MARYLAND CONNECTION Part 2 (My 7th Great-grandparents)

 

MARYLAND CONNECTION

My oldest granddaughter recently started attending Notre Dame University of Maryland in Baltimore. Most of our family research has centered around Missouri and parts south, but just before my sister Sula passed she found the proof of the missing link in the Richard family. That of Edward Richards (1678-1755). He came from England and lived in Baltimore for a time.

John Richards

Mary Kidder                       Edward Richards              

William Head                                                                      Benjamin Richards

Ann Bigger                          Mary Head

 

Charles Merryman Sr

Mary Haile                          Charles Merryman Jr     

Thomas Long                                                                     Ann Merryman

Jane Peake                                         Jane Long           

 

7^th Great-grandparents

Edward Richards

BIRTH: 10 Apr 1678, Lancashire, England

DEATH: 22 Sep 1755 (aged 77), Hampstead, Carroll County, Maryland, USA

BURIAL: Richards Family Burial Ground, Carroll County, Maryland, USA

ENGLAND

• Edward's parents are not known to me. I found a Richard and Hester Richards of Manchester, Lancashire England whose names are noted in an English baptismal record with a son, Edward Richards, baptized in the year 1684. This family is a possible connection, but as yet unconfirmed.  (per Harold Richards)

EMIGRATION

• Edward is found first in the new world living in the Chesapeake Bay area in Maryland. I do not know the date of his arrival. His first-born son Benjamin was birthed in 1710 and recorded in St. Paul's Parish of Baltimore County MD. Edward and wife Mary Head, born in Calvert County MD must have been married prior to 1710.
• Edward was a carpenter by trade, and a Christian by faith and motivation.

LAND IN DORCHESTER

• Edward, on 2nd of August 1720, ordered the survey of 100 acres in Dorchester County Maryland, a tract named "Downs". It was patented on September 10th 1724.
• On the 5th of July of 1729 Edward sold his 100 acres, "Downs", in Dorchester Maryland [east of Chesapeake Bay] to Francis Sherwood who lived in Talbot County Maryland [just north of Dorchester]. Edward and Mary were no doubt living in Dorchester at the time, and were preparing to relocate.

QUAKER BOTTOM

• Edward Richards had 100 acres surveyed 28 August 1729 that he named "Spring Garden", and patented July 18 1730. The land lay in an unsettled area 25 miles north west of Baltimore.
• In 1729 Edward & family [all his children except the last had been born] removed about 120 miles north west to a place called "Quaker Bottom" [it lay in present-day Cockeysville] above the town of Baltimore. There, a group of Quaker Friends [a Christian sect] were already worshiping together and became the original Gunpowder Meeting.
• Edward & family must have stayed at the Gunpowder Meeting through 1738.
• "The congregation was given permission [by the overseeing committee] to form a monthly meeting in 1739."
• Quoted from Maryland Historical Trust.
• [this location less than 14 miles north of present-day Baltimore on I-83.]

NEW BEGINNINGS

• In 1737, his son Benjamin purchased 50 acre tract called "Spring Garden". Around 1739 Edward and first-born son Benjamin moved their families onto "Spring Garden" and "Rattlesnake Ridge" [Edward had it surveyed July 18, 1738], and formed a Quaker meeting there [8.3 miles north west of present-day town of Butler]. Those tracts grew from an uninhabited area into first a village used as a wagon stop named "Spring Garden", and then later Hampstead MD. It lies about 25 miles north west of Baltimore, and about 52 miles north west of Washington, D.C.
• [I'm indebted to Arthur C. Tracey, Hampstead MD historian and land tract researcher.]
• "The first settlers in the area [of Hampstead] were of English descent and derived the town's name from the Richards family in England. Edward Richards is generally regarded as the first white man to have settled the area on 50 acres known as 'Rattlesnake Ridge'. Settlers of Scottish and German descent soon followed.
• The earliest tracts of land patented in the region were 'Spring Garden' in 1730, 'Rattlesnake Ridge' in 1739, and 'Wee Bit' in 1739." [Joan Prall: "Hampstead: Its Heart and History"]

