles Ridgely3, b. ca. 1702; d. 1775; m(1) Rachel Howard; m(2) Elizabeth ___; m(3) Lydia (WARFIELD) STRINGER.

  2. William Ridgely, b. ca. 1702/3; signed his will 15 June 1755, and it was pr. 11 Nov. 1755; m. Elizabeth DUVALL. She was b. 8/4/1723, the daughter of Judge Lewis Duvall (son of Maureen Duvall) & Martha Ridgely; Elizabeth m(2) 1760 William SIMPSON (1719-1773); she d. 1798. William inherited from his grandfather, John DORSEY, a Negro girl named Juno, and when he reached the age of 21, 4 cows and calves and �30 sterling. In 1755 his estate was valued at �1,064.15.0 and included 15 Negro slaves; Joshua WARFIELD and William HALL of Elk Ridge approved the estate valuation as the major creditors, but no "kin" approved. William and Elizabeth had 15 children:[27] (order uncertain):
    a) Margaret Ridgely, b. 1724; m. 1755 Samuel FARMER who was b. 1715, son of Samuel Farmer & Sarah (Duvall).
    b) Samuel Ridgely, "the batchelor";
    c) Martha Ridgely, b. 1728; d. 11/7/1797; m. Henry Gaither (5/24/1724-8/1783) son of Benjamin Gaither (1681-1738) & Sarah Chew Burges (1694-1769) the daughter of Edward Burgess and Sarah (Chew) and the granddaughter of Samuel Chew and Mary (Ayres). Henry Gaither served as Justice of the Peace; 14 children, one of whom was Henry Chew Gaiter (b. 1751), a well-known Revolutionary soldier. Son Henry Chew Gaither never married, thus had no descendants. But because he was generally admired, several nephews and cousins' sons were named after him. Harry Wright Newman states there were at least 5 Henry Chew Gaithers that inherited land, etc., from Martha's son.[27a]
    d) Deborah Ridgely, b. 1730; m. Lancelot DORSEY, son of Edward Dorsey & Sarah (Todd); resided at "Altogether" near Clarksville.
    e) Sarah Ridgely
    f) Amelia Ridgely
    g) John Ridgely
    h) William Ridgely, Jr., b. 1743; d. 1822; m. 1771 in Anne Arundel Co. Elizabeth DORSEY, daughter of Capt. Philemon Dorsey (b. 1715) and Katherine Ridgely (1723-1750), and they had 7 children whose birth dates range from 1765 to 1779 so something does not compute.
    i) Asenah Ridgely, b. 1743; d. 1763 died in Anne Arundel Co.
    j) Ann Ridgely, b. 1745; d. 1801; m. Capt. Brice HOWARD, b. 1740; d. 1799, son of Cornelius Howard & Rachel Ridgely Worthington; 4 children.
    k) Eleanor Ridgely, b. 1747 in Prince George's Co.; d. 1/2/1801 in Howard Co.; m. 1745 Ensign Thomas Cornelius Howard in Anne Arundel Co. (son of Cornelius Howard & Rachel Ridgely Worthington); 9 children.
    l) Charles Ridgely, b. 3m/25/1749 in Anne Arundel Co.; m. 3m/22/1774 Ruth NORWOOD, daughter of Samuel (son of Edward Norwood and Ruth OWINGS, she is said to be the daughter of Capt. Richard Owings & Susanna Bankson). He was called Charles "Blackhead" to differentiate him from his cousin Charles Ridgely. Charles built "Springfield" on the upper tract of "White Wine & Claret" near Clarksville. He spent 27 years in the Maryland House and was Speaker several sessions.
    m) Rachel Ridgely, b. 1751 in Anne Arundel Co.; d. 1807; m. Joseph HOWARD, son of Cornelius Howard (1745-1/2/1801 in Howard Co.) & Rachel Ridgely Worthington; 6 children.
    n) Delilah Ridgely, b. 1753; d. 1798.
    o) Elizabeth Ridgely, b. 1755; d. 1782; m. Aquila DUVALL (1712-1764) son of Lewis Duvall & Eleanor Farmer; 2 sons.
  3. Deborah Ridgely,

Children of Deborah and her second husband, Richard Clagett:[28]

  1. Martha Clagett, b. before 1714; d. before 1752; mar. __ Tubman of St. Mary's Co. Martha inherited from her grandfather, John Dorsey the Negro girl Sarah (aged 10) who had been badly burned.

  2. Elinor Clagett, b. before 1714; m. Rev. John EVERSFIELD. He was b. in Eng., educated at Oxford, ordained, came to Md. where Lord Baltimore gave him the parish of St. Paul's in what is now Prince George's Co. He was rector there for nearly 50 years, and oversaw construction of the present brick building, St. Thomas's. Elinor inherited the enslaved Negro girl Hagar (aged 1 year) from her grandfather, John Dorsey.

