Facts about retail businesses can be gleaned from individual records. In 1841, James D. Weems mortgaged the contents of his general store in a brick house on Church St. in Annapolis that was recently occupied by Ben H. Hall [WSG 2, pp. 142-144]. The instrument included an inventory of items in the store. A similar itemization occurred in George Michael's mortgage of a dry goods store on State House Circle in 1875 [SH 3, p. 390].

In 1857, Philip G. Schurar mortgaged the contents of his store at the U.S. Naval Academy. The equivalent of a modern college book store, Schurar's establishment contained textbooks, miscellaneous school supplies, linens, and toiletries. The amount of the mortgage was $1459.53. 

To secure a much larger debt of $50,000, the Bay Ridge Company in 1887 mortgaged its entire business to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad [SH 6, pp. 256-261]. This covered the summer resort at Bay Ridge in Annapolis and the office in Baltimore at 217 E. Baltimore St. Property at the resort consisted of the fixtures, furniture, linens, china, silverware, and cooking utensils in the hotel, hotel annex, opera house, and restaurant. Other items located on the grounds included machinery, boats, and railroad cars. 

Owen M. Taylor compiled and edited a History of Annapolis and the United States Naval Academy, published and copyrighted by the Turnbull Bros. of Baltimore in 1872. The publisher gave Taylor 195 copies of his book. He then conveyed his rights to the remaining copies to Turnbull Bros. [SH 3, pp. 71-72]. 

For many years, the sculpture of a bust of Reverdy Johnson resided in the old Hall of Records Building; to be more precise in this author's office in an alcove above her head. What a surprise to find that object being used to secure a debt in 1876. The sculptor, 

Treasures can be found even among the most mundane of records. 

FIRST LADIES OF MARYLAND, 1634-1777, Part III 
by Robert Barnes 

9. Ann Cox, 1st wife of Thomas Greene. 

Thomas Greene was governor of Maryland from 1647 to 1648/49, and also served in 1649 while William Stone was absent from the Province. He married first Ann Cox, who died by 1647. Harry Wright Newman states that she was the only proven lady of gentle birth on board the Ark and Dove. She was probably the "Noble Matron" who died in 1638, and who had been "fond of the Society of Jesus while living, and a benefactor to the Society when dying," according to a report sent by Father Andrew White to the Superior General in Rome. Thomas and Ann Green were the parents of: Thomas who died without issue and Leonard who died 1688, having married Ann [-?-]. 

10. Winifred Seyborne, 2nd wife of Thomas Greene. 

11. Verlinda Graves, wife of William Stone. 

William Stone was Governor from 1649 to 1651/52, and from 1652 to 1656, although his commission from Lord Baltimore was questioned by the Parliamentary Commissioners. Stone married by 1635
 
 
 

Verlinda, daughter of Thomas and Katherine Graves, and sister of John, Thomas, and Francis Graves, and Ann (who married 1st, Rev. William Cotton, 2nd, Rev. Nathaniel Eaton, and 3rd, Rev. Francis Doughty), and Katherine (who married 1st, William Roper of Accomack Co., VA, and 2nd, Thomas Sprigg). In his will, written on 3 Dec 1659, Stone left his house and lands at St. Mary's to his wife Verlinda, whom he stipulated was to remain at home in Nengemy during her widowhood. 

In 1664, Verlinda Stone patented a tract called Virlinda, 300 acres in Charles County. In 1666, she had surveyed 500 acres, called Acquinkeckes in what is now Prince George's County, later patented by Mary Stone. Verlinda Stone died in 1675 between 2 March, when she wrote her will, and 13 June, when the will was proved. She left a personal estate appraised at 14,950 lbs. tobacco. William and Verlinda Stone were the parents of: Thomas, born ca. 1635; Richard, died 1667; John, born ca. 1648; Matthew, died 1676; Elizabeth, married William Calvert; Mary, married 1st, John Thomas and 2nd, Robert Doyne; and Catherine. 

12. Margaret Banks, wife of Thomas Hatton. 

Thomas Hatton governed Maryland in 1650 while William Stone was absent from the province. Hatton married Margaret Banks who died in 1657. She had come into the province as a free adult with her husband and two sons, Robert and Thomas. On 31 May 1650, Thomas and Margaret Hatton witnessed the will of James Johnson of Poplar Hill, St. Mary's County, who had married Barbara Hatton, a kinswomen of Thomas Hatton. 

Margaret Banks Hatton of St. Mary's County died leaving a will, dated 4 Feb. 1656 and proved 29 Aug. 1657. She bequeathed personalty  (personal property) to her godson Matthew Stone, an unnamed sister, and Jane Warde. The rest of her estate was to be divided equally among her children, after the cost of her son Thomas' tuition was paid.

Margaret Banks Hatton must not be confused with her sister-in-law Margaret [-?-] who married 1st, Richard Hatton, and 2nd, Richard Banks. That Margaret Banks was living on 19 July 1665 when she witnessed the will of Thomas Kemp. 

[References available from the author upon request <bobb@mdarchives.state.md.us>.]

RECORD TRANSFERS 

DORCHESTER COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT 
    (Birth Record) 1865-1872 [MSA T3446] 
    (Boat Lien Record) 1909 [MSA T1942] 
    (Commissions) 1800-1900 [MSA T3472] 
    (Condemnation Docket) 1868-1925 [MSA 
     T3448] 
    (Coroners Inquests) 1870-1938 [MSA 
    T3474] 
    (Court Papers) 1855-1882 [MSA T2317] 
    (Crab License Record) 1947-1984 [MSA 
    T3451] 
    (Credit Lien Record) 1954-1960 [MSA 
    T3452] 
    (Crop Lien Record) 1935-1954 [MSA 
    T3453] 
    (Death Record) 1865-1868 [MSA T3454] 
    (Docket) 1792-1945 [MSA T1955] 
    (Election Papers) 1906-1986 [MSA T3476] 
    (Equity Docket) 1820-1948 [MSA T1954] 
    (Equity Papers) 1820-1970 [MSA T2318] 
    (Execution Record) 1817-1955 [MSA 
    T3455] 
    (Factors Lien Record) 1945-1964 [MSA 
    T3456] 
    (Insolvency Papers) 1917 [MSA T3477] 
    (Judgment Record, Index) 1856-1938 [MSA 
    T3458] 
    (Jury Papers) 1933-1989 [MSA T3481] 
    (Jury Record) 1910-1970 [MSA T3459]