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11
Richard Parkinson, author of A Tbur in
America, published in London in 1805,
wrote of his visit to Hampton:
The General's lands are very
well cultivated... his cattle, sheep,
horses, etc., of a superior sort, and
in much finer condition than many
I saw in America. He is very fa-
mous for race horses and usually
keeps three or four such horses in
training, and what enables him to
do this is that he owns very exten-
sive iron works, or otherwise he
could not. He is a very gentell man
and is said to keep the best table in
America. I continued in friendship
with him until the time of my leav-
ing the country, and as he had a
house in Baltimore where he spent
his winters, I often experienced his
great hospitality.
Like his uncle, CHARLES CARNAN
RIDGELY did not live at Hampton exclu-
sively. Although it appears that at one time
he and his wife may have leased their
houses in Annapolis and Baltimore for
the winter season, in 1807 GENERAL RIDGELY purchased a townhouse on North Gay
Street in Baltimore for $10,000. The 1829 records of the estate sale at 8 North Gay Street
indicate that the GENERAL'S townhouse was large and well appointed. Following his
retirement as Governor, Ridgely divided his time between this house and Hampton. He
was still acquiring some furnishings as late as 1828, when he attended John Eager
Howard's estate sale and purchased several costly items. The GOVERNOR left the Gay
Street townhouse to his eldest daughter, Rebecca.
Also included in the terms of CHARLES CARNAN RIDGELY's will, dated April 28,
1828, was a provision to free most of his slaves. By these terms, all males age 28 to 45
and all females between 25 and 45 were free persons at his death. Those under 28 and
25 respectively were to be freed when they attained these minimum ages. All older slaves
were to be held in trusteeship by his executors, who were not allowed to sell them, but
instead to permit the slaves "as far as practicable to enjoy the rewards and benefit of their
own labour their condition as much as may be ameliorated, consist therewith that they
be kindly treated and provided for comfortably during their old age at the general charge
of my estate...." The GENERAL'S will listed more than 300 slaves on the estate at the
time of his death.
The "Post Boy Cup," by Samuel Williamson of
Philadelphia, c.1809. Made for Charles Caman
Ridgely, this important silver racing trophy
commemorates one of General Ridgely's finest
thoroughbreds.
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