  3. Edward Clagett, b. before 1714; m. Eleanor (Bowie) BROOKE, daughter of John Bowie, Sr., and widow of Benjamin Brooke, son of Col. Thomas and his second wife, Barbara (Dent). Eleanor m(3) __ Skinner of Baltimore Co. Edward inherited the enslaved Negro girl Beck (aged 2) from his grandfather, John DORSEY.

  4. Richard Clagett, b. after 1714; d. before 7 Dec. 1752; m. Lucy KEENE, daughter of Richard.

  5. Samuel Clagett, b. after 1714; m(1) Elizabeth GANTT; their son Richard Dorsey Clagett was b. Apr. 24, 1749; Samuel m(2) Ann BROWN, daughter of Gustavus Brown of Port Tobacco, Charles Co. Bowie sez Samuel was a Rev.

  6. Mary Clagett, b. after 1714; d. Oct. 15, 1792; m. Jeremiah BERRY, b. 1712, son of Benjamin and Mary (Hilleary). Jeremiah d. Apr. 3, 1769. They resided at "Marlborough Plains" near Upper Marlborough. They had 5 sons and 2 daughters.

Third Generation

Charles Ridgely3, son of Charles and Deborah (DORSEY), was born about 1702 or as late as 1705 in Prince George's County, and died in 1772 in Baltimore County. He was quite young when his father died, and he spent part of his youth under the care of his step-father, Richard CLAGETT. In 1715 Charles inherited from his grandfather, John DORSEY, a Negro boy named Saxon, and when he reached the age of twenty one, four cows and calves and �30 sterling.[29] One wonders what the relationship was between the young European boy and the African boy whom he owned; it is also interesting that he was given a human right away, but not deemed mature enough to have ownership of the cows, calves, and cash until he was twenty one.

Charles married first at the age of nineteen (or even younger) in 1721 or ca. 1722 (at least by 1724) Rachel Howard, daughter of John and his wife Mary (Warfield) Howard. She, also, had suffered the death of her father when she was quite young. Her uncles Richard and Alexander Warfield served in the Maryland legislature. In 1725 the young couple resided on "Timber Neck", half of which Rachel had inherited from her father in 1704.[30]

Col. Charles and his brother William together inherited from their grandfather John DORSEY 1,400 acre "White Wine and Claret". It was located between the Snowden and Middle Rivers in the area of Clarksville, straddling current route 108, north of Highland, in what is now Howard County. They had it resurveyed in 1735 to include some surplus adjacent land, bringing it to 2,145 acres. On 16 May 1742 they divided it, with Charles taking the "Upper Body". In 1750 he owned a 103 acre part of "Rich Neck" along with other lands. Eventually he owned 8,069 acres in Baltimore and Anne Arundel Counties, including 1,162 in the latter County inherited from his grandfather. He had the land repatented in 1735. Charles was obviously an extensive landowner and was recognized as a planter by 1732. But he acquired his wealth through mortgages on landed estates and liens on personal property. He also had other economic interests. By 1736 he was a merchant. He purchased tobacco, crops, livestock, and slaves between 1736 and the 1740s in Anne Arundel County, though his base of operations was mostly in Baltimore County. Charles bought part of a tanyard in April 1743 from William BAKER, Sr. In 1745 Charles bought 1,500 acres of "Northampton" from Ann HILL, the daughter of Henry DARNELL, cousin of Lord Baltimore who had made the original grant in 1695 to Darnell. Foundry Ruins, Photo 6/2-13On his 316 acres in Northampton, which were surveyed in 1758, he opened iron mines and established furnaces. He seems to have given the rest of "Northampton" to his son, Charles. Both adult sons, Charles and John, worked with their father, Col. Charles, to establish an ironworks on a tributary of the Gunpowder River. By 1761 Charles was known as an ironmaster. The Northampton Ironworks included a furnace on Patterson (Peterson's) Run and forges at Long Cam near Gunpowder Falls. I was told that if you drive north from Hampton Lane on Dulany Valley Road to the fire break, and hike in, you can find stone foundations of some of the iron foundries. I haven't tried that, but we did find a few foundation walls of Long Cam. Between November 1763 and April 1764 the firm shipped over �1,858 worth of pig and bar iron to London. On 15 July 1770 Charles Sr. and Charles Jr. of Baltimore County, Ironmasters, petitioned the Council for aid in recovery of two vessels of iron that had been seized and taken to Virginia.[34]

Charles was probably an Anglican. In any event, he served on St. Paul's Parish Vestry in Baltimore County in 1728-30/1 and 1736-38/9. He served as churchwarden in 1732-32/3 and 1735-35/6.[35]

Rachel died in 1750. Charles married for the second time Elizabeth ___. He married for a third time, Lydia WARFIELD, daughter of Richard Warfield (ca. 1677-1755), and widow of Samuel STRINGER (d. 1747), of Queen Caroline Parish, Anne Arundel County, after negotiating a prenuptial contract with her. Samuel left Lydia his dwelling plantation, part of "Warfield's Contrivance", "Hobbs' Park", and "Stringer's Addition" as long as she lived, but then they were to go to her son Richard STRINGER. Lydia was a first cousin of Rachel Howard, and sister-in-law of Mary (Warfield) Howard.

