Perry H. Landon (b. circa 1842 - d. 1927)
MSA SC 3520-4762
USCT Soldier, Kent County, Maryland
Biography:
Note: These are excerpts from the biographies on Perry H. Landon's life. Two extensive biographies written by Washington College students are accessible on this page. Please consult the attached essays for a more complete and descriptive case study.
Perry H. Landon was born around 1842 in Kent County, Maryland, a slave for life.1 Landon would spend the first 22 years of his life as the property of slave owner named James B. Ricuad.2 James Ricaud was a prominent resident of the Eastern Shore, a graduate of Washington College.3 Ricaud was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from Kent County, also in 1836 he was a member of the Maryland State Senate and in 1864 was a presidential elector.4 Moreover, from 1855-59 he was the Associate Judge for the 7th Judicial District.5
Perry H. Landon enlisted into the 7th U.S. Colored Troops on September 23, 1863, in order to do so his master James Ricaud was paid $100, at the end of his service Landon would be free.6 Formed in Baltimore Maryland, the 7th U.S.C.T. would see constant action until the end of the war. The 7th would play a vital role in numerous battles as a part of the final push to capture Richmond and Petersburg, and eventually capture Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.7 Perry Landon lost his right arm at the Battle of New Market Heights, a deadly battle, which resulted in the Union capture of Richmond.8 After being totally disabled by the bullet wound at Fort Harrison and subsequently having his whole left forearm amputated, Perry Landon was discharged from military service on May 4, 1865.9
Four days after his discharge, Perry Landon filed a claim for his pension. On May 8th, 1865, Landon and another man by the name of Charles Alexander signed the pension claim form together and sent it to Samuel M. Evans, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Baltimore County.10 Charles Alexander may have been Landon’s brother, as the name Aleksandr Landon also appears underneath Perry Landon’s name in the Kent County Commission of Slave Statistics, 1867-1868.11
Perry Landon’s first wife was named Sallie Ballard, who died in the spring of 1869 in Chestertown, Maryland.12 His second wife’s name was Henrietta Wright.13 After the war, Perry Landon even had five children, William H. Landon, born Jan 23, 1876, Theodore A. Landon, born January 16, 1878, Annie C. Landon, born October 6, 1880, Arthur G. Landon, born August 31,1885, and Henrietta Landon, born June 15, 1889.14 Landon was receiving $24 per month on March 3, 1883, and by the time of his death he was receiving $80 per month, which shows the increase in political power that Civil war veterans possessed.15
During his life, Perry Landon was a very historically significant member of the fight for freedom. Not only because of his service in the military, but also because of his service in the Grand Army of the Republic. Between 1890 and 1927, Perry Landon was the most active post commander of the G.A.R. Other members of the Sumner Post in Chestertown included Henry Worrell, William Wesley Broadway, and Oscar Crozier.
Perry Landon died on May 11, 1927 at 6:30 in the morning.16 In his will, Perry Landon decreed that all of his personal belongings and property will be given to his five children, and after they die, to his grandchildren.17 The one caveat of Landon’s will is that he asks his children to spend some of his old money on a suitable tombstone. Not until he has been properly buried and given a decent funeral will he let his kids spend his money or inherit his house.
For extended biographies written and shared by Washington College students enrolled in the course "Chestertown's America" HIST 394, Spring 2013, taught by Adam Goodheart, please follow these links:
"Making Memorial Day: The Works of Perry Landon" by Mike Collins
"Perry H. Landon, 1841-1927" by Christopher Schwartz
Return to Perry Landon's Introductory Page
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