William H. Marriott (1790-1851)
MSA SC 3520-1588
Biography:
Born William Hammond Marriott, circa 1790. Son of Richard Davis and Sarah (Hammond) Marriott. Attended St. John's College, Class of 1810. Married Jane McKim. Children: John McKim, Richard McKim, Telfair/Telbair, William H. (d. 12/5/1830), Emily Grace, Margaret McKim, and William H. Died May 13, 1851. Possibly buried at Green Mount Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland.
William H. Marriott began his service in the the House of Delegates in 1810, as a representive from Anne Arundel County. His service continued the following year, when he served on the Grievances and Courts of Justice Committee. Although he continued to serve in the House during both regular and special sessions between 1812 and 1813, the War of 1812 diverted his attention away from his legislative duties.
During the War, Marriott served as Brigade Major and Inspector for the 8th Brigade of the Maryland Militia, formed of infantry regiments from Anne Arundel and Calvert Counties. He was commissioned on February 25, 1812, accepting the commission in a July 11, 1812, letter to the Governor and Council. On January 7, 1820, he was commissioned Brigadier General of the 8th Brigade, a position he resigned by October 15, 1827.
William Marriott returned to the House of Delegates in 1818, and remained there through 1822. His committee service included Grievances and Courts of Justice, Elections and Privileges, and Laws to Expire. He also served on special committees to examine and report on the situation of the furniture in Government House and provide for any necessary funds, and to study the condition of public buildings. He was re-elected to the House in 1824. Marriott served as Speaker of the House during the 1822 and 1824 regular sessions. In 1826, Marriott was elected to represent the Western Shore in the Maryland Senate. During that session he served as Senate President Pro Tem, and on the Pensions and Revolutionary Claims, Invalid Deeds, Engrossed Bills, and State Library committees. Marriott was elected President of the Senate in 1827, a position he held through the 1830 session. Other offices William Marriott held included Senate Elector for Anne Arundel County in 1826, commissioner for receiving subscriptions for the Annapolis Potomac Canal, appointed June 3, 1836, and Collector of the Port of Baltimore in 1844. He is also noted as having once been a candidate for Mayor of Baltimore.
After his state service, William Marriott remained socially and politically active. On September 15, 1841, Marriott served as secretary for a meeting of the slave holders of Anne Arundel County. Among the resolutions passed at that meeting, was a call for a convention in Annapolis "of the persons favorable to the protection of slave-holding interests in the state."1 The Slave-holders' Convention assembled in Annapolis from January 12-14, 1842. The convention recommended numerous measures to the Maryland Legislature, many of which became law, tightening the bonds of slavery and increasing restrictions for free blacks While part of the group of Anne Arundel County slave holders who called the convention, it does not appear that Marriott attended.
1. J. Thomas Scharf. History of Maryland from the Earliest Period to the Present Day. Volume III (Hatboro, PA: Tradition Press, 1967), 325.
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