Charles was listed on the Back River Upper Hundred tax list in 1767. Others in the same Hundred that year were his son Charles Ridgely, Jr., and Samuel Owings.[36a]

Charles died in Northampton, Baltimore County, in 1772. His will was dated 1 April 1772, and proved 8 June 1772. In it he directed that his daughters Achsah and Pleasance, and Darby LUX on behalf of Rachel, should each pay his widow Lydia �15 annually. Daniel CHAMIER (Achsah's third husband), Charles Ridgely (his son), and William GOODWIN (Pleasance's son) were named executors. Charles bequeathed three unnamed Negro human beings to his daughter Achsah. At Achsah's death, one was to become the property of Charles's grand daughter Elizabeth CARNAN, one to his grand daughter Prudence (Carnan) GOUGH, and one to his grandson Charles R. CARNAN.[37]

Charles was a wealthy man. His wearing apparel alone was valued at �26.12.4. He had a gold watch, silver shoe buckles, silver buttons, knee buckles, and spectacles. He also owned a Bible and dictionary. His cellar was well stocked with 125 gallons of whiskey, twenty-five gallons of rum, eleven bottles of canary wine, 115 bottles of red port wine, seven gallons of Lisbon wine, and eleven hogsheads of cider. At his dwelling house he owned thirty-six Negro slaves and three white indentured servants. At the Furnace there were four white servants, two Negroes, and ten other indentured servants. The inventory was approved by William Ridgely (son of John) and Deborah STERRET as kin, and by his grandson, J. R. Holliday and Charles's widow, Lydia (Warfield) Stringer Ridgely as his two largest creditors. His estate was valued at �6,285.16.9 current money, and included 121 oz. of plate, 6,300 acres in Baltimore County, one third interest in the Ironworks valued at �322.9.3, and �603.0.0 worth of goods shipped by London merchants. When the debts were all settled, the final balance was �4,367.13.6. The final accounts were not filed until after the War, in 1788.[38]

Children of Charles and Rachel (Howard) Ridgely, all born in Prince George's Co., Md.:[39]

  1. John Ridgely3, b. 14 June 1723; d. by 1 May 1771; m. Mary DORSEY, daughter of Caleb Dorsey; 10 children.[40]

  2. Pleasance Ridgely, b. 24 Nov. 1724; d. 1777; m. Lyde GOODWIN (d. ca. 1755). She and her husband were given ca. 300 ac. by her father in 1752-53. She inherited from her father Negroes and land made over "to me" (meaning Charles) by her deceased husband.[41]

  3. Charles Ridgely, b. 21 Apr. 1727; d.y.

  4. Achsah Ridgely, b. 22 July 1729; d. 12 Mar. 1785 or Aug. 1789; m. three times;[42] received 1,025 ac. from her father, inheriting enslaved Negroes and silver plate.

  5. William Ridgely, b. 10 May 1731; d. without heirs.

  6. Capt. Charles Ridgely, 'the Builder'
  7. Charles Ridgely, b. 17 Sept. 1733; d. 28 June 1790 in the morning in Baltimore Co.; m. 18 Nov. 1760 Rebecca DORSEY (1739-1812), daughter of Caleb Dorsey and sister of Mary who m. Charles's brother John; Rebecca's portrait was painted by John Hesselius. [My thanks to Meg McGath for providing me with this link.] Charles was a Captain; he was given 2,000 ac. from his father on which he built the estate of Hampton; he also inherited silver plate, additional land, and (with Charles Ridgely, son of John) the grist mill provided they grind bread gratis for the Northampton Furnace as long as his three sisters and their children owned an interest in it. "Hampton" became a showplace with a large cupola in the middle, which was a rarity at that time and place. It also had terraced gardens and clipped borders of English box. Rebecca Dorsey became a Methodist and opened "Hampton" with a prayer meeting, while Charles had a card party for his fellow officers in the attic. It is said that Charles had so many slaves he did not know them all by sight. Charles left "Hampton" to his nephew Charles Ridgely CARNAN and his son, with other bequests to his nephew William's son Charles, and Lyde GOODWIN's son Charles, and John STERRET's son Charles, on condition that they all assume the Ridgely name. Charles Carnan changed his name, and he and his wife and their 13 children moved into "Hampton". But Rebecca and the young mistress Ridgely did not get along, so land was purchased and a house built for her and many of the children. Col. Charles's obituary in the Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertiser of 29 June 1790 reported that for the last 18 years he had represented the County in the state legislature. He died in his 58th year.[43] The portrait hangs in "Hampton" and is reproduced from the National Park Service's brochure, "Hampton: Official Map and Guide".

