Archive of 62 Manuscript Documents from the Estate of 19th-Century Talbot County, Maryland Native, Doctor, Gentleman Farmer - Samuel Harrison
Easton, Md: 1767-1935. Very Good. Item #18220
An incredible 62-Document archive boasting names and signatures from a who's-who of Eastern Shore of Maryland Founding Families, such as Harrison, Tilghman, Goldsborough, Denny, Hollyday, Hambleton, and more.
These documents once belonged to Talbot County Gentleman farmer, Doctor, civic leader, and historian Samuel Harrison (1822-1890), and likely later his son-in-law, Oswald Tilghman, who controlled Harrison's papers after his death in 1890.
These documents are largely financial in nature and include bills of payments, ledger pages, balance sheets and the like. One is a 13-page deed of trust regarding the sale of Woodstock Plantation, near St. Michaels, in Talbot County.
The earliest document is a 1767 pre-Revolutionary War featuring the signature of James Tilghman, a prominent lawyer and public servant in both Annapolis, Maryland, and then Philadelphia, to one Thomas Rugglao "to pay the publick allowances in the Province of Maryland."
"At the outbreak of the American Revolution, Tilghman at first favored compromise between England and the colonies; while he called for a repeal of the Intolerable Acts, which was so abhorred by colonists, he at the same time denounced the Boston Tea Party. He was regarded, however, as a Loyalist and was placed under arrest by Pennsylvania state authorities until 1778."
There is one Revolutionary War-era document, written from Fort William (Scotland?) for payment to Richard Tilghman of 81 pounds, 12 shillings.
The vast majority of documents are from the 19th century and cover a myriad of financial accommodations among many prominent Talbot County family names during that time in Eastern Shore history.
Also included is a 1935 unopened envelope, with contents still inside, featuring the signature of former Maryland Governor, Phillips Lee Goldsborough, as well as letterhead from the influential Baltimore brokerage firm of J. Harmanus Fisher.
This historic archive offers a fascinating glimpse into life in Easton and Talbot County during the years before and after the American Civil War. #1M-036.
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