Leonard Calvert (ca. 1606-1647)
MSA SC 3520-198
Biography:
Leonard Calvert, Maryland's first colonial governor, was born in England circa 1606. His father, Sir George Calvert, received the title, Baron of Baltimore, from King James I of England, and thus became the First Lord Baltimore in February, 1625. When George died on April 15, 1632, Leonard's brother, Cecilius Calvert, succeeded to the title Second Lord Baltimore. Cecilius was granted the Charter of Maryland on June 20, 1632 by King Charles I of England. In 1633, Leonard sailed to Maryland with the first two ships of immigrants, and he became the colony's first governor. He served until his death on June 11, 1647.
Biography:
Born: ca. 1606 in England; second son.
Died: On 10 June 1647, Margaret Brent informed the Council that "the late governor, Leonard Calvert . . . "
lying upon his death bed, did by word of mouth on the ninth of this month, appoint Thomas Greene Esq. governor of the
province." [AOM,3:187] Thus Leonard Calvert died on either June 9th or June 10th.
Immigrated: 1633/34 as a free adult.
Resided: St. Mary's County.
Family Background:
Father: Sir
George Calvert, 1st Lord Baltimore (1578/79- 1632).
Mother: Anne (1579-1622), daughter of George Mynne.
Brothers: Cecilius
Calvert, 2nd Lord Baltimore (1605-1675); George
(1613-1634); Francis; Henry; and John (1618-1618/19).
Half Brother: Philip
Calvert (1626-1682).
Sisters: Anne; Dorothy; Elizabeth; Grace (1614-?); and Helen
(1615-1655).
Married: possibly Anne Brent.
Children:
Son: William
Calvert (ca. 1642/43-1682), who married in 1661/62, Elizabeth,
daughter of William
Stone (ca. 1603-ca. 1659/60).
Daughter: Anne (1644-ca. 1714), who married first in 1664, Baker
Brooke (1628- 1678/79), second, ca. 1680, Henry
Brent (?-1693), and third, Richard Marsham (?-1713).
Private Career:
Education: Literate, probably had considerable schooling.
Religious Affiliation: Catholic.
Social Status and Activities: Sailed to Maryland as governor
with the first two ships of immigrants, 1633; returned to England in 1641/42
and 1643/44, during which time he fathered his two children, who were probably
illegitimate.
Occupational Profile: Placeman; planter; engaged in some trade
with the Indians.
Public Career:
Provincial Offices: Governor, 1633-1647.
Out of Colony Service: Prothonotary and keeper of writs in Connaught
and Thomond, Ireland, 1621.
Stands on Public/Private Issues: Calvert had a very difficult
task in the initial years of settlement of steering a middle ground between
the demands of various groups in colony, especially the Jesuits, and his
responsibilities as chief executive officer for his brother; he was generally
more lenient to special interest groups in Maryland than his brother wished.
Wealth During Lifetime:
Land at First Election: 3,000 acres in 1634.
Wealth At Death:
Land: Patents or certificates for ca. 9,000 acres.
Executrix: Margaret
Brent.
Return
to Leonard Calvert's Introductory Page
|
Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!
|