  8. Rachel Ridgely, b. 5 Dec. 1734; d. 1813; m. 15 Nov. 1764 Capt. Darby LUX who d. intestate in 1795. Her dower was �1,090.0.0 and included 23 slaves and 64 oz. of plate. Rachel inherited land, silver plate, and slaves from her father. Darby was b. in Anne Arundel Co., res. till 1765 in Barbados, then in Baltimore Town. By 1778 he was styled Esq. He was Anglican, in St. Paul's parish, Balt. Co. Darby was a merchant in Barbados, then by the late 1760s was part of the firm Ridgely, Howard, and Lux. He was also involved in the Ridgely family ironworks. Charles Ridgely named Darby trustee for one third share of the ironworks he left to his daughters Rachel, Pleasance, and Achsah. In 1785 Darby, the Ridgelys, and others purchased 4,740 acres plus slaves in Balt. Co. that had been confiscated from Nottingham Forge, the owners of which had been accused of being Loyalist; in 1785 they bought 900 ac. confiscated for the same reason from Principio Co. Darby was also involved in lead mining and had a sizeable home plantation. During the Revolutionary War he was Col. in the Gunpowder Battalion, Balt. Co. militia, 1777-79. His estate was inventoried at �1,027.19.5 current money, including 24 slaves and 42 oz. of plate. He probably owned 2,067 ac. in Balt. Co.[44]

  9. Benjamin Ridgely, b. 23 July 1739; d. without heirs.

Children of Charles's third wife, Lydia (Warfield) and her first husband, Samuel Stringer:

  1. Samuel Stringer.

  2. Richard Stringer, m. 1762 Elinor DORSEY.

  3. Ann Stringer, m. 1752 William COALE.

  4. Lucy Stringer, m. 1752 Greenbury RIDGELY (1726-1783) who served in the Md. legislature.

Fourth Generation


Achsah Ridgely4, daughter of Charles and Rachel (Howard) Ridgely, was born in Prince George's County, Maryland, 22 April or July 1729, and died 12 March or August 1785.[45]

On 27 December 1735 her father gave her "Wilkenson's Lott", which consisted of 89 acres, along with a part of "Ridgely's Whim" and "Taylor's Purchase". At the age of fifteen she married Robert Holliday, a surgeon. He died in 1745 shortly before the birth of their first child, leaving her a sixteen-year-old widow. Although he left everything to her during her life, entailed to descend to his son, Achsah told the court she refused to abide by the will.[46] She would legally have nothing after her son came of age.

Achsah then married John CARNAN, born in 1728, son of Charles of Reading, Berkshire, and later London, England, and his wife Prudence.[47]

John and Achsah had a son, Charles Ridgely Carnan, and two or three daughters. John and Achsah patented 475 acre "Huntingdon" adjacent to Baltimore Town in 1761. In the early 1780s the land was divided into lots and leased by their daughters and their husbands, Prudence and Harry GOUGH and Elizabeth and Thomas ONION. Harry bought it in 1790 and sold off small parcels for the next fifteen years.[48]

John died 1 June 1767. Achsah filed the inventory of his estate 14 May 1765. (The dates don't compute; one must be wrong.) It was valued at �217.14.11, and included a watch, silver plate, silver shoe buckles, two Negroes, and an improved lot in Baltimore Town. Christopher CARNAN and Cecil Carnan approved as both kin and major creditors.[49]

Achsah's father died in 1772 and she received from him enslaved Negroes at the foundry, one ninth of Northampton Furnace, a third of "Boreing Forest" and "Bosley's Delight". She also inherited three additional enslaved Negroes who were entailed to her children, after her death.[50] This practice of bequeathing enslaved people and entailing them to a succeeding generation guaranteed that families would be broken up.

In 1775 Achsah's daughter Prudence and husband Harry GOUGH converted to Methodism and left the Anglican church. Prudence and Harry were members of the first Methodist class in Baltimore. The family is mentioned in Francis Asbury's diary for its religious fervor and hospitality. Achsah may have joined, also; she was at least sympathetic. She left Frances ASBURY £30 in her will in 1785.

Achsah married thirdly Daniel CHAMIER, who had been appointed by trustees to settle all claims in Maryland against Charles Ridgely's estate. He was said to be a Tory merchant in Baltimore. But he is not listed in the standard study of Loyalists.[51]

