Charles Carroll of Carrollton holds two distinctions in history. He was the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence, and he was the last of the signers to die, in late 1832. He also happened to be one of the wealthiest men in his native Maryland, if not the wealthiest outright. At the time of his death, he owned over two hundred slaves just on his Doughoregan Manor plantation in Anne Arundel (now Howard) County, Maryland. He also owned land and property in several other counties within Maryland, as well as across the state of Pennsylvania, and in Tioga and Steuben counties, New York.Carroll’s will was dated 2 September 1825, with Codicils dated 5 February 1827, 5 January 1830, and 18 November 1831. A typescript copy of the will and codicils spans thirty-seven pages! In this will and its codicils, he makes several bequests regarding his slaves:
“I give to my Grandson Charles Carroll all the Slaves and other personal property which at the time of my death shall be on the Farm called the Folly (which is part of my Manor)....”
“I also give and bequeath to the said John Mc Tavish, Lewis Neth, and Richard S. Steuart and the survivor of them and the Executors and Administrators of such survivor, the following slaves, that is to say, Luke, William, Richard, Dennis Carpenter, William, Robert, James, Old Henny and her grandchildren, Polly and her daughter, Sarah, and Katy and her children, Peggy and her children, and Nelly and her children, which said slaves now reside and are employed at the house of Richard Caton in the City of Baltimore, or at the farm called Brookland Wood, near the City of Baltimore, also all the children and descendants of the above mentioned female slaves....”
“I give and bequeath to my Grand-daughter Emily McTavish the following Negroes that is to say, Nancy (Gardener Harry’s daughter) and her children, and Basil her husband—also Rachel Hart and her children and increase, William, (Charlotte’s son,) Adolphus, (Beale’s son,) Susan, (Titia’s daughter,) and Julie, (Milley’s daughter,) and also all the children of the abovementioned female slaves which may be born after the date of this Codicil and before my death.” [Codicil of 5 Feb 1827]
“I give to my four Grand-daughters, Mary, (Marchioness of Wellesley) Elizabeth Caton, Louisa, (Lady Hervey) and Emily McTavish to be equally divided between them as Tenants in Common the following Slaves, some of whom at the date of this my Codicil are learning the several Trades annexed to their Names, that is to say, Paul, (Beal’s son) Blacksmith; James, (Harry’s son) Ploughmaker; William, (Toney’s son) Stone Mason; Sally (Charles’s daughter) at Gibbon’s; Moses, (Joe’s son) Wheelright; Robert, a Shoemaker; Kitty, (Ben’s daughter) at this time at the Farm called Brookland Wood, and Ellen, (Harry Hart’s daughter) who is also at Brookland.” [Codicil of 5 Feb 1827][1]
Carroll’s estate inventory is itself rather rare for its time. In it, each of his slaves was identified in family groups by both their given name and surname, with relationships stated! While this occurred slightly more often in later inventories just prior to the abolition of slavery in 1864, in 1833, when Carroll’s inventory was appraised, this was almost unheard of. Several pages from this estate inventory have been included in the slideshow below.[2]
[1] Special Collections (Charles Carroll of Carrollton Family Papers Collection) Charles Carroll of Carrollton will, typescript, item no. 6864, MSA SC 3498, microfilm no. M 4227; Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, Maryland.
[2] Special Collections (Charles Carroll of Carrollton Family Papers Collection) Charles Carroll of Carrollton estate inventory, 1 Apr 1833, item no. 6864, MSA SC 3498, microfilm no. M 4227; Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, Maryland.
Comments
Contrast this to when American Revolutionary War patriot Gen. Lafayette returned to the United States. At Richmond Virginia the General greeted his namesake; a former slave and patriot spy, James Armistead Lafayette.
The Virginia general assembly had purchased the then honored slave's freedom; and by special private legislation, the U.S. Congress awarded the manumitted slave his well earned pension.
It's petty, a pity, and not pretty; that even today the famed Richmond Boulevard of Statues has none yet, commemorating that historic last meeting of the two Messrs. Lafayette; one French, one American, both admirers of the other: both Patriots.
James Armistead Lafayette was buried in the Richmond's African Cemetery. Alas, I've not visited his grave; is it marked? If not, as a veteran, he is entitled to either a tombstone or memorial stone, as appropriate. If neither,is nothing: more appropriate?
I believe the CIA at least, has honored, and not forgotten this Virginian.
He was quite fascinating. You wonder if he personally had relationships or knew some of these slaves (some of the will sounds rather intimate) or if he was just a diligent keeper of his farm like Jefferson. That's who he reminds me of. And I have never seen a 37 page will & codicils! Wow.
It is amazing! And the fact that this was my great great great great great uncle! Very cool to know!
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