BURIAL GROUND RESURRECTED

• The following article appeared in the Baltimore Sun on April 16, 2004:
• "Several decades ago, the Richards family burying ground located on Rattlesnake Ridge was overgrown and practically inaccessible. Development of the area helped bring about the restoration of the cemetery that dates back to the 1750s and the final resting place of Edward Richards, whose family founded the town of Hampstead, and Henry Bussard, the founder of Mount Airy."
• In April 2004, the burial ground was rededicated in a ceremony attended by the Mayor of Hampstead and several descendants of the Richards' family."

FAMILY

Edward and Mary had these children:

1. Benjamin [1710] +Ann Merryman

2. Matthew [1711] +Maria Corem Carmack

3. Ann [1717] +? Morgain

4. Sarah [1719] +? Phippen

5. Daniel [1719] +Catherine Carmack

6. Elizabeth [1721] +? Simons

7. Rachael Sue [1723] +? Sice

8. Patience [1724] +Thomas Story

9. Richard [1725] +Sarah Hooker

10. Lydia [1727] +William Winchester

11. Stephen [1728] +Mary Elizabeth Carmack

12. Mary [1732] +Christopher Vaughn

FOUNDERS

• Edward's children were instrumental in settling and beginning towns nearby. Richard founded the town of Manchester MD. Lydia married William Winchester, who founded Westminster MD. Mary wedded Christopher Vaughn, who was credited with laying out and platting the ground which became Hampstead [which Edward and son Benjamin first settled].

HIS BOOK, THE HOLY BIBLE

• Edward's personal Bible survives. It is kept in trust at the Carroll County Historical Society in Westminster MD. It was professionally photographed in 1978 at the direction of Descan Harley Richards [1900] OH/IN, who had the Bible at that time, for preservation. I have photo-copies of the pages of the Bible on which personal notes/records were written. The Bible was printed in 1670.
• In his Bible, Edward wrote this: "His book. I pray for grace therein to look, and in looking may increase that grace as never with me may cease."
• To that I can only say "Amen." HGR---a grateful descendant.

(Thank you Harold G. Richards for this research)

 

Mary Head Richards

BIRTH: 1 Feb 1690, Calvert County, Maryland, USA

DEATH: 20 Jan 1785 (aged 94), Hampstead, Carroll County, Maryland, USA

BURIAL: Richards Family Burial Ground, Carroll County, Maryland, USA

• Mary was born in Calvert County MD of parents unknown to me at this time. She married Edward Richards [1678-1755] of Manchester, Lancashire England before 1710. Edward had come to the new world and ported in Chesapeake Bay. Their first-born son, Benjamin; was born in Maryland in 1710.

Edward and Mary had these children:

1. Benjamin [1710] +Ann Merryman

2. Matthew [1711-27 Nov 1751] + Maria Corem Carmack

3. Ann [1717] +? Morgain

4. Sarah [1719] +? Phippen

5. Daniel [1719-31 Oct 1787] +Catherine Carmack

6. Elizabeth [1721] +? Simons

7. Rachael Sue [1723] +? Sice

8. Patience [1724] +Thomas Story

9. Richard [1725] +Sarah Hooker 14 July 1754

10. Lydia [1727] +William Winchester

11. Stephen [1728] +Mary Elizabeth Carmack

12. Mary [1732] +Richard Vaughn

• After living in Dorcester County until 1729, the family moved to join a forming Gunpowder Quaker Meeting about 15 miles north west of Baltimore. In 1739, Edward moved his family 13 miles further north west to land he had purchased. There they began a Quaker Meeting and settled for good.
• First-born son Benjamin took his family and moved to Virginia in 1750. Mary lost her son Matthew to an early death in 1751, then her husband Edward succumbed in 1755.
• Mary lived on thirty years after Edward had died. He had made provision for her in his will, and was no doubt looked after by her married sons and daughters who lived nearby.