Achsah died 12 March 1785.[52] In her will, dated 18 June 1785, Achsah left "all those lands lying in Baltimore County, called New Hibernia, and the resurvey thereon, called Jotham, devised to me by my husband Daniel" to her son John Robert Holliday. Her daughter Prudence GOUGH was left Achsah's gold watch, chains and seals, four silver goblets, and £500. Her daughter Elizabeth ONION got £1,000, "part of which is to build and furnish a dwelling house". Her son Charles Ridgeley CARNAN received "the house and lot in Baltimore Town with all the buildings thereon, subject to the payment of £500 to my grandson, Daniel Chamier Holliday" when he turned 21. The three younger children were to divide one ninth of her "land and stock of the Northampton Company". Significant monetary bequests were made to other grandchildren: John Holliday, Sophia Gough, Achsah Chamier Holliday, Sarah Brook Holliday, Christiana Sim Holliday, Eleanor Addison Holliday. Smaller amounts were left to niece Pleasance COLEMAN, and to Frances ASBURY, William GILL, John FANNING, Michael ELLIS, John KENNEDY, and Nicholas DORSEY. There was additional property she carefully apportioned among her children and a few other heirs: her husband's estate in Great Britain, a tract of 350 acres called "Contentment" in Ann Arundel County, and "all the rest of my estate in America". A codicil 8 August gave her horses and carriage and household furniture at Perry Hall to her "daughter Gough" and three men. Mourning suits were to be given to Pleasance COLEMAN, Hannah FEW, Elizabeth REFFEW, and Mary REFFEW. The will was proved 19 December 1785. The executors were her sons John R. Holliday and Charles R. CARNAN, and her son-in-law Harry Dorsey GOUGH. On 12 October 1786, "the executors appointed in the will being absent from the State, the Court at New York appointed Richard DALLON to administer the estate."[52a] I do not know how much of the estate was from her first husband, who wanted to entail it all to his son John Robert Holliday, and how much came from her second and third husbands.

After the death of Achsah's brother, Capt. Charles Ridgely, owner of "Hampton", it was discovered that Charles had owned land not included in his will. On 5 October 1791 his heirs filed a bill of complaint with the High Court of Chancery. Eventually it appears to have been granted, and the remainder of the estate was divided into four parts, for his siblings or their children: one quarter to Darby LUX, widower of Rachel; one quarter to the children of Achsah, now CHAMIER; one quarter to Pleasance's children; and one quarter to the children and grandchildren of John Ridgely. So Achsah's four children each received a fourth of a fourth, or one sixteenth of the undivided land. It amounted to something like £250 each, as near as I can calculate.[53]

Child of Robert and Achsah (Ridgely) Holliday:

  1. John Robert Holliday5, b. 1745/6; d. 1800; m. ca. 1778 Eleanor Addison Smith. He inherited from his grandfather, Charles Ridgely, all of "Northampton" not given to John Robert's uncle Charles, plus "Ridgely's Conclusion", �20, a mourning ring, gold watch, and Negroes.[54]

Children of John and Achsah (Ridgely) Holliday Carnan (may be incomplete):[55]

  1. Prudence Carnan, b. 16 Jan. 1755; d. 23 June 1822; m. 2 May 1771 Henry "Harry" Dorsey GOUGH (1745-1727/8), the only son of Thomas Gough (1703-1751) and Sophia (DORSEY) Gough (1707-1762), daughter of Caleb DORSEY (1685-1742) and Eleanor (Warfield) Dorsey, sister of our Mary (Warfield) Howard. Harry's father was Thomas Gough, so indebted by 1746 that he had to sell everything. Sophia later inherited the plantation on which the Goughs had lived from her brother Edward Dorsey (1718-1760). Prudence and Harry raised their orphaned nephew Harry Gough (1766-1807), son of William Gough (d. 1767). Harry Gough the younger m. Martha (Patty) ONION (1767-), beautiful daughter of Zacheus Barrett Onion, sister of Thomas Bond Onion who married Prudence's sister Elizabeth.[My thanks for this information from Trish Holford, e mail s12m/1 and 2/2014.] Harry was Anglican, converted to Methodism in 1775. Prudence and Harry were members of the first Methodist class in Baltimore. The family is mentioned in Francis Asbury's diary for its religious fervor and hospitality. Harry was a justice, elected to the Committee of Observation in 1774, served in the Lower House. His estate was inventoried at $107,289.75, with a final balance of only $39,180.62 after debts were paid. It included considerable real estate in Balt. Co. and Town.[56]They had one daughter, plus raised their nephew:
    a) Sophia Gough, b. 1772; d. 1816; m. James McCubbin, who changed his name to CARROLL, his mother's maiden name, in order to inherit property from his uncle Charles Carroll, "the Barrister".

  2. Charles Ridgely Carnan, portrait in the National Gallery of Art
  3. Charles Ridgely Carnan, aka Charles Carnan Ridgely, b. 6 Dec. 1760; d. 1829; m. 17 Oct. 1782 Priscilla DORSEY (1762-1814), youngest daughter of Caleb and Priscilla (HILL). Caleb's oldest daughter, Rebecca Dorsey (1739-1812) m. Capt. Charles Ridgely of Hampton, son of Charles and Rachel (Howard). Since they had no children, Capt. Charles Ridgely bequeathed "Hampton" to Charles Ridgely Carnan provided he changed his name to Charles Carnan Ridgely, which he did in 1790. Charles was a General and Governor (1815-1818) of Maryland.[57] This detail is from his portrait hanging in the National Gallery of Art; it is reproduced here from the National Park Service's brochure, "Hampton: Official Map and Guide".[58] There are 10 children of Charles and Priscilla listed in the IGI. The docent at "Hampton" said they actually had 13 children, 4/15/2004.
    a) Charles Ridgely, b. 26 Aug. 1783;
    b) Rebecca Dorsey Ridgely, b. 5 Feb. or Mar. 1785;
    c) Prudence Gough Ridgely, b. 6 Feb. 1788; d.y.?
    d) John Carnan Ridgely, b. 9 Jan. 1790;
    e) Prudence Gough Ridgely, b. 15 June 1791
    f) Priscilla Hill Ridgely, b. 17 Mar. 1796;
    g) Eliza Ridgely, 24 May 1797;
    h) David Latimer Ridgely, b. 19 Nov. 1798;
    i) Sophia Gough Ridgely, b. 3 July 1800; was bequeathed £500 by her grandmother Achsah (Ridgely) Holliday Carnan when Sophia came of age.
    j) Mary Pue Ridgely, b. 13 Feb. 1802;
  4. Elizabeth Carnan, m. Thomas Bond ONION. He was b. 1 Feb. 1762, the son of Zachaeus Barrett (1743-1781) and Hannah Bond (ca. 1739-1796). Zachaeus took his mother's surname, Onion, in order to inherit her brother Stephen Onion's iron works in 1754. In the 1800 census Thomas owned 16 enslaved humans. [My thanks to Trish Holford for the link to information about Thomas, as well as providing additional data. E mail 12m/2/2014.] Elizabeth inherited a Negro from her grandfather, given first to her mother Achsah, and entailed to descend to her after Achsah's death. She inherited £1,000 from her mother, "part of which is to build and furnish a dwelling house".

  5. Rebecca Carnan; presumably d.y. [My thanks to Charlotte Curlin, April 2008, for this daughter.]

To continue the story of this family, go to the Holliday page.




Nicotiana tabacum




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The Ridgelys and their colonial Maryland relatives and ancestors are described in The Southern Connection: Ancestors of Eleanor Addison Smith Holliday Price. It delves into the social system, economics, religion, and politics that developed in colonial Maryland. The white elite considered themselves the pinnacle of civilization, while their wealth and power were dependent upon a horrifically brutal, racist enslavement system. This hardback print-on-demand book provides the context for Achsah's colonial Maryland plantation elite ancestors. The book is available at lulu.com. Click on the title, then on "preview" to see the table of contents and a few sample pages. The price is the cost of printing and binding, plus shipping. I make nothing on it.

See some other colonial Maryland families that link one way or another with these Ridgelys: AddisonBaleBrookeBrowneDentDorseyEly,   HallHattonHollidayHowardIsaacMoltonNorwoodOwingsRandallSimSmithStoneTaskerWarfield.  and Wilkinson




Go to the index of other lines that are included in this website (not all of them have been posted yet).

Go to the Paxson home page.

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This page was posted 4/8/2004, and updated most recently on 2m/26/2015.



Notes and Sources


The full bibliographical citation is given the first time a source is mentioned, but is not repeated each time that source is cited. Scroll up til you find the first mention and there you will find the complete citation.

  1. Sharon J. Doliante, Maryland and Virginia Colonials: Genealogies of Some Colonial Families: Families of Bacon, Beall, Beasley, Cheney, Duckett, Dunbar, Ellyson, Elmore, Graves, Heydon, Howard, Jacob, Morris, Nuthall, Odell, Peerce, Reeder, Ridgley, Prather, Sprigg, Wesson, Williams, and Collateral Kin (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1991), 840ff.


  2. The Compendium of American Genealogy, 7:877; Harry Wright Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry: A Genealogical History of Some Early Families of Anne Arundel County, Maryland 3 vols. (Annapolis, Md.: published by the author, 1979), 3:92.




          2a. 1671 is given for both Robert and Martha in Filby and Meyer, eds., Passengers and Immigrant Lists Index, 1982 Supplement, 699, citing Gust Skordas, The Early Settlers of Maryland, 389. There is also a reference to Robert Ridgely in 1680, perhaps indicating his return from a trip back to England. There is no reference to the 1634 arrival in Peter Wilson Coldham, The Complete Book of Emigrants, 1607-1660 (Balt.: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1987).


          2b. E mail from Cora Baltzell Key Rubidoux, Feb. 2013.



  3. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:92; Peter Wilson Coldham, The Complete Book of Emigrants 4 vols. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1987).


  4. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:92; The Compendium of American Genealogy, 7:877.


          4a. Michal J. Rozbicki, Transformation of the English Cultural Ethos in Colonial America (Lanham, Md.: University Press of America, 1988), 44.


  5. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:92; Edward C. Papenfuse, Alan F. Day, David W. Jordan, and Gregory A. Stiverson, A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789 (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1979) 2 vols., 1:202.


  6. A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 1:202; Robert E. T. Pogue, Yesterday in Old St. Mary's County, 4th ed. (Bushwood, Md.: author, 1985), 140, 324-26.


  7. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:92.