(Thank you Harold G. Richards for this research)

 

Charles Merryman Jr.

BIRTH: 1680, Lancaster County, Virginia, USA

DEATH: 17 May 1722 (aged 41–42), Baltimore County, Maryland, USA

BURIAL: Old Saint Pauls Cemetery, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland, USA

• Charles was the husband of Jane (Long) Merryman 1675-1739
• He was ths son of Capt. Charles Merryman, Sr. and Mary (Haile) Merryman
• Will dated Dec 25, 1720. Estate probated June 23, 1722 Baltimore Co., Maryland

(Thank you Harold G. Richards for this research)

Jane Long Merryman

BIRTH:

DEATH:

BURIAL:

Copyright Roy Richard

A DOLLAR BILL by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

This dollar bill – It ain’t the same – that you gave me today –

But yet it does resemble it – in several different ways.

I’ll keep the other and the note – to read in future days –

But you helped me with the levy book – and that I can’t repay.

So except that tabulation as a favor – Owed to you –

And take this back and spend it – and do it pdq!!!

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

Written for Rhee Coleman. She sent me a note with the dollar. It read: It’s worn and shabbily but negotiable – and that’s what counts. Keep this. This was a contract between us – and I simply wouldn’t have asked you to do the job without reimbursement.

 

Copyright Roy Richard

THE OLD TIME SATURDAY NIGHT by Katherine Carey-Place 1878-1934

 

On Saturday night at our house,

                We hurry through our tea,

It isn’t now the quiet meal that once it used to be.

                The family never gather round the fireside blazing bright,

Like once they did some years ago, on every Saturday night.

 

My sister Sue is all tagged out right in her Sunday best,

                And Ma she hurries through the meal to get us kiddies dressed,

And we are told to hustle if we intend to go,

                And be on time at seven sharp, for Haskins Movie Show,

 

At last the house is quiet and Ma says, “Well they’re away.”

                Then she sighs and looks quite pensive, says, “It’s been a weary day?”

Pa saunters round the room a spell and then he says quite low,

                “Well, what we goin’ to do tonight, take in a movie show?”

 

Ma’s face is wreathed in smiles and she hurries to get dressed,

                Says, “She won’t be a minute,” and she hurries the rest.

It takes some cash, I’ll tell the world, to keep us on the go,

                For Saturday night there’s ten of us at Haskins Movie Show.

 

Well Saturday night it seems to me is different as can be.

                Once neighbors called to spend the eve directly after tea.

They played some dominos or chess, relaxed from work and care,

                But now they never call at all, because no one is there.

 

Pa says, "He thinks Jim Haskins must be a millionaire”,

                For every time our family go, most half the town is there.

I wish we had a home once more with cheery fires bright,

                And neighbors dropping to chat, with us on Saturday night.

 

Katherine Carey-Place 1878-1934

January 21, 1928

 

Copyright Roy Richard

MARYLAND CONNECTION Part 1 (My 8th Great-grandparents)

 

My oldest granddaughter recently started attending Notre Dame University of Maryland in Baltimore. Most of our family research has centered around Missouri and parts south, but just before my sister Sula passed she found the proof of the missing link in the Richard family. That of Edward Richards (1678-1755). He came from England and lived in Baltimore for a time.

John Richards

Mary Kidder                       Edward Richards              

William Head                                                                      Benjamin Richards

Ann Bigger                          Mary Head

 

Charles Merryman Sr

Mary Haile                          Charles Merryman Jr     

Thomas Long                                                                     Ann Merryman

Jane Peake                          Jane Long           

               

MARYLAND CONNECTION - 8^th Great-grandparents

John Richards

BORN: 1650, Manchester, Lancashire, England

DEATH:

BURIAL:

Mary Kidder Richards

BORN: 1650, Lancashire, England

DEATH:

BURIAL:

 

William Head II

BORN: 1660, Calvert, Maryland, USA

DEATH: 14 Jun 1718, Maryland, USA

BURIAL:

Ann Bigger Head

BORN: 1676, Calvert, Maryland, USA

DEATH: 1721, Prince George's, Maryland, USA

BURIAL:

 

Capt Charles Merryman Sr.