  8. Hester Dorsey Richardson, Side-Lights on Maryland History with Sketches of Early Maryland Families, 2 vols. (Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins Company, 1913), 1:318; Gust Skordas, The Early Settlers of Maryland: An Index to Names of Immigrants Compiled from Records of Land Patents, 1633-1680, in the Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1968), 389, citing Liber. 14, fol. 441; Liber WC2, fol. 255, 340; Lib. 16, fol. 594; Lib. 20, fol. 269; Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:92-93.


  9. Jane Baldwin, comp. and ed., The Maryland Calendar of Wills 23 vols. (Baltimore: Kohn & Pollock, Publishers, 1904), 1:73, 176, 179.


  10. The Maryland Calendar of Wills, 1:102; Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:93; V. L. Skinner, Jr., comp., Abstracts of the Inventories and Accounts of the Prerogative Court of Maryland 23 Vols. (Westminster, MD: Family Line Publications, 1992), 2:59. See also, Donnell M. Owings, His Lordship's Patronage: Offices of Profit in Colonial Maryland (Baltimore, 1953).


          10a. Elizabeth Merritt, ed., Archives of Maryland, Vol. LXX, Proceedings of the Provincial Court of Maryland, 1681-1783. Court Series (Balt.: Maryland Historical Society, 1964), xiii.


  11. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:93; A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 2:846.


          11a. Rozbicki, Transformation of the English Cultural Ethos in Colonial America, 109. See also Raphael Semmes, Crime and Punishment in Early Maryland (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Press, 1938).


  12. Margaret K. Fresco, Marriages and Deaths St. Mary's County, Maryland, 1634-1900 (Ridge, Md.: Margaret K. Fresco, 1982), 253.


  13. A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 2:846.


  14. A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 2:846; Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:93, says the estate was appraised for �445.7.6. After the payment of debts it came to �276.13.5.


  15. A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 2:681. Fresco suggests they were married by 1682, Marriages and Deaths St. Mary's County, Maryland, 1634-1900, 253, and in 3m/1689, on p. 300-1. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:94.


  16. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:94.


  17. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:94.


  18. Fresco, Marriages and Deaths St. Mary's County, Maryland, 1634-1900, 449.


  19. Doliante, Maryland and Virginia Colonials, 879; Richardson, Side-Lights on Maryland History, 2:211-12; Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:94-5.


  20. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:94.


  21. Doliante, Maryland and Virginia Colonials, 879; for more on the Duvalls, see Richardson, Side-Lights on Maryland History, 2:24-97.


  22. Fresco, Marriages and Deaths St. Mary's County, Maryland, 449.


  23. Maxwell J. and Jean Muir Dorsey and Nannie Ball Nimmo, The Dorsey Family: Descendants of Edward Darcy-Dorsey of Virginia and Maryland For Five Generations and Allied Families (Baltimore: authors, 1947), 145, citing Maryland Archives; Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:95.


  24. Doliante, Maryland and Virginia Colonials, 866. Who is Capt. John Howard? Deborah Dorsey's brother's widow m(3) John Howard. Could this be the one? The Compendium of American Genealogy, 7:706. His will, as cited by Doliante, is in Prince George's Co. Inventories, Liber 3, fol. 703. See also Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:95; Dorsey, Dorsey, and Nimmo, The Dorsey Family, 145-46, citing Md. Arch., 26:574, 578, 591, 594; 27:24, 87, 100.


  25. Dorsey, Dorsey, and Nimmo, The Dorsey Family, 146.


  26. Dorsey, Dorsey, and Nimmo, The Dorsey Family, 147.


  27. The names of the children are given in Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:103-4. They were also sent to me by e mail, 2/2013, by Cora Baltzell Key Rubidoux. There seem to be some anamolies. I have not checked these myself, so recommend that any reader consider them as suggestions rather than as documented facts.

         27a. My thanks to Sue Gaither Vansant for bring this to my attention, e mail 2/22/2015. She cites Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, pp. 90 and 99 for Henry and Martha's marriage and their offspring.


  28. Dorsey, Dorsey, and Nimmo, The Dorsey Family, 147.


  29. Dorsey, Dorsey, and Nimmo, The Dorsey Family, 135, citing Baltimore County Wills, Liber. 14, fol. 26.


  30. A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 2:681; Dorsey, Dorsey, and Nimmo, The Dorsey Family, 147.


  31. Robert W. Barnes, comp., Baltimore County Families, 1659-1759 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 1989), 542; A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 2:682; Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:98, gives the dates for becoming a Major as 1751, and for Col. as 1757.


  32. Dorsey, Dorsey, and Nimmo, The Dorsey Family, 147, says he was justice of Baltimore Co. in 1741, 1747-51, as does Barnes, Baltimore County Families, 543. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:98, says he was justice from 1741 to 1753, and Justice of the Quorum from 1750. A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, which I assume is the most credible, says from 1743-53.


  33. Dorsey, Dorsey, and Nimmo, The Dorsey Family, 147, says he was in the House in 1757; Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:98, says he was there in 1752; A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789 says from 1751-54.


  34. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:95-96; Celia M. Holland, Old Homes and Families of Howard County, Maryland, with Consideration of Various Additional Points of Interest (Privately printed, 1987), 323; Barnes, Baltimore County Families, 542-43; A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 2:682, 683; Dorsey, Dorsey, and Nimmo, The Dorsey Family, 147, citing Md. Arch., 22:371. For background on the iron industry in colonial America, see John Bezís-Selfa, Forging America: Ironworkers, Adventurers, and the Industrial Revolution, Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2004.


  35. Bill and Martha Reamy, Records of St. Paul's Parish: The Anglican Church Records of Baltimore City and Lower Baltimore County, early 1700s through 1800 (Westminster, Md.: Family Line Publications, 1988), 1:153, 155. Apparently A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 2:682 has combined his appointments with those of Capt. Charles Ridgely (d. 1798).


  36. A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 2:682, which omits his second wife. His death is given as 1775 in The Compendium of American Genealogy, 7:706; Barnes, Baltimore County Families, 542-43; Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:98-99.


          36a. The names, but not the amounts for which they were assessed, are listed in Reamy and Reamy, comps., St Thomas Parish Registers: 1732-1850, 67.


  37. The Compendium of American Genealogy, 7:706; Dorsey, Dorsey, and Nimmo, The Dorsey Family, 148.


  38. A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 2:682-83; Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:100. The numbers offered by various sources do not add up neatly; they probably represent valuations taken at different times, and including differing items.


  39. IGI; Barnes, Baltimore County Families, 543; Dorsey, Dorsey, and Nimmo, The Dorsey Family, 148-49.


  40. For more on John, see Barnes, Baltimore County Families, 543.


  41. The Compendium of American Genealogy, 7:706, says he d. before 1772; A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 2:682-83 says he d. ca. 1755. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:100.


  42. Both dates are given in Robert Barnes, The Green Spring Valley: Its History and Heritage Vol. 2: Genealogies (Baltimore: Maryland Historical Society, 1978), 2:7.


  43. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:100; Richardson, Side-Lights on Maryland History, 2:213; Paul Wilstach, Tidewater Maryland (New York: Tudor Publishing Co., 1945, orig. pub. in 1931), 200-1; Annie Walker Burns, Abstract of Wills of Baltimore County, Maryland 9 vols. (Washington, D.C.: bound mimeograph copy, 1954), 4:70-71; Robert W. Barnes, Gleanings from Maryland Newspapers, 1776-1785 (Lutherville, Md.: Bettie Carothers, 1975), 49. There is a Peale portrait of Mary Sterret; I am not clear what her relationship is to John Sterret. Information from the docent at "Hampton, 4/15/2004.


  44. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:100; A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 2:555-56.


  45. Barnes, The Green Spring Valley, 2:7, give her b. as 1731, and both months for her d. in 1785. Charlotte Price Curlin gives her birth as 22 July 1729 and death 12 March 1785. Group sheets, sent April 2008. I don't know her source.


  46. Dorsey, Dorsey, and Nimmo, The Dorsey Family, 147; Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:100.


  47. Barnes, The Green Spring Valley, 2:7.


  48. A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 1:368.


  49. Francis B. Culver, "Priscilla of the Dorseys: A Century-Old Mystery", in Maryland Genealogies from the Maryland Historical Magazine: A Consolidation of Articles from the Maryland Historical Magazine, Indexed by Thomas L. Hollowick 2 vols. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1980), 1:406-409; Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:100. Charlotte P. Curlin lists the date of death as 1 June 1767, (letter and Group Sheet, April 2008).


  50. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:99.


  51. Barnes, The Green Spring Valley, 2:7; Sabine, Loyalists of the American Revolution.


  52. Barnes, Baltimore County Families, 333.


          52a. "Abstracts of Wills on File in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York", from Liber 39, page 296, in Collections ofThe New-York Historical Society for the Year 1905, Vol. 38 (1906), 74-76. The images is on google.books, http://books.google.com/books?id=rlIOAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA74&lpg=PA74&dq=%22John+Robert+Holliday%22&source=web&ots=LTRGuOHVVX&sig=0OCSiWgN7eKprPodkZNor-lFGTU&hl=en#PPA74,M1, seen 4m/5/2008. I am indebted to Adrean Clawson for bringing this to my attention.


  53. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:101-2.


  54. Newman, Anne Arundel Gentry, 3:99.


  55. Barnes, The Green Spring Valley, 2:17.


  56. A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 1:367-68.



  57. Culver, "Priscilla of the Dorseys", 1:406-9.



  58. A drawing of the portrait is in Doliante, Maryland and Virginia Colonials, 838.


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If you have additions or corrections to this web page, I would be delighted to hear from you. Contact me via e mail at .





Nicotiana tabacum

The noxious weed:

one source of wealth for the Ridgely family
and justification for the "necessity" to enslave fellow human beings;
the Ridgelys also profited from the slave trade, real estate speculation,
and ironmaking.