BIRTH: 1655, Lancaster County, Virginia, USA

DEATH: 22 Dec 1724 (aged 68–69), Baltimore County, Maryland, USA

BURIAL: Old Saint Pauls Cemetery, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland, USA

• Charles was the husband of Mary Haile Merryman 1659-1709
• Also husband of Mary Matson
• Daughter Elizabeth Merryman born abt 1702
• He was the son of John Merryman and Audrey Merryman
• He was Captain of the Militia in 1696 (Ref: Maryland archives, vol 30, page 544)
• Will of Charles Merryman
• 16 Jan 1724 Probated 14 Jan 1725
• Baltimore Co. MD
• SLC Family History Microfilm 0012847 Probate Records of MD Vol 17-18 1721-1726

(Find A Grave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29969022/charles-merryman)

Mary Haile Merryman

BIRTH: 1652, York, Virginina

DEATH: 12-22-1709, Baltimore, Maryland

BURIAL:

 

Thomas Long

BORN: 1654, London, England

DEATH: Sept. 1691, Baltimore, Maryland

BURIAL:

 

Jane Peake Long

BIRTH:

DEATH:

BURIAL:

 

Copyright Roy Richard

25 YEARS by Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

 

The hotdogs we’ve served, we’d oft’ like know –

If put end to end, just how far they would go.

And the hamburgers we’ve fixed, you’ve consumed near and far –

If stacked on each other would reach for the stars.

Take the chili and the soup we’ve prepared with such ease –

If all poured together ‘twould make quite a sea.

If we’d then add the drinks, we have a good notion –

That sea would quickly become an ocean.

For twenty-five years, this had been our line.

Hasn’t all been easy and sublime.

If we sometimes seem grumpy, well you might too –

If, every day, you did what we do.

We fret if the cows were milked too late –

That one of customers had to wait.

And if our buns aren’t up to par –

Well, we’re not happy unless you are.

We’ve watched the neighborhood kids grow up –

We oft’ have time to sit and “sup”.

We spend many hours with “youth” every day –

While the mirror says ours is fading away.

But the age that is written across our face –

Are lines of expression, you’d know anyplace.

For the unlined brow and the uncrinkled eye –

Have let the joys of life slip by.

They haven’t laughed or shed the tears –

That show you’ve really lived your years.

So, Cheers to all our business crowd!

To all you marvelous kids, so loud!

You’ve made our days, you’ve fashioned our lives.

“Our Thanks” to you “all” – we’ve done ALRIGHT.

 

Gaylia Kenslow – Stogsdill

Written for Ralph and Judy Diamond on the 25^th anniversary of their restaurant, West Side Coney Island.

 

Copyright Roy Richard

LIFE’S COPY BOOK by Katherine Carey-Place 1878-1934

 

God gives us all a copy book,

                        At the dawn of every day,

A brand new page unsoiled and white,

                        To copy as we may.

At the top in His handwriting,

                        There’s a message we may see,

Of beauty and perfection,

                        That He wills for you and me.

 

Then let us strive with wisdom,

                        To read His message right,

To keep each page unsoiled and clean,

                        With honor, love and might,

Let us try to copy neatly,

                        Without haste, or waste, or blot,

And cheerfully go forward,

                        Contented with our lot.

 

When the days are long and weary,

                        And our burdens hard to bear,

Just remember there are thousands,

                        Who are striving everywhere,

To copy neat and accurate.

                        Pages full of heavenly cheer,

And scatter loving words and deeds,

                        The while they journey here.

 

And when the Master takes the book,

                        We do not need to say.

That hours have been wasted,

                        Nor yet too full a day.

For he will know before He looks,

                        Each task we’ve left undone,

And He will give us credit too,

                        For every honor won.

 

We need not to excuse our faults,

                        Nor tell of pain or woe,

For every trouble He has shared,

                        Each effort He will know.

Just say, Dear Lord, I did my best,

                        And weary were the tasks,

Tomorrow I will try again,

                        It’s all the Master asks.

 

Make every day a better day,

                        Good will to all you meet,

And lend a helping hand to him,

                        Who finds the hills too steep.

Just keep Life’s Copy Book unsoiled,

                        Each line therein will tell,

If we have labored all in vain,

                        If we have kept it well.

 

Katherine Carey-Place 1878-1934

 

Copyright Roy Richard

Banned Books by Roy Richard

August 2022

I would like to begin with a quote by the award winning Sherman Alexie, a Native American novelist, short story writer, poet, screenwriter, and filmmaker:

 “I believe in any kid’s ability to read any book and form their own judgments. It’s the job of a parent to guide his/her child through the reading of every book imaginable. Censorship of any form punishes curiosity.”

When we first send our children off to school to begin that natural journey of learning, most of us feel a tug in our hearts that is a desire to protect them from all dangers. We worry about the chain of events that will bring them from the kindergarten class to the stage at graduation. Each year as they advance through the education system many of the fears are no longer thought of. They mature, grow, blossom if you will, into their identities. Learn lessons about not only higher learning but abut life. After all the goal, is it not, to see that nervous child boarding the bus, turn into an adult, ready to face the world?

What we learn through these experiences is that we cannot control every aspect of their lives. They are going to fall and skin their knees. Have their hearts broken by first loves. Feel left out by the group. Stay up too late. In other words they are going to live their life. And living that life means facing each day and coping with any issues that arise.

If we take away their ability to form their own judgments about what they encounter in life we leave them unprepared for survival in the world.

I am blessed in that I have three amazing and extraordinary granddaughters. The oldest, a partial product of Davison Schools recently left for college. When she was around eleven years old, she began to take part in adult conversations at the dinner table. She freely expressed her views and opinions on many of the topics that came up. Politics? She had a view! Various forms of government? She had an opinion! Music from my generation? She seemed to know it! Equality? Unions? Genders? She could, as time progressed speak on these all!

At first I thought it was cute and that obviously someone else was putting their beliefs on her. Amazingly though as I begin to take her statements seriously and listen to her voice, I came to realize that she was researching these topics and making her own decisions! You see her Father and Mother did not necessarily censor her curiosity. If a topic interested her, she had free rein to look at the facts, ALL the facts from every available angle. If the data she had gleaned needed clarifying, she had the support of her parents, her grandparents and her teachers to help find that clarity. From all this she would make an informed choice and only would then begin to share her opinions and beliefs.

When I heard of the recent decision of the Davison School Board to ban additional books, I spoke out on Social Media about how wrong it was.  Some of my friends sent me excerpts from the texts to try and persuade me into agreeing with this decisions and I must admit that at first I began to wonder if maybe the correct decision had been made. So I made the next logical decision and that was to obtain the books and read them myself.

To date I have read four of the titles and cannot for the life of me understand why they come under attack. Yes the one is very graphic and from it is the small samples that I was sent. But when you read it in its context it fits and adds to the literature.

Taking away from our children, our young adults an opportunity to find answers to their inquires is nothing but abominable. You are handicapping a generation of young minds; Minds that we hope will run this country one day. When a parent asks a board to do such a thing, they are all but admitting that they cannot parent their children and are looking for someone else to do it. In addition the greater injustice of these circumstances is that your actions are not only depriving one mind of answers but many minds.

In closing I would leave you with the words of the American writer Judy Blume “Having the freedom to read and the freedom to choose is one of the best gifts my parents ever gave me.”

Thank You

Roy Richard

Copyright Roy Richard